Podcasts > This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von > E515 Nick Swardson

E515 Nick Swardson

By Theo Von

In this episode of This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von, comedian Nick Swardson joins Von to discuss Swardson's comedy career and upcoming projects, like his new comedy special "Joke from Face" and "Toilet Head" tour. They swap stories from the road, sharing anecdotes about bizarre audience interactions, substance use, and performance mishaps.

The conversation touches on deeper topics like sexuality, identity, and social issues. Swardson and Von engage in a thoughtful dialogue about acceptance and empathy regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Using humor, they highlight the prevalence of homosexuality across species and condemn online backlash against public figures' private lives.

E515 Nick Swardson

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E515 Nick Swardson

1-Page Summary

Swardson's Comedy Career and Upcoming Projects

Nick Swardson, recognized stand-up comedian, has new work lined up: a comedy special "Joke from Face" premiering on YouTube July 18th, and a "Toilet Head" tour starting this fall. Swardson put extensive effort into developing fresh material drawing on his experiences.

Notably, in Colorado, Swardson accidentally ingested an edible before a show, leading to a "full brain fart" onstage where staff considered pulling him. Though his mic was eventually cut, Swardson learned to balance substance use and comedy performances responsibly.

Anecdotes and Experiences from the Lives of Comedians

Swardson and Theo Von swap tales of bizarre audience interactions, like everyone dressed as Little Nicky, and dealing with hecklers. Swardson recounts imitating a police horse with diarrhea. They discuss challenges like navigating unpredictable shows and being booed offstage.

Von mentions David Spade's needs for a special chair due to back issues. The comedians share mishaps like Swardson's gunman prank on Norm Macdonald.

Swardson recounts unexpectedly sleeping on a couple's hotel room floor in Philadelphia after finding no vacancies. They reflect on the loneliness and absurdity that accompanies comedians' touring lives.

Discussions of Sexuality, Identity, and Societal Issues

The comedians engage in a thoughtful conversation about sexual orientation and identity diversity. They advocate for acceptance regardless of someone's sexuality or gender identity.

Swardson questions the need for public sexuality disclosures like recent controversy surrounding streamer Sketch. Von mentions Sketch's name, but they emphasize supporting individuals through personal matters without harsh judgements.

Using humor, they highlight homosexuality's natural existence across species. They condemn unwarranted online backlash, stressing empathy over rushing to conclusions about public figures' private lives.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can explore your own life experiences for creative inspiration by keeping a daily journal. Write down even the mundane events, as these can often be a source of unexpected humor or insight. For example, if you have a funny encounter at the grocery store, jot it down and later try to find the humor in it as a way to connect with others or enhance your storytelling skills.
  • Develop empathy and understanding for diverse identities by reading books or watching documentaries about different life experiences. Choose one book or documentary a month focusing on a story outside of your usual scope to broaden your perspective. This could be a memoir from someone of a different sexual orientation or a documentary about the lives of people in various cultures.
  • Create a personal code of conduct for online interactions that emphasizes empathy and withholding judgment. Before posting or commenting on social media, pause to consider if your words are kind, necessary, and true. This practice can help foster a more compassionate online environment and can be a personal reminder to treat public figures with the same respect as you would someone in your own life.

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E515 Nick Swardson

Swardson's Comedy Career and Upcoming Projects

Nick Swardson, the recognized stand-up comedian, has a stack of new work ready to roll out, including a comedy special on YouTube and a fall tour, both coming with a bundle of fresh content based on his substantial experience and recent incidents from his shows.

Swardson is preparing a new comedy special, "Joke from Face," premiering on YouTube on July 18th, as well as a new tour, "Toilet Head," launching in the fall.

Swardson has clearly been busy crafting new material for his fans, with his special "Joke from Face" set for a YouTube release on July 18th, and his tour "Toilet Head" scheduled to begin in the fall. Not only has he been dedicated to churning out a variety of comedic styles—including storytelling and one-liners—he also intends to deliver what fans love about his performances.

Swardson has worked hard on developing fresh material for his upcoming special and tour, drawing on his extensive experience as a stand-up comedian.

The creation process for his new content has been intensive, with Swardson hinting that his comedic edge remains as sharp as ever. Moreover, his confident expression that the material is "fired" leaves audiences with high expectations for both his upcoming special and tour.

Swardson's recent tour experiences, including a memorable incident in Colorado where he accidentally took an edible before a show, have provided him with new material and anecdotes to share.

There are tales from the road as well, notably a memorable mishap in Beaver Creek, Colorado, involving an accidental ingestion of an edible that resulted in what Swardson describes as a "full brain fart" onstage. The high, compounded by the altitude's effect ...

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Swardson's Comedy Career and Upcoming Projects

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can create a humor journal to capture funny moments from your daily life, which could serve as a source of entertainment or inspiration for storytelling. Start by jotting down any amusing incidents, thoughts, or conversations you encounter each day. Over time, you'll build a collection of personal anecdotes that can be shared with friends or used to enhance your own creative projects.
  • Develop a routine to reflect on and adjust your habits, ensuring they align with your goals and responsibilities. For instance, if you find that certain activities are not contributing positively to your life, consider setting specific times to engage in them or replacing them with more beneficial habits. This self-regulation can lead to improved focus and performance in various aspects of li ...

