JRE 1838 · June 27, 2024

Brian Simpson

comedybusinesspsychology

Who is Brian Simpson?

Brian Simpson is a standup comedian and host of the podcast "BS with Brian Simpson." He's also on Season 3 of The Standups streaming on Netflix.

Topics and Timestamps

01Brian Simpson discusses his journey in stand-up comedy and the challenges of building a career in the industry
02Conversation about the podcast BS with Brian Simpson and what it takes to maintain consistent content
03Brian's experience being part of Season 3 of Netflix's The Standups and what that platform means for comedians
04Discussion of comedy styles, audience expectations, and how comedians navigate different venues and crowds
05Brian shares stories about life on the road doing comedy tours and the realities of touring
06Talk about the creative process behind crafting material and the evolution of a comedian's act over time
▶Brian Simpson introduction and background in comedy0:00:00
▶Discussion of BS with Brian Simpson podcast and creative process0:15:30
▶Brian talks about Netflix's The Standups Season 3 experience0:35:45
▶Stories from touring and performing live across different venues1:05:20
▶Discussion about developing material and the craft of stand-up comedy1:45:00

The Show

JRE 1838 brings Brian Simpson to the studio, a standup comedian making waves with his podcast BS with Brian Simpson and his appearance on Netflix's The Standups Season 3. Joe and Brian dive into what it really takes to succeed in comedy, touching on everything from the grind of touring to the pressure of creating consistent content for a podcast audience.

Brian opens up about his journey in comedy and the various paths comedians can take in the modern era. With streaming platforms, podcasts, and social media all playing a role in a comedian's career, the landscape is vastly different from what it was even ten years ago. Brian discusses how Netflix's The Standups has provided exposure for comedians and what that opportunity meant for his career trajectory.

The conversation shifts to the realities of touring and performing live. Brian shares stories about different crowds, different venues, and the unpredictability that comes with performing night after night in various cities. He talks about adapting material on the fly, reading an audience, and knowing when something is working versus when you need to pivot.

Joe and Brian explore the creative side of comedy, discussing how comedians develop new material, test it out, and refine it over time. There's an appreciation for the craft and the hard work that goes into making something that seems effortless on stage. Brian discusses his approach to his podcast and how balancing multiple projects affects his overall creative output.

Throughout the episode, there's genuine respect for the comedy community and the various ways artists are finding success. Brian brings an authentic perspective on what it's like to be a working comedian in 2022, dealing with industry changes, audience preferences, and personal creative fulfillment. The conversation has the relaxed, natural flow typical of JRE episodes where two people who understand comedy are just riffing on their experiences and observations.