BONUS: An Intimate Evening With Adam Pally! Out now!

Summary

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Staying Alive with Jon Gabrus & Adam Pally

BONUS: An Intimate Evening With Adam Pally!

Date: October 20, 2025
Network: SmartLess Media

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Episode Overview

This special bonus episode takes a deep dive into Adam Pally’s creative process in developing his latest HBO comedy special. Hosted by best friends and comedians Jon Gabrus and Adam Pally, the episode offers honest, funny, and revealing reflections on imposter syndrome, the evolving nature of comedy, and the journey from live bits to a fully-realized televised special. The conversation radiates friendship, encouragement, and the desire for self-improvement—hallmarks of the Staying Alive podcast.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Making of an HBO Special

• Adam and Jon reminisce about the journey from the early days of performing live bits to landing an HBO comedy special.

• Adam describes the organic, incremental development of his show: what started as small segments at clubs like Largo evolved, bit by bit, into a cohesive hour-long performance.

  “You just started doing it. It was just like, ‘I think I should start doing a one man show.’ And so that starts with like a bit here and then a bit there… then your five minute chunks pieced together… and then you’re like, wow, I have something here.”
  — Adam Pally (02:03)

• Jon expresses his pride and excitement for Adam, highlighting the rarity and magnitude of landing a special on HBO.

  “You have an HBO in HBO comedy.”
  — Jon Gabrus (02:52)

• Adam opens up about moments of imposter syndrome and the dream-come-true feeling of seeing his name on billboards—accidentally catching it, rather than deliberately seeking it, makes it even sweeter.

  • Memorable moment: Adam seeing his face on a Beverly Center billboard (01:22–01:46).

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2. Creativity, Style, and Self-Esteem

• Adam reflects on his comedic style—less about observational “of-the-moment” humor, more inward-looking, drawing on his life experience, musical talent, and unique perspective.

• The conversation touches on the challenge of self-doubt and feeling “not as funny as everyone else”—and how this project challenged and changed that self-perception.

  “Oftentimes I struggle in the idea of like, why, why would—what’s special about me?... I have imposter syndrome, as we all do.”
  — Adam Pally (02:59)

• Jon provides heartfelt reassurance and points to Adam’s multidimensionality in performance as his unique gift.

  “You’re doing stuff that not everyone can do… you’re synthesizing all that into a show.”
  — Jon Gabrus (03:22)

• Adam recognizes a pattern in his life of “just getting by,” relating to broader issues of unfulfilled potential and the need for self-compassion.

  “I think what doing this showed me is that…I need to be kinder to myself on that, because…I work a lot harder and I think I’m better.”
  — Adam Pally (05:35)

• The pair laugh about Adam’s feelings of perpetual “not-quite-thereness”—including the all-too-relatable “15 pounds overweight” remark.

  “I’m 15 pounds overweight. If I could just lose those 15 pounds…”
  — Adam Pally (05:24)

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3. Non-Traditional Comedy and Musical Interludes

• Adam discusses the hurdles of developing a show that isn’t “straight stand-up”—using music and more complex bits.

  “There’ll be people who’ll be like, ‘this isn’t technically stand up comedy.’ And you’ll have to just be like, okay, fine.”
  — Jon Gabrus (07:42)

• He shares a revealing anecdote about easing live audiences into his musical material by telling a half-true story about working on a musical.

  “I used to have to come out and make up this lie, which was like… I’m working on a musical. And some of it has cover songs, some of it has originals… what it did was it let the audience go, ‘well, at least he’s not a comic with a guitar.’”
  — Adam Pally (07:58)

• Memorable moment: Adam playing “Piano Man” in full on guitar, with the audience waiting for a punchline that never comes—demonstrating his love of playing with comedy forms and expectations.

  “I would play the entire song of Piano Man on guitar…with no punchline. The whole thing is the punchline.”
  — Adam Pally (09:00, 09:07)

• Quick, lighthearted digression about how “Piano Man” should technically be called “Harmonica Man.”
  — (09:14–09:35)

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4. Release, Anticipation, and Celebration

• Adam’s special is now live on HBO Max, and Jon jokes about it already being bootlegged.

  “It’s being bootlegged… you can buy it from the nail technician at your pedicure store.”
  — Jon Gabrus (09:59)

• Adam hopes fans approach the special with an open mind—if they like his previous work, it will deliver.

  “View it the way you view a lot of my stuff. I don’t think you need to expect anything different. It’ll deliver. If you, like me, it'll deliver.”
  — Adam Pally (10:28)

• They discuss the music’s added value: it’s good enough for a second, “background” listen.

