"Toys" w/ Richard Perez

Summary

Podcast Summary: StraightioLab – Episode "Toys" Featuring Richard Perez

Release Date: March 18, 2025
Hosts: George Severis and Sam Taggart
Guest: Richard Perez

---

Introduction

In the episode titled "Toys," hosted by George Severis and Sam Taggart of the Big Money Players Network and iHeartPodcasts' "StraightioLab," the duo delves into the intersection of toys and straight culture. Joined by guest Richard Perez, the conversation navigates personal anecdotes, societal norms, and the nuanced role toys play in reinforcing or challenging gender stereotypes.

---

Personal Anecdotes on Bombing in Comedy

The episode opens with George and Sam sharing their recent experiences with "bombing" during their stand-up performances. George recounts a particularly challenging night where unforeseen circumstances led to a less-than-stellar performance:

• George Severis [08:50]: "I bombed so hard last night at a show... I get stuck on a JJ train for 20 minutes with no cell service. It's just... like, you're heading home and... flooding on the floor."

Sam empathizes, discussing his own bout with bombing in front of co-workers and the additional pressure it brings:

• Sam Taggart [11:03]: "I did one show last week and bombed. It was weird because there were co-workers there. And then everyone has to be like, good job."

These shared experiences set the stage for a deeper exploration of failure, audience perception, and the resilience required in the comedy world.

---

Guest Introduction: Richard Perez

Bringing in Richard Perez adds a fresh perspective to the conversation. As a seasoned comedian who reportedly hasn't bombed on stage, Richard's insights provide a contrast to George and Sam's experiences. His entrance is marked by playful banter and attempts to navigate the structured segments of the podcast.

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"Straight Shooters" Rapid Fire Segment

One of the standout segments of the episode is "Straight Shooters," a rapid-fire question round designed to probe Richard's familiarity with and stance on straight culture elements. The segment is both humorous and revealing, highlighting the hosts' dynamic interactions and Richard's quick-witted responses.

Notable Exchanges:

• Sam Taggart [48:08]: "What's up, cinephiles? Letterboxd users around the world. I want to give a huge shout out to the John Early Kate Berlant Peacock special that Richard is in called 'Would It Kill You to Laugh?'"

• George Severis [75:20]: "George, George Bias. We love him."

The segment underscores the podcast's theme of reflecting societal norms through personal stories and humor.

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Main Discussion: Toys and Straight Culture

The core of the episode revolves around how toys function as a medium for introducing and perpetuating gender roles and heteronormative expectations among children.

Gender Norms in Toys

George initiates the discussion by associating toys with straight culture:

• George Severis [54:23]: "I think toys have a heteronormative nature to them."

Sam expands on this by prompting Richard about his childhood experiences with toys that defied gender norms:

• Sam Taggart [56:21]: "When you were a child, was there ever a toy that... was gonna be LGBTQ+?"

Richard shares his experiences growing up with toys like Spider-Man figurines, highlighting the subtle ways toys can unconsciously signal societal expectations:

• Richard Perez [60:02]: "Probably the first thing that jumps to mind is, like, Spider Man's, like, abs."

Childhood Experiences with Toys

The conversation delves into personal childhood memories, illustrating how toys influenced self-perception and social interactions. George discusses his obsession with high-quality toys and the pressures of maintaining their pristine condition:

• George Severis [66:03]: "We got these two stuffed animals. One was a hippo, one was a dolphin. And the way that I was like, I have to take good care of these because they're going to be wild. Worth millions one day."

Sam shares a poignant memory of his mother recording his repeated requests for a specific doll, reflecting societal prejudices:

• Sam Taggart [58:53]: "She was like, I'm sorry, but you do sound gay here."

Their narratives underscore the broader theme of how toys are not just playthings but are deeply intertwined with cultural and societal expectations.

---

Shout Outs Segment

Concluding the episode, the hosts engage in the "Shout Outs" segment, where they commend fellow comedians and noteworthy media productions. Sam lauds the "John Early Kate Berlant Peacock special," while George praises the film "The House of Yes" and actress Tori Spelling for her performances.

Highlights:

• Sam Taggart [80:47]: "Shout out to the television show 'Arrested Development.' It's such an iconic television show... it's one of the greatest things ever created."

• George Severis [85:19]: "Shout out to Tori Spelling... and the film 'The House of Yes.'"

These acknowledgments not only promote collaborative relationships within the comedy and entertainment industries but also reinforce the podcast's commitment to celebrating diverse forms of expression.

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Conclusion

In wrapping up, George and Sam reflect on the multifaceted role of toys in shaping societal norms and individual identities. The episode "Toys" offers a blend of humor, personal storytelling, and critical analysis, encouraging listeners to introspect on the subtle ways culture is woven into everyday objects like toys.

Key Takeaways:

• Toys as Cultural Catalysts: Toys serve as early indicators of societal norms, influencing children's understanding of gender roles.

• Personal Experiences Shape Perspectives: The hosts' and guest's anecdotes highlight the enduring impact of childhood experiences on adult perceptions and behaviors.

• Resilience in the Face of Failure: Sharing stories of bombing emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the shared challenges within the comedy community.

---

Notable Quotes

• George Severis [56:38]: "Toys are personal for me because I grew up playing with them, and I probably grew up playing with toys till I was like 16, if I'm being honest."

• Sam Taggart [70:15]: "I was obsessed with mermaids to the point where I was like, maybe, like, three, and I dropped my Little Mermaid in the pool..."

• Richard Perez [74:21]: "Toys are straight."

These quotes encapsulate the essence of the episode, blending personal narratives with broader societal critiques.

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Conclusion

"StraightioLab" successfully intertwines humor with insightful discussions, making complex societal issues accessible and engaging. Episode "Toys" stands out as a thoughtful exploration of how seemingly innocent objects can reflect and perpetuate cultural norms, all while maintaining the podcast's signature comedic flair.

Transcript

[Sam Taggart]

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[George Severis]

Who's paying for the mattress topper?

[Nikki Glaser]

You mean the beanbag chair?

[Sam Taggart]

Aren't we getting a mini fridge?

[George Severis]

Can we create a pool on PayPal? It lets us collect the money before we buy. Ooh, yes, that's smart.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Glad we can agree on something easily.

[Sam Taggart]

Pool split and Send Money with PayPal. Get started in the PayPal app. A PayPal account is required to send and receive money. A balance account is required to create a po.

[George Severis]

At Lowe's, our members get more with the Myloes rewards programs, you can shop member only deals for your home and business every week. Plus members earn points on eligible purchases. So what are you waiting for? Join for free today. Lowes, we help you save loyalty programs subject to terms and conditions. Details@lowe's.com Terms subject to change. Free standard shipping not available in Alaska and Hawaii. Exclusions and more terms apply.

[Richard Perez]

This is Nikki Glaser from the Nikki Glaser Podcast. On a more serious note, I'm still thinking about that commercial with Tom Brady and Snoop Dogg hating on each other. Because when you listen to the reasons for hating someone or something, you realize just how stupid they really are. There is too much hate in this country and it's gotta stop. So join us at iHeart in standing up to it. If you see hate, speak up, call it out, and you can learn more by following at. What's up with Hate?

[Tom Brady]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Spring is here, which means it's to do some spring cleaning, because a clean home is a happy home. Now through March 25, shop in store or online and get great savings on all your spring cleaning essentials like Windex glass cleaner, Lysol disinfectant, spray scrubbing bubbles, bathroom cleaner, and Febreze fabric refresher. Hurry in before those deals are gone. Offer ends March 25. Promotions may vary. Restrictions apply. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more detail.

[George Severis]

Podcast starts now. Just kidding. This is George with a very quick reminder that you can see me in Somerville, Massachusetts this Thursday at the Rockwell Theater at 7pm and 9pm and in New York City next Monday, March 24th at Joe's Pub. And lastly, I am finally taping my special on April 1st at the Slipper Room in Manhattan. And tickets are now, as of today, out. It will be a very intimate show. It's a small space and the audience will only be 80 people. So please bring your friends with the loudest and most infectious laughs because it will make a huge difference and I can't wait to see you. Tickets to all of these shows are in the link in my Instagram bio or you can go directly to linktree.com George Severis that is link tree t r e e.com George Severis enjoy the episode.

[Sam Taggart]

So pretty much podcast starts now. What is up, everyone around the globe? You're listening to straight to your lab.

[George Severis]

Oh, I'm feeling loose.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, I'm feeling loose. I'm feeling blank.

[George Severis]

Loosey goosey.

[Sam Taggart]

I am simply a canvas for ideas to be painted upon.

[George Severis]

If I like turn my head one way versus another entire miniseries on television could be created. I am in such a place of sponge like absorption of the world around me and I'm ready to create.

[Sam Taggart]

Have you ever done the artist's way?

[George Severis]

You know, here's the thing. I have started it twice. I don't think I have gotten past like week three, both times.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, that's all you need. But I've been hearing about it secondhand and it's. I think it is funny to be like, just be open for God to come through you. And I'm like, oh my God. I'm literally so open all the time.

[George Severis]

That's crazy.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm literally such a vessel for Christ. That's awesome.

[George Severis]

You know, I recently, in a very vulnerable turn, shared my forgotten audiobook library. I don't know if you saw this.

[Sam Taggart]

I did, I did.

[George Severis]

I would say pretty alarming. I don't know how much you sort of like took it in.

[Sam Taggart]

It was all self help stuff.

[George Severis]

It was a lot of self help that I listened to one chapter of. Because I just. The thing is, I just am not. I know I'm not a self help person. I know I can't do it. However, you know, once a year someone will. Someone I trust will be like, yeah, I know. I'm not either. I'm also like punk rock and you know, fuck the system. But this one really helped me. And then I'll be like, all right, like, if you say so, maybe you're right. And then I will. I will have an allergic reaction to it. I can't do it. And I actually think that's my issue with artists way too. Because I'm also like, why? Like when they're like, do morning pages and just write stream of consciousness without taking your pen off the paper? I'm like, no, what if I write while thinking and I actually like organize my ideas?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, but then you're being critical and you're like, they're trying to make you more open and not be critical of.

[George Severis]

Your ideas and you find that that has worked for you.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I actually love being non critical of writing at first because it just like you been talking about it as like you develop like a scab and, and you're sort of like, okay, well now I'm scabbed so hard over that I can't come up with anything. But if you're just, if you're, if you break that scab off by just writing whatever, then you're like, oh, I guess you just write whatever. Because if you're putting, oh, I think I'm frozen. And that's okay.

[George Severis]

Okay, we're back.

[Sam Taggart]

We're back. Thank God. So basically I was talking about scabs and about how we all have them.

[George Severis]

I just want to say, you know, for everyone listening, we did all just freeze. And Also, it is 4:45pm on a Friday my time.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. And I will say it's 1:44 on.

[George Severis]

Friday my time, which is maybe worse. I'll say, no, mine's worse. Sorry to center myself.

[Sam Taggart]

Why is it worse? Do you, do you feel.

[George Severis]

Because you're still in the middle of your work day, like you can, you can, you know. Yes. The day is winding down. But like, if you're working in an office right now, you could potentially be going to a meeting.

[Sam Taggart]

No, I mean, you're right. It's just when you said that, I got scared. I was like, I felt like an injustice where I was like, there's someone in a meeting right now.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

And like that's, I actually want to like free them. Like, I want to like run into the office with a gun.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

And say, let them out.

