Adam Pally

Summary

Senses Working Overtime with David Cross: Episode Featuring Adam Pally

Release Date: October 24, 2024
Host: David Cross
Guest: Adam Pally

---

1. Introduction and Setting the Stage (00:02 - 02:29)

David Cross welcomes comedian Adam Pally to the podcast, engaging in a humorous exchange about the anxiety of joining a podcast recording. Adam shares his nervousness, rating it high on a personal scale, while David contrasts his own ease in such settings.

Notable Quote:

Adam Pally [00:38]: "It is nerve-wracking to come into a podcast room and not know which seat is the... you know, there's like therapy."

2. Navigating Commitments and Traffic Woes (02:29 - 05:00)

Adam discusses his recent tardiness to the podcast recording, attributing it to heavy traffic in Harlem while returning from a charity golf event in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The conversation humorously touches on the chaotic nature of New York City commutes.

Notable Quote:

David Cross [01:21]: "I don't actually know. I do."

3. Exploring Stereotypes and Humor (05:00 - 12:00)

The duo delves into a series of comedic exchanges revolving around racial stereotypes and conspiracy theories. They playfully critique and mock various tropes, showcasing their sharp comedic timing and ability to riff on sensitive topics with humor.

Notable Quote:

Adam Pally [09:22]: "They love to complain. It gives them something to complain about."

4. Improv and Theatrical Ventures (12:00 - 28:26)

Adam shares his extensive background in improvisational theater, recounting memorable experiences at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) and collaborations with notable comedians like Ben Schwartz and Bobby Moynihan. They discuss the intricacies of improv, the challenges of performing with incomplete scripts, and the brilliance of seasoned improvisers.

Notable Quote:

Adam Pally [23:57]: "There's nowhere to respond again. It's just an easy way to think about it."

5. Transitioning to Promotional Segments (24:00 - 28:26)

Note: This segment includes promotional content which has been summarized and excluded from detailed discussion per the podcast summary guidelines.

6. Personal Anecdotes and Experiences (28:26 - 55:44)

Adam reminisces about various comedy bits and performances, highlighting his favorite sketches and the impact they've had on audiences. He discusses his stint in a play titled "Cardinal," portraying a Chinese character, and reflects on the difficulties of transitioning between scripted and improvisational roles. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of live performances, audience interactions, and the emotional depth actors bring to their roles.

Notable Quote:

Adam Pally [34:42]: "I think he's the mother of his kids."

7. Upcoming Projects: "Mr. Throwback" TV Show (55:44 - 75:16)

Adam proudly introduces his new television show, "Mr. Throwback," a comedy series co-starring Tracy Letts and basketball star Stephen Curry. The show, set to premiere on Peacock and later on NBC, revolves around Adam's character navigating financial struggles while interacting with familiar faces from his past. He elaborates on the show's premise, creative process, and collaboration with notable figures like the Russo Brothers.

Notable Quote:

Adam Pally [74:05]: "The premise is that I play a vintage salesman... and I take advantage of him."

8. Engaging with Audience Questions (75:16 - 80:43)

In a heartwarming segment, David Cross presents Adam with a question from his seven-year-old daughter, Marlo: "Why do trees take so long to grow?" Adam provides a thoughtful and poetic response, emphasizing the importance of trees in the ecosystem and their gradual growth as a reflection of the world's healing process.

Notable Quote:

Adam Pally [79:03]: "Cause they're so important to the world, and every part of them growing is another part of the world growing with them."

9. Closing Remarks and Final Banter (80:43 - End)

The episode concludes with playful banter between David and Adam, including light-hearted impressions and humorous exchanges about accents and personal quirks. They express mutual appreciation and fondness, wrapping up the conversation on a warm and comedic note.

Notable Quote:

Adam Pally [80:14]: "You're gonna love it. It's awesome."

---

Key Insights and Takeaways

• Comedic Chemistry: The episode showcases the natural and effortless rapport between David Cross and Adam Pally, highlighting their shared background in improv and comedy.

• Improv Expertise: Adam Pally provides an in-depth look into the world of improvisational theater, sharing valuable insights into the craft and its challenges.

• Personal Connections: The discussion reveals Adam's personal experiences in theater and television, offering listeners a glimpse into his professional journey and upcoming projects.

• Humor with Depth: Despite tackling sensitive topics, both hosts maintain a balance of humor and thoughtful commentary, making the conversation both entertaining and meaningful.

---

For More Episodes: Catch all new audio and video episodes of Senses Working Overtime with David Cross every Thursday starting December 7. Visit headgum.com or your preferred podcast platform to listen.

Transcript

[A]

This is a Headgum podcast. Adam Paillee. Always give the guest a choice of where they want to sit.

[B]

I'll do red.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

That's.

[B]

It is nerve wracking to come into a podcast room and not know which seat is the. You know, there's, like, therapy. Your first time, and you're like, am I on the couch or am I in the.

[A]

On your scale of 1 to 10, how nerve wracking is that experience?

[B]

Super nerve wracking for me.

[A]

So you go 10.

[B]

Well, nine. Stakes aren't that high. I was at eight.

[A]

Right. That's why I was gonna say one.

[B]

Well, you're. You're.

[A]

I'm a different person.

[B]

Different guy than me. And confidence seems to be more.

[A]

Confidence. Yeah.

[B]

You seem to be more at ease.

[A]

I am.

[B]

And I could see. How are you?

[A]

I'm good. How are you?

[B]

Good, thank you. I'm so sorry that I missed yesterday.

[A]

Well, for a little backstory, the reason I changed my shirt was Adam was. And this is all relative, late to coming to do the podcast again. Relative. Some would say a little late. Some would say that's egregiously late.

[B]

It was egregious.

[A]

Do you want to tell them how many minutes you were late?

[B]

I don't actually know.

[A]

I do.

[B]

Oh, I figured I would say probably.

[A]

45 for 56 minutes.

[B]

56 minutes.

[A]

56 minutes.

[B]

There's traffic.

[A]

Now. You live in New York City.

[B]

I do. I do.

[A]

And where do you live?

[B]

Harlem.

[A]

Harlem. Okay. You've heard about the subways.

[B]

Yeah. I wasn't coming from my house.

[A]

Oh, okay. So where were you coming from?

[B]

A charity event?

[A]

I didn't. I'm asking you where. Not what, not the thing. Where did this charity event take place?

[B]

Golf course.

[A]

Where was the golf course?

[B]

Ridgewood, New Jersey.

[A]

Oh, so that is traffic.

[B]

Yeah, it was traffic.

[A]

Oh, shit. Okay. I thought I didn't know about the charity event.

[B]

That's okay.

[A]

And to let everybody know you were raising money as part of a event to raise money to complete the genocide of the Native American Indian, which is not something I'm about. And I don't.

[B]

You don't have to be.

[A]

I don't. Yeah. No, I mean, look, I'll take the stage time.

[B]

We're not a preachy organization.

[A]

Well, that's great. That's good. You don't proselytize. You're not out in the streets. What are you raising money for?

[B]

It was actually for underprivileged kids who.

[A]

Sorry, I got bored.

[B]

No, that's fine. It can Be boring. I understand. Especially if you're from privilege and you don't know.

[A]

Yeah, that's odd.

[B]

Something you can't identify. It's for underprivileged kids from mostly black and brown communities to get out on.

[A]

Okay, that's racist.

[B]

I don't.

[A]

That's racist. Okay, Nicole, push the racist sound effects.

[B]

Do you have a sound effect? How much does that happen?

[A]

A lot for me. I mean, we have.

[B]

You do have a lot of comedians who also have podcasts on here. So I assume that like the Austin, Texas group, probably.

[A]

What should my racist sound effect be? I'll put it in post, but I.

[B]

Feel like it should be something kind of cutesy because you don't want to.

[A]

Like, start like Shirley Temple going, I made a whoopsie.

[B]

Yeah, Like a line.

[A]

Actually got that. We'll be hearing that later probably.

[B]

Oh, great.

[A]

Anyway, something. It should be like something that was race, like a racist trope. Right. So it should be like, oh, Mammy Kingfisher from Amy Cinandi or the, you know, black crow, Heckle and Jekyll or whatever.

[B]

Or like a Paul Lynn like.

[A]

Or like the. The vaguely Jewish sounding animals on the Flintstones when they'd have to do something.

[B]

They go, oh, well, at the bank. At the bank. They were always at the bank.

[A]

Always at the bank.

[B]

Flintstones always had to go to the bank. And I would always think, is this was banking such a priority?

[A]

And it was a big deal. It had just been invented. It was kind of a big deal. The concept was.

[B]

You think it went life changing bank. Like, I think there was a big, like, I don't think it was.

[A]

I think it went wheel pillow. Bank.

[B]

Bank, yes. Yeah. And then. And I. It was definitely a Jew.

