Stavvy's World #168 – Matt Johnson

February 16, 2026

EPISODE OVERVIEW

This episode of Stavvy's World features Canadian filmmaker, actor, and writer Matt Johnson (“Nirvana the Band the Show,” “BlackBerry”). Stavros welcomes him for a freewheeling, often hilarious discussion about independent comedy, personal histories, creative insecurities, their love of movies, unhealthy relationships with food, and offering blunt life advice to listeners. They riff about their backgrounds, the new Nirvana the Band movie, classic '80s and '90s cinema, family trauma, and help answer listener voicemails covering everything from fake cancer claims to using slurs at home. It's a blend of movie geekery, unfiltered memoir, and advice that moves between deadpan and deeply sincere.

HIGHLIGHTS & KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

1. The New "Nirvana the Band the Show: The Movie" & Comedy's Place in Cinema

[01:02–06:00]
- Stavros sets the tone: Matt Johnson is introduced as the “greatest mind of the Great White North,” joking about an outsized box office for the new movie.
- Deep affection for the film: “It's nimble… does it have a coherent plot? Professional actors? Beautiful people? None of that.” –Stavros [02:30]
- Jay McCarroll (co-star) “gets more handsome with age… like, when he was young, it was uncanny valley. Now, he just blows you out of the water.” [03:01–13:14]
Discussion:
- Roots of “Nirvana the Band”: From web series, through Vice TV, to feature film—20 years in the making.
- The film's time travel mechanic: “It's like Boyhood, except inside a comedy… and by accident. Without planning.” –Stavros [12:32]
- Matt on creative process: “Nightmares are funny because you always wake up and there's a secret message… It's the nightmares that tell you how to live.” [12:39]

Memorable Quote

“It’s just a big fat pie movie that can move quickly.” – Matt Johnson [02:28]

2. Banter About Vice, Moving to NYC, and Comedy Upbringings

[03:23–05:43]
- Stav & Matt remember being influenced by Vice programming and fat-guy food stars: “I want to be obese and famous and eat… and it kind of did happen.” – Stavros [03:58]
- Early NYC comedy grind—windowless rooms, open mics, bad living conditions, and weird roommates.
- “Mutual disregard for each other's living space.” –Matt on roommate dynamics [05:55]

3. Movie Rabbit Holes & Personal Reflections

[06:03–11:12]
- Deep-dive: “Miami Vice” (Michael Mann, 2006) as a lost masterpiece.
  - Connections to personal chaos: Stavros relates his own period of substance abuse and self-destruction to Colin Farrell’s time making that film, who “went straight to rehab when it wrapped.” [10:07]
  - “The plot doesn’t make sense, but it still has three incredible action sequences.” –Stavros [07:24]
The Power of Movies & Memory:
- “The greatest performances… just don’t even exist for the actor anymore.” [10:52]
Comedy Influences: "Nirvana the Band" is directly inspired by movies like "Back to the Future," "Naked Gun," and “Miami Vice.” [34:56–35:39]

4. Childhood, Parental Influence, Self-Worth and Identity

[13:14–19:02]
- Honest mothers: “Mom, am I handsome? She just goes ‘No… but you are interesting-looking.’” –Matt [14:17]
- Growing up with both criticism and affirmation; the resulting creative drive.
- The immigrant dad effect: Stavros—“It just created this nightmare personality that’s been tough to live with.” [18:02]

Notable Quote

“You can either be the best or the worst of your parents… you can see when people are these things.” – Matt Johnson [27:42]

5. Pitching Absurd Movie Ideas & The Joy of Silly Comedy

[29:03–33:36]
- Fantasizing about a remake of “Twins”: “The jacked guy is DeVito’s kid… genetic confusion, just like the original” [31:56]
- The warmth of big, dumb, joke-packed movies as an antidote to modern cinema malaise.

