JRE 2266 · January 31, 2025

Brian Simpson

comedypsychologybusiness

Who is Brian Simpson?

Brian Simpson is a stand-up comic who hosts the "Bottom of the Barrel" improvised comedy show at the Comedy Mothership and his own podcast, "BS with Brian Simpson." Watch his new special, "Brian Simpson: Live from the Mothership," on Netflix.

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Topics and Timestamps

01Brian Simpson discusses his comedy career and the evolution of the Bottom of the Barrel show at Comedy Mothership
02Conversation about stand-up comedy, improvisation, and what makes comedy work in different venues
03Brian talks about his Netflix special 'Live from the Mothership' and the comedy scene in Los Angeles
04Discussion of podcast life with 'BS with Brian Simpson' and connecting with audiences
05Stories about performing comedy, bombing, and learning from failures in stand-up
06Insights into the comedy community, other comedians, and the state of modern comedy
▶Brian Simpson introduces his comedy career and the Bottom of the Barrel show0:00:00
▶Discussion about his Netflix special 'Live from the Mothership'0:15:00
▶Simpson talks about improvisation and performing without a script0:35:00
▶Stories about bombing on stage and learning from comedy failures0:55:00
▶Conversation about the comedy community in LA and working with other comedians1:20:00

The Show

Joe sits down with stand-up comic Brian Simpson on JRE 2266 to talk about comedy, the craft of stand-up, and Simpson's work in the Los Angeles comedy scene. Simpson, who hosts the improvised comedy show 'Bottom of the Barrel' at the Comedy Mothership and runs his own podcast 'BS with Brian Simpson,' brings genuine energy to the conversation about what it takes to make it as a comedian.

The episode digs into Simpson's approach to comedy and his new Netflix special 'Brian Simpson: Live from the Mothership,' which showcases his work in front of live audiences. They talk about the difference between comedy club performances and other venues, the importance of crowd work, and how comedians develop their material over time. Simpson shares stories about the comedy grind, bombing on stage, and learning from those experiences.

The conversation explores the improvisation aspects of Simpson's Bottom of the Barrel show, where comedians perform without a script and have to think on their feet. This leads into broader discussion about comedy as an art form, what audiences want, and how the comedy landscape has changed. They touch on the comedy community in LA, working with other comedians, and the kind of support system that exists among performers.

Throughout the episode, Simpson brings authenticity to the discussion, talking candidly about the ups and downs of comedy careers and what keeps comedians going despite the challenges. The conversation feels natural and conversational, with both Joe and Brian riffing on comedy topics and sharing perspectives on the craft that makes comedy work at different levels.