Earthquake

Date: 2022-02-26 | Duration: 2h 10m

Category: Comedy

Episode Overview

Comedian Earthquake dives into his journey from growing up in Southeast Washington, D.C., to becoming a polished headliner with his own comedy club, Uptown Comedy Corner. He shares how running a club helped him sharpen his craft by performing nightly and working through material on stage. Earthquake reflects on the importance of constant practice and how capturing the energy of live shows shapes his specials. He also discusses the influence of legendary comics like Bill Hicks and the value of honing jokes through repetition rather than rigid scripting. The conversation touches on Earthquake’s transition from the Air Force to comedy, revealing how his early experiences in a segregated city shaped his perspective and comedic voice. He opens up about the challenges of breaking into television, including development deals and navigating industry expectations while maintaining authenticity. Earthquake emphasizes the significance of owning one’s style and staying true to the craft, highlighting how he avoids watching other comedians to preserve his originality. Towards the end, Earthquake talks about the evolving comedy landscape, including the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, where his latest special debuted. He praises the freedom these platforms offer performers and shares insights on staying hungry and sharp even after years of success. The episode offers a candid look at the discipline, resilience, and passion behind Earthquake’s enduring career in stand-up comedy.

About Earthquake

Earthquake is a dynamic standup comedian, actor, and radio personality known for his infectious humor and larger-than-life personality. As the host of "Quakeshouse" on SiriusXM and Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud Network, he has captivated audiences with his unique storytelling and relatable wit. Earthquake's talent reached new heights with the release of his highly anticipated Netflix comedy special, "Earthquake: Legendary," set to premiere on February 28. His ability to blend personal experiences with sharp social commentary makes him a standout figure in the comedy scene, ensuring that his performances resonate with fans and newcomers alike. With a career spanning decades, Earthquake continues to push boundaries and entertain audiences across multiple platforms, solidifying his status as a true comedic force.

Key Moments

– Stand-up Comedy
– Comedy Clubs
– Comedy Specials
– Comedy Writing
– Comedy Touring
– Comedy Industry
– Comedy Performance
– Comedy Career Development
– Comedy Influences
– Comedy Recording
– Comedy Audience Interaction
– Comedy Business
– Comedy Podcasting
– Comedy Authenticity
– Comedy Preparation
– Comedy Legacy
– Comedy Collaboration
– Comedy Culture
– Comedy Resilience
0:00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest
0:01:11 – Discussion on being one of the best comics alive
0:04:56 – Reflections on headlining and act polishing
0:08:34 – Story about owning Uptown Comedy Corner club
0:11:09 – Taping every show but rarely watching them
0:15:38 – Talking about Bill Hicks' special Relentless
0:20:10 – Working out new material quickly
0:21:13 – Guest's Air Force background and comedy start
0:24:07 – Receiving $500 for a weekend gig
0:26:32 – Origin of the stage name Earthquake
0:28:51 – Recommendation of Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers book
0:31:20 – Starting a comedy club in Buckhead
0:34:23 – Finding a top plastic surgeon investor in Atlanta
0:39:30 – Discussion on Steve Harvey's freedom to speak his mind
0:42:41 – Keeping comedy fresh by not watching other comics
0:46:09 – Mention of notable comedians like Dave Attell and Tony Woods
0:53:06 – Performing after Martin Lawrence in the 90s
0:56:00 – Importance of having fun on stage
0:58:19 – Discussion of the carnivore diet
1:04:27 – Buying a firehouse for a new comedy venue
1:07:38 – Building confidence through auditions
1:10:15 – Moving to LA in 1994 for sitcom opportunities
1:14:23 – No right way to do comedy, authenticity emphasized
1:18:30 – Deep conversation about personal struggles
1:21:25 – Producers' brilliance on News Radio
1:26:22 – Impact of Living Color on comedy career
1:28:39 – Typecasting challenges in acting
1:31:18 – Making it big in comedy
1:46:31 – Desire to be on CBS and industry challenges
1:50:04 – Protecting artists and respecting comedy culture
1:53:31 – Freedom to be authentic in comedy
1:54:55 – HBO and Netflix as platforms for comedy
1:57:59 – Praise for the guest's comedy special
2:00:01 – Exceptional writing ability in comedy
2:01:52 – Achievements and staying hungry in comedy
2:02:14 – Show on Kevin Hart's platform
2:04:22 – Podcasting as a major comedy outlet
2:06:20 – Announcement of Netflix special release date

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Joe Rogan Experience. Starting point is 00:00:18 My pleasure. Starting point is 00:00:32 It's like, you know, sometimes someone does a special and it's like, it's better seeing them live, but you captured it. Starting point is 00:01:11 You're one of the best comics alive. Starting point is 00:01:29 Yes, and, you know, I hope that you know it. Starting point is 00:01:47 or bad that I had 2,000. Starting point is 00:02:00 And I have achieved that. Starting point is 00:02:15 I'm saying I've been the bridesmaid for so long Starting point is 00:02:41 so that's what I'm looking for. Starting point is 00:02:58 everybody's like, oh, shit, where is he at in the lineup? Starting point is 00:03:16 that you get when you're on the road and you're Starting point is 00:03:29 You know what I mean? Starting point is 00:03:57 And that's the key to me. Starting point is 00:04:22 to the shows that I do in town. Starting point is 00:04:41 and you don't realize how much time Starting point is 00:04:56 but I would see these guys that were so smooth Starting point is 00:05:14 You get to that when you're headlining constantly and your act is just so polished. Starting point is 00:05:27 Yeah. Starting point is 00:05:35 You know what I mean? Starting point is 00:05:46 Yeah, that's the sweet spot. Starting point is 00:05:56 I'm from Washington, D.C., southeast D.C. Starting point is 00:06:13 Yes. The other guy that Starting point is 00:06:29 Yes. Starting point is 00:06:45 and it's beautiful Starting point is 00:07:01 concept and elaborate Starting point is 00:07:28 because I see it in my mind, and then I just, Starting point is 00:07:43 I take everything, like this special, I'm not gonna talk about I take everything like this special Starting point is 00:08:21 point on and just elaborate all the way through. And you just work it out on stage? Starting point is 00:08:34 See, I had my own comedy club, and it was the Uptown Comedy Corner, and the comedy act Startin...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1785?

Earthquake was the guest on JRE #1785. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1785?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1785 with Earthquake, topics include Stand-up Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comedy Specials, and Comedy Writing.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1785?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1785 with Earthquake is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.