The Commercial Break - TCB Infomercial: Danny Ricker

Episode Date: April 22, 2025

TCB Infomercial - Episode #734: The Jimmy Kimmel Show's Executive Producer, writer and author Danny Ricker joins TCB on the eve of his book launch. "Wow, You Look Terrible!" is a funny and frank look at parenting, fatherhood and the follies of growing humans. Danny also shares his unique perspective as the co-head writer of the best Late Night Show leaving Bryan & Krissy to wonder....does TCB need a Danny? DANNY'S LINKS: Follow Danny on Instagram Order Danny's Book "Wow You Look Terrible" Visit Danny's Website Watch EP #734 on YouTube! Text us or leave us a voicemail: [phone]TCB FOLLOW US: Instagram:  @thecommercialbreak Youtube: youtube.com/thecommercialbreak TikTok: @tcbpodcast Website: www.tcbpodcast.com CREDITS: Hosts: Bryan Green & Krissy Hoadley Executive Producer: Bryan Green Producer: Astrid B. Green Voice Over: Rachel McGrath TCBits: Written, Performed and Edited by Bryan Green To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Jeff Bezos' fiance, Lauren Sanchez, became the first group of women ever to visit outer space in a giant penis. It's... I mean, that is a penis, right? On Amazon, they would call it a personal massager, but it's a penis. On this episode of the commercial break.

There's these dramatic examples of like, yeah, I sent my toddler, you know, into the gas station by herself or whatever. But then there's two just going like, yeah, you can like take care of yourself. Like you can, you can make yourself a bowl of cereal if I'm not awake yet and you're hungry and all these things. And I think it's like, you can start small. And once they start to get those feelings of confidence and independence, I it's infectious for them, I think. And now, now my daughter, she'll ask for like a little too much, you know,

she'd be like, can I, you know, like, and we'll go, Hey, maybe when you're a little bit older and you know, whatever, but. Hey dad, can I buy a pack of cigarettes? Exactly. The next episode of the Commercial Break starts now. Oh yeah, cats and kittens, welcome back to The Commercial Break. I'm Brian Green. This is my dear friend and the co-host of this show, Chris and Joy Hoadley.

Best to you, Chris. Best to you, Brian. Best to you out there in the podcast universe. Thanks for joining us on a TCB Infomercial Tuesday with Jimmy Kimmel, executive producer, Oscar writer, and now writer of books, a book writer. What do they call those? Authors, Chrissy. There you go. Wow. You look terrible. Danny Ricker. Danny will be joining us in just a few minutes here, but he's got the bona fides. He's an executive producer, co-executive producer at Jimmy Kimmel.

I know, that's big. And when asked if he could do our show, I said, sure, why not? Co-executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel. I'm not going to shy away from saying it. I said, yeah, okay, sure. And then I started to read his book. They gave us a copy, an advance copy. It's on sale today, but I got an advance copy.

And as a father, as a parent, this book will leave you probably stitches, probably crying, and with a little bit of good advice along the way, because kids are a pain in the ass. And anyone that has them knows it's a pain in the ass. And he gives us a few, he gives his tips and tricks on how to like you know declutter the mind the soul and maybe your house and make life a little bit easier some cheat codes if you will as a father himself it's a really well written book and I'm glad that we're bringing him in

today so that we have an opportunity to chat with him about all those things about Jimmy Kimmel and about the book and and life love and the pursuit of happiness if you don't mind Chrissy. That's what this show is all about. Life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Speaking of children, they are... Pursue your dreams. Live, laugh, love my breasts.

The Instagram never fails to surprise me. And having children, I am so terrified. I'm glad. Here's the thing. There's a lot of pushback right now, and I'm digging this, on children in cell phones, adults in cell phones, social media in general. I'm not saying throw the baby out with the bathwater. I do think social media is entertaining.

I spend a lot of time on it, mainly for the show, but I spend a lot of time on it. And I think it's entertaining. But I also think that at least most of the time, I have my head on my shoulders and I know that it's just entertainment, that I'm just, and if you would see my algorithm, you would know I'm not getting caught up in, you know,

who's got the nice car and who's got the nice house and who's on the next vacation. I'm really looking at like the dregs of the earth. I mean, people who are not well on the internet. So when I watch this, I'm like, this is entertainment. This is just entertainment. And everyone thinks they are an entertainer. And there are some people that are just having like a constant conversation going on with that Instagram. And it's surprising to me, they'd need a friend desperately. But I'm raising these children, and it scares the shit out of me. Because I know that there's the next thing is coming.

What is the next thing? Probably some AI combination of reality and unreality and all that. And they're like, some of them were on Easter vacation last week and into this week. And why we have so many vacations, I don't know. Can't we just do it like we used to do it? Where it's one long vacation every couple of months instead of these like four or five day vacations every month.

It's driving me crazy. Anyway, they're on vacation and all they want it because I have to work and Astrid has to work all they want is to be on that iPad, to be watching the television, to be blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. It is a fight to the death to keep them off those screens. But then, I think for just like one half a second with my actual brain, and I go, that's what they see you doing, Brian.

How can you tell them that you can't be on the telephone or you can't be on the cell phone, you can't be on the TV, you can't be on the screen if all I'm doing for a living is being on the telephone or you can't be on a cell phone, you can't be on the TV, you can't be on the screen if all I'm doing for a living is being on the screen. Do you know what I'm saying? I do. So I bought them all cell phones and gave them the passcodes to my chatterbait and there you go.

It's all... Just go ahead and give it all at once. I'm just going to fuck them. They're going to go to therapy for something. It might as well be for cell phone usage. I saw a video the other day. I'm going to ask Danny about this because he's got some good opinions on this. I saw this cell phone video the other day.

I don't know if this is real, staged, fake. I'm not really sure, but it's been going around the internet for a while, for a couple months. A kid from the other side of the world, it looks like, because there's a different language being spoken and you can just see a different part of the world and they, he's got a cell phone in his hand. Maybe he's like a year and a half old and they take the cell phone away from him. And he throws a holy shit fit that goes on. Like it's a, it's a time lapse video. It goes on for like an hour and a half.

And I mean, it's as if you have taken his heroin away from him. It is insane. And it scares the shit out of me. So I say, just let them have it all the time. Okay, you know, just let them have it all the time. Just give them the cell phone and let them suck on the teat of social media. Why not? Why not set their expectations super high right now so they could never meet them and be miserable for the rest of their lives? You know what I'm saying? That's one way to do it. I probably need to be a little bit more like you and just ignore social media altogether. Don't worry about it. But I can't. I don't know. We got to talk about something. And

so social media is it. Plus, I do those damn clips at the beginning of the show and I find all those clips from the internet. If you want to know just how fucked up my algorithm is, just check out the WSHIT clips at the beginning of every episode and you'll know just how fucked up my internet is. Anyway, Danny Ricker, co-executive of Jimmy Kimmel's very popular late night television show, one of the few remaining, one of the better ones if you ask me, probably the best one if you ask me. He's written a book. It's called Wow You Look Terrible. It is available now in many different places. I'll put a link to a few of those in the show

notes. Danny is a noted comedian and writer and I can't wait to talk to him about this new book. Me too. And maybe we'll get a few, maybe we'll dig in a few questions about the Jimmy Kimmel Show and how they get that all done every night of the week, 300 nights a year. They're like us. They're constantly on that wheel. Yeah, you got to constantly churn it out. Yeah, only there's no Danny Ricker here. Like, I don't have a Danny Ricker to help me out. Maybe I'll ask him if he needs a second job. I'm sure he doesn't. You think he gets paid

well? I would say so. Networks, television. I hope so. I hope so too. Maybe we'll ask him how much he gets paid. Is that rude? Is it rude to go how much do you make? Or is it rude to say, do you need someone, do you need another co-executive producer

of the Jimmy Kimmel show? Anyway, why don't we do this? Let's take a break. And then through the magic of tele-podcasting, we're gonna have Dani Ricker right here on this screen talking to us, little old us, Chrissy, little old us. What do you think? I know, I feel special.

