Kill Tony Hits Netflix & Kyle Dunnigan’s Most Hated Impression | 2 Bears, 1 Cave
In this episode of 2 Bears, 1 Cave, comedian Kyle Dunnigan provides an entertaining glimpse into his quest for romantic connection and his adventures in the dating world. He shares his approach to meeting potential partners through unexpected activities like pickleball and jiu-jitsu, and recounts amusing experiences with memorable dates and peculiar gifts.
Dunnigan and co-host Tom Segura also delve into the challenges of comedy performances, reflecting on occasions when they struggled to connect with unengaged or disinterested audiences. The two discuss Dunnigan's notable celebrity impressions, including his intricate portrayal of Elon Musk for his Netflix special and the varied reactions he has received from his subjects. Throughout the episode, both comedians showcase their dedication to their craft while maintaining a humorous perspective on the inevitable failures and hurdles that come with their profession.
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1-Page Summary
Dating and Relationships
Kyle Dunnigan discusses his frustrations with dating, such as awkwardness, high standards, and connection issues. He describes his challenges, including gender role confusion, trivial arguments, and his own perceived shortcomings.
To improve his dating prospects, Dunnigan avoids apps and instead joins activities like pickleball and jiu-jitsu to meet women in person. While unconventional, activities provide additional benefits like improved sleep and self-esteem.
Dunnigan also recounts unique dating experiences, like a woman who would verbally narrate intimacy, giving odd gifts, and an eccentric writer he prefers not to identify.
Comedy Performance Experiences
Dunnigan and Tom Segura share stories of bombing at private events with unengaged audiences. Dunnigan describes an awkward performance as Joe Biden at Tony Robbins' birthday party, while Segura recalls an ignored set at a jewelry convention.
They discuss the challenge of capturing audience attention when crowds are disinterested or hostile. Though uncomfortable, Segura and Dunnigan see these failures as opportunities to sharpen their skills for future performances.
Impressions and Celebrity Impersonations
For his Netflix special "Kill or Be Killed," Dunnigan created an intricate Elon Musk impersonation using prosthetics and mannerisms, which Segura found hilarious.
While most celebrities appreciate impersonations, Dunnigan notes rare negative reactions like Bill Maher's displeasure. He finds impersonating live more demanding than pre-recorded, once unable to stop talking like a character until bed.
Comedy Industry Work and Projects
Dunnigan and Segura discuss their comedy projects, including Dunnigan's role as Biden in "Kill or Be Killed," which Segura praises as "absolutely hilarious."
Both convey their passion for comedy work despite challenges like busy schedules. Even facing criticism, they remain dedicated, finding the prospect of retiring from comedy unlikely given their attachment to the craft.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Pickleball and jiu-jitsu are activities that Kyle Dunnigan engages in to meet women. Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, often played in doubles. Jiu-jitsu is a martial art that focuses on grappling and ground fighting techniques. Dunnigan chooses these activities as opportunities to socialize and potentially connect with women who share his interests.
- Bill Maher, a well-known political commentator and comedian, has been critical of impersonations and satire that he feels misrepresent him or his views. This has led to instances where he has expressed displeasure or discomfort with certain impersonations of himself in the media. Maher's reactions highlight the sensitivity some public figures may have towards comedic portrayals that they perceive as inaccurate or unflattering. Such instances can spark debates about the boundaries of satire and impersonation in comedy.
- When impersonating live, the performer must maintain the character in real-time without breaks, which can be challenging. In contrast, pre-recorded impersonations allow for editing and retakes, providing more control over the final product. Live impersonations require quick thinking and improvisation skills to stay in character seamlessly. The pressure of performing live can intensify the need for precision and consistency in the impersonation.
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Dating and Relationships
Kyle Dunnigan shares his personal experiences and challenges in the realm of dating, shedding light on both the struggles faced and the tactics adopted in navigating this complex aspect of life.
