Transcript

Announcer (0:00)

If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip off. And Grainger is your trusted partner, offering the products you need all in one place, from H VAC and plumbing supplies to lighting and more. And all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock. So your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER visit grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (0:32)

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

Big Jay Oakerson (0:41)

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird.

Christine (0:44)

What is this your first date?

Ian Fidance (0:45)

Oh, no.

Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (0:46)

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

Bobby Kelly (0:52)

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (0:53)

Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.

Ian Fidance (0:57)

Liberty. Liberty.

Big Jay Oakerson (0:58)

Liberty.

Ian Fidance (0:59)

Liberty. And now the Bonfire with Big J. Ulkerson and Robert Kelly.

Big Jay Oakerson (1:05)

Everybody ready to laugh now? Woo. Happy Monday, everybody. Welcome to a bonus episode of the Bonfire podcast.

Bobby Kelly (1:13)

Hey, Crackle crackle. Everybody please enjoy this never before aired episode of the Bonfire. All right, here's us with Ian Finance. Oh, here's us with Ian Finance. What is it? What's his dumb name?

Big Jay Oakerson (1:30)

Take out the end of Finance and

Bobby Kelly (1:31)

add the D. Find Dance. Fi. Dance.

Big Jay Oakerson (1:34)

And the word dance.

The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson & Robert Kelly

Episode: "Impish Jews with Ian Fidance"

Date: May 4, 2026
Guest: Ian Fidance
Hosts: Big Jay Oakerson & Robert Kelly
Location: SiriusXM’s Faction Talk, NYC

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bonfire delivers the usual blend of riotous, uncensored humor and inside stories from the stand-up comedy world. Regulars Big Jay and Bobby are joined by comedian Ian Fidance for a wide-ranging, unpredictable chat. The trio swap stories about heroics, wild nights, comedy beefs, antisemitic run-ins, and the absurd current state of pop culture — especially around Kanye West. With their signature bluntness, irreverence, and quick-witted banter, they dissect everything from the nature of free speech to the spectacle of Kanye concerts (and why "black people rule").

Key Discussion Points

1. Banter, Friendship, and NYC Comedy Memories

Timestamps: 01:13–04:00

Bobby reminisces about old barbecue photos with Ian and fellow comedians.
- “[That was] the first time we all hung out… I brought you to my house.” – Bobby (02:12)
- Ian jokes about Jewish friend representation at Thanksgiving.
Light teasing about Ian’s last name (“Findance”) and botched name intros.
Jay roasts Bobby’s guest-promoting skills.

2. Heroic Deeds: Near Drownings, Street Rescues, and “Ethnics Only”

Timestamps: 04:10–08:42

Bobby and Kim Congdon are labeled "heroes" for life-saving acts (e.g., Bobby saves a drowning girl in Costa Rica; Kim saves two lives in Puerto Rico) (05:14–06:52).
Jay and Ian rib Bobby with a recurring inside joke: “Turd in the punch bowl.” (06:04–07:09)
Jay: "At what point do we start thinking you guys are trying to give people that… Munchausen by proxy?"
Shaggy stories about helping people in distress, with Jay retelling his own minor act of charity (paying for mentally challenged diners in North Carolina) (08:00–08:51).

3. Ian Fidance Knocks Out a Nazi

Timestamps: 10:00–12:59

Ian recounts knocking out a violent antisemite in Austin who was harassing another comedian: “I flicked a cigarette at him. I was like, yeah, I am a fucking Jew. And then I knocked him out.” – Ian (11:48)
Quote: “When he got knocked out, he fell… His body went into the shape of a swastika. Good job, dude. You get the last laugh.” – Ian (12:14)
Ian and Jay discuss the legal and moral nuances of defending people vs. free speech.
The aftermath: Ian's friends almost get involved; security knocks the guy out again.

4. On Masculinity, Emotion, and Crying at Musicals

Timestamps: 13:23–14:36

Bobby describes crying at "The Outsiders: The Musical" and defends his emotions to Jay and Ian:
- "Did you [cry at The Outsiders]?" – Ian (13:35)
- Bobby: "Several times. Well, two times. Two and a half…" (13:36)
Quick riffs about not crying in front of pets and having “crying corners.”

