Podcast Summary: You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes

Episode: Live at JFL with Jimmy Carr

Date: August 10, 2022
Host: Pete Holmes
Guest: Jimmy Carr
Co-hosts: Randy & Jason Sklar (Sklar Brothers)
Event: Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, Montreal

Episode Overview

This live episode, recorded at Just for Laughs 2022 in Montreal, features British stand-up juggernaut Jimmy Carr alongside Pete Holmes and the always irreverent Sklar Brothers. The conversation is a rapid-fire blend of comedic riffing and surprisingly deep dives, as Jimmy shares thoughts on comedy, success, fame, mortality, philosophy, and his personal journey. The tone is playful, honest, and at times, vulnerably profound, perfectly blending the weird and the meaningful.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Comedy, Self-Help, and the "Dao of Comedy"

[15:07–18:26]

• Jimmy’s Pandemic Book: During lockdown, Carr wrote a book transforming his life lessons and readings on self-help into comedic, accessible advice.
  • “The basic lesson of every self help book in the world is the same: prioritize later over now.”—Jimmy Carr [16:44]
• Finding Your Edge: Comedy taught Jimmy to discover and specialize in what you do best, highlighting the importance of leaning into your true strengths, as opposed to trying to be well-rounded at everything.
  • “The world doesn’t need more C grades in physics. Find the thing you’re good at, just lean into that.”—Jimmy Carr [18:06]

2. Talent, Hard Work, and The Myths of Success

[20:19–23:30]

• Both hard work and natural talent are important, but neither alone suffices; success comes from combining what you’re good at and enjoying putting in the hours.
  • “Michael Jordan is nothing without hard work. Bill Gates is nothing without talent. It’s always a mix of the two.”—Jimmy Carr [20:28]
• Limits of Aptitude: Not everyone can be anything; understanding your natural ability is key to finding your biggest “edge”—where your effort will yield the most success.

3. Fame, Happiness, and Redefining Success

[23:44–26:34]

• Fame as Modern Heaven: Fame, money, and power have replaced older notions of heaven and fulfillment, but they don’t fix life’s core struggles.
  • “Fame has replaced heaven. Fame is the land of milk and honey.”—Jimmy Carr [23:44]
• Flow State in Comedy: The joy of comedy lies in entering a “flow state.” Rather than chasing sitcom deals or stardom, Carr emphasizes cherishing the process and the moments of flow, whether in work or hobbies.

4. Comedians and Their Origins: Humor as Healing

[32:05–33:57]

• Carr posits that many comics are children from homes where a parent was mentally or physically unwell, making them “responsible for the vibes.”
  • “Most comedians I know had to take care of a sick parent. Their job in the household was vibes.”—Jimmy Carr [32:05]
• Charming vs. Charismatic:
  • Distinguishes between the two: “Charm means I come to you. Charisma means you come to me.”—Jimmy Carr [34:15]

5. Philosophy, Religion, and the Role of Belief

[37:03–38:49, 42:05–43:04]

• Atheism & Wonder: Carr, while an atheist, appreciates the power and utility of spiritual stories and myth.
• Your Real "God":
  • “What do you check your phone for all day? That’s your god.”—Jimmy Carr [38:00]
• Science vs. Faith: Belief in science still contains elements of faith, particularly since most rely on expert consensus rather than direct knowledge.
  • “Your next question should always be ‘what’s an isotope’—because most people are going on faith as well.”—Jimmy Carr [42:05]

6. The Big Picture: Human Connection and Community

[59:48–62:39]

• Comedy is Tribal: Carr references books ("Tribe" and "Selfie") and asserts that humans are fundamentally social; comedy and podcasts recreate the communal feeling of sitting around a fire.
• Laughter is Social:
  • “You’re 30 times more likely to laugh at a comedy show than at home. Laughter is a social noise.”—Jimmy Carr [60:54]
• Fame as a Return to Community: Being recognized mimics the small village dynamic of human evolution.

