Digest

The podcast features a lively discussion that begins with casual banter and transitions into various topics including health concerns like Parkinson's disease, hypothetical scenarios involving time travel, and the advocacy of Michael J. Fox. The conversation then shifts to animal-related incidents, debates about animal combatants like wolverines and honey badgers, and the surprising strength of a Tasmanian devil's bite. The hosts also explore the aggression of hippos and their unique "blood sweat" sunscreen. Human evolution and bipedalism are discussed, followed by an in-depth look at Alex Honnold's climbing achievements and personal life. The podcast touches on audience reactions, the challenges of relationships with partners who have dangerous hobbies, and comparisons of notable athletes. Upcoming acting roles, reviews of comedy shows, and comparisons of different city comedy scenes are also covered. The discussion delves into the surprising statistics about lottery winners' happiness, the pitfalls of shows like "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," and a blind taste test of Pepsi Zero Sugar. The negative impacts of winning the lottery are reiterated, alongside humorous, fabricated statistics. A trip to New York is recounted, including visits to museums and unique bars, leading to a discussion about the origins of popular food chains. The decline in unique architecture and vibrant car colors is lamented. Rumors of moving to Texas and the transformation of Austin's South Congress are discussed, alongside a promotion for online therapy service Talkspace and Avocado Green Mattress. Rocket Money is promoted for its financial management features. The podcast crew dynamics and the concept of unionization in the podcast industry are humorously explored. Jay Leno's car accidents and a hypothetical "talk show club" are discussed, followed by anecdotes about Bobby Lee and restaurant incidents involving Keith McNally. Adam Friedler discusses his identity, the LA vs. New York comedy scenes, and stereotypes related to industry control. The hosts share their dream guests, including Sydney Sweeney and Barack Obama, and Bobby Lee recounts meeting Obama. Public image, celebrity encounters, and humorous anecdotes about party crashing and celebrity phone numbers are shared. The conversation shifts to sexting habits during lockdown and the distinction between different types of explicit photos. A comedian discusses returning to stand-up, stage fright, and mental health medication. The hosts ponder universal depression and existential sadness, comparing the LA and New York comedy scenes and revisiting "The Kings of Comedy." Musical tastes are discussed, from alternative to hip-hop, and the hosts note rappers' appreciation for comedy. Chicago's South Side, politics, and comedy clubs are discussed, followed by reflections on TV shows like "And Just Like That" and celebrity interactions. Authenticity in celebrity encounters and humorous discussions about on-set incidents and unique tattoos are shared. The experience of working on "Mad TV" is compared to SNL, and industry dynamics in comedy clubs are discussed. Finally, the hosts discuss audience demographics and their unique show-closing tradition.

Outlines

00:00:00

Casual Banter and Health Discussions

The podcast opens with lighthearted banter and transitions into discussions about various types of water, seasonal associations, and then humorously pivots to "shaky diseases" like Parkinson's, exploring hypothetical scenarios like time travel and performing on Soul Train with such a condition. Michael J. Fox's advocacy and humor in dealing with Parkinson's are highlighted.

00:02:16

Animal Encounters and Debates

Hosts share personal anecdotes about animal-related incidents, including Christopher Reeve's accident and fears stemming from dog bites. A debate ensues about a hypothetical fight between a wolverine and a honey badger, followed by a discussion on the powerful bite force of a Tasmanian devil and the aggressive, territorial nature of hippos, including their unique "blood sweat" sunscreen.

00:08:03

Human Evolution and Extreme Sports

The evolutionary advantage of human bipedalism is explored, followed by a detailed discussion of Alex Honnold's incredible free solo climbing feats, the risks involved, his mental fortitude, relationship dynamics, and the portrayal in his documentary.

00:10:56

Audience Reactions and Relationship Challenges

The hosts comment on audience reactions, particularly noting the enthusiasm of Asian audiences. They then delve into the complexities of relationships when partners engage in life-threatening hobbies, such as deep-sea diving with sharks, and discuss differing perceptions of risk.

