"Deodorant" w/ Julio Torres

Summary

StraightioLab – "Deodorant" w/ Julio Torres

Podcast Overview & Episode Theme

In this episode of StraightioLab (released September 30, 2025), hosts George Civeris and Sam Taggart are joined by comedian, writer, and performer Julio Torres. The trio explores the straight-coded world of deodorant—its cultural relevance, gendered marketing, and underlying ideas about respectability, shame, and community. Along the way, they riff on physical appearance, performance, authenticity, and why some body odors spark more debate than others.

The conversation, as always, is improvisational, cerebral, and very funny, with the panel frequently spiraling into tangents about social norms, creative freedom, and what it means to “fit in.” The episode is packed with quick-witted banter, gentle mutual roasting, and musings on both the micro-politics of scent and the macro-politics of artistic validation.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Managing Appearance: Glasses, Hair, and Identity

• Physical Markers As Armor
  The discussion opens with George sharing his anxieties about "screen time eyes" (03:01), revealing how our appearance can unintentionally signal things about our lives:

  • "It's not that someone is dead behind the eyes. It's that there's a sort of dimness. It's like they have put down the blinds halfway." —George (03:58)

• Glasses as a Safety Blanket
  Julio and George probe the psychology of wearing glasses and dyed hair as identity shields vs. self-expression tools:

  • Julio posits that George's glasses act as a “safety blanket” and hide his vulnerability (06:47), while dyed hair is described as "turning the volume up" on identity, versus glasses which “turn the volume down” (09:07–09:10).
  • “Glasses are also—do you know what they do? They add quotes around everything you’re saying. Glasses are quotes of the face.” —George (09:10)

• Authenticity and Transformation
  They wrestle with whether removing such identity markers could reveal more authentic sides or simply make a person uncomfortable.

2. Clothing, Color, and Costume Anxiety

• Tree Trauma and Disneybounding
  George shares his fear of wearing brown pants with a green shirt and looking “like a tree” (11:47), leading to a discussion of color connotations and trauma:

  • “Whenever you’re wearing colors that are too evocative of something…people don’t like wearing blue and purple because it’s like, Barney…” —Julio (12:47)

• Cultural Signifiers as Costume
  The conversation evolves into Disneybounding—dressing in the color schemes of Disney characters to evoke, but not imitate, them—which becomes a metaphor for signifying subcultural belonging without explicit declaration (13:35–14:00).

3. Theater, Comedy, and Criticism: Who Gets Reviewed?

• Performance Spaces and Artistic Categorization
  Julio unpacks the blurry lines between theater and comedy, noting that classification affects who reviews the show and what audience it draws (20:04–24:33).

• Criticism’s Place in Modern Culture
  The group agrees that “criticism is dying,” except perhaps in theater, and riff on why reviews are less formalized for podcasts and other new media (25:00–27:13):

  • "I would say, you know, criticism is dying in all forms." —Sam (25:28)
  • The role of geography—with theater being inherently local—explains some of its durability as a domain for critics (25:52–26:39).

• The Iconic NYU Trumpet Clip
  Julio references a viral, pre-influencer-era video of a man screaming at a trumpet player, weaponizing his degrees to declare the musician “not an artist.” Julio contrasts the actual creation (no matter its quality) with credential-based gatekeeping:

  • “The trumpet player…is actually doing the thing that he wants to do. Meanwhile, this man is just hoarding…degree[s] which have given him little other than resentment…'" —Julio (30:53)

4. Frayed Edges and Artistic Process

• Formalities vs. Experimentation
  Julio embraces “frayed edges” in art—favoring original messiness over derivative safety:

  • “If you’re showing me two dresses, one…exquisitely made, but I’ve seen it before, and the other…falling apart but is a new idea, I’ll go for the new idea.” —Julio (34:52)

• Nonlinear Performance and Comfort
  The process of performing with notes on stage, missing cues, and allowing the show to morph each night is celebrated as freedom over rigidity (36:19–37:27).

• Musing on Merch
  They joke about show catchphrases as T-shirt slogans—another instance of comedic improvisation becoming a meta-commentary on performative branding (39:19).

5. Deodorant: The “Straight Culture” Deep Dive

• Deodorant’s Role as a Social Armor
  Julio introduces deodorant as the week’s straight-coded subject, connecting it to bodily shame and the policing (and sanitizing) of natural scent for respectability (64:17–67:17):

  • “The shame of the body…the sanitization of the body. The trying to disguise the body into a vessel that is merely a brick in society." —Julio (67:17)

• Stinkiness, Workplaces, and Groupthink
  Sam admits his “non-deodorant” era ended with more conventional office work, fearing being gossiped about. The group discusses how wearing deodorant in certain environments is akin to hiding in “navy blue”—becoming invisible to avoid criticism (70:37–72:01).

• Community vs. Authenticity
  George argues that wearing deodorant is akin to not littering—a pro-social gesture—while Julio likens it to enforcing conformity, similar to requiring women to shave (73:08–74:54). The discussion ultimately lands on the idea that discomfort with natural scent is more about social rules and power dynamics (76:12–76:53).

  • “The goal was never to stink. The goal was freedom.” —Julio (79:40)

• Gay Culture & The Non-Deodorant Villain
  The non-deodorant gay guy, especially in places like Brooklyn, is discussed as a social meme—critiqued not for literal body odor but as a proxy for class, personality, or work culture (76:12–77:46).

6. Wider Social Commentary & Memorable Tangents

• Instagram for Its Intended Use vs. Gay Self-Branding

  • “Using Instagram as it was designed to be used—not subverting the form in any way. Just being like, ‘Today was Sunday and I went to the park.’” —Julio (85:35)
  • In contrast, gay men are depicted as always “pushing product,” even if the product is simply self-image (86:21–86:26).

• Creative Community as “Ticket-Based Economy”

  • Gay creatives worry about ticket sales, even when playing fictional paleontologists: "To be a good member of the LGBTQ community, you have to always be buying tickets." (90:11)

• Recurring T-Shirt Ideas / Capsule Collection

  • Running gags become potential merch: “The goal was never to stink. The goal was freedom.” “The goo inside the thing is messy.” “I did not consent to therapy.” (79:40, 62:57, 53:38)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Authenticity and Armor

  • “I do think potentially I’m. I’m. I hide behind the identity of glasses.” —George (06:52)
  • “You give it a try…you unlocked a part of your beauty right now.” —Julio (05:30)

• On Social Conformity Through Scent

  • “The shame of the body…the sanitization of the body…the trying to disguise the body…” —Julio (67:17)
  • “Well, okay. I was always a little—” “I don’t wear deodorant.” (66:30)

• On Critique and Artistic Status

  • “Criticism is dead—as dead as that man under the tent in LAX.” —George (25:32)
  • “An artist respects the silence that serves as the foundation of creativity.” —Julio, quoting the viral video (29:15)

• On Gendered Deodorant Marketing

  • “The lady ones are literally like flower, virginity, clean linen. And then the male ones are truly, like, murder, artillery, Wolverine, Deadpool.” —George (67:57)

• On Navigating Social Tension

  • “Is the soup salty? Don’t do therapy at me.” —Sam (52:49)

• "The goal was never to stink. The goal was freedom." —Julio (79:40)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening Riff on Appearance / Glasses / Hair: 03:00–09:30
• Costume Anxiety & Disneybounding: 11:47–14:00
• Performance & Criticism, Trumpet Video: 20:04–31:40
• Frayed Edges and Notes on Artistic Freedom: 34:31–38:02
• First "Straight Shooters" segment (Rapid Fire Qs): 45:34–52:03
• Deodorant as Straight Culture: 64:17–81:19 (main segment)
• Meta-Discussion: Scent, Class, and Power: 76:12–77:59
• Social Media, Gay vs. Straight Performance: 85:18–88:56
• Final Shout-Out Segment: 90:44–95:56
• Sign-Off / Credits: 96:18-end

---

Recap: For the Uninitiated

If you missed this StraightioLab episode, imagine a free-wheeling, hyper-intellectual salon on the invisible scripts of modern life. George, Sam, and Julio ping-pong from personal stories about glasses and deodorant to larger concerns about how we self-police, perform, and market ourselves. The ostensible topic—deodorant—is revealed not just as a toiletry, but as a totem of straight-coded social anxiety, respectability, and the dubious goal of ever truly “fitting in.” Ultimately, they argue it’s less about stink or scent and more about the right not to be policed—for anyone’s sake.

---

Capsule T-Shirt Collection (In-Jokes)

• “The goal was never to stink. The goal was freedom.”
• “I did not consent to therapy.”
• “The goo inside the thing is messy.”
• “Behind Bebo, there is only his shadow.”

---

Episode Tone

Smart, absurd, self-referential, and deeply funny—mixing psychological insight with observational comedy. Each laugh is paired with a surprising, sometimes poignant philosophical aside.

---

In sum:
"Deodorant" is the entry point, but conformity, authenticity, artistic courage, and the micro-politics of smell are the real subjects. The trio’s conversational style means the analysis is both hilarious and—intentionally—a little all over the place. If you want offbeat cultural criticism, meta-comedy, and the best possible answer to “what’s straight about deodorant?” this episode delivers.

---

Original language and banter preserved throughout. Advertisements and non-content sections omitted.

Transcript

[Julio Torres]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Commercial Announcer]

Tired of spills and stains on your sofa? WashablesOfAs.com has your back featuring the Annabe collection, the only designer sofa that's machine washable inside and out. Where designer quality meets budget friendly prices. That's right, sofas start at just $699. Enjoy a no risk experience with pet friendly stain resistant and changeable slipcovers made with performance fabrics. Experience cloud like comfort high resilience foam that's hypoallergenic and never needs fluffing. The sturdy steel frame ensures longevity and the modular pieces can be rearranged anytime. Check out washablesofas.com and get up to 60% off your Anna Bay sofa backed by a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not absolutely in love, send it back for a full refund. No return, shipping or restocking fees. Every penny back. Upgrade [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may App Listen to your elders, honey.

[Sam Taggart]

You might know them from their viral videos, but now the old Gays pull back the curtain on their brand new podcast Silver Linings with the Old Gays, brought to you in partnership with iHeart's Ruby Studio and Veeve Healthcare, hosts Robert, Mick, Bill and Jesse serve four lifetimes of wisdom when it comes to sex, love, community and whatever else they've got on the gay agenda. So check out Silver Linings, available on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Julio Torres]

If you're waiting for your AI to turn into ROI and wondering how long.

[Sam Taggart]

You have to wait, maybe you need to do more than wait.

[Julio Torres]

Any business can use AI.

[Sam Taggart]

IBM helps you use AI to change how you do business.

[George Severis]

Let's create smarter business IBM.

[Commercial Announcer]

You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own, with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com.

[Sam Taggart]

Podcast starts now. What is up everyone around the globe? Hi.

[Julio Torres]

Hi.

[Sam Taggart]

We're coming at you live from New York City roughly three weeks ago.

[George Severis]

I have a new concept.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay.

[George Severis]

It's called Screen Time Eyes and it's when someone you can see in someone's eyes that their screen time is really high.

[Sam Taggart]

Do I have screen time eyes?

[Julio Torres]

No, no, no.

[George Severis]

Obviously no. I would never accuse you of having screen time eyes.

[Sam Taggart]

It would be okay if you did accuse me.

[George Severis]

No, no no, no. But I worry sometimes that I. Especially when I see photos of myself, I'm like, oh, no, do I have it? Because I notice it so clearly in others. And it's like, I don't want to say who, but there's a comedian that has recently been in the news a little, and I'm like, oh, she has screen time eyes.

[Sam Taggart]

She.

[George Severis]

Okay, we'll bleep it, but do you know what I mean?

[Sam Taggart]

I do know what you mean.

[George Severis]

Okay. And I'm seeing it more and more, and I'm wondering if you are seeing what I'm talking about.

[Sam Taggart]

Describe the look.

[George Severis]

Well, it's like a sort of permanently, kind of almost permanently surprised and also permanently anxious about finding out the truth. It's a sibling of conspiracy eyes.

[Sam Taggart]

It's a bit weapons.

[George Severis]

It's a bit weapons. There's a bit of a. It's not that someone is dead behind the eyes. It's that there's a sort of dimness. It's like they have put down the blinds halfway.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay. Try to do it to camera.

[George Severis]

Well, I. No, but you have to. I would have to be like a. I'd have to be a Amy Adams level actor to be able to perform that. It comes from within. It doesn't come from without. It's not like saying do a flip.

[Sam Taggart]

I think our guest would like to try to perform it.

[George Severis]

Okay.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Julio.

[Sam Taggart]

Please welcome Julio Torres.

[George Severis]

I just. I feel like it's more like.

[Sam Taggart]

It's like a little. It's like more surprised.

[George Severis]

It's more like.

[Sam Taggart]

It's like a little more paralyzed.

[George Severis]

Maybe one is like one is twitching even a little bit.

[Sam Taggart]

Sure.

[George Severis]

What I mean is it's like the effects of a blue light being constantly projected into your eyes. And so it also is a literal physical thing that's happening. It's not just theoretical, like, oh, no, I've read too many true crime books and now I look paranoid. But it's a mix of paranoia. Yes.

[Julio Torres]

Julio, have you ever thought of wearing contacts?

[George Severis]

I actually could, like, not wear glasses, and it's fine.

[Sam Taggart]

Really?

