Robert DeNiro Didn't Wanna Be Friends w/ Sebastian Maniscalco | 2 Bears, 1 Cave
In this episode of 2 Bears, 1 Cave, Bert Kreischer and Sebastian Maniscalco explore the creative and business aspects of being professional comedians. They share their experiences with developing new material, performing in large venues, and managing the pressures of ticket sales and arena shows. They also discuss how their family lives affect their comedy, with both comedians reflecting on parenting and maintaining perspective despite their success.
The episode delves into the strong bonds within the comedy community, highlighted through shared experiences like the "Home Run Derby" games that first brought Kreischer and Maniscalco together. Their conversation covers Maniscalco's observational style, his long-running podcast with Pete Correale, and the ways comedians balance new material with proven content, drawing insights from performers like Jerry Seinfeld.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Oct 20, 2025 episode of the 2 Bears, 1 Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer
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1-Page Summary
Creative Process and Business Of Being a Comedian
In this episode, Bert Kreischer and Sebastian Maniscalco share their experiences with comedy development and performing in large venues. Bert discusses the excitement of creating new material and the emotional challenge of retiring jokes after recording specials. Sebastian reflects on maintaining engagement with material over time, referencing Jerry Seinfeld's approach of balancing new content with proven favorites.
The comedians also delve into the business aspects of comedy, particularly the pressures of headlining arenas. They discuss the stress of ticket sales and venue success, with Sebastian describing the discouraging sight of covered empty seats and Bert sharing his triumph of selling out the United Center.
Family, Relationships, and Personal Background in Comedy Lives
Both comedians open up about how their family lives influence their comedy. Bert reveals how fatherhood has heightened his emotional sensitivity, sharing stories about his daughters and how these experiences affect his comedic work. Sebastian discusses his more disciplined approach to parenting, emphasizing the importance of work ethic and manners, while acknowledging his wife Lana's influence on both his personal style and career.
Despite their success, both comedians stress the importance of staying grounded. They focus on teaching their children responsibility while helping them understand their unique lifestyle as children of comedians.
Long-Standing Friendship and Shared Experiences in Comedy
The episode highlights the strong bonds within the comedy community, particularly through shared experiences like the "Home Run Derby" games organized by Steve Byrne. Bert recalls meeting Sebastian at one of these games, noting Sebastian's memorable full baseball attire. Sebastian discusses how his podcast with Pete Correale, "The Pete and Sebastian Show," serves as a creative outlet for their 12-year friendship.
Bert expresses admiration for Sebastian's ability to find humor in everyday situations, particularly praising his observational style and unique perspectives. This admiration extends to Sebastian's subtle movements and ability to make mundane details evoke laughter, elements that Bert wishes to incorporate into his own comedy.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can start a humor journal to capture the funny moments from your daily life, similar to how a comedian finds material in everyday situations. Keep a small notebook or use a note-taking app to jot down observations, conversations, and scenarios that amuse you throughout the day. Over time, you'll develop a keen eye for the humor that surrounds you, which can enhance your storytelling and social interactions.
- Experiment with a "retire and refresh" approach to your personal stories and jokes when socializing. After sharing a particular story or joke multiple times, set it aside and challenge yourself to come up with new material. This practice can help keep your conversations fresh and engaging, and it can also stimulate your creativity as you're forced to look at your experiences from new angles to entertain your friends and family.
- Create a "grounding jar" where you and your family members can contribute notes about daily responsibilities or acts of kindness they've performed. This can be a simple jar or box placed in a common area of your home. Encourage everyone to write down when they've done something responsible or kind, and then set aside time each week to share these moments. This activity promotes staying grounded and teaching responsibility, fostering a family culture of mindfulness and gratitude.
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Creative Process and Business Of Being a Comedian
Bert Kreischer and Sebastian Maniscalco share insights into the joys and challenges of comedy development, performance, and the business aspects of headlining large venues.
Bert and Sebastian on the Joys and Challenges of Comedy Development and Performance
Bert and Sebastian delve into the intricate emotional and professional aspects of developing comedy and performing for large audiences.
Bert on the Thrill Of Creating New Bits and the Bittersweet Goodbye To Material After a Special
Bert Kreischer discusses the exhilaration of devising new bits and the bittersweet nature of retiring material after a special. He details the highs of creative discovery, such as finding new angles for a joke and the anticipation of its evolution on stage. Bert also reveals the emotional aspect of performing an hour of material for the final time, likening it to a farewell.
Sebastian On Balancing Fresh and Familiar Elements in Stand-Up
Sebastian Maniscalco shares the difficulty of remaining engaged with material after some time and expresses concerns about becoming tired of jokes. He mentions that he moved up the recording of his special to avoid this. Sebastian reflects on Jerry Seinfeld's practice of repeating perfected material as opposed to always presenting new jokes, recognizing the value of giving audiences a mix of fresh and familiar content from past hits.
Comedians on Financial and Logistica ...
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Creative Process and Business Of Being a Comedian
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- When comedians retire material in comedy, it can be an emotional process as they say goodbye to jokes they've crafted and performed extensively. This emotional aspect stems from the attachment comedians develop to their material over time, often tied to personal experiences or significant moments in their careers. Retiring material can feel like bidding farewell to a part of their comedic identity, leading to a mix of nostalgia, pride, and a sense of closure. It also signifies growth and evolution in their craft, pushing them to create new material and continue developing as comedians.
