You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes

Guest: Mike O’Gorman
Release Date: August 31, 2022

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pete Holmes welcomes comedian, actor, and master impressionist Mike O’Gorman for a deeply funny and thoughtful conversation. The pair reminisce about their comedy roots, swap impressions, reflect on the ups and downs of a showbiz career, and get “weird” about everything from near-death experiences to Catholic school and the meaning of life. It’s a heartfelt, hilariously meandering episode packed with improv, sincerity, career real-talk, and plenty of memorable moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Showbiz Friendships & Comedy Roots

• [04:45–09:02] Pete and Mike discuss the joy of reuniting, comparing their dynamic to magical imp-like figures who pop into each other's lives.
  • Pete likens his friendship with Mike to a recurring magical mushroom character in a dreamlike quest, reinforcing the pure joy of "hangout comedy" rooted in genuine laughter.
  • Quote:
    “Comedy is also what we did at sleepovers. It’s what we did at birthday parties.” – Pete Holmes ([08:40])
  • They both express gratitude for a dynamic that doesn’t feel like “work” or “performing,” just pure fun.

2. Impressions and the Art of Comedy

• [09:30–13:12] Mike talks about his origins in doing impressions, such as his signature Andre the Giant, modulated kidnapper voices, and more.
  • [10:30–12:17] Mike explains his early stand-up closer featuring the classic ransom call voice, pivoting it into characters doing mundane things.
  • The duo riff on the anxiety of food orders and improvise cold coffee riffs, Southern judges, and “boss hog” archetypes.
  • Quote:
    “What if he left [the kidnapper voice] on and then calls for Chinese takeout?” – Mike O’Gorman ([11:35])

3. Career Stories: Impressions, Voice Work, and Landing 'True Lies'

• [15:11–24:55] The conversation veers into how Mike’s impressions (Bale, Andre the Giant, etc.) developed, his past work (e.g., Ugly Americans), and the viral comedic audio they once created parodying Bale and Freeman.
  • [17:57–18:08] Mike unexpectedly ends up working for McG (the director once mocked in their bit) and James Cameron on CBS’s new “True Lies.”
  • [23:02–24:51] O’Gorman discusses booking the pilot, the tone of the show, and his “harmless misogynist” character.
  • Quote:
    “He’s a harmless misogynist. Yes, he hates women. But he doesn’t hit them.” – Mike O’Gorman ([24:14])
  • The segment is punctuated by riffing on action tropes, show development, and network comedy.

4. Acting Hustle: Navigating Lulls and Diversifying

• [27:06–34:07] Mike opens up about a “three-year drought” in his career, battling COVID shutdowns, and the importance of asking his agent to send him out for drama as well as comedy.
  • The discussion becomes a candid look at typecasting, auditioning, self-tapes, and reinventing oneself.
  • Emphasizes not relying on one “flavor” (single cam, sketch, stand-up), but diversifying skills: writing, acting, etc.
  • Quote:
    “Who does it work for? … Not your T (Tom) Cruises.” – Pete Holmes ([43:47])

5. Pilots & Rejection: 'Man from Los Angeles' and Industry Volatility

• [47:27–51:08] Mike describes pitching and selling a pilot (loosely inspired by “the Man from Taured” urban legend) to HBO Max, only to see it dropped due to shifting network priorities (“...they just changed their model completely”).
  • Both discuss how cancellations are rarely personal—projects are often cycled out for new corporate directions, not because you “stink.”
  • Quote:
    “I went in with it, they were like, ‘This is exactly what we want.’ ... By the time it went through development ... they were like, ‘Actually, we’re going to reboot Sex and the City and rerun Big Bang Theory.’” – Mike O’Gorman ([50:32])

6. Shifting Goals: From Alt-Comedy to Multicam Sitcoms

• [52:00–61:01] The duo reflect on their trajectories—from chasing SNL, the “alt comedy” New York scene, and the alleged uncoolness of multicam shows—to embracing network sitcoms for their lifestyle and stability.
  • Pete recounts the “How We Roll” sitcom experience, the “not cool” stigma, but the reality of job satisfaction, camaraderie, and work-life balance.
  • Quote:
    “If a network calls with a show—do it.” – Pete Holmes ([60:58])
  • Both acknowledge how priorities and ideas of “success” evolve as you age.

