We Made It Weird #216

Summary

Podcast Summary: "We Made It Weird #216"

Podcast: You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes
Hosts: Pete Holmes and Valerie
Episode Date: May 2, 2025

---

Overview

In this lively and heartfelt episode, Pete Holmes and his wife Valerie riff on the quirks of everyday life, the creative process, relationship weirdness, and the ongoing journey of self-acceptance. The pair share stories about artistic struggles, moments of personal awkwardness, and offer both comedic and genuine insights into what it means to be “seen” – by yourself, your family, and your audience. They also touch on themes of creativity, childhood wounds, letting go of past expectations, and pop culture in parenting.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Mystery Song, Bits in Relationships, and Writing for Movies

[01:24 - 08:11]

• Pete and Val open discussing a classical melody stuck in their heads, playfully attempting to identify it by singing and joking about their inability to Google the answer.
• Pete shares about trying to capture genuine "couple bits" for a movie script and how difficult it is to intentionally write organic, endearing relationship moments.
• Notable insight into the creative process: letting memories and ideas percolate rather than forcing them. Pete explains his method:
  “I put it in my brain, and then I walk away... And then one day in the car, I go, oh, that's great.” – Pete [07:28]
• They poke fun at the gap between scripted and real-life chemistry:
  “A script is just going like, no, that happened. Let’s recreate it.” – Pete [04:00]

2. AI, Creativity, and Real Life Awkwardness

[08:12 - 15:33]

• Pete relates a socially awkward moment where he blanked in a conversation, admitted “who cares?” and walked away, reflecting on how such moments would be viewed endearingly in a movie ("Lemon Head").
• Val talks about the joy of “real-time nostalgia” for Pete’s weirdness, even when it’s socially awkward in the moment.
• The pair muse about the power of cinema to make us root for odd, quirky characters just because the camera lingers.
• Pete wonders how AI might impact creativity, expressing that human creative “gestation” is often slow but organic, compared to AI’s potential for rapid content generation.

3. The Cycles of Creativity, Mojo, and Self-Care

[17:08 - 32:08]

• Both discuss Pete’s periodic feeling that he’s lost his mojo, and how habits like smoking weed and binge-watching AI videos might dampen his creative “juice.”
• Val assumes a “weather keeper” role in their relationship, recognizing and gently cautioning Pete about repeating unhelpful cycles.
• Val draws a metaphor comparing managing Pete’s moods to chasing tornadoes like Helen Hunt in Twister.
  “...Wanted to be like Helen Hunt, just, like, wildly in a tank top chasing tornadoes. And that’s essentially what being married to you is.” – Val [15:19]
• They reflect on creativity’s seasons—knowing when to push versus when to rest, and accepting flow (or lack thereof):
  “Both holding and folding are the same decision to just, like, be with what is.” – Pete [22:41]

4. Stand-Up, Accepting Your Shadow, and Tour Revamp

[26:14 - 36:06]

• Pete shares about changing the tour name from “PG13 Tour” to “Pete Here Now Tour” after realizing he wasn’t being true to himself or performing at his authentic best within PG-13 restrictions.
  “Don’t name the album before you’ve written all the songs.” – Pete [26:17]
• They dig into the core value of his comedy: modeling radical vulnerability and shadow-acceptance for audiences.
  “To limit that to, like—well, actually, I can’t show that much of my shadow, I can only show the PG13... That’s specifically the wound that you doing stand up is addressing.” – Val [29:41]
• Talk about family dynamics and how the desire to be “toned down” links to childhood wounds, but Pete ultimately recommits to full authenticity on stage.

5. The Drive to Create—Parental Acceptance, Letting Go, and Creative Realignment

[39:29 - 49:09]

• Pete reflects on how much of his work has been an attempt to be seen and accepted by his parents, and how truly letting go of that hope feels like a grief process—but one that opens creative space for something new.
• Val offers the episode’s most inspiring riff:
  “Your natural state is creative... the natural state of the entire universe is creative. Literally. That’s how we got here... whatever’s thrown in, whatever materials you’re given, even if it’s shards of glass, you’ll make something beautiful.” – Val [46:05]

6. Movie Talk: Arcs, Consequences, and Shifts in Modern Storytelling

[54:01 - 64:54]

• The duo review their experience watching the action film Amateur, expressing disappointment at the main character’s lack of growth and the recent cinematic trend of protagonist “no arc.”
• They mourn the shift away from real consequences, attention spans, and dramatic payoff in movies and TV, comparing modern films to older works where actions had stakes (e.g., “Honey I Shrunk the Kids”’ ant scene).
• Pete points out, “We watch those movies as metaphors... John Wick is shooting every doubt, insecurity, and unworthiness.” [58:55]
• Val observes, “Creativity is about clearing space and clearing the channel...” [49:09], linking well with the previous discussion on creative blockages and clearing childhood wounds.

---

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Social Awkwardness:
  “I’m a mutant in a hotel lobby, going, ‘Who cares?’ and walking away.” – Pete [09:10]
• On True Partnership:
  “Even in the moment, maybe when you’re being specifically socially awkward... I’m sorry, that’s the one I want to be with. Just this weirdo.” – Val [11:22]
• On Creative Allowance:
  “To know when to surrender to—like, this is just the season of the moment. And allow it.” – Val [22:12]
• On Artistic Honesty:
  “Take out the ax. Do everything. And also stand-up is so hard—do be the funniest you you can be and the most authentic you you can be.” – Pete [27:23]
• On Healing & Creation:
  “You can get rid of the shards of glass, they’re cutting up your hands, baby girl. Just get rid of it and create. You were born, born, born, born to create, create, create.” – Val [47:18]
• On Parental Approval:
  “If I make enough noise, if I’m shiny enough, if I’m special enough... my parents will turn and I’ll see, like, a trance leave their face, and they’ll be there and they’ll go, ‘It was you all along.’” – Pete [43:15]

---

Pop Culture/Listener Community

• Many references to recent movies (Amateur, Hitman) and reflections on how storytelling has changed.
• Valerie shares updates from listeners who resonated with Pete’s candid discussions on family dynamics, offering a moment of community solidarity.

---

Important Timestamps

• 00:47 – 04:58: Tour news, the mystery classical song, and using real-life bits in writing
• 08:12 – 11:10: Pete’s awkward social encounter and thoughts on movie character likability
• 15:19: Val’s "married to a tornado chaser" metaphor
• 21:45: The cycles of creative “mojo” (rest vs. effort)
• 26:14: Realization about the “PG13 Tour” not fitting Pete’s comedy style
• 34:09: Acceptance that every comedian has a different value (Nate Bargatze vs. Pete’s vulnerability)
• 39:29 – 41:14: Letting go of the hope that parental approval will come
• 46:05: Val’s manifesto on natural creativity
• 54:01 – 63:11: Pop culture discussions—movie arcs, storytelling, and real consequences in films
• 65:07 – End: Listener community acknowledgment and closing thoughts

---

Tone & Language

• Playful, self-deprecating, often silly (classic Pete and Val banter)
• Deeply honest, vulnerable, especially around creativity and family
• Insightful but unpretentious, modeling “real time nostalgia” and radical acceptance

---

Final Notes

This episode embodies the best of the "We Made It Weird" style: intimate, funny, sometimes meandering but always circling back to self-exploration and how comedy (and life) is a process of showing your true, awkward, and creative self. Pete and Val explore giving up old wounds as the fuel for art, and celebrate the creative freedom that honest, shadow-accepting comedy brings. There’s comfort here for listeners wrestling with identity, approval, and creativity—and a lot of laughs along the way.

---

Keep it crispy!

Transcript

[A]

You made it with. You made it with.

[B]

You made it with.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

You made it weird with Pete Holmes.

