Michael Che: The Unspoken Rules of Comedy

We both were in a position where we took. over a beloved white man spot. [laughter] Yo, the one of the only. things that kept me going at the Daily. Show was seeing the hate that you were. [laughter] getting. >> You eat pig feet. >> and they in the like [music] they still. look like that. >> Trevor Noah. >> like this. >> You don't eat no damn pig feet, man. Y'all [ __ ] with me. >> for real. For [music] real. We wouldn't. lie to you. >> with like a like a fork and a knife. No. bare hands.

>> Bare knuckle because the bare knuckle. >> I'm telling you, if you got somebody in. your life and they use the B, they want. to use your [music] bathroom and you got. you one of them. >> I'm in. >> She going to be like, "This guy's nice.". [music]. >> Yeah. >> He knows how to take care of something. delicate. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, [laughter] man. Absolutely, brother. Abs. She gonna look at you. different. >> For real. For real. >> For real. For real. Listen, I don't have. one book in my house. I got a Toto. They. think I'm smart.

>> We only had the car [music] as an old. folk vahan beetle. Volkswagen as the. Americans say. >> I was going to say you said that like no. other black man I've ever met. [laughter] What' you call it? A hulk. hogen. >> My brain never feels more alive than. being on a stage. >> There's nothing like it. >> Or killing and [music] bombing. >> This is What now with Trevor Noah.

The most rock and roll times I've had in. comedy, like on the road, have been with. you. >> Really? >> There we go. >> That's not I remember the first time I. ever met this guy. It was like a rock. star had just arrived. It was a big. deal. We was in [clears throat]. that phase Melbourne. >> Yeah. >> And I was doing good. M. >> I thought [clears throat] I was doing. great until I found out what gray was. >> And I remember being in the back of that. some venue. It was like a rock venue. >> It was a beautiful venue. >> I was in the back. There was all these.

girls there. >> What? >> And I Man, I remember. >> I remember. Don't act like you don't. know, Trevor. >> No, he doesn't remember. I can. >> I He remembers. I' I've brought this up. to him about 40 times. But I wish you. see. >> all these girls, all these beautiful. girls standing in the back and I'm. trying to talk to each and everyone and. they were all entertaining me and then. the lights went dark. [laughter]. The lights went dark. That [ __ ]. Trevanor got on that stage. Oh man, they. was giving me their ID. They thought I. was the bouncer after [laughter] it was.

over. It was over. I was like, "Oh Lord, who [laughter] is this guy?" And the the. roar, the the crowd, everybody was loud. I was like, man, I got a lot to learn. about. >> No, man. I miss I I was I was saying to. Eugene, I was like, >> one of the greatest gifts and curses of. success, especially at a moment in time, you know, you're talking about the 30. guitarists in one place. >> You do realize there was a moment where. it was me, you, Hannibal Burrus, Ronnie. Chang, and I feel like I'm missing two.

or three other comedians. We were all. just like in the same place, all at a. festival, all like on a showcase, all. and everyone was saying the same thing. about the other comedian. They were. like, "Yo, do you know you know Michael, man, Michael's going to be yo yo, do you. know that? Do you know Hannibal?" "Oh, Hannibal's going.". >> And it was I didn't know anybody. They. didn't know me. We didn't We didn't. know. And we were all just comedians on. the road performing for a month. Do you. know how it is at the festivals? >> I remember watching I remember watching. you and I was like, "How is this guy so.

clean? How he's so comfortable? How Cuz. you you you you make comedy. >> feel like Tai Chi. >> Yeah. It makes it look easy. >> What? >> Does that make sense? >> No. I I I've never heard that before. >> Yeah. You make comedy feel like Tai Chi. So like I watch you on stage and I'm. like damn this guy. >> Oh, I didn't know you could fight like. that. >> Holy. >> I didn't know you could. >> You're just like I'm I'm like a boxer. I'm like. >> See, I think it's a different thing. I. think it's like I feel the opposite of.

that. I feel frantic and nervous and I. feel like I'm a ball of. >> like nerves. >> Yeah. But the way you the way you. perform. >> I'll never forget the first time I saw. you. >> I'll never forget you. I'll never forget. Hannah because it was it was I'm always. grateful for it because it's always cool. to be part of a cool moment. >> in time. >> Does that make sense? >> It's always nice to be like where you. where whatever festival we were at. whatever. There was one was in Canada. I.

don't remember the det. >> Yo, we had Michael was like, "Yo, where. are we going after the show?" I. [laughter] was like, "I'm going to my. hotel room." He's like, "Ma'am, what. [ __ ] You just killed You going to. go.". >> Who said they're going to a hotel room? >> Me. I was like, "I'm going." You know. me. [gasps]. >> Michael's like, "Come on.". >> I ran out I I ran up I ran out on Trevor. a couple times. We was in New York a few. times, but I ran into you a few times at. a few clubs and stuff. Trevor, don't let. Trevor fool YOU. TREVOR, >> CAN I TELL YOU THE STORY? YO, actually.

be outside. Yo, >> no. I've never been so glad that you are. here. Let me let me You going to explain. someone? >> Yo, let me tell you the greatest. This. is one of my greatest Michael, YOU KNOW, [laughter] I say to you, >> this whole episode can just be Michael. Chase stories that I've got. Yo, >> one of my favorite Michael Chay stories. This is to show you how different we are. in the world. Right. [clears throat and laughter]. >> So, Michael had I'm trying to think. had. you started at S I'm not sure if you had. started at SNL or not but I know you had. already blown up on the Daily Show.

>> Okay. And everyone was like, so I'd. known you from standup. You joined the. daily show. People were like, there's. this lightning bolt. You Michael Ch. like, "Yeah, we know him from standup.". >> I knew Michael. We had gone out in. Montreal. We had too much fun. I was. like, "This is I know. [clears throat] I. love this guy. Love this guy. Love this. guy. I love this guy." Right. Cuz when I. saw Michael, I was like, "Okay, I'm. living my life." So, one night in New. York, one night in New York, >> so full of [ __ ]. >> One night in New York, we go, we go out. with friends, go to the club. Now, this. is something I have to work on. I will.

work on this in therapy, but like I you. know how I am, I always treat myself the. way I always was, not the way that I. currently may be. >> Yeah. >> So, I'm in the club in general. population. [laughter]. >> Then what happens is then what happens. is. >> the owner general population. >> It is general population. [laughter] The. owner of the club, >> you didn't say with the civilians. the. owner of the club comes and goes, "Yo, um, do you guys want to come into the. VIP section?" Whatever. What? So, I'm.

like, I mean, I get I don't know, but. Okay, I get I'm I'm new in New York. >> So, who's you guys? >> Me and a few random friends. I forget. who it even was, right? >> Yes. Yes. >> So, we go to the VIP section, >> but now we're there for free. We have. not paid for anything. We have no bottle. service. We have none of the amenities. of VIP. We're merely in VIP. Okay. This. is, by the way, this is like the best. club in New York. One Oak. This is like. the bomb. This was like the spot. >> At its peak. >> At its peak. This was like Yeah. >> While we're there, I start getting into.

it. I'm like, "Yo, this is nice." I see. why people do VIP. >> I This is a nice feeling. >> What's there? What's What's going on? >> And what happens is the people who are. in general pop, they now look at you. >> Oh, so they can see you. >> Yeah. That's the whole point of view. >> Sitting on the couch and just. >> So people look at you like. >> curtain like business class. No, no, no, [laughter] no, no, NO. [laughter]. >> WAIT, >> WAIT, WAIT. SO, so the. >> curtain, they got peanuts and.

everything. [laughter]. It's awesome. They got live TV. >> Down there. There's peanuts. Up. [laughter] there is peanuts. It's just. No, >> they give you a blanket. It's It's. amazing. You It's going to blow your. mind, bro. [laughter]. >> So, everyone's looking. Everyone's. [snorts] like, "I want to join. I want. to be part of it. >> [laughter]. >> So then [laughter]. >> ah [ __ ] Michael. >> man I'm talking about like we're like at. our peak. >> Yeah. [laughter].

>> We like you know you start feeling. yourself the the VIP starts getting into. you. You know what I mean? Then somebody. comes over and goes like hey uh these. ladies would like to join your table. And I'm like oh are you asking us? Oh. yeah. Oh please please of course please. join. So they come stand there with now. cuz some people just want to stand at a. VIP table. This is a thing that happens. I didn't know this. >> They just stand there. >> Be part of the Yeah. >> I am in heaven. An hour goes by. >> Now, just to put in perspective, >> this is around like 1000 p.m.

>> See, this is your problem. >> Yes. This. >> First of all, you there way too early. >> That's what I was about to way way. earlier. >> Your VIP to go time is like 2:00 like in. those days. cuz I don't know what it is. now. But. >> so we get 10:00 my man late. >> Yeah. We get there right around 10:00. [laughter] I want to say at midnight 12. just when I'm feeling myself. the owner or somebody like the manager. actually. >> walks over whispers something in our.

friend who like works sort of with sort. of I guess like a promoter guy who sort. and he like whispers something to him. >> and then he comes to you know when a. person's face is like changed like you. know so they're basically like this with. you then someone goes. >> they do that thing. >> so [laughter] the guys. cuz I was like, "Yo, um, they they say. we got to we've got to move." So I'm. like, "Oh, what? More ladies are coming. to They're like, "No, no, no. [laughter]. We we have to move. We have to move out.

of the VIP. >> You got ejected.". >> So I go, "What do you mean we have to. move out of the VIP?" They go, "Yeah, somebody has purchased this table now, >> and so you guys have to leave.". >> Is that person in the room? >> So I go, "No." So I'm like, >> cuz you could get revenge now. >> No. So I [laughter] go I'm like purchase. the I'm like yeah. So I'm like wait but. we bought some drinks. They're like no. no no no. [laughter]. They're like you you can take your drink.

and you can go stand where you were but. table the table is is gone. >> So now pride obviously kicks in. Yeah. >> So I'm like wait what if we want to buy. the table? How much is it for a table? And the person was like oh it's going to. be 10 grand for [laughter] the table. Then I was like, I'll pick up my pants. and you'll [laughter] find me. and I leave, >> dude. And [laughter] this was, you know, where comedy couldn't have been more. perfect in his timing. >> As I'm leaving that as I'm leaving that.

section, all of me and my boys being. ushered out. >> What happened to the girls? >> Oh, no. No. They quickly saw what was. happening. >> Yeah. Yeah. They're part of the club. They're not. >> Yeah. Yeah. They are. They are. So they. they have no affinity to you whatsoever. They like they basically like stopped. looking at us when this happened. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter]. >> They come with the club. >> And we walk out and as we're walking. out, the new owners of the table, the. people who actually purchased it are. walking in and it's Michael Ch. Man,

guys, I've never been. so. embarrassed, [laughter]. happy, confused, >> excited, >> excited all at the same time. Cuz on the. one hand, I was like, "Ah man, Michael. is kicking me off this table." On the. other hand, I was like, "IT'S MY FRIEND. MICHAEL J." [laughter]. I WAS LIKE, "MY FRIEND MICHAEL J CAN BUY. A TABLE." On the other hand, I was like, "Yo, I guess I have to move for my. friend Michael [laughter] Ch." I was. like, cuz I was like, "I don't know what. club dynamics are." If we were in a.

comedy club, I'll be like, "Oh [ __ ]. Michael, can I hang with you?" I was. like, "I don't know what the rules are.". >> What are the rules? >> No, cuz he also walked in with a crew of. people. I just I don't know the rules. >> Oh, yeah. >> I don't know the rules. >> Wait, so when he walked in, was he like, "Yo, Trevor.". >> No, no, no. I will say, "No, no, no.". No, you were very kind. You know, >> he was very He was dope. >> Wait, did he say, "Yo, Trevor, where are. you going?". >> Yeah. When we were walking out then he. turned then he's like, "Yo." He's like. this. He's like, "Yo, this [ __ ] what. are you doing?". >> Then I was like, "Oh, we were at the. Then he's like, "Why are you leaving?". Then I was like, "No, we're not leaving. we didn't pay for a table and the table.

you just paid for is the table we were. at. Then Michael just looked at me and. then he just started chuckling but like. [laughter]. >> like a mischievous dude like he just. started chuckling at me. >> Well, because I knew it was like. literally there's no reason that you. should be in that position again like. you said you don't you don't use all. your superpowers. So you was kind of. like being polite when you should have. been like, "Do you I'm Trevor. [ __ ] no.". >> What a waste of. >> No. And then Michael. >> Trevor Trevor's use of celebrity.

superpower is like the first hour of. Hancock. [laughter]. I'm. >> like, "Why are you drunk? Why you. sleeping? >> Go shave. Where's. >> Perfect? >> Jesus. I almost sp [laughter]. >> Is that Is that all right now? Is that a. Is that a comedy thing or is that just a. you. >> Yeah, tell us more. Because I think a lot of comedians are. very reluctant. >> to be superstars. >> to be superstars and to be celebrities. And I think the ones that aren't. reluctant.

>> are usually not that good. But. >> but yes, >> for the most part, I think I mean. obviously there's a difference. I mean, >> so okay, I I think part of it is the. comedian. >> And this is something I've always loved. about comedians is. >> if you think of the best comedians in. the world, the best comedy clubs in the. world. >> Yeah. The only thing that separates Dave. Chappelle from a phenomenal comedian. that nobody knows is the fact that. people know Dave Chappelle.

>> And when you see Dave Chappelle in a. comedy club, the respect No, but I'm. saying the respect that he gives that. comedian. >> You're right. >> Nobody would think he would give that. comedian that level of respect. >> You're right. >> Dave will fan out over a comedian as if. they're Dave. >> and he's. >> in a way where you go like, "What? What. is happening right now? >> It's bonkers.". >> You get what I'm saying? Like like Louis. CK would do it, like you name it. Kevin. Hart would do. It doesn't matter how big. a comedian is. If they're with another. comedian in the club or they're with. comedians in the club. >> Yeah. >> They'll look at you and they'll go,

"Man, I just watched yo [clears throat]. >> that [ __ ] was where you from? What's. your like that line, that tag, that. moment?" It's this weird thing in comedy. where your status isn't only defined by. how well we know you because we know. that you're one moment away from being. the most well-known. >> Yeah. >> And that moment can be anytime. >> Anytime. >> Yeah. And it's it's weird how much like. even like as comedians cuz like if if we. played basketball, the amount of years.

we'd have to play basketball to play. with LeBron or to play with, >> you know, >> Shaq or whoever is like 20, 30 years, you know, like by the time you get to. that level. But in comedy, >> we're all playing the same clubs and. we're all in the same cities and we're. all kind of running into each other. So. you could be two, three, four years in. and be amongst your heroes, guys 30, 40. years in to comedy, the greats, and they.

could watch your set and they could. learn something from it or they could. take something from it or they could uh. compliment you for it and you're like, I. can't believe you even paid attention to. me. You should be in. It'd be like if. Stevie Wonder just dropped into some. small bar like, oh, you're an amazing. singer. You're like, what? You know, it's it's the craziest thing. >> Do you remember the first time that. happened to you? There's got to be. there's I feel like every comedian has. that moment or they remember a few. instances. >> I've had a few moments where I thought. like great comedians didn't like me.

>> Oh, and then not to be messy, it's not. messy because I realized that they did. It just I just didn't know. Like. sometimes I think like. I'm sure you know, but sometimes like. you could be doing comedy and people be. like, "Oh man, you're good." do I like. your [ __ ] or whatever. And then also you. could you do a comedy and like the room. gets a little silent. >> and you're like what I do like does. everybody hate me? Like you think they. hate you but they don't hate you. They.

might even be thinking about you but you. feel it. You feel something and you're. like I I don't I guess they don't like. me but you know after after you know. it's like dogs in a dog park. You know. you sniff around each other [laughter]. or you you know it's a little bit of. it's that kind of thing. It's just I'm. trying to get familiar. I'm trying to. understand. >> what's going on because you can have. hype like I would have like hype or you. you know you know about hype right so. like. >> there'll be times where it seems like. >> you know is this guy real.

