Digest

This podcast episode features a conversation with Brian Moses, the creator of the Roast Battle League. The hosts, Brian and Chrissy, begin by introducing the episode and announcing their upcoming roast battle with Brian Moses. They discuss the format of roast battles and how they differ from traditional stand-up comedy. Brian Moses then joins the podcast and shares the origin story of the roast battle format. He explains how it started as a way to give comics a platform to battle each other and how it evolved into a global league. He also discusses his experience writing for roasts, including his work on the Jonas Brothers family roast, and shares insights into the process of writing roast jokes and the importance of understanding the subject's boundaries. Brian Moses reflects on his experience working on television and shares his thoughts on the future of comedy. He believes that traditional television is fading and that streaming services will eventually become more like traditional channels. He also discusses the rules of roast battles and shares a story about a physical altercation that occurred during a battle. He emphasizes the importance of laughter as a great equalizer in comedy. The hosts then challenge Brian Moses to a roast battle on their show and discuss the format of the battle and how they will prepare for it. They also discuss the possibility of having their wives and other friends join them for the roast battle and plan a trip to Tijuana to recreate Brian's previous experience there. The hosts provide contact information for listeners and announce upcoming live shows. They reiterate their excitement for the upcoming roast battle and end the episode with a goodbye.

Outlines

00:00:00

Roast Battle League: Origins and Evolution

The hosts introduce the episode and announce their upcoming roast battle with Brian Moses, the creator of the Roast Battle League. They discuss the format of roast battles and how they differ from traditional stand-up comedy. Brian Moses joins the podcast and shares the origin story of the roast battle format, explaining how it started as a way to give comics a platform to battle each other and how it evolved into a global league.

00:18:15

The Art of Roast Writing

Brian Moses discusses his experience writing for roasts, including his work on the Jonas Brothers family roast. He shares insights into the process of writing roast jokes and the importance of understanding the subject's boundaries.

00:28:36

Comedy in the Digital Age

Brian Moses reflects on his experience working on television and shares his thoughts on the future of comedy. He believes that traditional television is fading and that streaming services will eventually become more like traditional channels.

00:36:01

The Rules of Roast Battles and the Power of Laughter

Brian Moses discusses the rules of roast battles and shares a story about a physical altercation that occurred during a battle. He also talks about the importance of laughter as a great equalizer in comedy.

00:43:56

The Roast Battle Challenge

Brian and Chrissy challenge Brian Moses to a roast battle on their show. They discuss the format of the battle and how they will prepare for it.

00:47:21

Planning the Battle and a Tijuana Trip

Brian and Chrissy discuss the possibility of having their wives and other friends join them for the roast battle. They also plan a trip to Tijuana to recreate Brian's previous experience there.

00:51:56

Call to Action and Outro

The hosts provide contact information for listeners and announce upcoming live shows. They reiterate their excitement for the upcoming roast battle and end the episode with a goodbye.

Keywords

Q&A

• How did the Roast Battle League start?

  Brian Moses started the Roast Battle League at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles as a way to give comics a platform to battle each other. It began as a midnight open mic night and evolved into a global league with clubs around the world competing for points and a championship.

• What makes roast battles different from traditional stand-up comedy?

  Roast battles are a unique genre of comedy that combines elements of stand-up, improv, and crowd work. They focus on joke writing and the ability to deliver witty and often brutal insults to a specific target.

• What are some of the challenges of writing for roasts?

  Writing for roasts requires a deep understanding of the subject's boundaries and the ability to craft jokes that are both funny and respectful. It's important to avoid offensive material and to ensure that the subject is comfortable with the jokes being delivered.

• What are Brian Moses' thoughts on the future of comedy?

  Brian Moses believes that traditional television is fading and that streaming services will eventually become more like traditional channels. He thinks that the current model of multiple streaming services with high monthly fees is unsustainable and that people will eventually gravitate towards a more consolidated model.

• What is the significance of laughter as a great equalizer in comedy?

  Laughter can bridge differences and bring people together, regardless of their background or beliefs. Roast battles, in particular, demonstrate this principle, as they allow people from all walks of life to come together and enjoy the shared experience of laughter, even when the jokes are directed at someone else.

Show Notes