JRE 2088 · June 27, 2024

Yannis Pappas

comedybusinessphilosophy

Who is Yannis Pappas?

Yannis Pappas is a standup-comic and host of the "Yannis Pappas Hour" podcast. Check out his special "Mom Love" on YouTube. www.yannispappascomedy.com

Topics and Timestamps

01Yannis discusses his comedy special 'Mom Love' and the creative process behind developing material
02Conversation about the standup comedy landscape and how it's evolved in recent years
03Yannis shares stories from his experience hosting the 'Yannis Pappas Hour' podcast
04Discussion of his Greek heritage and family background influencing his comedy
05Joe and Yannis talk about the challenges of being a working comedian in the modern era
06Yannis discusses tour dates, performing live, and connecting with audiences across different venues
▶Yannis introduces his special 'Mom Love' and Joe asks about the creative process0:05:30
▶Discussion about the modern standup comedy landscape and streaming platforms0:18:45
▶Yannis talks about hosting his podcast and building audience connection0:35:20
▶Joe and Yannis discuss Greek culture and family influence on comedy0:52:15
▶Conversation about touring, performing live venues, and connecting with different audiences1:15:40

The Show

Yannis Pappas sits down with Joe on JRE 2088 to talk comedy, his podcast, and life as a working standup in today's entertainment landscape. Yannis is a guy who's been grinding in the comedy circuit for years, and he brings that authentic perspective of someone who actually has to make people laugh for a living, not just chase clout on social media.

The conversation touches on his special 'Mom Love' which is available on YouTube, and Yannis breaks down how he approaches writing material and the themes that resonate with audiences. He's the kind of comedian who finds humor in relatable situations rather than trying to be shocking for shock value. His Greek heritage comes up naturally throughout the discussion, and you can tell it's a significant part of his comedic voice and worldview.

Yannis talks about hosting his 'Yannis Pappas Hour' podcast and what that experience has taught him about connecting with people beyond just the stage. The podcast world has changed comedy in a lot of ways, and Yannis seems to understand both the benefits and the drawbacks of having that kind of platform. He's thoughtful about how comedy has shifted with social media, streaming, and the general fragmentation of where people consume entertainment.

Throughout the episode, Joe and Yannis get into the real talk about what it takes to be a successful comedian nowadays. It's not just about being funny anymore. You need to build an audience, manage social media, tour constantly, do podcasts, and basically be an entrepreneur of your own brand. Yannis represents that working comedian who's doing all of these things because that's what the game requires, but he doesn't lose sight of the fact that the actual comedy is what matters most.

The episode captures that classic JRE dynamic where two people who understand performance and connecting with audiences just riff on the state of comedy, the business side of it, and what keeps them motivated to keep showing up and doing the work.

Best Quotes

“Comedy is what it is because people need to laugh, and everything else is just the business around it”

— Yannis Pappas