Nick Swardson & Rain Mang

Update: 2024-10-30

Digest

This podcast features a lively conversation between comedians Bobby Lee and Nick Swardson, covering a wide range of topics related to their comedic journeys and personal experiences. The episode begins with lighthearted banter about sponsorships and Bobby's recent lip enhancement. Bobby then shares a memory of Nick's supportive nature, highlighting his appreciation for Nick's encouragement. He expresses his frustration about not being invited to join Nick and Andrew on Family Feud, despite being a huge fan of the show. The conversation shifts to Nick's comedy journey, including his decision to retire after COVID and his subsequent return to stand-up. He reveals that he relapsed and Bobby stepped in to fill his spot at a San Jose gig. Nick shares his experience during COVID, revealing that he spent a year and a half in a hotel in Key West. He then introduces the Calcium app, a legal exchange platform for betting on events like elections. Bobby discusses his experience working out new material at the Braille improv, defending himself against accusations of not having new material. He criticizes the use of laugh tracks and emphasizes the importance of genuine laughter. Bobby and Nick engage in a playful exchange about voice acting, with Bobby challenging Nick's ability to do an Asian accent. Nick then recounts a memorable encounter with Tom Cruise, where a friend of a friend made an awkward request. The conversation continues with Nick sharing stories about his encounters with famous people, including Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and Adam Sandler. He describes his admiration for Levine and Clarkson's comedic banter on "The Voice" and recounts a memorable encounter with Sandler at a steakhouse after a show in Detroit. Nick discusses the awkwardness of asking for photos with celebrities and shares his strategy of going through a mutual friend to make the request less intrusive. He recounts a story about Jimmy Walker, the actor from "Good Times," and his iconic catchphrase "Dynamite," which led to a hilarious and awkward encounter with a comedian who was tasked with picking him up from the airport. Nick reflects on the different comedic styles of stand-up comedians and how some, like Sebastian Maniscalco, can thrive in chaotic environments by sticking to their dry, observational humor. He shares a story about performing at Beecher's Madhouse, a wild variety show in Las Vegas, and the chaotic experience that included a woman on fire making out with him after his set. Nick talks about his current projects, including two feature scripts he's written and a pilot for a TV show called "Bro Sassen," which he's written with himself and his friend in mind. He discusses the importance of having a good agent who can guide him towards projects that are a good fit for him, even if it means turning down opportunities that might seem appealing on the surface. Nick reflects on his long-standing relationship with Adam Sandler and how Sandler's influence has shaped his career, including his involvement in numerous Sandler films. He discusses the role of location in screenwriting, whether it's dictated by the script or chosen by the studio based on budget and practicality. Nick expresses his dislike for procedural shows, finding them to be overly technical and requiring a lot of memorization, which he finds tedious. He shares a story about Maryland Rice, an actress who struggled with dense dialogue in a show like "24," highlighting the challenges of memorizing and delivering complex lines. Nick recounts a story about defending Maryland Rice's talent to Tommy, a comedy club owner, who didn't recognize her accomplishments. He and his friend discuss the changing landscape of comedy, with the rise of the internet and social media playing a significant role in how comedians build their careers. Nick shares his memories of Louie Anderson, a fellow comedian who he considered family, and how he was inspired by Anderson's success. He learns that his work is popular in the Philippines and is challenged to dethrone Joe Koi, a popular comedian in the country. Nick discusses Joe Koi's impressive success in Hawaii, selling out multiple shows in a row, while Swardson struggled to sell out his own shows in the same market. He talks about the common experience of being asked if he's friends with famous people, particularly Adam Sandler, and how he often finds these questions annoying. Nick shares a story about attending an AA meeting in Montana and being asked about his profession, highlighting the unfamiliarity of stand-up comedy in smaller, more rural communities. He recounts a story about a local guy who recognized him and asked for a photo. Nick discusses the challenges of being recognized and how he handles such situations. Nick shares his experience performing in Denver, where he was persuaded to do a guest set despite being tired. He then reveals a story about a performance where he was under the influence of edibles and ended up being pulled off stage, which went viral. Nick describes his club tour and a particular gig in Vale, Colorado, where he was at a high altitude and consumed edibles before the show. He recounts the experience of forgetting his set list and struggling to perform while under the influence. Nick discusses his past drinking habits and how alcohol affected his comedy. He shares a story about a show in Irvine where he was blackout drunk and the consequences of his actions.

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