6. Advice Hour: Listeners' Calls and Blunt Counsel

[54:56–101:50]
- Caller #1: Friend Faking Cancer [55:06–62:10]
  - “You must be in some pain… I know you’re lying, and I forgive you. Why don’t you tell me what it is that has got you so tangled up?” –Matt [59:26]
  - Both agree: Seek real talk and vulnerability, not a cat-and-mouse “gotcha.”
- Caller #2: Dad Addicted to ChatGPT [62:15–72:31]
  - Dad’s “spiritual experience” with AI; suspicion that he’s emotionally (and possibly romantically) entwined with a bot.
  - Matt: “Take him to Spiel, the biggest board game convention in the world in Germany.” [71:11]
  - Stav: “Get him out with real people… maybe even buy him some human interaction.” [72:12]
- Caller #3: Blue-collar Husband Using Slurs [73:42–85:56]
  - The “f-slur” as blue-collar lingo, the dilemma of “containment,” and marital boundaries.
  - Matt: “There’s coded language within all different lines of work… but at home, you get to define the culture.”
  - Stavros: “There’s a million ways to trash someone. Be creative—tighten the blast radius.” [85:56]
  - Sith Lightning analogy: “It’s effective, but it gives you wrinkles. Don’t use Sith lightning, man.” [84:23]
- Caller #4: OnlyFans Porn Editor Dating a Religious Girl [86:13–95:26]
  - Both: “If you’re not comfortable saying what your job is, be honest with yourself before you’re honest with her.”
  - Matt: “This whole call reeked of guilt… admit who you are, then move forward.”
  - Stavros: “If you want to be a freelance video guy, start mixing in other work.” [94:24]
- Caller #5: Success Story—Ozempic for Weight Loss [96:44–101:09]
  - Weight-loss medication as a tool—not a magic solution but “don’t be too proud to try it,” and “focus on living, not on just being sexy” [98:04]
  - Both celebrate improved well-being and urge listeners to drop the stigma.

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

“I want to be obese and famous and eat… and it kind of did happen.” –Stavros [03:58]
“My mom said: No, but you are interesting looking.” –Matt [14:17]
“You become a permanent rebel—every authority figure can suck your dick.” –Stavros [16:37]
“You can either be the best or the worst of your parents.” –Matt [27:42]
“Eating disorder… I love what’s there, that’s what I like.” –Matt [52:49]
On eating 2.5 pizzas in one sitting: “It’s a problem. If I stopped exercising, I would die.” –Matt [54:00]
On containment of slurs: “Don’t use Sith lightning. You can do damage, but it gives you wrinkles.” –Stavros [84:23]
“Admit who you are, then move forward… if you’re lying about your job, something's up.” –Matt [94:24]

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

[01:02] – Episode starts, box office joke, “Nirvana the Band the Show: The Movie”
[12:11] – Film’s time travel gimmick & connection to “Boyhood”
[34:56] – Inspiration from “Back to the Future,” comedy plotting philosophy
[54:56] – Advice segment introduction: listener calls
[55:06] – Caller: Friend might be faking cancer
[62:15] – Caller: Dad’s “spiritual” obsession with ChatGPT
[73:42] – Caller: Boston husband and blue-collar use of the “f-slur”
[86:13] – Caller: OnlyFans porn editor dating a religious woman
[96:44] – Caller: Thank you for LA Ozempic push; lost 30 lbs

TONE & ATMOSPHERE

The episode’s vibe is irreverent, open-hearted, and quick-witted; Stavros and Matt bounce between sincerity and self-deprecating humor with affection and ease, often using their own personal failures—or family traumas—as sources for big laughs and real insights. There’s a sweet, profane masculinity to the talk, especially when discussing the ways culture, parents, and blue-collar life shape a person.

FINAL CALLS TO ACTION

For Listeners:
If you want more comedy in theaters, “go see ‘Nirvana the Band the Show: The Movie’—we’re hurting race relations just to prop up independent comedy!” [48:32]
“Send in your life problems to 904-800-STAV for advice—next time maybe while eating bagels and doing a mukbang live call-in.” [96:13]

A warm, goofy, wild-ride of a hang more than a traditional interview. Fans of unvarnished storytelling, indie cinema, and brutal honesty will feel right at home.

