South Beach Sessions - David Alan Grier

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – South Beach Sessions Featuring David Alan Grier

In this engaging episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan LeBatard and Stugotz welcome the acclaimed comedian and actor David Alan Grier. Filmed at the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, the conversation delves deep into Grier's illustrious 40-year career, his early life in Detroit, experiences on iconic shows like In Living Color, and his perspectives on contemporary social and political issues.

---

1. Introduction to David Alan Grier

Dan LeBatard opens the session by expressing his admiration for Grier’s extensive career. Grier humorously describes himself as a "living fossil" ([01:07])—a testament to his enduring presence in the entertainment industry.

Notable Quote:

David Alan Grier ([01:07]): "Living fossil, a dinosaur. Still alive. The past, the present, the future."

---

2. Early Life and Influences

Grier reminisces about his childhood in Detroit, highlighting his role as a class clown and the challenges he faced in school. Despite his mischievous nature, he maintained good academic performance, much to his mother's mixed reactions.

Key Points:

• Grew up in a disciplined household with professional parents.
• Faced disciplinary actions in elementary school for being disruptive.
• Influenced by both his mother's traditional values and his own penchant for comedy.

Notable Quote:

David Alan Grier ([02:02]): "I was a class clown since I was like a little kid. And that's just it. When I found comedy, that is acting, that was a way to do what I do."

---

3. Journey into Acting and Comedy

Grier discusses his initial aspirations to be a serious actor, inspired by figures like Sidney Poitier. However, his natural comedic talent guided him towards a career in comedy and later, sketch shows.

Key Points:

• Attempted to secure serious roles but often landed comedic parts.
• Found fulfillment in live performances for their immediate feedback.
• Transitioned from stand-up to television and film, embracing a versatile career.

Notable Quote:

David Alan Grier ([03:29]): "I just was funny, so, like. But I just was funny, so, like."

---

4. Experiences on In Living Color

One of the highlights of the conversation centers on Grier's time on the groundbreaking sketch comedy show In Living Color. He shares anecdotes about the vibrant environment, camaraderie among cast members, and the show's cultural impact.

Key Points:

• In Living Color allowed for creative freedom and immediate audience interaction.
• Developed lasting friendships with co-stars like Jim Carrey and Eddie Murphy.
• The show’s accessibility without a paywall contributed to its widespread popularity.

Notable Quote:

David Alan Grier ([33:05]): "In Living Color was a part of hip hop to this day, and I traversed those circles marginally, I was always given love, man."

---

5. Reflections on Fame and Public Interaction

Grier reflects on the duality of fame—the joy of connecting with fans and the challenges of being incessantly scrutinized by the public. He emphasizes the importance of self-preservation and maintaining genuine interactions without the trappings of excessive celebrity.

Key Points:

• Enjoys daily compliments from strangers, which he finds fulfilling.
• Chooses to live a low-profile life despite his fame, avoiding entourages and excessive displays of wealth.
• Values meaningful personal relationships over public recognition.

Notable Quote:

David Alan Grier ([20:18]): "Every day, at least one time a day, a complete stranger comes up and gives me a compliment."

---

6. Current Projects and Future Aspirations

Discussing his ongoing work, Grier highlights his role in the drama-comedy series St. Denis Medical. He expresses excitement about the project and his desire to continue evolving as an actor, seeking roles that challenge him both emotionally and creatively.

Key Points:

• Portrays Dr. Ron, a seasoned and disillusioned doctor in the series.
• Maintains a passion for live performance but prioritizes family life and personal well-being.
• Continues to seek diverse and meaningful roles that align with his artistic vision.

Notable Quote:

David Alan Grier ([45:03]): "I still crave great roles, and in the last few years, I've been able to do a lot of interesting serious singing, all kind of stuff."

---

7. Perspectives on the Entertainment Industry’s Future

Grier shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of Hollywood, expressing uncertainty about the industry's direction amidst technological advancements like AI and corporate takeovers. He underscores the unpredictability of content creation and distribution in the modern era.

Key Points:

• Concerned about the consolidation of production companies by hedge funds.
• Ponders the impact of AI on creative processes and content authenticity.
• Stresses the enduring need for quality content despite industry shifts.

Notable Quote:

David Alan Grier ([46:23]): "Nobody knows how that's gonna be. It's not gonna be the way it used to be."

---

8. Views on Race Relations and Social Issues

The conversation takes a poignant turn as Grier discusses the current state of race relations in America. Drawing from his upbringing and historical contexts, he advocates for personal responsibility, kindness, and avoiding divisive arguments to maintain social harmony.

Key Points:

• Reflects on historical and contemporary racial tensions.
• Emphasizes the importance of personal interactions and setting boundaries in politically charged environments.
• Encourages focusing on family and personal well-being amidst societal divisions.

Notable Quote:

David Alan Grier ([50:25]): "Just be kind of nice. I say please and thank you. Not a corny thing, but just cool out."

---

9. Shaping Influences from Detroit

Grier attributes much of his adaptability and understanding of diverse perspectives to his upbringing in Detroit. Exposure to both predominantly white and black environments equipped him with a unique ability to connect across different social groups.

Key Points:

• Attended both prep and public schools, interacting with diverse populations.
• Appreciated for his ability to relate to both white and black audiences without "selling out."
• Credits his parents for broadening his social awareness and adaptability.

Notable Quote:

David Alan Grier ([56:58]): "I went to predominantly white prep schools and I went to public school. I saw and intermingled with both sides, which makes you uniquely aware of both parts of society."

---

10. Conclusion and Final Reflections

As the episode wraps up, Grier shares heartfelt moments about personal experiences, such as dealing with the loss of a pet, highlighting the often overlooked emotional challenges faced by public figures. The hosts express their gratitude for his candidness and the depth of his career insights.

Key Points:

• Discusses the emotional toll of fame in personal crises.
• Highlights the importance of genuine human connections over superficial interactions.
• Ends on a positive note, emphasizing ongoing passion for his craft and life's simple joys.

Notable Quote:

David Alan Grier ([63:06]): "My daughter, my family. I'm going to vote for who I'm going to vote for... I'm going to walk in grace. Just don't be an asshole."

---

Final Thoughts

David Alan Grier’s conversation on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz offers a profound look into the life of a seasoned entertainer navigating the complexities of fame, personal fulfillment, and societal challenges. His reflections provide valuable insights into sustaining a meaningful career while maintaining personal integrity and fostering genuine human connections.

Transcript

[David Alan Grier]

Now's a good time to remember where the story of tequila started. In 1795, the first tequila distillery was opened by the Cuervo family. And 229 years later, Cuervo is still going strong.

[Jeremy]

Family owned from the start.

[David Alan Grier]

Same family, same land. Now's a good time to enjoy Cuervo, the tequila that invented tequila. Go to Cuervo.com to shop tequila or.

[Jeremy]

Visit a store near you.

[David Alan Grier]

Cuervo. Now's a good time. Trademarks Owned by Beckle SAB the CV.

[Jeremy]

Copyright 2024 Proximo Jersey City, New Jersey. Please drink responsibly.

[Dan LeBatard]

Welcome to South Beach Sessions. I'm going to need your help as a professional entertainer here because I legitimately don't know how to introduce you. When you're talking about 40 years of screen and stage, you're talking about Tony Awards. You've worked with everybody in this business, so help me do it. David Alan Grier, Legend, icon. Okay.

