Gabriel Iglesias on Katt Williams, Martin Lawrence, Happy Feet, “Fluffy” & Dodger Stadium

I love Kat. I've known Kat forever and. Kat right away will just grab, you know, "How you doing, boo boo? Listen.". You know, and next thing you know, I. don't want to say too much cuz they'll. talk about me later. I got a problem with these Mexicans, y'all. Yeah. All my life, been grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle pay the price. Want a slice, got to roll the dice. That's why all my life I've been. grinding all my life. All my life, been grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle pay the price.

Want a slice, got to roll the dice. That's why all my life I've been. grinding all my life. Hello, welcome to another episode of. Club Shay Shay. I am your host Shannon. Sharpe. I'm also the proprietor of Club. Shay Shay. Stopping by for conversation. and a drink today is one of the world's. most successful stand-up comedians and. one of the highest-grossing touring. comedians of all time. He's one of the. few headliners to sell out Madison. Square Garden in New York, the. Crypto.com Arena in LA, and the Sydney. Opera House in Australia. He's the first.

comedian to sell out Dodger Stadium, which is MLB's largest stadium in the. US. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk. of Fame. He has his handprint and. signature cemented on the iconic Chinese. Mann Theatre. He's a comedic superstar, an international stand-up sensation, and. a must-see act. He's a celebrated actor, voice actor, entertainer, entrepreneur, executive producer, writer, a host, and. a fan favorite, and he's a household. name, one of the most gifted and beloved. and recognizable face.

on the comedy circuit today. Here he is, Fluffy, Gabriel Iglesias. Ah, thank you. You said it all. I'm done. You know, I'm listening to you say all. of that, and I'm just like, what wow. It's it you know, I I I try never to say. any of those things out loud, but to. hear you say it it I felt it. Thank you. But I mean, so but when you hear you. hear me read off all these accolades, and you hear Dodger Stadium, and we're. going to talk about you got a show. coming up in in less than a month at.

SoFi Stadium, and the Sydney Opera. House, and Madison Square Garden, the. most famed arena in in the world. When. you hear that, what do you think? Um I feel like it's it's been a great. ride, and I'm like you know, I'm pushing. 50 right now, and I'm like yeah, I think. we did okay. I think I think we did. good. >> You did all that in a very short amount. of time. Well, it seems like a short. amount of time to someone on the. outside, but you would say nah, that's a. lot that's a lot of uphill climbing to. get there. Yeah, those accomplishments. are nice, but people don't see the the.

the the the 10 people that were I was. performing in front of when I first when. I first started. >> Exactly. I'm coming up on 30 years now. Yeah, I started April 10th of 1997, and yeah, next year it'll be 30. So, I'm. just like woo. You got something big. planned for that? Uh well, Wembley. Stadium? I mean, you going to hear. >> you you never know. It's like when when. when the idea of Dodger Stadium came up, it was one of those like are you kidding. me? No no one's ever done that. So, it's. kind of like you know, we joke like.

maybe you never know. You never know. SoFi wasn't supposed to happen, and now. we're now we're here. So, it's it's one. of those I think the sky's the limit. >> Yeah, it is. You know what? I'm going to. toast you, bro. I mean, what you've been. able to do. >> okay. Uh. bro, I mean, think about it. >> It wouldn't be Club Shay Shay if we. didn't start off with. >> Shay Shay would not be. And you and Jo. Koy got SoFi coming up. >> Yes, we do. Congratulations on. everything. >> Thank you.

Uh very good. Huh? Get. I thought we would go like sip. throughout the interview. >> Oh, that wasn't a sip? Sorry. I'm hearing your crew, and. they're like oh, people don't normally. do that. >> NO NO NO. SO, NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT, SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST, the first ever. stand at SoFi, you and Jo Koy. It's. called the Super Bowl of Comedy. How did. that idea come about? Um, it was me. I will take full credit.

for that idea just because it's like, you know, you you do the math. Jo Koy. has, um, I think the most sold out shows for. a comedian at the Forum. >> Mhm. And, uh, between that and the. numbers that I did at that Dodger. Stadium, I said, "Hey, man, look, our. fan base is very similar. Every time I. crash his show, people go crazy. Every. time he he crashes my show, people go. crazy." So, I said, "You know, it's become a little. redundant, man. How many how many sold. out shows at the Forum do you want to. do?" So, I was asked to present him with. a plaque for the all those sold out.

shows, and I said, "Hey, man." And I'm. talking on the mic in front of all those. people, and I said, "I want to present. you with this, but. how about we do something together?" And. he's like, "Oh, a show here at the. Forum?" I go, "No, man, let's take it. across the street." And when I said. that, the crowd went crazy. And I'm. like, "Dude, that's your that's the. focus group right there. They just. approved that.". >> Right. I said, "Let's do it. The numbers. make sense.". >> Yes. You know, all these sold out shows, my sold out shows, we put those. together, that's a sold out stadium. I. mean, I mean, think about it. That.

stadium holds 75, 80,000. No comedy show can ever has ever said, "Yeah, you Okay, if you sell out five. Madison Square Gardens, but one show, one, you're going to be the first you and Jo. are going to be the first the first to. do that.". And it's officially sold out. So, that. the hardest part is over. Now, we got to. deliver. You know what I mean? You you. you definitely got to deliver. So, is. this a is it going to be get streamed. anywhere or is it just it's just you and. him? So, the beauty of this show is.

that, um, with Dodger Stadium, it was it. was really challenging because I had to. perform, and then I also had to report. to Netflix. I had to deliver a special. I'm recording a special. I'd never done. a stadium before, so we had to make sure. the sound, the lighting, the production, everything was at a certain level. So, I. was so stressed out just trying to make. sure that everything was going to, you. know, work. I wasn't worried about my. set. The material was there, but I was. worried about everything else plus. making sure Netflix was happy. In this. one, we cut everybody out so it's just a.

performance. So, it's a one-and-done. Anyone who goes, they're going to see. the show and it's only for them. >> And they can be saying, "You know what? I was there. when Gabe and Joy sold out so fast.". Yeah, so it's not being streamed. anywhere. It's not being, you know, you know, it's it's just for us. You're known for your impressions. Give. me your top five impressions. Um. I think more so the the impressions are. are more like people are just characters.

as opposed to like legit impressions cuz. my impressions are they're are they're. okay, but it's not like, you know, like, "Oh my god." It's not like it's so. spot-on where it's like um. I'm trying to think. >> Like Godfrey when he does when he does. Steve Harvey. When he does Steve Harvey, you close your eyes and you see Steve. Harvey. Or he does he does me. I mean, he's really good. Or when he does Jason. Statham. That's another one. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So, when you when you go into. I guess this is method acting. I guess.

when you go into a character because. you've done a lot of voice a voice. acting. So, how do you how do you come. like they show you the character they. show you the sketch and says, "Okay, this is who we want you to play." And do. you say, "It's okay, I'm going to be. Gabe." or do you transform yourself and. says, "I'm going to be him." If we're. doing a voiceover like for a movie, um. sometimes they say, "Oh, this character. has to be like really excited over the. top." So, then I just I'll do an excited. over the top version and then they'll. say, "Okay, bring it down or give me. more." In a situation where like I did.

Speedy Gonzales for Space Jam, uh they wanted me to actually do my. regular voice. They're like, "Well, we're trying to modernize Speedy." And. I'm like, "No, no, no, no, no." Keep it. keep it original. They're like, "Well, can you do Speedy? And then I'm like. I'm like, come on, you know. So then it. was one of those then I did it. Like, "Arriba, amigo, mira. Ahora le soy el. Speedy Gonzalez de la fase mas. innovadora de Mexico." And then they're. like, "Wow." And I'm like, yeah, cut the. check. So, uh, and I'm excited because now they're. going to do Warner Brothers is going to.

do a Speedy Gonzales movie and I've. already been asked. >> You already cast So, I'm I'm hey, I'm. there. So, as far as what am I going to. do in 2027, 2028, uh, we don't know when. it's going to come out, but yeah. >> But you busy. Yeah, I'm I'm. I'm going to be I'm going to be working. on that one. You You got an elevator. voice. An elevator voice? >> Yeah, so so if you on a So, if somebody. says, "You know what? We got this nice. high-end place that we want an elevator. voice. So, we want, you know what, Gabe? Can you give us an elevator voice to. make everybody calm and let everybody.

know to spend all their money shopping. or maybe they're going up to the fifth. floor.". >> Oh, okay. Uh, yeah, so it's like a um. First floor, second floor, third floor. Fifth floor. She sounds hot, huh? Fifth floor. Seventh floor. So, uh, yeah, it it just. depends. Uh, I I share stories and when I tell. stories I just. rather than just tell a story and talk. about it, I try to animate it by adding. voices and characters to it. That's what. I've always done from day one. So, if.

I'm talking about like like earlier. before we got on started recording, we. were talking about Cat. And I I love I. love Cat. I've I've known Cat forever. and Cat right away will just grab, you. know, "How you doing, boo-boo?". And you know, and next thing you know, I. don't want to say too much cuz then. they'll talk about me later. I got a problem with these Mexicans, Y'ALL. YEAH. SHOOT YOUR SHOT on PrizePicks and get. $50 instantly in lineups when you play. your first $5. That's right. PrizePicks. is now giving away $50 in lineups when.

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it's good to be right. So, look, you. done Coco, Speedy Gonzales, and Death. Jam Dora, Ugly Dolls, Ferdinand. I love. Ferdinand. Oh, that was the movie Yeah, the movie. with John Cena. >> Yeah, but uh playing Smurfs and Family. Guy. So, I mean. like when you did Speedy and you caught. some backlash for doing Speedy. Uh a little bit. But, why? Yeah, exactly. Exactly. >> If If you can't do Speedy Gonzales. >> I can see if they got me TO DO SPEEDY. THEY GOT YOU.

UH YEAH, I was actually the first. Mexican to. actually voice Speedy Gonzales. It's. always been. other than Really? Yeah. I didn't know. nobody. Yeah, no, I was the first one. So, I was very proud of that. I was. like, okay But, but Speedy but Speedy. got a little got a little got got a. little poncho on. I mean, he got. everything. He is He's born in HE'S BORN. AND RAISED. Years ago when they took him. off the air, Mexicans actually. protested. They were upset. They're. like, "This is the only representation. we have and you took him away from us. cuz someone else was offended, not us.".

Really? Yeah. Oh my goodness. You also were in You turned down Happy. Feet. You had an opportunity. >> Oh, okay. >> Because that that was a great cast with. the great Robin Williams I don't I don't. even know how you know that, but uh. yeah, many years ago I auditioned for. this film. um called Happy Feet and uh I got the. part. I got the part and I even had a. part where there was singing involved. >> Right. Uh it was a song from um. uh it was My Way sung in Spanish. And so. I did the song in Spanish. It was.

originally done by the uh the. Gypsy Kings did it in Spanish. >> Okay. And so I had to sing the song and. so they liked the voice, they liked the. way that I sang and then they offered me. the part. But they said at the time they. the budget was really like uh they're. like they're talking about points. because they didn't have They didn't. You're right. right. And at the time I was doing really well. at the clubs. >> Yes. At the you know, and my manager at. the time said, "You know what? This stupid movie about penguins? Are.

you kidding me? Go on the road, go make. that money or make your freaking $800. plus points.". Cuz that's basically what it was. That. movie did So I passed on the movie. The. movie freaking blew up. >> Almost 400 million. Oh, it was stupid. It was stupid. It was so stupid. And. anyway, uh she's no longer my manager. And uh yeah. And every time I see a penguin I cry. Just a little, just a little tear. Just. a little tear. But I I love the fact. that um. Robin Williams got the part.

that I passed on. And I'm like So you. were going to be the lead? Uh it was it. was not the lead. It was the It was the. Delhi penguin that was like the. sidekick. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. But it. was but it was but it was Robin's part. Because you look at You had Robin. Williams, you had Nicole Kidman, you had. I think Emily Blunt was in it, Brittany. Murphy, uh Now keep in mind, that's when they. actually That's when they got a budget. I came in super early when it was just. like. >> So you would you would have made more. cuz you got the points. >> Yes. But you don't know. You never know. And so the fact that um.

the fact that I turned on that movie and. it was as successful as it was, it made. me say yes to any time an animated film. came across my table, I said yes automatically. I didn't even. want to know don't even tell me what the. deal is. Yes, I'm there. I'm there. because you know. >> The animations are always going to do. well because parent because the kids. want to go and guess what? The parents. got to go. So now you got instead of one. person you got two, three, four, five, six people coming to the movie. So. animations always really does really.

really well. >> So. um I want to I made a mistake again. uh in animation. I I was in a movie. called Planes. Okay. >> Called Planes and in this movie the lead. was Dane Cook and the second character. who was going to be like the the Mater. in Cars. Basically like think of Cars. >> I'm good. I get the picture. So the mate. the Mater character, the sidekick, um. I was sched- I was I was that that was. me. I was the I was the Mater character. I was the sidekick. And they said, "All.

right, look, we need you to come and do. a table read. All the characters are. going to be there. They're going to do a. table read for the executives." Well, I. had a bunch of work on the road on the. weekend. You know I'm a comic on the. weekend. >> Yes, that's your that's your that's your. business time. That's that's what that's. what pays the bills. And so uh they. said, "Well, we'll have somebody fill in. for you. Don't worry. Go do your thing. and then we'll see you when you get. back.". So the person they had fill in for me uh. is another comic who's also a voice. actor named Carlos Alazraqui. And this dude is just he's a juggernaut.

with voices. Like I'm I'm I'm good but. this dude's amazing. He came in and did. such an awesome table read. I got fired. Oh my god. Without even reading it. >> I got fired because he killed it so. hard. They're like, "Oh, this dude's We. don't even want to see the other guy. This guy killed it so because I went on. the road again, I lost the part. So then they called me. and they said, "All right, look, we. we got these other parts that are like a. C-level characters." And they're like,

"We need somebody to fill in. Do you. want to do it?" I'm like, "Yeah." So. then I show up and I and they're like, "Just be yourself. You don't even got to. do a voice. Just be yourself." I'm like, "Fine.". So yeah, it it happened. But since then, I've said yes and every time I always. show up. So now, if there's a animation. available and we just happen to be on. the weekend, what happens? I cancel what. I'm doing and I show up. I ain't messing around, dude. Voiceover. is is like it's that crapshoot. Like one. of these is going to hit. >> Right. So that's why I that's why I have.

said You just need one good one. Oh, wow. >> Yeah. Uh. And and actually voiceover next to. comedy is one of my favorite things to. do. So it's like, yes, I can do a. sitcom, I can do movies, but it's it's a. lot of work and it's not fun. >> Comedy is fun. Stand-up is fun. And. doing voiceover work, >> you just show up. You don't got to. memorize lines. You don't have to. memorize. anything. >> They feed you before you go in the. booth. You need anything else? Do you. want anything else? And I'm like, "Okay." You know, it's cool. And and.

then, you know, you leave and everyone's. happy and you know, and then you show up. and do press. Is you is. is turning down Happy Feet and going on. the road and doing your gig because as. you mentioned, that's what pays the. bills. That's how keep That's how Gabe. stays gainfully employed, has a nice. home, has a nice life. Is that probably. your biggest regret? Um as far as work goes, yeah. Definitely. because I know that would have that. would have definitely changed. my my life early on. Um.