[A]

What's happening, weirdos?

[B]

What's happening, weirdos? We are here. This is a great one. I always say that, but this is a great one.

[A]

This is. This is a great one. This is.

[B]

I love this one.

[A]

I do, too. Just listen to it.

[B]

You're already here. Already picked it. So many picks, and you picked this. Thank you.

[A]

Yeah, thank you.

[B]

I'm going to say that's magical. Thanks for being here. This is the Friday edition. We recorded these. These kind of a while ago. We had to bank some. So if anything, you know, I don't know, major happened. We don't know about it.

[A]

Yeah. So don't blame us.

[B]

Don't blame us. We're just. We're just two. Two suckers gabbing. But we're glad to be here. And I am on the road. We talk about this a little bit, although I'm sure I've talked about it plenty in the intros to the other podcasts. But we are no longer calling it the PG13 tour. We'll get into that. We're calling it the Pete Here now tour. And coming up, I don't know if it's already May 10, but that was Toronto, then LA, Nashville, Irvine, San Jose, Houston, Royal Oak, Michigan, Washington, DC, Boston and Cleveland. All of those are [e-mail] get into it. It's fine. I need help.

[A]

I only yawn in classical music.

[B]

I think you're missing a note.

[A]

Oh, it falls apart.

[B]

That's what we were just doing in the car. And I want to start this episode with an ask, please tell me what the name of that song is. Yeah, I tried on Google, but here's the thing. Hold on.

[A]

I'm just kidding.

[B]

I couldn't find it. The end. I was just kidding.

[A]

If. Even if you can hear the name of it or know the name of it, you won't recognize the name of it. We've only just know it from movies and stuff.

[B]

No, I know. I was thinking. So we're. I'm trying to write a movie idea and the producer that I'm working with was like, we need a reason to root for this couple. Isn't that funny? And I was. And I, like, drew a blank. I know you and I have this incredibly endearing podcast, but when you tasked me, when I was tasked with, like, write a scene where you see that this couple has, like, bits and is, like, likes each other and you want them to be together.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It was harder than I thought. I thought, like, well, maybe smallest smile. And I was like, yeah, that's okay. That. That was the first idea.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But then today in the car, we were driving just. Just now, and I was going. And you didn't know what song I was doing? At first I did. No, no, no. Yes. When I did it, clearly. But there was a moment where it just seemed like I was going, like, I need to know what I was doing.

[A]

No, I knew 100%.

[B]

No, no, I'm gonna. Of the time when you know.

[A]

Because then you went, do you know what song I'm doing?

[B]

And I'm like, yes, that's hilarious.

[A]

I know what song he built.

[B]

I was just thinking about blind spots. Like, what don't I know? You built. What?

[A]

You just built a story based on the fact that I didn't join you?

[B]

Well, and honestly, it was because in that moment, I was like, oh. Oh, God, this is it. This could be a moment. Like, if I were to. And I'm not even saying I'm trying to, but if I directed this movie, I would just have the male and female actors drive around.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

In the hopes that something like that would happen. But then I was like, well, that's what a script is.

[A]

Yeah. You gotta. You gotta write something for them. But then you can be like, you know, ask the actors what they do.

[B]

Yeah, but even better, a script is just going like, no, that happened. Let's recreate it.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And then I thought it was very funny. And we were laughing at that, like, everyone knows. And that happens twice. And then it's.

[A]

And then you just.

[B]

Nobody knows. I. So I'm on Google. If I'm being completely honest, I'm on the toilet on Google.

[A]

Yeah, well, Google, I think. Let's give the full picture.

[B]

Tell everybody that you're pooping. Google.

[A]

Google. We got into the house after trying to do that from that song and.

[B]

Realizing that it's hard, which I would still please Pete's Picks YMIW at Gmail. Or. Or. Or you can slide into Val's Instagram DMS and you'll see it. I would really appreciate it, because I couldn't do it. The Internet didn't know. Yeah, I did. I thought a pretty good job, but I still maintain.

[A]

You're gonna get like, fu. La. Fu.

[B]

Is now the time? I'm just kidding.

[A]

Oh, God.

[B]

I know what you mean. Fur. El. What you're thinking. That's what I. I know what you're thinking.

[A]

I knew for Elise, I just couldn't.

[B]

Like, I thought you're.

[A]

I thought you're Elise first. And then I just couldn't improvise too much past that. It's like when a teacher would give you an example and I would be like, well, that's all I can see now.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I can't think of anything else.

[B]

I understand completely the reason, and I want to get back to you painting that picture. The reason is you. And the reason is. Yeah.

[A]

Oh, God. Okay.

[B]

Somebody wrote that. Think of that moment in the biopic.

[A]

And the reason is.

[B]

What's the reason?

[A]

What's the reason?

[B]

And even after you realize it's. It's you, he's like. And the reason his. You. No, it's got to be like, all right. The reason is in this movie that doesn't exist yet. Let's say we have that moment where my character and your character are driving along and we're laughing because we realize that everybody knows the first part of that song. And then blah, blah, blah, blah. So then in the movie, these people kind of like go on the rocks and they sort of fall, they separate things, get chunky, but then they get back together. How funny would it be that when they get. He sees her across the room, it's the moment where they see each other again after all of the in between part. And that song plays.

[A]

Yeah, that's great.

[B]

It's great.

[A]

That is great.

[B]

I feel very strongly, too, that it's great.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And the reason why. The reason. Well, the reason. And everybody knows. It's not like I'm the only one that's out here being creative. We're all being creative. Is that that idea showed up. I think that's very interesting. It'll be interesting to see what the world is like when AI is doing so much of our creating, because it is a little ineffectual or at least slow. That about two weeks ago, the producer said, we need a moment where that we like this couple.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then I put it in my brain, and then I walk away. That's my strategy.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I go and do shows, I fart around. And then one day in the car, I go, oh, that's great. And then when he sees her, he can play that song, and it's perfect. But it's better than if I had sat down and deliberately gone, like, all right, 50 things that could make. That's how you get, you know, when you watch a movie and you're like, I don't know why, but that is just.

[A]

Yeah. It's not. That's not what people are like, that's.

[B]

Not what people are like.

[A]

Yeah, I, I know. I. I think. But yeah, I assume we're gonna get into that more.

[B]

What?

[A]

Like the AI thing that you were saying.

[B]

We can talk more about the AI thing. I do want to explicitly say here, please, if you know the name of that song.

[A]

I think you have said that.

[B]

Okay. All right.

[A]

People know.

[B]

All right. I'm feeling like behind myself. Like, I am not being. I don't podcast as a podcaster. I mean, as a human being. The past couple days, I'm like, what do you say? Like, I went up to Robert Kelly. I was in Austin doing the comedy fest. I was really tired and felt like jet lagged, even though it was only to Texas. And he was talking to these two people. And I went up in the lobby and I'm like, hello. Hi, Bobby. Just want to say hi to Bobby. Then they're like, these are these guys. And I was like, hey, nice to meet you. And then I stood there and realized it was my turn to say something and I couldn't think of anything. And I just went, who cares? And Bobby laughed so hard and I just walked away. I didn't mean like, who cares? These people. I just meant like, who cares? Like, I gotta get outta here.

[A]

Who cares what to say?

[B]

Who cares what to say? I gotta get out of here. And then I was like, this is why I need Valerie. I'm like a mutant. I'm a mutant in a hotel lobby, going, who cares? And walking away.

[A]

I know.