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E515 Nick Swardson

Anecdotes and Experiences from the Lives of Comedians

Nick Swardson and Theo Von delve into a treasure trove of tales from their colorful careers, discussing everything from bizarre audience interactions to the perils of life on the road as stand-up comedians.

Swardson and Von share various stories and experiences from their careers as stand-up comedians, including encounters with eccentric audience members and behind-the-scenes mishaps.

The comedians reminisce about their careers, encountering mentally impaired audience members and dealing with unexpected situations during live performances. They recall an incident where everyone dressed up as Little Nicky from the eponymous film, but ironically it was difficult to distinguish the costumes from the eccentric Bourbon Street locals. They touch upon unique demands of the comedy industry and the unpredictable nature of live shows, such as being booed off stage or dealing with derogatory remarks from the crowd.

Swardson also shares a bizarre episode involving a police horse with diarrhea and his imitation of it, which thankfully only left the officer requesting him to move along. The comedians continue with stories about the impact of cities like New Orleans and Vegas on their performances, discussing voodoo magic and how the energetic vibe can affect shows.

The comedians discuss the challenges of navigating the unpredictable nature of live performances and dealing with the unique demands of the comedy industry.

They discuss David Spade's particular needs due to his bad spine, how he brings his own chair to events, and the vivid contrast it creates next to regular chairs. The comedians exchange tales of pranks gone wrong, such as Swardson's joke on Norm Macdonald about a gunman, and anecdotes about their own quirks on tour, like Theo Von's and his friend's penchant for mutual encouragement while vomiting under overpasses.

Swardson recounts a memorable experience where he unexpectedly found himself without a hotel room and ended up sleeping on the floor of a kind couple he had previously met in Key itl akes West.

The comedians commiserate over the difficulties of maintaining a healthy work-life balance while ...

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Anecdotes and Experiences from the Lives of Comedians

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Nick Swardson and Theo Von, both stand-up comedians, share anecdotes about their careers, including encounters with eccentric audience members, unexpected situations during live performances, and challenges faced while touring. They discuss unique demands of the comedy industry, the unpredictable nature of live shows, and the impact of different cities on their performances. The comedians also touch upon personal experiences like sleeping on a hotel room floor due to unavailability and finding humor in challenging situations while on the road.
  • David Spade has specific needs due to his bad spine, so he brings his own chair to events. This chair stands out vividly next to regular chairs due to its customized features. The contrast highlights the importance of accommodating individual needs in different settings. This detail adds a unique touch to Spade's presence at events.
  • The comedy industry presents challenges like handling unpredictable live performances, facing audience reactions, and managing the pressure to constantly create fresh, engaging material. Comedians often navigate demanding schedules, balancing travel, performances, and personal time while striving to maintain their comedic edge and relevance in a competitive field. The industry can be emotionally taxing, requiring resilience to handle rejection, criticism, and the ups and downs of a career based on making others laugh. Additionally, comedians may face unique pressures to push boundaries, address sensitive topics, and connect with diverse audiences while staying true to their comedic style and voice.
  • Nick Swardson found himself without a hotel room in Philadelphia and ended up sleeping on the floor of a couple he knew from Key West. This situation arose when he couldn't find a hotel room for the night, and the couple kindly offered him a place to stay. It showcases ...

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E515 Nick Swardson

Discussions of Sexuality, Identity, and Societal Issues

The comedians entered into a lighthearted yet insightful discussion about the complexities of sexual orientation and identity, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and the evolving nature of societal norms.

The comedians engage in a lighthearted and thought-provoking conversation about the diversity of sexual orientations and identities, acknowledging the evolving societal attitudes towards these topics.

They talked about the current climate where the revelation of someone's sexuality should be a non-issue, yet they recognized it's still treated with undue importance. Jokingly they touched on the complexities of engaging with multiple sexual identities at once, while also supporting the notion that individuals should be accepted regardless of their sexual or gender identity.

They discuss the importance of being supportive and accepting of individuals regardless of their sexual or gender identity, and the need to move beyond outdated societal norms.

One comedian pointed out the bizarre nature of public apologies or explanations for one's sexuality, questioning the relevance of such disclosures. The consensus was clear: unconditional support for individuals like "Sketch," who may be at the center of such disclosures and controversies.

The conversation turned to a controversy involving a popular streamer known as Sketch, with comedian Theo Von mentioning the character's name in relation to an issue that had been brought into public discussion.

They emphasize the need for empathy and understanding when dealing with sensitive personal matters, rather than rushing to judgment or engaging in harmful speculation.

Nick Swardson humorously inquired ...

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Discussions of Sexuality, Identity, and Societal Issues

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The societal attitudes and evolving norms regarding sexual orientation and gender identity encompass the changing perspectives and acceptance levels towards individuals who identify differently from traditional norms. This evolution reflects a shift towards inclusivity, respect, and recognition of the diverse spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. It involves challenging stereotypes, promoting equality, and creating safe spaces for individuals to express thei ...

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