  “You can put it on and cook dinner. Cause the music is kind of good, you know… I think it’s got a lot of functions.”
  — Adam Pally (10:46)

• Adam shares plans for the special’s premiere party—complete with a tongue-in-cheek red carpet interview segment.

  “Cole wants to stand with a microphone and interview everyone that comes through about their outfit.”
  — Adam Pally (11:19)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On imposter syndrome and authenticity:

  “The nicest compliment you gave me… it is you.”
  — Adam Pally (04:14)

• On self-doubt and potential:

  “I think I have more. I think I have another gear, a couple more gears I think I can go to.”
  — Adam Pally (05:02)

• On creative risk:

  “The whole thing is the punchline.”
  — Adam Pally (09:07)

• On audience expectations:

  “There’ll be people who’ll be like, ‘this isn’t technically stand up comedy.’ And you’ll have to just be like, okay, fine.”
  — Jon Gabrus (07:42)

• On celebration and camaraderie:

  “Can’t wait for America to know what I already know about you.”
  — Jon Gabrus (10:57)

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Recommended Listening Timestamps

• 01:22–01:46
  Billboard surprise—Adam reflects on casually seeing his face on a Beverly Center ad.
• 02:03–03:13
  The organic process of developing the show and Adam’s reflections on imposter syndrome.
• 05:02–06:30
  Discussion around self-perception and recognizing untapped potential.
• 07:42–09:07
  Comedic style and audience expectations, with the “Piano Man” musical bit story.
• 10:28–11:03
  Advice for watching the special and hopes for audience reception.
• 11:08–11:30
  Premiere party anticipation and red carpet bit.

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Tone

The episode is loose, candid, hilarious, and heartfelt—full of gentle ribbing, inside jokes, and honest talk about creativity and self-worth. Both Adam and Jon maintain their trademark self-deprecation and affectionate banter, resulting in an intimate celebration of creative risk and friendship.

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For anyone interested in the intersection of comedy, music, and the creative process—as well as those grappling with the ever-present imposter syndrome—this episode provides both laughs and genuine inspiration.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Dude, first off, thank you so much for taking the time to. To do this because this does feel for a second like I'm on your. Like I get to be on your show promoting my thing.

[A]

Yeah. I don't have a show. I don't have High and Mighty anymore. So now you're on Staying Alive, our podcast.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Talking about your thing.

[B]

Yeah. It feels cool.

[A]

I am so stoked for you already. And I've watched a rough cut, but I'm saving myself to watch the full thing. I'm flying into new. I saw an early thing. I've seen it. I've seen chunks of it live countless times, but I'm dying. I'm flying to New York to watch this shit at the party with all our friends. And I'm very amped for you.

[B]

I'm so appreciative that you're going to be there.

[A]

We were driving in last night to go get sushi and you just point. We happen to look up and the Beverly center billboard flipped to you.

[B]

That was an awesome. And you just went, oh, it was an awesome moment.

[A]

That was such a cool moment. Accidentally seeing yourself on a billboard, like so frequently. Are we going to Times Square to be like, we heard we're going to be on a billboard and now we're just casually driving and accidentally catch yourself. It was so awesome.

[B]

It was really cool. It was. It's. The whole thing has been amazing because the thing that's so crazy about it is like you, you, we. We made it without knowing what. What it was. You know, it was like, yeah, you.

[A]

Kind of like started it not knowing what the end product was going to be. Took it on tour.

[B]

Yeah, you or you just started doing it. It was just like, I think I should start doing a one man show. And so that starts with like a bit here and then a bit there.

[A]

One of the earliest versions was at Largo. You had your friends do bits in between and then you were out there doing. And some of those. That was like early, early development.

[B]

Some of those bits made it in and some didn't. Like, but like then, and then you're, you're like your five minute chunks pieced together to 15 minutes and then your 15 minute chunks pieced together to 30 minutes and then your 30 minute chunks pieced together to an hour and then you're like, wow, I have something here. And then you're like, what do I do with it? You know, besides just like, play it around? Right. Which is great. And, and, and hbo, it's like a, that's like. Where else would you want. Want it to be?

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

It's like, it's a dream. Come. It's. The whole thing is wild. It's awesome.

[A]

You have an HBO in HBO comedy.

[B]

I know. It's crazy.

[A]

That's so sick.

[B]

And, and I'm proud of it. I'm proud of it because that's, you know, I have.

[A]

As you should be.

[B]

Well, thank you. But, you know, I, I have imposter syndrome, as we all do. Like, I'm, you know, oftentimes I, I struggle in the idea of like, why, why would what's special about me? Like, what's funny about me that's not funny about other people?