[B]

Like, that's not a likable person in a movie. Unless you're. Unless the movie's about that guy. Then you're like, Then it becomes like a thing. Like, who cares? Like, we all do it. That's what the magic of movies. You take someone who's persnickety and a little bit broken and a little bit strange.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And you put them at the center. And then you go like, well, if I was that guy, I'd be rooting for him. And a movie goes, well, you are that guy for this dream, you're this guy. And now you love how Napoleon Dynamite feeds the llamas. And we all go, damn, Tina. Or whatever he says, come get your meat. Suddenly something that, if you saw that, he'd be like, that guy should be more kind to the llama.

[A]

Right. Just because the camera stays on that person, we're rooting for them. It's so powerful.

[B]

And I'm gonna go even more me about this. The camera allows it and holds it and captures it.

[A]

It's a neutral observer, and it invites.

[B]

You to be a neutral observer. And I would even say, even though this isn't very pleasing to, like, Hallmark or Roman, love is a neutral allowing of all things. And if you saw me in a movie, go, who cares? And then it cuts to the title card and it's like, lemon Head.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You'd be like, I love that Lemonhead guy. He didn't know what to say, and he said, who cares?

[A]

I know.

[B]

I will say in my own defense, it's not boring.

[A]

It's not boring.

[B]

Not boring.

[A]

No, it's. It's. I'm telling you, I go through this with you all the time. This is like my job of. Not my job, but this is sort of working overtime. The gig of loving you is that even in the moment, maybe when you're being specifically socially awkward, just snapped.

[B]

I'm a snapped Slim Jim. The Slim Jim is broken in half.

[A]

Just be a little, like. I might feel a little like, yeah, he's not with me. But then, like, the second I think, think back about it, like, there's some distance, I'm like, I'm sorry, that's the one I want to be with. Like, just this weirdo.

[B]

You've gotten very good at real time nostalgia.

[A]

Yeah, real time. I'll just be like, I. I love, like, having to sort of, even if it's just internally, give, like, a shrug of like. Yeah. No, there's no predicting what this guy.

[B]

I know. That same guy. If he had had a poop or something, better sleep.

[A]

I know.

[B]

And a good cup of coffee in the same situation would have been like, what's going on? Oh, what a pleasure to meet you. Oh, Suzanne.

[A]

Like Suzanne.

[B]

Oh, Susanna. It's either full Giamatti fire hose. Full fire hose. Like Robin Williams or Paul Giamatti.

[A]

Yeah. Deep in character, just barely speaking.

[B]

I'm just saying Hamlet is overrated. It's like that Hamlet.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You like. I just want to keep saying you like Hamlet like this. In this Bal. Giamatti movie. He can't stand people who, like, say they like Shakespeare, but all they know is Hamlet.

[A]

Right. Yeah, that sounds correct.

[B]

That does sound correct.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I appreciate that.

[A]

Yeah. I. I mean, going back to the creative thing. Well, two different things. You've said that you felt behind yourself. And I was going to say this to you this morning, just in our normal lives, but why not make it public?

[B]

Why not? This is when we talk. That doesn't mean we don't talk. I just mean most of the time, there's A child. Yes, a wonderful child.

[A]

One of the things that the listeners of this podcast will remember and sort of like my job, one of my jobs in our relationship is to be a little bit of the pattern recognizer for your wild erratic changes.

[B]

Yeah, what fun. And that sounds delightful for you. You're like a geologist that has to go like, this is where the watermark was in the Paleolithic.

[A]

You know what I'm just now realizing sounds great.

[B]

Is that you need to get out of here.

[A]

Is that I'm. I'm done.

[B]

I'm done. I don't know why, but that's it.

[A]

No, I was obsessed as a kid with the movie Twister, obviously.

[B]

Twister.

[A]

Helen Hunt in a white tank top. Come on.

[B]

Look, if you don't think Helen Hunt was and is a stone cold babe.

[A]

Then you don't think that I am.

[B]

I don't think you look that much like her, but I do. I do sometimes not say 90s Helen Hunt when I look at you. Sometimes I don't believe that.

[A]

I think she's hot in that movie.

[B]

Which movie? Twisters.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Titty twisters. You're talking about her white tank top.

[A]

Titty twisters. Colon, Purple nurple.

[B]

Did you guys know they're redoing? They're doing a titty twisters, too. Purple nurple. It's with the guy from Top Gun. Tit gun. Titty twisters. Titty twisters. Two Top Gun, purple nurples. Now there's your movie. You know how Twisters was a hit? Titty twisters. It's topless women running from a tornado. Seth Rogen, for some reason.

[A]

Anyway.

[B]

Love the studio.

[A]

We're loving the studio. That's why that was Seth Rogan. We love it. We love it.

[B]

I'm just saying. I can't do it. Can I do it?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I love gluten. Was that anything?

[A]

That was pretty good.

[B]

It was okay. It was a D. It was a.

[A]

D. I think if I'm not looking at you.

[B]

Hey, Val. Well, yeah, I just think that I know what he sounds like. That's what makes it so frustrating that I can't do it.

[A]

I know that. Welcome to me and every single impression.

[B]

Yeah, I know. And me for 99.999%.

[A]

But I always, like, was obsessed with movie Twister as kid and, like, wanted to be like Helen Hunt, just, like, wildly in a tank top chasing tornadoes. And that's essentially what being married to you is.

[B]

Like, this is. Am I wearing a fez right now? Am I being served prime rib in a private room of a 90s steakhouse.

[A]

Like a Wes Anderson sort of.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And there's clinking of silverware and glasses. And you say that, and then it does. Well, but mostly it's about me just kind of looking up from my aju and being like, like there's like a small non reaction.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I love that joke.

[A]

Yeah, but.

[B]

And that is your. And you look like her.

[A]

I like it, but I do. What I'm saying is I, I, I'm saying I like the tornado. Okay. What I'm saying is that I like the tornado. But what I was going to say is, as the record, the weather keeper. Meteorologist of our relationship.

[B]

Meteorologists report it. They don't write it down.

[A]

They don't?

[B]

No, no.

[A]

Who's writing it down?

[B]

The guy that writes it is called the Fender. Couldn't do anything.

[A]

Made up a word yesterday too Means love all around she was, was she singing a song and she needed a rhyme?

[B]

She was singing and I couldn't hear her.

[A]

And then she made up a word that is.

[B]

Tell me.

[A]

Scroping.

[B]

Scoping.

[A]

And you said, what does it mean? And she said, love all around.

[B]

She, she said I made up a word scroping, and it means love all around.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

And I was like, so whatever this, I can't, I can't even talk about it. It's too precious.

[A]

But as the meteorologist or the scrooper of our relationship.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I, you know, it wasn't that long ago that you felt like you had kind of lost your mojo when.

[B]

Because I've lost my mojo like four times this week.

[A]

I know. Well, it seems like you've said that again. And I'm saying there was a time like, you know, pre this, like a few months ago.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Where you were like, I've lost my mojo. And I can't remember if that was this time actually, but I know it's connected to smoking weed and watching videos about AI. Like, that was when you were just starting to feel.

[B]

Well, that's when I. Dad. Brain. My brain dad. That's a better way to put it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

My brain dad had to come in and go lock up the weed.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And stop watching videos about AI.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I have been watching some videos.

[A]

About AI and smoking weed. I just noticed that you have been doing that. And I'm not saying you, you shouldn't. I'm just saying I'll be the one that's like, if you are not feeling, like the juice and the mojo, I'll tell you, you might not want to go down that. That's that slippery slope again.

[B]

Yeah, you're right. I did report to you this morning though, that they're just like 60 minutes. I still like 60 minutes. A little clock, a little stopwatch, a little 60 minutes.

[A]

Oh, it's 60 minutes. Well, never mind.

[B]

That's hilarious. I love how when you watch 60 Minutes on YouTube, it'll introduce the story in the black shiny room with the fake magazine. They're still doing that. Like, this is like a magazine. And everyone's like, what?

[A]

What's a magazine?

