#1929 - Louis CK

Episode Timestamps

• 00:01:05

  Risks of Fighting in UFC

  • Discussion about the risks of fighting in the UFC, specifically eye injuries
  • Joe Rogan talks about UFC fighter Bilal Mohammed's injuries
  • Talk about Sugar Ray Leonard's detached retina and return to the sport
  • Joe expresses why he wouldn't be a pro fighter
• 00:08:55

  Defending Comedy

  • Discussion about the importance of defending comedy in the face of political correctness and censorship
  • Joe expresses his belief that defending comedy is natural and necessary
  • Emphasis on the importance of not backing down or changing one's approach to comedy
• 00:11:28

  No Need to Back Down

  • No point in backing down and changing
  • Had crazy heyday with flagrant fouls
  • If hated, take someheat from the sides is acceptable
• 00:13:31

  Adverse Reaction Improves Comedy

  • Patrice believes that adverse reaction to comedy is good
  • Pushback makes comedy better
  • Some comedians get hurt when someone doesn't like their joke
• 00:21:58

  starting time -

  • Comedian discusses New York City's history and the impact of its leaders, including Giuliani and their handling of events like 9/11.
• 00:26:07

  starting time -

  • Comedian discusses his personal experience of 9/11 and the aftermath, including having to pitch a comedy the day after the attack and the security measures on flights during that time.
• 00:29:53

  Negotiating a Conflicting Situation on a Plane

  • A conflict on an airplane emerged over a seat with two passengers claiming it.
  • The issue is not about who is right, but about how to prevent a physical altercation.
  • Some people have a mentality that they need to be a dick to get ahead.
• 00:35:10

  Commentary on High School Fights

  • High school fights are often between friends because someone wants to see it happen.
  • Pressure and isolation can cause smart and tough kids to cry or lash out.
  • Joe Rogan discussed an experience where a kid grabbed him in a headlock and threw him to the ground, causing humiliation.
• 00:43:01

  Living in Blue Collar Communities

  • The speaker talks about growing up in a blue-collar community in Newton, Massachusetts
  • He describes scary kids and latchkey kids who hung out in local parks
  • The speaker shares anecdotal experiences of confronting peer pressure and dangerous situations
• 00:49:11

  Dealing with Trauma

  • The speaker reflects on the impact of trauma and bullying
  • He discusses the different ways people react to trauma, including collapsing, hating, or understanding
  • Ultimately, the speaker believes that every extreme experience can be a potential learning experience.
• 00:54:50

  Bullying and parenting struggles

  • Rogan talks about a friend's daughter who is mean and insulting to her classmates, and wonders whether the behavior is due to her upbringing
  • He shares a story about a childhood friend with a difficult home life who had a temper and would behave violently in class
  • Rogan talks about how people need to befriend those who are struggling with mental health or behavioral issues, even if it can be tough
• 00:58:27

  Being a friend to those in need

  • Rogan shares a story about a childhood friend with a troubled home life who struggled with violent outbursts
  • He reflects on the importance of being a friend to those who are struggling with mental health or behavioral issues
  • Rogan talks about his experience with such friendships, including one with a fellow comedian who many others disliked, and his friendship with controversial figure Alex Jones
• 01:01:05

  Media coverage of the Sandy Hook shooting,

  • The media rushed to cover the Sandy Hook shooting and interviewed traumatized witnesses and victims without allowing them time to process the tragedy.
  • Eyewitness accounts are often confused and unreliable because of the traumatic experience.
  • The media's greed for ratings and the need for exclusivity drove them to ignore the victims' feelings and exploit their vulnerability.
• 01:05:30

  Entertainment disguised as news,

  • News outlets prioritize engagement over accuracy to attract minimally engaged casual viewers.
  • The need for ad revenue drives the rush for exclusivity and sensationalism, often at the expense of accuracy and empathy.
  • The format is a trick to get viewers to watch commercials, and if they don't engage with the content, the outlets lose money.
• 01:10:03

  The Bizarre Format of News

  • News is a bizarre format that people find entertaining.
  • The news format is archaic and less popular than ever before.
  • Long-form discussions like independent interview shows offer more nuanced perspectives.
• 01:11:04

  The Need for In-Depth Analysis

  • Five-minute news segments offer very little insight into complex issues like the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
  • The news often provides nonsense talking points.
  • Walter Cronkite gave memorable coverage of important events during his time on air.
• 01:20:08

  Early Life in New York

  • The speaker talks about his early life in New York
  • He mentions spending time with degenerate bachelors who were gamblers
  • He recalls doing sets till four in the morning
  • He and some comedians would go to the Westway Diner on 9th Avenue
  • He talks about how Times Square was still filthy back then
• 01:22:27

  Late Night Diners In Manhattan

  • The speaker talks about how there used to be a lot of late-night diners in Manhattan, but many of them have closed down
  • He mentions walking around with Bobby Kelly and not being able to find a diner open late
  • He discusses COVID's impact on businesses in New York City
• 01:29:43

