Digest

This podcast features comedian Adam Wray, who shares his evolution from childhood impressions to his successful career in stand-up. He details the origins of his popular Tony Hinchcliffe and Dr. Phil impersonations, the development of his new character Bruce Robbins, and his experiences touring and performing. Wray also reflects on early career feedback from Mitzi Shore, the challenges faced in 2022 including financial and professional setbacks, and offers advice to aspiring comedians. The conversation touches upon his living situations in Hollywood, changes in the city post-COVID, and humorous anecdotes from his career, including voicing Slimer in Ghostbusters and a surreal encounter with the real Dr. Phil. Advertisements for BlueChew, Fume, and Shopify are also included.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Early Impressions

The podcast introduces comedian Adam Wray, recapping a previous episode and discussing his early beginnings with impersonations in fourth grade.

00:03:55

Developing Iconic Impressions and New Characters

Adam Wray details the creation of his Tony Hinchcliffe impression for Kill Tony and introduces his new character, Bruce Robbins, a mentalist with a unique owl act, discussing the process of developing character-based shows and comedy workshops.

00:09:11

Early Career Feedback and Stand-Up Success

Wray recounts receiving direct feedback from Mitzi Shore early in his career and discusses the immense success of his Dr. Phil impersonation tour, alongside announcing his upcoming solo stand-up theater tour.

00:11:51

Reflections on Past Episodes and Personal Struggles

The host acknowledges Wray's third appearance on the podcast, reminiscing about previous recordings and discussing a difficult past episode where Wray struggled mentally, alongside a period of personal and professional difficulties in 2022 that led to career reassessment.

00:22:13

Advice for Comedians and Life Lessons

Wray offers advice to young comedians on celebrating successes and learning from failures, using analogies to describe difficult situations and reflecting on fatherhood and unexpected life events.

00:26:54

Hollywood Living, Ghostbusters, and Career Insights

Wray shares anecdotes about his early apartment living in West Hollywood, the bizarre "no diarrhea" pool sign incident, his experience voicing Slimer in Ghostbusters, a drunken red carpet experience, and a locksmith ordeal. He also reveals a connection to Halyna Hutchins, discusses changes in Hollywood post-COVID, and his multiple apartment operations.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was Adam Wray's early experience with impersonations?

  Adam Wray started impersonating friends and teachers in fourth grade. He even pranked a friend by impersonating a new girl in school using her raspy voice.

• How did Adam Wray develop his Tony Hinchcliffe impression?

  Wray initially dismissed the idea but later developed the impression for Kill Tony after a suggestion. Tony Hinchcliffe himself approved, texting "Absolutely" and asking not to be made to look like an "asshole."

• What is the new character Adam Wray is developing?

  Wray is developing a character named Bruce Robbins, a mentalist, magician, and former real estate agent whose wife died mysteriously. The character features a mind-reading owl act.

• What was the scale of Adam Wray's Dr. Phil tour?

  The Dr. Phil tour played in massive venues, with capacities ranging from three to five thousand seats, and many shows were sold out, including a 4,800-seat venue in Detroit.

• What challenges did Adam Wray face in 2022?

  Wray experienced a "perfect storm" of financial losses due to an expanding operation, negative online comments, and the pressure of touring without a fully developed new show.

• What advice does Adam Wray give to young comedians?

  Wray advises comedians not to solely focus on "crushing" or "bombing" but to celebrate successes and learn from failures. He emphasizes that growth often comes from challenges, both on and off stage.

• What is the purpose of the Fume advertisement?

  Fume is advertised as a diffusion device to help people quit bad habits like smoking by providing flavored air without nicotine, smoke, or vapor, acting as a healthier alternative.

• What was Adam Wray's experience voicing Slimer in Ghostbusters?

  Wray voiced Slimer in the Ghostbusters movie after creating a humorous audition tape. He attended the premiere and had a memorable, drunken experience afterward.

• What connection did Adam Wray discover to Halyna Hutchins?

  Wray realized that Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer shot by Alec Baldwin, was a resident in his former apartment complex, and he had seen her around the pool with her family.

• What changes has Adam Wray observed in Hollywood post-COVID?

  Wray notes a significant increase in negative issues in Hollywood since COVID-19, including stabbings, coyote activity, and a growing homeless population.

Show Notes