[B]

Exactly. And the guy's like, we're here to talk about AI, but there's a magazine.

[A]

Behind me and an analog clock and.

[B]

A clock stopwatch that ticks.

[A]

What's that sound? What's wrong with your computer?

[B]

You might as well be cobbling wooden shoes and be like, I wore these clogs to Google.

[A]

Yeah, to the Google headquarters.

[B]

To the Google people. But I love. It'll introduce the story and then it'll go 60 minutes. It fades to black and then just a shot of the clock. Everyone knows this. Anyone? That's a 60 head and it goes 60 minutes. We'll be back after this. And that's when the commercials would be. But it's YouTube and there isn't a commercial. So it just comes back and I'm like, just take that out. Yeah, but they don't.

[A]

They don't.

[B]

Look, if I was AI to take that, I could have done it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But anyway, I love you so much. I feel so held and supported by you and it's one of the great joys of my life and I feel safe to say. Sounds like. No, no, no, no, no, no. You're just bringing up for me that, like, it's a chicken egg situation. It's like I, I went to Austin and I was just shocked that, like, something about. I've been traveling a lot. Doing the movie. Doing a movie. Are you tired for a movie?

[A]

Are you tired for me? So hard to be in a movie. It's hard to think of what to tell the PA to bring you for lunch.

[B]

You mean I have to choose from these four choices?

[A]

Can I get one thing from each of them?

[B]

I can.

[A]

I can.

[B]

I need to know four lines.

[A]

Four lines. How am I supposed to do that?

[B]

Oh, there's a nine hour break between each line. Movies.

[A]

That is actually annoying. Yeah, that's the annoying part.

[B]

No, but it's also like, you'll have time.

[A]

Oh, right.

[B]

Sometimes when I go, when am I going to learn these lines? I'm like, you've forgotten what a movie.

[A]

Is that so much of making a movie is waiting in a trailer.

[B]

Yes. And you'll be learning them in Portuguese. Let's just say he had time to learn them in Portuguese. I feel like Johnny Carson. He could have made it work. Let's just say he had time to learn him in Portuguese.

[A]

He could.

[B]

Yeah. He could have made that work. Anyway, which is it? Like, dipshit, which is it? That's a line from my act. No, I just don't know if I lose my moj and then start smoking, like, here's what happened. Like, I lose my moj, and that just means I'm just not feeling effervescent. I'm not really feeling. Which is weird because I'm feeling so inspired that I can't stop writing things down. I've written down. I had that. It's not that. That great. But, like, things be coming through.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But, like, oftentimes, if I'm like, well, my mojo's not here, I might as well just off then and smoke weed and watch AI videos. Because I'm like. It's like nothing's happening. I might as well just do the thing I can't do when things are happening.

[A]

Yeah, I know. That's the trick. That's one of the tricky things of life, is to know when to hold them and know when to fold them.

[B]

No, it's true.

[A]

But really, to know when to surrender to. Like, this is just the season of the moment.

[B]

And allow it.

[A]

And allow it, and I'm gonna allow it and lean into it, and it's okay. I don't always have to be producing and going and expanding and being effervescent, as you said.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And when to go. Okay.

[B]

When to fold them.

[A]

Yeah. Well, that's when to fold them. The first one was folding them, I guess both.

[B]

It's the same.

[A]

It's the same.

[B]

Both are surrendering.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Both holding and folding are the same decision to just, like, be with what is.

[A]

When do you play?

[B]

Yeah. When do you bluff?

[A]

When do you bluff?

[B]

Nobody's unclear on when to hold them, I guess. I guess you are a little. You can be unclear on when to hold them, because the implication of know when to hold them is actually when to bet.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And when to bluff.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So a lot is in hold'. Em. Fuldom is just what it sounds like.

[A]

Fuldom is what it sounds like.

[B]

Fuldom is just fuldom.

[A]

Yeah. But if you are, I'm such a poker nerd.

[B]

I'll Watch a video on epic lay downs, which are like, incredible times. People folded good hands. And they were right. It's actually quite.

[A]

And they were right.

[B]

And they were right. That's why that's celebrated. Like, somebody will have three aces and they'll fold it, and you're like, how did he know? He knew that the guy had whatever. A straight. A straight beats three of a kind. Get the.

[A]

Well, I don't know what. I'm gonna abandon the poker analogy.

[B]

Yeah, let's put that. Let's fold it.

[A]

But it's hard to know when to go. Okay. Actually, I do need to sort of pick myself up out of this rut here and.

[B]

Yeah, Paul rut.

[A]

And change something up so that I. That I do feel differently.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like a Fake it before. Fake it to make it.

[B]

Well, when I was in Austin, Texas, just this past weekend, I was shocked that I was like, I've been to Austin many times, and usually when I walk around the bustling, and it really is a bustling city, it's almost got like a Nashville bustling. It's bustling. Vegas is bustling. Austin is bustling.

[A]

Bustling, bustling.

[B]

But it is bustling. And, like, if I'm in my Robin Williams way, I'll walk around a city like that and be like, you can.

[A]

Tell by the way.

[B]

Loving it. And for some reason, when I got there, I was just like. I guess you could just say, like, I was in kind of like a fight. Flight. Freeze. Had nothing to do with the city, but suddenly the city now seems like it's filled with orcs or something.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Even though everywhere I went, literally, people were like, hey, it's. And I'm just like. But inside I'm like, ah, why can't I? The way I can I. Why can't I? This wasn't my. My solo show. My solo show was awesome. But that was building up to my mojo. I'm like, I gotta get my mojo for that shojo. And I was doing. I did, like, the Sklar show, and I really enjoyed it, but I was just feeling like I'm not exactly in touch with the part of me that loves communicating ideas like jokes. Like, I don't have that. Like, hey, can Starbucks stop pretending that pumpkin spice lattes are seasonal? I either feel like saying that or I don't. And, like, I couldn't find it. And I bet I went back to that, like, old, like. Like a chemist going, like, what do I need? And I exercise. And I swear it made me feel worse. I was like, what is going on. And then I was like, I actually think you need something. But this is what I was doing the entire time. I was like, I don't think it's exercise. I don't think it's more shows. I think it's, like, rest and all. But I was trying everything I had.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then finally. But when I got to the show, luckily, I was like, okay, I feel fantastic.

[A]

You did?

[B]

Yeah. And then. And then I'm sure, yeah, this will have been announced on. We're recording these kind of ahead of time because I'm. I'm doing the movie. But I got off stage. This was really funny. So I did it with Laura Peake. The wonderful Laura Peake. And then I got off stage, and it was the first time I had done the hour under the banner PG13 Tour. And as soon as I got off, I was like, nope, that.

[A]

It's not gonna work. It's not PG 13.

[B]

It was just like, whoops. Yeah, like, whoops. Like, not again. It's not, like, filthy. And I'm sure everybody's gonna be tired of me talking about this by now, so I'll keep it brief. But I was just like, don't name the album before you've written all the songs. Because I added some jokes and some jokes. But really, that's. That's kind of a cop out. Yeah, that's kind of a cop out. The truth is, is if I'm on stage and I know I can say, like. Like in Green Eggs and Ham, I say, cock butter bitch.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's not a clean line.

[A]

Right.

