Podcast Summary: Smosh Mouth #30 - Our Most Embarrassing Acting Jobs

In episode #30 of Smosh Mouth, released on January 22, 2024, hosts Shayne Topp, Amanda Lehan-Canto, and special guest Arasha Lani delve into their most embarrassing acting jobs. The trio offers an engaging and candid discussion about the highs and lows of their acting careers, sharing personal anecdotes, challenges, and humorous mishaps that provide valuable insights for aspiring actors and longtime fans alike.

1. Introduction and Setting the Stage [00:00 - 05:00]

The episode kicks off with Shayne welcoming listeners to Smosh Mouth and introducing special guest Arasha Lani. The primary topic revolves around unexpected and embarrassing acting roles that the hosts have encountered.

Shayne [00:11]: "We’re gonna be talking about something pretty cool. Well, I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s cool. It was revealed about a month ago at Anthony’s funeral that Arasha did a conservative dating app commercial. And so we thought we’d bring you on to talk about it and kind of talk about acting careers in general."

2. The Importance of Image in Acting [05:00 - 15:00]

The conversation shifts to the significance of maintaining a consistent image in the acting industry. The hosts discuss the challenges of adhering to specific wardrobe and grooming standards required for various roles.

Arasha [08:03]: "I don't like to cut my hair a lot because then you have to get new headshots... Everybody’s like, those seem like pretty important guidelines that every actor hears with their headshots."

Amanda [03:07]: "I just can’t follow those rules anymore. When I go to auditions, they’re like, orange jumpsuit, 'cause you’re a worker. And I’m like, I don’t have that."

Shayne [07:03]: "They’re all wearing commercials. Nobody in commercials dresses like regular people. Yeah, they're always dressed just slightly not human."

The trio humorously critiques the often unrealistic and formulaic nature of actors' wardrobes in commercials and media portrayals.

3. Embarking on Acting Careers [15:00 - 30:00]

Amanda and Arasha share their personal journeys into the acting world, detailing how they began pursuing their careers and the steps they took to establish themselves.

Amanda [15:30]: "I started acting in a musical when I was five years old. ... I've been actively pursuing acting for 12 years now."

Arasha [21:09]: "I was a stand-in for the movie 'Spirited' with Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell. It was truly life-changing and ignited my desire to be a professional actor."

Shayne adds his own story about joining acting workshops in Arizona at a young age, eventually moving to Los Angeles to further his career.

4. Navigating the Challenges of Acting [30:00 - 42:00]

The hosts delve into the myriad challenges actors face, including the unpredictability of auditions, frequent rejections, and the mental strain of striving for success.

Shayne [42:01]: "It's a lot of, okay, that was great. Thanks. And I'm leaving, and I have to drive all the way back home, and I know I'm not gonna hear anything."

Arasha [43:34]: "You have to love it that you literally can't think of doing anything else."

They discuss the emotional resilience required to persevere in an industry known for its high turnover and competitive nature.

5. Arasha’s Embarrassing Acting Job: The Conservative Dating App Commercial [55:38 - 64:08]

Arasha recounts her experience filming a commercial for a conservative dating app, which became a source of embarrassment and online backlash.

Arasha [57:00]: "I submitted myself for one. And then I remembered, like, hearing back, and they were like, 'We’d love you to audition.'"

She describes the initial creation of the commercial as innocuous but later realizing its political undertones sparked negative reactions online.

Shayne [56:18]: "I had seen it before the roast. I’d come across it and I laughed. But I knew about it. So when it got brought up in Anthony’s funeral, I was like, oh, I had."

The discussion highlights how actors can sometimes find themselves associated with projects that don't align with their personal beliefs or desired image.

6. Jaw Drop Segment: Personal Embarrassing Stories [60:00 - 77:50]

In the final segment, the hosts engage in the "Jaw Drop" segment, where they share their most embarrassing moments in their acting careers.

Amanda [67:43]: "There was a guy who came up to me and I thought he was an old friend from Groundlings. I hugged him so hard, I was like, 'Hey, man, oh my God, how are you?' And then I found out he was a famous actor from 'Orange Is the New Black.'"

Arasha [73:21]: "When I went to India for the first time, some parts didn’t even have proper toilets. I held my poop in for seven days!"

The hosts laugh and empathize, sharing relatable moments that underscore the unpredictable nature of acting gigs.

Notable Quotes

• Amanda [10:44]: "It's too much. I can't follow those rules anymore."

• Shayne [15:30]: "How long have we all been acting?"

• Arasha [25:04]: "I just started acting, but career-wise, professionally."

• Amanda [43:34]: "Don't be an actor to make money."

• Shayne [62:31]: "But the point is, like, it's."

Conclusion

Episode #30 of Smosh Mouth offers a humorous yet insightful look into the acting world, highlighting the importance of image, the challenges of breaking into the industry, and the unpredictable nature of acting jobs. Through shared stories and honest reflections, Shayne, Amanda, and Arasha provide listeners with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the often chaotic and hilariously embarrassing aspects of pursuing a career in acting.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments from the episode have been omitted to focus solely on the content discussed.