The Commercial Break
Episode: TCB Infomercial: Kelsey Cook Returns!
Date: March 4, 2025
Guests: Kelsey Cook (comedian), Hosts: Brian Green & Krissy Hoadley

Episode Overview

This lively, irreverent episode of The Commercial Break welcomes back comedian Kelsey Cook, celebrating her meteoric rise in the comedy world. The hosts, Bryan and Krissy, catch up with Kelsey about her new special "Mark Your Territory" (now on Hulu and YouTube), life and career changes, her partnership with fellow comedian Chad Daniels, and the realities of balancing fame with a desire for a normal life. The conversation is jam-packed with banter, backstage anecdotes, and honest funny takes on jealousy, relationships, touring life, and the world of modern comedy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kelsey's Career Surge & New Special ([00:58]–[13:10], [47:48]–[49:05])

• Acknowledgment of Kelsey's successful trajectory:
  The hosts congratulate her on her rapidly growing career, newly released special "Mark Your Territory," and increasingly sold-out shows.
• The “TCB Bump” (jokingly):
  The hosts humorously take credit for her surge in popularity, demanding backstage passes and popcorn at her next tour stop in Atlanta.
  "And I'd like to take credit for that. And I'd like her to admit that here on the show that if it wasn't for the commercial break, she wouldn't, in fact, have a new special out on Hulu and YouTube." — Brian ([02:13])
• About the new special:
  • Title: "Mark Your Territory"
  • Platforms: Hulu & YouTube (strategies behind simultaneous release)
  • Filmed at Comedy on State in Madison, WI in one night, two shows ([29:19])
  • Released with 800 Pound Gorilla Records
• Getting “bucket list” venues:
  Kelsey reflects on performing at the Wilbur in Boston, noting the shift from club gigs to storied theaters:
  • "Getting to do theaters has been the coolest feeling." — Kelsey ([13:10])

2. Navigating Fame, Success & Personal Goals ([12:09]–[19:08])

• On “smelling the roses”:
  • Kelsey talks about struggling to “arrive” in comedy since there's always a new mountain to climb, yet is focused on appreciating the milestones:
    "If you don't, it's like once you get there, there disappears..." ([12:09])
• Balancing ambition with quality of life:
  • She admires comedians like Taylor Tomlinson and Nikki Glaser for their achievements, but desires a more balanced life in Minnesota, playing pickleball and maintaining normalcy outside touring.
• Relationship with Chad Daniels:
  • Kelsey appreciates their “comedy incubator” life in Minneapolis, both having successful careers while enjoying a less chaotic city.

3. Life, Love, Jealousy, and Territoriality ([21:11]–[31:18])

• Kelsey’s “jealousy” bit:
  Kelsey discusses the truth behind her viral stand-up about feeling territorial over Chad as her “forever person,” especially as a touring comic with an attractive partner.
  • "I think it comes from a place of passion... It's not like a psycho place. It’s just more of a, like, oh, this is a feeling I didn’t know I’d feel so strongly…” ([22:39])
• Stories from the road:
  • Viral crowd-work moment: Woman professes love for Chad ("He's so hot!"), which led to a 15-million-view clip ([24:53]).
  • Clarification: The woman meant no disrespect—her love was tied to a personal, emotional moment after losing her mother.

4. Modern Comedy—Touring, Platforms & Industry Insights ([31:39]–[47:09])

• Releasing a special on Hulu and YouTube simultaneously:
  • Exposure to press opportunities (Hulu) versus direct audience engagement (YouTube).
  • "Multi-platform is so important... you want as many people to see that as possible." — Brian ([31:39])
• Touring life and venue horror stories:
  • Kelsey recounts an “active shooter” scare at the Syracuse Funny Bone (in a mall with frequent shootings) ([36:26]).
  • Touring out of Minneapolis is strategic due to location and flight options.
• Changing expectations for comedians:
  • Unlike musicians, comedians must constantly generate new material; fans expect a new hour every one to two years.
  • Crowd work and social media “clip” culture demand near-constant content generation.
    • "Clips really, like, infuse your channels with new lifeblood. Like, oh my God, yes, I have something new to post. It’s a sickness. It’s horrible, but...” — Kelsey ([47:09])
• Live shows are the bread and butter:
  • Specials are primarily for exposure and ticket sales, rather than big upfront pay.