[B]

It's so funny to say butter bitch. It's so funny. It makes me. Even as I'm saying it to you now, I'm like, oh, you cock butter bitch is so funny to me. I can't not do it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's like, I'm such a. You could frame it politically and positively and be like, I have to give the crowd the best show. But there's also. There is that. But there's also just this, like, if you have an ax strapped to your back, why would I go and fight a bear hand to hand.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Take out the ax. Like, do everything. And also stand up is so hard. Do be the funniest you you can be and the most authentic you you can be. I really realized. I was like, I shouldn't have been inviting the audience to look at me through the lens of, like, can he stay in the box he painted himself in, Right. I was like, that's the opposite of what I got Into Stand up for.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I think it pertains to what we've been talking about on this podcast. I think there's something kind of darling and actually precious and a little bit sad about calling the tour the PG13 tour. And then something in that breaking after this new revelation with my folks and just feeling some progress in regards to boundaries and giving up some hope that we've been talking about. I think I was like, maybe I can do a PG13 tour and maybe they'll see me. But that sounds really sad. But now I'm like, no, actually I am who I am and I like who I am and it is who I really am. And I'm going to just keep doing that because that's beautiful and that's worthy and that's really, really funny. And I just had like a. That brings up the. What do you got on that?

[A]

Yeah, I got so much. Yes, I think you do stand up comedy at least in stand up, right? Is that what we're talking about?

[B]

What are you, someone in an airport? What am I in line at a Panera?

[A]

Yeah. You do stand up, right? I do. See, people say that to you a lot. Yeah, but sorry. But you know, part. You do it in part, at least to be like, to be seen totally sort of naked and authentic and to have your shadow self be seen and accepted and delighted and model that for everybody and model that for everyone. And it does. It does. That's what we do on this podcast. Yes, that's. That's your life's work.

[B]

Really is one of my core beliefs.

[A]

It really is.

[B]

It's a core belief.

[A]

Think about what you do on the podcast with guests. That's like, I would say if. If there was like a thesis of og, you made it weird. It's. Pete's going to get so painfully vulnerable that the guests will then feel safe to do that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So that's like your life's work, even in your standup. That's what you're doing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And so to limit that to like. Well, actually I can't show that much of my shadow. I can only show the PG13.

[B]

And people would like it more if I didn't, which is my family.

[A]

That is your image.

[B]

We would like it more if you would tone it down.

[A]

And that's specifically the wound that you doing stand up is addressing. So I think you're right about that. Also, I do think that it's like, we talk about this all the time when we're in the beginning of writing something. It's like that thing is going to change and evolve so much. So the least limitations you can put on yourself, the better meaning. And this is don't really good advice.

[B]

Five songs, right?

[A]

Well, that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But also, like, if you're so. I'll use it in. You can if you want of writing. But if I'm writing a script and I'm like, I can't name that person that because this person's named that or I can't base that character off of this person. They're gonna watch it and know. Or what if my mom sees this like, masturbation scene or, you know, whatever it is. Like, this will make somebody mad or even like, there's a perfect joke in this, but this is somebody else's story.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'll be like, just when you're writing Anything Goes, put it all in.

[B]

Because it's going to name the character Tom Cruise.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And have him say, show me the money. That's the right thing.

[A]

That's the right thing.

[B]

Don't stop.

[A]

Don't stop.

[B]

Just so many people get. You're telling me. To me it's giving me life. I really appreciate it.

[A]

That's the thing. And that's what. Stand up. This is the first time I've ever thought of it this way. But like, especially because you're doing this new hour while we're. I mean, we just sort of finished editing your. Your last hour. And remember there were jokes where we were like, actually, we don't need that. Like that line. That one is pretty dirty. And it. And it. That we don't lose a lot after, you know, cutting it. We didn't cut a lot because it was dirty. But like, what I'm saying is when you are on stage, it's a different experience than like filming an hour. Yeah, you. You need to feel completely free to.

[B]

Do what it was Val.

[A]

That that specific room needs. And it's gonna vary.

[B]

It'll vary. So this was 10 o' clock in Austin at the end of a comedy festival. And it's a thousand people. And Laura, who is great, obviously I love her, was kind of dirty. And then the whole festival is kind of dirty. And then I'm going up and I'm like, it just feels like it's 10 o' clock and I want to murder. I want to murder. And then I was just kind of, you know, trying to be a little more PG13. So there's the story where I talk about Ira when he punched me in the dick. The little kid named Ira punch me in the dick. And usually I just say, punch me in the dick. And now I'm saying, punch me in the penis. And, like, for some reason, I'm like, what is this? I hate this. I hate how I feel. And there's. I will say this. I dropped a few fucks. And I liked that. Like, I noticed that some of the fucks weren't necessary, so that was a worthwhile exercise. But I just. I don't know, it felt like a remembering of myself and I wouldn't have changed it. I'm glad I did it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I lost some sleep over it because I am such a. I can be people pleasing. And I'm like, boy, I hope nobody was upset that that wasn't very PG13 or whatever. And then I wouldn't be able to sleep until I, like, thought of a. I was like, we gotta change the name. We gotta change the tour art. We gotta make an announcement. All this sort of stuff. Yeah, but it was. It was worth it to go on the little walk around the block to be like, oh, there's still. It is that little boy that's like. Maybe I can be like Nate. Like, if I was like Nate, people. My mom and dad would like me more. And there's something very precious about that.

[A]

But the thing is.

[B]

But then there's also something very triumphant in Breaking Bad and, like, becoming Heisenberg about, like. Actually, no, right. I. That space is. Meaning when I'm on stage is supposed to be the most free space imaginable. And that's one of the options. And I'm not gonna do it because. Because I thought of a cute name for a tour. No, it's not working.

[A]

This is. Yeah, this is what Nate. Nate offers a different thing. This is why we need different standards with different things. And Nate. Nate, really, I think he's being authentic.

[B]

I saw an interview with Nate where he said when people cut me off in traffic, he doesn't say fiddlesticks. But he doesn't say what I say.

[A]

Yeah, exactly.

[B]

And what I say would make Andrew Dice Clay blush. What I say.

[A]

Exactly. And Nate is sort of almost here to make us, like, laugh at, like, everyday mundane stuff.

[B]

Yeah, that's right.

[A]

And you're here to help us feel good about our shadow and our vulnerabilities and our. Our, like, almost grotesque humanity.

[B]

I really appreciate it. And that is. That's the art that I like. You know, These are my favorite films. My favorite movie is There Will Be Blood, for crying out loud. I don't.

[A]

This is not even, like, PG13 movies.

[B]

Like, exactly. I haven't seen a PG13 movie since I was in the womb. My mother, they hand out those under the chin earphones, remember?

[A]

Because it was the 70s where they're hard.

[B]

They're hard and they go under like a Lincoln beard. Yeah, I had those. And on the wall of my mother's Womb, they showed D2 my deducts 2. It wasn't even out yet, but this is a magical scenario. Well, I couldn't wait to talk about this with you and I've been doing some press about it, but there's more to unpack for sure. But we'll do it after the break here. But I do there's a little update on just creativity in general and what we've been talking about these past couple weeks. And I think it'll be interesting. But I can't wait to hear your thoughts. Yeesh, Valerie, Yeesh. So we will be right back.

[A]

Back. Yeah.

