JRE 1728 · June 27, 2024

Ari Shaffir, Shane Gillis & Mark Normand

comedypodcastsphilosophy

Who is Ari Shaffir, Shane Gillis & Mark Normand?

Shane Gillis, Mark Normand, and Ari Shaffir are standup comedians, writers, and podcasters. Shane is the co-host of "Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast" with Matt McCusker. His special "Shane Gillis: Live in Austin," is available via YouTube. Mark is the co-host of "Tuesdays with Stories" along with Joe List. His latest special, "Mark Normand: Out to Lunch," is available via YouTube. Ari is the host of "The Skeptic Tank." His most recent special, "Ari Shaffir: Double Negative," is available via Netflix.

Topics and Timestamps

01Three comedy podcasters discuss their careers in stand-up and the challenges of performing in today's climate
02The group talks about comedy specials, YouTube releases, and the state of the comedy industry
03Discussion about podcast life, audience dynamics, and what makes comedy work in different formats
04Conversation covers personal stories from touring and performing at various venues
05The comedians share perspectives on free speech in comedy and navigating controversial material
06Talk about the podcast ecosystem and how comedians are building audiences independently
▶The three comedians introduce themselves and their podcast projects0:00:00
▶Discussion about comedy specials and the importance of video releases for comedians0:15:00
▶The comedians talk about touring and the economics of stand-up comedy0:30:00
▶Conversation about podcast growth and building audiences independently0:45:00
▶Discussion about the creative process and what makes comedy work1:00:00

The Show

Joe sits down with three working comedians in Shane Gillis, Mark Normand, and Ari Shaffir for a conversation that covers the realities of modern stand-up comedy and podcast life. These are guys who are actively grinding in the comedy space, with Shane co-hosting Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast, Mark running Tuesdays with Stories alongside Joe List, and Ari hosting The Skeptic Tank. The conversation naturally flows through their experiences as touring comedians, the work that goes into producing specials, and what it takes to maintain an audience in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

The three comedians are all at different points in their careers but share a common understanding of what it takes to survive in comedy. They discuss the realities of touring, the economics of stand-up, and how podcasting has changed the game for comedians. There's a real honesty in the conversation about the grind of comedy, the pressure to constantly produce new material, and the challenge of staying relevant without compromising your voice.

Throughout the episode, the guys riff on various topics that come up naturally in conversation between comedians who know each other and work in the same circles. Joe is interested in understanding their processes, what drives them as performers, and how they think about their careers in the current media environment. The conversation touches on the importance of live performance, the role of social media and YouTube in comedy careers, and how comedians are adapting to an audience that consumes content in different ways than they used to.

What makes this episode work is the chemistry between Joe and his three guests, and the way experienced comedians can talk about their craft with specificity and humor. They're not selling anything or trying to make a particular point about comedy or culture. Instead, they're just being honest about what they do, what works, what doesn't, and what keeps them motivated to keep doing it.