Tina Friml: Living in the Bonus Round | What Now? with Trevor Noah

[music]. At what age do you remember like at what. part of your life and what age do you. remember going, "Oh, I I am different. because I'm being told I'm different so. much.". >> Well, I remember that um the the first. time I ever kind of heard heard about. this. >> Yeah. Um, I was a little kid, five years. old, and I'm in the car at night with my. family. My brother, my older brother,

suddenly just chimed in like, "Hey, mom. and dad. So, why why does Tina talk. weird?" [laughter]. >> How old was this guy? You have a seat. belt on [laughter]. >> seven. He was like seven. Okay. Like, man. In that kind of in that kind of. like like like socially random way that. only kids.

>> no you know what I love because you're. in a car you're a family so it's not. even like an outsider thing. >> but the fact that he says it not to you. by the way goes like you're not there yo. mom and dad like he's been holding this. in for so long. >> yo mom and dad yo. >> yo okay I got to ask now bro uh. >> and you know this guy it's not like he. just met you. >> that's what I've known you for seven. years. That's what I'm saying. >> And I wasn't even talking. [laughter].

>> What the hell? [music]. This is What now with Trevor Noella. [music]. >> [music]. >> Where'd you come from? Today or like in my life? >> I mean, you can answer either one. [laughter]. Let's start with your life first.

>> Well, I I actually live in Boston now. >> Like you live there live? >> Yeah. Yeah. For real. I moved there. >> I mean, am I saying it right? >> Hey, how are you? >> Hey, how are you? >> How are you? Boston. Boston. >> It's not Boston. It is Boston. Boston. [laughter]. >> Okay. Okay. Great. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. >> Except I'm from Cambridge. >> Oh, that's fancy. >> Wait, so why did you move there? Where. did you Where did you come from. originally that you moved there? >> Yeah. I I lived up up in New England. Um.

Well, and then lived here for six years. Yeah. Uh in in Bushwick. Um and then I I. just hit a wall. Well, I'm on tour so. much anyway, but I I like depending on. the conversation like if I um can't. really get into it, I just say, "Oh, I'm. on tour. I didn't want to pay New York. rent." But [laughter]. but like the real reason that I I lived.

in Bush. Do we know Bushwick? >> Yeah, we know Bushwick. >> But I I hit a wall. I I couldn't like I. loved you love until you hate it. >> I I Yeah. But it's so young Bohemian. >> Ah. >> And like I I moved there at 25. >> Oh yeah. So that's the right time. Young. Bohemian Polymerous like. >> young Bohemian Polymerous is a great. t-shirt. >> Polymerous is better than promiscuous.

>> Any day [laughter]. make the right choice. >> He's ethical. Ethically monogous. [laughter]. Ethically non monogous. >> and ethically monogous. We should also. start that as a thing. I'm ethically. monogous. [laughter] Thank you very. much. >> I feel that's how being out there feels. like. It's like I had to disclose. >> that I was monogamous. >> Yeah. So that people know. Yeah. Because. you know when you're in like um.

>> what I like to call like vibe places. >> Yes. the the default flips, right? Exactly. So you you'll be in a place. where what you normally think of as. default is now no longer the default. So. when you're in that place, you have to. now say certain things. So yeah, when. you're in those places, it's vibe, cool, fashion, everything. You have to be. like, oh, by the way, I'm straight. They're like, oh, oh, wow. Okay, you. look at you. How when did you get here? What are you doing here? >> Ah, because people automatically assume. >> Yeah, because the vibe cuz the vibe of. No, the vibe of the place is like it's.

dictated by something else. It's I actually think it's cool for. people like that so that they can see. what it's like to not be default. You. know what I mean? >> Yeah. Well, I mean I'm monogamous now. and straight because I did the whole the. whole like it's not for lack of trying. Like I I did the whole and so when I. came out to my brush friends at a copper. bar as monogamous, they were like, "Good. [laughter] for you.

That's amazing, Tina. Like, wow. [laughter]. It sounds like a joke. It's 100%. >> That's why it's funny to me. [laughter]. >> So, how long in Bushwick now? >> Well, >> before you left. >> Um, 6 years. Yeah. >> You did your time. >> What? >> 31? >> I got to the age of 32. Yeah. Yeah. >> And that was just like. >> Okay, but like no no no shade to Boston,

but like why Boston? >> Okay. Well, >> I don't know of anyone who moves to. Boston like after New York, especially. if they're in like comedy and stuff. >> I get that all the time. I get why. Boston. >> Okay, great. So, I'm not crazy. Yeah. >> No, but I get in Cambridge. So, so I. live in Cambridge, which is like Harvard. and my area. >> Oh, okay. Okay. So, I'm from Vermont, but I'm from Milbury, Vermont, which is. a college like a a very high-end college. liberal town. Yeah.

>> Um, so it it's the mixture of like I. mean very familiar to me to be among. college. >> You just want to be around college kids. >> Intellect and organized people. >> Oh, I was going in a [laughter]. different direction. I thought teen just. wants to be around college kids. I was. like I was like what what are you. exposing [laughter] here? Are you coming. out of something else, Tina? I'm coming. out of the kids. If [laughter] there's. kids around me, kids with hope and. dreams. >> It's [laughter] not the kids of the It's. the professors.

>> Oh, [laughter]. >> I mean, here's the thing. I love being. around intellectual people because they. are the freakiest ones. >> Damn. >> They. Okay. >> Why are you saying it like that? >> Yeah. Like dude, >> have you been freaky or have you been. intellectual? [laughter]. Who what are what are you what are you. minging about? >> They come out to you as normal. [laughter]. >> I'm from Bushwick. Safe table. Yeah. Okay.

>> No, when I saw when I saw that picture. of Steven Hawkins at Epstein Island, then you were like then I knew. >> I mean that [laughter] that is a harsh. but accurate example. >> Yeah. >> Um but yeah. No, it it again sounds like. a joke but 100% true that that. intellectual academic. nerds, you know, they're the ones who. they they get d I mean they, you know,

so much of my comedy is about tank. about alternative underground lifestyles. and and people are like, "Oh, why would. you move away from New York?". >> You're like, "I'm you moved into it.". >> I really did. The truth of the matter is. that that like. >> Yeah, of course it's out here in New. York. But. in in Cambridge, you know, there I I.

actually think there's more creativity. and more more energy towards. uh kink spaces, alternative. goth, you know, all the above. Um. >> do you think it's because [snorts] the. environment is all about people. exploring in general? Like like like. what do you think it is? I you know. what? >> Do you get what I'm saying? Like if. you're in a learning/experimenting. environment, >> why would you why would that not extend.

beyond your science and your math and. your history and your writing into your. sex life? >> You know, I I I've been thinking about. this. I don't 100% know, but I have. theories. I Well, >> you've come to the right place. >> [laughter]. >> I I. >> can I tell you I'm a professor. [laughter]. >> and [ __ ]. I was expecting to bridge this topic. maybe like 45 minutes. >> Oh, no, no, no, no. We start hot. We go.

straight in. >> So, [laughter]. so here's here's my theory. And you. know, I think it's too easy to say, "Oh, to to be in a um a more kind of. conservative area that breeds um that. that breeds this kind of a belly kink. under I don't think it's that simple. I. I I really. I think that.

in my experience at least the the more. logical that people get into. the way the world works and way humans. work, the the more um [gasps]. the more permission they have I I think. to to kind of explore who they are, >> experiment. Yeah. Um, >> well, I I think that combined with a little.

bit of boredom. >> to be honest, >> because. being out in in Boston now, it it's sort. of like I am I mean Boston has a lot, but it's no New York. >> Yeah, definitely. and to lower this kind. of um standard of of daytoday uh. stimulation. it. I mean, it really did for me. Um,

the your brain always kind of builds up. um some something to fill the gaps and I. think that for me, >> no pun intended. >> cuz I know where Eugene's mind goes. Fill the gaps [laughter] while we're. talking about. >> Sorry, Tina. I just had to block him. I. saw his eyes change. >> Why you Why are you [laughter] Professor. Xavier than me? I didn't do anything. >> I [laughter] was I was loving just leave.

me out of your. >> I mean. >> if there's a bus my friend I [laughter]. will throw you under it. I think. [laughter]. >> I don't know. I think that it's just. it's it's that combination, you know, is. um boredom and then this human nature of. our brain to fill fill in the gaps with. with just our own stimulus. And then of.

course there's the elephant in the room. that that um you know often academic. people um they're you know they're in. role playing DND. They're. >> Oh yeah, that's true. >> Yeah. you know, um there's um a large. percentage who are autistic. and that is a huge uh populace among the.

king scene. Really? Oh, yeah. Autism. >> Oh, yeah. Oh, 100%. Yeah. >> Wait, really? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Where have you been all my life? >> Babe, >> what's your address? [laughter]. >> LET'S HANG OUT. WAIT, WHAT? TELL US MORE. ABOUT THE. >> HOW ARE YOU? [laughter] HOW ARE YOU? >> HOW ARE YOU? >> I'm from Boston. [laughter] No. Yeah. Boston. >> Boston. But I mean I um Well, I think I think.

that um autism people who have autism, they they do find a lot of comfort and. community in the in any kind of. alternative scenes. >> Yeah. because it it's it's automatically. welcoming to the idea of the other. Like. it it it it's more accommodating. Yeah. It's more accommodating than it. defaults. >> Well, exactly. And and there's this. masking, what what they call masking, which we all do.

>> Um which is the the concept of appearing. normal among site in order to be. accepted and and uh yeah. um a and. having that that guard let down, you. know, it really there's like [gasps]. >> with kink and with a lot of alternative. spaces, >> especially with the internet, there's a. cringe factor.

>> Yeah. >> That people now have to be aware of. Um, and I I with with King King D and D any. kind of nerd fandom, you know, that's. where. um dark romance comes from, you know, this. >> what what dark romance. >> Yeah. Kind of like um uh. >> sounds like a Lady Gaga album, >> but no. I mean, it could be. >> I thought it was just like Eugene's.

affairs in general. [laughter]. like. um. [laughter]. >> how many basters are there today. every second? [laughter]. >> I feel like I'm learning so much about. you [laughter]. moment. >> I FEEL THE SAME LIKE I'M LIKE where am. I? >> Oh [laughter] man, >> you seem like my target demograph.

>> [laughter]. >> previous conversation, but but like Dain's uh kind of like um. uh fan fan fiction um um u Twilight for. example, although that is a terrible. example, >> but um that kind of um. h Have you ever been to like a an anime. convention? >> No, I've never been.

>> Okay. >> I've been to ComicCon. You've been to. ComicCon? Yeah. Where when were you. going to tell me this? >> And people were dressed up in costume. and you've been to Comic-Con. >> Naruto and likeies and. >> No, no, no. Wait, wait, wait. >> What were you doing there? >> In Johannesburg. They have they have. one. >> But you went Yeah. >> Why would you go? You don't even watch. anime. [laughter]. >> Do you? Is this another um Wait, are you. ready to come out [laughter] about being.

an anime watcher? >> He doesn't watch anime. I know this for. sure. >> I want to go watch the people who watch. anime. >> Oh, >> it is good people watching. >> Yeah, I am. Yeah, I'm good at people. watching. I love it. It's my favorite. thing to do. >> Okay. So, okay. So, sorry. You were. saying so [laughter] anime. Well, well, so uh what they call fandom, which is. this tight community based around. >> um an IP some show book series. um and uh you know well well this.

cluster people come and and they um. you know whether it's cosplaying or. coming together and they Um, it really I'm not going to say the whole. thing is erotic, but arism is a large. part of Okay. of, you know. >> Mhm. >> Um, >> I think a lot of it is I like So, I love.

anime. >> Yeah. >> And well, you look, you know this about. me. You you've you've seen my he's seen. my TV. He doesn't This guy's going to. act like he doesn't know me. >> I had something in my eye. What's wrong. with you? I was like, >> no. Al so I love anime and there's it. doesn't matter whether it's the male. characters or the female characters all. of it I think has an air of eroticism. around it like [clears throat] all of it. has a. >> there there's just like a you know. there's an undercurrent that's. constantly flowing in anime all the time. >> all the time I mean I I human nature I.

think that that's what I mean makes it. so compelling and and in my opinion adds. to the escapism. um of you know being in this fictional. world and and being able to explore. fictional worlds in. [snorts and clears throat]. a variety of different ways, >> right? Did you grow up as a as an anime. fan? Were you. >> I grew up adjacent to anime?

[clears throat] So. >> what what does that mean? Just. [laughter] cartoons. What is anime. adjacent? >> It means that like I did not watch anime. myself. How about my best friend who. >> I know this excuse you're a victim. I. myself anime watch. You know, let me. tell you [laughter] something. No, no, no. I hate all you people who use us. anime watchers to like watch and then. claim you don't watch it, but then. you'll be like, can you rewind? Wait, wait, just just rewind [laughter] there. >> I want to see what Ganimaru said there. Just rewind. Oh, so you know his name.