[George Severis]

Don't you think though? Okay, here's my take on meetings in. When I've been in an office environment, what's great about meetings is that you actually have an excuse to kind of zone out and do nothing. Whereas if you're at your desk, it's more stressful because you feel the need to appear like you're working. You can just listen attentively if you're in a meeting. When I am in an office environment and suddenly I have like, what's called in the business back to back meetings. Let's say it's like lunchtime and you're like, oh God, like, I can't believe I have back to back meetings from 2 to 6pm to me, that's heaven. I'm basically sleepwalking through the entire afternoon.

[Sam Taggart]

This is something, this speaks to you as a Performer. Like, there's something about the performance of a meeting that speaks to you more than the. Like, it is, because when you're at your. At your desk, the only person you're performing for is yourself. Like, it's like, send that email. And you're like, fuck, I have to send that email. And you're like, just sort of overthinking it. And you're like, I don't want to. I don't want to. I don't want to. But as soon as, like, someone else's eyes are on you, you're like, watch this. I can, like, tap dance around you guys in this meeting.

[George Severis]

Ye. An email. First of all, it's never going to. An email as a form is never going to be transcendent. Like, it's very rare that I've written a transcendent email, but it's actually very common that I've said something absolutely legendary in a meeting. I just have to sort of get in the zone. So email. It's not going to be transcendent, and you're not going to get positive feedback. Meeting. Honestly, most people are not that bright. All you have to do is speak up and say something semi coherent. Immediately you're going to get praise from two people in that room.

[Sam Taggart]

I mean, talk about vessel for Christ. Talk about artist's way. When you're in a boardroom and you're speaking, like, God is speaking through you.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

There is a divine energy in you in a boardroom speaking.

[George Severis]

And it's also like, oh, actually, I almost do want to talk about this. I bombed so hard last night at a show, and it made me remember something. I. You know, you sort of forget. We're so used to being in front of people, speaking in front of people, that then it's like a piece of cake. If you're in a boardroom and you have people, like, aggressively nodding in a kind of performative way.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

We've been, like, training for it our whole lives.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Can I ask about this bomb?

[George Severis]

Sure.

[Sam Taggart]

Did it emotionally hurt?

[George Severis]

You know, it was one of those New York nights where I was running late, so I took an Uber, which, you know, bad decision. It was snowing and there was traffic. I show up to the show 40 minutes late.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow.

[George Severis]

I mean, I knew I was going to be last on the lineup, so I wasn't, you know, I knew I wasn't, like, inconveniencing anyone, but I was originally going to show up on time, and I showed up 40 minutes late after paying $30 for an Uber. Get to the show immediately. Have to go up. Bomb. Leave the show. I get stuck on a JJ train for 20 minutes with no cell service. It's just. It's kind of like, you know, you're heading home and you're clothes are ripped, you're bleeding, your phone is dead, one shoe is gone. You're basically crawling on the floor. And I'd be lying if I said it wasn't also sort of romantic in this way, because I am, you know, kind of Carrie Bradshaw locked out of her apartment. You know, Broad City, the gals sort of like with, you know, one boob out of the bra, like, trying to get to the Lil Wayne concert. So, you know, you win some, you lose some. But it definitely did not feel good.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, that hurts.

[George Severis]

And I hadn't bombed it. Well, I guess I hadn't. Yeah, I guess I hadn't bombed in a while is the truth of it.

[Sam Taggart]

I'll be honest, not to brag. Do you think. Was it just flusteredness or was it.

[George Severis]

Like, that's what hurt is that it was my fault. It was. I somehow went up and did not have the right energy to begin with. Said one thing. The audience immediately did not care about me. I was unable to leave the sort of vocal monotone I was like. And then I was aware of that, so I was trying to make myself sound animated. So it was like I was forcing a smile. And they could also sense the inauthenticity in that. And. And then I actually, like, like, forgot my material.

[Sam Taggart]

Now that's classic. That's kind of crazy. Yeah.

[George Severis]

And, you know, sometimes you actually. If you're in a good enough place, you can forget something and then roll with the punches and almost transcend and, like, improv on the spot. This was one of those things where I would, like, say half a sentence and then remember that I forgot something and then just go back and repeat it without, like, addressing it. And then they wouldn't laugh and I'd be like, why? I said it. I said it the right way. What the fuck do you want?

[Sam Taggart]

That's tough.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Damn. I'm like bomb central these days.

[George Severis]

Are you?

[Sam Taggart]

Well, I did one show last week and bombed. And it was weird because there were co workers there. And then everyone has to be like, good job. And I have to be like, thank you. Because it's even worse to be like, I bombed.

[George Severis]

Can I tell you something? Yeah, I did that. And that was the. That was the final straw where I was like, oh, I am fully like, this is the biggest flop night of my life because I ran into people I knew, and I immediately did a whole self flagellating. Like, oh, God, that was rough. Like, am I right? Blah, blah. And they were all like, no, you were good. And it's like, what are you doing here?

[Sam Taggart]

Just let me just say I bombed. It's okay.

[George Severis]

But of course, they can't say that. You're like. It's like you're putting them in a weird spot. Of course you did the right thing and I did the wrong thing. Like, you can never start talking to someone about bombing.

[Sam Taggart]

You literally just have to go. Thanks. Thank you. Yeah.

[George Severis]

And guess what? No one cares.

[Sam Taggart]

No one. No one cares for even a second. Yeah. That's like the biggest lesson. That's the biggest takeaway. That. That should put that in the artist's way. No one cares.

[George Severis]

No one cares. I'm sorry, but if that. If Julia Cameron ever tried stand up comedy, she'd be in tears in a second. I don't think any of those methods that she's so famous for would help her.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, that's because stand up comedy is not an art.

[George Severis]

Maybe if she was a painter or a screenwriter.

[Sam Taggart]

The cowardly art forms. Should we bring in our guest? Our esteemed guest, who actually has never bombed in.

[George Severis]

Please, please welcome Richard Perez for the second time.

[Sam Taggart]

But who's counting?

[George Severis]

Returning champ.

[Sam Taggart]

Returning champ. Mama. Hi, diva.

[George Severis]

Oh, my God. Hi.

[Sam Taggart]

How are you?

[G]

Speaking of bombing.

[George Severis]

Hi. Hi. Hi.

[G]

No, sometimes it feels like I'll get on stage, I'll be like, hi. And I'm just, like, covered in soot. I, like, sweep myself off the stage.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[G]

Thanks, guys.

[George Severis]

Thanks.

[Sam Taggart]

There's like, the ringing in your ear. Like, your vision has that, like, blur effect on it. I hate that.

[George Severis]

I wish I was the type of performer, like, here's my dream. All right. This is my new act. I'm on a lineup. I have seven minutes to perform. My. The entire bit is that I have a series of false starts. So I, like, say hi. Then I like, slip and fall. Then I get up and I'm like, sorry about that. Then I get the mic, but it falls on my hand. Then I spent two minutes trying to put it back together. Then I'm like, hi. And then my phone rings. I'm like, I'm sorry, I have to take this. But I do that Andy Kaufman style for 10 full minutes.

[Sam Taggart]

I mean, that would be genius. I've certainly tried. You've done that or. I've done that before. I've done whole sets where I haven't done a joke yeah. Which are my favorite sets. But then it's kind of tough because the whole point is to like have jokes. So is it?

[G]

Is it?

[Sam Taggart]

Thank you. That's actually a good point.

[George Severis]

Is it? What even is the point?

[Sam Taggart]

What even is the point?

[G]

What even is the point? Guys, let's start there. What even is.

[Sam Taggart]

What even is the point?

[George Severis]

Richard, your first question we have for you is what even is the point?

[G]

Okay. Like, I think that. Well, thank you so much for having me.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, thanks for being here.

[George Severis]

Stop stalling.

[G]

Well, it says that I'm trying to like, because thinking about what you guys were talking about with like artists way and the thoughts that kind of stop you when you're in the writing process to like persist and to continue. I feel that way about just speaking in general. So in a board meeting or whatever meeting, I don't say anything. And I'm trying to get better about that. Even if I do perform on stage and I don't say anything for like 10 minutes, I'm like at a meeting where it's like, well, every one of you, like, you know, just tell me your opinion on this or whatever. Like, yeah, my. I get in the way of.

[George Severis]

Would you rather send any. Send an email or speak up in a board meeting?

[G]

I think I don't even know. Both. Feel like I'm like, I didn't get.

[George Severis]

You need to be honest in order for you to communicate. You have to be on a stage in front of an audience. Otherwise it's like, yeah, like a sold out show. Yeah, sold out show.

[Sam Taggart]

No, that's so true. Like, I won't. I can't get my point across. That the show isn't sold out.

[G]

Exactly.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, that really, really is tough when the show's not sold out.

[G]

But yeah, no, like, it's just like, I don't know, Like, I just have a heart. Like, I remember back at, back at uni when I was in art school, we would have crit.

[George Severis]

Uhhuh.

[G]

And I loved it. You know, love to hear about people's process and what they're working on. You know, unpacking some of those things together was fun for me, but I felt like I. I would have a thought and then of course someone else would say it. And I was like, oh, I thought the same exact thing. And then someone, the teacher's like, that's so true. What a great thought you had. And I'm like, yeah, can I say.

[George Severis]

Something about that stuff?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

I wouldn't be able to deal with it. This idea, like, if I ever, like Doing an MFA and having everyone go around and say their opinions. I'm like, I respect maybe one of you, and I have to listen to what you think about my work.

[G]

I mean, but maybe, like, sometimes I get that. But I'm like, maybe sometimes they would, like, at least, like, ask an interesting. Sure, sure. Where I'm like, oh, I didn't even think of that.

[Sam Taggart]

I. Sometimes I can just stress myself out by imagining that. That there's a drag race, but for, like, gay comedians and, like. And I can. I can imagine the fans, like, hating me and loving someone else and being, like, middle of the road. And I can get upset at, like, something that doesn't even exist. I think anytime you're in comparison with people who are your peers, I'm starting to get upset.

[G]

Oh, yeah.

[George Severis]

And guess what? There is that. It's called literally, all of. All of. All of the audience is at the Mill House.

[Sam Taggart]

That's true.

[George Severis]

They're leaving and they're saying, this wasn't as good as when we went to Gay guys version two.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. They have those little note cards they give out that are like, rank this performance based on the last six performances you've seen.

[George Severis]

Yeah. And everyone, honestly, every. You failed this week's challenge challenge. And then RuPaul's comes out. But it's David Cross.

[G]

I feel that way sometimes with some certain shows, like a homework show or something. Like, like, I recently did, like, a Housewives, like, show, and I don't watch that show. I don't know that universe at all. But I agreed to it because I was just like, oh, yeah, like, this should be.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm gay.

[G]

It's like a table read. I'm like, okay, yeah, like, easy. Like, I'll. I'll sight read. But then, like, I. Once I get there, I forget that, like, everyone's a huge, like, people that come to the show are, like, fans of the. Of Housewives, and they. There's an expectation or something, and the character that I or the person that I was, like, reading as, like, has iconic lines and. Or whatever. Like, there's these really funny moments that I was just sight reading, and I was like, in real. Yeah, but you were figuring out, like, what.

[George Severis]

I think that's better because it's like the difference between in a biopic, someone doing an impression and someone, like, embodying a character.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, in a lip sync, when someone does the actual choreo versus when someone makes up their own for you.

[George Severis]

Exactly.

[G]

I could have done that, but I didn't. My fear got in the Way. My own. My. My critical. My critical voice in the way. And I failed that week's challenge.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, no.

[George Severis]

So you were kind of, like, reading it in a straightforward way, as though you would be doing, like, a reading at a funeral.

[G]

Yeah, I was like, I wasn't filming you guys. I wasn't filming you guys.