>> Right. But does that But now all of a sudden, you got millions in your pocket, Gabe. It changes the way you think. It changes. the way you do things. It does change. the way you think, but it doesn't take. away from the fact that you acknowledge. that there was an opportunity there. You. should have taken it. You should have. done everything you could with that. opportunity and you didn't. >> Right. And because you didn't you saw. what it turned into, it's a reminder. Don't take these little parts, these. little things for granted. These little. seeds can turn into a giant tree.

You know, so don't ever think that. you're, you know, you're you're too good. or that something can't be. Even a. redwood in Sequoia started out as a It. started off as a seed. So, yeah, it's. just it's but it's a reminder. You know, and I and I know all of this can go away. with one bad tweet. >> Yeah. You know what I mean? So, uh. You don't do you a tweet anymore, do. you? Oh, man, I'm very selective with my. tweets. Um, you know, they say they say. you can say whatever you want and. you can't. You can't. You free you free.

it's it's freedom of speech but you're. not freedom of consequence. There you. go. And and in our game it's one of. those things where because of the size. of the platform, everything you say is dissected. Everything you say can be you can take. it one way or another. And so you you do. have to be careful because you got to. protect it. You built this thing up. You. worked really hard to get it to where. it's at and you don't want to lose it. over something that's like, really? That's that's what that's what took you. that's what took you down? I was like, uh.

What's the number one thing that you. learned in this business? You like you. said, you've been in doing comedy almost. 30 years and you've done voice over. acting you've done a lot of other things. and you've been on TV shows. What's the. number one thing that you think you. learned in this business? Ooh. Uh, you are replaceable. You are very replaceable. Uh, no matter. how good you think you are, no matter. what you think you bring to the table, there's someone else waiting in the. wings to take your spot. So, do you want to work? Do you want to.

be cuz cuz for me like I don't take. vacations. I don't take vacations. >> What? You don't take vacations? >> Absolutely not. What? No. I've never. ever taken time off of this. >> me crazy, Gabe, cuz I don't No, I'm a. I'm I'm a I'm I'm from that cloth where. you know what? I I work really hard to. get this spot. I'm not trying to lose. it. I work my ass off. And so when. people see me in Hawaii or they see me. one of these other countries, just know. now I'm doing a show. There's a show happening right there. And I just added a couple of extra days.

>> I came a couple days early. Yeah, I I. came in a couple days early or I stayed. a couple days after the fact to enjoy. it. So that's the only way I will enjoy. where I'm at is is as long as there's a. show attached to it. Obviously, when you. have the level of success that you've. enjoyed, a lot of people ask you know. being you know, people used to ask me. all the time, you know, how did you get. into football and what does it take to. go to you know play in the NFL and how. you had the level of success? What is the one of the things that. people ask you most? I'm sure young and. up and coming comedians ask you Gabe,

man, you've been in this thing almost 30. years. How have you been able to enjoy. the level of success? How are you how. are you able to break through? How are. you able not to give up because I'm sure. there are a lot of times that you like, man, I don't know if this thing for me. I think all of that was early on. I a. lot of that was in the beginning. I. think the hardest part of doing what. what what I'm doing is it was early on. because you weren't sure, you know, it's. like I had a really good job. I had a. job that paid me $5,000 a month. Keep in.

mind this is 1997. My rent was maybe $500 a month. I had a. car note that was maybe $150 plus. insurance. I was doing extremely well. for myself. I was selling cell phones. for a company called LA Cellular which. eventually turned into AT&T and I was. selling phones and making commission and. I was just I was killing it. I had a. badass leather jacket from Wilson's. House of Suede. Remember Wilson's House. of Suede at the mall? You'd walk by and.

you're like, yeah, smell it. You can see. you smell it. You know what I mean? It's. like that in the food court. You know, the two things we could smell. And so I. was doing really well. So, to give that. up to chase this dream where basically, as soon as I quit my job, I got evicted. I had to sleep on my brother's freaking. couch. You know, it was one of those. where everybody kept saying, "You got to. go get your job back. You had a really. good job." And I'm like, I I I can't cuz. I was burning the candle at both ends. For me, the hardest part was the. beginning. And then, once the ball got.

rolling, I'm like, okay, here we go. So, when comics ask me for advice, and they. say, "What should I do?". Um. it's really hard for me to give advice. because it's coming from somebody who's. been around for almost 30 years, and my. advice is from 1997, not from now. The the the game is so different now. with all of social media with all the. other tools that you have at your. disposal, it's so different. So, it's. hard for me to to give that advice, you. know, as far as what happens on stage,

that's something else. But now, even. comedy's changed where people use um. screens, and they use music, and they. use all kinds of other tools, and it's. like. I don't do that. So, it's hard for me to. tell someone, you know, and I've tried. giving advice, and unfortunately, the. advice I gave wasn't good because it. didn't fit that person. It was the good. advice for me, but it wasn't a good good. thing for them. I think the thing is is. that they see you now. They see you. doing Dodger Stadium. They see you doing. these big events, but they don't realize.

you didn't start out doing Dodger. Stadium. You didn't start out doing. Madison Square Garden. You started out. performing in front of 20 people, in. front of 100 people. And so, people all. all they see is the success, but that. and nobody wants to see that period of. where you weren't as successful as you. are now. And so, people just can't wrap. their wrap. Man, Gabe, you ain't never. struggled a day in your life. That's what you hear people. >> I I hear it a lot. Why you? I hear why you, and I'm like, What? >> Damn. Really? You.

you know, you just read off everything. It's like, well, I might have done a. couple things to to lead up to that. And. and whether you're a fan of the comedy. or not, you got to understand that. there's a lot of hard work that went. into what I do. So, you know, comedy isn't like like football. There's. you can't rely on statistics. There's no. numbers because if you went off of. numbers, the greatest comic of all time. would be Kevin Hart. Right. Kevin Hart. would be hands down the greatest comic. ever based on the amount of films, the. amount of comedy specials, the amount of.

money grossed, everything is. He would He would be the guy. >> Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So, with me it's it's one of those things. where it's like, all right, when people. ask the question, all right, well, how. is it that you're doing it? Well, I'm. like first of all, I'm willing to, you. know, take time to. relate to people. You know, something as. simple as as hey, thanks for coming to. my show. I really appreciate the fact. that you guys came to my show. You could. have been anywhere tonight. You could. have. gone to the movies, you could have done. this or that. Thank you for for coming.

to see me. I really appreciate it. >> Right. Something as simple as thanking the. audience goes so far and a lot of. artists forget to do that. And then when. you're sharing these stories, I don't. come from a place of like, look what I'm. doing. It's like, hey man, look what. we're doing cuz you guys are part of. this ride. Without you, I'm just talking. in front of a mirror doing voices. And. you know, that usually requires. medication, but uh. Did. Were you always funny? Did you know you.

always wanted to do comedy? Were you a. class clown? Did your mom like, Gabe. Gabriel, will you please stop? That's. enough. Um for me, no. I'm actually. when I'm not on stage, I'm more. analytical. Um I'm not trying to. be entertaining off stage. I'm not the. funniest person in my group of friends. My friends are way funnier off stage. than I am. I'm not trying to be funny. and I I find those comics annoying, by. the way. Really? >> Those comics that don't turn that [ __ ].

off, I'm like They try to be funny all. the time. Wait, can I can I cuss? Yeah. Oh, okay. Sorry. I'm like, "Oh!". Um yeah, no, I'm just I'm just very I'm. I'm paying attention. I'm listening to. what's going on in the room, and that's. that's basically what what I do. I I I I. hear what's going on. I'm I'm I'm. sharing these stories of these moments. That's what I do. I I I take what's. happening around me, and then I take it. to the stage, and that's when it when it. counts. Now, when I was a kid, I was 10. years old, and I was um I was home.

watching Eddie Murphy Raw, which is not. what you should be watching when you're. 10 years old. Absolutely not. >> Absolutely not, but my mom wanted to go. play bingo, and I wanted to just, you. know, I was just home alone. Right. I. was a latchkey kid, and a lot of people. don't know what that is. Basically, you're just left home alone. That's. probably considered illegal now, but. whatever. I'm going to be that guy. In my day, back in my day, uh you had to stay home. I I'd go to the. video store with my mom. I'd rent a. couple video tapes, and, you know, uh. I'd stay home and watch comedy. My. favorite thing to watch was Eddie Murphy. and Robin Williams.

>> Okay. And so, I'd watch them, and that's. that's what inspired it. And then I I. did a school talent show, and I. basically did impressions of Eddie. Murphy doing impressions of of other. people. >> Right. So, that's that's how that whole. thing got started, at 10 years old, in elementary school. Do people meet. you, they expect you to be funny? Um I do get a little bit of that. That. sometimes I get it more so from. strangers. Yes. Strangers will go, "Tell. me a joke." And I'm like, "Well, I don't. really tell jokes. I. I share stories." And they're like,

"Well, tell me a story." I'm like, uh. you know, cuz anybody who's been to my. show knows, like, my stories are 15, 20. minutes long. So, it's like, you know, I'm not going to spend that time to kind. of like if you get it, you get it. If. you don't get it, hey, man, just, you. know, may- maybe I'm not for you. At the start. of every new year, I set my goals. I. tell myself, "This year, I'm eating. right. I'm working out. I'm working. hard, staying on track. Then reality. hits. Work, travel, cravings, distractions. Life just loves to test. your focus. I've been there. I've fallen.

off, but I don't stay down because. Amazon helps bring me back up every. time. Amazon is here to make sticking to. your goals easier. From healthy snacks I. need to work out gear I like to have on. hand, all of my everyday essentials are. available to purchase in one place. Not. to mention, I can get it delivered fast. so I don't have to worry about making a. trip to the store and adding to my. already busy schedule. Great prices, no. running around, no extra hassle. Now. that's convenient. So when life tries to. steer you off track, Amazon can help get.

you back to the plan. Focus on your. goals and stay on your grind. Save. everyday with essentials from Amazon. Tell us about the Volkswagen you used to. have. Uh. the Volkswagen I Well, shoot. I I'm a. For those of you that don't I'm an an. excessive collector of of Volkswagens. >> That's what happens when you. >> What what So what what's special about. Volkswagen? It was my first car. It was my first car. Yeah. A bug, a. beetle, a thing? Can we continue to sip.

cuz it's been it's been at least 15. minutes. So I just, you know. But I I thought Here's the thing. I. thought we'd go just like, you know, toast and, you know, sip casually. Well, thank you. We got another bottle. I love it. I love it. I think it's funny how your your crew is. like. Yeah, I can feel them. Everyone. They're. like watching. They're like. >> they judge you, huh? Yeah. Yeah, because we didn't we didn't. We thought you was going to like.

This is. This is Yeah. Here's the deal. Thank. you. This is cool. We Yeah. Let me tell you something, boo-boo. THE PROBLEM WITH STEVE HARVEY IS. I'm sorry. Yeah. So but you would say you you your very. first car was a. was it a bug or just a So my first car. was a 1968 Volkswagen bus and. it was eight shades of primer and that.

car ran on on gas and prayer. It was one. of those sometimes it got me to work. sometimes it didn't and. my brother helped me buy it. I think we. paid maybe $500 for the car and we put. that thing together. It was like a. Frankenstein car cuz I had pieces from. all these different buses to put it. together. And that you know it was my. first car and there's a certain level of. attachment to that first car and so many. many years later um. I got my girlfriend her at the time her.

first car back not the actual car but. the car that she had. >> Right. And the guys that I got the car. from they're like hey man you know if if. you want anything else let us know and. I'm like. what about a Volkswagen and I mentioned. the car that I wanted and they got it. for me like in two days and. >> Really? they said if you want anything else let. us know and I said well if you have. anything else let me know and we played. that game for about two years and next. thing you know I got a building full of. Volkswagens. So it's just Volkswagens. you're not you're not a Lambo Ferrari or.

