The Joe Rogan Experience #595 – Nick DiPaolo
Date: January 6, 2015
Host: Joe Rogan | Guest: Nick DiPaolo
Also Present: Brian Redban (producer/co-host)
Episode Theme & Overview
This episode is a classic, freewheeling Joe Rogan Experience conversation, featuring comedian Nick DiPaolo. The two old friends reconnect to talk about comedy, aging, clubs, the ever-changing world of stand-up, politics, social justice, drugs, marriage, wild animals, and more. The vibe is nostalgic, irreverent, and deeply inside the world of stand-up comedy, punctuated by personal anecdotes, gripes about society, and riffs about the absurdities of modern life and show business.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Aging, Reading Glasses, and Getting Older
- They start with jokes about needing reading glasses and how age is catching up to them.
- Nick: “I was in the restaurant. I have the waitress holding the menu… she's 11 feet from my table so I can read.” (01:41)
- Short banter on how computer screens don’t help eyesight, and the struggles of reading in dim light.
2. Nick’s Return to New York & Career History
- Nick recounts leaving LA after a mental spiral, right as Chris Rock called him to write for Rock’s HBO show.
- Anecdotes about working together on "NewsRadio", and an almost mishap with casting.
- Joe: “Nick played my brother on NewsRadio... Agent tried to fuck him... we had already booked him for the part...” (04:08)
3. Hollywood and Showbiz Stories
- Dissecting what happens to TV actors after the limelight fades.
- Reminiscing about "Welcome Back, Kotter" cast members and the harshness of Hollywood.
- Joe: “Some of those guys that get a really good gig… and after that it dies, those guys never recover.” (07:29)
4. Gambling and Comedy Circles
- Discussion of comedian gamblers: Artie Lange and Norm Macdonald, high stakes, addictive personalities.
- Norm’s mythic gambling exploits, e.g., winning $60,000 and throwing it in the ocean “because he knew he was going to piss it away anyway.” (11:52)
5. Caffeine: Stand-Up Material and Sensitivity
- Nick does a live bit from his album “Another Senseless Killing” about being hyper-sensitive to caffeine.
- Nick (on caffeine): “For me, it’s like bath salts... I’ll chew your fucking face off and leave you in the street. I go to Dunkin' Donuts, and an hour later I’m naked in my driveway wrestling three cops tasering my balls.” (14:31)
6. Comedy Club Culture vs. Theaters
- Insight into why small, low-ceiling comedy clubs are the best venues for real stand-up energy.
- Large theaters can lose nuance: “He would get a big laugh and then he would have a tagline. Nobody could hear the tagline… Too many people laughing, the sound just didn’t penetrate.” (19:01)
7. Drugs: Pot, DMT, and Onstage Experiences
- Joe’s journey from minimal pot use to becoming an advocate, describing its effects:
- “Sex feels so much better when you’re high... any kind of weed makes you hypersensitive.” (31:16)
- Nick’s paranoia after weed in New York: “My number comes up, the lady just stared at me and I ran out the door.” (32:31)
- DMT and altered states, Joe’s advocacy for the safe, mind-expanding use of psychedelics.
8. Hunting, Nature, and Wild Animals
- Joe talks about hunting (moose and bear), difference between firearms drunk vs. sober, responsibilities and ethics.
- Extended bit on how powerful and scary bears and coyotes are, and survival tales.
9. Masculinity, Aging, and Testosterone
- Comparing the physiques of modern athletes to past generations.
- Discussion of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), staying in shape, and Stallone at age 68.
- “Aging is fucking terrible… It gets you, no matter what you do.” (56:28)
10. Marriage, Divorce, and Alimony
- Both share war stories (theirs and friends') on the financial and emotional costs of divorce, alimony laws in California, and pitfalls of the marriage system.
- “I have friends that have gone through some absolutely brutal divorces… the marriage system is about selling diamonds and distributing assets.” (66:00)
11. Social Commentary: Gender, Trans Athletes, PC Culture
- The Fallon Fox / trans MMA fighter controversy. Joe vents about receiving backlash for criticizing male-to-female trans athletes in women’s sports (see [45:01]-[50:15]).
