The Commercial Break – TCB Infomercial: Kelsey Cook (October 1, 2024)
Episode Overview
This rollicking episode of The Commercial Break features comedian Kelsey Cook as the special guest for “TCB Infomercial Tuesday.” Hosts Bryan Green and Krissy Hoadley dive into conversation with Kelsey about her unconventional career path, life on the road, the ins and outs of comedy scenes, her prowess as an international foosball champion, and relatable tales of quitting drinking. The episode is packed with offbeat humor, honesty, and endearing camaraderie, leaving listeners entertained and enlightened.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Kelsey’s Unique Talents & Introductions
- Kelsey Cook is introduced as not only a fantastic comedian but also a yo-yo and foosball champion.
- Discussion about how Kelsey’s name “wastes no syllables” (01:27) and Bryan’s amusement over there being a professional foosball league.
- Notable quote:
“It really is quite crazy that...there’s even a professional foosball league.” — Bryan (01:55)
2. Life & Love in Comedy: On the Road and Relationships
- Maintaining relationships while touring: Bryan and Krissy reflect on the difficulty of being away from loved ones for 150+ nights a year.
- Kelsey’s partner is comedian Chad Daniels; Krissy points out how mutual understanding makes comedic couples work.
- Kelsey’s comedic life with Chad: They co-host the “Pretend Problems” podcast and both headline tours, sometimes together.
- Notable quote:
“When you are on the road that much...that’s got to be really difficult.” — Bryan (03:17)
3. "The Hustler" Special & Comedy Background
- Kelsey’s latest special, The Hustler, is praised by both hosts.
- Discussion about 800 Pound Gorilla as a dominant comedy distribution platform.
- Kelsey’s journey: public speaking in college led to comedic performances, frequenting open mics, moving to Seattle, then LA, and eventually opening for Jim Norton.
- Quote on discovering comedy:
“I don’t know, it hit this thing in me that I had never experienced. I was like, oh my God, I’m loving this so much.” — Kelsey (11:25)
4. Inside (and Outside) Comedy Scenes
- Seattle Scene: Kelsey highlights how Seattle’s scene allowed her to “bomb and be bad” without career consequence, crucial to early development.
- LA & Tour Transitions: She bypassed the “open mic grind” in LA by landing a job touring with Jim Norton almost immediately.
- Advice for comics: Start in a forgiving scene, move up after honing your act.
- Quote on making it big:
“Jim Norton became my comedy fairy godmother...he really changed my life for sure.” — Kelsey (18:20)
5. Foosball: Family, Fame, and Hustling
- Unique upbringing: Kelsey’s parents met at a professional foosball tournament; her mom is in the Foosball Hall of Fame.
- Kelsey is an international foosball player, who used to “hustle” people at bars for money after shows by pretending to be clueless, then wiping the floor with local players.
- Defying stereotypes: People assumed pro foosball players were mulleted, “not a full set of teeth,” not a young woman.
- Quote:
“I would not exist if it weren’t for foosball. It was the foundation of my life.” — Kelsey (27:12)
6. Life in Minneapolis & Long-Distance Love
- Kelsey now lives in Minneapolis; she and Chad manage their travel-heavy relationship with technology and humor.
- Moving to Minnesota in January: “a real, real experience” (32:09).
- Finding joy in domestic life: Both have become “Minnesota olds”—enjoying nesting, quiet, and home life.
- Quote:
“I never thought I would be horny for an airport, but I am for the Minneapolis airport. It’s so clean!” — Kelsey (33:00)
7. Giving Up Drinking & Embracing Calm
- Kelsey and Chad quit drinking for nearly 5 months, exploring life, shows, and parties sober for the first time since young adulthood.
- Bryan expands on his own experience quitting drinking (to quit smoking), the impact on health, and the changing drinking culture among younger Americans.
- Discussion about binge culture, differences in drinking internationally, and how education lacks nuance about alcohol.
- Quotes:
“You look cool when you’re 20 smoking a cigarette, but as you round your 30s you just look...what an idiot, why is he smoking?” — Bryan (37:30)
“There’s a culture in America that drives people to binge drink...in Spain, it’s completely different.” — Bryan (40:32)
“We both got the Oura rings...to see how your sleep gets impacted...it does help me to not want to, because it’s just like, oh. You want to care about your body the older you get.” — Kelsey (39:53)
8. Touring & the Future: Working and Living Together
- Kelsey and Chad will be on tour together for the first time next year, doing joint stand-up and live podcast shows.
- Special shows: They’ve done “notebook rebuttal” sets, roasting each other onstage and offering live rebuttals.
- Kelsey’s “Hustler” special is available on YouTube, Hulu, and Disney+ (“so weird that you can watch me talk about eating ass for three minutes after The Fox and the Hound”) (45:24).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “If you guys don’t make merch that says ‘hot jizzin’ dude’ you are seriously missing out on money.” — Kelsey, on vasectomy freedom (09:47)
- “It’s like two goalies on a soccer field with no other players...so much defense for no reason. It’s just a lot going on.” — Kelsey, describing her and Chad’s double birth control (10:04)
- “Nobody, of course, really interested...you’re performing to the sound of clanking silverware.” — Kelsey, on her first comedy open mics (12:34)
- “I just wish I had learned to do anything really well” — Bryan, after hearing about Kelsey’s foosball and magic skills (29:20)
- “I turned into a Minnesota old...I shoo woodpeckers away from my house...” — Kelsey (34:00)
- “I feel like I take things into like a self-help place without even meaning to.” — Kelsey (43:07)
- “I’m immediately canceling my subscription to Disney+ for my children. That’s it.” — Bryan, jokingly, after learning Kelsey’s special includes risqué content (45:45)
Timestamps for Significant Segments
- Kelsey talks vasectomies, birth control, and life with Chad: 06:41–11:18
- Kelsey’s comedic journey from college to national tours: 11:18–18:20
- How she landed opening spots for Jim Norton: 17:12–18:55
- Life as a foosball prodigy and pro hustler: 25:55–29:12
- Moving to and falling in love with Minneapolis: 31:28–33:47
- The joys of nesting and midlife comfort: 35:01–36:14
- Quitting drinking and health perspectives: 36:14–42:04
- Discussing the future of live shows and touring with Chad: 44:25–45:09
- The Hustler special on YouTube, Hulu, and Disney+: 45:24
- Farewells and reflections on the episode: 46:55–49:15
Final Thoughts & Tone
The episode is loose, fast-paced, and deeply self-aware, blending unfiltered personal stories with snappy, irreverent banter. The chemistry among the trio is apparent, and Kelsey’s warmth, wit, and willingness to over-share make her a perfect guest for The Commercial Break’s “Cheesecake Factory of comedy podcasts” vibe. Whether discussing surviving the grind of stand-up or reflecting on the comfort of a sober, domesticated existence, the conversation remains both hilarious and relatable throughout.
Links mentioned:
- Kelsey Cook official site
- “Pretend Problems” podcast
- "The Hustler" special on YouTube, Hulu, and Disney+
In the words of Bryan:
"Kelsey is like a really nice, sweet, smart, funny person and I really enjoyed talking to her. I could have gone on forever." (46:56)