Rolls or. you're not you just want Volkswagens. >> other cars but. nothing that's so over the top where. you're like you know. Leno has everything. >> Yeah. Tim Allen has everything. Seinfeld's the. Porsche guy and so I thought that with. Volkswagens I love them. >> got a collection too. Kevin does have a. sick collection of cars. He got a crazy. collection. But with Volkswagens nobody. judges you and that's what I really. appreciated is that it's a fun car it's. the people's car a lot of people have. stories. Oh man we used to take trips up.

the coast in that car. Whenever I drive one of those no one. gives you that weird vibe it's more like. oh that's a cool car. >> So you got like a 21 a window. Yeah. they're all 21, 23. Yeah, they're. they're they're they're nice. They're nice. They're nice, but no one. judges you. But I do have some a couple of muscle. cars, but nothing that's crazy. >> have What do you have muscle car wise? Um Camaros, Challengers Hellcats. Hellcats I got I got. >> Old school or new? The new ones. >> Okay. New ones. I like them to work.

You know what I'm saying? Cuz anytime. you have a classic car, it's one of. those you got to you got to own a. charger. You have to own a charger, you. have to own a gas thing cuz they're at. one point they're going to wind up. leaving you stranded. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's a that's a car that. you only drive periodically. Normally on. the weekend where there's not a whole. lot of traffic, because you got to. realize these cars are 50, 60 years of. age and they're not built with modern. technology cuz you. I've been stranded by every single one. of my cars. Every single one of my cars. has left me on the side of the road and. it's. you know, it's embarrassing. You're. standing there the car looks cool, but.

it's like. Hi, people are like They recognize you? Yeah, they're like, "Fluffy, is that. you?" And I'm like, "Hey, what's going on? What's What are. you doing?". "Broke down. You need a ride?". "I can't leave this car on the side of. the road cuz No, it's it's a little bit. too valuable to leave side of the road. I'm just I'm just going to wait it out. I called AAA. They'll be here shortly. Yeah, but you know what the craziest. thing is out of all the cars that I. have, you know what my favorite car is? It blows people's mind. Uh Toyota Sienna. A minivan is my favorite car to drive.

It's my I drove it here today. You Hold. on. I'm assuming with a minivan you got to. have kids that you taking to school or a. soccer practice. >> I don't have kids. I got a 4-lb. Chihuahua and a white girl at home. And. uh. Yeah, that's that's all I got. >> A minivan. It. >> You know you can find something with. more space that's a little bit more You. know what You know what I love about. that car? It's so it's such a low pro.

vehicle where it's like I pulled up. right in front of the building. None of. the guys knew it was me in there. They. First of all, they said, "You can't park. that here.". Right away. Right away cuz it was an. Audi in front of me and there was. another nice car and they're like, "You. can't park that in front of me." And. then the guy saw me and they're like, "Ah, Pichi Fluffy." And then they start. speaking Spanish to me. And then I spoke. Spanish back to him. And then I gave him some money and. they're like, "No, dejala." I promise. you that van is parked in front of your. building right now. Um that car has 18. cup holders. It gets like 500 mi every.

time you fill it up. It's hybrid. It has never failed me. It never breaks. down. The maintenance on it is minimal. I love uh I love practicality. Okay. Because of the amount of times I've been. left on the side of the road, that. freaking Sienna is clutch. So you So you. would just drive it. I'm not It's not. like So you would just drive it around. If I got You got to go to Target, you. got to go to the grocery store. I'm not. afraid to park it. Okay. And you know it's going to be. there when you get back. I know it's. going to be there. But if I take the. Escalade,

There's a 50/50 chance. Yeah, I keep. coming to the window. All right, yeah, yeah, yeah, all right, okay. You were in a Haunted House 2 with. Marlon and uh Wayans, My Wife and Kids. with Damon Wayans. How was it working. with them? Cuz they do it Look, Keenan. started it by putting everybody on In. Living Color and you see the the Wayans. uh Shawn and Marlon when they had their. show, they put people on. Damon, they. put people on. What is it about that. family? The Wayans family is one of the. most talented families of of just comedy. and just everything. I mean, God, I.

remember growing up watching In Living. Color. Marlon Mar- I think Marlon and I. are really close in age. So we were both. kind of kids at the time, you know? And. then Shawn was SW1, he was the DJ. They. wouldn't even let them on the show yet, you know? Keenan hadn't approved him. yet. Um once I had an opportunity to uh. to work with Marlon, by the way, Marlon. is an incredible human being. I know you've had him on the show, but. man, let me tell you, Marlon has, on top. of being funny, he has so much heart.

Yes. At least once or twice a year, Marlon will send me a text message to. just check on me. Not how the career is. going, but asking me how am I doing with. life? How's my health? What's going on? I mean, I you know, I I did one movie. with him and since then we've been. friends. And even though I don't see him all the. time, he always takes time to hey man, you doing okay? You know, how's your. diabetes, man? You doing okay? You know, let me send you some info about a. doctor. He's not trying to get money. He's not trying to get me to do a part. He's not trying to get me to do anything.

else. He's just He just cares. Just. sorry. And. I love him for that. He's just been such. a genuine human being and I think more. people need to know how awesome of a. person Marlon is. Go ahead. Yeah, no, no, no, I said it. No, I would what. >> Love you, Marlon. Yeah, what what are. you. >> I've only had one. Don't worry, dude, it's not And by the way, that dude can. drink. He can drink. We did a a press. tour after we did a Haunted House and we. were hanging out one night and uh. he goes, "Hey man, you want you want to. do some shots?" And I'm looking at. Marlon, but you know, Marlon's like 100.

and something pounds and I'm I'm not You. like you can't hang with me. I'm not. I'm My weight alone will crush him on on. on the drinking. And we went toe-to-toe and I said, "Yeah, he's not going to cuz he kept. saying, I'm going to I'm going to go. work out in the morning. I'm going to. hit the gym." I'm like, "Dude, you're. not going to after that you're not. going.". He texts me from the gym, uh sent me. pictures. He's like, "See that? I still. made it." And I'm like, meanwhile, I'm. in bed freaking. with freaking Gatorade. Gatorade and a towel. You did not make.

it to the gym. >> I I did not make it to the gym. That dude can drink. You I thought you. were Magic Mike. The DJ. >> people don't believe that one when you. say it. You know, he was a producer. >> You were the DJ. Yeah, I was I was I was. a DJ. No, but when they hear Magic Mike. >> got naked. >> Yeah, you know, they think of Channing. Tatum. >> Magic, not Tragic Mike. Magic Mike. Yeah. So what was that experience like? So when they when they call me and say a. game. we got this role, we're going to do this. movie. X, Y, and Z. is kind of like. kind of loosely based off the.

Chippendales, X, Y, and Z. You're like, "That's right up my alley. I was I was. hoping I'd get a role like this.". >> I didn't get that much uh information on. the film. I was contacted by Channing. Tatum. Really? This was like my first real. legit film. It's like, "Are you kidding. me?" He's like, you know, he's a fan. And I thought that was the best part. He's like, "Man, I got this part for you. and I think you'll be great." And I'm. like, "Okay." Yeah. >> Cool. So, now I'm working with, you. know, Steven Soderbergh, Channing Tatum, freaking Matthew McConaughey. Everybody in the film was already a.

successful star. Plus, I'm a huge. wrestling fan, so I'm working with Kevin. Nash. Kevin Nash was in the movie. So, the day I get there, I'm just geeking. out. And so, it for me it was so much. fun. Um. I can tell you that Matthew McConaughey. is. more than an incredible actor. He's so. He's very method, by the way. Yeah. He's. scary. He's scary cuz the first time I'm doing. a scene with him, you know, we do the scene and cut. And. I'm like, "Okay, cool. Good scene,

right?" And right away he's like, "So, Tobias." He called me Tobias cuz that's. the name of the character in the movie. And I'm thinking maybe he just doesn't. know my name is Gabriel. He's just going. to call me Tobias. "So, Tobias, how we looking tonight on. the numbers?" I'm like, um. I don't know. "Well, when you find out, you let me. know." And I'm like, "Okay, does he know. that the He just said cut?". And he kept He kept going. Right. >> So, then we're over at. we went to a lunch and we're, you know, catering and stuff like that. And he.

comes up and he's got the tray and he's. like, "What kind of sound system are you. working with tonight?". I'm like, "Well, I don't know. It's, you. know, it's not really my system. I'm. just I'm messing with a little keyboard. It's not mine, but, you know, I'll let. you know.". "So, um how long you been DJing?". Um. I'm not I'm not at And at one point I. just it clicked. This. He's still in character. He would not. break character. He would not break. character and it scared the [ __ ] out of. me. It scared the [ __ ] out of me cuz. every time I look at me he's like,

"Tobias." I'm like, "I got to I got to. pee." And I just I'd walk away and. finally on the last day of the shoot. when they yelled, "It's a wrap." You. know, he because everybody was on such a. strict diet for the film to stay. shredded, on the last day he winds up. ordering rallies, which is basically. like checkers on the West Coast. >> Ordered a bunch of burgers and stuff for. the guys and you know, we're hanging out. at the bar and I'm way at the end, right? And he goes, "Gabriel." And he.

called me by my name and I'm like, "What?" I go, "Don't you mean Tobias?". He goes, "Oh, come on, baby." And then. he starts telling me he goes, "I just. when I when I get in character, I commit. to that character." And I'm like, "Bro, I I thought you were crazy.". We were cool and then I ran into him. recently at a wrestling event and he was. so sweet. >> That's awesome. >> But he is an amazing actor and very. committed and he deserves all the. accolades. >> So, I I'm assuming that's your favorite. part of the set because you're talking. to Matthew McConaughey, one of the. stars. He never breaks character. So,

every time he sees you, he's asking you. questions that a DJ should know because. you're the DJ. >> And I've never touched a record, so. So, yeah, it freaked me out. You know, but I had so much fun doing that movie. Channing was incredibly nice and patient. with me because it was my first movie. The first scenes were with him and I was. messing up. I was messing up lines. I. was just like, "Oh, he's going to I'm. going to get fired." But he was super. patient with me and I I really. appreciated that. And then again, being.

able to work with with Steven Soderbergh. and then you know, one of my favorite. wrestlers, Kevin Nash. That was really. really cool for me. Did. I don't know if this is because but you. seen this. You see Jamie Fox do it. Comedian You see Richard Pryor comedian. that do it. You. see Kevin Hart, and you see Kat. Williams, and you see. Bernie Mac, and you see so many guys. that start out on the tour, and then all. of a sudden they get Is that what you. Was that something that you you sought. out? Is that what you wanted to do? Did.

you ever think that being a comedian. would leave you lead you to TV? I think early on as a comic, you're. conditioned to think that there's. certain things you're supposed to strive. for. >> Okay. Okay. You know what I mean? Where. it's like I just I love being a comic. That's my favorite thing. I'm not using. comedy to become an actor, to become a. movie star, to become this, to become. that. Whereas I feel like a lot of. comics get into that as a stepping. stone. I don't see comedy as a stepping. stone. I see comedy as as the. destination. That's what I want it to.

be. But early on, everybody's telling you, you got to have a Tonight Show, you got. to have a. HBO special. Back then it was only an. HBO special. You need a sitcom, and then. you need a development deal, and you. need movies, and and you're you're. conditioned to think that's what you're. supposed to do. And it took a while for. me to just break that and go, "You know. what? I've done TV shows. It's It's cool. to say you're on a show. When you're. doing a movie, it's great to say, "Look, I'm on the poster." But people don't. realize the amount of work that goes.

into it. It's a lot of work. >> It's a lot of sitting around, Gabe, to. be honest with you. >> It Well, a lot a lot of waiting. Hurry. up and wait. We need you on the set at. 6:00 a.m., and then you're on the set at. 10:00. And you're like, "I could have. been sleeping this whole Yes. Yes. Look, I can just imagine a movie that's that's. 90 minutes or 120 minutes. Cuz a. commercial that's only 30 seconds might. take you 2 days. So I can imagine a. movie that's going 90 minutes to 120. minutes, how much actual downtime. sitting around. You're like, "Bro, we.

really could have shot this movie in. like a month.". If y'all wouldn't boo If y'all wouldn't. boo y'all, we really could have shot. this movie in a month. It didn't take 6. months to shoot this movie. There's. There's a lot of that. So I I I applaud. people like Kevin who has that work. ethic, who actually wants to do those. roles and and and He still find time for. his stand-up. And he still makes time. for stand-up. >> And he does TV. And he's co- And he's. co-producer. >> believe there's like nine Kevin Harts. It's got to be. >> There's got to be, man. >> to be. There's one at the gym, there's. one at the movie set right now, there's. one promoting films. You know, he's he's.

he's a workaholic, man. And and I don't. have that energy. You know, so I applaud. him. Good for him. Very happy for him. Have there ever been an audition that. you bombed and you're like, "Yeah, I'm. not getting this role.". There's been a lot. There's been a lot. of auditions. Early on, I would go on. auditions all the time because my. manager said that's what I needed to do. You know, so I was always on that. freeway. So, when I said earlier, man, I. took on that 405. >> 405, yeah. It was traffic and I'm just. like, only cuz it's Shay Shay.

