JRE 1305 · May 30, 2019

JD & John Witherspoon

comedyentertainmentfamilyyoutubebusiness

Who is JD & John Witherspoon?

John Witherspoon is a comedian and actor. JD Witherspoon, John's son, is also a comedian and actor. You can see John on his YouTube cooking show "Cookin' For Poor People" (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJF-73OaZ-Cr0k9_-lpcaXQ). Also check out JD's channel "runJDrun" (https://www.youtube.com/runJDrun).

Topics and Timestamps

01John Witherspoon and his son JD discuss their comedy careers and the family business of making people laugh
02John talks about his YouTube cooking show 'Cookin' For Poor People' and his approach to accessible, budget-friendly recipes
03The conversation touches on comedy evolution, performing live, and how the industry has changed over John's career
04JD discusses his own comedy journey and YouTube channel 'runJDrun' with insights on content creation
05Stories about navigating Hollywood, staying grounded, and maintaining family relationships in the entertainment industry
06Discussion about the craft of comedy, timing, and what makes comedy work across different audiences
▶John introduces his cooking show and philosophy0:05:00
▶Discussion about comedy evolution and performing live0:15:30
▶Father and son dynamic and family stories in entertainment0:35:00
▶JD talks about his YouTube channel and modern content creation0:50:00
▶Stories about navigating the entertainment industry and staying grounded1:10:00

The Show

Joe sits down with legendary comedian John Witherspoon and his son JD for a conversation about comedy, family, and their respective paths in entertainment. John brings decades of experience to the table, having built a career in stand-up, acting, and now content creation through his YouTube cooking show. JD comes in as the next generation, carving out his own space with his YouTube channel and comedy work.

The episode flows naturally through stories about the comedy world, the grind of performing, and how things have changed since John started his career. John's cooking show represents a unique angle on content creation, focusing on feeding people well on a budget, which reflects his personality and approach to life. The dynamic between father and son reveals genuine respect and humor, with both guys clearly enjoying each other's company.

They discuss the realities of making it in comedy, the importance of staying authentic, and how social media has created new opportunities for comedians to build audiences directly. The conversation touches on the craft of comedy itself, what gets laughs, and how timing and delivery matter more than just having jokes. There's real talk about the entertainment industry, including the politics of it all and how to maintain your integrity while trying to make a living.

JD's perspective as a younger comedian offers contrast to John's veteran wisdom. They share laughs about their own experiences, family dynamics, and the constant evolution required to stay relevant in comedy. The episode captures two generations of comedians who clearly respect the craft and each other, offering listeners insight into what it actually takes to make it in this business beyond just being funny.