Best Quote to Sum Up the Episode:

“You can be the best, or the worst of your parents. And the world, if you’re lucky, will let you figure out which.” – Matt Johnson [27:42]

Stavvy's World #168 – Matt Johnson

February 16, 2026

EPISODE OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS & KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

1. The New "Nirvana the Band the Show: The Movie" & Comedy's Place in Cinema

[01:02–06:00]
- Stavros sets the tone: Matt Johnson is introduced as the “greatest mind of the Great White North,” joking about an outsized box office for the new movie.
- Deep affection for the film: “It's nimble… does it have a coherent plot? Professional actors? Beautiful people? None of that.” –Stavros [02:30]
- Jay McCarroll (co-star) “gets more handsome with age… like, when he was young, it was uncanny valley. Now, he just blows you out of the water.” [03:01–13:14]
Discussion:
- Roots of “Nirvana the Band”: From web series, through Vice TV, to feature film—20 years in the making.
- The film's time travel mechanic: “It's like Boyhood, except inside a comedy… and by accident. Without planning.” –Stavros [12:32]
- Matt on creative process: “Nightmares are funny because you always wake up and there's a secret message… It's the nightmares that tell you how to live.” [12:39]

Memorable Quote

“It’s just a big fat pie movie that can move quickly.” – Matt Johnson [02:28]

2. Banter About Vice, Moving to NYC, and Comedy Upbringings

[03:23–05:43]
- Stav & Matt remember being influenced by Vice programming and fat-guy food stars: “I want to be obese and famous and eat… and it kind of did happen.” – Stavros [03:58]
- Early NYC comedy grind—windowless rooms, open mics, bad living conditions, and weird roommates.
- “Mutual disregard for each other's living space.” –Matt on roommate dynamics [05:55]

3. Movie Rabbit Holes & Personal Reflections

[06:03–11:12]
- Deep-dive: “Miami Vice” (Michael Mann, 2006) as a lost masterpiece.
  - Connections to personal chaos: Stavros relates his own period of substance abuse and self-destruction to Colin Farrell’s time making that film, who “went straight to rehab when it wrapped.” [10:07]
  - “The plot doesn’t make sense, but it still has three incredible action sequences.” –Stavros [07:24]
The Power of Movies & Memory:
- “The greatest performances… just don’t even exist for the actor anymore.” [10:52]
Comedy Influences: "Nirvana the Band" is directly inspired by movies like "Back to the Future," "Naked Gun," and “Miami Vice.” [34:56–35:39]

4. Childhood, Parental Influence, Self-Worth and Identity

[13:14–19:02]
- Honest mothers: “Mom, am I handsome? She just goes ‘No… but you are interesting-looking.’” –Matt [14:17]
- Growing up with both criticism and affirmation; the resulting creative drive.
- The immigrant dad effect: Stavros—“It just created this nightmare personality that’s been tough to live with.” [18:02]

Notable Quote

“You can either be the best or the worst of your parents… you can see when people are these things.” – Matt Johnson [27:42]

5. Pitching Absurd Movie Ideas & The Joy of Silly Comedy

[29:03–33:36]
- Fantasizing about a remake of “Twins”: “The jacked guy is DeVito’s kid… genetic confusion, just like the original” [31:56]
- The warmth of big, dumb, joke-packed movies as an antidote to modern cinema malaise.

6. Advice Hour: Listeners' Calls and Blunt Counsel

[54:56–101:50]
- Caller #1: Friend Faking Cancer [55:06–62:10]
  - “You must be in some pain… I know you’re lying, and I forgive you. Why don’t you tell me what it is that has got you so tangled up?” –Matt [59:26]
  - Both agree: Seek real talk and vulnerability, not a cat-and-mouse “gotcha.”
- Caller #2: Dad Addicted to ChatGPT [62:15–72:31]
  - Dad’s “spiritual experience” with AI; suspicion that he’s emotionally (and possibly romantically) entwined with a bot.
  - Matt: “Take him to Spiel, the biggest board game convention in the world in Germany.” [71:11]
  - Stav: “Get him out with real people… maybe even buy him some human interaction.” [72:12]
- Caller #3: Blue-collar Husband Using Slurs [73:42–85:56]
  - The “f-slur” as blue-collar lingo, the dilemma of “containment,” and marital boundaries.
  - Matt: “There’s coded language within all different lines of work… but at home, you get to define the culture.”
  - Stavros: “There’s a million ways to trash someone. Be creative—tighten the blast radius.” [85:56]
  - Sith Lightning analogy: “It’s effective, but it gives you wrinkles. Don’t use Sith lightning, man.” [84:23]
- Caller #4: OnlyFans Porn Editor Dating a Religious Girl [86:13–95:26]
  - Both: “If you’re not comfortable saying what your job is, be honest with yourself before you’re honest with her.”
  - Matt: “This whole call reeked of guilt… admit who you are, then move forward.”
  - Stavros: “If you want to be a freelance video guy, start mixing in other work.” [94:24]
- Caller #5: Success Story—Ozempic for Weight Loss [96:44–101:09]
  - Weight-loss medication as a tool—not a magic solution but “don’t be too proud to try it,” and “focus on living, not on just being sexy” [98:04]
  - Both celebrate improved well-being and urge listeners to drop the stigma.