5. The “Austin vs. New York” Comedy Beef & Free Speech

Timestamps: 14:36–16:58

Ian’s altercation becomes part of the “Austin vs. New York” comedy scene rivalry, poking at Louis J. Gomez’s competitive streak (15:14–15:27).
Discussion of how the police handle fights (“he said, she said”) and the limits of intervention.
Ian: "The three of us Impish Jews unite. Yes. By the powers of three of us combined. We can eat soup." (17:01)

6. Jewish Identity and Family Stories

Timestamps: 24:34–25:01

Ian reveals he only found out via 23andMe he's part Ashkenazi Jew:
- “I brought a menorah home to light with my mom, and it set the dining room table on fire. And I was like, this is a sign.” – Ian (24:55)
Christine: “Set our curtains on fire with the menorah this year.” (24:59)

7. Kanye West, Antisemitism, and Pop Culture Outrage

Timestamps: 25:03–32:26

Debate over Dion Cole and the comedy community’s reaction to Kanye West appearing at the Improv.
- Jay: “I just think [Kanye's] a guy who's off medication at times… If he's not onstage going ‘Hitler!’ I wouldn't even think twice about it.” (25:14)
Dissecting Kanye’s controversial “Hail Hitler” song — and how people bleep the N-word but not "Hail Hitler":
- Ian: "People were bleeping out the N word but saying Hail Hitler, and it's like, what is what? Oh, yeah, that's kind of strange." (26:01)
Jay lambasts the “karaoke” nature of modern rap concerts, especially Kanye’s live shows where he raps along to his own recording (33:30–34:43).
Christine fesses up to supporting Kanye through his antisemitic controversies:
- “He's a mental patient… What's his album called? I'm Bipolar. It's awesome.” – Christine & Ian (43:07, 43:12)

8. Free Speech, “2A” Gun Rights, and Legal Loopholes

Timestamps: 31:44–32:38

Discussion of the limits of free speech—comedians agree that disrupting shows or threatening people isn’t covered.
Gun freedom: “Yeah, you are [allowed], but you're making it weird for everyone just to try to prove a point.” – Ian (32:20)
Jay: “You're allowed to hook up with and date an 18-year-old… Shouldn't. It's weird. You shouldn't weird.” (32:38)

9. Stand-Up, Race, and “Black People Rule” Merch

Timestamps: 36:32–38:10

Jay describes the lessons he learned about performing for black crowds (“black people rule!”) and turns it into a running merch gag:
- Jay: "I'm going to make six figures this year off those shirts." (37:52)

10. More on Kanye, The Sphere, and Live Show Spectacles

Timestamps: 33:07–35:58, 43:27–44:34

The hosts marvel and rag on the spectacle of Kanye's globe show at Sofi Stadium — debate the quality and visuals versus the lack of live performance.
Christine shares her progression from Kanye-hater to super-fan.
“It’s like an experience.” – Ian (40:56)

11. Closing Riffs, Plugs, and Inside Jokes

Timestamps: 45:00–46:59

Light teasing about producer Jacob leaving during Ian’s segment.
Show plugs:
- Ian’s tour and Ian Do: An Odd Guy Doing Odd Jobs (YouTube, YMH Studios).
- Bobby’s dates at Comics Roadhouse, Jay’s “Black People Rule” shirts, and more.
- “She’s about as Indian as you are Jewish… She’s half black.” – Jay & Bobby (46:51)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Bobby Kelly (about heroics): “We saved human beings’ lives.” (05:14)
Big Jay Oakerson (on being a hero): “So hero, I guess by actions, not by words.” (06:28)
Ian Fidance (on knocking out a Nazi): “I flicked a cigarette at him. I was like, yeah, I am a fucking Jew. And then I knocked him out.” (11:48)
Big Jay Oakerson (critiquing Kanye): “It’s just him, he stops the music 15 times. I start that shit again. They play it and goes, no, stop, stop, stop. You guys aren’t getting it right. The lights are all weird.” (27:15)
Ian Fidance: “His body went into the shape of a swastika. Good job, dude. You get the last laugh.” (12:14)
Christine (on Kanye): “He’s a mental patient… What do you people… Are we not realizing that?” (43:07)
Jay (on merch): “I’m going to make six figures this year off those shirts.” (37:52)
Bobby Kelly: “Black people rule.” (37:17)

Notable Segment Timestamps

Early Comedy Friendships: 01:13–04:00
Heroics & Life-Saving Stories: 04:10–08:42
Fidance vs. the Nazi: 10:00–12:59
Crying at Musicals: 13:23–14:36
Free Speech & Legal Fights: 15:57–17:44, 31:44–32:38
Kanye West Antisemitism Debate: 25:03–32:26, 33:07–35:58
Kanye’s Concert Spectacle: 33:07–35:58, 43:27–44:34
“Black People Rule” Stand-Up Bit: 36:32–38:10

Tone & Style Notes

The tone is fast-paced, brutally honest, deeply irreverent, and self-deprecating.
The hosts and Ian riff constantly, rarely letting a joke pass without a punch-up.
The content swerves between crass comedy and insightful glimpses into stand-up’s underbelly.

For New Listeners

If you crave behind-the-scenes stories from club comics, aren’t easily offended, and love spontaneous, boundary-pushing banter, this is a quintessential episode of The Bonfire. The chemistry between Jay, Bobby, and Ian is palpable, and their ability to turn dark or awkward anecdotes into gold is on full display — all while lampooning pop culture’s absurdities and keeping the laughs rolling.

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Impish Jews with Ian Fidance