I always feel special. I am special in many ways, big and small. All right, what do you think? I know, I feel special. I always feel special. I am special in many ways. Yes. Big and small. All right. What do you think? Should we take a break? I think we should do it. I'm just looking for your approval.

Yes, yes, I'd stamp it. All right, Dani, when we come back. You make this rather snappy, won't you? I have some really heavy thinking to do before 10 o'clock. Hi, cats and kittens, Rachel here. Do you ever get the urge to speak endlessly into the void, like Brian? Well, I've got just the place for you to do that. 212-433-3TCB. That's 212-433-3822. Feel free

to call and yell all you want. Tell Brian I need a race. Compliment Chrissy's innate ability to put up with all his shenanigans. Or tell us a little story. The juicier, the better, by the way. We'd love to hear your voice, because Lord knows we're done listening to ourselves. Also, give us a follow on your favorite socials at The Commercial Break on Insta, TCB Podcast on TikTok. And for those of you who like to watch — oh, that came out wrong — we put all the episodes out on video, youtube.com slash the commercial break, and tcbpodcast.com for all the info on the show, your free sticker, or just to see how pretty we look.

Okay, I gotta go now. I've got a date. With my dog. No, seriously, Axel needs food. Today is pork chop day. Looking for the ultimate online casino experience? Step into the BetMGM Casino app, where every deal, spin, and goal brings Las Vegas excitement into the palm of your hand. Take your seat at Premium Blackjack Pro, where strategy meets top-tier gameplay. Drop in on the exciting Sugar Rush and Crazy Time slot games, or play the dazzling MGM Grand Emerald Nights, a slot experience that captures the magic of MGM. With so many games, it's time to make your move. Download the app and visit BetMGM Ontario today to experience the next level of gaming. Visit betmgm.com for terms and conditions. 19 plus to wager. Ontario only.

Please gamble responsibly. If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact Connects Ontario at 1-866-531-2600 to speak to an advisor free of charge. Bet MGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. Hey, all you cats and kittens out there in the podcast universe. I want to tell you about Rule Breakers with Suraya. video. And while in the moment it may be hard to see the force through the trees, those Rule Breakers often define what it means to be a success. Each week, former wrestling superstar Serea sits down with the boldest voices in sports, entertainment, and beyond to talk about breaking barriers, defying expectations, and rewriting

the rules. They're talking about it all, the fights, the failures, and the moments that changed everything. You can follow and listen to Rule Breakers with Serea on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. And hear, hear to the Rule Breakers for keeping life interesting. Okay, Martin, let's try one. Remember, big.

You got it. The Ford It's a Big Deal event is on. How's that? A little bigger. The Ford It's a Big deal event. Nice. Now the offer? Lease a 2025 Escape Active all-wheel drive from 198 bi-weekly at 1.99% APR for 36 months with $27.55 down. Wow, that's like $99 a week. Yeah, it's a big deal. The Ford it's a big deal event. Visit your Toronto area Ford store or Ford.ca today.

Danny's here with us now. Danny, thank you so much for joining us today. We really appreciate it. Thanks for having me guys. This is an honor to be on. So thank you. Well, it's an honor to have you, your co-executive producer of my favorite late night television show.

I think the one that is doing the best at carrying on that late night tradition, which is Jimmy Kimmel, of course. And I've been a big fan of Jimmy's for a long time. I like Colbert too, but I think Kimmel is my favorite because I just, I think I resonate most with his comedy style and his voice. And you are one of the voices of that comedy styling. So question, it's gotta be an absolute, like chaotic hot mess to put a show on every single night of the week, starting from scratch. Yeah.

Yeah, it's a lot. We have a great team at our show. I mean, from the writers to our producers to our props department. I mean, everybody is really, really good at their job which makes it a lot of fun. So it is chaotic, it's crazy, it's weird. So, you know, we started about 6 a.m.

and we're doing a show at 4.30 and we don't know what's gonna be in the show that night, but because we have such a great group of people, it gets done every day by hook or by crook. Do you have like a, like, so here, you know, largely blossoms from our brains we write notes down We also do four four days a week. So but we don't have production elements. We don't have 25 cameras We don't have props. We don't have all that. It's just us in a chair

Mm-hmm So it whatever we can use our voices for is about as as much as we're gonna get out of the show Do you have ideas that carry over from day to day, like evergreen ideas? You put it on a list and you say, okay, Jimmy didn't pick that one. I'm assuming Jimmy has the last say in what goes on the show. He does. He he's very, you know, I'm, I'm one of the head writers. I'm one of four head writers at our show, but Jimmy is really our show runner

and he's the final say on everything. And, um, he's, you know, he does a ton of writing. He does a ton of producing. We, I often say for his own good, I think he's probably a little too involved just cause he is. I mean, he'll, he's up all night going through scripts and stuff, but I think that's what makes the product good.

They have a host that cares that much, but yes, he's, he's always the final say. And so you have ideas like evergreen ideas that you can like carry over from one day to the next. Like he didn't pick it yesterday, but I'll throw it in there next week and we'll see if it works on this day or. Yeah, yeah.

I mean, part of my job is one of the, you know, one of the heads of the writing department is to sort of have like a little mix of everything, right? Like sometimes we have that great idea that can only go that day. It's based on kind of the big story of the day. We love to have one of those. And then if the news is such where we're like, yeah,

to me today wasn't one of those days where there's like the, the Pete, Hegseth like signal story. We didn't have like, you know, like we have a couple of good things we're gonna cover. So I always try to plan and have like a couple of things in our whole story. Be like, oh, you know what?

We shot that bit last week, but that'll work tonight. And then we have some stuff that's not remotely related to the news that we can always mix in. So we always kind of feel like we're, you know, we're kind of putting the menu together for Jimmy every day. And we'd be like, all right, here's all the items and you can kind of pick. And then he kind of sees how he feels that day

and what's going on. And he assembles what feels like the best collection of stuff. So we have another head writer named Josh who sits with him all day and looks at all that stuff and pieces it all together. So we just try to prepare for all possible scenarios. Very interesting.

I bet that that kind of chaos becomes a little bit addictive after a while. I'm sure it's not great for your health, but I'm sure it becomes- Yeah, you're kind of feeding on that. I'm sure this is not good for my health either, but there's something about it that like, I'm much like you, I'm sure.

And like, Jimmy, like it's midnight, I'm just about to fall asleep. Something comes to my brain, I'm writing it down, I'm fleshing it out, I'm much like you, I'm sure. And like, Jimmy, like it's, you know, midnight. I'm just about to fall asleep. Something comes to my brain. I'm writing it down. I'm fleshing it out. I'm, you know, researching it or whatever. I have a question and then I'd like to, you know, obviously discuss you and your, and the book.

