Breaking Bread with Tom Papa - Episode 224 - Adam Pally

Episode Date: August 13, 2024

Adam Pally and Tom Papa toast to TV, comedy, and being Steph Curry getting to the Oval Office. The pair talk Pally’s new show “Mr. Throwback” now streaming on Peacock, and wild twists of fate that led him to a hit TV show. Tom reveals the truth behind The Marriage Ref’s crazy marketing strategy and being just a little too skinny to be the “fat guy.” Pally and Papa give tips on how to make it in Hollywood and tell us the key is to never audition.  Wildgrain is the first-ever, bake-from-frozen subscription box for sourdough breads, fresh pastas, and artisanal pastries. For a limited time, you can get $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box - when you go to Wildgrain.com/PAPA to start your subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Insurance isn't one-size-fits-all, and shopping for it shouldn't feel like squeezing into something that just doesn't fit. That's why drivers have enjoyed progressives' name-your-price tool for years. With the name-your-price tool, you tell them what you want to pay, and they show you options that fit your budget. Enough hunting for discounts, trying to calculate rates, and tinkering with coverages. Maybe you're picking out your very first policy. Or maybe you're just looking for something that works better for you and your family. Either way, they make it simple to see your options. No guesswork, no surprises.

Ready to see how easy and fun shopping for car insurance can be? Visit progressive.com and give the name your price tool a try. Take the stress out of shopping and find coverage that fits your life on your terms. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. We would like to thank the good people at wildgrains.com for sponsoring today's program. We love wild grain. The first ever bake-from-frozen subscription box for sourdough breads, fresh pastas, and artisanal pastries.

I mean, if there is anybody that is more appropriate for this program, you can't come up with it. For a limited time, you can get $30 off the first box plus free croissants. In every box when you go to wildgrain.com slash papa to start your subscription. You heard me. Free cuasants. in every box and $30 off your first box when you go to wildgrain.com slash papa. That's wildgrain.com slash papa or just use the promo code Papa at checkout. That is kind of, you know, from being on the other side when you're casting stuff,

it is something when people are like, no, he's off or only. You're like, oh, well, I want him now. You know what I mean? Yeah, of course. Yeah. I should never audition again. I'm never, I told my age, it was like, unless it's like the cream of, Crem de la Crem, I am not auditioning this year.

Just this year. I'm not auditioning. Boom, an audition came in. They're like, you want to read for this small part of Darren Arnovsky? You'll be like, I'll put it down. I'll lay it down. I'll lay it down. It's breaking bread. I like to start off the podcast with a little toast. Great.

It's early, so I've just got water. I have a sparkling. I'm going to toast with this one. This is a Fellini coffee? This is a Fellini coffee? Yeah. Yum. They're really good. Yeah. I would like to toast you, my friend.

Oh, no. Because in this time, when it's nearly impossible to get any comedy on network TV, you have what appears to be, and I'm not going to jinx anything, but what appears to be very clearly defined, very funny, like, off-the-bat promo, like, you get it, you're in. You don't have to, like, spell it out and say what this is. To get a comedy on network TV is a huge thing. that you're getting promo during the Olympics. Thank you. Thank you.

Congratulations. That's amazing of you. Thank you. It's not lost on me. I mean, I, you know, like especially the last couple years, it's been, it's hard. Yeah. It's been hard. And so the fact that we were able to, I mean, we had been working on this show for

three years. Whoa. You know. Are you a producer? Yeah, I created and wrote it. Oh, you did? Holy shit. Yeah.

It's even better. It's awesome. Wow. You know what? We should go out to a liquor store and get something proper to toast with. Honestly, I have not stopped toasting. I have not stopped toasting since the first commercial. Like when I was watching the men's game.

Yeah. Because I am a basketball fan, you know. It's like I would be watching the men's game no matter what. And then boom, boom, that first commercial hit. And my whole family, everyone starts screaming. It's so insane. It's so insane. It's called the throwback.

Yeah, it's called Mr. Throwback. Mr. Throwback. Yeah, it's named after a great vintage store in the East Village. Right. Real vintage store. Oh. Yeah. Oh, that's cool.

And, yeah, it's great. And yeah, and Steph Curry. Stefan Curry. Great, Stephen Curry. It sounds so weird. It sounds so weird. Yeah. And it's so funny how marketing, like, it rolls out and starts to hit you.

Like, like, effective marketing. It just kind of, like, I saw this little article about Curry being, like, good at comedy. I'm like, well, that's interesting. and just kind of like see you a little bit and then you roll in and then there's like a little outtore thing out and then it's on the Olympics and it's like wait a minute

the story really starts to cascade all over yeah marketing is it's the first time I've ever really been marketed yeah it's nice it's nice usually the network terms of me something called unmarketable but I guess in this case it's they're letting it slide

I had a show during the winter Olympics of 2010 and it was Agasaki. It was Vancouver. And it was this little show

called the marriage ref which was it was kind of like a reality kind of like dating marriage show whatever. But anyway, I remember it. They saw an opportunity Mark, Jerry Seinfeld was a producer to market the hell out of it.

It was supposed to be just like this little Sunday show and then they were like, no, this is the show we're going to that's going to replace Leno at 10 and we're going to really market the shit out of it. But they never showed me. Every promo was just like my hands. It was all Jerry. It was all Jerry.

And in a way, it was a bit of a blessing because, like, they marketed it so much that during Letterman's top 10 during the Olympics was when the bobsled guy, like, flew off the side, the last things that he says. Please no more marriage ref promos. Oh, my God. So that's what you don't want to bleed into it. You don't. You want to be kind of cool.

And there's a chance we will. Yeah. And this just because of the Olympics, just because it's like ubiquitous. And it is, you know, it's like, I see all the, the, what anyone could say. It's like, you know, you're like, you know, what a cheat code to get on television.

You know, it's like find the person with 73 million Twitter followers and then bring them to a network. That's so crazy. But I mean, but that's kind of your safety. That's your bubble wrap. Well, I think sometimes you have, especially right now.

It's hard to envision like what gets eyes, what people want to see. And sports is having like a really ascendant moment. Huge moment. You know, even not like just basketball,

like, you know, just live sport. Yeah. Like enormous. And it happened really organically in a way that made it feel not gross. Right.