I appreciate that. I appreciate that. >> But uh. yeah, after a while I said, "You know. what? I'm I'm tired. This is depressing. You go on these auditions, they tell you. you're doing great. Oh my god, that's so. good." And then they call you you know, you get the follow-up ones. Now you got. to do the second round or the third. round. And then they start whittling. down all the people until they get the. one. And you think you're doing good and. then it's like, "All right, you don't. hear nothing." And it's just like, I. wasted all that time. So, eventually I got tired of going on. all these auditions and I said, "You. know what? I'm just going to focus on.

what I love. Right. I love comedy. I'm. going to focus on that. I'm going to. make that priority, give 110 percent of. my energy, and if something comes from. that, in which case, that's how I got. the part in Magic Mike. I did an. audition for it. >> Right. Someone saw me, Channing, and. said, "Dude, this guy's funny. We need. him in the movie.". >> for the part. And that's that's how I. got that. And that's how I get these. voice over roles. No one says, "Hey, can. you come in and read for this and that?". Now, everybody's like, "No. The very. funny Gabriel Iglesias, we need him in.

the movie." And I'm just like, "Oh my. god, I should have been doing that from. the get.". Wow. >> You know what I mean? So, I I focused. all my energy into the one thing and. made myself really good at that one. thing. And because of that, now now I. get. I'm here. You know what I mean? Yeah. And I we we we Thank you. And we appreciate you being here. Mhm. Do they ever tell you on set don't. talk to certain actors? Because you hear. certain things like you don't talk to. this guy, you don't talk to that person. Do I mean, do you go out of your way or.

do you just like, "Okay, I'll speak to. if spoken to.". Um I don't think I've been on a set. where I had to be that way. >> Okay. But I've heard many stories where. you have to act a certain way, look at. the ground, don't look at that person, don't ask questions, don't engage. You. really can't look at a person You can't. look at a person. >> I've heard many stories like that where. you're not supposed to look at certain. talent. I've not been told don't do that, but. I've heard a lot of stories where this, you know, Yeah, I've heard it. I've. >> of like, "Ah, don't don't do it. You're going to.

disappoint yourself." And I'm like, Okay. Okay. You also were on Nickelodeon with Nick. Cannon and Amanda Bynes. >> Oh, yeah. >> How'd you get that opportunity? Cuz. you've had a lot of oppor- You've had. You've been in some great situations, Gay. Uh so, in 2000, I want to say it was. 1999 2000, I was on a show, uh basically. the Saturday Night Live version. uh for kids. >> Kids. on Nickelodeon called All That. >> Yes. This show featured Amanda Bynes, Nick Cannon, uh Kenan Thompson, who's I.

think holds the record for most sketches. now on on SNL. >> Yes. Um. you know, it was I want to say season. Was it season six? Basically, Kenan and Kel, they had they. spun off and did their own show called. Kenan and Kel on Nickelodeon. >> Yep. So, they left All That and they. needed somebody to come in and and fill. in. >> And uh. someone had seen me at the Laugh Factory. doing stand-up and they recommended me. to Tollin Robbins, who was the the were. the producers of the show. >> Okay. And so, next thing you know, I'm.

at Nickelodeon and I'm in an office, and it's me and my manager, and I'm. sitting there, and they're like, "Okay, so you're Gabriel, you're funny, someone. saw you, blah blah blah blah blah." And. they're like, "They said you're good at. characters.". And they said, "Can you do some. characters for us?" And then I just. started rattling off freaking basically. my set. I was doing, you know, the girl. voice, like, "Oh my god, like, seriously, like, wow." And as soon as I. did the girl voice, they're like, you know, and then I just started doing. other voices. I was doing, I think, the.

president, like, "Uh, let me tell you. something right now." You know, just all. those little things I was doing, they just I remember they all looked at. each other, and next thing you know, I was on the. set, and I was the oldest cast member, cuz you got to figure, I was about 21 already. No, 2000, shoot, I was 24, 25. >> Yeah. And everyone on the show was like, you know, 12 to 17. >> Mhm. But at the time, I had, you know, I. was clean-cut, full head of hair, I had.

braces, so that really fed into the. whole looking youthful. And so next thing you know, I'm I'm on. the show, and I went from being a comic. on the weekends making, I don't know, maybe three, $400 on the weekends if I. if I hit a bunch of clubs and stuff, to. all of a sudden I'm I'm I'm a, you know, cast member on All That, and I was. making about 3,500 a weekend. And so my. life dramatically changed, and it was. just like, woo, you know, I had a TV the. next weekend, it was really cool. I.

don't have a TV yet. When you see you work close, like I. said, you work with. Nick, and Nick, you see with Nick with. Wild 'N Out, and he has a lot of. projects, but Amanda Bynes has kind of. fallen on some hard times. She's kind of. going through some tough Have you have. From that point on, did you ever reach. out to her? Have you ever been in. communication with Amanda? So, early on with Amanda, she was the. golden goose on the show. She was. incredibly talented. I I I remember uh. attending a live Nickelodeon event and.

she was hosting it and I felt like she. must have been maybe 11 or 12 years old. and the amount of poise and confidence. that she had hosting with a microphone, the way that she worked the microphone, the way that she worked the audience and. she was able to read a teleprompter like. with ease. Like she's she's such a pro. So, when I actually got to meet her. even though I was older, I was very. intimidated by her. I was just like, "Oh, that's her." And. I remember seeing her in makeup and I. would just kind of like real small talk.

Did you So, um. unfortunately, I never became really. good friends with her. Not that not that. we couldn't be friends. I just always. felt like, "Man, she's she's right here. and I'm right here and I I I just got. this job, you know?". Try to mess that up. Uh I I clicked more. with Nick. Nick was super cool. Nick was. always inviting me out to eat. We we. were on Sunset on on Nickelodeon at the. studio and he'd always take me and uh. Danny Tamberelli to go eat at at Carl's. Jr., which was on the corner. Right. And. he's like, "I got it, guys." And I'm.

like, "All right, you got it." I was so. excited. I'm like, "Yay, free food.". When when Kenan and Kel left, did that. add pressure to you because you know you. were coming in to replace those guys who. had been hugely successful on the show? So, did that add pressure to you like, "Damn.". Yeah, that was a lot of pressure because. they they had one person replace two. You know, so it's like, "Uh and I kept hearing it." You're like, "Oh, this is the guy that. they brought in to replace the two.". >> Yes. And then part of me was like,

"Uh all right. Well, why isn't there another guy here?". Yeah. Or why don't I get to Okay, if two guys, why don't I get double salary? You know, but they were incredibly. talented. I enjoyed watching Kenan and. Kel both. They The chemistry was amazing. and that's why they got their show. So, I was I was you know, I was just again. happy to be part of the mix. So you want. to hear why I didn't get another season? What? All right, here we go. This is a good story. I'm about to hit. you with a good one.

That's good. >> Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't want you to I don't want you to. drink alone. No, no, no. I believe me, I. think I got somebody showing up in a few. minutes to to drive that Sienna. Okay, Shen. So I appreciate you. So. >> By and by the way, can I just say as a. Raiders fan you made me my team cry many. times. I could I could I could see you be a. Raiders fan. >> Yeah. Yeah, you probably went out to the. >> out now. I wasn't going to I wasn't. going to say [ __ ] earlier, but I'm like. You went out you did that to the. Coliseum. You did that to the Coliseum.

Yeah, and Oakland. >> Yeah, oh you would used to go up to. Oakland. >> I would go to Oakland and then I. >> Cuz you know they had the Coliseum for a. long time. Good job. Good job. Okay, so. so. >> um. One. on Nickelodeon on on on all that. because of the fact that I could do the. girl voice, they they loved dressing me. up, putting wigs and skirts and stuff. I. could hear Cat already. That's another.

one, boo boo. That's another one. Yeah, yeah, they got me in a dress, Cat. Sorry. So. they would always dress me up with the. wig and the skirt and stuff. And so on. one episode they had me dressed up as a. cheerleader. And so I had like the. pigtails and then the bangs and stuff. like that, pom poms, the socks with the. little the little ball in the back. Yes. So they had me dressed up like that. I'd. done a sketch and then at the end at the. end of the show they have the musical. guest. The musical guest goes out there. and then after they're done singing, the.

whole cast runs out on the set. Hey, that's our show. Have a good night. We'll see you next week. More all that. So there was an order in which everybody. runs out on the set. It's always the. shortest all the way to the tallest. So. I was always second to last cuz Nick was. the tallest. Right. And so, the band finishes and then we. all start running out onto the set. Well, I'm running out, right? And because of. the fact that I have bangs, I can't see that there's a beam going.

across the stage. There was these beams. And I ran right into the beam and. knocked myself unconscious on the set of. All That. And so, boom, hit the floor. I wake up. and there's a fireman standing over me. And he's looking at me and he's like, "How many fingers am I holding up?" I'm. like, I'm like, "Four.". He's like, "Do you know where you're. at?" And I'm like, "Nickelodeon.". He's like, "Do you know why you're. wearing a skirt?" I'm like, "Paycheck.". And so, uh.

I'm trying to stand up, but they won't. let me stand up. Right. I just knocked. myself unconscious and then I'm trying. to take off my wig and they won't let me. take off the wig because they think. maybe the wig might be holding something. in place. >> Right. So, what happens is they got the whole. freaking ambulance and everything. They. put me on a gurney and they take me to. the hospital. And um And you still got costume on. You. still got the wig. You still got the the. cheerleading outfit, the big So, all my family and friends that are cuz.

they had a live studio audience. They. all just saw me get knocked unconscious. and now. basically it's an ambulance and I can. see out the back of the ambulance cuz. I'm laying there and I see all the cars. of my family and friends Following. following. Following the ambulance. We get to the. uh hospital and of course, you know, they put me in the donut. They start. doing a, you know, scan to make sure I'm. okay and then eventually they're like, "Okay, he's got a concussion." So, I had. a concussion. They took off the thing. And um word gets out that there's an.

entertainer. who suffered a head injury at the. Nickelodeon lot with the last name. Iglesias. So, people think that Enrique Iglesias. was Hurt. And now there's all these news stations. showing up to the hospital to see if. Enrique's okay, not realizing that It's. Gabriel. fat dude in a skirt. So, unfortunately, uh which really left a bad taste in my. mouth, which is why I never did any of.

the reunion shows is that they sent. someone there. to uh with a clipboard. to get me to sign a waiver. saying that. that that that Nickelodeon's not. responsible for the fact that I got. injured on the set. And I'm like, you know, so the guy's. just there. He's like, you got to sign. this. And I'm just like, well, what if I don't? And they're like, well, you're probably going to get. fired. And so I'm like, they threatened. me with that and then I sign it and then. they fired me anyway. So, yeah. Dirty. Dirty.

That's a dirty play. >> Dirty. So, when they say, "How come you. never did none of the reunions?" cuz. that's what happened. But it's okay cuz, you know, things turned out all right. How did you get the nickname Fluffy? Ooh. Um I called myself fat around my mom. And she she didn't like that. Not fat, you're fluffy like a cat. Come on gato, meow. And I'm like, oh my. god. So, I said that on stage one night, got a huge laugh. And then at the end of. the night, no one remembered Gabriel. Iglesias. They call me Fluffy. So, they.

still So, people still when they see you. out in the street, they see you out and. about, they don't call you your name, they call you Fluffy. >> No one calls me Gabriel. They call me Fluffy. It's easier and I'm. okay with it. Really? >> me a long time. Yeah. Took me a long. time to accept it, but then I got to a. point where. I stopped fighting it and then I flipped. the switch and then I just stepped on. the gas. And so, I started branding it. >> Right. And once I branded it, forget it. I mean, I did that early on. I branded. it so well that if you were to go online. right now and you Google Fluffy, I come.

up before cats, quilts, comforters, cotton candy. I am the number one fluffy. thing on the internet and I challenge. you to try it right now. Just type in. the word fluffy and watch what comes up. first. Did you hate You know, because people. started calling you that, did you hate. like I hate that I told this story. Damn. it, I should have just kept this a. secret for all these years. >> Early on, yes. But then when you realize the magic of. having an uh. you know, Cher doesn't need a last name. Right. You know what I mean? There's a lot of.

people that have Pitbull doesn't need a. last name. There's people that have that. one name and it sticks. Now, if you're. lucky enough for them to actually know. what your full name is, cool. >> Right. But the fact that people know. Fluffy, I'm good with that. They know They know. my name, so I'm not worried about it. So, I'm I'm okay with them calling me. that. Yeah. You said there's six level of fatness. You said there's big, there's healthy, husky, fluffy, damn, oh hell no. You got. to say it right though. It's big, healthy, husky, fluffy, damn, and then.

oh hell no. So, and I'm reading the hold on. At one. point in time, you weighed 445 lbs. Yeah, we weren't going to talk about. that, but all right. Yes, I maxed out at 440 lbs, and uh I. lost 100 100 plus lbs. So, I'm right. right now I'm about 320. I'm at 320. >> You got a goal of getting under dipping. under three or you you good now? >> absolutely absolutely. I'm pushing 50, so I think uh I've I've put it off long.

enough, and um you know, recently I was. I was talking about like okay, you know, I've managed to. accomplish every goal I've set for. myself in my career. But personally in. my regular personal life, there's so. many things that I've I've not. accomplished that I would like to. And one of them is in fact getting, you. know, to a to a healthier weight. >> Right. And so, yeah, I'm I'm Were you. always Were you always a big kid? Were. you. >> Always a big kid. Always a big kid. And.