[David Alan Grier]

Living fossil, a dinosaur. Still alive. The past, the present, the future.

[Dan LeBatard]

Thank you for the help. I've admired your work for a long time and I will tell the people. One of the most legendary interviews in the history of the now dead television show. Highly questionable because you sat in a newsroom in Bristol, Connecticut and just shouted in every direction, disrupting every everybody's work in a way.

[David Alan Grier]

You had. You had a part in that. You prodded me.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes.

[David Alan Grier]

You know. Yeah, but it was a busy newsroom. Midday too. It was.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes. And you were shouting and fun and funny and you were making bomani and I laugh uproariously from a million miles away.

[David Alan Grier]

It was fun. I mean, I had fun. I had fun being prodded into mischief that day. It was great.

[Dan LeBatard]

Have you always enjoyed performing? Is that something that came to you naturally early in life?

[David Alan Grier]

Be honest with you. I was a class clown since I was like a little kid. And that's just it. I mean, when I found comedy, that is acting, that was a way to do what I do. Oh, that's the stuff I shouldn't be doing that people have a career out of. So it was just kind of a funneling into that. But before that, it was very much, don't do that. Please stop. You're going to get in trouble. Your mouth is going to get you in trouble is what my mom used to tell me. And she was right and wrong. So did it.

[Dan LeBatard]

But did it get you in trouble.

[David Alan Grier]

Growing up, Man, I remember, like the average period. I went to Schultz Elementary School in Detroit. The average period was 40 minutes. I remember getting kicked out of one class four times. So that's pretty bad.

[Dan LeBatard]

What were you doing?

[David Alan Grier]

What was everything, man Talking, making noises, fart noises and whispering. Just inappropriate. Mrs. Van Houten was my teacher's name, and she was exactly what you think she was. She looked like the evil Fraulein character from a James Bond movie. Remember the lady? She had the spike, the poison spike in her grandma shoe. That was Mrs. Van Otten. And she had Bell's palsy on one side.

[Dan LeBatard]

You didn't have a choice then. Really, though, when it came, like, if you're saying that's who you were from early on, then this is the path you were going to take toward a career.

[David Alan Grier]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Although, you know, there are two parts to me, just like anybody. I mean, there was a part where I always really wanted to be the serious Negro actor. You know, like, play the doctor, the lawyer and LA law. You know, stuff like that. But I just was funny, so, like.

[Dan LeBatard]

But who? Like Sidney Poitier.

[David Alan Grier]

You were like, of course Sidney Poitier. Like, when I started, I did Soldiers play in, like, 83. This is my second job, you know, out of acting school. Denzel Washington was in that cast. We all auditioned for St. Elsewhere. He obviously got it. You know, Saint Elsewhere was about doctors. You know, nurse, I'm in surgery, hand me the scalpel. I just never got those parts. I really would try to be earnest, serious black man. But, you know, I never did. I never got those parts. So a lot of it was trying to find my lane, find my way, what I'm supposed to do. And with young people, if you have kids or we've all been young, sometimes it takes you a little time before you find your lane. You even find that there's a lane for you. Because when I started acting, it was very much a world of. There were television actors, there were film actors, there were stage actors to traverse. Medium was very rare. Like when John Travolta became a big movie star. Half the story was, this is a guy who's on welcome Back Cotter, and now he's like, the number one star in the world, which was very rare in the 70s, you know, now everything feeds everything.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're doing that hospital show now, though, aren't you? Like you. Finally, this is the career achievement, the one you've been St. Denis Medical is what you're doing. And it's drama and comedy in the form of the bear succession. Barry, you're trying to do. It's the Office.

[David Alan Grier]

This is more real. This is more real. Thank God. I've never seen. Spent a night in a hospital. But I grew up. My dad was a psychiatrist. I grew up in a community in Detroit with doctors, black doctors and dentists and lawyers. So really straight, proper Negroes. I mean, my mother said there's three things you never talk about. Religion, salary and sex. I mean, you just, you know. But to ask someone, salary was really abhorrent. You were not supposed to do that. You just looked around and said, well, I think Dan's doing quite well. You know, stuff like that. Shh, don't tell. That's the kind of household I grew up in. But I was, you know, I was wild. I didn't want to do all that.

[Dan LeBatard]

But you're so. Your parents are professionals, and I would imagine there was discipline there. What were you acting out against? To get kicked out of class four times. Like, what were you doing? And how was that going over at home?

[David Alan Grier]

It was pretty bad, man. But, you know, my mom gave me all of my report cards. I got good grades, and at the end of the day, that was it. And then the grand scheme of things, these were mischiefs. It wasn't, you know, now it's like I never brought a gun to school, and they never found a kill list. I never, you know, that kind of stuff. So it was mischief. It was, like I said, talking in school. We used to, during recess, certain time of year, summertime, you could catch grasshoppers on the field. And, you know, me and other boys, we catch grasshoppers and we come back in class. You put them on the girl's hair and the shoulder. You know, stuff like that. Just constant, constant dumb stuff. There's more Little Rascals than, you know, gang behavior.

[Dan LeBatard]

And this is a difficult time in Detroit.

[David Alan Grier]

No, like, it was pre riot. Now, after 67, I was 12. Puberty, they were bigger concerns. But this is when I was really little. Third, fourth, fifth grade. You know, that.

[Dan LeBatard]

Like that about that time your father is writing about black rage.

[David Alan Grier]

He was a radical black man. Also. He was on tv. So, like, you know, in my neighborhood, anyone on TV that the phones would ring, you know, so and so's daughter's cousin down the street. I remember there was an Eastern airline commercial. And there was a black extra. Just a young, pretty black girl. Eastern airline. Well, my mom, all of her friends. There's a colored girl. Did you see that girl? She was on the commercial. Oh, yeah, I remember a friend of mine, distant relative. There was a stereo chain called Stereo City, and she was on the radio. Radio commercial for what do they call radio commercials, Radio spots, Radio spot for Stereo City. Go down to Stereo City. And I was like, that's her. I know the dude who's related to that person. So that's how fame was, man. So, yeah, I saw my dad on tv. By then he'd left. You know, my parents separated, but still he was on tv. There was a big. He had a big book. It was pretty. Pretty.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, what do you remember about black rage and how much did it have to do with you trying to join the Black Panthers?

[David Alan Grier]

Well, first of all, you know, that was a time, all of that stuff. I mean, and as my mom was a single mom then, she had two boys, me and my brother. My sister in Detroit, she was just trying to get us safely to adulthood. And the most frightening thing to them was the Black Panther Party. This was a radical, a group, political group. And I was 15. I went with my friend Ronnie Livingston. We walked all the way down to the Black Panther headquarters. And the door, it was like, bullet riddled, it painted 850 times. Dude answers, he's like, you know, what can I do, you know? Aslam lakem Young black revolutionaries. We were like, we want to join. He was like, can we, Jo? I think one of us. We were wearing an army jacket because, you know, I wanted the beret. I wanted the sexy part, the leather jacket. You were just exactly the accoutrements of, you know, there were no rappers. That's what you did. You know, you had some Black Panther newspapers, you know, but so you were also.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't know. I don't want to assume this about you, but if you would gravitate toward a life of performance and song, you were probably trying to be at least slightly more armored than you actually were.

