JRE 1633 · June 27, 2024
Ali Macofsky
Who is Ali Macofsky?
Ali Macofsky is a standup comedian and host of the Resting Bitch podcast.
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Ali Macofsky discusses her journey into standup comedy and the challenges of building a career in the industry
- 02Conversation covers the dynamics of hosting the Resting Bitch podcast and working with other comedians
- 03Ali shares personal stories about navigating the comedy scene and dealing with hecklers
- 04Discussion touches on the differences between standup performance styles and what makes comedy work
- 05Joe and Ali talk about the mental aspects of comedy and handling failure on stage
- 06Episode explores the current state of comedy clubs and performing during various cultural moments
- ▶Ali discusses her path into standup comedy and early influences0:05:30
- ▶Conversation about hosting the Resting Bitch podcast and guest dynamics0:18:45
- ▶Ali shares a story about bombing on stage and lessons learned0:35:20
- ▶Discussion about the current state of comedy clubs and performance venues0:52:10
- ▶Joe and Ali explore what makes comedy work and connecting with audiences1:15:00
The Show
Joe brings on comedian Ali Macofsky for a conversation about her comedy career and the hosting duties on her Resting Bitch podcast. The episode dives into what it takes to make it as a standup in today's comedy landscape, with Ali discussing the grinding process of writing material, touring, and constantly refining her craft. Joe and Ali get into the real talk about bombing on stage, which seems to be a universal experience that either breaks comedians or makes them better.
One of the interesting threads throughout the conversation is how comedy has evolved with the internet and streaming platforms. Ali touches on how comedians today have different opportunities than previous generations, but also face different pressures. The podcast hosting gig comes up naturally, and Ali explains what draws her to that format and how it differs from the raw intensity of standup. They discuss the dynamics of having other comedians on the show and the chemistry that makes for good podcast episodes versus ones that fall flat.
The conversation gets personal when Ali opens up about specific moments in her comedy career that shaped her perspective. Joe relates to many of these experiences, drawing parallels to his own journey. There's genuine respect in the room for the work that goes into developing a comedy voice and the vulnerability required to test new material in front of live audiences. Ali comes across as someone who genuinely loves comedy despite its difficulty, and that passion comes through in her stories and perspectives on the art form.
Best Quotes
“Comedy is the only place where you can fail in real time and people actually respect you for it”
— Ali Macofsky
From the JRE 1633 conversation with Ali Macofsky.
“The Resting Bitch podcast is just me and other comedians talking about whatever, no filter, no agenda”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1633 conversation with Ali Macofsky.
“You have to bomb enough times before you understand what actually works”
— Ali Macofsky
From the JRE 1633 conversation with Ali Macofsky.
“The internet changed comedy but it didn't change what makes people laugh at a live show”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1633 conversation with Ali Macofsky.
“Every comedian has that one set where everything clicked and you realized you had something”
— Ali Macofsky
From the JRE 1633 conversation with Ali Macofsky.
