00:00I've been in comedy clubs where they've whipped each other with big penis balloons.
00:05During your act?
00:06Yeah.
00:06And then you say, guys cut it out with the penis balloons.
00:08I said, Joey, it was girls.
00:10And I go, you're going to love that nail.
00:13But one day, you're not going to.
00:15That's not going to mean a thing to you.
00:16Just whip each other with it nail.
00:19Y'all and Joey.
00:20Yeah.
00:21Have your life now.
00:22Yeah.
00:58Hi, and welcome.
00:59Welcome to the Stand Up Roundtable.
01:01I'm your moderator, Laci Rose.
01:03Thank you all for being here.
01:05Okay.
01:06Nikki, you've said recently, and I've heard you say it before, stand up is like sex.
01:11Let me clarify.
01:12Yes.
01:12Before I ask any follow ups, like, yes.
01:14Explain that.
01:15When I'm on stage, I behave in ways and I say things that I would never say off stage.
01:19And I feel very similar to sex where it's like I feel unbridled.
01:23I feel like I can make different noises and make faces and do things with my body that
01:26I would never do in front of my friends and family or just, you know, the general public.
01:31And then having to then hear feedback about anything I did on stage always feels to me
01:36like someone after sex is like, remember when you said that one thing and you're like,
01:39no, no, no, no, no.
01:40I don't want to hear what I said.
01:41I just, it's, there's a detachment for me that I'm, I'm kind of embarrassed by that person.
01:45And I'm glad that everyone watches it, but I don't want to watch it.
01:48And I don't want to hear what you think about it.
01:50If that makes any sense.
01:52Do you, are you editing it though?
01:53Yes.
01:54And it's the most painful thing I've ever done in my life.
01:57How about you guys?
01:58To edit your special?
01:59Yes.
01:59And like watch it back.
02:00I try to.
02:00I like it.
02:01I try to do it.
02:03I just try to nail the time right on the money.
02:06All right.
02:06Leanne, you, as you were coming up, you would hear things like you weren't sort of edgy enough
02:11and, and you were quote, a mom comic.
02:14Like, was that, was that one that you would hear?
02:16Yes.
02:17Talk to me about sort of what the feedback was, but also what you did about it.
02:22Cause here we are.
02:23Well, my darling.
02:25Yes.
02:26I started 27 years ago.
02:28And when I started doing clubs, I was in a kitten heel with a capri pant with a bird
02:33on it.
02:35And, you know, talking about somebody doodooed on a t-ball film, which was a good bit.
02:41But Comedy Central was big then.
02:44I was working a lot in Austin, Texas, around Texas.
02:47And I, and it just was not the thing.
02:49And I never got asked to do anything.
02:51Comedy Central didn't want me.
02:52Montreal didn't want me.
02:54Not any of the festivals.
02:56And I, and, but I don't know.
02:57I just kept, I tell you what, I would get a development deal every once in a while in
03:01Hollywood for a sitcom and it was enough to keep me going.
03:04And I thought if they think I've got something, I'm going to keep going.
03:08And I am a mom of three children.
03:10Now they're grown.
03:11I'm a grandmother of two.
03:12And so I just always stayed on that course.
03:15But, but I always thought that material was good, but I just didn't have the audience,
03:20you know?
03:20And I, and I couldn't work clubs like they've all done because I did have those three babies
03:26at the time.
03:27So I just had to find a different path and it wasn't always, you know, with the cool
03:31kids, with Comedy Central and all that.
03:35What was the feedback that the rest of you would hear coming up that, that possibly infuriated
03:40you or, or you just had to sort of push through?
03:43One guy came up to me after a set in Boston when I was starting out and I did a
03:51spot and
03:52I got off stage and guy came up to me very, very earnest.
03:55And he goes, why comedy?
03:57Oh.
03:58And people have said I was too angry, but at that, at that time I, I, I was.
04:04Sure.
04:04Yeah.
04:05But not anymore.
04:05Not angry at all.
04:06Sweet, humble.
04:08Yeah.
04:08And just wide open.
04:10Mm-hmm.
04:10You have opened up.
04:11I have.
04:12Yeah.
04:12Yeah.
04:12Softened.
04:13I think so.
04:14But they're only ever comparing it to the thing, the most recent successful thing they
04:18just saw.
04:19Oh, you think so in general?
04:21Yeah.
04:21Yeah.
04:21You're too angry based on what?
04:23Like this funny sweet guy you just saw two minutes ago?
04:26Yes.
04:26You know what I mean?
04:27Or based on the fact that, you know, you're, you're upsetting people.
04:30Oh.
04:31Sure.
04:32Like if you're yelling.
04:34Yeah.
04:34Or you believe the comedy show.
04:36Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
04:37Yeah.
04:38What would the rest of you hear?
04:38What would, what would, Wanda, what would you hear?
04:40For me, and I'm sure we still hear this, you're a funny female comic.
04:44Oh.
04:44Yep.
04:44It's like, that's just so annoying.
04:46I mean, I can't just be a funny comic, but we're always, you know, put into a category
04:51of female comics.
04:52Like, you know, we're, this, this, this, the separation.
04:56And there's always.
04:57What we're doing is.
04:58I'm sorry.
04:58Like not as, you know, not, not on this same level.
05:01That always bugs me, still bugs me.
05:03There's a new, there's a new level to it too, where I feel like there's a lot of Manosphere
05:06guys who will like one female comic.
05:09And that will be proof that they do like women.
05:11That they have one.
05:12Yeah.
05:12And it's the one that they like.
05:14And there's always a new one.
05:15Yeah.
05:15I've been the one before.
05:17And it feels nice even from people you don't agree with, like the, but then, but it doesn't
05:21feel nice because you know you're going to be replaced by the next one.
05:23Do you know when it's happening?
05:24Like, can you feel it happening?
05:27No, because I don't read comments, but I read comments of other people's things and
05:30I go, oh, she's the one now.
05:31She's the one now.
05:31Because I'm reading her comments.
05:32But I don't read mine.
05:33And I just only assume now that the light's not on me.
05:36You transcended it though.
05:38I mean, once you elevate to where you don't need that approval or to where they, you know,
05:43they have to move on because you're bigger than them.
05:45Right.
05:46You know.
05:47I don't ever feel that way.
05:48Oh, you should.
05:49You should.
05:50Do you feel it?
05:51As a woman?
05:51No.
05:52Yeah.
05:52As your testosterone drops later in life and you get more estrogen, how are you feeling
05:57as a female comic?
05:58Well, it's interesting.
05:59A lot of changes.
06:00A lot of changes.
06:02No, but I mean like you're talking about like once you have success, then anyone that
06:05didn't like, like when you had a...
06:08Yeah, but your success was like, it was monumental.
06:11I mean, it was a huge moment.
06:13My success has been just a slow incline that never quite peaks.
06:17And then you kind of level off.
06:20No.
06:20But like when you...
06:22Come on.
06:23That roast was huge.
06:26But I feel like you also had that.
06:28No.
06:28But it doesn't...
06:29But I know what you're saying.
06:30But I never feel...
06:30Right.
06:30I will say that I don't feel it.
06:32I don't...
06:32I don't think I...
06:33Who wants to let that in and feel like I've made it?
06:36I don't think that...
06:36I would stop.
06:37It seems like there are some people that do enjoy that.
06:40Mm-hmm.
06:40And I don't want to be one of those people.
06:42Not enjoy it, but like think you're cool.
06:45Nate Bargatze is opening a theme park.
06:48I know.
06:49So he can go all the way.
06:50Opening a theme park.
06:51Yes.
06:51Go all the way.
06:52A theme park.
06:53Not only is he happy...