7. Existential Stuff, Faith, and the Meaning of Life

• [82:55–92:57] Pete probes Mike’s religious upbringing (strict Irish Catholic), spiritual evolution, and existential musings.
  • Pete posits that deep mystical teachings shouldn’t be pushed on kids, but that supportive communities are good.
  • They agree the “meaning of life” becomes about recognizing your deeper awareness beyond “the story” or ego.
  • Quote:
    “You have to be somebody before you can be nobody. Spirituality is about becoming nobody.” – Pete Holmes ([84:38])

8. Death, Near-Death, Reincarnation, and Cosmic Weirdness

• [78:23–96:46] Mike recounts a real near-drowning experience, the last time he pooped his pants, and discusses what happens at death—does consciousness continue, or is it over?
  • Pete provides philosophical perspectives (Rupert Spira’s “water vortex” analogy), raising questions about awareness, time, the ego, and the afterlife.
  • Quote:
    “If you’re afraid of dying, you haven’t figured out who you truly are… That’s the work of life.” – Pete Holmes ([89:27])

9. Impressions Galore & Laughing Fits

• Throughout – esp. [10:09–14:45], [70:09–74:07], [101:16–103:38]
  • Mike treats listeners to spot-on impressions: Andre the Giant, Christian Bale, Robert Evans, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Dracula doing “Hey Jealousy,” Louis Armstrong/Jimmy Durante, and more.
  • Pete jumps in with Morgan Freeman, Southern lawyers, and others, turning the episode into a mini-masterclass on comedic mimicry.
  • Quote:
    “You motherfucking cats seem to need to eat every motherfucking day.” – Mike O’Gorman, as Robert Evans ([101:47])

10. Hardest Laughter & Comedy Influences

• [103:36–107:09] Mike recalls the hardest he’s ever laughed: watching Rowan Atkinson’s live show as a child, being deeply affected by “slices of life” and nuanced character comedy.
  • Pete and Mike discuss how the abundance of content today can dull novelty and how certain lines (e.g., “That escalated quickly”) become overused.
  • Quote:
    “You can do this. It’s interesting.” – Mike O’Gorman about Atkinson’s influence ([105:59])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• On pure comedy friendship:
  “Whenever I see you, I die laughing, and I remember that comedy … can be kind of, for its own sake, pure.” – Pete ([08:01])

• On impressions as a tool:
  “If you put a French accent on that, then it becomes Andre the Giant.” – Mike ([15:11])

• On booking ‘True Lies’:
  “I had this three year drought basically of not really doing anything … so I reached out to my agent, I said, can you start sending me out on drama so we can cast a wider net...” – Mike ([27:06])

• On redefining career satisfaction:
  “To be a worker among workers—just to have your place, do your thing, and do it well.” – Pete ([62:44])

• On life's ultimate questions:
  “The best you can probably hope for is that you reach a point where you’re ready to go when it’s time, and it’s not a surprise.” – Mike ([90:53])

• On comedic upbringing:
  “I was raised in a very strict Irish Catholic house. I went to Catholic school my entire life.” – Mike ([83:00])

• On showbiz resilience:
  “The old model of the triple threat is kind of dead…but I think now the other threats are more like writing and, you know, directing or whatever.” – Mike ([43:28])

• On the meaning of spirituality:
  “You have to be somebody before you can be nobody. Spirituality is sort of about becoming nobody.” – Pete ([84:38])

Highlighted Impressions & Segments (with Timestamps)

• Andre the Giant: [09:50], [15:11], [103:10]
• Christian Bale: [18:08], [70:09]
• Morgan Freeman: [19:29]
• Robert Evans (from ‘The Offer’): [101:41]
• Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Sudeikis, Charlie Day: [70:19–71:51]
• Dracula sings “Hey Jealousy”: [72:36]
• Louis Armstrong/Jimmy Durante: [74:07]
• Bill Murray's "this man has no penis": [106:06]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening Riff and Hangout Comedy (Friendship, Impressions): [04:45–14:45]
• Viral Impressions & 'Ugly Americans' Anecdotes: [15:11–19:55]
• Booking “True Lies” & Industry Churn: [23:05–34:07]
• Career Dry Spell, Pilot Sale, and COVID Impact: [27:06–34:07]
• Typecasting, Diversifying, and Triple Threats: [42:23–44:17]
• Meaning of Life, Near-Death, Faith: [82:53–94:35]
• Impression-Masterclass (Bale, Arnett, Bateman, Dracula): [70:09–74:07], [101:16–103:36]
• Biggest Laugh Ever (Rowan Atkinson): [103:36–106:06]
• Closing & “Keep it Crispy” (Andre the Giant style): [109:49–110:04]

Closing

The episode concludes with Pete’s signature “Keep it crispy,” delivered via Mike’s Andre the Giant impression—a perfect coda to a meandering, hilarious, and philosophical episode that embodies exactly what “You Made It Weird” does best.

Recommended for:
Fans of comedy, showbiz insiders, impression aficionados, and anyone seeking a blend of hearty laughs and existential musings.

Listen for:
Masterful impressions, industry survival stories, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and two comedians processing “the meaning of life” through both silliness and sincerity.