JRE #1447 – Tom Segura

This episode of the Joe Rogan Experience features comedian Tom Segura. Segura discusses various topics, ranging from the mundane to the provocative. He shares his experiences with duck eggs, his love for his dog Marshall, and his thoughts on the current state of the world, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the entertainment industry.

Some of the major topics covered in the podcast include:

• Duck Eggs and Canine Delights: Segura kicks off the episode with a discussion about his recent purchase of duck eggs and his dog Marshall’s fondness for them. This seemingly simple conversation provides a glimpse into Segura’s everyday life and his connection with his pet.
  • Segura expresses his aversion to duck eggs, describing them as “nasty.” He compares them to quail eggs, which he finds enjoyable.
  • The conversation takes a humorous turn when Segura reveals that he feeds his dog Marshall the duck eggs, highlighting his dog’s unique dietary preferences.
  • This topic touches upon Segura’s love for animals and his playful approach to pet care.
  • The discussion about Marshall’s spoiled lifestyle hints at Segura’s own enjoyment of creature comforts and indulgence.
• Coyotes and Owl Encounters: Segura’s experience with coyotes in his neighborhood leads to a discussion about the fascinating and sometimes dangerous interactions between humans and wildlife.
  • Segura recounts a scary encounter with coyotes lurking near his chicken coop, showcasing his awareness of the dangers posed by these predators.
  • He discusses the effectiveness of owls as natural predators of rats, highlighting the potential benefits of encouraging owl populations.
  • Segura’s suggestion to Whitney Cummings, his friend, to use a subsonic 22 to eliminate coyotes sparks a humorous and controversial discussion about self-defense and the limits of urban wildlife management.
  • This topic delves into the complex relationship between humans and wildlife, exploring the challenges of coexisting with potentially dangerous species in urban environments.
• The Power of Size and Strength: A discussion about the limits of physical training in the face of sheer size and strength leads to a conversation about the relative power of different fighting styles and the awe-inspiring physique of certain individuals.
  • Segura and Rogan explore the concept of a “tipping point” where size and strength outweigh the advantages of training. They use examples from mixed martial arts to illustrate the impact of physical dominance in combat.
  • Segura’s anecdotes about tapping larger opponents in jujitsu demonstrate the effectiveness of grappling techniques.
  • The conversation transitions to a discussion about the impressive physicality of professional athletes, particularly football players, with Larry Allen serving as a prime example.
  • This topic highlights the inherent differences between human beings, showcasing the wide spectrum of physical capabilities and the fascinating nature of human athleticism.
• The Coronavirus Pandemic: The bulk of the podcast revolves around the current coronavirus pandemic. Segura and Rogan share their perspectives on the situation, offering insights into the global impact, personal experiences, and ongoing challenges.
  • Segura recounts his recent experience with the pandemic, including the cancellations of his stand-up shows and the impact on the comedy industry. He shares his concerns about the financial hardship faced by many in the entertainment industry.
  • Segura and Rogan discuss the economic consequences of the pandemic, highlighting the potential for widespread job losses and business closures. They also address the psychological impact of social isolation and uncertainty.
  • They analyze the varying responses to the pandemic, particularly the differences in government policies and public reactions in different countries.
  • This topic explores the complexities of navigating a global crisis, highlighting the interconnectedness of the world and the need for collaboration in addressing a shared threat.
• The Rise of Social Media and Online Misinformation: The conversation delves into the impact of social media on misinformation, conspiracy theories, and the spread of harmful ideas.
  • Segura and Rogan express frustration with the prevalence of online misinformation, particularly during the pandemic, where unfounded theories spread rapidly.
  • They discuss the dangers of echo chambers and the tendency of social media to reinforce extreme viewpoints.
  • Segura shares his humorous perspective on the absurdity of certain conspiracy theories, like the flat earth movement.
  • This topic underscores the critical need for media literacy and critical thinking in navigating the increasingly complex and often misleading information landscape of the internet.
• Celebrity Culture and the Impact of Social Media: The podcast explores the evolving relationship between celebrities and their fans in the age of social media.
  • Segura and Rogan discuss the pressure celebrities face to maintain a public persona on social media, often leading to contrived and inauthentic interactions.
  • They comment on the tendency of celebrities to engage in self-promotion and self-righteousness on social media, often overshadowing genuine connection.
  • Segura shares his own experience with social media, highlighting his preference to avoid engaging with negative comments.
  • This topic delves into the complexities of celebrity culture in the digital age, exploring the challenges of navigating public image in a world where every interaction is potentially scrutinized.
• The “Ball Hog” Special and Naming Conventions: Segura discusses his upcoming Netflix special “Ball Hog,” highlighting the process of choosing a title, his experiences filming it, and his thoughts on the comedic timing of stand-up.
  • Segura shares the origin of the title “Ball Hog,” drawing inspiration from a specific pornographic subgenre he encountered while on tour.
  • He highlights the importance of finding a title that resonates with his comedic style and captures the essence of his material.
  • Segura discusses the challenges of refining comedic material through multiple performances, emphasizing the value of refining jokes through audience feedback.
  • This topic delves into the creative process of stand-up comedy, showcasing the importance of audience engagement and the constant evolution of comedic material.
• The Sustainability of Extreme Lifestyles: The podcast touches upon the long-term consequences of heavy drinking and drug use, particularly in the context of celebrities and artists.
  • Segura and Rogan discuss the examples of Hunter S. Thompson and Charles Bukowski, both brilliant writers whose lives were marred by excessive alcohol consumption.
  • They acknowledge the allure of a romanticized “wild” lifestyle but also emphasize the potential for destructive consequences.
  • Segura discusses his concerns about the health of his friend Bert Kreischer, known for his hard-partying persona, and encourages him to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
  • This topic explores the delicate balance between artistic expression and self-destructive tendencies, raising questions about the long-term impact of extreme lifestyles on both individuals and their creative output.
• The “Big Dick Guy” Meme: A bizarre and hilarious conversation ensues about the viral meme of a man with an unusually large penis. Segura shares his involvement in a fundraising effort to help the man’s family, highlighting the unexpected twists and turns of internet culture.
  • Segura explains the origins of the meme and its widespread popularity, showcasing the power of internet humor to spread rapidly and unexpectedly.
  • He details his efforts to contact the man’s family and launch a fundraising campaign through t-shirt sales, demonstrating his unexpected compassion and sense of justice.
  • Segura’s story highlights the complexities of internet fame, where even obscure or humorous memes can have real-world implications.
  • This topic serves as a reminder of the potential for positive social impact, even in the realm of seemingly frivolous internet culture.
• The Exploitation of Wildlife: Segura and Rogan discuss the global problem of animal trafficking and the exploitation of wildlife for traditional medicine and status symbols.
  • Segura shares information about the pangolin, a rarely seen mammal that is considered the most trafficked animal in the world. He explains how their scales are used in traditional Asian medicine, despite lacking scientific evidence for their effectiveness.
  • Segura and Rogan touch upon the cultural significance of certain animal products in China, like rhino horn, and the status symbol associated with consuming these rare and often endangered items.
  • This topic raises awareness about the ethical and environmental consequences of wildlife exploitation and highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect vulnerable species.
• The Role of Government in Pandemic Response: Segura and Rogan discuss the varying approaches of different governments in handling the coronavirus pandemic. They analyze the strict lockdown measures implemented in China and the more relaxed approach adopted by the United States.
  • Segura and Rogan express admiration for the decisive action taken by the Chinese government in locking down Wuhan, highlighting the potential effectiveness of rapid and stringent measures.
  • They discuss the contrasting responses in the United States, where public officials have been criticized for mixed messaging and a lack of decisive action.
  • This topic examines the complexities of government response in a global crisis, highlighting the trade-offs between public health and economic considerations.
• The Future of Entertainment and Social Interaction: Segura and Rogan speculate about the long-term impact of the pandemic on the entertainment industry and social interactions.
  • They discuss the potential for a shift in audience expectations for live performances and the need for comedians to adapt to new formats.
  • Segura and Rogan express concerns about the lasting impact on the entertainment industry, particularly the potential for business closures and job losses.
  • This topic explores the uncertain future of entertainment and social interaction, highlighting the potential for both challenges and opportunities in a post-pandemic world.