[A]

I was going to cut you off with exactly this, this is what's special about you. Oh, is this special?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Cause it's, you're, you're doing stuff that not everyone can do.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Because a lot of people are very funny. A lot of people can play music.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

A lot of people have interesting family histories and can convey it well. But you're doing all of that. You're synthesizing all that into a show. And also on top of it, it's got a pretty much an Adam Pally.

[B]

And it's my, it's my style.

[A]

It's your style, your sense of humor. But you're also doing more than I think anyone would maybe expect of you. And I mean that complimentary. Not like people don't expect, but you're doing even more than. Because I feel like what I'm hearing from a lot of people was like, well, I didn't even know what Adam's special was.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I think that's. That, that's what I want. I, I, it's a cool surprise for.

[A]

People who think they're just going to get you talking into a mic for.

[B]

Yeah, totally. And, and because I think that's what I. Again, like, the, one of the nicest compliments I think you gave me after you saw the rough cut was like, it is you. It's like.

[A]

And that's what you want.

[B]

That is what I want. Like, that's my type of comedy. And some type of comedians, they're really good about, like, talking about the moment and talking about, you know, things and their view of the world. And that's not the type of comedian I am. No, I'm.

[A]

I like, you can also do that. But that's not what. But that's not what I. Yeah, that's not where.

[B]

Where in this particular situation I was looking, I wanted to do something that looked inward and, and had no bear. Like you could play this now or ten years from now. And I think it's going to hit the same.

[A]

Yeah, it's evergreen, you know. Yeah. And I mean, for me, it's like I'm excited for other people to see, like, how much you're capable of or, like what you're capable of. Like, I know what you're capable of. Yeah. You know what I mean? And I actually don't even fully know. I think I know. And you still always support me.

[B]

I think I have more. I think I have another gear, a couple more gears I think I can go to. But I think I know that I've gotten by, like, I get by on doing the least. That's one of the things that I'm not proud of in myself and, or my history. But like, I've often gotten by without. Without reaching my potential.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You know, like, I'm. I'm 15 pounds overweight. If I could just lose those 15 pounds.

[A]

Like, this is so relatable to both me and, I'm assuming hundreds of thousands of people who are listening.

[B]

But, but you know, you know what I mean, it's all hundreds of people that are listening. But like, you know, I, I feel like I, in that way am constantly just getting by and I don't. And I think what doing this showed me is that. I don't think. I think I need to be kinder to myself on that because I don't think that's true. I think that I. I think I work a lot harder and I think I'm better.

[A]

You just make it look easy because you're charming.

[B]

Yeah. But it's. Sometimes it feels that way too good. In a good way.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But.

[A]

Should feel easy.

[B]

But you don't want it. Yeah, but you don't want it. You know, I feel like sometimes I, you know, because you compare yourself to things and you're like. And I think some. What this thing taught me is like, I'm capable of doing something all by myself. And it Being funny, and that is something I really struggled with. I never did a one man show.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Coming up. I barely did a sketch show. Like, the hot sauce sketch show was, like, similar to this in tone, kind of, you know, like, this has been my tone my entire career. And, like, I always equated that to not being. The reason that was there is because I'm not as funny as everybody else. But I don't think that's true.

[A]

No, it's not.

[B]

It's just. It's different.

[A]

You're funnier than most people, but it's just different. Yeah. Yeah. But what you're doing here is like, what's funny is that it is funny. And it's also. It's not only trying to be funny either.

[B]

Right.

[A]

It's being a lot.

[B]

Yeah, it's a lot.

[A]

It's complex, like you.

[B]

Yeah, it is. And I try to convey that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And again, like, there are comedians that are way more like, singular in their point of view and their jokes and.

[A]

Stuff like that and their aesthetic style.

[B]

And that is. This is in no way, like, this is just what I could do at the moment, you know, And I did. And, like, I hope that people see it for that and that it's not, like, thought of as, you know, not comedy, you know? Right.

[A]

Yeah. And I don't think.

[B]

I think people, like, I. I don't think so. I think I'm. I think I did just enough.

[A]

Well, there's also, like, the. What? A stand up special. You know what I mean? Like, there'll be people who be like, this isn't technically stand up comedy. And you'll have to just be like, okay, fine.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I've been. I've been dealing with that. Every room I've walked into with a guitar.

[A]

And then you're like, okay, fine.

