Podcast Summary: You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes – Finesse Mitchell (May 15, 2024)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pete Holmes welcomes comedian, writer, and SNL alum Finesse Mitchell for a vibrant, hilarious, and insightful discussion. The conversation bounces between comedy process, the realities of show business, authenticity on stage, relationships, race in comedy, evolving careers, and memorable personal stories. Both comedians candidly share stories from their personal and professional lives, reflecting on what it means to "keep it weird" and real—on and off stage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Comedy Process & Authenticity

• Authentic Styles:

  • Both Pete and Finesse explore how their comedic styles evolved. Pete admires Finesse's improvisational flow, likening it to a black preacher’s cadence ("You sound like a black preacher to me." – Pete, [11:16]).
  • Finesse affirms his stand-up is never exactly the same and credits coming up in diverse Miami comedy rooms for his versatility ([19:03]).

• Influences and Finding Your Voice:

  • The guys discuss how performers (comedians, singers, actors) "pick a voice" – from JB Smoove’s onstage persona to Ryan Gosling’s adopted accent ([06:15]).
  • “Everybody in show business is faking a voice, and so are regular people, too.” – Pete ([06:31]).

• Comedy as Flow State:

  • Pete draws a parallel between stand-up and charismatic black preaching: "You knew this dude was in a flow. And that’s what I feel like you’re doing." ([13:23]).

• Advice to Comics:

  • Both discourage comics from radically altering their act for different rooms; authenticity and confidence are what truly work, especially in "black rooms" ([16:24], [24:12]).
  • "Just do the shit that you know is funny... instead of improvising, because... you gonna crash and burn." – Finesse ([24:12]).

2. Navigating Race & Representation in Comedy

• Performing in Diverse Rooms:

  • Finesse describes learning to “make white people laugh” as his father advised, entering white-dominated spaces and adjusting his act for broader appeal while retaining authenticity ([19:03]).

• N-word Onstage & Audience Perceptions:

  • Finesse urges black comics to consider how mainstream audiences perceive the use of the N-word and the responsibility that comes with it ([21:20]).

• Audience Expectations:

  • “Black rooms” demand the real you. "We love real shit." – Finesse ([18:33]).
  • Pete notes the pressure on white comics in black rooms to change their act, but Finesse says: "We want to laugh at the jokes that made you funny." ([23:09]).

3. Career Realities: Specials, Industry, and Self-Doubt

• On Comedy Specials:

  • Finesse talks candidly about his one-show Netflix special and the paralysis and insecurity when editing stand-up ("I was just nervous about, I can't believe you did it. I really can't." – Pete, [29:30]).
  • Both comics agree that “Who cares?” is a freeing attitude when considering how and when to release material, referencing other comics like Dan Soder and Orny Adams releasing specials on YouTube ([38:11]).

• Industry Machine & The 'Stock' of Comedians:

  • Touring and contract realities are discussed, emphasizing the intense, sometimes addictive nature of being in-demand and the financial structures motivating high-profile comics ([68:38]).
  • Finesse likens agents and decision-makers to day traders picking stocks: "You're a day trader... bring me the best stock to bet on." ([73:53]).

• Showbiz Myths:

  • The trope that "life isn't fair or there's some evil backroom deal" is dissected as a comforting narrative, but Finesse insists talent and industry mechanisms are behind success far more often ([65:37]).

4. SNL Experiences & Lessons

• Getting SNL and Looking Back:

  • Finesse shares the path to SNL, his audition (a seven-character "black people at Crouching Tiger" bit), expectations, and later regrets about not working harder when he was young and more into clubbing ([94:17]).

• Show's Evolution:

  • The show’s changing approaches to black cast members are discussed. Finesse references Tracy Morgan's wisdom: "With each black person that walked through that door... the show adjusts." ([97:06]).

5. Marriage, Relationships, and Family Life

• On Second Marriages:

  • Both comics find humor in the self-awareness that comes after divorce and remarriage: "You ever get into your second marriage and start saying shit like, well, maybe it is me?" – Finesse ([78:11]).