You know, like for any party involved, it felt like, oh, is this actually, this is actually like, feels like the way it should happen if we're going to do it.

Right. How did it happen? How did you get him? It's super like Hollywood natural story. Like we, his wife Aisha, who's a lovely, amazing philanthropist and, you know, kind of also an eccentric millionaire. She had a game show on HBO Max during like the, the boom of television, the golden age.

Right. Which is weird that people call it that because I feel like I missed that. I totally, the golden age was, I defined it as the period. My agent kept saying it's really slow out there. Right. Yeah, to me, yeah. It was like, there's nothing going on. And then you're like, really, because every article I read it says you,

they're giving out television shows. Exactly. But Aisha Curry had a television show that was kind of based on the newlywed game for married couples of all. types of entertainment. Right. Her and Steph were fans of a show that I did a long time ago called Happy Endings. Right.

And so they asked me and my wife if we would be on. Oh. So we were like, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that sounds amazing. You know, that sounds great. Yeah. So we went on and my wife and I kind of, you know, jabbed at Aisha and Steph, and they liked it.

Yeah. And then as we were leaving in the hallway, I passed David Casp and Casey Wilson, who was the creator of Happy Endings and she was on it with me. And they were the next guests on the show. And David and I are kind of creative partners. We've created a bunch of television shows like Champagne-Nill and Happy Endings and stuff. And he did the same thing I did. He kind of went at Steph a little and Steph went back.

And it was just like kind of, you know, you get that vibe. You're like, oh, this guy's funny. And then the next day, him and his production company called me and David together and said, like, you know, thinking about doing something, you got anything. And we were like, give us five minutes, you know? That's great. And we called the Liman brothers, Matthew and Daniel Limon, who were writers on happy endings and Champaign-Ill

and all the stuff we've ever done. And they were like, yeah, let's do it. And the four of us just kind of jammed out this idea and brought it back to them. And we were worried because it's a little dark. It's a little, you know, it's a little different. He was irreverent. And he was like, no, let's go and let's push it and let's do it and I want to shoot it. And then we waited three years.

Three years. For the network. We went through every development thing you could. People leaving. Yeah. People who got it. People fired. Every version of it that you can imagine happened.

God, it's, it is so insane that it's every time. Rider strike, right. The strike, the pandemic. Rider strike, pandemic. Every version of it. But you got through it. And then the strike was lifted and we got a call like, I guess the strike was like officially lifted in November. And we got a call in February that said you're greenlit and you're airing on August 8th.

Wow. Wow. Yeah. That's crazy. After shooting just the pilot? We'd only written the pilot. You'd only written the pilot. And you got greenlit.

Yeah. Holy cow. Oh, man, that's so great. It was awesome feeling. and then it was terrifying because you were like in the middle of it. Like this is like Valentine's Day. Right. And you're like, we have nothing.

We have nothing. Right. We have nothing. You know, and a big. Yeah, how much, how far from from what you pitched initially of just like jam out an idea and let's get the sale to it being what it is?

I will, it's very close. Yeah. It's almost, it's, it's better. It's one of the few times I will say like, you know,

uh, I've been in every situation. with every sort of network, with every sort of network executive, with every sort of cliche that you've ever, how they're all true. Yeah. I've heard them all. Right. This was the best version I've ever had of that.

Wow. Where the network was like, hey, this is weird and we know it. You're on a limb, you know, and but Steph likes it. And, you know, so here are notes and their notes were made it better because usually we go too hard. I think we go too hard sometimes and we don't want to, I mean, this guy's, you know, presidential almost. So huge. Huge. So you don't want to like ruin that. Yeah. With your like, reference. No, right, exactly. Does he ever, does he ever give you? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He'll give us notes. Yeah. And he'll give notes like, because it's improvised a lot. So sometimes we'll be on stage and going.

And then, you know, the dailies will come in and he'll be like, I think we went too hard there. Right. Right. Right. Got it. Is that his sensibility? Does he have a... He's... No, his sensibility is like a comic... He has like a comic sensibility.

Rift with him and kind of roast and then also at the same time he can do bits. And like, he's got all that. He's just very wholesome and had a very strong sense of himself and his brand and what he wants to accomplish in the future. So it's like he will... He's like, no, let's just cut that off. Right. he knows. Yeah.

Man, I remember, I was at a, I don't know, it was a Laker game or a Nick game, but he was, he wasn't playing. He was, he was, uh, in street clothes just on the edge of the, but the charisma of that guy. I mean, he, it's not all, it's not just on what he's accomplished on, on the, on the, on the court. Like, this guy had, like, just the way he would stand, the way he would, like, just joke with people. It's small, subtle, but it's pure charisma.

Yes. One of his very close adult friends is Obama, and they talk a lot. And I don't know, like, there's been articles written about his presidential aspirations. Like, I don't know if any of that is really true. But I do know that it feels like you're with someone of that, like a presidential force, the way he moves through the world, the way the days. scheduled the way that the people that he comes in contact with are only like uplifting to him. It's like he then uplifts others down.

Like it's like, there's no, there's no like bullshit in life. God, it's so crazy. Do you think he was always that way? No. You think he cultivated it and built it? I think his dad was an NBA player and one of the best. Like Del Curry, I think, is underrated as an NBA player. When I was a kid, Del Curry was known as the best.

shooter. I mean, when you played NBA Jam, you wanted the Hornet so you could have Del Curry. Right. It was the best shooter. Right. And he lived a very wholesome life. And I think Steph grew up exceptional. Right. Yeah. You know, and like we make a joke about it in the show. Like, you know, Steph's like, anybody can do it. And I'm like, well, I mean, anybody whose dad is an NBA player and has the probably one millionth percentile of hand-eye coordination. You know, like anyone like that can do it sure you know yeah there is that like he he is exceptional yeah and he doesn't and he doesn't and he doesn't like mess around with he doesn't nothing yeah like it's like it's it's it's a fascinating thing to think about because there's so many elements that could derail that

yeah like life life like kids he's got four children yeah and even like before that like Like, you become good friends with a not great guy. Sure. You get in a long-term relationship with someone very unhealthy. Yes. Or, I mean, there's so many things. It's almost like there's a, I don't know if there is, but it definitely conjures up the thoughts of some people have this destiny vibe to it.