Challenges and Frustrations In Dating
Kyle's Dating Struggles: Awkwardness, High Standards, Connection Issues
Kyle discusses the awkwardness and disconnectedness of movie dates, like the time he saw an Amy Winehouse film and felt depressed afterwards. He recounts another date at an expensive restaurant where the woman talked only about herself, demonstrating a lack of reciprocal interest.
He also describes instances of gender role confusion during a date with a woman who didn't shave her armpits, and situations where he was expected to plan everything, which he finds stressful. When reflecting on connection issues, Kyle mentions a relationship where he and his partner would argue over trivial matters, and addresses his own perceived shortcomings, such as his difficulties with reading.
Dunnigan's comments suggest high standards might be a barrier, as seen when he went bowling with a highly competitive date, leaving him feeling judged. Despite these difficulties, he acknowledges the occasional success, such as making out with someone even though it felt unnatural. Dating brings pressure and uncertainty, and Kyle admits the possibility that he might be the common denominator in his less-than-ideal dating experiences.
Strategies For Meeting People
Kyle Expands Social Circles By Joining Activities and Classes to Meet Women In Person Rather Than Relying On Dating Apps
Seeking a change from the disheartening world of dating apps, Kyle ventures into face-to-face social scenes by signing up for activities like pickleball, jiu-jitsu, and softball. He shares his apprehension about approaching women he doesn't know but holds firm to the belief that in-person meetings are preferable. His participation in classes and leagues, notably jiu-jitsu, is not solely aimed at meeting women—Kyle cites additional reasons such as better sleep and enhanced self-esteem, which ultimately contribute indirectly to dating confidence.
Experiences With Unique or Eccentric Dates
Kyle Recounts Dating a Woman With Unique Preferences, Like Narrating Intima ...
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Dating and Relationships
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can create a "date planning jar" to alleviate the pressure of organizing dates by filling it with pre-written date ideas on slips of paper. When it's time for a date, both you and your partner can take turns drawing an idea from the jar, ensuring shared responsibility and reducing the stress of planning. For example, one slip might say "Picnic in the park," while another could suggest "Visit a local museum."
- Develop a personal "dating standards checklist" to clarify what you're looking for in a partner and to avoid setting unrealistic expectations. This checklist should include non-negotiable traits or values that are important to you, as well as areas where you're willing to be flexible. Reviewing this before dates can help keep your standards realistic and aligned with your true desires.
- S ...
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Comedy Performance Experiences
Kyle Dunnigan and Tom Segura share their personal experiences with the unique challenges of performing stand-up comedy at private events, highlighting the potential pitfalls as well as the growth opportunities these gigs provide.
Bombing at Private Events
Tom and Kyle Share Stories of Awkward Sets With Unengaged Audiences
Kyle Dunnigan recounts performing as Joe Biden on a big screen at Tony Robbins' birthday party, for which he was paid $25,000. Despite preparations with Robbins' handlers, the performance felt awkward as the audience, exhausted from a day of activities including shark hunting, seemed too tired to engage, leading to a sense that he bombed. Robbins' mixed greeting of encouragement and insult added to the discomfort. Dunnigan also shares an experience of embarrassment trying to get food at the buffet after his disastrous set.
Tom Segura recalls a jewelry convention gig in a ballroom where an inefficient PA system and a disinterested crowd who ignored him during his set insinuated humiliation. Unlike a band, comics need active listening, and Segura's attempts to engage the audience, including taunting them, varied in response, with some members becoming upset.
Navigating Challenging Audiences
Handling Disinterested or Hostile Crowds
Kyle describes a scenario hosted by motivational speaker Tony Robbins, where a joke he told resulted in complete silence and walkouts. Robbins even expressed a desire to forget the night. Segura faced a similar challenge when performing at an event by Carson Palmer, where he was ignored by the mingling attendees.
Both comics reveal the struggle of trying to capture an audience's attention when no one is inclined to listen or engage, whether due to the wrong environment for their humor or simply disinterest from the crowd. They also discuss the contrasting attention a well-known figure like Carson can command compared to their own unnoticed efforts on stage.
