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A
Chit chat Wednesday for you to listen to. I have a guess who will be your new boo. You're gonna love them, too. Chit chat Wednesday. I hope you're having a good day today. I hope it's gonna be a perfect week, too. I hope you have a nice poo. It's a chit chat Wednesday, too. Hello and welcome to the J Train Podcast. This is Jay Train, Jared Freed coming live from Delray Beach, Florida. We're starting, as we do, with someone who is a. An OKP original key player, a fan favorite of the jcu, the J Train cinematic universe, hilarious comedian, friend, expert, and I always start the show. I say, I have a Chit chat Wednesdays. I have an expert, a comedian, or a friend. And I. I think I have all three. I would say, you know, he's not an expert in lighting. I'm watching him do the lighting. If you're watching on YouTube, I'm listening.
B
To everything you're saying, though, and I've.
A
I know you're listening, but are we gonna figure out the lighting? I start when I have friends on. I just start. And I don't know what to expect. Like, I don't even have. No. I have one question to ask you. Literally one question. Okay, so let me introduce him. He's an expert comedian. This is why. This is me pushing his special. His special came out now last week. It came out on a Friday, which. Did someone tell you that's the way to do it? Is that.
B
No, it's Friday the day. What. Where are we now? We're recording Thursday.
A
Today is Wednesday.
B
Wednesday of. You got beach brain, man.
A
I am. I'm. I'm at the beach, man, up here in my brain.
B
Am I crazy? You know, can I hear the ocean or wind or waves?
A
You can hear the wind hit. The reason I'm taping outside is that I had a whole issue with the WI fi yesterday, and now I'm on, like, you know, there's building WI fi. There's like, the. The building has white, so I only get it on the porch.
B
Okay.
A
And that is why we're doing, like, as you mentioned, it looks like I'm on espn, you know, reporting in from Miami. Like, hey, I'm here in Delray Beach. I just want to let everyone know.
B
Yeah, yeah, I'm just.
A
Weather's great.
B
Like, you're in the middle of the ocean to talk about Victor Webanyama.
A
Right? I cut my vacation short. You know, my bathing suits on my bottom half, my suits on the top. So I. Well, I Didn't even say your name. Anthony DeVito's here. This is all to say the special comes out on a Thursday, but we need. He's an expert comedian, which is why you got to watch the special. It's called Straight hooping. It's on YouTube right now. The link is going to be in the description of this episode, wherever you're listening or watching. But you know people. I'm going to sit here and tell you, go watch it right away. The faster you watch it, the more helpful that is to Anthony. And this isn't you supporting Anthony. He's supporting you. You know, when there's one set of feet in the sand, that was Anthony carrying you with laughter and love and joy because he has an amazing special that's going to have laugh every. It's going to be funnier. You're going to sit on the couch with your boyfriend, your girlfriend, with your friends or by yourself and have a bl. And so you got to watch Straight Hooping and you got to subscribe to Anthony's YouTube channel. Anthony, welcome to the show. Yeah, that's me. That's. I'm doing the hard push for it.
B
You really did, man. That was. That was awesome. I would never, ever speak of myself like that, so that was really nice.
A
No, you wouldn't. No, I. I know you well enough to know I gotta. I gotta push. You know, when. When there's two feet in the sand, that's me carrying you.
B
Yeah.
A
So it's me carrying Anthony, who's carrying the listeners who are watching the special. It's really a weir.
B
It's a sight on the beach. I'll say that. It is. It's something to behold. Right? Yeah, man. I really. I've. I've done some promotion for it. We're like, halfway through. I give up on the special where I'll be like you. I'll be like, it's good. I mean, look. But what's good? I don't.
A
It's.
B
It's fine. And then by the end of it, what I'm like, there are better things to do with 45 minutes of your life, so.
A
No, there isn't.
B
No, that's what I'm saying.
A
Stop this.
B
I'm saying. What I'm saying is I'm thankful that you pushed it hard because I. I've been doing it independently. I should have brought someone with me on every podcast I've done to just be in my corner. Like, I need a pr. I just need, like, a PR person.
A
Have you ever seen that?
B
What?
A
Have you ever seen a PR person at a podcast? It is the most awkward thing. We have it for the U up all the time, where, like, someone shows up with their PR person. So that means they're paying this person, and they're like a live. Like a stage mom. They're just like. And they always look the same. It's either gay man or Jewish woman who's just like. Like, chin out, watching, not laughing, not enjoying, just, like, making sure things go okay. I don't even know what we would do to make it not go okay. You know? Like, it's like, we're all here to have fun, and it's just this. This chaperone that is, like, strangely angry at us from get go.
B
Yeah, I've only. The only PR people I've ever met are. They're so intense. They give you exactly what you think they're gonna be. You know what I mean? When you think of, like, a buy sell, you know, kind of person, but they're so intense, and they're downright mean. I've seen them where they're just downright mean.