5. Personal Life in Minneapolis & Sober Living ([39:36]–[51:35])

• On Minnesota winters:
  • Hilariously describes “power pooping” in –26°F weather; details of living in Northern MN (Fergus Falls, “Schitt’s Creek–sounding”).
• Life milestones out-of-order:
  • She and Chad bought a house, got life insurance, and plan to marry (“doing everything backwards... and loving it!”).
• On Sobriety:
  • Both Kelsey and Chad are nearly a year sober and find it transformative for life and health.
    • "It hasn’t been quite as hard as I thought. You don’t even want, like, it feels so good you don’t want to drink." — Kelsey ([51:14])

6. Comedic Community & Future Plans ([48:49]–[49:05], [55:14]–[56:45])

• Upcoming shows:
  • Kelsey and Chad are co-headlining select tour dates in Long Island, Montclair, NJ, and Philadelphia, including theater and casino gigs ([48:50])
• Podcast plug:
  • Their podcast, "Pretend Problems," is mentioned for fans to check out.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On comedy and career success:
  "You're right. She very much looks like an innocent, like a Midwestern girl. And that's... when you watch her special, you realize that there's some dirt behind those eyes." — Brian ([03:35])

• On industry realities:
  "You can't just enjoy what you want, listener. You now used to demand that Kelsey come out with a new hour every 15 minutes. It's not a reasonable expectation." — Brian ([46:53])

• On active shooter moment:
  "Right before the show was about to start, there was a shooting in the mall. And the manager came back ... 'Okay, there's an active shooter in the mall.'" — Kelsey ([37:30])

• On winter in Minnesota:
  "Our poor dog, when he has to go outside to in that weather, it's like a power poop. It's like you've never seen a dog poop so fast in his life. He sprints, poop, sprints back in." — Kelsey ([19:08])

• On being sober:
  "Just you get older and you're like, it's too much... It's hard to add hangovers to it." — Kelsey ([50:28])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] – Opening IUD sticker joke from Kelsey Cook
• [11:42] – Kelsey describes the “bucket list” moment of major venues
• [12:09] – On “smelling the roses” and shifting motivations
• [15:04] – Admiration for Taylor Tomlinson, Nikki Glaser; thoughts on lifestyle
• [19:08] – Power-poop stories & living in Minnesota
• [21:11] – The “jealousy bit” and personal vulnerability in relationships
• [24:53] – Crowd work viral moment & fan interactions
• [29:19] – Behind the scenes of filming the special, details on Hulu/YouTube deal
• [31:39] – Distribution strategies; exposure vs. creative ownership
• [36:26] – Touring horror story: active shooter in Syracuse
• [39:36] – Winter anecdotes, Fergus Falls, and negative 50 degrees
• [43:45] – Generating new material post-special and the “Zeppelin paradox”
• [46:53] – Social media and constant pressure for new content
• [50:28] – Sober living implications for touring comics
• [48:50], [49:05] – Upcoming tour with Chad, podcast plug
• [54:18]-[56:45] – Outtro talk: repeats, industry community, aspirations

Memorable, Funny Moments

• Kelsey’s IUD sticker bit:
  Starts the show with a joke about getting an IUD expiration sticker and sticking it on her windshield beside the oil change sticker — "vulvoline" sticker joke ([00:00]).
• Kelsey on jealous girlfriends:
  Reflecting on her own surprise at her new possessiveness: "I moved to Minnesota in the month of January to be with this man… we have life insurance… bought a house together… taxes!" ([27:33])
• Bidet in Minneapolis joke:
  Brian loves Kelsey’s joke: "using a bidet in the middle of Minneapolis in the winter—it’s like getting local anesthesia on your asshole.” ([53:44])

Final Thoughts

The episode is a showcase of comedian camaraderie, blending behind-the-scenes career talk with hilarious, personal moments. It’s a must-listen for fans of contemporary stand-up, aspiring comics, and anyone intrigued by the realities of chasing fame while holding onto normalcy. Kelsey Cook’s candor and quick wit, paired with the hosts’ affectionate ribbing, make for an episode full of laughs, honest insights, and some truly “just fine” podcaster-chaos energy.

For More

• Kelsey Cook tour dates & specials: kelseycook.com
• "Mark Your Territory" special: Hulu & YouTube
• Podcast: "Pretend Problems" with Chad Daniels

(All timestamps are approximate to the best fit with provided transcript.)