>> No, no, no, no, no. >> It's not even like that. It's not even. like that. >> It's not even Yeah. Like what? I just. One Piece. [laughter]. I mean, cute characters. No, but yeah, I. was that kid who would go right to the. basement, the furnished basement. of um of a friend's house and I don't. know like like I wouldn't get into this. actual show, but I would get into the oh.

god the passion for and she would go on. these message boards and just um. role play with all all these damn. people. >> I think you bring up a good point there. I think. >> watching people who are fans of. something is equally as enjoyable for. us. >> You love that. >> Cuz the passion Eugene loves that. >> Do you really? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> He's a passion vampire. >> Yeah. When someone has a passion, I'm.

like, tell me more. Eugene is like I. watch their joys, their highs, their. lows. Well, I remember that one of the. one of the greatest um memories I had. from an ex who was a huge Star Wars. nerd. >> May the force be with him. >> Indeed. [laughter]. And well, >> we're getting there soon. Sorry. >> May 4th. >> May the [laughter]. >> Can this come out on May 4th? [laughter]. >> That would be incredible.

>> Yes. Um, but like I the probably one of. the greatest memories I have was one day. we got he got a package. He said, "It's. here." Like he he's a lawyer. He turned. into like a child and he he rips open. It's um a lightaber. um but but not even a full lightsaber. like a turned off lightsaber. Like it.

didn't Oh yeah. It doesn't do the actual. do nothing. >> It's just the met Have you seen those? They're very beautiful. So it's a light. It's the handle of lightsaber. >> So it's a threat of a life of of a. lightsaber. Yes. >> But it's like it's like a lightsaber but. then the Jedi didn't charge it last. night. I wonder if that happens. sometimes like Luke Skywalker and then. go out and [laughter] then it'll be like. time to fight Michelle and he's like oh. Master Yoda did not charge you did. And. [laughter] it's like ah yeah I forgot to. charge. I put it by the bedside but then. I didn't I didn't plug the thing and.

then I d and you are not my son. [laughter] I would always charge my. lightsaber like they just swing it. around cuz we don't know like does this. give you a clue of what I'm into? >> Oh yeah that's my god. [laughter] You. really are I'm hitting all your boxes. right now. Oh my god. Look at that. >> That's fully Oh wow. >> Wow. >> Damn. >> Is that Oh my god. >> Yeah. That's his That's his partner. >> [laughter]. >> I I feel when you said that though I I I.

imagine like that I'm fighting with. lights with but just like a portable. charger. >> just [laughter] like a power bank. >> just running the power bank as wellam. [laughter] bam hold on hold on can I can. >> rock sack. >> just all of the all of the Jedi sitting. in like the airport next [laughter] to. the wall there with their lightsabers. just waiting you know what I I hate. about Star Wars is when sometimes in. these franchises they make the. Stormtroopers break character cuz.

Stormtroopers. >> Yeah, >> we got to go to the other guy. >> Yes. [laughter] Sometimes you find in. the Mandalorian and whoever you'll find. them chilling like Yeah, that kind of. sucks. I hate that. You're not wrong. I. hate that. Yeah, cuz they have like now. they given them like random You know. what I don't like about it? >> Yes. >> This is why we're friends. I think the. thing I don't like about it is the. Stormtroopers were meant to be like when. I first watched it, it was like these. mindless. >> Yes. Drones. >> Drones that just like moved through. But.

now when they're like people having. conversations and personalities, now I'm. like, "Oh, no." Then I'm like, "So. you're bad guys now." Before I just felt. like they were the they were the Forces. army. >> Yes. Yes. >> Now I feel like they're like [ __ ]. doing a thing. >> with a personality. >> That's what I mean. And sometimes the. fact that the helmet can come off, I'm. like, it wasn't supposed to be a helmet. >> You look like one giant unit. >> Yes. I like this. >> That's how I feel about the minions. >> The minions. >> The [laughter] the minion minions like.

[laughter]. those things. >> Yeah. They begin as like the background. like like the comic relief and now they. have their own movie and they they have. >> And you don't like this? >> No. I I just M. >> I like the old chapel that Charlie. Chaplanes. I I like when um. >> when there's [laughter] a humorous. character that that can just come and. come out. >> and and that's it. Like.

>> just pop in. Don't have to constantly be there. >> Just pop in. [laughter]. Pop in. [laughter]. Pop out. So, you're not a big fan of. spin-offs? >> No. No. Although, you know what that. reminded me of? And I I overheard you. talking about your algorithm. >> Yeah. >> And like what it feeds you, >> you know what I've been getting? I've.

been getting um like like um Disneyland. and Universal Parks. I like somehow it. got wind that I could be very into that. and now it's absolutely all over my feet. like. >> just like Disney World, Disneyland. >> Yeah. But but but like um uh I I know. just like character actors and and all.

all the like behind the scenes coming. into the parks like. >> I what they feel like you're a fan of. like coming into the park. >> Well Well so here's. >> is that like a genre like a spec because. I've never seen a video of the behind. the scenes. What do they know about you. that we don't? Well, I think they picked. up that that like I mean I I grew up. literally in a theater. So my mom and. dad were um um they they were set.

designers and builders and No way. And. Yeah. Yeah. And um um. >> wait, where where was this? >> It was in Vermont and they worked for a. professional opera company um as well as. local um theater. >> Yeah. And uh but again because it was in. Mbury, Vermont, which is a um college. like like highly regarded [laughter]. college town. >> It was um local theater, but it was like.

>> on a grand scale. >> Yeah. Like I mean I mean legit. >> So they went all out. The costumes were. amazing. The set design was amazing. >> Yeah. >> And then and then you were a kid growing. up in this environment. Like were you. like running around the theater. backstage? I was the kid on the blanket. in the corner with a pizza like. but but I would as I got older I would. help them out and help them um because. it was not only effects it was um.

>> what sets and effects and whatever they. need fog or. >> public all there's always too much fog. or too little fog there's never enough. fog you noticed Yeah, but I hate the fog. goes up to your knees. >> Yeah, but there's never there's never. enough fog and there's always too much. fog. >> Ankle covering fog is enough fog. >> Knee covering fog. Sleepy hollow. No. >> Yeah, but there's but there's never I've. never seen correct fog. Sometimes.

there's like so much fog and haze. You. can't see the audience. The audience. can't see you. And then sometimes. there's no fog. There's just like it. just seems like there's like a small man. smoking on the side of your stage. [laughter] and puffing into the stage. And you can see the audience look off to. you sometimes like, [laughter] "Who's. smoking here?" And you want to be like, "No, it's a it's a fog machine that's. not it's a smoke machine that's not. doing its job.". >> Okay. How much fog is enough fog? Trevor's got. >> like It's like just like look enough. like enough to give ambiance.

>> Yeah. >> It's all about the ambiance. >> Yeah. It it's got to it's got to refract. the light. >> Wait. So, >> but not not dull the light. >> Exactly. So should the fog come out. when the person is there or before the. person comes out? Should the person come. out to the fog the performer? Should. they walk into foggy? >> Okay. With fog usually like it's there. for a reason. It should be at least. >> Yeah. Should be. >> That that's the whole point. A lot of. people. I I think if it were like like amateur.

hour [laughter]. I think like like fog they look like. people treat fog like like. you know to create a feeling but but in. No, it's excessive fog. Yeah. Yeah. Fog. should never be um the the uh. environment. Fog really just, you know, play a role. Yes. In the environment,

not become the environment. >> Yeah. You want to feel, you know what it. is? It's like when the fog is right, when the smoke machine's been used. correctly, >> you don't even realize that it was. there. So, if someone asked you to re. redescribe the scene, >> you wouldn't I don't think that's the. first thing you would bring up. But to. your point, when it's like amateur hour, >> you'll go like was really foggy and then. and then it's like, no, then it was too. much. It's just got to give you that. feeling of like, you know, something. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Exa Exactly. Just.

Well, I I know that um there was an. opera that my mom and dad worked on. where there were I forget the opera. It. it might come to me or come to you guys. [clears throat]. >> [laughter]. >> I know how how much you know about opa. the opera. >> I mean us I mean we are old old hands. [laughter]. but. >> we don't like to brag but uh. >> many have called us the uh uh phantoms.

of uh opera knowledge. >> and when [laughter] it doesn't go well. we become miserable. [laughter]. >> I believe it sold. >> Was that too much fog? [laughter] Too. much. Okay. Too much fun. Okay. Too much fun. You are [laughter] You are foggy as. hell. My dad worked on one with um uh seeing.

the witches around a cauldron and uh the. cauldron was supposed to bubble smoke up. and. >> that cauldron was almost the death of. him because it [laughter]. >> it had to roll out so it couldn't be. attached. >> Yes. >> To the smoke machine. >> But but to your point, it it like. I think it was like the first time he. did it. It just like they put way too. much the station put way too much ice in.

it. >> It just created this curtain of of and. again their uh singing opera they're the. professional. opera. So um they they couldn't it was. just they would breathe. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> The witch's brew was in effect from. [laughter] your cauldron.

[gasps]. >> So to round it back to. >> I feel like that was the most realistic. show someone watched. >> Yeah. >> Cuz I don't like it sometimes when the. characters doing something don't react. like humans. So I if I was watching an. opera where witches were gathered around. a cauldron, they start making something. which bubbles up. >> It's not just something. >> No, but it's not Is it always witches. brew? It is always. >> Oh, I didn't know. I thought maybe. >> I didn't know. I thought maybe like. >> Oh, witches brew for a reason. >> No. Doesn't make witches brew. Who?

>> Wizards. >> So, witches make witches brew. >> Okay. >> That's all they make. They don't make. fermented malt. >> You're telling me everything that's in. that pot is witches brew. Witches brew. Everything in that pot. >> Yeah. >> Huh. Okay. You can't. >> you can't take it out without a cackle. cuz you can't you can't just put the. wishes in a vessel. [laughter]. Ah, that's part of the. >> Oh, you know, I've never seen Brew put. in a actual. chalice. I've I've seen it like don't.

they stir it up and then and then like. in a in a chalice, >> it invokes malice. >> Uhhuh. >> So, it's when someone is getting. poisoned. >> Who is this guy? But when it's in a. vial. >> Oh, then it exposes the potency. >> of the brew because you must get the. reveal. That green liquid green. >> Yes. Because that's the only time you. ever see what's inside the witch's brew. is inside the little vial. In your head, you're thinking all of that cauldron for.

this little vial. It is worth it. >> Yes. >> The calamity that will ensue after our. main character consume. [laughter]. It's what makes it worth it. >> So, it really is. It's kombucha. >> Yeah. And I mean, [laughter] that's. that's. amazing. >> This must have been This must have been. amazing for you as a kid, though, being. in that environment cuz like as kids, we. you want to stay in a world that's as. imaginary for as long as possible. And. now you're in that world with your.

parents where it's like what like what. were you like as a kid? Were you. [sighs and gasps]. >> I. I You're right. that that I because I. was in that environment, I held on to. that child like. I wanted to say wonder but no uh. delusion. >> Oh, I like that. >> Um [laughter]. >> child like delusion from a lot longer. than I I thought, you know. Um, and.

maybe that's kind of what led to. entertainment industry was um, >> I mean I [gasps]. it it was a double-edged sword because I. grew up thinking much more. was possible in this life for me. >> than than reality. I I didn't I you know. I I got this um kind of very obtuse.

version of the the world. >> Wait, in what way? Well, I I think that. mainly. I think I I thought that a lot of. elements of life were much more. um. dramatically poetic than they were. I um. I in good ways and bad ways. I I I.

learned much about the world um from. these shows that my mom and dad would. do. I I remember that one time they. worked on the show Chicago and um I uh. went up to my mom asking what the word. murder meant. Um and she went on and. told me that that always where a a. person would kill another person. Um but. but then because my head was so in line.

with um main main character essence and. I I got immediately. I understood that oh we live in a world. where people just go out doing that they. they kill other people for no reason. right. >> um. >> and Um, it it was so [gasps].

and here's here's where I got weird. It. was instead. normally I would maybe be freaked out by. that or not wanting to leave the house, but I I sort of um. it didn't scare me as much as I thought. it would. And I I kind of. um went around um. sort of embracing this ominous vibe of.

the world. Um and uh well and that's why. when I. >> the idea that people murdered people, you you were like it made the world more. interesting. >> Yeah. Yeah. It did. Well, because it. just like it played into this. Oh, there. are there really are villains. >> Bad actors. Yeah. >> Oh, okay. Okay. It turned it into like a. play now. It made it more interesting. It made it. >> and I I think that Exactly. And And if.

it was a play, that meant it everything. had a purpose. Everything had a reason. and a story arc. >> Yeah. Um, so, [laughter]. you know, I the one of the hardest. things that I had to learn was that um. the world had um nuance, [snorts and laughter]. [gasps] you know, >> we're still we're still dealing with. that today. >> It was it and um and the bad guy. sometimes does come out in the end.