A
Entourage kind of nails the character. Entourage had. The PR woman.
B
Yes.
A
Who that. That she, like, she literally is what every PR person is. And, like, you know, when you have one or when you're around, when you're like, yeah, that's what I would pay someone to do. To be, like, annoying. Like, you kind of have to do that.
B
It's kind of fun. You're like, you're a professional bitch. You know, right? W9 you fill that out. I walk into a room, and everyone's nervous.
A
Everyone. And I ignore people. And then I try to get in touch, you know, like, I. Have you ever. They'll email. I get PR people that email this podcast, and they think it's bigger than it is, I think. And they're like, I got a great guest for you. And. And what they're doing is they want to make their payment worth it. So, like, they cost a lot of money, so they have to come back to whoever paid them and go, I got six podcasts line up for you. I got this one, this one, this one. And, like, me being part of that, I'm like. And then they get here, and I'm like, hey, do you have the link I sent you? Like, I ha. Like, it's like, just me. Like, there's no team here.
B
Yeah, man. I remember the first album I did, like, eight years ago, and they emailed me the same. They were like, we're. We're Sending an invite to Jared Freed. And I was like, please do not do that. I'm just gonna, like. I think I might have been like with you the day before, you know, And I was like, please do not send a form letter to one of my good friends.
A
It's. It's always hilarious, right? Because in your worst nightmare, it's me reading the bio they sent me.
B
Yes.
A
And I'm having a glass of wine, showing six women behind me. Look at this loser.
B
Yeah.
A
And I'm just reading your bio, but it as making fun of it as I read it. And that's because I would imagine that the same way I'd be like, oh, don't You. You. You're. I know you've had this. When you're at a show and it's like an event, and they're like. Instead of an opener, they're like, we're gonna go on stage and read the bio you sent us to bring you on stage. Have you. You've had that?
B
Yeah.
A
And it's like. It's like, literally, it's as if they've reached down my throat and grab my anus to, like, reverse me inside out. That's how my body feels. While that's happening, you.
B
You feel that way because you feel bad for them in the moment. What is it?
A
I feel bad for me. I feel bad that I have to, like. Like, they're reading my bio, and then I'm like, I have to like, they're like, and the J Train podcast was started in 2019. Like, it goes so long. And when you write a bio, you don't think of that. You're like, I just wish I had the bio. That would be like, I need. We need versions of bios. We need one for, like, the back of an album, but you need another for random woman who represents the charity she hired you to do.
B
Yeah.
A
Before she brings you on stage.
B
You know, and it's funny, too, because in your bios, you forget when you wrote it. So there's always like, a couple lines that aren't credits, but they're like. They're. It's kind of flowery language about, like, you, like, what you thought you were supposed to write in a bar bio or, like, you know, some weight is up there. And she's like, you know, he. The Colbert. He's on the White House corresponding. And honestly, his comedy blends a bit of sophistication with your. Your average dumb person who lives across this great nation of art. You know what I mean? And you're like, oh, Jesus.
A
I used to have in my bio because I did the J Train Comedy Express, which you knew when we all first started. I would do a show at a.
B
I was on the caboose. I was on the caboose for a leg. I think you.
A
I did a quarterly show at a bar, and I'd invite all my friends and have my friends invite their friends. And a lot of the people that I'm, like, close with to this day, they all, like, have kids and houses in the suburbs and haven't been to a show in a decade. And all they talk about is how those shows, like, they. They're like. And they reference all the names that were there. They're like, oh, my God. Like, and. And it's like. It's funny because to me, I'm, like, a little embarrassed of it, but in my bio, it used to be Jared runs the largest, you know, quarterly show in New York City. Because I was just like, I'll say it's the biggest quarterly show. Like, why not? It's like, you know, who's going to say I don't? And then it got a couple years away from that, and I'm, like, hearing that back. I'm like, like, don't even say that. You know, like, who you know. And it's.
B
There's.
A
It's just stupid to be embarrassed about.
B
Yeah, it's. I mean, but I think it's, like, part of, like, what you have to do in the beginning where, like, you have to present yourself as more ambitious or larger than you are. You almost, like, you have to write it. Like, it's almost like a feedback loop where, like, you need to write it so you believe it, and then you look back and you go, that was so embarrassing. But at the time, it's what you actually needed to do for yourself. And, like, whatever you thought optics were.
A
Or whatever, you're absolutely right. And that was always my why I was jealous of Canadian comics that I would meet. It always felt like Canada had this, like, actual credibility in their country as, like, comedian, as a job. Like, they actually believed it. And in the US do you not have that? I always felt like Canadians take.
B
I've ever heard of this manner.
A
I. I've always felt that Canadians would be like, I'm a comedian. They go, oh, so you're one of the people at Yuk Yuck? And they would be like, okay with it.
