The Commercial Break - TCB Infomercial: Rory Scovel
Release Date: March 25, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of The Commercial Break features an in-depth, freewheeling conversation with comedian, actor, and improviser Rory Scovel. Hosts Bryan Green and Kristen Joy Hoadley (“Krissy”) take their signature irreverent, self-deprecating approach to podcasting, chatting with Rory about everything from his acclaimed HBO Max comedy special to the state of streaming TV, religion, growing up Catholic, mental health, and the magic of Largo in LA. Full of tangents, honest self-reflection, and sharp comedic moments, the discussion swings between the silly and the sincere, offering listeners a personal look at Scovel’s journey and thoughts on standup, artistry, and life.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Rory Scovel’s Background and Relocation
[13:13] - [14:23]
- Rory is currently living in Denver, Colorado, after growing up in Greenville, South Carolina.
- Greenville's growing popularity has led to skyrocketing real estate prices, prompting discussion on how secondary cities are becoming hubs due to remote work.
- Rory discusses his family of seven siblings, the Catholic upbringing, and moving between Catholic and public schools.
- “I’m one of seven. And so the three oldest all moved away… The fact that you guys can’t stop advertising. How great.” – Rory [15:36]
2. Comedy Career and Artistic Motivation
[56:35] - [60:39]
- Rory shares his journey starting in standup, acting, and his surprise at how far he’s come.
- Early career motivations included proving himself to family and friends; after his father’s passing during COVID, he’s re-examined his “why.”
- “Who am I doing this for? And you sort of reconfigure who you think you are as an artist.” – Rory [58:20]
- Now aims to pursue standup and acting with renewed purpose, focusing on being present and striving for genuine artistry, not just audience approval.
3. ADHD, Medication, and Personal Development
[17:14] - [24:49]
- Both Rory and Bryan share stories about being diagnosed with ADHD, experiences with Ritalin/Adderall, and how that era shaped them.
- “I could not have been a more obvious case. They put me on Ritalin… then Adderall. I would just sit in my room and spiral out into deep thought.” – Rory [19:43]
- Rory opts to stop medication before college, following intuition that it didn't suit him.
- Discussion extends to trauma, healthy eating, and how addressing foundational wellness affects the mind:
- “I think that foundation is healthy eating and then getting healthy sleep… So many contributing factors we’re starting to learn are massive contributors to just a healthier life.” – Rory [24:49]
4. Religion, Upbringing, and Growth
[29:18] - [35:16]
- Rory no longer adheres to organized religion but values the core lesson: treating others with decency.
- Critiques modern Christianity for losing sight of foundational values and succumbing to divisive tribalism.
- Reflects on personal evolution, owning past insensitivities, and the importance of self-awareness:
- “If I’m gonna go on stage and talk about someone else’s behavior, then I have to confront my own past behavior... And I have to say, also, if I’m going to go on stage and talk about someone else’s behavior, then I have to confront my own past behavior and reconcile. Do I think I’m an improved person now?” – Rory [33:29]
5. Accountability, Apology, and Growth Culture
[35:58] - [39:42]
- The group laments contemporary “right-fighter” attitudes and “cancel culture,” praising those able to admit fault and change.
- Real remorse and accountability have social currency; perfection is not, nor should be, the expectation.
- “I think a lot of people don’t realize the currency of genuinely showing remorse… asking forgiveness.” – Rory [38:33]
6. Streaming TV, Show Cancellations, and Physical
[44:44] - [48:51]
- Rory discusses the abrupt ending of Apple TV’s "Physical" after three seasons, compared to the original five-season vision.
- “It’s really unfortunate… audiences are owed a little bit of closure to these stories…” – Rory [45:31]
- Bryan and Rory discuss how the economics of streaming have hurt creative storytelling—show contracts are terminated based on subscriber numbers, not artistic merit.
7. Making ‘Those Who Can’t’
[51:59] - [55:19]
- Bryan fanboys over "Those Who Can’t," sharing a hilarious story about downloading the show while fighting chickens on a trip in Spain.
- Rory recounts its origins: filming a “pilot” for Amazon during the early days of streaming TV, doing the show with friends, and “not taking it seriously at all.”
- “I just kept trying to get them to break… at no point did it feel like a job job… I was too inexperienced to let doubt or expectations seep in. I just had fun.” – Rory [54:46]
8. Improvisation, Standup, and Rory’s Artistic Voice
[56:35] - [60:39]
- Rory unpacks his artistic process: wanting to act vs. focusing on standup, and finding his most authentic creative work in standup.