Yeah. Um. uh. it it did evoke this kind of. fearlessness that I did have that. everything would work out. Um, and it. that's why I call it a bit of a delusion. was [laughter]. that it it I don't know it. I kind of thought that that once things.

get just got so bad someone would break. into song and dance and every [laughter]. everything would just. >> I know what you mean, >> you know, and the the bad guy would go. away and Um. and. again it just everything would happen on. paper exactly as it was meant to happen, >> you know. >> So then how does that journey take you.

into standup? Cuz. >> you're in you're in theater or or I'm. assuming this did you go did you go from. theater to theater? Did you. >> Well, so I like I um I gave up on on. theater. I wanted to kind of naturally. be an actor. Yeah. Um but I gave up on. that because. I have cerebral policy and and the. that was. I I was never.

I never felt different. I was just told. I was different. You know what I found. out? >> What at what at what age do you remember. like at what part of your life and what. age do you remember going, "Oh, I I am. different because I'm being told I'm. different so much.". >> Well, I remember that um the the first. time I ever kind of heard heard about. this. >> Yeah. Um, I was a little kid, five years.

old, and I'm in the car at night with my. family. My brother, my older brother, suddenly just chimed in like, "Hey, mom. and dad." So, why why does Tina talk. weird? [laughter]. How old was this guy? Do you have a seat. BELT ON? [laughter]. >> WAS CENTRAL LOCKING. It was like seven. Okay. Yo man, >> in that kind of in that kind of like.

like like socially random way that only. kids. >> that's what kills me. No, you know what. I love because you're in a car. You're a. family. >> So it's not even like an outsider thing. >> But the fact that he says it not to you. by the way goes like you're not there. Yo mom and dad like he's been holding. this in for so long. >> Yo mom and dad. Yo yo man. Okay I got to. ask now bro. Uh, and you know this guy, it's not like he just met you. >> I've known you for seven years all of. his life. >> And then he even TALKING [laughter].

what [laughter] the hell came out. >> Oh man. I know. and and so that caught. me off guard, but but then [laughter]. caught my mom and dad off guard and they. just in the moment I I think they. panicked and and [laughter] silence and. then my dad he he said we're not going.

to talk about this. >> Oh, damn. >> And that's and and. >> Oh, shame. >> Yeah. Yeah. And so. I I learned right off the bat. or I thought I had learned that okay. well a something's wrong with me and b. it's. >> a bad thing. shameful, tragic, something that.

>> we cannot say. We It cannot be accepted. >> Damn. >> Among. >> Um and um but but it took me a while to. learn about what was wrong with me, you. know. Um because. when you're a kid I I mean having cable. having brain damage. how do you describe that to a kid you. know and um well in hindsight actually.

very uh very thankful that my mom and. dad just I mean their approach was just. let me be a kid just [clears throat]. because. going forward I I I learned to separate. my disability from me. >> Um and um even though the world does not. do that like [gasps] the world just is.

>> conflicts the two. >> Yes. Um, but but back then. when I think about like being disabled, it I I really do remember like I was a. normal kid and then one day it just kind. of landed on me. >> So I I'm I'm fascinated here. There's a. few things I'm trying to understand. So. the one is. I have like the most you know.

rudimentary understanding of cerebal. pausy but but help us understand when. you're saying like brain damage and. disability it's not an it's not an acute. incident right it's. >> yeah well with cable py um it's it can. be uh caused by a lot of things but but. mo most likely it's um oxygen. deprivation. Yes. So for me, I had like. a hard hard birth where like um I so my.

mom had a [laughter]. C-section from my brother. >> Again, it's my brother's fault. [laughter]. >> Had had a C-section. Um, and then when. when I was in labor, she was in labor with me w with each. other. >> When we were in [laughter] labor, >> I I. accidentally [laughter] um kill me. I I.

punched out I punched my way out the old. section. >> Wait, what? Yes. >> Um Yeah. Yeah. instead of the Yeah, >> but there's a two C-section minimum. [laughter]. >> I know. It was one of two. >> Yeah, cuz Yeah, you can [laughter]. feel sealed up. >> Um Yeah. And well, I punched out out of. the womb, but I did not punch I didn't I.

didn't alen my way out. Like I. >> I was in I was still in her. I was just. among other or yeah that's a real thing. that can really happen. >> Damn, I didn't know that that's a. concept. >> Then you. >> and then what happens? >> And then um and [snorts]. well and then um because of that I I got. deprived of oxygen. The the umbilical. cord I don't know what happened if it.

wrapped around my neck. Yeah. my neck or. or I got strained, but I was um dead for. 20 minutes. >> No way. >> Um and thank God. So the doctor at the time was at home. The my mom's main doctor was at his. home. >> Oh, I thought you were saying the doctor. was at home. I was like, "What world are. you growing up in when you're like I was. being born and the doctor was at home.

and then they were like, "Maybe we. should call him now." [laughter]. >> Oh, you mean the main her main doctor? Okay. Okay, that makes more sense. >> The main I I guess. obstitrician. >> was. at home. He speeds. The cop the cops are. literally following him and he speeds. Um, and uh, thank God I mined medicine, but but like I was. >> clinically dead for for 20 minutes. >> What do you remember? You can't remember.

anything cuz your life can't flash. before your eyes cuz you haven't been. born yet. >> You'd be very. >> What are you going to What do you What's. going to flash? >> I wish so hard that I had the answer for. you. I don't remember [ __ ] I Maybe I. do, but um I'm not going to tell you for. first. Okay. Talk to [laughter] her friends. >> Doesn't past life regression just kind. of. >> That's If you want to get If you want to. get the full story, check out Tina's. Patreon. [laughter] She'll be telling.

you the full story on her Patreon. Uh if. you want to know what happens uh life. after death before life, >> then [laughter] you can check out Tina's. Patreon. >> Turn $5 and I will tell you what. happened [laughter] to your body body. soul. >> That is insane. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Don't go anywhere cuz we got more what. now after this. [music]. [music].

>> Dr. Cams resuscitates you. >> Yes. Yes. And but but after that so um. funny thing when you when you're. deprived of oxygen for that long there's. permanent damage in in your brain. So, um I. it is quite miraculous that I had that. all that happened to me for that long. and I came out less affected than I am,

>> right? It's a miracle. >> It It really is. It is quite amazing. that I'm I'm here right now doing this. And yet you wish I I wish so much that I. could have this conversation with every. person that I meet on the street, but I. can't. >> Wait, what do you mean? >> Because like. >> they don't want to pay you a Patreon. [gasps]. >> I know. I I put the QR code in. [laughter] their face.

No, but but that's that's the thing and. and I I know this is a universal. problem, but um. my I'm kind of I mean, not not to build. myself up here, but I'm walking around. as a um. >> very um un. what will the word be against a lot. walking around um defying.

Yes. Um uh but but the people that I. meet, they they see my disability and is. a problem for them, you know. It's. >> their problem. >> It's uh it's still kind of. the judgment that that I receive. Um. >> wait, judgment? I wouldn't have thought. judgment. And I would have thought pity, but I wouldn't have thought judgment. >> You know, it it depends on how old you.

are. >> and the situation. Wow. >> Yes. Yes. Um. as a kid, it was really interesting. As. a kid, it was very much pity. >> Yeah. um into my young adult life. Um. it was a a sort of judgment, not judging. me for being disabled, but but um. particularly here in New York.

>> Yeah. Um there is judgment um and again. depending on the situation but but often. for um. being out in the world uh and. requesting or taking a little bit longer. with things. >> Oh, okay. That makes sense. Okay. people, you know, I think people often. like to. um box, you know, put put me in a box.

and and that well, if you know, if you. are effective, then why not just go. about your little life somewhere among. among helpers and and um you know. to to coexist, I think, and to actually. go into spaces. >> Yeah. >> Where I'm not always expected. I I think. people.

they. >> they don't want to be judged. So, but. but they do kind of. they're caught off guard by it and and. and so. >> um [sighs]. I think they're they're a little bit. frustrated with. this. coexistence of it. >> I I think I'm guilty of that sometimes.

Like I've I've real there's a thing I. have to cuz because I fly a lot. I've. realized there's a thing I have to do. sometimes when disembarking a plane or. even when boarding it. And I had to do. this the other day. I had to say. old people are old. They're not doing. anything to you. >> I literally had to say this to myself. >> Yeah. >> Because I was frustrated. There was an. old couple in front of me dis like. leaving the plane and I was behind them. and I was like like in my head I was. just like what? And I I had a feeling. almost like why are you doing this? like.

if you're going to be old, why not just. wait in the plane while everyone else. leave? But then I was like, yo, old. people are just old. They're not doing. anything to you. >> They're not. But I do think I I I I. appreciate that you said New York. >> I do think, and this is just anecdotal, that it is probably. more pervasive in the bigger cities. because. one of the things a big city does is it. robs you of everything personal.

>> Yeah. Right. So, we cross the road, there's 100 people, but you don't know. anyone and nobody knows you. And and. when you're in a store, it's like, come. on, come on, come on, come on, let's. just do this thing. Let's And then. there's almost like a there's almost. like a an idea that people sometimes. have where they go, if you're in this. coffee shop, that means, yeah, but also. that means you can get here. that mean. you there's like this in congruency of. if you're able enough to get here, you. should be able enough to speed this up. or or get out of my way or do you know.

what I mean? There's this there's this. thing that happens in in New York. >> And I noticed it even with um cars that. get stuck in New York. >> The difference in let's say South. Africa, I've seen now that I'm back home. more often is. here you'll never see people pushing the. car out of the way. >> H. >> never never never. It's just not a. concept. A car is stuck. Everyone will. be there behind it. You [ __ ] driving around it trying to.

But you will never see people get out. their cars and be like, "All right, let's get let's get this car car off the. road. We'll help you push." In South. Africa, that's still a thing that you'll. see. >> You'll still see people go like, "We. acknowledge that you do not wish to be. stuck. We know it's irritating for us, but you don't want to be stuck. So, we're going to help you.". >> And the people behind you have nothing. to do with it. Yeah. >> So I can but I but it's amazing to hear. from the person who's going. >> you know what I mean? Why am I being. made the [ __ ] in the situation?

>> Yeah. Well this collective for. forgetting on a dayto-day basis that. we're all living. lives on top of each other and somehow. again miraculously. making it all happen at once. But we're. constantly shifting puzzle pieces. Um. and and so when Yeah. when there's stuck. car when there's uh god forbid an old.

person. [laughter and gasps]. like um. >> those are so fun. these days. Old people are just dying. out. [laughter]. >> There there is there I mean they are. inconveniences. They and they are kind. of I'm like well. I I'm guilty too almost like you know a. baby on a plane. That that's my example.

>> Screaming baby. >> A baby a screaming baby. >> No no no. For Tina it's just a baby on a. [laughter] she is beef with babies on. planes. Not if they cry. Tina just sees. a baby on a plane and she's like look at. you. You didn't even pay for your. ticket. You piece of [ __ ] [laughter]. Who's going to sit here with those. chunky cute thighs looking around? You. didn't. I had to pay and you just get to. fly on this for free. [laughter] I try. to sit on someone's lap, but they don't. let me fly. You dumbass baby. And. they're like, "Ma'am, please. Ma'am, please." Like, "Okay, okay, okay.". >> I feel like an ablebodied healthy baby.

[laughter]. I'm like, "You godamn. [ __ ] [laughter] You You birth. canal [ __ ]. YOU South Pole not having [laughter]. >> goodness. You stupid air breather. [laughter]. >> Oh god. The baby looks at you and goes, "Are you the last air?" [laughter].

>> Oh man. >> I Well, actually, ironically, babies. love me. Baby like people think that. that that my like kids are freaked out. on me. No, kids love me. But I'm like. I'm like what them but bigger you know. they they but babies. like. baby babies don't. yet see like a difference. You know who. does? Yeah. >> Dogs. >> Huh? >> No. >> dogs.

>> You're lying. >> Dogs double take. >> No you're lying. >> Yeah they not not with the voice but. with the way that I walk. >> No you're lying. Yeah, 100%. Small dogs. in particular, I I think they they'll. I'll be coming out behind them and often. like on often in New York, especially. with their small dogs that are city dogs. and maybe a little bit more like fragile. [laughter].

fragile. You're right. They're they'll. um. if they're coming in one way and I'm. coming in another, they will they will. look up and I I swear [laughter] they. double takes and then they swerve they. swerve around me to the tower and. [laughter]. >> THIS IS THE WILDEST THING EVER. >> I swear. I [laughter] swear. >> And I'm so fat, dude. Do you ever look.

at the [laughter]. like, oh yeah, that's that one's bread. different [laughter]. that's the only way I've seen like a. disabled dog like a like a wheelchair. using dog. I wonder like oh my god like. I wonder if they are like ever just like. >> I wonder what that could be. Who do you.

think it is? Wait, so when you're coming. opposite directions? >> Yeah. >> And then you do the the dog goes. >> Well, again because. >> and then there's a part where you're. walking behind them. the way that I. walk, you know, I'm unstable, which by the way, like I didn't know. that I walked differently until the age. of 25. >> No. >> Yeah. You know, you know how I learned a. roast bow. I I was in a roast bow.