Yeah. Which by the way, I thought was very funny and, uh, useful. Like, it's hard to put those two things together when you're talking about children, but when you have such an interest, when you're living in such an interesting time and you've got Jimmy who, and the show, which are so mainstream and visible, how do you collectively as a writing team and a production team make the decision about how far

you're going to dig your heels in or poke at the bear, so to speak, and, you know, without getting into kind of the politics of it. Obviously you've got an administration now who's not afraid to wield a sword, right? And do a lot of talking and that talking sometimes now it seems like can come with action. That's biting.

How do you make a decision about how far you're going to take it? Cause I believe Jimmy is one of those voices who's really not shied away from taking a swing at the king, so to speak. Yeah. It, you know, there's not as much thought into it as, as you might think, you know, like I, uh, I, I had someone asked me the other day, you know, they went like, uh, you know, well, when, when did you all decide to get political?

And I was like, you know, we didn't have like a meeting where we all sat down and went, okay, now our show is political. We feel like our goal every day is to get up and look at what's happening and decide how we feel about it and then talk about it. And, you know, for many years, like when I started as a writer, you know, every day, like our main story was like who got voted off American Idol? And, and that's not because we were particularly interested in American Idol,

but it's like, that's what our country was talking about. I mean, that was exactly, I mean, literally like that season Sanjaya was on American Idol, whatever year that was like CNN, CNN would cover that. Like the story on CNN was Sanjaya didn't get eliminated from American Idol. So we try long for those times. I know, I know. Bring me back. I know.

So we just, we try to be a mirror to what's going on. Jimmy always says, I want to talk about what people are talking about. And so I think over the course of, you know, the last, you know, 10, 15 years, our country has started talking about different things and we've just kind of gone along with it. So, you know, I feel like just the very small cog that I am in this process, I just look at what's going on and I go, what is my reaction to that? Do I feel that's hypocritical? Do I feel like that's a good idea? A good thing?

You know, and then I just try to word that as humorously as I can. And sometimes the news is sad and we still gotta do a show that night. And so we try to find our little angle that maybe we can add a little levity to it and help other people digest it too. And so one of the biggest compliments we can get is, we do a monologue on a kind of a big news day,

even if it's something that's kind of serious and people will text me the next day and go, you know what, I really, that helped me kind of think through what was going on. And it made me laugh too when we go, okay, well then I think we're doing our job if that's going on. Yeah. Yeah, I think for time in memoriam,

or at least as long as the late night television, as long as I've been alive, late night TV is a place where you go, where you have an opportunity to see that there are other people that are laughing through the pain, and there's kind of a voice, this being Jimmy, maybe Letterman or Carson, however far you want to go back,

where you would tune in and there was, I don't know, this might be a weird thing to say, but this is how I feel, like, it was almost a grounding event. Okay, we're laughing at it. It's real, it's sad, it's tough, it's scary, whatever it is, but we're Okay, we're laughing at it. It's real, it's sad, it's tough, it's scary, whatever it is, but we're here, we're laughing at it. And there's someone on the other side of that screen that understands it's big, it's scary,

it's interesting, whatever, but they're giving me some catharsis through this really tough day or this tough news cycle or whatever it happens to be. Maybe not so much now because of the advent of the internet and short form content and dumb podcasts like ours, but you know, I still see those late night talk show hosts as kind of a beacon of like an outlet,

an outlet where we can look on the other side of the screen and say things are gonna be okay. There is someone who's got a level head, but also finds a way to laugh. And I think that's an important role that you play. You as, it's an important role that you're giving voice to that. Yeah. And you know, I mean, we're,

we're under no illusions that it's like, you know, we're, we're still just a comedy show, but you know, I, I do feel like, you know, if we can make people feel seen, you know, like, you know, we always feel like if people watch our show and they go, yes, exactly. Like that, maybe I didn't have that particular thought, but, you know, we always feel like if people watch our show and they go, yes, exactly. Like that maybe I didn't have that particular thought, but like you're so right in the way you're thinking of that. And I think one of the, one of the great things about Jimmy is he's just,

you know, even with all his success and everything, he's just a real kind of every man kind of regular guy. And I think that's how we try to approach even complicated stories, whether they be political or, you know, whatever it is. And, you know, we just try to point even complicated stories, whether they be political or whatever it is. And we just try to point out what seems weird about it or typical or whatever it is. And we don't get too academic about it unless we need to. And we have that ability to do it if we need to. But I think we just try to make everything digestible. And we know some people get their news from us, which we don't necessarily recommend. But it's not advocating for that. You should read some real newspapers and stuff.

But I think if you are coming to us, we try to kind of explain what's going on and then also just kind of break it down in a way where you can understand it and then also hopefully find a little humor in it, whatever it may be. and understand it and then also hopefully find a little humor in it, whatever it may be. You know, true story or not,

you used to have the profession of watching TV on behalf of Jimmy. Yeah, we saw that. True. We were watching another interview that you did and we saw that you were like a TV watcher trying to find clips. Now, I only know this position actually exists

because I was a listener of the Howard Stern show. Yeah. And I know that JD, one of the people that works on that show, that's what he does. He sits around watching endless hours of TV, trying to find clips that Howard can play. I guess you started as the JD of the Jimmy Kimmel show. Yeah, yeah.

I was a college intern there for like three months and then right when I, I actually graduated college early, like I didn't pick up a minor so I could graduate early and go work at Jimmy Kimmel Live when I was 22 years old. Yeah, and so yeah, but this job exists there and we still have it to this day. I think we were kind of one of the first shows to really do it. But again, like when I started, I think we were kind of one of the first shows to really do it.

Um, but, uh, you know, again, like when I started, I was watching, you know, I'd watch the view, I'd watch the bachelor. I'd watch, um, uh, Tila Tequila had a dating show that I want all those, all those shows. And so, yeah, I would sit in this like disgusting little office with three other people and we just watch TV and it's funny. Cause like it, it sounds like so chill, you know, like, like, ah, you're just sitting around, but it's like, you know, it's

like a professional workplace we work in and you have to deliver clips every day and you got to get stuff on the show. So it was weirdly kind of like a sales job where it's like every day, you know, at like 11 o'clock you'd show up and be like, okay, here's all the things I found. And hopefully Jimmy likes some of them and they get on the show. But it was a really great like kind of entry level creative job for me. Like I knew I wanted to be a writer someday.

And so with this, I got to kind of look for funny things. I could go on the monologue. You know, I would work with the writers at that time, a bunch where they might have an idea for a bit that involved footage and I'd actually sit with one of them and find all this stuff. So it was really good training for me and I kind of got to know the the writers, you know, through that too. Yeah, so I did it for two years. I think that my last day was the

day Barack Obama got elected. So I had like a full like election cycle I did. Which was crazy. But I think I'm really glad I had that job too. Because I think it made me a good like kind of mental editor Like when I'm writing I can go. Oh, yeah, I sort of know like what's a reasonable piece of footage to ask someone for you know, and how things will fit together and But yeah, I know that that was a that was a crazy job Weirdly that the amount it's I did that for like 18 months that time feels longer than the like 15 years

I've been a writer somehow. It was it was was just like, it was so, it was like a clockwork orange. You just sat there with your eyes open, consuming every piece of media that came across your TV. And like, not like good media. This isn't like, you know, 60 minutes and you know, Nova. Tequila, tequila and Jerry Springer for endless hours. But I can see how that would lead into you understanding how to edit, how to get a comedic voice.

