The Commercial Break – "TCB Infomercial w. Mo Gilligan"

Date: May 14, 2024
Hosts: Bryan Green, Krissy Hoadley
Guest: Mo Gilligan (Comedian, UK TV Host)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Commercial Break’s "Infomercial" series features British comedy superstar Mo Gilligan. Bryan and Krissy dive into Mo’s journey from viral social media sketches filmed in his mom’s bedroom to selling out arenas, conquering British TV, and launching an international stand-up tour—including his launch in the U.S. They riff on everything from ice bath culture and comedic influences, to the nuances of fame, Netflix “arrival” moments, and what it means to remain grounded while success explodes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast Banter & Pop Culture Warm-Up (00:00 – 12:20)

• The hosts riff on:
  • The Apple Watch giving unsolicited health advice.
  • Prop bets in sports, their prevalence on U.S. college campuses, and the risks of sports betting culture.
  • Charlie Sheen’s public persona and media circus around his addictions, drawing a comedic parallel to the episode’s embrace of chaotic, unpolished charm.
• Notable moment:
  • Bryan joking about “beds” vs. “bets”:
    • "We'll be making beds while you're making bets." (04:36)

2. Mo Gilligan Joins: The Cold Plunge Debate (12:20 – 15:32)

• Mo reveals his attempt at the ice bath fad in a NYC hotel room.
  • "I said, this is not a Black experience. This is not for me, man." – Mo Gilligan (14:26)
• Shared agreement across hosts and guest: Cold plunges are for extreme athletes, not for normal people—or comedians!

3. Mo’s Rise: Social Media to Stage to Screen (15:32 – 22:11)

• Mo traces his origin story:
  • Began with IG videos around the time Instagram expanded to video; wasn’t about followers, just testing out material he couldn’t do elsewhere.
  • Early viral success led to recognition, but Mo was already experienced on the UK stand-up circuit, working retail by day.
  • Practical view:
    • “If you have a viral moment, it doesn't last very long and you have to find your way to extend it or ideally monetize it. A lot of creatives—we're not business people, we're creative.” — Mo (17:59)
• Mo credits his approach as organic and fulfilling, especially as a Black British comic, blazing a new trail outside traditional TV channels.

4. Space for Black British Comics, Influence & Representation (20:10 – 22:11)

• Mo highlights a separate Black comedy circuit in the UK; figures like Slim, Richard Blackwood, Lenny Henry as limited but significant predecessors.
• Notes his own path—via social media then TV—was unique, especially at a time when there weren't many breaking into mainstream TV from that background.

5. UK TV Breakout: The Big Narstie Show & Beyond (22:11 – 26:23)

• Mo recalls juggling 4 TV appearances in one night and the surreal experience of that newfound visibility.
• He describes his TV start as co-host of The Big Narstie Show:
  • No playbook to follow: “They knew what I was able to do with comedy and stand up. So it was like, be yourself, you know, be you.” – Mo (23:08)
  • Anecdote: Wild guest stories (particularly with Dennis Rodman); three-hour shoots cut down to one hour.
• The leap from TV led to greater opportunities, including his own talk show.

6. The Netflix ‘Arrival’ & Going Global (26:23 – 32:07)

• The first Netflix special was a career watershed:
  • “I kind of knew, like, my life would change... it was something that was going globally.” — Mo (26:48)
• Emotional “surprise” party with family after his Netflix release; underscores how quickly life changed—from retail job to global stages in three years.
• The Netflix bump: Mo describes the flood of messages from all over the world—“It really blew my mind.”

7. Navigating Fame: The Upsides, the Weirdness, and Real-World Impact (32:07 – 35:59)

• Mo discusses the day-to-day changes after becoming a household name:
  • Booking tables under fake names, postmen recognizing his deliveries.
  • "No one's ever sure of what it's like when you become famous...it comes with the territory." — Mo (32:07)
  • He’s most concerned with protecting friends and family from unwanted attention.

8. World Touring: Coming Back to Standup (36:19 – 42:14)

• Mo’s first world tour post-pandemic:
  • Stand-up is “pure,” TV and hosting were fulfilling but he missed the “vulnerability” of comedy before.
  • “I need to go back to the thing that made me vulnerable…But comedy is the thing that…it's so pure for me as an art form. You go on stage, there is just me and a microphone.” — Mo (38:53)
• Touring outside the UK is both daunting and exciting; embracing the creative high-wire act of new, unfamiliar rooms and audiences.