[A]

It was definitely a Jew. 100%. Well, they got their hands and everything. Jesus.

[B]

Especially the weather. We do.

[A]

Oh, my God. That's the.

[B]

Hasn't it been nice out? You're welcome.

[A]

That's. Well, that's my joke, but. Oh, no, there. Remember the guy from, I want to say Tennessee who's like a state senator? And he went on this tie. It was about two, three years ago.

[B]

Not the Marjorie Taylor Greene space laser.

[A]

No, no, no, no. This is prior. Pre that. Pre that. And he went on this whole thing. It didn't start this way, but it ended up like where I'm sure his hand handlers, like, shut him up, you know, he was. He was like a younger black guy from Tennessee, I believe. And he went, let's talk about something. Then it. It took this went off the rails. And he was talking about how Jews controlled the weather.

[B]

Was a Herschel Walker.

[A]

No, no, no. This is pretty Herschel Walker.

[B]

Herschel Walker had a slip up too.

[A]

Well, well, similarly generous to say slip up, but.

[B]

Yeah, but in that vein where he was like off on a trail and then was like. And there. And the people controlling the weather and it's like, what.

[A]

Oh, really?

[B]

Did he.

[A]

Yeah, well, so, yeah, I would. I would just talk about that. Like how I had no idea and this is. Why didn't anybody tell me? And I was talking about my relatives and then calling them and they're like, yeah, we control the weather. And then this whole thing about. And then, you know, going, you're welcome. You know that.

[B]

Yeah, no, it's. I control the.

[A]

What? Who? I mean, there are some crazy bonkers conspiracy theories that are just like I. Head scratching. But I.

[B]

The weather is hard.

[A]

I get a like the idea that man. That we faked the landing on the moon. I don't believe that, but I can see. In fact, I have a friend. I haven't talked to him in quite a while, but it was a good friend who I think I talked about on this podcast before, maybe somebody else's, but we. I was hanging out with him and his wife. His then wife at his apartment in Atlanta. And then we were like, hey, let's go up to the corner and grab some beer. I was like, all right. There was like, you know, eight of us, whatever. And so he and I went. And we're walking up. I've known this guy for ever, right? He did my first tattoo. Right?

[B]

Cool.

[A]

And. And now everybody's gonna know who it is. And we're walking there and I don't even know how it came up, but he said something about, you know, we didn't land on the moon. And I of course thought he was joking. And then he fucking was yelling, you know, read about the Van Alden Ra. Radiation help. Like what? That's the only way I know about it because I read. I researched it after he was screaming at me how we didn't land on the moon. And. And man can't survive going. Taking. Bombarded with that kind of radiation past the Van Alden, but whatever it is, so. And I can see the fictionalized plausibility of, oh, they did fake it and all that stuff. And none of my questions or logical, you know, trying to use logic to go, why? What would be in it for us? And wouldn't the. How many people would have to keep that a secret and etcetera Etc. And it just didn't matter. And. But see, like, something like that, I get. I don't believe in it, but I understand how you. Your brain goes that way. Aliens created the. The pyramids. Okay, I don't believe that, but whatever. But Jews control the weather is so bizarre and requires. And I'm sorry, you're going to have to tell me. Give me some kind of proof that is beyond. Yeah, of course they'll deny it.

[B]

Yeah, Well, I mean, has there ever been a better cover for people that control the weather than the people that are complaining about it? The most interesting.

[A]

Come full circle.

[B]

Truly. Cause, like, I've never heard a Jew. And I know all of them that's like, isn't it beautiful today? Never. Everybody is like, well, Jews love to complain. It's too hot.

[A]

They love to complain. It gives them something to complain about.

[B]

Yeah, it's dry heat. No one ever. You never heard a Jew be like, it's gorgeous today. So the fact that we would ever control that thing that we're complaining about, it's like a true diabolical scheme.

[A]

What do you get out of it?

[B]

Well, I think that what you get.

[A]

Out of it stacking up its insurance, right.

[B]

I think it's. Well, if it's money, it's money, right? Like people. I remember when there was like, people being like, well, don't listen to the hurricane is just big tape, you know? Like, remember when they would be like, tape up your doors and they'd be like, that's what they want you to.

[A]

Do is like Staples 3M.

[B]

It's the same type. I always thought that was code for, like, Jew, in my opinion, like, right. As a. As a. As a New York City kid, whenever I heard anything that was like, they are jacking up the price or like, they. That was always just like, Jews.

[A]

Right?

[B]

Like, it's, it's.

[A]

And now it's Asian American.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm glad we passed. The book changed quite dramatically.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Now, I'm sorry, is it. Is it. Is it Pali or Pwai? The pronunciation.

[B]

So you asked me that the first time we. We met.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Oh, my God. Did that fit with me stealing my own joke that I'm not even aware?

[B]

Did that fit with me the first time we met? Which is. I don't know if you even remember.

[A]

This, but was it the gravid water?

[B]

No, I was 23.

[A]

Oh, I do remember when you were.

[B]

23, you and Bob got hired by Montreal to, like, direct sketch at Montreal one year.

[A]

Really?

[B]

And the two sketch groups From New York that they took were me and Ben Schwartz and Bobby Moynihan and. And his group. And this is. You were working or something?

[A]

Yeah, it was, it was Kristen Schall and. Yeah, yeah, that was the other.

[B]

They were. They were there and like you. You was your job to kind of like come in and give us notes and then. And then be the MCs of like the.

[A]

Right.

[B]

The showcase.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, and we were, you know, we were so excited. Like Bob and Dave are like gonna like direct show and meet us. And the first thing he said, you're like, roll calling. You're like, is it Pele or how. Why? And I was like, sick. But I love it. I'm glad to have it.

[A]

That must have been somewhere in the back of my head.

[B]

I'm sure it was.

[A]

Let me be free.

[B]

Tickled that it like came all the way back. And I only. I mean, obviously not to like guffaw, but like, you know, that was a huge moment for us.

[A]

Like, that was a fun show. I remember it.

[B]

Yeah, it was the beginning.

[A]

That was really fun.

[B]

It was the beginning of everything for us. I mean, we were 23. Like, the crazy thing about that show was it almost didn't happen because we got stopped at the border because we. One of my friends was doing a bit and packed his whole bag full of avocados and you can't bring produce into.

[A]

Oh, he wasn't doing a bit for you guys with the border people.

[B]

He was doing to us when we got there, like, hahaha. This is like he.

[A]

That is dumb.

[B]

So dumb. And it was funny like the way he did the bit. The kid is crazy. I don't know if you've ever met him. He's one of the funniest people. His name is Gil Ozeri. He's no now like.

[A]

Oh, the avocado king.

[B]

Yeah. Yes. That's how he's known. He. He's like one of those guys. I'm sure every friend group, every at least comedian friend group has one that's like, I'm really just in it. I'm not in it for like the audience laugh like I'm in it to fuck with you.

[A]

Yeah. Ross Broccoli to be in your John Benjamin.

[B]

Yes, yes. Glazer. He's a lot of Glazer energy too. Who's a hero of ours. And so we had to go to Montreal. We had to drive up everybody.

[A]

That's crazy.

[B]

Everybody's waiting at the rental car. He's the last one there on purpose. He's Got this giant bag. He gets in the car, doesn't say anything. Sorry I'm late. 4 hours outside of the thing. He goes, hey, can you reach into my bag and grab me my computer? I wanna jot something down. And Bobby's in the back. And Bobby goes, yeah, yeah, which one is it? He's like, it's a big. Big, like, duffel thing. He's like, yeah, sure. He opens it up and he's like, gil, there's just, like, avocados in here. He's like, oh, no, I must have taken the wrong bag. Everyone's like, fuck you, man. Like, stupid bit. We were late. Whatever. And then we get to the border with 50 avocados.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And they're like, what are you doing with these? And no matter what we said, they were like, wait, what?

[A]

We're going to the Just for Laughs festival. They were like, see, we're professionals.

[B]

And they're like, no, I got that part. Like, what about the produce that you can't bring in? And we were like, I have no explanation. Like, it was just. And we had to sit outside the car, and everyone's like, we're going to freaking show. It was like the. It was a crazy.

[A]

Yeah, I was just talking to my wife about this this morning, using it as an analogy for something else. But it is. It doesn't matter. Your stature, your. How attractive you are, your wealth or lack thereof.

[B]

It.

[A]

Going through the border and getting processed is how only. It's only determined by the mood and the personality of the person. You. Whose line you get in. It's the ultimate one through 18.

[B]

It's the ultimate doorman energy.

[A]

12. Yeah, 12. Number 12. They're great. They'll let you through. Number 16 has had a bad day. They don't like the way they're looking at you.

[B]

And they're. And they're like, well, you. What do you. What do you do?