>> Was it in the car? [laughter]. >> I was in a roast bow with a friend of. mine. uh with with another comedian and. who's ironically now like one of my best. friends. Um and he said something like, "Oh, Tito is you know just an incredible. person. Is there anything she cannot do. other than walk in a straight line?" And. like it got a laugh and the comics.

laughed and I you know I. >> It's a roast. >> Yeah. Like I but I was caught off guard. because in my head I thought like well. that's not like that that's. uncharacteristic of him to use this like. random um uh like um. something not even about me like like. >> no ways you didn't think that. So we.

have a friend he's been on the podcast. his name is Joseph. >> Opio. >> He's from Uganda. He's got a pretty. thick accent and he. we've talked about this his whole life. because he's he's the most articulate. person I know. His vocabulary surpasses. everyone that I've ever met, right? But. he genuinely [laughter] thought for like. his whole life that he like sounds like. Hugh Grant [laughter]. when he speaks. And then like one day, I.

forget what we were having a. conversation [laughter] and I said to. him similar to this cuz we used we would. work at the daily show together and I. said to him I would go um someone said I. didn't understand you or something like. that and then he said to me he's like oh. Trevor can I ask you a question? He's. like why do you always repeat what I'm. saying to people? And I said oh because. they don't they don't hear what you're. saying. Then he's like no how can they. not hear me? >> Yeah. And then he said the craziest. thing. He was like, "I think often times. my command of the English language is. even superior to yours.". >> Then I was like, "Yes, but they can't.

hear what you're saying because of your. accent." And he went, "What accent?". [laughter]. >> What? >> I said, "Joe, you're joking, right?". >> And I genu I thought he was like I. thought it was the greatest joke ever. So I laughed. And then he's like, "No, no, seriously, what what accent?". >> I said, "Joe, the like the all of it. accent. What do you mean what? [laughter] What do you mean what accent? Like you're going to like a slight And. then he asked people, but he had this. this realization you're having. He had. this also as like a 30 something year. old man. And he said, "I He's like, I'm.

devastated." He's like He's like, "I. can't I can't believe it." He was on the. podcast talking about he's like even now. he's like he still in his head. >> sounds like Hugh Grant using the Queen's. English. >> Yeah. Well, and that's the thing. You. don't know how heavy it will actually. hit until you are the person. You think. like, oh, just oh my like it's humorous. to everyone else. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> But but in your head it really it's a. mind [ __ ] because it kind of is. Well, I.

I can relate actually to that because. when I talk I sound normal. Like I I sound completely clear, unhindered, quick. Uh I I don't know. what what the science is behind that, but but like um it. that that's why I I say that like it. always felt a bit like a conspiracy.

theory that that I was. I didn't feel different. It didn't sound. different, but everyone told me that I. was and and that I need to like. articulate more. Um, and whi when you. actually do realize that like holy [ __ ]. like like I people are not receiving. what I'm pulling out there. Um, or what.

I'm hearing in my head. >> It's a bit like when the tree falls in. the forest. >> Yeah. >> And no one's hear it. No one can hear. it. Does it make a sound? And it it put. me a whole tail spin of um. well I mean I I know I'm a person that. that has a disability and those two. things are completely separate. but my god like if if to everywhere else.

they're they're just seeing all all one. >> then then. what does it matter? like you know what what actually. what exists more is it how I appear to. the world that I cannot change or is it. >> this internal outlook that I have. >> right. >> um yeah it it really it really became.

which one not not just which one is more. important which one exists. Um, yeah. So, I I know that when when I. found when my friend said that that joke. about like, oh, she can't walk in a. straight line. And at first, I was so. confused. I thought it was a stereotype. that he used to.

>> like you thought you thought it wasn't a. cuz a good roast joke is a joke that is. actually about you. >> and the person is saying something from. a place of knowing. A bad roast joke is. a joke where somebody just uses a. stereotype. >> Mhm. >> It's it's almost like you. >> well it's almost like a cheap one. because you go like oh you didn't. actually have a joke about me so you. just made a joke about [clears throat]. what could be about me but it's not. about me. Mhm. >> Lowhanging fruit. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's Yes. Low hanging. fruit. >> Yeah. And that's why I was shocked. Like.

he he was a great comic. Like I was. like, "What? What did he do?". >> Did you speak to him about it. afterwards? >> Yeah. So after we all pled in a car. Um. we're back in a car. >> I knew there was a car involved. >> You were not wrong, Eugene. >> Back in the car. I've got a lot of cars. Well, isn't it funny? Actually, I'm just. realizing now that. everything that I learned about myself. and my cerebral pausy, I learned in a.

car. [laughter]. >> Yeah. Try being on Utimus. [laughter]. >> Oh my god. Disability in space. >> The sequel. [laughter]. >> I can only imagine what no gravity will. will affect. Oh my god. >> Yeah. Anyway, I wonder. >> my brain wins this. I was like, "Yeah, WHAT WOULD BE LIKE?". >> I actually get that lie. So, I get. people that ask like, "Yeah, well,

never." I've never gotten that one. I've. never gotten Oh, but would zero gravity. help, but I have gotten Oh, does alcohol. help? Does weed help? Does um uh you. know, >> mushrooms? Well, yeah. every drug. [snorts] Um, does cranium help? Um, even. even like. meditation. Even like. >> Wait, did someone really suggest.

meditation? That's hypnosis. That's a. pretty gangster one. I'm not going to. lie. [laughter] That's a pretty gangster. one. >> I would have expected hypnosis. >> I have I have a disability. Have you. tried breathing for 10 minutes. [laughter]. >> in silence? >> Maybe you should just sit still for a. bit and then maybe it'll blow, you know, for someone and I'm not even saying. they're an [ __ ] It's just a funny. thing for somebody to say to you, you. know what I mean? I have a disability. H. So if you repeat a word, have you have a. mantra? You should try using a mantra. and say that [laughter]. >> affirmations.

>> Yeah, but meditation is what people. offer when everything else has been. taken. >> So they said, "Have you tried? Have you. tried? Have you tried?". >> No, but I but I get it as well because I. I see where the person is coming from. >> They might be watching your movements. They might be and they're like, "Shame. This person just needs to learn. >> how to sit still and feel their body and. then they will emerge from this. I can. see somebody thinking that because. here's the thing that we also take for. granted in life, right? >> Is and I don't want us to forget the car. part by the way with the frame. [laughter].

>> But here's the thing we forget in life. is. we as a society are also not taught. things, right? So we're not taught about. disabilities. We're not taught about. cerebal palsy. We're not we're not. taught most things. So you go, there's a. person in a wheelchair. There's a person. who walks differently to you. There's a. person who speaks differently to you. But because you do not know anything. about it, >> yeah, >> that's all it is. So you then have to. use your dumb brain because you have no. information to try and quote unquote.

help the situation because you're like, well, I don't know what this is. So you. would suggest meditation. >> because no school has ever taught you. about I don't know anyone in school who. learned about disabilities genuinely. You know, I'm sure there's like one or. two. No, >> I didn't. I don't think you did. I don't. think you like in school. Are we. actually learning what the No, >> but I can tell you about different. rivers. Tributaries, perennial and non-perennial rivers, cumulo nimbus, stratus, >> that's clouds. >> I mean, that's how I roll, son. [laughter] But that has never served me.

in the world. Not once have I been in a. coffee shop with a cloud [laughter]. that is having a tough day, and then. I've gone, "Hold on, hold on, my. friends. I uh know a few things about. stratus. >> Wait, let me let me ask you this. Uh. >> nimbo stratus. [laughter] Sorry, I. thought that was only your word to use. >> Let me ask you this. Have you tried. meditation? [laughter]. >> I love that concept. I'm like, oh, you. were without oxygen for 20 minutes. You.

start breathing [laughter]. for 30 minutes. >> Yeah. Just get it back. Just get it. back. It's never too late to get. >> into the desire. [laughter]. JUST POP IT BACK. >> THAT'S WHAT STARTED THIS WHOLE THING. [laughter]. >> LIKE LIKE it's almost like they think my. brain is just under balloon and I I just. need. >> Yeah, you just got to puff it up. >> Pop it back. [laughter]. >> Breathe into it. Breathe. >> Pop it back like a Pepsi can.

>> So wait, so you were in the car? >> Yes. Um I was in the car. with a carpool. of all the Vermont comedians like going. back to their cuz. >> that's like all that's all of them. It. is [laughter] all of them. >> I feel like you can fit all the. comedians of Vermont in a car. >> You mean if if a car accident took place. there the whole industry would be dead. in. >> tonight in sad news uh comedy is dead. [laughter]. Vermont comedy lost its life today in an. unfortunate car accident [laughter].

car. We are clowns in [laughter] just to be. honest. >> Spoon everywhere. >> Yeah. So, it was all of us in the car. Um, and we're all laughing and again. like I. in the moment I did not clock it as a. real. >> observation. I thought it was a shitty. joke. Yeah. And um [clears throat].

>> um so I I was banting with him and and I. said, "Oh, I mean I mean the the guy, my. friend, he he said something at me and I. bit back and I said, "Oh, well, I mean. this guy down here spreading rumors that. I that I walk differently like I walk do. I walk differently?" And the whole car. went silent. Just imagine a car of six.

comedians. Just silent. And and um and. he again get a lot like my parents. reacted. They they just he he just. squeaked out. He I thought you knew. >> He felt he felt so terrible again. like. he's now like my best friend, but um it it really like I it it really.

just is. that sort of constant like. I I began to realize that life is just. kind of like life is eight decades of. realizing things about yourself that. people pick up on in eight. Mhm. >> You know, it really. that that's the whole journey. [laughter and gasps]. >> and.

it sort of was when you're at that age, it's no longer kind of you you're past. the point of like, oh my god, what does. this say about me? But it really. I. I mean, don't get me wrong, I did have. that moment like, "Oh my god." But then. everything made sense. It all made. sense. The dogs made sense. The um and.

um you know, cuz at that point in my. early 20s, I dealt with um a lot of. incidences at at bars and clubs. And. people were thinking that I was. intoxicated where when I was then. >> and um. >> and even. >> ma'am ma'am you've had enough. I just.

walked in. No ma'am. No ma'am. >> No. And it would be like I just walked. in and they walk up to me like. absolutely not. >> Jeez. This is equally terrible and. funny. >> Well, I do. It's like. >> I do kind of want to counter it because. I I don't want to just say like I'm. disabled and here's a laundry list of. all the all the bad things. There are. perks. Okay. Like like one time I was in.

London, I walked into um the Holly Arms. which is like Amy Amy Wine House's old. haunt. Yeah. Legendary bar. And um there were bashers outside. They. stopped me. They they thought I was. drunk. I began to say it. They realized. and and suddenly they it was all cleared. up. They they were like, "Oh my gosh.". You know, they opened the doors, the.

double doors. I mean, and [snorts] um. and there was this like long uh I mean. it was peak time. There were just layers. of people trying to get a drink and and. I was just kind of looking around. I. looked back at the bartender who was. staring at me, called me back over. and and once I got back to me, parted. the seas straight up to the bar with me,

like just. snapped his fingers. The bartender puts. down the drink she's actively making and. goes over and and the bouncers, get her a drink. She's lovely. She's. just. >> lovely. I I I think. there there. is.

of all the of all the harmful things. that happened to me. um being disabled. Like I'm so glad that I'm not. forgettable. Like. >> damn, Tina. >> I just that that would be the worst. You know, I. I I often. talk so much in in interviews and and on. stage about all all the the weight of of.

having to, you know, constantly um uh. alleviate people's discomfort about me. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> But my god, like I. I'm so I feel. unbelievably. seen by the world. >> for better and worse. >> What's funny is the other day we're. having a conversation um and then we. were saying if you listen to every.

critic in your life, you'd probably want. to bury yourself and never come out. again. And sometimes people do that. They go away for a little bit, you know, but while you are away, you go, those. people still exist. I still exist and. I've just given them what they wanted. Then you come back and then you have a a. new lease on life. And there there are. few moments in life where you have this. kind of a realization. We had it when we. were watching the Hulk Hogan. documentary. >> Yeah. >> And afterwards, there was this. announcement that was done and I said to. Trevor, that announcement that was made.

sounds the way Hulk Hogan always. announces himself when he's about to. make a statement. You can't ignore him. Let me tell you something, brother. Then. you pay attention and you can never. forget that. Like a lot of people live. in this quiet squeaky voice without. expressing themselves properly. And when. they see someone who lives loudly like. you do or like a Hal Hogan does or like. the president of this country does, we. get taken a back because we're so not. used to people just going, I'm here and. I'm just going to do what I and say what.

I want. Well, and get and to get back to. what you were talking about a minute ago. that that um kind of why people they. judge or or get a little bit disgruntled. at me and yeah, it's. the inconvenience, but is also this like. I get this often online that that like, oh man, well, I have this speech. impediment. I'm disabled. Why the hell.

am I a comedian? Like what why why. take why take up that space? What? Like. that that. >> that's what people ask you. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Kind of. >> I believe that. >> No, but I Okay. I forget that I'm a. comedian. [laughter]. >> Let me tell you something, brother. >> No, I genu I forget that I'm a comedian. Yeah. >> It's almost like like how self. >> of you to.

to sort of um. suscept. to to come well and I I think the the. worst take that that I have heard the. most extreme take is. well you know that we have to accept you. if you're a comedian. So, so like why. why are you how selfing to to do this? And.

