We Bring Down the King | Ep 261 | Bad Friends

The podcast episode features a lively conversation between hosts and comedian guests, including Andrew Santino, Bobby Lee, and Dan Soder, discussing the dynamics of comedy, personal anecdotes, and industry experiences. They humorously address misunderstandings, with Lee playfully critiquing Shane Gillis, leading to a light-hearted phone call to clear the air. The group also debates preferences in pizza and donuts, reflecting on career challenges and successes. Soder shares insights into his career growth and upcoming tour, emphasizing gratitude for fan support. The episode balances humor with candid reflections on personal and professional growth.

• The hosts discuss the nature of talking behind each other's backs and defending each other when others talk negatively.
• There is a humorous exchange about defending each other's reputations, even when the other person is not present.
• The conversation is light-hearted, with jokes about personal characteristics and relationships.

"Apparently you guys were talking a lot of while I wasn't here. That's what I heard."

• This quote sets the stage for a discussion about gossip and defending friends when they're not around.

"Whenever people talk about you and I hear it and I catch wind of it, I grab it."

• This highlights the importance of loyalty and defending friends in their absence.

• The conversation delves into the topic of sobriety, substance use, and the concept of "California sober."
• There is a debate on whether being partially sober (using substances like marijuana) is truly being sober.
• The hosts share personal experiences and opinions on maintaining sobriety and the challenges associated with it.

"That's called California sober. No, that's not a real... people say that all over the internet, but it's not real."

• This quote challenges the validity of being partially sober and emphasizes the importance of complete sobriety.

"My fear though is that once that door is open, I do all the other stuff and I can't have that."

• This reflects the fear of relapse and the importance of maintaining strict boundaries in recovery.

• The hosts discuss their experiences in the comedy scene, including performing shows and dealing with competition from other comedians.
• There is an exploration of the challenges of selling tickets and the impact of other high-profile comedians performing at the same time.
• The conversation touches on the economics of comedy shows and the influence of ticket prices.

"I was upset at my team... Shane Gillis was in town, Kevin Hart was in town. I was like, what the..."

• This quote highlights the competitive nature of the comedy industry and the challenges of scheduling performances.

"Ticket prices are so stupid now and we can't control them anymore. It sucks."

• This expresses frustration with the rising costs of attending comedy shows and the lack of control performers have over pricing.

• The hosts discuss recent near-miss incidents in air travel and speculate on possible causes, including potential connections to drones.
• There is a humorous exploration of conspiracy theories related to air travel safety.
• The conversation reflects concerns about the increasing frequency of air travel incidents.

"A Southwest plane almost hit a private jet today."

• This quote brings attention to the seriousness of air travel safety incidents and the potential for disaster.

"I think the reason why there's a connection between the flights getting in these accidents and the Drone that we saw a month ago."

• This introduces a speculative theory about the involvement of drones in air travel incidents.

• The hosts share anecdotes about personal interactions and relationships, including humorous and awkward situations.
• There is a discussion about past experiences and the dynamics of friendships and professional relationships.
• The conversation includes light-hearted banter and jokes about personal encounters.

"Have you ever had sex with somebody you didn't want to have sex with?"

• This question leads to a humorous exploration of past experiences and the complexities of personal relationships.

"I don't know if you've ever been to Tucson, Arizona... brother, tell me about it."

• This quote reflects shared experiences and the camaraderie between the hosts as they reminisce about past events.

• The speaker shares a personal anecdote about having an intimate encounter with a 400 lb woman, describing it as a memorable and unique experience.
• The encounter is likened to a military operation, with the speaker feeling like a soldier going through a challenging situation.

"I'm not lying I had sex with one time year many many years ago with a 400 lb woman."

• The speaker recounts a past experience with a 400 lb woman, emphasizing the unusual nature of the situation.

"It was like a medical procedure she's like I'm going to lay on my back then you're going to enter me and I um I did it though like like a soldier."

• The speaker compares the experience to a military operation, highlighting the structured and challenging nature of the encounter.

• The speaker reflects on how the woman saw him perform before he was famous, suggesting she liked him for who he truly was.
• There is a sense of guilt and regret about how the speaker handled a later encounter with the same woman.

"She liked you for who you really were through a yeah well she saw me MC The Improv in Tempe."

• The speaker acknowledges that the woman appreciated him before his rise to fame, indicating a sense of authenticity in their past interaction.

"I feel so bad about it and I think about it all the time and I feel so bad about it."