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. You give it a try.

[George Severis]

You think I look better with.

[Sam Taggart]

This is so.

[George Severis]

Tyra, Give it a try. Say more. Do I just. Do I look like, suddenly beautiful?

[Julio Torres]

No, you are beautiful, but you unlocked. You unlocked a part of your beauty right now.

[George Severis]

You're like, I've never.

[Julio Torres]

In a way that I was just.

[George Severis]

Like, oh, was it because I did screen time eyes?

[Julio Torres]

No, it was as soon as you. I wasn't listening to the rest of it. As soon as you took Your glasses off. And it's like, you also have really good skin.

[George Severis]

Well, Julio, get rid of the glasses.

[Sam Taggart]

God, there's a beautiful girl under there.

[George Severis]

Well, I do.

[Sam Taggart]

If you would just let her out.

[Julio Torres]

What are you scared of?

[George Severis]

Yeah, here's what I'm scared of. Genuinely walking around New York.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Not being able to see, like, a block away. Like, I. Actually, if you were to take away my glasses, I could survive. I mean, I would have to be squinting a little bit.

[Julio Torres]

If I go to the middle. Contacts.

[Sam Taggart]

You can meet in the middle.

[George Severis]

But don't you think it's crazy to go through all the process of getting contacts just for vanity? Yeah, but. No. Your answer is no.

[Sam Taggart]

You've done way other.

[George Severis]

Well, I'm sure I've had many surgeries.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, of course.

[George Severis]

Do you think maybe, like, nicer glasses would help? Because I. I know these need to be retired, and I'm ready for a more contemporary kind of Y2K feel. But you don't think that's the issue.

[Julio Torres]

No. Yeah.

[George Severis]

So I think.

[Julio Torres]

I think the. The vulnerability and the accessibility that comes without having.

[George Severis]

I do think potentially I'm. I'm. I. I hide behind the identity of glasses.

[Julio Torres]

You do, yeah. Yeah, you do.

[George Severis]

And so what do you think it could unlock in me if I stopped?

[Julio Torres]

I think that, you know, it's like taking away the safety blanket.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

How would you feel about having your natural hair color?

[Julio Torres]

I have.

[Sam Taggart]

Are you guys fighting?

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, I think. I think. Okay. I think that this is very interesting that a compliment was turned into an insult in your.

[George Severis]

Sorry. I know that I jokingly did the hair comment as an insult, but I think I'm actually. It's a productive line of.

[Julio Torres]

No, but I think that's your glasses speaking.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, it's defensiveness.

[George Severis]

You're saying my glasses. It's like I'm trying to read you as a text.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Rather than just, like, accept you for who you are. Whereas you're not doing that to me. You're, in fact, being like, let's see, the real you.

[Julio Torres]

I'm just trying to access you.

[George Severis]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Julio Torres]

Wow. And your glasses are saying, no, I read you. You don't read me. No.

[George Severis]

And. But you don't think that you like that your dyed hair makes you dyed hair person in the same way that glasses makes me glasses person.

[Julio Torres]

It does. It does. However, I have seen myself without dyed.

[George Severis]

Hair, whereas I've never seen myself without glasses.

[Julio Torres]

No, but I don't. I think you have more to gain than I do. I think you have a lot More to gain.

[George Severis]

Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow.

[George Severis]

Wow.

[Julio Torres]

And I think the things that I would be able to access with dyed hair.

[George Severis]

With undyed hair.

[Julio Torres]

With undyed hair are not seductive to me. But the things that you could access without glasses I think could be. Could be very interesting for you.

[Sam Taggart]

But do you.

[George Severis]

Okay, so maybe it's that like glasses obfuscate, whereas dyed hair reveals. Like you are closer to your authentic self with the dyed hair.

[Sam Taggart]

Whereas dyed hair is like turning the volume up.

[Julio Torres]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

Whereas glasses are turning the volume down.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Glasses are also, you know what they do? They add quotes around everything you're saying. Glasses are quotes of the face. So it's like everything I'm saying is sort of a commentary of what if.

[Sam Taggart]

I said that it's zoomed out. You have distance from your words.

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Whereas in fact, you know, there's a stereotype of like the blue haired liberal. You know what I mean?

[Sam Taggart]

We actually need to talk about the stereotype of the blue haired liberal.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. What is the blue haired liberal?

[George Severis]

It's like, it's a right wing.

[Julio Torres]

Go ahead. It's a caricature of the Che Diazification.

[Sam Taggart]

Exactly. And it's like the right wing go to is like blue haired liberal. There's an evil blue haired liberal out there.

[George Severis]

So it's like when you. Let's say we utter the same sentence and it's like a really smart sentence.

[Sam Taggart]

God, I would love to hear that sentence.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

It's a sentence no one has thought of yet, but by the end of this episode, we will have thought of it. Like, is it more transcendent coming out of Julio's mouth? Because it's like, is it more transcendent coming out of a dyed hair head or a glasses head?

[Julio Torres]

I think it depends on the audience.

[George Severis]

Sure.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, of course.

[Julio Torres]

I mean, you don't have any piercings, right?

[George Severis]

I just have one piercing.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, you have one. It should be bigger.

[George Severis]

Okay. I actually have thought that I want a bigger one and I actually want two. I think I want two bigger ones.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, that's a good idea.

[George Severis]

Yeah, you have one. But it's of course, a very quirky two.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. Yeah. I think that you shouldn't be scared of going there.

[George Severis]

The idea of scared is interesting to me because it's not like I have a desire of having more piercings and I'm stopping myself. I just have never, like, wanted more. Have you?

[Sam Taggart]

Not really. I got my one within the year and I feel like it's changed everything. And I don't want to change too much or else I'LL have no foundation. I'll be wobbly. Um, yeah, but the one is. It's. It's changed a lot for me. That being said, I don't know how to take it out.

[George Severis]

Well, that's.

[Julio Torres]

That's not really. You don't know how to take it out?

[Sam Taggart]

I don't know how.

[Julio Torres]

Okay. And Misha can help. Misha will take care of it.

[Sam Taggart]

Misha will take care of it.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

I have no idea how to take it out.

[Julio Torres]

Is it infected every once in a while? Oh, yeah, of course.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, it goes.

[Julio Torres]

It goes in and out. Of course it's infected. It's a little infected.

[Sam Taggart]

It goes in and out.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

It's not always infected.

[George Severis]

It's alive thing.

[Sam Taggart]

It's like, sometimes it's infected, sometimes it's not.

[Julio Torres]

It's like it's breathing organism.

[Sam Taggart]

Do you expect. Like, everybody synthesizes, like. I'm sorry. Like there's variables in life.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Okay. Not to keep going on our physical appearance, but I. You are also doing something that fascinates me, because it is. Talk about being scared. This is something I'm scared of.

[Julio Torres]

What it is.

[George Severis]

Here's what it is.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

You're wearing brown pants with a green shirt.

[Julio Torres]

I am? Yes.

[George Severis]

And. And you look amazing. You look really good. One of my biggest fears is looking like a tree when I wear brown pants.

[Sam Taggart]

Looking like a tree.

[George Severis]

Like, every time I've. Sometimes I will be getting dressed and I'll realize, oh, no, I'm doing brown in the bottom. Green.

[Sam Taggart]

I've heard you critique people for looking like a tree before, but don't you.

[George Severis]

Think Julio's pulling it off?

[Sam Taggart]

No, I think it looks great, but I've just never heard. That's like, a negative.

[Julio Torres]

Hold on.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

What is at the heart of, I don't know, looking like a tree?

[Sam Taggart]

Did you hear this in, like, second grade? And it just stuck with you?

[George Severis]

So you don't think it's.

[Sam Taggart]

I've never heard, like, I don't want to look like a tree except for you.

[George Severis]

Here's what I think it's like. I think there's something. Surely at some point, someone had a Halloween costume or a theater costume or something where they were a tree, and that's how they did it.

[Julio Torres]

I think that you should also go under hypnosis and unlock what the trauma is with looking like a tree.

[George Severis]

Yeah. I mean. No, I think you're absolutely right, because I do think it is something, because I do.

[Julio Torres]

Like, I. Whenever you're wearing colors that are too evocative of Something that you don't want to evoke, then I completely get it. Like, people don't like wearing blue and purple because it's like, Barney. Yeah. Or like, I have, like, switched things around when I'm wearing, like, red and blue because it's like, I don't want to be, like, evoke of Superman.

[George Severis]

Oh, I was thinking, like, Fourth of July American.

[Julio Torres]

Or like. Right. Or like. Or yellow and red Ronald McDonald or.

[George Severis]

Like orange and black Halloween.

[Julio Torres]

Right. But tree is such a. To me, like, if I'm evoking that, that's such a lovely thing to evoke.

[George Severis]

I don't think it's that I don't want to evoke a tree specifically. It's that I don't want to look like I'm in costume.

[Julio Torres]

I don't think anyone will think you're in costume.

[Sam Taggart]

You know what it is? You know what? Disneybounding. Is that what it's called?

[Julio Torres]

Disneybounding, I think.

[Sam Taggart]

Isn't that what it's called?

[Julio Torres]

Is that kink is.

[Sam Taggart]

It's when you.

[George Severis]

It sounds like a kick.

[Sam Taggart]

I mean, essentially should be. I don't know if that's the right term. But when you go to Disney, you're not allowed to dress up as the characters. So people will do color schemes to evoke. Evoke the characters.

[Julio Torres]

Wait, but I don't. Okay, so people can't cosplay at Disney. People can't cosplay because then people will think they are a representative of the park.

[Sam Taggart]

Exactly.

[Julio Torres]

And then suddenly the child is asking an autograph to a complete stranger that hasn't been authorized to speak to them.

[George Severis]

Well, it also would just create chaos.

[Sam Taggart]

I mean, it would. Going into which one's the real Goofy.

[Julio Torres]

And also it's one's the real Goofy.

[George Severis]

And it waters down the value of the brand name thing.

[Sam Taggart]

Of course. And they fought hard for that brand name.

[George Severis]

It's like being like, oh, yeah, anyone can open up a kiosk at a mall. Okay, so what is this, like the movie Civil War starring Kirsten Dunst?

[Julio Torres]

Is that the, The, The. The genesis of the war in Civil War?

[Sam Taggart]

No, I understand what the genesis was.

[Julio Torres]

But implied that it was implied.

[George Severis]

It was implied that, you know, without a proper license. Exactly. It was unlicensed kiosks at all the malls. You know, next thing you know, we have antifa taking over.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I have some malls.

[George Severis]

Say that.

[Sam Taggart]

Say that.

[Julio Torres]

Are. Are they still around?

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

Yes. And they're turning them into pickleball courts. I have something to say.

[Julio Torres]

And apartments and apartments.

[Sam Taggart]

I have something Kind of scary. And I don't know where this will go, but I have to tell you, when you said kiosk, this is what I thought of. I was in an airport, and there was, like, a little tent set up. And it was like. And it was like, okay, there's like. And it was, like, kind of low to the ground. And it was like, oh, they're, like, setting up, like, a quick kiosk. And I was like, oh, interesting. Why are they doing this? It's, like, right by the Starbucks. And we were like, maybe there's gonna be, like, a sunglass hut here. And then we're like, wait a minute. Why are there police standing around it? And then, like, we're, like, joking about what's under the tent. And then this woman was like, do you want to know?

[Julio Torres]

And we were like, who was the woman?

[Sam Taggart]

The woman was, like, a youngish. She was, like, our age. Um, and she was just, like, sitting alone.

[Julio Torres]

She was a fellow traveler.

[Sam Taggart]

She was a fellow traveler. And she was like, I hear you guys joking. Do you want to know what's under there? And Misha and I were like, sure, tell us what's under there. She was like, it's a dead body. She was like, a man just died there. And I was like, so you want.

[Julio Torres]

To hear what's in the tent? Are you prepared to know what's in the tent?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Do you want to know?

[George Severis]

And how did the man die?

[Sam Taggart]

Apparently he had a heart attack, and he was there for, like, an hour.

[George Severis]

It's a classic.

[Sam Taggart]

And it was right by the Starbucks.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, okay. Well, I'm glad you put that here.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. I just. I just felt like that was notable.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, it is.

[Sam Taggart]

So Disney.

[George Severis]

Well, did they shoot him because he had an unlicensed kiosk?

[Sam Taggart]

No.

[Julio Torres]

So the tent is. The tent was there for you? Yeah. Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

So that we could pretend there was not a dead body in the airport for an hour.

[George Severis]

So they erected a tent over the dead body rather than moving it.

[Sam Taggart]

Exactly.

[George Severis]

Now, that's interesting.

[Sam Taggart]

That's.

[Julio Torres]

Well, that. Because it's probably. Someone has to. Was it a crime scene, then?

[Sam Taggart]

Was he poisoned?

[Julio Torres]

Was he poisoned? Well, I find it almost a woman.

[George Severis]

I find it almost progressive to erect a tent around the dead body rather than move it. You know, we have this in our society. We don't want to think about death. We don't have a grieving culture. If there's a. What?

[Sam Taggart]

We don't have a grieving culture.

[George Severis]

We don't have a grieving culture. It's. You know, if Someone dies. Get that out of there. This is a live world because in order to be consumers, we have to be alive. Once someone is dead, they no longer are needed in the system that we are a part of. And so I think to add a tent over the dead body, you know, it's kind of instilling it with a sarcophagus like, importance in a way that I think feels kind of almost anti capitalist.