[David Alan Grier]

We hid those. We hid. I used to hide my stuff like that was in the bushes outside the back door. So then I put all that stuff on my little jean jacket. We went over there. He said, you know, you too young. You too young, brothers. We only accept membership at 16. So they turned us down. I was relieved, frankly. And we didn't join. But, yeah, man, because Bobby Hutton was a Black Panther who was killed by the Oakland police. He was 16. So, you know, the reality of the situation for my parents was very precarious. My dad moved to San Francisco. He bought a waterbed and a dashiki. So I think he was 41. So clearly a midlife. Everybody wanted to go to the circus, man. I mean, please. Yeah. And at that time, San Francisco was probably the hippest place In America, Music, culture, politics, the whole vibe. I remember going there, and it was just electric hippies for, like. For real hippies. We all wanted to be hippies, black hippies, all kind of stuff. Grew a big Afro.

[Dan LeBatard]

But you're also interested in the arts at this point, so your rebellion is in the arts, right?

[David Alan Grier]

Yeah. Well, I mean, then I really loved music. I remember I was showing my mom a Jimi Hendrix album, and it was like I was looking at a picture of RuPaul, you know, in 67. 8. She was like, that man is wearing a blouse. I was like, no, it's not, Mom. It's just a shirt with flowers. You know, I want to get these silver platform boots. And they had rainbows and on them. And back then, a rainbow was just a rainbow, okay? It was lightning bolts. And she just looked at me like, why would you want that? And I was like, because he has velvet bell bottoms. His music. She said, this music sounds crazy. This man looks crazy. And, no, I'm not allowing it. So she tried, but we were just. That was where the sexy stuff was, man. I wanted to break out.

[Dan LeBatard]

You were rebelling against your everything.

[David Alan Grier]

I didn't want to, you know. Oh, I'm trying to say the good kids. Joe Marshall. These are real things, by the way, Joe Marshall, Jr. Just got into Harvard. David.

[Dan LeBatard]

Right.

[David Alan Grier]

You know, and that kind of thing where. That was cool. But I really wanted. I wanted to join the revolution, man. I wanted to go to Woodstock and, you know, rock festivals, all that kind of stuff.

[Dan LeBatard]

But then it became musicals, and it.

[David Alan Grier]

Went from music to musicals. That came later. Like, you know, when I decided, well, you know, when I have always been a pretty mediocre guitarist and I wrote songs and stuff like that, I decided, oh, I'll be an actor. Because I felt acting. I could grow old being an actor. You know, at 19, it was very much, I have to make it before I'm 30. That. Because that's old. But, you know, an actor, you could be old and graceful and elegant and spend your whole life acting. So that's when I started that whole journey. I didn't know I could sing, really. And it was just at that point in your life when you discover talents, and it was an amazing time, and I was just reveling in it, finding something that I felt really passionate about and wanting to go in that direction. Of course, my mom is like, just get a degree, you know, something that will get you a job. Like, she didn't want me to major in acting. She wanted me to be, you know, Economics with acting major. So I never really majored in acting until I got to grad school. I was in journalism.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, look at that.

[David Alan Grier]

Yeah, that was, that was a switch. So my mom just goes, just long.

[Dan LeBatard]

As it's respectable enough.

[David Alan Grier]

Yeah, barely.

[Dan LeBatard]

Barely respectable enough.

[David Alan Grier]

Keep her paying that college tuition, so.

[Dan LeBatard]

And you find out about singing when. How do you discover that you like to sing?

[David Alan Grier]

Well, you know, like I said, I would write songs and stuff. And by this time I was 17, 18, it was all kind of bubbling. This is early 70s going. All we did, me and my friends, is go to rock concert concerts. The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, all of it. The Motown Revue, everything. Music at Michigan. When I went to Michigan, University of Michigan, they had just general auditions. So they said these are the productions they're doing this year. And I just auditioned for everything. And I opened my mouth and sang. And people told me, usually that's, you know, when you're very young, hey, you're good. You're good at this. And I was like, oh, wow, okay. And it was, it was fun. It was fun. I didn't really know about music. Musicals are fun to do. Everybody's singing. There's beautiful women, you know, and it's awesome. So I do love doing them.

[Jeremy]

Hey, friends. Jeremy here. And you might be surprised to know this, but Halloween isn't actually my favorite holiday. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. And that's because it's a wonderful time to gather around with friends, to gather around with family, loved ones and just enjoy something together. Reflect on the year. Whether it's family gatherings or holiday parties with friends, this season is for enjoying time with the most important people in your life. Make the holidays even better with Miller Light. You know, sometimes when I'm sitting around after Thanksgiving and everybody's just kind of hanging out watching football, one of my favorite things to do is just look around the room, seeing all of the people holding that same drink of Miller Lite in their hands and just sharing a knowing glance with one of your family members of like, yeah, we made the right move. Miller Lite has the taste you can depend on. No games, no gimmicks, just a great beer. For people who like beer, making memories at year end gatherings tastes like Miller time. Go to millerlite.com beach to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere that they sell beer tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. Fewer calories in carbs than premium regular beer.

[Dan LeBatard]

I like talking to people who have your accrued experience and wisdoms about, like, things they've learned about the business. Because 40 years is a beast. But before I ask you about that, what. What can you tell me about how improbable your journey was to get to success? Like, how against the odds, do you believe it was or wasn't?

[David Alan Grier]

You know, I recently went back and spoke to the students at Michigan. Acting students at Michigan. Now, these are the facts. Roughly as I recall, I think less than 1% of the members of SAG AFTRA make over $7,500 a year. That just tells you. That doesn't even go into people who are making a living. That's a whole nother strata. And people you don't know. These are steadily working actors. You may see them. You look familiar. Something like that. And so to become a just a known actor, it's almost akin to, hey, I'm gonna play in the NBA, or hey, I want to be in the NFL. And I always start with, we know these statistics. You guys are still here. So then I'm not gonna dwell on that and we'll just talk about acting. But that never. That never stopped me. That never stopped me. Also, like sports, acting is very much public ownership by. It's only probably two people. Athletes and actors are the. That's the only occupation in which the general public is going to stop you on the street and critique your whole life. Like, why'd you do that? You sucked last in the week. You dropped the ball, you're horrible, and you're being overpaid. So those are the conversations I have. I remember I did Dancing with the Stars, and these two brothers in Whole Foods are like, man, why'd you do that? You dancing? And so, yeah, they go right in.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, how did that go over? Like, do you. Yeah, how does that one go over where you're making choices and people feel that entitled to tell you to your face when they have no idea who it is you are.