• The speaker expresses remorse about how he handled a subsequent encounter with the woman, indicating lingering guilt.

• The discussion shifts to personal habits, particularly around weight, food preferences, and secret indulgences.
• The speaker reveals a hidden penchant for sweets, despite outward appearances.

"I'm over 200 so I would imagine probably over that what do you what do you hover at two I walk around at 215 do you really I would like to be 210."

• The speaker discusses personal weight and fitness goals, indicating a desire to maintain a certain physical condition.

"I have a drawer in my bedroom with um gummy colas great right I've never seen you be a sweets boy."

• The speaker reveals a secret fondness for sweets, contradicting the perception others have of his preferences.

• The conversation touches on the nature of comedy as a career and what alternative paths might have been pursued.
• There's a humorous speculation about what the speaker might have done if not for comedy.

"You're one of those Comics like if you did didn't do comedy I just don't know oh what I do."

• The speaker reflects on the uncertainty of career paths outside of comedy, suggesting a strong identification with the profession.

"I would be getting in trouble for being funny correct on a site on a job site somewhere where I'd have to be somewhat serious."

• The speaker humorously envisions himself getting into trouble for being humorous in a more conventional job setting.

• The dynamics of relationships and social interactions are explored, including perceptions of others and the role of fame.
• The conversation includes playful banter and teasing among friends, highlighting the camaraderie and humor shared.

"You have you have you know you have zero working knowledge of me as a human being if you think I'm anywhere close."

• The speaker humorously challenges a friend's perception of him, emphasizing the disconnect between appearance and reality.

"I understand Shane Gillis Shane Gillis with his girl the influencer lady yeah would have never made sense in any other scenario."

• The speaker comments on the dynamics of relationships involving public figures, noting how fame can influence perceptions.

• A brief discussion on homelessness highlights personal encounters and societal views.
• The speaker shares a personal anecdote about interacting with a homeless individual, reflecting on the complexities of the issue.

"I live here and I and I felt bad I was like sorry."

• The speaker recounts an encounter with a homeless person, expressing empathy and awareness of their situation.

"How do you feel about the homeless how do I feel about give a genuine your opinion."

• The speaker prompts a discussion on personal opinions about homelessness, inviting reflection on social issues.

• The conversation begins with the idea of rebooting movies, specifically with Bobby Lee playing the Brendan Frasier role in a remake of "Encino Man."
• There's a discussion about remaking "AirHeads," adapting it to the current era by focusing on podcasts instead of radio.
• The idea of remaking "Gremlins" and "Goonies" is debated, with "Goonies" being seen as untouchable due to its nostalgic value and the changing nature of childhood play.

"Let's remake AirHeads. This Is Us, by the way. Soder is obviously Frasier, you're the tallest, I'm Sandler, and you're bamy."

• The hosts express enthusiasm for a new version of "AirHeads," casting themselves in the lead roles.

"What about remaking Gremlins? Love it. One or how about one and two? Let's start. Give me the whole franchise."

• There's excitement about rebooting "Gremlins," starting with the first movie and potentially the entire franchise.

"What about Goonies? No, I can't touch that. It's Pitch Perfect... It's also because that childhood fantasy of like neighborhood play."

• "Goonies" is considered a classic that shouldn't be remade, as the childhood experiences it depicts are no longer common.

• The hosts discuss changing parenting styles, specifically "free-range parenting," where children are given more freedom.
• They reflect on their own childhood experiences, including running away from home and not having strict parental supervision.
• The conversation touches on how societal views on parenting have shifted, with more protective measures in place today.

"They call it amazing. They call that free-range parenting now when you just let your kid be a kid, when you're not helicoptering anymore."

• The term "free-range parenting" is introduced, highlighting a shift away from constant parental supervision.

"I ran away from home for a week... My dad goes hello, and I go all right."

• A personal anecdote about running away from home illustrates the more relaxed parenting style of the past.

• The hosts discuss their experiences with bullying and how it shaped them, particularly in developing resilience and a sense of humor.
• There's a controversial view that some bullying can be character-building, although it is acknowledged that this is a sensitive topic.

"I feel like the bullying that I received was necessary... sort of like made me strong enough to do comedy."

• The hosts reflect on how bullying, though unpleasant, contributed to their personal growth and career in comedy.

"You hear teachers like, is Bobby Lee in there? That's so funny."

• A humorous recount of being locked in a locker as a form of bullying, underscoring the harshness of past experiences.