[Julio Torres]

Yes. Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Wow.

[Julio Torres]

It's a mausoleum.

[Sam Taggart]

It's a mausoleum.

[George Severis]

Exactly. Yeah. And it's saying this body has value despite being deceased real estate. Well, see, again, you're thinking in capital yield.

[Sam Taggart]

Sorry, I'm just thinking about how much per square foot be six feet tall.

[George Severis]

Well, I would say even the mall is losing money because part of the square footage is being dedicated to simply displaying, celebrating the dead body.

[Julio Torres]

Right.

[George Severis]

And so in that sense, it is even cutting into the bottom line.

[Sam Taggart]

I will say now, whenever I go to this airport, which I go to quite often, it is lax, after all. I will walk by the spot and I go. That's where the dead body was.

[Julio Torres]

Wow.

[Sam Taggart]

The, the, the, the mausoleum kind of worked. Now the mausoleum's in my mind.

[Julio Torres]

The mausoleum is in the mind.

[Sam Taggart]

The tent was temporary, but it's always going to be there for me.

[George Severis]

It's Peter Pan.

[Sam Taggart]

Wait, how so that's what I.

[George Severis]

That's why I don't want to wear green.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, my God. We got there was.

[George Severis]

And I don't know what Peter Pan was.

[Julio Torres]

Brown.

[George Severis]

Brown pants, green shirt.

[Julio Torres]

Brown tights.

[Sam Taggart]

Brown tights.

[George Severis]

Okay, but Google.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Green like.

[George Severis]

Yes. I think that's what it is. Green like, maybe it's. Maybe it actually stems from some sort of internalized homophobia. Peter Pan's pretty.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, wow. It's Peter Pan.

[Julio Torres]

It's Peter Pan.

[Sam Taggart]

You're Disneybounding as Peter Pan.

[Julio Torres]

I am going there afterwards to Disneyland.

[Sam Taggart]

And you know, that's complicated, legally speaking, because Peter Pan is just a person.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

So like, if you're dressed in Peter Pan's colors as a person, but did.

[George Severis]

Peter Pan always have those colors or were those colors put on him by the Disney corporation? Like, if you look at an old, an old Peter Pan book, he's not always wearing brown and green, is he?

[Julio Torres]

I don't know. I know. I think that all of their outfits are interpretations by the corporation.

[Sam Taggart]

Huge shout out to the corporation. Since we're talking about colors, we should mention that. Julio.

[George Severis]

Oh, that's right.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Plug has a show called Color Theories.

[Julio Torres]

Sell it, sell it.

[Sam Taggart]

That is to die for. George and I at the big opening night. Which is not the first night you do it.

[Julio Torres]

No, opening night is not the first night that the performance happens.

[Sam Taggart]

So Julio asks, very confusing. How has it been to be a theater person as opposed to a normal comedy person?

[Julio Torres]

I don't know why the word theater is even being used. To be honest, I'm not even performing at a theater.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, like a theater, to me, I.

[George Severis]

Guess it is quite literally called perform in space New York. Oh, it's a spade, which is actually kind of a perfect name for what it is. Yeah, It's a bit literal if you ask me.

[Julio Torres]

You know, performance space.

[George Severis]

It's like, right?

[Julio Torres]

In New York.

[George Severis]

Yeah, yeah.

[Julio Torres]

It's not called New York theater.

[Sam Taggart]

Performance space New York, but it is. Why is it.

[George Severis]

Why is it.

[Sam Taggart]

Why is it theater as opposed to, like, what is the. I mean, I know the thing about, like, 99 seats or whatever.

[Julio Torres]

What?

[Sam Taggart]

Like, something's off Broadway if they have, like, a certain number of seats. But what is.

[George Severis]

I would say it checks all the boxes for theater.

[Sam Taggart]

Why is something a show? So why isn't all stand up off Broadway?

[George Severis]

Well, not all theaters are off Broadway theaters.

[Sam Taggart]

Do you have to get a license?

[George Severis]

Julio, take it away.

[Julio Torres]

I don't know. I don't know.

[Sam Taggart]

Who's that license?

[Julio Torres]

I am just doing something in this space for several nights. And if calling it theater brings a sense of peace and order, well.

[George Severis]

But this is a good question, though. Does it bring a sense of peace and order because you are drawing a crowd that is more of. Or you will be presumably drawing a crowd that is more of a theater crowd rather than a comedy crowd? Because they will find out about it through theater.

[Julio Torres]

Theater. What?

[George Severis]

Like, through places where they would read about theater, like the review. If there's a review in the Times, it'll be in the theater section.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, why?

[George Severis]

Well, because it's an off Broadway show, so, like, a theater critic will go and review it, and so it'll be part of the ecosystem that is theater.

[Julio Torres]

Who wants them to do that?

[George Severis]

To be honest, you're a publicist. Probably.

[Julio Torres]

Okay, as soon as I get her name, I'll get to the bottom of that. I. I don't. I don't know where the line is. And I. I'm curious as to the insistence for there to be a. A line. Is it. Is it as simple as. Like, they don't know where to put it on the website, like, what tab to put it on.

[George Severis]

Okay, so here's what I think it is, actually.

[Julio Torres]

I think It's a. I'm just performing comedy. Yeah. Yeah.

[George Severis]

Well, I think when something is elevated to theater, you know, the New York Times doesn't have a comedy criticism section. So when something is elevated to theater, that means it is suddenly.

[Sam Taggart]

But there is a comedy critic.

[George Severis]

There is a comedy critic. That's true.

[Julio Torres]

For the Times, Yes. Yeah. Really?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

Huh. Hello, comedy critic.

[George Severis]

If you can hear us, tell how serious you're being.

[Julio Torres]

No, I am, I am. I didn't know there was a comedy critic for the Times.

[George Severis]

Well, okay, wait.

[Julio Torres]

Okay, okay, comedy critic. And what does this critic cover?

[George Severis]

Mostly comedy.

[Julio Torres]

But comedy has different.

[George Severis]

Not both live and comedy specials, but like, he goes around.

[Julio Torres]

Okay, but comedy we're defining as mostly stand up comedy.

[George Severis]

I would say.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah.

[George Severis]

And I would say that extends to a sort of one person show.

[Sam Taggart]

Honestly, I feel like he. He would be the one to review the show.

[George Severis]

Review Julio's show?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Oh, I think it will definitely be the theater.

[Sam Taggart]

Really?

[Julio Torres]

The same critic that's reviewing like Macbeth or whatever?

[George Severis]

Well, it's complicated because there's. There's both a. Like a resident critic, like someone whose job is New York Times theater critic, and there's also other people who are in rotation that review things.

[Sam Taggart]

Who. Do you want to review it?

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

Whomever. Whomever would get a check for doing that.

[George Severis]

And you just want them to get paid?

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, I just.

[George Severis]

Would you say you're doing this show because you want more critics to get paid?

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Critics aren't getting paid because there aren't.

[Julio Torres]

Shows and you're going, well, then you're welcome. Feeding all of you.

[Sam Taggart]

I. I think it's fun watching your show.

[George Severis]

Do you. Do you.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

Does. Are there podcast reviews?

[Sam Taggart]

There are articles that cover podcasts, but there's not like podcast reviews.

[Julio Torres]

Huh.

[George Severis]

Vulture does have.

[Julio Torres]

Till there be. Will be podcast reviews. I wonder.

[George Severis]

There are podcast like Vulture will do, like sort of podcast criticism, for example. And then the New Yorker for a while had a podcast column where they would like, recommend a podcast.

[Sam Taggart]

That's true. But a podcast has never gotten like a panel.

[Julio Torres]

Right?

[George Severis]

It's. It's not. The infrastructure isn't there for it to be like, okay, this season what podcasts are. Are being reviewed and which podcasts are getting critics pick.

[Julio Torres]

But I, It. It sounds like the, The. The resources are there. And maybe that's because podcasts are like one of the few things that people are actually consuming. So I feel like.

[George Severis]

I guess, I guess what it comes down to is like, what is a review? There's like writing and criticism about podcasts. But, like, this idea of, like, the issue of the paper also has a theater section that has a review of a work. That structure isn't there for podcasts.

[Sam Taggart]

I would say, you know, criticism is dying in all forms.

[George Severis]

I would say it's dead. As dead as that man under the tent in lax.

[Sam Taggart]

I think theater is one of the few places where, like, maybe criticism still exists.

[Julio Torres]

Because it's an older crowd.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. And because it's like, it's just like an older infrastructure and it can't be.

[George Severis]

Like, messed with and it's more siloed. Like, it literally, it's like.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, yeah.

[George Severis]

It is such a smaller. And by the way, I'm just now realizing the reason is because it is so geography dependent. Like, literally theater. I mean, you have to be in. You have to.

[Julio Torres]

Right. And like, Broadway is defined as Broadway as you have to be in one of, like, how many theaters. It's like, it's a limited amount of theaters. Right. And that are owned by like two or three different corporations. So in order to be a Broadway show, you have to be generating capital for one of these three.

[George Severis]

Right. But I mean, there can be a theater critic, like in Philadelphia that reviews plays that are in Philadelphia or in any other city, but it's like it is always geographically.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, I see what you mean. But yes, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[George Severis]

But yeah, Broadway is its own.

[Julio Torres]

It is like the critic then becomes a portal to the performance that you wouldn't otherwise have. Because you, George, reading a review from a play in Philadelphia, it's like, well, you probably don't have a lot of friends who have seen it. Yeah.

[George Severis]

And also the, like, the reason criticism is dying is because anyone can make a TikTok about a movie. Right. But in theater, that's not as true because your review doesn't have to reach that many people. Like, it's not like you're not going for scale.

[Julio Torres]

No. Your review just has to reach those, like, 20 people.

[George Severis]

Yeah, exactly. So you're not being threatened by tiktokers if you're a theater critic.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Like you are if you're a Lana Del Rey critic.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

No, if you're a Lana Del Rey critic, you might as well. Good luck starting.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, no, it's my opinion. My opinion. I. Okay, wait. You know what, what piece of media I. I just came across, I just rediscovered. Do you remember? It was maybe, God, at this point, maybe like 10 years ago, the. The. The short man outside of NYU holding the trash bag, and he is screaming at this trumpet Player. And he's going, you're not an artist. You're not an artist. You're not. Are you familiar with it?

[Sam Taggart]

I don't think I know this.

[Julio Torres]

With this, like, viral video. It was like a viral video before things actually went viral.

[George Severis]

And it's a man holding a trash bag.

[Julio Torres]

Holding a trash bag. But he clearly was, like, in the middle of an errand or something. He has, like a button down, like, slick trousers.

[George Severis]

And he's being bothered by the trumpet player.

[Julio Torres]

He's being bothered by the trumpet player. And he's going like, you are not an artist. You are not an artist. And I earned my right to say that. I earned my right to say that you are disturbing the peace at one of the most sacred institutions in North America, nyu. And. And like, then, like, lists, frantically lists all of his degrees as, as. As evidence to support that he has earned the right to say who is an artist and who isn't an artist.

[George Severis]

Are his degrees in art history.

[Julio Torres]

His degrees are in music, I believe.

[George Severis]

Oh, okay. Well, even better. Well, gagged me a bit.

[Sam Taggart]

And okay, he can speak.

[George Severis]

And.

[Julio Torres]

And he's saying, you're not an artist. You're not an artist. Anybody know who you are? Maybe everybody else wants to enjoy the peace and quiet.

[Sam Taggart]

This is one of the most important.

[Julio Torres]

Places in all of North America.

[Sam Taggart]

Who are you? Who are you?

[Julio Torres]

You miserable, presumptuous. No talent. You're no artist. An artist respects the silence that serves as the foundation of creativity. You obviously don't have the talent. You don't have enough respect for yourself or other people or what it is to achieve, express yourself in music or any other form of creativity. And I'm an NYU film school graduate. Sucker. And the School of Visual Arts in the Academy of Art University, San Francisco. You suck. You are no talent. If you really have talent, go practice and then get yourself a gig instead of ruining the end of the day for everybody down here. You disgrace. You're everything that's gone wrong in this world. You are self consumed, no talent, mediocre piece of shit. And I've earned my right to say it. Okay? I had 200,000 people with Bill Graham in 1975. I walked Bob Dylan up on stage. Who the fuck are you? Now, I've been fascinated by this clip which has resurfaced. The trumpet player, if you listen to the trumpet player, is objectively bad. Like, it doesn't sound good. However, he's actually doing the thing that he wants to do. Meanwhile, this man is just hoarding what sounds like it like his third degree, which has given him little other than resentment and this imagined air of importance that gets to decide who's an artist and who isn't an artist. So, like, seeing the trumpet player actually perform the thing that he wanted to do just feet away from where he is getting yet another loan for another degree was a glitch in his matrix. And I just, like, I'm fascinated by them.

[Sam Taggart]

It is complicated. I think we both love critique. I have. I have said you do. I love a good critique.

[Julio Torres]

Like, you read. You read criticism.

[Sam Taggart]

I love to read criticism.

[George Severis]

Me too.

[Sam Taggart]

And. But it's like, if you read. If you read too much criticism, you, like, think critically in a way where you're, like, not thinking creatively. Like, it's like a slippery little slope. And I'm like. Like, sometimes I'm like, wait, I don't want to just be commenting on. I want to be the original thing.