[George Severis]

And would you say. Would you say it reached a point of anti comedy maybe, where it was, like, really funny that you were speaking in a monotone or. No. Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Did it loop back around?

[G]

No, it was anti comedy that, like, no one's laughing.

[George Severis]

I mean, that's.

[Sam Taggart]

That's.

[G]

No one was laughing when I was speaking.

[Sam Taggart]

Damn, that's really funny.

[G]

It's fine. And then I got off stage, I was like, I suck. And everybody's like, you were good.

[Sam Taggart]

You were good.

[G]

No, I. I know.

[George Severis]

I. I really like the idea of you doing a Real Housewives staged reading and then, like, being so depressed about bombing that you're going around being like, I fucking suck. Like, I bombed that. I sucked at that. And everyone's like, it's like. Like, that's not the Real Housewives reading. Like, you read the words. Like, I bombed.

[G]

I bombed. At this rate, I'll never get a boyfriend. I don't know. Yeah, I mean, I was low key a little. I didn't. I mean, I wasn't like, I bombed. Ray bombed, but I was just kind of like, I just want to go home. That's definitely. That's definitely embarrassed.

[George Severis]

That's how I was.

[G]

And I've had, like. There was, like, friends from college, too that were there.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, no, it hurts.

[G]

Some people I haven't seen in a long time, and I'm like. They're like, hey. But I can feel that energy of, like, hey. That's so fun.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, no, it really.

[G]

But maybe I'm projecting. Maybe I'm just.

[Sam Taggart]

No, it's tough to bomb in front of people that know you because it's like. Because they probably see you once every blank years, like, perform literally. So it's like, literally, you do have to be like, this does happen. Like, it's just like, I'm not. This isn't a representation of who I am in total. That's also what's so hard about starting is, like, when, like, you're starting and then someone that you look up to is, like, on the same show as you, and you're like, okay, okay, okay, okay. This is the only time they're gonna see me. And you go up and, like, do medium to bad, and you're like, well, they will for years think I suck.

[G]

Right?

[George Severis]

You know what's worse than that? Potentially doing really well, but then looking out in the crowd and finding the person you admire and seeing that they're not into it.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah.

[George Severis]

And then. And then afterwards, they. They just, like, give you a little fist bump and are like, great set, man.

[Sam Taggart]

I think sometimes you can be.

[G]

That sounds good.

[Sam Taggart]

That actually sounds awesome.

[G]

That sounds fun.

[George Severis]

You guys are just turned on because impression of a straight guy, we're like, wait, wait. Nice.

[Sam Taggart]

Thanks.

[G]

How are you?

[George Severis]

I just want to say to everyone that, like, goes to your friend's comedy show, whatever, you know, imagine you. You're a lawyer. Imagine inviting someone to see what a random day of your work is like. Sometimes you're not going to slay at that meeting. And sometimes you're not going to get the client. You're not going to get your client the money they need. Sometimes you might even send someone to jail. If you're a doctor, you could kill someone. Now imagine that happens to be the day that I visit, because I happen to be visiting New York from Seattle or Portland or Chicago or wherever I live. And you're like, oh, my God, I have a surgery that day. Come see it. I come. The person dies. Does that feel good? That's my life every day.

[G]

Oh, my God.

[Sam Taggart]

And you have to be like, well, I don't normally kill people or else I wouldn't be a doctor.

[George Severis]

Right, Exactly.

[Sam Taggart]

They wouldn't keep giving me surgeries.

[G]

They're like, fun. Looks like you were having fun.

[Sam Taggart]

He almost lived.

[G]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

And then that person is, like, on their group chat with the other friends from college, and they're like, how was George? And they're like, I mean, he killed the patient.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, he looked good in the little scrubs, but he did kill the guy. But to be fair, the guy was really sick.

[George Severis]

And it was definitely cool to be in the or. Like, it all seemed like the lighting and everything seemed real. It wasn't like one of these basement ors.

[Sam Taggart]

His co workers seemed nice. Yeah.

[G]

I mean, I still picture this happening in a theater, but, like, around 1.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[G]

Yeah. And what is it called? It's like a black box theater on the round. And then everyone's just kind of watching this, like, box where you're doing the operation, and there's, like, music playing, like.

[George Severis]

Very well, honey, that's the future with. With social media and how much everyone wants to be seen. And. And everyone's a creator now.

[Sam Taggart]

And everyone's.

[George Severis]

And the art. Our president is an Influence everyone's artists way, what they're doing. They're making Instagram reels in the White House, folks. Give it six years operations, you'll have to pay, buy a ticket to attend, and you'll have to be sponsored by a brand to attend one of the big operations.

[Sam Taggart]

Budweiser presents Sam's appendectomy.

[George Severis]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

That's the future, people.

[George Severis]

You think that we don't do something. You think that's dystopian?

[G]

So amazing.

[George Severis]

You think that's dystopian? You know who's handling all the ticket sales? Prisoners.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, I thought you were gonna say ticket master. But, honey, which one's worse? I don't know, honey. If I had my way, Ticketmaster would be in prison.

[George Severis]

Wait, same snap.

[Sam Taggart]

Literally, whoever is behind that is eville. I. The worst part of your friends coming to see your surgery is that you're like. You, like, obviously kill the person that day, and so it's like such a bummer. But then there's like, this nurse who, like, like, was really good at cleaning up the blood, and they're like, yeah, like, who is that nurse? Like, that nurse is really going to be somebody.

[G]

Yeah, like, I can see that nurse.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, like, being like the best nurse.

[G]

Yeah, the nurse opened for you.

[George Severis]

And meanwhile, you know that that nurse's mom is the head hospital administrator, and that's how she. And it's like. Yeah, she grew up in that culture, so she, of course, does a really good job of cleaning and knowing how to do, you know, bedside manner and everything.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. And the nurse is, like, 22.

[G]

I love it.

[George Severis]

Yeah, the nurse is 22. She's, like, weirdly really pretty.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

And, you know, you did your best.

[Sam Taggart]

You did your best. So, Richard, are you excited to go on tour?

[G]

God, I love what I do.

[George Severis]

Yeah. Richard, you're going on tour.

[Sam Taggart]

You're going on tour, Correct.

[G]

Speaking of bombing and performances and things of that nature. I am touring.

[Sam Taggart]

What do you think your bomb rate is going to be? On tour?

[George Severis]

Yeah. If you had to guess, which cities do you think you're gonna bomb at?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[G]

You know what I'm gonna say? None of them.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, huge.

[G]

None of them.

[Sam Taggart]

Cocky bitch. You know what? Maybe.

[George Severis]

Why are you that nurse? Jesus.

[G]

Yeah, I'm that nurse. I'm that nurse on this board.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm not fucking nice.

[George Severis]

I'm that nurse.

[G]

I'm that nerd.

[George Severis]

I'm that nurse.

[Sam Taggart]

N U R S E S C Wait, wait, what's.

[George Severis]

Wait, which.

[Sam Taggart]

But yeah.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Wait, what I was doing. Unique.

[George Severis]

Unique. Yeah, I'm that nurse.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Richard, don't do this to us. You're leaving us after dry in such a crazy way. You're literally just, like, pretending like you don't know what we're talking about. It's like one of the most.

[G]

Yes. No, no, no, you guys, that's not.

[George Severis]

These older doctors ain't stopping me. I'm that nurse. Wow, what an incredible interpretation of that song. It would be if the video was Beyonce as a nurse and the plot was that all the doctors were male and they were, like, underestimating her, but she's actually the most amazing nurse.

[Sam Taggart]

That would be so cool. That would be so cool. That would be stunning. Can I tell you guys about some. Some. A bomb that I had once. Okay, so this one, I've talked about my worst bombs ever, but this is more of a medium bomb that I. It's kind of juicy to talk about because it was in front of past two time past guest Lisa Traeger, and it was so bad. It was at the cake shop.

[George Severis]

I remember this.

[Sam Taggart]

And she was guest hosting for, like, John. It was. John and Kate hosted that maybe. And she was.

[George Severis]

No, she was one of the people who hosted it.

[Sam Taggart]

But this was before she was a perm. Perm host.

[George Severis]

John early, by the way, generally.

[Sam Taggart]

And then so she. I went up first. It's a notoriously bad show in general. There's, like, potentially eight people in the audience. And it was not a great vibe. I go up, eat complete shit, and she goes up as the host after me and goes, well, that was smart, I guess. Anyway, let's bring up our next comedian. And I was like, holy shit. And it was so.

[G]

But was anyone else, like, slaying?

[Sam Taggart]

No, people started slaying, like, maybe towards the very end as, like, it finally started to feel warm, warmer.

[George Severis]

It's a fine line. Yeah, it's a fine line between, like. There's a way to interpret that. I mean, I will say that, you know, not her best. Maybe not her best comment, but there's a way to interpret that as like, we're all in this together and isn't it such a hard show? And that there was an element of that last night where a lot of people were struggling. And so we were all trying to, like, make each other feel better by, like, affirming the other's experience. But you can't affirm it too much because then you're basically agreeing that they bombed. Yeah, you bombed.

[G]

That was raw blood.

[George Severis]

That was really bad.

[G]

I did laugh once.

[George Severis]

Yeah. Yeah, you're like, yeah, the audience was not into that, which is not your fault because you were funny. But I agree that it was a tough room, and it was for me too. Don't you agree? And they're like, well, no, you did really, really well. Or would have if the audience had been different.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Yeah, that tough. And actually, I think Lisa has erased it. I think it didn't make an impact, but it's something where I was like. She remembers. Like, I was like, this is, like, what I am in her mind.

[George Severis]

Oh, 100. She has. If that. I've seen so many people we know do, like, bomb. It has never made an impression on me.

[G]

Yeah. Honestly, Same. Yeah. And even, like, people that I'm like. Like a fan of before, you know, And I'm like, oh, I see them and they don't.

[George Severis]

Right.

[G]

They have, like, an awkward side, or it's just, like, not. The vibe just isn't there. I'm like, oh, well, I still know they're funny. I still.

[George Severis]

And I feel that way. And on the other side of things, if someone I think is not funny is killing, what I'm thinking is, the world's going to hell in a hand basket. No one has taste anymore. I'm not. It's not changing my mind about how funny they are.

[Sam Taggart]

No, you're totally right.

[George Severis]

It actually makes me like them less because I'm like, oh, I see. You're just appealing to the lowest common denominator. And it's working, you stupid bitch. I'll see you.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm like, hack, hack, hack. Richard, what are you saying?

[George Severis]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Sam Taggart]

Sorry. As we ask. As you sip water.

[George Severis]

Richard, look alive.

[Sam Taggart]

Richard. Hello. We're podcasting. Mama.

[G]

Sorry. So do you think that, like. How do I word it? Because, like, when people. When people are like, like, the audience was thinking, and it's so specific, and it's like, five spec things. Oh, it's because the way I said this and then this happened and then that and then this. This is what the audience is thinking. And I'm like, maybe there's some things where there's, like, something perceptive or, like, intuitive about it. Like. Sure. But I'm also, like, I don't know if that's always the case. Like, I think that it's more of, like, your own mindset and, like, how, you know, like, you get tripped up on your own thing or, like, your anxieties get the best of you, or the critical voice is just really.

[George Severis]

I mean. Or it could be something you don't even know. Like, Someone could have. Have. Yeah, like a. A phone could have vibrated in the fourth row that you didn't even hear. And then it sort of, like, distracted one person. And then someone looked back. And in your mind, that was because of something you said, but it actually wasn't.

[G]

Yeah, right. And I'm like, oh, okay. Well, I guess that person hated it. And then you start thinking on that a little. Like, yeah, it's. It's. It can be tough to navigate, but I'm just like. I. I think it's like. Like, there, of course, is a big part of it that, like, comes from.