You know, like Obama is like a perfect example of it. Like these people, like, and you look back at their life, It's like things kind of... I think it's destiny, but I also think it's... It's like a frequent... It's like... There is like a certain frequency when you're around people. I think people are like quick to cut it down.

You know, like, you know, the stories were like, oh, young Brando walks in the room and, like, lights it up and people are like, oh, yeah. However, I think at the time, a young Marlon Brando... Oh. walks in a room and he's like, what the fuck away though? You know, it's like people are like, oh.

Yeah. Not even talking. Yeah, just kind of like, and you'd be like, whoa. So I think there are people like that. 100%. Like just operate at that frequency that makes things, it makes things move. Like, when he's around, he, it's like phenomenal, you know the movie phenomenon? It's like things move.

People elevate. Energy. Energy. Everybody's on their piece and cues. Everybody's moving. the lines are crisper. You know what I mean? Yeah.

And it's one of the things that I was like, oh, I'm taking that with me. Like, I don't know if I can do that. Yeah. But any set I now walk on, like, I'm operating up here. Right. Because, like, he, that's what he does. Yeah. Like a level of professionalism.

It doesn't matter what's going on here. Yeah. Just like, I'm walking in. Right. We're in it. We're professional. And I'm here for you, whatever you need. Right.

And then he will go like, okay. I'm out Yeah Yeah what is filming like is it like yeah it's like no he's Like super he'll be like but he will be like okay I got to train for an hour today for at lunch Like I got to shoot for an hour wow and so he'll be like great and then the AD will be like Holy shit I'm having a heart attack but you pull it together but you do it yeah it's Steph Yeah of course whatever so uh your character yeah is the kind of antithesis of everything you're describing yes without

giving too much away. Because I have signed all this. Yeah. Which is so weird to sign stuff when it's like, I thought of this. We'd like to thank the good people

at Quince for sponsoring today's program. If you spend a lot of time cooking at home, it's time to elevate your game. When your cookware actually feels good to use and is thoughtfully made and looks beautiful on your counter, it just makes the whole experience better. That's what I really liked about Quince.

They're cookware, knives, and tableware are elevated, but they're still super practical. Everything is made to last, designed to be seen, and honestly priced way more reasonably than you'd expect for that kind of quality. It just makes everyday cooking feel a little more special. Quince has a really solid kitchen lineup. Their stainless steel and ceramic non-stick cookware performs like the kind you'd find in a professional kitchen, and their Japanese Damascus steel knives make prep feel way easier and more

precise. I love having Quince in my lineup. I've got these good ceramic frying pans and sauce pans. They're very cool. They're good in your hand and they clean easy, which is another very cool thing. The best part, everything at Quince is priced way lower than you'd expect, 50 to 80% less than similar brands. Go get it right now. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com slash Papa for free shipping on your order and three. 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. That's Quince,

Q-U-I-N-C-E-D-com slash Papa, P-A-P-A, for free shipping and 365-day returns. Quince.com slash Papa. I can tell whoever I want. Did I think of this? They're like, you did, but you didn't. It's ours now.

Yeah. But, yes, I play his, His childhood best friend from, I was the only Jew at Charlotte Christian. And I was on the basketball team with him, and he was my backup. And we cut to many years later, and we've kind of lost touch, and my life is kind of not great. And I'm going to sell memorabilia and vintage apparel, and I've gotten myself in some trouble with Chicago. kind of underbelly.

And so I need a lot of money really quick. And the only person that I know in my entire life I could do that is Stefan Curry. Right. And when I was saying in the beginning with the toast, uh, that, that all comes without knowing the details of it,

your character, his character. It's an odd couple-ish kind of a thing that you're, you completely get it and you're in and you want to go. Yeah. And you have such a good way of, of conveying it because you have that thing that the great kind of messy ends of the duos have, which is there's a real, a real, you care for those kind of people.

Yeah. Like there's some that are offensive and like, you know, they're just big and brash. Yeah. But there's a, there's a something that is like, no, this guy, I think I might need to help this guy. Yeah. And I think that those are the, you know, like there is something for the leading man of like, you know, like, you know, the leading man of like man versus earth, right? All that Joseph Campbell stuff right now.

And the man, when you're watching those leading men, it's like, you don't want to feel, like, you want Tom Cruise to fucking know exactly what he's going to do. Right. And if he doesn't, he will figure out how. Uh-huh. And you don't ever want to, like, lose that. Yeah. I'm not that.

Like, I, there's a certain element of, like, no matter what's going on outside, it's kind of man versus himself because he's all. always getting in his own way. Right, right, right. And I think that there's like, I don't know if that's a skill or an inherent way that I've just learned. Just like doing a lot of scenes. You've done so many scenes. And not even on stage. And not even, you know, just like from the time I was 19, I was at the UCB, just like scenes, scenes, scenes. And there's only really like four things you ever play. Right. So you just like, yeah, you just kind of find a way about you, I think. And I think I just found my way.

It's really impressive. Oh, thank you. I mean, just looked up IMDB last night just to check in on you. Oh, God. And it's like over 90 different acting thing. I mean, it's a ton. It's a lot. It's a lot.

And it's such a cool thing because actors get this thing where they've done so many scenes. They've done so much stuff that people start, they know exactly. what you're going to add, what you're going to do, and it becomes like a cool thing that they can add to projects. Yeah. And it takes a long time to get there, and you've done it. Well, I wish I was able to be added to more. You know, like the amount, like,

always. I mean, everyone feels that way. Yeah. I think that the luck, I think that the lucky thing for me is that I've been able to rely on my, like, learned, uh, writing comedic chops, which is like, that's the only way I get anything. Is creating it yourself.

Truly. Like any audition I've ever done is throwing a fucking videotape off a cliff. I literally was thinking that this morning after I got my coffee, I was like, there is one way I could go in this interview. And it's you just telling me how to audition because I've only, I think I've only gotten two jobs through auditioning. The rest has been making it myself. That's one more than me. It's one more than me. And anything I've ever done is like a small part or something

where someone saw something and they were like, can you do this? Right. And you just have to say yes, and then you grow and grow and grow. Like the amount of the amount of time of the director has seen an audition tape of mine. Yeah. And like, I want him. Yeah. He's one.

Why is that? I mean, you're talented. I don't know. And my agents. Proven. Like, when like, I was on a show called Making History and they, the, it was, they were like, we're not sure we want to do a chemistry read. My Aisans were like, no, it's either it's offer.