B
What are like.
A
As if Canadians were, like, with a briefcase, going to work like. Like, like, like in Canada, it just felt more normalized. That comedian could be a middle class job.
B
What Grant? Like, where does it, where did this come from?
A
It came from Canadian comics being, I think to me, all the Canadian comics that I've ever met or, you know, more so, always seem more professional about it, always seem less embarrassed about the work that went into being a comedian. But maybe that's because they've moved to the U.S. so you had to be so much better. Like the barriers to entry were actually hired. To end up in New York as a Canadian comedian is actually like, way tougher than being some dude who was like, I'm moving to New York.
B
Totally. I mean, well, they also had to make so much money. I mean, I understand there's like a professionalism baked in because in order, you left a country to come to another country to do this thing. So clearly you're viewing it as a job and you've paid a lot of money, like passport, visa, whatever, like to be here. So there is a different level of professionalism that comes with that. But I don't think that's very funny that like, you would hold Canadian comics with this, like, this admirable gravitas.
A
Well, I. It's more about the population of Canada that I'm holding in higher esteem. I think that they're. Well, actually, maybe I think Canadians are dumber for believing it or they actually like, are more respectful to the craft. Like, I think so that's kind of, you know, I don't know if you've ever. Maybe you'd ever felt it. I've always. Maybe I'm like. Because I feel it. I just think, you know, that it is.
B
Right, right, right. No, I think it might be honest something though. Like, it definitely. They seem. I mean, New York, obviously, we're like, you know, I don't know what it's like in Del Rey, obviously. I read the Sun Sentinel, but.
A
Delray.
B
I'm pretty abreast of all Fort Lauderdale news.
A
When. Okay, good. Well, when I. When I say I'm a comedian here in Delray, there's like a triple take.
B
Of course, man.
A
What?
B
Of course. What do you got?
A
What the fuck are you doing here? Right.
B
10, older guy who dates young woman paddleboard instructor. Margarita Sommelier. And yes, parrot.
A
No nodes of not clean glass.
B
Am I. Am I detecting a cinnamon tagine rim? My word, you're. Do you like tagine?
A
Do you like Tajin?
B
I don't think so. It's. It's such an abrasive taste.
A
I agree. I think we. I think this is like a white guilt Thing that, like, we think we have to like it to seem like we get it. Because Tajin, do you know what I mean? Like, I've never, like, whenever, even struggle.
B
Like, tough mudder kind of thing.
A
Right, right, right. Like, we, like. I listen, you grew up with tagine. I'm sure you love it. I have it. It just feels like it's always. No, I'm saying you, the general you like, the greater you. If you like Tajin and you grew up with it, I get it. Then it comes into my world, and I'm like, fuddy, duddy, loser, you know, whatever world. And it's like. And I have. And I go, yeah, it's all over my face. I don't even know how to say it. I have, like, white girls correcting me on how to say it, like they know something. And I'm like, can we all agree we. We got to Tagine Island a little bit late, and, you know, like, I. I don't know. I was on a date with a girl. It was, like, all over her face, and I was like, you didn't want this.
B
You.
A
You didn't need this. This isn't because you don't love it because your grandma used to put it on, you know, on mangoes, you know, like.
B
Yeah. I've never seen tagine anywhere. And, you know, this could be, you know, two guys who are ignorant to the. The utility tool that is tagine. But I've only ever seen it on the rim of a margarita glass, so it doesn't come up other places that I am aware of.
A
Well, you've never seen the subway. They put it on fruit. There's, like, women selling it that it's on.
B
Okay, so the fruit. I'm. I'm. I'm. I'm not much. I'm not much in the fruit game. So whatever's going on in the world of fruit, I'm not. And not that I'm not interested. I like fruit. When it comes my way, I'll eat fruit. But I'm not someone who's like. Like I said, man, I know about what's going on in Fort Lauderdale. I don't know what's going on in the world of fruit.
A
Let me just say this was a test. You are, in fact, racist. There'll be a knock at your door. You'll be taken away. If you didn't know what tagine was on fruit, you're out. I'm sorry to inform.
B
I wish we got to a place where that's. We got to such a. We Got to such a racial utopia that that's. Those were the things we were upset by. Right?
A
Someone. God damn it. Anthony doesn't have his mind open to the tagine world that exists right in front of him every day.
B
God, what a. What a mark of a society on the rise where we're down to the nitty gritty of a guy that doesn't know everything you could do with Tajin.
A
Someone's gonna send me, like, a long DM of, like, 30 ways to tagine your life or something. It's gonna be some infatuation article or something. I. I had one question for you, and this goes into the special, I think. How do we get people to go from here to watching your special? I was thinking about that, and.
B
Yes, go ahead. Sorry.
A
Have you thought about that?
B
Have you?
