Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – Ryan Davis on 'Underrated' Comedy Special, Netflix, Family, Eddie Murphy, Kevin Durant
Release Date: March 28, 2025
In this engaging episode of The Breakfast Club, hosted by DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God, comedian Ryan Davis joins as a special guest to discuss his latest comedy special "Underrated," his experiences with Netflix, family dynamics, and notable interactions with industry giants like Eddie Murphy and Kevin Durant. Additionally, Donnell Rawlings fills in for Charlamagne, adding his unique perspective to the conversation.
1. Introduction and Guest Background
The episode kicks off with Charlamagne Tha God introducing Ryan Davis, highlighting his new special "Underrated." Donnell Rawlings briefly mentions his role as a fill-in host, emphasizing that he won't engage in typical comedic antics but will contribute meaningfully to the discussion.
- Charlamagne Tha God [02:38]: "We have a special guest in the building. We have comedian Ryan Davis. Welcome, brother."
2. The 'Underrated' Comedy Special
Ryan Davis elaborates on the title of his special, explaining that it reflects his perception of his current standing in the stand-up comedy scene. He expresses that while his peers recognize his skills, the broader public may not fully appreciate his talent, often mistaking his work for mere social media content rather than his genuine comedic prowess.
- Ryan Davis [07:04]: "I think 'Underrated' describes kind of what my journey is right now in stand up. [...] I think I'm one of the best out here. And whenever I'm criticized, it's based off of social media content."
3. Challenges with Netflix and Self-Producing
The conversation delves into Ryan Davis' struggles with securing a deal with Netflix. He shares his experience of having his special held for months before Netflix ultimately passing on it. Frustrated by the lack of clear feedback, Ryan decided to take matters into his own hands by self-producing his special, investing approximately $150,000 out of pocket to ensure its completion.
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Ryan Davis [03:52]: "People go, you know, there's other places. [...] And by that time, some material has shelf life."
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Charlamagne Tha God [03:52]: "How much did you shoot? How much did it take you to shoot?"
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Ryan Davis [05:03]: "It cost me about 150. [...] I had to pay for everything out of pocket."
4. Family and Personal Life
Ryan opens up about his family life, revealing that he is one of eight siblings and discussing his fractured relationship with his mother. He touches upon the challenges of balancing family expectations with personal success, highlighting the importance of generational wealth and the often-overlooked aspects of nurturing familial relationships.
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Ryan Davis [17:53]: "I gave my dad the deed on Father's Day and just being able to do that stuff. But I think that stuff isn't necessarily cool."
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Charlamagne Tha God [18:12]: "I like stuff like that because it encourages more people to do more of that."
5. Support from Other Comedians
The episode underscores the significance of support within the comedy community. Ryan Davis acknowledges encouragement from prominent figures like Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart, who have offered him opportunities and endorsements. Despite the challenges, this support has been instrumental in Ryan's journey, inspiring him to continue producing his own content.
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Ryan Davis [26:54]: "Dave Chappelle ... told me, if you need anything, I can reach out."
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Donnell Rawlings [28:12]: "With that attitude, it's a slow grind, but it's still a grind."
6. The Role of Comedy in Black Communities
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the role of comedy as a therapeutic outlet within Black communities. Ryan emphasizes that his stand-up material often delves into personal and sensitive topics, providing both him and his audience with a space to process trauma and societal issues through humor.
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Ryan Davis [41:07]: "There have been many black men who walk up to me and go, I have a kind of a fractured relationship with my mother [...] That's what I try to provide."
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Donnell Rawlings [41:27]: "We as comics [...] it's therapeutic for us."
7. Encounter with Kevin Durant
Ryan recounts a disagreement with Kevin Durant over a basketball-related statement, where Durant asserted, "offense wins championships." This led Durant to label Ryan as a "trash comedian," prompting Ryan to defend his craft and showcase his comedic abilities beyond Durant's limited understanding.
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Ryan Davis [36:35]: "He said, offense wins championships, which is not a saying. [...] He called me a trash comedian."
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Ryan Davis [37:04]: "I have never seen anybody more talented than Eddie Murphy in all facets."
8. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Projects
Towards the end of the episode, Ryan encourages fellow comedians to invest in their passions and collaborate to create meaningful content. He highlights the importance of not waiting for traditional gatekeepers like Netflix and instead empowering the audience to seek out and support talented performers independently.
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Ryan Davis [57:11]: "I hope that this inspires people to go look for it definitively will. Go look at the audience. [...] The people you deal to play."
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Charlamagne Tha God [59:24]: "If they want to see it, pay. Go to my Instagram. [...] performing at the gramercy theater on April 12th here in New York."
Notable Quotes with Attributions and Timestamps
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Ryan Davis [07:04]: "I think 'Underrated' describes kind of what my journey is right now in stand up."
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Charlamagne Tha God [18:12]: "I like stuff like that because it encourages more people to do more of that."
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Ryan Davis [26:54]: "Dave Chappelle ... told me, if you need anything, I can reach out."
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Ryan Davis [41:07]: "There have been many black men who walk up to me and go, I have a kind of a fractured relationship with my mother."
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Ryan Davis [36:35]: "He said, offense wins championships, which is not a saying."
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Ryan Davis [37:04]: "I have never seen anybody more talented than Eddie Murphy in all facets."
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Ryan Davis [57:11]: "I hope that this inspires people to go look for it definitely will. Go look at the audience."
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Charlamagne Tha God [59:24]: "If they want to see it, pay. Go to my Instagram."
Conclusion
This episode provides an insightful look into Ryan Davis' journey as a comedian striving to be recognized for his talent rather than his social media presence. Through candid discussions about industry challenges, personal struggles, and the importance of community support, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities faced by comedians today. Ryan's determination to self-produce his work and his emphasis on authentic storytelling underscore his commitment to advancing his craft and inspiring others within the Black comedy landscape.
For those interested in experiencing Ryan Davis' humor firsthand, he will be performing live at the Gramercy Theatre in New York on April 12th. Additionally, his comedy special "Underrated" is available through his Patreon and Instagram platforms.