>> I heard he's funny. you really want to see you're skeptical. the first thing you think is you're. skeptical and then and then after a. while and you're like okay I do like uh. yeah I like you and then it's and then. it's warm but it it starts off cold it. can You never felt that way. >> No, I think you're 100% correct. That. that part I acknowledge. There there's a. there's a skepticism. There's a there's. a suspicion. There's like a. >> and and it's Yeah, I don't know what it. is, but but to your point, comedians.

will generally go, >> who? >> Yeah. >> Really? How come I've never heard of. him? Where's this person from? Where did. they come up from? What's their story? What's their vibe? what's there? But. what I have found is very very quickly. like I told you like Joe Opio our friend. this guy was fresh from Uganda and the. first time I saw this human being I. didn't know him first time I saw him he. was giving Louis CK tags at the comedy. seller and Louisie was listening that's. what blew my mind. >> so I was going I don't know who this. person is I know Louis CK and Louis was.

listening and he was there like ah Louie. can I give you a tug oh so that joke. that you and I was like what is happen. and Louis is like oh yeah that's funny. man Oh, dad, that's a nice idea. And I. was like, who is this person? But I was. more surprised that Louie wasn't like. going like, who who are you? Louie is. sort of an anomaly in that way. I. remember being at SNL. And the only. reason why I'm telling this, I don't. like telling like SNL stories because I. I'll I'll explain later, but um I've. heard him tell this story. That's that's.

why I feel comfortable enough to say it. But there was a he was hosting us enough. for like maybe the third or fourth time. and I was maybe a secondy year writer. and I remember he [clears throat] um his. monologue was too long. The the part in. the front, you know, like the stand up. part, >> it was about 12 minutes and Lauren. wanted it about 8 minutes or something. And Louis, you know, Louis, he's at the. height of his powers. He's like this is. bulletproof. Like I've I've, you know, done this. So, at dress rehearsal, we. have a meeting where we have to like.

figure out time for the show, >> right? >> And Lauren's like, "We got to get that. to 8 minutes." And he's like, "What if I. don't want to?" And he's like, "Well, then I'll realize you're not. professional or some some cold Lauren. shit." So, he's like, "So, uh, Michael. Chay is going to go with you in your. dressing room and listen to it again and. just, you know, figure out where the. cuts are." And I'm [laughter] sitting. there like, "I'll do what?" So, I had to. go in Louis CK's dressing room and. listen to his set figure out where the.

cuts are. >> and find out where the cuts me. I'm. gonna tell Lou, I think you I don't. think you need that joke. But he was so. I think he realized how awkward of a. space that was for me. that he was like he was cool about it. He was like asking me legitimately as a. friend cuz he could have been like get. the [ __ ] out of my dress. You Yeah. Like. but and I would have been like I totally. understand. And I feel the same way. >> You You figure it out on your own. Uh. Mr. Mr. Genius. But no, I'll never. forget that. He was cool enough to be.

like, "What do you think about this?". Well, maybe I don't need that. Like he. was he was a pro. Like he he he handled. it great. And I always been thankful. about that because he could have made. that real awkward for me. >> But that's what I think the great. comedians do. >> like like and I and I mean so here's. here's what I mean, right? Because comedy is not a um learned. profession in a in like a like you don't. go to school for it. Nobody has a PhD in. comedy. No. Yeah. But I've I've heard. I've seen some universities have like a.

I've never seen a comedian come out of. that program. >> What? >> They have programs you can go study. comedy. >> Sure. >> But I've never seen anybody come out of. those programs. >> Does that make sense? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Wow. >> That's a hard thing to teach. That's. like that's like learning porn. [laughter]. >> I studied I major in porn [laughter]. >> cuz the the the theory is one thing and.

understanding it is a is another but. it's like yeah there's the small every I. feel like every discipline has that. where it relies on a little bit of. creativity and and unpredictability. So. >> basketball has it like you can learn how. to play basketball but Iverson does a. thing where you're like what is that. >> field. >> and then Kyrie Irving does a thing where. you're like what is that though that. >> is is that correct? I don't even know. what that is. >> Comedy has that music has that this. right? >> I think I think a lot of it is because.

it's so much relies on your ears and. eyes. It's it's it's really hard to. teach someone how to listen and how to. see. So like on stage like there's three. shows going on usually about two or. three shows going on. There's the show. that you're doing and then there's kind. of the show you're watching or there. that there's that show that you're sort. of like all right what am I going to hit. them with? Okay, what how are they. responding to the show? You know, it's. almost like a whole others. I'm on autopilot for like five minutes. just trying to reassess how I'm going to. land this last 20 minutes of the show.

and trying to figure it out. And you. can't it's really hard to teach that. You kind of got to have almost a six. sense for it, you know? It's a it's a. field thing. It's it's hard to tell. someone how to do that. Like you like. the basketball players you're. mentioning, I always feel like the guys. that talented are never make great. coaches. >> because it's hard for Allen Iverson to. teach you how to be Allen Iverson. But. somebody that's like. >> like a a gritty scrappy white guard, you.

know what I mean? that knows all the. fundamentals and all the [laughter]. >> those guys are great coaches cuz they'll. tell you exactly how to. >> break it down into like steps. >> They know exactly how to do that. But. the athletic guys like how do you teach. Kobe to be Kobe? It's it's impossible. >> Before I forget, I want to know like. what you were going to say. So why you. you were about to tell us why you don't. like telling stories from SNL? >> Because SNL is such a vulnerable place. for everybody. Like for us, we work. there. We're there all the time. we're. comfortable and like people would ask.

like who's the worst and who's the best. and I'm like it's really not fair to say. who's to judge somebody based on their. time there because they're there for a. week it's scary it's fast there's no. other show like it so there's no way to. prepare for it so unless you just do it. all the time so if somebody if a star if. you if you're hosting SNL and you don't. trust the the the table read you don't. think it's funny. >> Oh, damn. Okay.

>> You don't trust the rehearsals and the. runthroughs and the like you don't know. the process. So, why would you trust. >> Especially if you don't do comedy at. all. >> Especially if you don't do comedy at. all. But also, if you do comedy, it's. even worse. Actually, it's even worse if. you do comedy because you know how to. make people laugh. >> Yeah. You know your type of funny. >> So, if somebody's showing you something. like, "Trust me, it's going to work.". And you don't find it funny, but you got. to do it live on television. You're. like, "You're going to make me look. stupid. People going to think I'm not. funny." Now, now if you're an athlete, it doesn't matter. If you're an actor, you're like, "Whatever. I just trust.

whoever's funny." But if you're Louis. CK, if you're Trevor No. If you're if. you're a a a big comedy star and you're. trusted, >> you're trusting these scripts that way. >> Yeah. So, like a lot of times people are. they have a rough go, but it's not. because they're bad people. It's just. because it's a scary, you know, situation. So I try to you're basically. going I want to protect their experience. in the institution because I understand. that it's not as simple as.

>> Exactly. >> Exactly. So there's a lot of people that. after the show they're like man thank. you so much or man that was that was. crazy that was you guys do this every. week like they're they're shocked by. what the process is. It's not a natural. process but you see it enough that. you're like I can't judge you for being. a dick that Thursday. I would [laughter]. I would be sleepd deprived. You know. what I mean? Like you're like I you. don't know like I get it. >> What's the process? What does it look. like during the weekend till Saturday? >> We So Monday you've meet the cast and. the as a from a host perspective. On.

Monday you're meeting all these people. You're meeting all of the writers. You're meeting Lauren. You're meeting. everybody. Um you know they're kind of. showing you around. Tuesday uh everybody. pitches you ideas. Everybody's like. telling you what they're actually. working on. And then you go to dinner. with a couple of cast members in Lauren. Wednesday is our table read. It's about. it's like a seven, eight hour day where. we're just reading like 40 sketches. >> and some bad ones, some great ones,

whatever. But that's when we pick the. show from picking the show Wednesday. Thursday we're rewriting and we're. rehearsing it and blocking it. Friday. you're doing pre-tapes. Usually a. daytime pre-tape and a nighttime. pre-tape. And then in the middle of the. day, you're doing more blocking. >> So those are the the the sketches that. we'll see that maybe will be like a. music video or. >> those will be like Yeah. audience. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> Movie trailers, all that kind of thing. Like the actual video stuff. >> Those happen on Friday. >> Those happen on Fridays. And then.

Saturday, now mind you, you might your. last pre-tape might be 4 in the morning, 3:00 in the morning, 2:00 in the. morning. It goes very late. By 11 12:00. you're doing another rehearsal, a run a. run through rehearsal which is like. fully dressed then a dress rehearsal and. then the live show. So the blitzkrieg of. that week. >> is like you're going to be frantic. >> Yeah. >> And it's like you're planning I always. say like it feels like we're planning. someone else's wedding every time.

>> because this is a very special day for. them. >> but we're coming back. >> But for them this is their moment. you. know, this means everything. That's a. great analogy, actually. >> They're trying to make it as special as. possible for them and as comfortable and. and you know, this could be a beautiful. woman normally, >> you would know. >> But during. >> because. >> during her wedding, she's what they call. them, Zilla's got. >> Oh, yeah. Bridezilla. >> Brightzilla. Yeah, bridezilla. >> They're not bad people. They just want. this to work. You know what I mean? And.

I and I kind of understand the stress of. that. So, that's why I don't like to. [ __ ] on people. >> Yeah. >> When they're shitty. I I don't need you. to [ __ ] on anyone, but I this is you. know some I I'm always go back and forth. on like who's listening to us and not. and what's connected where and how. algorithm. >> literally yesterday this has never been. on my feed. This has never come up. I. don't understand why this po. >> on my YouTube a video of you. >> telling Kanye telling of Kanye. Did that. come up on my feed as well? >> Yo, literally today for some reason it's.

been coming up a lot lately. I don't. know. I don't know. >> We didn't even speak about this. >> No, we didn't. You see, I didn't know. that you saw it as well. >> Well, that's that's another thing. See, like that video, >> I don't know who taped that. I don't. know where that came from. I never. talked about it. Nobody ever mentioned. it. And then all of a sudden, it's just. everywhere. And I'm like, where? I. wouldn't never said none of that stuff. on a camera. I didn't I. >> Yeah, but that's what it felt it to me. You You didn't see someone was filming? >> No, I didn't. I had no idea. >> I've never seen anything from backstage,

whatever. >> Yeah. And then I went back and watched. like a documentary on that moment or. like I saw clips. I was like what is. happen? But that moment I was like damn. Michael Chay like this is this is behind. this is the the [ __ ] that you want to. handle behind the scenes. >> and then all of a sudden it is. >> in front of the. >> Yeah. But how does it come out like. seven years? Why is it now? >> No clue. I don't. >> So you have no no clue where who what. I. have no People were telling me about it. and that's how I found out about it. Um, but I will say the other part of that.

that I don't think is in that because. I've never watched the documentary. It. it just feels it just felt like a really. kind of shitty thing to just put out. that way. But I mean, I feel like if. you're taping people at work, you should. get some kind of consent form, [laughter]. right? Yeah. Just tape me in my stage. Damn. >> [laughter]. >> But. [clears throat] I will say though, the. next time I saw him, it was funny bec. I I really didn't like Kanye after that.

Like I really didn't like him. I was. like done with that guy. And I remember. um there was a there was like a mass. shooting in Dayton, Ohio. And I was at. Dave's house. He was doing a charity uh. show and he had like Stevie Wonder. He. had all these people there. And he was. bringing Kanye and he was like, "I'm. picking up Kanye from the airport. I want you to, he goes, I want you to. come with me to pick him up. We're going. to bury the hatchet with this Kanye. thing. We're going to end. You know how. Dave is.

>> Yeah, I know how Dave, that's Dave. >> We're going to bury Hatchet. And I was. like, he called me a slave and he was. like, I'll see you when I get back. [laughter]. I'll see you when I get back, fam. [laughter] I could never forgive that. guy. He called me a [ __ ] slave. But. anyway, um long story short, uh he did. the Sunday service there. It was it was. amazing. I mean, he he's Kanye for a. reason. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> And um.

uh Eddie Murphy hosted SNL. and everybody was there. Like literally. what you I don't even know if you were. there, but everybody remember that Black. Panther premiere we went to and. everybody it was like that. >> that was like that. Everybody was. everybody black in Hollywood was there. in New York at the time and uh Kanye was. there and I was work I was working a lot. on that Ed Murphy show was like a. stressful show and I was I was kind of. it was like probably like one of my. first headwriter episodes so I was like. >> what a first episode. >> Yeah, it was like a lot going on.

>> And um. I seen Kanye in the hallway and he was. walking with you know Kim and and some. in a big old entourage. He's coming out. of the elevators and he sees me from. across. We've seen each other like at. the same time. I'm holding like two. different scripts and he was like, [clears throat] "I'm sorry.". And I was like, "What?" And he came. over. He was like, "Man, I owe you an. apology, man. I was I was tripping.". Like he literally like genuinely like. came up to me and said, "I'm sorry." And. I was like, >> "It's all good, brother. Don't worry. about it." And and and that was that. And I and I was like,

>> I can't be mad at somebody that. apologizes and acknowledges. Uh after. that more things have happened. [laughter]. More things have happened and I'm sure. he owes a lot more of apologies now. But. for that specific thing, wow, >> it to me it was just like. >> as Kanye, as somebody that's Kanye, >> and as somebody that has that much going. on in their mind and that much. creativity and that much power and money.

and influence. >> to even take the time to apologize to. anybody cuz if he didn't apologize, I'm. still going to do my job. Like you know. what I mean? Like he doesn't have to. apologize. So like to me that meant a. lot. >> just in his humanity. Sometimes you. could just see that humanity no matter. who you are like if you can't say sorry. in a certain situation and. >> you know you're really losing the plot. >> Yeah. For me with him as I and I don't. say this trying to diagnose him. I know. he spoken about bipolar and and manic. depression and all of those things. He.

always reminded me of my grandfather. >> Interesting. >> Like that was 100% my grandfather. >> Did your grandfather make sneakers? [laughter]. Did he make amazing? [laughter]. >> Oh my god. >> Amazing Snickers. No. >> Oh man. Oh, comedians will be the death. of [laughter] me, bro. >> So my cuz my grandfather. literally when he was diagnosed with his. bipolar, he'd have a red pill and a blue. pill. >> Oh. >> And he would have to choose one.

>> No, man. You're lying. >> No. No. 100%. And this is like before. the Matrix, not even like a That's. literally what they they prescribed. He'd have a red pull and a blue pill and. they were each in two different bottles. >> And so if he woke up like manic. >> blue pill and then if he woke up like. like super depressed red pill and it. would get him to normal. So we had like. those types of experiences with him all. the time. So even when Kanye would be. like going I kept saying to people I was. like one I don't understand why we all. talk about mental health in society but.

then when somebody's showing us the. effects of a mental health issue we're. not now respond cuz everyone be like. mental health mental health and I'm like. yeah but here's somebody. >> who has said himself and I'm going as. well like yeah I agree he does have a. mental health issue. >> why aren't we why are we giving him more. mics why are we does that make sense. >> like if someone's having a breakdown why. are you putting a mic in their mouth why. are you. >> encouraging the breakdown down. Why are. you amplifying the breakdown? You know, >> for celebrity, it's it's different. You. know, I think a lot of times, I mean, we.

could talk about this for for hours of. the mental health thing in particular. Um, maybe I'm cynical, but I do believe. people don't like to have honest. conversations about mental health. because. then you have to start forgiving a lot. of people you don't want to forgive. Yeah. >> And you have to start forgiving a lot of. things that you want to hold on to. >> that you feel wronged and that Yeah. That that thing sometimes just not.

liking somebody. >> Yeah. >> is enough. >> You've personalized it so much. Even if. it's not a personal attack, but like. you've you've internalized and. personalized it so much that you don't. want to give that up. >> You don't want to forgive Kanye for. >> or anybody. I don't want to keep using. him, but like you don't want to forgive. people for having these episodes and. what they said that hurt you because. then that means. >> you're you don't have the ammo for your. cause, you know, whatever that may be.

>> Yeah. But I think also people with um. mental health issues. with forgiving people with mental health. issues a slippery slope sometimes. Oh. yeah. If it's an artist, if it's someone. that you love, someone that you care. about in your family, you're like, "Yeah." But if it's a world leader that. started a war and then they come out and. say, "But I also. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I I had mental issues, man. You know, when I started that war in 1954, >> yeah, it wasn't me. It wasn't if I had. medication, I probably wouldn't have. done it." So, we start thinking, are we. going to forgive? If we want to forgive.

one person that we like and love and. rever because they bring us art, would. we forgive someone who's a villain in. history as well? Well, my thing is if. there's when there's um when people ask. for forgiveness, so when there's like a. there's usually like a time I was going. I was having these episodes and when. they're not having these episodes, I. don't think. that time is used smartly without naming. names of anybody. I do think there are. times if you've had these sort of.

episodes where you have said really. hurtful things or done some hurtful. things or whatever. when it's when you're better, maybe you. should be at the forefront of educating. people on what went wrong with you. >> so that we could understand and we can. forgive and we could figure out, okay, the next time this happened, if you're. if you're. >> Yeah. Yeah. How do we. >> If you're a werewolf, [laughter]. >> I understand what you did when the moon. is out. But when the sun is out, you got.

some explaining. >> That's how I feel. Sometimes I feel like. sometimes when the suns they like, "WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU talking about? >> I don't remember nothing." Yeah. But we. do. Yeah. We remember with the We. remember what happened. So, I think, you. know, if you want people to continue to. support you and you want people to have. sympathy for you when the sun's out, you. need to start explaining, okay, here's. exactly what happened. Here's how I. feel. And I appreciate you guys sticking. with me through this because these guys. are having these episodes. And.