[Sam Taggart]

So basically what you're saying is if you bomb, it's your fault, kind of.

[G]

So you're saying, and you know what? It's my fault. It's my. All those last night. Last night, it's my fault.

[George Severis]

So I bomb. I get off stage.

[G]

Honestly, really.

[George Severis]

Someone in the front row. I've already gotten off stage. Someone in the front row turns to me and takes out, like, a spray cleaner for glasses, for eyeglasses. And he goes, do you need this?

[G]

Whoa.

[George Severis]

Can you believe that?

[Sam Taggart]

That's rude.

[G]

And this is someone you don't even know?

[George Severis]

Someone I don't even know that, I guess, noticed while I was on stage that my glasses were a little bit dirty and knew I did not do well. And as soon as I get off, his first instinct is to offer me glasses cleaner because of how busted my glasses look.

[Sam Taggart]

That is so deeply messed. I. Yeah, that one time I was bombing so bad. Once a person offered me a shot. No, I was bombing so bad. And these guys were talking. I was like, are you. Will you stop talking? And they were like, we're ordering drinks. And I was like, the bar is not even in this room. Like, what are you talking about? And they're like, we're talking about we want to get to drink. And they're like, do you want a shot? And I was like, fine. That was the worst bomb. Wow.

[G]

And then they left and bought.

[Sam Taggart]

And bought drinks, and then I did a shot while bombing. It was one of the most horrible experiences of my life.

[G]

Honestly, the first time I ever performed it, like, on the same show as you, Sam, I bombed. And I remember that.

[Sam Taggart]

What was it? What was the show?

[G]

It was at Club Coming. See, I don't remember whose show.

[George Severis]

Like, Sam has no recollection of that. And for you, it is something you were thinking about all these years later.

[G]

And I'm like. And this was like. Because that night was the first night you and I left, and you Were like, oh, you should do the podcast. And then a few weeks later, I did it.

[George Severis]

I have that with Aaron Jackson. The first time Aaron saw me perform my bombed. I'm sure he does not remember it. We are good friends, but I will never forget saying something, everyone being silent, and then making eye contact with Aaron, who was just sort of had an encouraging smile, but he knew what was going on.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Should we do our first segment?

[Sam Taggart]

I think that's a really good idea.

[G]

Wait, should I talk about my tour a little bit?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Excuse me.

[G]

I just want to promote it a little bit. Please, Please.

[George Severis]

Yeah. Go.

[Sam Taggart]

You're allowed.

[G]

Hi, guys. Welcome to Stradio Lab. Does it different with Richard Perez as your host for this segment. This segment is to promote my upcoming tour. It's for my solo show called I have to do this, directed by Charlie Bar, dear friend of all of ours. And the cities that I will be visiting this spring will be. What is it? Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles. I'm still figuring things out with San Francisco.

[Sam Taggart]

Aren't we all?

[G]

I'm also figuring. I'm figuring things out with Pittsburgh. I'm figuring things out with Boston. But. But just keep that in mind. It's. Yeah, it's. It's a really lovely, special show that I love doing, and I know we talked about bombing a lot, but I think this will be a different experience than that.

[Sam Taggart]

I. I agree. I think this. Thanks, Richard, for having me.

[G]

I hope that's my. That's my hope that I'm putting.

[Sam Taggart]

Thanks for having me on your segment, Richard. Estradio a little different. Yeah.

[G]

If you guys want to say, like.

[Sam Taggart]

One thing about it, I think this show is so good. I've never not seen it. Crush, Crush, Crush Beyond.

[G]

Have you. Have you seen it?

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, no, I've never seen it. So let's start there. No, no, I've seen it.

[George Severis]

Sam and I both seen it together because there was.

[Sam Taggart]

We saw the Union Hall. I've seen the Union hall versions.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[G]

All right. That was like my. That was like the third time I did it. Is that true? Yeah. And Charlie and I had you guys interview him.

[George Severis]

Oh, yeah, yeah. The bit we've never. Rather than doing a talk back at the end, we did a talk back in the beginning where we interviewed Charlie as the director of a show we haven't yet seen.

[G]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Now that's old comedy. I'm sorry.

[Sam Taggart]

No, that's old comedy, mama.

[G]

Yeah, it was. It was really fun. That was a great night.

[Sam Taggart]

It was really fun.

[George Severis]

Richard, I want to say thank you for having me on your show. Straighter Lab Presents. Richard promotes this tour. Thank you.

[G]

Thanks, George. And thank you, Sam, for saying what you said.

[George Severis]

And I just want to promote. I have a podcast, Straight Radio Lab, that anyone can listen to on Apple podcasts or Spotify, hosted with Sam Taggart, who I think has also been on the show before.

[G]

And if you guys don't like this segment, you could just scrub to, like.

[George Severis]

Well, this will be released on a different. I assume your show has a. Oh.

[G]

This is a totally different option.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, and the. We. We've scheduled the. The photo shoot for the COVID for this one.

[G]

Oh, the.

[George Severis]

And we'll invoice you for that. We always. When Sam and I guess on other podcasts, we usually do a photo shoot and then invoice the host of the. That podcast.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm thinking this photo shoot is leather and lace.

[George Severis]

Oh, yeah.

[G]

Oh, hell yeah.

[George Severis]

And actually, you would think Sam would be leather, but I'm going to be leather. And Sam is going to be in a full tutu. Lace.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I'm going to be lace.

[G]

What am I?

[George Severis]

Am I.

[G]

What am I wearing?

[George Severis]

You're not part of this. We're doing a photo shoot. As the guests of Straighter Lab Presents, Richard promotes his show. And it'll be like, a little photo.

[G]

But I don't get a picture.

[George Severis]

You have, like, the COVID art for it already. You know what I mean? It's like. But to promote this specific episode, you need a headshot of us. And so we're sending you this photo shoot. We'll send you many options.

[G]

Like. Options?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, we'll send you a lot of options.

[George Severis]

It's. It's really.

[G]

Can I edit myself?

[Sam Taggart]

Like, if your face is anywhere on this picture, I'm going to sue you. That's not really what Hell and Back. You won't be able to buy.

[G]

What if I just. What if I made it cute? Like, what if I did a picture? I, like, edit it where it looks like you're in your full leather, you're in your full lace, watching me on stage, enjoying the show.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm not seeing it.

[George Severis]

I'm not really seeing the vision.

[G]

Both of you are, like, smiling.

[Sam Taggart]

It sounds really. It just sounds really busy, and it kind of goes against the leather and lace. We want to take one thing off in a stage.

[George Severis]

Yeah, yeah, we want to take one thing off. And that thing is kind of the additional thing you added after we gave you the finished product. I had to say, let's take that off, and then just go with the finished product that has been approved by legal and HR and our entire team and what send you everyone that worked on it and you can in the Instagram caption, you know, styling at Style Girl. Makeup at Makeup Girl. Yeah, yeah. Makeup Girl. Style Girl.

[Sam Taggart]

Craft Services Girl.

[George Severis]

Craft Services Girl. Oh, she's a dol. She's a doll. We met her when she was a nurse and we were performing surgeries and we said, you have such screen presence. We're taking you on tour.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[G]

Oh, my God.

[Sam Taggart]

And honey, do you know how to work a damn grill? Yeah.

[George Severis]

By the way, Craft services at our photo shoots are like tapas, small plates, oysters, fish tacos. It's a lot of seafood, actually.

[Sam Taggart]

It's a lot of seafood.

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

We're pescatarian and we only eat fish.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[G]

No veggies.

[Sam Taggart]

No veggies.

[George Severis]

One time they included a corn salsa. We sued and we won.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[G]

So that's what you're gonna eat before you get into the leather and the lace. Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Lots of.

[George Severis]

Yeah. Enduring.

[Sam Taggart]

Enduring. Of course.

[G]

It's sounds like it's gonna be smelly.

[George Severis]

Our breaths are gonna smell really fishy too.

[G]

Yeah, you're gonna smell fishy as.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, because we're gonna be serving.

[George Severis]

We're gonna be serving fish.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow. Somebody's gonna be like, is it fishy in here? Is it just me? And you're gonna be like, no, it is fishy in here.

[George Severis]

And then he's gonna be like. And then we're gonna like breathe into space and he's gonna be like, oh, gosh. I just.

[Sam Taggart]

Fuck.

[George Severis]

Oh, my God.

[G]

The camera is like shaking. The photographer is just like, yeah.

[George Severis]

And then we're like, do you want some miso cod? Miso cod?

[Sam Taggart]

Yum yummers.

[G]

So you. Interesting. Okay.

[George Severis]

And so I think that concludes that segment. So, Richard, our first segment is called Straight Shooters. And in this segment we ask you a series of rapid fire questions to gauge your familiarity with and complicity and straight culture. And you have to choose one thing or it. Oh, by the way, where can people find tickets to your tour?

[G]

Oh, thank you so much. We're going to go back to this.

[George Severis]

Well, this is a new mini segment. Where can people find tickets?

[Sam Taggart]

Promotes this tour.

[G]

Well, I'm confused. Is this going to be in my episode? Is this going to be in stream?

[Sam Taggart]

That's the third episode.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

This is a new third episode.

[George Severis]

And by the way, we're doing a new. We're doing a new photo shoot. A new photo shoot to promote this third episode. And it's gonna Be. I'm gonna. I'm a robber. A bank robber. And Sam is a bank teller.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

And I'm holding him. I'm holding him at gun robbery. It's kind of like Inside man themed.

[G]

Yeah, Inside man.

[George Severis]

And I'm Robbery.

[G]

And it's called Clarity.

[Sam Taggart]

Clarity.

[G]

Claire, this episode, the third episode's called Clarity.

[Sam Taggart]

Welcome to Clarity.

[G]

Welcome to Clarity.

[George Severis]

And it's. And the theme song is Any questions?

[G]

So, okay, so this is the third episode.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay.

[George Severis]

We're talking link tree.

[G]

So. Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

Instagram bio.

[G]

Thank you guys for tuning in. You can go to my Instagram, it's Richard Perez. And you can find a link tree in the bio and that. And by the time this comes out, there'll be, like, a really fun, like, tour poster separate from. Not attached to Stradio Incorporated at all.

[Sam Taggart]

I don't know.

[G]

But it'll be completely a separate photo shoot. Sam and George will not be in the pictures or anything.

[George Severis]

We own this ip. Like, the fact that you're promoting the tour on Stradio Lab means that we have to have approval of any further. Further, like, assets that will be produced from it.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[George Severis]

And it's not.

[Sam Taggart]

It's like a pretty, like, simple process, really standard.

[George Severis]

We send. We'll send you the lawyer. And it has to go through makeup. Girl. Style. Girl. Everyone involved in our photo shoots also has to approve any third party assets.

[G]

Yeah, for my own images.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. As soon as you came on this show, all creative projects became part of Studio Lab, Inc.

[George Severis]

Okay, so this was in the forms we sent you. And I actually don't really want to, like, figure it out on air. It's like, you can go read them. You've already signed them. And, like, we have a limited amount of time in the studio, and I'm not going to be going through paperwork with you right now.

[G]

Yeah, well, we have. Okay, okay, okay. I'm not gonna fight because that's not what I came here to do. I don't want to fight with you right now. I just am trying to. On this third episode, I'm just trying to bring some clarity to anyone that's confused, that's listening. Listen to it. That.

[George Severis]

Sorry, I. Whenever you say clarity, Whenever you. Whenever someone says Clarity, by contrast, because we're sponsored by the song Clarity, whenever someone says the word Clarity, that song starts playing.

