Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out - Episode 171 Summary
Episode Title: Nikki Glaser Returns: The Team Captain of Comedy (Plus: Mike’s New Special!)
Release Date: May 26, 2025
Host: Mike Birbiglia
Guest: Nikki Glaser
1. Welcoming Nikki Glaser Back
Mike Birbiglia opens the episode by humorously bestowing Nikki Glaser the title "Team Captain of Comedy," highlighting her comedic prowess, authenticity, and kindness. He shares a playful exchange where Nikki initially doubts her status but appreciates the gesture.
Mike Birbiglia [00:00]: "I believe you're the team captain of comedy right now."
Nikki Glaser [00:21]: "That means so much from you. And I don't believe a word of it."
2. Celebrating Achievements
Mike enthusiastically outlines Nikki's career milestones since her last appearance on the podcast in 2021. Nikki has risen to household fame with her Emmy-nominated special, "Someday You'll Die," her standout performance at the Roast of Tom Brady, and her successful hosting stint at the Golden Globes.
Mike Birbiglia [00:42]: "She has basically gone to becoming a household name. She had an incredible special last year called Someday You'll Die that was nominated for an Emmy."
3. Mike's New Netflix Special
Mike shares the excitement about releasing his new Netflix special, "The Good Life." He describes it as his most personal work yet, focusing on present-day experiences rather than past events. Mike attributes the special's success to his dedicated team and expresses heartfelt pride in the project.
Mike Birbiglia [02:00]: "It's very much about stuff that I'm dealing with in the present... It's probably got the most jokes and the best jokes of any special I've ever done."
4. Enhancing the Podcast Experience
Mike announces the launch of a new website for the podcast, birdbigs.com, which allows listeners to easily browse through the extensive catalog of 170 free episodes. Features include searching by guest or topic and sharing episodes effortlessly.
Mike Birbiglia [03:30]: "Our new website allows you to browse the back catalog very easily. You can search by guest by topic, share episodes more easily."
5. Exploring Comedic Material and Dark Humor
The conversation delves into the challenges and nuances of creating dark and controversial comedy. Nikki discusses her process of developing jokes about sensitive topics like porn addiction and child molestation, emphasizing the importance of empathy and authenticity in her material.
Nikki Glaser [04:05]: "The porn I'm watching is disturbing and it's not ethical... because I have empathy."
Mike admires Nikki's ability to tackle such heavy subjects with humor and insight, noting how her approach complements his own comedic style.
Mike Birbiglia [08:09]: "If you can bring an audience to a dark place or a sad place, and you can come out the other side of that. That's the best kind of comedy."
6. Balancing Self-Esteem and Fame
Nikki opens up about her struggles with self-esteem despite her growing fame. She shares how receiving praise feels overwhelming and how achieving household recognition wasn't something she believed was possible for herself.
Nikki Glaser [12:24]: "I do think alive and unwell is a good name... It feels like captain of the pep club or captain of the cheerleading squad was not even an option in high school."
Mike relates by discussing his own insecurities as a comedian, reinforcing the universal challenges of dealing with self-doubt in the public eye.
Mike Birbiglia [35:07]: "I have weeks where I go, 'I am fundamentally not funny.'"
7. Hosting the Golden Globes: Tips and Insights
Drawing from her successful hosting experience, Nikki shares valuable tips for effectively hosting large events. She emphasizes the importance of starting strong with a solid joke and maintaining a compassionate perspective towards nervous speakers.
Nikki Glaser [21:43]: "You need to come out of the gate right away strong... and remember that when you're watching someone public speak, you're not wishing they do a bad job."
She advocates for creating a supportive environment during performances, which can enhance both the host's and the audience's experience.
8. Developing New Comedic Bits
The duo brainstorms potential jokes and comedic bits, exploring themes like body image, the ethics of pornography, and societal discrimination. They discuss the delicate balance required to address these topics without crossing into insensitivity.
Nikki Glaser [44:35]: "It's literally what their face is. It's not symmetrical. It just means you were born with an abnormality."
Mike encourages Nikki to further develop her storytelling abilities in stand-up, suggesting that integrating story arcs can enhance her comedic repertoire.
Mike Birbiglia [49:40]: "As long as the audience knows there's an end, they're like, okay, this will be fine."
9. Vegan Activism Through Comedy
Nikki incorporates her passion for veganism into her comedy, debating the ethical implications of both meat consumption and pornography. She uses humor to highlight societal contradictions and advocate for animal rights.
Nikki Glaser [55:07]: "It's not only good for the world, but I just feel better than you... I just feel like I'm a better person."
Mike reflects on the parallels between ethical eating and consuming ethically produced media, such as pornography.
Mike Birbiglia [52:00]: "I sometimes feel guilty if I watch porn, but then I'm like, well, they already filmed it."
10. Concluding Thoughts: Empathy and Social Commentary
Nikki emphasizes the role of comedy in addressing topics that society often shies away from, advocating for open discussions to break cycles of abuse and discrimination. Both hosts agree on the responsibility of comedians to foster empathy and provoke thoughtful conversations through their art.
Nikki Glaser [24:37]: "If we don't talk about it, then if kids are... it's very simple way to make it stop is if everyone just is able to report it and talk about it naturally."
Mike Birbiglia [25:14]: "That's what jokes do too."
Key Takeaways
- Nikki Glaser's Rise: From her Emmy-nominated special to hosting major events, Nikki has solidified her status in the comedy world.
- Mike's New Special: "The Good Life" marks Mike's most personal comedic work, focusing on present-day experiences.
- Handling Dark Humor: Both comedians explore the complexities of integrating sensitive topics into comedy with empathy and authenticity.
- Self-Esteem Challenges: Dealing with self-doubt remains a common thread, even amidst professional success.
- Hosting Insights: Effective hosting begins with a strong opening and maintaining a supportive demeanor towards nervous speakers.
- Vegan Activism: Nikki leverages comedy to advocate for ethical treatment of animals and challenge societal norms.
Notable Quotes
- Mike Birbiglia [00:04]: "You're a great captain of the comedy team because you're number one, funny above all else."
- Nikki Glaser [08:32]: "I like telling the truth, why are you offended?"
- Mike Birbiglia [21:46]: "No one's in the audience going, like, look how nervous they are."
- Nikki Glaser [24:37]: "If we don't talk about it, then it's very simple way to make it stop."
This episode showcases the dynamic interplay between Mike Birbiglia and Nikki Glaser, blending humor with poignant social commentary. Their candid discussions offer insights into the craft of comedy, personal growth, and the impact of public recognition.