You would say, you know, okay, you're looking for things and you're finding kind of your own rhythm, your own style. And at the same time, working with the people who are giving voice to Jimmy. And so I can see how if you're smart and sharp and have that keen sense, then you kind of work your way up. And I think it's great that you started there and then you work your way up into co-executive producer.

That's gotta be a dream come true, I would imagine. It is, and I'm very lucky that I work at a place with a group of people who promote from within and can foster people. And I mean, there's a lot of places you could work that would just kind of keep you where you're at. But when I was a TV watcher, I had said to the head writer at the time,

this guy, Steve O'Donnell, who's a late night legend, he was Letterman's head writer for many years, and he was our head writer at the time. And I just told him, I went like, hey, I'm interested in learning about writing. And he's like, great. And he gave me some great advice. I went like, hey, I'm like interested in learning about writing and he's like great and he you know gave me some great advice and then the two head writers who came in after him named Molly McNearney

and Gary Greenberg, they hired me as a writer's assistant and so they taught me so much and now they're two of the other head writers at the show with me which is like that's a really special thing for me so but you know again at that time they could have just been like all right well you're our assistant, you order the lunch and whatever. But they knew that on top of doing that stuff, I was also really interested in learning how to write. And so they taught me so much.

And I, you know, for me, it's like, that was kind of like my comedy writing, like college or whatever, where it's like, oh, I get to work with the writers and I can, you know, write some material and have professional writers like really look at it and give me notes. So I just, I feel I'm forever grateful that Jimmy and the team there were able to go, yeah, hey, like

we see that you have a goal and we're gonna help you get there. Do mom and dad, do you call mom and dad and say, hey, mom and dad, I got a job as a TV watcher? They go, oh, I'm sure as shit glad we paid for all that college kid. Yeah. What do your parents think about, you know, just kind of Whoa, I'm sure as shit glad we paid for all that college. What do your parents think about, you know,

just kind of, did you have more of a straight laced childhood or were your parents a little like, I don't know about all this kid. My parents are wonderful and very supportive and always have been. So they were really excited for me. I mean, I was literally, I mean, I got a psychology degree in college

and I literally was like, I was like wrapping that up so quickly so I could go watch Dr. Phil for a living, you know, they were, but they were excited. And you know, we're from Southern California, you know, I've lived here my whole life. And so, you know, I, you know, Jimmy was on the radio out here, there was a morning duo called Kevin and Bean, legendary morning duo out here.

And Jimmy was on their show. He was their sports guy, but you know, he wrote a ton of their sketches and their Christmas albums. And so I had been a fan of Jimmy since I was like really young. And my parents knew that too. And my parents were a fan of, you know,

him too from being from Southern California. So like they just thought it was the coolest thing that Jimmy Kimmel had a late night show and I was gonna go work on it. And so they've just been nothing but supportive they're still like really really big fans and that's always been great for me. What it must be like to have parents that are proud of you. My dad's still wondering when it's all gonna work out for me. But you know that's that's my crossword. How did you decide that you're, first of all, tell me about,

how many kids you have? I have two kids. I have an 11 year old and a seven and a half year old. Oh, so you're right in the thick of it, just like I am. Your kid's a little bit older than my children, most of them. So you have a seven and 11 year old. When did you decide, obviously you have a great comedic voice and this is probably,

I would imagine since you're writing every single day, this is kind of an easy transition for you, right? Let me put some of these thoughts down, collect them, organize them and write a book, but I think you struck a balance between good advice and funny shit. Like how did you decide you're going to write a book and how did that come together? Thanks. You know, it actually, it was, it was Jimmy's idea

for me to write it actually. And, and yeah, yeah. So like we, um, at our show every day, you know, on top of all of our topical material, Jimmy, you know, for many years asked that we submit just one little observational non-topical thought. And we didn't even really have like a set way we were going to use them, but he goes, I kind of like having these and everyone wants,

we'd have a bit where we need some observational humor. He's like, Oh, let's go back and look in that big document of observations. But so, you know, I was doing this for years and mostly, you know, I'd be sitting right here going like, okay, what, what do I observe? And I had two little kids. So like every day my non-topical observation was something about my kids. And he always really liked them. And eventually after doing this for years,

he was like, we have no use for this on our show. Like obviously, like he's not gonna do like material about my kids on our talk show or whatever. But he goes, you should try writing like a book. And kind of the initial thought was, like a page a day kind of, like one observation per day kind of thing. And, um, but then we went like, well, maybe I can also kind of make that a bigger thing.

I don't know. So I just, I printed all these things out and I laid them on the floor and I went like, okay, what's like my, what's the general theme of these, like 200 thoughts I have here and I think the general theme, yeah, chaos. Yeah. The general theme is don't do it. Don't have kids. But I think what I realized was like, generally speaking, I'm a very practical person and parenting is the most impractical process like ever. And so I went, okay, like, so what,

you know, if I'm going to write a book like about parenting, what is the idea? And, So I went, okay, so if I'm gonna write a book about parenting, what is the idea? And the structure I got to was, I read a lot of self-help books. That's mostly what I read. Join the club. We do too. Join the club.

And I feel like with every self-help book, it's like, okay, here's the problem that's ruining your life, and I'm gonna solve it in three steps, basically. And then everything will be perfect for you. And then I'm going to create an additional problem that my next book will. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah. That's the phase I'm in now. But, um, but yeah, so, so then I went like, okay, so what's the problem? And I think I just realized,

I go, yeah, I am, I'm no longer like a person. I used, I used to be a person who I had hobbies and friends I saw and all these things. And now I'm just, I'm like my kid's service animal, basically. And, and so kind of the faux premise of my faux self-help book is how to parent less and then kind of get your, your life back so you can go back to living your life. And, you know, again, it's a, it's a comedy book. It's a collection of comedy essays, but I will say as I, as I've read through it again, as now that it's like printed up in a real book, I go, you know, not everything is bullshitting here. There,

there are kind of like some decent ideas and they're all based on real things I've observed as a parent. So, um, it, you know, generally speaking, the book is humor, but I, I, my hope is that parents will read it and feel I'm seeing a little bit and go, Oh yeah, actually I go through this on a daily basis too. And you know, I think that's a good way to put it. I think that I, I think that, you know, the excerpts that I had a chance to read. I feel like you truly understand what it's like to spend a day with my

wife or I, specifically me, you talk about bath time and you say, I don't understand why we have to give bath kids, kids baths every single day, even though it's obligatory and you have to do it because they are disgusting little creatures that mess up your house. You're right. It's 90 minutes later. We've done nothing but fight, argue, fuss. Everyone's wet, soap's everywhere.

Tile has got gangrene or something growing on the corner because they splash everywhere. And it really is just like this super frustrating part of the day. And you go, maybe they weren't all that dirty. Maybe I really didn't need to give them a bath every day. Or you say like something about the purgatory for toys, which we do here. Like literally, we say, okay, kids, it's whatever, second quarter, you got to pick 10 things that you want to give away to children that are less fortunate. You put them in this box, you say goodbye, and in a couple of days they're going.

