This Past Weekend #656 – Fahim Anwar
Release Date: April 30, 2026
Host: Theo Von
Guest: Fahim Anwar
Episode Overview
In this lively and wide-ranging conversation, comedian, actor, and dancer Fahim Anwar joins Theo Von to reflect on comedy, cultural changes, their touring experiences, technology, and the absurdities of modern life. The tone is candid, playful, and often irreverent, peppered with wild hypotheticals, behind-the-scenes tales, and philosophical musings about the nature of fame, community, and creativity.
Fahim promotes his new comedy special, "Intrusive Thoughts," available on YouTube, and shares stories from the road with Theo. Their camaraderie is palpable as they riff on everything from virtual reality orgies to immigrant parents, the past and future of the LA comedy scene, growing up with Michael Jackson, and much more.
Key Discussion Points & Notable Moments
1. Comedy Specials, Branding & Behind-the-Scenes (03:41–07:00)
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Fahim's New Special:
Fahim introduces his fourth stand-up special, Intrusive Thoughts, and describes his process of workshopping material in a weekly show, "Fahim Works on Stuff," at The Comedy Store, where audiences witness jokes evolve from rough ideas to polished bits.
“It’s a weekly series... I work on material, and then eventually sometimes it makes it into the set.” (05:24, Fahim)
“Nobody works on stuff more than you, bro... like a true comedianist does it.” (06:16, Theo)
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Theo Misreading the Show's Premise:
Playful banter about confusing Fahim’s show title with fixing cars or appliances, touching on comedy branding.
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Touring Together:
Fahim thanks Theo for bringing him on Midwest tour dates, offering insight into the scale and nerves of performing for massive crowds.
“It’s like big wave surfing, for real... your heart kind of sinks a bit.” (22:01, Fahim)
2. Absurd Modernity: Virtual Reality, Gooning & Outlandish Hypotheticals (08:00–21:20)
- Jumbotron Parachuter Incident:
They riff on news of a parachutist hitting a stadium Jumbotron, blending into a discussion about the changing nature of sexual habits, technology, and generational disconnects.
- "Gooning" Explained:
The duo uses AI tools to define "gooning"—a contemporary term for marathon, trance-like masturbation with multiple porn tabs.
“Modern sexual meaning… marathon masturbation where someone stays aroused for a long time.” (17:06, Theo reading AI result)
- Virtual Reality Orgies in Inappropriate Locales:
They imagine VR-sex games set in historical disasters or depressing locations, leading to hilarious pitch ideas for a movie called "Goonies" (but about gooning).
3. Touring Stories & Small Town America (23:32–27:54)
- On the Road Anecdotes:
They share stories from the tour, including a “wizardly” moment involving a fan’s hat repeatedly blowing away in the wind in Clear Lake, Iowa.
“That hat’s going to be here all the time… this guy’s a bigger fan of this hat than he is of you.” (26:06, Fahim)
- Visiting the Surf Ballroom:
Nostalgia for American musical history; touring the venue where Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper played their last concert.
4. The LA Comedy Scene: Past, Present & Future (51:52–57:56)
- Comedy Store’s Evolution:
They reminisce about the pre-pandemic heyday, name-checking comics like Rogan, Segura, Schlesinger, and Burr, and how the scene changed after many stars moved to Austin or elsewhere.
“We were in the heyday of the Comedy Store. We didn’t even know it before COVID happened...” (52:38, Fahim)
- New Opportunities for Up-and-Comers:
Losses at the top cleared space for younger comics, reflecting the ever-renewing cycles of the scene.
- Rise of Digital Comedy:
Fahim notes platforms like TikTok democratize access, making comedy less centralized around the big cities.
5. The Drive to Create and Evolving as a Comic (44:49–50:59)
- Pushing Creative Boundaries:
Fahim opens up about always wanting to try new material over repeating proven jokes, and how this is now an asset.
“I loved new material more than crushing.” (44:14, Fahim)
- Physical Comedy & Dance Origin:
Fahim attributes his comfort with act-outs and physicality in stand-up to solo dance sessions inspired by Michael Jackson during childhood.
“I would just close the door, turn on Michael Jackson... and just dance in my room.” (48:30, Fahim)
- Using the Body as an Instrument:
Theo relates how physical fitness and yoga help his comedy presence, discussing the non-verbal aspects of humor.
