Comedy Saved Me: Vic Dibitetto's Hilarious Life Lessons

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Comedy Saved Me: Vic DiBetto's Hilarious Life Lessons"

Podcast Information:

• Title: takin' a walk
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Description: The "takin' a walk" MUSIC HISTORY ON FOOT podcast is a show hosted by Buzz Knight, a media executive and consultant, and a passionate music lover. In this podcast, Buzz takes listeners on a journey through music history, exploring the inside stories from guests, while sharing stories and insights about musicians, bands, and the music they create.
• Episode: Comedy Saved Me: Vic DiBetto's Hilarious Life Lessons
• Release Date: July 14, 2025

---

Introduction The episode "Comedy Saved Me: Vic DiBetto's Hilarious Life Lessons" from the "Comedy Saved Me" podcast, hosted by Lynne Hoffman, delves into the life and career of comedian Vic DiBetto. Known as the "Donkey of Comedy," Vic shares his journey from a blue-collar job to becoming a beloved figure in the comedy scene. The conversation explores Vic's early beginnings, his breakthroughs, the challenges he faced, and the profound impact of humor on both his life and his audience.

Vic’s Early Comedy Journey Vic DiBetto reminisces about his childhood as the class clown, where his penchant for humor first surfaced:

Vic DiBetto (03:06): "I was the class clown. You know, I was quiet, funny. Whenever the teacher turned her back, I would, you know, make animal noises. I'd imitate the teachers."

His entry into the professional comedy world began with an invitation to perform at Pip's Comedy Club in Brooklyn during the early 1980s:

Vic DiBetto (03:39): "There was a comedy club in Brooklyn called Pip's Comedy Club, and they had an amateur night there. And my friend says, why don't you give it a shot?"

Breakthrough and Career Highlights Vic's first night on stage coincided with the emergence of Andrew Dice Clay as the emcee, marking the beginning of his long-standing presence in the comedy circuit:

Vic DiBetto (04:05): "We sold out two shows in Florida in, like, 24 hours. And it was a great experience."

A pivotal moment in Vic's career occurred in 2013 when his viral video "Bread and Milk" propelled him into the spotlight, leading to an unexpected opportunity with Kevin James for a role in "Mall Cop 2":

Vic DiBetto (06:04): "Bread and Milk went viral. I signed with a great manager, and Kevin James called me out of nowhere to put me in Mall Cop 2."

Challenges and the Hardworking Comedian Vic emphasizes his work ethic, attributing his nickname "Donkey of Comedy" to his relentless dedication:

Vic DiBetto (08:13): "That's why I call myself the Donkey of comedy. I might not be the funniest or the most successful, the most wealthiest, but man, I'm 64 and I'm still breaking my ass. 42 years."

Balancing his comedic pursuits with a demanding job, Vic shared how he managed to perform while working as a school bus driver:

Vic DiBetto (08:03): "I was booked at the Borgata in Atlantic City. I do meet and greets after my shows. I get people coming up to me. I never take a day for granted."

Changing Landscape of Comedy Vic discusses the evolution of the comedy industry, highlighting the shift towards social media influence and the challenges it presents for traditional comedians:

Vic DiBetto (11:25): "The old days when you went on Carson and he called you to the couch, that was it. Now it's all about how many followers you have on social media."

He advises aspiring comedians to maintain originality amidst the rise of platforms like TikTok:

Vic DiBetto (11:38): "Just try to post every day at the same time and come up with original stuff. But unfortunately, now you just dance on TikTok and I'm old school. Don't. Don't get me started."

Memorable Moments and Anecdotes Vic shares several humorous and memorable experiences from his career, illustrating his unique approach to comedy:

1. Southside Johnny Incident (12:36): Vic recounts an unexpected encounter with Southside Johnny during a performance:

   Vic DiBetto (13:21): "He grabs the mic and throws it behind the band. I'm like. I walk off stage."

2. Beefsteak Comedy Act (15:12): During a show, Vic manages to incorporate a thrown sandwich into his act seamlessly:

   Vic DiBetto (15:21): "I caught up two pieces of bread and steak, and I made a... I grabbed the two pieces of bread and I ate a sandwich. ... They gave me a standing ovation."