[George Severis]

Yes. And then, of course, what complicates that is the idea that criticism itself is an art form. And, like, if someone is like, a fear. Famous critic who has found new ways of, like, concept, you know, of categorizing or conceptualizing existing artworks, then that also adds value in the same way that a work of art will add value. What I'm trying to figure out is if I think there's any value to someone yelling, you are not an artist. Like, is there an. Could I could. Well, could one make the argument that him yelling. That is in fact him using his degree is, in fact, him doing arts criticism in, like, a gonzo way?

[Julio Torres]

You know what I mean? Well, the trumpet player had a contribution. Yeah, the trumpet player had a contribution. Regardless of whether we like it or not. He was contributing.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

And this other man probably has been trained to believe that you need to earn your right to contribute.

[George Severis]

Definitely.

[Julio Torres]

And that made him glitch. Now, the trumpet player in the video, the trumpet player has a hold of himself. He is there to play trumpet, and he is doing it. The critic, if we're calling him that, he probably isn't a critic. He's probably also a musician. Glitched. Yes, I guess.

[George Severis]

Okay, this is the. You're saying his degrees were in music, like, the practice of music. He's not like a musicologist.

[Julio Torres]

I'm inferring from the rant is that. I don't know. He probably all. Maybe all of the above. Yeah.

[George Severis]

I guess I would like to know is extreme job.

[Julio Torres]

No institution will say, you've had too many degrees.

[George Severis]

Oh, well, that's a whole other.

[Julio Torres]

That's A whole other. No institution will be like, cool it. They'll be like, send the money here.

[George Severis]

What I would like to know.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Is. Is this person's dream job is to be in an orchestra or to be the classical music critic for the New York Times?

[Julio Torres]

I think it's to be in an orchestra.

[George Severis]

Okay. That's interesting.

[Julio Torres]

I think you should watch the video.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

I mean, I'm sure you've interacted with. I feel like that's so common to, like, be doing something, like, creative, sort of like, without the training. Like, I feel like stand up breeds that. Like, it's like, the first scripts I wrote were, like, you know, it's not like I have a degree in, like, screenwriting. I was just like, I just have to write.

[Julio Torres]

People who have got those degrees get a little.

[Sam Taggart]

They get a little mat.

[Julio Torres]

They get a lot.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. They're like, well, it's not formatted, right?

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. Well, no one told you that. You actually save it as dot. It's just like, okay, cool.

[Sam Taggart]

I feel like this is something you're particularly good at is, like, sort of being like, the formalities don't matter. Like, just put the thing out.

[Julio Torres]

Just put the thing out.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

I'm all about frayed edges.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

I love a frayed edge. The designer I'm sending home is the one who's showing me the dress I've seen before. Wait, this is a Project Runway Runway?

[Sam Taggart]

Of course. Of course. No, I fully agree. I think I've, like, if you're showing me.

[Julio Torres]

If you're showing me two dresses, one of them is exquisitely made, but I've seen it before. And the other one is falling apart, but is a new idea. I'll go for the new idea.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. I think. I think your show is very fright.

[Julio Torres]

Edges, baby.

[Sam Taggart]

Frayed edges. But even like, that. Like, that idea. Not even, like you're doing it, but you're, like, sort of constantly pushing, like, this, like, freedom of, like, don't worry about the rules. Like, we don't need so many rules in a way that I think is, like, really good.

[Julio Torres]

And, honey, I miss my cues left and right.

[George Severis]

I do not think that's true.

[Julio Torres]

I think you. I was in good behavior when you saw me.

[George Severis]

Okay. But I'm just. I think what I obviously, like, I get.

[Julio Torres]

I have my notes in front of me. I didn't want to prop.

[George Severis]

What?

[Julio Torres]

No, it's not. That's where my notes.

[George Severis]

You're actually looking at your notes?

[Julio Torres]

Yes, I'm looking at my notes. Do. They can remember all of that I was.

[George Severis]

Did you think it was a prop?

[Sam Taggart]

I could tell it was real. But I was. But I was. I was surprised that it was non linear. Your notes, like you would like flip forward and then flip backward.

[Julio Torres]

Well, yeah, it's a mess. But I have them numbered. I have them numbered. Like I'm sitting because I don't like standing. Yeah, yeah, but it's a comfort.

[George Severis]

Okay, okay, wait, wait. Now I'm now to go back to the theater thing. I'm having a realization, which is it's a presentation. By applying, honestly, sort of applying the frayed edges ethos of stand up comedy to theater.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

It sticks out more. Whereas if you were doing a stand up comedy show and you had your notes, no one would judge you for it. But if it's defined as theater, some.

[Sam Taggart]

People get so judgmental.

[George Severis]

I guess that's true. But if it's defined as theater, then it's even more like noticeable that you have a notebook with you on stage. Because you wouldn't expect to go see the Seagull and have the actors have little notebooks and be like, wait, what, what's next?

[Julio Torres]

I mean, they should.

[George Severis]

You think they should?

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, that helps them. I even have. I. There's even like things written on the set for me.

[George Severis]

Really?

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. That I wrote with pencil.

[George Severis]

I have a question for you.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Is that. Does it change night by night or is the show exactly the same?

[Julio Torres]

Not as, not. Not significantly, but the wording changes and the. And sometimes I'll be like that. Not that tonight you'll just skip something.

[George Severis]

Oh, really?

[Julio Torres]

Nothing major, but nothing that's like light dependent.

[Sam Taggart]

Sure, sure, sure.

[Julio Torres]

Or sound dependent.

[Sam Taggart]

I was.

[Julio Torres]

It's a constant work in progress. Sorry. It's a constant work in progress. Which I think is maybe because the infrastructure of theater is such that, like, the lights have to be set, the sound has to be set, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. So there's really. There's only so much wiggle room. Right. It's like actors can do things that are slightly different in order to find something. But I, I like, I don't have a deadline for this in any way. And yes, there are cues and things like that, but I don't. They're not as rigid.

[George Severis]

You're saying you don't have a deadline for it to be perfected. Like this is.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, this thing about quote unquote, opening night. I'm like, okay, I don't know. I'll keep experimenting.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah. When are the. Bebo. So Bebo is Pre recorded the voice of Joe Romeriel. Shout out.

[George Severis]

And Bebo is who the robot. They're not.

[Julio Torres]

Who is the robot?

[George Severis]

I know, but I'm saying for the.

[Sam Taggart]

Audience, Bebo's a robot. That's part of the show. Voiced by Joe Romerill.

[Julio Torres]

Bebo is my friend who's a robot. Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

Are the movements preset or does someone. Is someone like, doing.

[Julio Torres]

No. Bebo moves live. Reaction.

[Sam Taggart]

He moves live.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow, that was great.

[Julio Torres]

Bebo. Bibo reacts.

[George Severis]

So is there a puppeteer behind him?

[Julio Torres]

Bebo's just. Just.

[Sam Taggart]

Are Bebo's pronouns. He, him?

[Julio Torres]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, no, he's just. Wait, what was the question?

[George Severis]

Is there a puppeteer behind Bebo?

[Julio Torres]

No, there's. Beeble's shadow is behind Bebo.

[George Severis]

Oh, of course. I guess that makes sense with the theater lighting and all.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

What with the theater lighting and whatnot.

[Julio Torres]

Behind Bebo, there was only his shadow. Is that the merch? Yes.

[George Severis]

Print it.

[Julio Torres]

Behind Bevo, there is only his shadow.

[George Severis]

It would be amazing if that was the merch, because there's such self evident things you can do with merch because of the colors and because like, you're like drawing to choose of all you're drawing. There's all these like sort of iconic images that people remember from the show. So to choose just a shirt that says behind people is a line that's not in the show.

[Julio Torres]

Wait, you should. I should. Should I include that in the show? Is that funny?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, you should, because people are wondering.

[Julio Torres]

You should start wondering if there's a puppeteer behind Bebo. But let me tell you, behind people, there is only his shadow.

[George Severis]

You should be the first performer to sell merch during a performance. Like, there should be moments where you stop performing after you say a line and you're like, oh. And then you. And then you take out a shirt that has that line.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, wow.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. Not for this show, but maybe I will.

[Sam Taggart]

Does Bibo date.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Men or women?

[Julio Torres]

What?

[Sam Taggart]

What's his type?

[Julio Torres]

I've only seen him date women so far.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay. Robot women or human women?

[Julio Torres]

What do you mean? Robot women? Who are some robot women?

[Sam Taggart]

Siri.

[George Severis]

Yeah. The girl robot from the All Is Full of Love video.

[Julio Torres]

That's a fictional robot.

[George Severis]

That's not true. That video was shot live.

[Julio Torres]

Sure. That's a prop, though. That's not like a sentient being like Bebo is.

[George Severis]

But what about, you know, a Roomba?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, Roomba. That's a good example.

[Julio Torres]

No.

[George Severis]

Would Bebo date a Roomba? Yes or no?

[Julio Torres]

No, he wouldn't.

[Sam Taggart]

What about an Amazon Alexa. Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

No, no, no, no, no.

[George Severis]

What about Siri?

[Julio Torres]

No, I think people wants like a.

[George Severis]

Ceramicist, so a non robot woman probably. Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

Interesting.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. I think Bebo goes for like a girl with an Etsy shop.

[George Severis]

Oh, yeah, that makes sense.

[Sam Taggart]

That makes sense.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

He was sentimental.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. He's. He's kind of wholesome and.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

But he's like a little artsy. Like she has a little bird tattoo.

[Sam Taggart]

Sure.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

So Biba would date, like, Xuron's wife. Well, if she was not married to Zurt.

[Julio Torres]

In a loving relationship.

[George Severis]

Yes, yes. With our next mayor.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Who did Biba vote for in the presidential election? Would you say?

[Julio Torres]

In the presidential election? Yes.

[George Severis]

In 2024. Oh, Kamala Harris or Donald J. Trump.

[Julio Torres]

He would. He would deflect, but he voted Kamala.

[George Severis]

Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. With, you know, a lot of, like, a lot of.

[Sam Taggart]

We know, like.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

I don't support this hand waving.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[George Severis]

Which he does by himself. Not with a puppeteer, by the way.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow.

[George Severis]

Can I tell you what's happening in my mind right now?

[Julio Torres]

Please.

[George Severis]

I know we have to do our first segment, but if I say that it will be further proof that I am glasses and that I am Navy in your. In your terminology.

[Julio Torres]

Wait, why? Because we have to.

[George Severis]

Because I'm like. Because I'm keeping us on track.

[Julio Torres]

You're the Bebo of.

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Julio Torres]

Of Stradio Lab.

[George Severis]

Yes, exactly. Which I, I.

[Sam Taggart]

Which is actually weird because normally I'm more like time sensitive for some reason.

[Julio Torres]

But this time you have a dinner in Union Square.

[George Severis]

That's actually not why I'm. No, I was more thinking. Because I want to. Because I want to get to our topic. I was like, let's.

[Julio Torres]

Let's get to the topic. Let's do it. I'll be the Bebo. What's next?

[Sam Taggart]

You can't be the Bebo after he already said we have to get to the topic.

[Julio Torres]

Okay, what's next? What's the topic?

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, my God.

[Commercial Announcer]

There's nothing like sinking into luxury. At washablesofas.com, you'll find the Annabe sofa, which combines ultimate comfort and design at an affordable price. And get this, it's the only sofa that's fully machine washable from top to bottom. Starting at only $699, the stain resistant performance fabric, slipcovers and cloud like frame duvet can go straight into your wash. Perfect for anyone with kids, pets, or anyone who loves an easy to clean spotless sofa with a modular design and changeable slipcovers. You can customize your sofa to fit any space and style. Whether you need a single chair, loveseat or a luxuriously large sectional, Annabe has you covered. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your home. Right now you can shop up to 60% off store wide with a 30 day money back guarantee. Shop [e-mail] Add a little to your life. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. This week on a very special episode of Health Discovered, we're taking a closer look at a condition that affects hundreds of thousands of men each year. Prostate cancer.

[Sam Taggart]

I first found out about my cancer at the age of 45. Anything with cancer, you just think deaf sentence.

[Commercial Announcer]

In this episode, we'll explore the science behind detection along with the practical steps men can take to protect their health. Listen to health discovered on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Open your free iHeart app, search Health Discovered and start listening.

[Sam Taggart]

So your AI agents, they make the team use them more productive, right? But if they aren't connected to other agents or your data or your existing workflows, how productive can they really make your teams? Any business can add AI agents.

[George Severis]

IBM connects your agents across your company to change how you do business.

[Sam Taggart]

Let's create Smile to Business IBM.

[Commercial Announcer]

You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own, with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, our first segment, as you know, is called Straight Shooters. And in this segment we're going to ask you a series of rapid fire questions. Oh right, this thing or this other thing. And the only rule is you can't ask any follow up questions or we will go navy blue on your ass hard.

[Julio Torres]

Okay.

[George Severis]

This show is about colors. Colors. And that's why we keep saying we're going to show you. The show is called Color Theories.

[Julio Torres]

It's a performance for the listeners. It's a show called Color Theories in which I discuss colors. And in the show navy blue is characterized as the rule following color. Which is why you are comparing yourself to navy blue when you are keeping track of the segments.

[George Severis]

Yes, but we're actually not. Neither of us is wearing navy blue, which is rare for us because we both actually are attracted to wearing a navy blue shirt.