[B]

Oh, yeah. I guess I haven't recorded the intro. I don't know how many ads there are, but here. But here they are not needed. This episode is brought to us by our friends at the Perfect Jean. I'll stand up. Of course I'm wearing my perfect jeans. Why? Because I'm always wearing the perfect jean. Ever since I found them online, I have never not worn my perfect jeans to red carpets, to premieres where I need to look my best. Or maybe just a lonely Tuesday afternoon where I fall asleep on the couch. Because they are butter, butter soft and amazing. They're like pajamas, but nobody needs to know. They're a little bit stretchy for leaping over puddles, which is perfect because here we are in the springtime, after the longest ass winter, we're finally in the sunshine and you need to be frolicking. And you need jeans that can keep up with that and not crush your nuts. So get some. We are talking about 5,000 options for waist and length sizes, washes, and trendy fits. All super soft and stretchy, yet durable. The Perfect Jean makes it super easy to find your perfect pair. Over 30,000 men have rated the perfect Jean five stars. I am certainly one of them. I absolutely love these pants. 100%. So get yourself some jeans that are perfect. At ThePerfectGene NYC, it's finally time to stop crushing your balls in uncomfortable jeans by going to the perfect perfectgene NYC. Weirdos get 15% off your first order, plus free shipping, free returns, and free exchanges when you use code. No hardpants 15. I hate hard pants. Our promo code reflects that. No hard pants 15 that's 15% off for new customers at ThePerfectGene NYC. After your purchase, they'll ask where you heard about us. Heard about them? Please tell them it was us. Support our show, support your body, your khakis and get the perfect gene. I absolutely love them. Give them a try. We're also brought to us by our friends at Mud Water. The warm delicious mix of cacao, chai and adaptogenic mushrooms that dials me in each morning. Feeling focused and refreshed with just the right amount of energy without feeling jittery or wired. I'm obsessed with Mud Water because it's not just energy, it's energy in a warm grounded feeling. Not jacked, but earthy and solid. For when 3pm rolls around and you don't want another cup of coffee but you want something that sort of simulates coffee but is better than coffee. It's like coffee's chill, laid back cousin that gets you feeling amazing with absolutely no crash. No crash. Mud water is 100% organic, gluten free and vegan and it's so chock full of goodness it's no wonder it makes you feel amazing. It's of kind. Got mushrooms to and superfoods to boost your energy. Cacao and chai for a hint of caffeine and a hot chocolate like flavor. Lion's Main for focus. Cordyceps to promote natural energy and both Shaga and Reishi to support a healthy immune system. So if you are ready to make the switch to cleaner energy, head to mudwater.com and grab your starter kit today. Weirdos get an exclusive deal up to 43% off your entire order plus free shipping and a free rechargeable free frother when you use Code weird. That's right. 43% off with code weird@m u d wtr.com after your purchase. The last where you heard of them, tell them we sent you support this show and keep your energy natural and refreshing all year long with Mud Water. Because life's too short for anything less. For anything less than clean delicious energy. All right, we're back.

[A]

We're back.

[B]

I had a really interesting thing happen recreativity where I was like so these past couple weeks we've been talking about giving up. It's even still hard to say but like giving up the hope that things that have never happened might happen. You know like the idea of being like beheld and truly seen and really I like beheld by specifically by like your parents and being able to get them to see you and Just how much of my career has been to get my parents to see me? We talked about my book. I very clearly wrote that, like, in that sad way that a kid writes his parents a letter. Like if, if it's written out, they. They can't mishear me. Yeah, that was really the spirit. Not all of it, but a lot of the book was to be like, this is me. This, this is my spirituality. This is my life. This is how I remember my childhood. Like, what do you think? And now I'm in a place where I'm like, I think my, my parents said they read it, but now I'm not so sure. You know what I mean? Like, I'm sort of like, maybe, but probably not. But anyway, I realized I've been a little gunked up since this, like, radical acceptance. Like, all right, we were talking about the book. Let them. It's like, my parents are this way. Let them. Yeah, let them. Yes, thank you is my line. Yes. All right, that's. That's normal. Don't be mad. Learning something. You already knew all of these things that we say. But now I'm like, I was talking about the movie that I'm writing and I'm noticing that one of the benefits to having this belief that my parents don't see me, it drives me to create. So, like, it makes me write jokes, it makes me write movies, it makes me create TV shows.

[A]

You're trying to get other people to see you.

[B]

Well, and also trying to get them specifically. Yeah, I can still want other people, other people to see me, by the way. You need to hear this. This is happening, okay? This is happening because we just did it. This is a, this is a video that maybe everybody's seen. Who knows? But Christian Dugay from the Valley Heat podcast, which I love so much, sent me this news video. Even the audio will be good. All you need to know is. It's two twins talking to the press.

[A]

Recounting some of the drama that unfolded on the Sunshine coaster this afternoon. Two sisters have told how their mother.

[B]

And man race to help. Don't worry, it's not dark.

[A]

SUV rolled on Steve Irwin Way only to find the gun wielding car thief emerging from the wreck.

[B]

Don't worry, it's not, it's not dark, you're gonna like it.

[C]

And one guy, he was up there with our mum and he, he went up there and he was coming back down towards us and he goes running. He's got a gun. And, oh, our heart started to pound. And I said, well, mum, where's Mum. And poor mum was stuck up there. Apparently, our brave mum. She goes, are you all right? Because he had all blood all over his face. And he goes, I'll shoot you. She goes, hey, I'm here to help. And Mum distracted him to make him looked the other way. And he looked the other way.

[B]

Okay, you got it.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Twin stocking. Twin stalking, but Australian twins.

[A]

But also, what's funny is there is one that is just telling the story.

[B]

Oh, it swaps.

[A]

And does it?

[B]

It swaps. At a certain point, the other one takes the lead and the other one echoes.

[A]

It really is, like, almost the singing game.

[B]

It is exactly the singing game. And it's what we just did briefly, inadvertently, anyway. So, like, I've just become. And I've always been interested in, like, why do people make what they make? And I'm realizing, I think if I'm gonna, like, really kind of try to retire this huge pillar of my identity, which is if I make enough noise, if I'm shiny enough, if I'm special enough, if I bang the pots and pans and the pats enough, my parents will turn and I'll see, like, a trance leave their face, and they'll be there and they'll go, it was you all along.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I'll go, it was me. And then we'll prance. If I retire that belief, which. Which I really feel like I have because I've been feeling, like, in mourning of that. I think I feel like I need a new tenet. Like, I need a new. What do you got?

[A]

I feel pretty strongly about this, actually.

[B]

Val, we have another ad. Shakti Mats. Have you. Have you wanted a massage, but you don't have? Lay on these. Lay on a shakti mat. Shakti mat is terrible. Poke your way to better health with better help. Betterhelp. Betterhelp.comshaktimats LMNT promo code for more hydration.

[A]

LMNOP.

[B]

The new hydration supplement. LMNOP.

[A]

Go ahead. Yeah. No, you don't.

[B]

No, you don't.

[A]

You don't have to find another tenant, because what will happen is you will clear space up. You'll literally, like, there's, like, real estate in your body. Real estate. That's my Barbara Corkin Corcoran impression.

[B]

Real estate.

[A]

Real estate state. I don't know if it's really a good, like, audio, but the. The.

[B]

The talking out of the side of.

[A]

A smile and, like, not moving your mouth. Realistic.

[B]

The Cochrane Group.

[A]

That's you. You will, like, you know that thing that you're carrying is taking up real estate in your body. And if you. The more you can sort of grieve it and feel it and release it and let it come out, you will clear the channel for creativity. So, yes, it won't. It won't be motivated by the same thing, but your natural state, and I'm talking to all of you bitches, she's talking about us. Your natural state is creative. And you know how I know? Because the natural state of the entire universe is creative. Literally. That's how we got here. That's how everything got here. It is to create. So the natural, the, like, the status quo even of our systems is to create. And that looks very different in, you know, in every single person, which is what's beautiful about it. But I just really, really feel strongly that the storyline, which I lived with for a long time of, like, I think the. The reason you. The proof of this is that you took your wounds, even. Your wounds even.

[B]

You took your wounds even.

[A]

And you used that for your own creativity. That's how strong that force is. But then we get confused and think we need. The wounds are what's making the creativity. And it's like, no, you are such a creative force naturally, that whatever is thrown in, whatever materials you're given, even if it's shards of glass, you'll make something beautiful out of it. So you can get rid of the shards of glass. They're cutting up your hands, baby girl. Just get rid of it and create. You were born, born, born, born to create, create, create.

[B]

I wish it got to the place at the table. Yeah, go ahead. Keep going.