It's a great idea. So you say things that actually, it's good advice. It's good advice that I found I either will take or have taken before. And there is so much chaos in raising children that- As they're running down the hall. As they're running up and down the hall here in the house, you can hear them screaming, actually. They just got home from school. But there's so much chaos in raising children that if you're like me, I like things a little

bit organized, there comes a point when you have to just throw your hands up in the air and say, fuck it. It's not going to happen anymore. At least not in this stage of my life. I have to embrace the chaos and understand that life is truly messy. And with children, it's extra messy. Is that, is that a hard thing for you to do? Like it is for me?

Yes, I I'm by my nature. I'm also a very organized person and, uh, you know, it's, it's hard for me just to like let things go sometimes. But, uh, you know, I, I do enjoy it too. I enjoy being a parent. And that was one thing when I started writing the book, I was like, I don't want this to be like a anti-kid book. I actually like really enjoy being a dad.

It's just that like I'm at constant odds with like, okay, like am I gonna engage in this ridiculous thing I'm being sucked into here, or am I just gonna like exercise a little stoicism and put something at arm's length? And really what I'm trying to look for in the book is like corners you can cut that won't affect your kids negatively, right?

It's like sometimes like you really, you do things, cause like you said, you feel like you're supposed to like, like, uh, you know, you're like, Oh, you know, you're supposed to sew your kids Halloween costume by hand. It's like, like what, why are you, you're not being graded or whatever. And it's like, you know what? $12 on Amazon will survive. They're going to be just as happy. So I, you know, I'm, it was trying to like,

take the self-imposed ridiculousness that I feel like we're doing either for show for other parents or, you know, generationally, we feel like we're supposed to do or our kids will grow up to be serial killers. You know, if we don't do X, Y, and Z. And, you know, I think ultimately they don't need much other than just like, you know, they need to know you'll love them and you gotta take them to get ice cream every once in a while. And you know, that's about it.

Yeah. I agree a hundred percent. I think that there is like this, and especially in 2025 over the last 10 or 15 years, when we were kids and I don't know how young you are, but I would imagine you were in the similar age range. When we were kids, there was a much, um, less complicated parenting philosophy and that was keep them fed, keep them clean and keep them safe and the rest will take care of itself. And every 10 years we've gotten more involved and there's more

obligations and it's more, um, involved and there's more obligations and it's more hovering and it's more babying and it's more, you know, but they grow up faster anyway now. And so there, I think we could all use a little bit of this kind of advice that you got to own, you got to bring, like you got to be a whole person yourself before you can parent another human being, number one. But number two is you don't have to live up you've got to be a whole person yourself before you can parent another human being, number one. But number two is you don't have to live up to every expectation that's put out there on

the internet or in the books or in whatever it is, wherever it is you choose to find out about parenting because you really overcomplicate a situation that was going to be complicated from the beginning no matter how you chose to parent them. And that they need to, they're their own human being. They need to be given the space to grow in that way. And you humorously, I think, kind of pull back those covers a little bit. And I think that's a good thing.

Thank you, yeah. You know, like, I never remember a time where like my dad like sat on the floor and like played with me for two hours. And I will say, and I will say I might, I have a fantastic father. I love my dad so much. And it was, but it was just a, just a difference in generational stuff. And so, you know, I, and I don't, I think it's good that we sit and play with our kids now too, but I think we can go a little too far sometimes too, because we just, we feel like we've been, you know, nowadays it's like, well, the kid's in charge and whatever the kid says they need, you can give them.

And so, you know, I think like with all things it's balanced. And I don't know if you guys have read The Anxious Generation. I have, yeah. Like that book kind of hit me like a ton of bricks too, you know, and I think a lot of people would say maybe, you know, he recommends things that are too far, but I think there were so many things in there that kind of speak to this too, where it's like, yeah, like, you know, kids can have a little

independence. Like one of the metaphors he talks about in that book I love is like, you know, these like, there's these trees in Hawaii, and they're so strong. And it's because like they're they're blown by wind, like constantly, and that makes them strong. And then they're so strong and it's because like they're they're blown by wind like constantly and that makes them strong and then they're kind of indestructible and I do think that is a good metaphor for kids and There are safe ways in which you can you know, give them a little independence and you know, my my 11 year old Like in the last like six months we were at the grocery store the growth you know the Ralph's we go to every week and I had a little list and I tore it in half and I go, you're

going to get this half of the list and I'm going to get this half of the list. And she looked at me like I was insane. She's like, what, like, what do you mean? And I, and I'm thinking like, yeah, and I really, all she's got to do is go over like three aisles and grab some bananas or whatever. And she did that and she came back to me and she just had the biggest smile on her face and she just like, couldn't believe she had done it. And it was such a simple thing.

Um, but I do think that's important. And, you know, obviously you got to weigh a lot of factors in that. Not everyone's comfortable with that. And, and, you know, no shame if people aren't, but I, you know, I do think we social media, I think in the internet, we see so much now of how much people parent and how much everyone can comment on how you're parenting and all these things that I do think you can kind of make some personal choices to dial some things back

in the appropriate way and give your kids a little independence. I agree with you, I saw a reel the other day and I don't know which book she was referring to but there was a woman and I'm not bashing this, I'm just sharing, this wouldn't be my personal choice, but along these same lines, she said, I read this book and they said we should give our children

an one age appropriate task to do all on their own every single week. And as they grow older, they get more age appropriate tasks. So she was having her four year old girl go into a gas station to buy like some potato chips by herself. And I'm thinking to myself, that girl's four years old. She's not going to know, she don't even know where the potato chips is. But I agreed with the premise. The premise was, you know, have them do something where they feed, they take ownership over their own lives and their own actions and they understand how to get things done. We've all seen this father in Japan who puts ropes and rocks and dirt in front of his child on

the way to school every day, and he doesn't help him. He says, you have to figure out how to get over the ropes, how to get around the rocks, how to get through the mud, and every day, and he's teaching his kid resilience, how to use his brain and how to be himself and independent. And that's how I was raised. I don't remember my dad playing with me. And my dad was also a good dad in his own tough love kind of way. I appreciate him now, maybe not then, but I learned a lot on my own because my father let me fail and he didn't, he wasn't there to save me every time. He told me he wasn't going to be there to save me every time. He told me he wasn't gonna be there to save me. And now I appreciate that so much,

but that feels scary to me as a parent. It feels scary to let my kid fail because I don't want them to hurt and I don't want them to be hurt and all that other stuff. But, you know, it's an interesting reminder and your book shares this is that we did okay. We survived and we became human beings that, you know, live and breathe on this earth.

That read self-help books. Yeah, that read self-help books and have lots of therapy and suffer from all kind of PTSD. And they should go through the same shit we went through. Pain begets pain, kid. Hurt people hurt people. I'm sorry. You're two, you're gonna go to the motel

and check in and stay the night by yourself. That's your task for today. I think it's a good reminder. It is, you know, it's funny. When I went to college, I remember my first week I lived in a dorm and all my clothes were dirty and I went, oh, I don't know how to do laundry.

And the reason I didn't is because my mom loves me and, you know, was trying to help me out in high school and all these things. But I just went, Oh, and I remember in my dorm, popping the lid of the washing machine open and reading the instructions on the bottom of the light. Who has ever done that? But, you know, besides like me, and I was like, Oh, okay. I need like detergent. I, I had no idea.