- “There’s this guy who got a sex change and then started fighting women in MMA. I was like, get the fuck out of here… All these people were calling me a transphobe.” (45:01)
- Extended debate on gender, sports, and differences in physical ability.
12. Political Correctness & the Changing Comedy Scene
- Both bemoan the hypersensitivity of modern audiences, especially at colleges.
- “Even Chris Rock said… he did a whole article how it’s not even fun anymore, the kids are so PC.” (90:34)
- Nick says he stopped doing colleges in 1991 due to censorship and backlash for edgy jokes.
13. Race, Cops, and Social Justice
- Frank talk about New York politics, policing, De Blasio, and race-baiting.
- Both have skepticism for activist Al Sharpton and discuss the lack of modern respected civil rights leadership.
- Joe: “Al Sharpton is a race pimp… the idea that that guy is respected at all!” (154:08)
14. Drugs, Coke, and the Jon Jones News
- Live reaction to breaking news: UFC champion Jon Jones entering rehab for testing positive for cocaine metabolites (121:17+).
- “How about the fact that he was partying, doing blow, and he still beat the best guy on the planet?” (129:25)
15. Comedy Memories, Stand-Up Legends, and the Boston Scene
- Many personal stories about Boston legends, the Stand Up Stood Out era, Steven Wright, and Mitch Hedberg.
- Nick reveals he unknowingly inspired a Hedberg bit by banging on the wall due to loud singalongs.
16. Nick’s Podcast and Closing
- Nick explains his own podcast is solo: “I'll do stuff in the news and just ramble. It's a good exercise for radio.” (170:22)
- Plugs: Nick’s album "Another Senseless Killing," available at nickdip.com.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Caffeine Sensitivity:
“It’s like bath salts for me. I’ll chew your fucking face off and leave you in the street.” – Nick DiPaolo (14:31) -
On Norm Macdonald Throwing Away Gambling Winnings:
“He won 60 grand one night and he...threw all the money in the ocean because he knew he was going to piss it away anyway.” – Joe Rogan, relaying a story from Artie Lange (11:52) -
On Modern Comedy Audiences:
“Even Chris Rock said... it’s not even fun anymore. The kids are so PC and get bent.” – Nick DiPaolo (90:40) -
On Trans Women in MMA:
“I fully support you changing your sex... but if you beat the shit out of my sister, I’m probably going to come after you.” – Joe Rogan (49:37) -
On Marriage & Divorce:
“The marriage system... is about selling diamonds... and then distribution of assets.” – Joe Rogan (66:00)
Useful Timestamps
- Caffeine Comedy Bit ("Another Senseless Killing" excerpt): 14:31–17:06
- Discussion on club vs. theater stand-up: 17:15–21:17
- Pot/Drug Stories and Effects: 28:04–34:52
- Trans athletes/MMA controversy and backlash: 45:01–51:13
- Stand-up legends, Boston scene, Nick inspires Hedberg bit: 95:10–96:46
- Jon Jones cocaine test breaking news & live analysis: 121:17–130:43
- Comedy & political correctness at colleges: 90:34–93:08
- Marriage, alimony, and legal pitfalls: 66:00–70:03
Episode Tone & Content
The conversation is loose, candid, often provocative, and very much in the idiom of old-school comics—expect strong opinions, dark anecdotes, in-group references, and plenty of blue humor. Rogan and DiPaolo often push against PC norms, riff on controversial social and political issues, and share stories not just for laughs, but as snapshots of the changing landscape of culture and stand-up comedy.
Closing Thoughts
This episode is recommended for stand-up fans, those curious about the backstage realities of comedy, or anyone interested in a raw, unfiltered take on media, politics, and modern life from two veteran comics. DiPaolo’s signature biting wit and Rogan’s broad curiosity make for a blend of irreverence, insight, and genuine camaraderie.
Find Nick DiPaolo at:
- NickDip.com
- Twitter: @NickDiPaolo
Highlighted Work:
- Album: Another Senseless Killing
“Thanks for having me on. Please, my pleasure.” – Nick DiPaolo (171:12–171:35)