He's going to blow it. They were like, this is the last, we'll go down and quote, no chemistry read. That is kind of, you know, from being on the other side when you're casting stuff, it is something when people are like, no, he's offer only. You're like, oh, well, I want him now. You know what I mean? Yeah, of course. Yeah, I should never audition again.

I'm never, I told my agent was like, unless it's like the cream of creme de la crem, I am not auditioning this year. Just this year. I'm not auditioning. Boom, an audition came in and they're like, you want to read for this small part of Darren Arnovsky movie? Like, I'll put it down. I'll lay it down.

I'll lay it down. And then it ruins your whole day. And then I socked. The agent, my agent was like, can you do it again? It doesn't really look good. I'm like, look good. Great. Did it again.

Sent it in. Now it's going to be. Who reads with you when you do it? My wife, who's like, the, um, am I, am I, am I Carl? I know, this isn't about you. And you're like, oh my God, just read. You know how to read. You know, and it's like, and then she feels bad.

And then she's starting to get, she's like, I'm sorry, I don't know what I'm doing. And then you're like, well, I don't want it. You're like, you know what any of this, any of this. And then you're like, maybe I'll just do it by myself. And then that doesn't work because you're not beating up of anybody else. Yeah. And you're saying, I do a lot of those. Just throwing it off a cliff.

It really is. It's like there's no. It's terrible. And the only, the only way that I. would ever, the only advice I would ever give is like, find, like, I met David Cass when I was 26 and we did happy endings and immediately I was like, I'm never leaving your side. I'm never, no matter where you go, I am going, I'm like cling to you. And then he, your coat tail. Yeah. And then him and our, my mutual best friend got married. And so I was like,

well, now I can't, where am I going to go? So he did shows with her. And then he was, was like, well, I can't really work with my wife. And I was like literally at the doorstep. Like, ding dong. Come back over here. I need you. And then it's like when you have a writer and a producer that's already there, like he's the type of showrunner and out creator, they need him. The networks need him.

Right. There's only like five of those guys. Yeah. That are needed to make shows. Yeah, it's really true. In the machine. And luckily, I linked up with him at. 26 and will and will not leave.

Yeah. You know? And then the Limbans were like his number two's and I now will not let them leave. Yeah. And now I'm like, we're not leaving. It's all about community. And every time another actor comes and the limous were like, how great are they? I'm like, they're great. Don't, you're not going anyway. I know, exactly. My daughter has just graduated college and she's going into this business and she's a writer and all that stuff. And it's such a funny moment because it's the beginning where they don't know anybody or anything.

And it's like, my only advice is go to New York and meet people. Yeah. Just start. That's the only thing. You start meeting people and becoming friends with people and you're going to build your little tribe and you're all going to go together. Yeah, you just go there. Like I started at the UCB by just going there. Yeah.

Just showing up. Like I went to the first one. and was like, wow, this is amazing. Are there any cheaper nights? And then started showing up to those nights. Yeah. And then was just kind of taking classes and interning and to pay for the classes.

And then the next thing you know, you're in a sketch show. Yeah. You know, going to Montreal. Right. It's such a great thing. Yeah, it's the best. It is the best. Wild Green is the first ever baked from frozen subscription box

for sourdough breads, fresh pastas, and artisanal pastries. Every item bakes from frozen in 25 minutes or less. No thawing required. I have it in my freezer. I've got different types of breads. Some are just fancy breads that you just want to have on their own, maybe some cheese.

A lot of times I'm baking for my family, cooking for my family, and we want a bread, and I haven't, I forget, like, oh, man, I forgot the baguette at the store. Ah, wait a minute, and I open up the freezer, and I look inside and guess what? There's a wild grain bread in there. Just heat up the oven, throw it in, doesn't have to thaw, and in 25 minutes, I have this great bread and a great addition to my meal.

Wonderful. I mean, yeah, I know I say it every time, but I've always thought, how do I send grape bread places? And I was like, oh, that's impossible. You can't do it. Wild grain did it. Now they're a sponsor on my program. They are so kick-ass.

and it really is legit good stuff. You know I'm a bread snob. For a limited time, you can get $30 off your first box plus free cuisants in every box when you go to wildgrain.com slash papa to start your subscription. You heard me right. Free croissants in every box

and $30 off your first box when you go to wildgrain.com slash papa. That's wildgrain.com slash papa. Or you can use the promo code, PAPA, Papa, at Chequay. out. Thank you to the good people at wildgrain.com. Let me tell you about our history. You and me? You and me? It's funny because I was looking through the emails and stuff

to make sure that you were coming the right place this morning. So I just looked up your name and here's a, I got a thing from May 4th of 2014 that Adam liked one of my tweets I'm sure I did it says my tweet was coffee period paper coffee paper

coltrain interrupted by interrupted by wife kids and cats hashtag Sunday yeah I mean that's favored by Adam well I mean that's like

exact I mean it's such a it's a dad thing I mean because you get it's like you wake up no one's kind of up yet you're like you know you like take you're like wow this is so nice you know you make your coffee extra you take the extra time with it because you're like no one's up you're like you know what before you

yeah you're like you're like I'm white but I'm cool I'm gonna put on jazz and in your head you're like my daughter's gonna come down be like what's this dad and then what really happens is like shriek from upstairs he comes running down dog barks a thousand times son is like I didn't Do it. A loud bang. Loud bang. Get back up here right now. Adam, tell him to come up here.

Oh, wow. Adam. What the fuck is this music? It's Coltrane. It's jazz. Don't you curse her me. What does she want? You don't get it.

Fatherhood, young fatherhood is the whole time was hearing something loud bang and waiting for a split second. Is this an emergency? Is this just something annoying? is just just hearing boom. Yeah, the unknown. And then the unknown. Terror. Yeah, no, for sure.

I'm almost, my youngest is seven and I'm almost out of it. Like, he's pretty, it's pretty on his own. Wow. It's like I feel like I survived a war a little bit. Oh my God. It's amazing. Young kids are so hard. When the youngest, I remember the, I vividly remember being in bed and hearing my youngest,

hearing boom, boom, pump, like, all right. And then hearing. noises in the kitchen and hearing the sound of cereal going into the bowl. She was like, she's doing cereal by herself. Yeah, we just hit that.

