TigerBelly Podcast: “David Cross & The Zamboni Lie”

Host: Bobby Lee (A), with Khalyla (not present in this transcript), and co-hosts
Guest: David Cross
Release Date: March 25, 2026
Podcast Network: All Things Comedy

Overview

This episode of TigerBelly features legendary comedian David Cross in a wide-ranging and uninhibited conversation with Bobby Lee and the TigerBelly crew. The group explores the blurred lines between truth and embellishment in comedy, the pressures of stand-up, career trajectories, memories of the comedy scene in the 1980s and 1990s, personal neuroses, and the etiquette of authenticity both onstage and off. The show is marked by its playful energy, meta-commentary on podcasting itself, and sharp insights into the comedy world, with plenty of ribbing and warmth between Bobby and David.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introductions & Comedy Credits

• Bobby jokes about being starstruck and excited to have David on the show.
• Bobby lists off David’s comedy accomplishments (Mr. Show, Arrested Development, Waiting for Guffman, Scary Movie 2), and David quips about being “thrown under the bus” for only getting credit for Scary Movie 2.
• [04:45] "I'm excited to be here. This is a long time coming for me." — David Cross

2. The “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” and “Wow” Quirk

• David observes Bobby’s repeated use of “yeah, yeah, yeah” and “wow” as conversational crutches.
• They dissect why Bobby uses these phrases, whether it’s nervousness, a filler, or an unconscious habit.
• [07:33] "That's just the way I talk. Do I say yeah, yeah? Wait, hold on. Yeah, I say that a lot." — Bobby Lee
• The group tries to brainstorm alternative expressions (“stupendous,” “golly”) and what these verbal tics mean about anxiety and the way comics process conversation.

3. Comic Origin Stories & Comedy Trajectories

• David recounts the formative influence of Boston’s comedy scene, including his “Cross Comedy” group, relationships with Steven Wright and Lauren Dombrowski, and how specific connections brought him to LA (via manager Tim Sarkis).
• [09:13] "Lauren introduced… Stephen [Wright], you gotta come down… Stephen came down and I was like, what the—this is cool." — David Cross
• Discussion of early struggles: sleeping on couches, working menial jobs, being broke but having fun and a strong sense of community among comics.
• [46:26] "I didn't have any, like, I didn't think like, oh, any day now it's gonna happen... But I was also a fuck-up and I was drinking heavily, taking drugs... I had no responsibilities except to myself." — David Cross

4. Process: Building a Stand-Up Hour

• Bobby admits his first special took 30 years to generate, drawing from all his best material due to never being previously asked for a special.
• David details his own process: he can’t write at a desk, so he develops material on stage, records every set, and hones bits at small venues like Union Hall in Brooklyn.
• [33:33] "I go up with notes and I record every set and go, you know, let’s try this… and you just sort of build..." — David Cross
• Bobby expresses anxiety about silence on stage; David urges him to embrace it as a tool, not a threat.
• [34:07] "Silence is your friend. Don’t be afraid of silence." — David Cross

5. Authenticity, Exaggeration, and Lying in Comedy

• Deep dive into comedic embellishment: David confesses a personal hangup against exaggeration or making up details—rooted in his father’s pathological lying.
• [58:48] "I can’t… when like my wife or any friends, too, are telling a story… and they exaggerate, I’ll be like, it wasn’t five miles away. It was two and a half miles." — David Cross
• The conversation gets meta and self-deprecating as Bobby admits to embellishing for comedic punch (“I lie. I’m a liar. I’m a fraud.” — [65:09] Bobby Lee).
• They debate the acceptability of “white lies” or filling gaps in memory for narrative flow, versus wholesale fabrication.
• The infamous “Zamboni lie” is dissected: details about someone allegedly riding a Zamboni, and whether that part was made up for comedic effect (see [67:01] for the breakdown).
• [67:43] "You’ve got a guy with down syndrome riding a Zamboni who’s going to molest you, and you gotta make something up." — David Cross

6. Cultural Comedy, TV, and “Hooks”

• Nostalgic discussion of early TV sets (Conan, Premium Blend), how comics used to be told to develop “hooks” or characters for stage personas (“Jackie Banana” in a yellow suit).
• David is shown a clip of an early TV set and laughs at his own awkward style and fashion choices.
• [75:51] "The nervousness of it… it’s just the—this nervousness that you’ve never really felt before. It’s like, do or die." — Bobby Lee
• Bobby and David talk about bombing on early TV sets, laugh tracks, and how experience changes their anxiety toward stand-up performance.