then once comedy started taking off, you. got to figure it's like. man, I I always wanted to go out and. eat. I always like, oh, that'd be cool. to go out and eat. And then I got myself. in a position where I'm like, now I can. afford to do it. I didn't cook at all. for like 3 years. It's just like, let's. go. >> Right. And unfortunately, it caught up. to me. And then because you got to. realize. you probably start your day at 9:00 till. o'clock at night, you getting done at. midnight, 1:00 in the morning, and then. you go to eat, and then you go sleep.

till 9:00 till o'clock the next morning. >> I'm I'm very much a still a night. person. So, for example, um I went to. bed today at. maybe what, 8:00 a.m.? 8:00? Yeah. I went to bed at 8:00. I had breakfast. at 6:00, and then I I went to bed at. 8:00. So, what So, what. >> And then I I slept maybe 3 hours, and. then I got in the car and came over. here. So, what were you doing from say from. the hours of 11:00 p.m. to say 6:00.

a.m.? >> up. I'm up. I'm watching TV. I'm on my. phone. I I just I'm I'm a I'm a night person. So, your roles are reversed. So, you sleep. when a normal person is out and about. doing what they do, and when a person is. normally asleep, that's when you getting. your stuff done. >> Yes. And also at night is my favorite. time to drive because there's no. traffic. >> Right. You know, so I can jump in one of the. cars and just, you know, take a nice. I'll take a lap. I'll go to Pasadena or. I'll go to Ontario or come up here to. L.A. and it's there's no traffic. So, I.

just, you know, You just get in the car. and just drive? >> Yeah, it's the best. I'll set a. playlist. You got to remember, uh during the day or just when I'm out. on the weekends, I have so many people. around me. >> Yes. And the idea of me going anywhere. alone freaks everybody out. Cuz it's. like, what if something happens? I'm. like, I'm a I'm a adult. Can I just go? You know what I'm saying? Like, I go to. Costco by myself and they're like, what. are you doing? I'm like, I'm grown. Can I go to Can I go buy. a $1.50 hot dog and enjoy that and go go.

get some sheets or something, you know. what I mean? It's like is it is it cool? Right. It It is weird because it's like you. know, people always remind you or. they're trying to tell you, "Hey, don't. start getting big-headed. Don't start. acting all this and that. Don't start. thinking." But then I do normal things. and it freaks people out even more. I. just want to go to Costco. >> what I'm saying? So if I walk into a. McDonald's and I order some food at the. counter, they're like, "Is that really. you?" And I'm like, "Yeah." "What are. you doing here at McDonald's?" Cuz I. like chicken nuggets. What the [ __ ] You know what I'm saying? So it's like. Yeah, that's what I'm doing. Like most.

everybody, they order something a. quarter pound, a Big Mac, nuggets, or. something. That's why I'm here. But I am. a night person. I I function better at. night. >> been that way? >> Yes. Even as a child? >> for example, this past weekend I did. um yeah, I I just I love staying up. late. I love staying up late. I just I I. hate mornings, but I love being up late. See, I'm a I'm an early riser, but I. need to get to bed. I'm I'm till you. know, if I if I could all things being. equal, 10 10:30 is I'm talking about.

absolute max I would stay up if I don't. have anything to do. I will take a nap and my naps are like. an hour. Okay. That's a nap. You know? >> Yeah, that's a nap. That's a That's a. good nap. >> I'm up I'm up late. I just I just like. being up late. It's it's it's more. peaceful for me. I enjoy it. >> If you didn't have to do this interview. today, you go to bed at 8:00 a.m. >> be asleep right now. So I get out of bed right around 1:00. 1:00 2:00. So you don't sleep that much though. But in the mornings, yeah.

>> What I'm saying, you sleep till like. 1:00. That's only like 5 hours. And you. take a nap, that's 6 hours a day. >> Yeah. That's all you need? >> That's all I need. When you driving, you you getting your. you getting your your minivan or you. getting or you getting your Volkswagen? >> we're clear, I have other cars that I do. drive, but I said my preferred car. that's more practical that I'm not. afraid to cuz it's always one of those. things where when I go places I'm. I would I would drive my other cars back. in, you know, before I got the minivan.

And for some reason there's there's I. get back and there's a scuff on it and. I'm like, "Really? Be scratch or dink. dent, the rims all met Yeah. What Come. on, you know?" So that that really. bothered me, but. with a minivan I don't If someone messes. it up, Oh, well. >> Oh, well. Yeah. You had to You had to. You had to. >> First of all, it's not a rim, it's a. rim, it's a hubcap. >> Yeah. It's a hubcap. I got two more at the. freaking building, you know what I mean? I'm good. You know, are you So when you get in. there and you take these trips, what are.

you thinking about? Because John Cena. says he does the same thing. John Cena. he's in Florida and he says, "You know. what?" He says, "Sean, sometimes I get. in my car and I take a trip. I go 9, 10, 11 hours. I just drive. I just drive a. big circle around Florida and come back. home. It's just me and my thoughts.". When you're in that situation, what are. you thinking about? Are you thinking. about Are you thinking about another set. that I got? Are you trying to come up. with jokes? Are you just clearing your. mind? Are you saying, "Thank you, God. I'm so You blessed me beyond blessed.

being blessed." What are you What are. you What is Gabriel Iglesias Iglesias. thinking about? >> When I'm alone in the car, first of all, it's very peaceful cuz I don't have to. worry about entertaining or having a. conversation with someone. When you're. talking to someone, a lot of times I feel like you're you're. you're trying to appease them. You're. trying to entertain them or keep them. busy. and you're not focusing on yourself. So. when I'm alone in the car, I could just. be me. Okay. It's just me. Okay. I'll. set a playlist. I'll set a playlist and I'll just I'll. I'll I'll listen to the music and I'll. drive and I'll go over all the things.

that I'm, you know, that I'm that I'm. working on cuz you know, there's either. there's press going on, there's a show. going on, there's there's. different uh. uh endeavors, if that's the right word. for it, of things that are happening. So. I'm like, "Okay, what do I got to do. here? What do they expect here?" So and. I'm always trying to come up with ideas. and and just the creative there's stuff. that I want to do on social media. There's stuff that I want to do. maybe there's there's an idea for a. premise. >> Yes. So, all of that is happening in the car, but. I'm so at peace and I'm just driving and.

I'm listening to music and it just it's. such a. peaceful place to be because I'm always. around a lot of noise and so being alone. for me like when people say what's your. favorite room at the house? My favorite. room at the house is the bathroom. because no one can get to me. Right. I. got good AC, a good ass I got a good ass. Japanese toilet, I got Wi-Fi and it's. just like I'm good. And people know. don't you dare knock on that door. This this is my this is my 5 10 20.

minutes by myself. Sometimes do you just. go in there just like, you know, you. don't really have to use the bathroom, but they know that's really your. opportunity to be at peace. I will and then it's going to sound. disturbing, but I'll stay in that. bathroom up to 2 hours just for the sake. of peace. You got to remember I I I hope you're. sitting on the tub. Well, you know, I. got a I got an awesome toilet. I got a. Toto. I got a Toto, man. That's that's one of. my investments right there. Um. throughout the day you know, I got so.

many people that that want answers. managers, agents, publicists and then I. have my own employees that are that are. at my at my building and so everybody's. always just trying to get answers and of. course that's what they're supposed to. do. >> Right. But man, when it's just the phone. doesn't. I don't I never have the ringer on, but. the vibrate it's always just. You know, so when I'm in the bathroom. everyone knows just leave him alone. That's his that's his quiet time. >> Leave leave him alone. Do not knock on.

that door. You said I I drink diet coke. so I can eat regular cake. Yeah. Is is is. are sweets your favorite food or you Do. you or you like. the the traditional is Mexican cuisine? Um you know what? With sweets, believe. it or not, uh sweets are not my my. number one. I love more salty than. sweets. >> you fry chips. >> Yeah, I'm I'm more I'm more of a. yeah, whether it's a. you know, chips or just, you know, steak.

or whether it's a hot dog. My favorite. food is a hot dog. You English is like. that? >> Oh my god. That's I think what that's why I love. Costco so much. That you know, and not just because it's. a buck fifty, but that is a legit good. hot dog. It is so good. >> So I know you love the Dodger dog cuz. that Dodger dog that Yeah, well you. don't got to go LIKE THAT. >> YEAH. MAN, HEY PUT IT IN YOUR MOUTH. NO. BUT YOU KNOW IT'S STICKING OUT BOTH.

ENDS. I mean, come on. Now can y'all get. a bun that's a little bit longer? You. can't have the glizzy sticking out on. both ends. I yeah, no. I I love I love a good hot. dog. Uh that's that's definitely my. >> So what do you put on your hot dog? I'm. so basic. I just want ketchup, mayo, mustard. MAYO? RELAX. >> HOT DOG? Well well that's a lot of. judgment right there. That's a lot of. judgment. >> Follow. Hey hey. I've never I've never. heard of anybody put mayo on a on a hot. dog. Okay, mustard, ketchup, onions, relish,

chili, cheese, sauerkraut, mayo? >> Yeah. I'll put mayo on a sandwich. So I like. mayo on a sandwich, but to for me a hot. dog is just it's the same. It's just a. different, you know, the meat shape the. meat is shaped different. You know what. I mean? You do realize a hot dog is not a. sandwich, right? I I I I We can agree We can agree to. disagree, Shannon. We can agree to. disagree. I'm just trying to So so at. what age did you say you know what? I.

want something different. I don't want. ketchup. I don't want mustard. I don't. want relish. I'm going to try mayo on a hot dog. I. think because of the fact that I always. grew up eating mayo, so I would put mayo. basically on everything. You know. >> Really? >> Yeah. Is that Is that Is that Is that Is. that tip That was from a very early age. and it's just that was just something. that I did. I mean that once I once it. caught on it was like, all right. So. like when I go to England, you know, and. they're like, oh, they eat their fries. with mayo. I'm like, cool. And I'm just.

like, yeah, I'll show you how to do it. >> French fries with mayo? That's what they. do in England, yes. Oh, no, man. Come. on, bro. Are we still cool? Yeah, yeah, we are. So I'm just trying to So now what do you. put I know you don't put mayo on your. burger. >> like me more when I was just a Raider. fan. Now now I'm like, oh, mayo, that's. that's where that's where I draw the. line right there. Gabriel, please tell. me you don't put mayo on a burger. Yes, I put mayo on a burger. Oh, this man. >> really? Oh, god damn it.

You do realize that mayo doesn't have to. go on everything. We were doing so good. I swear I I I've. never heard of people putting mayo on a. hot. >> to cancel you, boo-boo. So you like salty food. So at what point. in time do you say. >> example, one of my favorite salty things. to eat is Spam cuz I grew up on it. I. grew up on Spam. >> Yes.

See? >> Yeah. Okay, we're I'm back. >> back. We back. We back. >> I'm so thankful. I'm back. I'm so. nervous. >> We're back. How much of a psychopath do. I have to drink for Shannon? Thank you. Man, I mean, we good. So you fry you. fried? Up yeah, on the pan and. everything. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. Spam. I love Spam. >> know you put mayo on it. Yeah. What What we were doing so good and then. you just pulled it back. >> But I you know what? I I'll give you. I'll give you that. I mean, I think. that's the really the only way that you. can eat Spam. You got to have mayo on. it. You got to have You got to have mayo to. to do Spam. But you still eat it. You.

know you don't have to, right? I know I. don't have to and. you know I was having this conversation. with someone earlier about how there's. certain foods and certain restaurants. that I still go to even though I know. the level the caliber of quality of of. of food. that that I'm about to you know You're. right. But because of the fact that it it ties. into my. nostalgic ties into my childhood so Yes. I enjoy it because I it that taste and.

the flavor reminds me of of of of you. know. you know when I would go eat with my mom. and and and being a kid and stuff like. that. So. >> But I do know that a lot of these. restaurants I'm like. yeah I know I've I've you know I've. tasted Wagyu. I know what A5 is. I know. and so it's I really have I really have. spam right about now but okay it's good. What's your favorite food? If you if if. if somebody said okay give me your list. your last what's your favorite food? What's the one thing that you know what.