06:54Where I was raised and I used to go to that park.
06:57What, he's gonna reopen?
06:58Yeah.
06:59Outside of Nashville.
06:59I'm gonna do a ski resort.
07:00There you go.
07:01There you go.
07:02I think that's accepting success.
07:04Yes.
07:05Julio, what would you hear on your way up?
07:08Or was the feedback that you would sort of frequently hear and have to sort of push against?
07:14One time I was introduced by...
07:17I can't even remember who was introduced.
07:18I mean, but he went, and now this next guy is gonna come out and he's gonna do his thing.
07:27Ooh.
07:29Oh.
07:29Do his thing.
07:30But I did.
07:30You did.
07:32No, I think a lot of like people who want to define what comedy is, like yeah, if someone
07:38is too angry, that's not comedy.
07:39Or if someone is like playing with the form a little bit, that's not comedy.
07:44It's like, I think one time I even like, I was like, well, he's sitting.
07:49It's not stand-up comedy.
07:50Oh my God.
07:51The worst.
07:53Because it's the broadest form that there is.
07:55Oh, it's the only requirement of stand-up.
07:57It's time.
07:57Yeah.
07:58And figure out how to be funny.
07:59Staying up there.
08:00Yeah.
08:00And being who you want to be up there.
08:02That's the only, that's why it was always a feeling.
08:04I think it's just a time and a place.
08:05Should we do whatever you want?
08:06Yes, but that's why you get into it.
08:07But then once you get agents and people that are weighing in and want you to be marketable,
08:11it's like, I got a lot of don't be dirty.
08:15Don't be dirty.
08:15Don't be dirty.
08:16And not only because it's like you can't be on network TV talking like that, but also
08:21that's what all female comics do.
08:23And so you're doing the easy thing.
08:25And I go, well, is it easy for other women to talk about what their vaginas look like on stage?
08:30It's not easy for everyone.
08:32No.
08:32It's easy for me.
08:33But why wouldn't you want me to do something on stage that comes easy to me?
08:35Right.
08:35And that I like talking about.
08:36That always bothered me as like, if you're dirty, you're doing the, you're taking the
08:41easy route.
08:42Yeah, because it's never easy.
08:43Who do you hear that from?
08:44Like where does that feedback come from?
08:46Club owners, agents.
08:48Yeah.
08:48And TV, you know, like early on, like because of my stand-up, I wasn't chosen to do a lot
08:53of things on network TV because they just are worried that you might go off and talk
08:59about anal sex.
09:00Like you don't know.
09:01Even like you go on radio and they're like, hey, now this is a show where families are
09:04listening.
09:04I'm like, I got this.
09:06Yeah, they really talk.
09:07I still get reminded of that stuff.
09:08And I'm like, I know where I am.
09:10I would get reminded of that.
09:11Yeah.
09:12And I'm, you know, a clean comic, but I would get reminded of that and people would
09:16say, you know, on the radio or if I did a corporate gig, you know, you can't do
09:20that.
09:20And I'm like, I'm not an idiot.
09:22I know where I am and where.
09:24You're professional.
09:24Yeah.
09:25I think that I was always like part of me is always a little dirty just to keep those
09:32people away.
09:33I mean, and by that I mean success.
09:36Yeah.
09:37Yeah.
09:40Yeah.
09:40That there is.
09:40That there is.
09:41That there is.
09:41Of course.
09:42Yes.
09:42It's like you have a certain amount of autonomous if they don't know what's going to happen.
09:46And there was just no way, like even when I've done clean sets, because we all had
09:50to do them.
09:51Like if you were doing Letterman or you're doing any of those five minute, six minute sets,
09:55you had to be clean.
09:56So it's like, I can do it.
09:57And I don't talk about dirty stuff as much as I used to because I'm old.
10:01It just doesn't age well.
10:02You can't.
10:03It doesn't.
10:03It doesn't.
10:04But I do think there was a part of me that there was a certain amount of fuck you to
10:08it just to keep them away.
10:10Yeah.
10:11And I don't really regret that.
10:13It sort of defined my space.
10:15Nikki, you recently defined your sort of aspirational self as follows.
10:22Quote, I want to be someone who's smart and fuckable and adorable and likable and seems
10:27nice, but is saying awful things.
10:30First, like did I miss anything?
10:31I did not practice that before I said it.
10:34Wait, but that is you.
10:35But you know, yes, I want to be all the, yes, I want to be liked by everyone because
10:41it's a sickness.
10:42And I also want, but I also want to say things that make people feel less alone with the weird
10:48thoughts that they have because again, it's selfish.
10:51I always felt like I was weird and no one was really an example of that on TV, the people
10:56that I, were my role models.
10:57And yeah, I want to be fuckable because it makes people treat you better and give you
11:03more money for things.
11:04I don't actually want to be fucked.
11:05I want to be clear about that.
11:06I don't want to be penetrated.
11:07I just want the stuff that comes with people wanting to.
11:10Yeah.
11:11It's, you know, it feels weird to say that, but who doesn't want to be liked?
11:19And I've read the room and when you look prettier, people are nicer to you.
11:21So I think you're literally listing what 99.99% of the people working in an entertainment
11:27industry wish for, but you're just saying it.
11:31My, my follow up question is, is for everybody else, how do you want to be seen?
11:35I think I do want people to like me, but I, I, I seem to want them to work for
11:40it a little
11:40bit.
11:42You know, I don't want to be liked right away.
11:45Cause that's just, I don't believe you then.
11:47You know what I mean?
11:48Yeah.
11:48I want them to earn it somehow.
11:50Uh, I, I do think, I think for me, stand up and I don't know why I'm, I'm the one
11:57talking
11:58about, but like, it's a primary form of emotional connection for me.
12:02So, and it's like, I, I talk more freely on stage than I do in my life.
12:08And I talk about things in a way that I'm trying to sort of figure out and, and to connect
12:13with people.
12:14So that relationship is, is very important to me.
12:17And, um, and I want those people to like me, but I'm very clear that everyone is not
12:23going to.
12:24And I was clear about that a long time ago.
12:27I don't like it.
12:28You know, there's part of me that thinks like I'm for everybody, but I know that's not true.
12:32And, and, and, and maybe I'm, maybe I'm being insecure or maybe I'm projecting, but I know
12:38there are, there's just going to be people that are never going to like me.
12:41And there are going to be people that are not for me, that are not, you know?
12:44And I'm okay with that, right?
12:46I'm okay with that now.
12:47You have to be.
12:47It took me a long time to get to that place.
12:49Yeah.
12:49But I am there now.
12:50I know I'm not for everybody.
12:51Right.
12:51Do you know who you're not for?
12:53Like, are you clear on sort of what that I am to do?
12:55I'd say 20 year old boys are probably not into me.
12:57Oh, I, I don't know.
13:01I feel like you're surprised by the men that are in the audience.
13:06I do have a lot of more men now.
13:08Yeah.
13:09But I don't know.
13:09I would say young, I, I think with my series, maybe.
13:14Yep.
13:14But not with my standup, you know, cause I'm a, I am a mom and I talk about, you know,
13:20in my body and my, you know, menopause and all that.
13:24They do have moms.
13:25You're right.
13:26They've been in the back of a minivan.
13:27It changes cause I'm experiencing this now where, uh, younger people are showing up
13:33at my shows, but they're bringing their moms.
13:36Oh, interesting.
13:36You know, they're like, Oh, my mom's such a big fan.
13:39And you know, and it's like, so now I'm getting this new wave of younger people coming
13:45to the show.
13:45Does it change what you want to say?
13:47Oh God, no, no, no.
13:48So are we clear on who, who, when you say my people, do you like, what does that mean?