7. Luck, Success, and Self-Sabotage

• The role of luck in the comedy business is discussed, as is the fear of success and self-sabotage that can affect talented performers.
• [47:59] "A lot of it is luck, you know, and I thought—yes, I know really, really… some really unlucky people, and they’re very talented." — David Cross
• A Boston comic allegedly lost out on “Bosom Buddies” due to a refusal to dress in drag; they riff on the Hollywood mythos about “humiliation rituals.”
• General discussion of how attitudes, self-worth, and adaptability help a comic persist over a turbulent career.

8. Connection, Groundedness, and Mental Health

• David speaks on the importance of not getting too high or low from professional successes or failures—a conscious choice to maintain mental health and longevity.
• [83:03] "I mean, I never get too high or too low ever." — David Cross
• Bobby self-deprecates about searching for self-worth, with laughter and group support.

9. Memorable Stories and Inside Jokes

• Hilarious riffs on audience reactions, headshots from Sears/Olin Mills, and the absurdities of early showbiz gigs.
• Jokingly discuss Bobby’s and David's “Asian” looks when tanned; Bobby gets roasted for looking “older” with his hair back.
• Frequent callbacks (“Caesar salad,” “curly fries”) become inside jokes as the episode unfolds.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• David Cross:
  • "Silence is your friend. Don’t be afraid of silence." [34:07]
  • "I don’t like people who even exaggerate… it’s all psychological because of my dad… I just can’t let it go." [58:47]
  • "You’ve got a guy with down syndrome riding a Zamboni who’s going to molest you, and you gotta make something up." [67:43]
  • "A lot of it is luck… and some people are just unlucky but very talented." [47:59]
• Bobby Lee:
  • "I’m a liar. I’m a liar. I’m a fraud." [65:11]
  • "I've always been able to hit the ball when needed." [77:17]
  • "Every time I go on stage, it’s life or death. I want them to like me so much… the neediness of their affirmation is what I crave." [37:38]
  • "I bombed so hard. It was so hard." [76:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–02:20: Bobby’s tour plug, hat banter, David Cross introduction
• 04:45: Bobby expresses excitement at having David as a guest
• 07:33–13:00: Bobby’s use of “yeah, yeah, yeah,” meta-podcasting
• 09:13–11:05: David on Boston’s comedy scene, career connections (Steven Wright, Lauren Dombroski)
• 20:24–22:11: David’s awkward experience at his daughter’s swim class with an eccentric New York character
• 33:00–35:04: Cross and Bobby share their processes for building a stand-up hour, and the fear of silence
• 37:38: Bobby’s neediness for audience affirmation
• 58:48: David’s “pet peeve” about exaggerations and lies in storytelling
• 65:11: Bobby confesses to being a “liar” for comedic effect
• 67:01–67:43: The “Zamboni lie” explained in detail
• 75:00: Viewing old headshots and early TV spots
• 76:34: Addressing nerves and pressure on early TV sets
• 83:03: David on staying emotionally centered
• 84:06: David praises the show as a great experience, says he laughed more than he has all week

Final Thoughts

This episode is a masterclass in comedic self-awareness, balancing genuine vulnerability with rapid-fire riffing and meta-humor. For fans of stand-up and anyone curious about the psychology and craft behind comedy, it offers both practical wisdom and laughs. The “Zamboni Lie” itself becomes a metaphor for the delicate dance every comic does with the truth—and the enduring debate between emotional truth and factual accuracy on stage.

David Cross’s new special: The End of the Beginning of the End – available on officialdavidcross.com and (later) on YouTube via 800 Pound Gorilla.

Bobby Lee’s Hulu stand-up special: Finally – coming in November.

For full context and more shenanigans, listen to the episode on your preferred podcast platform.