A
Like, no. You haven't thought about that once. So in my mind, I'm like, they have to know, Anthony. They have to know. They have to care about you, the person. Like, that's kind of how it works these days. It's like, team. Like, we have no team. Like, I have, you know, in my mind, I'm like, you know, Rogan, when he has comedians on. Like, those. Comedians are, like. Are given a team of, like, people who, like, they're like, if they're on Rogan, oh, they also think that eating a horse's testicles is a good thing for their life. So they're on my team. Do you know what I mean? Like, they. They're open to the idea of horse testicle eating. So like, now we, you know, you go on another podcast, you know, the. You know, the left version of that. It's like, oh, they've, you know, they're hanging out with, you know, the right people and saying the right things. Oh, my God. They're on my team. We. We don't. I don't think we have a team. Maybe. You think? Do you. Do you have that feeling ever?
B
No. But I always thought that's what was what made a good stand up. I was horribly wrong.
A
I'm with you, you know, but right. We. You and I were wrong about that. Saying that the house is on fire. Tell me why you think the house is on fire, to me, is a comedian.
B
Yeah.
A
If I'm to explain, it was this.
B
Person that was like, if you're not adherent to a team, then you're able to criticize everybody, which is, like, right. Pretty much our job. So once you're. Once you're placed within the confines of a team, then it's you're limited to your. What you're allowed and not allowed to do because you're, you know, you're working under the parameters of your fan base or belief structure.
A
Now if I was to like make what you just said, like a more relatable thing. I had this post about wings and flats versus drums and.
B
I think wings.
A
Like a, like a bird wing, like a buffalo wing.
B
Okay, okay.
A
Like if you're going to eat the flat, which is the two bone one or the drum, which is the one bone one, which do you prefer? Now I'm a drum guy. Unless the wings are a little bit less meaty, which I like that it has more skin on the flat version, but it's really wing dependent. I'm not going to join a team. Flatter drums. I am open to all versions of wings. It really is dependent on how they're cooked, the sauce on them.
B
You.
A
If I get a fat. If I get a big fat drum, it's too fat for me. I like a little bit like, I like the meat on a drum, but it's really dependent on the size of the. I could go on and on. If you bring up flats or drums to like a stupid person, they will be passionate about which one totally they like. And a stupid person to me, again, I will say stupid is how I would describe them. Like it's drums all the time. I have to have drums. No, no, flats are garbage drums. Are it? And you're like, oh, stupid. People need a community of stupids to feel like they have something. And that's really the, you know, that's kind of what's going on with comedy. They go, well, I just need these people who. Because if you ever. I've. I've actually looked at person like, well, I like drums, but I also like flats. And they're like, you could see their eyes just like turn back into their head. They're like, get me out of this conversation. Just say you like one or the other. Just let me know that you hate me or you love me. And they're so let down. They are. So if you try this, try and get into this conversation, you will just watch them physically repel against you. Just want nothing to do with you. And so this is all to say nuance and context is really not what people are looking for, but people meaning the stupids. I think, you know, we're creating a niche thing which is crazy to me and probably you.
B
Yeah, I think that, I think that wing example is a good example. I mean, people want to feel like, they're a part. It's. Do you really?
A
I, I didn't like, I didn't like the way you responded to my wig example.
B
Well, no, I was just following along. I, I don't have any. I was just listening.
A
This is a podcast. Am I making a horrible show? Is someone listening, going. I was just following along the. Are they like, what was that?
B
But this is. I mean, look, man, it's always going to be a little different when you're over Zoom or Riverside or whatever we're on. Just the, the give and take. You know what I mean?
A
Right.
B
And I don't, I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean that's like.
A
That's the worst review I've ever heard of this show. It's going to be different over Zoom or Riverside.
B
Nature of the conversation. It's not going to be at like, I'm very conscious when I'm on.
A
I'm.
B
I'm not conscious of interrupting you when I'm next to you, but when I'm, when it's just you and me over a screen, I'm very much more like, okay, now you're done talking and now I talk again. So I was literally just listening.
A
Right.
B
Okay. And I like the way.
A
Self conscious. I'm hearing my new.
B
You like the way I like the wing one, man. What. What? You didn't think you wanted. What did you want from me from that?
A
No, I didn't. That's all I wanted. You're right.
B
You're right.
A
I. I got. I got two in my head. I'm sorry. Yeah, well, this was all to say, I think the audience. The only way we have to go is to be so personal that you become the team yourself. Now, this is my question to you, Anthony DeVito, whose special is on YouTube right now. It is called Straight Hooping, which I'm sure is a reference to some sort of straight guy pride where he tells you how much better straight men are than the rest of the, you know, the.
B
Yeah, I break form and I do. It's a power point about. I. I call it my.
A
The superiority of the straight.
B
I call my sexuality hierarchy. And it's much about the superiority today on.