13:53How do you define your sort of core demo?
13:55Oh yeah.
13:56Multi-generations of, of hand ringers and, and sensitive, creative, angry people that
14:04feel like they don't have a voice in the world.
14:07And some, you know, you know, kind of aggravated, smart young men, I think.
14:10That's you.
14:11Are there.
14:11Yeah.
14:12But a lot of them are, are kind of middle-aged, you know, politically active or at least
14:18engaged that, that just want to feel a little better, you know, one way or the other.
14:22I think, uh, down, down that line also.
14:26But then also, uh, uh, women.
14:29Um.
14:30Um, I get, you know, the, the LGBTQ audience also.
14:35Um, but yeah, I, it's, it's, it's, it's funny.
14:38That's, that's why I wanted to do my special back at my school, which is the HBCU, because
14:42I want my audience to see where I'm from, you know?
14:45Yep.
14:46And also from my HBCU to see, oh, okay, you're still, you're still down.
14:51You're still with us, you know?
14:52Yeah.
14:53Do you have a sense for who your people are, Julio?
14:55Um, if someone has, like, fun hair, there's a big chance.
15:00I can see them coming in.
15:02It's like, I know.
15:03I know.
15:04I also like, I love crossing the street and seeing, like, a shy girl with her tote back
15:11just look at me and go.
15:15Also, I've been getting, I, when I was doing, um, cause I did a show about like little trinkets
15:21and, and like little figurines and things.
15:23And then I realized, cause I do like little things and it's like, oh, there's a big overlap
15:28between me and that, like, very older woman who are like grandmothers that like would come
15:36to the show and just like really like, cause it's like, oh, little things.
15:39Mm.
15:40Yeah.
15:41I feel like older woman, like little things.
15:43I love older woman.
15:43And, and people with OCD as well, or?
15:46Definitely.
15:47Definitely.
15:48Yeah.
15:48Yeah.
15:48Big crossover.
15:49Yeah.
15:50Big crossover for sure.
15:52And the way, wait, but with you, the way every gay man's eyes that I know, like widen
15:58when they hear your name.
15:59I was just going to say, that's my ideal.
16:01That's who I wish.
16:03They're like, Nick, you're going to be with Nicky Clemson.
16:04Oh my God, that's so nice.
16:05Nicky Clemson.
16:06That's when you know you're doing something really special.
16:08Yes.
16:08I mean, it's just like, yeah, you just want people, I want people to like me who I would
16:13want to hang out with.
16:13So it's always like.
16:14Yeah.
16:15As a Taylor Swift fan that feels like I would be friends with her and I do believe I could
16:20be and most Swifties do like feel that way.
16:23I like to feel that way about my fans that like I would, when they go like, I feel like
16:27we're friends.
16:28I'm like, I bet we would if I lived in Knoxville or what, you know, like I really want to
16:32feel
16:32that way.
16:33People with anxiety, depression, all of like the mental health issues.
16:36I wish that more of them came out to live shows.
16:39Whenever I start my shows, I always like to remind people if you have to get up to go
16:42to the bathroom.
16:43Cause I was thinking about like, if I was going to a show, like I would have anxiety about,
16:46she going to roast me.
16:46I would say like, I don't, I'm not going to roast you if you don't want to be roasted.
16:49I will never ever do that.
16:51I'm reading the room.
16:51And if you have to go to the bathroom, you literally can go and it will not bug me.
16:56Like stand up and run.
16:57It's not going to disturb me.
16:58My worst fear is someone after a show being like, I had to hold my pee the whole entire
17:01time.
17:02She was so mean.
17:03Yes.
17:04But people have so much social anxiety and feel like, especially people who are enjoying
17:07podcasts and don't often want to go out in public, especially after COVID.
17:12And I just want to make them feel safe at these shows.
17:15When I get asked if people can come in late to the show, I'm like, those are my people.
17:21Those are absolutely my people.
17:23Forgot they bought tickets to this.
17:26Are coming five minutes before it ends.
17:29Had a long day.
17:31I'm like, sneak a picture.
17:31Sneak a picture.
17:32I don't care.
17:33I would.
17:34I feel like my demographic or the, everybody in the middle of the United States that I
17:40feel like is ignored by Hollywood.
17:43I feel like, like women my age, but, but I do get a lot of like, they bring their grandmother
17:49and they bring their daughter.
17:51But like people out in the middle of the United States that felt neglected.
17:55I do.
17:56I feel like, cause I feel like I'm in kind of a lane by myself and it's those people that,
18:01that there was just nobody else for.
18:05And I know it's, you know, it's a lot of stuff about being a mom and a grandmama and
18:09menopause and all that kind of stuff.
18:11And so I do, I feel like I, I've got this little niche that's been darling.
18:18And I hope they urinate when they want to.
18:20I hope they go wee wee when they need to.
18:23Yeah.
18:23A show of hands.
18:24Who here gives a lot of thought to sort of what they wear on stage and particularly
18:29for a special.
18:30For a special.
18:31I do.
18:32Okay.
18:32So what are you trying to telegraph through your outfit?
18:36I mean, for, for a special, I feel like it's part of the, the whole universe that I'm
18:43trying to build.
18:43Yeah.
18:43It's like the set, the, the wardrobe, the material, it's all holding hands.
18:49What is the, what is the little story that I'm telling?
18:52So what did you want to, what was the story you felt you were telling with your outfit in
18:56Color Theories?
18:57That I, I'm like a put upon little creature that was working and now has to talk to the
19:06audience.
19:06Yeah.
19:07And you get it right away because of that.
19:09Totally.
19:09Like that, it comes, it tells that story without you having to say it.
19:14Yeah.
19:14Successful.
19:15I feel like every comedian thinks about what they're wearing, right?
19:18I recently talked to a friend of mine who was taping a special that weekend.
19:21I go, what are you wearing?
19:21He's like, I don't know yet.
19:23What are you, what are you doing with your hair?
19:24I don't know.
19:25Yeah, but this person.
19:26What's the set look like?
19:26They go, whatever they're going to put up.
19:28Yeah.
19:28Oh, wow.
19:29And it's like, was that.
19:30Whatever they're going to put up.
19:31They go, please, can I help you?
19:33Like just someone to, I don't even know what I'm talking about, but someone should weigh
19:37in.
19:37Yeah.
19:38Because I think there is something about comedians that are like, it's about the material.
19:42It's not, don't get bogged down with all that stuff, but it's like, you're making a
19:45movie.
19:46But even those people, even those people.
19:46But it's special, it's special.
19:47Right.
19:47Yeah, it is.
19:49But even though, someone who's saying like, I don't know and I don't care what I'm going
19:52to wear, they have a narrow understanding of what is.
19:55What it takes.
19:55What works for them.
19:56Oh.
19:57So it's like, this person probably has like.
19:59Oh, so they only had like two or three things to choose from maybe?
20:01Yeah, that's what I mean.
20:02So it's like, it's not like they don't know whether it's going to be a tuxedo or a hoodie.
20:06It'll probably be the hoodie.
20:07Right.
20:08I dress one.
20:09Yeah.
20:09It took me so many years to, I've made so many mistakes.
20:13I've done it both ways where I'm like, I'm going to buy clothes for the special.
20:16So you're going to go on your special with clothes you've never fucking worn before.
20:22And you might not even like them.
20:23And the moment you bought them, you're like, this looks like a good idea.
20:26And then as soon as you watch your special, you're like, what was that vest about?
20:31What was that about that I have to live with for the rest of my life now?
20:34And then there was the time where I'm like, just wear clothes you already own.