[A]

They don't like your kid. Whatever. Yeah, it's the craziest random lottery. And sometimes it's great. Sometimes it works out really well. And sometimes it's a bummer and people are. And you have no power. No amount of complaining, no amount of, like, reason. Like, well, I have to get to a wedding or it doesn't matter.

[B]

I. I always assume that there was a. A guy, like a fictitious.

[A]

You know, the Jews control the. The border. The border, yeah, of course.

[B]

That's why we can't.

[A]

Every border. Yeah.

[B]

We're bad contractors. We can't get that wall up. We. I. I would imagine that there Is some, like, higher up in the. In the border control world that has to go to, like, big buildings. And they try to get in, and they're like, I'm going to floor 19. And the dormitory's like, wait, whoa, whoa. Where are you going? And they're like, 19. They're like, nah, nah, nah, pal. Delivery's around the back. And then that guy walks away. He's like, that's talent.

[A]

Yeah, that guy's good.

[B]

How would you.

[A]

My friend, I couldn't help but notice your denial of my entrance. Here's a card. Call this number, hang up. Someone's gonna say, no, you call this number, let it ring twice, hang up, then call back. Let it ring four times, hang up, call back, Let it ring six times.

[B]

Hang up, Hang on.

[A]

Call back again. I'm going to answer, but my name is going to be Joyce. You're going to just act like everything's fine. I'm going to give you some coordinates. Go to that coordinate. Order me. It's a chipotle. Order me a chicken bowl. It's the new one. What's it called? It's like a spice. It's not like a chipotle bowl, but it's sort of like that. But it's got chicken rice being all the kind of regular base stuff, but it's got some. It's a newer thing with some additional thing. I know.

[B]

Oh, yeah. How about this? You go yourself. Perfect. You're perfect.

[A]

You're on.

[B]

I need you at the Canadian side of the Montreal. Upstate New York.

[A]

Listen, there's a comedy festival happening. Yeah. Nobody's to know this. It is international, but nobody's gonna know this.

[B]

It's called just for laughs. Trust me, it's not just for the laughs.

[A]

Anybody who thinks they're funny, who's trying to be cute, trying to be funny, deny them. Actually, no, no. Hold them until just before the show starts.

[B]

It's so crazy, that energy. It's like doormen, parking garages that are almost full, Food trucks that aren't open yet. You ever walk. You ever walk to a food truck? That's like.

[A]

There's a little surly attitude.

[B]

Yeah. Like, you know when you're, like, on set or something, and one of the producers, like, we got everybody a food truck. And you're like, cool. And you walk over and immediately you're like, I'll have. And like, hey, we're not open yet. You're like, sorry, sorry.

[A]

That's so crazy that you would say that. Cause all of those things are controlled by Jews, all of them. Food trucks. I'm admitting I know that's crazy.

[B]

I'm here to. I don't.

[A]

I feel like I didn't know any of this stuff until just recently.

[B]

Hey, so how many hands? How many pots we have our hands in?

[A]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, yeah. The Yankee candle industry. God. I mean, so for real, if you go down. You come out of the studio here, and you go down Broadway to Union Square on the east side of the street, you will see the mitzvah truck, which has been there for a while. And I think I talked about this with one of my past guests who was ex Orthodox and, like.

[B]

Modi.

[A]

Who?

[B]

Modi?

[A]

No, Robbie Hoffman.

[B]

Oh, I love Robbie Hoffman.

[A]

Oh, she's so fucking funny.

[B]

I didn't know Robbie Hoffman's ex Orthodox. I don't know.

[A]

Yeah, and like, Heredi. Not just. Not just Orthodox, but, like, you know, Satmir Heredi. One of those, like, serious tunnels and tunnels. And. But I, like, I. This has just been a, you know, little joke observation. But, like, man, the. The orthodox Jews don't know what the word now means. They don't. Because for four decades, I've been seeing these things saying, moshiach is coming now. Now. Big letters, now.

[B]

I think Jews think now means sometime.

[A]

Well, it's not. It doesn't.

[B]

No.

[A]

Now means now. Sometime means sometimes.

[B]

Yeah, but you've been on 47th Street. It's like, now, sometime.

[A]

What?

[B]

Pay me when? Whenever. Pay me whenever.

[A]

You know, I don't know. I didn't have that kind of upbringing. Where were you born?

[B]

I was born in Stuyvesantown.

[A]

Oh, really? Oh, wow. I stayed there.

[B]

Stay there until I was, like, 9, and then I went to Chicago, which is why my accent is hot mess.

[A]

And then I. I don't really detect an accent.

[B]

It's like, just sporadic. On which words sound like Midwest and which words sound like New York City.

[A]

Say. Say absolutely, absolutely. Oh, there's Chicago. There's a hint.

[B]

Yeah, it's just absolutely orange.

[A]

Orange. That's what I say. Orange.

[B]

You're from the south, right?

[A]

All over, but yes, mostly the South.

[B]

Yeah. I feel like that's a common.

[A]

Like, oh, say, this is an interesting thing that somebody. I said this word, and they go, oh, yeah, you can tell you're from the South. I was like, why? Because only Southerners pronounce it this way, but pronounce the word egg.

[B]

Oh, egg.

[A]

Yeah. So I say eggs. And my friend Sean, who's also from the south, is like, yeah, that's only Southerners.

[B]

Say eggs for, like. It's just eggs pluralized all the time.

[A]

Oh, no, just a Y. As. As opposed to the correct pronunciation, which is E, G. Egg. Egg.

[B]

Yeah. Peg. Egg.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Egg.

[A]

Peg. Yeah. Doesn't work. I say eggs. I mean, there's a bunch of little Southernisms.

[B]

That was on my favorite bits of yours. I forget which special. The voice.

[A]

Oh, yeah. It's crazy.

[B]

I mean, that's one of the best bits ever. But, like, it is wild. It's wild how you can be in, like, Long Island.

[A]

What is it? Where does it come from?

[B]

You've been Long Island. Where it's like, it has its own accent, right? And if you see a Trump flag, they'll come out and they'll be like, hey, get out of my lawn.

[A]

And you're like, where are you?

[B]

Where are you from? Like Hampstead.

[A]

Yeah. Like, it's. It's really. Especially as you get, like, kind of into, like, rural Midwestern farming stuff, and you're like, how do you have a Southern accent?

[B]

Yeah. Or like, you. I think you said Alaska.

[A]

Yeah, Alaska.

[B]

That's wild. Like, it's. And it does.

[A]

Hey, motherfucker. Y'all don't want to fuck with me, man. What?

[B]

Colorado. Like, Colorado. It's like, hey, man, you see these slopes? You're like, isn't this supposed to be chill?

[A]

That's racist, too. But I also.

[B]

I didn't know that kind of racist on you. Can we.

[A]

Can we queue up the racist?

[B]

How I love you.

[A]

How I love you. Mine. You're on. Or stymy saying something from. From Little Rascals. How about Dynamite Jimmy jjw.

[B]

That's pretty good. Dynamite.

[A]

So do you remember doing Gravid Water?

[B]

I did a lot of Gravid Waters for him for. For a while. Because, like, it was a big one.

[A]

It was like they moved it to. It was a theater.

[B]

Yeah, I think it was for the Del Close marathon one year that. Because it was like. Wasn't it at the Chelsea movie theater that they. That they had brought in? Like, they were like. I think that's where it was on 23rd and, like, 9th. The SVA Theater. And it was like, yeah, it was big. It was like, Does Tina. Tina Fey on that one or something? It was a big one.

[A]

I don't remember the only. I, you know, a lot of the regulars. Like, there was, I think Matt Walsh and Scott Adsett and not sure who was here. The New York versions, but. And it was the first time that I improvised because I had done it. I had done the acting part. Oh, let me explain what this is to the listeners. Sure. It's a brilliant idea. It's a really cool idea. Where? Steven. What's Steven's last name? Steven.

[B]

Just trying to think of that.

[A]

God damn it, we'll think of it.

[B]

He had a brother that was in one of my improv classes too. Yeah, Steven. I don't know. You got the Internet over there.