- The recent Max special ("Religion, Sex, and a Few Things In Between") is a point of pride, especially for its improvisational elements.
- “My brain is in standup mode… But I know at the end of April, I’ll be going back to start shooting other stuff… Let’s not just do enough. Let’s try to be, you know, remarkable.” – Rory [60:20]
9. On Largo and the Alt-Comedy Scene
[39:58] - [42:27]
- Discussion of LA’s famous Largo club as a creative hotspot, with comedians and musicians experimenting in a supportive space.
- “Largo just happens to be that great, sort of... place to go experiment as a proven artist.” – Rory [41:26]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Being an Informed Citizen (Humorous Vaccine Opener)
"If it saves my life, fine. If it kills me, great. But the last thing you will ever see me do is Google what’s in the vaccine and then sit there and pretend as though I understand the words that I’m reading. Whoa. Glorbasahal! Whoa, whoa, whoa!" — Rory Scovel [00:00]
On Religion and Authenticity
“Anything beyond that [being good to others] is just so unnecessary… wildly outdated… That one element of how to be a person is universal… All the other minutiae has nothing to do with anything. It has literally zero importance.” — Rory Scovel [29:46]
“Religion is really kind of a communal club. It’s another great example that we as humans crave community. Unfortunate that it’s now been tainted.” — Rory Scovel [31:34]
On Self-Growth and Owning Faults
“I have made many mistakes… If you’re past those mistakes, then you’re living a human, real human life.” — Rory Scovel [34:23]
“People think they’ve lost if they admit that they weren’t right the whole time.” — Rory Scovel [35:17]
On Streaming Media & Series Endings
“People on that side of the table, on that side of the camera don’t factor in that maybe all these audiences are owed a little bit of closure to these stories as opposed to deciding to abruptly end them.” — Rory Scovel [45:31]
On Discovery, Creation, and Audience
“Who am I doing this for? … You reconfigure who you think you are as an artist.” — Rory Scovel [58:20]
“I do already know in my soul that I’m very good at stand up. I know it. … I think I’ve only gotten so far in standup because I like acting and I like standup and so I’ve given each half effort.” — Rory Scovel [59:53]
On Improv and Standup
“You are a natural storyteller. I call you a tendril comic. … Someone who knows how to take a left turn and then get back on the road at some point. But in between, we’re going to have a little laughs with this absurdity.” — Bryan Green [61:14]
On Artistry & Taking Creative Risks
“When you realize you don’t have that audience member [my dad] anymore, you go, well, then what is it that I’m trying to do and for who and what am I trying to say?” — Rory Scovel [58:20]
Timed Highlights (Timestamps)
- 00:00-01:12 — Rory’s tongue-in-cheek take on vaccine skepticism (“Glorbasahal!”)
- 13:13-17:14 — Rory’s upbringing, moving from Greenville to Denver, and growing up Catholic in a large family
- 17:14-24:49 — ADHD diagnosis, medication, and impact on learning and life skills
- 29:18-31:47 — The role of religion, moving beyond dogma, and evolving faith and values
- 35:58-38:39 — Conversations on accountability, apologizing, and growth
- 39:58-42:27 — Why LA’s Largo remains an acclaimed performance space for both comics and musicians
- 44:44-48:51 — Why so many prestige series are canceled at 3 seasons; practicality vs. art in TV
- 51:59-55:19 — The hilarious behind-the-scenes story of filming the pilot for "Those Who Can’t"
- 56:35-66:01 — Rory reflects on balancing standup, acting, and artistry after personal loss
Episode Tone & Final Thoughts
The episode is quintessentially TCB: chaotic, deeply personal, and packed with random asides (e.g., “auto-blow” machines, chicken attacks on Bryan in Spain). The chemistry between the hosts and Rory is palpable, moving easily from hilarity to vulnerable self-reflection. Like the best “hang” conversations, there’s no airtight structure—just shared stories, honest opinions, and lessons from years in comedy, show business, and life.
“You are a smart, kind, empathetic, self-aware human being who also happens to be hilarious.” — Bryan Green [66:36]
For fans of comedy, artistry, or simply curious, candid conversations, this episode offers a rich blend of humor, wisdom, and behind-the-scenes insight.
Links to Rory’s Special, Tour, and Socials are in the episode notes!
Listen for the full, unfiltered conversation.