Greg Fitzsimmons

Date: 2012-02-29 | Duration: 2h 58m

Category: Comedy

Episode Overview

Greg Fitzsimmons dives into the highs and lows of his comedy career, sharing candid stories from his early days in the Boston stand-up scene. He reflects on the challenges of headlining before he was ready, the brutal honesty of punchline-driven audiences, and the camaraderie among comedians who pushed each other to improve. Greg also recounts memorable moments with fellow comics, including the wild antics backstage and the evolution of comedic styles influenced by legends like Sam Kinison and Bill Hicks. The conversation shifts to deeper topics, including the changing cultural attitudes toward women and consent, and the psychological complexities behind rejection and desire. Greg offers thoughtful insights on personal growth, the importance of humility, and the search for meaning beyond fame and material success. He also touches on fatherhood, discipline, and the balance of love and authority in raising children. Throughout the episode, Greg’s humor blends seamlessly with introspection as he discusses the impact of technology on comedy distribution, the pitfalls of the entertainment industry, and the value of kindness and community. His stories reveal a comedian who has navigated both the absurd and profound aspects of life with honesty and wit.

About Greg Fitzsimmons

Greg Fitzsimmons is a seasoned stand-up comedian, writer, and podcast host known for his sharp wit and insightful social commentary. With multiple appearances on "The Howard Stern Show" and a successful podcast, "The Greg Fitzsimmons Show," he brings a unique blend of humor and candidness to his discussions. Fitzsimmons has also earned three Daytime Emmy Awards for his writing on shows like "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," showcasing his versatility beyond stand-up. His engaging storytelling and ability to tackle everything from personal anecdotes to cultural critiques make him a compelling guest, as evidenced by his thought-provoking conversation with Joe Rogan in episode #260.

Key Moments

– Stand-up Comedy
– Comedy Writing
– Comedy Industry
– Personal Development
– Parenting
– Mental Health
– Sexuality
– Relationships
– Addiction Recovery
– Mixed Martial Arts
– Podcasting
– Entertainment Business
– Education
– Technology
– Social Dynamics
– Cultural Commentary
– Political Commentary
– Spirituality
– Drug Culture
0:00:38 – Discussing personal darkest days in comedy
0:02:21 – Rapidly assembling a comedy hour
0:04:50 – Headlining without enough material
0:05:41 – Audience discomfort with punchline towns
0:08:23 – Stand-up struggles in Boston comedy scene
0:11:21 – Pool incident involving underwear and laughter
0:15:58 – Debate on testing in pornography industry
0:18:35 – Changing attitudes towards women and consent
0:20:43 – Psychological aspects of sexual rejection
0:23:43 – Searching for answers in life and sex
0:28:42 – Concept of God in AA and spirituality
0:30:33 – Human awareness and kindness as gifts
0:33:46 – Fame versus happiness discussion
0:36:02 – Understanding one's own mind
0:39:10 – Childhood and family estrangement story
0:43:16 – Comic premise versus real attraction
0:46:08 – Influence of Mitch Kinnison on comedy
0:51:03 – Boston comedy community dynamics
0:56:39 – Impact of Bill Hicks on comedy style
1:05:29 – Joey Diaz's comedic influence
1:10:55 – Challenges of managing multiple shows
1:18:38 – Audience anger and heckling experiences
1:22:14 – Simple joke about word 'aliens' controversy
1:25:41 – Late night AM radio and Art Bell
1:28:54 – Issues with Stitcher content distribution
1:33:06 – Political race conversation
1:38:22 – Racial slurs and warrior metaphors in comedy
1:42:18 – Anti-Zionist book and college discussion
1:48:04 – Importance of self-expression in education
1:55:16 – Hoist Gracie's impact on MMA
1:57:46 – Evolution of fighters and UFC
2:00:13 – Making any topic interesting in comedy
2:01:05 – DNA test joke about growing kids
2:03:39 – Balancing dominance and love in parenting
2:07:14 – Catholic guilt and East Coast upbringing
2:12:39 – Economic restraint and education's role
2:16:44 – Feeling better by producing work
2:19:44 – Praise for a brilliant lecturer
2:34:08 – Dave Chappelle's comedy process
2:40:07 – Buying and regretting a Prius
2:44:06 – Difficult conversations about relationships
2:52:13 – Promoting comedy on social media
2:54:32 – Plans for adding a second show

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Joe Rogan Experience. Starting point is 00:00:20 Yeah. Starting point is 00:00:38 Yeah, we went through our personal darkest days, but at the lightest time in comedy. Starting point is 00:01:09 I don't know where it was. Starting point is 00:01:17 And, Starting point is 00:01:24 like got me a couple of gigs. Starting point is 00:01:41 It was this whole thing. Starting point is 00:02:05 and you jumped past all that shit Starting point is 00:02:21 So you started to get an hour together super fast. Starting point is 00:02:39 and he would come back, dude, that blowjob joke killed. Starting point is 00:03:10 oh. Starting point is 00:03:18 They smelled blood. Starting point is 00:03:33 It was like, you know, half filled room. Starting point is 00:04:06 Oh, God. Starting point is 00:04:32 Do you just have to kind of stop? Starting point is 00:04:50 headlining where i had no fucking business headlining there was no way i barely had 40 Starting point is 00:05:13 You're up there dying. Starting point is 00:05:41 don't like you now they're not that they don't like you. You're not making them comfortable. Starting point is 00:05:56 is it is a punchline town. Starting point is 00:06:14 Yeah, we came up in an era where, you know, Starting point is 00:06:35 Yeah. Starting point is 00:06:55 stitches on calm Ave it's like holy shit well and the best part really was and Starting point is 00:07:10 or I get in yours. Starting point is 00:07:16 one night. Starting point is 00:07:23 and then, Starting point is 00:07:40 They didn't have headliners come in from out of town. Starting point is 00:07:58 Their what? Starting point is 00:08:23 fuck her after jerking off for three straight years that's what it was like when i was doing stand-up in boston Starting point is 00:09:05 And the reason why he used to bum me out Starting point is 00:09:19 You're a pervert. Starting point is 00:09:40 He was one of the first guys I know that would walk around Starting point is 0...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #190?

Greg Fitzsimmons was the guest on JRE #190. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #190?

On Joe Rogan Experience #190 with Greg Fitzsimmons, topics include Stand-up Comedy, Comedy Writing, Comedy Industry, and Personal Development.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #190?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #190 with Greg Fitzsimmons is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.