[David Alan Grier]

I mean, it used to bother me. I would engage. I remember my first wife, we got a divorce and I was in Dean and DeLuca, sold this really hoity toity grocery store in the Village in New York. And I said, this Hispanic woman, she's Puerto Rican. She said, how is your wife? My first wife is Puerto Rican. I said, oh, we got a divorce. Her face dropped and she said, ay, Dios mio. And I'm like, what? I didn't know her. She said, what am I going to tell My mother. So I was just about to go, well, here's what happened. And then I caught myself. I'm like, you don't even know that's what I mean. But she said it in a tone too, like, we're family. What you need that woman. I remember her saying that you need to be back with her. You guys need to resolve your differences. Oh, really? And I feel this. David, David. You know, and I was hurt, confused, and like trying to legitimize everything. And I went, I don't even know you. It's those kind of interactions that it just. People feel entitled, specifically with television, because television is in everyone's house, in their living rooms, in their bedrooms. We spend childhoods, years with families, individuals, and they just feel that ownership of your life. I mean, so it took me a while to separate from that in the sense that I don't owe you an explanation, you know. Well, like I said, when I was younger, I would try to explain everything. Now I go, yeah, just happened.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. You learned what is a nice day? What are the best and worst parts of fame after 40 years of being in it.

[David Alan Grier]

Well, I'll tell you, that's the weird thing. But the great things are probably every day, at least one time a day, a complete stranger comes up and gives me a compliment. My mother there was a Detroit school teacher for 30 years. I don't think people just stopped her, you know, hey, Mrs. Greer, I love you. You're doing a great job for no pay. No, I remember I was in a pet store and this guy came in, it was a very hot day. He drenched his sweat carrying 50 pound bags of dog food. And he threw this bag down. I thought he was going to punch me. And he said, man, you bring me such happiness. And I'm like, come on, man, That's a blessing. Nine times out of 10, people give me love. You know, they say, hey man, I love seeing you, it's so great. Love you, have a great day. That's the best part.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's hugely flattering. And the intimacy you're talking about, about being in people's living rooms, them feeling like they know you and your art is out there. Not only to make a career out of that is rare to make good money in a career because it's so improbable. But these people feel some sort of connection to.

[David Alan Grier]

I also, I think it's how you carry yourself, you know, I was never carried myself in a way that sparked violence or, you know, I'm a whoop your ass. I just never did that. I never had an entourage. You know, I toured and did stand up for many decades, and it was just me on a plane. I'd come to the venue and perform and go home. I didn't have bodyguards, henchmen. I never felt a need for it. I never hung out in clubs like, you know, throwing my weight around. I tried to appear smaller, but not to my detriment. I just wanted to go through the line and go to my seat. It wasn't, you know, I didn't wear jewelry and none of that stuff. I think if I did, it would be very much chattel. Ocho Cinco gas station diamonds, you know, but because he said people can't tell.

[Dan LeBatard]

Can't tell. I know Manny Ramirez used to have a $60 earring that looked like a big diamond.

[David Alan Grier]

Yeah. Really? Really. You know, your dad dies and he comes out. Son. Yes, dad, what's your last word? Go get that big gold diamond chain. It says poppy. Here you go. Here, I'm leaving you this now. Now. So, I mean, even though In Living Color was a part of hip hop to this day, and I traversed those circles marginally, I was always given love, man. I was never. Yeah, I was never in a club where people were like, you know, the Crips are going to kill you because of that joke, you know? No, I was never that thing. So I guess it's how you. I think a part of it is how you carry yourself as, you know, in sports as well. I mean, there's certain people, when they come out, it's a fight. It's just the vibe, how they come through the room. Somebody's gonna get in a fight, pushing, shoving. That's just not been my vibe, you know.

[Dan LeBatard]

What are the things that you enjoyed the most doing when you talk about? Because you've had range, right? Whether it's acting, musicals, stand up, comedy, in loving color, sketch comedy. Like what? When you think of the one thing that this brought me the most enjoyment in just the doing of it.

[David Alan Grier]

Well, a couple of them. What I like is the variety. Because in my business, like you said, I would do stand up, then I would go back to my television show, then I would go and do a movie, then I would do a play. And I was able to traverse these mediums and it was great. What I enjoy most, what gives me viscerally the most joy, is live performance, because you're getting feedback immediately. I did the Color Purple, which was the average lag time of a movie. It was between nine months and a year and a half. After you wrap that, that movie's released and you have to wait for the audience reaction. No state stage, you go on and people react immediately. People give you love immediately, you know, so feeling wise, that is the best.

[Dan LeBatard]

Standup comedy does the same thing.

[David Alan Grier]

Absolutely. I'm saying live performance, so, so stage and in stand up, I would say are absolutely this. On a good night, on a bad night, that's a long ass time. You stand there. Did I tell this joke already? You know, you just flop sweat. But on a good night when the crowd is just humming there, you control the crowd to highs and lows, you tell your story, you get these laughs. It's like a musician, like a jazz musician, you riff, you go off, the audience is with you 150%. You know, you talk to them. It's awesome. That's really great. But I don't do it anymore.

[Dan LeBatard]

Do you miss it? I was going to ask you, you know what?

[David Alan Grier]

I did it for a long time. What? I don't, I miss the performance, but I don't miss the travel, the getting there, the 6am flights, the being away from home, from my girlfriend. I have a young daughter and I've really tried these last few years to stay with her and be a proper parent. And that's why I'm trying to just hang around. I don't know if I'll do standup. I did it so much, but definitely going on location and going, taking those jobs, you know. Can you be in Afghanistan? Yes, I can, you know, but I drove her to school this morning, so I'm trying to do that. And right now.

[Dan LeBatard]

So getting back to what it is that you've learned in the business and about the business, when you take the joys in aging of driving your daughter to school, what are some of the things you missed along the way because your ambition got a hold of you and you wanted to succeed. And succeeding is hard, I think, you.

[David Alan Grier]

Know, because I had, I didn't have my daughter till I was 50, so she really was not around for the real hustle. Like when I was on the Living Color, we would work from probably August to March and we would do over 30 episodes and I would take two weeks off and then hit the road and I was gone all summer and I would take two weeks off and then be back on the show. But I just got burned out. I didn't. Although I was making all this much more money, say I increased my income by 200%. I didn't feel 200% happier. It wasn't some Deep, dark depression. I just was not. It wasn't worth it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Not fulfilled exactly. Just a little bit of emptiness. Just running on a treadmill.

[David Alan Grier]

Exactly. And you know, with agents, they go, oh, but you could do an interview and then you could do a breakfast performance. You know what, you could do a sunrise concert, then a breakfast performance. Then, you know, they just keep piling more and more and more on. So regulation, you know, I can say no.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's hard, though, when you're really ambitious about success and you know that the chances can disappear at any time.

[David Alan Grier]

That's the biggest problem. Because at 40, thinking, because I know a bunch of people that I know them from one job, who the best actor I ever worked with. And I haven't seen them in 20 years. I haven't seen them on TV, anything. So there's that nagging fear of, when am I going to work again. But I thought I would be retired. I'm 68 now. I didn't even think there would be a place for me in this industry. And I'm finally at a point in which I feel secure. I feel secure in my place and my legacy. And I say yes to the things I want to say yes to. And it's much more easy breezy. I call the shots. If it's too much, that's too much. I can't, I can't. We have to. I'll do Dan next week, you know, and I don't have any guilt. I don't. I also don't have a team around me, an agent, a lawyer who are like, you got to do this, you got to do. This is the last time. They're not going to go any higher. Please, please, please, please. You know, I don't have that. So I feel much more content. And a lot of that is just with age. I mean, you know, after 20, 30, 40 years, that's not the last role. This isn't the last venue. Sir Laugh A Lot's Club in Tallahassee. It's fine if you don't play them. You know, that kind of stuff.

