The Commercial Break: TCB Infomercial with Paul Chowdhury

Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Bryan Green
Guest: Paul Chowdhury

Episode Overview

This TCB Infomercial episode features acclaimed UK comedian Paul Chowdhury, renowned for selling out massive venues such as Wembley Arena and O2 Arena, embarking on international tours, and appearing in specials on Amazon Prime and Comedy Central. Recorded while Bryan was under the weather and Chrissy was returning from vacation, the conversation explores the differences in comedic culture between the UK and the US, the realities of performing in arenas, the evolving landscape of stand-up amid audience sensitivities, and deep dives into pop culture touchstones from celebrity psychics to serial killer documentaries. The episode sparkles with irreverent banter, industry insights, and Paul’s unique, deadpan comedic style.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arena Comedy & The Realities of Big Venues

[10:13–16:26]

• Selling Out Wembley and Performing at O2 Arena:
  Paul recounts going from "de-rigging" Mariah Carey's stage as a student to later selling out those same venues as a comic.

  "I went from de rigging Mariah Carey's stage to then performing on the same stage... I thought one day, you know, I'll sell this room out." — Paul Chowdhury [13:38]

• The Business (and Ego) of Big Shows:
  Paul breaks down how playing arenas is less about profit ("If you break even, you’ve won. If you did, you did it as a statement") and more about making an industry statement.

  "Comics do it as a statement... You are paying for the privilege of playing, and it's not an easy gig." — Paul Chowdhury [15:19]

• The Odd Dichotomy of Big Versus Small Rooms:
  Arena comedy involves adjusting timing for laughter to travel ("You have to wait a couple seconds for your voice to reach the back").
  Smaller venues let comics connect personally and play with energy more directly.

2. Danger (and Peril) of Corporate Gigs

[17:44–20:50]

• Paul’s Tales from the Corporate Circuit:
  After Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, Paul describes being assaulted at a wedding gig for making a joke as requested by the groom—proving that “corporate shows are quite dangerous.”

  "He rushed the stage and grabs the mic off me and said... If you continue to say this, I'm going to punch you in the head." — Paul Chowdhury [20:13]

• Increased Aggression at Shows:
  Both Paul and Bryan lament that audiences seem more volatile, with people "quicker to get crazy; they're quick to snap."

3. Comedy in the Age of Outrage

[22:04–24:49]

• The Shift in How Audiences React:
  Paul notes a cultural shift: "People understood that jokes on stage were jokes. And now people are taking this very seriously."

• Viral Clips and Personal Offense:
  "People are only offended by material when it affects them... I could do 10 jokes about something that is so offensive, but I do one joke about, say, a sweatshirt that you're wearing, and that could affect you." — Paul Chowdhury [23:55]

• Working with Comedy Legends:
  Name-drops of Patrice O'Neal and Bill Burr ("Bill Burr came to London and opened for me at the golf. At this golf club.") with stories about touring with them or sharing bills.
  Hilariously, Paul quips:

  "I'm not sure what [Bill Burr] went on to become, but I haven't heard of him since." [26:25]

4. Adapting Comedy for International Audiences

[27:54–29:09]

• Translating References:
  Paul shares that as a British-Indian comedian, he switches references in the US ("change Sainsbury’s to Walmart") and Americanizes terms so local audiences connect.

  "Real estate is local. All comedy might be local, too." — Bryan Green [27:37]

• Recent Tour Details:
  Upcoming US tour, titled "AI Artificial Indian", and recent spots at NYC’s Comedy Cellar (a "storied club" for working out new material).

5. Pop Culture, Psychics & Skepticism

[29:58–35:17]

• Discussion on Sylvia Browne & TV Psychics:
  Both lambast the late TV psychic for exploiting grieving families. Bryan describes the harm done on “The Montel Williams Show” ("she would start just telling people falsehoods, bullshitting them").

• Skeptics & James Randi's Legacy:
  Paul recommends the documentary “An Honest Liar” on the debunking of psychics, calling attention to the public’s willingness to believe for comfort.

  "People want to believe a lie because it... gives something from believing there's something after this existence." — Paul Chowdhury [33:47]

6. Rise of Conspiracy Theories

[35:05–36:31]

• From Experiment to Mainstream:
  Paul points out conspiracy theories were once an experiment (likely referencing government psychological studies) but now are "the norm".
• Shift from Facts to 'Your Truth':
  "There's no truth anymore. It's your truth... You don't have to go to medical school... a Google search can debunk those." — Paul Chowdhury [35:56]
  Comments on how the US is "first and foremost the land of conspiracy theories," which is now spreading to the UK.

7. Comedy Influences & British vs. American Stand-Up

[37:10–46:07]

• British Comedy’s Roots and Evolution:
  Paul grew up absorbing “primitive” 70s/80s UK comedy and later sought out American comics—Prior, Kinison, Murphy, Carlin—via cassette tapes, traveling to central London for the hot releases.

