Podcast Summary: We Might Be Drunk – Episode 236: Joel McHale

Podcast Information:

• Title: We Might Be Drunk
• Hosts: Sam Morril and Mark Normand
• Guest: Joel McHale
• Produced by: Gotham Production Studios, LLC
• Episode: Ep 236: Joel McHale
• Release Date: June 16, 2025
• Description: Join NYC comedians Sam Morril and Mark Normand each week as they share insights into the comedy world, recommendations, peeves, and a drink or three.

1. Introduction and Drinks Banter [00:06 - 00:59]

The episode opens with a lively discussion about beverage preferences among the hosts and their guest, Joel McHale. Mark and Sam joke about their limited wine selection, eventually settling on discussing various liquors.

• Joel McHale [00:10]: "I could do a little. Do you have an IPA?"
• Mark Normand [00:22]: "We're liquor drinkers. We're not really beer guys."

The conversation humorously highlights Joel's preference for scotch over wine, which Sam defends by saying, "We got great scotch." Joel expresses his desire for wine despite the limited selection, leading to a comedic exchange about the drawbacks of different alcoholic beverages.

2. Joel McHale’s Appearance and Fitness [00:59 - 02:04]

The hosts shift to light-hearted banter about Joel's physique, with compliments and playful teasing.

• Sam Morril [01:51]: "You're fucking ripped, by the way."
• Joel McHale [01:55]: "I had a donut today."

Joel humorously attributes his fitness to his wardrobe from Baby Gap, stating, "It's the only way I can show it off."

3. Joel McHale’s Early Career and Talk Soup [02:04 - 27:04]

a. Early Career and Hosting "Talk Soup" [02:04 - 16:01]

Joel delves into his early career, discussing his time hosting "Talk Soup." He shares experiences from his days on the show, including interactions with notable personalities like Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield.

• Joel McHale [04:00]: "He didn't want to be there."
• Sam Morril [10:22]: "I love Rodney."

b. Experiences with Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield [05:45 - 16:01]

Joel recounts his tumultuous relationship with Chevy Chase, highlighting Chase's reluctance and challenging behavior on set.

• Joel McHale [04:03]: "He didn't like his behavior on sets."
• Mark Normand [10:27]: "He's still good on the show. I mean, he's still amazing."

The conversation also touches on Rodney Dangerfield, sharing anecdotes about Dangerfield's blunt demeanor and Joel's admiration for his comedic prowess.

• Mark Normand [10:16]: "Rodney is a complicated man."
• Joel McHale [10:52]: "Rodney Dangerfield was on Conan's 12:30 show playing Lump."

c. Challenges and Successes of "Talk Soup" [16:01 - 27:04]

Joel discusses the behind-the-scenes efforts that made "Talk Soup" a success despite initial challenges, including censorship from King World and pushback from celebrities like Tyra Banks.

• Joel McHale [19:14]: "King World says, we are not gonna allow you to use any footage from any King World show."
• Sam Morril [20:15]: "They laid off for a week and then went back to it."

Joel reflects on the resilience required to keep the show going, emphasizing the importance of letting the clips speak for themselves rather than relying on personal critiques.

4. Transition to Other Projects and Hosted Awards Shows [27:04 - 38:06]

Note: This segment contains promotional content and advertisements for products like Kelshi.com/drunks, Sheath underwear, and Lucy nicotine pouches. As per instructions, this section is skipped in the summary.

5. Post-Advertisements: Discussions on Films and Movie Critiques [38:06 - 58:57]

After the promotional segment, the conversation resumes with a deep dive into Joel's film career and general movie discussions.

a. Joel’s Film Roles and Recommendations [38:06 - 47:00]

Joel shares his enthusiasm for various films he's been a part of, including "Ted," "Spaceman," and collaborations with Seth MacFarlane.

• Joel McHale [38:11]: "The new Adam Sandler movie, Spaceman. It is."
• Mark Normand [41:05]: "I love it."

They discuss Joel's roles, the challenges of acting versus hosting, and commend directors like Steven Soderbergh for their work.

b. Favorite and Underrated Movies [47:00 - 58:57]

The hosts exchange opinions on favorite films, highlighting classics like "Psycho" and discussing modern movies like "Green Room."

• Sam Morril [47:01]: "I love Carrie."
• Joel McHale [49:00]: "It's so good."

Joel praises the acting in "Green Room" and shares personal anecdotes about working with acclaimed actors.

6. Personal Experiences and Peeves [58:06 - 67:00]

The conversation shifts to personal annoyances and humorous stories from their professional lives.

a. Hair Transplants and Physical Appearance [56:33 - 58:57]

Sam introduces a lighthearted segment about hair transplants, leading to comedic discussions about baldness and Joel's experiences.

• Sam Morril [54:19]: "I'm gonna do the hair transplant."
• Joel McHale [55:03]: "I'm fully bald. This is..."

b. Travel and Comedic Peeves [60:01 - 67:00]

Mark and Sam share their pet peeves related to traveling for gigs, such as overcomplicated flight routines and aggressive phone call behaviors.

• Mark Normand [62:02]: "People with insanely tight phone windows."
• Joel McHale [60:36]: "I hate watching previews."

7. Final Banter and Upcoming Tours [67:00 - End]

In the closing segment, the hosts discuss their upcoming tours and shows, highlighting various locations and expressing excitement about future performances.

• Mark Normand [66:07]: "Red Bank, New Jersey, on July 12th. Count Basie Theater, the Wilbur in Boston."
• Sam Morril [66:05]: "We're moving and shaking."

They also promote their latest projects, including Mark's "1% Club" on Fox and Sam's new game show, encouraging listeners to tune in and participate.

• Mark Normand [69:13]: "Email Matt@thestreamlinelab.com if you want Bodega Cat Whiskey at your bar."

The episode concludes with humorous exchanges about hair, upcoming shows, and heartfelt thanks to Joel McHale for joining the podcast.

Notable Quotes:

• Joel McHale [04:00]: "He didn't want to be there."
• Mark Normand [10:16]: "Rodney is a complicated man."
• Joel McHale [19:14]: "King World says, we are not gonna allow you to use any footage from any King World show."
• Sam Morril [54:19]: "I'm gonna do the hair transplant."
• Joel McHale [55:03]: "I'm fully bald. This is..."
• Mark Normand [62:02]: "People with insanely tight phone windows."

Conclusion:

Episode 236 of "We Might Be Drunk" offers a blend of humorous banter, insightful discussions about the comedy and entertainment industry, and personal anecdotes from Joel McHale's illustrious career. The hosts delve into Joel's experiences on "Talk Soup," his interactions with Hollywood's elite, and his ventures into acting and hosting. The episode also provides listeners with a glimpse into the hosts' personal lives, their comedic peeves, and their ongoing projects, making it a rich and engaging listen for both fans and newcomers.