[Dan LeBatard]

There can't be much left for you to accomplish, though, like in terms of ambition on what it is that you haven't been able to do that you're out here craving.

[David Alan Grier]

I still do. You know, it's funny, I still crave great roles, and in the last few years, I've been able to do a lot of interesting serious singing, all kind of stuff, a variety of stuff. But I think that's healthy. Meaning I still have a desire to do more I'm not done yet. I don't want to just go home. And. And by the way, my tomato plants are raging. I'm not ready to just talk about that. I'll talk about a little bit, but that's not all. I still need to be stimulated. I was friends with an actor and an artist named Martin Moll, who recently passed away. Now, he was 75 when we did Cool Kids. And I was like, martin, at this point, his paintings were selling for six figures. I was like, why do you do these acting jobs? And he goes, I mean, I gotta get out of the house, and they're gonna pay me. Why not? You know? So, yeah, okay.

[Dan LeBatard]

Bobby Bowden used to say there's only one major event where everyone gathers for you after retirement. So, like, if you're going to fulfill great creative juices as. And you can pick your own spots.

[David Alan Grier]

And I know what I'm doing. I finally. I put in my 10,000 hours. I know what I'm doing, and it's a lot of fun. So I'm gonna keep going. I'm gonna keep going till the wheels fall off, I guess. I mean, as long as I'm doing it, you know, I don't want to be that dude. Where we're gonna wheel David in, Dan, we'd ask you not to turn the cameras on till we have him seated.

[Dan LeBatard]

They said, don't mind the smell from his diaper. Exactly.

[David Alan Grier]

He's fine. If he moans, he's not in pain. No, I don't want to do all that. I won't be like, Frank Valley. We've all seen that. And it's funny. I was at home, I was listening to it. I was like, damn, he's still hitting those. No, he's not. He's not. That is. He is not hitting them notes. So I don't want to go out like that. But I. I still feel like I, you know, I'm having fun, man. Let's do it, folks.

[Jeremy]

The Emirates NBA cup is here. You can win big getting in on the action at DraftKings Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NBA. All 30 teams split into six groups every Tuesday and Friday, playing for the right to advance to the single elimination in season tournament culminating in the NBA cup championship in Vegas. Here's something special just for you. New DraftKings customers can bet $5 to get 200 in bonus bets. Instantly download the DraftKings sportsbook app and use Code Dan. That's Code Dan for new customers to get 200 in bonus bets. When you bet just $5 only on DraftKings.

[David Alan Grier]

The crown is yours. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- gambler in New York. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text hopeny 467-369 in Conn. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothill Casino and Resort in Kansas, 21 and over. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Boyd In Ontario, bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources.

[Dan LeBatard]

See DKNG co bball what is the thing? Because you've mentioned In Living Color a couple of times now. That's the thing most people want to talk to you about because it represents a time and an electricity of. We'd never seen anything like that. A dynamic black sketch comedy show that is. That is beating up all of the things around it. And you gotta be as talented as Jim Carrey in order to make your way as a white guy into how uproarious this family of people are.

[David Alan Grier]

But also, it was free. There was no cable. You didn't have to pay. It wasn't on Netflix. Everybody got. So that meant the audience was bigger. There was no paywall to In Living Color and a hit TV show. We all know those people are famous for the rest of your life. I mean, I don't know what TV show you saw when you were a kid, but until you die, those people are famous.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, but I remember In Living Color as just a very specific, vibrant energy that wasn't anything. I'd never seen any, anything like that on.

[David Alan Grier]

Well, I get goosebumps because that was. I remember coming into the green room. There's a green room, like the end of the first year, and every big star was in this green room. And it was that feeling where, you know, I always wanted to be on that really hip, cool show. And I was on that show. So, yeah, man, it was very exciting. I remember taking my car to get a burglar alarm installed, because we did that back then, you know, and the kid who was installing, and by then we'd only been on a few weeks. He absolutely went apeshit crazy. The cab driver who drove me over to pick up the car, I mean, it was just such an instant public awareness. That felt really great, man. It was awesome. It was really awesome.

[Dan LeBatard]

Was it as fun as it looked? Because the hard work people don't understand the amount of. You just described, like, the months and the calendar and the grind but people don't understand when something looks easy on television, people assume that it's easy. And they don't see the 80 hour weeks.

[David Alan Grier]

Yeah, but it was so much fun. I'll give you an example. I went to Jenny Craig when I was on In Living Color. Everybody knows everything. So I was on a diet, you know, this Jenny Craig diet. And they all said I was cranky. And of course I yelled back, I'm not, you know. And Tommy Davidson took. I used to carry this bag with my script and everything. They filled it with food. There was sausage, hamburger patties, donuts. And so when I got up to leave, all this food fell out. So we were constantly playing tricks and games and you didn't want to miss the fun. I don't think I missed a day of work until I got injured, like on a movie set where I literally couldn't move. So then they took me out and I missed a day or two. But the thought of missing work then you didn't know what everybody was talking about. You should have been here yesterday.

[Dan LeBatard]

You know, there's never been anything like that communally for you. And I don't even mean it. Like, plays are great, you've had plenty of work. But I can't imagine that there would be anything that felt like the vibrancy of that with the youth that you had, combined with the amount of people who were awed by discovering something.

[David Alan Grier]

Oh, absolutely. That's the other thing where everybody was on to it. I remember I went to see Chris Rock at Saturday Night Live and they treated me like I was a star. Because in la we would do In Living Color and we would go like Kim Wayans, and I would go to Cape Mantolini's, which was a place on Wilshire, and we would hang out and have cappuccinos. But it was very much like, we're gonna have a drink after the office. Snl, they had a fleet of limousines. They had after party. We didn't have no after parties. They had all kind of famous people. And the way they treated me, I was like, this is just that. I remember thinking, they're treating me like I'm famous or something. So it was a whole different vibe. But sometimes it takes you coming out of yourself to realize the impact of that show. Yeah, the added bonus was all of that. It was fun. We were young. This stuff was popping and everyone was getting it. People would stop me in airports, just all over. It was very much the zeitgeist. It was right tapped in into that moment that Time. It was great. It was fun.

[Dan LeBatard]

I heard you on Neil Brennan's podcast talking about just having some errors of judgment as it related to Jim Carrey and his career.

[David Alan Grier]

Well, he talked about it because, well, Jim. Jim and I would. My big fantasy. I used to sit with Jim and I said, jim, if I ever win the lottery, like, a lot of money, say $5 million, I was. I told Jim, I want to give you this money to make the movie that you were born to make. We would always screw around and do characters just to make each other laugh. And he did this character called Colon man, who could pull his colon out of his ass and lasso thieves. And I would just be rolling on the floor. We would make up mating sounds of weird animals. You know, the arctic elk, you know, stuff. Silly stuff that would make us die. So I said, yeah, I want you to do this movie. I went to see. What was it? Ace Ventura?

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes.

[David Alan Grier]

I sat next to him because they said, we're going to sit you next to Jim. This movie was so crazy. Inside, I felt bad for my friend because it's too much. America, no one's going to get this movie.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're watching it. You're one of the first people watching it.

[David Alan Grier]

I'm sitting right next to him, by the way. Jim is crawling out of his skin.

[Dan LeBatard]

He's being paid nothing for this.