[A]

Hey, planning any exciting trips this year? I bet something you might not be planning is learning the local language. Well, with Babbel you only need a few weeks to learn. Unless you're going to Arkansas this year. Speak like a whole new you with babbel, the language learning app that gets you talking. Learning a new language is the pathway to discovering new cultures. So why not on learning something new? Babbel's quick 10 minute lessons, handcrafted by over 200 language experts get you to begin speaking your new language in three weeks or whatever pace you choose. And because conversing is the key to really understanding each other in new languages, Babbel is designed using practical real world conversations. Spending months with private teachers is the old way of learning languages. And nothing screams tourist like holding a phone translation app up to your face all day. Babbel's tips and tools are inspired by the real life stuff you actually need when communicating. Where's the poo poo room? For instance, with a focus on conversation, you'll be ready to talk wherever you go. For instance, I'm going to be in Europe on my European leg of my tour and I plan on going to England, so I am going to speak English there. If I was going to Three Gorges where the dams come together, I don't know the section in China I'd use Babel to learn what they speak there. Need proof that Babel gets you talking? Studies from Yale Michigan State, which is the Yale of Michigan State and other leading universities continue to prove Babel works. One study found that using Babel for 15 hours is equivalent to a full semester at College. With over 16 million subscriptions sold, Babbel's 14 award winning language courses are backed by a 20 day money back guarantee this year. Get talking with Babbel. Let's get more of you talking in a new language. Babbel is gifting our listeners 60% off of [e-mail] senses get up to 60% [e-mail] senses spelled B A B B E L.com senses babbel.com senses rules and restrictions may apply. 2025 is here and Mint Mobile has a resolution for you. Skip the gym. Skip the fad diets. Skip the BS resolutions. The Blarney Stone resolutions you'll forget about by next month. Let's all just say Blarney Stone instead of bullshit and then we don't. Because bs Everybody knows. But there are kids in the room and they go, what's BS stand for? If say Blarney Stone will know it means bullshit and then the kids won't be any of the wiser. Instead, make a resolution to save some serious cash by making the switch to Mint Mobile. And right now you can get half off their three month unlimited plan. It's time to leave your overpriced wireless plan's jaw dropping monthly bills, unexpected overages and all other blarney stones. In 2024, Mint Mobile is dropping huge savings for the new year by offering any three month plan for only 5015 bucks a month. Even their unlimited plan. All plans come with high speed data and unlimited talk and text delivered on the nation's largest 5G network. You can even bring your current phone and your number. Ditch overpriced wireless With Mint Mobile it's so easy. Sign up online and get three months of premium wireless service for 15 bucks a month. Switch to Mint and new customers can get half off an unlimited plan until February 2nd. To get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month and get the plan shipped to your door for free, go to mintmobile.com senses that's mintmobile.com senses 45 bucks upfront payment required. Equivalent to $15 a month new customers on first three month plan only. Speed slower above 40 GB on unlimited plan. Additional taxes, fees and restrictions apply. See Mint Mobile for details.

[B]

But it's a great concept. That show is so fun.

[A]

It's so much fun. It's fun to watch. It's one of my favorite things. Like I'm so excited to, you know, be done with my thing so I can watch everybody else and the really like the masters like Scott Adit, Matt Wall. I mean all Tammy Sager. Sager just. I mean everyone. It's just, just watching them and it's a skill that I am jealous of. I wish I had and, and I didn't. You know, I did the acting part. Oh again to explain it. So this guy takes roughly four pages out of a play. Most of them you haven't heard of. And it's just four pages could be the beginning of scene, middle. You know, something where people enter or whatever and one person is the actor. It's usually given to an actor. And quite often somebody works in the theater and then, you know, there's like sprinklings of celebrities here and there. And the, the script they get is only every other line. They're their characters lines. And then the. So that's all you're getting is a script with, you know, say your character is Jason. Then Jason has, you know, approximately 32 lines and there's. They don't make any sense. And because the, the other character, it's always a two hander, always two people and the other characters. Lines are missing. Then you do that with somebody who improvises the. The line that's missing and it doesn't matter what that person says. The actor has to say the next line and then the improviser has to kind of steer the. And it's. It's genius and it's crazy and, and the improvising. I've gotten better at it as I've gone along, but it's really hard and I'm still not that great. And the first time I did it, which was that show, I felt like, oh, I blew it. I just blew it. Like in the sense that I was trying. I was saying funny lines. That didn't help make the whole thing. Like we watch. You watch Ad set or.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, you're like, he just did a real scene.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

By making this stuff up. And now there's a, a baby in a closet that they adopted. Yeah.

[B]

And you get in the weeds real quick.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

In that show I found I never did as an actor. I only did as an improviser. And I don't think I could do it as an actor. Cause like, I feel like that would be really challenging to only know your side and to not.

[A]

It's challenging, but believe me, the improv is harder.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Cause that's just not my skill, you know?

[B]

Yeah, but you're so. But you're a great actor and a.

[A]

Well, thank you. But it was. But when you, when you watch like. And you. You were in a wheelchair, right?

[B]

I remember this scene now. Yeah, that's what I think. That's why I got a big response. Because it was like a breakup scene.

[A]

You decided to be in a wheelchair.

[B]

Like at the end.

[A]

At the end.

[B]

Yeah. I was sitting in a chair and she. She was breaking up with me and I was like, you can't do this. You can't do this. And then she walked across the room at the end and I was like, please. And I wheeled myself. And then it was like, oh, well, that's why she's breaking up with them.

[A]

But that was really funny. But that's a great example of that's. There's no script. There's nothing in there. You were sitting down. You happen to be sitting down. Because they will tell you that much. They'll go, okay, you're sitting down. Yeah, at a desk.

[B]

Yes, exactly.

[A]

Exactly where you are. But that's it.

[B]

I had seen it a bunch before. I. I did it because, you know, they had been developing that show for a while, and I worked at the ucb, like, doing anything, cleaning. Cleaning the stage or whatever. And so I would see it quite a bit while I was working, and you could. You could see who was good at it and who was it. And the. The one thing that I noticed about people that were bad at it is that is the same thing that in improv, the people that are bad at it is where they, like, ask a question, expecting that to fill in the knowledge they don't have.

[A]

Right?

[B]

And, like, that's how you get caught up in, you know, someone. Two people go on a stage, there. There's nothing there. You're just trying to, like, paint the picture, right? And so if you're asking, like, for example, that a scene can be out of context, someone's like, thanks for coming to my birthday party, dad.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Someone goes like, what?

[A]

Yeah, you know, Then the classic yes.

[B]

And it's like, the person who just called you dad is not gonna be like, that's right, you're my dad. Like, they don't have the answer right? And so anytime. And it always gets a laugh when you. When you say what? Because it makes the last sentence become out of context. So no matter what, in gravid water, someone's like, an actor responds by. Because their line is, oh, you're so petty. Yeah, the improviser is going to get a laugh by going, what?

[A]

Yeah, but then there's nowhere to.

[B]

They can't respond again.

[A]

Yeah, there's some. There are minimal amount of rules, but they're strict, you know, and it's like.

[B]

That was just always. The shortcut is like, just assume everything. Don't ask. Because they don't know. These poor people don't know. They're like, I just always looked at the actor's eyes and be like, I'm so sorry that you have. That I have to do this. But, like, you know, they'd be like, oh, Reginald. And I'd be like, reggie, sorry. Like, you know, like. Because now I'm fucking with you. It's like, it Felt bad. But it's such a fun show.

[A]

It's really. It's fun. And watching, you know. You know, again, like, it's a. Such a great example is for you to take, like, you've been sitting in that chair, and then you go and wheel yourself across. Oh, you're in a wheelchair. Nobody's. Nobody's thinking that. Like, I hope he pretends he's in a wheelchair.

[B]

Right.

[A]

You know what I mean? You're just watching this thing unfold, and now you've taken that tiny little piece of information, and it, you know, now you have to reconsider everything you've just been watching.

[B]

Yes. That's my favorite thing about that show, is because there are things in place like improv. I don't know if it was adsit or like, one of those guys was teaching me once Lutz or something and was like a shortcut way to think about improv is that you're like, you know how I got in the Simpsons? When they would go into a dark room and you would just see eyes. It's like, that's what happens when two people walk out on a stage. They don't know where they are. They're just eyes. So you start to turn on the lights really slowly by saying stuff. So you're like, you know, you walk over, pretend you're getting coffee.

[A]

This isn't anything to make fun of. It's. Sorry, my phone's got a little latitude. No, it's a legit point. I'm just making a legit point. Okay. Phony. Sorry. I apologize.

[B]

It's fine. I was late yesterday.

[A]

Yeah, well, the phone is aware of that.

[B]

Yeah, but, like, you know, if I walk. If we're just sitting on stage and I walk over and grab a coffee pot, and I'm like, man, did I have a tough night last night, Bill. It's like the light gets a little light brighter, and it's like, okay, your name's Bill.

[A]

You know, like, getting information.

[B]

We're getting information. We work at an office. And then you just have to think, okay, well, we work in an office. My name's Bill. He's had a tough night.

[A]

Or Bill is your lover, or Bill is your brother, or you want to.

[B]

Subvert it that way. It's like, you know, the next line is just as important, if not more. You go out and you're like, you're telling me you really worked me last night. Now we're lovers. It's like, you know you, and then.

[A]

You find out you're brothers, and Then.