[G]

It's almost like the. But it's clarity. Beautiful.

[Sam Taggart]

Beautiful.

[G]

But, yeah, it'll be on the link tree in the bio. And I guess now with this amendment, I guess I'll have to change the tour image. So it's okay?

[George Severis]

There's still time?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, there's still plenty of time.

[George Severis]

And when does the tour start?

[G]

The tour. The tour starts. God. It starts March 26th. 6th. 6th. That's a hard word for me.

[Sam Taggart]

That's a really tough word.

[G]

Sixth.

[George Severis]

It starts March 26th.

[G]

Sixth. Six Aries. How do you say it?

[Sam Taggart]

March 25th.

[George Severis]

Sam, you're doing a really good job with your lisp. It's actually, like, almost gone.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, let's go back. Let's start a new episode of our podcast and go do our first segment.

[Tom Brady]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Spring is here, which means it's time to do some spring cleaning, because a clean home is a happy home. Now through March 25th. Shopping store or online. And get great savings on all your spring cleaning essentials like Windex glass cleaner, Lysol disinfectant spray scrubbing bubbles, bathroom cleaner, and Febreze fabric refresher. Hurry in before those deals are gone. Offer ends March 25. Promotions may vary. Restrictions apply. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Richard Perez]

This is Nikki Glaser from the Nikki Glaser podcast. On a more serious note, I'm still thinking about that commercial with Tom Brady and Snoop Dogg hating on each other. Because when you listen to the reasons for hating someone or something, you realize just how stupid they really are. There is too much hate in this country, and it's gotta stop. So join us at iHeart in standing up to it. If you see hate, speak up, call it out, and you can learn more by following hat'supwithhate.

[Nikki Glaser]

Catch the new Hulu original comedy Mid Century Modern, from the creators of Will and Grace, executive producer Ryan Murphy and director James Burrow. When three best friends move in together, Palm Springs will never be the same. Bunny, Jerry, and Arthur are already close friends, but when they decide to live together, it's a new chapter with a new family. And speaking of family, don't forget Bunny's mom, Sybil, who's along for the ride. Whether it's a trip to Fire island or a local congresswoman with a wild side, these roomies know how to do it with style. They're fun, they're fabulous, and. And they're turning life's lemons into spiked lemonade. So shake up a batch of cocktails, relax by the pool, and get ready for some serious shade. A new comedy with heart, soul and sass. Mid Century Modern stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Leigh Graham, and Linda Lavin. Mid century modern premieres March 28, streaming on Hulu.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[George Severis]

Whether you need a $500,000 policy or a 5 million dollar policy, SelectQuote could save you more than 50% on term life insurance.

[Ryan Seacrest]

For your free quote, go to selectquote.com selectquote.com that's selectquote.com selectquote we shop, you save full details on example [e-mail] commercials.

[George Severis]

Okay, let's start a new episode, I think. And let's actually scrap those three. I wasn't feeling it. It's fine. I think we can use them for Patreon or something.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, we got network notes.

[G]

Oh, there's a paywall.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, we got network notes and they really didn't like it. I'm reading the network notes now and I actually can't read them out loud because they're pretty cruel.

[George Severis]

And Richard, we think you have such a uni voice. Like, we've always loved you.

[Sam Taggart]

We've always felt that way.

[George Severis]

We find ourselves though, being kind of the only ones in the room that do.

[Sam Taggart]

It's just tough when a voice is so unique. It's like, who will this connect with? You know what I mean?

[George Severis]

Yeah, yeah. And sometimes unique is not necessarily good.

[G]

Unique. That was the song you were singing earlier.

[George Severis]

That was the song we were singing.

[G]

So now in this podcast, podcast, whenever.

[Sam Taggart]

I hear Unique, I'll go nurse.

[George Severis]

That's right.

[Sam Taggart]

Also, you know, it's funny, I wonder if people that go to that live in, say, England who go to uni.

[G]

Go uni uni back in Unique. We met in Unique.

[Sam Taggart]

That's where you are Unique.

[G]

Get on the tube towards Unique.

[George Severis]

I'm that bad.

[G]

From Unique. Oh, I love that.

[George Severis]

All right, podcast starts now.

[G]

Okay, park podcast, podcast starts now.

[George Severis]

Sam, do you want to introduce our first segment?

[Sam Taggart]

Our first segment is called Straight Shooters. In this segment we're going to ask you serious rapid fire questions. Basically this thing is other thing. The only follow up rules. You can't ask any follow up questions or scream at you so fucking loud.

[G]

Are you fucking kidding me, Richard?

[George Severis]

This is a children's show. You can't Say F. Slur. Which is.

[G]

Oh, my God, this is crazy. I'm just, like, overwhelmed.

[Sam Taggart]

No, I know.

[G]

It's just like too many things are going.

[Sam Taggart]

Are you okay?

[G]

No, I'm fine. It's just like, a lot of, like, we just recorded so many episodes. I'm just like.

[George Severis]

We have to bank them, though, because Sam and I have really busy schedules. Like, we'll do like, three, four, five, six in a row.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[G]

Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, let's do our first segment and then we can go back to doing a bit.

[G]

Okay, fine.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, Richard, Siggy's yogurt or figgy pudding?

[G]

I actually did not hear what you said with the first one, but. But I'll say the second one.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay.

[George Severis]

Richard, pay attention.

[G]

No, it just. Okay. Okay.

[George Severis]

Calling AAA or eating Chipotle.

[Sam Taggart]

Ooh, I love that.

[G]

These rhyme. Eating Chipotle.

[Sam Taggart]

Yum. Okay, Richard. Signing up for a mailing list or saying sup with a little lisp?

[G]

I'm gonna say sup with the little lisp, Richard.

[George Severis]

ADHD or all eyes on me in the center of the ring. Just like a circus, huh?

[G]

All the second ones are, like, better so far. I'm gonna. I'm gonna.

[George Severis]

So you think people with ADHD, like, shouldn't have rights or, like, be recognized as people by the state? Is that what you're saying?

[G]

Those are the rules of the game, is that.

[George Severis]

Yeah, we don't ask any follow up questions.

[Sam Taggart]

You pick one to have rights.

[George Severis]

You pick one to have rights.

[G]

You pick one to have rights.

[Sam Taggart]

No one's ever figured out what this game is, and basically you're picking which one has rights.

[George Severis]

Damn, Richard, you finally unlocked it. It's the way the game works. You have to pick one of the two to have rights.

[G]

No, don't make me choose.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, Richard. The lost daughter or the found footage?

[George Severis]

That's good.

[G]

Whoa. The lost daughter.

[George Severis]

That was a really difficult one, Richard. Going on a booze cruise or being addicted to YouTubes.

[G]

Being addicted to YouTubes.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, Richard the Fast and the Furious or a cat who is curious.

[G]

My cat who's curious.

[George Severis]

Life is good. Or Wife make food?

[G]

I'm gonna say life is good.

[George Severis]

Okay. Thank God. Oh, so wait, the wife doesn't deserve rights?

[G]

I thought we changed the rules. Don't make me sound bad, guys. Richard, don't make me sound bad.

[Sam Taggart]

Come here.

[George Severis]

This is the fourth podcast we're recording. You think women don't deserve rights? You think people with adhd.

[G]

No, that's not.

[George Severis]

Do not Deserve to be legally recognized by the state. Date. I mean, this Is crazy, you guys.

[G]

First of all, I thought this was the fifth episode. I'm. I'm just so confused. And then now you're trying to make me sound bad.

[George Severis]

Where's makeup girl?

[G]

Makeup girl? Or look, there's a squirrel.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, don't mock us.

[George Severis]

I just want. And by the way, here's your officials. Here's your official score. Here's your official score. Disqualified.

[G]

No. No.

[George Severis]

From zero to 1,000, dove. Your official score is disqualified.

[G]

No. Is that the lowest?

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Congratulations.

[G]

Oh, my God. I feel like I just bombed. I'm so.

[George Severis]

It wasn't you. It was a crowd. It's just, like, a weird venue. I mean, it's the fifth recording of the day. Like, we're also not doing great. Like, but also, you are doing so well. But you're crushing. You're crushing. But, like, the reason the audience doesn't like you is because of other things not in your control. You know, it has nothing to do with you.

[Sam Taggart]

So pretty much that was it. That was it. Should we do our topic?

[George Severis]

Yeah. I would actually love it, Richard, if you could tell us what your straight topic is and what's straight about it. And I know this is your least favorite part of it because you hate put it being put on the spot. You knew this was coming.

[G]

I just want to say, like, you know, my idea is, like, okay, I'm just gonna. I'm just gonna try to go for it.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, try to go for it.

[G]

Hi, guys. So thank you for listening to. Thanks for listening to this portion of the episode. I mean, of the recording. And my topic for today's studio lab is. Let's say it all at the same time. One, two, three.

[Sam Taggart]

Toys.

[George Severis]

Toys. That's me seeing Britney Spears as boys. But it's toys.

[G]

Look at how they look at. Looks like everyone needs one.

[George Severis]

Toys.

[Sam Taggart]

Toys.

[George Severis]

I've been busy thinking about toys.

[Sam Taggart]

Toys.

[G]

Blocks. Doll. Always busy thinking about action figures.

[George Severis]

Legos.

[Sam Taggart]

Richard, what about toys is straight?

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[G]

Okay. I think I grew up playing just a little, like, context.

[George Severis]

Like, I grew up playing with toys.

[G]

Playing with toys. And look how. Look where it got me.

[George Severis]

Can I tell you something I said last night that I thought I just said off the cuff, and it bombed so hard. Sorry. And then we'll go back to. To. Because I just thought of the phrase I'm obsessed with when politicians are like. And that's personal to me. Like, it's like when they're talking about health. Like, that's personal to me. So I. I said something about, like, I was, like, talking about getting married. And then I was like, and same sex marriage is personal to me. And I thought that that would, like, be some. I understand that it's not a complete joke, but I thought that, like, people would, like, get the reference. And the way people were looking at me completely blank anyway. So toys are personal for you?

[G]

Yes, toys are personal for me because I was. Grew up playing them with them, and I probably grew up playing with toys till I was like, 16 on, if I'm being honest. But when I was, like, thinking about picking a topic, I was like, well, toys are like, when toys are brought into your life. At least in our generation and generations before. I don't know what people are, what toys look like now, necessarily, but I feel like instantly it's like, it adheres to, like, gender stuff. And like, yes, heteronormative. Like, it's instantly like, okay, you're gonna play with these toys, like, right off the bat. And it's like, not really. Like, it just happens. And I'm like, oh, I have Hot Wheels, totally. And I have this. And then you do kind of find your taste sometimes. Like, you know, and also, like, if you have like a. A sister or something who has toy. And you can mix toys and be like, okay, like, I have a Barbie in this universe that I'm building. Like, there's some of that. But I think that, yeah, I think toys have a heteronormative nature to them.

[Sam Taggart]

When you were a child, if you can remember back this far, was there ever a, like, toy that you had where it was like, oh, he's gonna be LGBTQ plus.

[George Severis]

Richard's parents, the early 90s, being like, like, is he LGBTQ plus?

[G]

I mean, low key, because I. My mom, she worked at Toys R Us.

[George Severis]

So this is personal for you?

[Sam Taggart]

This is personal for you?