- In stand-up comedy, balancing fresh and familiar elements involves maintaining a mix of new material and well-known jokes in a comedian's routine. Comedians strive to keep their performances engaging by introducing new content while also incorporating familiar jokes that audiences enjoy. This balance helps prevent monotony and keeps the act dynamic and appealing to both new and existing fans. By blending novelty with established material, comedians can cater to different audience preferences and maintain a connection with their fan base.
- Financial and logistical pressures of headlining large venues involve concerns about t ...
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Family, Relationships, and Personal Background in Comedy Lives
Comedians Bert Kreischer and Sebastian Maniscalco discuss how aspects of family, relationships, and personal backgrounds play a significant role in their lives as comedians and how these elements influence their on-stage personas.
Bert and Sebastian on Upbringing, Marriage, and Parenting in Comedy
Both Kreischer and Maniscalco delve into how their respective home lives and upbringing impact their comedic acts and views on life.
Fatherhood Heightens Bert's Emotional Sensitivity in His Act
Bert Kreischer shares deeply personal stories, such as his daughter's concerns about being cool at school. These experiences, like the incident of his daughter wearing a fedora to school and being apprehensively received by her peers positively, deeply affect him. Bert talks about how he finds himself crying during movies, a sensitivity that his daughters tease him about but that also resonates deeply within his comedic work. As he ages and experiences more life events, such as racing home to pick up his kids even when hungover, he finds that his emotional responses are heightened, influencing the emotional depth in his comedy.
Sebastian on Wife Lana's Influence and His Disciplined Parenting Approach
Sebastian Maniscalco, while not as open about his emotions as Bert, acknowledges his own sensitivities and the stark contrast with his wife, Lana, who he describes as less emotional. Sebastian plays a disciplined role in their household, instilling in his children the necessity of work ethic, respect, and proper manners. This approach, he explains, stems from his background and his intention to ensure that his children appreciate their circumstances without becoming entitled.
His wife’s influence extends to his sense of style and personal evolution, as she got rid of his old clothes to modernize his wardrobe. Sebastian speaks fondly of Lana's personal and entrepreneurial endeavors, including her jewelry and bag lines, and is supportive of her flourishing on her own. He also respects her independence when it comes to considering his feedback on her artistic projects.
Men Balance Fame, Success, and Grounded Home Life
Both comedians share affectionate anecdotes about their wives’ influences in their lives. Bert imagines Sebastian enjoying wine with Lana in their yard as their kids play, recognizing these as precious family moments. Additionally, despite his career, Bert mentions ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Family, Relationships, and Personal Background in Comedy Lives
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can create a "Family Comedy Night" where each family member prepares a short, humorous story about their day or week, fostering a shared sense of humor and bonding. This activity encourages everyone to see the lighter side of daily life and strengthens emotional connections by laughing together.
- Start a "Parent-Child Dream Journal" to document and discuss the aspirations and adventures you both want to experience. This can be a physical notebook or a digital app where you both add ideas for travel, skills to learn, or experiences to share, promoting open communication and a mutual understanding of each other's interests.
- Implement a "Weekly Grounding Hour" ...
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Long-Standing Friendship and Shared Experiences in Comedy
Comedians Bert Kreischer and Sebastian Maniscalco delve into a conversation that highlights the deep-rooted camaraderie within their comedy community and how their personal friendships, such as with comedian Pete Correale, have enriched their creative outlets.
Bert and Sebastian on Comedy Community Camaraderie and Their Friendship
Inside Jokes & Shared Experiences of "Home Run Derby" Days With Comedians
Bert Kreischer recalls his introduction to the comedy community's camaraderie with "Home Run Derby" games organized by Steve Byrne. He was originally hesitant to join but was eventually enveloped by the communal spirit. Bert first met Sebastian Maniscalco at one of these games, where Maniscalco's full baseball attire made a memorable impression, prompting Bert to wonder if Sebastian was in the middle of a comedy bit. The games became a lens through which they could view their fellow comedians' personalities, like Brett Ernst's fiery nature. Sebastian reflects on the connection he felt during the "Home Run Derby" and how life changes like marriage and children have made such bonding opportunities rarer.
They shared the feeling of longing for an outlet outside their family lives, with Sebastian expressing a desire for activities like golf. The camaraderie between them is palpable, indicating a shared history and mutual respect as comedians. A lighthearted banter about potentially sharing large investments, like a boat, is also part of their connection, showing their comfort in exploring ideas together despite Sebastian’s reluctance about co-ownership.
Sebastian Finds His Podcast With Pete Correale a Rewarding Creative Outlet for Their Friendship
Sebastian Maniscalco treasures doing "The Pete and Sebastian Show" with Pete Correale, noting that it offers them a platform to share both personal and professional aspects of their lives. The podcast, a passion project for 12 years, gives him the opportunity to test new comedy material and enjoy good times, particularly when they’re on the road and Pete joins for dinner.
Bert Admires Sebastian's Talent to Find Humor In the ...
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Long-Standing Friendship and Shared Experiences in Comedy
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- "Home Run Derby" games were organized events within the comedy community where comedians would come together to play baseball. These games served as a social and bonding activity for comedians, providing a break from their usual routines and a chance to interact in a more relaxed setting. The games allowed comedians like Bert Kreischer and Sebastian Maniscalco to connect outside of their professional lives, fostering friendships and camaraderie. Participating in these games created shared experiences and inside jokes among the comedians, strengthening their relationships and adding depth to their connections.
- Bert Kreischer, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Pete Correale share a close friendship within the comedy community, bonding over shared experiences and creative collaborations. Sebastian and Pete host a podcast together, "The Pe ...
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