Dive into a whirlwind of comedy, vulnerability, and behind-the-scenes stories as podcast "SmartLess" welcomes stand-up comedian and storyteller Mike Birbiglia. Hosts Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman, and Will Arnett explore the depths of Birbiglia's unique career, from his perilous sleepwalking adventures to his distinctive style of merging comedy with theater. In this revealing episode, learn how Birbiglia narrowly escaped death after sleepwalking through a second-story window, an incident providing raw material that fuels his one-man shows and resonates powerfully with audiences worldwide.
As Mike shares candid tales of early career blunders, confrontations with challenging audiences, and personal growth, the speakers revel in recollections and what-ifs. Birbiglia humorously recounts an audition for "Arrested Development," brought to life with a table read alongside Bateman's Michael and Arnett's Gob Bluth. The episode also offers a lighthearted glimpse into Birbiglia's temporary stint as the host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and the comically unfortunate cancellation of his interview with Tom Cruise. "SmartLess" takes listeners behind the laughter, showcasing the trials and triumphs that shape an artist's journey.
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Comedian Mike Birbiglia suffers from REM sleep behavior disorder, a condition where he acts out his dreams, leading to dangerous episodes of sleepwalking. Even with medication, Birbiglia's episodes persisted, resulting in a doctor's recommendation to sleep confined in a sleeping bag with mittens. The most notable incident was when he jumped through a second-story hotel window in Walla Walla, Washington, during a dream about a missile attack, mistakingly believing he was saving his "platoon" from danger. Birbiglia barely survived, narrowly avoiding a fatal injury from the glass shards that cut close to his femoral artery.
Mike Birbiglia stands out in the comedy industry with his storytelling prowess, seamlessly blending stand-up and theater in his one-man shows. Initially gaining traction on storytelling platforms like This American Life and The Moth, Birbiglia transitioned to create shows such as "Sleepwalk with Me." Presented by Nathan Lane and earning admiration from industry peers like Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, Birbiglia carefully revises his shows to perfect the narrative, ensuring his autobiographical stories resonate deeply with audiences.
Across his career, Mike Birbiglia has faced his share of challenging audience members. Recalling an early incident, he mistakenly accused a loud casino audience member's companion of being a sex worker, resulting in a life-threatening confrontation. Birbiglia mentions he now takes a more honest and direct approach to dealing with disruptive audience members, reflecting personal growth and a matured response strategy to heckling.
Discussing his earlier career, Mike Birbiglia recounted his audition for the role of Buster on the television show Arrested Development. While no specific details of his original audition process were revealed, Birbiglia joined Jason Bateman and Will Arnett in a podcast segment, reading a scene as Buster alongside the actors reprising their roles as Michael and Gob Bluth. The read-through offered audiences a view into what Birbiglia's portrayal of Buster might have looked like.
When Jimmy Kimmel contracted COVID, Mike Birbiglia, who was scheduled to be a guest on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," found himself taking over as the show's host. As he prepared for this unexpected turn of events, Birbiglia was informed that he would be interviewing Tom Cruise. However, the excitement was fleeting; in a comedic twist of fate, another text from Kimmel informed Birbiglia that Cruise had canceled his appearance, leaving him without the anticipated high-profile interview.
1-Page Summary
Comedian Mike Birbiglia has publicly shared his struggles with a serious condition known as REM sleep behavior disorder, which leads individuals to physically act out their dreams. Despite being prescribed medication, Birbiglia continued to face challenges managing his sleepwalking episodes. To prevent himself from risky physical activity during sleep, his doctor recommended an unconventional solution: sleeping tightly zipped up in a sleeping bag while wearing mittens so that he couldn't open it.
One of the most dramatic incidents that Birbiglia recounts is a dream in which he believed he was saving others from an imminent missile attack. He dreamt that the missile was targeted towards his room and, out of a sense of duty to protect his "platoon," made the split-second decision to jump through a window. This was not merely a dream sequence but happened in reality at a La Quinta Inn in Walla Walla, Washington. Birbiglia, who was on the second floor, broke through the closed window and continued running until he was jolted to awareness on the lawn in his underwear, bleeding but inexplicably reli ...
Mike Birbiglia's sleepwalking disorder and story of jumping through a hotel window
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Mike Birbiglia has carved a unique niche in the comedy world, blending stand-up, storytelling, and theater into captivating one-man shows.
Mike’s storytelling journey began in college where he majored in screenwriting and playwriting, while also performing stand-up comedy in Washington, D.C. This multidisciplinary approach led him to contribute stories to well-known programs such as This American Life and The Moth, platforms that share true stories told in front of a live audience.
Birbiglia's ability to merge different mediums birthed "Sleepwalk with Me," a solo show that became a milestone in his career. Presented by Nathan Lane in 2008, it showcased his capacity to intertwine humor with autobiographical narratives. Sean Hayes and Arnett both express their admiration for Birbiglia’s one-man Broadway shows, illustrating the respect his unique style commands in the industry.
Mike's comedy style of storytelling and one-man shows
Mike Birbiglia shares tales of his encounters with difficult audience members throughout his career, from his early days of stand-up to his more recent experiences.
Birbiglia reminisces about a situation early in his career, about 20 years ago, when he was performing in a casino. He describes two men sitting in the front row who seemed like they could be organized criminals. They were accompanied by two women and were conversing loudly during Birbiglia's set. When he asked them to stop talking, they persisted. Out of inexperience and in an attempt to silence them, Birbiglia made a brash comment, suggesting that the men take their prostitutes elsewhere. This led to a hostile response, with one of the men threatening Birbiglia's life. Ironically, Birbiglia later learned that the women with the men were indeed sex workers, as they approached Birbiglia and his brother after the show, inquiring if they were interest ...
Stories of Mike dealing with hostile audience members and hecklers
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Mike Birbiglia shares his experience auditioning for the quirky character Buster on the critically acclaimed show Arrested Development.
During a recent podcast, Birbiglia got a chance to read a scene from Arrested Development, stepping into the role he once auditioned for. In a moment of improvised performance, Jason Bateman returned to his character as Michael, while Will Arnett resurrected Gob. With Birbiglia taking on the role of Buster, the three of them recreated the dynamic of the Bl ...
Mike's experience auditioning for the role of Buster on Arrested Development
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In an unexpected turn of events, comedian Mike Birbiglia found himself transitioning from guest to host on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" when Jimmy Kimmel suddenly contracted COVID.
Mike Birbiglia was originally set to fly out and appear as a mere guest on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." However, plans rapidly changed when Birbiglia received a surprising text from Kimmel.
The initial text indicated that Kimmel might have COVID, which was promptly followed by a text confirming Kimmel's illness and stating that Birbiglia would be stepping in as the host for the occasion.
Mike's experience hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live and his humorous interview with Tom Cruise being canceled
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