6. Fame, Media, and the Nature of Success (86:22–94:28)
- MTV Past and Perspective on Fame:
Theo shares how early MTV/road rules popularity offered fleeting benefits (“no money, no ownership of fans”) and eventual lessons about what real value there is in popularity.
- Generational Shifts:
They riff on how younger people now see content made by other young people, while their own generation grew up with adults playing teenagers on TV.
“We were watching balding 30-year-olds try to be in high school on TV shows...” (87:10, Fahim)
7. Cultural Identity, Stereotypes & Media Narratives (124:12–129:22)
- Being Muslim/Afghan-American in Post-9/11 US:
Theo invites Fahim to discuss negative branding of Middle Eastern people and Muslims, and the reality of being “painted with broad strokes.”
“Being a minority is kind of like having an away jersey you can never take off.” (126:00, Fahim)
- Changing the Narrative:
They note how social platforms help counteract stereotypes compared to legacy media’s narrowcasting.
- Empathy & Shared Humanity:
Fahim expresses optimism about people’s kindness, despite media agendas.
8. Technology, Culture, and the Surreal Present (112:50–123:35)
- Robot Dogs in Apartment Complexes:
They react to videos of surveillance robots, associating their increasing presence with the absurdity of modern tech.
- Weed and the Evolution of the Drug War:
A classic anti-drug PSA leads to musing on how culture went from demonizing marijuana to commodifying it.
9. Memorable Quotes & Riffs
- On Modern Product Branding:
“Mr. Beast has a chocolate. The Rock has a tequila. You know, Beyonce has a toothpaste. Now all our products are just faces. It’s interesting.” (41:12, Fahim)
- On Surviving/Thriving in Comedy:
“Audience members get to be hip to you... they come for Burr, but then discovered these other comics. That happens now at the Store.” (53:00, Fahim)
- On Human Experience & Suffering:
“Life is SimCity. There’s not a perfect system... something’s gotta give eventually. We can do our best.” (40:09, Fahim)
- On Immigrant Parents & Comedy:
“We evaded the Russians for you to try this new bit?” (97:36, Fahim)
- On Resilience in the Face of Self-Doubt:
“These guys (like Spade, Sandler) that I thought were titans of comedy... they were afraid of being fired week to week on SNL.” (67:55, Fahim)
Timestamps for Select Segments
- Fahim's new special & working process: 03:41–07:00
- Touring stories: Midwest run & Clear Lake hat anecdote: 21:28–27:45
- LA Comedy Store reminiscence & current scene: 51:52–57:56
- Discussion on "gooning," VR, and group sessions: 15:46–21:20
- Growing up dancing & comedy origins: 47:03–50:14
- Discussing identity and post-9/11 stereotypes: 124:12–129:22
- AI, robot dogs, and weird technology: 112:50–118:17
- The perils and lessons of early fame/MTV: 86:22–92:27
- Behind-the-scenes moments with celebrity drop-ins at The Comedy Store: 57:56–66:29
Episode Highlights & Takeaways
The Magic of Comedy:
This episode is a candid celebration of stand-up, creative risk, and the process of evolving as a performer. Both comics are honest about their insecurities, failures, and triumphs.
Modern Absurdity:
They tackle the bizarre realities of “late stage capitalism,” AI, and internet culture, all with sharp humor and skepticism.
Reflections on Fame & Community:
With stories from two nontraditional comedy backgrounds, they discuss what’s real vs. surface-level about attention, both past (MTV, touring) and present (social media, club hierarchies).
The Power of Human Connection:
Whether on stage, online, or with lifelong friends, both find purpose and joy in novelty, community, and shared moments—a vital theme throughout the episode.
For Listeners: Where to Find More
- Fahim Anwar’s New Special: Intrusive Thoughts is now streaming free on his YouTube channel.
- Follow Fahim: On social platforms for more stand-up clips and his unique takes.
- Theo’s Podcasts & Live Dates: Visit theovon.com for upcoming live events and previous episodes.
The Final Word
The episode is a rollercoaster of deep cuts, wild scenarios, and genuine insight into what it means to make people laugh—and think—in a world that's never been weirder. Both Theo and Fahim shine in their unfiltered element, leaving the listener with plenty to laugh (and ponder) about long after the show ends.