• Finding Balance:

  • Finesse describes setting up his sanctuary at home (“the hotel room”), and both stress the necessity of partners supporting one another’s creative pursuits ([09:00], [79:36]).

• The Golden Rule & Team Marriage:

  • A recurring theme is supporting each other’s "thing" and practicing loving acceptance: "That's the golden rule. That's loving somebody how you want to be loved—very, very spiritual." – Pete ([101:08], [88:00]).

6. Society & Current Events

• Politics – Ageism & Representation:
  • Lively discussion about Biden, Trump, Kamala Harris, and the hidden biases behind voter fears of having "the first black woman president."
  • "With Hillary, you found out how sexist we were. With Biden, we’re finding out how ageist we are." – Pete ([39:48]).

7. Comedy Now: Edginess, Standards, & Chappelle

• Say It Era:

  • The guys reflect on how current comedy encourages more directness and less subtlety, unlike the 80s.
  • Finesse notices backlash from a new generation of "comedy watchers" startled by edgier material ([50:30]).

• On Chappelle, Legacy, and Audience Ownership:

  • Pete and Finesse analyze the latest Chappelle specials, the expectation that brilliant comics deliver brilliance every time, and how the audience feels a sense of ownership—like Star Wars fans over the franchise ([57:54]).
  • "It's almost like they become a publicly traded stock. Like, we all have some say." – Pete ([58:12]).

8. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On being real:
  “Don't be afraid of you.” – Finesse ([23:45])

• On black rooms:
  “We love real shit.” – Finesse ([18:33])

• On childhood church mischief:
  "One day, my brother was sleep... He thought he had a machine gun. He goes..." – Finesse ([110:31])

• On partners catching comedic gold:
  "My wife comes to my set, she'll have in her phone everything I said... On the drive home, she'll say, 'this one really hit.'" ([100:38])

• On authenticity in comedy:
  “Say it. And what does Bill do best? He says it.” – Pete ([49:13])

9. Personal Stories & Lighthearted Anecdotes

• "Suck Better" Joke Bit:
  An extended riff on a stand-up bit’s naming—Finesse meant "Suck High," but Pete argues "Suck Better" is funnier, even suggesting it as a T-shirt ([27:25]).
• Kevin Spacey Flirts with Finesse:
  "I like the cut of your jib." Finesse didn't know what that meant, and a friend later explained Spacey was hitting on him ([108:43]).
• Daughter’s Croissant Antic:
  Finesse recounts how his young daughter gave him the tiniest corner of her croissant when he asked for one, a moment of hilarious kid logic ([113:29]).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Marriage and Wedding Rings: 01:36–04:05
• Comedy Influences / Showbiz Voices: 04:42–06:39
• Stand-up Flow and Black Preaching: 11:04–13:23
• Authenticity in Black Rooms: 16:24–18:45
• On Editing Specials & Releasing Content: 28:42–38:11
• Industry Machine & Comedy as Stock: 68:34–74:54
• SNL, Club Life & Regrets: 91:22–96:08
• Politics, Ageism & Representation: 39:22–42:22
• Chappelle & Comedy Legacy: 53:03–58:12
• Fatherhood & Family Antics: 110:31–115:13
• Golden Rule in Marriage: 100:38–101:08

Tone and Style

The tone throughout is playful, candid, and honest—full of friendly ribbing, mutual admiration, and deep respect for the craft and struggles of stand-up comedy. Both Pete and Finesse bring warmth and openness, unafraid to share moments of insecurity, lessons from failures, and genuine appreciation for each other's work.

Notable Episode Takeaways

• Authenticity kills on stage; realness transcends audience demographics.
• Industry realities are complex—success is shaped by talent, timing, business, and luck.
• Comedy is deeply influenced by personal history, community, and family support.
• Supportive relationships—romantic or platonic—are crucial for creative fulfillment.
• Legacy comics (e.g., Chappelle) become communal property, stirring both love and critique.

Memorable Closing

The episode wraps with Morgan Freeman and Donald Trump impressions, good-natured jokes about social media, and a sincere plea for listeners to support the podcast with ratings and reviews—and always, always:
"Keep it crispy."

(End of summary)