[A]

Go ahead.

[B]

This is how you made me feel. This is how you make me feel. No chorus. Nobody wants this. Sorry. You. You deserve better than this. But that is the song that was playing in my head when you started talking.

[A]

That's it. I really. I believe that maybe more than I believe anything.

[B]

What I just said.

[A]

No, what I just said. Jesus.

[B]

I know it's not all about. Yeah, yeah, no.

[A]

But I do think that. I think clearing space and healing will only cultivate creativity. It'll feel different. It feels different. Your ego is like. But this is a fundamental part of cre. Creative creativity. Create. Creating creatine. Because it gets fed from that. But the ego actually has little to nothing to do with creativity. Don't tell him that, though. He's going to be upset.

[B]

You're absolutely right. It's the clearing away. It's funny that you say that. First of all, I actually just got an email that you won the potty. The potty, Gotta Go Potty award this year for best podcast moment, which was you reminding us all that we don't need to be sad, broken, or hurt to create. That's just stepping into your natural state.

[A]

And also, if you are somebody who is like, I want to be creative, but I feel like it takes all of my energy to just heal my past wounds, because I felt that way for a while. That is an act towards your creativity, because the more that you heal and let go of. Creativity is all about just clearing space and clearing the channel to, you know, there's like a super highway to what I would say is, like, source or God or the universe. But you could just also say the nature of reality, that when you're in alignment with it, creativity just naturally happens. So clearing out space and healing your wounds is. Goes towards, you know, creativity. Create Creatine. Why am I having such a hard time saying that word?

[B]

Creatine.

[A]

Creatine.

[B]

I loved it. I also, I don't always write down things to say on the podcast, but when I do add promo code. A keys. A Keanu Reeves. A Keanu keys. Piano keys. Harris.

[A]

I know.

[B]

I think it's really funny. This morning, I was. Thank you again. What a great thing you said. You're welcome.

[A]

I'll just, I'll step out now.

[B]

You can take over.

[A]

I can feel that.

[B]

I can. No, no, no, that's. That's not true. That's not true.

[A]

No, I just.

[B]

I know, I know you're Raz and Mataz. I, I, this morning, I was. I. On good days, on most days, I try to start my day by reading My beloved Rupert Spira. And this morning, I was reading all about sort of the freedom when you recognize, obviously, what Ram Dass was saying, too. I am loving awareness. I am this state that I'm this field of awareness that is peaceful and loving and, you know, open and free. And that is freedom, is recognizing that what you thought you were, Pete, is really just a cluster of recurring thoughts and sensations that kind of We've mistaken for a separate inside self. And the freedom, though, and this. The reading I was reading this morning was very explicit. It was like when it's seen clearly that that doesn't exist, that what you are is everywhere, is. Everything is free. It's inherently all that stuff, you know, it's a radical transformation. That's basically what we're all talking about. And I was really taking these moments to really sit in that and really enjoy it, especially in the morning. You can Be tempted to go, like, okay, I. I'm flying to Utah for the movie today and all the different things. We got to make Leela's lunch and stuff. I was like, just for 30 seconds, can we stop and go? Like, we create a sense of continuity and all that stuff, but really, in the nakedness of our experience, we are just that which knows. We are the knowing. And I was like, okay, so isn't it funny that when Rupert, a father figure, if there ever was one, tells me I don't exist? I feel fantastic. This is one of the good things about. If we were on YouTube, we couldn't play that song.

[A]

We couldn't.

[B]

Oh, it would get pulled.

[A]

I was just thinking we should be on YouTube because then they could see us dancing at it.

[B]

Yeah. But it would be dancing to silence.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Speaking of AI whatever is searching YouTube videos for unlicensed music. I mean, they took Sean Parker, the creator of Napster, like a sock, and they pulled it inside out and made whatever that program is. Because it is the least Napstery thing I've ever seen. Name.

[A]

It's the opposite of Napster.

[B]

It's Rhett Panan. Rhett Rep. Red R.

[A]

No Strand.

[B]

Red Rum is the Bueller. Bueller of horror. Can we agree on that? Red Rum saying Red Rum is the Bueller of horror. Yes, 100% the same. The guy that says Bueller still says Red Ryan, too. Oh, no, no.

[A]

I mean the guy who is saying.

[B]

Social situation, as Ben Stein did say. If you knew the name of the kid in the Shining, I'd be shocked.

[A]

Freddie Mercury.

[B]

Freddie Mercury.

[A]

You know, a lot of people don't know that is young Freddie Mercury.

[B]

People didn't know that before the teeth came in. Yeah, before the teeth.

[A]

When he still had his baby teeth.

[B]

Sacha Baron Cohen apparently worked on. Or he did work on the Bohemian Rhapsody, the Freddie Mercury movie, until he quit. Like, he dropped out of it. And he. I saw him on Stern talking about the reason he dropped out was because the band, like, had a lot of ideas. And they were like, the first half of the movie is with Freddy, and then when he dies, the second half of the movie and they're like, you can't have the main character die in the middle of the movie. And they're like, yeah, the first half is about the Freddy years, and the second half is about thriving after and surviving. And we're like, oh, so nobody told you that? We all. We don't care.

[A]

We all stopped listening after Freddy died.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

We kept listening to the Freddy Stuff, buddy.

[B]

I couldn't name another member of Radiohead. And that's not a slight. I'm just saying, like, I'm sorry. Yeah, the Radiohead movie is going to be about Tom York. I don't care if the drummer was out there hunting elk with his bare hands and feeding the needy. If Tom York had a strong cup of coffee that morning, that's our opening scene.

[A]

Also, was Sacha Baron. Was Sacha Baron Cohen gonna be playing Freddie Mercury? Because if not, that's an oversight. He looks just like Freddie Mercury.

[B]

I just realized. And then in comes Rami Malek. We saw amateur.

[A]

Oh, my God, it was so fun.

[B]

Going to the movie.

[A]

We had so much fun. Just like going to a midday action movie. And we needed it. We were like, we were toasted.

[B]

And I would say, look, if anybody listening worked on the movie, Amateur respect. And I get it. There are just some things that weren't for me. We really thought that it was setting up a guy like a Jason Bourne with consequence. Like, if you shoot someone, your life is both changed and maybe even ruined. And like a movie like that where a gun really is a gun, right? Not a pow pow, squirt gun.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

But like the horror I've shot, like at a shot, had a shotting range and you, you shake after you shoot. It's so adrenalizing. It's unbelievable. And it's so loud. And I was like, oh, they're doing it. It's like, what if the guy from it went on Liam Neeson, Matt Damon, John Wick style revenge spree, but he can't quite do it. And in the middle of the movie, I thought that's what we were going to get. And then instead it was like, you know, I don't want to ruin it. I'm just saying it wasn't that.

[A]

It wasn't. Yeah.

[B]

But here's what I will say. And I say this as loudly as I can. They sold it. So this is LA speak. They sold that movie as a two hander. That's a Rami Malek movie.

[A]

Yeah, 100%.

[B]

And somebody was like, rami Malek can't open an action movie. I firmly disagree. Yeah, I would have been. Although when you said you want to see it, this is talking out the other side of my butt. I was like, I love Laurence Fishburne. Lawrence Fishburne is in that movie for about seven minutes.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And his role is the guy who trains Rami and Rami. And he's like. And he's just like, kid, you don't have what it takes.

[A]

Right, kid?

[B]

You don't have what it takes.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, and then, and then Rami Malik goes off.

[A]

I mean, it's like, it's like in the first 15 minutes and he doesn't do anything.

[B]

And then later he comes back and gets in a little fight. And then later he comes back at the end and you're like, this is not a two handed movie.