>> the I'm not I'm not I don't know what I. can't I can't know what that's like cuz. I don't have those conditions. I could. imagine that it's it's really really. difficult. >> It's it's crazy because the way I. understand it is, and again, I'm only. using my grandfather's experience, but I. know other people who who have similar. things. >> It's It is like Bruce Banner and the. Hulk. You wake up going, "What did I. do?" Wait, no, that's not possible. One. of my It was really one of my favorite.

stories cuz no one got hurt or anything. My grandfather, he at the time is like. 80s something years old or whatever. He. um takes my mom's car. We only had the. car as an old folks vahan beetle. Volkswagen as Americans say. >> I was going to say you said that like no. other black man I've ever met. [laughter] What' you call it? A Hulk. Hogan. [laughter]. >> I said that again. >> It's a Volkswagen. >> A Volkswagen. Volk Volkswagen. So with a Volkswagen.

>> The Volkswagen. Yeah, the Volkswagen. is the car of the people. >> Yeah, folks. >> Yes, the car of the people. A folks. wagon. >> I did not know that. >> Yeah, it's the car of It was meant to be. their like answer to like the Model T. type in its time. It was like, how do we. make a car that everyone can drive. that's super cheap, that's really. efficient? What made it special was it. also wasn't um liquid cooled. It was oil. cooled. So, it was also good on the. battlefield. So, you cuz when you're. driving through like the desert, they. used. >> Yeah. But it was it also just meant like. in terms of maintenance, it was easier.

Anyway, love by the Nazis. >> I mean, yeah, that's. >> I mean, now we have to like pause. >> Thanks, Eugene. So, um, >> you don't like sponsors, do you? [laughter]. >> I say this is an independent. >> MOVE OUT. GUYS, COME ON, MAN. [laughter]. >> SO, >> so my my so my grandfather my mom would. ask him to help with errands, you know, in the house and everything. So, during. the week, so my grandfather wakes up one. day, manic, full on manic. And when he's. manic like run like he called me master.

So he'd be like master let me tell you. something master. It was a race thing. So he was like to me like he was like to. to me you're white. >> But only when he was manic. When he was. normal he was like no you're my. grandson. When he was manic he was like. he called me master. It's. >> tough. >> Crazy crazy time. So he was like master. let me tell you something master. You. know. So he grabs the car. My mom's like. yo we need some bread and milk. So so he. said to mom's like don't tell me what to. do. You cannot tell me what I'm doing. And it's like we just need bread and.

milk, man. Just get some bread and milk. So he goes, he's like going to go to the. shops. Drives. This is in the morning. >> Yeah. Send him to the store like that, >> man. Hey man, you [laughter] know what? Ah, but you know what it's like. >> I don't. >> No, no, no. Come on. >> Come on, master. >> Come on. [laughter] WE WE'RE NOT. MICHAEL, WE NEED [ __ ] DONE. But we need. [ __ ] done. >> Michael, that was irresponsible. >> Michael, we need [ __ ] done. >> We need [ __ ] done. Your personality is. not determining your ability to do or. not do something. >> Michael, let me tell you something. I. don't know what it was like in the hood. here. I don't know what it was like in. the hood here, but where we're from,

>> your your disposition does not determine. whether or not you're going to. participate. >> Fair enough. Fair enough. >> We're like, "Yo, we know you're crazy. Go do some shit.". >> Fair [laughter] enough. I see a lot of. crazy people at the supermarket. That's. >> There you go. Somebody sent them. So, we're like, "Yeah, somebody sent them. >> Put on your bathrobe. [laughter] Get. that milk. I got you. I got you.". >> Yeah. You talking to yourself? Go talk. with this list in the grocery [laughter]. store. Remind yourself what to buy. Let's go. Let's keep it moving. Put an. earpiece in. People take you on the. phone. You'll be fine. >> So, my grandfather goes, [laughter].

>> drives out. This is 7:38 a.m. 7:38 a.m. We need this for breakfast. >> Yeah. >> He drives off, >> takes you with no gone by himself. Hour. goes by, doesn't come back. Now, we got. to leave school, everything. >> Yeah. >> So, my mom, but she was working from. home at that time. So, anyway, goes, I. come back from school. My mom's. flustered like, "What's wrong?" She's. like, "Your grandfather didn't come. back." I'm like, "Guys, the shop is like. a 5minute drive away." She's like, "Yeah, he didn't come back. You know, I. shouldn't." And she's like, "I shouldn't.

have said. I knew it was manic, but I. thought it wasn't there." Anyway, he's. gone. There's no cell phones. There's. none of these things. He's just gone. >> We get a phone call on the house phone. at like 8 9:00 p.m. at night. >> Yo, is this uh the Noah resident? My. mom's like, "Yeah." "Oh, we have a man. here, Temperance. Do you know?" He's. like, "Yeah, that's my father." Like, oh, we found him. Now, to give you. perspective in terms of like distance, if we lived in New York, >> we're getting this call from like, let. me [snorts] think, maybe like the other. side of Connecticut, maybe even like.

>> Albany. >> Yeah. No, no, Albany is a little too. far. How many hours is Albany? >> Albany. >> I was like 4 hours maybe. >> Yeah. >> No, we got a call from like a 2h hour. away kind of place. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> We're like, "What do you mean?" They're. like, "Yo, this man is here. We found. him on the side of the road with this. car and he had run out of gas and Yeah. And then he was just like sitting there. like just Yeah. Just and we're like, "Yo, where are you from?" And then he. like slowly started speaking again. He's. like, "Okay, here's a phone number you. can call whatever.".

>> And then we were like, "Can you help. come?" And we went and picked him up. >> And then he's just there. And now it's. tough. But it's funny though as well. because he wasn't hurt. Nothing was. So. we go there. We have to like catch taxis. to go and get him and not not taxis like. cool taxis like in New York like buses. essentially. We take a few buses to get. to this place. We finally get there. We. pick him up and then the whole now he's. just sitting in the car like this cuz. you have crashes. That's how it works. >> And and this is the thing that always. like got me with Kanye is like I was.

like people take for granted how in. those episodes one of the only things. that helps you is the rock bottom. >> You have to lose everything. You have to. crash out. You have to run out of gas on. the side of the road and then what. happens is the episode subsides. >> Mhm. >> But if you have $50 million. >> endless amount of gas in the car, you. >> you're going to drive forever. >> You're not going to stop, >> right? >> You and it's [clears throat] this that's. what I mean. So it's this thing. So. literally we're driving back now and. like he's in the car and then he's like.

and he's like a little boy now. He's. like and he's like, "I'm sorry. I'm. sorry, Trevor." I'm like, "No, it's. fine, Grant. It's fine." Then mom's. like, "It's not fine." The whole day. And then the story was what happened was. he drove to the store, got to the store. to buy the bread and milk, got the bread. and milk. On the way back, he saw a. beautiful woman at a bus stop, like at. like a 30-year-old type woman. Pulls. over at the bus stop, leans out the. window, says to her, he's like, he goes, "How can a beautiful woman like you be. WAITING FOR A BUS? A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.

SHOULD never be waiting for anything.". Then he's like, "Where are you going?". She's like, "I'll tell you where I'm. going." Like, "Let me take you there.". And cuz he's like 100 years old, he's. not a threat or anything. She gets in. the car with him. He drives her to where. she's going, which is like an hour and a. half away, gets then drops her off, then. he's there. Then he's just like, "Where. else are the beautiful women?" Yeah. Like drives around that whole. neighborhood, drives, then runs out of. gas and then just sits in the car until. his episode faded. And then we're there. in the car and then yo, my mom was. furious. She's like, "Yes, she's like,

you know, you don't I work hard and now. this." And remember the gas, that's the. main thing for my mom. Like you finish. [clears throat] a tank of gas. We can't. afford that. >> And on a beetle, that's very hard to do. >> Mom and my mom is just like, "Yo, you. know what you've done? What? What? What? What?" He's like, "What do you have to. say? What do you have to say?" And then. he's like, "She was so beautiful. I'm. sorry." [laughter] She's like, "She was. so beautiful.". Yeah, bro. And I'm there, dude. And I. was like, "This is the funniest [ __ ]. ever." Sweet. >> No, it it was because no one got hurt. >> Story.

>> It was funny, bro. >> Yeah. That explains why we never have. rock and roll moments with beautiful. girls [laughter] backstage. >> You think I'm traumatizing? >> No, dude. I just I don't know. I think I. think you know you know what Okay, you. know what it is for me. Here's here's. what here's what gets me sometimes in. the world. >> And I think part of it comes from my. comedy brain. I think you you'll. understand this and so will you. I find most comedians, most comedians, especially good comedians, have the. ability to spot reality.

versus what people say reality is. And. those in congruencies. >> often throw us off so much that we're. like, I can't I can't ignore that. >> Man, I want to let this go, but this. these two things do not make sense in. the same world. Right? So in this whole world of it is like I. think what happened to me with the Kanye. with the whole thing was it just felt. like I would go we live in a society. where everyone talks about. rehabilitation.

>> uh no incarceration let's get people we. don't want people in prisons we want. them rehabilitated we want we want to. figure this thing but when it actually. happens. >> yeah no one is there. >> the thing everyone is saying is put them. in jail send them away lock them up. don't let them come then I'm like yo but. what. >> it seems like you want rehabilitation in. a theoretical sense, but when you. actually know a perpetrator, you're. like, "No, no, no, not them.". >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Then I'm like, "Okay, but then who? Where do we start the journey?" And. again, I'm not saying no accountability. cuz people say, "What about account?".

No, I'm not saying no accountability, but I would just like us to practice the. rehabilitation that we want on the. theoretical side when there's an actual. example for us. >> So, can pets like dogs have mental. health issues? >> I don't know. I'm not an expert in this. This is out of my field. Because I've. seen when when dogs turn on on people. and then. >> I don't I don't know if that's true. >> People are like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. This. dog cuz the people that own the dogs are. usually like he he's never like this.". >> Yes, that's true. >> Yeah. He's never We don't know what. happened. He's never like this. That. time another Chihuahua is being mauled. there or another human being.

>> cuz you know there's your favorite. >> who singer. >> Oh, yes. >> That story was crazy. But did you see. that story? >> I didn't know this. Like apparently his. dog bit his um his uh housekeeper or. something. >> His dog bit his housekeeper. >> Yeah. I was like, "Damn, Chris Brown is. just like [ __ ] just happening in these. world, man.". >> Man, it's hard to be a singer named. Brown. [laughter]. I was so. >> and and then and then so the news the. thing I read but again confirmed or not. you know you have to you take everything.

with a grain of salt but basically. they're saying I think they ruled she. sued him and they ruled that she was. supposed to get $12 million for it. >> for bit my dog. >> it was a big dog and mental things and. whatever you know America how you going. to [laughter] know America. >> it was a big dog that's that's what it. is a big. >> [laughter]. >> Then a judge ruled. Apparently the new. ruling came out and a judge said, "Yo, this is. >> $12 million.". >> Yeah. A judge came out and said, "This.

is exorbitant. This is crazy. >> You can't do that.". >> Should be like $9 million. [laughter]. >> $9 million. >> I'm going to check this to confirm, but. I'm pretty sure. >> Oh my god. >> Yeah. But here's here's my thing. If. >> anything over 10,000 is absurd. >> No. No. No. You're more than that. Come. on. I think you have to bit my dog. >> Yeah, but like there's like dog bites. and there's dog bites. >> Oh, >> like if if your dog bites me and you're.

worth like hundreds of millions, it. hurts a lot. [laughter]. >> But also, does it depend on the type of. dog that bit you? >> No, man. >> Oh, no. No. This is This just came out. Wow. Damn. TMZ's on top of it, man. Chris Brown's former housekeeper accepts. reduced $9.5 million payout in dog bite. case.5 million. >> It was $22.9 million. >> Yes. So, what I'm saying is if if. >> there's two issues here for me. >> That's crazy. >> So, she's a housekeeper. She's she's at. the house a lot keeping the house.

>> Yeah. >> Sure. >> So, it means the dogs or the dog and her. know each other. >> Absolutely. >> Cuz it wasn't a new dog. >> I'm assuming. >> I'm sure it wasn't. >> But also, this is not a regular house. >> What do you mean? I mean, that could be. a dog that's like not in her wing. >> That's true. >> I'm sure she he don't got like one. housekeeper, you know, like she might do. the guest bedrooms and the bathrooms and. then the dog be in the in the the dog. mansion or whatever. >> Yeah, but the fact that the owner of the. house is com the owner of the dog is. comfortable with the dog and the.

housekeeper and other guests. >> The dog's also like, yo, dog, here's the. thing with a dog is like if a dog gets. like surprised, it can do something. It's just like the breed of dog has a. different. >> The dog bites you playing. Yeah, but I'm. saying like a small dog can bite you. like that and it won't change your life. >> That's what my second point. [clears throat] was. >> So depending on the size. So if the if. the if the bite was from a Chihuahua or. a poodle, >> yeah, then you've got a tougher case. >> For if the dog didn't swallow nothing, you shouldn't [laughter].

if if she got everything the dog bit, she still got the stuff. [laughter] I. No, >> maybe let's check there. What was the. What was the. >> the breed of dog? No, the breed and what. was the damage on on the lady? >> I think most. psychological. >> um former housekeeper dog bite case. reduced take a new trial blah dead blah. blah blah. >> $ 122.9 million. Uh the judge felt there. was insufficient evidence of nerve. damage and other issues. >> Okay. The lower amount or what.

everything is still there. >> Okay. So. >> if if I give you $10 million for a dog. bite, I want the leg. >> Give me the leg. Wait, so usually when dogs attack. humans, they put the dogs down? >> I don't know. Is this Is this true. everywhere? >> Usually. I mean, if it's $10 million. Yeah. >> Yeah. They have to put it They have to. put the dog down. >> Put the dog down. >> Don't dog advocates say that. That's not. fair to the dog. >> Yeah. Cuz they should put the owner. down. >> Damn, Eugene. I don't know if that's. what they say, but. >> Yeah. Your conclusion meter [laughter].

like you you came right there with the. same information we all got. >> You're the worst judge of character. here. The dog owner or the dog? >> Well, I don't know. Well, you say that. we should kill the owner. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You got Do you got any pets? >> No. >> You don't like pets? >> Michael, here's my thing. If you. [clears throat] pick a dangerous breed, >> right? >> You know that this breed is dangerous. Dangerous. Dangerous. You even know when. you know a breed is dangerous when. you're walking and it looks like it's. walking you. >> Yeah. >> Then you say, "I'll take my chances at.

the restaurants, at the dog park with a. dangerous breed." Then whose fault is it. when the breed behaves like what it. should behave like? >> Yours. Who should be put down then? >> No, but apparently like it was they say. it was horrific. [laughter]. >> It was horrific. >> Yeah. Wait, so in that case he has here. you're a judge. >> Yeah. >> Here's a dangerous hot wlet dripping of. blood from the from the leg of. >> And they say like the pictures were. gruesome. That's what I mean. >> Yes. So here's a dog. >> million dollar. >> No, here's a dog. Here's you, the owner. of the dog who knew what the dog was.

capable of. >> Yeah, >> right. >> Sure. >> So who's guilty of behaving out of. character here? the person. >> So, who should be put down? >> Put down. I don't know how you. [laughter] getting to put down. >> Why should he be put like who get. everything right? But like, why are we. putting this man down because his dog. >> Who are we killing? >> Made a mistake. >> It made a mistake. >> Yeah, >> guys. Animals don't make mistakes. >> They don't. >> No.