She's doing cereal by herself. Because that means that you can finally close your eyes at night without the terror of the early call. Yeah, which is, right. There's no way around the early call like anxiety.

Where'd you shoot this show? This show we shot in Chicago. Chicago. Oh, that's cool. The best, I would shoot everything in Chicago. Yeah. I don't know why we don't. Yeah.

It's bullshit going all over the fucking world. I hate it. It's really the worst. It's the worst. I can't believe there's nothing in L.A. Why all of these studios? There's infrastructure and just they let it all go. And it's, yeah, there's nothing shoots in Universal Studios at all.

Nothing. Universal Studios, it's wild. It's like a ghost town. Yeah. And then they ship you off to London. I lived in London for like six months last year. I lost like 20 pounds. Not that I wanted to. What a nightmare.

Yeah, I was living off beer. I was like, this sucks. Like, I got hit by a car. You did? Yeah, no. Look the wrong way. What? Yeah, I was just like, I just like, why?

What's that feel like getting hit by a car? It was scary, but it was also like I lived. It was fun. Like, I was scared, but. It's terrifying. Yeah, it was terrifying. But I lived and then like immediately went, walked back because it was raining. I couldn't get an Uber.

And I walked back to my hotel, I sat down. I was like, why am I? not in Los Angeles. Yeah. It makes no sense. It makes no sense. My house is in a place called Studio City.

Right. I know. And I'm in like fucking Birmingham, England. What the fuck? You have a house there just to have a meeting. Yeah. That is then going to send you. To Louisiana.

Right. I know. I don't understand how this can be good for Hollywood, but whatever. I don't know why. I really don't. It seems like, I mean, I don't know anything.

but it seems like if you let that movie business, movie and television business leave Hollywood, you've made a big mistake as the mayor of Hollywood. Yeah, like I don't know who is in charge that, but I will say, all I know is that we shot the first 80% of this in Chicago, and it went smooth, like, and it was hectic as hell,

but it couldn't have been smooth. The crew was great, everything was great. And then we had to go to California to shoot stuff, part. And as soon as we got to California, all hell broke loose. Really? Production wise, just because everyone was like, this costs so much, this costs three times as

much as Chicago. So you're like, okay, you're like, why? Why? Isn't this where they have it? Yeah. Like, it's sunny all day. Why can't we shoot outside? Like, it's like, and you're just, you're just, there's so much red tape and weird shit in California. You're like, I don't understand why this can't just be like Chicago. Someone's got to correct it. They have to. I don't know why they wouldn't want to. I know.

I mean, there aren't they building like a giant Netflix studio in like New Jersey? I think I drove by it the other day to my aunt's house on 280. Yeah. There's like this enormous, I saw like giant blue screens through what used to be like a shoe leather factory. Right. Yeah.

It's like, oh my God. L.A. really fucking. They blew it. New Jersey. How great that New Jersey, which is coming from New Jersey, There was always like a pride when they would talk about the movie business. Well, it started in Hoboken. Wow, New Jersey, we had it for a split second.

But now it's back, baby. But you're inevitably going to run into the same reason people left the East Coast in the beginning. It's like the weather and sunshine make it easier to shoot. Like, what are we getting? What are we right? Exactly. I don't understand. Like, it's better to shoot in California.

Why are we not doing it? Did you live in New Jersey? I grew up in New Jersey. You grew up in New Jersey. My parents, I had kind of all over upbringing in my. My parents were, when I was born, were in a, like, a Catskill cover band. Oh, really? Pally and Pall.

And my father would play piano, like the Empire Diner. And then they would go on the weekends, like, tour like the Tamaman and Coutures and stuff. Wow. And then when I was like, eight, my dad was like, I don't want to do this anymore. And he went back to medical school, and we all moved to Chicago. Oh. And then after his residency, we moved back to New Jersey. Jersey. So from like 12 to 18, I lived in New Jersey. Wow. So you bounced a little when you were young. Yeah. That's hard. It was, it's always a little. Yeah. I mean, everything's hard. Everything's hard. Everyone's got their, their thing. And we're in Jersey. Livingston? Oh, in Livingston. Nice. Yeah. I was North Jersey. Oh, like Bergen. Yeah. I mean, like Jersey's great. I love in Jersey. I know. I don't. I don't. I don't. I was North Jersey. I know. I don't. I don't. I mean, like, Jersey's great. I know. I don't. I

don't want to live there, but I love it. I think I could live there. My wife is from there, too. Yeah, my wife's from living there. She does not want to move back there. No. I don't have any, a ton of connection anymore to it, but I love, like my aunt still is there and my, my sister's live in Westfield now. Okay. So I go to Westfield quite a bit. Yeah, by Cranford. By Cranford, by the, which they tell me every time, there's a train. I'm like, I'm not taking the fucking train out there. Yeah, exactly. We do a little thing on this show called A Uncomfortable Moment. Great.

And it's not the chairs? Where our research... Is it a bad chair? It's just got one of those like soft middles. Oh, really? You know where like the edges where you're like, am I in the toilet? That's terrible. They just redid all of this.

It looks like the comedy seller downstairs. Really? Yeah. It used to be different. So our researchers did a, do a deep dive on you and then, um, if they this is an uncomfortable moment. You're a big basketball fan. Yes.

And you're playing this role in Mr. Throwback. Yes. When's it start? August 8th. August 8th. And you play, you know, you're always playing a character who's just yourself, not that far from your four moves. Sure, I like to think of it like a thin veil.

Yeah. But you give off a vibe that isn't very Hollywood. and not like you're going to get caught up in your appearance and stuff like that uh like that as a compliment i guess i guess but then what you mean i guess well because it's not well you do this well that was a compliment but this photo contradicts how you're living in your head you want to explain your steroid use and what's first of all yes i do want to say and this is no shade to anybody else but that is my head on kumel nanzani's body are you saying this is doctored are you trying to say No. It is. I do. You know, I really appreciate it though because thank you for doing that.

Because I just read an article the other day about like how actors have to be in impeccable shape because they're, I think the theory behind it was like they're supposed to be the best of us. Uh-huh. And why on screen would I watch something that makes me feel like it was like one of those thing pieces like where it's like the death of the Jack Black or whatever. Uh-huh. And I was like, what? what did you say about my hero? Does everybody think this? Like, is this? This is a growing opinion?

