Whiskey Ginger with Andrew Santino
Hosted by Andrew Santino
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
Andrew Santino welcomes comedian and author Sam Tallent to Whiskey Ginger to discuss comedy, touring life, writing novels, and their respective upbringings in the Midwest and Colorado. The pair share humorous anecdotes about old local legends like Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, the realities of heavy travel schedules, the quirks of aging parents, and their mutual respect for the craft of stand-up. Tallent talks about his new novel Brut, his move to Detroit, and what it is like navigating the modern comedy landscape.
The conversation highlights the absurdities of show business, from bad open mics in Las Vegas to the peculiar nature of podcast appearances and online comment sections. Both comedians reflect on how their perspectives on touring and television have shifted as they've gotten older, prioritizing writing and simpler pleasures like gardening over the chaos of the road. The episode concludes with a plug for Tallent's book and a final reflection on empathy.
Andrew Santino introduces the episode and the sponsor, Rocket Mortgage, while setting the stage for a comedy conversation.
Santino welcomes comedian Sam Tallent, recounting their first meeting in Montreal and the challenges Tallent faced as an un-repped comic.
The hosts discuss the importance of peer support in comedy, sharing anecdotes about local icons and the role of mentorship in Tallent’s development.
Tallent talks about his wife, children, and how family life influences his comedic perspective and work schedule.
The hosts reminisce about the rise of podcasts, the decline of traditional radio, and the changing landscape of comedy and entertainment.
The episode wraps up with thoughts on future shows, upcoming projects, and a final toast to the audience.
The conversation veers into sports fandom, regional pride, and humorous observations about team loyalties and stadium experiences.
Tallent reflects on his appearances on podcasts like Joe Rogan, discussing the dynamics of interview formats and media criticism.
The hosts reminisce about legendary radio comedians and their influence on modern comedy.
The guest explains the challenges of performing stand‑up in Las Vegas and the lack of a supportive scene.
The conversation turns to marriage, motherhood, and coping with chronic health issues while pursuing comedy.
The hosts share their gardening adventures, the joy of cultivating plants, and the therapeutic benefits.
Meeting at Montreal in 2019story
The guest recalls how the host and Bobby Lee treated him like a peer when he was an unrepresented new face at Montreal in 2019, contrasting his experience with young Shane Gillis.
The Legend of Dr. Kevin Fitzgeraldstory
The comedians reminisce about Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, a Denver veterinary icon and animal doctor who doubled as security for the Rolling Stones and sold out single shows in town.
Fifteen Thousand Dollars on Hotel and Drugsdata
The host shares a wild story about a fellow comedian whose bender cost fifteen thousand dollars at a hotel over three days.
The Terrible Comedy Scene in Las Vegasstory
The guest shares his miserable experience living and doing stand-up in Las Vegas during his wife's med school, describing it as the center of Mars.
Touring Forty-Six Weekends a Yeardata
The guest reveals the grueling nature of his tour schedule, performing 46 weekends in a single year.
LA Crowds Versus New York Touristsinsight
The host contrasts the local feel of the Comedy Store in Los Angeles with the heavy tourist demographic at the Comedy Cellar in New York.
The Problem with Fake Crowd Workdebate
The guest expresses deep frustration with modern stand-ups using pre-written prompts disguised as spontaneous crowd work.
“A KitchenAid Stand Mixer. It's not just an appliance, it's a present to help them with the making.”
“Like, I have an immense respect for people who can do the job.”
“I never watch comedy stuff, for sure.”
“And it was straight up like as good as Christopher Guest, as good as Fred Willard, like as seminal as like any comedy.”
“Uh, the camera is upside down.”
“Unless it's a room that you know no outsiders are coming into.”
“I think going once is a totally valid use of your time.”
“I was like, 'All right, I don't wanna, I, I wanted to do it naturally, I did PT, I still do it every weekend.'”
“He remembers when I was going through it, I couldn't walk, dude, I couldn't move, it was fucking tremendously upsetting.”
“I was like, 'I'm gonna go get an epidural, finally.'”
Welcome to Whiskey Ginger a Wave series. Andrew Santino sits down with comedian, author, and professional road warrior Sam Tallent for a conversation about stand-up, writing, life on the road, and what happens when a guy who spends most of his life making strangers laugh decides to become a serious novelist. Sam is the author of the acclaimed novel Running the Light, a darkly funny look at the life of a traveling stand-up comedian. Now he's back with his brand-new book, Brut, a violent, darkly comic thriller about a contract killer who takes on an impossible assignment. It's already a national bestseller, proving that Sam is just as dangerous with a keyboard as he is with a microphone. When he's not writing novels or performing stand-up around the world, Sam co-hosts the Chubby Behemoth podcast with Nathan Lund. He's also released the comedy specials The Toad's Morale and Waiting for Death to Claim Us. Pick up Sam Tallent's new novel, Brut, available now: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/787018/brut-by-sam-tallent/9780593978894/ Check out Sam's tour dates, comedy, and more: https://www.samtallent.com Listen to Chubby Behemoth wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Sam Tallent: https://www.instagram.com/samtallent Follow Andrew Santino: https://www.instagram.com/cheetosantino Follow Whiskey Ginger: https://instagram.com/whiskeygingerpodcast #WhiskeyGinger #AndrewSantino #SamTallent #Brut Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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