A
Today on. On. On first take sexuality. Hierarchy would be hilarious. Stephen A. Smith.
B
Yeah, we should do. I do a week. I'm telling you, I do weekly power rankings of who's. Who's trending up and who's trending down.
A
The buys are on the rise. That's like the, the below the lower third I've moved.
B
I moved. Non, Non binaries. They won't even get in a bowl game this year. They're out of the rankings. They're. They're, they're barely missing out.
A
They're not going to the, the Mayonnaise. The Duke's. Mayonnaise Bowl.
B
The Duke's this year. Jukes Mayonnaise. They. Them bowl. They won't be a part of it.
A
Brought to you by them. I.
B
So, okay, so, yeah, so I, Yeah, I, I. What was the question?
A
Straight hoop. And what's, what's the name, first of all? Okay, let's get to know you. What is your modest dream?
B
Financial security.
A
What does that mean to you?
B
I would love. So right now I can't plug. And maybe this is just like. Honestly, I think I could just get another surge protector. Like, right now I can't plug in my microphone to the computer because the wire has. There's only but so many outlets. So I think I just want another surge protector. But that, that's just for right now. I think I could just go get one. But overall financial security is really all I want. I don't care about anything else.
A
And that's, well, modest. Do you look at like, you know, it's funny, I wrote down, what's your most modest dream? And I was thinking it is just the ability to pick and choose what you do without worrying that those decisions will absolutely make it. So you're driving Ubers tomorrow to support a comedy career?
B
Yeah. Right.
A
I mean, is that.
B
I'd love to not. I'd love to not take the cheapest flight when I fly. It's stuff like, you know what I mean? Little things where I'm like, hey, man, I gotta wake up at six in the morning, so I'm sick all the time. So I'd love to, you know, take the 11am flight. That's really it. That's my dream of dream. Right.
A
And this YouTube special could achieve that for you. There is a thought that this does so well that you can do Delta Comfort 11am Flight to Chicago.
B
Yep. That's all I want. Yes.
A
That's. I, you know, it's funny because I was like, I'm trying to build a studio here in the apartment in Delray.
B
Whoa.
A
And yeah. And I want to do. I want it to be like, that's really. I just want to be able to do a show that people love and then do 20 cities a year and tape it at the end of the year, put it out and do those same 20 cities again. The Next year.
B
Great.
A
While not having to worry that it's just all going to disappear tomorrow. Yeah, like, and I see. Do you watch these? When you see someone do a stadium for stand up comedy, which isn't really a good venue for stand up comedy. Like, what is your thought when you see a stadium going to a state? Like, can you even imagine that? I don't know if I can imagine that. And if I would say yes or no to that. I don't think I. I'd like to think that I'm so financially secure and. And like, when I see, like, billionaires go to the moon, I'm like, why even bother? Like, I have, like, so much more modest things. I want.
B
I get it. The moon, I get. I'd like to know what's going on up there.
A
You get the moon?
B
I get the moon.
A
I really.
B
I get the moon. Of course. It's outer space. It's the moon, man.
A
Anthony. Anthony. They go, you can do Madison Square Garden. This will get you to your goal of going to the moon. You're like, I gotta do Madison Square. That's what's in the way.
B
This is your bitch. This is. You have to do Madison Square Garden to get to the moon. And you're asking if I would do that.
A
I guess you would.
B
I'm just saying, like, I have to do Madison Square Garden so I can go to the moon.
A
Madison Square Garden is more of a dream to me than the moon.
B
Oh, it is. Oh, okay.
A
I guess I just created. I just created a scenario that's pretty stupid. I just, I don't know. Do you see this? I watch the people doing stadiums and I'm like, I would love that. But I also don't think I would create a great. I kind of want. Don't want that.
B
I have no interest.
A
But I have to aim for that to get what I want. Right.
B
I see what you're saying. I don't. I don't know, but I'm saying this from a perspective of like, I. I'm not successful in that sense to be like, hey, I should be the authority on this. You're probably right to aim higher and then you'll get a little bit lower. There's all kinds of, you know, there. What is that? Like shoot for the stars, shoot for the moon kind of thing? Yeah, I think you're probably right.
A
Well, that gets you to the moon.
B
Yeah. But I would, I'd much rather just go to the moon than do Madison Square Garden. But if that. Was that what you were asking?
A
No, I Don't know. I just was like, I was thinking. I was thinking a lot about, like, you know, the comedians I love and the friends in comedy that I have. And I'm like, I know that. I think I connect with comedians who just want to do it.
B
Yes.
A
Like, so when I see that, there's the. Like, I just saw Nate Brigaze, like, gonna open a Walt Disney style theme park for kids and families, and I'm like, was that the. Like, when does that happen? When does it go from I just want Delta Comfort to I'm opening a theme park and you can get the fast pass to get quicker through the lines. Like, I. When does that happen?