[B]

You find out the next line is like, hope, don't tell mom. You know, and it's like, now we're bro. And then, you know. But to say that, that's just an easy way to think about it. I think that sometimes.

[A]

Have you seen. I'm sure you have. T.J. and Dave.

[B]

Yeah, many times.

[A]

I mean, the absolute kings. Greatest, Best. The greatest ever.

[B]

The greatest. Yeah. I just worked with Dave. He's in this last show I did. And Tracy Letts plays my dad.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

It was awesome.

[A]

Oh, boy.

[B]

Trace Lutz was amazing. I love Tracy, but Tracy Letts is the only person to ever sit in with TJ and Dave. They've only ever done shows.

[A]

I saw a show at the Bowery. Not Bowery, the Barrel Theater.

[B]

With Tracy.

[A]

Yeah, with Tracy. Where they did three. Three people. He said. Because I did a movie with him, and he said that it was one of the most terrifying things he's ever done.

[B]

But he still does it. He still does. Frequently.

[A]

I mean, I would. I think I would faint. I would get a little lightheaded.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And like, I can't keep up with. I would never do it. I. Not that they would ever ask, and nor should they, but I feel like I would just be a fucking albatross.

[B]

Non.

[A]

Whatever. I'm telling you. And I've seen. I've seen them, I don't know, dozens of times. I always send people their way, and I say, you have to watch more than one show. You can't just watch one show because it's completely different.

[B]

It's like the. It's tj. TJ and Dave is like a jam band to me. It's like, you know, the sets can change every night, and you're gonna see, like, you know, I don't know how they'd appreciate that. I'll ask them.

[A]

Okay, Right now, you want to do this? Let's do this. But I've seen, and I'm not exaggerating, I'm not being hyperbolic. I've seen 80 minute improv pieces where they play multiple characters that were as poignant and amazing an evening of theatrical entertainment as I have plays that went through multiple rewrites, scripted with casts and all that special effects. I mean, I remember one in particular about a kid. A kid who want. Who kid. There's like a cul de sac, and this kid was kind of bouncing around from house to house. And then you learn that his dad, you know, is like a. Like a drunk or runaway or something. His dad's not there, and Then the other, another dad kind of befriends him and they go talk. It's like it took this poignant term, that turn that was, you know, and sometimes they do, but they're just. The skill level of those guys is insane.

[B]

And they're really slow and dramatic and like they, the laughs are huge, but they're not frequent. It's not like a barrage. It's more like a play.

[A]

Yeah. And also when they, when like one of them comes back, you know, they play multiple characters and one of them leaves and comes back as a character that you haven't seen, you forgot about 10 minutes ago, and then says some reference to something that you thought was totally innocuous, you know, and then becomes the focal point for this other thing is, is just their, their, you know, brains are. Yeah, they're the best.

[B]

They're the best ever.

[A]

I did a thing with Dave twice. We've done it where we, we were Chicago, Atlanta, and we'd come out and go, hi, we're improv group, Chicago, Atlanta. My name's Dave, I'm from ch. I'm Dave, I'm from Atlanta. And together we're Chicago, Atlanta. And. And then we would do the typical setup. Okay, so we're gonna get a couple suggestions from you and you will help us set the scene and we will improvise and everything will be completely improvised. And. But it's important, you know, the more information you give us, the better. And then we just go through this ridiculous 10 minute long, asking questions about the what time is it? Is this a.m. or p.m. and da, da da, how cold is it? What's the dew point? You know, all these crazy things, it's. And we keep saying it's important for us. We want to get everything right. Da, da da. And then we'd go, I mean, it was a long time. Just silly stupid shit. What is his zodiac sign? Okay, great. And have either one of us turned an ankle before when we were kids? Okay, great. And then we would go through this whole thing and we would start the scene and it would go about 45 seconds to a minute long. And then someone would die because they're allergic to something. And then we both yell at the audience like, you didn't say he was allergic to fucking the cereal. Come on. You know, I love it.

[B]

That reminds me, there's so many bits like that. I love a challenge of the audience like that. And then, and then a like, nah, I'm actually not gonna do it. Like a buddy of mine named Rob Lathan who's one of the funniest guys. I don't know. I haven't seen him in a while, but he. I don't even know what he's doing. But he used to do this bit where he would come out and he'd be like, I am a speed eater and I'm going to tonight break the record for eating. You know, you name it, whatever. It was like, he would buy like a hundred Big Macs or, you know, 50 in. In one minute. And he would do the whole thing. He's like, are you ready? Is this side ready? Is this side ready? Are you ready to see me break the record for the mo? And everyone was like, yeah, yeah, yeah. And he'd be like, start the clock. They put the clock on, he'd be like, on your mark, get set, go. And the music would start and the clock would start and he'd start. And around the one minute mark, you would realize, he's not gonna finish. Not gonna finish. And then at like three.

[A]

Was he trying to speed eat or was he just eating regular?

[B]

No, he was like, you know, but he's a regular guy. And so. And then he would like scream out 1. And then like, he, like, really struggled, like, start. You know, he's like, dude. He's like, oh, God. And there were like 50 burgers left, you know, and then the clock would go off and he'd be like, ah, I didn't get it.

[A]

That was it.

[B]

That was it. And it was just like. And then he'd pack up the burgers. Then he'd be like, I mean, I guess, do you want a burger? And it was like so small and sad, the end of it. But it was my favorite bit. Cause like, the audience that. And another. I can't believe I'm just like shouting out other bits. But Owen Burke, another amazing dude, used to do a bit called Level Knevel, which is. He would come out in a full Evel Knievel outfit with a music playing.

[A]

Level knavel Level knavel Dancing around.

[B]

Full music. Helmet on. Dancing. Take the helmet off. Big show. And then he'd reach around his back and he'd pull out a giant level.

[A]

Oh, God.

[B]

And he'd dance around. He'd take one chair and he'd move it and he'd be like, are you ready? He'd take another chair and then he'd put the level down and it would get right and he'd be like, yeah. And it was. It killed me, like, every time. Then he would level someone's hat on. Their head. And like, it was just so. Nothing. It was so.

[A]

But something. Something. You might see somebody busking out in Washington Square Plaza. Yeah.

[B]

Like, you would never. But it was the most. I think it was like, the most amazing piece of art. If I could, like, put that in a museum.

[A]

Do you ever see John Glazer's bit about being a Dreamedian?

[B]

No, but I love every Glazer bit.

[A]

I don't want to say it here, because if he does it, I don't want to blow it, but I'll tell you afterwards. But it's very funny. It's just very much like John Benjamin or certain comics where the whole thing is anti comedy or whatever. But it's this long setup and you're like, where the fuck is this going? Because you're never not fooled that it's not a comedian doing a bit, which.

[B]

Is what I love. It's like, there is.

[A]

I hate. And when you realize the joke, you're like, as I remember, I was sitting there, it was at the old UCB and just going like, oh, my God. Because I was slightly ahead of the audience by maybe seven seconds, tops. But I realized what he was doing and I was like, oh, Jesus Christ, you motherfucker.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

He just took seven minutes of hour.

[B]

Oh, yeah. On purpose?

[A]

Yeah, on purpose.

[B]

I mean, he's another one of those improvisers. Like, I've seen him. I've done a show with him where he will play one character the whole show and have three lines, and it'll just, like, he'll put them perfectly and he won't press and he won't come out for another scene. He won't do anything. But he's like, but wait for this character. I'm gonna do it three times. And that's it. It's like, he's just. He's the best. He's also such a nice bleeding girl.

[A]

He's a Second City guy too, right?

[B]

Mm. Yeah. Pinata Full of Bees was his. That's like a famous sketch show that, like, was passed around on. On VHS when I was a kid.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

It was like, yeah, him and Poehler and stuff. And like, have you seen this sketch? And this sketch was all pinata. I think it was called Pinata Full of Bees.

[A]

What was I gonna say?

[B]

I mean, I feel like I'm. There's so many sketches of yours that are like, do people. Is that a big. Are people constantly referencing in our young, like, when people come up to you, like, this sketch. This sketch, this sketch.

[A]

Yeah, but I like that. I mean, that's nice. The greatest. Yeah, it's very cool. And, you know, a bunch of them I've forgotten I need to be reminded of, but, you know, I know that.

[B]

Do you want me? Are you asking me?

[A]

Yes, I'm asking Nicole. Google me.

[B]

All right, fine. The one where the band comes in. You're burnt. Yeah.

[A]

Titanic.

[B]

That's pretty good. Is that. What. Is this what you wanted?

[A]

Nope. Okay. What was I gonna say? Oh, I know that people. I've gotten. You know, somebody will send me an iPhone thing of like, this is our college group doing the audition sketch and stuff like that. You get that a lot.

[B]

I mean, that's like one of the best sketches. I taught that.

[A]

And it was.