Gabriel says I got to have? Grilled. cheese sandwich with spam in it. Grilled cheese if that's my last I'm. about to go to the electric chair. >> Yeah. Grilled cheese sandwich with with with. fried spam in the middle. Grilled cheese? Yeah. Are you are you serious? >> I'm such a basic seriously I grew up. eating quesadillas. Like my mom would. make me a quesadilla not even like on. the grill on the. >> Say it again. So we've been saying it.

wrong cuz we say quesadilla. Well I'm saying it cuz I'm Mexican and I. have an accent. You know what I'm. saying? So we've been so say so what how do you. say it? Quesadilla. Quesadilla. Quesadilla. >> Quesadilla. Yeah. It's it's okay if you. don't say it right. >> No we don't say it right. You know what. I'm saying? It's it's all good. Hey. advertise let me get the quesadillas. But it's the same thing. I grew up eating quesadillas very basic. it's just a tortilla some cheese you. fold it some Sometimes my mom would put. it on the on you know on the stove,

sometimes she just throw it in the. microwave. >> Right. But that's what I grew up on, so. I'm very simple. My rider, when I do. shows, like you know a lot of times. entertainers have certain [ __ ] in their. thing. >> want M&M's, they want ginger ale, they. want so basic. I just need a a George. Foreman grill or a microwave. >> Do you keep it? No, no. I got I got one on the bus. I'm good. So. I just need a George Foreman grill or a. microwave. >> Okay. >> you know some tortillas or some bread. and just some cheese. That's it as a rider, that's all you.

get? and mayo. and mayo. So you like mayo or do you like salad. spread, salad dressing? No, no, no, mayo. Like for example, people go, "What. about like Miracle Whip?" No, no, no, no, no. >> So you get Hellmann's, huh? Yeah, Hellmann's or or you know what's the. other name? It's either Hellmann's or. not Kraft. What's the other name, guys? It's Hellmann's or. We're talking about mayonnaise. Best Foods. Best Foods. So it's either. Best Foods Hellmann's, it's the same.

brand, but. >> Yeah. But see. this man says if his last meal he going. to he want grilled cheese. >> grilled cheese sandwich with Spam, and. that's on record cuz I've said this. before. No, I'm going out with a bang. I'm. eating all this. I'm getting Wagyu, I. want ribs, I want oxtails. Mhm. French fries, yeah. I. I eat I eat all of that. on the reg. Seriously, like. >> But as a rider, if people. what he's saying is that like him being.

who he is, he has a rider. So they'll. ask you, "What do you want? What type of. water do you want? What type of soft. drinks do you want? Do you want ice? Do. you want Do you want champagne? Do you. want milk?". >> No, I don't want ice. Really? I'll leave it at that. Um no, uh. In in my dressing room, there's always. there's diet Cokes, >> Yeah. bottles of water, and usually what. I'll do is when I have bottles of water, I got like a um kind of like a Crystal. Light type of thing where you put in the.

sugar-free, kind of mix it up. Um. bread, uh they'll usually provide deli. meats cuz you know matter where you go, they always have the deli trays. >> Yes, yes, yes, yes. I I just needed it. to be simple. >> Particular type of bread? Um You like. brioche or do. >> I I like that artisan Okay, yeah, okay. >> I'm a little bougie. I like the the. wheat artisan one. >> yeah. And mayo. You. You mentioned that you were you almost, you know, almost five. And you When did. you realize that, you know what, guys,

this too I'm too big. I'm too heavy. >> So, when you're young, it's easier to. carry around that weight. >> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? So, it's it's. it's it's one of those things where. everything's still functional. There's. no issues. Nothing hurts yet. >> Yes. I was in my 20s and I'm pushing, you know, I'm pushing four 450. Um you. know, my heaviest I was like I said, I. right around 439 440. Let's just say. 440. It was 439.

440. >> Yeah. And um. everything's functional. Like I said, functional. Like you know what I mean? >> Yeah, I didn't need a pill. I didn't. need nothing. And then it just got to a point where it. became. uncomfortable where I started getting. panic attacks. >> Mhm. I would get I would wake up and I'm. just like I I can't breathe right. I'm I. don't feel good. And I'd stand up and I. just I'd have to go outside. I'd have to. go outside and I have to take off my. shirt and just stand there and just let. the cold air hit me. And um.

I remember uh. I was in Washington, D.C. and I got hit. with a really bad panic attack cuz I had. a sinus infection and I couldn't breathe. right. And then I had that and I just. had to run outside and it was snowing. And I'm outside in the snow. And I took off my shirt and I'm standing. outside. I look freaky I look like like. a homeless dude on the street cuz I'm. just standing there no shirt, but the. panic attack was so. >> Oh my god, this is pre-internet. Nobody. saw that. >> No, no nobody saw that, but it was one. of those things where it's like it it it. was such a.

such a moment where. it it affected me so much. And I still. get panic attacks, but it it really. takes a lot for one to kick in. But back. then because of the weight, it was it. just like that. And then um. I said, "Man, all right." So I I started. going to the gym and I I lost a little. bit of weight, but it wasn't enough. And then um I wound up meeting a. gentleman by the name of Diamond Dallas. Page, DDP. >> DDT, yeah. DDP. Yep. And he's got this.

this program. and um I I met him. I was doing an. interview uh podcast with Roddy Roddy. Piper, the late great Roddy Roddy Piper. And I met him at the studio and I talked. to him for a little bit and I said, "Hey. man, I met you in Florida. You were. really cool and you got this program. Um. I'm interested.". And he turned me on to it and not only. did he turn me on to it he was checking. on me every day. He was checking on me, "Hey man, are you good? Are you doing. what you're supposed to do?" And he. helped me to lose almost 100 lb. So I.

credit him for that. Wow. I stuck to his. program and it it really helped change. me because it's like I was became. flexible. I dropped all this weight. The. panic attacks stopped. And then I just. plateaued and this you know, I've been. at this weight since. >> Mhm. But uh it's one of those things where. it's like to carry that much weight, you. know, a lot of times people were telling me, "Hey hey Ralphie May, how you doing?". They would confuse me with Ralphie May. >> Mhm. And uh you know, I miss him. Ralphie May.

passed away a few years ago and Yeah, he. was unbelievable. >> he was much heavier than me, but the. fact that I was being confused for him. told me, "Hey man, that's another reason. like hey man, you yeah. Have you thought. about going GLP's or. those epic the majornos the. semaglutides? So, um I did. I did try like I went and did a. consultation to see about gastric bypass. because I thought okay, maybe this if I. can tie it up maybe we can control it. And then they told me well, you got to. lose like 50 lb first get yourself to a.

certain place and then we can do the. procedure and I'm like. if I can lose 50 lb then I can lose 100. lb I don't need this. >> Right. And then when it came down to. medication like Mounjaro or Ozempic and. stuff like that. I got on Ozempic for. maybe 5 months. And Ozempic works. Ozempic is scary how. good it works because it does curb your. appetite to a place where you're like.

do I even need food? Like seriously. I just would look at food I'm like. not like it it was gross but I'm like. I'm good. >> And I started losing weight but the. problem with with. Ozempic is you're going to lose more. muscle than fat. Yeah. And that my. shoulders like even though I'm a big guy. like you know overweight. >> And it ain't coming back you gave. Gabe at least not coming back.

>> I'm strong. Oh you like yeah you're. sturdy. >> I'm sturdy. You could have been a lion. Yeah yeah no. I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm you know I got. strength. So the fact that I was I lost. my shoulders. but I'm like okay yeah I'm losing weight. but I'm like. uh. And so um. I didn't like it and then you know. you're you're a little bit nauseous. That's part of the deal. And I got off of it. I got off the Ozempic and immediately I.

gained back 20 lb like that. It is scary how quick you you regain the. weight. And you know you want to hear a crazy. story? Um I was actually uh. supposed to be the original face for. Ozempic. Ozempic reached out to me many. years ago. and we're like, we got this brand, we. got this product, and we want to see if. you're interested. And they offered me a freaking. incredible deal to be the face of. Ozempic. before freaking oh oh oh Ozempic. I was.

supposed to be the guy singing that in. the commercials. They wanted me to be. the brand, the face for it. And even though it was a it was a you. know, million-dollar deal, I I couldn't. do it. It wasn't a voice-over role. Uh. what they wanted from me was was more. than what I could give because I was. going to do better on the road. >> Cuz they wanted they actually wanted you. to They wanted me to go out and tour and. be basically the face and okay, you're. you're selling Ozempic around wherever. But let me ask you this. Let's just say.

for the sake you say you're around 320. now. Let's just say for the sake of. argument you lost another 60, 70 lb. Do. you think that would change you? Do you. Are Are people because I think the. people you can't be fluffy anymore. You're not fluffy. >> So I had this conversation with Big Boy. You know Big Boy here LA uh Real 92.3. >> Yes, yes. I've known Big Boy for 20. years and I knew him when he was 500. plus pounds, when he was really Big Boy. >> Yeah. Now he's, you know, he's maybe. 210. >> Yes. You know, and it was one of those.

things where I said, "Hey man, how did. things change for you once you lost all. that weight? You weren't Big Boy. anymore.". He goes, "No, I wasn't Big Boy no more, but I was alive.". Mhm. And that's the most important. thing. So. if I lose 100 or whatever the amount of. weight is, yeah, I might not. >> I'm going to be alive. And I think. that's the most important thing. >> Yes. And I think my fans and people. would rather see me alive and able to. function and do what I do 100.

>> rather than be the big guy. because the. majority of of the the the of my. material. I'll touch on the fact that I'm big cuz. we know that, but I got stories. I got. other things that are happening in my. life. I'm not I'm not one-dimensional, so I'm I'm I'm good. Right. So, I I. really. I really want to lose weight. Shannon, it's it's a serious thing. I really. >> But it's hard when you on the road like. you you travel and you you Bro, you. don't get to sit around, bro. You got. your your schedule is is is is reverse.

of what a normal person would do, because you're eating at wee wee hours. of the morning and then you up for. another hour or two and then you go to. bed. So, it's not like, you know, you. got to I mean, you would literally have. to like come out the show, eat, wait an. hour or two, and then go work out. Um people don't be wanting to work out. no to I mean, unless you Mark Wahlberg. working out at 3:00 in the morning. >> a Yeah, he's a special person. That's. that's something else, but I I do. realize that um.

I need to be around not just for myself, yes, but I need to think and I and I I I. feel like I need to say it out loud just. because. I won't do it for me. I have to do it for someone else because. I'm wired that way. I'm wired that way. where I'm trying to always please others. and I'm the last person. So, if I'm. going to lose weight, I actually got to. do it for others. because I can't do it for myself. And that's that's kind of crazy. Right. So, how's the sleeping? Cuz I had to get.

a sleep apnea machine. I I had I have. sleep apnea really really bad. >> Pretty sure I have. have that condition. I haven't done the. sleep study, but I know that I snore if. I sleep on my back, I snore, but if I. sleep on my side, I don't. And if I. sleep face down, I definitely don't. Right. So, I've had multiple people tell. me, all right, when you sleep on your. back, you snore and then you stop. breathing. Yeah. Then when you sleep. face down, you you purr, you don't. snore. It's just like a little little Go. get the test. kind of a thing. Oh, I. know I have it. Yeah. I know I have it.

There's no question. Cuz I I I I had the. test and I I I have a I have a And the. machine is They're They're not like big. and bulky like they used to be, Gabriel. They're They're They're nice and neat. I. travel with it. And once you get it, you can't you can't sleep without it. >> is like I I consider you to be in. incredible shape. Uh have you thought about the surgery. where they can remove the piece of skin? >> No, I didn't I didn't even know they. They're not cutting anything unless they. have to. No, they're not cutting it. See, in my case, like I know that there. there's a potential, but I'm afraid of. cutting that piece of skin cuz I feel.

like it would affect the way that I. speak or perform. >> Correct. >> the only reason. >> Yeah. I said, "No. I'll go I'll go get. the I got the CPAP machine. I put it on. Hey, put the water in it." I I could. start a gang with the amount of people I. know that have that machine. You know. what I mean? Like Like, "Wow, you know, I got to put extra outlets on the bus.". Like, "Here you go, guys. Go ahead.". Uh vegan. You couldn't You know You know. you don't do no vegan stuff, huh? I've. You tried that, too? Yep. I went 6.

months being vegan. I went full cold. turkey on the freaking on the meat. Yeah. No meat. I was eating at a place. What the heck was it called? I think it. was called Veggie Grill. It was my go-to. spot because they used to have these. chicken tenders that weren't real. chicken, but. >> Yeah. they tasted like real chicken. >> Right. And so that was like my my cheat. thing. >> Yeah. But yeah, I did salads and just no. dairy, no nothing, no eggs. 6 months. And I lost SO MANY FRIENDS. SERIOUSLY.

LIKE, NOBODY WANTED TO HANG out with me. My pee smelled funny. It was bad [ __ ]. >> Man, I thought you were about to say you. lost so much weight. I didn't lose no. weight. No. I I know a lot of fat. vegans, which by the way is like a jip. If you're going to give up meat, you. might as well be skinny, but if you're. going to if you're going to be giving up. meat and you're still fat, you might as. well eat the steak. >> Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So. Uh you was once married. Is marriage in. your future again? I don't know where you read that. I've.

never been married. >> You never been married? >> Never been never said I do. Never went down the aisle. Never. No one ever got me that close. I've. always um. from day one. I made a choice that my career was going. to be number one. >> Okay. And no one was going to top that. >> Mhm. And every relationship I've been in. that's the first thing I told them. The closest you're going to get is two. is number two. Unless I have a dog. Be you. >> And then you're number three.

And so. >> You got to let that build up. You can't. start off like that, Gabriel. No. No. No. You you you um you know, I I feel. like as long as you're up front. you can you know, there's a lot of. things you can get away with. Um but the fact that I said I I never. wanted to be married. Um. So, that's out of the question. It's I. should You should never say never. >> Correct. You should never say never, but. it's never been a priority. Okay. Okay. I don't see marriage as something that's.

like wow. I see marriage as like. a business transaction. That's all I see. it as. I see it as a business. transaction and people can look at me. any kind of way, but you know what? At. the end of the day, if things don't work. out then you realize it's exactly what I. said it is. It's a business transaction. Um I didn't work this hard to give up. half. I didn't work this hard to put. myself in a position to lose. I sacrificed. everything, Shannon. >> Mhm. And I think that's one of those.

things a lot of people forget. Like, okay, yeah, you got the talent, the. skill, the mindset. Sacrifice is part of that and should be. part of that because the things you're. willing to give up you're willing to. give up the parties, the anniversaries, those special occasions, those moments, those family gatherings, all those times. when I was on the road working my ass. off creating and doing what I do to. create that next special, that next. thing, growing this brand. People don't realize it's sacrifice. Giving What you give up is is so huge.

and crucial to what we do. And um getting married is one of those. things where I'm like. Every friend that I've had that I've. participated in in their marriage thing, they you know, they didn't work out. And then I had to watch what happened. and I'm like. Not you. And as a comic. Every comic I know that has gotten. married, it's like. Didn't work out. Right. >> It didn't work out and then I had to.

watch what happened after that and I'm. just like. mhm. And the more you see that happen, the less likely it's going to happen. >> likely. So, I'm not uh against the. relationship. I I think relationships. are great and it's always awesome to. have somebody by your side, somebody to. be there with you, but. as soon as you say I do or a marriage, like. just it doesn't feel. Doesn't feel. >> Do you think Do you think people change, man or woman, once they get married? Um.