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

“I want to be obese and famous and eat… and it kind of did happen.” –Stavros [03:58]
“My mom said: No, but you are interesting looking.” –Matt [14:17]
“You become a permanent rebel—every authority figure can suck your dick.” –Stavros [16:37]
“You can either be the best or the worst of your parents.” –Matt [27:42]
“Eating disorder… I love what’s there, that’s what I like.” –Matt [52:49]
On eating 2.5 pizzas in one sitting: “It’s a problem. If I stopped exercising, I would die.” –Matt [54:00]
On containment of slurs: “Don’t use Sith lightning. You can do damage, but it gives you wrinkles.” –Stavros [84:23]
“Admit who you are, then move forward… if you’re lying about your job, something's up.” –Matt [94:24]

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

[01:02] – Episode starts, box office joke, “Nirvana the Band the Show: The Movie”
[12:11] – Film’s time travel gimmick & connection to “Boyhood”
[34:56] – Inspiration from “Back to the Future,” comedy plotting philosophy
[54:56] – Advice segment introduction: listener calls
[55:06] – Caller: Friend might be faking cancer
[62:15] – Caller: Dad’s “spiritual” obsession with ChatGPT
[73:42] – Caller: Boston husband and blue-collar use of the “f-slur”
[86:13] – Caller: OnlyFans porn editor dating a religious woman
[96:44] – Caller: Thank you for LA Ozempic push; lost 30 lbs

TONE & ATMOSPHERE

FINAL CALLS TO ACTION

For Listeners:
If you want more comedy in theaters, “go see ‘Nirvana the Band the Show: The Movie’—we’re hurting race relations just to prop up independent comedy!” [48:32]
“Send in your life problems to 904-800-STAV for advice—next time maybe while eating bagels and doing a mukbang live call-in.” [96:13]

A warm, goofy, wild-ride of a hang more than a traditional interview. Fans of unvarnished storytelling, indie cinema, and brutal honesty will feel right at home.

Best Quote to Sum Up the Episode:

“You can be the best, or the worst of your parents. And the world, if you’re lucky, will let you figure out which.” – Matt Johnson [27:42]

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#168 - Matt Johnson

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Summary

Stavvy's World #168 – Matt Johnson

EPISODE OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS & KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

1. The New "Nirvana the Band the Show: The Movie" & Comedy's Place in Cinema

Memorable Quote

2. Banter About Vice, Moving to NYC, and Comedy Upbringings

3. Movie Rabbit Holes & Personal Reflections

4. Childhood, Parental Influence, Self-Worth and Identity

Notable Quote

5. Pitching Absurd Movie Ideas & The Joy of Silly Comedy

6. Advice Hour: Listeners' Calls and Blunt Counsel

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

TONE & ATMOSPHERE

FINAL CALLS TO ACTION

Summary

Stavvy's World #168 – Matt Johnson

EPISODE OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS & KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

1. The New "Nirvana the Band the Show: The Movie" & Comedy's Place in Cinema

Memorable Quote

2. Banter About Vice, Moving to NYC, and Comedy Upbringings

3. Movie Rabbit Holes & Personal Reflections

4. Childhood, Parental Influence, Self-Worth and Identity

Notable Quote

5. Pitching Absurd Movie Ideas & The Joy of Silly Comedy

6. Advice Hour: Listeners' Calls and Blunt Counsel

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

TONE & ATMOSPHERE

FINAL CALLS TO ACTION