Podcast Summary: The Wayback #82 | Des Bishop

Introduction

In Episode 82 of The Wayback with Ryan Sickler, host Ryan Sickler welcomes comedian Des Bishop to the nostalgic journey known as "The Wayback." The episode, released on July 24, 2025, delves into Des's childhood memories, experiences growing up in Queens and Ireland, and his reflections on pastimes that shaped his youth.

1. Childhood Memories and Nostalgia

Des Bishop begins by reminiscing about his childhood, particularly the cars his family owned and how they contrasted with his desire for a station wagon—a symbol of coolness in his eyes.

• Family Cars:
  • Des Bishop shares, “We never had a station wagon. And I was always jealous of the station wagon. I thought station wagons were cool.” (02:05)
  • His family initially owned a Plymouth Duster and later a Ford Fairmont, which served as their second car for a considerable period.
  • The arrival of a Mercury Cougar marked the first time they purchased a new car, with its "little velour seats" adding to its appeal (03:20).

Ryan adds humor by linking the Plymouth Duster to the iconic TV character Al Bundy: “Yeah. Al Bundy.” (02:23)

2. Boarding School Experience in Ireland

At 14 years old, Des was sent to St. Peter's College, Wexford, Ireland, after struggling with alcohol-related issues in Queens. This transition from Queens to Ireland was likened to "going in a fucking time machine" by Des, highlighting the stark cultural and environmental changes he faced.

• Challenges and Adaptation:

  • He recalls feeling homesick, especially during the cold, damp winters: “To this day, I hate the smell of real coal, real cold... Those walks from the bus back to boarding school.” (12:02)
  • Des shares a poignant memory involving his principal, Donald Collins, who was later revealed to be a pedophile: “He was charged in 1995 with 21 counts of indecent assault. He was my principal.” (09:15)

• Activities and Camaraderie:

  • Despite the challenges, Des cherished the camaraderie with fellow students and participated in activities like hurling, an Irish sport: “It was like lacrosse, but a lot more dangerous than lacrosse.” (13:37)
  • He fondly remembers skating rinks such as Laces in New Hyde Park, where parties and skating were central to social life: “Laces was... just awesome.” (14:10)

3. Life in Queens and Social Activities

Growing up in Queens, Des and his brothers engaged in various childhood antics that left lasting impressions.

• Skating Rinks and Parties:

  • The Laces Roller Rink was a hotspot for parties and skating, complete with video games and a party room: “We used to have roll. We would have them at... Laces, like what are we gonna do today?” (14:35)
  • Des recounts the social dynamics of asking girls to skate: “You ask a girl to skate and hold their hand while you were going around... The best a girl could skate backwards.” (15:43)

• Roof and Pool Hopping:

  • Des describes "roof hopping" with his brother, a precursor to modern parkour: “The idea was to get from one block to the other just by roof hopping.” (18:39)
  • Memories of Minneola Pool Club highlight community interactions and youthful rebellion: “We used to just dive off the high diving board and try to soak the lifeguard.” (24:34)

4. Family Dynamics and Personal Life

Throughout the episode, Des shares insights into his family life, including his brothers and parents.

• Siblings:

  • Des mentions his brother Aiden, a comedian, and Mike, a former sports star now coaching at North Shore High School: “He [Mike] was a great soccer player.” (21:05)

• Parents and Upbringing:

  • Des reflects on his Catholic upbringing, serving as an altar boy and reader: “I was an altar boy and a reader.” (21:40)
  • He humorously describes his and his family's 80s fashion choices, including his mother's "Farrah Fawcett vibes": “My mother has a very 80s kind of Farrah Fawcett vibes.” (22:05)

5. Vacation Memories

Des reminisces about family vacations, particularly the first trip to Seaside Heights, New Jersey.

• Seaside Heights:

  • Des recalls the excitement of visiting the Boardwalk and the local attractions: “The cable car... just goes along the shore.” (23:05)
  • Despite the modest accommodations, it was a cherished memory: “I loved it. It's my own snobbery because actually I loved it.” (23:45)

• Pool Club and Night Swims:

  • Des describes attending night swims at Minneola Pool Club, an event that fostered community among parents and kids: “The night swim was like an event, you know.” (25:04)
  • He shares a humorous anecdote about his wife peeing in the pool despite his objections: “My wife... she's a big pee in the pool person.” (26:42)

6. Reflections on the Past

Throughout the conversation, Des and Ryan reflect on how childhood experiences shape one's perspectives.

• Nostalgia vs. Reality:

  • Des asserts, “Nostalgia is a liar. Nostalgia really doesn't embrace the reality of the times. Nostalgia definitely is the rose tinted glasses, man.” (01:37)
  • They discuss how certain experiences, like being early risers or pool antics, carry over into adulthood, influencing current behaviors and preferences.

• Cultural Shifts:

  • The shift from above-ground pools being a suburban staple to in-ground pools signifying wealth is highlighted: “If you had an in-ground pool, we were like, man, they got some money.” (28:31)
  • Des notes the evolution of community spaces and how events from the past remain ingrained in personal memories despite changes over time.

Conclusion

Episode #82 of The Wayback with Ryan Sickler offers a heartfelt and humorous exploration of Des Bishop's upbringing, highlighting the significance of nostalgic memories in shaping personal identity. From childhood antics in Queens to formative years in Ireland, Des provides listeners with a vivid account of past experiences that resonate with anyone reflecting on their own "wayback" moments.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Des Bishop: “We never had a station wagon. And I was always jealous of the station wagon. I thought station wagons were cool.” (02:05)
• Des Bishop: “Nostalgia is a liar. Nostalgia really doesn't embrace the reality of the times. Nostalgia definitely is the rose tinted glasses, man.” (01:37)
• Des Bishop: “He was charged in 1995 with 21 counts of indecent assault. He was my principal.” (09:15)
• Des Bishop: “It was like lacrosse, but a lot more dangerous than lacrosse.” (13:37)
• Des Bishop: “The night swim was like an event, you know.” (25:04)

Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript excerpt and covers the discussed topics up to the 29-minute mark. For a comprehensive understanding, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.