[G]

This is. Yeah. She worked at Toys R Us for a little bit when. When I was growing up, and she was like, in, like, the. She did something in, like, stock room or something, and she would, like, get us toys sometimes. And also, like, my. Her and my dad separated when I was, like, really little. So, like, he kind of would, like, spoil us a little bit and be like, I'm dad. I'm fun. Here's toys. You know, And I'd be like, yes. And so I was obsessed with Toy Story, the movie, and I wanted. And my dad got me, like, me and my brother, you know, most of the characters from. From that. Most of the cast, but we didn't have Bo Peep, and I wanted Bo Peep really really bad. And so I kept asking my mom if she could, like, hook it up from her job at Toys R Us. I was like. And so I was like, did you get Bo Peep? Mom, did you get Bo Peep? Mom, did you get Bo Peep? And then one day we're on a family vacation or we're, like, driving to the beach in Jersey, and, like, my mom has on, like, a cassette tape that she played in the car, and it's whatever her music, and then it just cuts, and it's this audio of me being like, mom, did you get Bo Peep? Mom, did you get Bo Peep? She was secretly recording me.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, no.

[G]

Asking her about that and. And everyone laughed.

[George Severis]

Wait, which I assumed she was secretly recording you because she wanted to remember what you asked for. Was she doing it to bully.

[G]

I don't know if it was to bully me.

[George Severis]

Was she being like, doesn't Richard sound LGBTQ plus in this clip?

[G]

I think that was it. She was looking for evidence.

[George Severis]

Is that true?

[Sam Taggart]

She's like, I've got it. I'm going to the cops.

[G]

Yeah, police.

[Sam Taggart]

I have everything.

[G]

Yeah. No, I'm not sure why she recorded it, but. But, yeah, yeah. And. And I remember I was, like, really embarrassed.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[G]

And she was like, I'm sorry, but. But, yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

But, yeah, you sound gay here. She like, like, I'm sorry. Like, sorry I recorded this, but you do sound gay here.

[George Severis]

Like, don't shoot the messenger. And I love you. I'm your mother. But you do sound gay.

[G]

You sound a little gay wanting this shit.

[George Severis]

So.

[Sam Taggart]

So. Did you ever get it?

[G]

Yeah, I don't think I did. No. No, I don't think so. I don't remember.

[Sam Taggart]

That's why you're a comedian and that's why you're.

[George Severis]

You're searching for Bo Peep. You still.

[G]

I didn't think I was going to get so personal.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, it's personal to you.

[George Severis]

Yeah. It's personal to you.

[G]

Yeah, that's true. This topic is. Toys are very personal to me.

[George Severis]

Toys are personal to you because you were given them by both your father and your mother. And in that sense, they re. You know, like, reified the gender binary.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Because as a kid, you were like, toys can come from two places, man or woman.

[G]

Literally.

[Sam Taggart]

Literally. Okay, Richard, I have another question. If you remember childhood, which you're already doing such a good job of.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Thank you. Was there ever a toy that you had that you really loved that that said, wow, our boy is gonna be fucking straight as hell? This guy's gonna fucking pound poon in a way that no one else ever has.

[G]

Probably the first thing that jumps to mind is, like, Spider Man's, like, abs.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

You had a toy of just Spider Man's abs?

[G]

No, I had, like, broken toys.

[George Severis]

They were really scary.

[Sam Taggart]

Like Sid.

[G]

Like Sid and Toy Story.

[Sam Taggart]

My favorite toy is Spider Man's abs.

[G]

Abs, yes. So Spider Man. But I felt like I was. I remember just being really, like, like, fixated on his body. He had a really really. You know, he had a nice body. He had a really tight.

[George Severis]

Yeah. But it was sort of more twinky. Like, you weren't into, like, the Superman.

[G]

No, he was like. He was like, upside down, triangle. Like. Like big shoulders, little waist.

[George Severis]

That's not really true to what I consider what, you know, what I grew up with.

[G]

Well, this was the 90s. I don't know. Like.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, George, I don't know what to tell you. Like.

[G]

Yeah, I think Spider man was. This is before.

[Sam Taggart]

You've been, like, so poisoned by the media. Like, you have such different expectations of what Spider man should even look.

[George Severis]

Think Peter Parker is, like, a meathead.

[Sam Taggart]

Look, we're not saying that. We're just saying he's like, he just has broad shoulders.

[George Severis]

Shoulders.

[Sam Taggart]

Bubble.

[George Severis]

Bu.

[G]

He just has broad shoulders.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[G]

He's like, yeah. He's kind of like.

[George Severis]

Well, I will say to. To sort of bring it to Toys as Straight. Toys as Straight. I do think you're absolutely right. The toys are one of the first avenues through which children are introduced to gender roles and to gender differences.

[G]

Yeah. Did y'all play with toys?

[George Severis]

Yeah, you better believe we did.

[Sam Taggart]

So this is actually really personal to both of us because we actually played with toys.

[George Severis]

We both played with toys. That was one of the first things we bonded over.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. I'll never forget meeting George at our Wicked lady in Bushwick and going, wait a minute. Did so. Oh, no. I was like, God, I was so weird growing up. Like, I love toys. We were drove like freaks. Wait, I love toys.

[George Severis]

Yeah. When I could tell, you know, we. I said, you were different.

[G]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

You like.

[Sam Taggart]

And I was like, hold on. Did you play with toys?

[George Severis]

And then we've been inseparable ever inseparable ever since.

[Sam Taggart]

I do have a Toy Story of my own.

[George Severis]

Okay. Go on.

[G]

I do.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay. I don't know if I've told it on this pod before, but when I was really young, I was obsessed, obsessed, obsessed with Little Mermaid Toys, which was my big signal that I was going to be an lgbt. LGBT plus American.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[G]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

And I To the point where I was like, maybe, like three, and I dropped my Little Mermaid in the pool, and I fell in the pool to try to get it, and the lifeguard had to save me.

[George Severis]

Oh, no. And then at the end, he was like, probably, like, so, like, how did you get. Is everything okay? And you were like, my mermaid.

[G]

He's like.

[George Severis]

He's like, this kid is lgbtq.

[Sam Taggart]

What, Bro? Pause.

[George Severis]

Bro, are you LGBTQ plus?

[Sam Taggart]

But there was. My mom always tells story. Well, it's funny. She used to tell it as, like. Like, when I was straight, she would be like, you know, you're like. People would say, don't play with that, because, you know, it'll make him gay. It'll make him gay. Don't let him play with those dolls. And we showed them.

[George Severis]

That is such a funny way of being, accepting, being like, I was a progressive parent because I knew he was straight. Like, he could play with dolls. He could put on dresses. Who cares? Like, I knew my boy was straight. Make.

[G]

Right.

[Sam Taggart]

Right.

[G]

That's so funny.

[Sam Taggart]

But I was obsessed with mermaids. In particular, the hair underwater. I had, like, multiple mermaid dolls. The hair underwater was, like, so.

[George Severis]

Oh, yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Meaningful to me.

[G]

And I love the bikini top.

[Sam Taggart]

And I love the bikini top.

[G]

I love it.

[Sam Taggart]

No, it's so divalicious. Divatronic.

[G]

It is fab. Yeah. Especially seeing the wall. Yeah. Like, the hair move around in the.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, my God. The way that hair moves.

[G]

Oh, dancing. Just dancing.

[Sam Taggart]

I just fill up the sink, dip her in there. Watch that hair flow.

[G]

Just. Yeah. Oh, my God. I want, like, I. I love just.

[George Severis]

Practicing disrespecting women's bodily autonomy as. As white gay men in our later life when we're just. Oh, give us another album. Oh, get back in the studio. Oh, you flopped. Oh, your song. Your song didn't charge. Oh, this is a thread of Katy Perry's worst moments moments. That's all. Because.

[Sam Taggart]

George, do you have an LGBTQ plus Toy Story?

[G]

Yeah. What happened?

[George Severis]

So I loved toys. It's actually personal for me, so this is really personal. It's really personal for me.

[G]

I didn't know we had so much.

[Sam Taggart]

This is, like, so personal to all of us.

[George Severis]

It's really personal for me. I would say. I loved Power Rangers. I was obsessed with, like, the way that their heads would switch. Switch from costume to not costume. Do you know what I'm talking about?

[Sam Taggart]

Of course. I love the Power Rangers toys as well.

[George Severis]

I love the Power Rangers. I loved, like, did they have Action man in the US I'm not Familiar with this. Okay. It's just like a. It's an action figure who is kind of military coded, I'm gonna be honest.

[Sam Taggart]

Sounds not very thought out.

[George Severis]

For sure.

[Sam Taggart]

Action Man.

[George Severis]

Yeah. But he was so hot is the thing. So I would make Action man in my s. Sisters, Barbies have sex and even threesomes because I actually only had one Action Man. But I had. My sisters had probably like over five Barbies, if I were to guess.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, that's cool that you had poly toys. That's really.

[George Severis]

Yeah, I had a lot of. But it was kind of toxic in this way where, like, the man was. Had a harem of women rather than.

[Sam Taggart]

It was a bit religious in that way.

[George Severis]

Yeah, it was more that rather than like kind of latigra. Queer polyamory.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, yeah, that's.

[George Severis]

And so I had that.

[Sam Taggart]

That.

[George Severis]

But I. So obviously, yes, Girl toys are dolls. Girl toys are like kitchen appliances. Easy Bake Oven. And then boy toys are cars, trucks, action figures, guns.

[G]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

So we can all agree on that.

[G]

Yeah, yeah.

[George Severis]

Part of toys. The. One of the parts of toys that was, again, so personal to me was the kind of sublime of going into a toy store. There is something. Something that as a kid, I'm like, this is what church must feel like to someone who's religious. Did you, like. Did you ever go to just like a big, big, big toys. Like, I have a memory of like, Toys R Us.

[G]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Like Toys R Us. Or like my. So when we. Before we originally moved here, the first time I came to New York, we went to FAO Schwartz and I was like, this is America. Like, I can't still have never been either. Is that George?

[Sam Taggart]

You're so privileged.

[George Severis]

Yeah, well. And I went when I was like, six years old.

[Sam Taggart]

Fuck. We've never even been.

[G]

We've never been.

[George Severis]

And I was told from a young age, and I really internalized this, that the toys were of a higher quality. My parents were like, you know, all these other toys made in China at FAO Schwartz, they're elves, basically, making them backstage.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow.

[George Severis]

And so we got these two stuffed animals. One was a hippo, one was a dolphin. And the way that I was like, I have to take good care of these because they're going to be wild. Worth millions one day. And I still have them. And they look pristine, to be honest.

[Sam Taggart]

And they're worth millions and they're worth millions. I actually think one of the darker things about childhood is how early you worry about the worth of your toy.

[George Severis]

Sorry. Our producer is saying, oh, my God. Olivia's. Parents told her FAO Schwartz was a museum and she couldn't touch anything. I mean, but it was sort of.

[Sam Taggart]

You can't touch anything, so.

[George Severis]

So you've still never been to FAO Schwartz?

[G]

No, no, I.

[George Severis]

Maybe I was just so young. That an impression on me.

[G]

Is it still open?

[George Severis]

I don't think it is. And if it is, then it's under, like in, you know, probably owned by some venture capital firm.

[Sam Taggart]

So we'll never get to go. Basically never get to go.

[George Severis]

At its best, though. You would not. It was like, you wouldn't believe. Now here, you know, you want to know my white whale? And with toys.

[Sam Taggart]

Uhhuh.

[George Severis]

The Spice Girls Barbies.

[Sam Taggart]

You had this.

[G]

Oh, my.

[George Severis]

Didn't have them. I knew that would be too LGBTQ plus for me to even ask for.

[G]

Yeah, yeah, right.

[Sam Taggart]

You said, honey, that's even too LGBTQ plus for me.

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

And I'm lgbtq.