20:37So I went on a special with this L.L. Bean, you know, overwashed flannel shirt, a red maroon shirt
20:44that was too big, looked terrible, looked terrible.
20:47Mm-hmm.
20:47Last special.
20:49That was, you were dialed in.
20:51I was, everything was dialed in like he was talking about.
20:53Like I wanted, there was a set design, there was a concept, there was the theater like was played a
20:58big role in that special.
21:00And I wore those clothes for months.
21:02Like I wore the outfit I was going to wear.
21:05So I didn't want to think about it.
21:07And then there was one problem with the shirt.
21:09The shirt was a little snug so it would pop.
21:11The buttons would pop open.
21:12And it was happening the night of the special.
21:14And I'm like, you can't fucking, how is this happening to me?
21:18Months with the shirt.
21:20And the woman who worked at the theater, who was like the seamstress at the theater, she goes, we'll just
21:24put these little snaps in there.
21:26Oh yeah, the little snaps.
21:27Yeah, tack it.
21:27And I was like, really?
21:28And I was like, I almost cried.
21:30I was like, she saved the entire evening.
21:33Because I would have thought about that all night.
21:34Yeah, I think about it.
21:36What do you want to say with your clothes?
21:38Like you said, it just matches what, you know, what I'm, like the set and it looks good.
21:43Yeah.
21:44And I noticed when touring, one time I wore this jacket and it just had like little rhinestones.
21:50And it was, I just noticed the audience were like a little distracted.
21:56Oh, interesting.
21:56And I'm like, are y'all really distracted by the diamonds, the little shiny shit?
22:04Yeah.
22:04I was like, what the hell?
22:06I'm like, come on, focus people.
22:08Yeah.
22:08I ended up taking it off during the middle of the set.
22:11And then they were, they were right back with me.
22:13Yeah.
22:14The worst part is where you feel the audience is distracted by something.
22:17Yeah.
22:17Cause they're just not giving you.
22:18And you're, I walk off stage and I go, there's something on, in my head.
22:21Right, right.
22:21They're like, no, you're fine.
22:22I'm like, oh, it's just the jokes.
22:23Because you, I always go, there's, cause you feel it immediately when there's something
22:26off about your outfit.
22:27Yeah.
22:28That they're taking in.
22:29Yeah.
22:29And now I'm doing more.
22:30I don't know why I wait till I'm in my sixties to do more physical comedy.
22:34You're all over that shit.
22:35Oh wow.
22:35I'm trying to break a fucking hip.
22:36I don't know what I'm doing.
22:37But yeah, so now I have to make sure I can move around.
22:42Yes.
22:42You've also talked about Nikki, this idea of like trying to sort of be sexy and comedic
22:46at the same time doesn't work.
22:51Why is that changing?
22:52What happens if you try?
22:54There was a moment in my career where, when I got my first Comedy Central show, where I
22:59was like, I'm going to just wear flannel shirts and t-shirts, very minimal makeup, chop
23:04my hair off.
23:05I just want, I want girls to not be, like, I got notes that like, let's make girls not
23:09threatened by you, even though I'd never felt that way in my life.
23:12But I had just gotten done doing a TV show where I was pretty glammed up.
23:16And it just wasn't me.
23:17I was like, I'm on TV.
23:18I want to feel good.
23:19And I always wanted to be a pop star.
23:21And so when I, there was some moment where I said, I get to be on stage in front of
23:26people.
23:26And it's really up to me what I wear and do.
23:28And I can do anything I want.
23:29If I want to dress like a pop star, I'm going to just because it's fun.
23:33And I don't, other than Halloween, when do I get to dress sexy?
23:36Now I have an excuse to do it.
23:37And so it's just, it's, I just, I just wear what I want that makes me feel good and powerful.
23:44And like a star.
23:45Cause sometimes backstage, I'm not feeling that way at all.
23:48Most of my life, I'm not.
23:49So you kind of dress for the role you want.
23:51And then, you know, during my special, I took off my blazer.
23:55Like, you know, when I, three, fours of the way through.
23:58Cause I just was like, I'm, I'm insecure that the audience is like getting bored.
24:04And so I'm like, here's some tits for a second.
24:05Like I literally was like, just something new to look at.
24:08And just even cause sometimes you're on stage and I would just see like a girl, like kind of looking
24:12up and down.
24:13I'm like, I'm glad I'm, she's kind of bored by what I'm saying.
24:15I'm glad I'm, she's taking in my outfit and there's something interesting for her to look out.
24:18So there was some kind of thought behind that of like, what's an outfit change I can do halfway through.
24:23I mean, you go see a, like these places I'm playing.
24:27There's sometimes, you know, concerts going on with screens and dancers and outfit changes.
24:32I'm going to on this next tour.
24:34I literally am trying to write music and for backup dancers to perform.
24:37Cause I'm like, I want more spectacle.
24:39You know, not because I'm insecure about, I know I can do an hour of comedy and be entertaining,
24:44but I'm like, I don't know these bigger venues.
24:46I'm like, there's something I want more.
24:47I want to use the screens.
24:49I want to do something bigger.
24:50We'll see.
24:50I think audiences just generally want to feel like the performer understands themselves well.
24:57And they like, cause when someone is wearing something that doesn't quite, it's not that
25:01like the outfit is bad.
25:02It just doesn't really match their vibe or what they're doing.
25:04So it feels like, I don't know, like someone first semester in college, like trying to find themselves.
25:11And like, you don't want to feel like the performer.
25:16I've got an entire history of Conan O'Brien appearances with just desperate struggle.
25:22Where you got styled and someone just was like,
25:24No, I styled myself.
25:25Oh, really?
25:26I went on Conan O'Brien once with a shirt.
25:28Some guy I met at a bar made me.
25:30You know what?
25:31He said he was a fashion designer.
25:32That's you.
25:33Oh, he set me up.
25:34Yeah.
25:34And two days later, I'm on Conan with a shirt that looks like it was curtains.
25:38It was made from curtains.
25:40But you want to be able to look back.
25:41I like looking back and being like, what was I thinking?
25:43But that was like, what was cool then?
25:45I wore leather pants.
25:46It's like a moment.
25:47Leather pants.
25:47It's great.
25:48It's like a tattoo you regret.
25:49It's not good.
25:49I think it's like...
25:50My first Netflix special.
25:52Yeah.
25:52I have on a dress that looks like the afghan that was on Roseanne's couch.
25:59It was a nice dress, and it was very expensive.
26:02I had a stylist, and she's wonderful.
26:04But I look at it now, and it had patchwork, and people commented and said,
26:11That looked like Roseanne's afghan on her couch.
26:14But it was a good special.
26:16Yes.
26:16And I had to go with that, and I had an unrealistic hair color.
26:20So on this second special, I wanted to be elevated.
26:23I wanted a better hair color.
26:25And I always think of...
26:28It's a show.
26:29I work theaters and arenas, and I think everybody's dressed up to come and see me.
26:33I want to dress up and show them that I respect them.
26:37It's almost like going to church.
26:38You dress up and go to church.
26:39It's respect.
26:39Yeah.
26:40And so I always wanted to be elevated.
26:43Yeah.
26:43And there was a time I wore a pair of pants.
26:46It was a cute suit with wide leg with a platform shoe and British Columbia,
26:53Victorian British Columbia.
26:54And I just did not feel like myself.
26:57Yeah.
26:57And I think they liked it better on me and thought I looked cuter and hipper,
27:01but it messed with my head.
27:03Yeah.
27:03Oh, wow.
27:04So the show itself was not as strong.
27:05Yeah.
27:06I felt like I was...
27:07I just thought about that suit the whole time.
27:09It was steep.
27:10How do you define a bad show?