[David Alan Grier]

Yes. I'm laughing extra hard because I want to support him, but inside, I'm like. It was like someone said to Jim, you're dying in six months, and this is your only shot. That's how he was doing it. And I said, no, America's not ready. This movie will flop. And, of course, it became huge. So the next week, we were back at Living Color in front of a live audience. And I think I said we would go out and play with the audience. And I was like, yeah. I just want to say congratulations to Jim. Yeah, Yeah, I don't care. I mean, because. But it was very funny, you know, if you had to be there. So there was always comedy. Always. Yeah, he was.

[Dan LeBatard]

You didn't expect, though. Like, how could you be that off? You know what funny is? You've been.

[David Alan Grier]

I've been. I've been. I auditioned for Seinfeld, and I said, jerry can't act, and I don't think he's going to make it. As a matter of fact, you should go the opposite of what I tell you, because I've been wrong so many times.

[Dan LeBatard]

But, you know, funny. You know, you.

[David Alan Grier]

Yeah, but, I mean, there was nobody. Name another Comedian, I guess you could say Jerry Lewis or something like that. But in that moment I just thought it was too crazy. People aren't going to get it.

[Dan LeBatard]

You knew when you were. When you're with Eddie Murphy and you're doing Boomerang, but he was already established.

[David Alan Grier]

He'D already been big. No, Jim was. This was out the box. No, there was just. I'm just telling you it's out the box.

[Dan LeBatard]

I believe you. I'm not arguing with you. I just, I'm surprised that you're a.

[David Alan Grier]

Matter of fact not just me. The story is because Jim told me this on Thursday before his first movie came out. He couldn't even get on Letterman. I think his price was 350,000. By the mid next week it was a million. Then 2 million, 3 million, 5 million. Just that fast. It was astronomical. I can't think of another performer whose life professionally changed that fast in front of my eyes. Like what we saw with Jim. Now over the years we've all prospered, you know, but clearly in the annals of show business, I mean it was amazing.

[Dan LeBatard]

Who do you regard as the most awe inspiring talent that you have ever worked with? Like if I put and I. These are the famous ones. So it may be off the board but when I put Jim Carrey and Eddie Murphy in their youth next to each other, I can't tell you who's like, I'm awed by the both of them.

[David Alan Grier]

I would say for me, Eddie Murphy, because I remember I went to see Nutty professor and the scene where he's his mom and he comes out, he moved me emotionally. It wasn't just like, you know, Groucho Marx or Milton Berle in drag. I was moved emotionally by his heartfelt performance. And I, in that moment I was like, oh, this guy is so great, man. I love Eddie Murphy, man, his range. I wish he could have gone farther, more serious because he could afford to. I would say that it's funny. I talked to John Landis who directed Eddie Murphy, you know, he said, Eddie Murphy, the same Eddie Murphy, man. Coming to America. When I was doing Boomerang, I got in a cab in New York and this is an African cab driver. And he said, what are you doing? What's your name? I think I know you. I'm doing a movie with Eddie Murphy. He almost drove off the Triborough Bridge. He said, oh my gosh, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy. He said in his village in Africa, when Coming to America was on the local cinema, that meant a tent, just an enclosure. He said, the entire populace would spill over. And he watched this movie over and over again. So you have to think about. It embodied everything. It embodied all of their dreams, all of what they thought America really was, you know, and their desire to come here. And he said, oh, my gosh, will you tell him I say hello? He's a very famous man, you know, and just that, I mean, I think he's the greatest. I mean, I really do.

[Dan LeBatard]

When you look at the body of work that you have in your career, are there any things and places that you look at, like, that's a choice I should have made. I was so close over there with a little bit of remorse.

[David Alan Grier]

I mean, there's funny stuff. I remember producers came and they wanted to pair me with Rob Schneider to do Dumb and Dumber, because, again, Dumb and Dumber at that time was a script that had just been passed around. And in the beginning of Jim's career, he took roles in which he said, nobody wants this. I'll do it, but I need absolute freedom. So that was one of those roles. I don't regret not pairing with Rob Schneider. I just didn't see a success.

[Dan LeBatard]

But you would have done that. When you say Eddie Murphy, you wish he had taken it further. When you say, I've read. You say that you wish that you had Richard Pryor's courage of taking it further.

[David Alan Grier]

Yeah, well, again, Richard Pryor had that, because I remember I watched Blue Collar, which was a serious Paul Schrader. They played autoworkers. He was really, really brilliant. Just a serious role. Lady Sings the Blues. These were very much inspirations to me. Somebody who was really funny, but could also play serious pathos. Jackie Gleason in, what was it? The Hustler. Just really funny. I mean, I always wanted, I think, Michael Keaton, in one year, he did Clean and Sober, which was a tragic movie about addiction. Then he did Beetlejuice. And so that in a nutshell, as a young actor, that was kind of what I wanted to do. You know what I mean?

[Dan LeBatard]

The range.

[David Alan Grier]

Exactly. But in one year, I think he did both these movies, which are polar opposites, and pulled them both off brilliantly. Always wanted to do that. Yeah. Yeah. Still do.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, this is a drama comedy that you're in now, right? It's what you're aspiring.

[David Alan Grier]

Well, my role is Dr. Ron. He's the oldest doctor on staff, and he's totally given up. And I said, I know this man, you know, because I'm sure he was on the vanguard. Big Afro, you know, we gonna change the system we gonna, you know, be. Help all the poor people, you know, underprivileged, get them medicine and, you know, and now he's, like, just gets chewed.

[Dan LeBatard]

Up by the industry.

[David Alan Grier]

I don't care. The healthcare set your own life. Okay, I give up. Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

So there's some good dark comedy there.

[David Alan Grier]

Yeah. But, I mean, you know, just talking to you, I'm still excited about it. And we're in a time where, more than any other time in my career, nobody knows what's going to happen in this industry. Nobody knows. No, I do know this, that there will continue to be outlets who will have to provide content. That's about it. Nobody knows how that's gonna be. It's not gonna be the way it used to be. I'm talking about beyond AI. I'm on this show that I really love, but to decide to do it, it always comes down to the script, the environment, who's created it, who am I gonna work with? That's why I said yes to St. Denis. But moving forward, I don't really know.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, can you explain? Because I've now talked to another people in Hollywood over the last 18 months through the writers strike and everything else, and it seems that Hollywood is being churned up by hedge funds, and we're headed toward three or five companies instead of Hollywood that are going to do all the production, and they might not be making as dangerous things as if everybody was competing and it wasn't just corporate or overlords taking things over. So from your perspective, as you say, I've never seen it like this.

[David Alan Grier]

Okay, there are a few things. I made a bunch of money during the pandemic because that was a time when streamers were throwing money at people. Everybody had big deals. Of course, we never knew what constituted a hit on Apple TV or Netflix because they never released their numbers. I grew up in a world where the Nielsen ratings say your numbers have slipped.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's so weird that they value and clutch onto the information that Netflix is an information company as much as anything else also.

[David Alan Grier]

And I think throughout the history of Hollywood, there were auteurs or people who wanted to be artists, who wanted to invest in the belief that if I give you $10 million, you're going to create a piece of art. But when you bring in it, people with an attitude of, we're going to disrupt the way it's always been done. Kind of like what Elon Musk did with Twitter, which is like, why are there a thousand people here? We'll get rid of everyone and cut it all down. Also, people who own the studios where that's not really where they make their money. Like they don't really need the income or the profit from this studio they just bought to stay alive. So that creates a whole different paradigm. They're making their money on Wall street, computers, software. They're not concerned. They're not concerned with that. So I think it's going to settle.