[George Severis]

But you know what I did is when my sister was born, I. They told me I could get her a gift, and I got her the Britney Spears Barbie so I could play with it myself.

[Sam Taggart]

Smart. Very smart.

[G]

Of course.

[Sam Taggart]

Very, very smart.

[G]

Oh, my God, I remember. Britney Spears was, like, the first album I ever owned.

[George Severis]

Mine was Spice Girls.

[G]

Oops, I did it again.

[George Severis]

What was your Sam?

[Sam Taggart]

I think it might have been Backstreet Boys.

[G]

Cute.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Maybe Millennium even.

[George Severis]

You know, I'm on the. I don't know why, but I'm on the press list for the Sphere in Las Vegas. And so they tell me whenever there's a new residency there, and the Backstreet Boys are doing Millennium there, like, three weeks. And they recreated the photo shoot where they're all wearing all white in front of, like, a silver and white background. Background.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow. Let's go, let's go, let's go.

[G]

But, guys, I'm torn. So sorry.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm sorry. Out of Vegas date. Yeah, Vegas date.

[G]

Outside of the Sphere.

[George Severis]

I, I, I'm having so much fun being loose. And then there's a part of me that's like, I actually think toys as straight culture is so smart that I want to, like, really, really get into it. You know what I mean?

[G]

Let's get into it.

[Sam Taggart]

I want to say, I think it's funny when boys just do love trucks. I'm always like, huh. So it's like just that literal. Huh?

[George Severis]

Like, and no one wants to talk about this. Of course, not all boys love trucks, but. Hashtag not all boys. But the thing is, 80% of them literally do deeply and with an uncontrollable urge to just like, what is, what is the.

[Sam Taggart]

That that like scares me. The way that boys love trucks.

[G]

It didn't happen to me.

[Sam Taggart]

It didn't happen.

[G]

I love people.

[Sam Taggart]

God, I love.

[G]

I love dinner parties, mystical creatures. I love Pikachu. I loved.

[Sam Taggart]

I actually think Pokemon is an interesting. That bridged the gap because boys could like that and girls.

[George Severis]

Oh my God, that's such a good point.

[G]

100. Yeah. Pokemon was everything.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, of course there's girl Pokemon.

[George Severis]

Are you kidding me?

[G]

Yes.

[George Severis]

You. You raise your hand in the classroom, you say, I like Jigglypuff. You're to be bullied out of the entire state.

[G]

Video games, like picking, like Super Smash Bros, like picking which characters. And I'm like, oh, I want to be like, what's her name? Like Zelda or There's one Chic or whatever her name is, like she turns into Zelda. Zelda Chic.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[G]

And I'm like, I want to do that one. And I would do it.

[Sam Taggart]

I would do it.

[George Severis]

Here's the question, cuz I, I think this is a little counterintuitive. Do you think it's straight or gay? Gay to be like a progressive mom who's overly concerned about what gender norms the toys are instilling in her kids? Because I actually think that's very straight. It's very straight woman who went to bar Nerd and thinks that it like is paying so much attention to whether or not her kids play with dolls or trucks.

[Sam Taggart]

To me it's still gay. To me I, I agree. I think it's.

[G]

Wait, so toys are gay?

[George Severis]

Toys are. No, no, just this like imagine a mom. Imagine a mom that's like we. So I remember this actually when, when we were young there was this line in this sort of like rich person Toy Story. There was a line of like Barbie like dolls called Smarties. Smarties, because they were smart and each of them had a different high power job. So there was like lawyer, doctor. Now one might ask, doesn't Barbie also have those jobs? Yes, but this was like, you know, branded in a way to be famous feminist. And I'm just sort of like, I wouldn't buy that for my kids.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, there's something that's like overthinking the, like the gender neutrality and what does this mean for my kid? I think it's so LGBTQ plus.

[George Severis]

Yeah, that's true. You're right.

[Sam Taggart]

In a way that's like admirable but also is like, chill out. Like there's something where it's like, it's fine. Like, it's actually fine either way.

[George Severis]

I'm also always worried that kids are going to rebel against whatever they are raising with, which is why, legitimately, and I'm not kidding, can't raise them too progressively because they will become right wing. Like, you actually have to raise kids as neutrally as possible.

[G]

Be like, hey, play with these toys. You. Yeah. Like, play with this truck.

[George Severis]

Yeah. Like, you have to tell them trucks are for boys and dolls are for.

[G]

Yeah. Blue, blue, blue.

[George Severis]

And then punish them if they don't like their assigned color.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, that's really fun. Fun.

[G]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

I mean, yeah.

[G]

Yeah, yeah. I love toys so much, and I just want to play with them again, you know, actually, recently. Not recently. This was a few years ago. What am I saying? A. My cousin, like, we used to all play together, like, my brothers, my cousin, my neighbors. Like, we play, like, cops and robbers or they come up with these games or, like, different scenarios with, like, like, we're in a castle and we have to, whatever, defend, like, whatever. And I was always cast, or usually I was cast as, like, the bad guy or, like, the villain to defeat. And I think I was just, like, I had fun doing that and just kind of playing into that character, but my cousin thinks that, like, that has that, like, speaks to, like, my, like, queerness.

[George Severis]

Oh, interesting.

[G]

Or something. Like, you know, like a Disney villain, gay or whatever sort of way. Like, being like, you'll never. You'll never figure this one out. And then it's a. Get him. And then. And they all win.

[George Severis]

Well, it certainly speaks to you, being a performer.

[Sam Taggart]

That's true. It's definitely a meteor role.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

You're losing yourself in character.

[G]

I do. Yeah. And so I would feel that way with, like, toys. Like, I'd be put in those similar dynamics. Like, I'm like, oh, like, we're playing with toys, and. And I have to lose.

[George Severis]

Wait, what?

[Sam Taggart]

Because.

[G]

Because.

[George Severis]

Oh, because you're the villain. So, like, the narrative demands that ultimately you don't get your way.

[G]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Oh, that's interesting.

[Sam Taggart]

Because what message would that send if the villain won?

[George Severis]

Right?

[G]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

An LGBTQ positive one, I guess, right?

[Sam Taggart]

Toys, toys, toys. I like toys in car.

[George Severis]

Toys, toys, toys, toys and bars.

[G]

Toys, toys and bars.

[Sam Taggart]

George froze.

[George Severis]

He.

[G]

George.

[George Severis]

Oh, my God. Hold on, hold on.

[Sam Taggart]

George, George, George, George, George.

[G]

George, George, George.

[Sam Taggart]

We like George.

[G]

George, George Bias.

[George Severis]

We love him.

[G]

We love him.

[George Severis]

Okay, I'm back.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, you missed it. We just did an amazing song.

[George Severis]

No, I, I, I heard George, George, George. And then and then it cut.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay.

[George Severis]

I was sort of contemplating bringing it to a place of, like, the way queer, tender queer people talk about sex toys and whether that is related to. To.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm glad you're going here.

[George Severis]

And so I know I'm coming at this in a sort of, like, already I don't feel confident. It's a flaccid suggestion, but I'm like, there is something there, because there's something. And I would almost go so far as to say this has to do with like, sex positivity writ large, where it's kind of like bringing a childlike wonder to sex.

[Sam Taggart]

I find it mostly like a cringy approach to sex. Like, I think there's such a thing as a sex nerd. This is a theory I've been working on. And I think, like, a sex nerd really makes sex unsexy. And. And I think when someone's really like, you know, like, try using a toy to. Or, you know, if you want to get into toys and, and like, make sure the toy is a high quality toy. Like, they're saying like, toy with this way. I get, like, grossed out by it. And like, it's like, I. I don't think of it as sex toy. I think of a sex tool. I like, you know, serious business. It's serious business. And it's like, has a use and a purpose. Like, I don't take them out. And I'm like, how fun.

[G]

Let's play.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, let's play with this toy. I'm like, no, it's like opening up a hole or being a whole. Like, it is like, it's not a. It's not like creating imagination. It's simply like a tool for physically feeling different things.

[George Severis]

Yes, Right. And also, also bringing this childlike energy into sex is like, I of course, understand the instinct to destigmatize it because it should not be shameful. But of course, what's exciting about it is that it's forbidden. So if you bring in. If you're like, oh, toys, oh, we're cuddling. Oh, cuddle party, like, blah, blah, then it's like, okay, well, now I feel weird because it feels like you're talking to me like I'm a kindergartner.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[G]

I don't know any of this. Really. You're like, I don't kind of just. I feel. Yeah. I mean, I'm just far away from this topic.

[Sam Taggart]

What do you mean?

[G]

Sex?

[George Severis]

Have you had sex? I forget.

[G]

Honestly, at this point, no. No.

[Sam Taggart]

If you asked me five years ago. Yes.

[G]

Yeah, that would have maybe said something else.

[George Severis]

Okay, let's do our final segment.

[Tom Brady]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Stock up sale is on now, which means you can save big on all your favorite essentials throughout the store. Stock up on participating items and earn four times points to redeem for your discounts on groceries or gas. Now through March 25th. Saved by shopping in store or online for participating items from your favorite brands like Pampers, Dove, Band Aid, Playtex and Premier protein. Offer ends March 25th. Promotions may vary. Restrictions apply. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Richard Perez]

This is Nikki Glaser from the Nikki Glaser Podcast. On a more serious note, I'm still thinking about that commercial with Tom Brady and Snoop Dogg hating on you each other because when you listen to the reasons for hating someone or something, you realize just how stupid they really are. There is too much hate in this country and it's gotta stop. So join us at iHeart in standing up to it. If you see hate, speak up, call it out and you can learn more by following. Hat's upwithhate.

[Nikki Glaser]

Catch the new Hulu original comedy Mid Century Modern from the creators of Will and Grace, executive producer Ryan Murphy and director actor James Burrows. When three best friends move in together, Palm Springs will never be the same. Bunny, Jerry and Arthur are already close friends, but when they decide to live together, it's a new chapter with a new family. And speaking of family, don't forget Bunny's mom, Sybil, who's along for the ride. Whether it's a trip to Fire island or a local congresswoman with a wild side, these roomies know how to do it with style. They're fun, they're family. Fabulous. And they're turning life's lemons into spiked lemonade. So shake up a batch of cocktails, relax by the pool, and get ready for some serious shade. A new comedy with heart, soul and sass, Mid Century Modern stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Leigh Graham and Linda Lavin. Mid century modern premieres March 28, streaming on Hulu.

[Ryan Seacrest]

My brother in law died suddenly and now my sister and her kids have to sell their home. That's why I told my husband we could not put off getting life insurance any longer. An agent offered us a 10 year, $500,000 policy for nearly $50 a month. Then we called selectquote selectquote found us identical coverage for only $19 a month, a savings of $369 a year. Whether you need a $500,000 policy or.

[George Severis]

A 5 million dollar policy selectquote could save you more than 50% on term life insurance.

[Ryan Seacrest]

For your free quote, go to selectquote.com selectquote.com that's selectquote.com select quotquote we shop. You save full details on example [e-mail].

[George Severis]

Commercials.

[Sam Taggart]

I have a shout out. Okay. Our final segment is called Shout Outs. And in this segment we pay homage to the grand street tradition of the radio. Shout out and shout out anything that we enjoy. People place things, ideas. And I thought I didn't have one and I actually do have one. And I'm excited to do it.

[George Severis]

Okay, do it.

[Sam Taggart]

What's up? Freaks, losers, perverts. All around the globe. Hello. From sea to shining sea. I want to give a huge shout out to the John Early Kate Berlant Peacock special that Richard is in called Would It Kill youl to Laugh? I watched this last weekend for the first time.

