Anthony Jeselnik

Date: 2019-04-29 | Duration: 2h 14m

Category: Comedy

Episode Overview

Anthony Jeselnik joins Joe Rogan for a deep dive into the craft and challenges of stand-up comedy. Jeselnik reflects on his early days in Boston, describing the grind of open mics and the importance of mastering comedic rules to build confidence on stage. He shares candid insights about developing a unique comedic voice, emphasizing the value of tight writing and the discipline required to create a successful hour-long special. Jeselnik also discusses the contrast between roasting and traditional stand-up, highlighting how roasting sharpens quick wit and timing but doesn’t always translate to a full set. The conversation shifts to Jeselnik’s personal experiences with substances, including his late introduction to marijuana and his avoidance of amphetamines, revealing how these choices impact his creative process. He also touches on the comedy scene’s evolution, noting how platforms like YouTube have changed the landscape and how younger comedians often lack the life experience that shapes compelling material. Jeselnik shares memorable stories from touring, including the varied audience reactions across different cities and countries, and reflects on the importance of staying true to one’s comedic style amid industry pressures. Throughout, his dark, unapologetic humor and sharp observations provide a compelling look at the life of a modern stand-up comedian.

About Anthony Jeselnik

Anthony Jeselnik is a renowned comedian, writer, actor, and producer, celebrated for his dark humor and sharp wit. He gained widespread recognition with his Netflix special "Anthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward," which showcases his unique comedic style that often pushes boundaries. Jeselnik's standout achievements include his critically acclaimed Comedy Central shows, "The Jeselnik Offensive," and numerous appearances on late-night talk shows, where his fearless approach to comedy has garnered both admiration and controversy. Known for his meticulously crafted jokes and deadpan delivery, he captivates audiences with his ability to tackle taboo subjects with audacity, making him one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary stand-up comedy.

Key Moments

– Stand-up Comedy
– Comedy Specials
– Comedy Writing
– Comedy Festivals
– Comedy Tours
– Open Mic Culture
– Comedy Influences
– Comedy Industry
– Comedy Style
– Comedy Clubs
– Comedy Podcasts
– Drug Use in Comedy
– Comedy and Mental Health
– Comedy Performance Anxiety
– Comedy Audiences
– Comedy Career Development
– Comedy and Social Issues
– Comedy and Relationships
– Comedy and Technology
– Comedy and Culture
0:00:00 – Introduction and opening remarks
0:02:06 – Announcement of new comedy special release
0:03:27 – Reflection on building a 40-minute set
0:07:15 – Discussion of 17 years in comedy
0:09:50 – Experience after taking a comedy class
0:12:11 – Challenges with open mic community
0:14:20 – Memories of performing on the Tonight Show
0:17:02 – After party social dynamics
0:18:38 – Substance use and preferences
0:20:15 – Taking comedians on the road and pot use
0:23:58 – Story about Damon and 90s comedy scene
0:26:27 – Comedy battles and punchline exchanges
0:28:54 – Secret comedians' bar culture
0:31:50 – Sold-out shows and audience demand
0:34:12 – Roast battles versus regular sets
0:36:11 – Influence of Jerry Seinfeld
0:38:08 – Performing for a small audience
0:40:43 – Online content and its impact
0:43:10 – Importance of material structure
0:46:51 – Men's rights activism discussion
0:48:00 – Relationships with successful people
0:51:40 – Chimpanzee hunting behavior story
0:54:31 – Investing and personal finance
0:55:06 – Jealousy after breakups
0:57:23 – High school sweethearts and marriage
1:00:32 – Watching stand-up and material influence
1:04:09 – Comedians preaching to fan bases
1:08:28 – Correspondents dinner as star-making event
1:12:38 – Different paths to comedy success
1:14:22 – Advice on performing in smaller rooms
1:18:55 – Starting out in comedy reflections
1:24:32 – Seinfeld's use of old material
1:26:16 – Comedy festival experiences
1:28:44 – Criticism of young, inexperienced comedians
1:32:24 – Variety of comedy styles in shows
1:38:14 – European comedy tour experiences
1:42:05 – Discussion about space junk and satellites
1:44:53 – Decline of physical newspapers
1:48:23 – Comparison to Sam Kinison's career
1:52:59 – Open carry gun laws and safety
1:56:36 – Gun violence and mass attacks discussion
2:00:29 – Cultural differences in humility and loneliness
2:05:14 – Jiu-jitsu school and happiness
2:08:07 – Writing comedy in authentic voice
2:10:50 – Closing remarks and gratitude

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Two, one, yee-haw! Starting point is 00:00:14 Or are you going to just trim? Do you trim a little? Starting point is 00:00:45 and my lip would start to get a little bit sweaty. Starting point is 00:00:58 So I don't get more anxious. Starting point is 00:01:20 on stage there's always a booger check but i i'm so uh animated and i'm always Starting point is 00:02:06 new comedy special comes out tonight i hear yep this evening midnight i guess netflix does it Starting point is 00:02:48 to get out of the house you're not trying to get better there's a little of that yeah yeah it's Starting point is 00:03:27 And then at the end of that year, I had about 40 minutes. Starting point is 00:03:48 The idea of a four-year plan sounds a little bit nicer. Starting point is 00:04:13 It's like, you know those guys, like, when I started out in Boston, Starting point is 00:04:45 You know what I mean? Starting point is 00:04:55 It sucks. Starting point is 00:05:12 And you can obviously tell. Starting point is 00:05:25 He's an actual audio guy. Starting point is 00:05:37 Yeah. Starting point is 00:06:01 Like, like we would explain the rules to them, like very specifically, and they would have to read these rules and it took a long time but then like Starting point is 00:06:31 Yeah. Starting point is 00:06:40 No, I didn't like it. Starting point is 00:07:06 Oh, absolutely. Starting point is 00:07:15 Almost 17 years. Starting point is 00:07:26 And I had it in my head that, like, 20 was an important number. Starting point is 00:07:45 been doing it 11 years all right i buy it you know when someone says six years i'm like good luck Starting point is 00:08:35 run this is the same with stand-up for whatever reason it seems so fucking easy when you're Starting point is 00:08:57 Yeah, you could. Starting point is 00:09:06 did you really? Starting point is 00:09:13 Greg Dean Starting point is 00:09:21 and I just found Starting point is 00:09:50 But after the class, you ...

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Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1286?

Anthony Jeselnik was the guest on JRE #1286. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1286?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1286 with Anthony Jeselnik, topics include Stand-up Comedy, Comedy Specials, Comedy Writing, and Comedy Festivals.

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