3. Changing Uniform on Stage (15:46): Late to a show, Vic ingeniously transforms his school bus driver uniform into stage attire mid-act:

   Vic DiBetto (16:20): "I'm shaving with the electric shaver. I'm putting deodorant on, and the crowd is... It's one of the funniest sets ever had."

The Healing Power of Comedy Vic underscores the profound impact comedy can have on individuals facing difficult times. He shares heartfelt stories of how his humor has touched lives:

Vic DiBetto (17:57): "I got a private message from a soldier in Afghanistan. He says, dude, I was about to put a gun in my mouth and I heard my guys next to me in the next barrack over listening to your videos. I just want to thank you for saving my life."

These anecdotes highlight the therapeutic role that laughter and humor play in coping with personal struggles.

Authenticity and Connection with Fans A cornerstone of Vic’s approach to comedy is his authenticity and genuine connection with his audience. He prides himself on being relatable and accessible:

Vic DiBetto (19:07): "I have a beautiful house. I got a nice car, wonderful family. I'm selling out theaters and comedy clubs."

His down-to-earth persona allows him to maintain a strong rapport with fans, fostering a loyal following:

Vic DiBetto (20:12): "I'm like a regular guy. I don't think I'm a celebrity. I interact with my fans. It comes back to you when you look without these people, I'm back on a school bus."

Dealing with Criticism Vic openly acknowledges the presence of critics and haters, comparing their attention to an old Howard Stern concept:

Vic DiBetto (20:30): "The haters are listening more than your regular fans because they want to see what you're going to say next."

He emphasizes the importance of focusing on positive relationships and maintaining resilience in the face of negativity.

Closing Thoughts The episode concludes with Lynne Hoffman commending Vic for his authenticity and relentless dedication to his craft:

Lynne Hoffman (20:27): "Vic DiBetto, you are an amazing person. Keep doing what you're doing. You're authentic as it comes."

Vic reiterates the vital role of humor in today's challenging world, encouraging listeners to seek laughter as a source of comfort and strength:

Vic DiBetto (16:55): "We need to laugh now more than ever. The way this world is going."

Final Takeaway Vic DiBetto's journey exemplifies the power of perseverance, authenticity, and the profound impact of humor. His stories not only entertain but also inspire, demonstrating how comedy can serve as a lifeline in times of need. Listeners are left with a deeper appreciation for the role of laughter in healing and connecting with others.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Vic DiBetto (03:06): "I was the class clown. You know, I was quiet, funny..."
• Vic DiBetto (06:04): "Bread and Milk went viral. I signed with a great manager..."
• Vic DiBetto (08:13): "That's why I call myself the Donkey of comedy..."
• Vic DiBetto (11:25): "The old days when you went on Carson and he called you to the couch, that was it..."
• Vic DiBetto (15:21): "I caught up two pieces of bread and steak, and I made a... I grabbed the two pieces of bread and I ate a sandwich..."
• Vic DiBetto (17:57): "I got a private message from a soldier in Afghanistan..."
• Vic DiBetto (20:12): "I'm like a regular guy. I don't think I'm a celebrity..."
• Vic DiBetto (20:30): "The haters are listening more than your regular fans because they want to see what you're going to say next."

---

Conclusion "Comedy Saved Me: Vic DiBetto's Hilarious Life Lessons" offers an insightful glimpse into the life of a dedicated comedian whose humor transcends entertainment, providing solace and connection to countless individuals. Vic's unwavering commitment to his craft and his genuine rapport with fans underscore the enduring significance of comedy in the human experience.

Transcript

[iHeart Podcast]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Greenlight Sponsor]

This message is sponsored by Greenlight. With school out, summer is the perfect time to teach our kids real world money skills they'll use Forever. Greenlight is a debit card and the number one family finance and safety app used by millions of families helping kids learn how to save, invest and spend wisely. Parents can send their kids money and track their spending and saving while kids build money, confidence and skills in fun ways. Start your risk free Greenlight trial [e-mail] Ibuprofen iheart that's greenlight.com iheart find home.

[Sonesta Sponsor]

Wherever you roam at Sinesta ES and simply suites. Stretch out and enjoy homelike amenities for however long you need. And when you're a Sonesta Travel Pass member, staying at Sonesta Es and Simply Suites means earning points toward free nights, upgrades and more. Go to sonesta.com and book your stay and unlock their best rates with Sonesta Travel Pass. Here today, Rome tomorrow. Join [e-mail], turn and conditions apply.

