Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth #14 – Reading Our Most Unhinged Sketches w/ Olivia Sui

Release Date: September 25, 2023

Hosts:

• Shayne Topp (Shane)
• Amanda Lehan-Canto (Amanda)
• Guest: Olivia Sui

Introduction and Setting the Stage (00:03 - 01:21)

The episode kicks off with Shane and Amanda introducing their guest, Olivia Sui, in their signature humorous style, complete with mustaches. Olivia immediately engages with the hosts, sharing a playful moment about her mustache and setting a light-hearted tone for the episode.

Exploring Olivia’s Sense of Humor (01:21 - 04:56)

The conversation delves into Olivia's unique sense of humor. Olivia describes her humor as "wacky, weird, and sort of random," even admitting it can be "dark." She attributes her comedic style to her uncle, her mother's twin, who was the "weirdest, funniest, goofiest guy." Olivia explains how her uncle's dry humor and playful trolling at family gatherings influenced her own comedic approach.

• Notable Quote:
  Amanda (02:33): "But your uncle, what is he like?"
  Olivia (02:43): "He has a very dry sense of humor. He's almost, like, expressionless. But then he'll deliver the funniest jokes."

The Writing Challenge: Unhinged Sketches (04:56 - 17:40)

Shane and Amanda reveal a special segment where they challenge themselves and Olivia to write "insanely stupid sketches" without overthinking or editing them. Olivia shares that she took a different approach by drawing inspiration from her comedic influences and personal experiences. The trio discusses their writing processes, emphasizing spontaneity and embracing absurdity.

• Notable Quote:
  Olivia (07:04): "I have never thought about landing a joke. When you think it falls flat to me, you've given it enough sign that we're all like, yeah, that's it."

Reading and Performing the Sketches (15:04 - 48:35)

The core of the episode features Shane and Amanda reading their hastily written sketches meant to emulate Olivia's voice. They perform sketches titled "Lizard Lulu" and "Stanley Tucci," showcasing their attempts to capture Olivia's unhinged comedic style. Olivia later presents her writing challenge by crafting sketches in Shane’s voice, including a humorous take titled "Bro by Shane Top."

Sketch Highlights:

• "Lizard Lulu" (15:07 - 19:43):
  A surreal wedding scene where an eccentric character, Lulu, interacts bizarrely with the couple, culminating in unexpected twists and comedic chaos.

  Notable Quote:
  Olivia as Lulu (16:34): "I am an object."

• "Stanley Tucci" (24:00 - 28:18):
  A parody wedding interrupted by absurd elements like a naked Weeknd playing the organ and the officiant casually munching M&Ms, leading to comical misunderstandings and exaggerated vows.

  Notable Quote:
  Shane (24:38): "I think you are naturally so funny. And the reason I think that is because a lot of your jokes, at least back in the day... my presence, I guess, is just some of your try not to laugh jokes are truly my favorites."

• "Bro by Shane Top" (51:29 - 54:58):
  A sketch centered around Shane's exaggerated "bro" persona, injecting repetitive "bro" phrases into everyday interactions, highlighting the humor in overstated camaraderie.

  Notable Quote:
  Shane (52:36): "My plan. And maybe I've already done this plan by now. I'm gonna bring it to set, I'm gonna just have it ready."

Discussion on Character Development and Creativity (28:37 - 38:28)

Olivia commends Shane and Amanda on their ability to channel her comedic essence into their sketches. They discuss the challenges of writing unhinged comedy, balancing spontaneity with structured humor, and the importance of breaking traditional comedic rules to create memorable moments.

• Notable Quote:
  Shane (04:56): "I have a very weird take on humor. And I don't know if I was, like, born out of the womb and I'm like, ah, I'm funny."

"Bro" Banter and Cast Dynamics (46:00 - 59:29)

The hosts transition into a playful debate about Shane’s "bro" persona, discussing whether it aligns with his character on the channel. They humorously touch upon internal dynamics and pranks within the Smosh team, adding layers of camaraderie and insider jokes that resonate with long-time listeners.

• Notable Quote:
  Amanda (57:10): "Nobody."

Future Projects and Closing Thoughts (63:10 - 64:42)

As the episode nears its end, Shane and Amanda brainstorm ideas for future sketches and potential collaborations, such as filming sketches together or expanding on characters like Lulu. Olivia shares her enthusiasm for the creative process and the fun they've had during the episode.

• Notable Quote:
  Olivia (64:27): "These plants are not real."
  Shane (64:41): "Don't listen to her."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with heartfelt exchanges among Shane, Amanda, and Olivia, expressing mutual appreciation and excitement for future collaborations. They maintain the episode's comedic tone, leaving listeners anticipating more unhinged and creative content in upcoming episodes.

Key Takeaways:

• Olivia's Influences: Her uncle's dry and subtle humor plays a significant role in shaping her comedic style.
• Creative Process: Emphasizing spontaneity and breaking conventional humor structures leads to unique and memorable sketches.
• Collaborative Fun: The hosts enjoy engaging in playful challenges, fostering a dynamic and entertaining environment for both themselves and their audience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Olivia (02:43): "He has a very dry sense of humor. He's almost, like, expressionless. But then he'll deliver the funniest jokes."
• Shane (04:56): "I have a very weird take on humor. And I don't know if I was, like, born out of the womb and I'm like, ah, I'm funny."
• Shane (24:38): "I think you are naturally so funny. And the reason I think that is because a lot of your jokes, at least back in the day... my presence, I guess, is just some of your try not to laugh jokes are truly my favorites."
• Shane (52:36): "My plan. And maybe I've already done this plan by now. I'm gonna bring it to set, I'm gonna just have it ready."
• Olivia (64:27): "These plants are not real."
  Shane (64:41): "Don't listen to her."

This episode of Smosh Mouth offers a deep dive into the creative minds of Shane, Amanda, and Olivia, showcasing their ability to craft and critique unorthodox comedy. It's a must-listen for fans eager to explore the behind-the-scenes humor and collaborative spirit that defines Smosh.