#1305 - JD & John Witherspoon
NaN minutesEpisode #1305
John Witherspoon is a comedian and actor. JD Witherspoon, John's son, is also a comedian and actor. You can see John on his YouTube cooking show "Cookin' For Poor People" ( Also check out JD's channel "runJDrun" (
Watch the full episode of #1305 - JD & John Witherspoon.
Episode Timestamps
John Witherspoon - A Comedic Legacy
- Conversation about John Witherspoon and his son
- Mentions of comedy clubs and fellow comedians
- Recollection of past shows and interactions with Joe
Comedy Club Circuit and Travel Challenges
- Discussion on performing at Caroline's and other clubs
- Insight into the comedian's busy schedule and agent interactions
- Reflections on the challenges and lifestyle of frequent club performances
Airplane Etiquette and Gas Station Encounter
- Observations about airplane behavior like pushing in line and reclining seats
- Story of a confrontation at a gas station due to blocking someone's car
- Discussion with a gas attendant about a lady's reaction to being blocked in
In-Flight Altercation Over Seats
- Description of a conflict between two passengers over a seat before takeoff
- Reflection on the availability and impact of alcohol on flights
- Personal anecdotes about bringing alcohol onboard and security regulations
Legendary Performers at Beautiful Olympia State Theater
- Frank Sinatra and other iconic artists performed at Olympia State Theater.
- Memories of watching great acts like Temptations and Frankie Lambert.
- Recounting the beauty and history of the long-gone Olympia State Theater.
From Basketball Courts to Boxing Rings: Memories of Cronk Gym
- Elvis Presley's childhood performance and nostalgic basketball memories.
- Transition of Cronk Gym from basketball courts to boxing rings.
- Reflections on famous boxers and the unique experience inside Cronk Gym.
Social Media Growth and Radio Shows
- Quick growth on Twitter with 25K followers gained in an hour
- Transition to Instagram led to a significant increase in followers
- Discussion on the impact of social media on avoiding morning radio shows
Comedy Career Motivation
- Money as the primary motivation for entering stand-up comedy
- Personal anecdotes about earning significant sums through comedy
- Transition from model to stand-up comedian in pursuit of a lucrative career
Struggling in Las Vegas: Lost in Horseshoe Casino
- Narrative of losing all money at Horseshoe casino in Las Vegas
- Struggle to reach out to friends for financial support and living on bar money
- Fortunate jackpot win of $7,000 after putting last $100 in a slot machine
Comedy Store Beginnings with Mitzi: Work at Gucci
- Early days at Comedy Store in 1974 with Mitzi
- Experience as a 'matriodia' at the Comedy Store, making money by reserving seats
- Lovely anecdote about Mitzi's influence and impact on comedy
Mitzi and the Comedy Store in 1974
- Mitzi, known for loving Impressionists and singers like Tina Turner
- The atmosphere of Open Mic Night and regular show at the Comedy Store in 1974
- Description of Mitzi's properties and the social scene at Crestill house
Comedians and Legends of the Comedy Scene
- Sam Kenison's debut on TV and his friendship with the narrator
- Introduction of various comedians like Andy Kaufman, Lenny Schultz, and Bob Woods
- Overview of the vibrant comedy scene in Boston and Long Island
Life on the Road as a Comedian
- The comedian discusses his packed schedule and touring experiences.
- He shares insights into the challenges of the industry and hard work involved.
- The comedian also mentions branching out into creating a YouTube cooking channel.
Comedy Specials and Drinking Habits
- The comedian talks about filming a comedy special and the struggles with self-image.
- Discussions about drinking habits, including preferences for different types of wine.
- Interesting anecdotes about interactions with fellow comedians, like Ron White.
Interview with John Witherspoon: The Boondocks and Black Jesus
- John Witherspoon shares his experience working on iconic cartoons like The Boondocks.
- Discusses how he didn't change his voice for The Boondocks and his lasting memories from working on the show.
- Reflects on meeting the creator of The Boondocks and praises the show as one of the best he has worked on.
John Witherspoon and Guest Star Role on Black Jesus
- Recalls how he initially went for a guest star role on Black Jesus, which later turned into a series writer role.
- Shares the story of how he got offered the role after impressing the creators with his performance.
- Mentions reusing an outfit from Hollywood Shuffle on Black Jesus, highlighting his resourcefulness.
Family Legacy and Comedic Beginnings
- Discussion about the pressure of living up to the father's notable legacy in comedy
- Reflecting on the father's potential fame if he had started in the current era of online content creation
- Insight into the father's humor and potential for a comedy special
Comedy Legends: Behind the Scenes with Richard Pryor
- Anecdotes of working with Richard Pryor at the Comedy Store
- Memorable moments from Pryor's performances and interactions
- Behind-the-scenes details of Pryor's comedic process and stage presence
Richard Pryden's Dramatic Story and Iconic Visitors
- Richard Pryden's old house and the memories of his cocaine days
- In critical condition due to a pipe explosion, his family's shocking behavior
- Iconic visitors like Sammy Davis Jr. playing basketball with surprising interactions
The Legend of Red Fox and Tax Troubles
- Hilarious antics of comedian Sam Kinison with Chinese food incident
- Mitzy's management style at the comedy store and paying comics in eggs
- Red Fox's tax troubles, friends rallying to save his club, and aftermath
VR Experience with Dad
- Dad tried VR for the first time with the shark attack simulation
- Hilarious reactions as dad interacted with the virtual shark
- Ended up buying a PlayStation 4 for dad to continue gaming at home
Memories and Podcast Plans
- Reminiscing about past moments with John and plans for a podcast
- Discussion about starting an audio-based show
- Banter and laughter around their amusing interactions