[Land.com Sponsor]

You ever feel that deep pull to the land to know it, to build something that lasts, that itch for your own wild country? Well, it ain't just a daydream. In 2025 it matters more than ever. Whether you're a lifelong hunter or just starting out, dreaming of land to explore, to leave something real, or there is a trailhead where you can start. It's called land.com the biggest online network for rural property. Find the right agent and explore everything from timber tracks to ranches. Get the tools you need to buy that dream generational property. Stop dreaming about it and head to land.com. it's your place to find your open space.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Comedy Saved Me.

[Vic DiBetto]

That's why I think I relate to my fans. Because I'm like them. I'm blue collar, working class. You know, you go on my Facebook and you see I actually answer my fans. I read, I interact with my fans. It comes back to you when you look without these people. I'm back on a school bus.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I'm Lynne Hoffman, your host of the Comedy Saved Me podcast. The podcast where I get to talk to comedians and get the inside scoop on their inspiration, their creative process, and their view on why comedy saves us day in and day out. Comedy Saved Me takes you behind the scenes with the geniuses of laughter and helps us better understand just how powerful laughter is today. I am so lucky to have Vic Debateto, the comedian known as the Donkey of Comedy.

[Vic DiBetto]

Thank you.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Vic is known for his great YouTube series and I know you've seen this bread and milk. And also, I think everybody I know texted me the bread and milk YouTube from my entire life. My phone was completely blown up. Also, who wants coffee? And how long do I gotta wait? Vic, welcome to Comedy Saved me. I am so excited to have you here.

[Vic DiBetto]

Oh, thank you for having me. I appreciate it. And I'm very excited to do this. Thank you.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I'm so excited to have you here. How did comedy become your lifeline?

[Vic DiBetto]

Well, it started, you know, way back when I was a kid in school. I was the class clown. You know, I was quiet, funny. Whenever the teacher turned her back, I would, you know, make animal noises. I'd imitate the teachers. Fast forward. There was a comedy club in Brooklyn called Pip's Comedy Club, and they had an amateur night there. And my friend says, why don't you give it a shot? And this is 1980, 1981, the first night I went on stage. Andrew Dice Clay was the emcee. No, that's how long I'm doing this.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Wow. So you. That's amazing. So technically, he opened for you on your first night?

[Vic DiBetto]

I didn't say that. And just recently, he contacted my management. He requested to do a show with me, which I was here. This living legend wants to work with me. I mean, we started together at Pips. We weren't buddies, but, you know, we knew of each other. And we sold out two shows in Florida in, like, 24 hours. And it was a great experience.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I bet. I would love to be in that audience and see you guys. Hopefully you come through here. Oh, my God. Wow.

[Vic DiBetto]

Where is here?

[Lynne Hoffman]

Here is in the ass end of the Berkshire Mountains in Litchfield County.

[Vic DiBetto]

Okay. Massachusetts.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Oh, yeah, yeah, you come through.

[Vic DiBetto]

Yeah, I do the Chevalier Theater. Oh. I started many years. I did Nick's Comedy Stop in Boston on Warrington street with, oh, my God, Jay Moore and. Oh, man. A lot of good memories in Boston. A lot of good times.

[Lynne Hoffman]

A lot of comedians came out of Boston.

[Vic DiBetto]

Oh, yeah. Yep.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Steve Sweeney and Steven Wright and Dennis Leary and I could continue on Bill Burr and.

[Vic DiBetto]

Yeah, it goes on and on.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Everybody. Where is the most unexpected place that you found comedy?

[Vic DiBetto]

Most unexpected? God, I would say, man, I don't know Arizona.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Why?

[Vic DiBetto]

I didn't think I was a draw there. Yeah. So let's give it a shot. You know, I basically work from New England to Florida and I'll shoot out to Chicago. And he said, we're going to put you in Arizona. I'm like, yeah, you sure? Sure enough. I did The Arizona Improv. And I sold it out, and I couldn't believe it. That's the beauty of the social media. I have fans all over the country, but I don't think you're going to see me in Boise, Idaho.

[Lynne Hoffman]

No. No. But if it plays in Arizona, I guess.