>> um. >> can I tell you something interesting. about that though? We experienced that. in South Africa when. comedy was burgeoning. There were many comedians who would say. black comedians are only getting a laugh. because they're black. >> Mhm. Like there was literally a thing. where they was just like, "Ah, yeah, it's because they they come here and and. they they talk about their tough. upbringing and growing up in a township. and and then people have to laugh. because what are you going to do?" And.

you're like, "No, but it's these are. funny things, >> but it's it's interesting how. >> you can just you can sort of like find. the same people who will apply it to. every non-default. >> and just be like, "Ah, well, you you. come in here." cuz that's why I say I I. take for granted that I am a comedian. When I first saw your comedy, like my. friend Ryan put me on to it. Um, and. the thing we were just looking at was. the gags, like genuinely genuinely genu.

it's like, you know, like with comedy, there's there's there's two different. ways you watch comedy as a comedian. There's one part where sometimes you're. just like watching and observing and. then there's sometimes where you're like. watching somebody with like a um what I. would call like a complimentary jealousy. where you're just like man the way this. person is slicing apart their experience. of the world regardless of where where. it comes from. So. >> it could be a straight white man who's. telling you about like how boring and.

tough his life is in that and you're. going this is f the way you're doing. this is amazing. Could be somebody who's. a refugee, somebody a housewife, somebody who's it doesn't matter. That. that was the main thing that I saw where. I was just like I was like she this is. ridiculously funny. because it felt like you were fully. observing how you were observed and how. people were thinking about you and not. thinking about you. Do do you get what. I'm saying? >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. And I I think when you're in that in.

that instance, you are so hyper aware of. how people are observing you. And the. fact of the matter is there are people. in this world, if you're a minority, there are people that it does not matter. what you do, how good you are, anything, what you say, how good of a person, like. they will they will see it as,

>> you know, >> an affront almost. >> Yes. Yes. Almost like a conspiracy. Yeah. like, um, oh, this doesn't belong. This doesn't this shouldn't exist out. here. But again, well, I. I I always use this example. I like of. art, you know, paintings. I I wish I.

could remember the name of the artist, but there was an artist that would cover. a whole canvas in one one color, one red. shade. All. >> all by just a paintbrush. And there was. this massive uprising. of of anger of like why is this art? This is not art. Even though um for one uh the ability to.

so so evenly cover canvas with just a. brush is like incredible. But aside from. that, there was such a anger that like oh this. is not art that then there became this. second window of a oh well it it evokes. an emotion. So therefore, it is art. >> Yeah. >> It doesn't matter if it's a red square.

It's angering people and that. >> it's doing something. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I mean that's I I think how comedy. is. Um you. I feel like you can see a lot in the. whole comedy industry of um. no matter what you do just get a. reaction. Just any kind of reaction is. a good outcome. other P to.

just. kind of. be out there and um you know be being. like I I would so much rather get get a. visual angry reaction than than like. >> than nothing. >> Okay, that was cool. Yeah, but but this. is what I what I come back to is. I've seen this present itself for every. type of comedy and every comedian.

regardless of their background. People. will just find the thing that they don't. want. But what's more important for me. and and why I've always loved standup, you know, and Eugene and I have talked. about this. I mean, we met through. standup. Now it's like 20 years ago. It's insane. [clears throat and laughter]. I am a 19year-old [laughter] phenom. Um, but like. >> I wasn't doing that 20 years ago. Yeah.

>> Yeah. When you when you look at one. thing I've always loved about comedy is. it's honest. And what I mean by that is, >> you know, we had Estie from the comedy. seller. >> Yeah. On on the podcast and we were. talking about this. It's. you you can fool like maybe one audience. and then maybe one audience can feel bad. for you and then maybe one or you can't. do it with everyone. You can't do it. nationwide. You can't do it. internationally. You can't at some point.

all that's happening is people are. coming to watch the show because you are. funny and smart in processing the world. in some way, shape or form. you know, not not smart just like you know things, but every funny comedian, I think, is. smart in the way that they're dissecting. words, sentences, ideas, etc., and. making an audience have an involuntary. response coming out of their bodies. And. that I think that's my favorite thing. about comedy is. >> it doesn't have a studio on the other. side blocking you. It doesn't have like.

there aren't like king makers. There's. no, you know what people refer to as. like industry plants or whatever. Whether you believe in it or not, >> comedy just doesn't honest do that. >> You know, even even audiences, I I judge. them sometimes. They'll be like, "Oh, why did that comedian they were never. funny." Then I'm like, "No, no, no. >> You people were laughing at them when. you were. Don't try disown them now. They were they were of your time. Don't. now disown them.". >> And that time was 10 minutes. >> It doesn't matter. But people people. love acting like. >> you know sometimes people will play a.

clip of an old comedian even from the. 80s or they'll be like I can't believe. people were who would then you're like. no we were as society. >> then. >> yeah I know you may not like it now. maybe it's out of fashion. >> but there is no comedian who can blow up. apart from society. >> Yeah. >> It's just not a thing. >> Yeah. You can't. You just can't. >> And that's why whenever I get these. comments online of like a viral video of. mine and there'll be a comment like like.

man the pity laughs. [laughter]. >> Do you know how hard it is to pity. laugh? >> These are people. Can I tell you. something? These are also people who. don't actually go. That's that's one of. the things I hate about the internet. And I hope you don't live in the. comments. I did. I stopped that long. ago. Tina, >> it's just like. >> when you don't go to comedy, you don't understand how honest a room. is. >> Yeah.

>> You want to talk about pity laughs? I've. seen some of the most famous people get. on stage, movie stars, musicians, even comedians. get on audience first three minutes. Yeah. They say anything. Yeah. And then. at some point the audience is like, >> "All right, we've run out of the. >> pity ones. >> Yeah, the free ones are gone. >> We can't give you the fame laughs. anymore. We can't give you the pity. laughs anymore. We can't.". >> And then you just the audience just goes. like, [sighs].

>> "All right, we're done." A room is. really, really honest. You know why? >> Because the room is dark and there's. anonymity. So no one in the crowd feels. personally responsible for a laugh. happening or not happening. And it's. also safety because people come come. with other people. I mean like safety of. companionship. People can can refer to. the other person and go I'm not crazy. >> Yeah. The pity. You know what I wish you. could do? >> Ah man. This would be such a great like. gag for those people. >> I wish you could do an impression like. change your voice and then sound like.

you don't have cereble pausy just for a. moment. Just for those people it would. break. >> Oh my god. >> It would explode their brains. >> You're my friend. That's what I was. thinking. >> I have a joke like that. Well, well, um, there it really happened. There was a. woman who came up to me one time and and. said that she loved it, but for the. first. 15 minutes, she she thought I was faking. it that and and like and in the joke I.

say, "Can you believe that I work so. hard on this character?" [laughter]. Like, >> that's a good one. I wish so much that I. could somehow say it [laughter] in a. normal voice. >> Can I tell you it would be um South. African comedian friend of ours, Riad. Musa, he had a he has a joke like this. So he is from Cape Town in South Africa. So he has a particular accent and he's. got like quite a thick one as well, right?

>> But he's also a master of mimicry. Can. just do any voice you name, you know, Morgan Freeman, you name it. He just he. nails them all. But it's jarring for. people especially who aren't from South. Africa to hear him because he'll have an. accent that's quite that like you know. what I mean like his accents. And so we. were in Montreal doing shows and then he. was on on on one of the the lineups and. he came out and he did like [snorts]. flawless flawless accents and then. afterwards one of the comedians came up.

to him and they were like, "Hey man, you. uh" he's like, "You you can you can. sound like anyone you want to." And he's. like, "Yeah, no, thank you very much.". Then he's like, "Yeah, why don't you. just talk like that all the time then?". [laughter] at that point. >> And I was just like, >> oh yeah, >> it that you know and Ria tells that. story on stage, but it's so funny. because you go, [laughter]. >> "Wait, what?" Person's like, "Yeah, why. don't you just if you Oh, man. >> Well, it reminds me of Maria Banford. Um,

so Maria Benford is this unbelievable. comedian. >> Mhm. >> And she uh talks a lot of her comment is. about her struggles with mental health. Um and um a and she but but she'll often. pull out she's got a very particular way. of speaking where it's very very dialed. and just almost like you're hearing the.

inside of her voice just. and it really mimics this kind of. chaotic um um anxiety and uh. disalignment that she has with with uh. the outside world. But but then she perfectly mimics a uh. normal or like suburban.

white woman. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. and and. so. so dialogue back and forth with with. this normal sounding woman. >> and then. >> and yeah and um. it's so incredible. It's so um. uh just believable. I I actually when I. first found her, I did have that thought.

like, "Oh, I wonder if she ever just had. that voice to kind of mask.". >> Yeah. You can just like live masking the. whole way. >> Yeah. It's unbelievable. But I mean. honestly like. if I could if even if I had the ability. to talk normal I. I. kind of wonder I think I'd be a bit of. of a [ __ ].

I. I think [laughter]. I I think I just turn into something I I. end up despising. I would become the. monster, you know, [laughter]. I just be talk. [laughter]. I know. I have to go find this new found. power and I will just speak to more more. managers. And [laughter]. I know.

I need to be humble. [laughter]. I think that's why God did this. absolute. [snorts]. >> Oh man. [laughter]. >> Oh my god. >> Oh wow. Can Can I ask you a question? Your your one of the the things that's. that's always amazed me about your. comedy is your timing. And I've always. wondered how much of your timing plays. into the idea of what we think cereble. pausy may or may not be and how you are.

actually experiencing it cuz like like. your body is not fully in your control. but you've learned how to live in. yourself. So, but I want to know how you. work out the timing. That's cuz comedy. is all the timing. How do you how do you. do that? >> Well, thank God for comedy because the. timing is one thing I can control. I I I. I learned that that. the power does come in the policies and. and a bit like singing. when I I speak very slowly.

and comedy is one of the very few. instances where that can be used as an. advantage. >> Oh, I love that. Okay. And and I mean. that's why you know I I can. even before stand up I would use that to. my advantage of of um sort of diverting. the the sentence I was saying right at.

the end almost just to make sure people. were listening to me and not zoning out. Um. I you know I don't know cuz I I get talk. to about my timing in comedy all all the. time and. but like. I don't know it's been one of those.

things that I I've always had it right. and I mean I I used comedy as a kid as a. language quite literally to show other. people, kids and adults, I was uh. cognitively all here. >> It's amazing. It's amazing that that is. like one of the measures that we have, right? >> Yeah. >> No, really, it's it's it's it's truly. amazing how. >> Cuba. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. As soon as somebody. does that, you go,

>> "Oh, oh shit." Like, you know, I've seen. that happen to some people who don't. speak a language. Well, often times I'll. see it in English obviously someone who. doesn't speak English well and you can. see people around them treat them like. they aren't intelligent. >> and then when they just drop one joke or. one like you see the people go like oh. you're here. >> Yeah. >> Oh [clears throat] like you you're fully. here. There's like a even like a person. who's like bedridden or let's say an old.

person you know like literally on their. deathbed type thing and everyone's. talking about them in the third person. Let them drop a joke and everyone's. like, "Uh, grandpa's still with us. Sorry, grandpa. We We We thought you. were It's amazing how that happens, actually.". >> Exactly. I I like the way that you put. that like Like it brings it to a third. person back to Oh [ __ ] [laughter]. Oh, you're here. Like you're Hi. Um Yeah. you know, it it really it really just is.

is a bit of a life hack, you know, just. um. and especially now 32, how old am I? 32 years into my life, I. know so much more about how you're going. to react to my cereal policy than you. do. So, it's like I like. I I can see I can almost see where your.

Well, a bit like the algorithm. I can. see where your mind's about to go. >> Okay. >> And that really helps like in um. [clears throat] in terms of of being on. stage and timing and um [snorts]. well, funny about Y at the coffee seller. because um one story that I have from my.

time there was um I was doing the. seller, she was in the back of the room. watching, so obviously pressure is high. Um. and then I'm about to go up on stage. Uh. the host leans into me. So, oh Tina, uh. hang on. Dave Chappelle just walked in. and he he'll go up there and do 20. minutes, but only only 20 minutes. He.

has to run after him. So, you'll go up. after him. And, you know, I I kind of I I I've. seen this play out before that like a. big name goes up there, crushes it, and. then some guy gets up after, and. >> such a painful position to be in. tries. to like pedal their their like jokes. about their dog, but but the whole boom is just like.

electrified and like you know um and and. they bomb. But um I I was. all this happening all the while Esther. the Booker is watching and I think oh. this is how it ends. [laughter] This is. how Oh my god. So [snorts] I think, okay, well I I think to myself, the only. possible thing that I can do is listen.

to what Chappelle is saying on stage and. then come up with a callback joke. Um, and then I can get up there and and. somehow say that and then they can write. that on my epitap. [laughter] Um. and [snorts] um. so he he's about to he he's. incredible. Brings his own piano player.

and and is just commenting on the world. and it is so profound. And then um by. the way I I can say this because he. actually did also say this in his. special after um but about 10 minutes in. he he just says you know I I know I get. I get a lot of I get a lot of heat for a.

lot of kinds of jokes that I make about. minorities. So tonight I'm only doing handicap. jokes. Um uh I I bet there is one. handicapped person in this room right. now just probably in the back. That's. where they keep them. Probably just. sitting there like. and the whole room like. laughed and and he said, "Ah, probably. not.

