Podcast Summary: New Rory & Mal - "Checking In With Frankie Quiñones"
Date: October 9, 2025
Guest: Frankie Quiñones
Main Theme: A candid, comedic, and insightful conversation with comedian and actor Frankie Quiñones, delving into his brand-new standup special, comedy career, cultural experiences, and creative process—with plenty of laughs and thoughtful hot takes along the way.
Episode Overview
This episode features Frankie Quiñones, the multi-talented comedian and actor, discussing his journey in comedy, the anticipation (and pressure) of his first Hulu standup special "Damn, That’s Crazy," and the broader landscape of standup and entertainment. The hosts dig into Frankie's inspirations, his connection to Latino culture, experiences with industry heavyweights, and answer a wild listener voicemail about “vacation love.” Throughout, the tone is funny, warm, and lively, keeping true to the New Rory & Mal brand.
Key Discussion Points & Timeline
1. Frankie’s Hulu Standup Special & Performance Pressure
[02:19 – 04:55]
- Frankie talks excitement and nerves ahead of his special's release.
- The difference between regular club gigs and recording a special:
- Regular sets: “you’re just working out, doing the thing” [05:00]
- Special: “most probably high pressure...it’s you, the mic, and the crowd, and they’re just looking at you like, what’s up? What do you got?” – Frankie, [03:55]
- On bombing: it happens less now, but you learn to deal. In the early days: “In the beginning I’d be, oh, it’s not going good...just get through the jokes, yeah, you just get scared, bro, but you have to go through that shit…” [04:24]
2. Comedy Special 'Secrets': Who Sits in the Front?
[05:47 – 07:34]
- Hosts joke about rumors of only attractive people being put up front for tapings.
- Frankie laughs: “They do have cast...make it feel diverse...I’m sure if somebody was ugly as hell...where it’s just gonna make the camera man uncomfortable...” [06:03]
- But as a comic, weird audiences give material: “I’m more like performing like a storyteller...but if there’s something that’s just calling me out right up front, you’re gonna lean in.” [06:49]
3. Influence of ‘In Living Color’ & Navigating Modern Comedy
[07:34 – 10:37]
- Frankie’s love for In Living Color:
- “We were watching Living Color religiously...they were just like, no holds bar...” [08:06]
- Comparing SNL and Living Color, plus how the rules have changed for comedians:
- Frankie: “There was a period where the whole, like, people getting canceled...walking on eggshells—and that’s not a good feeling as a comic...” [09:28]
- “I feel like we’ve gotten to a place where it’s balancing out. Comedy is supposed to be offensive to a degree.” [10:17]
4. Taking Comedy Overseas & Political Backlash
[10:37 – 13:43]
- Discussion about comedians (like Kevin Hart, Bill Burr) performing in Saudi Arabia for major pay:
- Frankie: “I know the lowest amount a comic got for going out there was like 300k…for one show.” [11:15]
- On critics: “Look at our country, homie. Our country’s up in all kind of ways and we perform here all the time. Like, we want to make a big deal out of that…” [11:58]
- It’s a balancing act between artist integrity and financial opportunity.
5. Family, Upbringing & Latino Representation
[13:47 – 17:31]
- Frankie’s parents were huge standup fans; supportive, but worried during the hard years:
- “I didn’t start till I was 25...when I was 36 is when it popped for me finally.” [15:01]
- On George Lopez: key inspiration, good friend now, gets backlash for political opinions.
- “He’s a legend no matter what he does after he did that, what he did.” [17:25]
- Reflection on Latino comedians, politics, and cultural division.
6. Bad Bunny, ICE, and Super Bowl Hot Takes
[17:31 – 21:43]
- Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show; his fears of ICE targeting fans.
- Frankie (joking): “Once ICE starts coming to my shows, is that like, yes, I'm lit now?” [18:21]
- Hosts riff on the idea of ‘ICE at the Super Bowl’ and Latino representation in mainstream U.S. culture.
7. Cholo Fit, Characters, and Inspiration
[22:47 – 24:08]
- On the ‘Creeper’ character and Cholo Fit sketches:
- “My dad always had, you know, lowrider...repping the Steelo though...so my dad is real positive, but he’s not a fitness instructor, but, yeah, Creep—just an extension of that.” [23:23]
8. L.A. Upbringing: Music, Comedy, and Culture
[24:08 – 25:28]
- Growing up in a house full of old-school funk: “My mom and dad are like die-hard old school funk fans...they went to Rick James’s funeral...my mom says ‘my Ricky Rick’…” [24:12]
- Experience of L.A. during the birth of gangster rap and the comedy scene crossover.
9. Behind-the-Scenes in TV & Netflix/Hulu Standup Business
[32:56 – 38:17]
- Working on Hulu shows, collaborating with Michael Imperioli (Sopranos) and Ali Wong:
- “Ali Wong directed it, and then we tightened it up in post...we’re pumped on it.” [34:49]
- Insight into pitching specials to networks: audio samples, tickets to see live sets, budget realities.
