Podcast Summary: We Might Be Drunk – Episode 238: Kumail Nanjiani

Host(s): Sam Morril and Mark Normand
Guest: Kumail Nanjiani
Release Date: June 30, 2025
Produced by: Gotham Production Studios, LLC

Introduction

In Episode 238 of We Might Be Drunk, hosts Sam Morril and Mark Normand welcome the acclaimed comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani for an engaging and candid conversation. The trio reminisces about their early days performing together in New York City's vibrant comedy scene, sharing anecdotes, insights into the evolution of stand-up comedy, and their personal journeys within the industry.

Early Comedy Days and Moving to New York

The episode kicks off with nostalgic reflections on the hosts' beginnings in comedy. Kumail (00:06) opens the conversation by acknowledging their shared history:

Kumail Nanjiani [00:06]: "Hey, we might be drunk. We're here with Kumail Nanjiani, my old pal."

Mark (00:10) recalls their time performing open mics together in 2007:

Mark Normand [00:10]: "Old buddies. My God. We did open mics together in New York, 2007."

They discuss the challenges of moving to New York, setting up comedy trucks, and the logistical nightmares faced during their initial relocation:

Mark Normand [00:21]: "The day I moved to New York, I brought my truck, me and Emily, with a car hitched behind us. And then, you know, they wouldn't go over the bridge, so she took the car. I had to figure out how to do it. Nightmare."

Kumail shares his experiences performing across various neighborhoods, highlighting the diversity of the New York comedy landscape:

Kumail Nanjiani [00:15]: "We did every alt room from here to Queens, Long Island City to Manhattan to Brooklyn."

Evolution of Stand-Up Writing

A significant portion of the conversation delves into how the New York comedy scene influenced their stand-up writing and performance styles. Mark (02:16) explains the shift from Chicago's structured punchlines to New York's more conversational approach:

Mark Normand [02:16]: "Became a lot more conversational. Became like, longer jokes. And Chicago's definitely set up punch. I moved to New York and doing the alt rooms in New York, UCB. You had to hide your punchlines."

Kumail (02:26) emphasizes the importance of improvisation and being present in the moment:

Kumail Nanjiani [02:26]: "It shows you're in the room."

Mark elaborates on adapting to this change by incorporating riffs and maintaining a natural flow:

Mark Normand [02:55]: "It really works. It makes you comfortable. It makes you feel like, oh, I fucking did that."

Influential Comedians and Collaboration

The episode highlights the influential figures within their comedic circles, including mentions of performers like Jake Johansson, Jason Fever, and Rory Scoville. Kumail (07:04) praises Mark's consistent performance:

Kumail Nanjiani [07:04]: "I never saw you bomb. I've never seen you bomb."

They discuss the tight-knit community of Chicago comedians and their transition to New York, emphasizing the support and collaboration that fueled their growth.

Acting Ventures and Movie Experiences

Shifting gears, the hosts explore Kumail's foray into acting and his experiences with films such as "The Room" and "Zardoz." Mark (11:52) shares his admiration for these cult classics:

Mark Normand [11:53]: "They took this database that had all the information in the world. Have an idiot, like, regurgitating it."

Kumail (25:10) humorously critiques Sean Connery's role in "Zardoz":

Kumail Nanjiani [25:18]: "Zardoz. That's my Uber driver."

They reflect on the passion-driven yet often commercially doomed projects, drawing parallels with Tommy Wiseau's "The Room":

Mark Normand [29:40]: "This is what I wanted to express to the world."

Challenges in Comedy: Bombing Sets

A particularly memorable segment recounts Mark's experience bombing a stand-up set by introducing a controversial joke involving a swastika tattoo. Mark (37:18) narrates the misstep:

Mark Normand [37:18]: "I go up and I do five minutes from like something that had worked for me like a couple weeks ago. As soon as that came off after crushing, Kyle was like, I've heard that one."

He describes the awkward silence and the shift in audience perception:

Mark Normand [38:09]: "Someone whispers, it's a Holocaust benefit."

This anecdote underscores the delicate balance comedians must maintain when pushing boundaries.

The Dynamic of Late Night Shows

The hosts express their views on the evolution and current state of late-night television. Mark (15:34) laments the decline of traditional late-night shows:

Mark Normand [15:34]: "It really bums me out. It was my favorite thing, you know, most of my career, my goal was to be a late night talk show host."

Kumail (16:12) adds to the discussion by highlighting the eclectic mix of guests that exemplify the unpredictable nature of shows like Jimmy Kimmel's:

Kumail Nanjiani [16:12]: "You can have a guy whose last movie made a billion dollars next to a guy who can, like, you know, chew bubble gum and whistle the national anthem at the same time."

Creative Process and Reinventing Comedy

Mark shares his journey of returning to stand-up after a hiatus, emphasizing the challenges of reinventing his comedic voice:

Mark Normand [62:05]: "I felt like myself."

He discusses the importance of continuous writing and adapting to remain relevant in the ever-evolving landscape of comedy.

Stand-Up Tours and Future Plans

The conversation transitions to their current and upcoming stand-up tours. Mark (71:02) outlines an extensive tour schedule:

Mark Normand [71:02]: "Red Bank, New Jersey. The Count Basie Theater in July. Then I'm at the Wilbur in Boston in August."

Kumail (72:13) shares his global tour plans, highlighting the expansive reach of their comedy:

Kumail Nanjiani [72:13]: "And then we're off to New Zealand, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane."

Comedic Peeves and Observations

In a lighthearted segment, the hosts share their comedic peeves, offering listeners a glimpse into the everyday frustrations that fuel their humor.

Mark (47:48) vents about oversized burgers:

Mark Normand [47:48]: "I don't like a burger that's too big. I think burgers are getting too big."

He humorously laments the practical challenges of consuming such monstrosities:

Mark Normand [48:35]: "Sometimes there's so much like wet sauce, the bun's falling apart. You're just digging your fingers straight into meat."

Kumail (50:35) expresses his disdain for the design of public restrooms:

Kumail Nanjiani [50:35]: "Every public bathroom should be pull to enter and push to leave. Because when you're going in, people's hands are clean."

Their shared frustrations culminate in a humorous critique of modern conveniences, resonating with anyone who's faced similar annoyances.

Personal Growth and Reinvention in Comedy

Mark (62:05) reflects on his personal growth and the necessity of reinvention in stand-up:

Mark Normand [62:25]: "I sat there sweating, like, I have to recreate the conditions of when I was really doing it."

He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and evolving one's comedic style to remain connected with the audience.

Conclusion

Throughout Episode 238, We Might Be Drunk provides an intimate look into the lives of comedians Sam Morril, Mark Normand, and guest Kumail Nanjiani. From the gritty beginnings of performing in New York's open mics to navigating the complexities of modern comedy and acting, the episode is a rich tapestry of humor, introspection, and shared experiences. Listeners gain valuable insights into the dedication required to thrive in the comedy world, the importance of evolving one's craft, and the camaraderie that sustains these comedic talents.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Mark Normand [00:21]: "...they wouldn't go over the bridge, so she took the car. I had to figure out how to do it. Nightmare."

• Mark Normand [02:16]: "Became a lot more conversational. Became like, longer jokes..."

• Kumail Nanjiani [37:18]: "...I have never heard this much silence."

• Mark Normand [47:48]: "I don't like a burger that's too big. I think burgers are getting too big."

• Kumail Nanjiani [50:35]: "Every public bathroom should be pull to enter and push to leave."

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