JRE 1764 · June 27, 2024

Ari Shaffir, Shane Gillis & Mark Normand

comedybusinesspsychologypolitics

Who is Ari Shaffir, Shane Gillis & Mark Normand?

Shane Gillis, Mark Normand, and Ari Shaffir are standup comedians, writers, and podcasters. 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. 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.

Topics and Timestamps

01Three comedians discuss the state of stand-up comedy and how the industry has changed in recent years
02The group talks about cancel culture's impact on comedians and the pressure to self-censor
03Discussion about podcasting as an alternative platform for comedians to reach audiences without restrictions
04The comedians share stories about bombing on stage and learning from failures in comedy
05Conversation about the difference between comedy clubs, theaters, and alternative venues for performing
06The group debates what makes comedy work and the challenge of staying relevant in a changing media landscape
▶Discussion about cancel culture and self-censorship in comedy0:12:30
▶Comedians talk about how podcasting has changed the industry0:28:45
▶Stories about bombing on stage and learning from failures0:45:20
▶Conversation about what actually makes comedy work1:10:00
▶Discussion about the difference between comedy clubs and theaters1:35:15

The Show

JRE 1764 brings together three of comedy's most unfiltered voices: Ari Shaffir, Shane Gillis, and Mark Normand. These guys know each other well from the comedy circuit, and the dynamic is immediately loose and conversational. The episode centers largely on the comedy industry, how it's evolved, and what it takes to succeed as a stand-up in the modern era.

One of the main themes throughout the conversation is how comedy has become increasingly polarized. The comedians discuss how certain topics are now landmines on stage, and how audiences have become more sensitive to material that might have played fine a decade ago. Shane, Mark, and Ari don't shy away from the fact that self-censorship is real in comedy now, whether it's coming from promoters, venues, or from comedians preemptively softening their material.

The guys also dig into podcasting as a lifeline for comedians. All three have successful podcasts, and they talk about how the medium allows them to say whatever they want without worrying about sponsors or network restrictions. Podcasts have become a way for comedians to build their own audience directly, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. This is a huge shift from even five or ten years ago, and it's clearly changed the economics of comedy.

There's genuine discussion about what makes comedy actually work. It's not just about shock value or controversial material. The best comedy comes from finding truth in weird places and making people genuinely laugh at something they didn't expect. All three of these guys are skilled enough at their craft to know the difference between a cheap laugh and a real laugh.

The conversation also touches on the grind of comedy. These aren't guys who just show up and tell jokes. They talk about bombing, about adjusting material, about the hours spent crafting and refining. Mark mentions his special and how much work goes into putting together a full hour of tight material. Shane and Ari have similarly invested serious time into their craft and their platforms.

Joe's role here is mostly to facilitate and ask good questions. He understands comedy deeply enough to keep the conversation moving and to push these guys to go deeper on interesting topics. The energy stays high throughout, and you can feel the rapport between all four of them.