Podcast Summary: The Commercial Break — TCB Infomercial w/ Scott Seiss
Date: September 12, 2024
Host(s): Bryan Green & Krissy Hoadley
Guest: Scott Seiss (“Angry Retail Guy” — TikTok/IG, actor in Cocaine Bear, author of The Customer is Always Wrong)
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode of The Commercial Break’s "TCB Infomercial" series features comedian, viral TikTok star, and actor Scott Seiss. Known for his “Angry Retail Guy” sketches, Scott joins Bryan and Krissy to discuss his new book The Customer is Always Wrong, his grind in customer service jobs, the wild world of retail work, the making of Cocaine Bear, and why comedy rooted in working-class struggles resonates. The conversation blends classic TCB banter, absurd workplace stories, and earnest reflections on empathy for service workers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introducing Scott Seiss & His Viral Comedy
- [01:23] Bryan welcomes listeners and introduces Scott as “the angry retail guy from TikTok” who went viral for his relatable sketches on retail/customer service.
- Light-hearted confusion over the pronunciation of “Seiss” (spelled S-E-I-S-S).
- Scott has a new book (The Customer is Always Wrong), headlines comedy shows, and played the ambulance driver in Cocaine Bear.
2. Cocaine Bear and Cult Comedy Movies
- [03:49] The hosts and Scott discuss Cocaine Bear, labeling it a “cult classic-in-the-making” with mass appeal due to its outrageous premise.
- Krissy recalls seeing the film in theaters, laughing out loud with a full audience.
- Quick tangent about director Elizabeth Banks and beloved 90s game shows like Press Your Luck and The Price Is Right ([04:31]).
3. Scott’s Origin: Dundalk, Baltimore, and Oxford Hot Dogs
- [08:10] Scott reveals he’s from Dundalk, Maryland, “most famous for its waste treatment plant,” which locals poke fun at for its smell: “I love it. It's called character.”
- Shares love for Baltimore and attending Orioles games mainly for the “hot dog races”—mustard vs. ketchup showdowns.
4. The Financial Reality of Adulthood
- [09:47] Bryan references one of Scott’s viral reels: “People wonder why other people aren't having children anymore. It's because I don’t have an extra $300,000 lying around.”
- Discussion of freezing bread to save money—a relatable financial hack.
5. Working in Retail & Customer Service
- [11:03] Scott’s retail resume: Ikea call center employee, Domino’s (“for two weeks”), murder mystery dinner theater actor.
- The core of his comedy: “a lot of people don’t like their jobs, which is great for engagement.”
- Hosts share their own stints in food service and sales, agreeing that “people can be terrible” when served, and that working such jobs can make you more compassionate.
Notable Quotes
- “When I say people, I mean all of us at some point are terrible.” —Bryan [12:58]
- “I've been a customer here for over 40 years…and it's like, ‘Oh, good, then you'll be dead soon.’” —Scott [14:16]
- “Working in customer service is like changing a baby’s diaper, and the baby just starts pissing on you. You’re the only one trying to help.” —Scott [15:19]
6. Empathy for Service Workers
- The group expresses their “no return/always tip well” approach at restaurants, shaped by years of grinding in service roles.
- Bryan: “You may be the only one tonight that gives [the server] plus-20%. I want you to know I’m appreciative.”
- Scott reflects on why customers mistreat service workers—sometimes passing down frustration because “they can exercise it over someone lower on the ladder.”
7. Retail & Class Commentary: Then & Now
- [18:48] Nostalgia for TV’s Married with Children—Al Bundy could support a family on a shoe store salary, an impossible scenario today.
- “Now you’d have to work at a shoe store, be a programmer on the side, do Fiverr jobs…” —Bryan [19:09]
- Scott: “Now it’s like, I can’t afford to read more than five Vulture articles a month. How the hell am I getting a house?” [19:22]
8. Origin & Impact of Angry Retail Guy
- [19:44] Scott started the retail sketches in 2021 when live standup ground to a halt; they quickly took off on TikTok and via meme compilations on Twitter.
- He credits “customer service alumni” for packing his comedy shows with polite, empathetic fans.
Audience Connections
- Scott gathers wild stories from crowds: “Someone came into Target and took a shit in a shoebox and put it back on the shelf…” [21:59]
- Jobs where “you deal with so much more than you should from the boss, customers, everyone.” —Scott [22:53]
9. Disney World & Workplace Horror Stories
- [24:08] The group muses about working at Disney World (“the happiest, most miserable place on Earth”) and the psychological toll on staff dealing with exhausted, entitled customers.
- Scott shares his wife’s horror stories from working at a Disney Store: “It’s hard to keep the smile on your face when a kid smashes a cup on the ground…not breaking eye contact.”