>> Okay. Animals are, you know, when an. animal doesn't behave like that breed. that it is, >> it's just helping you become more of an. animal. >> Because it's like, no, I don't know. You. don't understand where I'm coming from. because we're not the No, I'm saying the. dog is saying that. >> He's saying, "So, I'm not going to I'm. not going to bite the hand that feeds. me. I'm not going to make you look like. a fool. So, I'm just going to do it.". Then one day, the dog is like, "But I am. a dog, man. >> Then I'm going to behave like myself.". Then the dog does what? It's like. horses. When when horses buck the rider. >> Yes, that's true. That can happen. >> Yeah. You're like, "What happened?". Yeah. The horse is like, "No, I don't.

want anyone on my back.". >> And I was having a bad day. >> Yes. >> It could just be a moment. >> Something hurts. >> Just a moment in time. >> So, when animals behave like we want. them to behave like human have decency, be polite to strangers, touching their. chins and patting their heads, we like, "Yeah, come on, man. Don't be rough on. people." Then the dog one day goes, "Today's the day. Enough is enough. I'm. going to be the dog that I am." And. bites a person. Whose fault is that? >> No. See, I think it's a different thing. I think it's like a It's like a control. like a self-control thing. Like a dog is. trying to control a lot of his instincts.

and impulses based on what we tell them. is okay and not okay, right? >> Who are we to tell? >> So like we we we own the dogs. >> You said what we do to each other. >> We own the dogs. So like you said, all. right. So like if we don't have to. [laughter] tell them, then we shouldn't. be responsible for when if you if we. don't own the dogs and they just my our. friends and I bring my buddy to the bar, he bites somebody, I got to be I got to. go to jail, too. >> Yeah. You got to be put down. Don't go anywhere cuz we got more what.

now after this. That's why I'm hopeful for Mam Dani. >> I am too. I genuinely he seems like of. all the mayors the of all the people. we've had, he seems like the one that. >> sort of looks at New York from the lens. of New Yorkers and and it's it's. refreshing. I think that's what people. really really like about him is that. he's like. >> everything that he wants to bring to the. city is something that I [music] believe. he would enjoy about the city, you know, and it's it's sort of like.

>> I don't think we've had anybody like. that. And. >> like the theater of yours is built by. artist. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah, that's exactly. >> same kind of thing. Same kind of thing. >> Man, that's the first thing you said. that made sense today. [laughter]. >> No, wait. NO, NO, NO. [laughter]. I MEAN THAT IN A I'm being I mean that. as a compliment. >> You crazy as hell. [laughter]. >> This segment is brought to you by Google.

Pixel. Every day it feels like I'm on a. new scavenger hunt, but not the fun. kind. I'm constantly switching between. countless apps just to try and find the. information that I need. Like the other. day, I was trying to find the address of. a restaurant someone had sent me. Simple. enough, right? But then this is what. happened. I opened my messages. I saw a. video somebody sent me of a parrot. singing opera. And then the next thing I. know, I'm watching an interview with a. woman who trains parrots. 20 minutes. later, I know the average lifespan of a. macau. I've forgotten where I'm supposed.

to have dinner. And I'm wondering. whether I have what it takes to raise a. bird that might outlive me. Enough with. digital rabbit holes. Thankfully, my. Google Pixel 11 is designed with Gemini. intelligence. Helpful suggestions pop up. right in the text thread when I'm making. plans, proactively pulling up restaurant. details, calendar availability, or live. flight info. The info you need, right. when you need it. Learn more about what. the Google Pixel 11 can do at google.

store.com. These AI features are available in. select countries and languages for users. 18 and older. Make sure to check. responses. [music]. In Peru, a lot of the dogs there, they. just roam in the streets. >> Oh yeah, I love those. There's a lot of. countries where there's a lot of. countries where nobody owns dogs. The. dogs just live there and. >> chickens sometimes. >> Yo, it used to be like that in America. I haven't seen a stray dog in like I. don't know how long, like like 20 years.

>> I think now they put them in shelters. >> There used to be stray dogs all the. time. >> You guys had that? >> Hell yeah. I never knew you had stray. dogs and stray cats. I never seen them. >> No, I didn't know that. I assumed it was. just never a thing in this country. >> No, it definitely was a thing. I. remember being a kid and you you see a. stray dog and get chased or some [ __ ]. >> You you grew up here, right? >> I grew up in Lower East Side, Manhattan. Yeah. And then I moved to Jersey City. when I was a kid and I moved back to. Manhattan and I've been back and forth. >> You like see New York? >> Uh New York is like Yeah. I got a love.

affair. This feels like this is home. It. It's ruined traveling for me. >> Wait, why? Cuz after like a week or two, I'm like, I got to get back. >> Nothing compares. >> Nothing. Nothing. >> Do you hate non- New Yorkers? Not not. like hate, but I mean like are you. >> They make the city the city. It's always. been like I don't know why you know a. lot of people always complain about. transplants and gentrification like. that's been happening my entire life.

Places getting nicer and Yeah. >> Also when you from New York I'm from you. know we from like public housing. from, you know, I I had no money. So, like I. remember how dangerous New York was and. seeing certain elements of New York, seeing certain. parts of New York nicer and and more fit. for families. I get the corporate [ __ ]. and the gentrification and pricing. people out sucks. >> I wish that. >> there was a middle ground of.

>> affordable safety. It feels like we have. to sacrifice one for the other too much. in this country. >> where if a place is nice now, nobody. could afford to live here. But if we. don't make it nice, then it's dangerous. And you know, all of the places that. poor people have to live, you have to. worry about cutings and muggings and. nothing for the kids and you know, so. it's it's it's we need to figure that. out. And hopefully. >> I think a lot of the time I think a lot. of the time that's Yeah, that's by. design. So if I if I look at it.

particularly in America but in most. places of in the world. >> people aren't protected capital is. protected right. >> so money gets protected no matter where. it is. >> right. >> so when when money is somewhere. >> police go I have to respond to that. because not even the police man. >> I'm saying police the idea because the. police chief is connected to a. superintendent connected to who is. connected to that money and that person. goes yo you're mayor I'm the person who. helped your mayor get. So I'll call your.

mayor and tell him that you guys are. making you my capital is burning down. You guys better do something about it. >> So there's a different incentive. structure. >> for sure. >> that that just happens in that in that. way. >> And when you get that far up, it's not. even about you're not even looking at. people. You're just looking at numbers. You're looking at stats. >> Yeah. 100%. >> And and a lot of times poor people are. the brunt of those stats, you know. >> That's why I'm hopeful for mom Dani. >> I am too. I mean, he seems like of all.

the mayors, the of all the people we've. had, he seems like the one that. >> sort of looks at New York from the lens. of New Yorkers and and it's it's. refreshing. I think that's what people. really really like about him is that. he's like. >> everything that he wants to bring to the. city is something that I believe he. would enjoy about the city, you know, and it's it's sort of like. >> I don't think we've had anybody like. that. It's like the theater of yours. It's built by artists. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. That's exactly.

>> Same kind of thing. Same kind of thing. >> That's the first thing you said that. made sense today. [laughter]. >> No, wait. No, NO, NO. [laughter]. I mean that in a I'm mean that as a. compliment. [laughter]. >> You crazy as hell. [laughter]. That's the first thing you said. You. know, like it's it's interesting cuz. like so like my brothers I got two. brothers that's that was retired NYPD,

right? >> Wow. >> Ain't that something? >> Older brothers, I'm sure. >> Older brothers. Yeah, I'm the youngest. And I remember my brothers telling me. about how he was having an argument. I I. won't say which brother to to protect. his reputation in the department, [laughter] but I remember one of my. brothers telling me he was like he was. having an argument with this uh this. white guy that's also a cop. and um not an argument but just like a. debate like yeah heated debate. >> and he was like I just don't understand. the white guy was saying I just don't.

understand why you know we go to the. hood and and these kids we we why don't. they just stay off the corners like why. they know we're coming you know they. they know what we're trying to do what. what we have to do. Why are they just. always hanging out on the corners and. like what what is the point? Like why we. move them? They just end up on another. corner. >> Yeah. And my brother's like, "Where are. they going to go? To their backyard, to. their, you know, like you don't know, >> go home. You don't know what's in that.

home. You don't know what situation, what living condition they have. You. don't know how many people's in there. You don't you don't know. I'm not saying. that every situation is that, but you. don't know. And and he knows that. because of the way we grew up. And when. we grew up, you know, it was a crowded. house. those seven kids and and and you. know cousins and a three-bedroom. apartment apartments crowded. >> You had to be outside. >> That's where you go. And and when he. said it, I kind of didn't even realize.

it. I was like, "Yo, I remember how you. said just hang out at the bodega and. they would chase us out the bodega and. then we just go to another bodega or. whatever it is." But it's like we didn't. that's where we went shops. >> Where was we going to go? You know, so. it's like. >> wow. I think that there's there's a. different I say what I like to say. I. think there's a difference between. >> these are two cops work in New York. City. One's from the city, one's just. policing the city. And I think we've had. a lot of mayors that look at it the way. that guy is. Like, why don't you just do. this? And then Manny kind of feels like.

a mayor that understands why this kid is. hanging out on the corner. So, how can. we put something healthy for him to do. that? >> Let's put lights on the tennis court. >> Let's do something. You know what I. mean? That that gives him a place to go. and and and serves both needs. >> so that this is a dope New York for even. that kid, not just the people who have a. lot of money and resources and access to. pay for safety. You shouldn't have to. pay for [ __ ] safety in this country. I mean, as much money as they take from.

us. I mean, trapper. I know. >> this [snorts] guy. >> I know. Every about December, January, you looking at that check you got to. write [laughter]. and you like, you got to be [ __ ]. kidding me. [laughter]. >> For what? >> Oh man, >> I know. Trump. Oh, it's the worst day. It's the worst day. You know, you know. the the funniest thing about it is I. always say I don't understand why people. don't selfishly.

>> want neighborhoods to get better. Completely self forget altruism. Forget. altruism. I go. >> they're like, why should my tax dollars. go to paying for some kids in Harlem to. have a a this or have? Then I'm like, I'll tell you why. Just selfishly. Forget even acknowledging them as human. beings and what they should or shouldn't. have. forget that you don't want them on. the corner. You don't want them running. through the street. You don't. So, just. selfishly,

>> just selfishly. provide amenities that change how. people, you know, people like, "Oh, those kids are up to no good." There is. no kid that is up to no good. Most kids. are just up to the thing that they're. afforded. That's it. >> Literally, you're just trying to do what. you do freaking energy. Lit. You. >> just do what you do. >> And they don't But that's that's the. thing. They don't see us as kids. >> Oh [ __ ] that's true as well. >> Yeah, I ain't been a kid since I was. maybe 11, 10 years old. >> Oh [ __ ] that's true as well. >> You know what I'm saying? They don't see. us as kids. We We threats.

>> You're potential threat. >> I first time I was handcuffed, I was. maybe 10. >> for real. >> First, never forget we first moved to. Jersey City. I never forget that we. moved to Jersey City. Um I had a I had a. video game. It's like a Sega Genesis or. something like Oh yeah, I remember. those. >> And we went to go, you know, I didn't. have that many video games. It was. expensive. >> So we would rent the video games from. the video store. Blockbuster used to do. that. >> Blockbuster. This one was called Palmer. Video. Oh, nice.

>> It's like a smaller chain. And we was. walking. We had to walk to the video. store in Jersey City. We just moved. there maybe like 6 months and the cops. rolled up on us, asked us for ID. We. didn't know what the [ __ ] ID, you know. what I Pretend what? What ID? >> No identification. Who's your parents? He handcuffed us, sat us on the floor, asked us who we are. And I never forget. when they unhandcuffed us and let us go. on our way, the cops, never forget him.

His name was Robocop. He said, uh, that's not his real name, but [laughter]. his name, we called him Robocop, cuz he. was like he was like a he was like a. notorious [ __ ] right? >> Oh, so he was his nickname. >> It was his nickname, Robocop. and and. anybody listening to this in Jersey City. know but. >> um. >> so as you're walking away. >> as as as walking away he said welcome to. the neighborhood cuz we told him we just. moved there from New York. He he never. seen us before. It was just him getting. to know us. >> I never forget that. But that's my.

point. And and the weird thing is we. didn't go home and say you're not going. to believe this mom or we thought that's. just what you that's what's supposed to. happen. They're supposed to be a little. threatened by us, I guess. Like that's. Yeah, they I guess. >> I guess we thugs, you know what I mean? Whatever it is as a kid, you don't know. You don't You think you're grown. You. don't know that you're a kid until you. see a kid. >> You know what I mean? Like I like I. remember like what we used to do in the. city. >> and like being like 30 and then you see.

like little kids playing around in a. train. You like where what are you doing. out here? And you like oh I used to do. that. >> And they don't know that they kids. They. just cuz they the world doesn't look at. them like kids. So. >> I I mean I think that's kind of why they. don't take care of us like they take. care of kids, you know, >> because they don't see us as that. They. don't see that this could happen. Even. the most liberal, the most liberal of. white people, when something happens to.

like a black kid, they're like, "Man, I. have friends that could have happened to. any of my [clears throat] son's. friends." [laughter] You know, they. don't ever say that could happen to me. or that could happen to my kid. They. don't look, they know it can't happen to. them in that way. >> It's an externalized idea of what a kid. could be at. Yeah. Yeah. But I know what. you mean. It's not a. >> No. Yeah. It's not No, this affects me. >> How did you get into comedy? >> Uh. cuz like brother cop, brother cop, Michael Chay, comedian. I think um.

it was something that's like a fantasy. as a kid like when you're watching. comedians, watching Carlin, watching. Chris Rock, watching, you know, uh Bill. Cosby, Eddie Murphy, [ __ ] like that. >> You. [laughter]. may he rest. Uh. >> don't worry, bro. [laughter]. >> Who who in that list is according? It's. okay.

watching those guy. Damon Wayne was my. guy. Oh man, >> I love Damon Wayne to this day, man. And. I think like, you know, my family was. like a big comedy house. Like they love. We watched Hollywood Shuffle. We watched. Living Color. We watch uh uh um I'm. going to get you sucker, Eddie Murphy. Raw. Like everything that was comedy, we. watched it himself. Uh yeah. So I think like that power my. grandfather's a pastor.

>> Okay. >> So like you know that sort of holding. court, you know, family gatherings, everybody's just snapping and going at. it. And. >> the people that were funny ones were. kind of the special ones. They like, "Oh, wait till Jerome come, wait till. uncle, you know, wait." You know, there's all these people that was like. super super My brother was really funny. And um you know, I had one of those. families that they would just snap all. night. And so there was sort of a. currency. I think like when you don't. have a lot of money, something else is. going to become your currency.

>> You know, it's going to be. >> has to be it could be funny. It could be. uh sports. Some families are sports. families, some families are just. >> food, >> food, whatever it is. You know, some. barbecue families are like that. Like. that was our currency was who was the. funniest, who could really get you, who. could make my grandmother laugh the. hardest. You know what I mean? So, like. that was kind of always held a special. place. And I think when I started to see. HBO specials and Chris Rock and Carlin,

like those guys, and I started to see it. kind of put together, you know, in a. smart way, I was like, "Oh, you could. like kind of say what you think, you. know, like your your frustrations for. real. It doesn't have to just be def. jam. it could be, you know, kind of. pointed and and, you know, being in. school, you're sort of like the smart. Alec and the class clown and always. asking questions and trying to challenge. the teacher. Real shitty kid things, but. it was making my brain sharp, you know, and um I had a reputation for it and.

I had buddies that were like, "Man, you. should you should do it." And I never. thought I could do it because I didn't. know anybody that had done it. I. >> was doing it. >> Yeah. So, it's like, where do you even. start? I had I didn't know anybody in. show business. And then one day uh I was. just kind of like in between really bad. jobs. And. >> what were you doing? What was your first. job? >> My first job I worked at a car. dealership.

>> as like Wait. Doing what? Wait. Doing. what? >> It was like reception work kind of. Like. >> I was like the guy calling in the checks. and. >> Okay. No, that's not bad. >> It was It was like $10 an hour kind of. >> Okay. No. No. Okay. >> Uh I didn't have a license, so I. couldn't I couldn't sell cars. [laughter]. >> That's like most New Yorkers don't have. a license. >> Yeah, I didn't have a license, so I. couldn't I couldn't sell cars. You need. a license. >> You know, you can't even do your driving. test in Manhattan. >> What do you mean? >> Yo, how you going to do that? You never. seen no driver.

>> What do you have to do? You can't do. your driving test in Manhattan, bro. >> No, man. >> Yo, the rules of driving do not apply to. this island. >> Yeah, it's different. >> You can't You can't teach a person. You. can't even check if a person knows how. to drive here. Yeah, >> cuz here it's like everywhere else the. rules are when a person is in the road, you can't enter the crosswalk and you. can't turn when a person is in the. crosswalk and you got to wait for the. light to do this and parking spots and. this and and you can't use your horn. except if it's an emer and you check. your blind spot and following distance. Everything that is taught to you.

>> in Manhattan. >> does not exist. Yeah. >> So, when you take your test, you got to. go to one of the other burrows. >> and then they'll take you to places. where you can drive. >> and that's where you learn how to drive. Then they're like, "All right, go. Good. luck in Manhattan.". >> You can't You can't You can't You just. can't You never drove here. >> Is insurance more expensive living in. Manhattan? >> I don't know. But I But you can't You. just can't drive. You You know, you. You're not It's not It's literally like. being a taxi driver in a taxi rank in. South Africa. Like where everyone. everything all the time.

>> Yeah. You go in the light. But South. Africa [ __ ] up too cuz I went to Egypt. [laughter] and they was. >> Oh, Egypt. Yeah. Yeah. Egypt. Cyro. >> Yeah. They don't care. Yo. >> Yeah. Cairo's fire, bro. >> The buses don't even stop. They just. jump off and jump on. >> Yeah. No, no. Cyro was I was like, "Okay." Yeah. Cyro's doing it. >> Yeah. They're crazy. >> Cyro's crazy. >> Yeah. >> That's the craziest I' ever seen. >> Wait, what made Cairo crazier for me was. the fact that it was also fastpaced as. well. So, I've been to places that have. crazy traffic but doesn't really move. >> Mhm. Mhm. Cairo. Okay.

>> There's crazy traffic and then the. traffic moves together at like a high. speed and you're like, "Yo, guys, this. is. >> everyone. >> cutting, flying, turning. You're like, yo, I know. Driving here.". >> Yeah. Cairo. Cyro. >> I've driven in New York. When I first. came to New York, man, I'll never. forget. So, >> you don't drive the kind of cars you. want to drive in New York, though. >> I don't know. I don't have any cars now. But when I was in No, really. Let me. tell you what happened. >> This [ __ ] is full of [ __ ] man. >> My man, which cars do I have now? He. does. >> Doesn't. Yeah. Really?

>> So, let me tell you what happened. >> First got to New York. [laughter]. >> I had my cars in South Africa. No, I had. my cars in South Africa and then I was. like, get to New York and everyone's. like, "You don't drive in New York. You. don't drive." So, I was like, "You don't. drive in New York." That was it. >> Then Jerry Seinfeld invites me to do. comedians and cars. >> He's driving. He's like, "Do you like. cars?" I actually do love cars. We start. talking about cars. So, I was like, "Where do you have all your cars?" He's. like, "Oh, so I have them. I've got this. special house building elevator type. thing." He goes, "But I go driving." And. he tells me about these roads. He's.

like, "You should take cars and go drive. there." So then what I did was I started. renting cars. >> to go and drive out in the Cats, not. Catskills, but I guess Catskills. adjacent like Bear Mountain and and. those places. [snorts]. >> And then um. >> place called Bear Mountain. >> Yeah. Where I did. >> is a beautiful state. Yeah. >> You got to you got to leave this block. [laughter]. >> I wish I had a rock and roll. You got to. leave. You got to leave this block, man. There's a lot to see out there, brother. >> We can't keep seeing you on the corner,

Eugene. Come on, man. You got to go to. another corner. >> You got to go to a different Dwayne. Reed, man. [laughter]. >> So, so yeah. So, I I was I was driving. and then. >> So, you rent a car and then you. >> So, I'd rent a car and then I'd go out. there and drive. Few things that got me. One, it takes like an hour just to leave. Manhattan. >> to go to the place. That was too much. for me. >> And then secondly, the place where I'd. rent the car was in Manhattan. and. driving in Manhattan. So, the first. thing I rented when I got here cuz after. Seinfeld like I should do this. I rented.

a Lamborghini, >> my man. >> And then I was like, I'm going drive. through Time Square with my Lamborghini. >> Never before have I felt, you know, in. most parts of the world, Lamborghini. plus person, >> Yeah. >> equals ultimate levels of Yeah. No. Next. >> Come to New York. >> Yeah. drive a Lamborghini or Ferrari or. anything inside Manhattan, Time Square. >> Yeah. >> People look at you like you wore a tank. top on a rainy day.

>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Everyone looks at you like, "What do you. think?". >> Tracy Morgan does it all the time. >> Exactly. Tracy, I think [laughter]. >> that answers that answers your question. Did you see Remember when Tracy's car. got hit by an Uber at this point? >> No. Tracy got hit by like a like a like. a small little Nissan runaround type. thing. Yo, Tracy, they hit just bought. the Bugatti. He drove out of the. dealership. I think it was his second. Bugatti. Drove out of the dealership and. then some random Uber driver just like. bam hit Tracy Morgan in his in his.

Bugatti. >> I remember when Tracy first. came home from like the accident like. from the hospital and we first seen him. and it was like room was like Tracy's. back. Tracy's back. We didn't know if he. was okay or not, like how okay he was or. whatever. >> and we was just so thankful that he was. alive. Him and Arty. >> Yeah, him and Arty. Him and we had seen. Arty though. >> We didn't see Tracy. And I remember we. were at the cellar. >> and you know, we were just talking like, "Man, I hope Tracy's okay." You know, like, "Man, I'm so happy." Everybody's.

like kind of like. >> happy but worried. >> Yeah. And I remember we was coming down. the coming down the stairs at Olive Tree. and a white Phantom Rolls-Royce was. driving [laughter] and it's Tracy. hanging out the window going, I CAN'T. SPEND THIS MUCH MONEY, TRA. [laughter]. I was like, I guess Tracy's fine. [laughter]. >> A white phantom. I'll never forget it. SPEND THIS MUCH MONEY. I like all right,

[laughter]. fair enough. Man, he's been trying, but he can't. >> Oh, man. I used to bump into him all the. time because the Bugatti place is a. block away from the Daily Show. >> Yeah. >> And so I'd bump into him when he's like. servicing his car or buying another car. or do you know what I mean? >> And Tracy's that guy. Like I'd be. walking out and you just bump into a. Tracy Mo in traffic in a Bugatti rolling. down a cuz I'm looking in the car like. damn. >> smooth criminal or something. >> That would be him. And then he'd just. like lean out the window and just shout.

random things at me. It would take me. like two, three seconds to realize who. it was. >> You know what I mean? Then he'd be like, "How you GOING TO BE WALKING WHEN the. Bugatti IS IN THE DEALERSHIP?". [laughter]. >> I'm like, "Yo, Tracy, come on. Tracy, bro, >> my my sister was at a Knicks game and. she I was like, "How was the game?" And. she was like, "I saw Tracy. He told me. to tell you that he got you. Don't. worry." And I was like, "What is he. talking about?" I [laughter] have no. idea. I don't know what he's talking. about. >> He got you, man. >> I got you.

>> Tell me my kagan. >> Oh, damn. [laughter]. >> No, man. I love that for him. I was just. like, he's just like he's just like a. ball of comedy. A ball. One of my. favorite Tracy Morgan stories ever. >> It was uh Angelo Lozada told me this. May he rest in peace, man. Angelo, >> rest in peace. >> And apparently they were on they lost a. lot of guys. >> Yeah, we did, man. [clears throat] We. did. And uh Angelo was telling me the. story. Tracy was with his crew in the. car one while they're on the road. touring and one of one of his guys. that's opening but he's he's like his.

dude his dude you know it's not like he. looks down on him anyway. They all in. the car together and this guy had his. comedy joke book but like his life you. know how it is if a comedian has that. book that's their life. >> Every joke, every idea is in that little. book. >> And they're sitting in the car and he's. there and he's be doing his thing and. and Tracy's like he's like yo man. He's. like what you doing over there? And he's. like all right man Tracy come on man. you know, I'm writing some stuff for. tonight. What? Then Tracy's like, "Let. me see that." And he takes the book, opens the window, throws it out, and. then yo, this guy, apparently, HE WAS.

LIKE, "YO, WHAT THE FUCK?" ON THE. HIGHWAY. YO, WHAT THE [ __ ] AND THEN. TRACY'S LIKE, "MAN, IF YOU FUNNY, that. [ __ ] going to come from inside you, man. You can't be writing that [ __ ] down.". He's [laughter] like, "Yo, yo, let me. tell you something. If you funny, that. [ __ ] got to Yo, they said that guy. almost cried. They had to hold him. Tracy.". >> And Tracy was probably, you know, where. this guy wants to kill him. And Tracy's. like oblivious to the whole thing and. he's just like, "Man, if you funny, that. [ __ ] got to come from inside you.". [laughter]. >> That's Tracy. Oh, that's great. That's.

great. I heard uh Chris Rock used to do. that. Somebody told me that he uh one of. writers used to always work at the used. to also work at the Chris Rock show. >> Yeah. And back then they used to write. on typewriters like they had to write. scripts out you know. [laughter]. And he said Chris would like walk into. the office see like a sketch or whatever. like on their desk. Nice sketch [ __ ]. and throw it out the window. [laughter]. >> Man, I love STORIES LIKE THIS. >> YOU'RE LIKE WHAT THE [ __ ]. >> STORIES like this.

>> all over again. >> I love stories like this. >> Yeah, >> cuz I feel I don't know. I feel like. there was a moment in comedy where. >> I mean I obviously say this knowing that. times are good but like there was a. moment in comedy where it feels like. comedy wasn't as big, comedy wasn't as. popular, comedy didn't have as much. money and so comedy was crazier. >> Yeah. >> Like sometimes when I see us as. comedians now, I go I think sometimes we. take ourselves way too seriously. >> Yeah. But we also take ourselves too. seriously. >> Yeah. Like I see comedians now, I have.

to remind myself. >> all the time. I go like, "Yo, do not. forget you're a loser. You got bullied. You're an idiot. You're a clown. You're. stupid. You're not cool. You I have to. remind myself of that because now comedy. has like ascended in a way that like now. comedians are rockstar. Now you walk out. on stage. Now there's like a. >> and it's like no, but don't forget what. this thing like is and was.". >> Yeah. >> Yeah. you might be beloved and cool, but. just don't forget that side of it. >> We started believing the the adjectives,

you know, like a lot of times I I do. think there was a time when they started. writing about comedy in the most. romantic way and now we now we all think. we're brilliant and genius and and all. of this [ __ ] and we're not. We're just. funny at best. Like the best best case. scenarios were funny. >> Feels like comedy is going through what. chefs went through. >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Actually, yes. It was. about cooking delicious food that people. like. And then. >> that's true. Chefs, too.

>> Then it became like a. >> Yeah. >> cook. It's not about the food. >> I don't know why I came so like the army. too. Like what the [ __ ]. >> Well, the the chef's thing. >> Yeah. Yeah. CHEF LIKE WHAT IS THAT? [laughter] WHAT ARE you talking about? Marines all of a sudden. Every time I. watch a cooking show and some [laughter]. crying I don't know why. >> Sorry, chef. You know who had we had uh. we had her on the show. >> Asma Khan. >> We had Asma Khan on the show. >> She's one of the funniest. >> Yeah. >> like amazing chefs you've ever come.

across. She has a restaurant in uh in. London. >> And Asma's she's like she said it so. succinctly and be I was like we asked. her that question like what do you think. that is? And she's she was like she's. like Trevor can I tell you something? She's like I just think that's white men. trying to make the job look harder than. it actually is. She's like, "Because for. generations, women and women of color. have been doing what they're doing now. without any fuss.". >> Without shouting. >> She's like, "Without, we don't need to. shout. We don't need to to pump. somebody's face into a wall. We don't.".

She's like, "Trevor, >> that's hilarious.". >> But they have to because they're like, "I have to show you how hard it is.". >> What is that? >> She's like, "Yo, bro, that's just. performance. >> Machismo performance.". >> That's crazy. She's like, "Why are they. crying?". >> She said, "It's a bunch of white guys. who are trying to make it like YOU KNOW. HOW HARD THIS IS." AND SHE'S LIKE, "YO, women have been doing this. Calm down.". >> Yeah. My mother did. She My mother. yelled, though. I ain't going to lie. She could [laughter] be. >> while cooking. >> Oh, SHE YEAH, DEFINITELY. >> GET OUT OF this kitchen. >> Yeah. Yeah. She was B. My mother's Wow. >> Were you allowed in the kitchen when. your mom was cooking?

>> Yeah. >> Oh, really? >> That was our quality time. >> Oh, that's why you can cook. >> You can cook. >> Well, >> nice. >> That was our quality time. >> Eugene cooked for me. And I'll be honest. with you, I didn't know how to process. what was happening. [laughter]. >> Really? >> No. Can I tell you why? cook. Well, like. what do you cook? Like. >> anything. >> really. [laughter]. >> I didn't know how to play girls. Like I. could cook and it'd be like salmon and. fetuccini. >> No. >> What are you [laughter]. like He picked the most WHITE GIRL THING. EVER. >> AND FETUCCINI. >> NO, NO, NO. For real. Black girls cooked.

salmon. >> Salmon and fetuccini. >> Fetuccini. [laughter]. >> No, no, no. You And he he cooked and I. was like I didn't know how to I didn't. know what was happening. And he cooked. my favorite thing. >> Really? He just surprised me one day. when we're in Johannesburg and we just. he just surprised me. It's pig feet. >> That is the appropriate response by the. way. >> Perfect response. >> Is that I don't know if he was making. fun of me or. >> No, no, [laughter] no. Pig feet. >> For real. Pig feet. >> Yeah. Like the trotters of a pig. That's. bar none across every culture.

>> Pig feet. >> Sichuan pig feet. South African pig. feet. Curry. Curry pig feet. He'll die. He can't eat that. >> He can't eat that. It's too much. It's a. sensory overload. >> Overload. with McDonald's. >> Pig feet. >> You eat pig feet. >> and they in the like they still look. like that. >> Trevor Noah. >> like this. >> You don't eat no damn pig feet. Yeah. Y'all [ __ ] with me. >> for real. For real. >> We wouldn't lie to you. >> with like a like a fork and a knife.

>> No. Bare hands. >> Bare hands. >> Bare knuckle. [ __ ] Because the bare. knuckle. >> I don't believe. No, you got you you. can't. >> I don't believe you like in a stew like. a jar. >> No. So, generally generally it's in a. stew. The one I like. But there's also a. brazed version. Yeah. >> That's cooked over a flame. >> Um I'll take you one day. We'll go in. New York. >> YOU WON'T BE LIKE [laughter]. BIG. >> You for real? >> I'm for real.

>> No, you're not. >> You've never. >> No. >> You like you like like chitlins and too? So I don't think chitlins have as much. flavor as they could. I we do eat. chitlins where we're from, >> but I think. >> Where are you from for real? >> No, in South Africa we eat like but we. call like it's we have a different. thing. Malamud. >> tripe. >> Yeah. Tripe. So it's like the intestines. in like Chinese restaurants. Is that the. same thing as as Yeah. >> But it's versions cuz chitlins will be. like certain parts. Everyone has a. different idea like what what they'll.

include of the insides of an animal. >> Yeah. But I think I've had chitlins. everywhere in Atlanta. Everyone's like, "You got to have chitlins." Love the the. texture and the vibe. I just think you. can see that there were no Indians. involved is what I'm saying. >> There's no spice and flavor. >> Yeah. Yeah. Like a little funny you say. that because I didn't know how bland. American food, not bland, but like we. don't. >> I've always been afraid of Indian food. because like it's just culturally I. think it's just very different from.

American food. Americans are afraid of. American food. >> Yeah, that's true. >> When I introduced. >> That's true. >> Indian food into the daily shows. routine. So, the Daily Show would have. like. >> normal catering every day and then. there'd be one day, you remember, a week. where they would like get food from a. place. >> That's right. >> And generally they would get like an. Italian sandwich like pastrami and blah. blah and they get but it would be like. food from a place. >> and after like a bunch of rotations one. week I was like, "Yo, why do we always. get like those like big sandwiches?". >> Yeah. And then.

>> and they were like, "Oh, we love it." I. was like, "Wait, but we can get from. anywhere." And they're like, "Yeah." And. I was like, "But you get from there.". And they're like, "Yeah." And they said, "Why what would you want to get?". >> I said, "Uh, we should do Indian food. one week.". >> And that week, the amount of complaints. and like no, but like people were. >> really like, "Yeah, no, we can't do." We. saw that Indian food's on the we can't, we can't, we can't. Then so we ordered. we had to order like a second meal for. the people who couldn't weren't going to. do the Indian food but then everyone ate.

the Indian food and then people came up. to me and they're like oh I didn't know. that this is what Indian food was. >> No me neither. I was scared of it. It's. I was scared of it. I don't know what it. is. It's cuz like it's like a I don't. know. I think I think a lot of times too. like. a lot of Indian food like it. it looks it's like a lot of stewed. [ __ ] you know so a lot of times you see. it and you like I don't know I can't. >> can't identify the meat [laughter]. >> I can't identify anything you know what. I mean like I.

smell [laughter]. it's brown but it but it's sweat yellow. I don't what's going on there yellow. >> yeah like what is this so it's like it's. just so unlike a hamburger and a hot. dog. So when I tried it, it was my mind was. blown cuz I you know you start to think, well damn, how much have I been just. missing out? Yeah. And then especially. like African African food or like uh. Caribbean food. >> Now Caribbean is maybe the best because.

it's African meets Indian. >> Yeah. >> See, I but I I could see the lineage is. what I'm trying to say. So like when you. start to like Oh, okay. So I think about. like soul food. >> Yes. >> And then I think of okay what's the West. Indian version of that or what's like. the Nigerian version or whatever it is. Then you're like oh I start to see that. >> this is just our version of that with. what we had here. Exactly. Exactly. >> You know what I'm saying? But I it took. me years to know that but as a kid I was. like no sir give me pepper steak. You.

know what I mean? Chicken nuggets. It. was like little real bland stuff. There. [clears throat] was a there's an Indian. spot that I think is like hacked to. people I guess that really really like. Indian food. But like that's their place. uh Jim Kana in London. >> I it's one of my favorite restaurant. I. I go there all the every time I'm in. London. I go there. >> and I don't know maybe y'all know some. [ __ ] better. you as you smile. So. everybody [laughter] I wanted to show no. I want to show how funny express. is my favorite spot.

>> and. >> ju like next next time you go there I. got to ask I'll tell you but I'll tell. you next time you go I wanted to show. you like. >> okay. >> no no no Jim Khana is there it's up. there. >> London has some of the best Indian food. in the world. >> I've heard that. >> I've heard that but I'm everything I'm. late this is all within like the last. seven years. >> you have you have become a even in the. time I've known known you. I've watched. you go from being a very very insular. person to like slowly like exploring. outside of your comfort zone.

>> because beday was another one. >> Bed yo, >> you need to leave the blog more. [laughter]. >> Some wise man gave me that advice. Never. look back. [laughter]. >> You don't. I deserve that. I deserve that, man. I. feel so stupid wiping my ass without. water. So [laughter] I've wasted so many. years. so many years on scratching booty. [laughter]. >> Brett loves beday. >> Yo, I got a bed. I I won't I won't do.

that. >> I've never used a bedet. >> What? Brett was trying to convince me to. use the bedet my friend. >> New plumbing here at the bathroom. >> This is why you're angry. Yo yo yo. [laughter]. >> This is why you angry. >> Cuz I'm trying to separate my hand from. my ass. >> Let me tell you something, bro. Bedet. and the technology. Not just bedet. Go. Japanese bedet. >> What's the difference? >> Let me ask you a question. >> Yes. Yes. >> If you got. a little poop. on your hand.

and I gave you a piece of tissue to. clean it off. What would you say? >> This is me right there. >> Would you Would you say that that's. sufficient for the day? >> No. Obviously not. >> Okay. Now, now why would it be Why would. you not introduce water? >> Then I see poop in my hand. Yeah. >> You see my [laughter]. ah [ __ ]. >> Oh god. >> Anywhere. If you got poop anywhere on. [laughter] your body and I gave you a. piece of tissue to clean it, would that. be sufficient?

>> Okay, but Michael, I would need on the. middle OF YOUR BACK. >> I WOULD NEED [laughter] I would need. water and soap, right? So, here's my. thing. >> You would need a hose. No, you need a. hose. It's It's literally. >> a hose. >> A hose, >> but no soap. >> You don't need soap. >> You don't need the soap. And then how do. I dry my ass after that shower? >> So now remember when I told you about. Japanese bed? You remember this? >> Allow me to introduce you to the toto. >> That's right. >> You see what he's introducing you to. instead of [clears throat] things that. really matter. >> No, no, no. This matters. Trust me. This.

going to change your life. >> Change your life, brother. >> Someone's blowing air up your ass. >> Yeah, >> my friend. >> drives it. Oh, you Yeah, you bugging. >> My friend. Wait, wait, wait. >> Sometimes I when I don't even got to. poop, I just just go for a spritz. I go [laughter] for a nice little. stretch. I read a book. Isolate. [laughter]. >> Isolate. >> Isolate, baby. Isolate. Yo, you got to. >> you never. >> Oh, my friend. >> Oh, dude. You got to, man.

>> Oh, my friend. Yeah. You're missing out. on that. >> That's what's your problem. >> Wait. So, here's. >> it. Do whatever it. >> Yeah. And then it dries. >> and then you're out of there. >> Do you have a girlfriend? And then so it sprays your ass and then. you're out of there. >> You got girlfriend. >> Does it get the ball only? Do you date? >> Do you go on dates? >> I like dates. >> You like dates? >> Yeah. The fruit. [snorts and laughter]. >> I'm telling you, if you got somebody in.

your life and they use the b they want. to use your bathroom and you got you one. of them, >> I'm in. >> She going to be like, "This guy's nice.". >> Yeah. He knows how to take care of. something delicate. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, [laughter] man. Absolutely, brother. Abs. She going to look at you. different. >> For real. For real. >> For real. For real. Listen, I don't have. one book in my house. I got a Toto. They. think I'm smart. [laughter]. I'm telling you, bro. I'm telling you.

[laughter]. Change your life. >> Oh, man. >> Change your life, man. >> Oh, man. >> Beautiful. [laughter]. It's beautiful. No, it's. >> Well, >> okay. Okay. Not together, though. But. >> I didn't know we grew we grew up so. similar little. >> Yeah. >> See, I honestly thought I I don't know. why, but I honestly thought like like. Oh, man. See, I always think I just. Maybe it's like a grass greener type. thing. Like I I thought I thought you. had like you had a set out there.

>> No, >> I ain't know. No, we that's one of the. things that I always felt. sometimes it would be in a sad way but. in a beautiful way as well. It was like. the one thing that connected me to black. people all over the world was I was like. we'll sound different because of our. accents. We'll like. >> but I can talk to a guy who grew up in. Brazil. >> in the fllas and I can tell him stories. from South Africa in the hood and he'll. be like wait we did that. >> Ain't that something? And then I'll talk. to a black person in New York and.

they'll be like, "We did that." And then. I'll talk to and I'll talk to it. It's. it's this f it's what you said about the. soul food. >> Everyone took the culture and whatever. they had and it was molded by the place. they were in, but you can bring all the. threads back and you can connect all the. moments. The same thing the, you know, everyone will have a different word for. it, but the barbecue, the bri, the. wherever people are cooking meat and. then people are roasting each other and. it's informal and the grandmother's. cooking. and and the kids are all in the street. and you can't be in the house. You got.

to be outside, but then you better get. back in the house at the right time and. you know what I mean? It's like, oh, and. you you're playing and it's like a you. got to watch out for the cars at the. right time and the all of this. >> sharing clothes. >> is a universal experience. See, this is. deep cuz like I feel like for as black. Americans just recently, one of the cool. things about like the past 10 15 years. is seeing black Americans connect with. Africans, connect with black people in. other other countries, right? Because.

>> we thought. >> a whole other thing, you know what I. mean? And I think I always liken it to. like um. when your father got kids on the other. side of town and you know they mother. don't like you and your mother don't. like them. So y'all all y'all know is. what y'all don't like about each other. >> But then you get older, you reconnect. and y'all start real that's my brother. Like yo we got the same face. We we kind. of came from the same spot. >> Yeah.

>> You still may have those hang-ups. >> Yeah. But you start to undo a lot of a. lot of the [ __ ] you've been told. >> That's exactly it. >> And I think like [snorts] you know as. kids for us like African was like that. was like a bad I was like a diss to say. something like. >> Yeah. booty scratcher. African booty. scratcher. I remember when I saw that it. was like from a comedy. Who said was it. Jamie who said it. >> was funny but I remember like I remember. going wait that's an insult. >> They would say that they they be like. look at this African booty scratcher. And I was like wait why is that? That's.

why I be, you know, and and that's the. crazy thing, too, because it's like as. as black people, like I don't even. really get mad too much about like when. white people kind of grow up with these. crazy prejudices and stereotypes for us. >> I I can't be mad because we was taught. the same [ __ ] and we believed it, too. You know what I'm saying? Like, we. believe a lot of the [ __ ]. >> that they told us, too. We learned from. the same places. We watched the same. movies. We watched the same show. We. heard the same disses. So, a lot of the.

stuff that's that's kind of perpetuated. uh as stereotypes, we participated in. it. So, we can't be that mad because we. got tricked too, you know. And I think. it's cool now to see that those lines. are starting to sort of fade and and. we're starting to kind of see how much. we got in common. >> But that's what I like about your. analogy though is I think for a long. time people made the mistake of assuming. because people shared the same dad, they. were the same person. >> Yeah. And it's like no. >> Africans even within Africa.

>> and then Africanameans like there are so. many differences in a good way. >> but then there are so many commonalities. in a good way. So it's like. >> don't flatten the people and be like. we're all the same. It's like no we have. a lot in common. >> and it's cool to bump into those things. and then we also have so many. differences. It's also cool to bump into. those things. So, I think that's what. I've enjoyed as the evolution of it is. people going, "Oh, that's where we're. Oh, okay. Pig feet. Oh, yeah. I don't. That's. >> Yeah, but that's where it's fly, though,

because I can have the same conversation. with somebody from Alabama." You know. what I'm saying? Like, it it ain't that. far away. >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. >> It's like, you know, like like like I. joke about this, but it's true. If I. have kids now, when they grow up, they. gonna grow up a lot more like white kids. in the suburbs than they than me. And we. just they right from me. You know what. I'm saying? So like. 20,000 miles away or whatever the [ __ ].

you know what I mean? Like in Africa, wherever. It's a a lot a lot can change. We could be the same exact person, but. the dynamic of the environment that. we're in makes us completely different. That's one of my It's one of my favorite. jokes you've told. By the way, >> I like you know when you hear a joke and. it'll just make you chuckle whenever you. feel like chuckling was Michael said he. has a joke where he says I just realized. I grew up you know a certain way and. then I'm just paraphrasing. I grew up a. certain way and he's like my kid if I. have a kid.

>> my kid is going to live a much better. life. They're going to be well adjusted. They're going to be good. They're going. to be this, you know, they're going to. like they're going to live a good life. They're going to be a better person. Blah blah blah. And he's like, he's. like, I don't want to see that. [laughter]. >> It's true though. I don't I don't know. how to I don't know how to process that. I don't know how to process that. But. it's but it's real. It's to me like it's. um I the the joke is kind of from an. insecurity of. >> like I'm bringing up a kid in this world.

and and envy. Yeah. But also. >> you you're the first generation. going. to be sharper than me in ways that I. couldn't even fathom. You know, like the. way I grew up, we was we was beaten to. submission. You know what I'm saying? Like we was kind of taught like you you. either going to work or you going to. die. You know, like that sort of thing. Like. >> it's a scary way. I don't know how to. parent. >> in a world where kids have everything. You know what I'm saying? Like. >> autonomy, agency, access.

>> It's insane. >> Yeah. And the emotional intelligence of. a welladjusted kid will surpass an. adult's way of thinking. >> Are we dying? >> Any given time? >> Like I've seen sometimes my daughter. will just let me think what I want to. think without having to fight me. >> cuz she knows that it's it is what it. is. And then she'll be like, "Okay.". >> Then we just end there cuz you know in. my world you fight for your stake. Like. you said, beat the person into. submission. They'll just be like, "Okay.". >> Then you'll come around and be like, "Yeah, but that that was wrong.

And I'm like, you are 15 or you're 12 or. you're 13. You really can beat me. logically because of of how well. adjusted you are. >> You realize, but doesn't that make cuz I. mean, you've been on the journey. >> I wonder if cuz I understand what you're. saying as an insecurity and a fear. Isn't there like a little spark of like. maybe like joy that comes into your head. going like it's is there a little. excitement that you have at the idea of. them experiencing that like you are the. person who is. >> just imagine this for a moment. I always.

think about this to be the first of your. generation the first of not your. generation the first of your lineage. >> Yeah. >> to break out of something in a good way. >> Man just think about that for a moment. >> Yeah. But it, you know, it also just. makes me think of like what's that. imposttor syndrome kind of thing. because, you know, >> you know, I think of like my. grandmother. She's like. >> washing floors for with no headphones.

and [ __ ] you know? Like that was her. and she's better person than anybody. sitting here. You know what I mean? So. it's like. >> because I could do jokes, I get to learn. what it's like to have water shoot up. your butt after you poop. You know, she'll never know that joy. You know. what I mean? Like that kind of thing. Like you. >> Is your grand still alive? >> No, she's gone. She She died of co. >> Oh, yes. I remember this. I'm sorry. Yes. >> No. No. It's not your fault. >> No, no, no. But I remember this. [snorts]. >> It's [laughter] not your fault. >> No, I'm sorry for forgetting is what I'm. saying.

Is this This is how I process [laughter]. things. >> No, but she you know, she passed away. The reason I say I'm sorry as well is be. again, it's cuz I I flash back to one of. my favorite lines where he said, "I. refuse to believe this [ __ ] happened. because some Chinese [ __ ] ate a bat.". [laughter] And I remember I couldn't. believe I was so sad listening to the. rest of the story and you said that line. and I remember going, "I don't know. what's happening right now in my. [laughter] body.". >> Yo, you were like, "I refuse." You were.

like, "It must you like I don't. believe." you like, I don't care about. conspiracy theories. I'm not getting. involved in politics, nothing, but I'm. just letting you guys know I refuse to. believe that this my world has collapsed. >> because some [ __ ] ate a bat. [laughter]. >> That's just a hard that's a hard cell in. my in my household. >> So, do you never do you never think to. yourself though that like. and maybe I'm saying this because it's. how I I process things. I think of it as. a as a culmination.

>> Yeah. So I don't think of it as because. I tell jokes or because I did this I. have this life. I go man my grandmother. worked my grandmother worked cleaning. things and then working in a factory. till her hands couldn't close anymore. Like my grandmother like when she passed. away her hands were like basically like. this. She couldn't like hold anything. >> Yeah. >> You know. >> she literally worked her hands down to. the bone. >> literally. But like when I think of the.

moments that we got to share where at. least she got to like see the family get. better and she's you know a she was. appreciative of things that I took for. granted. >> Yeah. >> She didn't care for them. and like for instance freedom was the. biggest one for her. >> Yeah. >> Like for real for real for real. I would. still talk about like h what does it. mean you know the family now you see we. got a house that's bare you know we. always used to we all used to sleep in. one room. My grand is like, she's like, "What?" She's like, "No, Trev." I'm.

like, "What do you most appreciate?". She's like, "We are free." She says, "Oh, Trevor, you don't you don't know. what it was like." Then I'm like, "What. do you what do you mean?" I know it was. bad. She's like, "No, you don't know. what it was like." She's like, "Oh, you. you can just walk now. >> You can just go outside. >> Just walk now.". >> Yeah. Like, and I was like, damn. For. her, she's really processing this from a. different place. >> I'm looking at it sort of from an. amenities and luxuries perspective. I'm. like, "Look at what we can have.". >> She's going, "No, look at what we can.

be.". >> She's like, "You could just go to a. school and read." And she's like, "Wow, you can walk in the streets now." And I. was like, "Damn." So that's what she was. grateful for. >> That's deep. I I look at it sort of in. the middle of that cuz I I do think. those two things are connected. I think. like first of all I I do deeply in my. heart believe that black people are. naturally socialist people because we're. just community people and and our stake. in the community, our standing in the.

community is kind of more important than. anything. But I do think where money. comes in is. I I think it costs a lot of money to. feel free for black people in this. country. For me in particular. >> everywhere I think. >> Yeah. I can only speak for myself. though. Like I like I I realize I'm like. a lot of money like I probably. hopefully won't spend the my the money.

that I've made in my lifetime cuz I. don't even want the stuff you don't even. really want. How many cars do you want? I mean what how big of a house do you. need? Like it don't really cost a lot of. money to be with me. I wear a lot of. hoodies and sneakers from the 90s. You. know what I'm saying? Like [ __ ] ain't. that expensive. Uh, I do think though. there's an amount of money where I feel. like they won't. treat me like they did. >> Damn. >> You know what I mean? And or I can go.

wherever I want, dressed how I want. And. and they'll say, "Oh, that's Michael. You can't get IN HERE WITH OH, NO. I. KNOW. YO, YOU COME IN AND COME ON IN.". like the freedom of just being able to. live wherever I want or to to eat. wherever I want or to wear what I want. or to not need permission. That's like. what I need money for. >> Can I can I challenge you? Yeah. >> On one part of it, not not to dismiss. it. >> No, please.

>> I think you're making a mistake of. conflating the money with the. familiarity of fame. I would argue that you would have. exactly all of these same things. >> with fame because what fame does is fame. fame bridges the gap of ignorance. >> Yeah. >> What fame does is it allows somebody to. see you apart from the collective as you. said in the beginning of our. conversation the numbers. >> So now with fame you're not one of those. black kids on the corner. You're not. some sketchy guy with a hoodie. You're.

not it's like yeah there was this guy. Oh my god it's Michael Chay. You see. that thing like you you you go from. being a blur in a lineup to being a. face. >> Sure. >> Does that make sense? I think the money. absolutely makes sense. >> The money thing I No, the reason I say. is because like I think sometimes we. conflate the money with the the access. or with the preference or with that. But. it's like no, it to me it's like oh. >> I've seen black people with money who. sort of don't like have that still. But. I think a lot of times that's why black.

people wear their money. >> Oh, definitely. >> I think that's when you see like a like. a black guy that's not famous. He's got. on 40 necklaces. >> Yeah. No%. I think I think it's sort of. a. >> a signaling of your signaling of I'm You. don't have to. >> use the baton officer. You know what I. mean? That kind of thing. Like I I I. make a lot of money. I'm okay. It's it's. sort of this it's sort of this um.

signaling like you said. >> No, no, I completely agree with that. >> I think I think there's something to. that. It's all and and you know, again, I wish we lived in a world where. everybody could just kind of experience. that sort of freedom. It's not just. because you have money, you know what I. mean? Or not just because you're famous. I I can't tell you how many times I've. gone to a restaurant or a club or a bar. or whatever and you know they're like no. and then someone runs down and say we. are so sorry we didn't know and you're.

like. >> yeah but. >> that I wouldn't feel comfortable there. just be you know you want me there just. because it's me what about everybody. else that looks like me. >> now I know who's in there you know what. I'm saying ain't nobody that look like. me so. >> this probably isn't the place for me so. it's you know it's that kind of thing. where you you know there's insecurity. that. >> nobody wants you here. >> You feel that way. >> Coming up on What Now,

>> the gift is the success, but because of. the success, you don't get to see each. [music] other. There was a point where I. was seeing this guy. >> every week. That's right. >> Maybe twice a week at least. >> And then you bump into each other in. Australia. Oh, you here in Australia? Oh. [ __ ] you're in Canada. They'd be like, "Michael's here. Michael's here.". >> Then now you're like, "Well, I guess I'm. getting drunk." And then it's like like, "Oh, Hannibal's here. I guess we're not. waking up tomorrow." Then it [music]. became this thing. >> My favorite is like when it would. overlap at like the cellar. You would. just see like. >> Trevor Trevor Tre Trevor Tre Trevor Tre. Trevor on the lineups. You just ch.

the best, man. You just like literally. sometimes it would align when we're just. all in town. [music]. >> Everybody has that oddly specific thing. that they're curious about. Maybe it's. restoring old watches. Maybe it's. Japanese ceramic making. Maybe it's. watching someone explain why one bridge. in a remote area of Norway is secretly. better than all the other bridges in the. world. YouTube always has exactly what. you're looking for, even when you didn't.

know you were looking for it. With. YouTube Premium, those deep dives feel. even smoother. You get adree viewing, but you also get background play when. you need your hands free. And you get. offline downloads so you can keep. watching wherever you happen to be, even. if you happen to be off the grid. It's. everything you already love about. YouTube, just somehow. Even better. Yeah. One of my favorite YouTube Premium. features is smart downloads. Because how. many times have you gone somewhere AND.

REALIZED I FORGOT TO DOWNLOAD ANYTHING? And now you're on the way to the. airport, you're like, download, download, download, download. You're on. the plane, download, download, download, download. THERE'S NO WI-FI. I WISH I. DOWNLOADED. NOW, ALL OF those things. that you were going to watch are just on. the internet. Smart downloads basically. thinks ahead for you. It automatically. downloads recommended videos based on. what you like to watch. So, even when. you forget to prepare, YouTube Premium. didn't. I love it. It's like packing for. a trip and discovering somebody already. remember the thing you always leave at. home. It's always the underwear. If you.

like YouTube, you'll love YouTube. Premium. Sign up now for your free trial. at youtube.com/premium. terms apply. Cancel anytime. [music]. Man, it's it's amazing how time moves. and [music] how, you know, your. experiences shape you. Around the same time you were getting on. to SNL. >> Mhm. >> Was around the same time.

>> almost exactly. Yeah. >> I was getting on the Daily Show. >> was around the same time Michael B. Jordan got uh Fantastic 4. >> Mhm. >> And it was so funny. I remember like. these random conversations. One I had. was with um with Michael and I said to. him, I think it was at a MetGal or one. of those some event. It was not the. right place to have this, but I just. said to him, I was like, "Hey man, how. are you dealing with this?" I think cuz. selfishly I wanted to know. >> I was like, "How are you?

>> I I'm watching everyone say like the the. torch can't be a black man. Like how are. you dealing with how are you?" And now. when you look at it now, you people will. be like Michael B. Jo. No, no one was. saying that. Now he seems obvious and. now he's entrenched, >> right? >> Now he's doing he can do anything he. wants. >> Literally one of the few movie stars. left in the world. >> Yeah. >> But there was a time literally where. people were just like the human torch. It was as simple as that. Human torch is. not a black guy. Human torch. >> And I remember asking Michael, I said, "Yo, how do you how do you feel? How you. dealing with this?". >> And he he said [clears throat] something. that was really really powerful. He said.

he said, "I I struggled with it. I I. doubted I he then one day I just went. like if not me then who? He's like yeah if not me then who? You. don't want it to be me but then but then. who? In all of these situations if not. me then who? So instead of me constantly. going ah I don't belong here. It's like. okay but then if not me then who? >> Someone's got to be in that space. Someone's got to do stuff. Someone's got. to that stuck with me. >> And then the other one was for us. I. mean it was a similar thing. We both.

were in a position. >> where we took over a beloved white man's. spot. [laughter]. >> Yo, the one of the only things that kept. me going at the Daily Show was seeing. the hate that you were getting. [laughter]. >> I'm glad somebody got some use out of. it. >> No, you know why? Because like because. >> No, I know exactly. >> Cuz then it made me realize, oh, it's. not personal, Trevor. >> Yes, exactly. >> Because at first at first I was like, it's about me. Then I was like, no, it's. not about you. cuz they said like, "Oh,

his accent, where he's from, he he. doesn't understand that he's this, he. they gave me a list, >> American politics, >> all of it. They gave me a full list and. I believed it.". >> Mhm. >> Genuinely believed it. >> Then I read people's articles, comments, tweets, posts about Michael and then I. went, "Wait, but he's none of. >> Yeah. >> Well, he's none of those things.". >> And then they but then they found more. things. They're like, "Oh, you know, how. you going to wear Jordans with the suit. at the desk and that's no respect for. the and look at the way he carries and.

those earrings you going to does the SNL. desk really need swag?" And they put the. swag in like the quotes, [laughter] you. know, it's like, "Is swag the right. thing for the desk?" And then they would. always couch it with things. When Eddie. Murphy came to SNL, you could argue that. at that time he was a but is Michael Jay. really the is and it's just it was such. an interesting and by the way just to be. clear on this this wasn't coming from. like quote unquote like the racists if I. can say it that way. >> you know like the cliche racists the way.

you always taugh about them in America. No, >> it was from like the like liberal spaces. and the think PCs. Yeah. And I remember being like, >> and I would read these of Michael Chay. and I was just [clears throat] like I. I'm sorry to say it, but it really gave. me like a bit of peace cuz I was just. like, "Oh, okay." And I remember even. talking to you about it and I'd be like, "Yo, whenever I'd bump into you in the. cell, I'll be like, "Yo, man, how you. doing? >> How you feeling about this [ __ ] How?". And we'd commiserate and we'd talk. He'd.

be like, "How you doing?" It's funny cuz. you always thought I had a harder job. You're like, "Man, you replacing John.". [snorts]. >> Yeah. I was like, "No, but I still stand. by you." I remember one time I was like. I I like confessed how jealous I was of. how much time you get on a subject to. kind of dive in and do that. [clears throat] And he was like, >> "I [ __ ] love that you just get to do. a joke and move the [ __ ] on." Like. literally like you get to kind of do. that. That would be so much more fun. It's like a weird thing again. You're. just like looking at, you know, on the.

other side of the fence. You're like, "Wow, that that looks like the move.". And. >> yeah, but that but that thing you don't. understand how. >> you being there helped me be there. >> and vice versa. >> Like like genuinely genuinely genuinely. on a Saturday I'm not working. I'd get. to sit and watch Michael Chay and I'll. be like. >> just like in my own little world it. would be me and Kibuka and we just like. we were religiously on weekend up there. and we'd watch that with you and we were. just like damn. >> Michael's [clears throat] doing it. That's the dope part, too, is like if.

we're both doing it, >> then you don't have to do all things and. I don't have to do all things. Like, so. the more of us doing it, being in our. niche, in our corners, we don't have to. do everything. >> You don't have to do all things as well. >> Yeah. You don't have to be that. Yeah. >> When when you would cover something, the. way you would cover it and and the. detail you would go through every. subject, >> I could do a slight joke now. You know. what I because it's been done, you know. what I mean? It's been covered. We can. be punchy, you know what I mean? Or.

whatever the [ __ ] It could be. different. And it and you now you have. both. So, it's it's kind of. >> I [clears throat] never thought of it. like that. When there is one, >> they have to be everything. >> They have to be everything. >> And then you don't get to be like just. you. >> Damn. >> Yeah. That's. >> and now now I now I can't I can't. there are people I've seen who cannot. see any other possible reality other. than you being at that desk. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Do you do you do you sometimes think.

about how crazy that is now? >> How you have become the. >> default? No. In a beautiful way though. >> Well, and this you got to understand for. me it's different for me because I'm at. that show all the time and I've seen. I mean I've seen Kate McKennon leave. I've seen, you know, you you see star. superstars leave and [ __ ] that. you can't imagine leaving leaving. >> and so it's like, all right, it'll move. on. It'll be something else. But I think.

>> No, but what I mean though is. imagine your your trajectory and your. journey. I wonder if you ever consider. the fact that not for everyone but for. many outside not speaking for SNL. they're the ones who picked you but. >> you came in as the outsider the the not. belonger the doesn't have the polish. doesn't have the this doesn't have and. now. >> I watch you when you and like Colin do. um joke swap come on man. >> like you you are so default now.

>> do do you ever think about how crazy. that is. >> it is it's crazy when it's told to me, >> but to us it it's always like. >> you always just I don't know. There's. never sort of a sense of. >> yeah, we are the rock. You know what I. mean? Like it's never it's never going. to feel like that. But when people say. like, "Oh, that's the steady part of the. show." Or when, you know, they kind of. we we end up being like sort of an. afterthought sometimes. Like sometimes. we don't even get to rehearse because. they spend so much time working on the.

other stuff that they're like, "Oh yeah, you guys just roll in." And I'm like, we. want to just roll in. No, we're the only. ones that don't get to rehearse and we. just got to kind of go out there like. that. >> Trust you. >> That's strange. >> Okay. >> That's when it's like hard to. understand. That's when you That's when. you feel it, but it happens. Yeah. It's. interesting. >> You uh But you still you've still. maintained your love of standup. Was. that is that is that hard for you or. like do you have to make a conscious. effort to go out and do standup or does. stand up pull you? stand up. I get the.

urge a lot, but. um. trying to get this special done this. year, like the past year, >> uh I've I've been doing it a lot more. and it's, you know, it's just something. about the speed of st standup, man. Like. my brain never feels more alive than. being on a stage. >> There's nothing like it. >> Or killing and bombing, you know what I. mean? like just sort of that whole.

thing, just the whole thing of it. It's. harder than it was when I was younger. for some reason. Um. I think it's because. you know like when you're younger and. you're doing standup, it's like who. cares? Like this could work, this could not. work, whatever. But like at this point. in your career, they got a babysitter. >> What did I say to you? [laughter] They. got the only job that gets.

>> harder. What did I say? >> They got their hair done. >> Stand up is the only job that get. exponentially harder. >> Yeah, >> it's it's a it's a strange like I watch. musicians. >> The longer they go, the easier it gets. I'm not saying performing is easy, >> but now you have your catalog. >> Mhm. >> You have two albums, three albums that. and the people already come in knowing. you're going to do that album and and. there's like a Yeah. Now the the hard. part is doing the show and putting on a. great show. So I'm not minimizing it. Yes, >> but the curve is is so different I find.

with with comedy. It's easier in the. beginning. >> Nobody knows you. Nobody expects. anything. Nobody can surprise them. You. can, you know, >> it's the best. Featuring was the. sweetest part. >> Oh my god. It was the It was like a. surprise. It was like literally. >> you was the toy in the cracker jackack. box. They bought the cracker jacks with. the You was the toy in it. Like what a. whistle. It was that. >> that you was better than the deadline. You know, oh, you get all that [ __ ] that. 15, 20 minutes, man. You smoke them.

They can't believe you came out of. nowhere. Now they're like, let's see. what he got. >> for an hour. >> and they compare you to you. >> They compare you, man. That other thing. you did. >> That was still you got that was still. your that was way funnier. I mean, this. was cool. >> This is cool. >> But come on. >> Hey, man. Why you ain't do that thing. about the thing? Yeah, brother. [laughter]. No, you 100%. You're you're trying to. top yourself. >> Yeah. >> You're It It's It's tough, but it's.

>> If it wasn't tough, >> would it be as exciting when it. rewarding, man? >> You know what I mean? Yeah. >> I don't think it was rewarding. >> when you when you nail it. Ain't nothing. like it. >> Ain't nothing like it, brother. >> No, man. I'm glad. This has been great, man. >> This is so much fun. So much fun. >> I can't, you know, I think this is the. first time we've ever done anything like. this. >> ever. Like I've never even did the Daily. Show. >> No, never. Never. We've never We've. never done anything. This is recorded.

anything. >> Yeah. But I was telling Eugene though. >> Genuinely, I I look at you. >> as one of my like. it's it's this like the people who. possess a special place in my heart. because I go. >> where our journey began and how it. began. Like I know you as Michael Chay. before you were like the Michael Chay. and I was a fan of your comedy before. like everyone was a fan of the comedy. >> This the other week. Yeah. >> And and and then the gift and the curse. of it is. >> you, me, Hannibal, you know, all Ronnie,

all these people. >> then we don't get to see each other. >> Yeah. >> Because ironically, the gift is the. success, but because of the success you. don't get to see each other. There was a. point where I was seeing this guy. >> every week. That's right. >> Maybe twice a week at least. And then. you bump into each other. Oh, you here. in Australia? Oh [ __ ] you're in Canada. They be like, Michael's here. Michael's. here. >> Yeah. >> Then now you're like, well, I guess I'm. getting drunk. And then it's like like, oh, Hannibal's here. I guess we're not. waking up tomorrow. Then it became this. thing. >> My favorite is like when it would. overlap at like the cellar. You would.

just see like. >> Trevor Trevor Trevor Trevor Trevor on. the lineups. You just ch. the best, man. You just like literally. sometimes it would align when we're just. all in town working. >> Yeah. And you're all on the table. You're sitting there together. >> Yeah, man. And it just became like like. not even forced is the wrong word, but. it became like forced community in a. good way. So you go, "Oh [ __ ] I'm going. to spend the whole night with Michael. Chay.". >> He's going to jump on. Come on. Then I'm. going to go down and come then we have. to wait for the next show. >> and then we go down come up and we. That's why I was saying to Estie, I was.

like, >> I'm both happy and sad that the seller. has so many rooms. >> Yeah. >> Happy for them. Happy for comedy cuz. more comedians can work. Happy for the. audience cuz more people can see a show. But sad cuz we spend less time at that. table. chips at the ships in the night. We just passing by. Yeah. Yeah. >> Remember that time it was me, you, and. Dave just at the cellar on on stage for. like an hour. >> That was [ __ ] crazy. >> It was It would be like that. We just. And nobody planned it. Nobody called. nobody. We just ended up there, you. know, and it and it it's just.

>> Yeah. But what I don't like about this. is this is my my pet peeve with Dave. Chappelle, [laughter]. >> and I tell him this, >> Dave Chappelle refuses to accept the. idea that I'm a fan of his comedy. He. refuses that idea. >> I you know me, >> I love watching standup comedy. I love. there's comedians where I go if they say. Michael Chay's performing and I can. watch Michael Chay. >> You will. >> I'm going to perform. I'm going to watch. Michael Chay. I'm not going to perform. >> Dave will go. Dave's in town. Yo, Dave's. in town. You got to come. I'm going to. come. And then I'm in the audience and.

then Dave goes, "Yo, I heard Trevor know. it." Trevor. >> Trevor, [laughter]. >> you're like, "I'm here to watch you my. friend.". Yeah, >> Michael, come. Trevor, come. >> You I'm like, Dave, I'm Man, I just I. just came to watch you. >> And he's like, no, man. Why don't you. want to get on say? I'm like, Dave, I I. know it's hard for you to maybe believe. or accept. I do not only wish for stage. time in life. [laughter]. >> Dave is a different kind of animal.