And that just came from my mom, like wanting to take care of me, like out of the kindness of her heart. But I've remembered that stuff and I've gone like, okay, so now like my 11 year old, like knows how to use the washing machine. And like, if she gets to like Monday morning, she's going to school and she goes, oh, none of my pants are clean. I go, I guess you should have done your laundry this weekend. And that happened like one time and like now she's on top of it, you know? And so I, I think it's more of like a mindset, you know, it's like we, there's

these dramatic examples of like, yeah, I sent my toddler, you know, into the gas station by herself or whatever. Um, but then there's two just going like, yeah, you can like take care of yourself. Like you can, you can make yourself a bowl of cereal if I'm not awake yet and you're hungry and all these things. And I think it's like, you can start small and once they start to get those feelings of confidence and independence, it's infectious for them, I think it's like you can start small. And once they start to get those feelings of confidence and independence, it's infectious for them, I think.

And now my daughter, she'll ask for like a little too much. She'll be like, can I, you know, like, she'll, and we'll go, yeah, maybe when you're a little bit older and you know, whatever, but. Hey dad, can I buy a pack of cigarettes? Exactly. Okay, so in your book, I think one of the funniest parts of the book is like you're talking about

these lies, lies that won't harm your children irreparably, but you can talk to them, you can tell them to like save you time and effort and energy. And one of my favorites, and man, I wish I could implore that I could install this rule in our house right away or say this lie immediately, but they already know how the car works. I wish I could tell them that the car no longer plays music because if I hear Frozen or Apata one more time, I think I'm gonna jump out of a window. It's crazy. They're like, they always wanna listen to it on repeat too.

It's driving me off the fucking wall. Yeah, you have to start early with that one. You know, it's like once the cat's out of the bag, you can't put it back in. But yeah, it just occurred to me like, yeah, like I'm always listening to like, you know, like punk music in the car or whatever. And, and the first time the kids are like, yeah, can we put on, um, you know, incanto, I'd be like, I just, it doesn't play in the car, like, you know, like kid, kid music, just, it doesn't, it's not wired to play, you know, kid music in the car. And they go, all right. They don't know how stuff works and they can't Google shit.

So you're their de facto expert on everything. And I think it's totally fine to lie to kids. And you know what? I feel like they lie to us about everything and I feel like it's okay. Just to wedge a couple in. Yeah, a little white lie. yeah, a little white lie. Yeah, a little white lie.

Yeah. I had a friend who took it like to the nth degree and they wouldn't tell their kids about Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, because they believed that that would cause damage that they would not be able to recover from when they found out that Santa Claus was a lie or that Tooth Fairy was a lie or that Easter Bunny was a lie, or that Tooth Fairy was a lie, or that Easter bunny was a lie. I almost bought into that, but I was like, am I gonna actually exclude that magic from my child's life? I feel okay telling them that Santa Claus exists,

and they will go to therapy just like I did, and everything will be fine. You know what I'm saying? It's like, figure it out and everything will be okay. You know what, I think like, I'm totally fine doing that. I mean, I have a whole chapter in the book, right? I recommend we just get rid of all of them, not for because we're lying to the kids

just because they're a huge pain in the ass for parents. But I do feel like you can, it's kind of the first time they get to like solve a mystery, because like I think rarely is a kid told about those and they go, what? And it's like the end of the sixth sense. Like I feel like they kind of know, because like, I think rarely is a kid told about those and they go, what? You know, and it's like the end of the sixth sense. Like, I feel like they, they kinda know, you know, like, even my, my son right now is he keeps going things like, well, uh, you know, the Easter bunny, if he's

real, we'll bring me whatever. And I go, all right, the fact that you're saying that is like, you, you know, and they've put the pieces together and like, you know, we're not particularly good at like hiding the, you know, the,'ve put the pieces together and like, you know, we're not particularly good at like hiding the, you know, the evidence. Yeah, yeah. My, I remember like, I think three Easter's ago, because you know, you wanna like,

ideally all the eggs are in the backyard or whatever before the kids wake up, but kids wake up at like 5.30 in the morning. So you're like, all right, what am I supposed to do? We're supposed to wake up at four. And then I'm like, we could do it at night, but we have, you know, we've like raccoons and stuff in our backyard. And so I'm like, all right, what am I supposed to do? I wake up at four. And then I'm like, we could do it at night, but we have, you know, with like raccoons and stuff in our backyard.

And so I'm like, they're going to eat. So I remember the kids woke up and they looked in the backyard and they go like, oh, the Easter money didn't come. And I had to go, I go, he hasn't come yet. You know, he's got to go to all the houses. So he just hasn't, you know, he's like the Amazon guy. He's got to, you know, he's going to make his way here.

You know, why don't you go hide in a closet? We'll see if he comes in the next hour or so. Daddy needs a shot of whiskey. Yep. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And so, you know, it's like kids aren't stupid. Yeah. They, they put that together eventually. Okay. So mine is, mine is, uh, one of my kids is around your son's age, seven, right? Yep. Is around seven years old. And he is also starting to say things like, is the tooth fairy real?

And I said, do you believe the tooth fairy is real? That's my response, right? I throw it back on him. And he says, I think so. And I go, well, if you believe, then it's real because I haven't seen him either. I haven't seen her either or whatever. And so that's kind of my like default response.

I feel like he's already starting to unravel the mystery a little bit. Why do some presents come from Santa, but some come from mom and dad. Well that's the other thing, the why, why? Why does that happen? Why, why, why? And I like the answer which was, I'm just an idiot,

I don't know. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Wow. Yeah, I know. The keeping up of the back stories is a lot for us. And one thing that I think when my daughter I know, the keeping up of the back stories is a lot for us. And one thing that I think when my daughter

figured out Santa Claus, I think kind of the best thing you can do when they figure it out is go, okay, you got me, but now you get to kind of be part of the Illuminati who knows about this, right? And so, because then you don't want them to go to school and go, hey dude, guess what I found out? So you're like, hey, so you're kind of part of the like Santa crew now, or you're part, you know,

whatever. That's good. And then it's, and you can, and this makes people happy and you can help, you know, keep the myth going. And so then they feel like they've got a secret which kids love, you know. When did you, when did she, when did she discover? When was her like the uncover age?

Well, we had a very, it was, it was a little dramatic with my daughter because she's, you know, she's like a trial lawyer and always has been. So she, when she was, I think like five years old, she really wanted this gift for Christmas. That was ridiculous, right? And so she, it was a big, it's a big plastic horse. And from like the second Frozen movie, there was like, it's a big plastic horse. And from like the second Frozen movie,

it's like an ice horse, right? And this thing was like $150 and does nothing. It's just a big fucking piece of plastic. And so she's asking for it. And my wife and I are going like, are we gonna buy this thing? Like this is like, we do not wanna buy this thing. And yeah, and the place we were living at the time

was like small. I go, this is going to take up like 2% of our total square footage in our house. This stupid horse, right? So, um, you know, so she's asking for it, asking for it. My wife and I are like, we're not, we're not going to buy this, but we're like, we're going to get her a bike, right? Bike. Great classic Christmas gift. You know, perfect gift. Yeah. So then Christmas morning comes and uh, there's no plastic horse and there is a bike and all the gifts are open and this like my daughter's face just goes like blank and she goes, I know you're Santa.

