Doug Benson

Date: 2011-11-16 | Duration: 2h 47m

Category: Comedy

Episode Overview

Comedian Doug Benson joins Joe Rogan for a wide-ranging conversation that touches on the challenges and quirks of life on the road as a touring stand-up. Doug shares stories about the grind of constant travel, dealing with unpredictable crowds, and the blur of airports, hotels, and late-night gigs. He reflects on the unique difficulties of performing in places like Atlantic City, highlighting the tension between the city’s dangerous surroundings and the comedy scene. The discussion also delves into the camaraderie among comedians, with anecdotes about fellow comics like Bobby Kelly and Doug Stanhope, illustrating the supportive yet competitive nature of the comedy world. The episode also explores Doug’s passion for vintage video games, with nostalgic tales about classics like Dragon’s Lair and Robotron. He describes the immersive experience of these early interactive movies and the social aspect of LAN parties, emphasizing how gaming shaped his downtime between shows. Health and lifestyle come up as well, with Doug and Joe discussing diet, marijuana use, and the balance of self-care amid a demanding career. Throughout, Doug’s laid-back humor and candid reflections provide insight into the life of a working comedian navigating fame, creativity, and the everyday absurdities of modern life.

About Doug Benson

Doug Benson is a celebrated stand-up comedian, actor, and podcast host, renowned for his comedic take on pop culture and his love of cannabis. He gained prominence with his cult classic film "Super High Me," which humorously explores the effects of marijuana on his life and career, and has been a fixture in the comedy scene with his popular podcasts, including "Doug Loves Movies." Known for his sharp wit and engaging storytelling, Doug has won the hearts of audiences and fellow comedians alike, making him a distinctive voice in both the comedy world and cannabis advocacy. His appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast showcases his unique perspective and humor, further solidifying his status as a beloved figure in entertainment.

Key Moments

– Stand-up Comedy
– Podcasting
– Video Games
– Social Media
– Drug Culture
– Mental Health
– Urban Development
– Law Enforcement
– Child Protection
– Technology
– Addiction
– Live Performance
– Comedy Touring
– Crowd Dynamics
– Personal Relationships
– Health and Wellness
– Environmental Issues
– Political Activism
– Music Culture
0:00:00 – Introduction and podcast opening banter
0:05:46 – Discussion of stressful touring experiences
0:07:28 – Challenges of performing in Atlantic City
0:11:18 – Urban decay and blockbusting effects
0:14:04 – Economic impact of resource conservation
0:17:44 – Bloomberg's policies and public safety concerns
0:22:37 – Nostalgia for classic video games and arcades
0:27:15 – Laserdisc technology in animated movies
0:33:43 – LAN parties and gaming culture
0:36:28 – Gambling and illegal activities anecdotes
0:39:22 – Learning to play pool and competition dynamics
0:41:53 – The role of ego in artistic creation
0:45:21 – Stories about fellow comedians and their styles
0:49:45 – Doug Benson's generosity and kindness
0:53:11 – Value of entertainers creating friendships
0:58:27 – Recollection of childhood memories and risks
1:06:20 – Children zoning out and technology distractions
1:09:12 – Internet's impact on attention and stimulation
1:13:05 – Humorous discussion on sexual topics
1:17:55 – Benefits of vegetable-rich diets and smoothies
1:20:45 – Frog species and wildlife anecdotes
1:22:42 – Discussion of hallucinogens and pronunciation quirks
1:24:30 – Social media behavior and retweet culture
1:26:39 – Petition effectiveness and online activism
1:29:24 – Blackwater controversy and military topics
1:31:19 – Police encounters and job perspectives
1:33:35 – Protests and use of flash bombs
1:35:28 – Corporate donations to police and ethics
1:36:59 – Support for soldiers and military service
1:38:11 – Peak oil crisis and troop movements
1:40:11 – Toronto's urban development and challenges
1:41:56 – UFC event technology and fan experience
1:43:12 – Canadian city culture and accents
1:45:06 – Winter clothing preferences and travel stories
1:46:07 – Marijuana's influence on culture and media
1:49:17 – Glitches in the matrix and cannabis effects
1:51:22 – Pot use and driving safety concerns
1:54:33 – Technological distractions and headphone use
1:57:25 – Time spent playing poker and gaming habits
2:00:16 – Online chess and competitive gaming
2:02:34 – Social media interactions and direct messaging
2:06:31 – Online harassment and social media challenges
2:10:01 – Welcoming new social media followers
2:12:26 – Celebrity anecdotes and humor
2:15:04 – Discussion of child protection and abuse allegations
2:18:07 – Media coverage and public reactions to scandals
2:20:31 – Effectiveness of child predator investigations
2:21:34 – Sting operations and law enforcement strategies
2:23:01 – Weekend plans and personal schedules
2:25:35 – Upcoming comedy shows and tour dates
2:28:00 – Challenges of performing multiple shows in one day
2:30:55 – Money laundering rumors and club experiences
2:33:43 – Combining passions: comedy and other interests
2:39:31 – Podcasting's impact on personal expression
2:40:43 – Gratitude for marijuana and health supplements
2:42:33 – Announcement of Doug Benson's upcoming appearance

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Train by day, Joe Rogan podcast by night, all day. Starting point is 00:00:20 Are you? Starting point is 00:00:31 It's supposed to turn green. Starting point is 00:00:52 What does that mean? Starting point is 00:01:12 That's too fucking boring. Starting point is 00:01:27 Just tell them, I'm giving you more, fucker. Starting point is 00:01:37 Everyone's saying whatever they want about the product. Starting point is 00:02:17 fuck yeah that's pretty brutal what a disaster you know because human bites are like dangerous Starting point is 00:02:47 Probably. Starting point is 00:02:54 It's like delicious bread. Starting point is 00:03:02 It's just that men are talking about it. Starting point is 00:03:18 It's got to be a tough thing to take care of, you know? Starting point is 00:03:53 those loads make people it's really no big deal for us they have a human making machine inside Starting point is 00:04:31 No. Starting point is 00:04:45 I just sort of... Starting point is 00:05:01 and Bobby Kelly... Starting point is 00:05:29 Yeah. Starting point is 00:05:46 He hurt his knee. Starting point is 00:05:56 But those guys, that had to be really stressful to go on the road. Starting point is 00:06:23 It wasn't really like a good, it wasn't a really well- sort of a such a blur too like I don't remember anything like I Starting point is 00:06:53 It starts to blur together for sure, the hotels and the airlines and the airports. Starting point is 00:07:28 Sometimes you get a bad crowd. Starting point is 00:07:45 Yeah. Yeah, Atlantic City is a tricky place. Starting point is 00:07:56 There's a lot of old people. Starting point is 00:08:27 atlantic city is essentially surrounded by dangerous cities you know vegas is essentially Starting point is 00:08:54 Atlantic City that are filled with Starting point is 00:09:11 Stop killing Starting point is 00:09:28 It's just, you know, it's not really helping. Starting point is 00:09:45 I lived there when I was a littl...

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #158?

Doug Benson was the guest on JRE #158. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #158?

On Joe Rogan Experience #158 with Doug Benson, topics include Stand-up Comedy, Podcasting, Video Games, and Social Media.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #158?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #158 with Doug Benson is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.