>> Yeah. But I'm like, but I want to watch. you. I want to watch you sitting in my. chair and unable to participate in any. way, shape, or form. M. >> but he just Dave is like a kid who wants. to play with all of his friends in his. favorite thing and that thing is comedy. And that's what I always tell him is I. go, "Thank you for always reminding me. what comedy is and how it's supposed to. be.". >> I think it's a it's it's like um it's. like a sparring with him, you know, like. to me I never talked to him about it,

but I but I do believe it keeps him. sharp. like when he knows you got a a. fast blade, he knows you got a sharp. blade, he wants to be on that stage with. you. Let's go. He he he likes it, you. know? Like to him. >> it's like it's like um. >> steel, sharp, and steel. >> Steel, sharp, and steel. But it's it's. like it's like a a jazz club, you know, where all of the best musicians are. there and we let's see what everybody. got and let's let's answer each other. Let's see who's really quick, you know? Like I think it keeps him sharp. I think.

is it's the it's the most fun. And you. know, there's times where I'm like, I. don't want to get on stage. You know, I. don't want to do this [ __ ] man. Cuz. >> he can he can do that all the time. >> Yeah. >> And I got to remind myself like these. are special times, you know, that we're. not going to always be able to do this. just because of the way time works. >> And I'm going to look back at every. single one of those times and and wish. for them. So it's it's it's dope that. >> he takes pictures of everything like the.

way he documents. >> He's he he's going to have a museum of. comedy that no one. >> he already does pretty much. You know. what I mean? Like does. >> we will all look and go we are grateful. that he. >> memorialized all of us. >> Seriously. >> like in ways that you you just take for. granted man. >> Yeah. You can't take it for granted and. we do. But. yeah, those nights you I remember I I'll. never forget them. And um. >> yeah, I think it just I think I think he.

just likes the. >> I think he just likes the the the. sparring of it. >> Yeah, he does. >> He likes the gamesmanship, you know, >> and it makes me like it too, you know, like I like to do it on the road, you. know? You just have some friends like, let's just go out there and just [ __ ]. around and see just see cuz something. special might happen. Usually it. doesn't, but. >> I don't like it at all. at all. >> No, I told Dave I'm like, "No, man. I. don't I want to watch the show.". >> That was fun though. >> for you. When I'm [laughter] When I'm. watching a show, I'm watching a show. My.

brain has a very different like, you. know, me. >> man. When I'm going to do comedy, >> Yeah. >> my brain has to be in a very different. place. >> But when you're when you're dropping in, like, let's say you're just working out. in. >> I don't drop in. >> Not in South Africa. >> I don't drop in anywhere. >> Really? >> Yeah. Val and Liz and everyone on the comedy. said will still say to me, "You want to. drop?" I'm like, "No, I don't want to. drop in. I never want to drop in. I do. not drop in.". >> I never knew that. >> No, I will plan a show, book a show, do. a show. I I I'm not just going to pop.

in. And this thing is so like, you see. what you said about how you feel about. comedy in the beginning. >> To me, dropping in would be like I'm a. boxer and then I just pop in to a random. place where they're having a fight and. be like, "Yo, let me do two rounds." No, I have to warm up backstage. My body and. my mind have to be in a certain play. I. And I actually like that feeling. I like. knowing that I'm going to box today. >> I don't want just want to jump in the. ring and just for a little bit. No, no,

no. I don't want that. Don't do that to. me. >> So, I love just bumping into comedy and. watching it, but I do not. I never want. to jump on. He'll tell you. Never. Never. Never. >> Wow. I think. >> Yeah. >> You want to jump on? No, I do not. Sometimes I like it just to feel. [snorts]. just to see that I need it, >> you know? Like if it if I go up there. and I got nothing, it makes me want to. write. And if I go up there and I got. something, it makes me want to write, you know, like it kind of like. >> it's my motivation to get something, you. know what I mean? Yeah. It lets me know.

where I'm at and then I'm like, "Oh, all. right. I got to I got to get going.". I'm on the road or I'm working so much. in standup that I don't need that as a. >> So then what do you start with? >> What do you mean? >> Like when you're on like, okay, I'm. going to work on an hour. I'm working on. an act. I got some dates. What are you. starting with? What's that first hour. comprised of? >> So I always have. multiple hours running concurrently in. my head. >> That's what I always always always have.

And then I think Eugene and I are. similar in that like if we haven't been. on stage for a while and you'll correct. me if I'm wrong, we'll maybe like go to. something we just like know. >> Yeah. >> But then very quickly it's back to. generation mode. So it's like, okay, now. it's all the stuff we don't know. >> So what I'm trying to do is I get on. stage and I go, do I feel funny? Do if I don't. >> do the things where you know they're. funny and you you like respect the. audience. Yeah. Jump start yourself. And.

then when I'm in that mode now, it's like, okay, okay, I'm going now. Now I'll I'll do everything, >> but I I have I've always had concurrent. hours in my head. And then what happened. is co created such a backlog that I. still haven't caught up. >> Wow. So, so what I do now is there are some. ideas that I'm like working on or. pondering or thinking about where I. still haven't like figured them out or. the time isn't right or the so I I I'll.

I'll just be like and then and then I. think the zeitgeist matches you in a. moment. You're like, "Oh, okay. Now it's. time. I I can say this and I can put. this out.". >> Yeah. Yeah. I call it the junkyard. I'll. just have like just pieces in the. junkyard and it'll it'll it'll make. sense and like. a doc and back to the future. I just got. like a bunch of pieces to share. >> There you go. >> Yeah. >> That's exactly how I feel like it. >> That's that's how I feel about it. That's how I That's what I enjoy. >> So I I don't ever think of like I'm. trying to build this hour.

>> Yeah. >> You know? >> Yeah. >> Cuz I'm like what is this hour? What is. this? It's like no no no no no. Let me. >> let me generate. Let me generate. Let me. generate. Let me generate every country. I'll do a different set. Every place, every world, every like. >> that's crazy. >> But that's how we we've always genu him. and I are very similar in like our sort. of comedy vibe and philosophy. That was. one of the things that I that I noticed. about like like. overseas like when I would do those.

festivals, international festivals, I noticed like guys not from America. would have these sort of. like. they would launch into like stories. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And I just could not figure out how you. could even do that. And I think it's got. a lot to do with the audiences are like. willing to listen. I think like American. audiences are usually our attention span. is like you got to be fast, you got to.

talk to them, you got to like, you know. what I mean? Like you got to like pop. then you earn the right to tell a story. But like I would watch like a guy come. out and he's starting a story. No laughs. for 10 minutes, but the laugh that he. gets after the 10 minutes is huge. because they were engaged. You know what. I'm saying? there. They're much better sort of. >> I don't know presenters in that way. But. I feel like in in in New York it's like. you got to be funny 10 times in 10. minutes at least before you could even.

start thinking about being a. >> telling a [ __ ] story. You know what I. mean? Like are you kidding me? You going. to start with a story, [ __ ] We don't. even know who you [laughter] are. You. know what I mean? Like really like it's. just like like even for me like I'll be. on stage for my audience. If I don't get. a laugh in about 3 minutes, they like. >> three minutes. >> Yeah. No, that's crazy to us. >> Three minutes. >> That's crazy. >> Three minutes. >> Yeah, that's crazy to us. >> Three mi. The first line preferably.

should be something. >> If five minutes, they'll give you three. They'll give you about five charm. minutes. You could be charming. >> Okay. Happy to be there. >> Get away with it. Yeah. >> Yeah. But remember this though, >> 3 minutes. >> These guys had no space, no time. Like, think about how many people were doing. comedy. Think of how big comedy has. been. Think about. >> We were the opposites. You guys were. like, "Hey, we'll give you 3 minutes.". >> Mhm. >> I remember that when I first came to. America and then I was at the Laugh.

Factory in in in LA. >> Oh, LA. Yeah. >> Yeah. It was chocolate Sundays. >> and then they were like, "All right, like after many weeks, they're like, "Okay, you can go up." And I was like, "Okay, finally I can go up." And then. they were like, "You you're doing. three." And I was like, "What? Three. spots?" And they're like, "No, three. minutes.". >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Is that the new Jack? >> And then [laughter] I was like, "My. friend, what do you I was like, "What do. you say in 3 minutes?". >> Yeah. >> They're like, "Well, you better you. better be funny. >> You got to be funny.". >> And that was it. They're like, "You got. 3 minutes.". >> Then I realized, no, because there's. such a saturation of talent and.

potential, like people are waiting. >> They're like, "We don't have time to see. if you're good or funny or anything.". But on our side of the world, >> there were so few comedians and comedy. is such a like rare thing in that in. that way. >> that people were going there's two. comedians. This audience is expecting a. one hour one and a half hour show. >> Yeah. >> So can you do 45? And you're like I just. started last week. [laughter].

>> You remember this. >> 100%. >> They'll be like for 45. You're like I. just started last week. They're like. yeah just. >> just do man. just keep going. >> and you'd be like looking at your what. like here okay I guess that's seven um. um what else. >> yeah you that's crazy. >> there'll be times where they're like. just. >> yeah just keep going you like hit 45. like you're trying to get off we are the. opposite we are the opposite of a light. >> I know there's comedians now. >> people be like go back. >> I I know there's comedians now with with. like maybe 5 to 10 years experience. that's probably never done a full hour.

>> no way. >> easy. >> absolutely. >> in their life. >> in their life they've never done a full. hour. Hell yeah. Where are you going to do it? >> This is what I've been telling you. >> Yeah, I know. It makes sense. >> Where you going to do it? >> Yeah, I know. >> I always say like America taught me. about jokes in a in a fantastic way. The. the two and a half, three years that I. spent on the road here. Yeah. >> You know, doing the flappers, comedy, you know, the random the B clubs. Not I. was never in an improv or any of those.

I was always in the second tier club in. the city. >> Is that right? >> Yeah. the I just never got into the the. the top clubs. So I would always like. let's say like Neil Brennan I would bump. into he would be at the improv and then. I would be at the the whatever the. hokeyp poke. >> and [laughter] I was at I was always. that guy at that club. >> the hoke poke. Yeah, it was always that. kind of, you know, it was always that. kind of name. >> And then um that taught me like, okay, cuz when I first came to America, I came. with our thing. >> Remember my first line, man. Chris.

Spencer, you know Chris Spencer? >> Of course. >> I'll never forget this, man. I I I go to. um the comedy store had another show, Tripping on Tuesdays, I think it was. called. >> So you I go there, they're like, "Okay, you're going to go on. Great. Get on. stage. Don't tell me you greeted. >> GOOD EVENING. I GREETED. >> A MAN. >> Greeted my man. [laughter] I greeted cuz. where was. >> Yo, good evening. >> GREETED ALL BLACK AUDIENCE, every.

comedian who came on before me, >> the band and the music would play, they. would come on. They would like, "Yeah, yeah, come on. Come on. I don't cut. that. Cut it. GIVE ME THAT [ __ ] BACK, MAN. WHAT you know, man?" And then. they'd go in and they'd start hitting. it. Yo, and they' be funny. And then I. came out [laughter] and now I'm at the. mic waiting. I'm like, "When is the. music gonna stop?" I'm waiting. I'm just. standing there at the microphone. These. guys are probably like, "Yo, is he not. going to acknowledge the music or. anything?". >> It's like, "Good evening.".

>> Yo, THE CROWD WENT [laughter]. >> I don't know if there's an opposite like. anti- silence. >> It wasn't just silence. It was like a. vacuum had. >> good evening. Nobody responded. Then I. went good evening. [laughter] And then a. few people like agree man but like. what are you making an announcement. officer? >> Yeah. And then I went and I started. doing my thing. Started doing. >> silence and confusion filtered through. the whole set and then I was done.

Nobody hated me. >> Nobody liked me. It was just confusion. It was just what was this? >> Yeah. What happened here? And Chris. Spencer, I'll never forget, came up to. me afterwards and he was like, "Hey, man." He's like, "Where you from?" I was. like, "From South Africa." And he's. like, "Oh, so for real." I thought it. was like a bit of like I thought you. were like [ __ ] from Brooklyn and you. were putting on a I was like, "No, I'm. from South Africa." He's like, "Man.". And he's like, "Man, you got you got to. know how we experiencing you like Nick. came on stage." He was like, "Good. evening." [laughter] He's like, "What.

the?" And and and then Chris was just. like, "Yo, you you got to understand the. time and the space and who the audience. is and how we perceive you and what they. expect of you." And it was he was one of. the my custodians I always think in life. and he helped me and then. >> and as I would grow I was like oh. America had this thing of like yo come. on let's go you get on stage. >> I would always be like offended cuz. Americans used to come to South Africa. >> and then they would get on stage. wouldn't. >> drink. >> they just walk and be like give it up. for Michael Ch and then an American. would come on just be like so the other. day I'm looking at my wife right my.

wife's in the kitchen and I'm like ah ah. my man who's your wife. >> who [laughter] are you who's your. family. You can't just start a story. like that. My friend, >> my wife. No, my brother. No. Good. evening. So, you don't see us. [laughter] This guy just comes out and. starts telling us about his you guys. ever notice how we noticed how you. didn't greet us, my man. Don't worry. about noticing. So then I learned that. in America. >> But then when I went to those fest. Ireland, you know, doing shows in.

Dublin, doing shows in Scotland, all of. that, >> they were almost like comedians were. like, "Trevor, why are you it feels like. you're you're Russian? Like you're. trying to like get to a joke." And I was. like, "What do you mean?". >> They you can, you know, you can take a. bit of time, explain the story a bit. more. I was like, "Take a bit of time.". They're like, "Yeah, their comedy. festivals, >> even the like opening sort of spots was. like 15 minutes. >> That's an opening spot.". >> Yeah. A comedy. Yeah. So, so I liked. that. Like I always say Edinburgh taught. me how to like.

>> share an idea with an audience and think. through it and and Dublin taught me how. to think of a story and its purpose and. what I'm doing. America taught me about. jokes. Yeah, >> South Africa taught me about like like. vibe and like the juice inside of. something the texture. It's like no, it's not just about what you're saying. It's like hey, why are you saying like you know what I. mean? >> When are you saying it? >> There's things. So yeah. So that thing. is Have you done comedy in South Africa? >> Never. >> Come on, Michael. >> Never been.

>> You know, every time I talk to you now, >> we get to a [laughter] point where. you're like, you got to come to South. Africa. >> We got to get you off the block, Michael. You're killing us, man. I got to go. They got to read there. >> We're going to do it. No, man. This This. is dope. We're going to do it. Let's do. it. >> I'm You always say that. >> We But we've got to do it though. >> Is this You're a very busy man, but you. have what? 3 months off on How long is. your break normally? >> We We're done. Well, we got 3 months off. in the summer. >> That's what I mean. Yeah. >> So, it's 3 months. >> We're like June, July, August. >> Just one trip. >> Yeah. >> I would love to do. >> just one trip.

>> I would love to do it. >> The place is beautiful. So, even if you. hate the comedy, you'll love the place. I've only heard really really. >> comedy. >> You'll never look back. >> Word. >> Yo. >> Yo. For real. For real. For real. >> I don't even think you understand. Our. audiences are some of the best in the. world. >> Yeah. >> The vibe that you'll feel in the room. The like. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I don't I'm so jealous of him. >> Yeah. >> I'm dying to go to South Africa. There's. so many. >> South African girls in my algorithm on.

Instagram. [laughter]. My whole ALGORITHM IS JUST I now that's. how I learn flags is my algorithm. [laughter]. >> I learn flags like a [ __ ] South. African flag is popping on my just I'm. telling you. I'm [laughter] show you. I'll show you brother. O. [laughter]. some women out there. Oh my god. I'll go. Let's go. I'm down. I'm saying.

yes. >> [laughter]. >> Yes. >> You know what? I'm just picturing. Michael J on his phone [laughter]. and he's just like Granada, >> Trinidad, South Africa. South [laughter]. Africa crazy. >> Just the idea that he's learning about. >> No. That's what I found. I I started. looking at the flags. I was like, damn, this Dominican girl crazy. >> This Dominican girl crazy, too. All. South African. crazy. >> I started looking at the flags.

[laughter] I look at the flags. >> No, this is dope, man. [music] Michael. J. Thank you. >> Yo, thank you, brother. I can't believe. it's been this long, Trevor. >> It's been too long. We We got to make it. less long. This is dope. >> What now with Trevor Noah is produced by. Day Zero Productions in partnership with. Sirius XM. The show is executive. produced by Trevor Noah, Sazyamin, and. Jess Hackle. Rebecca Chain is our. producer. Our development researcher is. Marcia Robu. Music mixing and mastering.

by Hannis [music] Brown. Random other. stuff by Ryan Pard. Thank you so much. for listening. Join me next week for. another episode of What Now? [music].