  The Gatekeepers of Show Business

  • J.J. Hunsucker was like a version of Ed Sullivan who had a column and radio program where he endorsed young comics.
  • Ed Sullivan was a powerful man in show business who had the ability to make or break careers.
  • There were only one or two gatekeepers to show business in those days, like Jack Parr and Ed Sullivan.
• 01:31:00

  Richard Jennings on The Tonight Show

  • Richard Jennings was a young comic who made it big after appearing on The Tonight Show.
  • His set on Jaws 3 was particularly memorable and hilarious.
  • He was very nervous but still managed to perform well.
• 01:41:25

  Bill Hicks' comedy style and not adapting for different audiences

  • Hicks was known for his existential angst and smoking cigarettes
  • Some audiences did not appreciate Hicks' jokes
  • Hicks did not change his jokes for different audiences
  • Joe Rogan learned from Hicks that changing the delivery of jokes can make them work better
• 01:45:45

  Developing comedy material

  • Joe Rogan goes to clubs and works out material unannounced
  • Rogan starts with jokes that he knows will not work
  • Rogan gets rid of jokes that do not work and keeps the ones that do
  • Some of Rogan's best bits started out as silence or jokes that he hated
• 01:51:26

  Index Cards for Arena Performances

  • The speaker prefers to lay out index cards with bullet points for each bit before arena performances.
  • He does this to load the information into the present moment and ensure he doesn't forget any tags.
• 01:53:36

  Clearing the Mind for Performances

  • The speaker recommends not thinking about the performance before the day of a show after taking a few days off.
  • He says it's essential to be healthy and in shape to ensure a good performance, even if the crowd sucks.
  • Exercise burns off unnecessary stress and tension before a big event.
• 01:59:45

  Dirty Comedy is not Easy

  • There's a misconception that dirty comedy is easy, but it's not.
  • Clean comedians say dirty jokes get easy laughs, but they should try it themselves.
  • Talking about sexual subjects is difficult because it can excite and scare people.
  • Dirty jokes are hard to follow with clean jokes.
• 02:00:48

  The Audience's Mindset

  • Primed and excited audiences make for great comedy shows.
  • Comics' insecurities can prevent them from enjoying other performers on stage.
  • Famine mentality (believing there's only enough success for one person) is a toxic way of thinking.
  • Genuine happiness for others can lead to better things.
• 02:10:37

  An Exciting New Comedy Scene

  • Excitement about a new comedy scene in town
  • New club opening with great people from the Comedy Store
  • Younger generation of comedians getting opportunities
  • Well-known comedians such as Tom Segura, Ron White and Tony Hinchcliffe live in town now
• 02:15:33

  Don't Forget to Love It

  • Love for comedy is important
  • Work can become a hassle but it should be appreciated
  • Being healthy is superior to being sick
  • Uncomfortable and unpleasant experiences are part of the dedication to the craft.
• 02:22:31

  Enjoying Life While Maintaining Health

  • The speaker believes it's important to strike a balance between being healthy and enjoying oneself
  • They enjoy drinking and doing shots before a performance
  • However, they also counteract the negative effects of alcohol with vitamins and healthy habits
  • They use martial arts as a means of exercise
• 02:23:38

  Life is Different for Most People

  • The speaker believes that most people are just trying to survive and can't afford to have conversations about health and wellness
  • They recognize that American society has the privilege to focus on such topics
  • They acknowledge that lifting weights and doing cold plunges are beneficial to the body
  • However, they also recognize that such discussions are sometimes ridiculous when compared to the struggles of daily life
• 02:30:24

  The problem with expecting happiness and safety

  • People expect to be happy and safe, which is not always possible
  • Border issues result in difficult decisions for politicians
  • Opening the borders could lead to different problems
  • Sequestering a certain group of people and upping their lifespan is not a working system
• 02:34:18

  The horrors of mining cobalt and exploitation by American businesses

  • iPhones are made by slaves
  • Cobalt mining is horrific and involves slavery
  • We live in a lopsided society
  • Our lives are becoming more and more pointless
• 02:40:49

  A lesson in being a good person

  • Discussion of a powerful man being offered a job as a teacher instead of a position in government
  • Emphasis on being a good person and doing one's best
  • Acknowledgment of personal faults and balancing relationships with work and family
• 02:48:44

  Comedian's betrayal of the craft

  • Criticism of comedians who critique other comedians
  • Assertion that they are not true comedians and are motivated by jealousy
  • Discussion of supporting fellow comedians, particularly during difficult times
• 02:49:56

  Stand-up Comedians Taking Cheap Shots

  • People use social media to kick someone when they're down and be heard in their circle.
  • It's a shame because it comes from someone who should know better.
  • People shouldn't do stand-up if they can't handle criticism.
  • Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle wouldn't talk badly about others online.
  • It's not profitable anymore and comedians get ostracized.
• 02:53:04

  Live Streaming a Comedy Show from Madison Square Garden

  • Louis CK is going to live stream a show from Madison Square Garden on January 28th.
  • He will have opening acts and Ravi Coltrane, John Coltrane's son, will perform.
  • The show will be fully live with a 20-second delay.
  • The material from the show will be available to watch until February 17th before it disappears.
  • In April, a special from the material will be released.