• Contrast in Styles:
  UK comedy was more "set up punchline," while US comics like Kinison were raw, ranting, and loud. Paul and Bryan dissect how certain legendary acts have (or have not) aged well.

  "Back then, comedy was very different. You had to go and buy a cassette tape... That was our life adventure." — Paul Chowdhury [39:21]
  "I don't think [Andrew Dice Clay's] hickory dickory dock is on the top of anybody's..." — Co-host [42:33]

• Endurance and Aging in Comedy:
  Discussing Jackie Mason and George Carlin, Paul muses:

  “But when do you stop doing this? Because when I do these big, big shows and I'm on the road for months at a time... now I feel it at this age.” [45:49]

8. US Tour, Touring Challenges, and More

[46:07–61:43]

• Touring in The US vs The UK:
  The logistical, physical, and cultural challenges of touring a country as big as the US, with regional crowd differences—“planes, trains, and automobiles kind of thing.”
• Geographic and Cultural Vastness:

  "The UK is almost the same, if not a tiny bit bigger than New York State. So we're a tiny little island in comparison to you guys." — Paul Chowdhury [46:07]

• US Regional Audiences:
  Paul delights in performing outside the standard cities (“You have to go to the family in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre... that's when you realize if you're really funny”).

9. Crime, Serial Killers & Pop Culture Netflix

[48:19–54:42]

• The American Serial Killer Obsession:
  Entertaining banter about Netflix true crime series (Ed Gein, Menendez Brothers, Versace, Dahmer) and cultural fascination with serial killers.
• “CCTV Killed the Serial Killer”:
  Paul’s take that ubiquitous surveillance in the UK and phone cameras means "you don't get as many anymore."
• Dark Humor on Crime:
  Jokes about Dahmer’s victims (“White people are very bland, you know, if you want flavor, you go ethnic, so that almost got me canceled” — Paul Chowdhury [54:25]), and speculation about the Menendez brothers’ motives.

10. Tour Dates, Where to Watch, and Wrap-Up

[57:21–61:43]

• US Tour Begins Jan 6 in Los Angeles:
  Other stops: Seattle, Denver, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, New York, Toronto, Philly, Dallas, Atlanta (Buckhead Theater).

• Where to Watch Paul's Special:
  Illegally uploaded to YouTube (“I think somebody illegally uploaded onto YouTube...so before I get it taken down...”).
  Officially available in the UK on Sky TV/Now TV.

  "You can illegally not give Paul money by watching it on YouTube..." — Co-host [60:38]

• Parting Words:
  “I’ve been doing this all my life...I’ve gone from playing arenas to the biggest comedy podcast in all of North Atlanta. I’ve made it.” — Paul Chowdhury [61:26]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the expense and statement of arena gigs:

  "If you break even, you’ve won the day...It’s a flex, it’s a statement, and hopefully an attention grabber for the next big thing." — Co-host [16:26]

• On audience sensitivity:

  "As long as it's funny… Was it funny? That's the point." — Paul Chowdhury [24:49]

• On the loss of context in online clips:

  "I’m very careful now as to what clips to upload...People are only offended by material when it affects them." — Paul Chowdhury [23:55]

• On comedy as catharsis:

  “When you’re laughing, you’re opening up even to ideas that otherwise you wouldn’t...it’s like a Trojan horse.” — Co-host [23:03]

• On serial killer documentaries:

  “You guys do make the best serial killers. I have to give you that. We can’t…” — Paul Chowdhury [51:24]

• On the ubiquity of conspiracy thinking:

  “There’s no truth anymore. It’s your truth...If you do a Google search, you can debunk those.” — Paul Chowdhury [35:56]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------| | 10:13 | Paul's Wembley/O2 experience & arena comedy dynamics | | 17:44 | Dangers of doing corporate gigs & being rushed | | 22:04 | Comedy and audience sensitivities, threats | | 24:49 | Working with Patrice O’Neal, Bill Burr anecdote | | 27:37 | Adapting sets for US audiences & Comedy Cellar | | 29:58 | Sylvia Browne, TV psychics, & James Randi | | 35:05 | Rise of conspiracy theories and "your truth" | | 37:10 | Paul's early life—comedy influences | | 46:07 | Touring US vs UK—lifestyle and career reflections | | 48:19 | Serial killers, documentaries, and pop culture | | 57:21 | Paul’s US tour details & where to watch his special | | 61:26 | Parting thoughts and thanks |

Tone & Vibe

• Humorous, reflective, irreverent, and self-deprecating.
• Paul’s deadpan delivery and sharp wit pairs perfectly with Bryan's breezy, “best-friend-who-loves-a-tangent” energy.
• The episode is peppered with insider comedy talk and dark comedy, with side trips into oddball pop culture and deep British/American comparisons.

Recommended for

• Fans of stand-up comedy, especially those familiar with both UK/US scenes
• Comedy industry insiders and aspiring comics
• Those interested in the cultural impact of outrage, celebrity, and the business side of entertainment
• Anyone who appreciates unfiltered, witty pop culture banter

[End of Summary]