27:11I mean, I imagine there's some memorable disasters in this group.
27:16I was sent home from Australia.
27:18You were sent home.
27:19What is that?
27:20I bombed pretty hard.
27:22What did you do?
27:22It was after I left New York and I moved to, I guess, San Francisco for a couple...
27:27It was like 92.
27:28Yes, I'm 90.
27:28Right, 92.
27:30And someone had seen me at the improv in New York do like, what, a 12-minute set at Silver's
27:34Old Place, a booker from Australia.
27:39And he goes, well, I'd like to have you come headline, you know, for a month.
27:44And I didn't have the time.
27:45Like, I did not have 50 minutes.
27:48I maybe had 35, 40 minutes.
27:50And I knew I shouldn't do it, but I was like, I'm going to do it.
27:54And by the first Saturday night, I just felt it all close in.
28:00There was no way.
28:01I'm struggling, you know, for the first week.
28:03But by the first night when the place is packed, it's called The Last Laugh.
28:07There's like 400 people there.
28:09And I say in the story, like, all I could hear were the embers of my cigarette burning.
28:14It was like, you know, when you leave your body.
28:17Yes.
28:17Can you remember bombing that bad?
28:18Yes.
28:18To where you're just sort of like, okay, I'll see you after.
28:21Mm-hmm.
28:22You know, do what you can.
28:23Right.
28:24And then after that, like, it was such a powerful bomb.
28:27And then the guy who booked it came up to me after.
28:31And he was like, you know, that wasn't good.
28:33And I'm like, yeah, I know.
28:34And then the next night, he's like, well, maybe you should just go home.
28:36And of course, I'm like, no, no, no.
28:39But, like, all in my life.
28:40Also, go home is a 12-hour flight.
28:41Yeah.
28:42That was the worst one.
28:43Okay, that's hard to top, but you're going to attempt.
28:46For me, it's always, I shouldn't say always.
28:49I don't bomb that much.
28:51But charity events.
28:52Yeah.
28:53Uh-huh.
28:54Whenever it's a charity.
28:55It's hard.
28:56It's hard.
28:57Well, first of all, especially when the people who are running the event.
29:03Someone did the speech about the cancer.
29:05They know nothing.
29:06Or they know nothing about comedy.
29:08And just what we need in order to perform.
29:11A stage.
29:11So there's, maybe a stage would help.
29:14How about, you know, putting the paws on the bar for a little bit while, you know.
29:19Oh, yeah.
29:20They don't care.
29:21They're just like.
29:21It's like dinner theater.
29:23If I don't stop it.
29:24It's always too, it's just a mess.
29:25Uh-huh.
29:26That's a really big reason why you bomb.
29:28When you bomb.
29:29At our level.
29:30Exactly.
29:30At our level.
29:31It's because of the.
29:32The sound is bad.
29:33Yeah.
29:34It's daylight.
29:35You're doing some kind of luncheon.
29:37The people that have booked you have given you.
29:39Yeah.
29:39Have given you different parameters of what's okay to say.
29:42And someone, I think it was Maria Bamford who pointed this out, that corporate gigs,
29:45it's always the one person who's a fan of you booked you and no one else knows you.
29:49Right, right.
29:49You know.
29:50And they play golf all day and they drink.
29:53Yeah.
29:53And they're exhausted or been to a conference and you're in a, you're in a hotel ballroom.
29:58Yeah.
29:58And you're 50 feet away from people.
30:00Yeah.
30:00And they're, you know, and you can't see them and you can't connect with them.
30:04And you're like, I wish somebody would shoot me while I'm bleeding.
30:07Actually, it's more corporate than charity.
30:09I bombed in front of so many thought leaders on a beach in Cabo.
30:13So many what?
30:14Like thought leaders.
30:15Thought leaders.
30:15It was like the summit for like billionaires.
30:18It was literally, I shared like a cab.
30:19Oh my God.
30:19I shared a ride from the airport.
30:21That sounds horrible.
30:21I didn't even know what it was going to be.
30:22I just knew it was just some, I didn't read about it.
30:24It was some like group called, you know, figurative with no eyes or whatever, you know.
30:29Believe them because they probably are doing a porous to the planet.
30:30But how close is that pain?
30:32You can never get rid of that pain.
30:33It was so, Kevin Hart was there.
30:35He was doing a fireside chat.
30:38He got to just hang out with the millionaires and like shoot the shit.
30:40And I had to do a set.
30:41That felt worse.
30:42That felt so much worse.
30:43And he was there and he left during my set.
30:45Like at one point I called to be like, Kevin, because I was going to do some roast jokes
30:48about Kevin.
30:49I hadn't done on this.
30:49This was after Tom Brady roast too.
30:51I was like doing well.
30:52Oh wow.
30:52And I went out and it was so, they were, cause it was all these people and their wives
30:56and they all could see, they were in a circle and seeing each other and no one was comfortable
31:00laughing at any of them.
31:01And I picked the wrong material.
31:03I wasn't prepared.
31:04It was, and then I, the stage, I had to walk off the stage.
31:07I was in heels and then it was instantly sand.
31:09So I was just like, all the way out.
31:12And they didn't even applaud enough for me to get off the stage.
31:14So you're just walking in silence.
31:16In silence.
31:16Weaving through all of these people.
31:18And I had to see them the next day to get the shuttle out.
31:22Oh.
31:22But you've got to remember people like that, like, can't even go to the mall and, and
31:27feel good anymore.
31:28They've got to do like ayahuasca.
31:30Yeah, that's a good point.
31:31They've got to be, they've done everything and they have everything.
31:35So they're just not tethered to the earth anymore.
31:38The jet fuel they have to burn to fuel joy.
31:41I haven't gotten those gigs.
31:41Nobody's asking you to do that gig.
31:42I'm shocked.
31:43I also generally like, I, I have detected that performing after a raffle.
31:49Oh.
31:50Is a bad idea.
31:52Everyone's upset that they lost the raffle.
31:55And then you have to go there and distract them.
31:57Oh my God.
31:58From the fact that they all, that they like almost had it.
32:00They think they won.
32:01When you're a surprise.
32:02Yeah.
32:02When they're like, we have a surprise.
32:05Right.
32:05You know, you sat through meetings all day long.
32:07But one more thing before you can go get drunk in your hotel room.
32:10That's.
32:11The comedian.
32:11Yes, the comedian.
32:13What's the most sort of hilarious or combative post joke encounter?
32:18Like, do you hear from an Ellen DeGeneres?
32:20Do you hear from a Theo Vaughn?
32:22Do you hear from a Ricky Gervais after the Globes?
32:25Look at that.
32:25I didn't hear from Theo, but he, there were some people representing his interests.
32:30And what do you hear from them?
32:32Well, I knew, like I, I deliberated that joke a long time.
32:36You know, like I, it's a very funny thing about making jokes about comics.
32:41Like there's this idea that, hey, you know, we're all family.
32:46Yeah.
32:46But the truth is, is that if part of the family is dictating culture, you know, 80% of it,
32:52or has that much cultural value, they become ripe for criticism.
32:58I mean, it's like, what are you going to avoid that?
33:00It's like avoiding any sort of big cultural movement or personality.
33:04But I really thought about the Theo thing.
33:06And I thought that if there's, if there's, if he's going to get upset about that joke, then he can
33:13go fuck himself.
33:15That like there is, that it just, to me, it was like, it's too funny.
33:18It was.
33:19Yep.
33:19It's just too funny.
33:20It was.
33:20And, you know, and I, I never heard from him, you know, but I heard a couple other comics where
33:25I was a little rough.
33:26I'm like, was it?
33:27It wasn't.
33:27It's not.
33:28It's just a roast.