Lessons Learned From Poor Shows
Comics Admit Private Events Are Risky, but Bombing Sharpen ...
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Comedy Performance Experiences
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Performing as Joe Biden on a big screen at Tony Robbins' birthday party: Kyle Dunnigan impersonated Joe Biden, the former Vice President of the United States, at a private event celebrating Tony Robbins' birthday. Instead of performing live on stage, Dunnigan's portrayal was broadcasted on a large screen at the event. This unique performance setup added a layer of complexity to Dunnigan's comedic act, as he had to engage with the audience indirectly through the screen.
- In the context of the text, "Robbins' mixed greeting of encouragement and insult" suggests that Tony Robbins, the event host, gave a response to Kyle Dunnigan's performance that contained elements of both praise and criticism. This mixed reaction from Robbins added to Dunnigan's discomfort after his set at the private event. It indicates a complex and possibly conflicting response from Robbins towards Dunnigan's performance.
- An inefficient PA system at a jewelry convention gig means that the sound equipment used for amplifying the comedian's voice and performance was not working well or was not set up properly, leading to issues with sound quality, volume, or clarity during the show. This could have made it difficult for the comedian to be heard clearly by the audience, impacting the overall experience of the performance.
- At the jewelry convention gig, Tom Segura faced a disinterested crowd. This means the audience showed little to no interest in his performance. The attendees seemed unengaged and indifferent to his comedy, which made it challenging for Segura to connect with them during his set.
- Performing for Tony Robbins was a significant opportunity for Dunnigan. The experience of feeling shattered as a human being after the performance suggests that the event did not go well for him emotionally. This feeling could stem from a combination of factors such as the audience's lack of engagement, the pressure of performing for a high-profile crowd, and the personal expectations Dunnigan had for the event.
- Tom Segura's frustration at being ignored rather than humiliated stems from the fact that as a comedian, he thrives on engaging with his audience. When the crowd at the jewe ...
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Impressions and Celebrity Impersonations
Kyle Dunnigan and Tom Segura discuss the nuances and challenges of performing celebrity impersonations, including live improv and the varied reactions they elicit from the celebrities themselves.
Elon Musk Impression on Kill or Be Killed
Kyle Crafts Elon Musk Impersonation With Prosthetics and Mannerisms For Netflix Special Kill or Be Killed
Kyle Dunnigan performs an impression of Elon Musk in a series of comedic skits for the Netflix special "Kill or Be Killed." Dunnigan, who looks nothing like Musk, used prosthetics to more closely match Musk’s appearance, even joking that the prosthetics made him look like "a fat bastard from Austin Powers." The impersonation captures Musk's quirks, including his mannerisms, stammering, and distinctive laugh.
In the skits, Dunnigan's Musk is depicted humorously as couch-surfing at friends' homes, beginning with Robert Kennedy Jr. Dunnigan’s version of Musk offers Kennedy $100 million for a place to stay and comments on random objects, which helps create a humorous and eccentric character. Dunnigan wore an outfit that added to the authenticity of his Elon Musk impersonation during the special.
Tom Segura found Dunnigan's Elon Musk impression hilarious, noting that Kyle was "nailing it," with many people intrigued by what an Elon Musk impression entails.
Reactions to Celebrity Impressions
Celebrities' Reactions to Impressions
Dunnigan shares that celebrity impressions can evoke a range of responses. For example, Bill Maher did not appreciate Dunnigan’s impersonation of him and voiced his displeasure during his appearance on Joe Rogan’s show. Dunnigan recounted an anecdote about Maher’s negative reaction to a stewardess inquiring if he had seen Dunnigan’s impression, which led to Maher turning away and not tipping her. Despite some negative reactions, Dunnigan and Tom Segura observed that most celebrities generally find impressions flattering, with Maher’s reaction being an exception. Dunnigan suggested that celebrities should pretend to like impressions even if they do not, to avoid seeming bothered.