[Dan LeBatard]

You're not sure.

[David Alan Grier]

You're saying that with no confidence. I say so the dust is gonna fly. Don't ask. Ask me how it's gonna, you know, how it's gonna ultimately turn out. All I know is that content providers are going to still have to provide content. What that's gonna be, I can't tell you. It may be one dude behind a blue screen with a bunch of AI Creations all around him. I don't know. Nobody knows. That creates fear. Caution, everybody's holding their wallet because I don't know what you're gonna do. You don't know what I'm gonna do. So you go first. You know, that's. I feel where we're at. This year, Santa's bringing the power of Energizer into his workshop. Whoa.

[Jeremy]

The Energizer bunny's got so much power.

[David Alan Grier]

Wait, he's powered up all the toys.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think that means we're done for the year.

[David Alan Grier]

I love this bunny. He's the hardest working helper the North Pole has ever seen. And he wants all your gifts to have the power of the number one longest lasting double A battle. So this holiday season, stock up on Santa's and the elves favorite battery, Energizer Ultimate Lithium.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, let me ask you a little bit about fear because I have since I've gotten to 50 years old, whether it's. I'm not even talking about fear in business, although that too, I don't imagine you have too much career fear at this point. Even though this uncertainty is unsettling, I find myself with age and seeing just everything that's happening all over the globe, more afraid than I've ever been when I've never considered myself a fearful person.

[David Alan Grier]

Wow.

[Dan LeBatard]

And so I wanted to ask you as somebody who has lived and seen everything from your dad writing about black rage to like, what the hell is happening with race relations in this country now it's.

[David Alan Grier]

Listen, man, when I was 12, I remember I ran in the house and this Democratic convention, they were beating the students, they were putting them in padded paddy wagons. And my best friend, I was telling you, Ronnie Livingston, I ran around the Block. And I ran in the house, and he was with his mom, was making dinner. I was like, they're beating the students. It's the end of the world. You know, they're like, the whole world's watching. And Ronnie's mother turned around, she went, david, that ain't nothing but some white folks they beating. They all right now. You gonna stay for dinner? It was like that. Or when my mom, having lived through World War II, the Holocaust, lynchings, all kind of stuff, when we were fired up about 1968, she was like, okay. I mean, you know, this too will pass. I'm older. I grew up in a time where everybody got assassinated, an entire movement. But these are scary times, man. I'm. I don't. I do know what I'm going to do. Do. I try to concentrate on what I can do. My daughter, my family. I'm going to vote for who I'm going to vote for. The last election, I got really hung up on, well, who are you going to vote for? But can we. How we going to be friends if you're not going to vote for who I'm voting for, and you live right across the street from me at this point, I'm going to do what I'm doing. And I don't get in arguments. I don't ask. I just. I'm going to do what I'm doing.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, so many people are doing that one because they've learned of where families are broken apart. And we've been friends anymore.

[David Alan Grier]

Right? We lived through it, though, also. We've lived. This is act two. This is not the first act, you know, and. But I don't know. Israel, the Ukraine, Africa, America. I've been left out. Haiti, I mean, there's famine, war, destruction, hatred. I try to reach out to people I know, and in my daily life, I try to walk in grace. Just don't be an asshole. Just be kind of nice. I say please and thank you. Not a corny thing, but just cool out. Cool the fuck out. You don't have to. You don't have to argue with the fucking Uber driver and all this kind of bullshit. Real. Basically, that's what I'm trying to do. I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen November 7th, 6th, you know, I just got in a nice house. I just fixed it up. I'm not trying to move, but I don't know, you know, maybe you do fuck out.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, I don't. But what do you do with the fear? Like, are you Any more afraid, or do you have the peace of knowing? Look, I've lived a good life. I'm not in control, accomplished many of the things that I wanted to. No, of course we're not in control. But the absence of control is one of the things that creates the fear for me. When we're talking about guns in schools and things happening in America that don't happen anywhere else. And your experience is different than mine because you've seen more and you've lived more. But where it is that the divisions are today, you and I both know that if January 6th had happened and those had been black people in an insurrection, they'd be stacked up like logs on the front door.

[David Alan Grier]

I'll give you a micro example. I was online, there was a guy sprouting all this right wing stuff on my feed. Now, before I would call him out, ridicule him, we've been a. And at this point in this day, I was like, well, you know what? We just don't agree. It's fine, we don't agree. And his reaction was shock and dismay. And he said, you didn't call me any names. You didn't curse me out. He was flabbergasted. And he said, I wish more people did that. I didn't sacrifice. I didn't subvert or prostitute myself in any way. I just said, I don't agree with you, I never will. And that's fine.

[Dan LeBatard]

And you're okay with how and where that can feel either helpless or hopeless?

[David Alan Grier]

No, I don't like it. I mean, I don't like that. I just don't. I'm flummoxed that Harris and Trump are neck and neck after all the stuff we've.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's unbelievable.

[David Alan Grier]

I'm like, really? I don't know. But I tried to calm myself this time. Cuz again, that last election, until Trump got on that helicopter and it flew in the air, I was not convinced he was getting on the helicopter. And it was, you know, that long period in which Biden won. But they still have to trend. There has to be the transfer of power. I'm just not as emotionally chained, listening constantly to every update, every this, the polls, that's another thing. We as a populace have gone through this before. When Hillary Clinton was running, I would, at the end of every day, I would look at the New York Times poll and it said, Hillary Clinton has a 98 chance of winning. And I'd go to sleep quelled with that. I don't. I mean, you could give me a poll But I don't put stock in polls, like, because we've already been through it. I think very securely that we gonna see what we see when we see it. I can't tell you who's gonna win. I know who I'm voting for. I don't know who's gonna happen. I know one thing, you better get some popcorn because either way it's gonna be buck wild. And everybody with sense would tell you that I don't know how it's going to turn out. I think that I'm happy that we're having more serious and adult conversations as opposed to last time. Oh, it's going to be okay. America would never do that. You know, this isn't in our blood. No, it is. Yeah, it is. We've already seen it. So I think going through this process, that is immature. You and I, we've already been through this cycle. We really don't know what's going to happen. And stand by.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, what are the ways that you were most obviously shaped by Detroit?

[David Alan Grier]

Wow. Detroit, I call it. This is a compliment I got by this older black man when I was in Michigan. He said, you know, the reason why I like you, you is because you can talk to white people and black people and you're the same. Like, I'm not selling out. I think part of that I'll say to some, because I'm sure some people think I have sold out. There's always someone who thinks that. I think it's called self imposed schizophrenia. I went to predominantly white prep schools and I went to public school. I saw and intermingled with both sides, which makes you uniquely aware of both parts of society. So I'm comfortable. I remember in my freshman year in college, black kids, and for them it was really weird. This is the most white people they'd ever been around. And for me, I really wasn't phased. And I thank my parents for exposing me to both sides of our society, the top and the bottom. I mean, not everybody gets that. And it was to my benefit, man. I don't take anyone for granted. I always introduce myself after times. We know who you are. Well, I don't assume that that's not how I was brought up. Anyway, my kid, my daughter, all her friends. How you doing, David? I'm like, it's Mr. Greer. Hello, Mr. LeBatard. You know, can Suzy come out to play? No, kids don't do that. How you doing, Dad?