[Vic DiBetto]

Yeah. Well, wherever I go, there's all northern transplants. I go to Florida. Everybody's from New York and New Jersey. Wherever I go, it's never native people of the state that I perform in.

[Lynne Hoffman]

So, transplants, you've been well tested amongst all the audiences. Are there any personal stories that you can share with us on how comedy came maybe to your rescue during perhaps a difficult time, as we all humans experience in life?

[Vic DiBetto]

Absolutely. I drove a garbage truck. Before I did comedy, I drove a garbage truck, dump truck, cement truck, and my last job was a school bus. I drove a school bus for 13 years, and I always thought that I'd be driving a school bus the rest of my life. And 2013, it was like the perfect storm. Bread and Milk went viral. I signed with a great manager, and Kevin James called me out of nowhere to put me in Mall Cop 2, which. That's another guy he started with in Long Island. We weren't buddies, but we knew of each other from working the circuit. I almost hung up on him. I'm like, who is this? It's Kevin James. Like, who the f is this? Kevin James? I've been watching your videos, and I do a character called Tony Gaga. I do all kinds of characters. It's the over the top battalion. You got a guy, and that gave him an idea for a character in More Cop two. Now I'm putting two and two. I'm like, oh, my God, this is Kevin Jane. I couldn't believe it. And he. Six weeks I'm in Vegas, he put me up in an apartment, and it was a great experience, really was filming a movie. And I'm like, wow, I guess I'm not driving a school bus anymore, you know.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Now, did you go back and apologize to the kids that you weren't going to be there anymore?

[Greenlight Sponsor]

I bet they loved you.

[Vic DiBetto]

No, no, no, no. But the manager of the company, he says, just go out because I need a timeout to go do the movies. Do what you gotta do. What are you doing here? Oh, cool. You know, like Chaz Palminteri said, the saddest thing in life is wasted talent.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Wow, that's an incredible story.

[Vic DiBetto]

Yeah. I mean, when I drove the garbage truck, see, I always balanced. I didn't pick up and Go to LA for the break. Like, I started with Kevin James, Ray Romano, Chris Rock. These guys, I give them credit. They made the trek. But I put my family first. I always balanced and I once drove my garbage truck to Danger Fields in New York City. And to get stage time, I asked the manager, if I pick up your garbage, can you give me stage time?

[Lynne Hoffman]

No.

[Vic DiBetto]

And that's why I broke into. I went on stage and my garbage, garbage uniform. I threw the garbage in the truck, did my set, and finished my route. That's how I broke into Danger Fields.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Wow. What an incredible story.

[Vic DiBetto]

That's why I call myself the Donkey of comedy. I might not be the funniest or the most successful, the most wealthiest, but man, I'm 64 and I'm still breaking my ass. 42 years. Wow.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Yeah, you do work. I say this almost every time I speak with a comedian. It's really true, and I don't think I've ever had one. Disagree with me that you really work the hardest in show business, I think outside of maybe, like, carnivals or a circus. Like, you guys are like, you are. You hit the ground, do it all.

[Vic DiBetto]

I'm sorry. When I drove the school bus, I was booked at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Now they book you there. This is before I really hit. They book you there five nights. So after the show, the other comics say, you want to go for a drink? Let's hang out. Nope, I got to get in my car Now. This is in Atlantic City. I live in North Jersey. My route was in Staten island that I did that five nights in a row, going back four hours sleep, going to Staten island, doing my. My run, coming back, back and forth and going on stage and doing a half hour on stage. And by Sunday, I'm a zombie, and my wife's like, why are you so miserable?

[Lynne Hoffman]

What time do you get up in the morning?

[Vic DiBetto]

4:30. Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Oh, that's early for a comedian.

[Vic DiBetto]

Well, I still get up 4:30, because now I have a cat that sits on my head at 30. Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Does she just sit on you waiting for you to get up and feed her?

[Vic DiBetto]

Yes. And if you twitch, that's it. You can't stop. He thinks it's time to eat, and you got to close your eyes, pretend you're sleeping. Cats. I love cats. They're just mental patients.

[Lynne Hoffman]

They certainly are. They do whatever they want, and you're just there kind of at their pleasure.

[Vic DiBetto]

Yep.

[Lynne Hoffman]

If you could have dinner with one of your comedy idols, oh, well, who would it be and where would it.