B
I think it happens in the beginning, man. I think that's. You always want that. And I don't. I don't know that I've ever really wanted. I've never even registered that as a possibility. My right. Walking into stand, I just wanted to do this. That. That to me was like, wow. I mean, you know, obviously if I grew up in Winnipeg, I would be like, it's a job like any other, but here in the States.
A
Have you been. Have you been to Winnipeg?
B
I've been to Winnipeg. I've spent 15 days in Winnipeg.
A
Shut the fuck. I have. Really? Why did you. Why 15.
B
I think we've talked about this before. When I was. I was doing the one man show at the Winnipeg Fringe Theater Festival. I. We. Not only. So here's the whole rub of that, right? 15 days.
A
Well, let me. Before you go into it, I went to Winnipeg for the first time this year. I had a lovely time. I met this couple that really. I was, like, so happy for them. They had a baby on the way. Like, they were the nicest people. I played golf with the husband, and I was there on, like, a fall weekend. And all people in Winnipeg do is apologize to you for being in Winnipeg. Like, they. They are the butt, I think, of every Canadian city joke. Like, I think, like, if you're gonna make fun of a town, you make fun of Winnipeg. Because they also are aware of that joke to the point where they get in front of it so much that you're like, it's not that bad, guys. Like, can you guys chill on your own town? And then they had the Winnipeg jets who, like, left and then came back. So they're a little bit like a. Like. Like a spouse whose husband left them, and they're still, like, affected by the, you know, the. The breakup, even though they're back together. So they have this, like, weird personality. And it's also far from everything. And they once told me to bring it back to the moon. They once told me the guy that I played golf with was like, we had a day last year that was colder here than on the moon. And I was like, that's the craziest thing I have ever fucking heard. So they. They all. They're.
B
They're.
A
They're super aware of, like, their. Their mediocrity, but also they, like, you know, it's very much like an island in the middle of Canada. So I loved it. But I was there on a very specific weekend where I almost was, like, thankful that I didn't see it at its worst. When were you there? For 15 days, I was. Did you have that experience?
B
I had that same experience in the way that Winnipeggins or the Winnipegies, I'm not sure what they go by.
A
The Peggers.
B
They. Yeah, they get ahead of how bad it is to live there. And honestly, I mean, I was there. The. What sucked was doing a theater festival for 15 days. That's Winnipeg itself.
A
Right?
B
I was there in the summer. It was beautiful.
A
Oh, my God. Yeah.
B
Because the winters are so bad, it's kind of cheap to live there. And because they are the butt of the joke in Canada, it's cheaper to live there. I. I really. It was a lovely town, but they Very much. Yeah, they talk about. They're like, I'm almost. I was like, you believe in your. You know what I mean? Like, they'll just be like, right.
A
I. I had the same thing where.
B
I'm like, I don't. I have no frame of reference for you. I know you guys had a hockey team and they're back, and I think they're doing well now. But, like. But they. They would do a thing, too, where they were like. All they would do is talk about the winter.
A
Right?
B
Like, in the winter at that point.
A
Exactly.
B
My experience, it was so far away. And they, like, they were. They were like, oh, but, you know, they talked about it like the Stark family would in Game of Thrones. And it was just like, I don't know, man. It's pretty nice right now. And they would be like, but winter is on the horizon. And you're like, sure, right, of course it is. But that's just like, how time.
A
Sure, it's. It's July, but, yeah, I'm sure winter's gonna come just like Monday comes, you know, like.
B
So there was like a weird. But I don't know. I think there was. That's what I liked about the People was that, like, they. There was like an inherent. They all had inherent self esteem issues just because they lived there. So that was very relatable to me.
A
Yes, it is. It was. And the comedy. The crowds were great. Like, I really enjoyed them as a people. Like, and. But that whole thing is almost like. You almost have to get through 10 minutes of we suck to get to, like, an actual normal conversation.
B
Yeah, the crowds were awesome. They were like. They kind of reminded me of like, Rust Belt, like, American, like, Like Buffalo, Pittsburgh. Those kind of crowds. They were like. They were, you know. You know, it's like, it's a liberal town. It's Canada, and that's not a blanket. And I know.
A
I called.
B
It's not a monolith. You go to Edmonton and you're like, we're in West Tessa, you know, or whatever.
A
Well, I called. I called Winnipeg, Truck Stop Canada. I was like, Edmonton's, you know, cowboy Canada. Vancouver is vegan Canada, Montreal is douchebag Canada, and Toronto is New York.
B
Yeah.
A
And that was, like, my description. They seemed to agree. You know, they. They, like, kind of knew it.
B
Yeah, they were pretty cool. They had the good balance of, like, I would say some stuff and they'd be like, we'll kind of let you say whatever you want. I think it was added to. When you come from New York, they almost want you to be that way a little bit. Like, they. Almost, like, they almost wanted to be, like, a little rough around the edges and a little abrasive.