9. The Joy (and Reality) of Tour Travel (40:08 – 42:32)

• Mo admits living out of a suitcase gets old, but finds it a "champagne problem."
• “You get to see different places, different vibes...it's the best part of the job.” — Mo (42:20)
• Humor about always needing a new suitcase because of how much he shops on the road.

10. Culture Connections and International Appeal (42:32 – 44:44)

• Mo shares about his Caribbean/Jamaican roots and aspirations to play regions like the Caribbean and Africa.
• Anecdote: In Japan, locals immediately pull up his Netflix special = global recognition.

11. Small Rooms, Big Magic (44:44 – 48:07)

• Mo and Bryan share perspectives on the intimate power of small club gigs.
  • “The small rooms are where you find God... when you're a creator and you're in that zone, it's almost like something else takes over.”— Bryan (45:08)
  • Mo: “It's more just your creative ego that wants to do that [big] room... but it's not what I strive for long term.”

12. Wrap-up, Next Steps, and Warm Sendoff (48:07 – End)

• Bryan, Krissy, and Mo exchange invitations (Venezuelan/Brazilian food, birthday shout-outs).
• Mo: “I want to do a tour, a world tour that makes me feel like I'm going everywhere around the world.” (44:51)
• Bryan: “I told you I was going to find a way to fit British comedy into the show…You're our first British comic. You broke the seal. You'll always remember your first, Mo.” (49:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On viral fame and business-savvy for creatives:

  • “If you have a viral moment, it doesn't last very long and you have to find your way to extend it or ideally monetize it. A lot of creatives—we're not business people, we're creative.” — Mo (17:59)

• On cold plunges being over-hyped:

  • “I said, this is not a Black experience. This is not for me, man.” — Mo (14:26)

• On Black British comics blazing new paths:

  • “There wasn’t anyone that looked like myself even on TV. So…that route felt the most organic for me, but also the most fulfilling.” — Mo (19:04)

• On the Netflix moment:

  • “I kind of knew, like, my life would change in a way... it was something that was going globally.” — Mo (26:48)

• On the peculiar day-to-day of fame:

  • “You start realizing I can't put my name on stuff... the postman starts delivering a package... ‘Ah, Mo Gilligan!’” — Mo (32:07)

• On returning to standup for the creative thrill:

  • “I'm missing being nervous, I'm missing being vulnerable…comedy is so pure for me as an art form.” — Mo (38:53)

• Host Bryan on the magic of small rooms:

  • “The small places are where you find God.” — Bryan (45:08)

• Signature TCB chaotic warmth:

  • “When you find something good, and you know that a lot of people don't know about it, you're like, oh, that's exciting. Let's get Mo out there.” — Bryan (50:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 04:25 – Host banter, pop culture, and sports betting musings.
• 12:20 – 15:32 – Mo’s take on cold plunges and hotel ice bath ordeal.
• 15:32 – 20:10 – Mo’s social media comedy start, going viral, and business realities.
• 20:10 – 22:11 – Black British comedy circuit, representation, role models.
• 22:11 – 26:23 – UK TV breakout, co-hosting with Big Narstie, transitioning to TV.
• 26:23 – 32:07 – Netflix specials, global exposure, surprise party, family support.
• 32:07 – 35:59 – Navigating fame, protecting family from attention.
• 36:19 – 42:14 – Return to standup, the vulnerability and excitement of international touring.
• 40:08 – 42:32 – The reality (and perks) of traveling for comedy.
• 42:32 – 44:44 – Connecting globally, stories from the road (Japan/Jamaica), dreams for a truly global tour.
• 44:44 – 48:07 – The creative importance of small comedy rooms, philosophical riff on performance.
• 48:07 – End – Warm farewells, logistical behind-the-scenes, and closing remarks.

Tone & Takeaway

The episode is quintessentially TCB: loose, irreverent, funny, and warmly conversational. Mo Gilligan’s authenticity shines as he discusses keeping it real despite fame, returning to the vulnerability of standup, and the joys and awkwardness of global recognition.
Bryan and Krissy’s enthusiasm for British comedy and their guest is infectious—they make it feel like you’re hanging out at their kitchen table, eavesdropping on a great story.

Final Note: Vibe check—Mo Gilligan’s blend of humility, gratitude, and pure comedic energy makes it clear why he’s breaking out on the world stage. Don't sleep on his Netflix specials or his next U.S. tour stops—this is the real deal.

For links and more: mogilligan.com | TCBpodcast.com
Best to you, Mo!