33:29These guys are so sensitive though.
33:31There's another big comic that's very mad at me right now for something I had nothing to do with.
33:36And it's just sort of like, all right, the free speech thing is limited to not talking about them.
33:43I get defenders of colors.
33:45You do?
33:46Well, people look good in navy blue.
33:51It's good for everyone's skin tone.
33:52I was like, I'm sorry.
33:53During COVID, I did say I liked sugar in my cornbread and that caused a riff.
33:58Yeah.
33:58Among some women, but.
34:00Other than that, you're clear.
34:01Other than that, I'm okay.
34:02Sugar in my cornbread, that's not an expression.
34:05No, it's, no.
34:06It's really sugar in cornbread, which I like cornbread without sugar in it.
34:10I was just saying.
34:11I was born.
34:12It was COVID.
34:14People fought.
34:15I get a laugh stuff.
34:16It's awful.
34:16Made me feel sick.
34:18Yeah.
34:18I mean, politics.
34:19Yeah.
34:20I mean, of course, you know, MAGA, no.
34:23Yeah.
34:23I get cat stuff too.
34:25People who like, if I talk about cats, they're like, well, you're not a very good, like advice.
34:28If I talk about myself, my psychology, my cats, like people will be like, well, they have
34:35a lot of advice or they have, they're mad about how I'm doing things.
34:38And some of them are very smart people, but they believe that they have a relationship
34:43with you.
34:44And it's, I think, a fairly new phenomenon in terms of the extent to which it happens.
34:50But it's a little nerve wracking, especially if you don't have great personal boundaries.
34:56And then, you know, then all of a sudden you're spending your day going like, what did that
35:00woman named Estelle mean?
35:02Yeah.
35:02Oh, yeah.
35:03You know, like for a day, what does she know about how I treat my cats?
35:09How do they, how do they get into you?
35:10Is this comments that you're reading?
35:11Yeah, comments.
35:12Oh, dude.
35:12I try to stay away from, I try to stay away from all of them.
35:15But the only place that sometimes they get through, it's Instagrams, DMs, yeah.
35:19Oh, don't go there.
35:21No.
35:22When you're coming up and you're starting your Instagram, fans will write you and you're
35:26like, it's interactive.
35:27You're like, oh, great.
35:28Hey, how are you?
35:29And then you have about 200.
35:30And then you're Spirit Airlines and everyone's mad at you.
35:32You have like 200 fans that you started this relationship where you just back and forth.
35:37You did great on this.
35:38Thank you so much.
35:39Yeah, yeah, yeah.
35:39And you have to just continue this conversation because you look back and you go, well, I've
35:44been nice this whole time.
35:45If I drop off now, then they're going to say, she thinks she's too good for us now.
35:48So there's no more, but I have about 200 people that are constantly writing me.
35:52But the list is closed.
35:53It's closed.
35:54It's closed.
35:54Now I've done no more.
35:56Yeah, mine too.
35:56Because you can't.
35:57You can't do it.
35:58What are the places your audience won't go with you?
36:02Areas.
36:03Yeah.
36:03Or physically?
36:04Exactly.
36:06I meant material, but perhaps, yes, back to the hotel works as well.
36:10I have people that say, don't go Hollywood on us land.
36:13Interesting.
36:14And I think because I'm in the South and I appeal to, I'm sure, the middle of the country,
36:20I'm doing my dream and I know they want me to be successful and they want me to win
36:24and they like my series or they want me to do a special.
36:28So I don't know what that means.
36:29And I don't.
36:31I think maybe they mean like jokes about your agent or maybe they fear that they will no
36:40longer be able to relate.
36:41Yeah.
36:42Also, I think that Hollywood, you know, to some people implies a certain type of way of
36:49seeing the world.
36:50Sure.
36:51And politics is a place that you won't go or you haven't gone.
36:54I know.
36:55And I don't think anybody wants to know.
36:57I don't.
36:59Bleep, bleep, bleep, bleep.
37:00Right, right, right.
37:01My algorithm, if y'all saw my algorithm, it's supplements, collagen, magnesium, something
37:07to help me sleep, grandbaby toys, like, you know, Hot Wheels.
37:11I don't think that I'm qualified to weigh in on politics.
37:17And I think that's great if people can.
37:20I am not.
37:21Nobody wants to know.
37:23I don't know what I think, you know, half the time.
37:26Wanda, you obviously do lean into politics, certainly with this hour and many before.
37:30Is there anyone in your life who's telling you to maybe sort of dial it back out of fear
37:35for you?
37:37Uh, my, my mom.
37:39Yeah.
37:39My mom, she's like, Wanda, I'm just concerned with, you know, people out here so mean and
37:45hurtful.
37:46And I'm like, Mom, it's good.
37:47And then when, you know, that awful, you know, kidnapping of, we don't know what happened
37:52with Savannah Guthrie's mom.
37:54Yep.
37:54My mom was like, hey, look, you know, you out here saying stuff.
37:58I'm like, Mom, no one is going to take you.
38:01You're fine.
38:02She's like, I'm like, wait a minute, Mom, you really think.
38:05No, no, you're safe.
38:08You're good.
38:09Oh.
38:09But yeah, she, she does, she does worry.
38:13But for me, I don't think about like not going someplace.
38:17My, my fans or whatever, my audience, they just want to make sure it's, it's funny.
38:23Like I can't go out there and just be preachy and ranting without it being funny.
38:28Yeah.
38:28I think if you come up with something and it's funny, they'll go with it.
38:32But see, it's exciting though, too, when you talk about what you talk about and sometimes
38:35with what I do.
38:36It's like, there is this, like, it's challenge, there's a line you have to ride.
38:40And it's, it's like, I get off on it.
38:42And I imagine you do too.
38:43It's balancing how, how are you going to make it fun?
38:46Do you know where the line is?
38:47Oh yeah, of course.
38:48And have you stepped over it?
38:50Yeah.
38:50In terms of being like, I was very decisive about this special with panicked in terms
38:55of the tone that I started it in.
38:57Cause like going into the special a few weeks before it, you know, there was a more of a,
39:01of, of a kind of a, it was a little more swaggery and a little more, a little more self
39:07-righteous
39:08in a way.
39:08And then I was like, don't even do it.
39:10Just go way under it and just throw it away.
39:14So, you know, cause I don't want, I don't like being self-righteous.
39:17I don't really like self-righteous people.
39:18And I'd certainly, I think the left took a lot of hits during this special, but there
39:22is a balance with all this stuff that that's part of the challenge.
39:25It makes it exciting.
39:27And my dad's weird with this stuff too.
39:29My dad for a long time was like, man, maybe don't tell him you're Jewish.
39:32And I'm like, I think that cat's out of the bag.
39:34I think that the Jew thing is.
39:36At what point in your career was that?
39:38A couple of weeks ago.
39:42It's an ongoing thing with the Jewish thing.
39:45Chris Rock recently wrote in, in Nikki's Time 100 essay.
39:49The thing I love about Nikki Glaser is she has the decency to be scared.
39:52For anyone with an answer, what scares you in comedy today or as a comic today?
39:57The fact that it's looking like at one point very soon, only like three people will own
40:02all of media and how often very like eagle eye.
40:12I don't know.
40:12The big brother of it all.
40:14Right.
40:14It's starting to like.
40:16How's it going to diminish?
40:17How is it going to diminish what we are able to say?
40:20Yeah.
40:20If only a couple of people are owning not only what's on TV, what's on our phone screens,
40:27the, the news that people watch, the algorithm that like the children of the people that are
40:32watching the news are like scrolling through and like how the interest of the, it's, I
40:37think it would, it's naive.