[Sam Taggart]

Before this and I took it off.

[Julio Torres]

Men hide a navy blue.

[Sam Taggart]

I Didn't take it off because I was scared of what it would imply.

[Julio Torres]

But a lot of people do that. People have been doing that with me around me a lot lately. Well, it is gonna wear this color, but I didn't want you to. Blah, blah, blah. And it's just like. It's not. I say at the beginning of the show, this is not literal.

[Sam Taggart]

It's not literal, but it is hard. It's like that thing of being like, this happens sort of in D.C. actually. It's when you, like, call out someone's like, lifestyle. If you're like, navy blue is this. Navy blue is this. Then you start looking. You're like, oh, fuck. You're like, I can't go home. I can't change.

[George Severis]

This happens.

[Sam Taggart]

Even though it's not literal.

[George Severis]

This happened to me last night. You know how I've been. You know, we've been on tour, and in some of our shows. I'll make some joke about how sometimes women bring their boyfriends to a queer comedy show, and the vibe is very much like, if this doesn't work out, it's over. Like, it's like, this night will be. A night will be for everyone and every and all people. Always.

[Sam Taggart]

The show isn't funny. Cause the straight boyfriend's like.

[George Severis]

The straight boyfriend's like, this. The woman is always rubbing the straight boyfriend's back every time there's, like, a joke about. And so I made. You know, you make a joke about it, and you. And people at ours, they do have different lives.

[Julio Torres]

It's so fun.

[George Severis]

And people at our shows laughed. Last night, I was at a show that was all stray couples. And so having one with you, no one laughed. No, because the women can't laugh. Because obviously because they're Then it's, like, so true. Then it's, like, so true. My boyfriend sucks. And obviously the boyfriends are like, how dare you even reference me.

[Julio Torres]

Where was this?

[George Severis]

Union hall.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, this is okay. Oh, yeah. But Union hall, that's basically, the audience.

[Sam Taggart]

Is like, it's common country.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, you're gonna have some boyfriends.

[George Severis]

And I don't.

[Julio Torres]

But.

[Sam Taggart]

But we love.

[George Severis]

But in our shows, the boyfriends are in. Like, I. I haven't had a negative reaction from the boyfriends generally. Like.

[Julio Torres]

And no, it's an energetic. Yes.

[George Severis]

And I'll do a joke where I'm like, you know, you all feel outnumbered, but actually, if you look around, there's many of you, and you can all unionize and stop this show now. Like. And everyone laughs, and it's like, okay.

[Julio Torres]

Haha. They're no. Angrier would be.

[George Severis]

But I think at this show, because it was all straight couples, there wasn't even the opportunity to first to break the tension. It was just like the shock of recognition.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, and it's like when we were in D.C. and I had a joke about people who like their jobs too much being unethical, and people were so, like, they were like, that's not right. Like, they were like, it's my duty to like my job. Like, people were genuinely like, I've never gotten silenced. And I was like, yeah. Like, it was like they were all wearing navy blue and they couldn't take it off.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

It was freaky.

[George Severis]

But also, I was telling Sam. I think we had a realization that we have this stereotype of, like, we have the stereotype that everyone wants to do something creative and stops themselves to have an office job.

[Julio Torres]

That's flawed. Yeah.

[George Severis]

That is obviously flawed in many ways, but in a D.C. specific way, it's actually even more the dream for them. Exactly.

[Julio Torres]

The dream is that's their Hollywood.

[George Severis]

Yes, exactly. Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

They've made it.

[George Severis]

And there's something in fact, like, you can even understand that on a theoretical level, to want to, quote, unquote, change the world through politics at least makes sense. It's like, it makes more sense than for your dream being to, I don't know, work at the Coca Cola Corporation.

[Julio Torres]

Right. Sure, sure. But the people that work at the Coca Cola Corporation, their dream is probably to, like, own a lake house. Yeah. And like, to like, be able to afford going on, like, vacation. That's true. And have like a big wedding. And then. And then this thing is, like, pleasant enough. They feel some kind of rush of power. And so no, like, is there.

[George Severis]

But I think they at least. At least Sam's thing works better for. It's like they don't have to love their job. They can be like, I'm satisfied with.

[Julio Torres]

My job, but I want to go that audience.

[George Severis]

Whereas I do think if you work at a.

[Julio Torres]

You misread the audience.

[George Severis]

Like at a. At a. Yeah. Political consultancy, you're literally like, yeah. Like, this is what I want.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. Like finance people.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah. This thing keeps happening in our conversation where. Where whenever we try to talk about the show, then we move on. Like, it's like we like, deflect.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

And it's like, that's.

[Julio Torres]

Okay, get to the topic. Get to the topic.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, so that thing. We already said the setup.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, yeah, you already said the setup.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, so I'll go first. Concrete jungle where dreams are made of or nasty fungal hair. We should shave off.

[George Severis]

No, that's good.

[Julio Torres]

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.

[George Severis]

Slim Shady or Fat Bastard?

[Julio Torres]

Ooh, Slim Shady.

[Sam Taggart]

Common side effects or Mama hide your breasts.

[Julio Torres]

Common side effects.

[George Severis]

Under construction or over protected?

[Julio Torres]

Under construction.

[Sam Taggart]

This bitch. Okay. Big pharma or Lil Wayne?

[Julio Torres]

Lil Wayne.

[George Severis]

Tipping 20% or tripping into your descent?

[Julio Torres]

Tripping into your descent.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay. Chicken Caesar salad or friggin geezers are valid?

[Julio Torres]

Chicken Caesar salad.

[George Severis]

Together at last or Merritt Weaver was miscast?

[Julio Torres]

Together at last. I picked the ones that I could repeat.

[Sam Taggart]

Yes, that made sense.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

There's. I'm like, there's a tension here.

[George Severis]

Between who?

[Sam Taggart]

Between the three of us.

[Julio Torres]

Really? Why? What is it?

[Sam Taggart]

I don't know. Something's up.

[George Severis]

Okay.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, is it? Are you. Is this a setup for another segment?

[Sam Taggart]

No, this is.

[Julio Torres]

I thought it goes off. Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

It's time for Water cannon.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. It's time for massages from our sponsor.

[George Severis]

Bebo comes in.

[Sam Taggart]

Bebop. No, I'm like, is there tension?

[Julio Torres]

Do you sense tension?

[Sam Taggart]

I sense tension.

[George Severis]

Oh, that's interesting that you phrased that as a question when in fact you just wanted to say there is tension.

[Sam Taggart]

Don't do therapy at me.

[George Severis]

It's like, so you think there's tension?

[Sam Taggart]

I basically, I'm like, is the soup salty? Don't do therapy at me.

[Julio Torres]

Is the soup salty?

[Sam Taggart]

I don't consent to therapy.

[Julio Torres]

That's a T shirt. That's a T shirt.

[George Severis]

Is it hot in here?

[Sam Taggart]

Well, I'm looking. I'm looking for relatability in a sea of, you know, individuals. I'm saying. I'm saying, maybe I'm lunatic. Maybe you need to lock me up in a loony bin.

[George Severis]

It's interesting, though, because if you had said. Okay, if you had said there is tension, then you. Then it would have been an attack. Sort of.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

I feel like it's dominating to say there is tension.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

But then when you say, is there tension? Guess what you're doing? You're taking yourself out of it. You're saying, well, I'm just a passive observer and I'm observing tension.

[Julio Torres]

And therefore the wording should have been, I, like, feel, feel tension.

[Sam Taggart]

Do you as well feel it?

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. I do not. But I see you and I feel you.

[Sam Taggart]

I can't believe you did therapy at me. This is unbelievable.

[Julio Torres]

I don't consent to therapy. It's a good T shirt.

[George Severis]

Well, I think, you know, Julio, last time you did the podcast, I'm remembering you did something really interesting, which is we were on Zoom.

[Julio Torres]

We had to do the clapping. No, no, no. I have to do it again right now.

[George Severis]

Yeah, we have to clap just to one Julio. Okay, so now everything's gonna be off. When we did it on Zoom.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Something really interesting happened, and it's exactly the kind of thing that, you know, my glasses. Nature is like alarm, alarm, alarm. Which is. It was eating. No, no, no. The.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, that too.

[George Severis]

It was later in the day. It was. Let's say it was, you know, 7pm so in the.

[Julio Torres]

I got sleepy.

[Sam Taggart]

Keep guessing. I want to know what you think the mistakes you made were as the podcast went on.

[George Severis]

As the podcast went on. The sun was setting. So what was happening is your room.

[Julio Torres]

No, no, no.

[Sam Taggart]

There's a part where you have control.

[George Severis]

Your room. And all of our rooms went from sunny to pitch black in the span of the hour and 15 minutes that we did the podcast. And both of us turned on a light at some point.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, Misha programmed my lights to automatically turn on.

[Julio Torres]

Really?

[Sam Taggart]

When the sun is setting.

[Julio Torres]

Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

Just saying. I didn't turn on the light. I'm just saying.

[Julio Torres]

Great, great.

[George Severis]

And you chose not to turn on a light. So by the end of it, it was pitch black on your zoom. Like, literally complete darkness. Pitch black. We took a photo of it, and.

[Sam Taggart]

I believe you were laying on your floor.

[George Severis]

Each of us. Each of us was lit like in a normal room. And your square on zoom was pitch black, and we could not see your face.

[Julio Torres]

Well, why is it lit? Room. A normal room. Why are we so afraid of darkness?

[George Severis]

I guess in this instance, the reason I would say is that the point of zoom is to see.

[Julio Torres]

Was that the point of zoom?

[George Severis]

Yeah. Otherwise it would just be a call.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, I see what you mean.

[Sam Taggart]

The camera was on.

[George Severis]

So the camera was on.

[Julio Torres]

So were you scared that I was doing something?

[George Severis]

What you effectively did was turn the camera off.

[Sam Taggart]

No, I didn't think you were jerking it, if that's what you're asking.

[George Severis]

It would be such a crazy thing for you to do, to be jerking.

[Julio Torres]

It's like, well, it's time to jerk it.

[Sam Taggart]

That would be an amazing wrinkle in your personality.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

It's like you were literally going, jeffrey, what's the guy, The New Yorker writer that.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, it's like Jeffrey Goldberg. It's like. It's like Toobin.

[George Severis]

Or like Jeffrey Toobin.

[Julio Torres]

Yes.

[George Severis]

You were going, jeffrey Toobin mode. He was.

[Sam Taggart]

He was jerking it.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, yes. But he was over.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, but he did it like a Few times.

[Julio Torres]

I think he did it a few times.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I believe so.

[Julio Torres]

And was just like.

[George Severis]

The zoom ended and he was like. Turned it back on. I was like, sorry, guys, just one more thing.

[Julio Torres]

Wait, before I forget.

[Sam Taggart]

You know what's sick and twisted about me?

[Julio Torres]

What?

[Sam Taggart]

You know what's sick and twisted about me?

[George Severis]

That you like.

[Sam Taggart]

That was hot. When I hear about that, I'm like, nice. Like, I'm like, I wish that would happen to me.

[Julio Torres]

Well, okay, sorry.

[George Severis]

Well, of course.

[Julio Torres]

Something you wish that happened to you, that you were another person, like a.

[Sam Taggart]

Coworker was, like, jerking off. And I'd be like, whoa, totally.

[George Severis]

And the thing is, what's the issue is you can't be sure that all the co workers would be like you. In fact, you know what I mean? You are right that it's not impossible that some people would be turned on.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

But of course not everyone would be turned on.

[Julio Torres]

You would be turned on or excited because it's a good anecdote.

[George Severis]

No.

[Sam Taggart]

That'S. Actually, I didn't even think about the good anecdote part.

[Julio Torres]

Okay, okay, okay. But I love that you were like. You would. You would. Would you then start jerking off?

[Sam Taggart]

I do a breakout. I do a breakout room. I do a breakout room.

[George Severis]

A breakout room. And.

[Julio Torres]

But you.

[George Severis]

Yours is consent.

[Sam Taggart]

Mine is consent.

[George Severis]

It's like, if it's like, okay, you guys, I am gonna jerk off. If anyone wants to join, like, there's a meeting code. I will have to accept you. And just.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, there's another zoom room.

[George Severis]

Yeah, it's a breakout room.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, a breakout room.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

So Jeffrey starts jerking it. Sam is like, so this is how not to do things. But if anyone wants to see me.

[Julio Torres]

Jerk, we're gonna sidebar.

[Sam Taggart]

First of all, I love you're doing. I do think it's inappropriate, generally.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

But I'll do a side room.

[Julio Torres]

And if anyone wants to join.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

Just know that that's happening.

[Sam Taggart]

Just know that's happening.

[George Severis]

You know one of my pet peeves.

[Sam Taggart]

What?

[George Severis]

Starting a sentence with so in like, a condescending way.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, I. I mean, it makes me.

[George Severis]

No, but it's also being like, so the way the room works.

[Julio Torres]

O, yeah, that's bad.

[Sam Taggart]

Ouchie.

[George Severis]

It really like. And it's also, you know what it gives to me? People who in their bio also have educator.

[Julio Torres]

Educator.

[George Severis]

It's like.

[Julio Torres]

And they're not teachers.

[George Severis]

Exactly. It's like queer, like, writer, storyteller, educator.

[Julio Torres]

I've never encountered.