A
Maybe that's what it is. Maybe they want you to come in and go, this is your town.
B
Where's.
A
Yeah, where's your Empire State building losers? Like, I.
B
They kind of do.
A
Like, why would I ever say that?
B
I mean, look, because they're also classified as a city with a professional sports team. So, like, for them, they're like, what does a person who lives in the biggest city in the world think of what we consider a big city? Like, they're like. They're sort of fascinated with that idea.
A
Yeah. So 15 days to do a theater there. Like, that's like a long time. I mean, like.
B
Yeah, it was a very long time. And I didn't have my own place. I was staying with this, like, childless married couple who were great. They were awesome. But I was just staying and they.
A
Like, sponsor the festival. They're, like, huge fans of art, and they're wanting art to come there. So they put you up at their home.
B
Yeah. And then they, you know. Which was awesome. I mean, there was a point where the guy gave me unsolicited notes on my show, which I didn't love, but no, otherwise it was great. We all, we saw Oppenheimer together. I treated them to Indian food one night. They were, they were great.
A
So hold on. You three go to a movie. Okay, so you are staying with a host family and it's like, are they around your age or they're around our age, is it.
B
They're probably like 10 or 15 years older than us.
A
So you're with people that look like they could be your older siblings, give or take. And you three go to the movies and they're like, ticket for one. And you're like, no, no, for three. And you're with these two other people.
B
Yeah, we most.
A
And you guys go to go.
B
Say it again. Sorry.
A
No, go ahead.
B
I wasn't gonna. Yeah, what were you gonna ask?
A
So is it weird? Do you have to like, is there ever a point where you're like, what am I doing with these two random strangers at Oppenheimer?
B
I think at that point I had lived in their house for like, at that point I, it felt normal because I was, I think I'm dumb enough where I can, I can adapt to a situation and just go, oh, I guess these are, these are my, these are my friends.
A
Where it felt I've done similar stuff. Like I like from the outside, hovering above, you're like, I can't believe I'm doing this. But like in it. You're in it.
B
Exactly. So yeah, I had been there, you know, and I had seen that was the end run because I would do my show, I would only do one show and I didn't know anybody in Winnipeg besides the host family. And there were some stand ups there and I would do some stand up, you know, with them. But outside of that, man, I had so much time on my hands at night, so I would just. And you know, the currency exchange is way less there. So I saw movie after movie after movie. I saw, I saw like the, that Mission Impossible. That came out. Barbie, Oppenheimer. I saw something else too that I had no business seeing.
A
So that was, was the show during the day. Why did you have so much time at night?
B
It was a theater festival.
A
So you get done.
B
I would be done at like 2pm and then it was like, well, I could go back and just hang out with the host family, which was fun. But then, you know, there's, there's a limit to that.
A
Right? There's only so many times, yes, you can say to them, hey, can we Watch some Seinfeld. I'll. Yeah, I'll watch Seinfeld with you guys. Like, the guy was cool.
B
He had good comedic taste. We watched like, the Steve Martin movie that he introduced me to, which I really enjoyed. But, you know, you're not completely comfortable. I'm not like, living with you, do you know what I mean? Where it's like, right, right. You know, someone I have, like, history with.
A
Right. You live with me. We wake up, we go do our morning calisthenics, we go to the beach, we, we tan. You know, my day is a different day than the Winnipeg people.
B
Yeah. So I was so used to seeing movie. Like, I, I, I was, I was just, it was such a routine of going to see movies that I was like, we gotta go see Oppenheimer together, guys.
A
Like, what's next? And they're artsy. Like, I just did Chicago Paper Machete, the, the show that's at Green Mill, and it's at 3 o' clock on Saturdays at this, like, very cool cocktail bar. And you're like, who would go to a 3 o' clock show on a Saturday? And you're almost thankful these weirdos exist. Like, you're thankful that someone cares enough. And I call them weirdos lovingly. Like, you go. Because everyone there was like, you know, they have a tweed jacket on. They just looked like, like a newsy hat. And you're like, yeah, you're living this life of like, reading the New Yorker and caring about the reviews that come in for an art house movie. And you have a martini at 3 o' clock and you watch a puppet talk about Chicago comings and goings. And it's like, my parents would be like, my parents. I just think of, like, how I was brought up. My parents would be like, who would ever do such a stupid fucking thing? And I'm like, well, I'm happy it exists, you know, like, if without that there's no art, like, you know, you start to think, like, where does your art come from? It comes from, like a real weirdo.
B
Yeah.
A
Supporting it, you know? Yeah. Anthony can stay at our house.
B
Yes.
A
Like, what?