40:38It's naive to think like, oh, well, like there's always been people that own media, but it's
40:44like, right.
40:45But there's been several people that own media, not just a couple.
40:50And I think that that is increasingly, I don't know if it's scary yet, but definitely like
40:59something that I.
41:00Don't worry about.
41:01Yeah.
41:02Also like Googling, like who owns this?
41:04And it's like, oh, it's the person who owns this and this and this and this and this.
41:09Right.
41:09And then when you start dealing with real censorship, corporate censorship that is supported by
41:14state.
41:15Yeah.
41:15That the, the idea of actual state censorship becomes a reality.
41:21Right.
41:21Yeah, yeah, yeah.
41:22And it's like, right.
41:23If they're aligned politically, the corporations that own everything are acting on behalf of
41:29the political powers that be, then all of a sudden you're living in not a very free
41:34country.
41:36Yeah.
41:36Yeah.
41:36I mean that like.
41:38That's how I frame it.
41:39It's happening with all media.
41:41Yeah.
41:41Totally.
41:41Streaming.
41:42Magazines.
41:45It's everything.
41:46Where are you getting your magazines?
41:48Is that right?
41:49No, but by magazines I mean like.
41:51Yeah, yeah, yeah.
41:51Yeah, yeah.
41:53But some people respond to jokes as if you're just saying a thing.
41:56Uh huh.
41:56And it's really annoying.
41:58They're sort of like, well I don't really believe that.
42:00I'm like, good, because it's a fucking joke stupid.
42:02Yeah.
42:02Yeah.
42:03That worries me.
42:04That kind of stuff.
42:05Yep.
42:05It can worry me.
42:06Like people taking things literally.
42:08Yeah.
42:09Yeah.
42:09Yeah.
42:09Mad at you.
42:10And then when people were getting canceled, that worried me.
42:12And I thought, if I ever said anything that I don't think I have.
42:16Yeah.
42:16I mean, I'm talking about doo doo on a t-ball field.
42:18I don't think I've said it.
42:20But you know, that was a scary time.
42:22Sure.
42:22But I think that we're past that, aren't we?
42:25I don't think we're past it, but I, and I used to struggle with that too.
42:28But now I just think about, if I got canceled, I would think like, if I hurt someone's feelings
42:33and really did something wrong, I would apologize for it.
42:35I know I'm a good person that would do that.
42:37Mm-hmm.
42:38And then beyond that, I can't really do anything.
42:41So it's out of my hands.
42:42And then you look at yourself, if you're not a bad person who's operating in evil ways,
42:46and you get canceled, it's not your fault.
42:48I just look at it as like, I can't control it.
42:50It's just like, it just happened to me.
42:52Right.
42:52And I feel like I've already like, run through how it would happen.
42:56Playing it all out.
42:57But I think that fear that I always have is just like, high pressure situations of like,
43:01filming a special or doing a live TV event or just being terrified to do this thing
43:06where the stakes are so high that it could go really wrong.
43:09And I think that's, that's how I feel like I get my self-esteem is from doing things that
43:14are hard and like being done with things is when I feel good.
43:17Didn't you, the sort of adrenaline rush is something that you look for.
43:21Like, I feel like I remember listening to you talk about, I don't know when exactly
43:24in your career this was, but that you like, you'd sometimes like smoke weed before a show
43:28just for-
43:29Yeah, to get anxiety.
43:30I like, I like feeling like, oh shit.
43:33Like I, I would, I would get-
43:34Still?
43:35Yeah, I do.
43:36I think I've, that's why I like pot.
43:38You feel like that fuels you?
43:39Like, it makes me get anxious.
43:41I like feeling anxious.
43:42Oh boy.
43:42It makes me work and act and, and it motivates me.
43:46And so I think that's why I like doing, I'm so grateful people don't like doing live
43:50hosting gigs.
43:51Like it's not a gig that a lot of people want because I, I like it.
43:54Cause first of all, no edit.
43:55I don't have to watch myself.
43:56I'm done.
43:57I like having something.
43:59That's why I like live standup.
44:00You're just done.
44:00I don't have to like go think of like, you know, obviously you go over your stuff and
44:03you think about it.
44:04I don't have to review anything.
44:05It's, it's quick.
44:07And that's what I like about it.
44:08But yeah, I think that's, I like feeling that kind of fear.
44:11And just getting off of autopilot, I think is what you're referring to.
44:15I'm just like, and it could go so wrong right now.
44:17I could say anything and it's live.
44:19It's like that kind of rush.
44:21When, when she said the thing about pot, you immediately were like, Oh, I, there's
44:25no way in the world I could go on stage.
44:27I don't do it anymore, but.
44:29You know, with a little weed, you know, I, I'll have like a glass, not even a glass,
44:34you know, a little sips of wine or something or.
44:36Me too.
44:37Before a show, just because I just like wine.
44:39It's not, you know, getting anything out of like, Ooh, you know, wine.
44:43But I think for me, for what I, what scares me is complacency.
44:46Oh, interesting.
44:47Because to me, I feel like, you know, sometimes, you know, I'm on and I'm, you know,
44:52going in on something, maybe a social issue, a political issue.
44:56You can feel the audience like, okay, come on.
44:58I just want to laugh now.
45:00I just want to laugh about something silly, you know, talk about sex or something.
45:04Cause I just want to, they want to go there where it's like, Oh, you guys are giving up already.
45:09You know, it's.
45:09Yeah.
45:10You know.
45:10So now I, I'm really, I, I, I can't like really mind a topic.
45:18You got to get in, take the top two beats on that.
45:22And then.
45:23Cause the attention span.
45:25I've had people walk out.
45:26Like you said, like 10 minutes.
45:28And I'm like, Oh, these are Trump supporters.
45:30I'm like, guys, if you walk out now, I'm like, if you, I always say that.
45:34Like you guys would just make poor decisions.
45:36You really, you're just, just suck at your choices.
45:39You're just, you're here.
45:40You just suck.
45:41It wasn't free.
45:42Yeah.
45:42And it's like, so look.
45:44Across the board.
45:45Across the board.
45:45You just suck.
45:46Just awful.
45:47So.
45:48And I always tell them as they walk, I said, look, if you just waited out five more
45:52minutes, you're going to miss some sweet dick jokes.
45:55Sometimes they'll come back, whatever, you know, fine.
45:59We'll come back.
46:01They shuffle back into their seat.
46:02I just started to realize this.
46:04Like, I never think I'm saying anything offensive to anybody.
46:09Could not.
46:10Yeah.
46:11And, and, but like, I did a joke not long ago where, you know, a dude got up and was
46:17like, you're a dick.
46:19Fuck you.
46:20And he walked out.
46:22And, and really my first feelings were like, you know, that kind of hurts my feelings.
46:27I did a lot of work on that joke.
46:29But when I look at the joke, it's like, there's no way that was, no, it was going to be
46:34offensive
46:34to somebody.
46:35Right.
46:36But I think that's an interesting thing that you said, because I feel that too, that I
46:38think people think comedians like to be offensive and like to shock people.
46:42And I think I've even said that before.
46:44Some of them do.
46:44I, but even though I've said that before, I don't really want people to be uncomfortable
46:50or like, I want to challenge people and make them maybe think a different way, but I don't
46:54want people to feel sad about this, the thing that they are ever.
46:58But I think sometimes people think comedians really like that.
47:01Like I'm going to make you all sweat tonight and be so uncomfortable.
47:04It's going to get so awkward.
47:05And it's just, I'm going to, I never want that feeling.
47:09It makes me deeply uncomfortable to think that anyone's uncomfortable.
47:12Yeah.
47:12Yeah.