00:12:58

Athleticism, Acting, and Comedy Reviews

Alex Honnold is praised as a top athlete, leading to a comparison with other athletes like Shaun White. One host discusses upcoming acting roles and character naming. The show "Tires" is mentioned, and Bert Kreischer's show is reviewed and recommended.

00:14:51

Comedy Scenes and San Diego's Notable Figures

The supportive nature of comedians from Chicago is compared to those from San Diego. A list of famous individuals from San Diego is discussed, including Nick Cannon, Ted Danson, and Tony Hawk. Cameron Diaz's birthplace and Robin Wright's career are also touched upon.

00:18:01

Lottery Wins, Happiness Statistics, and Reality TV

A story about a lottery winner finding love leads to a discussion about the negative statistics associated with lottery wins, including surprising findings that paralyzed individuals are often happier. The show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is critiqued for its potential to lead recipients into financial ruin.

00:21:17

Taste Tests and Misinformation

The hosts participate in a blind taste test of Pepsi Zero Sugar and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, discussing the results and marketing. The negative impact of lottery wins on mental health and finances is reiterated. Humorous, fabricated statistics are shared, including a false claim about smokers and COVID-19, and a fake statistic linking J&J vaccine recipients to Dodge Chargers.

00:26:53

New York Adventures and Architectural Quirks

McCone returns from New York, sharing experiences at Madison Square Garden and a bar. He recounts a trip to The Met museum and a unique bar experience. The discussion shifts to the origins of Five Guys and Panda Express, and the concept of novelty architecture, with examples like Randy's Donuts.

00:33:49

Architectural Decline and Texas Relocation Rumors

The conversation laments the decline in unique architecture and vibrant car colors, attributing it to cost-cutting. Hosts discuss rumors of moving to Austin, Texas, and the transformation of South Congress, mentioning the popular pizza place "Homeslice."

00:37:23

Online Therapy, Sustainable Living, and Financial Apps

The benefits of online therapy through Talkspace are discussed for managing trauma and stress. Sponsorships for Talkspace and Avocado Green Mattress are featured. Rocket Money is promoted as a financial app to find subscriptions, monitor spending, and lower bills.

00:41:00

Podcast Crew, Industry Satire, and Celebrity Anecdotes

The dynamics within the podcast crew, including NDAs, are discussed. A humorous take on unionizing podcast staff is presented. Jay Leno's car accidents and a hypothetical "talk show club" are humorously explored. Bobby Lee's past game show involvement and rumors about James Corden are mentioned, along with restaurant incidents involving Keith McNally.

00:44:12

Identity, Stereotypes, and Industry Control

Adam Friedler discusses his identity and the LA vs. New York stereotypes. Controversial discussions arise about who controls the entertainment industry, touching on stereotypes related to Chinese and Jewish people, and factory work in China.

00:48:15

Dream Guests and Personal Reflections

The hosts discuss their "white whale" guests, Sydney Sweeney and Barack Obama. Adam Friedler reflects on his self-perception and move to New York for stand-up, revealing his birthplace and discussing his Wikipedia entry.

00:50:47

Acne, Accutane, and Racial Stereotypes

Experiences with cystic acne and Accutane treatment are shared. A lighthearted and controversial discussion about racial stereotypes and preferences ensues.

00:55:57

Health and Wellness Promotions

Hims is promoted for personalized hair loss treatments. Factor Meals is advertised for healthy, pre-prepared meals. Shopify is promoted as an e-commerce platform for online businesses.

00:59:29

Ideal Guests and Celebrity Encounters

The hosts reiterate their dream guests, Sydney Sweeney and Barack Obama, and discuss the possibility of meeting them. Bobby Lee recounts meeting Barack Obama and their conversation. The hosts discuss their public images and reminisce about River Phoenix and other celebrity encounters.