I don't know that they change. as much as they show what the real. agenda was. Oh, okay. Cuz I've seen that. happen, too. As soon as I do happens, it's like. click and then it's like you feel the. energy and just everything is like. So, the whole while you was talking to. that representative. And then once we said I do Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, the representative gone now. Now. you got me. So, um the longest. relationship I was in. was uh almost 14 years.

We were together. But from day one. we both said. we we we we weren't trying to be. married. We you know, we both agreed. that this wasn't going to be a thing. So, it never was a conversation. It. never was a we have to figure things. out. It's just like, all right, we we. went this long. Right. You know, and and. unfortunately, things didn't work out, and fortunately for me, you know, >> Right. That's a long time. >> It's a long time. >> you have a cohabitation agreement? There.

was no call you know, in California, you. don't have to have that. Okay. >> Because it's not a common law thing. >> Okay. Um. for me, I didn't feel like I needed to. have a. any type of agreement because. um when my ex came in, she came in with. a son. Right. >> And I took him on. Right. I said, all right, you're bringing him. in, he's mine. Good. Um we broke up in 2017. Okay. And I. still have a great relationship with my. son. I didn't need a piece of paper to. tell me he's mine. I didn't need some.

agreement, some judge, or nothing that. It. he's mine. Right. >> and even though he's pushing 30, I still look I'm still checking up on. him. I'm still, you know, I still I'm. very involved in his life. And so, >> you know, even though I'm not with her. no more, like, you know, whatever she. wants to say, at the end of the day, guess what? I was. I kept my word, and I took care of him. Even after married now. And I'm still. looking out for him, right? You know,

who you think paid for his furniture? Ashley, Ashley, not Bob's, Ashley. So, so can I do my shameless plug for 2. seconds? >> Yeah, go ahead. Um for many years, anybody who knows me knows that I'm a. big fan of tequila. I've been drinking. tequila from day one, and whether you. want to call it a Mexican thing or not, that's just been the case. I've always. drank tequila. So, um my go-to has always been Patron. Year after year after year, Patron,

Patron, Patron, Patron, and I've been. approached several times to have my own. brand. And I'm like, I like Patron. So, unless you're you can. make something as good or better than. Patron for me, I don't want to entertain it. >> Right. And so, this past year I was. approached by a company and they said, "Gabe, look, we know how you feel about Patron and we. think that we can create something that. you will enjoy just as much." And I. said, "Well, all right, let's see about. that.".

And sure enough, not only did they meet. my expectations, they allowed me to. uh create something that. was one of those things where cuz when. they approached me about doing a. tequila, they said, "Well, cuz you know, you're you're from Mexico. So, you know, we want to make sure that we do. something that's like, you know, on. brand." And I go, "You do realize I was. born here, right?". And they're like, "Oh, shit." And I'm. like, "Yeah, [ __ ] So, I said, "I am Mexican. I'm.

Mexican-American. And I think that. that's one of those things that a lot of. times people forget. They just think. it's one side or another and it's like, they don't realize that there's a. there's there's a hybrid. You know, it's. it's a combination of the two.". And so, I said, "Look, man, there's. never been a story told about someone. who has a brand that's. Mexican and American, the two worlds. coming together." And so, they allowed me to to create something. and then between the two of us,

we came up with this brand and I said, "Look, Mexicans. in Mexico have a word for Mexicans born. in the United States and the word is. pocho.". Pocho, p o. c h o. Pocho. >> And it means you're from over there, not. from over here. You're one of them, not. one of us. >> And so, even though I'm brown, I'm still. considered an outsider. >> Really? Yes. And so, for example, I tell.

stories about performing in Mexico and. that I wasn't welcome with open arms. because I'm still considered an. American. So I said, "All right, well, if we're. going to do a tequila, then it needs to. be established that it's it's from a. person who's. Mexican, but born in the US. So the word. is pocho. So normally that's considered. a negative word." Mhm. So I said, "Let's flip that word and. make it a a word that's like, all right, I'm acknowledging what you call me, but I'm going to make it awesome." So I. came up with a tequila called.

Pocho. Fino. So Fino's fine. I'm a fine pocho. So it's like one of. those things where it's like. um the flavor is it's as good as Patron. if not better. And honestly, I say that. because I drink a lot of it. And when I say I drink a lot, you see. how you see you saw what I did. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Yeah, and I'm what I'm going to continue. to do. So on average, I do about three bottles. a weekend and I've been doing that for. me. >> A weekend? >> what, Shannon? You've been judging me. >> you know my bad. My bad. My bad. You're. right. You're right, Gabriel. You're. right. You're right. I'm sorry.

>> Why share if you're going to continue to. be. So anyway, we came up with this brand. called Pocho Fino. And if you notice on. the bottle, you'll see two little dogs. Chihuahuas. Yes, two Chihuahuas. Chihuahuas are very Mexican and those. two dogs in particular are my dogs that. unfortunately passed away about a year. and a half ago. >> Right. And I took them on the road with. me for they've been to 40 plus states. And I said, "All right, if we're going. to do something, I want to find a way to. honor my dogs, honor the brand, honor. who I am." And we came up with this.

brand called Pocho Fino Tequila. And. this is the first time we are ever. featuring it. It's not been on I haven't. done anything on social media. I have. There's been no commercials. There's. been nothing to promote this brand. This. is the very first time we are featuring. this. So respect to you even though you. judged me about the mail. Pocho. So Pocho Pocho Fino Tequila. We've been say I've been saying. So it's Chihuahua.

Uh it Chihuahua. Chi wawa. >> Like chi Yeah, chi chi Chihuahua. >> We say Chihuahua. >> Yeah, well, however you want to say it, Shannon. Shu. Shannon, you're not Mexican. You can say. whatever you want. You want to say. quesadilla? You say You say it extra black. quesadilla. Yeah, yeah. Quesadilla. Yeah, there's no There's no answer to. >> and we say quesadilla, you ain't have no. meat in it. We get chicken, we get beef, we get No, but I'm basic. I told you. You didn't have no meat You didn't have. no meat in your quesadilla. Growing up, we didn't have Shannon. It was just.

cheese. >> Spam in the quesadilla? Uh Spam. >> That might be so. That might be a dish. That may You open. up a restaurant and put Spam in. quesadilla. That might be on something. >> That That might be on something. And. you know what? I thought about opening up a restaurant. Uh a lot of work goes into it. I'd. rather support a local business. Put. Hey, put up a poster, Fluffy eats here. And then tell them, "Hey, can you make. some Spam?". Cuz there's a restaurant in Long Beach. that did that for me. I I It's. It's kind of like a um.

Think of Benihana. Yes. And they call. themselves Mexihana because they'll add. like uh jalapeños, they'll add. tortillas, they'll add all kinds of. random stuff there. And I told him I go, "Hey, can you add Spam to the menu and. put it in a burrito and every" He goes, "Whatever you want, I'll make it." And. then he made it and then he called it. the Fluffy. So there's a you know, I I'd. rather do that, which I think is awesome. because I can support a local business, but uh. yeah, this for me was very personal. Very personal. Pocho fino Pocho fino. So.

remember, pocho means outsider. >> person born in the US, not a person born. in Mexico. And it's a word that It's a. negative word that Mexicans. >> at you differently. So people that was. actually born in Mexico look at you, although you're of Mexican descent, they. look at you differently because you were. born in the states. >> Exactly. You're considered an outsider. And I think this is also something that. resonates with a lot of different. cultures because anytime you are. a certain you know. like for example let's say Indians born.

here in America. versus born in India or you know Chinese. born in America versus in China. There's. always a word or a thing where like. you're not one of us you're one of them. And so that's that's the word that they. created and I said you know what let me. flip that word. I'll make it positive. And you know it was a way for me to. honor my dogs but at the end of the day. >> one right? Yeah we we can get into that. So you got him up you got another puppy.

What type of is it a Chihuahua? Yes. say it again. Say Chihuahua. Chihuahua. I like you call it she like you made it. a girl. Chihuahua. Chihuahua Chihuahua. Yes I am. I have a little puppy. She's she's not. even a puppy at this point. She's a year. old. She's 4 lbs. She's a 4 lb dog. And. let me tell you having senior dogs. versus having a puppy is night and day. because my senior dogs one was 14 one. was 17. I would put them down no leash.

And they where I'd walk they would walk. >> Right. And what was cool is that you. know we we all had the same pace. And so no matter where we walk it was. the same you know what I mean. And um. having a puppy she's a little bullet so. when I put her down She gone. She's. gone. If I if if if I leave the door. open Shannon I no longer have a dog. And my friends go well would you chase. her and what risk cardiac arrest?

I'm not that attached. I will get. another. Chihuahua. I will get another Chihuahua. How you going to let how you going to. just let the dog just go? I won't I. won't but that's not that's not the. plan. I mean, uh one She got out one. time Yeah. and the neighbors, fortunately, caught her, brought her. back. So, I was very lucky that they did. that. But, now I know I have to always. leave a leash on her. >> Right. So, I can at least step on it and. then catch her.

But, uh yeah. So, um very happy to, you. know, have that and again, this is the. first time I'm ever featuring it and I. know I'm drinking. your beverage and uh at the end of this, I'd very much like it if you at least. took a sample. Yeah, I'm going to take. it home with me. >> you can Can I take it home? You know, I. can take it home with me. >> That's yours. That's yours. Okay. Okay. Yeah. But, this is the first time we're. featuring it. So, uh respect to you cuz. uh We appreciate that. >> This this means a lot. You know, I I. appreciate the fact that um you know, with with your show, I've done many.

shows. I've done many podcasts. I've. done many interviews, late-night talk. shows. Um. I appreciate the fact that you you do. your homework. You you take time to. really get to All right. So, I. I listen to everything that you're. asking, things that you're saying and. I'm like, "All right. Let me see. All right. Okay. How much research went into that?". Because you got to figure I've done a. million interviews. So, I've been asked. the same question a thousand times. So, I appreciate the fact you hit me with a. couple good ones where I'm like, "Oh, [ __ ] How did he know that? Where did that come from?" We know we.

know we know a lot. You know, But, I at. home, you mentioned you got someone at. home and you got your puppy. Yes. And she understands like, "Look, you do. understand what I do. I travel a lot.". She knows what I do. I can't say that. she always understands what I do. because, you know, we we are in a. different vein. We are we're not uh. we're not a plumber. We're not the. 9-to-5 guy. We're not the norm. >> And so, because of the fact that we're.

not the norm, there's certain things. that come with that. There's there's. attention that a lot of times we don't. ask for. That's the Walking from the. valet to this room right now, I probably. got stopped uh. six times. >> Mhm. And maybe 100 yards. Like the people you know what I mean? And and that's not something that's that. comes with the normal situation. That's. not something that comes with a normal. relationship. And so.

you hope that they understand. You hope. that they see it and get it and go, "All right. Okay. It's This is going to. be a thing for a while.". >> Mhm. But um Because when you go out, obviously, it's hard. When you go out, you want to go to dinner or you want to. go to a show, going to do something. other than what you do, it's hard. Hey, Fluffy, man, how you doing? Fluffy, hey, can we Can you take a picture? Can you. take a picture of my Can you take a. picture? Can you take But if it's a. female, most can't handle. >> Ah, man, she like. >> that level. No, no, I'm just saying not.

not saying that's her. But I'm saying most can't handle that. that what what? Like what's going on? Like Who is she? Like. That's somebody that just got out of a. car and saw me. Like, you know what I. mean? >> And so uh a lot of that it goes back. into the whole marriage thing where it's. like, "Okay, you know, year after year after year, it's like is. this something that you can navigate. through?" It is a lot. Anybody who wants.

to be with an entertainer or an athlete. or someone who's prominent, someone who. has a huge platform, someone who is. famous, it's it's not an easy situation. to get into. It sounds cool. It sounds. glamorous. It sounds sexy. It sounds. fun. But at the end of the day, you got. to know that peop- people are coming. after this person. >> Right. And you got to either be cool with it. or just say this is not for me. And unfortunately, I've had a few. relationships that just they couldn't. handle the fact that.

that you was sexy and a fluffy. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, you Hey, that's you. >> you know what's funny? I hear I hear the. crew laughing in the back, but I promise. you my my body count's bigger than. yours, [ __ ]. You know what? So, yeah. Whatever you. want to say. Whatever you want to say, boo boo. Yeah, no. Fluffy got it for many years. Absolutely, for many years. And so, it's. kind of one of those things where. um. you know, it it it sounds like a joke. Right. It sounds like a joke, but.

a lot of times people say, "Well, you. know, what is it. What's What's the most attractive. quality in a man?". A sense of humor. Women love men that. Women love men that can make them laugh. >> Not abs. A sense of humor. You've always been able to make people. laugh. >> I've always been able to make people. laugh. I've always You know, that's. never been one of those things where it. lacked. Um.