I thought there was room in the room for everybody. Yeah, right, exactly. I had an agent, I just talked about this the other day, that told me when I was first starting, he said, like, so which way are you going to go? I was like, what do you mean? He's like, well, you're either got to go fat or you got to go in shape.

This in between doesn't really sell. Yeah. I was like, what? People have said that to me so many times. They're like, it's hard. I've gotten feedback on so many things. Like, it's hard. You're not like the guy, but you're not like the fat guy.

Right. Yeah, exactly. You're like, wait. And you're like, so what am I, the guy? Can I just be me? Can I just be the guy? Why can't the guy just be me? Do you ever have a weight thing?

Because of that, you feel like I got to dial it in. Yeah, I mean, I think a lot of people that would work with, like, Aidan Mayori, I just worked with, play my ex-wife on the show, says I have, like, body dysmorphia from it. I think I probably do a little bit. But I'm not a ripped guy. Like, I try to be as an, I work out a ton. Like, way too much to look like this. Me too.

It's like, you saw my workouts. You be like, whoa, you should be in shape. I have this streak on Peloton that I keep telling people. It's like a 256 week streak. It's like almost five years. That's amazing. And it's like, I should look amazing. You should look.

You should, you do. First of all, you do look amazing. But yeah, like I don't know. I have a tonal, which is like the weightlifting peloton. Oh, yeah. And I've had it for a year and a half and I'm at almost two million total pounds lifted, which is like an amazing amount. It's an amazing amount.

And I look like shit. you look great no but you know what I mean I do know what you mean I carry the same thing it's just whatever it's what it's gonna be and then I and then I feel like

I'm a little younger than you so I have like tattoos and stuff which doesn't age it's like a 42 year old man like tattoos all over his body he's like such a hard look I'm getting to the age I was talking to Craig Ferguson

about this and he's like no the cool thing about reaching a certain age is it's tattoo time well yeah yeah but you know there's a difference

between its tattooed time and then having those since you're 26. Right. And they're all like faded and weird. And then you're like, take your shirt off. People are like, oh. Oh, you're one of those guys. Why have that guitar on your arm? You're like, it was a hobby.

Yeah. That's amazing. Two million pounds. I know. I should be jacked. Yeah. It really comes down to diet and sleep. And just my heart work.

That's really why I'm. I hope that, yeah, I hope that. My mood and my heart. Yes, I hope the ticker. And I hope it offsets. Like, I do, I do like alcohol. Like, it's hard. Yeah.

It's, that's the number, I think that's the worst thing. Like, probably I do. They're really coming hard at alcohol right now. They're coming really hard at us. Every article. I know it's the, it's bad, but it's also like. The best. My wife and I woke up yesterday and we're like, you know,

screw this drinking. We're in New York. Yeah. You know, and we're seeing people. And it's like, we just woke up feeling like shit yesterday. and it was like, let's not tonight. Right, right. You know what, let's just, that's cool.

Yeah. And then we met up with my family for my mother's birthday. Yeah. What do you want to drink? My wife was like, white wine. I was like, martini. Yeah. It was like, well, we're going to have fun right now.

Yeah, it's hard. It's hard. I mean, like, and I feel like I live for dinner. The only thing I really enjoy in the world is dinner anymore. Like, all I want. I think about it when I wake up is like, how is this like, how is this going to end at dinner? What's going to be the dinner?

What are we going to eat? What are we going to eat tonight? What's going to be? And I'll wait for a bigger one. I'll like not eat as much. You know, it's like I'm just waiting for dinner. And a lot of times dinner involves, like it's like, well, if I'm eating dinner, I want to be drinking alcohol. Yeah, it's dinner time.

It's dinner time to take a little break. Do you cook? I'm not a great cook. No. No. I'm a good orderer. Is that how you, does your wife cook? No.

You're both order. She's a better orderer. were great orders. Did you grow up with a... My mother cooked. My mother was a very good cook. Yeah. I just never...

I just ate it. What did she make? She was one of those good, like, you know, like a terriaki salmon would come out of nowhere. Like a London broil would like... Yeah, I'd be like, you know, a London broil be thrown at you, you know, and you'd be like, Jesus Christ. Like, you know, yeah.

Or like a roast chicken. And you'd be like, wow, this is incredible. Where did this come from? Did you kill this chicken? But that never translated it down. Because she was doing it covertly. Yeah, and she was busy. She worked.

It was like latchy. Like she'd come home. What did she do? She ran my dad's office. Oh, yeah. And what kind of doctor was he? He was an osteopathic internist. He still is.

Now he's in the city running around. Oh, really? No, very cool. Yeah. Do they live in the city? My father lives, yes. My father lives on like 61st. Columbus. Okay. So they gave up New Jersey? Yeah. Well, my mother passed away and then my father was like,

why am I in New Jersey? Yeah. I was like, I don't know. I mean, you took me here. There really is that thing. My daughter was saying, I think you and mom should go to more plays and go out and do more things. And it was like, all right, well, we got to get out of the valley. Yeah, it's like, yeah, okay. If you live in New York, any night, you could just Take a stroll. And that's what he wants. He was like, especially that time, he was like, I don't want to be here. So, during he's been here since.

Did he start dating again? He remarried. He remarried. Oh, that's nice. Yeah. Good. Someone to take care of him. Yeah.

He's going to end up in my basement. I know it. It's definitely going to happen. Yeah, I know it. And every time he comes over, he like, what's the deal with the basement? I'm like, why do you fucking care? And then I'm like, oh, right. What's the deal with the basement?

Was the gym going to always be down there? I'm like, why do you, oh, right, you're looking at square footage. You're hanging up posters. Yeah, he's not going to my sisters. He's like, I'm going to stay in the city. Yeah. Back to the charisma thing. Is it something that, do you think, you're sharing the screen with Stefan Curry and you have charisma?

