Stavvy's World – Episode #115: Will Sasso

Host: Stavros Halkias
Guest: Will Sasso
Release Date: February 10, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of "Stavvy's World," host Stavros Halkias welcomes comedian and actor Will Sasso to the show. The episode delves deep into their shared experiences, family backgrounds, and the intricate balance between comedy and acting.

Early Life and Family Background

Stavros Halkias and Will Sasso both hail from immigrant families, which significantly shaped their upbringing and perspectives. Stavros shares his connection to Los Angeles and references their mutual friend, Eldis, highlighting the tight-knit nature of their circle.

Notable Quote:

Stavros Halkias [01:30]: "We're in Los Angeles, part of the Stavi's World Takes LA Hollywood Halkia series where we get some of our favorites that live up here."

Will delves into his heritage, revealing that his parents immigrated from Naples, Italy, in 1966. He recounts the challenges his father faced, including language barriers and working in restaurants across Europe.

Notable Quote:

Will Sasso [04:15]: "My parents were really like, do whatever the fuck you want. But love it."

Stavros contrasts his own Greek immigrant experience, noting the differences in attitudes towards America between Greek and Italian families.

Immigrant Experiences and Cultural Identity

The conversation shifts to the nuances of maintaining cultural identity while assimilating into a new country. Will discusses the regional differences within Italy, emphasizing his fluency in the Neapolitan dialect, which sets him apart from the more Americanized Italian-Americans Stavros is familiar with.

Notable Quote:

Stavros Halkias [02:30]: "I'm like all right. If Sasso's still kicking, maybe I can turn it around."

Will highlights the strong sense of community among his relatives in Canada, reminiscing about family gatherings, beach outings, and traditional activities like clam digging.

Notable Quote:

Will Sasso [07:10]: "We were at the beach every weekend in Vancouver... just hanging out until midnight."

Stavros reflects on his father's struggles with English, sharing humorous anecdotes about language barriers in everyday situations.

Notable Quote:

Stavros Halkias [05:59]: "I'm like, my life's fucking awesome, dude. If we were in Greece, I would be struggling to find big and tall clothing."

Comedy and Acting Career

Relationship with Comedy: Both Stavros and Will have a deep-rooted passion for comedy. Stavros discusses his journey from being a fan to performing school plays and eventually pursuing stand-up comedy.

Notable Quote:

Stavros Halkias [36:03]: "Do you want dramatic or comedy stuff? I want to do stand up."

Will shares his path into acting, starting with crashing auditions in Vancouver and eventually landing roles in Canadian shows like "Neon Rider."

Notable Quote:

Will Sasso [46:02]: "The pitch of this show was like a Canadian Knight Rider, but about helping at-risk youth."

Stand-Up vs. Acting: The duo engages in a lively debate about the merits of stand-up comedy versus acting. Will defends the discipline required for stand-up, while Stavros offers a more irreverent take, suggesting that stand-up is "pretty easy" compared to the complexities of acting.

Notable Quote:

Will Sasso [50:27]: "You have to pop from other shit."

Notable Quote:

Stavros Halkias [50:27]: "You could be 80%, you could be not bad at acting. Pretty easy to be good at."

Reflections on Iconic Performances

The conversation shifts to iconic performances, particularly Will's appearance on "Law & Order." Stavros praises Will's over-the-top performance, likening it to a "mad TV character," and reflects on the depth behind seemingly comedic roles.

Notable Quote:

Stavros Halkias [56:16]: "You're like playing that character as a buffoon Hamlet, where it's like, we all play that guy."

Will discusses the emotional layers of acting, emphasizing his love for portraying both comedic and dramatic roles and the challenge of maintaining authenticity.

Listener Calls and Advice Segment

Throughout the episode, listeners call in with personal problems seeking advice from Stavros and Will. The hosts blend humor with genuine insights, often leaning towards irreverent and candid responses.

1. Call from Elvis (00:32:00):

   • Issue: Struggling with connecting to immigrant in-laws while planning to propose.
   • Advice: Will suggests bringing traditional food to bridge cultural gaps, while Stavros emphasizes respect and honesty in approaching in-laws.
   • Notable Quote:

     Will Sasso [75:02]: "Go for it. Throw that Hail Mary."

2. Call from Eldis (01:01:00):

   • Issue: Mother's phone receives AI-generated porn of her husband.
   • Advice: Stavros and Will humorously dissect the situation, leaning towards the possibility of hacking rather than actual AI involvement.
   • Notable Quote:

     Stavros Halkias [77:11]: "Maybe he just learned about AI and tried to jerk off with your mom using a filter."

3. Call from a 28-Year-Old (01:10:00):

   • Issue: Limited dating experience and anxiety about entering the dating scene.
   • Advice: Stavros encourages confidence-building and taking proactive steps, while Will emphasizes the importance of resilience and personal growth.
   • Notable Quote:

     Will Sasso [119:06]: "Just start taking swings, bro. Start failing. Take some losses, and then eventually you will win."

4. Other Calls (01:20:00):

   • Issues: Roommate stealing shampoo and other minor domestic annoyances.
   • Advice: The hosts provide humorous yet practical solutions, encouraging boundaries and open communication.
   • Notable Quote:

     Stavros Halkias [90:46]: "If you're stealing someone's shampoo, have your own stash."

Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Stavros and Will reflect on the diverse range of topics covered, from cultural identity and comedy to personal relationships and everyday dilemmas. They reiterate the importance of communication, respect, and personal growth in navigating life's challenges.

Final Quote:

Stavros Halkias [138:49]: "Just keep moving, bro."

Key Takeaways

• Cultural Heritage: Both hosts emphasize the profound impact of their immigrant backgrounds on their lives and careers.

• Balancing Comedy and Acting: A recurring theme is the delicate balance between comedic expression and serious acting roles, highlighting the versatility required in both fields.

• Navigating Relationships: Practical advice is given on handling complex relationships, whether with family-in-laws or romantic partners.

• Humor as a Coping Mechanism: Throughout the episode, humor is used as a tool to address and alleviate personal and interpersonal issues.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Stavros Halkias [01:30]: "We're in Los Angeles, part of the Stavi's World Takes LA Hollywood Halkia series where we get some of our favorites that live up here."

• Will Sasso [04:15]: "My parents were really like, do whatever the fuck you want. But love it."

• Stavros Halkias [02:30]: "I'm like all right. If Sasso's still kicking, maybe I can turn it around."

• Will Sasso [07:10]: "We were at the beach every weekend in Vancouver... just hanging out until midnight."

• Stavros Halkias [36:03]: "Do you want dramatic or comedy stuff? I want to do stand up."

• Will Sasso [46:02]: "The pitch of this show was like a Canadian Knight Rider, but about helping at-risk youth."

• Will Sasso [50:27]: "You have to pop from other shit."

• Stavros Halkias [50:27]: "You could be 80%, you could be not bad at acting. Pretty easy to be good at."

• Will Sasso [75:02]: "Go for it. Throw that Hail Mary."

• Stavros Halkias [77:11]: "Maybe he just learned about AI and tried to jerk off with your mom using a filter."

• Will Sasso [119:06]: "Just start taking swings, bro. Start failing. Take some losses, and then eventually you will win."

• Stavros Halkias [90:46]: "If you're stealing someone's shampoo, have your own stash."

• Stavros Halkias [138:49]: "Just keep moving, bro."

This episode of "Stavvy's World" offers a blend of insightful conversations, personal anecdotes, and humorous exchanges, making it a must-listen for fans and newcomers alike. Will Sasso's candidness paired with Stavros Halkias's relatable hosting style provides listeners with both entertainment and valuable takeaways.