And we're like, like, whoa, like, you know, and she put it all together and she's like, you didn't get me the water knock. You got me the bike because the bike, the bike is cheaper. You know, like, I mean, it was like, I mean, she was like, had us dead to rights or like, Oh boy. So, uh, so she had figured it out. And then, so then we started going like, do we rush out and get, I mean, it's, it's like Christmas morning is, is Walmart open? Like, how do we go get this thing?

And so we eventually, so we, we didn't get it for her and then, but she ended, she had some money, like she had saved up from birthdays and stuff, and she bought it. And it's still in our house to this day. She never, I mean, now she's like 11. Like she doesn't need a big horse, but she is like, she's very stubborn. And she's digging her heels in. She goes, I love that thing. I go, oh, do you, do you really love it?

Or are you just driving me insane? Yeah. Oh, have you guys started the cell phone conversation yet? Yeah. Oh, yes. Yes. I'd say my daughter has started the cell phone conversation. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, no, we're-

So is my three-year-old, by the way. It's like, this is ridiculous. You're never- they had started asking the other day at dinner, what age can we get a phone? And I said, that will be a decision that me and your mother will make when we get tired of giving you our own cell phone. We'll make that decision.

Yeah. I mean, look, there's like definitely some good uses for it. Like, you know, we have, um, uh, you know, my, my wife, like got a new iPhone and then so, but we kept her old one. So there's no cell service, but if they're on wifi, you know, they can use it. And so, you know, we've had some good stuff, like if they're staying with their grandparents and we're like, hey, you could text us

or you could FaceTime, that's great. But so that old iPhone we say is the family phone or whatever, and my daughter, she'll go like, she'll be like, oh, have you seen my phone? I go, you don't have a phone. Anytime she tries to claim it, I go, it's not yours. She goes, yes, it is. No, it's not. But we didn't have, it is like, no, it's not. Um, but you know, we, we just, we didn't have an iPad forever and we just got an

iPad and before we slid it across the table, we go like, you guys can have this. If you agree to the following terms, like there are no, there are no games on this. This, you know, this is for like, if we're going on a flight, you can watch some Netflix on it or you can FaceTime your friends and that's it. So I think as long as you're really paying attention, I think that stuff is fine. But again, that book anxious anxious generation really lays out some like crazy data and how damaging it can be to kids. And you know, I mean, uh, you know,

our daughter's 11, she feels young right now, but I know she's going to middle school next year. I know that's going to like speed up real quick. And so as long as we can, we're just trying to keep them off the internet. Yeah. I don't, I don't disagree with you. We have, uh, uh, two iPads and we started, we gave

one to my first born when he was like three, but only for like, you know, 15 minutes if we were, you know, on a flight, on a long drive or whatever. And we just put whatever, baby first or whatever it was that they were watching just to kind of keep them occupied and quiet and whatever. But we learned very quickly that that has a snowball effect. So now absolute, they're not even in sight on weekdays

when there's school involved. And on the weekends, we only allow them, you know, they can play Spotify, they can listen to music, you know, their own playlists or whatever, or we have certain, like they can go on Netflix and watch, you know, whatever the rated G things, whatever it is. But what we have noticed is since we took the iPads away for 99% of the time, they don't ask for it. Yeah. Which is kind of strange. Only on occasion will they ask to play Spotify. And most of the times we can play it on those Sonos or whatever we have,

but they don't really ask for it. But when they had access to it for like the six months that we would say, okay, you can watch it for 15 minutes or whatever, the more that they had it, the more that they asked for it. And it became so blatantly clear to me that this is addictive. And the more that they have it, the more that they had it, the more that they asked for it. And it became so blatantly clear to me that this is addictive. And the more that they have it, the more that they want it, there, something is feeding that dopamine channel. And so we snapped back real quick and it was a lesson that we learned. And for like a week,

there was a lot of complaining about it. And then just eventually they forgot it. They went and played with their toys or listened to the music or whatever. So that's the most dangerous thing. And I think we're all about to learn a lesson about screens. Those screens are no good for us. I think a lot of people have learned this lesson.

I think more waking up to it. Those screens are tethers that just suck us all in and make us less aware of the world around us, less attached, less connected and feel more lonely. And I just don't want my children to go through that. Yeah, I mean, I'm terrible with it. I mean, like I have a really hard time. I go, and I'm like a 40 year old man.

I go, you know, these kids like have no self-control. They're just, they're so young, you know? So it does, it feels like a drug. I mean, it's like giving them cigarettes or something, you know, where you just need to be like, okay. Like, I mean, it's like dangerous, you know? So I totally agree. And I think like, and again, you know, where you just need to be like, okay, like, I mean, it's, it's, it's like dangerous, uh, you know, so I, I totally agree. And I think like, and again, you know, no judgment on anybody. It's like, whatever you got to do, you got to do.

But I think similarly to the car radio thing, it's like, if you can not let the cat out of the bag and make these devices as like, I mean, even for me, I, you know, I have to like, I've taken Twitter like off my phone because I was just like, I can't, like if I'm filling up a glass of water at my fridge, the 10 seconds that takes, I'm reaching for my phone to check Twitter. I go, I hate that. It's like just that monkey brain thing.

And I'm having a hard time breaking myself of it. I can't imagine how difficult it would be for a kid. So yeah. Yeah, I think I kicked myself in the ass about two years ago during, when we're all just kind of, two or three years ago, we were all locked down. And I went to the bathroom one night to pee, like at three o'clock in the morning.

And I realized that I took my phone with me. Like I woke up to this fact. I was like, wait, I just took my phone with me so I could check Instagram. It's three in the fucking morning. I have 12 followers. What in the world could I be checking on it? Like what in the world is that important?

Nothing's happening. It doesn't matter. We just got, I got so stuck in that kind of that feedback loop, especially when during the pandemic, when we were all just kind of here watching, waiting for the next shoe to drop and all of that. It's amazing. I think that more of us could use kind of this pragmatic

approach to parenting. You know, lay off the kids a little bit, let them run into some sharp objects on occasion, let them fall on some scissors or whatever, because at the end of the day, what doesn't kill them will make them stronger. We know this from our own adult lives, is the things that we go through

make us more resilient, not less. And I also think that there's, we can get caught up with what about the Joneses, right? We get up with, we get caught up in that, and it becomes a game you just can't win. You can never win it, because if you're not keeping up with the Joneses, you become the Joneses, and everyone's trying to keep up with you, and either way, it's a game you just can't win you can never win it because if you're not keeping up with the Joneses you become

The Joneses and everyone's trying to keep up with you and either way. It's a terrible cycle I think you give some great advice in this book. It's really fucking funny You know, it's funny. I like my my intention was not to have good advice in the book I'm like, I'm gonna write a comedy book, but I but I do feel like like that You mentioned the Purgatory cabinet. I was like that's a real thing I do and I actually do think it's a good idea, you know, even though I wrote it for humor. So yeah, I think I accidentally put some good advice in the book. I, I, I think it's great.