[Dan LeBatard]

I gotta imagine though, that laughter is the thing that made you fit everywhere.

[David Alan Grier]

Yes, well, that's Always. Because, you know, since Tartuffe, since Roman times, there was, you know, for years I thought, well, why is the clown the most dangerous and powerful character in Shakespearean plays? Because he can tell the truth under the guise of comedy. If you make someone laugh, you can talk all about them. I know who you are, I know what you did. But you put a laugh on there and people laugh. Ha, ha, ha. You get away with that.

[Dan LeBatard]

What would you want people to know about what you were trying to accomplish with the American?

[David Alan Grier]

I haven't finished the question.

[Dan LeBatard]

I haven't finished the question yet. I gotta tell people what you're laughing at. The American Society of Magical Negroes.

[David Alan Grier]

I was intrigued by the character. You know, this is a guy that offered a way out. It's not what I believe in. It was basically, for people who didn't see the movie, this is a guy who could shape shift. I see this young artist played by just Justin Smith. I bring him in and I say, I think you could do what I do. Basically, they come and they intercede in racially tense situations, you know, the Jedi mind trick, and cool it out. And in order to survive for black people, under the premise, what's the most dangerous thing to black people in America? White people. Well, you can imagine. I remember my girlfriend, she goes, what? What's this movie that just got released? Some white dude on Facebook, man, this is the most racist movie I ever seen in my life. The other day, a woman on threads. Black woman. You set us back 50 years. So I said, you know, and then there's some people who liked it. I mean, I didn't say everything I did was brilliant or whatever. That's the choice I made. It's not my political belief. It's just a character. But now sometimes you do something. I mean, black folks, young black folks, they wanted to. Wanted it to be like they cloned Tyrone. They really wanted to be like a sea secret society of black people who killed all racist white people. I was like, yeah, okay, well, that's a different movie. And so there, you know, so that's that. And as a matter of fact, I grew up around older black people with the attitude of my character. My grandmother was born in 1900. She would tell me about the world she grew up in in Mississippi, in which a caste system, a racial cast system was such. You know, as a little kid, I would be like, well, why didn't you do anything? And my grandma said, well, that's just the way it was. You know, that's not a message or a point. Of view that younger black people want to hear, you know, but it was a reality in a certain time in our country. So, you know, that's all it is, this one movie. I was 40 years, man.

[Dan LeBatard]

I think you're assuming I didn't like.

[David Alan Grier]

You didn't like.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, that's not like danger. That's not what happened. Like, you, man, I don't know.

[David Alan Grier]

You making up these questions.

[Dan LeBatard]

You didn't even let me finish the.

[David Alan Grier]

Question before you started battering my face with laughter. You're assuming I didn't like it, and.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm simply asking you about your choice.

[David Alan Grier]

Wait, I'm laughing because usually when I do something wild, my brother, he calls up. All right, I didn't see this yet, but just tell me. What. What the fuck? Go see. Go see the movie. Okay, I'm gonna go, but just you tell me. What. What. What the fuck?

[Dan LeBatard]

That's not what was happening here. I want to tell the people that St. Denis Medical on NBC is something that he is proud of, and he has had an enormous body of work that has a ton of range in it. And I. I don't know if you exceeded your expectations, but I got to imagine that you did on whatever it is that you thought your career would be. Four decades of growth and. And with all the range from laughter to dramatic to song, the Carmichael show, like, a lot of range in everything that you're doing. So thank you for this time spent together.

[David Alan Grier]

You know what the greatest compliment I get is when a total trained stranger, I'm promoting a new show and they say, well, look, I don't know anything about this, but if you're in it, I'm gonna give it a shot. That's great, man.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's pretty cool. Yes, well, the reputation is earned. So thank you so much for spending time with us. Thank you.

[David Alan Grier]

See, this was much more low key key.

[Dan LeBatard]

It wasn't till the end until I. I offended you with a question that had a lot of scars on it.

[David Alan Grier]

There's one last thing I gotta mention. You talked about when you had to put your dog down, and it was very moving.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, thank you.

[David Alan Grier]

I went through the exact same thing. And this is fame in the most awkward position. I'd gotten this new puppy, he had encephalitis, and I was carrying him into urgent care. And there's an older white woman, she goes, is he all right? I said, I don't know. You know, they just told me he's dying. And as I was leaving. You look familiar. I'm like, yeah, but I was getting my dog. Can you tell me what you've done? I was just like. And I stopped with the limp body of my dog crying, going, well, I did some stuff. I did some plays. I was on Living Collar as kind of comedy. It was on in the 90s. I don't know if you've seen it all the time. She's like, no. Anything else? Well, I was on Broadway. I did something and I was like, I gotta go. And she just kept going. Is there anything else? I did a commercial at Dewey Stevens commercial. So I thought about you, and it's right. Man, that is a brutal.

[Dan LeBatard]

I should tell the audience that that story involves me being in a convertible. 2:00 in the morning. I'm trying to find an emergency vet dies in my arms. When I'm telling him it's okay to go, but the person who pulls up next to me can't see that the dog has died in my arms. So it's a shirtless me, two o'clock in the morning, sobbing at a stoplight. And the person then says, Dan LeBatard. But, but. But my story's. My story is easier than yours. I don't feel the need to then engage with that person and go through my resume. My better story on that front was being having a testicular exam where somebody is waving a wand. I've got my legs up in the air. And at the end of it, he says, hey, love your work.

[David Alan Grier]

People don't have. They. People ain't got no chill. It's always like that. Always in the most fucked up situation.

[Dan LeBatard]

My legs were up in there.

[David Alan Grier]

Exactly. Speaking of booty holes. Damn, is that you? I love your take on the Giants, you know? You like?

[Dan LeBatard]

Damn.

[David Alan Grier]

Oh, yeah. It was brutal. It was brutal. But what are you gonna do, man?

[Dan LeBatard]

Pleasure, sir. Thank you for the time.

[David Alan Grier]

Absolutely. To finally meet you. Tell Poppy I said hey.

[Dan LeBatard]

I will pass along your regards.

[David Alan Grier]

Absolutely. All right.

[Jeremy]

Hey, friends. Jeremy here. And you might be surprised to know this, but Halloween isn't actually my favorite holiday. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. And that's because it's a wonderful time to gather around with friends, to gather around with family, loved ones, and just enjoy something together. Reflect on the year. Whether it's family gatherings or holiday parties with friends, this season is for enjoying time with the most important people in your life. Make the holidays even better with Miller Light. You know, sometimes when I'm sitting around after Thanksgiving and everybody's just kind of hanging out, watching football, one of my favorite things to do is just look around the room, seeing all of the people holding that same drink of Miller Lite in their hands and just sharing a knowing glance with one of your family members of like, yeah, we made the right move. Miller Lite has the taste you can depend on. No games, no gimmicks. Just a great beer. For people who like beer, making memories at year end gatherings. Tastes like Miller time. Go to millerlite.com beach to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere that they sell beer. Tastes like Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces. Fewer calories in carbs than premium regular beer.