Meet Wil Sylvince - My Favorite People
[music]. I felt like I I always thought out the. box. Does that make sense? Kind of like. >> cuz I was very close to my grandmother, right? Because my my dad used to always. tell us like. everybody's equal, >> right? There's no such thing as gender. roles. You going you learn how to cook, clean, wash, you know? Also, you learn. how to fix electrical appliances. you. learn how if a socket is broken, you. learn how what to do, you know. Um um.
also my dad my dad used to do this thing. where so you know you know the when the. gas come into the house. >> Yeah. >> Right. And there's a meter that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> So my dad figure out how to to to beat. the company. >> He just he would just unscrew the thing. [laughter] and turn it backwards and so. now the meters would run the other way. >> But he made sure they didn't go all the. way down. I'm like, "WHAT? YOU GUYS. [laughter]. >> you guys didn't use any gas?
>> You guys use anti- gas?". >> Yeah. >> You You guys use negative gas, >> right? So, he knew he knew just the. amount and the the gas our gas bill was. pretty low. And um uh he he knew how to. also with the electric and the cheap and. the he used so these different um fuses, he'll get the ones with certain amount. of resistance. And you know, >> no wonder the white people didn't want. the black PEOPLE DOING THESE CUTS. [laughter]. LOOK AT WHAT THEY'RE DOING WITH their. engineering knowledge. [laughter].
[music]. >> This is What now with Trevor Noah. [music]. [music]. >> The the difference is. >> But I'm saying did you see what you did. there? >> Yeah. You said, "Is Haiti still in the. World Cup?". >> Yeah. >> I said, "Hait." Then you were like, "Why'd you say it like that?" Then you.
said, "Dave, is Haiti in the World Cup?". Then he said, "Haiti." Then you said, "Why'd you say it like that?". >> Right. >> Then SA said, "Did you take Iran's. spot?" And then you said, "Iran." Why. did you say it like that? >> Because I I know you're talking about a. person or place. >> You thought you were talking about a. person. >> There's people named Iran. >> So I I wanted cl I want clarity. Here it. is in the World Cup for the first time. in 50 years. >> Is that a question or statement? >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Thank you. Congratulations. >> You guys did not hear about that. Are. you You didn't You barely heard about.
it. [laughter]. >> Do you even watch soccer? >> No, I don't. That's why I wanted to. know. I don't watch soccer, but I heard, you know, I heard the You're supposed to. If you're from a small country like. Haiti, you should just support. everything they do. >> I do. I do. I do. That's that's why I'm. like, you know, >> you know what's cool about Haiti being. in the World Cup is that it's almost. like you decided as a country that guys. being a country is hard, but I think we. can get back in World Cup. [laughter]. Do you know what I mean? Like if we use.
our our [laughter]. there's too too many. Do you know what I. mean? There too many pieces. But it's. like this particular it's just to get in. the tournament. I just want to apologize. and say this podcast was not supposed to. start like this. All right. >> Oh, I didn't know we started. >> Yeah, we started. >> I thought it was yaba daba doing. >> No, that's what I mean. We're always. yaba dabber doing. I I thought I was. going to start this from like a really. sincere place and we were going to get. into it and then but then as usual when. we're in the same space, things devolve. and they go off track. You know what's.
actually going to be really interesting, Dave? Maybe you'll you'll you'll let us. know if this throws you off as the man. on the street. Is it at all weird for. you that Will has himself on his shirt? Cuz it throws me off. I'm not going to. lie. It is very weird that I'm talking. to a person and then I when I look down. cuz you know sometimes when you're. talking to someone, you don't look in. their eyes. You look away. >> But then I look down and then he's. looking at me as well. And then I look. up and then you're looking at me as. well. >> Well, you think this is me? You think we. all look alike? [laughter]. >> Is that what you think?
>> And why are you naked in the in the top? >> Not [laughter] naked. >> You're naked. >> I got jumbos around my neck. I have a. tank top on. >> You're naked. You're wearing one of. those yellow like spandex things. >> No, that's a that's a jump yellow jump. rope around my neck. >> That's not a jump rope. >> That's a jump rope. >> That's one of those yellow the like the. you know what I mean? Like the the you. know those things that like who who was. like Sasha Baron Cohen wore something. like that in one of his movies. >> Oh, I don't I don't know who that is. >> The guy who played like Borat and stuff. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Don't you. see that's what you wear? Don't you see. the the ropes? >> I don't see ropes. >> Medication. You can't see the ropes?
>> I don't see ropes at all. I don't see. it. Welcome to the podcast. Will. >> thank you for having me. I'm I'm happy. to be here. >> This is good, man. >> Yeah, this is really good. >> What you been up to? >> Um, >> did you sleep today, by the way? >> I probably got 3 hours, 4 hours. >> Yeah, I can tell. I can always tell when. you Why don't you sleep? >> I don't know. Cuz I I sometimes I get. home, I'll be excited to go to bed. Yeah. I get home like I'm driving. I'm. going to go to bed early. Be like be. like 1:30. I'm going I be in bed by two. I get home, take my stuff off, you know, get online or or or start watching a TV.
show and I'm w I'm wired. >> Okay, hold on. I'm just so I can help. you for real is explain why it is that. No, this is legit. Explain why it is. that you are getting home at 2. >> Oh, I do shows at night. I do shows that. end like 1:30, 2:00 or sometimes I get. home at 3 3:30, 4:00 cuz the shows go. late. >> But yeah, but I mean we we've when we. first met, how many years have we known. each other now? >> What are we 15 years? Maybe. >> 15 years.
>> Maybe even more. Yeah. Funny enough, when I first met you, like so when I. first came to New York, I met Will uh at. the Comedy Seller, right? And you and I. would be there until 3:00 a.m. 4:00 a.m. when the shows would go like we'd run. the shows all the way from 7:00 p.m. until like 4:00 a.m. >> Yeah. Right. >> So the janitor come out. >> Yeah. >> But I would go sleep. You don't sleep. >> Yeah. >> I don't understand why you don't sleep. Like what is it about like do is it like. anxiety? Is it like a.
>> It could be FOMO, fear of missing out. >> of of what? >> Cuz when I was younger, we had to be in. bed by 10:00. >> Okay. >> Right. 10:00. And sometimes there was a. TV show that it was like a special TV. show that lasted 2 hours till 11:00. >> My brothers and I will put the cover. over the TV and one will watch out for. see my parents is coming and we'll watch. TV till 11. And we thought I always not. maybe not we but I always thought there. was something special happened at after. 11. You know, the only two times we were. allowed to stay up past 11 past was uh.
uh Christmas and New Year's Eve because. Christmas we stayed to the December 24th. we stay up till 12 midnight. >> 25th. Yeah. >> 25th 24th at night and then when it. becomes 25th at 12 midnight we open the. gifts and we play for them for an hour. we go to bed. Then New Year's Eve was. another time. >> already. All of it is is uh Yes. [laughter]. Sorry. I I know that you're telling a. story that seem is normal to you because. it's your life, but but it's not that.
normal to other people. >> But I didn't know that though as a kid. I didn't know that. I didn't I didn't. know what's going on. I used to I used. to look at the I remember one year at. New Year's Eve. I was just looking out. the window. I'm like, "What what's going. on out there?". >> Yeah. But what I want to know is Sorry. The thing that got me was you saying we. played with the toys for an hour. [laughter]. >> We got tired. We're not used to staying. up that late [laughter]. and we, you know, we. Okay, go to bed. Go to bed. Go to bed. I. want to play some more. Go to bed. >> Was this like a W was this a typical.
Haitian parent thing or was it just like. your parents who were doing this? Did. you grow up in like a big Haitian. community? Was it Was it like No, it. wasn't it wasn't like a big Haitian. immigrant community? >> No, I was we was the only Haitian family. in on that neighborhood in that. neighborhood. >> Where did you grow up? >> In East New York, Brooklyn. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. and three, four blocks away with. my cousins. But we never, you know, it. was hard for us to to connect like that. cuz you know, you know, I felt like the. wall was anti Haiti. >> Yeah. But I mean like did cuz mo most.
immigrant groups in the world will will. sort of track the first person. You know. what I mean? One person goes, they tell. their brothers and sisters, hey, I came. here, the next group comes, the next. group comes, and then everyone starts to. settle in the same place. >> That wasn't was that not like. >> Excuse me. Can I ask a question? Sorry. Sorry. Yeah. Back to. >> Okay. As you know, uh, in Star Wars, is. it Star Wars? >> Well, you're the one who just asked it. and then asked us a question. We don't. have enough information. >> Where they have that thing as the movie. starts, they there's like a. >> Oh, the scroll. Crawl. The crawl, I.
think it's called. >> Oh, the credits. >> Yeah. No, no, no. Right at the. beginning. >> The beginning is not the credits. I. think that thing I think it's called a. crawl. I think. >> Oh, the Star Wars crawl. Yeah. What? Where it comes from? The Empire has. built forces. The Rebel Alliance is. growing stronger. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Does this show this podcast? >> I feel like you're tricking us into. >> No, I'm asking a real question. >> No, it does not. >> Okay. The reason why is because you guys. are talking as if that thing was going. to be put in. Do you see what I mean?
Haiti for for us in the street. Haiti is. not like just a easy country to deal. with. You know what? And not to deal. with, but to. >> It's not like saying I was my parents. are from France and and and you know, we. need some. >> Why did you bring France into it? You. see what the French have done to Haiti? >> Because Haitians speak French. >> Yeah. Yeah. But you see. >> Yeah. >> You see what you see what he did there? That was that was what they call a. microaggression, I believe. >> Yeah. A trigger for us. >> That was a trigger. >> It was a trigger. I know it's a trigger. Do you know why I knew you would say.
something like that? Because now you're. taking me off and now you're going to. say I went off. While we're here, this is what I'm. trying to say. You guys have jumped into. the conversation and you're very loving. people. You've jumped into the. conversation, but we don't know where. you are. >> Okay, I'll Do you want me to do a crawl? >> Oh, yes. Almost. But before. >> They're hard though. >> Sorry. >> They're hard. Like I'll try I'll try. >> Not completely, but just give us a bit. of a setup, a little bit of your. relationship with him just so that we're. like, "Oh, okay. This is this guy.". >> He did. He said we knew each other for x. amount of years and.
>> Yes. Doing what? Doing shows at mid. What? What's happening? Do you know what. I mean? >> Yeah, we doing we was doing shows at the. comedy seller. >> I'm trying to think. How do you even do. a crawl? >> Just a little bit. >> Someone walked up to you at a party. and then the crawl starts and you go, "Will and Trevor are sitting at a table. together. They reminisce on how they. were friends 16 years ago meeting in a. comedy club. They performed comedy shows.
at the comedy cellar in New York City. from 7:00 p.m. until 3 to 4:00 a.m. Will. Sil Vince was the kindest comedian. Trevor met. And over the years, they got. to know each other. Will Sil Vince from. a Haitian family, Haiti, a small but. powerful nation that resisted the French. occupation and was one of the first. colonies to free itself from. >> in a bit far. Okay. >> WELL, YOU YOU CAN'T TELL ME. NO, NO, now.
we know. Okay, cool. You guys are. comedians, great buddies. >> Have you ever watched a movie with this. guy? He's the worst. >> Oh, you'd be talking during the movie. >> He does this during the movie as well. He does this exact same thing during the. movie. >> I'm I'm Please. >> George Lucas put the crawl because of. him. [laughter]. >> Now that we know, okay, you guys are. great buddies. You you you knew each. other from comedy. Now, how now you can. go and you have a sleep problem now. >> But do you think it's a sleep problem? >> Now we can go into it. I never thought. it was a C problem. I I you know what? I.
never went to the doctor for any. specific reason. Yeah. I I when I when I. got older, when I found out like my. white friends have a specific doctor, not just a doctor that tells you. everything about your body, but the eye. doctor, the lip doctor, the skin doctor. I'm like, there's a doctor for that. Like, I didn't know. I didn't know that. was a thing. Like, you know, a. therapist. I thought therapy was just. for, you know, in the black community, we just thought therapy was for crazy. people. I'm not sure that's the right. thing. >> No, no, you're right. You're right. But. it's true. That's for crazy people. When. we were growing up, they'd say that like. in in Zulu or something, they just be.
like, "You're just crazy.". >> Yeah. >> There was no ADHD. There was no, do you. know what I mean? Anything. Oh, autism, this that. No, you're crazy or you're. not crazy. So, so yeah, it's it's a. similar thing in in like South Africa. and I would argue most African culture. as well. >> Yeah. And you don't go to the doctor, you just figure things out. You just. figure out. >> Yeah. You're sick or you're not sick. >> Yeah. But I'm saying if you were sick, you figure out how to not to get be sick. on your own. Yeah. >> That make sense? >> Or or you go to like a doctor cuz you're. like dying sick. >> That's different. That's like you need a. doctor. >> You wouldn't go to a doctor because you. you can't sleep. >> Yeah. Or agree with cuz you're thinking.
about um other women when you're. married. [laughter]. >> There's a doctor for that, right? Well, therapist [clears throat] therapist. Yeah. >> Like a couple couples therapist, >> right? Which I which is crazy. Now, why. don't you just talk to your wife? >> Because it's awkward to say to your wife. that you're thinking about other women. That's why the therapist. >> So, you could say you So it's not. awkward when you your wife and a person. you don't know you talking you talking. to that person almost like how people. talk to dogs a str they share a stranger.
with a dog like hey buddy how you doing. you know they talking to a dog like is. he treating you good is he giving you. feeding you right you ever see that. happen you know what I've noticed. >> what. >> people in most parts of the western. world you know like so in the United. States in England and all these people. don't really like to talk to a stranger. >> but I've learned the trick is if you. especially like white people, they they. can get very uncomfortable if you just. try to talk to them. But if you talk to. their dog, they'll answer all your. questions. So, I do that thing, >> but to the dog. So, I'll be like, "Hey,
how you doing today?" And then they'll. answer, "Oh, we're doing good." I'll be. like, "Oh, do you guys live around. here?" And then they'll be like, "Yeah, we live around the I'm like, "Oh, what's. your plan for today?" And they'll answer. on behalf of the dog. And then you use. So, that's it's the same principle. That's what therapy is. >> Basically, you use the the therapist as. a conduit, >> the dog. >> Yeah. So that you don't you don't say to. your partner, "This is my problem with. you.". >> You say to the therapist, "This is my. problem with my partner.". >> Right. >> Okay. Therapist sitting right next to. you. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But it be you become.
like a conduit. You know what I mean? So. you can do the same thing for like. sleep. >> Wait, what? >> I'm saying you should go talk to. somebody about your sleep. >> Oh, I see what you're saying. >> Cuz you don't sleep. >> Here's a question about sleep. A real. one. Do you Are you tired? I I I'm tired on the way home. >> No, Will's always tired. >> No, I'm saying in life like in, you. know, the day. Are you. >> He's tired. I. >> I think something about my house. energize me cuz when I get home, I'm. like, I [snorts] should paint the house.
>> Yeah, but Will, you are always I know. few human beings. >> who will sleep. anywhere the way you do. I've been on. the road with you. We've been to. different countries together. We've been. to different cities. We've driven to. different states. We driven to different. you you name it. We've been on drives, trains, planes, everything. >> Yeah. >> Without fail. >> If we stop moving, you sleep. >> Yes. >> Without fail.
>> You sleep before the plane takes off. >> Yep. >> You sleep when the plane lands. You. sleep in the flight. You sleep like. Will, you are always tired. That And I. only say this cuz I'm worried about you. I always go like, you know me. I can. even tell you when you've stepped and. when you haven't stepped. >> right now you see me in planes, >> trains, automobiles, but you not having. to see me in my house when I'm wired up. and wired. >> Okay, >> fair. Fair. This is true. No, this is. true. >> So, on top of it, the part I'm trying to. go with like Okay, if if you're sleeping.
in places, is it like isn't that just like almost. like a different way of getting sleep? >> No, it's a bad way of getting sleep. Yeah, it's a it's definitely a bad way. of getting sleep cuz remember so your. sleep is divided into different stages, right? So you have uh rapid eye. movement, that's you've got light sleep. and you've got deep sleep. >> Mhm. >> The the the thing is you need each. period of sleep to take up a certain. amount of time. So you can have a little. bit of sleep the whole day, but then.
you're never going to get into deep. sleep. And each one is doing a different. thing for your brain. >> Right. Right. >> Right. And each one's doing a different. thing for your body as I found out your. brain when you're in deep sleep the. brain get rid of the bad cells out the. brain. Did you know that? >> How would you know? You never in deep. sleep. >> I read about Okay. Okay. You were. reading about sleep. You like oh this. sounds interesting. >> Have you Have you always had this as. like a thing? >> Yeah. I again I think it comes from when. I was little. I was very curious about. what's what the whole reason why I. became an engineer. I I I used to look. at a digital clock and wondering what is. why how is going from one to two to.
three. What's making this digital clock. work? and and I got into electrome. mechanical engineering. >> You know, the first time you told me. that you used to be an engineer, I. thought you you were just saying this is. like a like a comedy bit. >> because I'm black. >> No, [laughter]. no, that's that would be the most. logical conclusion. Yeah. Any like. immigrant, doctor, lawyer, engineer, [laughter] that's that would be the most. logical. No, I just I just thought you. were making a joke like like the first. time Will said to me, he was like, "Yeah, as an engineer." Then I just. thought he meant like metaphorically in.
life. >> Yeah. Well, >> no, because will I've never known you as. an engineer, >> right? Right. >> I've only met you as a stand-up comedian. >> and engineers are see have a like a. stereotype. >> Yeah. They like like they don't. >> It's like an accountant has an Exactly. What's the stereotype? >> They don't wear their face on their. shirts. [laughter]. >> That's generally how engineers. [laughter] roll. >> Good point. But tell like tell me a. little bit about like young Will Sil.
Vince because you see like that that. story about you and your brothers. I. feel like you grew up in the strangest. world and it's made you the comedian and. the person that I know you as today. because every every time we hang out you. tell like a new story about growing up. and I'm always like what like what world. did you grow up in? >> Like how so wait let's go back to the. beginning. So your your parents were. born in Haiti. >> Born in Haiti. Yeah. >> Yep. Uh they moved to America cuz uh. Papa do you know Papa Do?
>> No I don't know. >> Papa Doc uh France Duva he was the. president of Haiti in the early 60s. 1960s. >> and uh he he promised a lot of changes. and stuff and then he actually became. very bad and within a month to like he. started killing Haitians that disagree. with him. >> within like immediately. Um I wonder how. quick do dictators do that? It it. depends on the situation. >> Like when they promise to do good for. the country, they they get elected, then. how quick do they start? Like.
>> it literally depends on the situation. Some take years, some it'll be like. within a few months. I I think I think. maybe I'm not a historian, but I think. maybe it has to like Dave reads a ton of. history books because like he's just. doesn't have friends. But like. >> that is that is an incorrect. reason. >> Which which which part? He said that so. many things. >> No, no, no. But but I think it's I I. genuinely think it just depends on the. um I think it depends on the structures. within the country.
>> Mhm. >> Maybe I'm wrong. I could be completely. wrong. But I think depending on how. entrenched certain like systems are in a. country, >> that's how quickly you can turn into. like a murderous dictator. M you. >> maybe that maybe that was your plan all. along and then when you got in power you. decide cuz you know cuz dictators don't. start out like hey if you disagree with. me I'm never never. >> they never start out like that right. they start out like hey everybody's. we're going to help everybody out. >> Yeah I would argue most dictators have.
the have the best messaging. >> like I I don't think there's a single. dictator whose speeches you can see. before they were a dictator. >> where you will you'll disagree with it. They say we need to feed the people. We. need to make our land what it was. We. need to we need to re reinstate pride. We need you know what I mean. >> Right. Right. One thing one one of the. campaigns France Duval was running on. was he's going to he's going to equalize. blacks the darkkinned blacks. Yeah. >> Cuz for so long. >> whites and light-kinnings was was like.
the top of the shelf. >> Oh, this was in Haiti. >> In Haiti. Yeah. Damn. And even even. after Haitians won the war, somehow. >> the colonization still seeped in there. >> And um and and and the the white was the. high was the highest thing to be. And so. France Dubai was like, "Yo, we're going. to we're going to kill that the dark. soon going to be the rulers." I'm. paraphrasing. >> Yeah, of course. Of course. I figured. I. figured. >> And um and and we you know, we're going. to we're going to put the whites in. their place. or anybody that that you. know with that mentality and obviously.
there's more dark skins than than whites. in in Haiti at the time. So black people. Haitian was like, "Yes, yes, >> let's do it." Yeah. You know, and then, you know, >> and then he flipped it and he became. >> Yeah. He didn't care about that. >> The thing that I'm surprised about, actually, it's it's an interesting. question you brought up is the speed. But it is interesting that it took. months. >> But that's why I'm saying I think it's. >> Wait, what took months. >> that he from from from. >> I'm going to I'm going to save you to. I'm a dictator. Well, soon as he got.
elected, I think within a month he got. elected like August that that something. that year and September he started he. started executing people. >> That's quick. >> That is really quick. >> Yeah. Yes. September. Yeah. >> I sometimes think it's I think sometimes. think it's a shame that. I'm going to try and phrase this as as. delicately and eloquently as I possibly. can. >> You should give it to us and then and. then rephrase it. >> Oh, okay. Cool. Okay, I'll I'll do it.
that way. >> I I sometimes wish that like dictators. and evil people I wish we could use them. for good because they they're very. efficient. >> Yeah. Do do you know what I mean? Like. like Papa Do comes into power and just. starts killing people. He doesn't go. like ah man I want to kill people but. it's so hard and you know there's so. many things I got to get right and there. so I think of like apartheite in South. Africa. When you look at what the. apartheid government did in the country, it's pretty amazing.
You know, like how they were able to. build systems, you know, that they. invented new ways to create fuel because. they were sanctioned by the world. So, they couldn't get fuel from other. countries like most countries can. >> You know what I'm looking for? You know. what I'm looking forward to is the the. non-ro version of this. But continue. [laughter]. >> No, no, no. But who are they? >> Uh the the the the white apart. governments. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So they were saying. there were sanctions. So yeah, there. were sanctions you otherwise we won't do.
business with you. So they figured out. well we'll figure out how to. >> Yeah. They were like it's fine. We'll. we'll keep the racism going. >> and we'll just figure out our own thing. And they developed new ways. One of the. most like impressive was they found a. way to make fuel from car. >> So is that what's that phrase? Pressure. creates. uh pressure creates. >> something creates you to be like when. you're up against the wall. You. >> Is it pressure or is it necessity is the. mother of invention? I don't know. I've. never heard a pressure one. Is that. >> when you when you It's almost like a. pressure cooker and if it it it figures.
out how to cook. >> I don't I don't know that one. >> I think you just thought of like coal. and diamonds. >> Oh, >> no. No. It is a It is a phrase like. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. That that I know of, but. I can't think of like a. >> under pressure diamonds. So you guys. made diamonds. >> Racist diamonds. >> They made very very good racist. diamonds. >> Out of lemon lemonade. >> Yes. If life gives you lemons, say. something racist and make lemonade. No. So So what I mean in like a in in the. non-ro version is this.
I. I I I wish we could harness the. determination that evil people have in. the world to do good things because they. never seem to be blocked by the things. that like quote unquote good people are. blocked. >> That's the same thing with with naughty. children so to speak. You know, if you. No, no, no. When you no legitimate when. you're like if you sp if you focus if. you use all the energy you're using on. the bad thing to the naughty child on a. good thing it would you know the parents.
say that all the time. >> I Yeah, I hear you. But it's different. because like being naughty is actually. easier than being good. >> It is. >> Yeah, it's way easier. So when I was a kid, if they go do your. homework, >> right, >> versus go play outside in the mud, playing outside in the mud is easy. >> Oh. Oh, that Okay. I thought there's. other naughty things that's easy. Like. don't put your hand in the fire. Don't. put the the the fork into the electric. outlet. >> These are these are dangerous. These are. not [laughter] these are not the. difference between naughty and. dangerous. Whoever there's a complete.
difference here. No. No. So what I'm. saying is like um like. >> I know what you're saying. >> Yeah. So naughty naughty kids. They're. sort of choosing the easy way out. I can. say this as a kid who was naughty. It's. I was going this is more fun than it was. easy. >> Yes, that's true. >> What I'm talking about with the adults. is it is very difficult to do like the. evil thing. It's actually quite. difficult when you think of the systems. that the Nazis set up. You're like, man, this was so intense. >> You could have spent this energy like. curing cancer. >> The apartheid system was so complicated,
will complicated. What is a black person. and what kind of black person and who. counts as black and who doesn't? And. where do people live and where don't. they live and how are they treated in. prison and how are they not treated? What you're saying about Haiti like the. like it it's such a complicated system. But then in that sense I would say that. you they are you you want to change. their definition of what a good thing is. cuz to them [laughter]. energy for a good thing. >> Yeah. In their minds that's what I wish.
it could be. >> You know what I mean? Like if if Papa. Doc had that same determination. >> that he did the evil things with but he. did with good. Imagine where Haiti could. have been. M. >> you know. >> it's like people use solar energy to. power up their house and then people use. solar energy to power up their solar. powered guns. >> I was with you for the first part. [laughter]. and then you. >> you went off I was thinking of something. solar power that's bad. >> Are you sure you were an engineer?
[laughter]. >> You know what actually I came up with. what year was that? 94 I came up with. solar powered paint. So you know how. solar panels are on the top of your. roof? >> Yes. >> And I I was still like why don't they. just paint the whole house out of solar. pan? Put solar panels all over so no. matter where the sun is, it collects the. energy from the sun and turn into and. turn into you know stored energy later. And I'm like oh they should just paint. the house in solar power. >> and panels.
>> Is that a thing now? I it it was when I. was coming up I I actually created it on. paper. So the thing about technology. that the hardest part is to get to work. on paper. You get to work on paper you. forgot to get it work in real life. That. makes sense. Okay. >> So I figured out how to work make it. work on paper. At the time it was three. coats of paint, you know, nano um ground. and anther and then and then paint the. whole house and then you had these huge. capacitors in your basement that. collects energy and storage save it for. later. and this other um system that.
dissipates energy slowly throughout the. rest of the house. It doesn't because. capacitors once you use energy it. complet it depletes completely. So this. this other this other device that slowly. um release the energy to the rest of the. house as you need it. >> This is one of those situations where I. don't know enough about electricity. >> Well, actually there's a company now. >> to be able to call you or not. >> There's a company now. >> You could be completely bullshitting me. right now and I don't know. No, no, you. could be. And if you if you've done it, well done. >> Right. So,
>> congratulations to you, Will. >> I've been talking about it in podcast. and radio shows, blah, blah, blah, for a. long time. That then I found out there's. a company in Australia 2014. They start. developing a solar power paint. >> Did you reach out to them and tell them. that they stole your idea? >> No, I didn't. I didn't have the money to. patent it. So, I didn't I I couldn't. afford the patent at the time. >> Okay. Question. Who are your parents? How old are they when they are leaving. Haiti? >> Oh, early 20s. >> Early 20s.
>> Early 20s. Yeah. >> Wow, that's young. >> Yeah, they they left Haiti early 20s. >> Was it easy to get out? >> No, because Papa Doc um would not let. people leave. Like you could go visit, but but you had to come back, you know, like like in North Korea, they like, "Oh. [ __ ] we see what other countries did. They let let them leave and they So now. what? North Korea don't let their people. leave. >> Yeah. So, so I think places like North. Korea learned from places like Haiti. Oh, no. Just don't let them leave. >> Just don't let them go. And then. >> Yeah. >> So, how Wait, how did they escape then?
>> So, the thing is if you leave and your. visa expired and the country send you. back, then Haiti were like, oh, you oh, did you try to leave. [laughter and cough]. this? This visa expired two years ago. What were you did you forget? And they like, oh, you got to go to you. got to go [laughter] to boot boot camp. boot camp is jail. >> Oh man, I'm just picturing them. [laughter]. at the border office just being like, "Oh, did you did you forget?" [laughter].
>> But but how did your parents get out? What did they do? Did they. >> So my dad and my mom got together um. because my dad was in the military. >> Yeah. And and the reason why my dad they. how they met uh. my mother's father, my grandfather was. always talking [ __ ] about uh France. Duvalier. >> Oh wow. >> Right. Before he got elected, right? Cuz. he saw he saw it before because Franc. Duval was in politics and then and my.
grandfather kind of said like look once. you once you have a taste of that you. it's like once you once you have cocaine. you always going to be coked up, right? I I I I never did cocaine. I'm just. saying someone that someone that told me. >> for those of us France Duvet is Papa. Doc. >> Yes. >> No, I'm saying just so. >> Yeah. Yeah. France aka Papa Do. >> So your grandfather was always talking. about smack about say yo don't this guy. is a you know and people people was. against my my my grandfather saying like.
no that's not true. >> So he was like publicly saying this. stuff. >> Yeah. Yeah. Because this before he was. elected before Papa do was elected and. so he was like don't vote for him. you. know, he didn't uh Feli didn't have 100%. of the votes, but there was some people. that was against him that said, "No, vote for this person instead." And then. and then and then Fray was like, you. know, "No, I'm going to do all these. things." And the my grandfather did see. through that through the BS that he was. spitting. And um so when Papa Doc got. elected, um he just remembered all the.
people that was talking smack and he. went and had them arrested. So my. grandfather was one of those people got. that got arrested. >> And uh when my mother and my my. grandmother, my my the wife of my. grandfather went to go to prison to go. out and try and see him, they wouldn't. let us they wouldn't let them see him. >> They for money months, weeks, they try. they try to see him. >> And so. >> they got the word that they killed my. grandfather. That's the that was one of. the early killings where he didn't just.
come out start killing people, just. quietly killing people. And so they. started talking smack and where they. were living like, "Yo, they they killed. they killed so and so. Can you believe. that? They killed so and so." And so um. so so then the word got back to Papa. like Papa like, "You know what? Go kill. a whole village. I don't care about. that.". >> Wait, and they they actually killed your. grandfather. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. They killed. >> Oh, damn. I didn't know that. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. It was a long time ago. >> No, no, but still I did. I genuinely I. didn't know that. I I don't know why I. assumed he just like lived his life and. then. >> Yeah. >> Wow. And so then he got.
>> So this was like a so this was a real. thing for the family then. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So. so that was the And so they got he sent. a group of soldiers to that village to. go and kill him. Yeah. >> And my dad was one of the soldiers. >> And then when my when they got to that. village, they just started killing. everybody. But my when my dad got to the. house, my dad was like, "No, you guys. got to he my dad was not about that. life." You know, another thing is like. when when you vote for someone and you. realize they bad like, "Ah, man, I. messed up." you know, and then and then. he ah he got me too, you know. Yeah. And.
so. >> it's not like he he was a nice person. and he became a dictator and his father. was like, "Yeah, we should dictate. You. should be a dictator." No, they was. like, "Ah, yeah, we was too late." You. know? Um and so and and so my dad. allowed that that family to escape and. then they got they got they met at some. some um at a market in Haiti and they. recognized each other immediately and. and you know they fell in love but my. dad my mom was like we can't really get.
together because you know it's a. conflict of interest. you you work for. the man cuz also if you was in the. military, you were not allowed allowed. to lead the military because that's. another thing that happened when he. became president and became a dictator. So many people in the military wanted to. I'm not going to I'm not going to work. for this guy. But then he wrote a law. saying that well you can't leave the. military otherwise you you'll get. arrested and executed. >> I think mo I think most militaries in. the world you're not allowed to leave. when you want to. >> Oh yeah. What? Awall. >> Yeah, pretty much.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, so it's like um um. so my dad was stuck but then also he. wanted to go with my mother and it was. like a conflict of interest like you. know you guys killed my my dad and then. so and at the time my dad had five. houses in Haiti. He was planning opening. a mechanic shop where he was going to. fix cars and stuff. He he was a. mechanical engineer, you know. Uh and in. fact, my dad was um.
>> my dad would so while he was in the. military, he would sabotage some of the. trucks. >> So they would when they sent them out to. a village to go and kill people, the. trucks would break down. >> Not close enough to the village to the. base where they could go get new trucks. and but not close enough to the village. where they could walk. So they had to. like oh it's close to walk back to the. base. By [laughter] the time they got. back, they were tired and like we'll try. tomorrow. And he would sabotage also. some of the weapons the guns would get. would jam up. You know, after a while. the it started looking back who worked.
on this truck last. [laughter]. So he had to like I he had to chill on. sabotaging the weapons and trucks. >> Yeah. >> So So how long was he was was he in the. military? How long was your dad still in. Haiti? >> So So once he met my mother, they. started dating. They started, you know, um. >> this is like Haitian Romeo and Juliet. for real. Right. Yeah. And and and they. uh and then my dad decided to like So my. dad told my my mother said, "Hey, you. know, >> really we we have no future together,
right? Because you're working with this. guy. What what future do you see? He. killed my dad." So my dad said, "Well, I'm just going to leave." And my mother, you can't leave. He's the rest of you. leave. He says, "No." My dad said, "No, I'm going to leave the country." My. mother like, "Leave the country?" But. you got your houses, your business, and. you know, and then even if you leave. success successfully, your family's here. cuz cuz another thing they will they'll. come after your family. Okay. If you. leave, so you know, they'll teach you a. lesson through your family. Oh, yeah.
You can leave, but your family. >> that's what North Korea does apparently. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> So my dad got everybody out. >> No ways. >> His family, my mother's family, the. cousins, everybody else. Yeah. and he. was like one of the last ones to leave, you know, because obviously, you know, and um. >> this is like a this is like a Haitian. action movie meets like. >> I thought it was Juliet. I thought it. was a Haitian moment. >> No, no, no. But you didn't tell me. >> Now it's a Haitian. Now it's a Haitian. Terminator. [laughter].
>> Ib Bach. or better IBach. Okay. >> [laughter]. >> What were your um what did your dad say. that cuz they came Did everyone come to. the United States? >> Yes. Yes. >> What did he say? He was what did he tell. the United States governments? Refugee. or. >> So at the time the US was actually. giving visas. They was accepting people. It was not like how it is now. They were. letting people in if you had a skill. >> Yeah. >> You know, my mother, she went to school.
for to be a seamstress, you know, and. she also went to school culinary school. So she had those two skills. So it was. easy for her to get a visa, you know, and my dad was mechanical engineer. So. it was easy for him to come in and and. so you you just have to have a skill. I. I can't remember what my cousins or or. what you know what their story was. But. but once you have a skill, it was easy. You know, early 60s they was accepting. people like crazy here. >> Yes. >> You know. >> Damn. [clears throat]. >> Yeah. >> So your parents come over to the US, settle in Brooklyn.
>> Yeah. And then. >> before that, my dad my dad interviewed. people cuz the main places to go when. you leave Haiti was Dominican Republic. >> Yeah. >> Miami. >> Okay. >> Montreal, Boston, and New York. Those are the main. places. Now, there was other places like. Chicago and um but but those are the. main places Haitians was fleeing to. >> Okay. >> You know, uh Dominican Republic was kind. of like out of the question. >> Well, you didn't mention New York in. those, right? >> New York. Yeah. Yeah. Dominican. Republic. Okay. Dominican Republic. Montreal. Montreal. Miami. New York.
Okay. Got it. Okay, cool. >> So, so Dominican Republic was out the. question out the question for my dad cuz. it's like Dominicans was anti-Haitian. >> Okay. >> They, you know, they was they was. killing Haitians also, >> you know, in in 1936 there was the So, there was a word that if you couldn't. say they would come up to darkkinned. people in Dominican Republic and say say. par something way the tongue baits can't. can't roll the tongue. They say why you. do this? >> I shouldn't [laughter] be. >> Okay, you are my I'm going to one down. the block. I'm not going to I'm not.
going to run down. I'm going to run down. the block. Okay. I'll be back. So, you. can't say that that word that will uh do. >> I'm not laughing at Please Please don't. get me wrong. >> I'm going to laugh all you want. >> No, it's the way you did it. Please cuz. the situation you just laid out was. terrible. >> Very terrible. >> But the way you did it, [laughter]. >> the way you did it, you know, someone is. recounting a very tragic story. >> Yeah. I mean, >> but the way he said it made it seem very. funny. It is not funny at all. I want. you to know that the way I reacted,
right, >> has nothing to do with the content of. what you said, right? >> As your friend, I hope you know that. >> All right. [laughter] Sorry. So, Dominican Republic was out of the. question cuz they were anti-Hian. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Miami, he interviewed someone from. Boston. >> and uh the person in Boston, >> this is your dad like asking other. people, >> asking people. >> Could you say interview like. >> interview? Well, well, you you trying to. figure out where where you cuz also you. know back in those days people would. just leave. >> Yeah. and just figure things out. You. know, for Haitians, it was you, you.
know, you want to leave, but let me. figure figure it out. I don't want My. dad was like pretty like aware and smart. about things. Let me just ask a few. people, see which way his his main thing. was education and and um educ what was. it? Education and and jobs. You know, what what where can he go? >> Okay. So, where are the opportunities? >> Opportunities. Got it. So, education, opportunities for the kids, and then. opportunities for the family. All right. Um, and so Montreal was not good cuz he.
met he he he talked to someone where. where they would they were pretty they. were pretty mean to him. I can't. remember the details of it. I'm I'm. getting the story from my aunt. Um um u. Miami were just no real opportunities. Yeah, that makes sense. The weather was. nice like Haiti, but it was you know um. Boston was was pretty racist. He met he. met a lady a um a lady he talked to her. and her sister and the sister's husband. moved to Boston. >> And you don't have to explain. Sorry.
Continue. >> Oh, they were they were doctors. >> You just said Boston in the 60s. [laughter]. A HAITIAN. SHOULD SHOULD is Boston in. the 60s welcoming to Haitians? [laughter]. You know, we can uh. >> So all three were doctors. when they. went to Boston, they got reduced to. nurses. So, you had to take a test. >> You just can't be just because you're a. doctor in your country, you gota take a. test. And so, the test was expensive. But then then then um she found out the.
lady that my dad was talking to how. racist they were, you know, with um the. way they was treating. So, there were. one time she said there was two two. patients that got hit by a car right on. the corner. It was a black lady and a. white lady. The black lady was was in. way more pain. The white lady has. scrapes and stuff and um the white lady. asked me stay. Can I stay in the. hospital? I'm still not feeling well. Well, the black lady was really in pain. They they discharge her early. The. doctor was like, "Oh, you can't stay.
here. You got to leave." You know, and. she left. She went home. She was feeling. bad again. She came back. Um also, they. didn't have ambulances back then. So, the police will pick you up in a patty. wagon or in a in a police car and the. police took their time to taking her. back to the hospital. when she died on. the way there. Oh man. >> So So she realized, oh wow, they. >> they they discriminate. Also, there was. a lady who was a black lady who was she. was about to get birth and and they made. her fill out all these forms and stuff. and and they made her walk to to the to.
the womb instead of putting in a. wheelchair and wheelchair to the room. and she got to the she got she when she. got to the room um the doctor wouldn't. give her pain medication saying they. these people are exaggerating and didn't. realize like she was black also and. saying these people but also Haitians. when they came to America they didn't. real racism was not a thing because. everybody was just. is when they got here they realized oh. and also another thing about Haitians. they thought like oh they talking about. African-Americans I'm Haitian. >> that's so funny.
>> so that's another thing she didn't think. oh they must be talking that a. African-Americans don't feel pain when. they're. >> pregnant so crazy. >> and then and then she realized after so. many instances and when it happened to. her cuz she told the head nurse I'm. gonna become a doctor I'm gonna take the. test the head nurse loved her white lady. loved her then when she realized that. she's gonna be a doctor. The nur the. nurse was like, "Well, why would you. want to do that for? You're you're. you're a great nurse. Why would you. leave to be a doctor's is no joy in. that? You're doing so well here and I'm.
taking care of you." And then she said, "Well, do so when she convinced her head. nurse that, hey, I want to take the. test." The nurse said, "Well, listen, you'll always be a [ __ ] Don't think. you'll ever be above me.". She didn't know what the word and word. meant, you know, like all right, you. know. Um. >> I mean that would get you to cross it. with the list. >> Boston, no thank you. [laughter]. >> So uh so. >> you know you know what's as you're. saying these things the the the the.
there are two thoughts that come to my. mind. One is how similar the stories of. racism are around the world. Like I. don't know what it was like like for. your dad and stuff. I don't know when. like when he came to South Africa but I. think of my mom when my mom was um. trying to be qualified. She she was she. was doing like a typing course and she. was doing just courses in and around. like secretarial skills but then also. things that required like managerial. expertise. I don't know what like what. they were she was actually studying cuz.
I don't think it was like a fixed course. you know [snorts]. >> and my mom went in and no joke she was. being qualified to do certain things. that were only for managers and the. person who was her boss at the company. or at this training institute said to. her what is the point of studying what. you're studying because at the end of. the day you'll always be and then they. use the word in South Africa kafar he's. like you're going to be a kafar so. what's the point. >> oh wow. >> but it's it's crazy that you're saying. this. >> she's also a woman remember Yeah. I'm. saying so it's double. >> Yeah. But that's what I mean. Like it's.
it's it's crazy that you you're telling. me about a story in Boston. Yeah. >> And then I'm going like, "Oh yeah, my. mom told me this story from South. Africa.". >> And then the the the the compounded. thing of it all is the um the pain and. the the time you know who gets this kind. of story is when you listen to to like. white like aspiring white rappers. They. sort of tell the story as well. Which. rapper? Do you know what I mean? >> Do you hear what this guy do?
>> Just name the rapper the one who. >> Do you hear what this guy just said? [laughter]. Do you hear what this guy just said? They do have the same story. [laughter]. It's the same. >> Yes. I mean, in many ways, white rappers. are the black women. [laughter]. Oh, you said white rappers. >> of rap. >> Oh, [laughter]. rappers. You don't belong here. You.
never going to be nothing. [laughter]. >> Yes. >> Some of them rap well, but we're like, but you're white. >> Oh, man. >> Oh, wait, wait, wait. Can we pause my. story real quick? So, wait. There were. people from Africa go migrating to South. Africa even though they knew how they. were treating the blacks. It's a. complicated story, [laughter]. >> but they were because we didn't know how. they was treating the blacks in America. We didn't know that. >> Yeah. >> So Haitians would go to America. But but.
you guys knew how they were treating. South Africans. >> No, but remember they had the the number. one of cuz I didn't want you don't want. to make it like a dictator off, but Papa. Do versus Idiam. >> You sound like you're making a dictator. off, >> but he's not wrong. >> Papa dog versus dict versus idiom. Who's. the real G here? No one knows Papa Doc. I had to tell people [laughter] Fran. Dubay idiiam people know him. So if. you're escaping idiom mean apartate is. is. >> racism is almost charming by comparison.
[laughter]. >> in a in a way. >> is is playland. Yeah. >> Yeah. Cuz the. >> you're just going to say bad things to. me. Ah ah ah. [laughter]. Oh wow. Oh wow. Does this interaction. end with me still alive? Ah ah ah wow. What a quaint form of hatred this is, huh? >> Ah, okay. That Okay, that makes my dad. should have gone gone to South Africa. then. >> Yeah, I mean could have. >> Yeah. And and so um once she realized. how bad it was treating like not just.
Haitian black or Haitian as well. >> She moved back to Haiti. She moved back. to Haiti. >> She My dad actually talked to her IN. HAITI. >> YO, WHAT? Because her thought her. thought was, "Well, as long as I stay. out of polit the thing about Haiti, as. long as you stay out of politics, Papa. Doc won't mess with you.". >> Was going to the movies. >> You know what an indictment this is of. racism in Boston that this person was. like, "I'm going back to Haiti.". [laughter]. >> No offense to Haiti, but yo, Will, what. >> a number of people, >> you saying Haiti is going through the. worst period ever where thousands of. people are being killed. And this person.
was like, "Goodbye, Boston. [laughter]. I am going back to Haiti.". >> Yeah. She went back to Haiti and she was. actually selling things at a market. Wow. >> And that her sister was sending her to. Haiti to sell like products they didn't. have in Haiti. There was So she just. went back. She said, "You know what? I'll just stay out of politics. I won't. even talk about politics.". >> Sorry. Who's this again? Sorry. Just. follow. >> Just a a lady my dad interviewed about. about Boston. Should he go to Boston or. not? >> Great. >> You know, and then Damn. >> Yeah. So he actually talked to her and. um and um the Toto Makud, you know, Toto.
Makud. >> No. What is that? >> So when when Papadak became president, uh he he Most of the presidents they get. they got ousted by a coup right so. [clears throat] he got smart he's like. you know what I'm gonna get the my own. secret service okay. >> and they call them to makuts and the. thing about to makoots they would they. would blend with the people in the. street so you know who was a to makoot. so they they be listening see if you're. talking about papa doc or talking about. you know you know and they and they'll.
shoot you right there on the on in the. street. >> so there was a time when my dad was. talking to the lady in Boston at the. market and then and then He heard he he. he they thought they saw someone that. the to and and then the guy said, "Hey, don't move. Stay right there." And so. he's talking his late like, "Oh [ __ ] Oh. shit." And then he went past my dad to. someone else and then got him on the. floor and say, "Hey, what you think. you're doing? What do you think you're. doing?" And then it wasn't it wasn't my. dad. So they learned not to talk in in.
the streets anymore like that. >> This is a this is a crazy time. I mean, I'm I'm I'm picturing your dad. I'm. picturing your mom planning to leave. >> to Makutz. >> Toto Makutz, which again, it it's it's. really wild how every single. authoritarian regime around the world. has the same playbook. >> Yes. >> People in the community who listen to. you, spies, spying, like family spying. on family. Same in Russia, same, you. know what I mean? Any place that there's. been like an authoritarian regime,
>> the same rules apply. M. >> the government finds ways to get the. people to spy on each other on behalf of. the government so that you don't trust. each other and if you don't trust each. other then the only thing that has. absolute power is the government. >> Same way with America house negroes and. field negroes. >> to say more. >> So so if you if you're a slave owner in. America, right? You got your wife, >> you your maybe two kids and a dog, but. you have 80 slaves. How you how you put.
how you get how you how how you get. protection from 80 slaves from storm. your house. >> What you do is you divide them. You you. reward. >> Oh yeah. Divide and conquer. Yeah. >> You reward the ones to that tell you, hey, did they mama said they planning on. coming to the house tonight or leaving. the field? And and so so that Oh, good. Good. You get to sleep in the house. Oh, thank you. But I got to sleep in the. house. You know, and so the same thing. So that was their to. >> the house. The house negroes. >> Damn. Dave, can you say the out word for.
me, please? >> The which word? >> House Negroes is. >> Oh, no. I was just thinking Well, I. mean, >> you thinking it? >> No, no. The The way I was thinking I was. thinking that I would have been a. >> Oh, yeah. What would you have been a. house single? >> Yeah. I would have probably been house. >> a house. >> No, you wouldn't. He says that. >> No, no. The thing you know why is just. >> at that and I'm being genuine now. Uh, like. I don't know if you could have convinced.
me. to forego. like comfort. >> I don't think this is true. I don't. think you know yourself well enough. >> I think pressure. >> You are too. You know what? No. This. guy. Did you just [laughter] remember. the quote now? >> This guy just remembers the quotes like. deep in the conversation. I think. pressure makes diamonds. You've been. waiting to say that now that it came. back into your No. So here here's he. says that. But here's why I disagree. with you. I don't know anybody who is.
more charitable than you are. I don't. know anybody who's more helpful than you. are. I don't know anybody who is like. friends with more homeless people than. you are. And look, I don't know. everybody. But what I No, no, no. But. what I'm saying is you say that about. yourself. >> But I'm having a comfort time. >> Yeah, I hear you. But I don't think I. think you are more like [clears throat]. revolutionary than you yourself to be. >> Maybe it would be. I genu and I. genuinely I don't I'm not even saying. that to gas you up. I just I don't think. you'd be that guy. >> Okay. >> I think you would be you would be there.
helping formulate escape plans for. people. >> But okay. Okay. Maybe cuz we don't know. But I'll say this is when I was offered. it. I'll say that you know when you sne. What are you talking about? >> How old are you? What is happening here? >> I'm saying cuz when they come to me and. they say can you spy on the rest? >> Okay. Got it. Got it. >> Cool. When I'm offered it, some people. would be like, "Hell no." Others would. be like, "Yes, definitely.". >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Give me this much. I want to hear. his end. The third. >> Yeah. I want to hear his ending. >> Wait, wait, wait. Let me just say the. third. The Yes, I'll be a spy, but. actually I'm spying on you to to tell. them information. >> Okay. The double agent. >> The double agent. Yes. I'll say, "Okay, I'll do this. Can I Can I think about. it?" So, [laughter]. you see what I'm saying? It was. >> You think they were like, "Hey, look, listen. [laughter]. Listen here, Edward. You got two weeks. TO THINK ABOUT THIS offer I'm giving.
you. >> Can I come back to you? [laughter]. >> Get on me. >> YOU GOT TWO WEEKS, NEGRO.". >> NO, that's So, at least So, I'm Cuz. remember, I'm minding my own business, then I get called I get called in. >> Wait, you think picking cotton is. minding your own business? >> NO, I'M NOT. NO, don't do this. >> Picking cotton, minding my business. >> No, no, no. Don't do this because this. [laughter] is a very delicate subject. Just No, no, no, no. I'm saying no. Don't do that. I'm saying don't do that. I'm saying that my own personality I.
don't. >> think that I would directly be this. revolutionary that you think and maybe. maybe you know I would but what I'm. saying that certainly when you make the. offer I wouldn't I would I would have to. think about it and then maybe to gather. myself gather myself then I'd come back. and say no I can't do this for you I. have to be I can't so cuz I'm not making. light of the issue because that because.
whenever I read about people who do. these kind of things who go against the. system. >> the tomakut Oh no no no the people who. go against the system Harriet Tubman. Nelson Mandela these kind of people. >> like no no cuz you genuinely go oh you. know like if you're like wow would I do. it. >> yes. >> and then if cuz would I do it if I had. the offer of not you see what I'm. saying? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Is if I if I didn't have an option, >> Yes. If I was offered an easy life in.
exchange in exchange for the hardness of. my people, would I take it or not? >> I don't think it's worth it that way at. at the moment. I think it's like, HEY, GO CLEAN MY go clean my bed. >> No. And they clean the bed. Oh, you did. a good job, Missy. Well, you know what? Or maybe a slave saw another slave. You. ain't supposed to be leaving. I'mma tell. Master. And he go went and told Mass. I'm like, oh, thank you for telling me, Rufus. You know what? You get to sleep. in the house. Maybe it was an offer. Maybe it was a another slave was did it. because they like you going to get us. all in trouble.
>> I think I think all of those things are. probably true. I think all of those. things are probably true at the same. time. >> You think slave slave managers came and. offered them? >> No, no, no. I think all of them are true. at the same time. I don't think there's. one. >> basketball deal. >> I don't think there's one fixed example. Does that make sense? >> Right. >> So, I don't think there's one. I'm sure. there there are some that were implicit. I'm sure there was some that were. explicit. I'm sure there was some that. Does that make sense? >> Right. Right. And I think that's how. these. >> that there's no rhyme or reason to what. what slave owners did. >> No, the the reason I think is is is.
pretty uh obvious. You know, you you you. become very rich and very powerful and. you don't pay the people around you, >> right? Well, the the main thing is how. you get 80 people from voting. >> Yeah. But what I'm saying is what I'm. saying is I think it's a combination of. things, right? When you terrorize. people, one of the things about terror. that makes it particularly powerful is. you need very few acute acts to have a. longlasting effect on a group. >> Do you get what I'm saying? >> To for the fear is.
>> that's that's another reason. authoritarian regimes have very public. floggings, very public beheadings, very. public. All of you have got to see what. we do to somebody who steps out of line. >> and you just need to cut off a few. people's heads or hang a few people or. stone a few people for everyone to now. be like, "Ah man, we got to get in. line." You get what I'm saying? >> When my parents used to whoop one of my. brothers who didn't do their homework.
and be like, "Oh, I better do my. homework.". >> I mean, that's one way to think of it. Yes, >> that is. We're going to continue this. conversation right after this short. break. [music]. So, wait, wait, but let's go back cuz I. I I want to get to like how we get to. this Will Svens. So, your dad gets. everyone out of Haiti. He's chosen he's. chosen New York. >> New York cuz the the job opportunities. and he feel like is they very fair. >> to everybody. >> Okay, cool. So, your dad comes out, your.
mom comes out. Now you guys are in. Brooklyn. Which where are you and the. brothers? How many brothers? Four. brothers is I'm I'm I'm third. >> You're third? >> Yep. >> Okay. And so were they were you all born. in the US? >> No. Two born in Haiti. >> Damn. So your mom had to come with kids. as well. >> Wow. How different are you from the like. Haitian brothers? I'm not saying you're. not Haitian. I'm just saying like from. the like from the born in Haiti. brothers. >> I don't know. I I I felt like I I always. thought out the box. Does that make. sense? kind of like.
>> cuz I was very close to my grandmother, right? Because my my dad used to always. tell us like. everybody's equal, >> right? There's no such thing as gender. roles. You go you learn how to cook, clean, wash, you know, also you learn. how to fix electrical appliances. You. learn how if a socket is broken, you. learn how what to do, you know. Um um. also my dad my dad used to do this thing. where so you know you know the when the.
gas come into the house. >> Yeah. >> Right. And there's a meter that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> So my dad figure out how to to to beat. the company, >> he just he would just unscrew the thing. and turn it backwards and so now the. meters would run the other way. [laughter]. >> But he made sure they didn't go all the. way down. Like what? YOU GUYS. >> YOU guys didn't use any gas? You guys. use anti- gas? >> Yeah. [laughter]. >> You got you guys use negative gas, >> right? So, he knew he knew just the. amount and the the gas our gas bill was.
pretty low. And um uh he he knew how to. also with the electric and the cheap and. he used so these different um fuses. he'll get the ones with certain amount. of resistance and you know, >> no wonder the white people didn't want. the black people doing [laughter] THESE. KIND. >> LOOK AT what they're doing with THEIR. ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE. >> [laughter]. >> WELL, LOOK WHAT THEY DOING TO US NOW, >> MAN. There's all the people in Boston. watching this podcast and they and. they're just like, "What' I tell you.
about them Haitians?" Huh? Now you see. why we didn't want them here. >> But wait, LOOK WHAT THEY DOING NOW. [laughter] THE AI COMPANY WAS building. these these massive um places and they. charging the people for the electricity. Did you you know about that, right? >> So your dad was getting revenge before. the. >> He was he was getting future revenge on. behalf of humanity. And so my dad was. like, "Everybody got to learn any. everything." So I knew how to sew, I. knew how to cook, I knew how to fix. electrical stuff. And um and so my dad. used to always say, you know, if you if. you have a good woman in your life,
whether she's a a a girlfriend or a. relative or a friend, always pay, you. know, always pay because the world treat. women like [ __ ] and they don't realize. women are really the the ones the. backbone of society. And so I I'm so I. was so close to my grandma because of. this. You know, my grandma's also also. nice. So, you know, I was probably gonna. be close to her anyway. But my dad.
saying that and putting that into us. about about treat women, you know, treat. women with respect and all that. At as a. kid, I respect what what does that mean? You know, like I'm not going to hit my. grandmother. [laughter]. >> I'm not going to curse out. You couldn't. curse. you couldn't curse to, you know, you couldn't even curse to your friends. when your parents was around. You get. your ass whooped, you know. Um, so, um, I just remembered that, you know, and. [clears throat] and, um, and I became. close with my grandmother. So, when. actually when my grandmother died, I was. the only one at the funeral not crying.
cuz I like, you guys didn't see this. coming. She was old, you know. >> Is that how your brain processed it? >> Yeah. Like, like, yeah, guys, like, yeah, you guys, you know, she was old, right? You know, it's going to happen. >> How old was she when she passed away? 65. All righty. Well, yeah. I don't know how to put this. to you, but that's not particularly old. >> for black people. That's like 95, 98. >> That's I mean, [laughter] that's. But that's not really not that old. >> Yeah. Well, my mother Well, that if you.
think that if you think that's bad, my. mother died at 55. My dad died at 55. My. my grandfather got shot at 55. Well, allegedly if papa die come back in. power. Um, >> everyone at 55. >> Everybody died at 55. >> How did your mom and dad pass away? >> My my dad. my dad had uh chest cancer but he never. smoked. So what happened was you you.
heard of drian to clear your nose. sinuses? >> The spray. >> The spray. Yeah. So he so one one day he. had a cold he took Drian and but the. thing with drian when you take it it'll. clear your nose you're actually. breathing more better than when without. before you got sick. >> Yeah. And um the thing about drian after. a while your nose get clogged up. You. got to let it clog up for a day and you. you get your breathing back. >> But my dad kept taking dri they call it. rebound. >> Yeah. So you know when they in the ' 80s.
they had the shirts with the pocket. right here. Yeah. >> So he kept the Drista in his pocket man. >> And he just kept taking it. >> Oh man. For many years that thing is. till even now like all those nasal. sprays. if you're on it longer than I think like. 14 days maybe even less you're in big. trouble. >> Well talk about 10 years 10 years maybe. 7 years 7 to 10 years my dad was you. know taking it. >> He just needed that to breathe at some. point. >> He just Yeah. He just he just kept. taking every day and then you know he. developed uh a form of cancer in the.
chest. But they, you know, the doctors. never tell you, >> you know, they just want to know if you. got money. That's not funny. >> No, I mean, not in this moment. >> And then my dad, my mom died of uh of um. she she had moved to Florida. She came. back to New York and she got stung by a. bee [clears throat] and she developed an. allergic reaction. She had a stroke and. um yeah. >> Damn. I'm sorry, man. That's a crazy. period to go through.
for you and your brothers. It's like how. how far apart were was it between your. parents dying? >> Oh, like 10 years also. No, no, like. seven years. Also, my my um. >> when my mother died is when I realized. the truth about hospitals cuz I I used. to always think hospitals and doctors. and nurses, well, not nurses are still. amazing, but they were all about want to. help and save people. So when my mother. had a stroke and she was in a coma, she.
went she went in a coma and she was she. had she went without oxygen for like I. think like eight 8 to 13 minutes, >> you know, by the time they call the. ambulance to the house. >> and they they resuscitated her. >> and um but she was without so she they. was not sure if she do come out of the. coma. >> Yeah. >> How much brain activity she'll have. So, so we my brothers and I were at the. hospital and the doctor came out and. said, "Hey, uh, your mother's in a coma, but we're not sure how long she's going.
to be. We're not sure how much bra. activity she has, but she cannot stay. here. She can't Oh, no. No. First, you. guys have insurance?" Said, "No, we. don't have any insurance." He goes, "You. cannot. She can't stay here. She got to. leave. She can't stay here." Um, and. then and then he kept this went on for. like 5 minutes about she can't stay. here. Then we said, "Well, can we just. find a place?" So my brothers and I went. went back to the house, went through my. mother's paperwork, and we found she had. insurance through a credit card. She had. insurance and as long as she uses credit.
card, she has I think up a million. dollars worth of insurance. >> Wow. >> So we went back to the hospital the next. day. We said, "Yo, the doctor doctor. came, did you find a place for your. mother to stay?" We said, "Yes, also do. we show him the paperwork. Do you think. this this facility will take this. insurance?" He looked at the paper and. no lie. He goes, "Your mother can't. leave. If she leaves here, there's a. risk of her dying." [laughter].
Okay. >> Oh, man. >> Like, like we knew it was happening, but. at the same time, like what if he's what. if it's real, >> right? Cuz the first thing he said, "Did. you find a place for your mother?" Yeah. Look at the paper. She can't leave. >> Okay. So she she stayed at the hospital. to like 8 months and the doctor was like. the money was running out. Your mother. can't stay here no longer. [laughter]. >> Wow. >> That's not funny, >> man. No, I mean it's it's insane. >> Too soon. [laughter]. >> So then we found a place for her to.
stay. We moved into this facility. um uh this home and um and then me and. my brother brothers had a talk like, "Man, [clears throat]. yo, if this happened to me, dude, pull. the plug. Like there's no brain. activity. like I don't want to come. back, you know? I can't say hello. I. can't I can't I barely could blink. Like, dude, pull the plug. Let me let me. leave. So, once we all decided that, we. just said, "Yo." So, we we unplugged. I. think she she passed away like later. that day or day later.
>> Damn. >> Yeah. >> No wonder you can't sleep. [laughter]. >> This stuff you're telling us. >> I mean, That's not funny. I thought it was funny. as that. >> No, I mean it's been it's very funny. I'm still Yeah. I I I don't know. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I I don't know. I'm trying to put. myself in your in your shoes in some of. those moments and process it. I I can't imagine what a lot of that is.
like. >> So, after that experience with the. hospital, I'm like, doctors are full of [ __ ]. Hospitals are full of [ __ ] It's just. all about money. It's all about. business. But then I met some amazing. nurses. They they nurses really want to. help. I'm not saying all doctors are. like that, but but but that doctor, [laughter]. he you know what I'm saying? He he he. was in about. >> Yeah. The thing the thing that's tough. from everything I've read, let's say specifically in American. healthcare, it's it's funny because it.
it it depends on the country you live. in. um. in in South Africa when my my mom was. shot and we were in the hospital, they. said the similar thing to me. They said, "Uh, does your does does she have. insurance?" And I was like, "I don't. think she has insurance." And it was so. crazy because my mom, she always had. insurance. And then I want to say like 6. months before the incident, she was. like, "I don't need insurance." She's. like, "This makes no sense. I'm just.
paying for this thing and nothing. happens." Then I said, "That's what. insurance is for. It's not if something. is it's because something might happen, not because it does happen.". >> Right? >> She was like, "No, I don't need. >> like my friend who gave up his um fire. extinguisher shirt." He said, "Yo, I. don't I won't use this. [laughter] You. could you want you want to hold you want. to hold on to it? We could we could I I. have it for one month. You have it for. [laughter] one month." Like, so um so. I'm in the hospital and and they said. the same thing. They said, "Yeah, we it. was the closest hospital to where it. happened." And then they were like, "Oh,
we we've got to move her." And then the. hospital they were going to move her to. was going to be like 45 minutes to an. hour away. >> Oh, damn. >> And I was lucky that like I was like, "I'll just I'll pay." I was like, "I've. got a credit card. I'll I'll just pay.". And they were like, "Oh, it could cost a. lot of money." I was like, "Yeah, it's. my mom." I'll never forget that. interaction with the doctor cuz I was. just like, >> "What?" [clears throat] The way, you. know what I mean? The way he said it to. me was very like he's like, "Oh, it. could cost a lot of money.". >> It's like a leather jacket. you know, Mr. Le. Yeah. I was like, yo, bro, it's.
my it's my mom. >> Yeah. >> He's like, okay. And he was still like, oh, I mean, all right. Um, >> if your mother was white, would he had. say that? >> Yeah. I'll be honest with you, that's. that's the one thing that I find has now. united people. across color lines. And that is that. like the medical industry in many places. in the world has become one. that has allowed itself to become so.
controlled by money. >> they don't care about. >> that it doesn't necessarily allow them. to care about health first. Right. And. and in in America it's interesting. right? So in America how it how it works. not everywhere but in a in in a lot of. America is there are companies. that have bought out doctor's practices. So the doctors don't even sort of work. for themselves anymore. >> Wow. >> And then there are also companies that. own hospital groups.
>> So the hospitals also are part of a. company. Right. >> Right. >> And then they need to make money and. then the doctors that are in as part of. this thing. So they feed into the. hospital. They're also their money is. also going somewhere else. So the. doctor's working a lot, but they're not. necessarily earning the money of working. a lot, >> right? And then the hospital is in. cahoots with certain providers for. certain procedures or certain medicines. And so and it just becomes this weird. world where everyone seems like they're. being held hostage by somebody else,
but they're also the hostage takers. I I. don't I don't know if I can explain. this. It's it's like a it's like a weird. rabbit hole where like the hospitals. themselves will be like we're barely. making a profit and the doctors will say. we we barely make any money and we work. we work countless hours and then the. people who are in the hospitals are like. we don't have any money and we're. treated like [ __ ] or we spend all our. money. Who's making the money? M. >> and it's generally these big. organizations that are um that they've. designed systems.
that put an undue pressure on the. medical industry. And unfortunately, the. stories are a lot like what you're. saying. >> So, who who's there got to be somebody. up top, right? Like like it's treat like. a company, right? >> Yeah, but it's generally the big the big. companies. Like there's a few I don't. know them by name, so I won't like say. the wrong one and then, you know, >> get into trouble or whatever. But no, no, but I know there's big. >> So, it's one like a like a Yeah. [clears throat] No, but there are actual. big companies that own these groups.
>> and they and they're trying to. consolidate more and more and that's. what's leading to the systems being. worse and worse and worse and worse. But. then there's also weird things in. American medicine like. um like when it comes to prescription. medications for instance, you have these. things called pharmacy benefit managers. I think it is. I think it's pharmacy. Yeah. But basically what they do is. they're like the middleman between you. and your prescription, but they can also. like decide a price that your insurer. pays, >> which also determines the price that you.
pay, which also determines the price of. the medicine, and it determines the. price of what the medicine maker is. getting. >> It is as convoluted as I'm as I'm saying. it right now. You know what I mean? It's. not. >> like if it's in demand like like when. you buy when you try buy a ticket to a. concert. >> Yeah. >> Right. You you realize that they'll. they'll jack the price. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. It's very similar. Yeah, it's very similar to that. >> It's This is one of the reasons why I. didn't get a BBL because to go. >> What were the other reasons? I'd like to. know what the other reasons were beyond. cost. >> Okay, this is the main reason. And then.
also because the cost of one this whole. thing and then the cost of changing all. of my pants. >> Wait, BBL is big butt. lactose. [laughter]. >> What's BBL again? >> I think it's a Brazilian buttlft. >> Oh, Brazilian buttlft. Okay. >> Yes. That's what it is. But I like that. >> The guest was pretty. >> It was fantastic. >> Big butt lactose. >> Big butt lactose. Hey, you got that big. but big butt lactose over there, man. >> So, wait, you you was going to get a BBL.
for real? >> No. [laughter]. >> Oh, I'm like, damn. How bad is it was in. this country that the girls got they got. [laughter]. >> No. You see, Dave's dad told him when he. was very young, he said, there are no. gender roles in this house. [laughter]. Men can get BBLs and women can get BBLs. [laughter] and Dave was very close to. his grandmother. So Dave was like, I'm. going to get a BBL as [laughter] well. >> So. >> there was a guy who invented insulin.
You know the story about the guy who. been invented the insulin for for. diabetic patients. >> I think I know which story. >> Well, he wanted it to be to be cheap for. everybody. I think a dollar something. company bought it and he said, "Hey, you. can buy it, but as long as you make make. it available for everybody and really. cheap." They said, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah." And they actually. jacked up the price to like 300, 400, even thousands of dollars. >> Yeah. It it it's it's one of the most. frustrating things about healthcare in. general is that. everyone gets frustrated by it and.
really no one needs to be. but then the quote unquote bad guys are. very good at obscuring their role in in. making the system worse. Does that make. sense? >> Yeah. >> So there's people who buy patents on. drugs for instance or they buy the. companies who own the patents on the. drugs and then they can just jack up the. price. So they'll know there's one. medicine that treats a specific disease. that's very niche. Like they go this. disease you you have to have the. medication. It's not an option. >> And then they'll buy the company that.
owns the patent and then they just jack. up the price. >> So what did that guy were to hold on to. it? >> Oh, I have a question for. >> cuz. where would you No, no, it's a real. question. I'm just trying to think of. how to phrase it correctly. Where when. did you start to think sorry it's a bit. of a when did you start to think that. you were a funny person because of the. electrical engineering. >> actually that is a good question. >> do you know what I mean when when were.
you like. >> when I was young two things out that was. amazing was eating and laughing I. remember laughing my ass off I'm like. there can't be nothing better than this. [laughter]. like I was just and and you know. laughing and and you laugh so much and. then eating good good foods that as I. got older it was eating healthier foods. was better and laughing was still in the. game and and so I always thought. laughing was was the best thing in life. >> but what I mean is because remember.
you've just your family has come from. quite uh trying circumstances like. you've sort of like in terms of you. didn't we've spent a lot of time telling. us not a funny story so now was the h. was there any humor in your family. because of all this kind of stuff was. happening. >> I Yes. Even in Haiti, people were still. enjoying their lives. PE not not having. is not your life. It's like you still. laugh, you still have a good time, you. still go to the movies, you still cook.
good foods. So, so being poor is not. like, oh, we're poor. No, people don't. think like that. They just think like, hey, we we we do with the best that we. have, but we still enjoy our lives. There was a lot of laughter in my house. My dad used to make jokes. as strict as. my dad was, he he would make jokes, my. mother would make jokes, you know, there. was a, you know, laughter and, you know, but at the same time, you got to do your. homework. You got to go to church, you. know, but but, you know, laughter was a. was a a good good, you know, we'll see. we used to always have dinner together. and um uh and my dad would say a few.
jokes, never hardly say jokes, but we. laugh we we'll laugh and stuff. So, I. just remember those are good times, you. know, that was a but my dad was also. solid like does that make sense? like a. hardcore. >> strict disciplinary guy. >> like a man like a like like he never. really showed emotion. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. We know those guys. Yeah. >> Never showed emotion. >> There was they were like a very specific. generation. >> Yeah. So my mother would go around the. table. How was school today? Any stories. happened? How was school? What happened. in your got to my dad. My dad My dad.
said, "Yeah, I I was uh in downtown. Someone came with a gun. Put it in my. face. Asked me for my wallet. I gave it. to him and then he go away." It was like. and my dad was like any anybody else. have stories. It was like and then he by. the way he pissed with my dad. He hit. him with the the face with the gun. But. he's telling this story like it's like. oh yeah I went to the park and I swung. swung on the swings. That's how he told. the story. But you're having a very um I.
don't want to say you're having like a. very well-grounded family life. >> You know sitting at the table. No, I. mean in the sense of your upbringing. sitting at the table with the whole. family, mother saying each person tell. the story, you know, that kind of thing. So, this is a very like almost like a. the family that we that TV has told us. as a family. You had that childhood in a. way. >> or a certain portion of it. >> Yeah, I I guess. Yeah. I mean, eating.
together was like a was the norm. I. never I I didn't even think it was not. I thought all families eat together. >> No, no, no, no. That's not normal. or or. rather or rather it is not as ubiquitous. as it may seem. Not everyone is doing. it. >> We [clears throat] used to pray together. also. >> Yeah. All these things. Dave's right. This is very wholesome. So, were you the. were you the funny kid in the family? >> I was to my to to my brothers. My my. dad, you know, you get your ass whooped. [laughter]. Uh, but I was I used to do pract I used. to like hide and scare them or like I.
used to like switch their plates, you. know, remove the burger and put like. more lettuce in there and when they bite. it and where's and I'll be holding the. burger. You looking for this, you know. Um, >> what was what was the first thing you. remember seeing that made you think, I. want to get into comedy? Like. specifically comedy? Cuz I know every. comedian has something they saw that. made them think. >> two people. >> Yeah. >> Ronnie Dangerfield. >> Okay. and Joan Rivers. >> Interesting.
>> Gavvani Dangerfield was the first one I. saw. He talked about himself and it was. okay. Hey, the girl said, "Come on over, Bonnie. Come on over. Nobody's home." I. went on over. Nobody was home. I get no. respect. [laughter] I remember that. I'm. like, I was laughing, man. Joan Bab was. >> How old were you when you were when you. were listening to this for the first. time? >> Oh, I can't remember how old I was. young. But I just remember like those. two were like so funny. I didn't get. into Richard Prior and Eddie Murphy till. later. >> Yeah. >> You know, um because we were not allowed. to, but those two was on TV. Yeah.
>> So, I got to see those two a lot. Uh I. Eddie Murphy was not really on TV. >> and and also he was on SNL and that came. out on too late. So, I. >> That was after the 10 p.m. curfew. >> Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Um and Richard. Prior was was in the movies and stuff. So, I didn't really get into those two. like till later on and stuff. >> How did you start standup? >> Uh, I ran into a comedian named Douggee.
Doug up in Harlem. Uh, Douggee Doug was. in the in the movie um the Jamaican. bobsled movie. >> Oh, Cool Runnings. >> Coolings. Yeah. Yeah. He was one of the. And then I I said, "Yo, man, you're. amazing, man. What's And he he invited. me to this club, the Uptown Comedy. Club." And then I just went there and. and that's that was it. >> Like a fan. You said you're amazing. Then he said, "You must come and be a. comedian.". >> Oh, no, no, no. I I asked him. I said, "How did you I was kind of like. interview him. How did you get into it? How how to do it?". >> I was like Ducky Dag was having a tough.
time at his comedy [laughter] club. People were like, "Hey, man. Can I get a. selfie?" He's like, "Yo, if you if you. can do 5 minutes tonight, man, we. [laughter] we need an act." No. So, >> no, but I was interviewing and it seemed. like all the questions about how did you. get into comedy? >> I love that you say interviewing him. You said this about your dad as well. You said this like your definition of. interview is very different. >> [laughter]. >> Anytime Will sees one person asking. another person any questions, Will's. like, "Yeah, that's an interview right. [laughter] there.".
I bumped into Douggee Doug and I. interviewed him. And my dad was. interviewing my mom that one night about. why the potatoes seemed a little less. tasty than usual. [laughter]. >> So So Douggee Doug was the one that got. me like got me. >> So he said, "Come through.". >> He said, "Come through the club." Yeah. At what point in your life is this? >> Actually, my boss, I used to work at a. company called International Robotics. We used to build robots. In fact, one of. our robots was in the movie Rocky 4. Did. you see the Rocky movies?
>> Yeah. >> You saw the Rocky movies? Remember the. that robot came out with the cake for. for the birthday? >> No, I don't remember this. >> So, you didn't see Rocky 4? You didn't. see? >> No, I saw Rocky 4. I just don't remember. the robot. >> You see Rocky 3? >> Yes, I've seen all the Rockies. >> You don't remember a big robot that came. out with a big round head? >> I don't. That's not like the thing. >> Did you see Rockies? I did. Do you. remember the vot? >> I can say that. >> Is a yes or no question. >> No, I do not remember it. >> I'm going to look this up. >> But I may remember the party. Do you. know what I mean? Like I. >> I'm going to look this up right now. The. robot's name is Cisco. Cisco spelled. S.
I O. >> Is this when you're an engineer? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I was working at that. that company. >> Where did you go to school? >> I went to school in uh New York Tech and. City College. And then you be and then. >> my job at uh. >> Oh, damn. Here it is. Paulie and his. robots. >> Yeah. Robot comes out. >> Brother-in-law. [bell] See it? >> Where's the word? >> Happy birthday, Paulie.
Oh, yeah. I don't remember the scene at. all. >> I don't remember this at all. >> You see, >> I would be lying if I said I remember. this. Well, you said you saw the movie. though, right? >> I've definitely seen the movie. This I. don't remember. >> You're welcome. >> Yeah. >> So, that was your robot? >> I Yeah, I worked on that robot. >> No ways, Will. >> Yeah. >> You were in Rocky? >> No. [laughter]. >> No. I worked on that robot after like I.
I came to that job after that. Yeah. Got. it. But but that robot was still at the. job I was working on. And so my boss at. that job, he's the one that actually. told me, "You should do standup.". That was his way of softfiring you. [laughter]. >> No, actually he allowed. >> Hey, Will, I've I've seen some of the. work that you've done. You should think. of coming, man. [laughter] You should uh. >> you should quit the day. >> I saw the way you connected those. cables. You would be a very funny guy. >> He say quit this J job. [laughter]. >> So he said you should be a standup. comedian.
>> Said don't quit your day job. >> Yeah. He said he said quit your day job. So he was a stand-up comedian. So, he. gave me a CD, um, Robin Harris CD, and I. listened to it every day for a year. straight. I couldn't I couldn't stop. laughing. I laughed almost every time I. listened to that CD. I'm like, yo, what is this happening somewhere? Where. can I go see comedy like this? Then. then, um, a few months later, that's. when I ran to Douggee Doug in Harlem, and then he invited me to do. >> What was it like the first time? So, you. get to Douggee Doug's club. Um, uh, I.
was just I was just like a studentish or. a customer. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> And then and they knew that I wanted to. be a comic, you know, the the people. that was running the show. And one day. they had no comedians cuz all the comics. was playing some celebrity basketball. game. And they say, "Hey, you want to be. a comic, right?" I'm like, "Yeah, but. I'm not ready." Say, "Yo, you on. tonight." And I went on that night and I. bombed. What did you What did you talk. about? Uh, I. I I think one of the jokes were uh I I.
don't necessarily cuz my my my English. is pretty bad bad now. I said I don't. necessarily pronounce words properly. I. made a list of all the words I don't. pronounce and I pulled out a dictionary. I threw it on the floor. >> That's a funny joke actually. >> And uh. >> did you show that it was a dictionary? I. I just I can. >> Yeah, that's probably why it didn't work. cuz I think that's the kind of gag where. everyone has to see that it says. dictionary and then you. >> Yeah, >> that joke can work very well. >> And um. >> and that's also like more of like a.
comedy festival joke than a comedy club. joke, I think. >> Yes. >> You know what I mean? >> I mean I I didn't know any brother. >> No, no. I I'm just saying I'm just. saying that you you go back in time and. you tell Will that was a good joke. [laughter]. >> You might have bombed, but it was a good. joke. But yeah, I I I bomb my ass off. But I real I remember that night. after that show. Um, you know, no, they. didn't understand it. I got to find a. way to make them understand cuz one. thing that I that that that that would. that blew my mind, I was watching the.
Richard Prior, right? I'm like, man, this guy's funny as hell. Then they show. the audience, it was an all-white. audience. I'm like, I I just assumed the audience was black. cuz he was telling blackish jokes. And. so when I saw I'm like, "Oh, comedy is. for everybody. It shouldn't just be for. a group or or you know, >> just your people.". >> Yeah. Or your people. You just got to. find a way to get is all about language. How do how do I interpretate this? You. know, this this why. >> how do I what? >> It's funny that he said he said he just.
said it's about language and then Will. pulled a will and said, "Did you say. interpretate?". >> Interpretate. >> Man, Dave Dave don't he's not what you're. saying. I I know what you were saying. >> cuz you interpretated it in your head. >> I did interpretation in my head. [laughter]. >> Have you always done that, by the way? That's probably one of my favorite. things about you as a human being is. that like you you've just substituted. words in your head. >> Yeah. My my brain look for for the. nearest word. That should be it. >> Yeah. But you like you've done this with. you just say like the craziest word.
where I'm like but it's always adjacent. >> Yeah. We know what you're saying. >> Yeah. Like interpretate. I'm like, "Yeah, that's correct. I'm willing to if. it was a game show, I would accept. interpret. >> It's what's interpretate. >> I don't think that's a thing at all. [laughter]. >> But but what I love is I always. understand it. And that's a word. I do. speak fluid. Well, that's what that's a. that's a word. Um that's one of those. words that should have been a word. Interpretate. It's not, you know, it's. not so bizarre.
>> Yeah. It's not. It's not a bizarre word. >> Like conversate. I heard conversate is. not a real word. >> No, conversate is a word. >> Conver. >> Conversate is a word. >> Or is it politicking? Politicking is now. a word I think. >> No, conversate wasn't a worry. It became. a worry. I think it became when I. >> all words weren't words and they became. >> no but but people when they use it as. slang in a way and then it be. >> so you should just do interpretate more. >> RIGHT LIKE LIKE. THIS girl but pile ticking is. >> you know we used to converse.
>> yes. >> not conversate. >> is another one right. >> no I'm saying converse. >> was the word. >> then conversate is like a cool way of. saying it I imagine I guess. >> and then it be then you know but. >> I Don't if I had to bet like Webster. dictionary or whatever for conversate I. would go. >> You willing to bet on that? >> I would go. no. No, because I didn't hear conversate. when I was growing up. >> You didn't hear conversate?
>> I heard converse. >> Yeah. Yeah. You're correct. Converse is. a proper way. >> Yes. >> Yo, conversate goes back to the 19th. century. >> Yeah, >> that's what I'm saying. >> No, no, no. So conversate. Conversate's. been a thing. >> Okay, cool. Conversate. >> for over 200 years. >> Okay, but you see conversate. Okay, this is actually sorry, this is my. point. >> Yeah, >> you see interpretate. >> Mhm. >> Well, actually here this this actually. is you you funny enough. Conversate. They say here conversate is a valid. word. So converse is the standard widely.
accepted verb for engaging engaging in. conversation. Conversate is a valid. word, but it is often viewed as a. notreal word by strict usage guides and. is labeled non-standard. That is one of. the craziest thing ever. >> That's what I said. >> It's a valid word, but it is often. viewed as a notreal word. Wow. >> Yeah. I remember my teacher used to tell. me, "Oh, conversate is not a real word.". Cuz kids like, "Yeah, I was conversating. with and the teacher stopped the whole. class." That's not a real word. You It's. converse. Yes, >> that is a but it is a real word.
>> Yeah. Look, look, >> every word is sort of like a real word, but but but so, but what I'm saying is. is that certain words sound like they. could be a word. >> Yes. >> Conversate, interpretate. Yes. Some are. like are like wrong. >> I think you're just ahead of your time, Will. >> Also, a word a a word misused for a. number of period of time, it becomes a. word. >> Yes, that's true. >> Right. Except for Pacific or specific. >> Well, Pacific is cuz it's an ocean. >> Yeah. But Pacific people use as.
specific. [laughter]. I was having a stroke. Versus, you know what I'm saying? But. that never became. >> Yeah, because it's specific already. >> Oh, >> it's got to be a new word. >> So, >> we've already got Pacific. >> So, we can't say Pacific. Are you mean. Pacific? >> I'm saying specifically. That word won't. work. That's what I'm saying. >> Say it again. >> Specifically, that word. >> You But you didn't say specifically. No, I'm saying specifically. [laughter]. >> Why are you saying it?
>> I won't say any of this stuff that you. guys are saying, but [laughter] the um. what? [laughter]. >> Because you're just butchering the. Queen's English. Do you know what I. mean? >> We are indeed so colonized. Look at him. The Queen's English. >> That's why I told you that I wouldn't be. saving people. >> He would be a house negro. >> Yeah, [laughter]. that's what I told you. I told you. So, wait. So, you Okay. You get on stage, you bomb. How long did it take before. you got like your first laugh? >> The next time I went on. >> Oh, so you you went.
>> I waited six months. >> Yeah. >> September and I went up again in. December, January. And. >> what did you change? >> I I made sure that in the ste I was. saying [laughter]. and then I opened up with a different. joke. >> And what was the new joke? >> The new joke was uh if I ever make it to. the top, if I ever come across the. money, no more ugly girls for me because. I'm ugly, too. Two wrongs don't make a. right. That's a good joke. >> That's a great joke. Now. >> it's got a That's a.
Now in between That's a nice one. Now. >> in between bombing cuz and uh and this. whole thing, what happened? No, I mean. in the sense did you because you. obviously did not go and. >> I I kept replaying that that moment even. though it was like it was like trauma. >> getting booed, but I kept replaying in. my. >> You got booed. >> the first time. >> Oh, I didn't You said bombed. You didn't. say booed. Well, in the black. neighborhood, you you bomb, you booed. >> Okay. No, cuz bombing is when I hear.
bombing, I think silence. Like when. comedians be like, "Oh, I bombed hard.". It means silence. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. When you get booed. >> Yeah. Booed is different. >> Booed is like we. >> That's what That's how you get That's. how you bomb in the black in the. >> Yes, that is true. >> No, I mean that's true, but I'm saying. you didn't say that before. That that. this is now I feel even more for you. >> So you thought I was at a white club in. Harlem. No, I just. >> because white people are the ones that. they that's in your definition booed. Bombed. >> Yeah. Bomb is just quiet. Yeah. They. just. >> No, no. Black people [clears throat] got. to let you know, yo, this ain't. happening.
>> You know, even like you talk about uh. Japanese people. >> um they will stay silent. No, no, no. I. mean will because they're so respectful. will stay silent when you're killing. >> Yeah. Killing or dying, you won't know. >> Yeah. You'll be doing well. And. >> I don't make a connection with bombed. and Japanese people. I'm [laughter] not trying to go there. I'm not trying to No. Well, I'm just. saying that the the respect cuz they. don't Well, now it's a bit different, but before culturally because it's like. I don't want to Oh, this is what I've. heard at least. I don't want to.
interrupt your. >> No, it was it was like that when I did. when I did shows in Japan, then there. were a lot of Japanese people in the. audience and I I thought I was just not. connecting with them at all. And then. there were a lot of expats as well. So, people from all over the world who live. in Japan, they were having a good time. And then I remember after the show I met. a bunch of people in the streets. This. was in Tokyo. And then a lot of Japanese. people came up after the show and. they're like, "Oh, you know, can I get a. selfie? Can I get an autograph, etc.". And then there were a few people and you. know how it is as a comedian. You. remember the people. And I was like, "Yo, you didn't laugh once.".
>> And then he was like, "Oh, no." He's. like, "I couldn't laugh." He's like, "I. didn't want to laugh while you were. there. It was very funny, but I didn't. want to interrupt you." And I was like, "Man, that is the exact opposite. reaction that we were looking for. This. is [laughter] the exact opposite. reaction." You know, when I was in. China, right, uh this is how amazing. Chinese people are. I did shows in China. and there would be Chinese people. sitting audience not laughing, right? And then they'll come and then so there. was this one Chinese guy. He followed me. to all my shows by the seventh show. I'm.
like, "Dude, you come to the shows, you're not laughing." He goes, "I'm. learning English." [laughter]. >> Oh, wow. They would just come to the. show to learn English. That's how dope. Chinese people are. They just I just And. then he said the first show he didn't. speak any English. By the seventh show, he was having a a fairly good. conversation with him. >> He was going around saying your act. >> No, basically. >> Yes. [laughter]. >> He he said he they were just figuring. out at my show. I'm like, "Oh.". >> You know what I'm I'm loving right now.
is the idea that there is a Chinese man. somewhere maybe still in China who's. walking around saying. >> interpretate ugly. >> interpretate [laughter] and Pacific. I just going to say no more ugly girls. for me. >> But sorry. So you you're replaying this. thing in your head, but you didn't go on. stage. >> I didn't go on stage. No. No. >> So you're still back at the robotics. >> Figure out I was I stayed at I worked at. robotics for a long time. >> Yeah. >> You know, um how many years? >> Because my boss allowed me to Oh, man.
>> Maybe seven, 10 years. >> Oh yeah. This is a full leg job. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And my co my. boss allowed me to do shows at night. because sometimes my shows will you know. and he he gave me the keys to the shop. He said I'll just leave a a work order. You come in you come in 3:00 in the. morning. I just come after my shows work. on the robot check off the list on on. things I did and then leave. [clears throat] And so that that made it. >> that's a great boss man. >> That was it made it easy until someone.
told me he said man. you would you would never take comedy. far. cuz he asked me comedy or I'm like. I I'm really loving comedy. He said. you'll never take comedy far as long as. you have that safety net. >> Who said this to you? >> Some dude. >> Some dude. >> The same Chinese guy who learned. [laughter]. >> Yo, what? >> Yeah. So, because because you would. know. >> And you believe this person? >> Yeah. So, I quit my job. >> That is the worst advice anyone could.
ever give anyone. >> As long as you have a safe net, you. won't take you won't. >> I I think the exact opposite is true. Mhm. >> If you want to enjoy your comedy and you. want to be a great comedian, just have. it as your hobby. >> Do it as like I I think there's nothing. worse for an audience than the smell of. desperation. >> You know, when a comedian gets on stage. and the audience is like, "This person. needs us to laugh at the jokes. >> or their rent won't be paid.". >> There's a different There's a different. feeling in the room. >> I thought only animals could smell dumb. >> No, humans can. and desperately.
>> No, no. Humans can as well. Trust me. >> Okay. >> Trust me. When a comedian gets on stage. and they're doing it for the love of. comedy, like really for the love. Like. when when Dave and I started doing. comedy shows in South Africa, like David. would put this he put this room. together. It was weird. It was hard at. first. It was this whole thing. >> But there was no money. And we did the. room for the room. >> We did it for comedy. And then we like. had jobs and we'd get money from other. things. But I I I've always felt the. comedy that comedians make from passion.
is far superior to the comedy they make. from survival. >> From Yeah, that's true. >> There's just like a joy, man. There's a. different type of, you know, >> Yeah. You go out cuz you want to go out. versus I have to go out. >> Yeah. Yeah. And and also the the you. [clears throat] you're not pandering to. an audience because that's your. livelihood. So you don't go let me make. this joke because this joke works. You're going I like this joke. Let's. figure it out. and I can afford to like. this joke. >> That is true. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Because.
when when you're when you're doing it. because you had to survive, you'll you. do what everything you got to do to get. for the last so you could keep getting. work. >> versus like I'm just you know, hey, it. didn't work. Well, we'll try another. time. >> Exactly. That's that's genuinely my. opinion. I mean, >> sorry. Question. No, no. In while you're. doing this kind of comedy and stuff. No, no, I mean work/ comedy. Work/ comedy. How long is this work slash comedy going. for? >> I don't know. >> No, I mean, you know, is it like from. day one of working at the at the.
engineering or is it like towards the. end? You know what I mean? >> No, no, no, no. Towards the um the. middleish. >> middleish. Okay, cool. And then are your. family seeing you? No, cuz my it was we. were not allowed to do cuz Tommy was. like my my dad my mother was like no. just make us laugh if that's the case. [laughter] you know. >> throwing your future away like you know. you had to be engineer you have to be a. doctor you have to be a lawyer you know. and and cuz cuz the the thing was.
>> you know education good job then you get. a family then you take over the house. >> Yeah. You know, only in America. where you you when you turn 18, you. leave a house in in a Haitian household. Well, at least when I was growing up, no, the family always stay together. When you become 18, then you get a job. Blah, blah, blah. Then when you get a. good job, you get a wife, then you then. all right, now you're the you're the. head of the house. >> Oh, you just take over the house. >> Just take over the household. I think. that's there's a version of that in.
>> there's multiple cultures then they go. they take over that their wife's. household or and and vice versa you know. but but you know you don't leave the. family ever. >> it's like fast it's like Fast and. Furious. >> it's all about family about family. >> it's all about family. >> yeah so um so family was a big thing and. >> so you saying comedy is basically like. saying I don't give a [ __ ] about family. >> no we we cuz didn't see value in in. don't stand up,
>> you know, where they come from a doctor, a engineer or a lawyer was the way cuz. cuz the one of the most important things. is how you going to support how you. going to make money. >> and the top things to make money was. doctors, lawyers, engineers. >> What did they do when they discovered. you were doing comedy? Like you were. moonlighting as a comedian. >> So one day my I did a show that came on. late at night. And I think it was going. to, you know, and my mother being my. mother normally go to bed by 10:00. And. so my little brother came and she say,
"Hey, mom, I saw you on TV.". >> Oh, man. >> I was What she say? You'll see when you. get home. >> And then um my mother's in the living. room talking to her friends. And I walk. in. We had the the the living room with. the the beads on as a door. Yeah. Yeah. >> So I walked in there, they all heard me. coming through the beads and they just. looked and they all stopped talking and. one of them go, "Is that the comedian. there?" And they just started laughing. I didn't say nothing. They just started. laughing AND MAMA THAT'S THAT'S MY.
THAT'S MY FAVORITE SON. [laughter]. Come on, ma. And then uh and then and. then it was acceptable. I I I guess when. they see there's a there's a way to make. money, there's a is a living or and then. laughter also it brings people together. So there's so many things happening. I. guess when my mother first saw me on TV. for the first time, she was like she. first of all she's like is that. >> is that weird? You know, I I I try to picture like what. was going through her mind when she was.
you know first of all she it is that. it's 1:00 a.m. What is she doing up at. 1:00 a.m.? You know you know that's. number one. Number two, she's just. flipping through the channels look look. probably looking for the news. >> That's wild. And she bumps into. >> and then she she. >> Do you remember what the show was? the. uh some show about the the Apollo, not. the Apollo, they had another show that. Apollo was producing and um and and and. then my my brother told me cuz not my. mother, but she was flipping to the. channels. >> and then she stopped and and well made.
her stop cuz cuz she is that we and she. just, you know, watched it, you know, and then. >> that's insane. >> That's really amazing. >> It is. >> Yeah. Just think of all all the. variables that have to come together for. that to happen. >> Yeah. >> Your mom has to be up past her bedtime, >> which she isn't normally. >> Y. >> your mom is flipping through channels. Remember, there's no TV guidelines. >> If she's up, she's making tea. She's on. the phone. >> So now she's flipping channels.
>> She bumps into you. I'm assuming you're. not doing a long set on the show. >> No. No. Five. Five minutes. >> Five minutes. So she has a 5minute. window to catch you. >> Yeah. >> She show that within that five minutes. So she catches this 5 minutes of her son. and he's not bombing. >> You know what? Yeah. You know what this. is say? You know what that's to say? Cuz. you're an engineer at this point. A. Haitian engineer. >> So it's like if. >> Why not just an engine? Why? What's. I'm trying to put Chinese? No. No. I'm. trying to put it in the sense of like.
you're not a engineer from Long Island. and your family's Jerry Seinfeld and we. talk about comedy all the time and Ben. Stiller, you know what I mean? people. who are the prior or Murphy's who are. comedy could happen. Do you know what. I'm saying? It's like no or LeBron and. flipping and he sees one of his cousins. or someone playing basketball. I'm. saying you are firmly not. >> uh comedy people. It's the same as like. if you if she flipped and you were doing.
like the rocket launch. >> or playing basketball at for the Knicks. >> Yes, >> that would be. >> But he had no idea. Is that we're doing. a slam dunk? [laughter]. >> This is just like. >> that's crazy. >> I'm really happy that that happened for. you guys though cuz I I wonder if you. ever would have had the guts to tell. her. >> But most cultures from these small. countries or these whatever countries. I in those days information was not that.
read available and you know and the. thing they most of them knew is like you. know you got to make money. The reason. why what's what's the number one reason. why people migrate to America in those. days? >> Yeah, it's money from opportunity. >> I would assume what Trevor is saying is. that let's say you had a tape of that of. that um thing. Firstly, you were never. going to tell her in a way. And if you. had a tape of that and gave it to her, >> a tape is too But you gave me the tape. That's exactly your.
>> you not staged but you gave me a tape. >> The fact that she saw on live TV. >> Yes. >> That must have been amazing for her. like genuinely genuinely amazing and for. you as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. For I was still absorbing. the fact that she saw me on TV like what. what's going to happen like you know. >> Yeah. >> Um. >> did that change your relationship. afterwards. >> with my with my mother? >> Yeah. >> Um no I I I always like I she was always. on a high pace. No, but I mean like from. her to you like did she like now be like.
you know like where's my comedian going. or you know what are you doing these. days comedy boy or you know. >> she [laughter] she. >> in a good way. >> Yeah. She always viewed me as like the. number one son somehow. >> Oh that's beautiful. >> But I didn't know that for your. brothers. >> Yeah. Except for I didn't I didn't. realize that until later. I thought my. older brother was number one son for a. long time. >> Do you do you ever wonder if she just. said this to all of you in a different. way? >> I know. I'm like are you saying this cuz. no other son is ever around when you. said I'm a number one son. >> Yeah. I feel like that's a like great. parents will just pull you aside and be. like, you know, you were always my.
favorite [laughter] but don't tell your. brother. You know, you were always my f. but don't tell your brother. You just. tell every brother and then they just go. like I feel bad for my brothers. >> cuz I was always the favorite. >> But I did have a connection with my. mother because I was close to with her. mother. >> and you were also her son. >> Yeah, cuz my my grandmother [laughter]. >> No, my grandmother was like very close. We we were like best of friends and so. my mother was like out of all of them. why him. Yeah. Yeah. >> And my and my grandmother like, "No, he's amazing." And stuff. >> and and so I think that, you know, when.
my my grandmother died, my mother was my. mother must have cried every day for a. year straight. >> And then and then she looked to me like. like, you know, did she tell you. anything? Any stories you could share? Like no, the same story she shared with. everybody else. >> You Yeah, you were the connection. >> Yeah. Yeah. So um so I think that's why. she could started connecting with me. more and more, you know. [music]. Don't press anything. We've got more. What now? After this?
[music]. When when would you say comedy like. clicked in your life? Like, and I mean. like clicked cuz I mean, you know, already when I met you, you. know, you were a regular hosting shows. at the Comedy Seller. And the comedy. seller is one of the most discerning. comedy institutions in the world. You. know what I mean? Like. >> it doesn't matter if you have 10 million. followers on social media. >> SD is not going to put you on stage at.
the comedy seller, >> but you could have five followers and. she'll put you on stage. >> Well, that's the thing thing about Esie. What a lot of people know the comedy. seller. One of the one of the one of the. most successful comedy clubs happening. right now. >> Yeah. >> And I blame Estie. Estie. blame her. >> in a good way. >> Well, you credit her. >> I credit her. I'm one of those words I'm. using differently. Okay. >> Yeah. So, she's the reason why because. she does the She just don't put a lineup. up. She actually watch the videotapes at.
all the shows and then she determines, okay, I got to put this guy on first. I. got to put this person at cuz this. person probably can't follow this. person. She actually studies comedy, man. and she puts an amazing lineup up. which is why we get all these shows. happening at the seller and we get more. work. >> Yeah. And you and they they care about. comedy itself. >> and you see it in the product and then. the people feel it when they come in. But what what I mean about clicking is. that. >> then you have then you have Liz the. manager who. >> who doing an amazing job because they.
was going to different managers and they. couldn't get it together. They got Liz. in it all clicked in. Amazing lineup and. amazing management, you know. But then. back to what my dad said about women, good having a good woman in your life. >> Oh yeah. >> I I think the owner of the seller, he. has two great women in his life. >> and they doing amazing things. It's like. you you know people always, >> let me not say people, I don't know, but. the world discredit women so much. They. put women down. They you know you know. and women got to work.
>> twice as hard. >> Twice as hard. But the thing is women. are. way smarter than men, I feel like. But. you know, we got the guns in power. >> I don't have any guns. >> No, you know what I'm saying? That's. >> No, I'm not. No, I'm joking, Will. I'm. joking. >> The uh Yeah. But what what I mean about. the clicking though is like I go. when you look I don't want to say back. cuz it's not like your life is finished, but when you look at your career in. comedy now, you have to admit it's. pretty crazy that you you you've done.
shows with like, you know what I mean? You were touring with like the Wayne's. brothers. >> The Wayne's brothers. Dan Wayne. Wayne's. brothers. Cat Williams. >> Cat Williams. >> Cat Williams. By the way, don't listen. to none of the stuff about Cat Williams. He's That dude is amazing. >> Oh, that's the stuff I heard. What do. you mean? >> Oh. Oh. >> What's the other stuff. >> that he's he's he's nuts. He's not He's. not Cat Williams. He's the only person. that I know. You might know someone like. this. He's the only one that I know when. he gets to a town, he'll get the local. paper and read the whole paper and his.
first 10, 15 minutes or 20 minutes will. be on that town. The crowd go crazy. >> It's almost having like a local opener. open, but it's Cat Williams. >> But it's Cat Williams that's telling. jokes about your people. >> One of the one of the most fascinating. >> and he loves comedy, man. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> That man loves. >> comedy. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. loves comedy. One of my favorite things that ever. happened in my life was it's I I. probably like credit Cat with even. giving me an opportunity in comedy in in.
in Los Angeles. I used to try and get. spots at the um uh no factory. >> Couldn't get any spots. They were always. just like, "Yeah, come back next week. Yeah, come back next week. Yeah, come. back next week.". >> Now, the funny thing was I was doing. pretty well in South Africa, but these. guys didn't know who I was. And they. didn't need to know. There's no reason. they should have known who I was, you. know? So, I just show up every week. And. because South Africa's comedy scene was. so intimate, you could just show up and. say, "Hey, can I perform?" And people. would be like, "All right, get on." It. was like Douggee Doug's Club.
>> It was like the black clubs in America. also. You just walk in. >> Yeah. Come on, come on, come on, come. on, come on. >> So, I I get to um LA, >> go to these clubs, man. They just. everyone And the thing about LA is. nobody says no in that town, right? because everybody in that town is not. sure who you are or who you may end up. becoming. >> So they never want to be the person who. said no to you. >> So [snorts] it's just a town of people. saying fake yeses and may. >> that keep you on a treadmill of hope.
>> Yeah. Then something happens. I. discovered it. Remember I helped. >> Yeah. That's literally it. So I'd go to. the comedy store and I'd be like, "Can I. perform?" And they'd be like, "Uh, what. are your credits, kid? And what have you. done and what are you?" I was like, "Oh, you know, South Africa." They're like, "No, no, we mean real credits. What are. your, you know?" and I'll go to another. club and another club and anyway you. >> pull out your credit cards [laughter]. and I'll just go this is this is. something I'm trying to do I'm trying. well whatever I I didn't really mind and. so one day I'm at the the law factory. and the comedian um the guy was running.
it actually Pooky Wiggington you know. Pooky. >> yeah everybody knows. >> so Pooky would like put on the show. called Chocolate Sundays and. they go Hey, the comedian who was. supposed to go on dropped out. You're. here like every week. They're like, you. going to you ready to go up? I was like, yeah, I'm ready. So, they go, okay, you're going to go on before the the. host before the opener. >> Oh, you have to warm up for the host. >> Yeah, but they didn't tell me that. They.
didn't explain that cuz I don't know if. you know this, Dave. I didn't know this. In some clubs in America, they have a. comedian who comes on before the show. starts. >> I did not know this. But that's like the. worst slot in all of comedy because. >> Yeah. >> They don't even play music for you when. you walk out. Like you are you exist. before the show. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I didn't know this. >> because the host is is a a prominent. name. >> Not even not even. It's just a like. you you you know those you know those.
stories they would tell in war of. certain soldiers who were chosen to be. on the front lines just as foder. >> Yes. your job was to be killed in the. front lines so that like the respected. soldiers could actually. that that position is indotion. the idea that a show is going to start. and then the host comes up and the music. plays. >> So anyway, I go on stage. I ask very naively. I say, "Is someone. going to introduce me?" [laughter].
>> And then the guy's like, he's like, "No, man." He's like, "You you you are you up. first? Yeah. get on stage. So I'm like, "God damn." Okay. >> So I walk on stage, no one is paying. attention. They're getting food orders. They like it is it's the worst position. you can ever be in. So I start I start. doing like my set, you know, I'm like. telling the joke, but no one is. listening. No one. I had they gave me four minutes or. three. I even remember then I was like 3. minutes. Like what do you say in 3.
minutes? Hello. And you know, so I start. doing my set and about like a minute in, it's now just silence. >> So the rumors, they they're done taking. orders, but now it's just silent. >> They You got the attention. >> Yeah. But the attention is just like, what is this man? What is happening. here? No one laughing, no one doing. anything. I hit like a minute and a. half. And then all of a sudden, you hear like. I hit I hit a punch line. land on a.
punch line and then you hear one person. the back of the room, top of the room, you know that balcony. >> Yeah. >> One person. Ah ah ah ah ah. >> 15 20 seconds later hit another line. Ah. ah. Oh that [ __ ] funny. 20 30 seconds later now the room starts. turning cuz they're like the room has. decided this is not funny. But there's. somebody who's like laughing. so loud.
that they're almost like offended by. this. So the room turned, they keep. turning. Everyone's trying to turn to. see what's happening and then eventually. they they look and I don't know if he. leaned or whatever. It's Cat Williams. and he's in the balcony and it was all. like empty up there. So he's like by. himself with like his crew and he's. laughing. I mean this man was like he. was dying like I had paid him. [laughter]. Killing himself. And the more he laughs, the more the crowd, but they're looking.
at him, not me. And they're like, [laughter]. they're like, "Yeah, I guess we laugh. now. I guess we laugh now." And then by. the end of the set, thankfully, it. wasn't a complete disaster. And then Cat. Williams came down and I'll never forget. this. Cat Cat comes down um cuz I I walk. off stage and Cat comes up to me and. then he says to me, he's like he's like, "Are you really from where you say. you're from, young man?" And I was like, "Yeah." And he's like, "Well, welcome to. America, brother." And I was like, "Thank you, Ke. Thank you very much." I.
was like, "It's good good meeting you. and whatever." And what, you know, and. we and we're chatting about comedy. He's. like, "Come sit with me. Come sit. Go. sit with him.". >> And then he uh I think it was Esau. McGraw was was hosting that night. So. Esau's hosting, they do the thing. Cat. jumps on to headline. He was not on the. lineup. He's just he's Cat. So Cat jumps. on at the end, does his thing, but then. Cat says to the audience, he starts. talking about comedy. Then he's like, "You ungrateful sons of [ __ ] don't. even understand the level of comedy. [laughter] you were experiencing here. tonight. This young man from South.
Africa stood on stage and he regailed. you with some of the finest humor. But. you ignorant people of Los Angeles were. unable to comprehend what you were. experiencing. And this may never happen. again in your lifetimes." And then he. looks at me in the balcony. He's like, "My African brother, I apologize for the. ignorance of these who were gathered. here in your midst." And now I'm like, "Yo, bro, you don't need to do.". [laughter] But he just he just went on.
and he killed and he did like, you know, he did whatever he did, you know, current affairs, did little his own. material, did his own stuff, did. whatever. And then at the way they. treated me after that, I will. [clears throat] never like they were. like, "Yo, so you uh you come back next. week, man. Yo, yo, you and people gave. me cards like, "Yo, I got a club. You. got to come and do this thing, man. Yo, the guy with genuinely Cat Williams, >> that guy loves comedy. >> Yeah. >> Loves comedians. >> Loves the like. >> he's he goes to what I'm saying about. like even when I see Kat Williams on. stage, I feel like Cat Williams is doing.
comedy for the joy of the thing that. he's doing. >> Yes. >> Does that make sense? Yeah. >> He does not feel he reminds me to do. comedy for the joy of comedy, not for. the business of comedy. And the thing is. the business of comedy is so powerful. that it can pull you. >> But the joy of comedy is the thing. that'll sustain you. >> Yes. Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. Cat Cat Williams. amazing person. He he actually I feel. like he does comedy at for at his level.
That makes sense. It's almost like. >> Yeah. He just does his own. >> He defines his own Yeah. Yeah. >> I remember when I did a show at the. Laugh Factory. I went on I I had an. amazing set and Cat went on after me and. and he goes. this [ __ ] I was going to come up here. just work out some jokes but this [ __ ]. got me telling regular my old jokes. [laughter]. and right and and the thing is the way. he was saying it I'm like is he is he. really mad at me right so after the show.
I saw I saw me say hey I need to talk to. you come here I'm like oh [ __ ] he was. mad he's like listen man he went in his. pocket he was I'm like, "Oh [ __ ] Oh. shit." He said, "Listen, man. These. comedy clubs, they don't be paying what. you worked. They don't they they they. treat you like shit." And pulled out. $400 bills. He said, "Here, take it.". I'm like, "Thank you.". I I was so confused with what's. happening. >> Yeah. The emotions are everywhere. >> I'm like, "Thanks." He said, "Yeah, take.
it." And then And I'm like, "Wow, no one. ever treated me like that.". >> Yeah. a cat. It's just like, you know, he's you need people like him in comedy. Yeah. >> Like they because they love comedy. But. that's what I mean. Like you. >> pulls people up, man. >> Yeah. Look at your life in your career. Like the Cat Williams, Dave Chappelle, the Chris Rocks, the you know what I. meanel, Azizari, the you know, another. one. Yeah. Zari put me his movie. >> Oh yeah. That was that was amazing. actually. >> Did you see Good fortune? >> I will now. [laughter]. >> I loved Good Fortune.
>> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Can I can I tell you what I. loved about it is um these days I think. it's becoming increasingly rare to see a. movie that you haven't seen before. >> And I don't just mean that literally. like IP like so many movies are reboots. of other movies or stories but it's rare. to watch a movie where you just don't. know what's going to happen because you. haven't seen it before. >> Like he watches [clears throat] movies. like that all the time. If Dave ever. recommends a movie to you, be very. careful. You should watch it, but don't. expect anything normal.
like. >> like how Catws watched you. >> Yeah. Like like Dave watches Dave only. watches movies that have endings. >> Not not your typical ending. >> Yeah. That leave people like you walk. out of the cine cinema questioning. yourself. >> Like Six Sense. >> Not even. That's like a That's like a. chill version. >> Six Sense was not No one expected. >> Yeah. That's just a twist. >> Dave would watch. Okay. This is the kind. of movie Dave would watch. It would be. six cents, but everyone would be French.
And then the child instead of seeing. ghosts would say that like they see the. pain that the world is in. And then. instead of Bruce Willis, it would be a. flower. >> and then instead of instead of like a. two-hour movie, it would be like four. and a half. Those are the kind of movies. that Dave watches. >> That's a lot of reading. >> No. Um, the one of the reasons is it's a. version of what you're saying is that. you I like the thing of not knowing.
what's going to happen. >> That's what I credited you. I'm not even. slamming. >> No, no, no. So, I'm saying in an ideal. world, it would be contained almost like. within normal. >> Yes, I know what you mean. >> Yeah. Like, so cuz every now and then. you'll see let's say a romcom where you. know. >> you sort of like know what's going to. happen. you know exactly what's going. >> things are so refreshing within it that. you're like wow I was. >> that's how I felt about good fortune and. I'm not saying that cuz you were in it. I'm not saying that because of Aziz I. genuinely enjoyed that somebody tried to. make something and I think succeeded.
>> that upended a lot of the ideas that you. would have of how a plot and a story are. supposed to go. >> right. >> but still pulls it off. >> yeah completely and I remember watching. it I was like oh [ __ ] this is and then. you walked in I was LIKE OH [ __ ] WILL I. felt like such a like it's such a weird. feeling cuz I know you and then you. there in the movie and I was like, "OH. [ __ ] WILL." Then. >> so that dance routine I did. >> Yeah, that was very good. >> It took me 4 hours to get that dance. routine. >> Is that long? >> I I still didn't get it after 4 hours. >> Oh, that's that's what you should.
mention. Then you should say after 4. hours, I still didn't have it [laughter]. down. >> If you say I got it in 4 hours, you seem. like a good dancer. >> If you say I didn't get it, >> I didn't get it. >> Your dancing is very interesting. >> You saw it. >> I DIDN'T SEE IT. [laughter]. ARE YOU ON MEDICATION? [laughter]. >> What does that mean? >> Aren't you supposed to be a good dancer. though cuz you're a good boxer? >> That's what I was going to say is that. you recently became a boxer. >> No, he didn't. He recently had his first.
professional fight. >> Oh, I thought you recently became a. boxer. >> No, this guy's been boxing for like 50. years. >> Oh, really? That's where the speech. How. old are you? >> I started boxing 2007. No, 2010. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And I started got my first. professional fight a month ago. >> No, I thought you started boxing. >> But but but but I never had rhythm. When. I jump rope, I I I I skip a lot cuz my. rhythm is always off. My rhythm always. been off. >> Huh? I can't, you know, when I dance, people think they're like, "You must be. white down inside, you know. I never had.
I never had. >> Haitian family." Haitians have rhythm. [sighs]. >> We have Yes. Lot of rhythm in Haiti. But. but the in since we're not in Haiti in. America, my dad made sure uh focus on. your school work. >> So he was like, "No rhythm for my kids.". [laughter]. >> Your dad was a hard man. >> Your dad was a hard guy. >> Yeah. Your dad was a really hard man. Is. that rhythm I hear in your room? [laughter]. >> If that is that rhythm,
>> are you dancing to the beat wheel? [laughter]. >> That is crazy. So, so I never really. developed, no one taught me how to. dance. My parents didn't teach me how to. dance, you know. We couldn't really be. around girls and stuff cuz my mother. said if you hug a girl, she'll get. pregnant. So, make sure you don't hug no. girls. >> I didn't get my first hug until I was. >> uh six 16. >> You trying to get her pregnant? >> My first hug outside of my f you know. when your mother give you a hug is my. arms are always like this. Yeah, man. I.
love you too. I love you, too. >> Yeah, cuz you don't get your mom. pregnant. [laughter]. I mean, you can't leave a child with. that information. You can't say to a. child, "If you hug a woman, she'll get. pregnant." And then you're like, "No, I. can't give your mom a hug.". >> So, so, so the thing is, my first hug, ironically, was from a priest. >> Oh, wow. >> I was very religious. I was born raised. Catholic. And. >> Should we Should we get ready for. another bombshell on this show? >> No, no, no, no. Okay. So, so it was one. of these uh Saturday classes CCD and.
then all the kids was greeting and. hugging each other and I was just on the. side just watching, you know, and the. and then Father Brennan or Father John, one of them came up to me. He goes, "Why. you not why you not greeting?" I'm like, "I I never hugged anybody. I I don't. know what to do." He said, "You never. hugged nobody." He said, he had the big. brown robe on with the big ass arms. He. said, "Come here." He opened his arms. and I just went in and he hugged me and. I was like, "Holy [ __ ] it felt so.
good.". >> Oh, Will. >> But my penis didn't get hard. That's how. I know. I was like, you know what I'm. saying? No one thought your penis. >> It was general. It was genuine. No. [laughter] one No one thought that. >> Huh? >> Nobody thought that. >> No. [laughter]. You added a thing. >> Would you like some Can I have some. popcorn? And we're not going to put. gravy on top. We [laughter] didn't think. that. No, because I hope the whole you. get someone pregnant. You just said. Wilson. That's how I knew it wasn't. genuine. That's how I knew it was. genuine. >> But he's a guy.
>> Oh man. >> Because Because I'm like, okay, no one's. going to get pregnant if if it happened. to be a girl. It was just a hug. Like a. hug. It was ain't got nothing to do with. sex. It was just a hug. Like it felt so. good. >> And I'm like, I got to do this again. But it took me another till I got to 18. to do it again. But. >> who was the 18 hug? >> My first girlfriend. Oh, look at that. >> My first girlfriend. Um, but I we I. avoided having sex with her. >> Cuz I was very religious. >> That's good. That's fine.
>> Didn't have sex I was 24. I was virgin. till I was 24. >> Wow. >> But I I used to lie to girls like, "Oh, oh, I got to I got to go. I got to go to. work. Oh, I got to do some homework. I. got to go back to class.". >> Oh. When we be butt naked. Oh, no. I. forgot. And I get and I and I leave. leave the place. >> Damn. You were because you were so. scared of sex because you were. religious. You were like, I got to get. out of this situation. Yes. Resisting. temptation essentially. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. And then you were like, "My boss. gave me the keys so I can I can clock in. at any time. There's a work order. waiting for me. I got to.". >> And then you'd run out.
>> I run out and and girls be like, "Okay, all right." Um, all right. Yeah. >> I wonder if one of your girlfriends. thought you were like a superhero. >> or. >> cuz that's what like Peter Parker does. >> Think about it. Peter Parker will be on. a date. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. And then out of nowhere. will be like I got to go. >> And it's like what happened? And it was. his Spidey sense. >> Yeah. There's a crime somewhere. >> Yeah. Yeah. Same Batman will be the same. thing. Superman, same vibe. >> So maybe one of them was like he's a. superhero. >> And then they're going to watch this. podcast and be like, "No, he he thought.
he was going to have was religious. >> He just wants to get to heaven.". [laughter]. >> Religious from Haiti. >> So what happened at 24? 24. Uh, I met this girl, got her back to my. place. Um, we'll call her S on case she. um. >> and we started making out and um, you. want to hear the story? >> No, no, no. I'm just I don't you don't. have to give me the details. I just. like, you know, I just want to know what. changed rather because. >> I just you were always like the escape.
artist. >> I I was like, I got what am I doing? I. got to let me just, you know, >> okay, >> make it happen, you know. And then, you. know, we made it happen. Was. this will pre cuz cuz there's a will. that existed like sort of pre the. healthy pre the boxing pre I was health. was always in the back of my head. I. even when I was little, health was very. cuz actually when my grandmother passed. away I'm like man if she was living a. healthier life.
>> she probably would have been here longer. you know and then you know then you know. uh so health was always there always. there but I never really took initiative. until later on until you know what. changed my life about health was two two. things I did a show with a tank top on. and I was dating this girl and I I did a. great show and I got off stage and she. said everybody was saying good job good. job. She said either do either wear a. shirt or wear the tank top without the.
stomach. I go, "What? What does that mean?" I had a big. stomach but nice arms. >> What did What did you weigh at your. heaviest? >> 220. >> Have you seen Will's pictures. >> at his heaviest? I've only ever seen. this Will. >> If you see Will's pictures. >> 220. Yeah. >> At his heaviest. It's It's a pretty. amazing transformation. Yeah, I use that. word correctly. >> Yeah, you use that word. When did the. transformation happen? >> Uh 2007. I I gave up I gave up in fact. every year I was giving something up.
That year I gave up poultry all all. types of turkeys, chicken. I gave up. poultry. I thought I was going to be. very hard. >> and I gave up poultry. The next year I. gave up. >> um oh fried things. Anything fried. Okay. Right. Uh then the year after that. I gave up um uh ice cream and and like. you know like a lot of sugary things by. I Sugar always kept coming back and. forth. Then the four. >> was the devil man. >> Yeah. Oh.
>> Will sent me a a DM this morning about. sugar. >> That's probably like the only thing Will. sends me. >> He just sent me like a random message. out of the blue. Sugar is killing you. Let me tell you what sugar does to the. human body. >> Dementia. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know. You sent me. the video. I know. I know. I [laughter]. know. >> And then um the the hardest thing. >> it's almost like you know when I'm on my. couch about to have ice cream and then. you DM me and then I'm like huh what's. this? Sugar will destroy your life. Sugar will make cancer in your brain.
And I'm like thank you Will. >> And and so the one year that this the. fourth or fifth year I was giving up. dairy. I'm like oh if I give up chicken. I give up it's going to be easy. Dairy. was so hard. I cuz I love cheese. I put. I used to put cheese on everything. If. there was cheese, put extra cheese. If. it never had cheese, well, let's try it. and see what happens, you know? And and. then I read up on why is it so hard? And. that's when I first started doing. research on health and is addicting is.
um dairy is probably the worst thing you. could put in your body. So, it causes so. much inflammation. >> No, but which dairy? You always say this. and I always fight against this world. Which dairy? You got to be specific cuz. like. >> it can't just be dairy. >> Milk milk. >> Yeah. But what I mean is like. >> they use milk for so many things. >> Yeah. But what I mean is this, right? This this is this is like. >> except for eggs. I don't think sorry to. bring like the listeners/ you into like. these conversations that I have with. Will. But like so my thing with Will is.
this. I go, >> I think sometimes you are so obsessed. with the pursuit of health that you will. make like the unhealthy decision or the. you you know what I mean? >> Or a decision that isn't necessarily. backed. by like the. people have eaten dairy since forever. >> Yes, >> there are unhealthy ways to eat things. and there are healthy ways to eat. things, right? There are there are. healthier cheeses than other cheeses. There are good things you can get from. cheeses that you know what I mean? Mhm. There were like I Okay, here's what I'll.
say. I think if you you could eat a. little more cheese and sleep more and. your health would be better. That's what I'm saying. I'm saying 3. hours of sleep is worse for your health. than cheese. >> Oh yeah. I mean, look, everything for a. healthy lifestyle, good sleep, eating. healthy, exercising, all that, you know, you can't substitute one. You can't say. oh I eat more cheese but sleep more or. no everything contributes to your health.
in a different form or pattern. >> but no cheese. >> no because. >> so what do you eat now? >> Okay we eat now you know why I gave up. chicken and people always say don't get. um um um what's the healthy chicken? >> What's the healthy chicken? >> The you know organic chicken. >> Organic chicken. Yeah. And and the. reason why I gave it up is because if I. go someplace, right, and they don't have. organic chicken, they just got the the. the drug infested chicken, >> like free range. >> Druginfested [laughter]. chicken. This man just said druginfested.
chicken, >> right? The chicken they put all the. drugs into. >> I know, but I've never heard anyone call. it druginfested [laughter] chicken. just rocked up, >> man. I'm just picturing like chicken. that's like on the farm. It's just like, oh man, come on, man. Yeah. [laughter]. Okay. So, >> so if I go there, they don't have the. healthy chicken. >> If I got the craving for it, I'm just. going to eat the bad chicken. >> cuz you already eat chicken. >> So, just like if I give it up entirely, then I won't have the I the cravings. will eventually leave my body and so I.
won't I won't care if I had you know. that make sense? So, >> yeah. Yeah. So, but what do you eat now? >> Basically, I'm a pescatarian. Fish, veggies, fruits, and nuts. Those are. >> Are you worried now that fish is being. farmed and is is becoming sick now and. it's not. >> Well, I I try not to get farm raised. fish. I get my fish from a from a place. that they catch the fish. >> fresh. >> Yeah. >> And they ship it to your house real. quick. >> Oh, wow. Yeah. I didn't know that that's. a thing. >> Yeah. A place called Okay. Shout out. some place. >> Yeah. You can say if it's a real from.
sea to table. >> From sea to table. Oh, it's like a. digital service and then you order the. fish. >> You order the fish. You could. >> They should have gone with like net. fish. That would have been a better one. Oh, that. >> that would have been a cool name. >> There's a few companies, but Caesar. table is one I use a lot. And um. >> you get to like pick the fish itself or. >> just they have different fishes. >> They show you the picture of the fish. and you could pick the fish you want. Yeah. >> And they send it to your house. >> They send to your house immediately uh. with with that that packing. Yeah. >> And um and then you put in Yeah. I've.
been So I really cook most of my foods. and stuff. So fish, veggies, you can't. really go wrong with veggies. Even. though they have been making bad. veggies, but you know, um, >> drug infested veggies, >> drug infested veggies, [laughter] uh, foods, man, I've been one year one. summer I decided to try different food I. never had. And you know, I got I got. into dragon fruit. I got into um I can't. even name the fruit. So many different. type of fruits.
>> You are that guy. I will say that. And. if you know because we we tend to use. eat if you think about it people tend to. eat the same five things whatever the. five things are. >> for their life. >> Yeah. >> They try. >> Huh. >> Yeah. For the most part. >> For the most part. And I I tried. different fruits. Some was good, some. was bad according to the taste. Um and. then nuts and you know mostly almonds. Um. um cashews. What's the one that look. like a brain? What's the one that looks like look like.
your brain? >> Walnuts. >> Walnuts. >> Walnuts. Yeah. Walnuts are actually good. for your brain, ironically. >> Cuz they look like your brain. >> I don't know. >> Do you Are you going to act more? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I wrote a. movie I am Maurice. You know about it. >> That's the one about the Haitian boxer. >> Yeah. Come come from Haiti to America to. pursue his boxing career. >> Oh, I like that. You should make him. fight Rocky. [laughter]. You should. >> the winner get the robot. >> The winner gets the robot and then you.
What did you like about acting that you. didn't get from like standup? What is it. about like when you're doing the movie. with the Z's? >> Um. it just your creativity. So you these. are lines but you be creative with how. you want to present these lines, >> you know. >> Your scene is really funny, man. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's properly funny. >> Oh, thanks. I Yeah, I Aziz is a great. writer because those are his words. >> Yeah. But it's but it's fantastic. >> But there's some of the words I I did. change. Yeah, there were some wheels in. there. I could tell. I could tell. >> when when we was on the balcony and like.
you got me eating things I can't even. pronounce. I could I couldn't pronounce. that that that special dish. [laughter]. >> Yeah. No, it was good. >> Yeah. Thanks, man. >> Yeah. I'm excited for you, man. I'm. excited for like this next phase of your. I I just No more no more like. professional boxing. I don't think it's. necessary, but that's just me. >> I mean, I'm happy you you. >> I just want to get out of my system. >> Okay, cool. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Did you win? >> I won unanimously. That's what I'm. talking about, man. >> Is that fist bump? Was that um pun. intended? No pun intended. >> No, no pun intended. No pun intended.
This was great. Dave, do you any have. any questions before I let Will go? >> Are you doing a set tonight? You do a. set every single night. >> Every night at the comedy seller. >> How many nights off do you take a year? >> I don't take any nights off. >> Yeah. Almost nothing. Right. >> Yeah. Unless if I got travel that like. when I go to Australia cuz you miss a. day when you travel to Australia. I I. can't perform on the plane. >> Oh, not yet. I can ask one question, but you have to. answer it in the shortest possible way. >> Okay. >> What do you like about boxing?
>> That it allows me to defend myself. Allow me to get aggression out when I. hit the bag. >> Okay, great. Thank. >> Box. >> Huh. It's not the question I thought you. would ask, and that's not the answer. that I thought you would give. >> But that's who you are, Will. An. international man of mystery. >> [laughter]. >> This has been fun, my friend. Thank you. very much. >> Thanks for having me, man. >> Yeah, man. This has been dope. >> Cancelled. Why are you going to say. that? [laughter] Why would you say that?
>> Why would you say that? >> I'm like, you want me? >> What do you mean, man? Of course I want. you. You're one of my favorite people. You know [clears throat] this, though. >> You know this. Come on. We've been. around the world together. We've had. meals together. We've watched sporting. events together. We've done standup. comedy together for years. We've eaten. countless meals. We've. >> We almost Well, I mean, got killed. together. Remember. that bus driver? [laughter].
[laughter]. Oh man, every time I see a Sprinter van, I think of you now. Every single time. [laughter]. That journey started. with you saying this is this is how you. should travel. And then I'll never. forget in the middle of it, Dave stopped. cuz the to give context to anyone who's. listening or watching this, Will is a. big fan of sprinter vans for long.
distance travel. >> I was calling splinters for some reason. >> Yeah, you were calling them splinters. like u the Ninja Turtles. So you were. like, "You got to get a splinter." Then. I was like, "What?" And then you're. like, "Aliner van." I was like, "Oh, sprinter van." So we we we decided, let's get a sprinter because Will. genuinely believes that sprinters are. the best way to travel to and from a. comedy show. >> Voices. Wait, wait. Tom versus. >> Versus what? >> SUV. >> Yeah, >> 3 hours. >> Yeah, like a car. Yeah, that's fine. I I. just go in a normal car. You were like, "No, we got to get a Sprinter van.". >> But he gave you the picture.
>> He did. In his defense, Will gave me a. picture of the Sprinter van that he was. talking about. >> This was a very luxurious car. >> It was a very luxurious sprinter van. >> It was like, "Wow, this is great.". >> But then the sprinter van that turned up. for us. >> that you hired [laughter]. >> looked like. >> if you were taking shot Yeah. If you. were taking people to. >> it looked like the the shuttle at the. airport that now you know how they've. kicked ride share services now they. can't pick you up at most airports you. got to get in a shuttle bus the small. ones. >> that take you to a parking lot in a. field.
>> in my memory in my memory it doesn't. look like that in my memory it looks. like if if you were. >> if you were no longer how can I put it. if you were no longer if you had. overstayed your visit in the country and. they needed to take you to the border. they would use [laughter]. >> I was going to say the prison the one. the one they transformed the prisoners. from one prison. >> It did have that vibe. It did have that. vibe except they also had it also had. depressing like stripper lighting. >> Oh yeah. >> If you remember that. >> Yeah. So it it felt like we were all on.
a bachelor party but of someone who's. been like divorced four times and now. the money's run out and things are. really bad and and we're in the we're in. the car and we're driving and my. favorite memory of this drive is we're 2. hours into a 4-hour drive and Dave. turned to you mid-con conversation and. he said, "Will cuz the wind was blowing. so hard that the van kept on tilt. tilting over and then the driver would. have to stop suddenly in the middle of.
the highway and then he'd be like, "Sorry guys, the wind is really bad.". And then he'd start driving again and. then the bus would tilt over and he'd be. like, "Sorry guys, the wind is really. bad." And then Dave turned to you. We. were having a regular conversation and. Dave turned to you and he said, "Will. I'm not going to lie, our friendship is. on a thread right now." [laughter]. He said, "You and your vehicle have put. our friendship on a thread and I I I. don't know if we're going to be friends. after this ride.". >> But let's be honest, the driver was a. bad driver. I can't say that about him. because it was really windy. Do you.
remember the truck that was uh. >> You don't remember the truck he showed. us that was the FedEx truck? That was a. massive truck. >> One truck. Well, I mean like one truck. It belong in the wind. But. >> yeah, but it was. >> every car was You know what I'm saying? >> Hey man, I don't I'm not going to judge. the driver. I'm going to judge the. person who told us to get the Splinter. [music] Van cuz you were very specific. about that. >> Pacific. Pacific. Uh Will, this was fun, man. Thank you. >> Thanks so much, man. We'll see you at. the show. Yes.
>> Thank you so much for watching the. episode. If you enjoyed it, pass it on. to a friend. If you didn't enjoy it, pass it on to your friend still. Let. them suffer for a change. And don't. forget to engage with us in the. comments. Uh if [music] you want to. suggest a guest, maybe there's questions. you want, maybe there's ideas that you. have. You can chat [music] to us. We. will read through the comments and we'll. get into it. Either way, I appreciate. you taking the time. Thank you for. hanging out with us on What Now. And. remember, we do this for you, [music] so. we would like to hear from you. Till. next time, thank you.