In his act, Dunnigan also hints at incorporating an impersonation of Caitlyn Jenner, suggesting that celebrity reactions are an in ...
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Impressions and Celebrity Impersonations
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Elon Musk's impersonation captures his quirks like his unique mannerisms, occasional stammering, and distinctive laugh. Musk is known for his intense focus, forward-leaning posture, and sometimes awkward social interactions, which are often exaggerated for comedic effect in impersonations. Additionally, his tendency to speak quickly and his visionary yet sometimes unconventional ideas are also key elements portrayed in impersonations. Musk's public persona includes a mix of confidence, humor, and occasional eccentric behavior, all of which are typically highlighted in impersonations for comedic purposes.
- Bill Maher had a negative reaction to Kyle Dunnigan's impersonation of him, as recounted by Dunnigan. Maher expressed his displeasure during an appearance on Joe Rogan's show, reacting negatively to a stewardess mentioning Dunnigan's impression. Dunnigan and Tom Segura noted that while most celebrities find impressions flattering, Maher's response was an exception. Dunnigan suggested that celebrities should pretend to like impressions even if they do not, to avoid appearing bothered.
- Bill Maher is a well-known political commentator and comedian who has his own talk show called "Real Time with Bill Maher." Joe Rogan is a popular podcaster known for hosting "The Joe Rogan Experience." In this context, the mention of Joe Rogan's show indicates that Bill Maher expressed his displeasure with Kyle Dunnigan's impersonation of him during an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast.
- Maintaining a voice after a live performance can be challenging due to the strain on vocal cords from extended use of a specific tone or accent. This strain can lead to temporary changes in the voice, making it difficult to return to normal speech immediately after the performance. Actors an ...
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Comedy Industry Work and Projects
Tom and Kyle from the comedy industry discuss their experiences and commitment to the craft, including their involvement in Netflix specials and balancing their busy schedules.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
Tom and Kyle on Netflix Special: Live Improv and Celebrity Impersonations
In a recent conversation, Tom and Kyle touch upon their involvement in a Netflix special that brings live improv and celebrity impersonations to the fore. Kyle describes how in the Netflix special, his impersonation of Joe Biden is featured, with clever staging that projects him onto a screen as though he were zooming in from the White House. This segment is part of "Kill or Be Killed," a show described by Tom as a live Kill Tony experience. Tom shares that he finds Kyle "absolutely hilarious" on it, highlighting their multifaceted comedy talents.
Balancing Multiple Comedy Endeavors
Hosts Acknowledge Time and Effort In Maintaining Comedy Projects, Tv, and Touring Schedules
Tom conveys his passion for the work he does beyond the financial rewards, enjoying the process of stand-up comedy and creating shows. Reflecting on the demands of maintaining various comedy projects, including TV appearances and touring schedules, Kyle resonates with Tom’s sentiment, admittedly feeling discomfort at not working. They explore the challenges inherent in their busy lives but demonstrate a clear preference for being engaged in their work over prolonged inactivity.
Embracing the Comedy Lifestyle
Tom and Kyle Stay Committed to Comedy Despite Challenges
Attachment to their comedy work is apparent as both Tom and Kyle candidly discuss the ...
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Comedy Industry Work and Projects
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- "Kill Tony" is a live podcast show where comedians perform short sets and receive feedback from a panel of hosts. The show is known for its mix of comedy, feedback, and occasional roasting of performers. It provides a platform for up-and-coming comedians to showcase their talent in a supportive yet entertaining environment.
- "Stand-up comedy and creating shows beyond financial rewards" means that the individuals involved are motivated by more than just money when they perform stand-up comedy and develop new comedy projects. They find fulfillment and enjoyment in the process of creating and performing comedy, indicating that their passion for their craft goes beyond monetary gain. This suggests that their work is driven by a genuine love for comedy and the satisfaction they derive from entertaining audiences and expressing their creativity.
- A "sense of identity tied to their comedic endeavors" means that Tom and Kyle see their work in come ...
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