[B]

Yeah, I taught sketch for years.

[A]

There was an Italian. Somebody did it. Oh, man. And it was an Italian comedy group or it was on a TV show. And all these people were like. Because they didn't say it was our bit, they just made it like their bit. And they. I think they changed, like, two or three things, but they're like, you. That's an American. Oh, excuse me. It's my wife. That's. Hey, you're on speaker. Oh, I. I'd like a divorce. Okay. Who are you? Where are you? Doing my podcast. Oh, whoops. That's a dumb joke. Do you have a second or. No, I'm doing my podcast. Oh, you're literally recording it right now. Yes, I am. Okay, well. Okay, I do have a question for you. I'll call me after. Okay. I love you. You're my one and only. Okay, bye.

[B]

That was nice.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I don't know if I'm going to be. I'm dying to know what that question is.

[A]

Well, let's find out.

[B]

The tone of. It didn't seem. The tone didn't seem urgent like that.

[A]

No, she doesn't call with it.

[B]

She doesn't call with urgent problem.

[A]

No. What. Adam would like to know what your question is.

[B]

Who do you.

[A]

Who does he think is going to win the election in November?

[B]

Oh, no, really?

[A]

Not. Not about Israel v. Gaza.

[B]

I feel like that's.

[A]

I'm sorry, you're breaking up. You're breaking up.

[B]

She called. She called you to ask me who I think is going to win the election.

[A]

Yeah, that's. She doesn't even know that. A, that I'm doing a podcast, and B, that you're my guest. So I'd say that those are poor improv skills.

[B]

And then you pushed her towards Gaza with your good improv skills.

[A]

Yes, I Thought this was a.

[B]

That was where we were gonna succeed. That's where the. To get us back on track.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Let's talk about Gaza.

[A]

Comedy. Comedy.

[B]

All right. I've lost a few friends.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

In the comedy world.

[A]

Glazer. No. Brett Gelman. Yep.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Brett won't work.

[B]

Brett smoke.

[A]

What?

[B]

I don't want any Brett Gelman.

[A]

No.

[B]

No matter what I say, I'm gonna get a text. Now, positive or negative?

[A]

You saw Brett's thing about his Billy Crystal 700 Sundays.

[B]

One of the best Brad and I were on. It started on the same improv.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

700 cats is.

[A]

700 cats is so one of the fun.

[B]

That's a similar bit.

[A]

Yeah. I saw that before I had seen any of the. The actual thing that he was parroting. I don't even. You don't really have to see it, but. Have you seen 700 Sundays?

[B]

No, but I know Billy Crystal enough to know the schmaltz. That's like. You.

[A]

Did you.

[B]

I mean, isn't it, like, in my dad.

[A]

Prepare yourself for. Because it's theatrical. It's not just. I mean, y. Gets tons of schmaltz from him, but the theatricality of it is so cloying and saccharine. And, I mean, I. I got about 30 minutes through. I'm like, jesus Christ. And I walked out, and I was on the plane. Hello. Now, phony. That's where you. Phony. All right. Well, that's where the phony would come in.

[B]

Oh, mammy.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, it's. It was. I did watch it on a plane, and I was like, holy. This is so. Like, he. There's a point where he opens because the. The stage is like his house. Like this.

[B]

Yeah, that's the stuff that's.

[A]

Oh, dude, it's.

[B]

I mean, does it open with, like, a walking bass? And then he's like, oh, I didn't see you there. Does it open with that? Or.

[A]

I hope I don't remember.

[B]

Oh, that sounds like my upstairs neighbor.

[A]

Yeah. And then the footsteps that are added to when he walks across to the.

[B]

Window and puts the thing up and then does, like a Awful. He's like, hello? And you're like, no.

[A]

There's a point where he opens up a door to a room in his house. The. The. On the. On the stage, and it cuts to, like. It cuts to some video of him at his old family home in Long island now. Yeah. Like, looking wistfully and. Oh, you forget that the. The majority. The vast majority, people who Go to see and support shows on Broadway. A show that runs, has an extended run. Either tourists susceptible to marketing, you know, and not that there aren't good shows out there, but I mean, if you've got kids and they are screaming about going to see Aladdin or Frozen, you take them to see it.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

And. And if you know that Hamilton is a cultural touchstone, you take them to see Hamilton. Whatever. And then the other part of the Broadway audience, and it's 90% comprised of these two groups, the aforementioned one. And are these kind of the. The moneyed, often gay, kind of older New York, upper West side, Upper east side Village, you know, just, just supporting crap. Like. And it's just, it's so not clever, interesting. Or it's, it's, you know, like my.

[B]

Grandmother used to belong to the Manhattan Theater Club. And she would always be like telling us about some bullshit she saw, you know, like Alfred Molina and King Richard or whatever. And no matter what, you'd be like, was it good? She like, fash. I walked out. It's like part of it is that, you know, it's like I, you know, I.

[A]

There was what I think I want to say John Gielgud in something that was hugely promoted and popular and it was so bad. I. I don't think I've. I'm trying to think if I've ever walked out of shows, this might be the only one I walked out of. And it was a big deal, right?

[B]

It was like I saw John Larroquette as fucking Cyrano de Bergerac.

[A]

It was, it just was so over the top, directed and, and like people in the audience kind of thing. And like. Oh, God. And God, what was it? It was Jonathan Lithgow, I believe.

[B]

Oh my God, I believe.

[A]

And he was. It was a. It was a famous play, non musical, non musical. And they were, do. They did the, you know, it was like a redone, repurposed, whatever it was. Trois and Cressida. I don't remember what it was, but it was like the Hot Ticket and D. And you go there like, Jesus, guys, this is awful.

[B]

Yeah. Have you ever done a play?

[A]

No, I refuse.

[B]

Yeah, I did it once. It's hard.

[A]

What'd you do?

[B]

I did a drama in New York at the. The one on. What's it called? The roundabout. It's on 44th and 8th. Yeah, it was like a long run. It was like six month run.

[A]

That's long.

[B]

It was long. And I did it after I had had a failed sitcom that got like really trashed and I was like. And people really hated me. And they were like, he's like, bad.

[A]

So I was like, he's the reason the sitcom.

[B]

He's the reason the sitcom didn't work. Which is like, maybe true, but also probably not probably.

[A]

Jews control the sitcoms, right?

[B]

Yeah, we control the weather in a three. In a multicam. But I. So I was like, I'm gonna do a play. And then I did a play and it was really fucking hard. It was not fun.

[A]

What was it?

[B]

It was called Cardinal and it was again, it was about Chinese immigration, or not Chinese specifically, but the characters were Chinese. And it was like.

[A]

And you played Singh Hula P. I did.

[B]

I played a Chinese character. Push my range. But I know it was like, you know, it was like I was a mayor of a small town. It was about just all that stuff. And it was really hard to do that every night. And I don't want to say boring, but, like, boring.

[A]

I think that's the fear a lot of people have, you know?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Is like. And I was kidding. I would love to do a play. And there's. I can't say anything yet, but I have a conversation tomorrow with a writer and director of a limited run thing.

[B]

Really? A play Play?

[A]

Yeah. Yes and no. It will. It's definitely a thing that will be on Broadway, but it will be. It's more in the vein of, Gosh, I don't know what you'd call it, like vignettes.

[B]

Like, like the Vagina Monologues, kinda.

[A]

Kinda where you could be reading something and so it doesn't. It doesn't have near the, Like, I've gotta hit my mark. I gotta memorize this. And I believe they're all kind of monologue. I don't know I'm saying too much about something. I don't know that much of that I ultimately may not even be a part of. I hope to be. And I was contacted about this, but Bob Odenkirk and I, gosh, I want to say year and a half ago, Ish, Bob had this idea we would do at the Geffen Theater in la with an eye towards doing a run in New York, Glengarry Glen Ross, with just comedians where, like, we talked about Bill Burr, Chris Rock, Tim Heidegger, people who are, I think, capable of doing. Pulling it off. And then we. Mamet wouldn't do it unless the Geffen did another one of his plays that the Geffen had said no to. And he got very, very upset and said, you can't do it. And then I think Bob might have even written something to him via the artistic director at the Geffen, and he still was like, no, no, no, no.

[B]

That would have been really cool.

[A]

It would have been. I think it would have been.

[B]

But Gary, Glen Ross is also, like, humor filled, you know, like, you're gonna get lots of stuff.

[A]

I think it would be. Yeah. I think it would be a great vehicle for comedians who've shown acting chops. And it will be because it is going to go on Broadway with not. This idea is completely set. We had this idea. They said no, Mamet said no. And then I just learned fairly recently that they are going to do with Bob and Bill Burr amongst some other people. I don't know if they're all comics, but that will be happening on Broadway, I believe, in Midwinter of Glengarry. Yeah.