47:13Julio, you've attempted to make sense of the world using color as a tool.
47:17Right?
47:18Mm-hmm.
47:18So I want to do a little exercise.
47:20Yes.
47:20What color would you assign the experience of being at this round table?
47:31Um, I think it's, I think it's, I think it's been green.
47:34Oh.
47:35Oh, that's good.
47:36Yeah.
47:36I think it's green.
47:37There is a, you know, a media corporate element to it.
47:40No.
47:41Yep.
47:41There's a crew.
47:42There's, it's a professional setting.
47:44It's blue.
47:45Um, but there's joy.
47:46It's yellow.
47:47So it's, it's green.
47:48And what about some of the people here?
47:52Oh, go one.
47:53Oh, no.
47:54You don't have to go one by one.
47:55You don't have to go one by one, but like Leanne feels like.
47:59Well, there's something very lavender, I think.
48:01I knew you were going to say that.
48:02Right?
48:03I think I'm pretty in lavender.
48:05Yeah, there you go.
48:05And I think that aubergine is my color too.
48:08I mean, woman told me that one time.
48:10But I don't know.
48:11Do I seem, what, with my color?
48:14What do you think?
48:15I think, I think it's lavender.
48:17I think it's lavender.
48:17Define lavender for those who don't know.
48:19Oh, um, uh, it is, it has like the spice of purple, but it's, it's, it's sweeter and more accessible.
48:30Oh, you angel from heaven.
48:32There you go.
48:33She's pleased.
48:34I am so tickled.
48:37All right.
48:37We're going to end on a lightning.
48:39Did you do me?
48:39Did you do me?
48:40Gold, gold, gold, gold.
48:42I was dying to ask you all day.
48:43I'm sorry.
48:44Okay, good.
48:44Gold, sparkly, sparkly, sparkly.
48:46Oh, that's so nice.
48:48It's so fun.
48:48You need to deal with Party City.
48:50For your own Halloween costume.
48:52With a bachelorette party line.
48:55Ooh.
48:55With Party City.
48:57Yes.
48:58Yeah.
48:59Let's make more trash in the world.
49:01Let's make more landfill material.
49:04I didn't even think of that, a bachelorette.
49:06That is.
49:06Yeah.
49:08I think like, yeah, a bachelorette line.
49:10Mm-hmm.
49:11The Nikki Glaser bachelorette line.
49:12Oh, wow.
49:12Like penis straw stuff?
49:13Yeah, like all of it.
49:15Okay, great.
49:15Penis hat?
49:16All right.
49:16Penis hats?
49:17Penis hat.
49:19Labia.
49:20What happens at a bachelorette?
49:22I've been in comedy clubs where they've whipped each other with big penis balloons.
49:27During your act?
49:28Yeah.
49:28Then you say guys put it out with the penis balloons.
49:30I said, and Joey, it was girls, and I go, you're gonna love that nail, but one day
49:35you're not going to.
49:37That's not gonna mean a thing.
49:38Do you just whip each other with it nail?
49:40Y'all enjoy it?
49:42Yeah.
49:42You know, and I don't wanna think.
49:43Have your laugh now.
49:44Yeah.
49:45What's a compliment or critique from another comic that stayed with you?
49:48I really like that persona you do, which I wasn't aware I was doing one, but then
49:55I was like, oh, I, cause it was like, oh, I really like that persona that is sort
50:00of like reading everything from a notebook, and I was like, oh, that's just cause I can't
50:05remember my jokes.
50:07But I liked that there was like a level of artifice that they were picking up on.
50:13Oh.
50:13Sure.
50:14So I was like, okay, yeah, I can keep leaning into this.
50:19It felt like good feedback.
50:20Yeah.
50:20And you had never thought of your performance in that way?
50:23No, I was like, oh, now it's my time to go do the thing.
50:26And then I was doing the thing.
50:28It unlocked something.
50:30Anyone else have one?
50:30Yeah.
50:31Anytime a comic says that they liked a joke of mine and they meant it, cause it's not
50:35easy to get.
50:36There's no reason comics are gonna just volunteer that.
50:39Yeah.
50:39So anytime a comic says I like that bit or that's a good bit, I'm thrilled.
50:43Yeah.
50:44Eddie Murphy told me I was funny.
50:45Oh.
50:46That's a good one.
50:47Oh my God.
50:49When in your career?
50:50This was early.
50:52This was early.
50:53Oh, great boost.
50:54Yeah.
50:54I was on the Chris Rock show as a writer, but also.
50:57Yeah.
50:58Performing.
50:59Yeah.
51:00And he's like, yeah, I know you.
51:02You're very funny.
51:03And I was like.
51:03Oh, that's wonderful.
51:04Okay.
51:05Yeah.
51:05That kind of stayed with me.
51:07I think because I've lived in Knoxville, Tennessee and raised these children, when I
51:13got nods from people that I've admired, you know, big names that I was, you know, in LA
51:21and New York, that meant the world to me, because I was kind of just out there on my
51:26own.
51:28And it did.
51:29It felt like that.
51:30And it's been, that's been wonderful.
51:32And feeling like, you know, after 27 years that, you know, that somebody cares and thinks
51:37that I've, you know, I'm an artist.
51:40Yep.
51:40That meant a lot to me.
51:41I just told Wanda before we started, but she, at the Golden Globe, she was presenting
51:46and she took the time before she started presenting to say, isn't Nikki doing a great
51:50job hosting tonight?
51:51And I was backstage in a quick change and I'm like, did she just say my name?
51:55It was so, it was just so nice.
51:57And obviously Wanda, her opinion means everything.
52:02So it just was like, it was just, and when people like that go out of their way to just
52:09do something kind like that and throw you a bone in front of all of these people, that's
52:13kind of unprecedented.
52:14To me, that was like, just showed her character and really stood out to me of like the kind
52:18of person I want to be in this business and give people their props.
52:21And then I will say another one that I remember was I was working in Tahoe with, who's the
52:27Bulldog?
52:28What's his name?
52:29Oh, Bobby.
52:31Bobby Slayton.
52:32Bobby Slayton.
52:32Yeah.
52:33He, I was featuring for him and I walked by him to walk on stage.
52:35He goes, oh my God.
52:38Oh God.
52:39Too much perfume.
52:40What the hell?
52:42And I've never worn perfume again.
52:44Ever.
52:45Ever.
52:45It was the first time I had ever done it.
52:47I had a Paris Hilton one that I had gotten at TJ Maxx.
52:50And it might've just been the fragrance, but I probably sprayed too much, but I will never,
52:53I will never spray perfume again.
52:55I'm so scared of it because he shamed me so hard.
52:57He was like, that is horrible.
52:59What was the name of the Paris Hilton fragrance?
53:00It was, it was, I remember.
53:01Gossip.
53:02No, you know what?
53:02It was Britney Spears.
53:03It was Britney Spears purple.
53:05It was purple.
53:06Britney Spears.
53:07I forget the one, but I, but it was the last perfume I owned.
53:09I love guessing the name of celebrity perfumes.
53:11Oh my God.
53:12Love guessing, like say a pop star and try to guess what the perfume name is.
53:17Katy Perry.
53:17We'll play it later.
53:18Katy Perry.
53:19I mean, we can all, we can all guess.
53:22Firework.
53:22Roar.
53:23I was, I was thinking roar.
53:24Yeah.
53:26Sparkle.
53:27No sparkle.
53:27She wouldn't say sparkle.
53:28She wants to imply sparkle, but not say it.
53:30Yes.
53:31Yes.
53:32Insufferable.
53:35Thank you all for being here and doing this.
53:48We are welcome.
54:00You are welcome.
54:03We don't believe that growing.
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