Too many stairs to get down here. Jesus, Dave. [laughter]. >> And every comic lined up in the back. just looked at me just. [snorts and laughter]. and and I I thought they were horrified. I But I was just like, >> "Oh, praise to the handicapped God.". [laughter]. >> Yes. >> Yes. Like God has allowed me [laughter].

to stay. Hallelujah. I was like, "Oh my. [laughter] god, it's about giving me the. best possible thing he could ever give. me, which which really was that I now. had a bullet. I I I I. could get up there and not say a thing. just and again timing like like in the. moment the timing just came up but I.

knew exactly comedy. >> I knew exactly I can see it before it. happened it's a bit like shooting a ball. like. I got up there um just you know and and. I just said lucky guess. [laughter] and just. not enough [ __ ] STAIRS. >> [laughter]. >> AND THE whole room just like erupts. Um,

and yeah, is just I mean I mean. and that's all it is just like to to be. the walking parasonification of. >> Yeah. That's a that's those are the as. you say it's like the greatest gifts you. will ever receive in comedy in those. those are the moments where you're just. like ah there's a higher power looking. out for me and they're a fan of my shows. and yeah. >> well and also the way the comedy works. it really it works a lot like music it.

really is that that like you know um. comedy that might be a little bit more. provocative like Chappelle he can he can. you know that is a a particular kind of. laughter. When you're laughing at. something you should not be laughing at, >> it's just almost like minor cord, but. it's so good. It is. >> And it's like [sighs and gasps]. and you talk about the anonymity of the.

dark room. >> Yeah. >> Um and it all collectively just having. the this um devious moment. Um and and they so good and then and. then you know I could see just the. timing of that and then I come in and I. almost resolve. >> the situation. >> and and and it just it layers on just a.

whole another level of humor to it. It. kind of was the perfect moment. Yeah. And I I I go back to Esther the. booker and and she [laughter]. [gasps] I'm just like crying. I'm like I. can't believe it worked. And and she. just she did not was not aware of the. point that I made in my own head about. it. And she just said, "Oh, isn't it so.

fun to follow a really big comedian?". [laughter]. was like, "Yeah, yeah, [laughter and gasps]. sure." You know, I mean, that's why I. love comedy. I just. >> Do you feel Do you feel most normal in. comedy? Like, of all the things in the. world, I wonder where you feel the least like.

you are not part of a club and the most. like you're part of a club. >> Oh my god. I mean, yes. >> [laughter]. >> that just step on you. But yes, I I mean. I feel way more comfortable talking to. 250 people than I do talking to two. people right now. >> Well, thanks. You didn't have to say two. people. There's only two people here, Tina. You just You could have said like. a metaphorical number like one or five. You didn't have to say I feel more.

comfortable talking to 250 than you two. losers. [laughter] Then I feel way more. comfortable talking to two people. >> than two South Africans. I feel way more comfortable. >> I'm mad uncomfortable [laughter] right. now. I'm I'm glad the cross, guys. You've been out there an hour. [laughter] I'm just I'm still I don't. know about you guys. I don't know. [laughter]. But I mean.

like I just I. I think. [gasps and sighs]. I there is this like. level of uh control that you have when. when you're on the stage of it's the. most you'll ever be able to control how. you're perceived. >> Oh yeah. And that is huge. Um,

also, uh, a lot of the comedy, you know, as much as I absolutely adore touring. and performing for my fans, I love going. to the comedy and performing for people. that have no idea who I am. >> It is the best. It it really like. because fresh meat, you know, like they. [laughter] just. >> you've lived around student campuses for. too long.

[laughter]. and there's no perceived notion of me. and and for better and for worse. I. I. my I I know that I said earlier that I. wish I could just every person that I. meet, I wish I could just have this. whole conversation with them, >> right? Yeah. >> The context of it. Um but that's all.

that my comedy is. I'm not I'm not. kidding about anything. All I'm doing is. just uh saying what I wish it would be. okay to say in in real life on the. street across the hot dog cart, you. know. Um, yeah. I mean, stand up comedy. It It's.

miraculous that I got into it because. [gasps]. it it it kind of found me like it I. >> It finds all of us. That's what it does. >> Actually, I I feel like that is a copout. thing. >> No, no, no, it does. But it finds It. finds all of us. The one thing I'll say. to you is. I I hope this proves to be true is. don't take for granted the moment that.

you're in because. there's a weird thing that happens with. comedy where like at some point as Tina. everyone that's why I'm saying I hope I. hope it does come to be true. everyone. will have heard you and everyone will. know you and everyone and I genuinely. know for a fact there'll be a part of. you that goes like damn. >> I wish you guys hadn't heard of me. because now do you know what I mean? It's it's this weird dichotomy that we. have in comedy where. >> as a comedian you'll spend your whole.

career wishing everyone knows you and. then you'll spend the remainder of it. wishing nobody knew you. >> because because this the surprise that. you possess and the ability that you. have to completely construct an. artificial idea of you on any given. night is a superpower that nobody. appreciates until they don't have it. >> and then and then you hit it and And. then immediately you walk on stage and. then people go ah okay it's Dave. Chappelle erggo he has to do this or not.

do this or there's a preconceived notion. it's like ah there there this person is. they they have to do it you know what I. mean it's it's it's this weird. >> you know it's like you you want to wish. to get to the top of the mountain but on. the other side you only can go down not. down as in bad but it's like you can't. go up from the up it it becomes a. different journey now. Yeah. Yeah. You. can't exceed expectations. >> Yes. That's that's a perfect way to put. it. Yeah. Louis CK K said it to me in.

the most beautiful way one day. He was. talking to me um right before I started. the Daily Show and he said um at the. comedy seller. He said, "Don't take for granted." He said, what. did he say again? said, "Enjoy the moments that you are not. known because you can only be not known. for a certain amount of time." And he. says, "And when that goes away, you're. just known.". >> I was like, "This is a weird thing. What. are you telling?" You know what I mean? It's just like a random thing someone's. telling you. Some some advice really.

doesn't land. >> Mhm. >> until you've experienced it. >> Yeah. >> But from a performer's point of view, I. got it. Even if you're a musician, think. about it. You know, it's that it's that. old adage they say for musicians. You. have your whole life to write your first. album. And we get the album and we go, what amazing music? Who are you? >> Wow, this is so beautiful. Then the. second album comes out. Then we're like, okay, it's not look, your first album is. still my favorite, but this is great. And the third album's like, oh, are you. still singing about heartbreak? Oh my.

god. Or fourth, you don't sing about. heartbreak anymore. You know, their. voice is a little like with that thing. they do. It's amazing how quickly you. can go from being a breath of fresh air. to just being bad breath. >> Huh. >> Damn. >> Wow. >> So, I I hope you just hold. this moment for yourself for as long as. it will be because it won't be at some. point and then you'll look back and go, damn. You know, you'll turn to someone. and be like, did they like oh I know.

everything about you, Tina. I love your. vibe. I love your vibe. You're not. throwing me off at all, Tina. Then. you're like, damn. Even the dogs on the. street like Tina, what's up Tina? [laughter]. Tina, [laughter]. come towards me. [laughter]. Don't press anything. [music] We've got. more. What now? After this,

[music]. you are arguably the most incredibly. lucky person ever. Luckiest person I've. ever met because what could have ended. your life set you on a course, brought. you into a world with parents who played. for a living, who took you to go play. with them for a living, and you met. people who play for a living in the. theater. Then you went and played for a. living. So everything that has happened. to you that is monumental that is sort.

of a a discovery of what the disability. brought out of you cuz I don't think you. are the disability. It just brings out. stuff out of you was your seven-year-old. brother and obviously the car ride going. home when you made the real realization. after the roast. And after that it was. smooth sailing for you because those two. truths were enough and they were fact. But the fact that the doctor was able to. get to the hospital on time, resuscitate. you and your parents had you for the. rest of their lives trying to shelter. you from not losing yourself is a gift.

that you can give to everyone else when. you when you live loudly and get on. stage and that's incredible. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. I mean that that's people, you. know, I I get painted inspiration a lot. >> Um, and you know, I I have a very. complicated. relationship without. [laughter and gasps]. >> inspiration. I think I'm sure that you.

both get that attitude and it's it. doesn't land in the way that I think. people want expect it to land in you. because like. you know often times uh like uh if I'm. doing an article or talking to a fan. Yeah. um uh uh they'll they'll ask kind. of what. what why are you doing this? What's the.

goal? How how are you looking to get to. imprint on everyone? And you know now I I kind of have. developed this media trained answer of. you know I think that even though. disability is only um relative to to a. certain section I think that the uh need. for acceptance uh is universal. um.

the media trained and. in reality I don't have a goal. Like I, you know, I I talk about myself in that. I'm living in the bonus round, you know, because I. it was game over and then. >> from the onset. >> Yes. And then the the doctor put a few. quarter quarters in and um.

and I I do have a joke about this really. that like I'm now on free play and and. like I I'm on the law and nothing. [laughter] matters any. um and I mean just like a lot my jokes. is a joke but but I'm hiding in plain. say I really it's 100% true that um.

in any given moment I I never lose sight. of the fact that I'm not really supposed. to be here. >> Um. >> how many times have I told you. >> Yeah. Eugene says that all the time. Yeah. >> Yeah. and and. how unbelievably. um disruptive it is that that um. that the odds have fallen in this. direction.

Um. and not only that that you know it sort. of led me to to this career where I am. impacting so so many people. Um, but. again to get back to kind of growing up. in a theater with this kind of delusion. of um. fiction, you know, [clears throat] and.

well, of course this can happen. [gasps]. and and this. it now I I I think I do owe a lot of. where I got to. because somewhere along the lines along. with. uh motor function I also lost this kind. of voice in my head. that that.

like I need to cur my expectations on. reality. Um, and that almost. I mean it does feel a little bit like a. simulation. a bit not not to get a little bit too. meta about it but um I mean. the there is this constant voice in my.

head of well yeah of course of Of. course, this happened. Of course, you. know, comedy happened and and I'm. sitting with you guys because I'm. supposed to be dead. Um, and for some. reason that didn't happen. Um, it my. life feels kind of like a sequel. >> Damn, I keep telling you this. >> That's an amazing way to think about it. >> Mhm. Let me tell you something. You.

know, the the thing you're saying about. not knowing how to or rather the term. you're such an inspiration not landing. Atuko was was on the podcast and we were. chatting about about this and we're. joking about it. She's saying she. learned very early on when people are. like you're so brave. That's that means. they don't see you in like a good light. They're like man your [ __ ] is when. they're like you're such an inspiration. They're like I do not wish I had your. life. >> [laughter]. >> That's what people are essentially.

saying. >> I would rather die. >> Yeah, that's what people but but there's. also there's also another layer to it. that I think we shouldn't take for. granted, right? >> In life, we are living as us technically. for ourselves. You know, I'm not saying. you can't live for others and do things, but we are living as us for ourselves. >> What we take for granted is the fact. that we are affecting others around us. whether we want to or not. Mhm. >> And so you don't need to choose to be an. inspiration to be one. You just are one.

And it's it's it's a it's a it's a. strange paradigm for people to accept. because we sometimes think it comes with. a responsibility or an obligation or an. idea of how we should be moving through. the world. But it's like no, no, no, no, no. It's it's not that. And I I mean it. on every level, not just in the world of. like fame and fortune. I think of how. many parents were an inspiration to. their kid without them knowing. genuinely. You know, you'll talk to.

people who go like, "Who's your biggest. inspiration?" They go like, "Oh man, my. mom, she worked three jobs and she'd. come home and she'd still make time to. love us and you know, it was so amazing. to see how she would." But then when you. talk to the mom, the mom's like, "Huh?". >> She's like, "What? What other option did. I have?". >> Well, what do you mean you can't not. love your kids and you can't not work. for them and you can't? And they'd be. like, "Yeah, but that inspired us.". Mom's like, "Inspired. Get out of here. with your inspiration." I was just. living the life that I was meant to live. and I had to live. But I think both things can be true at. the same time. And I don't think we have.

to take it for granted. It's somebody. just observing you from the outside. going. what you naturally do or how you are. makes me feel a certain way and I. appreciate that. And then if you are the. person who's receiving that almost just. go like oh good for you. >> Do you know what I mean? It's like good. good for you. I'm I'm happy that that is. cuz I often think of it this way is like. I don't know what the opposite is it a. desperation. What is the opposite of.

inspiration? I don't know what the. opposite of that would be. What's the. antonym? >> Repulsion. >> I mean I guess uninspired, but I'm going. to say desperation. But imagine you. could be right. Yeah. You know what I. mean? But imagine if somebody walked up. to you and they were like, "Hey, I just. want you to know that you are a you're. the most uninspiring person I've ever. met in my life." And [laughter]. we we take for granted. >> don't take it selfishly. >> but if you can inspire anyone what a. cool thing in life man you were just. doing your own thing.