[Vic DiBetto]

Be dead or alive. Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Dead or alive.

[Vic DiBetto]

Yep. George Carlin, hands down the King. He was my. I had all his albums as a kid. I wish I, I never got the chance to meet him. I wish I could have met him. And it's funny, I got a, a text from his daughter about five years ago. He says, my father would have loved you.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Oh, wow.

[Vic DiBetto]

You remind me a lot of my father. I'm like, all right, stop, stop it right there. Oh, my. Your father's a legend. I mean, because some of the bits I do and I do like a ticked off Vic and I, I don't really do comedy. I do. My videos are so diverse. I have characters and, you know, now unfortunately, the game has changed in comedy now. It's. If you're an influencer and you have followers, they'll put you in a club. But then these guys go on stage and they got nothing. But it's all about filling up the seats. It's. It's crazy really. Comedy is, you know, I grew up, I started in the 80s. You know, you had to work up, you had an emcee, then you had to build up to the. Be the opening. Then they had to finally you beat a headliner. And the 80s, that was, that was like that, that was the great time to be a comic in the 80s. But, you know, then the social media came along and I was lucky. Bread and Milk went viral. I saw I was getting fans and I kept at it and I'm, I've been posting videos every day since 2009.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Wow. Well, see that, I mean, would that be sort of your advice to give? I know we kind of got sidetracked on the dinner with George Carlin, but would that be your advice to give anyone who wanted to come up in comedy of how to sort of make it?

[Vic DiBetto]

Absolutely. Cause the old days when you went on Carson and he called you to the couch, that was it. You were like a made man. Now you could do Kimmel and Fallon. It doesn't mean anything. It's all how many followers you have on the social media. It's so to my comics out there watching, you know, just starting, just try to post every day at the same time and come up with original stuff. But unfortunately, I mean, now you just dance on TikTok and I'm old school. Don't. Don't get me started. I don't know what happened to originality, man.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Oh, I want to get you started. Believe me, I want to. But I also want to get through this interview without completely melting down. When not grabbing my tissue or spitting out my coffee. Coffee.

[Vic DiBetto]

Oh, my God. Always ask my wife, is he funny at home? She says, no, he's a miserable bastard.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Isn't that the case?

[Vic DiBetto]

I save it for the stage. That's. That's the payoff.

[Lynne Hoffman]

What. What's the funniest thing that's happened to you recently?

[Vic DiBetto]

Recently? Well, I don't know if it's funny. Well, now. Now it's funny. I. I did a show. You ever hear of It's Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, New Jersey Zone?

[Lynne Hoffman]

Of course. Yes.

[Vic DiBetto]

So his manager. I forgot his name. He's a big fan of mine. He calls my managers. Southside Johnny's performing outside at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. It was this past summer. 4,000 people would Vic like to open for him? All he's got to do is 10 minutes and bring him up like, yeah, shit, yeah. Whoa. Because then I was at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City. I figured, let me. I could plug that in front of 4,000 people. I don't care. It was pro bono. I don't care. It's for the exposure and the experience. South Shai Journey. And my kids are there, my wife is there. And I was all psyched. I go on stage, they introduce me. The guy messes up my name, of course, Vic the Benedetto. All right, whatever. I go on stage, I'm killing crushing for 10 minutes, and I'm supposed to introduce Outside Johnny. And I see people pointing behind me and clapping. What's going on? I turn around, and Southside Johnny's coming up to me, and he whispers in my ear, get out of here. Get out of here. What? He grabs the mic and throws it behind the band. I'm like. I walk off stage. I go to his manager. Is that part of his act? Was he serious? He says, no, he doesn't like following comedians. So why the hell did you book me on this? You know, good thing he whispered in my ear. I don't think the audience picked it up.

[Lynne Hoffman]

What?

[Vic DiBetto]

But if I ever bump into that guy, if there's any Southside Johnny fans out there, look, I give the guy credit. He's very talented. But that was very unprofessional what he did.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Oh, my gosh.

[Vic DiBetto]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

That's crazy. So what did you make of it comedically? Do you pull from that in your routines?

