CHAPTERS
Todd Glass’ new Netflix special: set design, lighting, and choosing the right room vibe
Joe and Todd kick off by celebrating Todd’s new Netflix hour and geeking out over how much the look of a special matters. Todd explains how they transformed The Lyric in LA into a jazz-club-like space that felt ‘real’ even though it was essentially a redesign.
What makes a great comedy room: intimacy vs theaters, and why Helium Philly works
They compare how comedians perform in intimate clubs versus big theaters, and why each demands different energy and projection. Todd shares how he advised on Helium Philly when it was still a warehouse and why great club design elevates comedy.
Engineering the ‘hang’: chair direction, table layouts, and pre-show control
The discussion turns practical: seating orientation, serving food, and how room logistics can sabotage attention. Todd describes a pre-show announcement strategy to get audiences to physically turn their chairs toward the stage.
Phone addiction and show etiquette: Yondr bags, texting, and attention as respect
Joe explains why he started using Yondr phone-lock bags and how phones degrade comedy audiences’ attention. Todd adds that even subtle texting can ruin the shared experience, and he refined his pre-show warning to shame phone use without hostility.
Tech as a drug: fear of constant stimulation, implants, and trying to unplug
They broaden from phones at shows to society’s relationship with technology as an addictive stimulus source. Joe worries about escalating integration (eventual implants), while Todd shares small attempts to disconnect, like leaving his phone in the car.
Weed talk: joints vs vaporizers, vape pens, and ‘nature’ vs ‘alien’ highs
Todd asks about health impacts of nightly joints versus cigarettes, leading into a detailed weed discussion. Joe argues cannabis smoke isn’t comparable to tobacco cancer risk, recommends vaporizers, and riffs on how vaping feels ‘clinical’ compared to fire.
Food, discipline, and the ‘fuck it’ gene: creativity vs restraint
Todd admits he struggles with eating discipline and self-control, framing it as exhausting. Joe argues Todd’s impulsive, free style fuels his comedy but makes dietary structure harder, and they riff on discipline making comics ‘dicky.’
Building and testing new material: bombing, recording sets, and the joy of new premises
They explore how standup evolves: open mic survival, writing, and the willingness to bomb while developing ideas. Todd admits he rarely records sets despite how helpful it is; both praise tools like voice memos and speech-to-text for capturing fleeting ideas.
Comedy ‘combat’: roast battles, verbal shanks, and what makes standup spark
Joe and Todd talk about comedy as a competitive ‘sport’—especially in roast battles where joke writing becomes direct combat. They note some comics shine in roasting but lack juice in their solo sets, and discuss the danger of performing like it’s ‘not weird’ to be on stage.
Greats and legends: Mitch Hedberg’s silliness and Rodney Dangerfield’s perfected timing
They celebrate Mitch Hedberg’s non-sequitur style and distinctive persona, then shift to Rodney Dangerfield’s long refinement process. Todd describes seeing Rodney live as getting a ‘doctorate’ in timing, and Joe shares wild backstage stories from Rodney’s bathrobe era.
Relationships and emotional honesty: checking in, avoiding gender stereotypes, and learning through exposure
The conversation becomes personal and social: Todd explains how he directly addressed feeling less liked in a relationship to prevent slow-motion resentment. They reject ‘men/women are crazy’ generalizations, and Todd argues college’s biggest value is forced proximity to diverse people.
Politics without nuclear hostility: March for Our Lives, Bernie moments, and productive disagreement
They discuss political polarization and how vicious rhetoric backfires, using gun debates and student activism as examples. Joe criticizes mocking Parkland-era activists, and they debate Bernie Sanders’ handling of stage disruptions as a leadership optics problem.
Trump positives, environment fears, and freedom of speech as a pillar
Todd asks Joe for examples of Trump-era positives or middle-ground wins, and Joe struggles to name policy achievements he likes. Joe emphasizes environmental concerns (drilling, shrinking parks) and frames sustainability and free speech as foundational priorities for society.
Travel extremes and discomfort as growth: North Korea, Henry Rollins, and camping with comics
They pivot into travel stories—North Korea’s oppression, Michael Malice’s book, and Henry Rollins’ intense solo travel habits. Todd then shares a pilot he shot, ‘Camping with Todd,’ featuring Zach Galifianakis and others, and they riff on campfire music and ambiance.
Comedy ecosystems and club owners: scenes, fair deals, and why comics need venues
They return to comedy infrastructure: historic clubs, room sizes, and the delicate comic–club owner relationship. Joe argues club owners create scenes (Comedy Works/Denver, Mitzi at The Store) and that both sides must stay collaborative because comedians aren’t opening clubs themselves.
Late-night cravings and junk food fandom: Reese’s, McGriddles, and fast-food ‘innovation’
The last stretch becomes a hilarious deep dive into cheat meals: Todd’s candy logic, Joe’s reaction to eating ‘bullshit’ and the resulting gut fallout, and shared love of fast-food engineering. Todd pitches a McDonald’s apple pie à la mode idea and they riff on absurd combos.
Wrap-up: plugs, naming battles (‘Suck My Pigeon Dick’), and closing banter
Todd plugs tour dates and his Netflix special ‘Act Happy,’ joking about his rejected title ideas. Joe praises Todd as one of the best working comics and they end with playful callbacks and a final send-off.