7. Mortality, Legacy, and Facing Death

[66:22–73:08]

• Surrealism of Success: Jimmy sometimes feels like he's in a dream, marveling that stand-up lets him live such a privileged, unlikely life.
• Near-Death Experience: Shares a story about a close encounter with a shark, blending vulnerability with humor.
• The Gift of Dying Well: Tells a poignant story about a dying friend, reflecting on the importance of keeping your “side of the road clean” and handling difficult people with integrity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Parenting and Comedians:
  • "If you meet a comedian, ... ask them which one of their parents was sick. Their job in the household was vibes." —Jimmy Carr [32:05]
• On Success:
  • "Find the thing you're good at. Just lean into that and specialize. And that was the thing that comedy told me." —Jimmy Carr [18:06]
• On Comedy as Drug-Dealing:
  • "We're dealing in dopamine, endorphins ... the drugs are already on the audience and we're just tickling them out." —Jimmy Carr [31:15]
• On God and Attention:
  • "What do you check your phone for all the time? That's your god." —Jimmy Carr [38:00]
• On Perspective and Disposition:
  • "Disposition is more important than position ... you can change your disposition slowly over time." —Jimmy Carr [58:02]
• On Mortality:
  • "You die twice. You die when you die, and you die again the last time someone says your name." —Jimmy Carr [41:42]
  • "Children are a message we send to a future we shall not see." —Jimmy Carr [41:42]
• On Love and Spirituality:
  • "For two thousand years, every song was about God. Now, every song is about love. Are we talking about the same thing?" —Jimmy Carr [52:38]

Humorous Highlights

• On Tallness: Multiple jokes riffing on Pete’s height and being asked "How tall are you?" [07:07+]
• Hugh Grant and Monica Lewinsky anecdote:
  • "'Oh, hello, I'm Hugh. I'm the other fellatio scandal from 1992.'" —Hugh Grant via Jimmy Carr [12:03]
• Charisma vs. Charm, as exemplified by celebrities:
  • "Jennifer Aniston—charm personified. Angelina Jolie—charismatic. … One isn't better than the other. They both get to fuck Brad Pitt." —Jimmy Carr [34:50]
• On group laughter:
  • "Laughter is a social noise ... It's just subconscious." —Jimmy Carr [60:54]

Important Timestamps for Segments

• [15:07]—Jimmy begins discussing his book, self-help, and advice for comics
• [18:26–23:30]—Debate: Is it talent or hard work that matters, and the limits of "following your dream"
• [23:44–25:53]—Fame vs. happiness; performing for flow, not outcome
• [32:05]—Theory on comedians and sick parents
• [34:08–36:03]—Charm vs. charisma
• [37:03–38:49]—Spirituality, atheism, and what you actually ‘worship’
• [42:05–43:04]—Belief in science vs. faith, Big Bang discussion
• [59:48–62:39]—Why humans need community; laughter as a social behavior
• [66:22–73:08]—Mortality, the gratitude practice, stories of near-death and a dying friend’s wisdom

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a masterful blend of razor-sharp wit, deep reflection, and comedic camaraderie. Jimmy Carr brings both his trademark dark humor and unexpected vulnerability, reflecting on everything from the art of joke-writing and the evolutionary purpose of laughter to philosophy, spirituality, and facing mortality with grace. The Sklar Brothers and Pete Holmes keep the energy lively and the atmosphere delightfully weird.

Memorable sign-off:
“You die twice. You die when you die, and you die again the last time someone says your name.” —Jimmy Carr [41:42]

Recommended for:
Fans of stand-up, those interested in the psychology and philosophy behind comedy, and anyone who enjoys candid conversations about creativity, meaning, and the human condition—laced with top-tier British and American riffing.

[73:25]
Host sign-off:
“Keep it crispy.”—Jimmy Carr, Pete Holmes & Guests