[George Severis]

They're going to go ahead and start every sentence with so I've never encountered that.

[Sam Taggart]

You will.

[George Severis]

You are lucky, let me say that.

[Julio Torres]

And these are self elected educators, correct? Yeah, from. From the university of them, period.

[George Severis]

They have a university of they. Them? More like.

[Julio Torres]

Wow. Wow.

[George Severis]

I'm kidding.

[Julio Torres]

Snip, snip, snip.

[Sam Taggart]

What are you snipping?

[George Severis]

Yeah, what are you snipping?

[Julio Torres]

Oh, I'm editing that out.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, I thought you were circumcising, George.

[George Severis]

No, no, not again.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, so we rate our guests on a scale of 1 to 1000 doves after that segment.

[George Severis]

So you put us on track.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, we rate our guests on a scale of 0 to 1000 doves.

[George Severis]

Are you familiar we just did with the Lady Gaga song 1000 Doves?

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. What do they symbolize in the song?

[Sam Taggart]

I don't. In the song, I would say they symbolize freedom.

[Julio Torres]

You're a bit of a Gaga scholar.

[Sam Taggart]

I think they're freedom.

[Julio Torres]

You think they're freedom?

[George Severis]

Yeah, I would go so far as to say generally they symbolize freedom or peace.

[Julio Torres]

Peace. I think it's peace, not freedom.

[George Severis]

Well, but isn't peace freedom?

[Sam Taggart]

Fuck.

[Julio Torres]

Fuck.

[George Severis]

Can you have freedom without peace?

[Julio Torres]

What about weddings?

[Sam Taggart]

That's just.

[George Severis]

Oh, when you release the doves. This is a good question, actually. In weddings, does it symbolize peace more or freedom more? When they release doves?

[Julio Torres]

Definitely not freedom.

[George Severis]

Not freedom.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Unless you find freedom in love.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, what if it's your freedom flying away?

[George Severis]

Oh, my God.

[Sam Taggart]

That's kind of nice.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

And kind of dark.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I like that.

[George Severis]

Yeah, it's like, congrats, you're trapped.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Bye. Bye.

[Julio Torres]

The mother in law shoots them. Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, my God, that would be really good.

[George Severis]

I bet you they do do that in Italy. Italy.

[Sam Taggart]

Italy. So we were gonna. We should talk about our topic, I guess.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Now I'm Bebo.

[George Severis]

I'm not even looking at my watch. I've never been more relaxed. So, Julio, does your watch.

[Julio Torres]

Is your watch set to time?

[George Severis]

Julio. That is the most like, Julio question I've ever heard. Yes, my watch is set to time. Really?

[Julio Torres]

And you use it to tell time?

[George Severis]

Yeah, because I don't want to look at my phone.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, okay.

[George Severis]

Do you.

[Julio Torres]

I have many watches. It never occurred to me to, like, set them to time, but, like, do.

[George Severis]

You ever wish you didn't have to look at your phone when you wanted to know what time it is?

[Julio Torres]

I love asking people what time it is.

[George Severis]

So that's how you find out what time it is?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, it's like the movie Crash.

[George Severis]

What if you're alone what if I'm alone? Yeah, you look at your phone.

[Julio Torres]

You know, I'm not desperately needed anywhere, so.

[George Severis]

Well, you're currently doing an off Broadway run.

[Julio Torres]

Well, yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

This is an interesting little thing with you, though. Like, you have, like, you're both, like, extremely free and, like, whatever. I don't know what time it is. And you're also, like, pretty on time to stuff and, like, very, like, really efficient.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

And also efficient and productive and prolific.

[Julio Torres]

It's like, I think I'm productive. I don't know that I'm efficient.

[Sam Taggart]

Like. So, for example, for your opening night, I was like. Like, I was like, could I come? And you were like, yes, because I was like, I'm gonna be in town. And I was like. Like, not getting. Like, I never got an email confirmation, but I was like, I just know that it will work because Julio doesn't mess up, you know? Like, I was like, I won't have the email, but I'll show up and it will work.

[Julio Torres]

But I don't think that's. That's my credit. I think that there is. I think that my incompetence. Okay, I think that this is what it is, Okay. I think that I am lucky enough that my incompetence surrounds me with very competent people that know that they need to fill in my blanks, that what they contribute to my realm is order.

[George Severis]

Bebo, it's like a shell. You're like a squishy center, and you surround yourself with a hard shell.

[Julio Torres]

Well, in that metaphor, incompetence is vulnerable. Incompetence is strength.

[George Severis]

But you don't.

[Julio Torres]

I don't think I'm vulnerable. I just think I'm messy.

[Sam Taggart]

I would say the goo inside of a thing is messy.

[George Severis]

Yeah, but you're not in the goo.

[Julio Torres]

Inside of the thing.

[George Severis]

But you're not in danger.

[Julio Torres]

That's another T shirt. The goo inside of the thing is messy. Wait. Oh, my God. Should I just.

[George Severis]

Yeah. Release some merch line of this episode.

[Julio Torres]

The goo inside of the thing is messy.

[George Severis]

Behind Bebo, there's only his shadow.

[Julio Torres]

I did not consent to therapy. Those are really good. Yeah.

[George Severis]

I smell a capsule collection.

[Julio Torres]

I smell a capsule collection.

[Sam Taggart]

Radiolab X. Julio, no.

[Julio Torres]

We need a. We need a.

[Sam Taggart]

A brand.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Well, it's fashion week. Get out there and make some connections.

[Julio Torres]

I should. Yeah.

[George Severis]

Should we get into our topic?

[Sam Taggart]

We should.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Julio, what is your straight topic today? And what is straight about it?

[Julio Torres]

I am offering up to the council kitchen Islands.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, that's interesting.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, no. I'm sorry. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm walking it back.

[George Severis]

Let's take that from the top.

[Julio Torres]

Let's take that from the top.

[George Severis]

So the way this is gonna work is I'm gonna ask you what your topic is and then you tell us the pre agreed one that we talked about beforehand. But remember, at any time you have any questions, the one that was Approved. Melissa is CC'd on this email and she has all the notes from the previous meeting.

[Sam Taggart]

First of all, we love kitchen Islands. We just really want to go through the process that we set up earlier.

[Julio Torres]

That's, that's fair. That's fair. The topic I bring forward to the council is deodorant. Wow.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow.

[Julio Torres]

Deodorant.

[George Severis]

And this is a rich one for us.

[Sam Taggart]

So what about.

[Julio Torres]

I am, first of all, I am shocked that you haven't discussed this in your podcast already, because for you, Sam, particularly. Yeah, I think is, I think that deodorant occupies a significant part of, of the pie chart. That is. Sam, it's a huge thoughts about deodorant.

[Sam Taggart]

It's a huge thing for me.

[Julio Torres]

Famously a stinker.

[Sam Taggart]

Yes. I did not wear deodorant for most of my 20s.

[Julio Torres]

Except because I thought that you still were not wearing deodorant.

[Sam Taggart]

Honestly, it was working in an office.

[Julio Torres]

Oh.

[Sam Taggart]

Honestly. I found Christianity.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

And I said, there's no going back.

[Julio Torres]

Working in an office because I was.

[Sam Taggart]

Working at after midnight and it was like fully like an office. Like you're like in a room with people all day.

[Julio Torres]

Oh. Because obviously before you were working outdoors.

[Sam Taggart]

Exactly.

[Julio Torres]

Dog walking.

[Sam Taggart]

Dog walking. Moving.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Or like little kids.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Like you can be stinky.

[Julio Torres]

But you were.

[George Severis]

Sorry to complicate the narrative. Going to shows you were a working standup comedian. Going to pretty enclosed, intimate spaces. A green room is actually more intimate than a, than a boardroom.

[Sam Taggart]

I never smelled horrible. I never smelled bad.

[Julio Torres]

It was just like George looks away.

[George Severis]

I was just getting their tea.

[Sam Taggart]

He just saw a moment where he could sip tea.

[George Severis]

Sorry, I was just sipping my tea.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh my God, did I smell bad? Julio.

[Julio Torres]

So I actually it's a yes or.

[George Severis]

An starting a sentence with so go on.

[Julio Torres]

So, so, so you did not smell bad to me. However, people that are sticklers about deodorant would have said that you smelled bad.

[Sam Taggart]

Unbelievable. Unbelievable.

[George Severis]

I would unfortun have to agree.

[Julio Torres]

Wow. Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

So is it.

[George Severis]

I, I don't and I have, I'm sorry to say, notice the difference.

[Julio Torres]

So I, I, I have no problem with the way a body smells. It doesn't get to me at all. But I do understand that there are a lot of people that do have problems with it. And those people would qualify you as stinky.

[Sam Taggart]

Unbelievable.

[George Severis]

Well, okay. I was always a little.

[Julio Torres]

I don't wear deodorant.

[George Severis]

Really?

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Well, you don't smell at all interesting.

[Julio Torres]

I don't wear deodorant. No, I've never bought it.

[Sam Taggart]

I remember when you were rubbing a crystal on. On your.

[Julio Torres]

That was my attempt to do that.

[Sam Taggart]

And you've stopped doing that.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, it wasn't really doing anything. And I realized that I was just trying to find a compromise between the expectation and what I wanted to do, which was nothing.

[Sam Taggart]

You know, what you were doing. It's like when, like someone washes, like pretends to wash their hands just to be like, yeah, I did it.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, like, sure, for sure. For sure. For sure.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Julio Torres]

Like they do a little claw. I love the little claw. I love the little claw under the water. Just like.

[George Severis]

Can you tell us what is straight about deodorant?

[Julio Torres]

The shame of the body.

[George Severis]

Okay, interesting.

[Julio Torres]

Like the sanitization of the body. The trying to disguise the body into a vessel that is merely a brick in society. Or go. Going to an office. Yeah, yeah, right. It's like, no, I'm wrong.

[George Severis]

Prepares you for a respectable environment.

[Julio Torres]

Yes. Yeah. It's like wearing a tie.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

I would say, and it's interesting you mentioned ties. I would say one huge element of the straightness is the gender dynamics of it. So like a sort of a very.

[Julio Torres]

Lady sense and male sense.

[George Severis]

Like a very kind of cliche thing is just how insanely lady and gentleman the scents are. Like, the lady ones are literally like flower, virginity, clean linen. And then the male ones are truly like murder, artillery, artillery, Wolverine, Wolverine, Deadpool. And I actually, I've been thinking about this a lot because with the kind of evolution of masculinity I have located.

[Julio Torres]

Is it the name of your book?

[George Severis]

Yes, it's actually. That is not a T shirt.

[Julio Torres]

The evolution of masculinity.

[George Severis]

I have located. Someone has done the impossible in the advertising agencies and they have created a new version of a masculine scent that is fit for the 20th century, 21st century man. So it used to be it was.

[Julio Torres]

Like race scars and.

[George Severis]

Yeah, but like in a. In a literal way. Like I'm trying to think of a non joke one that's like real. It was like, what's like a genuine, like Old Spice.

[Julio Torres]

Well. Or like an axe body spray.

[George Severis]

Yeah, yeah. It would be like, like, like wood and. Yeah. So I. So the. The one that I've seen is stone. And this is what I think is like. Because it's. It's this genius way to retain the masculinity of something while also making it metrosexual and feminine, like you. Actually, it's not emasculating to be stone, but it also is so smooth and non problematic and part of nature. It's like the. It's like Glen Powell is stone. He's not as masculine as, you know, Sylvester Stallone, but he's not as faggy in a long.

[Sam Taggart]

Sure. Ryan Gosling before him was Ryan Gosling before that.

[George Severis]

Yeah, exactly, exactly. It doesn't go as far as to be Timothee Chalamet, but it's also not.

[Julio Torres]

Hercules, although Hercules also is Hercules the character. Hercules.

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Julio Torres]

Okay. Okay.

[George Severis]

And by Hercules, you mean pre Disney, like the real.

[Julio Torres]

But under that category, you would put, like, John Cena the rock.

[George Severis]

Exactly.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, yeah.

[George Severis]

John Cena is interesting.

[Julio Torres]

John Cena's actually because he's like stepping.

[George Severis]

Yeah, he is more stone.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

And interestingly, the Rock, as he's gotten older, is also being more stone.

[Julio Torres]

Mm. Yes. All these men that we've mentioned. Yeah. Deodorant, right?

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Well, here's the thing. It's like, I think ideologically I don't support deodorant, but I also don't want to be offensive in a smell sense. Like, I.

[Julio Torres]

Do you actually think. Okay, yeah, say you went to the. The writer's room of. Of. Of the show and you were stinky.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay.

[Julio Torres]

Now, other than maybe a couple of people noting it, and because it's a room full of comedians making a couple of jokes that you would probably laugh at also, and then moving on with your lives, do you think it would have actually been that destructive to the work environment?

[Sam Taggart]

I think, well, you might be therapizing me without my consent, but I think it would be like, like a way to like, shit talk me sort of like behind my back. Almost like they wouldn't make the joke floodgates. Yes.

[Julio Torres]

And then suddenly we're not even just talking about the stent. We're talking about he was laid and he keeps eating the snacks.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, look at his workspace. There's rappers there.

[Julio Torres]

He's actually not that funny if you think about it.

[Sam Taggart]

Why does he have this job?

[Julio Torres]

Interesting.

[Sam Taggart]

So it's very. Talk about shell. It's like a defense to be like, don't give them something.