Bryan recounts a gory Disney World mishap:
- “A woman had shat herself and all over the seat... She was yelling at the (custodial staff), ‘Can I please get some towels for myself?’ …I am seeing the worst of humanity here in the place where you’re supposed to be the best.” [25:32]
10. Cocaine Bear: Behind the Scenes
- [26:05] Scott calls Cocaine Bear “the best job I ever had,” describing his death scene, working with Elizabeth Banks, and receiving a casting message simply titled “COCAINE BEAR” on Facebook.
- Describes meeting his “bear” — a New Zealand mocap actor literally sitting on him during scenes: “It was amazing.” [27:56]
- Movie discussion tangent: holiday action-comedy Violent Night and the dream double feature with Cocaine Bear.
11. The Book: The Customer is Always Wrong
- Scott wrote the book after fans repeatedly said, “I could fill a book with [customer service stories].”
- “It’s just filled with a bunch of rants and bits... Meant to be given as a gift for, like, an office Secret Santa.” —Scott [31:02]
- His wife tested jokes as a standup audience, timing her laughs per page.
Audio Version Experience
- “I consider myself a performer first... reading the audiobook was the most fun... You do standup, you know if something’s funny immediately. When you write, you find out in 18 months.” —Scott [32:02]
- The recording took a full day and four hours, with “lots of lemon and tea.”
12. A Comic’s Relationship with the Internet & Branding Tangent
- Reflections on how viral bits create loyal fanbases, with Scott relishing his “Scott Ceiss Hive.”
- Hosts riff on Elon Musk renaming Twitter to X; Scott jokes: “It’s like if Kleenex was like, we’re actually called Nose Jobbers now. What the f*** are you talking about, Kleenex?” [37:01]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Count your blessings. I work, you pay. It’s an exchange, not a prize.” —Scott [00:00], from his viral TikTok persona
- “It’s funny—everyone who’s worked customer service has a shitting story.” —Scott [25:45]
- “I had a Facebook message that said ‘COCAINE BEAR’ in all caps. You have to open that.” —Scott [27:34]
- “I want this book in every hotel nightstand.” —Scott [33:45]
- “Why does [Elon] control so many things in the sky?” —Scott [36:24]
- “The Scott Ceiss Hive Meeting Center… No, I like ‘the Hive.’” —Krissy & Scott [37:55]
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment / Topic | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | [01:23] | Show open; introducing Scott Seiss, “Angry Retail Guy” | | [03:49] | Cocaine Bear cult status, Elizabeth Banks, 90s game show chat | | [08:10] | Scott’s Baltimore roots, Dundalk stories, Orioles fandom | | [09:47] | Viral “children are expensive” bit, financial realities | | [11:03] | Scott’s customer service jobs & the birth of his comedy persona | | [14:04] | Empathy for workers, tipping, customer horror stories | | [18:48] | Class & work: TV vs. reality; Al Bundy can’t exist today | | [19:44] | The rise of Angry Retail Guy and TikTok virality | | [21:59] | Wildest fan workplace stories (“shit in a shoebox at Target”) | | [24:08] | ‘Happiest place’ vs. hell: Disney World staff horror | | [26:05] | Cocaine Bear behind the scenes, casting, best/wildest scenes | | [30:26] | Writing The Customer is Always Wrong: process, intent | | [32:02] | Audiobook recording stories; art of performing the book | | [36:10] | Tangent: Twitter/X, brand name failures, “Nose Jobbers” analogy | | [37:55] | “Scott Ceiss Hive Meeting Center,” riffing on podcast renaming |
Where to Learn More / Show & Guest Plugs
- Scott Seiss: scottseiss.com for tour dates, book (The Customer is Always Wrong available everywhere, hardcover & audiobook), and social links.
- TCB Live Shows: Tickets at Dania Beach Improv (Sept 24) and Orlando Funny Bone (Sept 25) — links in the show notes.
- TCB Podcast: Instagram @thecommercialbreak, TikTok @TCBpodcast, text/call 212-433-3822, website tcbpodcast.com
Tone & Takeaway
With characteristic Commercial Break irreverence, the hosts and Scott blend self-deprecation, pop-culture riffs, workplace venting, and earnest class commentary, all through the lens of someone who has seen the “worst—and funniest—of humanity” behind the customer service counter. The result is an easygoing, hilarious, but thoughtful episode perfect for anyone who’s ever clocked in and bit their tongue for a paycheck.
“Working in customer service is like changing a baby’s diaper, and the baby just starts pissing on you. You’re the only one trying to help.”
— Scott Seiss [15:19]
For full context, listen from [08:10] onward for Scott’s personal stories and from [26:05] for his cocaine-fueled acting adventure.