The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
Episode: Biggie Smalls on a See-Saw
Host: Joey “Coco” Diaz
Co-host: Lee Syatt
Date: November 11, 2025
Location: NYC (Live episode)
Episode Overview
In this lively episode of The Church of What's Happening Now, Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt unpack the realities of life, comedy, skyrocketing prices, the changing face of American leisure (from casinos to air travel), and the importance of genuine, organic moments—on stage and off. Broadcasting live from New York, the duo offer an unfiltered, humorous, and sometimes poignant take on everything from edible mishaps and rent gouging to gambling scandals and behind-the-scenes comedy philosophies. While the laughs never stop, there’s a recurring undertone of nostalgia for "the way things used to be" and a concern for how today’s economic and social climate impacts families and the working class.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Weekend Recap & Edible Adventures (00:03–03:02)
- Joey and Lee recap their recent comedy show at MGM Grand in DC. Joey jokes about Lee’s struggle with edibles and a massive ribeye dinner preceding his set.
- Memorable Quote:
Lee: "You give me edibles and then you put me on stage." [00:32] Joey: "Those edibles leech with you. Something’s going on with your liver or something." [00:39] - They share stories about awkward travel logistics, including walking to the casino because of outlandish Uber prices.
- Joey reflects on the camaraderie and good staff at the venue, giving a shout-out to old friend John Rollo.
2. Travel, Shrinkflation, and the New "Normal" (04:41–13:22)
- Joey laments the demise of comfortable airline travel—no more mingling, worse service, and astronomical costs.
- Lee mentions “shrinkflation”: products getting smaller, prices getting higher.
- Memorable Quote:
Joey: "The American public is getting their ass kicked on a daily fucking basis." [08:40]- $750 plane tickets for Thanksgiving are out of reach for most families—Joey emphasizes how this change kills traditional experiences for working-class families.
- Joey’s specific outrage at seeing long-standing brands (Big Macs, juices, Cheez-Its) reduce size and quality.
- Discussion shifts to governmental stalling and how little Congress acts when regular people are hurting.
3. The Cost of Living—From EBT to Steaks (11:19–18:16)
- Lee and Joey tackle the difficulty of living on government assistance, comparing real grocery costs against EBT benefits.
- They reflect on how inflation and corporate greed price everyday experiences—restaurants, sporting events, and even basic groceries—out of reach for the average family.
- Notable Quote:
Joey: “The games aren’t for us. The games aren’t for fat 50-year-olds in a Jet game. They're for kids, man. And that’s what else has happened in this country—we’ve forgotten.” [19:40]
4. Rent, Cars, and Salesmen: The Economics of Everyday Life (20:09–33:40)
- Joey and Lee dissect the futility of rent control, the spike in car prices (new and used), and how sales tactics exploit consumers.
- Discussion of salesmanship—Joey’s car dealer days—and how the internet has empowered consumers but hasn't stopped markups.
- Lee shares his recent frustrations with both suit and car salespeople, feeling pressured and taken advantage of.
- Advice: Know your number, negotiate, and be wary of “addendums” in new car pricing.
5. Cannabis, Casinos, and New Kinds of Entertainment (38:11–58:03)
- Joey recounts getting a “Christmas and Hanukkah all wrapped into one” weed care package from the rhythm dispensary (joints, edibles, swag).
- Extended discussion of how legalized gambling (e.g., DraftKings) and weed delivery have shifted the way Americans pursue fun at home versus old Vegas-style experiences.
- Lee reveals he’s having casino tables at his wedding, wishing there were places to play high-stakes “for fun” and win prizes instead of money.
6. Gambling—From Vegas Legends to Online Betting (58:03–76:55)
- Joey and Lee reflect on the old Vegas days, the appeal of gambling, and how the landscape has shifted with online betting.
- Rumination on the recent sports betting scandals (baseball, NBA), why pro athletes risk everything, and the pressure of house-of-cards criminality.
- On the Ease of Online Gambling:
Joey: “Listen, man, the country’s very hip to gambling now. We thought that growing up, people gambled. Not like they’re gambling now." [51:59] - They stress knowing personal limits—Joey’s rules for responsible, "entertainment-only" betting and warnings for young listeners about escalation.
7. The Philosophy of Stand-Up and Organic Performance (89:19–98:51)
- Joey gets reflective about comedy, discussing his preference for loosely-structured, in-the-moment stand-up over canned routines.
- Quote:
Joey: “I could not fucking imagine going up there and doing the same line every night from beginning to fucking end. I’m quitting. I’m quitting. Within a week, I’ll quit.” [94:55] - He draws inspiration from Marlon Brando—referencing the actor’s method of writing his lines on props or people for authenticity.
- Emphasis on tying personal stories and audience energy into every set, letting the room impact the show’s direction.
8. Nostalgia for Old LA & Life’s Everyday Joys (103:08–108:53)
- Joey and Lee recall favorite food spots, dive bars, and unique characters from their LA days—the sushi spots, the Massage Envy neighbor, secret spots.
- Lee shares memories of Joey dragging him out on edible-fueled nights and late-night adventures.
- Jokes about awkwardness around massages:
Lee: “I just got into them a couple years ago... the first one I got was with a dude... Best one I’ve gotten by far.” [102:48]
9. Random Life and Comedy Observations
- Discussions spiral into observations about personal hygiene (including a highly graphic “loofah for your ass” technique), bidets, and bodily maintenance.
- Note: Joey’s unfiltered, graphic humor persists throughout.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Modern Air Travel:
“It looks like a bunch of fucking idiots sitting there, like, waiting for something… That’s not the way it used to be.” – Joey [05:07] -
On Shrinkflation:
“Go to your favorite restaurant and get a salad. It’s not a salad bowl anymore. It’s a salad dish.” – Joey [07:23] -
On the Cost of Family Entertainment:
“Because they’ve destroyed the American family. The Yankees, the Boston Red Sox, all these teams that pride themselves... have not overlooked their greediness.” – Joey [17:04] -
On Sales Tactics:
“A price on a used car is what you’ll pay for it. That’s it.” – Joey [29:46] -
On Gambling Responsibly:
“When I go on DraftKings, it’s entertainment. I don’t go over a certain amount… Nine and a half times out of 10, I’m gonna lose 50." – Joey [73:01] -
On Comedy:
“I like working organically. See where you’re going with them. Where are we going? What the fuck do they need to hear this joke tonight?” – Joey [95:24]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:03–03:02: Weekend recap, edible mishaps, DC show praise
- 04:41–13:22: Air travel, food costs, inflation, nostalgia for affordability
- 13:25–20:09: EBT, costs of living, American family under siege
- 20:09–33:40: Rent, car prices, salesmanship
- 38:11–41:29: Rhythm weed bundle and the joys of free marijuana
- 47:10–58:03: Gambling at home, casino nostalgia, Lee's casino-themed wedding
- 58:03–76:55: Sports betting scandals, gambling warnings, changes in Vegas
- 89:04–98:51: The approach to stand-up, Brando’s unorthodox style, organic sets
- 103:08–108:53: Old LA nostalgia, food, late night adventures, massage stories
Episode Closing
This episode captures the essence of Joey and Lee’s friendship—raw, hilarious, sometimes dark, but deeply rooted in a love for community, storytelling, food, and lived experience. Whether riffing on the indignities of adulthood or the mysteries of a perfectly folded suit, they ground highly current critiques in warm, relatable banter.
Recommended for: Fans of comedy, storytelling, nostalgic reflections, and those curious (or concerned) about the inflation-era American experience.
Tone: Unfiltered, conversational, irreverent, and occasionally poignant.