>> and somebody else got the benefit of. that like you were the shark just eating. something and then there was a fish. swimming next to you like yeah thank you. so much shark I I wasn't going to get. that if it weren't for you and you're. like what shut up I'm I'm just being me. and the person's like yeah but I live. because of. There's I think there's a there's a. beautiful. >> nonzero sum part of life that exists in. that. >> You just get to be you and because of. that I feel like there's something. better and greater. It makes me see more.

in the world. But just be you. You just. continue being you. >> It's one of the few things in life that. you can achieve without putting any. extra effort. >> Yes. Yeah. Exactly. It's like being an. inspiration and being a crush. Like. those. >> Yeah. You [laughter] have nothing to do. things. >> and being a crush. >> You have nothing to do with any of. [laughter] those. >> It just happens without you.

>> I was I I didn't do [ __ ] Like. [laughter]. I just But but yeah. Yeah. that it it's. maybe actually that's why it feels so. weird to be called into your face. It it. a bit is like being like. [sighs and gasps] I have a crush on you. and and. >> yeah, you don't know how to respond to. >> Yeah. It's like like keep that to. yourself. >> Can I now you just like this is the.

intrusive intrusive thoughts in my head. when you say certain things. >> I'm so glad you have those. I mean, he. is my intrusive thought, so normally. No, [laughter] but like, >> do you ever encounter guys who have a. crush on you, but because they're. fetishizing you in some way all the. time? Yeah. Oh, that. it it really it began to happen um with. my comedy. I I never.

had it. And. I I think stepping into the public eye. made it much more apparent for me. But. but that's why when I was um on the apps. I I would always struggle when when in. this whole process do I say that I am. disabled because. >> Oh jeez. Yeah. I I did learn that I was. balancing this precarious world of.

um lots of guys where they were not. attracted to me because I'm disabled. and then subsect. of other. >> professors. [laughter]. >> Yeah. [gasps]. >> And then there's this guy, [laughter]. >> a pseudocientist. And you know, and the tricky thing is um.

I I think you know, people that might. fize disability, they don't just it they. don't know it. It's not like them. fantasizing. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Anime girls or something. It it really. um because when you're fizing. disability, what you're really fantizing. is um uh the need for help. The um.

>> that's that's the that's the that's the. sub layer. That's the Yeah. >> Yeah. the weakness or um. >> dependency. >> Dependency. Um, and I. it Yeah, I I do often. I get that it's not but but it creeps. in, you know, [gasps and laughter]. it it's hard to sort of. I'm still on a journey, I think, of.

discerning that. I mean, I'm single. still, so this is like um an ongoing. >> I think a person you in particular, you'd be you'd find it difficult to date. someone who fetishizes you or your. disability because you are everything. You're the opposite of what they think. you'd be. You're immensely um popular. >> Yeah. >> You are very confident. You're. outspoken. You're independent.

Well, and funny enough, I I think that's. almost why people that might fetish as. disability. are actually more attracted to me. because. >> there is this sort of um uh you know I I. have dated guys that were very open. about. the the feeling that that really tickled. them in a good way that that that. [laughter] that.

I I was uh this powerhouse that I was. confident and successful and um uh. looked upon and and yet like I was. relied. uh to rely on them. >> Wow. That's so many levels deep. >> Yes. I I actually have had full discussions. with um an ex partner of mine who about.

whether or not fantasizing disability is. actually. right or wrong. >> I love those those exit interviews. >> Yeah. >> With an ex. That's when you get to know. who you could have been dating. [laughter]. >> I've never been that honest. >> It did make me question a few seconds. [laughter]. >> Exactly. like why are you arguing for this? [laughter] Um but it was like.

interesting devil's advocate. >> Yeah, exactly. [laughter]. >> Maybe maybe they just spitting. [laughter]. But I I think you know generally uh like. like the debate would be well you know. um yeah I it it is easy to say of course. I don't want someone who fetishizes.

my disability. What what but then I mean. I do I do want someone who's attracted. to me and that means all of me. Mhm. >> So, and you know, disability I I've had a. whole other conversation that I love. having is disability and attraction and. um.

how how those two things, you know, disability biologically being um. something that human beings. perhaps should not be attracted to. >> Um, and how. despite that we make it happen, right? >> Um, >> and whether whether that's a conscious. effort based on. society now or if that really is a.

biological adaptability. >> Um, but I'm just trying to find a. boyfriend. Man, [laughter]. >> is that too much to ask? >> I'm just a girl. [laughter]. >> Well, you know, you know what's you know. what's interesting about it is. I I I like what you just said because we. forget that these things exist. everywhere in every shape in every form. It's just some are sort of more.

unique than others because of how. infrequently they occur. Mhm. >> So there's people who fetishize like. some will be like ah big boobs and the. guy's in. That's all they fetishize. Big. butt I'm in. Then there's women who. fetishize tall guys. Oh tall is the. taller the better. Oh he's so tall like. and and you're like what is it about. him? Just like he looks like he could. just like pick me up and and he kisses. me on my forehead and you're like what? But there's people who fetishize things. about other people all the time. They. have they have a type. Yeah, it's true. they have a type,

>> but [clears throat] because it is not. something that we commonly encounter, we. then might have a more negative reaction. towards it, but we wouldn't the other. way. I've met couples who go, "Oh, yeah, he knows I'm into da da da. That's why I. was that's why I'm with him. >> He knows I've got a thing for blah blah. blah. She knows that I'm. >> he to be that thing, so he's safe.". There's also the person, but the thing. that I fetishize about them as a. partner, >> they have they have it. And so you're.

like you're in this world where it's. like. I had a I've had a a discussion about. friends with this where I go sometimes I. think if we're not careful. the I mean I wouldn't want to use the. word like woke in that way cuz not like. not like the way people use it in like. um you know in political discourse but. more just like sometimes you can be so. woke that you're unwoke. >> Yes. >> You know what I mean? So now you're. almost going like, "Hey, do not perve my. friend Tina.

>> She does not deserve that. You do not. think about taking her to your bedroom.". >> Tina's like, >> Tina's like, "Please take me.". [laughter]. [laughter]. No, but that's what I mean. Cuz like if. you're not careful, you [laughter] can. become so considerate that you're. inconsiderate. >> You're so like overly now now you.

actually woke. >> Yeah. You restrict you restrict the. person. >> from having a full human experience. because you. >> in your infinite. niceness/consideratitness. have now been inconsiderate and go this. person cannot have that. >> or I must protect them from it. >> You know, they might even like want to. overly protect you. That guy's no good. for you. No, no, no. It's like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Your boyfriend's also not. good for you. It's okay. Let's go. Let's. go. Let's keep this thing." You know. what I mean? >> Well, and that is exactly what I'm.

talking about. That that it's so easy to. back off that that notion of like, "Oh, of course I wouldn't want to date a. person who fetishizes disability." And. yet the more that I think about it, I'm. like, well, but also like I wouldn't. want to be loved despite being disabled. >> Oh, damn. >> I want to be loved and disable. Like, I.

don't want there to be a pretty honestly. large part about me that is tolerated. >> Yeah. Yeah. The person looked at you and. go, "If this wasn't there, >> this would be perfect.". >> Yeah. Or not even that. Sometimes it. could be the the other thing is not even. them saying that. It's it's them in a. way. treating it like it is the one part of. you that sort of shouldn't be there, but. they're they're in the Do you get what I. mean? So, not even tolerating you or not.

even thinking about you should be. perfect. It's almost like pity and love. Pity and love don't mix. >> Oh god. >> You don't ever want to be pied in love. You just want someone to love you. Yeah. >> So, you would rather I think I would. rather be fetishized and loved than to. be pied and loved. >> Unless you're an orphan. >> because you know that pity comes with. that love and that's why you leave home. in the first place. >> Oh, I thought you were like like a. couple in the bedroom and and like. >> Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I. thought you talking about fetishes with. orphans. I was like, damn, bro.

>> Oh, and you're an orphan. >> Describe your friend Tina. >> Who is your daddy? [laughter] Who is. >> Who is that? Who is he? >> Who is your dad? You don't know who your. [laughter] daddy is, do you? >> You don't know who your daddy is at all. That's why this works. I'm loving this. [laughter]. >> Oh man, Tina, this is this has been this. has been too much fun. We could do this. forever with you. >> I know. >> We got to do this again. I mean, it's. it's a it's a pity and also a joy that. you live in um Cambridge, Massachusetts.

>> No, but I'm just up the road. >> We should definitely we we should just. hang again. This is like so much fun. Can we genuinely of course no because. just like comedian vibe Eugene and I. talk about this all play as you as. you're saying. >> you know I was just thinking about. something again crazy thought. >> a lot of people I mean myself included. will watch podcast videos etc whatever. we'll and then I'll in in parts of it. I'll play at double speed someone's. going to play a part of this. conversation double speed.

>> oh yeah. >> and then your voice is going to sound. different maybe even more normal funny. enough. >> That's and that's the thing I I actually. fully expect all people with all my. podcasts to be watching sped up. >> Yeah, but think about how crazy that is. [clears throat] cuz then they're going. to go, "Wait, wait, wait, wait. Let me. let me go normal speed and then they're. going to think something broke on their. YouTube." [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> Only, you know, we're going to get.

comments. Only your guest is in 0.25. Something [laughter] is wrong with your. video. Please check. Your video is. stuck. Your guest is in 0.5 and you. What's happening on this video? [laughter]. >> You better fire. >> Then there's going to be someone else. goes, "What's wrong with the subtitles?". [laughter]. >> Oh, man. >> No, for real. See, just like. >> Yeah. >> Just selfishly for me as a comedian, I. was just like. >> when Ryan put me on cuz we have such we. have similar tastes in comic. And when.

he put me on, I was like, "This is one. of the funniest things I have ever. experienced. And it's been a joy watching you like on. your journey go from like clubs to. theaters to nationwide tours to but as. Eugene says like selfishly for comedy. like vibes man you know what I mean? We're always looking for like more vibes. like in comedy and and you know what I. mean? >> Oh god. And I know I feel like nowadays. comedy. is more individual. It's more isolated.

>> Yeah it is. ever. No, it is social media. promotion touring and so like being able. to sit down. >> We hang with each other less than ever. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Less than ever ever ever ever. >> You you look back at like the history of. the comedy store and seller and um you. realize how much comedy was just will be. hang.

>> It was a hang. >> Yeah. The sets were extensions of the. hand. >> They were, in fact, that's what I feel, you know, that that's one of the things. that always used to break my heart. around comedy was every time I would. hear about a comedian who had committed. suicide, it was always on the road alone. in a hotel room. >> It was never at home in the city where. they lived in. >> or at a club. >> No, it was never that. Or on an ensemble. show where there was a lineup, right? >> It was never that. It was always alone.

on tour in a hotel room. >> But it's safe to say our thing doesn't. exist in isolation. >> No, it doesn't. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, you have to. And that's. what Yeah. I I always do point to every. comedian has an airplane joke. They have. a hotel room joke. [clears throat]. >> And I mean, it's just sign of like. you're being taken away from the very. thing that made you who you [snorts]. are.

>> So, I I. I'm gonna get some heat for saying this, but. >> say it, >> but like I cannot wait for this rise of. comedy in social media to to die. >> Damn, say more. I. >> yes. >> I think for so many reasons and I say. this as a comedian who owes her career. to social media.

>> Oh, so you want to pull the ladder up. I. see what Tina is saying. Now that I'm. in, [laughter]. it's time to shut this [ __ ] down. >> No more comedy for you losers from the. internet. >> I was the last one. [laughter]. >> We thought there was TWO OF A KIND. THERE'S NOT AN ARK. [laughter]. the Adam was five. >> We've had we've had enough all those. No. way. Yeah. Enough com comedians. No, but. but like I you know for for a variety of.

reasons. I think that I mean watching comedy. 60 seconds at a time when I began to get. back into making a an actual effort to. watch stand up hours. >> um on Netflix, Hulu, wherever I was. >> Yeah. I realized that that um so many. comedians that I follow and know. personally, I had no idea what their.

their voice was, whether what I had no. clue what there because I would see. crowd work. I would see um just just um. viral minutes and and um. and for one my the whole my whole list. of top 10 comedians totally rearranged. itself.

>> um in a way I didn't expect. Um, and so. the way that I view putting my comedy. online, it's not like putting your art. in a gallery. It It's like viewing. someone's art from outside the gallery. in a parking lot. That's also a parking. lot to like a [laughter] convention. center and a stadium and a and a and a.

strip club. Like. >> all together all it's. >> the Herbal Life convention. [laughter]. >> It's just like. I don't know. I I it does make it. accessible and and that's good. But I. I think it's great for discovering that. you actually like stand up. But now.

