Podcast Summary: This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von – Episode E564 featuring Tom Green

Introduction In Episode E564 of "This Past Weekend" with host Theo Von, Canadian comedian and pioneer of modern prank shows, Tom Green, joins the conversation. Tom delves into his recent life changes, including his return to Los Angeles after a four-year hiatus, his new life on a farm, his engagement, and his latest projects. The episode offers a heartfelt and introspective look into Tom's journey, balancing humor with personal anecdotes.

1. Returning to Los Angeles After Four Years Tom Green begins by sharing his experience of moving back to Los Angeles after spending four years away. Originally, he had moved spontaneously during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led him to purchase a van and explore the Mojave Desert.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [02:25]: "Feels good, actually. It's... it was weird. I just moved four years ago. It was a kind of somewhat spontaneous decision, you know, when Covid happened."

Tom recounts selling his long-time residence of 18 years and purchasing a farm near his parents' home in Canada. Despite the significant time away, returning to familiar places in LA felt surprisingly normal, almost as if no time had passed.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [02:52]: "It feels like I actually... I'm driving here. You know, today I sort of almost forgot that I didn't... didn't live here anymore."

2. Life on the Farm and New Beginnings Tom describes his newfound peace on the farm, emphasizing his bond with animals like his mule, donkey, horses, and chickens. He finds grounding in the tranquility of nature, contrasting it with his transient life in Los Angeles.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [05:48]: "I sort of thought, initially, I thought it would be kind of funny. And then the mule I happened to find, Fanny is her name... it's just become this sort of amazing change."

His engagement to Amanda, a fellow Canadian, marks a significant personal milestone. Tom expresses confidence in their relationship, highlighting the support and happiness Amanda brings into his life.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [18:00]: "It was first time engaged since, you know... Amanda's amazing, you know, so I knew it was the right thing."

3. Exploring the Desert and Documentary Projects Tom shares his passion for exploring remote desert areas using his van, filming unique locations like Chaco Canyon in New Mexico—an ancient Native American site. His documentary on Amazon Prime captures these explorations, blending historical insights with personal reflections.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [12:02]: "It's like saying, oh, look at this place. So it's like, you know, everyone always talks about Machu Picchu in Peru... but the fact that you can just drive out of Albuquerque... it's really remote."

He also discusses his recent projects on Prime Video, including a comedy special, a documentary, and a scripted show titled "Tom Green Country," which chronicles his life on the farm.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [07:48]: "I got to do that... capture what it feels like being out there in nature... Slice of life stuff."

4. Reflecting on Early Career and SNL Experience Tom reminisces about his early days in comedy, his time on MTV's "The Tom Green Show," and his memorable stint on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL). He shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes, including interactions with notable figures like Norm Macdonald and Will Ferrell.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [33:07]: "I went through like thousands of hours of video... It's sort of like telling the story of everything that happened with my show."

He recounts specific sketches, such as one where he and Will Ferrell dressed as eagles, highlighting both the creative freedom and challenges faced during live performances.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [89:00]: "We went in there and we said, okay, now let's write some crazy sketches... It was really weird environment."

5. Personal Challenges and Health Journey Tom opens up about his battle with testicular cancer during his MTV years, detailing his surgeries and the impact on his life. He also shares stories of past injuries, including severe burns from stepping on a fire in Costa Rica, illustrating his resilience.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [99:06]: "They took my right testicle... I did not have to have chemo and stuff. But they did take my right testicle."

Despite these challenges, Tom maintains a positive outlook, embracing his experiences as part of his life's journey.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [99:45]: "It's better. It's better. Not 100%, but I've had a few good injuries. That was... the worst injury ever."

6. Upcoming Tours and Future Plans Looking ahead, Tom discusses his upcoming tour dates across the United States and Canada, planning to embrace more outdoor adventures with his fiancée. He emphasizes the balance between his creative projects and personal life, aiming to continue documenting his experiences.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [107:01]: "I'm getting back in the camper van and we're going to start do a little bit more camping and touring around with my fiance up through the desert."

He invites Theo to visit his farm, showcasing the hospitable and welcoming environment he has cultivated.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [75:09]: "So once he gets under, the hair was puffed out... And you probably... maybe we could go ride some mules or something."

7. Insights on Creativity and Documentation Tom reflects on his enduring passion for creating content and documenting his life. He contrasts the fast-paced nature of modern media with his preference for capturing serene and meaningful moments, likening some of his work to visual ASMR.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [109:46]: "It's kind of like ASMR for your eyes."

He discusses the challenges of maintaining creative control in an era dominated by rapid content consumption and algorithm-driven visibility.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [108:40]: "I wanted to just kind of capture what it feels like being out there in nature... it's impossible to capture the energy of what it's like out there in nature by doing something fast paced."

8. Closing Thoughts and Future Collaborations As the episode wraps up, Tom expresses gratitude for the journey he has undertaken and the support he has received. He and Theo discuss potential future collaborations and the ongoing evolution of their creative endeavors.

• Quote:
  Tom Green [113:03]: "Thank you for having me on the show, Theo. I mean, it's awesome, man."

Tom reiterates his excitement about upcoming projects and the possibility of expanding his creative horizons, balancing humor with a deep appreciation for life’s unpredictable paths.

Conclusion Episode E564 of "This Past Weekend with Theo Von" offers an intimate glimpse into Tom Green's life, showcasing his transition from the high-energy world of Los Angeles and comedy to a serene life on the farm. Through candid conversations, Tom shares his struggles, triumphs, and the creative insights that continue to drive his multifaceted career. The episode resonates with listeners by blending humor with heartfelt storytelling, illustrating Tom's unique ability to adapt and find peace amidst life's chaos.

Notable Quotes:

• Tom Green [02:25]: "Feels good, actually. It's... it was weird. I just moved four years ago."

• Tom Green [05:48]: "I sort of thought, initially, I thought it would be kind of funny. And then the mule I happened to find, Fanny is her name... it's just become this sort of amazing change."

• Tom Green [07:48]: "I got to do that... capture what it feels like being out there in nature... Slice of life stuff."

• Tom Green [18:00]: "It was first time engaged since, you know... Amanda's amazing, you know, so I knew it was the right thing."

• Tom Green [33:07]: "I went through like thousands of hours of video... It's sort of like telling the story of everything that happened with my show."

• Tom Green [89:00]: "We went in there and we said, okay, now let's write some crazy sketches... It was really weird environment."

• Tom Green [109:46]: "It's kind of like ASMR for your eyes."