B
Yeah, man. I mean, these people, like, I'm so grateful these people exit. Like, these are the people. I think when I got into comedy, I was like, oh, this is were. I'm, I'm like, you. But I want to get up there and say this thing instead of sit in the audience. So I, I really, there was an expectation, and I think more so at the time than we start, when we did start, that what Those were the people in the audiences where.
A
Right.
B
I. I think that's changed a little bit. Or like, you know, those people are places in spaces that I'm just not in. But. But yeah, man, those people are completely necessary because otherwise you're like, whoa, who would, who would fund and who would see this thing that we do?
A
Right. No. And right. And when someone, like, comes to, like a couple shows and they go, oh, I remember that bit when you first started doing it, like, when you see those people, you go, thank you for existing. You're like, I like, you know, if you didn't exist, it would be like, none of this would work. You just hear the same jokes over and over from TikTok that you saw someone do you know, at the airport. You know, it wouldn't be thoughtful, but yeah. Listen, everyone, go watch Anthony DeVito special. It is called Straight Hoop and by this time it will be out a little less than a week. But we want you to watch it tonight, today, tomorrow, the next day, early, often, like. Comment subscribe to Anthony's page at comedian Anthony DeVito. All the links are going to be in the description of the episode you're going to love. We're taping this before it's out because we wanted to make sure that it was out for when it released. So I haven't seen it yet. But I can promise you you can come to me if you don't like it because I have a feeling no one's going to be knocking at my door.
B
At your surf shack door.
A
Well, I'll be out surfing, so you won't be able to get to me. Anthony, thank you for coming back.
B
Always, man, always a pleasure. Thanks so much for the support and talking to me.
A
Back next week. Boom.
Podcast: The JTrain Podcast
Host: Jared Freid
Guest: Anthony DeVito
Release Date: November 26, 2025
This week’s "Chit Chat Wednesday" brings a classic blend of comedic insight and industry talk as Jared Freid welcomes comedian and close friend Anthony DeVito back to the show. Broadcasting from Delray Beach, Florida, Jared and Anthony riff on Anthony’s new comedy special ("Straight Hoopin’"), self-promotion anxiety, the oddities of PR in comedy, building careers in stand-up, the idiosyncrasies of Canadian comedy culture, and the joys and awkwardness of comedy festivals. True to the podcast’s style, the conversation is peppered with personal anecdotes, humor, and cultural commentary—all maintaining the spontaneous and relatable JTrain tone.
Timestamps: 02:32-07:50
“You got to watch Straight Hooping…This isn’t you supporting Anthony. He’s supporting you. When there’s one set of feet in the sand, that was Anthony carrying you with laughter and love and joy…” – Jared (03:10)
“I give up on the special…there are better things to do with 45 minutes of your life…” – Anthony (04:38)
“It’s either gay man or Jewish woman…Like, chin out, watching, not laughing, not enjoying, just, like, making sure things go okay…” – Jared (06:07) “They’re so intense. They give you exactly what you think they’re gonna be…downright mean.” – Anthony (05:55)
Timestamps: 08:07-11:38
“It’s as if they’ve reached down my throat and grab my anus to, like, reverse me inside out.” – Jared (08:31) “There’s always…kind of flowery language…about, like, you, like, what you thought you were supposed to write in a bar bio…” – Anthony (09:25)
Timestamps: 11:38-14:44
“As if Canadians were, like, with a briefcase, going to work…in Canada, it just felt more normalized that comedian could be a middle class job.” – Jared (12:18)
Timestamps: 14:28-18:10
“Do you like Tajin? …It’s such an abrasive taste.” – Anthony (15:20) “I think we…think we have to like it to seem like we get it…I have, like, white girls correcting me on how to say it…” – Jared (15:26)
Timestamps: 18:10-22:55
“Nuance and context is really not what people are looking for, but people meaning the stupids.” – Jared (22:09)
Timestamps: 25:26-30:45
“Right now I can’t plug in my microphone to the computer because…the wire has…only but so many outlets…I just want another surge protector…” – Anthony (25:36) “I just want to be able to do a show that people love and then do 20 cities a year and tape it at the end of the year…” – Jared (27:19)
Timestamps: 31:14-42:14
“All people in Winnipeg do is apologize to you for being in Winnipeg…” – Jared (31:19) “I was there in the summer. It was beautiful…It was a lovely town, but they…talk about how bad it is to live there.” – Anthony (33:24)
“If you didn’t exist, none of this would work. You just hear the same jokes over and over from TikTok that you saw someone do you know, at the airport…” – Jared (43:00)
Jared wraps the episode by urging listeners to check out Anthony DeVito’s newly released special “Straight Hoopin’” on YouTube ([link in episode description]), emphasizing how early views, likes, and subscriptions make a critical difference to indie comics. They close on the note of gratitude for the quirky, dedicated fans who keep stand-up alive, and the modest but deeply meaningful goals they continue to chase in their careers.
Listen to this episode if you want:
Links: