The Steve Austin Show

Episode: Bill Burr PART TWO – SAS CLASSIC
Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Steve Austin
Guest: Bill Burr
Location: Broken Skull Ranch / Hollywood, CA

Overview

This episode of The Steve Austin Show features part two of Steve’s in-depth conversation with renowned stand-up comedian and writer Bill Burr. The discussion covers Bill’s journey in comedy, creative philosophy, flying helicopters, the making of his hit animated series “F is for Family,” and reflections on touring and everyday life. The episode oozes with candid humor, raw insights about showbiz, the realities of making it, and the blue-collar stamina both guests bring to their crafts.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Steve’s Life on the Ranch and Everyday Challenges

• [00:31]–[17:52]
  • Steve opens with humorous updates from the Broken Skull Ranch: brutal South Texas weather, tractor breakdowns, and battling bird and bug infestations.
    • Example: “If there’s one thing I can’t stand is pushing around a goddamn vacuum cleaner.” – Steve Austin [03:10]
  • Stories of helping his wife Kristen with housework and dealing with pets.
  • Amusing anecdote about being photobombed by a fly during a family picture:
    • “I got photobombed by a goddamn house fly.” – Steve Austin [12:09]
  • Turns the fly incident into an epic wrestling-style promo, challenging it to a Texas Death Match:
    • “Anytime, anywhere in the world, you want to settle a score one on one with Stone Cold Steve Austin, all you got to…no, no, no…meet me in Orlando at WrestleMania 33.” – Steve Austin [15:06]

2. The Business of Comedy: Breaking Through and Going the Long Way

• [19:34]–[32:00]
  • Bill discusses building his stand-up career, underscoring the importance of having a great agent (Mike Berkowitz) who rose in the business alongside him. [20:24–21:17]
    • “We started working together in like 2001…He used to book me anywhere he could.” – Bill Burr [20:24]
  • The temptation of “hooks” in comedy (catchphrases, gimmicks), and how lasting success comes to those who focus on substance over shortcuts:
    • “If you just do what you’re supposed to do and you do the work…it’s a longer road…but then you become prolific.” – Bill Burr [21:17]
  • Parallels drawn between pro wrestling and stand-up, with both agreeing that authenticity beats gimmicks for career longevity.
    • “They would tell me…keep doing what you’re doing, because you’re not a gimmick…it’s going to take you longer to get over. But when you get over, you’re going to stay over.” – Steve Austin [22:37]
  • Bill recounts advice from Dave Chappelle:
    • “It’s going to take you longer, but when you hit, you gotta hit hard…just keep doing what you’re doing.” – Bill Burr [22:57]

3. Developing an Authentic Stage Style

• [32:00]–[33:13]
  • Both Steve and Bill talk about the evolution of their stage personas by “turning up” their personalities, reflecting real life but at a higher volume.
  • Bill describes transitioning from performing clean, memorized material to letting his genuine anger and voice emerge:
    • “I was working totally clean…then it became, about a couple years of working totally clean, this isn’t who I am. I don’t talk like this. I’m an angry man…” – Bill Burr [30:18]

4. Navigating Political Correctness in Comedy

• [33:13]–[35:31]
  • Bill gives a frank assessment of “political correctness”:
    • “That whole political correctness thing is…lazy journalism. It’s just an easy, like, you know…” – Bill Burr [33:15]
  • Both note that while controversy is sometimes manufactured in the media, comedy club crowds still enjoy edgy material as long as the intent is clear.

5. Bill’s Helicopter Pilot Adventures

• [35:31]–[53:17]
  • Bill explains the complexities and thrill of earning a helicopter pilot’s license, including ground school and solo flights. [36:59–39:49]
    • “The thing I was intimidated by was the ground school…so much stuff you have to know…” – Bill Burr [36:59]
    • “Once you learn how to hold a hover…that’s the big thing…” – Bill Burr [38:59]
  • Recounts his first terrifying solo cross-country flight:
    • “…that three hours of being in the air…I just kept looking over at the empty seat going like, if this shit goes down…am I gonna live?” – Bill Burr [43:32]
  • Discusses love of helicopters, fears of heights, and flying as an “ultimate privilege.” [47:45–50:06]