I think the hardest part for me was just. self-control in the sense that like. letting myself get to a place that was. uncomfortable, which first of all was my. weight, or not. being able to sit down and have an. honest conversation with someone. I think a lot of times if you're not. willing to have a conversation with. someone and go, "Look, this This is. what's going on. Can Can we be real? Like I I I want to have this, but. understand that this is what comes with.

it." And a lot of times I ne- I never. wanted to have that conversation. I just. felt like it was easier to just hide it. Mhm. versus being real with someone and. be like. "Look, this is part of the deal.". And unfortunately, uh early on, I I I found out quickly. just just be up front. Just be real. Just be honest. But you're afraid to. because you don't want to disappoint. You don't want to make the person feel. uncomfortable. You'd rather hide it. Mhm. And.

unfortunately, every single time I tried. to hide it, it didn't work out. Have you Have you ever. Have a woman ever told you, Gabriel, that I really like you a lot, but you're. a little bit too heavy? The weight situation never came into. question. because I was always. functional. I was all. I was always functional. And it never required any extra You. know,

I didn't need attachments or medication. or anything. Everything worked. Everything was good. But now I'm pushing 50, so yeah, a pill. might help. Uh. But there's never been a thing where. a person ever looked at me and said When. a person, I'm going to say a female cuz. I don't want people to freaking dissect. that and go, "Oh, he likes dudes, too.". I just I'm I'm Yeah, um. There was never a situation where.

someone said, "You don't look attractive. to me." Right. You know. And. obviously, sometimes, you know, when you're. overweight, some people don't like that. Some people don't find that attractive. Some people are cool with it. I think. ultimately, at the end of the day, is. you know, how do How does this person. make me feel? >> Yes. And then after that, because I feel. like. guys are more visual, women are more. like, "How do you make me feel?". And fortunately, every relationship I.

was in, I was cool. I was nice. You know, "Hey, what's up with What you want to do?" You. You want to get At the end of the day, it's like, "You want to get something to. eat?". Every girl I dated was like, "Yeah, I'm. hungry." What was that feeling like. when you got your first laugh on stage? So keep in mind, the first laugh I got. on stage was when I was 10 years old. Really? Yeah, like I I said, I was I I. did a school talent show. Mhm. Went up. on stage and I started doing these.

impressions. So, as a 10-year-old, think. of a 10-year-old. >> Yes. doing impressions of. Mickey Mouse, Ronald Reagan, Pee-wee Herman, who was. in his prime at that time. >> Yeah. And so, when I went up on stage to to do. this show, I didn't really understand. what stand-up comedy was. I'm a. 10-year-old kid and I just did. impressions, but the impressions were so.

close. >> Yeah. that the people were like, "Oh my. god, this 10-year-old kid is nailing. these impressions." So, I'm up there. doing, you know, freaking Pee-wee Herman. all like. You know, I'm like. >> Right. Like a 10-year-old right now that. looked weird, but a 10-year-old doing. that is like a phenomenal. And then. Ronald Reagan, "Well, Nancy, uh that's. they've basically we have, you know.". So, a 10-year-old doing that. was like and then I did Bill Cosby. I. won't do the impression now cuz yeah. But.

at 10 years old I was killing and so it. was one of those things where like, "All. right.". And you hooked. >> I I remember my mom, my brother, and my. sister-in-law being in the audience. It. was only the three of them. in the crowd and then when I went out. there. and I did the impressions and the crowd. they they just applauded and I I didn't. know what the reaction was supposed to. be. I didn't know are they supposed to. laugh? I I didn't know what to expect. So, when I went out there and I did the.

characters and the voices and they're. just applauding and this and that and. then. at the end when I said, "Thank you. Good. night." and people started standing up. and they're applauding and I'm like. I I didn't know that. this that that's like that I didn't. realize at that moment. that audience understood what they were. watching and I don't want to sound. arrogant, but they the crowd knew what I. was doing before I knew what I was.

doing. >> Mhm. And in hindsight, because I've been back. to my elementary school, I've been back. to that theater, I've been back to that. room, and I realized like, "Wow, that. moment like woo. who knew?" You hooked? I was very much hooked. I was very. hooked. I remember sitting at home with. my friend watching Def Comedy Jam on. Saturday nights. Um and we were just cuz that was the. only comedy or that or BET's ComicView. >> ComicView. BET's ComicView and Def.

Comedy Jam was what I would watch. growing up. Um that's what I understood. That's what. I gravitated towards. There was no shows. to showcase or feature Latinos, Mexicans, people that like. This was the closest thing. >> Yeah. This was the closest thing because it. wasn't an evening at the Improv. It. wasn't. you know, uh any of these other shows. that were out there. It was very.

very much like close to me. It was very. urban, very hood, very like yeah, I get. that. >> Cuz that was that's that's my point. that's my next way and I'm we got a few. more. Who was your inspiration because I mean. are there like like if you're you're. black you have Eddie Murphy and you go. back to Pryor and you go back to some of. these old guys and you come forward and. the white guys you come back with with a. Jack Benny and you come back with Carson. and you all those guys. So in the.

Hispanic community who did you who did. Gabriel Iglesias? You know what? Uh. during that time you got to figure there. wasn't really any form of real. representation for Latinos. Um a lot of Latinos. from what I remember were gravitated. towards Martin Lawrence and Martin. Mhm. We would watch Martin Martin was like a. a staple. Like, "Oh my god, this show's. so good." And I love the fact that we're. talking about this now because I just. met Martin Lawrence a week ago.

>> Really? I met Martin Lawrence a week ago. and. um. I felt like. you know, it's rare for me to meet. someone and geek the [ __ ] out to the. point where I'm like. "Oh shit." Um. it felt weird for me to talk to him. because I I just wanted to tell him how. impactful. his show, his presence, what he did on. Def Jam, what he did on his specials.

meant to me. Because it's like, like I remember watching his shows on. the weekend and I just like. back when I was a kid. And it was it was so huge. And so to meet him, I didn't want to be. that that that's like, you know, that. overwhelming person that's like You did. all the talking. [ __ ] But but I but I. did. I geeked out. I geeked out. Shannon, I geeked out hard. I geeked out. hard with him. Um. but yeah, like we didn't really have.

somebody that we could gravitate towards. and be like, "This is our person. This. is who is, you know." So, for me. watching D.L. Hughley. doing ComicView. >> Yep. Watching Martin Lawrence do Def. Jam. And it was always one of those. things where it's like, "Okay, there's. Martin Lawrence doing Def Jam on the. weekends and there's D.L. Hughley doing. ComicView during the week." And it was. one of those things where it's like, "Which one are you? Are you ComicView? Are Are you ComicView or you Def Jam?". And you're like, "Uh.".

And then I started doing stand-up. And. then I got an opportunity to go do. ComicView and I'm like, "Holy shit.". It was so huge. I remember I was at the. Normandy Casino. and uh here in LA. and the host that year, because they. they change hosts. Uh the host was Reno. Wilson. >> Reno Wilson, yeah. Everybody, this is. Reno Wilson. And I just I just remember I'm like, oh, I went out there on stage and.

I had such a I I had a great and I don't. I don't want to toot my own horn, but I. had a great show. And I just remember like, wow, I'm I'm. on Comic View. It was so awesome. I never enjoyed that. $150 more. Cuz that's what they paid you. >> That's right. That's all they paid you. back then. There was no residuals, no. nothing. And I remember that there was a. whole argument back then like, oh, they're not paying residuals, they're. not paying SAG, they're not paying. after. I'm like, you're doing a show in. a casino. Be happy that you're on TV.

That's another thing, Shannon, that I. feel like a lot of times. these comics would get in the place. where they made it more about the money. >> Mhm. than the actual craft. They focused. more on like, am I getting SAG? Am I. getting after? Am I getting scale? Am I. getting paid what I'm what I'm supposed. to be getting paid? >> Right. They focused more on that more. than. hey, man,

how many people are going to see this. clip? How many people are going to see. this show? How many people are going to. get what I'm doing right now? A lot of times the comics. get wrapped up more in the money and I. feel like. the best advice someone told me early on. was don't worry about the money. Work on. your craft, the money will come. And I still feel like that still is is. the thing. If you're more focused on the money,

then you're not you don't really give a. about what the thing that is you're. doing. Because there was a lot of a lot of. comedians that was their first that was. everybody's first introduction to them. It was Comic View, yeah. >> View. Def Jam was a lot more challenging to. get into. Unfortunately, I never got to. perform on Def Jam. I wish I did. I had. a lot of friends that got to do Def Jam, but I never got that opportunity. I will tell you the opportunity I did.

get though. Um the first time I performed in New. York. first time I performed in New York. was on It's Showtime at the Apollo. And for those of you that don't know, It's Showtime at the Apollo. was the. most. I don't think there's a room or a venue. or a show that was more challenging than. It's Showtime at the Apollo because It's. Showtime at the Apollo was one of those. places where.

man, if you even. flinched and felt like you were not. supposed to be there, the audience would. know. There's a show called American Idol. There's a show called America's Got. Talent and. you have an opportunity to go out on. that stage, you present yourself, you do. what you got to do and. you have four chances. to impress that audience. Because if the.

if the judges don't like you, and and. okay, all right, okay, and you you have and then. you have that dynamic of the audience. and the judge. So, if the audience still. loves you and the judges don't, the. audience is like, "Stop doing that. They're good. Give them a chance.". It's Showtime at the Apollo. was the rawest, most. honest form of an audience because you.

had seconds to show them what you could. do. And if they didn't like you, they. could smell through anything you were. trying to present. So, I went to a. Showtime at the Apollo in 1999. Okay. And I feel like an old guy. already. There I was standing there. We were on that stage right there. 1999, Steve Harvey was the host. And I don't care what Kat said, he had. his man unit. He had his man unit.

Steve's always been nothing but nice to. me, so I don't want to ever say anything. negative about Steve. So has Kat. all these guys. I'm the last person to. say anything negative. Kat was incredibly welcoming. and inspiring early on, but let me tell. you, Showtime at the Apollo. 1999. the guy that went out before me was a. comic that I went there with, and this. was very comfortable because the comic.

that I went there with. we were sharing a hotel room, Shannon. We were sharing a hotel room. Mhm. The. idea was we're both going to New York. for the first time. Right. We don't know. what to expect. >> Right. Uh it's expensive. >> Yes. So, we went in together to share a. hotel room. Mhm. And then we go to a. Showtime at the Apollo. He goes out. before me. Oh my god, he bombed so hard. Like he. went out there like.

Unfortunately, another Mexican dude, he. went out there and when he went out in. front of the audience at the Apollo. he went out there trying to be something. he wasn't. So, he went out there and. he's like, "Yo, yo, what's up? How y'all. do How y'all feel?" But offstage he's. like, "Nombre cabrón, estaba aquí. el otro día like. You're Speedy Gonzales offstage and. you're trying to be this a on stage, and. the audience smelled right through it. They booed him off the stage.

Yeah, you got to be good after that. performance at the Apollo. >> ugly. So, he comes off stage, and he's. just got his head down. And I remember as soon as he walked past. me, Steve Harvey looked at me. He looks. at me, and he goes, "You're next.". I'm like, "OH, FUCK.". SO, THEN KIKI SHEPHERD, who was the. co-host in 1999, comes up to me, she goes, "Baby, your. shirt is way too loud. The audience will. boo you on the shirt alone.".

I go, "So, what do I do?". "Take off the shirt.". I go, "But I just have a white T-shirt. underneath.". "Trust me, they will boo you on that. shirt. Take it off.". So, when you see my clip from the. Showtime at the Apollo, I'm walking out. on stage in just a white T-shirt. And um. not saying that had anything to do with. anything, but I I had. one of the best sets. I was like, "Oh my.

god." Like, it went really well. And so, I was very happy about that. But the. problem with having an incredible set at. a Showtime at the Apollo. and getting a standing ovation is now I. got to go back to my hotel room and. share a hotel room with the [ __ ]. that just got. booed. >> Yeah. And so, I couldn't enjoy my night. So, the next day. I went to go visit Gary Owen. Okay. Gary. Owen, longtime friend. We've worked together.

many times. He's he's awesome human. being. Um we went to go visit Gary Owen at the. comedy club there in New York called. Carolines. And I said, "Gary." I said, "Hey, look, man. My friend right here, he uh had a. rough set. He got booed at the Apollo. Can you give him 5 minutes so he can. work out his set because they're going. to give him a chance to go up on stage. tomorrow night. Gabe, whatever you need, no problem. Sure. So, we're in the back.

My friend goes up on stage, the one that. got booed. He goes up on stage and we're in the. back of the room and Gary Gary and I are. standing there. Gary's like this. Gary's. like this. He's like, He going to get booed again. He looked at me and he said, "He going. to get booed again.". He got booed again. He got booed again. They never. They never aired either one of the two. episodes. One of the few guys to sell out Madison.

Square Garden, the crip.com, uh Sydney Opera House, and he sold out. Dodger Stadium, which is the largest. baseball facility in the US, and he and. Joe Ko have a show at SoFi. Here he is, Gabriel Iglesias, aka Fluffy. Congratulations, bro. Thank you, man. I. really appreciate that. Thank you, Bobo. Thank you, Bobo. All my life, been grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle paid the price.

Want a slice, got to roll the dice, that's why. All my life, I've been. grinding all my life. All my life, been grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle paid the price. Want a slice, got to roll the dice, that's why. All my life, I've been. grinding all my life.