[B]

And who's playing Ross?

[A]

Who's playing?

[B]

Well, Glenn. Bob's gonna play Glenn, and Gary's gonna be Bill.

[A]

Gary's gonna be Bill, and Bill's gonna be Ross. And Ross is gonna be Glenn.

[B]

Not how I thought it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

They're tweaking it outside the box.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

And who's going to play Glengarry?

[A]

And Glengarry is played by Kevin Spacey. You know, looking for a vehicle. Yeah.

[B]

Interesting.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Timing is right.

[A]

Yeah. And Kevin Spacey will be played by George Santos. And then George Santos is being played by Bernie Madoff. Yeah. Very interesting.

[B]

I like the way you cast.

[A]

Yeah. This isn't me. This is something I read.

[B]

Who you're working with.

[A]

I'm not. I'm. This is not me. This is.

[B]

I gotta get a ticket.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I always thought Bernie Madoff dad would make a good, interesting actor. Character actor in a play.

[A]

Bernie Madoff, like a bandit.

[B]

Did that phone work for your things, too, or just.

[A]

No, I mean, it should.

[B]

Yeah, that should work for that. It's really kind of just like picks and chooses, huh?

[A]

Yeah. It's not fair.

[B]

You should give your guests the option of a want button.

[A]

Well, it's not a button. It's just my tone, my. What do you call it? My alert.

[B]

That's really funny. Some people have, like, bird chirps or, like, just like a chime, but you have the sound of a joke dying.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Interesting.

[A]

Yeah. Of an awkward moment.

[B]

What's the psychology behind that?

[A]

I mean, I ran my phone through the Helsinki Institute, sent it up there, spent six weeks and still waiting to, you know, get the specific results. I can tell you kind of in a nutshell, there's Superman complex. There's Pre related anxiety. There's dysfunctional harmonic conversion, so all those kind of applications.

[B]

Yeah. Great, thanks. I'm so glad that we got this on the books after yesterday.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Are you shutting this down? Are we done?

[B]

No, I just assumed that that was a natural ending point.

[A]

Well, you should never make a assumption. No, no, you should never assume anything because it makes an ass you out of me.

[B]

Okay, so we were done.

[A]

No, we can be.

[B]

No, I just feel like we're. I feel like you're trying to get me out of here with these.

[A]

Where? What? How? Why?

[B]

I don't know. I feel like these keep coming out of rain.

[A]

I just forgot to say about the fucking thing.

[B]

But they're coming out of rain faster now and I.

[A]

You think I'm. You think I took it easy?

[B]

I think you took it easy. I mean, in the beginning it was very friendly, and now there's a sort of like. Like, you know, when you have a house guest, it's like, I'm ready for them to be gone. What's the best way to do that? It's like start farting or something. You know what I mean? Like, I feel like that's what's happening now.

[A]

I find. I don't, I don't. I've never really understood. I mean, I guess maybe if there's certain people, but I've never understood the trepidation, hesitation people have with like, oh, I gotta get rid of this guy. How do I get rid of him? Yeah, you just say I'm. Hey, man, it's really late. I gotta get. I gotta get to bed.

[B]

Yeah, no, that's different though. But, but, but, but there. I think it's more of a youthful. A youth. Youthful experience too. When you're way younger and people are like surfing on couches and it's like, how long is this guy going to be here?

[A]

Oh, sure. Well, that. I've been on both ends of that. I mean, mostly the couch end.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Oh, I spent years overstaying my welcome.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because I had nowhere else to go. I had no money.

[B]

Yeah. And you think that that's part of. I think, like, at least in my experience, being on that couch, you think that you're part of it. It's like, yeah, we're all in this together. Right. And the person who's couch you're on.

[A]

Is usually like, well, I. Usually you're there because of the kindness of a friend of yours, but he has roommates, and it's the roommates who are like, hey, dude, you know, enough's enough's gonna go on.

[B]

Yeah. Or yeah.

[A]

And, and it's a legit thing. And I've also been on the other end of that where it' hey man, this guy, you know, I can give him. I understand the situation but he's, I mean he's got to be out here in like two or three days.

[B]

Have you also had that with in laws? Because I have. I've also had that with like a parent that comes to stay and you're like, wow, you've been here a long time.

[A]

I mean it's a joke in my household. But my. Well, my wife will quite often bring up my sister or mother when she's shorthanded and needs help with our kid, so. And they're happy to come up. Right. My mom takes a little bit, she's 80 a lot. And. And you know, she needs a little help here and there, but not really. She's very pretty. Self sufficient. She'll just plop down and play Candy Crush or just read. I mean those are the only two things she does. And complain that she's cold.

[B]

I didn't realize you were Jewish.

[A]

Oh yeah, totally Jewish. And well, they're more Jewish than I am.

[B]

I can't believe I didn't pick that up.

[A]

Changed. I believe it was changed.

[B]

At some point you came into Ellis island as Christ.

[A]

As Christ, yeah. They changed it across Jiminy Christ. I was Jiminy Christ.

[B]

We gotta make this.

[A]

And I'm old, but I'm not that old. I'm not Ellis island old.

[B]

I met your family.

[A]

They did come through. Yeah, they were all from Leeds, England and my dad was the youngest of five and they all came over kind of.

[B]

Cross is a British name.

[A]

I mean it is British. Right. Well, I have dual citizenship and when I was in the process of doing that I learned and this is just naivete on my part. I just, it was a dumb. I had no reason to think this, but I just always assumed maybe because eastern European Jews I always assumed, or western European Jews that my family had not been in England that long. But then when they were doing the research that is part of the requirements for getting the dual citizenship. My family goes back way, way, way longer than I expected. Like in England. Yeah, specifically in Leeds. I mean goes back at least to my great great grandmother and great grandfather. At least.

[B]

You're like third, you're second generation immigrant kind of. Right.

[A]

I mean I'm. Yeah. I mean I'm first generation American cross.

[B]

Right. So which is basically makes you a dreamer.

[A]

Yeah, that's Why I voted for Obama the first time. Then I was like, well, that's enough.

[B]

I mean, yeah, Tan suit threw me. What was he thinking?

[A]

I was furious.

[B]

Furious. I'm sitting there, I'm still angry about it.

[A]

I'm still angry that he. The audacity, the disrespect. Tan to him to come into that office and disrespect the office by calling the White House a shithole. That was Obama, right? Or am I thinking of somebody else?

[B]

No, it was actually Trump.

[A]

Oh, all right.

[B]

But you're right, though. It's so gross to talk about women like Obama did. Like, recorded. Recorded on television with Billy Bush. Like Obama did, saying no.

[A]

That was Trump. Yeah. Oh, you know what I thought of way too late? I have a place upstate in.

[B]

Must be nice.

[A]

Sullivan County. It's awesome. It's amazing. And I was just there last week, my daughter started school again, so we'll be up there. Not.

[B]

Not as she goes to school in Sullivan county. As opposed to down here.

[A]

No, no, she goes to school here, meaning our. Our extended stays up there where we can stay for 10, 11 days, you know, outside of winter break and spring, you know, are pretty much. In your family.

[B]

You call those squeakles, right? Those little breaks that you guys get?

[A]

It's. It's a. Or chipwrap, you know? Yeah, it's. One's a squeakle, one's a chip. We love puns. We love puns. Yeah. And. And there's, you know, it's. It's less and less so. But. And I've been up there for 16 years now, something like that. And. But it's. It's still pretty trumpy, you know, and there are a couple places that I, you know, really. There's one or one specific, and then there's another one that's kind of adjacent to it. But. But it's. There's one of my favorite bars and sports bar. Really amazing food. But there's. There's a heavy trump element to it. And I was. And I always get in conversations with people, and there's a definite respect. Nobody, you know, and they know who.

[B]

You are, and they know, like, some of them how you lean. Like, they know.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. And I've gotten in heated discussions, but nothing where it's, like, violent, an undercurrent of violence or anything like that. And even those are kind of rare. And. And again, most people know me and, you know, it's all copacetic, but I. They. They had. They were passing around a. Like a fake box of cereal, Right. Called fraud flakes. And it was Biden. It was like a cartoon of Biden. And it was all, you know, Sleepy Joe endorsed and all just dumb, like, really dumb puns. And these guys were just giggling. They thought it was so funny. And it occurred to me later to. Because I know they're going to vote for Trump, but to ask, and I mean this in a very serious way, like, what information would you have to learn to not vote for Trump? Forget about the opponent, whoever it is. Forget about. Is there a world in which you learn something? Either he says something, or you find out this piece of, like, what's the thing that would make you not vote.

[B]

For Trump, do you think?

[A]

And I'm not saying you vote for somebody else, but just to be like.

[B]

I don't think I want to vote for this guy.

[A]

Yeah. What is the.

