Podcast Summary: B&T Extra – Comedian Mike Birbiglia

Podcast Information:

• Title: The BOB & TOM Show Free Podcast
• Host/Author: The BOB & TOM Show | Cumulus Podcast Network
• Episode: B&T Extra: Comedian Mike Birbiglia
• Release Date: December 17, 2024
• Description: The BOB & TOM show blends comedy, talk, news, and sports, airing nationwide from 6 to 10 AM EST. Subscribers can listen to the entire show and enjoy additional content with B&T Extra at 3 PM daily. For a commercial-free experience, listeners can access the VIP podcast at BobAndTom.com/VIP.

I. Introduction and Welcome

The episode opens with Christopher welcoming listeners back to another edition of B&T Extra. He briefly mentions that the main show airs every weekday morning, with an afternoon segment to catch up on any missed content. The highlight of today’s episode is the appearance of comedian Mike Birbiglia, who joins the conversation immediately after the introductory segment.

Notable Quote:

• Christopher [00:26]: "Coming up on the big show today, comedian Mike Birbiglia. He's coming up right after this."

II. Introducing Mike Birbiglia

Tom then introduces Mike Birbiglia, acknowledging his longstanding relationship with the show and highlighting his current tour, which is set to conclude at the Beacon Theater in New York City in March.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom [04:13]: "Here's Tom with our very special guest."
• Tom [04:30]: "The current touring title was Please Stop the Ride, which is a reference to a story I told years ago..."

III. Mike Birbiglia’s Tour and Show Evolution

Mike details his tour’s development, initially titled "Please Stop the Ride," inspired by a childhood memory of riding the Scrambler. He explains how the show has evolved thematically from personal anecdotes about raising a child and childhood memories to its current title, "The Good Life." This evolution reflects his personal growth and life experiences, including his father's medical incident.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Birbiglia [08:28]: "This is great. And I saw the show. I went to Chicago to see the show. It was fantastic."
• Tom [15:58]: "It's been a reflection on what did my dad teach me when I was a kid and what can I teach your daughter."

IV. Meeting the Pope: An Unlikely Encounter

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Tom’s unexpected invitation to meet Pope Francis. Tom recounts how comedian Jim Gaffigan informed him about the meeting and his initial skepticism regarding whether the Pope was familiar with his work. Despite doubts, Tom attended the meeting with his family, including his wife Jenny and their nine-year-old daughter Una.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom [08:10]: "This year. Did you catch this? I got invited to meet the Pope."
• Mike Birbiglia [12:27]: "Did he do any jokes? I mean, he didn't kind of joke."

Tom humorously describes the interaction, noting that the Pope opted for a traditional Western handshake over more formal gestures. He also shares a playful anecdote about attempting to connect Mike’s last name with the Pope’s, leading to a lighthearted moment.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom [12:37]: "I'm Berbilia, you are Bergoglio, I'm the next Pope. He laughed at that..."
• ** Mike Birbiglia [12:27]:** "It was from the Judeo Christian tradition. I'm just asking."

V. Personal Life and Family Stories

The discussion shifts to personal stories, including Tom’s experience playing his son in Taylor Swift’s music video "Anti Hero." He explains the serendipitous nature of the casting, facilitated by his friendship with Jack Antonoff, a collaborator with Swift. Tom expresses his excitement about the project and shares how his daughter Una is a huge Taylor Swift fan, highlighting the intersection of his professional and personal life.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom [17:54]: "I played her son in music video. Or Anti Hero. Yeah."
• Mike Birbiglia [19:10]: "Where do you film it?"
• Tom [19:28]: "I was. It was a dream for me. I mean, she directed it, she wrote it. It was just super cool."

Tom also recounts taking Una to her first Taylor Swift concert at MetLife Stadium, emphasizing the joy of sharing significant experiences with his daughter.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom [19:46]: "Swifties would know, though. I mean, they know everything about everything she's ever done."
• Mike Birbiglia [19:52]: "Swifties would know, though. I mean, they know everything about everything she's ever done."

VI. Reflections on Comedy and Creativity

Mike Birbiglia and Tom delve into the creative process behind comedy, discussing how new ideas and jokes evolve during tours. Tom shares his approach to integrating personal experiences into his material, particularly focusing on generational wisdom and lessons learned from his father. They touch upon the challenges of remembering and refining jokes amidst a rigorous touring schedule.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Birbiglia [14:46]: "Now, when you're doing something like this and you do a series of them, do you ever think of a new joke while you're up there?"
• Tom [16:05]: "I find the more you're like this week I was in Milwaukee and Madison, Minneapolis, all this stuff. And it's like, I'm finding, I find the more you're on tour, the less you forget."

VII. Closing Remarks and Future Endeavors

As the conversation winds down, Mike touches upon his various projects, including movies and books, and hints at future releases, possibly a Netflix special slated for the next year. Tom and Mike exchange lighthearted banter about the Pope and Taylor Swift's influence, blending humor with personal anecdotes.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Birbiglia [14:22]: "There's a lot of stuff going on, books, et cetera, et cetera."
• Mike Birbiglia [20:13]: "Has anyone recognized you just from that?" referring to his appearance in the music video.

VIII. Conclusion

The episode concludes with final remarks from Christopher, encouraging listeners to catch future episodes on platforms like iTunes, Google Play, and Stitcher. A brief nod to other content, such as Draymond Green’s podcast featuring an interview with Mark Cuban, wraps up the episode.

Notable Quote:

• Christopher [20:13]: "That's it for another Bob and Tom show. Extra. Catch us on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher for Bob and Tom. Extra, this is Christopher. Take care, everybody."

Key Takeaways:

• Mike Birbiglia's Tour: Evolved from "Please Stop the Ride" to "The Good Life," reflecting personal growth and life events.
• Meeting the Pope: An unexpected and humorous encounter highlighting the blend of comedy with solemn traditions.
• Personal Endeavors: Tom's role in Taylor Swift's music video and his efforts to share meaningful experiences with his daughter uncover the intersection of personal life and professional opportunities.
• Creative Process: Insights into the challenges and inspirations behind crafting comedic material during extensive tours.

Highlighted Quotes with Timestamps:

• Christopher [00:26]: "Coming up on the big show today, comedian Mike Birbiglia. He's coming up right after this."
• Tom [04:30]: "The current touring title was Please Stop the Ride..."
• Mike Birbiglia [08:28]: "I saw the show. I went to Chicago to see the show. It was fantastic."
• Tom [12:37]: "I'm Berbilia, you are Bergoglio, I'm the next Pope."
• Tom [17:54]: "I played her son in music video. Or Anti Hero. Yeah."
• Mike Birbiglia [14:46]: "Do you ever think of a new joke while you're up there?"
• Christopher [20:13]: "Catch us on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher for Bob and Tom. Extra."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, personal anecdotes, and the dynamic interplay between Tom, Mike Birbiglia, and their shared experiences. Listeners new to the episode will gain a clear understanding of the engaging conversations and humorous exchanges that define this B&T Extra segment.