[Julio Torres]

Well, which is what I. Okay, I'm sorry. I really don't want to be Promoting my work.

[Sam Taggart]

But you should be.

[Julio Torres]

That, to me, is what wearing navy blue is. Is being like, don't see me, I'm one of you. We're marching towards the same place.

[Sam Taggart]

But an office. I think that is what I. But isn't that what you're supposed to do in an office.

[Julio Torres]

But you're there as a comedian in a comedy show?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

It's like the office should bend. Sorry? The infrastructure of the place should bend to the utility of the place, not the other way around. You shouldn't start wearing deodorant because the address they gave you is in a building with air.

[George Severis]

I have. I'm like, I'm struggling with this.

[Julio Torres]

Okay, where do you. Where do you.

[George Severis]

I just. What is a comedian, but what does being a comedian have to do with wearing deodorant? I mean, I understand like, on a very, very, very broad level, it's like, so you're supposed to just like be punk rock and not follow any of the rules of society. But like, you are waking up every day putting on clothes, you are brushing your teeth, you are showering. What is it about deod specifically that. Is this like flashpoint where you're like, this is if they take away my. My body scent.

[Julio Torres]

The fact that he doesn't want to do it, he does want to brush his teeth, he does want to take a shower, he does want to wear clothes.

[George Severis]

But do you want to wake up every day at 8 at like 6am to go to the office? Do you want to.

[Julio Torres]

But that, that is a necessity of the job. Wearing deodorant is not a necessity of the job. This is where writing comedy is a necessity of the job of a comedy writer. Wearing deodorant.

[George Severis]

Why do you not want to wear deodorant?

[Sam Taggart]

Well, I think because it is like a fear thing. Like, it's like, I'm not wearing it because I smell bad to myself. I'm wearing it because I don't want to be offensive to others. And I'm kind of like, if it were just me, like, brushing your teeth feels good and you're like. And you want like, good teeth and for them to like, stay healthy. Yeah, but like, deodorant is just like.

[Julio Torres]

I mean, there is a medical utility to brushing your teeth.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah.

[Julio Torres]

There is none to wearing deodorant.

[George Severis]

But I just isn't. Isn't. Or shaving isn't being like pro social. If this is something that bothers others, like, isn't that what being part of a community is like? To me, it's like a, it's not oppressive, it's community oriented. To be like, this is how we, you know, it's like cleaning up after yourself. If you like put a, have a coffee and put the mug in the sink or something.

[Julio Torres]

You think that a person's natural scent is as bad as littering.

[George Severis]

What do you mean?

[Julio Torres]

You just compared it to like leaving, leaving garbage or like what was it like not cleaning up after yourself in a kitchen?

[George Severis]

Well, it's just like natural. Literally as a person, you are like leaving a trail behind whether it's objects or a scent or whether it's like, you know, cleaning up after yourself. I'm not, it's not like, I'm not saying it's garbage, but I'm saying it's like when you exist within a community.

[Julio Torres]

I think, I think it's, I think, I think that the, the deodorant thing to me at least holds hands with like women should shave their legs or their, their underarms. And it's like. And then people are like, well, we don't want to see that we don't want to see. And it's just like, oh, okay, okay.

[George Severis]

This is interesting because I like this because it sort of compares two different senses. To me, not wanting to see something is not enough of a reason for someone to change your behavior. But smell, but smell is somehow more. And I think it might literally just be a personal thing because I do, I am sensitive to smell. So if someone is like even on the other side of things wearing too much cologne or something, I really don't like that because it's. It, it bothers me. Whereas you can come in wearing like a crazy stained bed sheet with your out and I'd be like, it's not bothering me.

[Julio Torres]

What are some, what are some scents that do bother you?

[George Severis]

Scents, Scents. I mean like breath smelling bad bothers me. Like specific, specific kinds of bo. I would say like in terms of scented products, I don't like a rose scent.

[Sam Taggart]

Interesting.

[Julio Torres]

Do.

[George Severis]

Are there any sense that bother you or. No, you don't relate.

[Julio Torres]

It has to be like a really, really powerful like chemical smell for it to bother me.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. And with bad breath, usually I feel bad for the person. Like I'm not like, this is nasty.

[George Severis]

Oh, I definitely feel bad. I'm not like gonna punch them in the face.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, and there's we, I think we could zoom out a little as well. There is an interesting in the gay community conversation about like the blue haired liberal for Republicans, the non deodorant gay guy is like, such a thing right now as, like, this weird villain where it's like, hey, could somebody tell the Brooklyn gays to put on some deodorant? Yeah, like 100 likes. And it's kind of like, okay, what's going on there?

[Julio Torres]

100 likes.

[Sam Taggart]

That's just in the first second, by the way.

[Julio Torres]

Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

It's going viral.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, we should all post it and see how well it does.

[George Severis]

No, it is a weird. I'll say this. I think scent and, like, body odor is a weird, guarded, coded way of talking about bigger issues.

[Julio Torres]

It's like what you're talking all consuming microplastics. Yeah.

[George Severis]

But they're orderless. It's like with the blue hair. Your issue isn't that someone dyed their hair blue. It's that they went to Oberlin.

[Julio Torres]

So you think it's a class thing? Is that a class? Is that.

[George Severis]

I think it is a. Well, I think it's a combination. I think certainly it's a class thing. And I certainly think both the blue hair and the non deodorant, it implies a certain kind of, like, creative culture worker that. That can quote, unquote, afford to have this, like, stinky, funky look.

[Sam Taggart]

I think I didn't want to be like, you stink. Like, I don't want to be like, I stink, but I want to be like, I don't wear deodorant. Okay. You know, I've never been so blankly stared at in my life.

[George Severis]

Wait, when are you talking?

[Julio Torres]

Can you rephrase this?

[George Severis]

When you say, I didn't want.

[Sam Taggart]

When, like, when I wasn't wearing deodorant.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

In my non deodorant era.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

I didn't want to be like, oh, he's nasty. And, like, he's just like.

[Julio Torres]

It wasn't pride. It wasn't. You weren't like, oh, I feel so stinky.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. I'm punk. I'm crazy.

[George Severis]

It was confusing because you did say.

[Julio Torres]

Part of the stinky is part of.

[Sam Taggart]

The little stinker was like. Little stinker was like everything, though. It wasn't like, literal smell. Like, similar to how your colors. You're not saying this color.

[Julio Torres]

Okay, okay. Like, it's an attitude.

[George Severis]

So stinka is almost like reclaiming the word.

[Julio Torres]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

Little stinker was like. Because I'm also like, are you fans.

[Julio Torres]

Little stinkers or who are the little stinkers?

[Sam Taggart]

Little stinker was me. I was a little.

[Julio Torres]

You're the little stinker.

[Sam Taggart]

But that's because I was like, a little stinker in every way. Like, I was like a little stinker. Like, I would just like.

[Julio Torres]

And you no longer feel like a little stinker now.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm not a little stinker.

[Julio Torres]

Who. Who are you now?

[Sam Taggart]

Literally. That's what I keep asking myself. I'm in a crisis of self, to be honest. I'm wearing deodorant. I don't. I live in la.

[Julio Torres]

You wore deodorant. You live in la. You have a husband.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

Who am I?

[Sam Taggart]

What have I become?

[Julio Torres]

Well, do you like this? Do you like all these things?

[Sam Taggart]

No.

[Julio Torres]

Yes, you do. True.

[George Severis]

Well, you don't like la.

[Julio Torres]

I know.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm gonna move back.

[Julio Torres]

You are?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, good.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. It's not right. It's not right.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

It isn't like I. The way that being there, I really just am, like, who am I? Like, all the time.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

That I've got to come back.

[George Severis]

So where are we with.

[Sam Taggart]

But look. Okay, so, like. Yeah. I don't know. It's complicated. Like, the goal wasn't to stink.

[Julio Torres]

The goal wasn't to stink. The goal was never to stink. Another T shirt.

[George Severis]

The goal was never to stink.

[Julio Torres]

The goal was never to stink.

[Sam Taggart]

The goal was like. Was like freedom.

[Julio Torres]

The goal was never to stink. Period. The goal was freedom, period. The goal was never to stink. The goal was freedom. I'm Sam. You might be thinking, how did I get here? Well, let's not get a little. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

[Sam Taggart]

It all started.

[George Severis]

There's something so fascinating about, like, it's like you're. The goal was freedom and yet you have intellectualized it so much. It's so funny. Like it. Whereas I have always worn deodorant and I've never given a thought. Like, I'm literally going to CVS and I'm buying whatever Old Spice. Like, I don't even wear, like a fancy. I've never thought.

[Julio Torres]

It's like an umbrella. It's raining. You need to.

[George Severis]

That's exactly what it is. It is the most utilitarian. The most utilitarian in the same way that I go out and I, you know, I have buzzed head. So I buy like, whatever Head and shoulders cheap shampoo. It is not an identity marker. It is nothing for me. That's how I feel about deodorant. And it's so funny. Funny that the mess. The.

[Julio Torres]

The liberated one.

[George Severis]

The liberated one is the one over intellectualizing the, like, poetics of being a little stinka.

[Julio Torres]

Well, okay. And. And see, it is the. That comfortable state of passivity that you are in.

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Julio Torres]

That I that I hope that I would like for everyone to be in whether it's wearing it or not wearing.

[George Severis]

I see. I see.

[Julio Torres]

So you're sort of not against deodorant. I am against demanding like being bothered or having like such an opinion about it. The goal was never to stink. The goal was freedom.

[Commercial Announcer]

Time for a sofa upgrade. Visit washablesofas.com and discover Annabe where designer style meets budget friendly prices. With sofas starting at $699, Annabe brings you the ultimate in furniture innovation with a modular design that allows you to rearrange your space effortlessly. Perfect for both small and large spaces, Anabe is the only machine washable sofa inside and out. Say goodbye stains and messes with liquid and stain resistant fabrics that make cleaning easy. Liquid simply slides right off. Designed for custom comfort, our high resilience foam lets you choose between a sink in feel or a supportive memory foam blend. Plus our pet friendly stain resistant fabrics ensure your sofa stays beautiful for years. Don't compromise quality for price. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your living space today with no risk returns and a 30 day money back guarantee. Get up to 60% off plus free shipping and free returns. Shop now at washablesofas.com Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. This week on a very special episode of Health Discovered, we're taking a closer look at a condition that affects hundreds of thousands of men each year. Prostate cancer.

[Sam Taggart]

I first found out about my cancer at the age of 45. Anything with cancer, you just think a deaf sentence.

[Commercial Announcer]

In this episode, we'll explore the science behind detection along with the practical steps men can take to protect their health. Listen to health discovered on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Open your free iHeart app. Search health Discovered and start listening.

[Julio Torres]

If you're waiting for your AI to turn into ROI and wondering how long.

[Sam Taggart]

You have to wait, maybe you need to do more than wait.

[Julio Torres]

Any business can use AI.

[Sam Taggart]

IBM helps you use AI to change how you do business.

[Julio Torres]

Let's create Smarter Business IBM.

[Commercial Announcer]

You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own, with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options, and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com.

[George Severis]

Can I I think another straight thing about deodorant is actually exactly what you're saying. Like people talking about you behind your back if you smell. It's a very, like, wasp.

[Sam Taggart]

It's power dynamic.

[George Severis]

It's power dynamic, but it's also. It's very like, wasp. Like, did you hear what she did? Like, it's. It's. It's that. It's not gossip in a sort of.

[Julio Torres]

Because it's a transgression that is. It's a. It's a transgression that is discussed behind closed doors.

[George Severis]

Right.

[Julio Torres]

You can't, like. Because those people.

[George Severis]

It's like an affair. Yes. Yes, it's like an affair. Or it's like, I think that straight.

[Julio Torres]

People love to talk about someone at.

[George Severis]

Church didn't bring the casserole to the event. Like, it's not gossip fun. That's like, oh, which celebrity yelled at a service worker?

[Sam Taggart]

You know what it is? Okay.

[Julio Torres]

Name a few.

[George Severis]

Jennifer Lopez.

[Julio Torres]

She did.

[George Severis]

Well, probably.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, we don't know that. We don't know that.

[Sam Taggart]

No, there's something about, like, two straight people each other are pop stars at all times where they're, like, waiting for them to fall.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, my God. Yes, you're right.

[Sam Taggart]

Whereas, like, for gay people, it's like.

[Julio Torres]

They make their own. They print out their little U.S. weeklies.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

And they're like.

[George Severis]

Well, literally in the form of, like, a family newsletter. They do print out the little US weeklies. They are their own celebrities Christmas cards.

[Julio Torres]

Straight people are their own.

[George Severis]

Even when you think of the traditional early Instagram, it's like the photo of a coffee and a book.

[Julio Torres]

Wait, wait, I actually. Okay, this was another topic that I was going to bring of. Of straight culture is using Instagram for its intended purpose.

[George Severis]

Yes, yes, totally.

[Julio Torres]

Using Instagram as it was designed to be used. Not subverting the form in any way. Just being like, today was Sunday and I went. Went to the park.

[George Severis]

I graduated from my masters.

[Julio Torres]

My sister's getting married, Family photo in Hawaii. The thing is, about last night.

[Sam Taggart]

I would give anything.

[George Severis]

Wait, about last night is my favorite.

[Julio Torres]

About last night is brutal.

[George Severis]

What about sometimes we dress up?