• The conversation shifts to professional dynamics in the comedy world, including rivalries and respect among comedians.
• Bobby Lee discusses his relationship with other comedians, including Shane Gillis and Bill Burr, and the complexities of these interactions.
• There's a humorous exploration of perceived slights and compliments, with a focus on maintaining friendships despite competitive tensions.

"I think you have bulgy eyes, and sometimes you look bloated. Is that war?"

• Bobby Lee jokingly criticizes Shane Gillis, sparking a playful discussion about rivalry and respect.

"I was the first one to defend him... he's an absolute beast."

• Despite joking criticisms, there's an acknowledgment of Shane Gillis's talent and success in comedy.

• Bobby Lee reflects on his behavior and comments, expressing regret and a desire to take accountability for his words.
• There's a discussion about personal growth and the importance of self-reflection in maintaining professional relationships.

"I'm ashamed that I said it. No, stop. You are entering a new phase in life where you are taking ownership."

• An acknowledgment of the need for personal accountability and the journey towards self-improvement.

"I haven't slept a lot lately... I haven't masturbated in five days."

• Bobby Lee humorously attributes his recent behavior to lack of sleep and sexual frustration, highlighting the importance of self-care.

• The hosts touch on the topic of food, specifically discussing famous pizzerias and the experience of eating renowned dishes.
• There's mention of specific locations known for their exceptional pizza, sparking a conversation about culinary travel experiences.

"Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix... it's pretty good. It's good, dude."

• A brief discussion about the quality of pizza at Pizzeria Bianco, known for its acclaim as one of the best pizzerias.

"Why would I go there? Connecticut has some of the best pizza."

• The conversation expands to include other notable pizza destinations, emphasizing the hosts' appreciation for good food.

• The discussion begins with a negative experience at the Connecticut Funny Bone, highlighting the importance of management's attitude towards performers.
• The conversation touches on the potential reasons for the manager's behavior, joking about personal issues such as "full balls."

"The management there really... I did it one weekend there and the manager at the last night, and I had seen him around all weekend, finally introduced himself, and he was kind of like, here's your check."

• The quote underscores the lack of warmth or professionalism experienced by the performer, which left a lasting negative impression.

• The hosts discuss their favorite pizzas, mentioning various well-known pizzerias and debating the best options for both pizza and donuts.
• A particular interest is shown in corporate pizza chains, with personal rankings shared among the hosts.

"I think it goes Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa John's."

• This quote highlights the personal preference for Pizza Hut over other corporate pizza chains, emphasizing the unique qualities of each.

• The conversation shifts to trying different cultural foods, including a humorous take on Korean donuts and Filipino fast food.
• The hosts emphasize the importance of trying local cuisines when traveling abroad.

"When I'm in a different country, I just, I'll check all of it out and I'll try it."

• This quote reflects an openness to experiencing new foods and cultures, promoting a sense of culinary adventure.

• The discussion explores the concept of fame, with one host downplaying their celebrity status despite evidence of a growing fan base.
• The challenges of handling newfound recognition are discussed, along with the impact of supportive fans.

"I'm shocked when people are like, come to my shows and it's sold out or whatever."

• This quote conveys the surprise and gratitude felt by the host towards their audience, highlighting the unexpected nature of their success.

• The hosts express loyalty to venues that treated them well early in their careers, even when they were not yet well-known.
• They discuss the importance of maintaining relationships with supportive clubs and avoiding those that were dismissive.

"The clubs I play now are the clubs are necessarily not because of the draw, but it's because they treated me when I was down."

• This quote emphasizes the significance of loyalty and gratitude towards venues that supported the host during their early career stages.

• The conversation touches on pivotal moments in the hosts' careers, such as significant gigs and changes in their professional lives.
• They reflect on how certain opportunities have allowed them to pursue their passions and improve their craft.

"I got to quit waiting tables because of it."

• This quote illustrates a critical turning point where a career opportunity allowed the host to transition from a day job to focusing on their comedy career full-time.

• The hosts discuss upcoming tour dates and performances, highlighting their excitement for future shows and engagements.
• They express enthusiasm for returning to certain venues and connecting with audiences across the country.

"I'm going to be at the Funny Bone April 4th and 5th and then at Spokane Comedy Club May 1st through the 3rd."

• This quote provides specific details about the host's upcoming tour schedule, showcasing their active engagement with fans and the comedy circuit.