[B]

Yeah, I've been saying people. It's like, yeah, So I used to have to come out and make up this lie, which was like, in my first couple gigs, I'd have to come out and say, hey, I'm Adam Pali. You might know me from this and that. I'm working on a musical, and some of it has cover songs, some of it has originals. So that's all I'm doing here tonight. I'm not really playing guitar songs. Like, it's just, you know, I'm working on a musical. And, like, it was half true. Like, the special is a musical, but what it did was it let the audience go. Well, at least he's not a comic with a guitar. Right.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You Know, and so then you could play a song that maybe only had half a joke in it. And that's the bit. Like, I used to do this bit. I feel like you were at one of these shows where I would say, you know, my dad never taught me how to play piano, but he's here tonight, and I wanted to play his favorite song that he used to play on piano for him. So I'm gonna play it for you tonight. And then I would play the entire song of Piano man on guitar.

[A]

That's awesome.

[B]

With no punch line. With no punchline. Like.

[A]

Yeah, it's sort of like the whole thing is the punchline.

[B]

Yeah, the whole thing is the punchline. The whole thing is that the audience would be like, what am I? Okay? Like, the whole thing is that it's also.

[A]

Quick aside on Piano man, you bring up Billy Joel. Of course. I can't not talk about it. But in the Billy Joel doc, someone calls it out. It's like, this guy's mostly playing the harmonica. Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Truly, It's Harmonica Man.

[A]

It's like, why is this called the Piano man has two harmonica souls. Yeah. Two different ones.

[B]

Yeah. He couldn't put one of those solos on the piano.

[A]

Billy's a fucking.

[B]

But, yeah.

[A]

No. And, like, that's so fun.

[B]

But it was just, like, a bit that I would do, like, at, like, Crash Test or whatever. And. And, yeah, you. You. It would make it feel like it wasn't my shtick, like it was something else, which let me do it. And then I had to just eventually go, you know what? Like, I think I just play songs.

[A]

Right? Well, this is coming out. It's already out by the time this episode comes out. It's on HBO Max. Now it's being bootlegged. You can buy it from the nail technician at your pedicure store. What an honor that would be that you could buy. But filmed like an iPhone film of a laptop, Someone's Hotel six. But it's out now, people. Everyone should just watch it. If you're listening to this podcast, I'm assuming you've already watched it.

[B]

Thank you. I hope you go in with an open mind and. And view it the way you view a lot of my stuff. I don't think you need to expect anything different. It'll deliver. If you, like me, it'll deliver.

[A]

Yeah, Just turn it on, tune in, and turn out.

[B]

Yeah. And it's also nice. The music is decent. So it's like, good second viewing. Like, you can put it on and cook dinner. Cause the music is kind of good, you know, so it's like. I think it's got a lot of functions, but I'm really proud of it.

[A]

I'm proud of you, bud. Can't wait to be at the premiere party. Can't wait for America to know what I already know about you.

[B]

Did I tell you what I'm doing at the premiere party with the step and repeat in a red carpet?

[A]

No.

[B]

There's like this little step and repeat they have with the HBO logo and stuff. And any of the famous people. If any of the famous people I invited show up, none of rsvp. You. You have rsvp.

[A]

Yeah, we're throwing the word famous around there pretty soon.

[B]

No, no, no. Cole wants to stand with a microphone and interview everyone that comes through about their outfit.

[A]

Oh, awesome.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Awesome.

[B]

I know.

[A]

I can't wait to do a fucking. Dude, a Cole Red Garfit. That's awesome. Yeah. All right, well, check it out. And until then, stay alive. Not like that. No, that one. That one. You get that?

[B]

All right, get that. Thank you. Because I was on edge.

[A]

You have been listening to Staying Alive with John Gabris and Adam Pali, a Smartless media production in association with SiriusXM.

[B]

Produced by Devin Tory Bryant and Anne Harris. Engineered and edited by Devin Tory Bryant, who also wrote the music.

[A]

Associate producer and video producer is Matty McCann. Social media producer Tommy Galgano.

[B]

Assistant engineer Kyle McGraw. Special thanks to Jared O' Connell at Sirius XM.

[A]

Executive producers are John Gabris. Ooh, me. Adam Pally. Ooh, you Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Richard Courson and Bernie Kaminski. Do us a favor. Just rate and review the podcast. It actually helps.

[B]

Just so everyone knows we do not.

[A]

Have a discord, don't reach out to us.

[B]

See us on the street. Walk the other way or you'll catch Hands.

[A]

Smart Less A Sapphire reserve story from Ella Langley. I kind of say my first concert ever was for cows. I would climb up to the top of the barn and just perform. Now I still do that listening to Apple music, which I get through my Sapphire reserve card. And when moo can sound very close to boo, it toughens a girl up. Sapphire reserve now comes with Apple music. Chase Sapphire Reserve now even more rewarding. See More [e-mail] Reserve IT card issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC. Subject to credit approval terms apply. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Registered in the US and other countries.