I think it's just gone on for too long. >> So if if I may, this is this is this is. the way I see it. So. I agree with what you're saying. If there was one part of it where I. would sort of, you know, deviate from from how you feel about it, I I came to realize a while ago. that in every art, in every medium,

you have to accept. the reality that you have to meet people. where they are. M. >> and. no medium, no art form, no platform, no. no space has ever enjoyed. seeing itself shift or see itself viewed. in a different way or from a different. place. I'm sure there was a world where. people were really pissed off when. people started making prints of art. >> I'm sure there was a world people were.

like, "No, you can't make a print of the. Mona Lisa. you go and and I I genuinely. know that I used to be like one of those. people in in in many ways. But then I. then I realized one day I went some. people are never going to see the Mona. Lisa. Most people are never going to see. the Mona Lisa ever ever ever ever ever. ever ever in person ever ever ever in. person. They just won't. I have to suspend. the purity that I have for this, you.

know, my my awe and my and my admiration. for this art form and think of the. people first because. I've seen comedy go through booms and. busts. You know, when I started doing comedy. and when I first came to the US, it was. sort of like bust phase. Comedians weren't really doing well. clubs weren't doing that great. And it. goes in waves, by the way. It keeps, you. know, so your your wish is going to come.

true at some point. But it's weird how. it happened. There was a point where. like every comedian got a sitcom. >> You did like a a tight 10 at Montreal. and you had a sitcom. You did a good. late night spot and you got a sitcom. That's how it like worked for a while. You you just got a deal. >> and then that's boom. Yeah. That died. and then it just died. And then it was. like, "All right, people are on the road. and you're just grinding and you're. doing comedy and you're grinding and. you're doing comedy." And there were a. few outliers who were stars, but people. were just like doing comedy, doing. comedy, doing comedy. And then comedy. started making, you know, it started.

making waves again. I think around like. the Netflix era, it started like doing. something again. It became you you sort. of saw it in the in the public domain. It wasn't just comedy fans who consumed. comedy. >> Yeah. >> And then that that just as that wave, you thought it was dipping down, social. media came in in a new way. And I've had this conversation with a. bunch of comedians and I I genuinely. don't say this as somebody who hasn't. held the opinion. I say this as somebody. who's now changed my opinion. At first I would go, h I don't know this.

crowd work and these videos. But then I. went, those people are way more likely. to watch an hour and are way more likely. to come to a comedy club than if they. never got that 60-second clip. And. because I love standup comedy as a. medium and as an art form and as a space. and that's why I hate like fraction. factions and fractures in comedy like I. hate it when comedians even act like. they know what the I'm like guys this is.

the we must never forget that we were. the misfits. >> We were the misfits. >> When I see comedians becoming the jocks. I'm like ah you forget how quickly you. forget where you came from. >> Do you know what I mean? Mhm. >> And I'm not talking about like punching. up or punching down. Forget that. I'm. just saying how quickly you forget that. you came from not being the mainstream. in your life. You were not the popular. one. Your views were not popular. Your. friends were not popular. Your vibe was. not popular. That's how you got into.

comedy. >> And then as comedy has blown up, you. have now become. >> the jock. >> The jock. >> Huh? >> And I'm like, "Hey yo, man, don't ever. forget why you got into it. Don't forget. how it freed you. Don't forget." And so. for the people I I genuinely selfishly. for comedy go there are going to be many. moments where. you know it's like like my younger. brother he's 20 21 20 I always lose. track but he's 20 21 22 maybe barely he.

like never watches movies when he does. watch a movie he watches it on Tik Tok. >> really yeah like full on full on full on. watch it. So I would say, "Have you. watched Arrival?" And he'd be like, "No." And be like, "Oh, it's this movie. where aliens arrive and they they speak. through time and they see time. differently and they" And he's like, "Oh. yeah, yeah, no, no. Oh." And then he'll. talk. He's like, "Oh yeah, I've seen I. saw that on Tik Tok." Then I'm like, "No, no, no, the movie." And he's like, "Yeah, yeah, I saw it on Tik Tok." Then. I'm like, "You saw the trailer?" And he. goes, "No, I watched the movie on Tik. Tok." Then I'm like, "My friend, you.

cannot watch a movie on Tik Tok." And. he's like, "No, you can." And then he. showed me how on Tik Tok people would. take a movie, splice it up into little. like 6 minutes or or 10-minute chunks. >> Wow. >> And then you just go like part one, part. two. But the main thing is they cut out. everything that you as a old school. movie viewer would consider. >> like the fidelity of like the the. opening scene. establishing shots. >> and just Yeah. Yeah. They just go like, "Let's go plot plot. Let's keep this. thing moving. Let's go.". >> Oh, I hate that.

>> That's how I felt. But then I went, >> when was he going to watch this movie? >> Huh? >> And and here you [clears throat] are. talking about the same movie. >> Yes. And I was going, which do I prefer? There are many movies that I've never. watched in my life from before my time. >> And people will tell me, you got to go. back. You haven't seen Hitchcock's film. about you don't Oh my god. You You don't. know cinema. [gasps]. >> A man too much at synagogues. [laughter].

Good luck catching good luck getting me. to go back and watch that. >> Yeah, >> but I go, yeah, but at least there are. kids who may not have what we consider. the the, you know, >> the taste, >> the real bonafide experience of the. film, >> but they are closer to it than nothing. >> Yeah. >> And so I'm. >> Please trust me, I'm completely with you. in the feeling, but I I then go like, nah, you know what? How they come in. >> is how they come. You know, you know who.

used to do this? Well, I guess they. still sort of do churches. >> They were like, uh, how you come to. Jesus, we're not worried about it. >> Come as you are. >> No. No. And what brings you, we don't. worry. >> It could be that you hit rock bottom. It. could be that you brought a friend. It. could be that. And that that like. welcoming inclusive feeling is one that. I've tried to adopt in comedies where I. go, what brought you here? You know. where where mine would go? The first. time I had to deal with this was when. somebody said that they liked me because. they had watched like some other like.

clippy comedian who wasn't even a. standup. That's the one that got me. It. was there were people who were making. Have I told you about this? [snorts]. >> People would make. fake standup shows on of you. >> No, no, no. Of themselves online. >> Mhm. >> They would stand up in front of a green. screen. >> No. And then they would use editing. software to make it seem like they were. in a comedy club and they would put. laughter in. >> and they would you know what I mean? >> Yes. >> Yeah. And people would watch this and.

and. >> and if you watch it as a comedian it's. the it's it's uncanny valley. You'll. find yourself going. >> something's weird here. >> That joke doesn't sound as funny as that. laugh. >> that and then you at first you go am I. being a hater? Am I? But then you go no. no no no. was a craft of comedy that I. understand that timing doesn't match. that that pause. >> and then you go oh and then then I found. out there were a bunch of people doing. this it really blew up during co so they. would they weren't comedians like. standups and they'd make these shows and. they would do quite well and someone.

said to me one day oh I love your show. so I actually I' I was a big fan of this. this thing and then I saw your video and. then I loved your and then I was like. whoa whoa whoa [laughter] whoa whoa whoa. how dare you like that and like me. >> HOW DARE YOU? DO YOU UNDERSTAND. [screaming] THAT I AM A. >> I was like, "Yo, man, how they come is. how they come.". >> Yeah. Yeah. >> How they come is how they come. You know. how I started liking sushi? First, I.

just ate fish fingers. >> I was not a sushi. I hated sushi most of. my life. >> Really? My whole Yo, the first time was. a girlfriend at the time. She gave me. sushi. I was like, "This is disgusting. It is unnecessary and most importantly. is unaffrican. This here I can never eat. this. I was like this is madness here. You are giving me raw fish to eat. [snorts]. I don't understand how we even paid. this. How is this restaurant still in. business? This is a scam. They gave us. raw fish and we paid them for it. And.

now when you see me today, I mean, but. how did I start? Fish fingers got me. And fish fingers are the gateway drug. Fish fingers to nigiri. So what I'm. saying is Tina like we maybe we. shouldn't judge the fish fingers cuz. they could bring it you know bring us. more people towards sushi. >> Yeah. I mean yeah it's true that yeah. there there's. you know the the ego of it that I'm. coming from and then there's the logic. of it that you are coming from that that.

like I think the ego in me says like I. work so hard. Yeah. No, we all have. that. Yeah. >> Perceived in 60sec fish finger bites. like like like this is my art is not. dino nuggets. Um, [laughter]. [gasps] but you're right like. you know that it needs I I can agree.

that that the accessibility of it we we. rely on that I think maybe more than we. like to admit. >> Yeah. Um, >> yeah, >> I I know that before comedy, sorry, before social media, I had a. whole opposing gripe that that I found. that comedy. when people would come to a comedy show.

and maybe it's a bit of an amateur show. and they do not love it, they think, "Oh, I guess I'm just not a comedy. person.". >> Oh, yeah. I would hate that when people. like, I'm not a fan of comedy. I was. like, no, that's not possible. You just. haven't found your comedian. >> It's not a real thing. >> Yeah. >> Um, yeah. So, go ahead. >> No, no, no. Sorry. This brings an. interesting point. It almost feels like. social media, the internet is consuming. is is cannibalizing every industry. It.

is. At some point, >> filmmakers hate uh the kids that make. Tik Tok videos. >> Yeah, they do. >> Musicians hate AI music. >> Yeah, they do. Um, comedians, obviously, we know who we hate. We're not going to. tell [laughter] them because now they'll. know. Journalists, um, financial. advisers, cuz there people who with. their shirts off and six-packs and. selling forex and driving a Lamborghini. in Miami and giving financial advice. So, I guess, yeah, it is it is consuming. everyone. But I think the true artists. of every trade, whether it's financial.

services, movies, or acting, they'll. always emerge because I feel like the. true threads of any industry will always. win. >> Yeah. Maybe maybe all that I'm feeling. is I just hope and and maybe it won't. never happen, but but I'm hoping that. that there is still this funnel, this. filter um from social media consumption. into the bigger art form, the the.

Yeah. >> No, that's what we all hope. >> I don't even think it's going to happen. >> I think it is happening. I think it's. always happened. There is zero chance I would have ever. gone to a baseball game had I not seen. baseball highlights growing up in South. Africa on Gillette World Sports Special. There was no world. And I'm sure someone. would say you can't distill baseball. down into highlights. But that's how I. got it. >> That's how I got basketball. That's how. I got all the sports that I never would. have gotten. And so to sort of go back. to the thing we were saying just a while.

ago. the people are being inspired by. something. We may not wish for that to. be the inspir someone might go you go. like no this 60 seconds is not is not me. and it's like that is true but it's the. beginning of you and it's a piece of you. and it's it's better than none of you. >> And so for me I go like yeah you know. that'll be it. >> Yeah. I mean, it is a a bit of an ego. death I think we all have, no matter who.

we are in in our life that we realize. we're never going to fully be able to. be perceived. 100% authentically as we are. >> So, we may as well let that go. [snorts]. >> Let let go of this. Yeah. the the. inspiration and and how I used to feel. [gasps]. [laughter] I'm like, "No, you you you. don't know the whole story." I'm like,

"Oh, they're never going to know the. whole story.". >> I love that. >> Um [clears throat]. >> and and maybe that's what inspiration. is. It's taking what they take from from. you, >> you know? You know, >> that's exact No, that's that's [snorts]. the most amazing thing. That's exactly. how I feel every time I'm in business. class. I'm like, "No, you don't know the. whole story." But as they passed to go. to coach, I'm like, "Take this. inspiration. Take this as.

>> this." Only Eugene could take a. meaningful moment. [laughter]. >> Yo, Tina, this was too much fun. Thank. you. >> For real. For real. This was just like. >> too much, too much, too much fun. I hope. we catch you backstage on the road. somewhere in a thing. But either way, let's let's just do this again. Are are. you on the you're on tour? >> Uh I'm sporadically I you know Yes. I go. where the road takes me. [laughter and gasps]. >> wherever there's a road I found myself. about to go.

down. >> Are you New York and LA or just. >> South Africa? I've you know what's maybe. I give off this vibe. I have never been. LA. People always People always think I. like lived there. Do they think? No. >> I've been New York, but most of the time. South Africa. living down in South Africa just living. my life. [laughter]. >> Politicians in the elephants industry.

>> Thanks, Joe. This was fun. >> This is so fun. >> You're so good. >> Yes. >> Thank you so much for watching the. episode. If you enjoyed it, pass it on. to a [music] friend. If you didn't enjoy. it, pass it on to your friends still. Let them suffer for a change. And don't. forget to engage with us in the. comments. Uh if you want to suggest a. guest, maybe there's questions you want, maybe there's ideas that you have, you. can [music] chat to us. We will read. through the comments and we'll get into. it. Either way, I appreciate you taking. the time. [music] Thank you for hanging.

out with us on What Now. And remember, we do this for you, so we would like to. hear from you. [music] Till next time. Thank you.