6. Creating “F is for Family”

• [53:17]–[62:52]
  • Bill details the origins of his Netflix animated hit:
    • “It was an idea that came about through telling family stories on stage…as I went from being the young baby face comic to the old guy, a whole new generation of parenting came about…” – Bill Burr [53:46]
  • Explains the process: from stories, to animation, to collaboration with Vince Vaughn’s production company, to finding a home for it at Netflix. [53:42–55:53]
    • “They loved it…introduced me to the great Mike Price from the Simpsons…then we pitched around Hollywood and everybody was…just wasn’t biting. And I thought it was over. And then Vince was like, let’s go to Netflix.” – Bill Burr [53:46–55:54]
  • Describes the animation production schedule and intensity of the writers’ room, including table reads, voice casting, and the importance of making even the actors laugh.
    • “One of my favorite parts of the first season was when the older brother Kevin saves Bill from getting beat up…when Bill thanks him, his older brother punches him in the stomach…that was, like, what being a kid was…” – Bill Burr [57:21]
    • “The biggest thrill I get with the writing is when the performers come in and…we can make him laugh like that…the great thing about a writer’s room is…the rules: you can’t get offended when you’re in there.” – Bill Burr [61:27, 64:27]

7. Managing the Grind: Touring, Specials, and Creativity

• [64:39]–[70:18]
  • Bill discusses balancing his work on “F is for Family,” international standup tours, and preparing for his next comedy special.
    • “I’ve got like 90 minutes material, but I just have to see which ones are gonna be worthy of…can make the cut.” – Bill Burr [65:29]
  • Talks about process—running material by his wife, using “leftovers” between new hours, building new bits from life.
  • Parallels to wrestling: improvisation, authenticity, learning from legends.

8. Travel Gripes and the Little Aggravations of Having “Paid Your Dues”

• [70:18]–[76:54]
  • Steve and Bill riff in hilarious detail on the indignities of air travel: crying babies, strangers’ cologne, passenger etiquette, reclining seats, and the trauma of economy coach.
    • “That’s my thing now, I blow most of my money on travel… I’m like, I ain’t going back.” – Bill Burr [71:54]
    • “When you finally…turn into Stone Cold or Taker, whoever, Hulk, Flair, once you get first class, you’re first class for life.” – Steve Austin [73:26]
  • Both agree that after years of grinding on the road, you earn the right to certain comforts.

9. Closing and Gratitude

• [76:57]–[77:43]
  • Bill thanks Steve for years of entertainment:
    • “It was an absolute thrill to meet you…I got to shake your hand and thank you. The amount of entertainment you’ve given me and the laughs… you guys are some of the most amazing…” – Bill Burr [77:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Do what you’re supposed to do and you do the work…It’s definitely a longer road, but…then you become, like, prolific.”
  – Bill Burr [21:17]
• “They said, Steve, keep doing what you’re doing, because you’re not a gimmick…But when you get over, you’re gonna stay over.”
  – Steve Austin [22:37]
• “I was working totally clean…then it became, about a couple years of working totally clean, this isn’t who I am. I don’t talk like this. I’m an angry man…”
  – Bill Burr [30:18]
• “That whole political correctness thing is just lazy journalism…It’s a complete non-story.”
  – Bill Burr [33:15]
• (Describing solo helicopter flight): “I just kept looking over at the empty seat going like, if this shit goes down…am I gonna live?”
  – Bill Burr [43:32]
• “The great thing about a writer’s room is…the rules: you can’t get offended when you’re in there.”
  – Bill Burr [64:27]
• “When you finally…turn into Stone Cold or Taker, whoever, Hulk, Flair, once you get first class, you’re first class for life.”
  – Steve Austin [73:26]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:31 – 17:52: Steve’s ranch stories, bird/bug mayhem, housework, photobombed family photo, fly wrestling promo
• 19:34 – 32:00: Bill Burr on comedy career, agents, longevity, authenticity, parallels to wrestling
• 33:13 – 35:31: Political correctness, audience sensitivities
• 35:31 – 53:17: Bill’s pilot journey, flying helicopters, first solo
• 53:17 – 62:52: The making of “F is for Family,” producing animation, writing room processes
• 62:52 – 70:18: Stand-up touring, creating new hours, running material, writing process
• 70:18 – 76:54: Air travel pet peeves, “paying dues,” moving up to first class
• 77:01 – 77:43: Bill expresses gratitude to Steve; closing remarks

Tone

The episode is wide open, uncensored, and characteristically “Stone Cold”—funny, direct, and blue-collar honest. Bill’s observations are sharp, self-deprecating, and peppered with deep respect for perseverance in the face of rejection. Their camaraderie creates a sense of kinship between wrestling and comedy—a mutual understanding rooted in hard work, creative risk, and real-world grit.

For Listeners

This episode is a goldmine for fans interested in:

• The intersection of comedy and pro wrestling
• Creative longevity and career advice
• Inside stories on “F is for Family”
• A peek into the personalities of two icons, both at (and away from) work

Whether you’re a fan of Steve, Bill, or both, this conversation is packed with wisdom, laughs, and behind-the-scenes color that’ll keep you hooked ‘til the last bell.