[A]

And when he comes back, there's a conversation where it's like Rami Malek's like, I just did what you taught me. And it's like, did you what? He didn't teach you anything.

[B]

All he said was, I can't teach you anything.

[A]

Did all that happen off screen?

[B]

Yeah. Is there a, an extended cut? Because I don't know, man.

[A]

Also, what's going on with these movies now where the characters don't have arcs? Because I've seen a couple.

[B]

You mean amateur, no arc. Like, he just is who he is and he stays that way. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Like, let's see him either get worse or get better, but he cannot be the same.

[B]

I agree with you. He's. In fact, that movie has a moment where someone in the beginning, I don't care if I spoil this movie.

[A]

Yeah. I don't.

[B]

Someone hands him a gun and says, shoot me, and he can't do it. End of the movie, someone hand the bad guy, hands him a gun and go, shoot me. And he can't do it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And you're like, okay. So he's done nothing. By the way, I'm not about shooting people, but I am sort of like, what am I here for if I want to watch guys not decisively and dramatically solve their inner conflicts.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Well, I have my life. If you want to watch someone be kind of like, I don't know what to do, I'll just stay home.

[A]

Well, you and I really, I think you actually hit the nail on the head when we were driving home from it, where you're like, we watch those movies as metaphors. So, like, the killing of people isn't killing people. It's not killing people. It's like going in.

[B]

John Wick is shooting every doubt in security and in.

[A]

It's like a movie for your protectors.

[B]

It's saying, like, he's shooting his unworthiness.

[A]

Exactly, exactly. It's like, this is righteous.

[B]

He's taking up space.

[A]

Masculine, speaking his truth. Yeah.

[B]

And it's, yes, it's bullets, but it's also not at all bullets.

[A]

And I actually almost got worried for A second.

[B]

But it isn't.

[A]

Yeah, but I'm not one of these people. Like, I can't really get in touch with, you know, the fire of, like, yes, you can.

[B]

Somebody told me how much they loved your thoughts on Malcolm Gladwell this week.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. And I was like, if you can get Val getting a little salt and pepper. My favorite hip hop group is Salt and Peppa Pig. Sorry, I don't mean to Marilyn mansplain to you.

[A]

Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Well, I'm. As somebody who has a hard time getting in touch with my masculine energy, which the good. The good that comes from the masculine energy is like taking up space, doing the thing you want to do for forward motion, setting boundaries, not giving all of your energy away to the community. These things are important, and I can rarely get in touch with them. So if I'm actually willing to watch an action movie, it's because I really want to see somebody up. Well, we're both going through so that I can.

[B]

In our families. And there's a lot of like, I don't know, I don't know. And we watched. We did.

[A]

Because we were like, oh, he's gonna start like, I don't know, I don't know. And then he's gonna become a badass. Yeah.

[B]

It was my same issue with the movie Hitman, which also had the guy from Twisters in it who's great.

[A]

Bill.

[B]

Bill Paxton. No, no, I get Twisters, not Twister. Oh, I don't know anybody in Twister, but Twisters. It's the new. It's the new Tom Cruise.

[A]

I don't know anyone. Twisters. Yeah, I can picture him.

[B]

Good looking man. But anyway, and it's not. And I love Richard Linkletter too, and we've already talked about this. But in that movie Hitman, it's like, what if the IT guy has to go in the field and pretend to be a hitman to set up a guy for the FBI? And the first time he does it, he's fantastic.

[A]

All right.

[B]

And I'm just sort of like, I get it. I feel the. The filmmakers maybe being beholden to an audience that can't wait, sit and wait. But I'm like, can we get. Can we get anything? It's. By the way, it's not just that movie. It's one of the reasons I hate Dark Knight Rises. Batman can't beat Bane. Then he does. Why? He just keeps punching him. But he was punching him at the beginning and it wasn't working. He didn't learn Anything. He climbed out of a hole. I guess that doesn't make you better at punching somebody.

[A]

We really are losing something. I mean, severely. It's a big loss that our attention span can't handle the build of something anymore.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because I was just telling my brother he has to see the Color Purple, which I got to see like on Broadway with Cynthia Erivo, and it changed me. And then I love the movie. I do.

[B]

Shouldn't she have been on stage?

[A]

Yeah, she was sitting right next to me. She was singing all along. I was like, all right, either get up there or stop singing. But I need to be focused on this. But the movie is fantastic. I highly recommend it. But the thing is, and I told my brother, I was like, I keep wanting to send him clips of especially the last like two songs of that play. But I'm like, it will ruin it. Because those are so important. Because you've sat in agony for two and a half hours as just one thing after another goes wrong.

[B]

So.

[A]

So then when she sings her triumphant song, you are feeling the most a person can feel about it. And if you're not willing to sit through that, then it doesn't feel the same.

[B]

But we're also, as I've already gone on and on about, we're unwilling to even watch Consequence. We watch. I'm gonna do this on stage, I think. But we watched Honey I Shrunk the Kids. There's an aunt that's helping the children. This is the cutest little aunt gets killed by a scorpion.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And Leela's like, he comes back though, right? And I'm like, no, cuz it's the 90s.

[A]

Yeah, it's the 90s.

[B]

And like things mattered.

[A]

And we're. Yeah, they're actual stakes.

[B]

Watching kids movie. Any Marvel Movie. Any. And I like Marvel Movie. I'm just saying, like, nobody's dead. Don't worry. Nobody's dead.

[A]

Yeah, nobody's ever dead. Cuz then you can't make millions of dollars. Also, my brother and sister in law and I watch Billions.

[B]

What if I was that guy?

[A]

Billions.

[B]

Try Billions.

[A]

We watched Three Amigos talk about like a perfect example of how, how long the attention span was back then.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Like it takes so long for you to even see the three of them being funny together. And then you get another huge chunk where it's just the, the bee characters in Mexico. And then you'll get a huge payoff where they're singing My Little Buttercup in the.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And you're just like all of the tension of this.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Has led to, like, this beautiful, huge clips. Yeah.

[B]

Three Amigos would just be My little. My Little Buttercup goes viral. But what about no dough, no show?

[A]

I know.

[B]

That is literally them asking us to care about three Hollywood actors, like, wanting more money. And we do, because it's.

[A]

And we do. It's so good. And also when he goes. It's real. When he comes up to them, that's.

[B]

The best moment of cinema.

[A]

This is real. It's the best delivery. Just like, I can't do it if you haven't seen it, but you should. You should watch that movie.

[B]

When Steve Martin realizes that it's not a movie and goes back and tells them that it's real, it's the best performance that's ever happened. And it's funny. It's like. It's real. This is real.

[A]

This is real. So good.

[B]

We gotta go. I gotta go to Utah. I'm shooting.

[A]

He's shooting a movie. All right.

[B]

We're glad you're here, babies.

[A]

I do want to say in the. The last minute here, a couple episodes ago, I guess it would be now, because we've been banking these.

[B]

Banked.

[A]

We asked you to reach out if you. If what Peach. So vulnerably and beautifully shared about his. What he's been going through with his parents resonated with you. And if you have a similar story and just sort of like a little. A little moment to feel solidarity in the community. And I got so many messages on Instagram of people saying like, yes, me too. I go through this, too. And thank you for sharing, Pete. And I've been sharing them with you a little bit, but I need to share more. We just never see each other. But I just wanted to say what a beautiful use of this little, Little podcast we do. Thank you so, so much for taking.

[B]

This space where I can. Where I can do that. There is some trust involved and. And you guys are beautiful.

[A]

Yeah. And thank you for. For taking the time to reach out and in that way.

[B]

Absolutely. Thank you, everybody. And we'll. We'll keep unpacking and keep laughing while we do it. Valerie. All right, real quick.

[A]

Go ahead and keep it crispy.

[B]

It.