[B]

Do you think that the answer somewhere could be, like, run a child's sex ring out of a pizza place?

[A]

Like, I don't think they would.

[B]

Do you think that. Let's say that was like. Let's say that all that. Let's say some reason, all that 4chan actually turned out.

[A]

I think it's a Chan. Yeah.

[B]

A Chan.

[A]

8A Chan.

[B]

Sorry, I don't know how to explain what I'm saying. I'm lost. But, like, go back to what you said before.

[A]

Just that I would. I. Curious. It's not a gotcha question. It's not a trap. I'm not. There's no right answer. Wrong answer. But what is the thing if you learn something but there's nothing left?

[B]

He's. He's.

[A]

Well, that's raped. My point. That's. That's murdered.

[B]

Well, I mean, I think we think he's murdered. Right? He killed. He killed her when she fell down those stairs or something.

[A]

But there's a staircase thing.

[B]

Yeah, I mean. I mean, like, she conveniently died.

[A]

You've seen her graveyard, gravestone, right?

[B]

No, I was.

[A]

Oh, dude, I. For real, you have to Google.

[B]

Marla Maple. Maple. No, it says Ivana.

[A]

Ivana. Yeah, it was her. Unless this is a thing. But I'm. I'm. I'd have to look on Snopes, but I'm almost positive 99. That she's buried on his golf course.

[B]

Yes, I know that.

[A]

So that's real. And it's, like, over by, like, like they just cleared out a little area of some bushes. I'm not kidding. And there's, like, a little grave marker and. And then it turns out it was for, like, tax purposes. Or some. There was some reason that benefited them to put her grave on, like, you know, the 15th hole.

[B]

Oh, God. It's like a marker. It's like the tee off. Yeah. That's so gross and weird.

[A]

But I do think he's the mother of his kids.

[B]

Yeah, but I do. I mean, like, come on. He's definitely had people killed. Or, like, I could see him strangling a prostitute.

[A]

Yeah. It's not. I can definitely imagine it. I can visualize it, but. I can rationalize it. But I don't. I don't think he personally would have done anything like that. I think he would, but I don't think he did.

[B]

But. But. But even still, if they. If a voter. If it came out as like, holy shit, explosive news. Donald Trump, in his youth, killed someone.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

He would probably be like, I was young, whatever. And people would be like, he was young, whatever.

[A]

He had bone spurs.

[B]

Yeah. I don't think it would matter.

[A]

That's just the question I would put to people. You know, do you think there's a thing. I don't know. I don't have the answer to that. Next time I'm up there, I will definitely. If it's an organic. If it comes up organically, I will definitely ask that. But it was something that occurred to me when I was coming home, like, ah, I should ask that to those guys.

[B]

It's a really interesting. You should write that down. If you. If you ever go on Bill Maher's podcast, I would love to see you guys discuss that.

[A]

Discuss what?

[B]

That same question.

[A]

Why? What do you think he would say? I don't listen to his podcast.

[B]

Me either. I just.

[A]

No. Okay. Adam, thank you. Do you have anything to plug?

[B]

Yeah, I have a television show out called Mr. Throwback with Tracy Letts and Stephen Curry the basketball player.

[A]

What?

[B]

Yeah, it's a comedy.

[A]

Wait, like a series.

[B]

With Stephen Curry? Yeah.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

It's awesome. It's the best thing I've ever done.

[A]

Wait, tell me about this.

[B]

You're gonna love it. It's the best thing I ever did.

[A]

I love Tracy Letts. I love you.

[B]

You're gonna love it. It's awesome.

[A]

And he's good. Stephen Curry.

[B]

So funny. And it's by the. I did a show with the Russo brothers called Happy Endings.

[A]

Oh, yeah? Yeah.

[B]

Same team. Same team. And it's with Stefan. It's like, so what's the premise? The premise is that I play a vintage salesman. Like those guys that make videos online that are like, we're selling throwback hats. We're selling this, and I'm down on my luck and I need money really bad. And the only person from my life I know is my former middle school teammate, who's Stephen Curry, who plays himself. Yeah. And then I go and I take advantage of him and.

[A]

And where does Tracy. Let's come in.

[B]

He plays my dad.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

Yeah. Who is my. Who is the coach who wrote it? I wrote it with the guys.

[A]

Oh, my God. That sounds amazing.

[B]

It's awesome. It's so good. It's. It's out now.

[A]

The throwback.

[B]

It's called Mr. Throwback.

[A]

Mr.

[B]

Throwback on Peacock. And then it'll be on NBC starting on September 12th.

[A]

Oh, that's awesome. Yeah. September 12th is literally the day after September 11th. Nicole, Google. September 11th, I'm pretty sure is the day after.

[B]

I don't think we have to Google it. Nicole, you haven't Googled one thing. I've asked for the whole show. Why would you Google that?

[A]

Google. This is highly disputed.

[B]

The 12th is definitely after the 11th.

[A]

Well, you know what's right before the 10th?

[B]

12Th. The 10th comes before the 11th.

[A]

What is a no to go back? Okay, so your show comes out on 12th September. That is literally the day after my tour starts.

[B]

Oh, officially. Sorry.

[A]

Yeah. I think I'm in Seattle. It's called the End of the Beginning of the End. And as you know, you can just go to my website. Official David. That is all the things I know. Portland. Sold out. Sold out.

[B]

That's great.

[A]

Big theater. Beautiful. I love Portland.

[B]

You know what they call Seattle and Portland when you sell them out? It's the Tower 1 and Tower 2 of the Pacific Northwest.

[A]

Boy, that really. And that. That's. But that's crazy. What's crazy is that's been a phrase that's been around since the 70s, so that is crazy. Oh, Jesus Christ. Are you all right? Oh, my God. What the fuck?

[B]

I'm sorry. I'm having a little mini 911 right now. My respiratory system is having a mini 9 11.

[A]

I do an impression of an inappropriate rabbi trying on shoes that are too small for him in the latest set.

[B]

Can we do impression? Let me, because I got a few. You go.

[A]

Okay. No, no, I'm not gonna do it. I'm gonna be doing this on tour. I don't wanna blow it on the podcast.

[B]

I'll do mine.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Are you really not going to do it? I thought. All right, I'll do mine. All right, this is. This is Adam Duritz from the Counting Crows hosting A political talk show.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

What do you. What do you think of what's. What do you think of what's going on in Gaza right now?

[A]

I think it's terrible.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. I think it's. Yes. I think it's awful, and I think it's. You know, I'm glad that people are protesting that and. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Give me another. Oh, fuck.

[B]

This is Jay Leno. Jay Leno. As a. Jay Leno. In the. In the. As a. As a newsie.

[A]

Okay. Yep.

[B]

Have you seen this?

[A]

Have you heard about this? Jesus. All right, Adam. Adam Pali. Thank you so much for coming on. I end every episode with a question from my daughter, who is seven.

[B]

Great.

[A]

And so this is your question, Adam. Ready? Why do trees take so long to grow? Why do trees take so long to grow?

[B]

What was your daughter's name?

[A]

Marlo.

[B]

Well, Marlo, it's. Cause they're so important to the world, and every part of them growing is another part of the world growing with them. So it takes a lot of time for the world to kind of heal itself, which is kind of what trees do.

[A]

A nice answer. Usually my answers are like, I don't know, just because. Come on, let's make this light. All right, Adam, thank you so much for coming down.

[B]

Thank you so much, Really. I love you so much. You're a huge.

[A]

I love you, too.

[B]

You're a huge.

[A]

You look like the kind of guy who would call people brother a lot or say, brother. Hey, brother.

[B]

I don't really. I know.

[A]

You just have that look.

[B]

I know I have that, but maybe.

[A]

It'S because of the longer hair.

[B]

Yes. Which you told me yesterday. Looks like I've let myself go.

[A]

I don't know if I use that. You did.

[B]

You said, oh, you've let yourself go.

[A]

I. I like it. I think it's a good look.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

I think I said something like, oh, you must be working on a. No, you did not say, that impoverished character who's down on his luck.

[B]

No, there was no. It was. I thought it was a retaliation, maybe.

[A]

A little substance abuse, you know, found himself in Baton Rouge much longer than he expected to be.

[B]

You said. You said, and I quote, did they find you in a pond?

[A]

Did they find you in a pond? All right, brother.

[B]

All right. Thank you so much, David.

[A]

You got it. Thank you. Senses Working Overtime is a headgum podcast created and hosted by me, David Cross. The show is edited by Katie Skelton and engineered by Nicole Lyons with supervising producer Emma Foley. Thanks to Demi Druchin for our show Art and Mark Rivers for our theme song. For more podcasts by headgum, visit headgum.com or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and maybe we'll read it on a future episode. I'm not gonna do that. Thanks for listening. That was a Hitgun podcast.