JRE #1586 – Tony Hinchcliffe

This podcast dives deep into the world of stand-up comedy and the camaraderie between Joe Rogan and Tony Hinchcliffe. They cover a wide range of topics, including the current state of stand-up comedy, the impact of the pandemic on the industry, personal experiences with other comedians, and their thoughts on various social and political issues. The conversation also touches on the importance of community, the allure of success, and the unique challenges faced by comedians.

Major Topics:

Stand-up Comedy and The Pandemic:

• The effects of the pandemic on live comedy shows and the shift towards online formats.
• The struggle for comedians to find their place in a world where live performances are restricted and online comedy is still evolving.
• The unique challenges of online stand-up comedy, including the lack of audience energy and the difficulty of replicating the live experience.
• The importance of community and support among comedians, especially during difficult times.

Kill Tony and The Importance of Community:

• The unique format of Kill Tony, which features open mic nights with professional comedians as judges, creating a challenging and entertaining environment for aspiring comedians.
• The role of Kill Tony in fostering a community of comedians and fans in Austin, Texas.
• The importance of supporting emerging talent and providing opportunities for new comedians to showcase their skills.
• The impact of Kill Tony on the stand-up comedy scene in Austin.

Social and Political Commentary:

• The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the contrasting approaches taken by different states and cities.
• The debate over lockdown measures, business closures, and the right of individuals to make their own decisions about their health.
• The psychological impact of the pandemic on individuals and society as a whole, including mental health challenges, economic hardship, and social isolation.
• The role of leadership during a crisis and the importance of accountability and transparency.

Personal Experiences and Reflections:

• Stories about the early days of stand-up comedy and the struggle to break into the scene.
• Anecdotes about performing at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, including experiences with other comedians and the unique culture of the club.
• Reflections on the art of comedy, including the process of writing jokes, finding your voice, and the importance of staying true to yourself.
• Discussions about the importance of building relationships with other comedians and the value of mentorship and support.

Humor and Lightheartedness:

• Stories about the comedic talents of Ron White, Gilbert Gottfried, and other stand-up legends, highlighting their unique styles and the impact they have had on the industry.
• Funny anecdotes about personal experiences, including stories about drinking, weight gain challenges, and awkward encounters with other comedians.
• The use of humor as a coping mechanism during challenging times.
• The importance of finding joy and laughter in everyday life.

Underlying Themes:

Throughout the podcast, Joe Rogan and Tony Hinchcliffe touch on several underlying themes that connect these seemingly disparate topics. They explore the importance of community and support, the search for meaning and purpose, the challenges of navigating success and fame, and the power of humor to connect with others and offer perspective on difficult issues.

Memorable Quotes:

• “There’s a difference in the mentality there in LA about the disease. It’s that they’re treating it like it’s a monster, whereas out here they’re treating it like it’s a disease. Out here they’re treating it like it’s a bad flu.” – Joe Rogan
• “There’s a real danger in telling people to stay home that you know better than them. And then when you, it’s observable that the people telling you a large number of them are not doing what they’re telling you to do. It’s very bad for the fabric of society.” – Joe Rogan
• “I think the most important thing legitimately is getting someone to show you how to work out correctly, and you’re going to be sore as fuck. You’re going to be sore as fuck. For months. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Like, you got to accept that most of the time you’re going to be sore. Yeah, you’re not going to that most of the time you’re gonna be sore. Yeah, you’re not gonna be all loosey-goosey.” – Joe Rogan
• “You still make me laugh really fucking hard. God, he’s really good. He’s so funny. It’s crazy. His writing is so tight. Got here two days ago and night one because again, I live across the street from him. I hit him up and we all hung out and everything he does, you know, you’ll forget for a few minutes because you’re just hanging out with a friend and then just he just slices you right down the middle you know I can’t remember any of the things but it’s also just like his cadence and delivery and he knows what’s funny about him and he knows when he gets you you know like a comedian like it’ll he’ll move on to the next thing while you’re still laughing anyway.” – Tony Hinchcliffe
• “The hardest part is not being able to hang out with people who genuinely don’t give a fuck and will say the most rude and ridiculous thing to you with a giant smile on their face and then you’ll laugh at that and fall to the ground.” – Tony Hinchcliffe