The Commercial Break: TCB Infomercial — Nurse Blake
Episode Date: June 24, 2025
Guests: Nurse Blake
Hosts: Bryan Green & Krissy Hoadley
Episode Overview
This episode of The Commercial Break’s “Infomercial Tuesday” welcomes Nurse Blake—viral comedian, former Level 1 trauma nurse, advocate, and internet sensation. Bryan and Krissy dive into hilarious and heartfelt conversations about life in healthcare, the realities (and absurdities) of nursing, Blake's nationally-touring comedy shows, nurse safety advocacy, and personal stories about family, queerness, and everything in between. The episode features Nurse Blake’s unfiltered wit and candor, blending improv humor with eye-opening commentary on the healthcare system, LGBTQ+ visibility, and the day-to-day trials of nursing.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Nurse Blake’s Background & Comedy Career
- From Trauma Nurse to Comedy Star:
- Nurse Blake describes life as a former Level 1 trauma nurse, where he experienced the chaos and stress of ER work, often seeing patients at their lowest moments.
- Transitioned from nursing to comedic advocacy, becoming a voice for nurses nationwide, speaking up about working conditions and healthcare absurdities.
- National Comedy Tour:
- Currently on an 86-city comedy tour, bringing together healthcare workers across the US for nights of community and laughs.
- Venues are “actual theaters where actual human beings are going to show up.” (Brian, 02:39)
2. Healthcare Anecdotes & Protecting Nurses
- Administering Advice… or Not (06:29–14:54):
- Bryan asks about his eye sty; Blake jokes about the limitations of being a nurse versus a doctor, reiterating he cannot legally give medical advice, even to family.
- “We can look at an X-ray where the leg is legit broken in six spots, and the patient could be like, ‘How's the X-ray look?’ And we have to be like, ‘Gotta wait for the doctor.’ How dumb is that?” — Nurse Blake (11:45)
- Nurses as Healthcare’s Backbone:
- Discussion on how nurses shoulder most of the “hands-on” burden, are under-recognized, and doctors often get disproportionate credit.
- “We’re out there doing a lot. Doing the most…I’d like, if legally, I can’t even tell my family member…” — Nurse Blake (14:02)
- The Flood of DMs:
- Hilarious confession about getting sent “rashy dick pics” in his social media DMs, with senders assuming he wants to or can diagnose via photo (15:04).
3. Authentic Experiences: Sexuality, Family, and the South
- Life Shakeups & Personal Growth:
- Blake discusses his divorce, nomadic current living situation, and embracing self-exploration instead of maintaining a pointless Orlando lease (09:08).
- “I'm a nomad right now. I don't…I'm homeless. I'm currently unhoused.” — Nurse Blake (08:52)
- Unconventional Family Background:
- He reveals his family’s quirks (parents are swingers, two cousins married), experiences with gay conversion therapy, and choosing to go no-contact with his parents due to their lack of acceptance (32:18–34:53).
- “It’s so bad…Our family tree is so fucked. Like, it's not… There's no limbs.” — Nurse Blake (33:00)
- On gay conversion therapy: “It’s just sad that it’s still, like, legal today…doesn’t work.” (34:53–35:24)
- Advocating LGBTQ+ Acceptance:
- Bryan shares a touching story about his daughter’s acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities, leading to a candid, supportive discussion (36:05–37:47).
- “You don’t choose who you love. You love who you love. And that’s okay.” — Bryan (37:13)
4. Reality of Working in Healthcare
- ER Realism in TV: “The Pit” vs. Grey’s Anatomy (17:48–19:06):
- The discussion turns to the authenticity of medical dramas. Blake and the hosts agree that “The Pit” is exceptionally realistic compared to the soap opera antics of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
- "It's the most accurate description of medicine, especially in today's age...They talk about all the real issues that we face, like the ethical dilemmas.” — Nurse Blake (18:35)
- Nurse & Patient Safety: (21:42–26:14)
- Blake highlights the dangers nurses face, recalling near-violent incidents in the ER.
- “It’s not a felony to hit or abuse a nurse… and nurses get hit, we get bit, we get slapped, we get punched. It's insane.” — Nurse Blake (21:53)
- Points out lack of security in hospitals and the double-standard compared to air travel, where staff safety is legally protected. Calls for legislative change and public awareness.
- “There needs to be huge legislation push to make this happen. So it's just, it's really unfortunate and sad. So all the nurses out there, always protect yourself, be careful.” — Nurse Blake (25:34)
5. Nurse Empowerment & Community
- Speaking Out for Nurses:
- Blake describes becoming a mouthpiece for other nurses, as hospital systems often silence their staff (26:28–27:29).
- “You will never see a nurse doing an interview…Like, they put fear in us that if we say anything against them, like, we’re gone.” — Nurse Blake (27:15)
- Building a Nurse Community:
- Nurse Blake’s shows draw groups and generations of nurses (from students to retirees): “They rent out party buses of all ages…Just giving them a night to drink and have fun and have a blast.” (30:22)
- Founded the conference Nurse Con at Sea—a massive annual cruise for 3,500 nurses (31:41).