You know, you've been casting a ton of stuff because you have a thing. Riz. You've got some Riz. Do you think, using as an example, like when you said, I'm going to show up on set and be ready to go and a little more, like, you could actually build on the Riz? Yes, I think that's learnable, 100%. Yeah. I think I, I mean, I know that I always wasn't this good at it. you know like it takes a lot of reps to get really good at a,

first I get really good at a scene in television to like be able to be given sides on the day that have changed a million times and like lock it in and then find a funny way to do it. It's like that's a skill in its own right. And I've gotten to be really good at it because of the reps. You know, like just doing like five years of network television between Happy Endings and Mindy Project back to back. You just like, you just learn.

become a machine. Yeah. And then I think I've had a bunch of failures in my career and not all of them, and a lot of them are my fault. Like, I mean, like, I, you know, like making history, for example, uh, we were like really well reviewed and right around the time they were deciding on whether or not I was going to get picked up, I got arrested. And, and.

For what? For drug possession. So NBC, yeah, New York. So NBC was like, I mean, it was, it didn't stick or anything and it wasn't, you know, it was just whatever. One of those nights, but wrong place. Wrong place, wrong time. But that probably wasn't great. And like, you know.

They took judgment on that when they were deciding it? I think probably. And I think that they probably should have. Like, it was not good. And like, I've, I think a lot of times just like, spoken out of turn or done a bit that didn't land or, you know, I think that as positive as those as positive as those things have been in my career. Yeah. Because they do create a sort of like aura and story about you. And I think probably people kind of think I'm a bit of like a badass or

whatever. Right. Or not. They're not always good for you. Right. And I think I learned and I think I was like really ready at this time and coming off of like a bunch of time not working. I think I was really ready to like come to like step back in the role of like number one and be like, I know how to do this differently now. And I think I know how to do it so that I think I know how to make everybody feel that risk. Right. And I think it's interesting because there is that thing of you, kind of have to live that way to create the kind of, you know, you're finding it too.

Yeah. And then there are guys that spin out. And I would always watch, I'm like, how do these people, I'm working so hard and I'm going to bed. And these people, like, someone has to get that guy too set. Like, he can't do it on his own. He can't even show up on time, on set. It's very rare to not saying that you were at that extreme. but to cultivate that and then be like,

okay, I know these beats and I can make this work in a, I can actually make this work. Well, I never, I always loved, I never was like, never like that. I always loved work and was always 100% for work, but I was young and wild. And I think sometimes when you're young and wild outside of, outside of work, you can also, you know, like, I think I also cultivated a bit of like,

I don't know. Legend. Legend around me. Yeah, which is great. And it is. It's cool. And I revere it a lot of times because some people won't come up to talk to me and I'm like, that's great. Stay there.

But at the same time, it's not, there's been many times where it's proven to not be good because you're, you're bringing all of that with you to work. Right, right. And I learned, I think, from that how not to. Right. And how to bring your best self to work. And Stefan, well, he may have not had any failures really in his life. Although he talks a lot about being underrated and having, you know, been told he had weak ankles and like, you know, he was too small and stuff. Like, he just was like, whatever.

I'm going to operate on this like super open, earnest level with you and whoever it is. and whoever it is. And I think that I was just ready to kind of be like, oh. Yeah, I can do this. I can do that. Yeah, yeah. It's a cool thing. We do a little taste test on this.

Great. If we were in L.A., I would have baked you bread. I saw that you were baking. I bake a lot of bread. Is that pandemic? No, it was before a pandemic. And is it all sourdough?

Because I heard sourdough is the best bread for you. Yeah, it is. It's like living, right? Exactly. And it's breaking down its own sugars. Right. It's like yogurt. Yeah. Yeah. It's fermented. It's heavily fermented in its own yeast and it's breaking stuff down. And it's great. And I would have, but I'm on the road right now. So I couldn't do it.

No worries. I didn't expect it. Well, good. But I like to hear like what your mom made and I like the finer things. But also I like trash because I'm from New Jersey. Yeah. I'm a garbage person. And I've been doing this thing recently, and if you'll indulge me, a little review of some trash that I found. Let's do it. I've been going hardcore on Pringles this summer because these Pringle people have really gone completely bad-shick crazy. And there's like, there used to be one Pringle.

And now there's like 50. No, this is from America. This is not from, like you didn't order this from another country? No, this is in, yeah, this is actually Mike over there on the board was telling me I'm really, failing by not going to the Chinese markets and getting burritos that are in those places. There's quite a few of those lovers. But I'm actually excited for this. Now, is this going to be like a hot ones type deal? Because that pepper at the bottom, the flame coming out of the pestle is something that I'm like, I don't know if they've ever used a pestle. I doubt it. You don't cook from that thing. And if it's on fire, you don't want to use it.

Right. Exactly. It should not be on fire. I've, this is a, it's adobata. Is that how you say it? I believe so. Adobada. You do it, Papa. I'm not, I'm not, I'm not taking a swing. Like I said, I've learned how to do this.

Certain things you don't. Yeah. So, I mean, it looks good. It's got lime on it. And it's naturally and artificially flavored. Like I said, trash. Let's see how we do. I feel like for a Pringle you need to

Yeah 100%. Pringles are really the mini bar When I'm like I'm dialed in And I'm going to try and be good If I walk into a hotel There's a mini bar, there's Pringles Gone within two seconds Yeah

You know, the other thing with Pringles And this is maybe I certainly don't want to be defaming them They're so easy to eat I'll frame it that way They're so easy to eat Because the seasoning is always light like even that which has a little kick

which is nice little lime yeah it's nice it's like very easy to eat whereas sometimes you pop a chip and you're like oh man yeah exactly there's more salt than I need for the week yeah exactly like this this I could I could do enchilada otabata

by Pringles I like it yeah how are you rating what's your up to 10 out of 10 yeah I would say that as a 7 chip yeah I don't I might go eight. I like it.

Good job, Pringles. Yeah, I mean, not really, though. Like, stick with what you know. There's no need for this, but... I mean, sure. It shouldn't really exist. But since it does great job. And it's kind of replicating other flavors.

Like, it feels a little bit like... If they didn't put that lime on there, we would be eating their spicy barbecue. Kew flavor. Yeah, they could right, they could literally put a pizza on there. Yeah, yeah. Spicy pizza flavor. Which they do

have actually. I'm sure, this may be also regional. Yeah, maybe. You know, like this, this, I feel like this spice is not always in a pezzle. No, in Ohio, it's beef. Yeah, cheese curd in Wisconsin. Oh, that's

amazing. What is your favorite road street? Um, I, uh, mini, like what's in the mini bar. I always, I always do look for the chip right away. Like the chip is the first thing to go for a mini bar because I'm not a dark chocolate guy, which seems to have taken over the mini bar industry. It kind of makes me moody. Dark chocolate?