Uh, it's called, wow, you look terrible. It's available today. I will put links in the show notes. Uh, Danny Ricker, you can follow him on social media. Of course, watch Jimmy Kimmel, the best of the late night talk show. Late night talk show survives with Jimmy Kimmel in the great tradition of Letterman and Carson and all the others. That's kind of you. Thank you. Um, no, I think that it's a true statement. If we're watching a late night talk show around

here, if I'm watching it, it's Kimmel, and I've got my wife addicted to Kimmel. So he's great. And now we know one of the people that gives voice to Kimmel. And so you're welcome back anytime. I would love to come back. Yeah, thank you. I really appreciate you guys having me on

and you guys do a great show. Thanks for having me. If Pete Davidson or Ariana Grande ever, can't make the jimmies, just call us up and we'll be happy to pipe ourselves in. Done. We've got a lot to talk about and I promise I'll tone down the cussing

if I'm on national TV. You know what, we don't ask that of our guests. You can say whatever the fuck you want. Do you guys have, are you Safe Harbor at 1130? We have to bleep it out, but yeah, Jimmy is always, I think, cause he is kind of a traditional broadcaster. He often does not swear on the show. It's very rare. Um, he does. Like, I, we have tons of swearing in our like comedy bits and you know, he's,

he's not opposed to it, but I think he feels like as like the host, he's supposed to like the host of a party. He's like, he needs to have so certain decorum about him, which I always appreciate. He swears like a sailor off the air, you know, which is fun, but yeah. Yeah. It's funny to watch the transition from Jimmy, from kind of like, you know, second fiddle radio guy,

to a man show, to, you know, really kind of esteemed late night talk show host. He's, he did it. He did it. And now I, I don't know, I respect him as a comedian. And as a,-night talk show host, he did it. He did it. And now I don't know, I respect him as a comedian and as a talk show host, I think he's one of the better ones.

So congratulations on all the success with Jimmy Kimmel. May you guys do it for another 15 years and please come back. You're welcome anytime. Danny Ricker, everybody, I'll put all the links in the show notes. Thank you, Danny. Thanks guys.

Thank you. Let me do something Brian has never done. Be brief. Follow us on Instagram at The Commercial Break. Text or call us, 212-433-3TCB. That's 212-433-3822. Visit our website, tcbpodcast.com for all the audio, video, and your free sticker.

Then watch all the videos at youtube.com slash the commercial break. And finally, share the show. It's the best gift you could give a few aging podcasters. See, Brian? That really wasn't that difficult, now, was it? You're welcome. I've just been to Specsavers and upgraded my lenses to extra thin and light with 50% off.

Now, what else can I upgrade? My cat? Meow! Pfft! Wow! My scooter? Pfft! Pfft!

Pfft! Oh yeah! Get 50% off lens upgrades in the Specsavers Spring Sale. Hey, I can upgrade my kids! You chill, Mom. I'll load the dishwasher. Awesome! Exclusions apply.

See Specsavers.ca for details. Offer ends soon. Thursday, May 8th is McHappy Day. When every menu item purchased at McDonald's helps support families with sick children. So you can feel the good that comes from doing good. Just from ordering. So if I order a Big Mac, I'm helping. Yup. What about a McFlurry? Ten-piece chicken McNuggets and apple pie? You got it.

Every single order helps. Join us at McDonald's for McHappy Day on Thursday, May 8th. Do good, feel good. A portion of food and beverage sales will support RMHC chapters and local children's charities across Canada. Danny Ricker, nine-time Emmy nominee. I don't know if you ever did. Did he win one? I don't know. We didn't ask him. Danny Ricker, nine-time Emmy nominee. I don't know if you ever, did he win one?

I don't know, we didn't ask him. But nine-time Emmy nominee, head writer, co-executive producer of The Jimmy Kimmel Show, and his brand new book, Wow, You Look Terrible, now available at the links in the show notes. We'll remind you throughout the week, but it's available, it's out today. So if you're a parent, or if you're interested in parenting, if you're not a parent and you're thinking about being a parent, read

this book because I think it'll probably dissuade you from being a parent. I know it reinforced me. Yeah, it reinforced your life choices. Yeah. Okay. All right. Don't rub it in our faces, Chrissy. Don't rub it in our faces. Anyway, Dani was lovely to talk to. I'm fascinated by how the machinery works over there at the Jimmy Kimmel Show. Yeah, it really was a pleasure. I think what's interesting is to hear him talk about the Jimmy Kimmel Show, it's not all that much different from the commercial break. You put some stuff on a spreadsheet, you put some ideas on the spreadsheet, and then they get worked out very quickly. Only we put some stuff on the spreadsheet and then we never end up getting to it. That's how

it works here at We're trying. We're getting better. We're getting better. Danny Ricker dot com. All the links down in the show notes. Thank you very much, Danny for coming in. I imagine he'll be back. I imagine we'll talk to Danny again. I would love to. Yeah, absolutely. And I've seen him on like a lot of other podcasts and shows. He's doing the PR thing. So maybe we'll have him back in a couple months and see how the book went. If it goes well, I'm sure he'll write another one. And he told us that Jimmy helped him with the book.

Jimmy said, hey, go take these ideas and put them together and we'll figure it all out together. Forward written by Jimmy Kimmel. That's got to be a feather in your cap. On the forward to your first book is written by Jimmy Kimmel. That's gotta be a feather in your cap. On the forward to your first book is written by Jimmy Kimmel. Yes. 12 hours of TCB coming May 31st. That's a Saturday, so you have a chance

of keeping up with it. 12 hours of TCB. Celebrities are coming by. They're gonna talk about mental health. We're gonna talk about mental health awareness. We're gonna check on our own mental health by the end of the day. It's all gonna be for a good cause

and celebrating five years of the commercial break. Five years of the commercial break. Unbelievable. 750 episodes, five years. It's crazy. And we're going to, what, add another 30 episodes that one day? Yeah, OK.

Let's boost it. Yeah, we're going to go straight to 800 by the end of the day. Ha ha. Also, don't forget, America's 800 by the end of the day. Also don't forget America's, what, nevermind, nevermind, I can't say that yet. I'll let that out of the bag later on this week. Big news coming later on this week, stay tuned. I also wanted to tell you that 212-433-3TCB, that's 212-433-3822, we take questions, comments, concerns, content ideas, all right there. One location at that

phone number. You can also leave us a voicemail if you want to be heard on the commercial break, tcbpodcast.com, all the audio, all the video and your free TCB swag. Go to the contact us button, give us your address and the, uh, the team behind us will send you something very shortly. The Danny Ricker of the commercial break will send you some swag very quickly. Add the commercial break on Instagram, TCB podcast on TikTok and youtube.com slash the commercial break for all the episodes on video. The same day they air here on the audio. And while we're speaking about the video, thank you to our video production team. Weeplash. If you need video production services,

reach out and we'll send you their information or look them up. Weeplash. Okay, Chrissy, that's all I can do for today. I think so. I love you. Best to you. Best to you out there in the podcast universe. Until next time, Chrissy and I will say, we do say, and we must say, goodbye. My parents have had a lot of time on their hands lately. At first, it was nice. Hey mom, can you drive me to soccer practice? Sure can. We're having slow cooked ribs for dinner. It was awesome.

And then it became a lot. Some friends are coming over to watch a movie. Oh what are we watching? I'll make some popcorn. Thanks to Voila, they can order all our fresh favorites from Sobeez, Farmboy, and Longos online, which is super reliable. And now my parents are reliable. A little too reliable. Voila. Your groceries delivered. Just like that. This is a Reese's Peanut Butter Cub sound experiment. We're looking to find the perfect way to hear Reese's

so you'll buy more of them. Here we go. Reese's. Reese's. Reese's. Reese's. Reese's. Hey, get out of here, you little stinker! Reese's. Reese's. Reese's. Peanut butter cups. That breathy one sounded very creepy, am I right? Thanks for watching!