6. Touring Stories & Nurse Culture
- Rowdy Crowds and Party Vibes:
- A Nurse Blake comedy show is a unique, high-energy affair, both for nurses and non-nurses. Nurses “party hard” and theater crews are always surprised it’s not a TED Talk but a wild celebration (31:04–31:17).
- “If you are in an emergency, they ain't going to be at the hospital…better have the ambulance drop you off at the theater.” — Nurse Blake (42:07)
- Iconic Tour Moments:
- Only once has there been a real medical emergency at a show—a nurse fainting from alcohol and high altitude, quickly helped by “2,000 tipsy nurses” (42:44).
- Best Place to Be Sick:
- “A thousand, two thousand nurses all trying to play the hero…” — Nurse Blake (43:08)
- On Nurses' Resilience:
- “We're just in it to help. I mean, that's why we're in it…I think a lot of us have had traumatic experiences growing up…We kind of use it as a mechanism to care for others.” — Nurse Blake (46:15)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Hospital Priorities:
“If you complain that your nurse is too ghetto or too gay…you’re not sick enough to be in the hospital.” — Nurse Blake (00:00) -
On Gay Conversion Therapy:
"It’s just sad that it’s still, like, legal today…doesn’t work. Take your money, you’re born the way you’re born. Even if I wasn’t born gay, like, I’m still gonna choose it, you know? Like, I love dick so much.” — Nurse Blake (34:53–35:36) -
On Family Acceptance:
“Mom, why are you mad? We have so much in common.” — Nurse Blake (35:36) -
On Medical Dramas:
"Grey’s Anatomy…all that bullshit…But The Pit’s different…they talk about all the real issues that we face." — Nurse Blake (18:35–18:53) -
On Airline Safety vs. Hospitals:
"…in the airline industry…there are standards that that plane has to fly with the appropriate amount of staff. In healthcare, there’s no rulebook.” — Nurse Blake (24:01) -
On Being the Community’s Voice:
"I try to be. I'm not the best voice out there. I have a little lisp at times…But I think it's important." — Nurse Blake (27:23) -
On Crowd Energy:
“Always at my shows, the alcohol goes…Oh yeah, you know it’s a Nurse Blake show.” — Nurse Blake (30:49) -
On Nurse Humor:
“When you ask, like, 'What's your pain on a scale 0 to 10?' They're like, 'It’s 18.' I'm like…” — Nurse Blake (41:24)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:00] Bold opening quote from Nurse Blake about nurse authenticity and patient complaints
- [02:19] Bryan introduces Nurse Blake, his impact, and upcoming tour
- [06:12] Nurse Blake joins; discussion of “sty in the eye” and the limits of nursing advice
- [09:08] Blake discusses post-divorce life and his nomadic lifestyle
- [11:45] Rules about nurses giving medical advice and frustrations with the system
- [13:21] “Doctors get all the credit” and the nurse's on-the-ground role
- [15:04] Hilarious tangent about getting sent “rashy dick pics” in DMs
- [18:15] Conversation about realism in the show “The Pit” and medical TV authenticity
- [21:53] Nurse safety, lack of felony protections, ER dangers, and calls for legislation
- [26:26] Transition from hospital clinician to nurse advocate and internet voice
- [30:22] Describing the high-energy, community-building Nurse Blake tours
- [31:41] Mention of Nurse Con at Sea—an all-nurses cruise conference
- [33:00] Family tree revelations; humor and pain in family dynamics and conversion therapy
- [36:05] Bryan shares story on his daughter and open-minded parenting
- [38:43] Pride events and advocacy for LGBTQ+ healthcare visibility
- [41:06] Assessing pain and the comic absurdity of “pain scales”
- [42:44] The only medical emergency at a Nurse Blake show
- [44:34] Story: Responding to a flight emergency (just too many gummies!)
- [46:38] How nurses’ empathy is rooted in lived trauma, the importance of diversity in healthcare
Tone & Style
The episode is marked by irreverent banter, honest storytelling, comfort with taboo topics, and deep empathy. Nurse Blake’s humor is both biting and warm, unashamedly queer, and always rooted in advocacy for nurses and patients alike. Bryan and Krissy’s blend of genuine curiosity and self-deprecating comedy keeps the conversation buoyant—moving fluidly from outrageous nurse tales to sincere discussions of family, representation, and systemic change.
Final Takeaways
- Nurse Blake brings the real—and the ridiculous—of healthcare to the comedy stage, passionately representing a profession often overlooked and overburdened.
- Nurse safety and patient care are deeply linked; legislative action and public support are needed to protect those who protect us.
- The nurses’ community is fiercely loyal, outspoken, and deserving of laughter and respect.
- Personal authenticity—in professional and social life—can be both healing and hilarious.
If you want both the chaos and camaraderie of the hospital floor—served with a shot (or three) of comedy—catch Nurse Blake’s tour or tune in for his next dose of nurse realness.