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, that's really good. That's really good. But I wish Instagram was that, like, it's like, I'd rather have that than, like. Unfortunately, as someone who posts podcast reels. Podcast reels.

[George Severis]

Well, of course. What I actually wish.

[Julio Torres]

And this is always promoting, which is why a gay guy is always, always pushing product. The.

[George Severis]

And the product can, like, just be like, I'm a gay guy.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, that's like.

[George Severis]

That's always a product.

[Julio Torres]

Gay guys that have. They have photo shoots on the rooftops, but they are not in an industry that requires photo shoots.

[George Severis]

Crazy.

[Julio Torres]

It's like. Oh, wait, you're like. You do, like, marketing for, like, Coca Cola.

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Julio Torres]

And why are you in your und?

[George Severis]

And then the caption is. The photographer's name is, you know, Evan. And the caption is, Evan is a genius.

[Julio Torres]

He's a genius. He's a genius. Oh, my God. Wait, I was about to say. No, go on, Sam. You were gonna.

[Sam Taggart]

Wait, I don't think I had anything.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, no. Someone do vamp so that I could remember what I was gonna say.

[Sam Taggart]

Evan. Genius.

[George Severis]

Instagram.

[Julio Torres]

Instagram for its intended purpose having. Oh. Oh, yes, yes. Have you seen the latest Jurassic park movie? The Scarlett Johansson? Okay, but. Okay, this is very gay guy. This is a highly gay guy of. Of the movie. Of, like, in relationship to, like, how gay men are constantly selling. John Bailey plays a paleontologist in the movie. He doesn't like. He's definitely not Scarlett Johansson's love interest. He's not playing straight. He's just playing a guy. Oh, he's just playing a guy that you.

[George Severis]

Is he not. I thought he was gay in the movie. Is that wrong?

[Julio Torres]

I think he just sort of inferred that he's.

[George Severis]

Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

Is he like the Bebo of the movie?

[Julio Torres]

He is the Bebo of the movie. Yeah. He is the Bebo of the movie.

[George Severis]

Okay.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. What are the archetypes? Hero, villain.

[George Severis]

Scarlett Johansson.

[Julio Torres]

Scarlett Johansson, Yeah. But in the movie he's a paleontologist and they recruit him by going to the museum. And so because where he works and he's like, going through the exhibition and then he's talking about how sad and stressed he is. The tickets for the exhibition aren't selling well. And then that's when you know he's a gay guy. Because it's like, why is the scientist. Why is the paleontologist stressed about. Is he posting a link? His job is just to, like, analyze the bones.

[Sam Taggart]

He's like, seriously, you guys, come out. I got some new bones. I'm so excited to share. It's going to be a mix of new and old bones.

[Julio Torres]

Why is it his little show that he's tries to promote and it's like, you mean to tell me that he's going to the, like, scary dinosaur island so he can get, like, new content?

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, my God. Is that literally what he's doing?

[Julio Torres]

I mean, it's sort of implied that that's what he's doing.

[Sam Taggart]

He's like, I need to. My. My show is losing numbers. I need new dinosaurs.

[George Severis]

This is A new progressive way to have a queer coded character is that they're stressed about ticket sales. It's like, no matter. No matter what their job is.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

They could be a doctor. They're like, no surgery is coming.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. Or like, people aren't posting about the hospital.

[Sam Taggart]

Which actually is because he does.

[Julio Torres]

Have work to do. There are dinosaur bones that need, like, arranging or whatever, but he's like. Well, no one's. No one's, like, into dinosaurs anymore. Can you imagine. Sorry. Can you imagine being an astronomer or, like. Or like a brain surgeon? I mean, like, no one seems to like brains anymore. Like, yeah, I have to do surgeries because people do get sick. But, like, no one's, like, posting about. Like, brains aren't trending right now.

[George Severis]

Yeah, everyone's posting about Ozempic. Meanwhile, I'm removing tuners from tumors from people's brains.

[Sam Taggart]

I guess I could have invented a labubu, but instead I decided to go to brains. Yeah, but this is like, there's something. To be a good member of the LGBTQ community, you have to always be buying tickets.

[Julio Torres]

Because.

[Sam Taggart]

Because that means you're, like, really supporting.

[George Severis]

Investing in the community.

[Sam Taggart]

Because you also have to assume that people are buying tickets to you and you're buying tickets.

[Julio Torres]

It's a ticket based community.

[George Severis]

It's a ticket based community. The. The Dice app that. That's literally a money laund for LGBTQ creatives.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Wow.

[George Severis]

I hate to say it, but we.

[Julio Torres]

Have to wrap up.

[Sam Taggart]

Bebo.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, wow. Oh, my God. Oh, wait. And I have a show to get to too.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, my God. You have to be on Broadway.

[Julio Torres]

I have to be on Broadway. I go.

[George Severis]

Our final segment.

[Sam Taggart]

Our final segment.

[George Severis]

Our final segment is called Shout Outs. And in this segment, we pay homage to the classic straight tradition of the radio shout out by shouting out something that we are absolutely living for.

[Julio Torres]

Mm, mm, mm. You go first.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, we always go first.

[George Severis]

We always go first and make it up on the spot. I don't have one, but I will think of one in mere seconds.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, I'm gonna give a shout out to the Pod Hotel. What's up, Pod Hotel? You put your toilets in the shower, and it is so amazing. I feel like I'm in a future dorm that is horrible and expensive. I don't know how you do it. I don't know why I always go there, but it is just always. I always go there.

[Julio Torres]

What do you mean, you always always go there?

[Sam Taggart]

When I come here now, I stay there.

[Julio Torres]

Why?

[Sam Taggart]

Because it's the cheapest one like, in that area, but it's still.

[Julio Torres]

It's like $50 cheaper.

[Sam Taggart]

I literally am insane. And that's where I stay because I don't deserve anything nicer that $50. I haven't. I'm not there yet, and I think it would be unethical for me to jump ahead until the greater powers decide, you know what? You've earned it. I don't know what that is, but I'm not there yet. So. Shout out to the Pod. You home away from home.

[Julio Torres]

Are you staying at the Pod right now?

[Sam Taggart]

Well, yes.

[Julio Torres]

Do you think they're gonna let you in after this?

[Sam Taggart]

Do you think I'm gonna be banned?

[Julio Torres]

Maybe your card's not working.

[Sam Taggart]

Shout out to the Pod Hotel, which I love.

[Julio Torres]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

And I love how efficient and beautiful it is. So many outdoor spaces, which I haven't taken advantage of yet, but I certainly will. There is free coffee in the mornings, but I don't do that because part of the fun is walking to get a coffee. Of course. And. And I think I love that you make New York City accessible to me and many other LGBTQ creators that go to and fro. So shout out to Pothotel. I love you, and I'm sorry about the bad stuff I said earlier. I love you, and I always say there. Xoxo.

[George Severis]

Bye. What's up, theatergoers? I want to give a shout out to. John Proctor is the villain. I believe that at this point, it's actually not on Broadway anymore. So this is not really gonna help anyone. But let me tell you something. You know, you see a play, and it's set in 2018, and it's about MeToo. You say, hello, I don't wanna go back there. What button do I press to go forward and not backwards? You say, I don't know if I'm gonna enjoy this. I don't know if I want to relive that time, and I don't know if I want to have a sort of, like, preachy kind of Broadway something that panders to Broadway audiences about me too. But guess what? It's genius. It's brilliant. It made me cry twice. Teenage girls are strong and Lord the Artist is amazing. There's. I don't want to spoil anything, but at the end, there's a big moment involving a Lorde song. All the actors are incredible. I can't wait for some sort of badass creator to turn it into a film so that everyone has a chance to see it, not just people who are able to spend $1 million on Broadway. Tickets and pretty much congratulations to all. Invol.

[Sam Taggart]

At first I thought you said. When you first said Lord's name, I thought you were selling, like, exclamation, like, Lord, the artist is amazing. But you were saying Lord.

[George Severis]

So part of the. It's set in 2018, so Melodrama has just come out.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, my God. I would love to be back in the era when melodrama.

[George Severis]

Because I was like, damn, 2018 sort of sucked. Trump had just gotten elected. But then I realized also melodrama had come out and, you know, to be reminded of that. You're saying there are some good, good things that happened during that era.

[Sam Taggart]

Huge shout out to melodrama. Okay, Julio, whenever you're ready.

[Julio Torres]

I think I'm just gonna do shout out to Georgia's shoes. Tell us about them. I really like them. What are they?

[George Severis]

They're okay.

[Julio Torres]

You don't like Merrells? You don't like it?

[George Severis]

Do you like them?

[Julio Torres]

I do like it. No, but you don't. That I picked up.

[George Severis]

Well, they are literally. Well, you know, we sort of started with you. With you making fun of the things that I'm wearing, and so I'm making fun.

[Julio Torres]

I like them. What are you talking about?

[Sam Taggart]

No, the glasses.

[George Severis]

No, the glasses.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, the glasses.

[Sam Taggart]

But that was. That was. He was giving you tips.

[Julio Torres]

Just giving you tips. Just. I'm just here to help.

[George Severis]

Well, these are hiking shoes. And, you know, when I bought them, I said, do you hike? No, No, I bought them because I thought they looked cool in a sort of like they did, you know, gay guy, Salomon kind of way. But then they came, and they are actually quite a bit chunky like they really are for. For hikes.

[Sam Taggart]

No, they look great.

[George Severis]

Thank you.

[Julio Torres]

Okay, wait, you didn't like that shout out. Let me do another one. Shout out. Wait, so the shout outs are just anything?

[Sam Taggart]

No, mine.

[George Severis]

But mine wasn't sarcastic. Yeah, I enjoy it.

[Julio Torres]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, you did enjoy it. Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

It's just hard for us to be positive sometimes.

[Julio Torres]

Yeah. Shout out to. Shout out to. I'm just looking about the room.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, you're like rug.

[Julio Torres]

Rug.

[George Severis]

Shout out to rug.

[Julio Torres]

Shout out to tv. Shout out to rug. Shout out to tv.

[George Severis]

This is Goodnight Moon.

[Julio Torres]

But yeah. Shout out to plants. Shout out to plants. No, Shout out to you, the listener at home.

[George Severis]

Look right into the camera.

[Julio Torres]

To you, the listener or watcher at home, who have endured yet another hour or so of media, I hope that we brought you peace, some joy, and some laughs. And always remember, the goal was never to stink. The goal was freedom.

[George Severis]

We'll be right back.

[Sam Taggart]

Podcast ends now.

[George Severis]

Want more? Subscribe to our Patreon for two extra episodes a month. Discord Access and more by heading to patreon.com Stradiolab and for all our visual learners.

[Sam Taggart]

Free full length video episodes are available on our YouTube.

[George Severis]

Now get back to work.

[Sam Taggart]

Stradia Lab is a Production by Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network and iHeart Podcasts.

[George Severis]

Created and hosted by George Severis and.

[Sam Taggart]

Sam Taggart executive produced by Will Ferrell Hansani and Olivia Aguilar co produced by Bay Wang Edited and engineered by Adam.

[George Severis]

Avalos Artwork by Michael Fails and Matt.

[Sam Taggart]

Grubb Theme music by Beautiful.

[Commercial Announcer]

Life's messy We're talking spills, stains, pets and kids. But with anibe, you never have to stress about Messes [e-mail] Discover Annabe Sofas the only fully machine washable sofas inside and out, starting at just $699. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, that means fewer stains and more peace of mind. Designed for real life, our sofas feature changeable fabric covers allowing you to refresh your style anytime. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa effortlessly. Perfect for cozy apartments or spacious homes. Plus, they're earth friendly and built to last. That's why over 200,000 happy customers have made the switch. Upgrade your space today. Visit Walmart washablesofas.com now and bring home a sofa made for life. That's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Sam Taggart]

Hey, what's up? It's Mario Lopez.

[George Severis]

Back to school is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming and.

[Sam Taggart]

Kids may feel isolated, a vulnerability that.

[George Severis]

Human traffickers can exploit. Human trafficking doesn't always look like what you expect. Everyday moments can become opportunities for someone with bad intentions, whether you're a parent, teacher, coach or neighbor. Check in, ask questions, stay connected. Blue Campaign is a national awareness initiative that provides resources to help recognize suspected instances of human trafficking. Learn the signs and how to [e-mail] blue campaign.

[Sam Taggart]

Tired of flipping through apps to find something good? Meet TiVo plus your one stop free streaming network.

[George Severis]

No credit card card required. With over 300 free channels, you get.

[Sam Taggart]

Binge worthy movies from action and comedy.

[George Severis]

To Indian award winners. Plus top TV shows, live news, sports.

[Sam Taggart]

Highlights and family programming all in one place.

[George Severis]

Watch live or on demand right from your home. Screen free. No signups, no fees, just press play. That's TiVo plus free, binge worthy and always on. Check us [e-mail] every day has a.

[Commercial Announcer]

To do list, but adding Enjoy Belvita to yours can help you knock out the rest of it. Belvita Breakfast Biscuits are a tasty and convenient breakfast option when paired with low fat yogurt and fruit that provide steady energy all morning while Belvita Energy Snack Bites give you the perfect mid morning refuel. Best part? They both taste great, so make the most out of your morning with a bite of Belvita. Pick up a pack of Belvita at your local store today.

[Julio Torres]

This is an I Heart podcast.