Yeah. I just don't want it. It's like, maybe I'll have it if I'm like drinking a brandy or something, but I just never want wine. And I don't want it. Yeah. And if I'm snacking, I really, I want a good chip. And the bummer is that the chips they have in miniburs are all like artisanal now.

So you never really know what you're getting. Right, exactly. That's the thing about highly processed 7-Eleven kind of thing. Yeah, you know exactly what you're getting. I mean, that's why fucking Donald Trump only eats McDonald's, right? Right. That and he's a trash hole. But he's also like, but he did, right.

I did a show about him for a year. and it made me insane. And one of the... What was that? That was like right when he won like 2016, the president show on Comedy Central. And... It made me insane.

That's too insane. Making, creating and writing on show was a nightmare. I didn't think it at the time. Yeah. I thought I was like taking shots at the bow, but then you slowly realize you're like part of it and you just lose it. You lose it.

Yeah. You lose it. How long did you do it? A year and a half. A year and a half. Were you happy when it was over? Yes. You were.

Yes. It was, we were sad because, again, like, it was, it was really cathartic to be able to, like, see something you disagreed with and then, like, comedically dissect it and just, you know. And then it became, like, so much. It's just, like, your shoulders started to hurt. Yeah. I remember doing press and I walked into the fox. building here in uh i'm sure you're running around and doing a ton yeah and you go into that building

and you like feel it oh yeah you it's like it's like being in berlin in the 40s if you worked here you you're not going to make it yeah yeah you're not going through swiping your ID and going into that building like we're talking about like certain people that place yeah no it has a feeling about it yeah i know it's where it's icky but i i just the amount of news covers like i i people that do the daily show and stuff, I'm amazed that they're able to stay sane. It's just so hard, the amount of crap that we deal with, and then you have to like, so, you know,

that show kind of made me put my head under a pillow. It's insane the power of that guy. I hate it. That it's been like this black hole of energy. I just don't want to hear about it. For so long. I just don't want to hear about it. I just want it to be over.

Just be done. Just be done. Release me. from this. I know. Truly, that's how I feel like. He's eaten up too much of our years. Release me from this.

It's been eight years already of this bullshit. That's at its intensity. It started even before them. Yeah, but in the before it was like, aha, ha, ha. Right, yeah. And then it's like, now it's like,

get the fuck. Yeah, get out of our face. I don't want to hear it anymore. It's making me miserable. And they had a chance. They really had a chance to just get rid of it. Yeah, I'm hoping that maybe this does it.

I hope so. It feels like it might. I'm a glass half full on it. Yeah. So I feel like this may do it. I hope so. Yeah. Because I'm just so tired.

Everyone's tired. Everyone is so tired. I have aged. Like I saw a picture of like Biden aged in the last four years. You see me. I was in New Orleans last week and I went to church. I went to a Catholic. Cool.

How was it? It was beautiful. And it was the oldest Catholic. church in operating church in the u.s it must have been amazing it was amazing and this little guy came in the bishop and he had like a little uh staff and a hat and he was like completely i was like wow this guy's this is unique anyway he his sermon was about being tired and that it's you all you all are working hard and you all are enduring a lot of this heavy burden of life and this onslaught of media.

And it's okay. You're allowed, God wants you to just be quiet. Just get off the path. Take a breath. You're allowed to be tired. That's really beautiful. I don't believe in God. People were sobbing.

That's gorgeous. People, I know, but people were sobbing. They needed, like, I couldn't believe how much impact. It's true. Everybody was tearing up because everyone's so. I know. It's just so tired. I think that's why when Kamala was endorsed by Biden, there was like a sense of joy and real sense of like, here we go. Because I think everyone was like, yes, I'm so tired of all that. Like, yes, just like pick me up and, you know. You do it. Yeah, like give me hope and something, because right now I'm so tired. It's really true. People are really carrying it.

Yeah. I think even on his side, I think those people are fucking. Yeah. How, because it's like eight years of, or 12 years of like hate with no reward. Right. Yeah, that's a great way to put it. You know, like where did you end up? It's the same place.

Did it not worse? You stormed the capital and then went back. I know. You got there, you put your feet up and then you were like, all right. I'm a little hopeful that we took driving through New Jersey had a show in Atlantic City and drove up to New York. and there's not as much merch out there as it was in the other years. Merch is that there's not in the airports either, which I like. I haven't seen it in the airports.

It's, you think that's a sign? I hope so. I mean, because at the same time, I dropped my kids to sleepway camp in the backwoods of Pennsylvania, and it's like every house has a Trump thing on the lawns. Everyone, yeah. You know, but you're also like, this is like 20 people.

Yeah, that's true. I know. You're like, New Jersey was dense with it for. Yeah, but it's not there anymore. I don't see it now. But, you know, I don't know. I just know that I am exhausted from it. And I just want, like, it to be done.

To be done, I know. That's the, the bummer about Biden getting old was that he did do that. Like, you did. Yeah, he did an amazing. Thinking about the president. No, it was, it was such a relief. It was really, he did a good job of just letting you not pay. He gave me three years of, like, that's how it should go.

The world should go and big things should happen. And you go, oh. Yeah. Oh. And you're not conjuring up. big fake shit. Yeah, along the way. Because it's already going to happen.

I know. It's such a mess, I know. I just want to, like... Yeah, that would be very hopeful. Well, I'm going to send you home with these Pringles. Thank you. I mean, eat them in the car. Thank you for doing this.

It was good hanging out. Oh, anytime. I am such a big fan since I was a kid, so I love... Anything you're doing, I'm in. Thanks, man. I really appreciate it. The show looks great. Oh, I can't wait for you see.

You're going to love it. Yeah, I'm really excited. I mean, really, I'm craving. I talk all the time. about how there's an absence of comedies that you can just get into just from these promos watching the Olympics. I mean, the thing that I just am so excited about,

Ego and I talk about it all the time is like, what's the funniest show? Like the bear? I know, that's what we're calling comedy. Like, this is a fucking comedy. You know, like, we're not going for anything other than to be the funniest show on television. That's great.

Yeah, well, I hope we get there. I hope it all works out. Thanks, Tom. Thanks, man. We got it, Mikey.