- “Some comics just produce it on their own...the cheapest you can get it done for is probably like a hundred racks to get like a decent special...” [35:13]
- Michael Imperioli’s Sopranos stories: “They just be up all night, all of them, going back to the set. Those sleep in the makeup department...” [37:41]
10. Sketches vs. Standup; Comedic Process
[38:47 – 40:32]
- Standup is Frankie’s “first love”—he appreciates the risk and real-time feedback.
- “You don’t know what’s going to happen. The stars gonna line tonight or not...Let’s just give it our best shot and do it.” [39:31]
- But acting, writing, and sketches offer new creative fulfillment.
11. Standup Craft: Jokes, Bombs, and Comedy Heroes
[40:32 – 42:27]
- On jokes that bomb: “If I believe in it, I’ll give it another shot...sometimes, man, I’ll write some, and I’ll be like, this shit’s funny...and then I’ll go and it’s just crickets...” [39:59]
- Comics he’d still love to meet: “Eddie Murphy. I’ve been in the same building with him, but never had to shake his hand.” [40:47]
- Surprise ‘good guys’ in comedy: “Bill Burr is one of them. Joey Diaz.” [42:39]
12. Listener Voicemail: “Vacation Boo” Relationship Dilemma
[44:05 – 51:32]
- Listener asks if a whirlwind Vegas romance should stay on vacation.
- “She’s in denial, bro. Homie probably got a lady back in, wherever they’re from.” – Frankie, [46:31]
- “Vacation is escaping from reality. You can just go be something else for a few days just to get away.” – Co-host, [48:37]
- Group gives hilarious, real advice: “Yeah, seven, it’s over. Just let that man be with his family. Y’ all had a great time in Vegas.” [51:23]
13. Plugs & Farewells
[52:00 – 52:41]
- Frankie’s special "Damn, That’s Crazy" out Oct 10 on Hulu, directed by Ali Wong.
- YouTube: Creeper’s Crib: Live from My Grandpa’s Garage.
- For tour dates: frankiequinones.com
Notable Quotes
-
On Standup Comedy Pressure:
“It’s the most probably high pressure thing because it’s you, the mic, and the crowd, and they’re just looking at you like, what’s up? What do you got?”
— Frankie Quinones, [03:55] -
On Family Inspiration:
“We watch everybody…Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, George Carlin…Paul Rodriguez, first dude look like me…when I was 36 is when it popped for me finally.”
— Frankie Quinones, [15:01] -
On Bombing and Growth:
“You have to go through that shit, you know, through the journey to get where you’re at.”
— Frankie Quinones, [04:24] -
On George Lopez as an Influence:
“He’s a legend no matter what he does after he did what he did…”
— Frankie Quinones, [17:25] -
On the Cholo Fit Inspiration:
“My dad always had, you know, lowrider…so my dad is real positive, but he’s not a fitness instructor, but, yeah, Creep—just an extension of that.”
— Frankie Quinones, [23:23] -
On Navigating Comedy in 2025:
“There was a time…walking on eggshells…and that’s not a good feeling as a comic...But now…I feel like we’ve gotten to a place where it’s kind of balancing out…”
— Frankie Quinones, [09:51] -
Advice to Listener “Seven” about Vacation Romance:
“She knows the answer. She knows that’s it. She knows it’s not.”
— Frankie Quinones, [46:53] -
On Meeting Eddie Murphy:
“Eddie Murphy. I’ve been in the same building with him, but never had to shake his hand…”
— Frankie Quinones, [40:47]
Memorable & Hilarious Moments
- The recurring bit about “ugly” people in front row of comedy specials:
“I have to kill this person right here. Like, this is way too ugly to be in the front row.” [07:10] - The extended riff on ICE showing up to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show:
“Is that the barometer? Like, yo, if ICE is at my show, I’m lit?” [18:21] - Listener “Seven’s” vacation boo:
“Vegas is escaping from reality…full-blown relationships for 48 hours.” [48:37] - Exhibit’s cameo in Creeper’s sketch, showing up “solo in his Ferrari” in the hood [43:52]
- The back-and-forth about comedians abroad, hypocrisy in the entertainment world, and Bill Burr’s pivot on China:
“The more you talk, the more you put yourself in a smaller box…” [13:09]
Final Thoughts
Frankie is candid and funny as ever, offering a revealing look behind the curtain of standup, acting, and Latino cultural identity—trading equally in self-aware jokes and sage advice. Whether he's nerding out over old-school comedy, sharing family stories, or breaking down the grind behind creative success, Frankie is relatable, grounded, and inspiring.
Where to Find Frankie Quiñones
- New Hulu special: "Damn, That’s Crazy" – Out October 10
- YouTube: Creeper’s Crib: Live from My Grandpa’s Garage
- Tour dates: frankiequinones.com
This episode is a must-listen for comedy fans, aspiring artists, and anyone who’s had a weekend romance (or a wild idea about ICE at the Super Bowl).