Podcast Summary: Pablo Torre Finds Out
Episode: "Allow Desus Nice to Re-Introduce Himself"
Host: Pablo Torre
Guest: Desus Nice (aka Daniel Baker)
Date: November 14, 2023
Episode Overview
This episode is a vibrant, heartfelt, and hilarious conversation between Pablo Torre and Desus Nice, tracing Desus's journey from odd jobs in New York to TV stardom—and his recent evolution as a solo creative force. Pablo invites Desus into an intimate talk about identity, work, New York City, and personal growth, culminating in Desus reflecting on his unique trajectory and the power of therapy.
Major Themes & Discussion Points
1. A Serendipitous Reunion and the Energy of NYC
[00:49 – 05:51]
- The episode opens with the two reminiscing about randomly running into each other on the streets of New York, embodying the city’s spontaneous energy.
- "It really felt like a Sex in the City moment... that's something I missed, that idea of just running into people all the time." — Desus [01:35]
- Desus’s love for New York City, recently rekindled after time in L.A., comes alive through stories about Knicks playoff watch parties in Silver Lake and affection for NYC’s quirks (the weather, the culture of 'harsh love' as Knicks fans).
2. Desus’s Colorful Résumé: From Odd Jobs to Stardom
[07:46 – 29:12]
- Desus recounts a string of jobs: rebuilding a Bronx crack house, picking up dead rats at a mechanic, working at a public library, international domain name sales, strip club manager, and small business reporting.
- "I've had so many jobs, I've lose so many lives... My LinkedIn would be wild if I could remember the password." — Desus [10:44]
- Each role serves as a sitcom-worthy chapter, shedding light on the eccentricities of NYC workplaces and survival hustles.
- Notably, Desus's very first job involved scooping out toilets in a derelict home:
- "You would think it's all hard, but it's kind of like a souffle or a creme brulee. It's like a hard crust. And once you scooped through..." — Desus [00:06, reprised at 12:44]
- Notably, Desus's very first job involved scooping out toilets in a derelict home:
Highlight: The Rat Saga
- Dead rats at a Bronx mechanic during a heatwave, with vapor rub under his nose and a shovel in hand.
- "You have to use your sense of smell to find the rats, which is not something you want to do." — Desus [20:15]
Highlight: Strip Club Management
- Progressing from coat check to manager, Desus gave motivational speeches to dancers, prided himself on protecting them, and improved club operations with his librarian-acquired expertise.
- "Every night we have to make this, like, Disney World. We have to make it magic." — Desus [26:14]
3. Learning and Adapting: From Libraries to the Internet
[21:18 – 25:29]
-
NY Public Library: An oasis and microcosm for all New Yorkers, where Desus learned to code, observed civic life, and witnessed characters pushing the bounds (e.g., "library porn guys").
- "The library is the only place in New York you can go to spend time and you don't have to spend money." — Desus [21:50]
- Attempted "porn filtering" at the library led to hilarious yet poignant anecdotes about tech, censorship, and the realities of public spaces.
-
International Domain Sales: Desus worked in the domain "gold rush," flipping prized URLs for major profit—a tech hustle before his entertainment break.
- "The whole domain game was wild... there was scarcity and everyone wanted a dot com." — Desus [24:21]
4. Breakthroughs, Mentorship, and the Fate of Fame
[28:31 – 30:35]
- Desus discusses how his humor was first called out as special by friends and mentors, including his seventh grade English teacher's prophecy:
- "Your life is going to be difficult because you're going to be famous." — Leslie Ashold, recounted by Desus [29:55]
- Black Enterprise: Desus's foray into journalism was more necessity than passion, but Twitter emerged as his creative outlet.
- "I was doing my tweets because I hated [the job]... you have talents, but this is what you have to do to pay the bills." — Desus [31:02]
5. Processing the End of "Desus & Mero" and Solo Evolution
[32:27 – 36:28]
- Desus reflects on the transition from iconic duo to solo act—how fans still expect Mero, how he intentionally lay low post-breakup, and the challenge of "reintroducing" himself.
- "People can't—there's certain people who will never see you as a soloist. They're always going to be like, when's Mero coming out?" — Desus [32:28]
- Desus’s recent Daily Show hosting and new projects (kept vague due to NDAs) mark a new phase.
The Power of Therapy and Hollywood Ambition
[36:44 – 41:35]
- Desus credits starting therapy at the height of TV show tensions for helping him manage stress, improve relationships, and embrace the journey as “Hollywood Desus.”
- "Therapy is, you learn the programming language for the operating system that's you." — Desus [39:30]
- Embracing feelings is scary but also "so great," leading to genuine happiness after years of being a "sad clown."
- "For a long period, it was not that... You're laughing and everyone around you is laughing, and inside you're just like, what the fuck is going on?" [40:26]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "I'm a baby of Twitter. I was on there from like almost day one of Twitter... I just tweeted about it every day." — Desus [31:02]
- On the strip club:
- "Do you know Microsoft Excel? ... Do you want to be manager? And I was like, sure. That simple." — Desus [27:11]
- On therapy:
- "I want to do every job in Hollywood. I want to direct, I want to produce, I want to score movies." — Desus [38:28]
- "Therapy basically is like, to put it in nerd ways... you learn the programming language for the operating system that's you." — Desus [39:30]
- On NYC’s rats and public spaces:
- "Respect his privacy... Did you ask for his consent to record this?" — Desus, on 'pizza rat' [14:28]
Love for New York and Final Reflections
[42:28 – End]
- Desus ruminates on how much it means to return to New York and be recognized—not as a celebrity, but as himself, Daniel from the Bronx.
- "Like, people are like, 'yo, Desus is back!' Like, I walk into a bar, they're like, you're back! I'm like, yeah, I am." [44:45]
- He shares a moment of gratitude at his own journey—with a shout-out to public defenders, central booking, and the improbable, full-circle rise from humble beginnings.
- "When you walk by central book or court, and you don't have to go to court, it's the best feeling in the world." [46:20]
Episode Timestamps
- 00:49–05:51 – New York energy, bumping into each other, Knicks fandom in LA
- 07:46–13:06 – Desus’s first jobs: crack house cleanout, ‘souffle-like poop,’ rat collecting
- 14:08–19:03 – The NYC rat ecosystem, inflatable rat unions, mechanic shop ‘rat apocalypse’
- 21:15–24:01 – New York Public Library culture, digital literacy, public porn
- 24:08–28:02 – Domain sales, strip club management, adapting to any job
- 29:12–31:03 – The prophecy of fame, Twitter as creative outlet, transition to media
- 32:27–36:44 – The solo artist era, moving past Desus & Mero, new ambitions
- 36:44–41:35 – Therapy, self-reflection, “Hollywood Desus,” true happiness
- 42:28–47:18 – Acknowledging the journey; full-circle moments; love for the city
- 47:18–End – Mutual gratitude, closing thoughts, importance of relationships
Tone and Style
The episode’s language and vibe remain true to Desus and Pablo—streetwise, irreverent, vulnerable, and joyous. The conversation bounces from uproarious (rat hunting, library porn myths) to reflective (therapy, family loss, gratitude), always anchored in the specificity of lived New York experience.
Final Thought
This episode is a celebration of resilience, humor, and evolution. Desus’s journey is both singular and emblematic—a testament to going with the flow, embracing new opportunities, and finding your place, purpose, and peace—even if it begins with a shovel and a hard hat in the Bronx.
Best Quote to Capture the Spirit:
"Imagine finding a job you love. Imagine finding the thing you're really good at. I love making TV... I can't wait for whatever's next." — Desus [35:07]