01:01:55

Humorous Anecdotes and Party Crashing

Bobby Lee's tendency to engage in "bits" and his admiration for Bill Murray are discussed. The hosts humorously discuss Bobby Lee's willingness to crash random parties. A debate about who has the most famous contacts in their phone ensues.

01:05:42

Intimate Discussions and Comedy Comebacks

A candid discussion about sexting habits during COVID-19 lockdown includes a game involving explicit photos. The hosts debate the definition of "puffed" photos. A comedian discusses returning to stand-up after a break, finding renewed enjoyment.

01:08:39

Mental Health, Existential Thoughts, and Comedy Scenes

Stage fright and performance anxiety are discussed. The hosts talk about taking medication for mental health issues like depression and ponder if depression is a universal human experience. A comparison is made between the LA and New York comedy scenes.

01:10:46

Comedy Specials and Musical Tastes

The hosts revisit "The Kings of Comedy" special, highlighting its humor. Robert Lee's name and music tastes are discussed, leading to a broader conversation about diverse musical preferences, from alternative bands to commercial artists and hip-hop.

01:14:37

Chicago Culture and Celebrity Interactions

The conversation touches on Chicago's South Side, its perceived toughness, and politics. Chicago comedy clubs are discussed. The hosts discuss the TV show "And Just Like That," their interactions with cast members, and the nature of celebrity and cultural awareness.

01:18:11

Authenticity, Tattoos, and Career Reflections

The hosts share experiences meeting celebrities, emphasizing authenticity. Humorous discussions about on-set incidents and favorite characters occur. Personal anecdotes, including a unique tattoo combining a Dallas Cowboys star and a Palestinian flag, are shared. The experience of working on "Mad TV" is compared to SNL, touching on creative freedom and industry disputes.

01:23:58

Comedy Clubs, Industry Dynamics, and Audience Demographics

The speakers discuss playing at comedy clubs, industry dynamics, and anecdotes about Jay Leno and David Letterman. They note a shift in audience demographics towards couples and parents and share their unique show-closing tradition of thanking guests for being "bad friends."

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some "shaky diseases" discussed in the podcast?

  The podcast mentions Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis as examples of "shaky diseases" characterized by involuntary tremors.

• What is the significance of bipedalism in human evolution?

  Bipedalism, or walking upright, offered key survival advantages, such as freeing up hands for tool use and carrying, and improving efficiency in locomotion.

• What are the common negative outcomes for lottery winners?

  Statistically, many lottery winners face financial ruin, mental health struggles, and social isolation within a few years of winning, often leading to a worse quality of life.

• What is the Pepsi Challenge?

  The Pepsi Challenge is a marketing event where consumers taste Pepsi and Coca-Cola products blindly. Results often show a preference for Pepsi, as highlighted in the podcast.

• What is novelty architecture?

  Novelty architecture refers to unconventional and often whimsical building designs that stand out from the ordinary, serving as unique landmarks or attractions.

• What is Talkspace and what services does it offer?

  Talkspace is an online platform that provides accessible and affordable mental health services. It connects users with licensed therapists for individual, couples, and family counseling, offering techniques to manage stress and improve coping skills.

• How does Rocket Money help users save money?

  Rocket Money is a personal finance app that helps users find and cancel unwanted subscriptions, monitor their spending, and lower their bills. By identifying and eliminating unnecessary expenses, it allows users to grow their savings and reach financial goals faster.

• What are some of the dream guests the hosts would like to have on their show?

  The hosts mention Sydney Sweeney and Barack Obama as their "white whale" guests, expressing a strong desire to have them on the podcast, though acknowledging the unlikelihood of their appearance.

• What was the discussion about Jay Leno's car accidents?

  The hosts humorously discussed Jay Leno's frequent and often slapstick-style car accidents, highlighting his resilience and passion for his extensive car collection.

• What was the anecdote about meeting Barack Obama?

  Bobby Lee shared his experience meeting Barack Obama, describing him as a wonderful, sweet, and disarming individual. He also mentioned asking Obama about potential feelings of depression related to the presidency.

Show Notes