[Vic DiBetto]

Oh, yeah. It just pissed me off even more. I had a good show, and it helps ticket sales for the Hard Rock. And even I meet people that were at that show, they said, what was up with Southside? You know, they were all on my side. They saw what an idiot he was, but that's it. A funny story was in Jersey, years ago, they got something called a beefsteak. It's like at a VFW or Elks Club. It's mostly firemen, and it's a beef steak. Is. They have it catered, and they serve these little pieces of beef melted in butter on pieces of bread.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Ooh, sounds good.

[Vic DiBetto]

As they're eating, I'm on stage and these firemen. It's like three. They're drunk out of their faces. They're throwing the meat and the bread at me.

[Lynne Hoffman]

No, they're not.

[Vic DiBetto]

I'm doing my act. Totally oblivious. As I'm doing my act. I caught up two pieces of bread and steak, and I made a. It's like the cartoon. Remember the cartoons with the ketchup is fine. I grabbed the two pieces of bread and I ate a sandwich. As I'm doing my act, they gave me a standing ovation.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I bet they did. That's pretty coordinated, considering you're also remembering your act in the head. So, like, another time.

[Vic DiBetto]

Oh, another time. I went on stage. I was late to a show. I was coming from the school bus company, and I just. It's on YouTube. I went on stage in my school bus company uniform with a change of clothes. I changed my clothes on stage as I was doing my act. Not totally. Not even mentioning that I'm changing my. I went down to my. I'm shaving with the electric shaver. I'm putting deodorant on, and the crowd is. It's one of the funniest. That would have to be the funniest set ever had. And it killed. Standing ovation.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Where can people find that? On YouTube?

[Vic DiBetto]

Because on YouTube, it's called Dick Du's Greatest Set. Something like that.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I will say. And I would save this to the end of the podcast, but we're not quite there yet. However, if you're having a bad day or even a bad moment, and you go online and you type in Vic dibetto. D I B I T E T T. Oh, I did that right from my head. You just pick any clip. It doesn't matter if it's from today or 13 years ago, and you will be feeling so much better.

[Vic DiBetto]

You know what? We need to laugh now more than ever. The way this world is going. I don't talk politics. I just want to make people laugh or smile. Just like Billy Joel said to forget about life for a while, that's all. All you gotta do is type in Vic D. You don't have to put the. And everything fills in once you hit Vic D. I'm like the first on the top, it's Vic Deebate, then Vic Damone and oh, you've got pulled with.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Google then or something. Cause so now no one even has to spell your name. They just need to know it's Vic.

[Vic DiBetto]

D. But that's just. My name is. You know, I'm not going to change my name. It's my name. I'm proud. It's my father, you know, it means something. Botto is a town in Italy. D means from the providence of. So I've been called the Benedetto, Diabetes, Geppetto the potato.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Well, if you can't laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at? Right?

[Vic DiBetto]

Exactly. Exactly.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Well, speaking of that, how do you think humor helps people cope with difficult situations? What is it about humor and laughing?

[Vic DiBetto]

You know what the old saying is? Laughter truly is the best medicine. It really is true. I got a private message from a soldier in Afghanistan. He says, dude, I was about to put a gun in my mouth and I heard my guys next to me in the next barrack over listening to your videos. I just want to thank you for saving my life. I mean, come on, I get it all the time. When I go to. I do meet and greets after my shows. I get people coming up to me. You got me through Covid, you got me through my chemo sessions. You. It's, you know, and then people go to me, how come you don't have a Netflix special? How come you're not in the movies and this is bad, what I do now?

[Lynne Hoffman]

Well, people like to tell. They get excited for you and they see you in bigger things, so they want to put you on that pedestal. I get that.

[Vic DiBetto]

I know what I mean. Well, but I'll come. You're not like Sebastian, look, Sebastian, God bless him, you know, I'm happy for him. Yeah, I like to see good guys make it. There's different levels of success. I got a beautiful house. I got. I got a nice car, wonderful family. I'm selling out theaters and comedy clubs.

[Lynne Hoffman]

You're a handsome guy.

[Vic DiBetto]

Oh, thank you.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Come on, you got it all. You have it all.

[Vic DiBetto]

I appreciate.

[Lynne Hoffman]

No, it's. It's a very special thing that. What. While you're talking about that, how does what goes through your mind when you really connected with your audience like that and you realize that or they come up to you and tell you those things. How do you feel when that happens?