5 Memorable Quotes:

• “They’re nasty. They, like, stick to your mouth, like, and do you fry it? Mhmm. Same way, like — Same way. — loose yoke or no? Like, easy yoke. Yeah. And it’s like regular yoke, but the yoke sticks to your mouth. Alright. Stays inside your mouth. Sounds like a bog.” – Segura’s humorous description of his unpleasant experience with duck eggs.
• “I told her to get a subsonic 22 and just start taking them out. She won’t. She won’t. She won’t. Put them. Pop. Pop. Put a little bait out there. Mhmm. Does this make sense? the city rules about taking out a Kyiv. The city rules, you keep your fucking mouth shut. Yeah. You just do that. Kyiv. Shoot shovel and shut up.” – Segura’s lighthearted but controversial advice to Whitney Cummings about dealing with coyotes in her neighborhood.
• “You gotta think if that’s your gig, your gig is to be gigantic and fast and powerful, and you’ve been working on that since grade school. Yeah. Look at them all fucking around. Jump. They’re jumping on them like he is an animal. Like, like, he’s a trained lion.” – Rogan’s awe-inspiring description of Larry Allen, a dominant football player known for his incredible size and strength.
• “I just wish they would share proceeds of that merch with the family. So I saw that and I was like, oh, I wanna do that. So I launched a shirt with that guy’s face on it that says wash your hands. And then And then I go, I go, I wanna give the proceeds to this man’s family.” – Segura’s heartwarming explanation of his decision to launch a fundraising campaign for the family of the “big dick guy” meme.
• “You know, instead of, like, just capturing a genuine moment in your life, which is really hard to do on social media anyway because you feel like you’re fucking dork. You know what’s a weird feeling though is like, let imagine you had worked with gal. Right? I thought about this too. Like, you did something. You we’re in a movie or something. And then she hits you up, hey. I’m trying to do this. You have that moment of pause, especially as a comment because you have, like, so much self awareness. But you’re like, oh, that’s gonna be lame.” – Segura’s humorous and relatable description of the awkwardness of interacting with celebrities who engage in questionable social media behavior.