What's Our Podcast? with Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney

Episode: Jon Daly
Date: February 25, 2026
Host Network: Headgum
Guest: Jon Daly

Episode Overview

In this episode, Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney are joined by comedian and actor Jon Daly for a wild, freewheeling conversation. The trio explores the “what should our podcast actually be about?” format by letting Jon pitch a trivia-based episode. Amid irreverent banter, they delve into trivia games, comedy war stories, music fandom, formative theater experiences, and Jon’s current projects. The result is an engaging mix of nostalgia, comic energy, and a surprising amount of random knowledge.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. Opening Banter, Cereal Bits, & Red Milk

(00:25 – 07:55)

• The episode opens with classic Beck & Kyle riffing: a deep bit about "Kylo's," a fictional breakfast cereal tailored to Kyle ("little O's with K's on them"), and the mysterious, unsettling "red milk" delivered by a provider named Wesley.
• Quote:
  • “Red milk? I don't think that's milk.” — Beck (01:48)
  • “He leaves a little puzzle for me. If I solve it under the right amount of time, I get to stay alive for another 60 days.” — Kyle (05:06)
• Playful banter about their producer, Rochelle, and her stint in a “Big Brother”-style competition.
• Beck and Kyle reminisce about Broadway theater, stage crew traditions, and quirky backstage dynamics.

2. Jon Daly Joins: Comedy Roots and Ed Hardy Encounters

(16:29 – 21:55)

• Jon Daly is welcomed, reflecting mutual admiration among the group.
• Discussion of Daly’s early comedy days, the Ed Hardy Boys sketches, and a surreal meeting with fashion mogul Christian Audigier holding a bat.
• Quote:
  • “He looks like a leather bag… a French maniac snake man.” — Jon Daly (19:33)
• Beck and Kyle recall experiencing Jon’s work as fans and contemporaries at UCB.

3. Musical Comedy, Parodies, and Chili Peppers

(21:47 – 24:35)

• Talk turns to Jon Daly’s famous “Red Hot Chili Peppers” parody song “Abracadabra California,” which actually fooled music reviewers.
• Discussion of Daly’s complicated real-life interactions with artist Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction and fandom experiences.
• Quote:
  • “They all unfollowed me on the same day, and I was like, oh, they really hate it. Okay.” — Jon Daly (22:30)

4. Awkward Fan Interactions & Comedic Self-Doubt

(25:15 – 28:31)

• Daly describes an awkward but friendly run-in with Perry Farrell and reflects on the oddness of being on the receiving end of a reverse compliment.
• The trio jokes about comments from fans who “miss the old stuff.”
• Quote:
  • "I've definitely been reverse complimented before.” — Kyle (27:31)

5. The Split: Big TV Roles vs. DIY Comedy

(28:52 – 34:19)

• The conversation shifts to Jon’s career: balancing high-profile roles like Fallout with his roots in self-produced character comedy.
• Jon reveals he’s currently building an hour-long standup show—his first foray into traditional standup after years of character work.
• Quote:
  • “That’s all I really want to do… standup is kind of like Zen in a way, because it’s like facing yourself.” — Jon (34:37)

6. Standup, Stage Memories & High School Musicals

(34:19 – 48:33)

• Reflections on the craft of standup, the zen-like process of joke writing, and their admiration for legends like Eddie Murphy.
• Jon and Beck swap stories about high school theater, including embarrassing moments and cringeworthy musical selections.
• Quote:
  • “I learned how to sing throughout high school. And I did that. And then I went to college and stopped and completely.” — Beck (47:16)

7. The Trivia Pitch (Main Podcast Theme)

(37:04 – End)

• Jon proposes “trivia” as a podcast concept (37:14), which segues into a live trivia segment featuring:

  • Personal trivia facts from each member (41:09)
  • General trivia questions, with Rochelle and Jon quizzing the hosts (55:28)
    • Sample Q: “What is the hardest natural substance on earth?” (Diamonds)
    • “This fruit was once called a love apple.” (Tomato)
    • “In Switzerland, it’s illegal to own just one of this pet because they get lonely.” (Guinea pig)
    • “What song did Tom Cruise lip sync to in Risky Business?” (“Old Time Rock and Roll”)
  • Beck’s and Kyle’s trivia specialties (music, film/TV, pop culture)
  • Tangents on animal facts (hippopotamus milk is pink!), and awkward trivia fails
  • Spirited banter around who buzzes in first and scoring, with running jokes about “buzzing” answers.

• Notable Moments:

  • “We’re all fucking huge fans [of the Chili Peppers].” — Beck (23:42)
  • “I really think this could be… our podcast, but I could see this being a segment regularly.” — Beck (65:09)
  • “If you didn’t know, this was our podcast trivia show…” — Kyle (70:15), launching into a spontaneous closing song.

Memorable Quotes

• “He leaves a little puzzle for me. If I solve it under the right amount of time, I get to stay alive for another 60 days.” — Kyle (05:06)
• “He looks like a leather bag… a French maniac snake man.” — Jon Daly (19:33)
• “They all unfollowed me on the same day, and I was like, oh, they really hate it. Okay.” — Jon Daly (22:30)
• “That’s all I really want to do… standup is kind of like Zen in a way, because it’s like facing yourself.” — Jon (34:37)
• “My factoid is that my mother was in labor with me on Labor Day.” — Kyle (51:16)
• “In Switzerland, it’s illegal to own just one of this pet because they get lonely.” — Rochelle (59:10)
• “We’re all fucking huge fans [of the Chili Peppers].” — Beck (23:42)

Important Timestamps

• 00:25–7:55: Opening cereal/riff bits, Kylo's, red milk, and Big Brother tangent
• 16:29: Jon Daly joins; UCB/Ed Hardy Boys stories
• 21:47: Red Hot Chili Peppers parody story
• 28:52: Discussing balancing big TV with DIY comedy; Standup ambitions
• 34:19–48:33: Standup, joke-writing, and theater memories shared
• 37:14: Jon pitches “trivia” as the podcast theme
• 41:09–59:49: Personal trivia facts and general trivia game
• 65:09: Beck: “I really think this could be... a segment regularly.”
• 70:15: Kyle launches spontaneous trivia show closing song

Episode Tone & Style

• Freeform, playful, and self-aware, with trademark Beck & Kyle absurdity and warmth
• Jon Daly brings deadpan and surreal humor, plus deep-cut showbiz and music anecdotes
• Willingness to riff, tangent, and let weird bits (and high school drama stories) flourish
• Trivia segment is ever-escalating, both competitive and collaborative, encapsulating the “what’s our podcast even about?” ethos

Summary

This episode of What's Our Podcast? is a rollicking, multi-layered hang between three deeply funny friends. Jon Daly fits seamlessly into Beck and Kyle’s oddball rhythm, sharing both silly and introspective moments—from the “red milk provider” fever dream to heartfelt reminiscing about comedy legacies and trivia showdowns. The trivia theme—always undercut with meta-comedy—endures as a strong candidate for the podcast’s identity, or at least a beloved recurring segment. It’s a perfect showcase of why Beck, Kyle, and Jon are beloved by comedy nerds: irreverent, generous, and always up for a game.