[Vic DiBetto]

It's that you can't compare that to any standing ovation or sold out show when you could see it in their eyes. And when they, when they come against you, when you, you know, when they got there, you feel them, they're shaking, they're trembling. It's like. And I almost feel like I'm just a regular guy. I don't think I'm a celebrity. And that's why I think I relate to my fans, because I'm like them. I'm blue collar, working class. You know, you go on my Facebook and you see I actually answer my fans. I read, I interact with my fans. It comes back to you when you look, without these people, I'm back on a school bus. You know, I never take a day for granted. Seriously, I'm doing this 42 years. It still hasn't gotten old. I still get the butterflies before I go on stage.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I Love that. Vic DiBetto, you are an amazing person. Keep doing what you're doing. You're authentic as it comes. And that is truly what people want today is authenticity. And you are that with like an exclamation point or a few hundred exclamation points.

[Vic DiBetto]

Well, don't kid yourself. I got my haters, too.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Oh, well, you know, but that's okay. Yeah. When you learn early on that there's always going to be people that don't like you, you know, it becomes a challenge to win them over.

[Vic DiBetto]

Right.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Don't you just want to make those people laugh, too?

[Vic DiBetto]

Well, it's the old. It's the old Howard Stern thing. Remember that movie? They said a lot of people are listening, but the haters are listening more than your regular fans because they want to see what you're going to say next.

[Lynne Hoffman]

You're doing something right. Vic. Vic di Bateto, thank you for being on comedy. Save me. This was, like, such a special occasion. And I'm not lying to you. Everyone I know sent me. Whatever. This is a storm. My friends and I all tell each other, like, quick, get the milk. Get the. You know, we do one of your rants. It's so funny.

[Vic DiBetto]

Hopefully we don't. No more storms. It's. It's March soon. I don't. I'd rather not have those views go up and have a nice winter.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Yeah, that's true. That's true.

[Vic DiBetto]

Thank you, guys.

[iHeart Podcast]

Every business has an ambition. PayPal open is the platform designed to help you grow into yours with business loans so you can expand and access to hundreds of millions of PayPal customers worldwide. And your customers can pay all the ways they want with PayPal, Venmo, pay later and all major cards, so you can focus on scaling up when it's time to get growing. There's one platform for all business PayPal Open grow today at PayPalOpen.com loans subject to approval in available locations.

[LifeLock Sponsor]

You're great at protecting your own personal information. You probably even use things like two factor authentication, strong passwords and a vpn. But as much as you try to be in control of how your information is protected, there are lots of places that also have it and they might not be as careful as you are. That's why LifeLock monitors millions of data points every second for identity threats. If your identity is stolen, a LifeLock US based restoration specialist will help solve identity theft issues on your behalf, guaranteed or your money back. Plus, all LifeLock plans are backed by the million dollar protection package, meaning LifeLock will reimburse you up to the limits of your plan if you lose money due to identity theft. You might not be able to control how others handle your personal information, but you can help protect it with LifeLock. Save up to 40% your first year. Call 1-800-LIFELOCK and use promo code IHEART or go to lifelock.com iheart for 40% off terms apply.

[Greenlight Sponsor]

This message comes from Greenlight. Ready to start talking to your kids about financial literacy? Meet Greenlight, the debit card and money app that teaches kids and teens how to earn, save, spend wisely and invest with your guardrails in place. With Greenlight, you can send money to kids quickly, set up chores, automate allowance, and keep an eye on what your kids are spending with real time notifications. Join millions of parents and kids building healthy financial habits together on Greenlight. Get started risk [e-mail] iheart so have.

[iHeart Podcast]

You heard the story about the prescription plan? With savings automatically built in, it's where a family of any size can feel confident the cost of their medication won't hold them back. Go to CMK Co Stories to learn how CVS Caremark helps members save just by being members. That's CMK Co Stories.

[Sonesta Sponsor]

Travel smarter, not harder at America's Best Value Inn by Sonesta with convenient locations from coast to coast and value packed comfort at every turn. And when you're a Sonesta Travel Pass member, staying at America's Best Value Inn means earning points toward free nights, upgrades and more. Go to sonesta.com to book your stay and unlock their best rates with Sonesta Travel Pass Here today, Rome tomorrow. Join [e-mail] Terms and conditions apply.

[iHeart Podcast]

This is an iHeart podcast.