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

It came out three years ago. So what? So sue me. I watched this for the first time last weekend and I was saying, damn, this is funny as hell. John and Kate are already well respected in our community and. But it's so. They're so funny. And you watch it and you're like, it's so fun. It's so funny. It's well performed, it's well written, it's playful. I'm so in awe. And I was like, damn, they really did it. And honestly, I was like, I can't believe this isn't more popular. I think this should be a damn classic. And it was so good. Richard, you're incredible in it, of course. And I think if you never watched it because it came on, I think, when Peacock was quite new and so maybe it was like kind of. It was like, where do I watch it? What's peacock now? But you probably have Peacock now to watch. Traitors. And I want to say, go ahead and watch. Would it kill you to laugh? It is great. Xoxo, Sam.

[George Severis]

It's, you know, it's literally a miracle when good things get made.

[G]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

You people don't know.

[Sam Taggart]

I like you fucking people.

[George Severis]

Literally. You don't know. You think, you know, you think you're like, oh, yes, we get it. Like, Hollywood is consolidated and sort of like evil people with bad taste are making decisions. It is quite literally not exaggerating. 20 times worse than you think.

[G]

Yeah, yeah, I know. Honestly, like most movies or anything I watch, I'm like, that's amazing. It happened.

[George Severis]

Yes. No, I know.

[Sam Taggart]

I know, which is there's like anything good in it.

[G]

I'm not quick to be like, I hate that. That was so. I mean, you know, it depends. I feel like I'm like, whoa.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. I'm quick to do that if it's like a Star wars property or something. Like I'm quick to hate on like Marvel's like big, big things.

[G]

Yeah, right, right.

[George Severis]

But even that, obviously I am too. But then you just think about all the people that were employed and, and how it all came together. Even if it's a terrible movie, the fact that it all just came together to produce like a two hour piece of entertainment. I would love to see the Trump administration produce one Marvel movie. Because they couldn't.

[Sam Taggart]

They couldn't.

[George Severis]

Not with Doge. Okay, okay, I'll go. What's up, cinephiles? Letterboxd users around the world. I want to give a shout out to the film the House of Yes. Of course. I knew this was a cult classic. The. The COVID of Parker Posey holding the gun behind her back wearing the Jack yo look is a classic early blockbuster memory. I remember looking at that and being like, that is inappropriate for me. I can tell that that's like somehow not safe for kids. And at the time I was playing with toys. So this is personal for me. I watched it for the very first time last night and I have to admit, I had no idea what it was about. It is so much more crazy and fucked up than I thought and it is so weird. It is such a. Specifically, it has such a specific 90s indie energy. It is Parker Posey at her finest. And I specifically want to give a shout out to Tori Spellings performing performance. She's a really good comedic actress and she's also really good in the movie Trick, which I have shouted at on the pod before. I know that, you know, her life has not gone the way she has wanted it to go and I don't think you do. Exactly. I don't think she'll be making her return to the screen or stage anytime soon. But there is footage of her acting and she is good and I enjoyed her performance and I think she has some screen presence. Sue me. So shout out to Tori Spelling, of course, her memoir, storytelling and the film the House of Yes. Is it House of Yes or the House of Yes?

[Sam Taggart]

I've actually never seen it and I don't know it.

[G]

House of yes.

[George Severis]

House of yes.

[Sam Taggart]

So that's crazy because I just thought that was a venue in Bushwick.

[George Severis]

It's the House of Yes. Oh, yeah. Wait, do you. Oh, you. If you Google it, do you recognize that cover from Blockbuster? To me, it's so iconic.

[Sam Taggart]

House of.

[G]

Yes, yes, House. I'm thinking of House of Wax, but.

[Sam Taggart]

That'S a different movie. House of y. I have never seen this trail, this image in my entire life. Not once.

[George Severis]

Wait, do you. Richard, do you know the House of. Yes. The movie?

[G]

No, I just looked up a picture.

[George Severis]

Do you recognize it?

[G]

She looks. I don't, honestly.

[George Severis]

All right, well.

[G]

But I love this outfit.

[George Severis]

Okay, so she is just quickly, since you don't have a heart out.

[G]

She's holding a gun.

[George Severis]

She's holding. She is. She plays a sort of, you know, in 90s terms, before we knew about how to be non ableist, she was an insane person that had just gotten out of an asylum and she's obsessed with Jackie O. So she calls herself Jackie O and dresses like Jackie O and you find this out, honestly, 10 minutes into the movie. But the entire movie is about incest. She's in love with her brother. Oh, so that's what I mean. Like, I thought I. I always knew there was something inappropriate about it, but I didn't know that's what it was.

[Sam Taggart]

Interesting.

[George Severis]

And Tori spe.

[G]

That's like, weird.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, George, that doesn't seem like a movie I'd want to watch.

[George Severis]

Is the brother's fiance.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, George, I don't think I'm gonna like that movie.

[George Severis]

Like, that's weird.

[G]

I don't know why I didn't watch that.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, George, could you not talk about that?

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Hey, Olivia, could we cut that? That's weird.

[G]

No, I would. I would watch this.

[George Severis]

No, you. It's very.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm sick and twisted.

[George Severis]

It's like peak. You know, when you think of Parker Posey as a cult icon, this is it. It's like this party girl and like day trippers and like.

[G]

And Tori Spelling it like. Also, I first saw her in Scary Movie too.

[George Severis]

Oh, my God, I forgot. She's the best Scary movie.

[G]

She's so. Oh, no, it's one.

[George Severis]

Sorry.

[G]

Three is the best one. Yeah. I mean, from what I remember. I remember just like laughing and she.

[George Severis]

Also, you know, people like Tori Spelling, people like Kirstie Alley, they were like Kathy Griffin. They had like this sort of self aware sense of humor about their own place in celebrity culture. Before that was something that everyone had to do in order to do, like, you know, Vanity Fair video, My life and looks.

[G]

Oh, my God, totally.

[George Severis]

They were ahead of their time. Like Tori Spelling having a reality show. So you know. Sorry, sorry. Gilly vibes, the Simple Life. Gilly.

[Sam Taggart]

Gill.

[George Severis]

Sorry, sorry.

[Sam Taggart]

Happy 50th SNL. Happy fifth.

[G]

Bubbles.

[George Severis]

Sorry, sorry.

[Sam Taggart]

So stupid. I love. It's so funny to have a podcast and you can just like quote SNL for like 1 minute.

[George Severis]

By the way, you know, Barbar Star is so good.

[G]

I love that freaking movie.

[Sam Taggart]

Thank you, George.

[G]

I agree.

[George Severis]

It had to be said.

[Sam Taggart]

It had to be said.

[G]

That movie is fab. And it made me. It made me laugh and it made me cry too.

[Sam Taggart]

No, I loved it. Sweet.

[G]

I love when a movie does both for.

[Sam Taggart]

And I love when a movie's fun. No one wants to have fun anymore.

[G]

I know. Literally.

[George Severis]

You know what I think? I think Troy Spelling wanted to have fun. Fun. And then she was punished for it. And now she has to be. You know, she's like, sort of in the tablet. It's like if everyone had embraced Tori Spelling being kind of a joke in this, like, fun way, then she wouldn't have to be a joke in a tragic way. And that. Many such cases.

[Sam Taggart]

To quote President, many such cases. Many such cases. Richard, when you're ready to give a shout out, please take the reins.

[G]

Okay. Okay, let's go. Hey, what's up, everyone? I want to give a shout out to the television show Arrested Development. Since we're talking about cinema and media and things like that, I feel inspired to give a shout out to this iconic television show. I recently watched a compilation YouTube video of LOL. Like, laugh out loud Moments from Arrested Development. And that show is just so funny and one of the greatest things ever created, which has shaped an entire generation. It's so influential. So I want to say thank you, guys. Thank you, Ron Howard and Mitchell Hurwitz for doing that.

[Sam Taggart]

Thank you to the cast.

[G]

You guys. You guys killed it.

[Sam Taggart]

Michael, Sarah.

[George Severis]

Michael, Michael, Sarah.

[G]

How are you?

[George Severis]

Alia Shawcat.

[Sam Taggart]

Alia.

[G]

Alia.

[Sam Taggart]

David Cross.

[George Severis]

David Cross. David Willard. You know, Will Arnett just bought. I read he bought a $20 million home.

[Sam Taggart]

I saw this as well, actually.

[G]

Wow.

[George Severis]

And guess what? He deserves it.

[G]

Where?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Mark my words, I will never need a $20 million house if. If I tomorrow run into $100 million.

[George Severis]

It is a lot of money.

[Sam Taggart]

It's still going to be like, surely. I think a $3 million house is plenty. And literally just like, keep it in the bank account. Yeah.

[George Severis]

And then invest, invest, invest.

[G]

Right.

[George Severis]

And also donate.

[Sam Taggart]

I just want, like, to live my life also.

[G]

I just want, like, a cute ass apartment, pally. I'm, like, happy with that. I'm Happy to have a beautiful apartment. And then, you know, if I do something smart with the $100 million, I'm like, I'll get another cute apartment somewhere else.

[George Severis]

Yeah, but you know what? You know, my ass wants to have an art collection. You know, I want to be one of those rich people who has a museum like the Broad in LA where it's like a family house.

[G]

Wait, where do people, people like keep that?

[George Severis]

It's like, do they? Well, you can also lend it out to, you know, to a museum and it can be like MJ Lenderman out. It can be like from the George Severis and Santag family collection.

[Sam Taggart]

It's literally like that.

[G]

I don't know what his music sounds like, but is it something like that?

[George Severis]

Wait, speaking of music, can we shout out our friend Baths whose album dropped today?

[Sam Taggart]

Shout out to Will.

[George Severis]

Shout out. Shout out to Will.

[Sam Taggart]

Do it this morning too.

[George Severis]

Bath's album dropped.

[Sam Taggart]

I was loving it.

[G]

God, I listened to literally today. I mean, so good. I love it.

[Sam Taggart]

I know. The body, the body.

[George Severis]

And honestly, shout out to Will being snatched as hell. Hello, body.

[G]

Hunk. Hunky. Hunky. Spider Man. Spider man who?

[George Severis]

He could never be cast as Peter Parker. Guess why? Hunky?

[G]

He's too hunky.

[Sam Taggart]

He's fab.

[George Severis]

Fabou.

[G]

Yeah, he's. He's fabulous.

[George Severis]

Fabush.

[G]

He's fab.

[Sam Taggart]

And yeah, we're proud of him too.

[G]

Well, everyone.

[George Severis]

Yeah, and we're proud of him too, cuz we all know him and we're friends with him. And wait, that's also Kristen Wiig. And so.

[G]

I actually worked on the.

[Sam Taggart]

Album together and I actually the album.

[George Severis]

Right now actually I was the original.

[Sam Taggart]

So many iconic characters.

[G]

What a beautiful like sage, like clear it out. Happy 50th SNL.

[George Severis]

That's a now. Oh my God.

[G]

What do you do you guys want to talk about like one more thing?

[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]

Stradiolab 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.

[George Severis]

Co produced by Bay Wang.

[Sam Taggart]

Edited and engineered by Avalos Artwork by.

[George Severis]

Michael Fails and Matt Grubb.

[Sam Taggart]

Theme music by Ben Kling.

[Ryan Seacrest]

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[Sam Taggart]

PayPal lets you pay all your pals like your graduation gifters.

[George Severis]

Who's paying for the mattress topper? You mean the bean bag chair? Aren't we getting a mini fridge? Can we create a pool? It lets us collect the money before we buy. Ooh, yes, that's smart.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Glad we can agree on something easily.

[Sam Taggart]

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[Tom Brady]

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