Smosh Mouth: The Best of SmoshCast 2019 – Detailed Summary
Released on January 8, 2020, "Smosh Mouth: The Best of SmoshCast 2019" serves as a comprehensive retrospective of SmoshCast’s inaugural year. Hosted by Ian Hecox, Shayne Topp, Courtney Miller, and featuring guest appearances from various Smosh friends, the episode delves into significant discussions, memorable moments, and insightful reflections from their first 44 episodes.
1. Celebrating the First Year of SmoshCast
Ian Hecox opens the episode with heartfelt gratitude towards their listeners, highlighting the milestone of producing 44 episodes totaling approximately 3,000 minutes or 50 hours of content. He reflects on the fun and learning experiences, emphasizing the deepened understanding among the hosts and their audience.
"I just want to say thank you guys so much for being there through all this nonsense. The podcast has been really fun to do it. Learned a lot about each other."
[01:30]
2. Conversations on Sexuality and Mental Health
A significant portion of the episode centers around Olivia Sui's candid discussion about her sexuality and mental health. Olivia shares her journey of recognizing her bisexuality, influenced by her upbringing in the Mormon Church and societal perceptions.
"I grew up in the Mormon Church, and when Prop 8 was a thing, a lot of my friends were like, gays are bad. I left the church at that point."
[03:00]
She emphasizes the importance of normalizing conversations around sexuality and mental health, encouraging listeners to avoid assuming others' sexual orientations and to respect personal disclosures.
"Normalizing those things is so important. I don't want to out someone unless they've clearly outed themselves."
[03:30]
Courtney Miller commends Olivia for her openness, highlighting the positive impact such disclosures can have on listeners who might be grappling with similar issues.
"There's someone out there right now who's just probably bawling, being like, oh, my God, that's me. And it's okay. I'm proud of you."
[07:30]
3. Reflecting on SmoshCast Highlights
a. The "Black Smosh" and "Tinder for Hot Dogs" Concepts
Damien Haas recounts one of the most controversial ideas pitched during their earlier days, "Black Smosh," which proposed creating a separate group of Black comedians to produce urban comedy content. Ian Hecox expresses his disbelief at the idea, emphasizing the importance of authentic representation rather than forced demographic targeting.
"One of their dream projects was to create Black Smosh... casting a group of black people to create urban comedy."
[13:07]"There’s nothing wrong with two black dudes doing comedy, like Key and Peele."
[13:13]
Transitioning to a lighter topic, the hosts discuss the humorous and ill-fated attempt to develop "Tinder for Hot Dogs." Inspired by listener encouragement, Shayne Topp passionately advocates for the concept, leading to the eventual creation of a humorous video embodying the idea.
"If you guys go to the YouTube and like it and subscribe... we'll make Tinder for Hot Dogs."
[20:26]
b. Personal Relationships and Emotional Moments
A poignant segment features Ian Hecox discussing his past relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Pam, focusing on the emotional challenges they faced, including her battle with cancer and the strain it placed on their relationship.
"Pam told me that she had a risk of cancer... it didn't scare me away."
[29:26]
Ian reflects on the difficulties of providing emotional support during her hospital stays, ultimately leading to their breakup. This intimate glimpse underscores the podcast's commitment to addressing real-life struggles beyond comedy.
"I couldn't deal with someone not being emotionally supportive for me while I was in the hospital."
[31:16]
4. Insecurities and Personal Growth
The hosts open up about their personal insecurities, fostering a space of vulnerability and support.
a. Courtney on Body Image
Courtney Miller discusses her struggles with body image, stemming from childhood and exacerbated by her busy lifestyle, which has led to decreased physical activity.
"I have not been feeling good about my physical appearance lately... I've let myself go by the wayside a bit."
[49:35]
b. Shane on Body Dysmorphia
Shayne Topp candidly shares his experiences with body dysmorphia, highlighting the persistent nature of insecurities despite maintaining a fit physique. He emphasizes the importance of mental self-care over external validation.
"If you're insecure about your body, you're going to be insecure about your body... the only way to beat that is to mentally counteract that."
[56:35]
c. Keith on Weight Gain and Mental Health
Keith Leak Jr. opens up about his recent weight gain and the subsequent impact on his mental health. He discusses the challenges of maintaining physical health while battling feelings of depression and the importance of seeking support.
"I'm starting to gain weight... I might be more depressed than I've ever been."
[80:00]
He reflects on the societal pressures of physical appearance and the journey towards self-acceptance.
"I'm searching... I'm trying to find it... when you have so many people watching you, you have to start to watch yourself more."
[83:29]
5. Behind the Scenes: Scrapped Sketches
The episode delves into SmoshCast’s creative processes, highlighting sketches that didn’t make the final cut.
a. "Teeny in a Bottle" Sketch
Shayne Topp and Matthew Scott Montgomery recount the creation of the "Teeny in a Bottle" sketch, which was ultimately scrapped due to difficulties with the actress portraying the teenage genie, Coco Jones. The hosts humorously describe their attempts to salvage the sketch amidst production challenges.
"We did a sketch that never made it to air... called Teeny in a Bottle."
[75:14]
"We were running way behind... she had to be painted green... we decided to go insane with our performances."
[76:00]
They share laugh-out-loud moments from the making of the sketch, emphasizing the chaotic yet memorable nature of their creative endeavors.
"It's the hardest I've ever laughed... we did that thing. There's no one else here in this room."
[79:03]
6. Conflicts and Resolutions Among Cast Members
A notable segment covers the conflict between Courtney Miller and Keith Leak Jr. over desk rearrangements in their workspace. Keith expresses feelings of betrayal and trust issues when Courtney moved his desk without consent, leading to tension within the group.
"When she moved my desk, I had to really deal with it... it's like, the ultimate, dude."
[63:17]
Courtney acknowledges her overstepping boundaries, expressing regret over the incident and its lasting impact on Keith.
"I feel terrible that it affected you for that long... I invaded your space."
[66:21]
The discussion highlights the challenges of maintaining professional and personal relationships within a creative team, ultimately reinforcing the importance of communication and understanding.
"We've been through a lot... the love we have for each other is real."
[72:53]
7. Final Reflections and Looking Forward
As the episode concludes, Ian Hecox reflects on the collective growth and strengthened bonds formed over the year. He expresses excitement for future podcast episodes and encourages listeners to engage with SmoshCast across various platforms.
"It was our first ever year of doing podcasts... I'm looking forward to 2020 podcast and some more."
[89:03]
8. Notable Quotes Highlighted
-
"I am not straight. That's something that I've only recently started working through."
Olivia Sui, [04:44] -
"If you're insecure about your body, you're going to be insecure about your body... the only way to beat that is to mentally counteract that."
Shayne Topp, [56:35] -
"I think people feel such a need to adhere themselves to a specific identity that they might not actually completely."
Ian Hecox, [07:36] -
"We are the complete opposite. Yeah."
Keith Leak Jr., [71:29]
Conclusion
"The Best of SmoshCast 2019" offers an in-depth look into the personal lives, creative processes, and interpersonal dynamics of the Smosh team. By addressing serious topics such as sexuality, mental health, and personal insecurities alongside their comedic endeavors, the hosts provide a multifaceted and engaging narrative that resonates with a diverse audience. This episode not only celebrates their achievements but also fosters a sense of community and support among listeners.