Ep 168: Fahim Anwar & Sam Tallent
Dive into the dynamic world of stand-up comedy with the latest episode of "We Might Be Drunk" featuring insightful banter between seasoned comics Mark Normand, Sam Morril, Fahim Anwar, and Sam Tallent. Listen as they discuss the intricacies of fine-tuning a comedy special, the impact of venue ambiance on performance, and the strategic use of digital platforms like YouTube to reach audiences.
The conversation extends beyond the stage, shedding light on the continuous cycle of creating fresh content, the underappreciated art of dealing with hecklers, and the artistry involved in both wrestling and comedy. Moreover, the comedians candidly explore the peculiar, the religious, and the downright comedic aspects of Mormon "soaking", providing a blend of entertaining perspectives and personal anecdotes. Through humor and experience, they collectively underscore the evolving nature of content distribution while keeping listeners abreast of their upcoming comedy projects and tour dates.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Feb 26, 2024 episode of the We Might Be Drunk
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1-Page Summary
MFYD Live Podcast Topics
Sam Morril Live Set and Upcoming Special
Sam Morril shares his behind-the-scenes efforts in crafting a new hour of comedy material, revealing the complexities of his professional and personal life. Despite his ulcer and the doctor's advice against coffee, Morril insists on its necessity to function. He highlights the pressure for modern comedians to frequently release comedy specials, crediting Louis CK's influence on the current pace of production. With an upcoming special set for release on Amazon, he emphasizes the importance of the platform alongside Netflix and YouTube in today's comedy landscape. Morril discusses the considerations in determining the length of a special and is notably enthusiastic about the intimate filming experience awaiting at The Wilbur Theatre.
Excited for intimate feel of filming upcoming special at The Wilbur theatre
Sam Morril is eager to capture the personal ambiance of The Wilbur Theatre for his new comedy special, suggesting it will allow his unique style of humor to resonate more deeply with his audience.
Fahim Anwar YouTube House Money Special
Fahim Anwar leverages YouTube to build a fanbase for his special "House Money," premiering on February 28. His direct-to-consumer approach on YouTube exemplifies a shift in the comedy distribution paradigm, showing independence from traditional media gatekeepers.
Sam Tallent Live Set and Upcoming Special
Sam Tallent is breaking up his latest special into YouTube clips to diversify his audience. This strategy aims to boost overall viewership and support live show attendance.
The Grind of Frequent New Specials
The podcast delves into the rigors of producing frequent new specials. The panel acknowledges the precedent set by past generations for continuous writing and the proactive approach of developing new material during current tours.
Hecklers and Crowd Walkouts
The group discusses the ongoing challenges of handling hecklers and walkouts, highlighting particularly sensitive incidents involving religious crowds.
Wrestling and Stand-Up Parallels
An interesting parallel is drawn between wrestling and stand-up comedy, focusing on the development of personas and the documentation of the journey to success.
Mormon "Soaking" Loophole for Sex
The conversation turns to Mormon "soaking" and the humorous interpretations by the comedians, especially Mark Normand's anecdote illustrating the lengths some go to maintain their religious principles.
Promoting Their Comedy Projects and Tour Dates
The comedians seize the moment to promote their upcoming projects and tour dates, emphasizing the variety of platforms available for audience engagement.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Producing frequent new comedy specials involves the continuous creation of fresh material to keep audiences engaged and entertained. Comedians often follow a rigorous schedule of writing and performing to develop and refine their content. This practice is influenced by the expectation set by previous generations of comedians who regularly released new material. The process requires dedication and creativity to consistently deliver high-quality performances.
- Fahim Anwar leveraged YouTube to release his comedy special titled "House Money," showcasing a direct-to-consumer distribution approach. This strategy bypasses traditional media channels, allowing Anwar to connect directly with his audience online. The special premiered on YouTube on February 28, marking a shift in how comedians reach and engage with their fans in the digital age. Anwar's initiative exemplifies the evolving landscape of comedy distribution and the increasing importance of online platforms for artists to showcase their work.
- Sam Tallent is a comedian who is preparing for an upcoming special. He is taking a unique approach by breaking up his special into YouTube clips to reach a wider audience and increase overall viewership. This strategy also aims to support attendance at his live shows.
- In the context of comedy, the comparison between wrestling and stand-up comedy often revolves around the idea of developing a unique persona or character on stage, similar to how wrestlers create distinct personas for their performances. Both fields involve crafting a persona that resonates with the audience and contributes to the performer's success. Additionally, like wrestlers, comedians often document their journey to success, sharing insights into their experiences and growth as performers. This parallel highlights the creative and performative aspects shared by these seemingly different forms of entertainment.
Counterarguments
- While Sam Morril credits Louis CK for the pace of comedy special production, it could be argued that the industry's evolution is influenced by many factors, including audience demand and the rise of digital platforms, not solely by one comedian's approach.
- Morril's insistence on the necessity of coffee despite medical advice could be criticized as an unhealthy prioritization of work over personal health.
- The importance of platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube in the comedy landscape might overshadow the value of live performances and traditional media, which still play a significant role in a comedian's career.
- The excitement for an intimate filming experience at The Wilbur Theatre might not acknowledge that larger venues can also provide meaningful connections with audiences and have their own unique advantages.
- Fahim Anwar's direct-to-consumer approach on YouTube, while innovative, may not be suitable for all comedians, especially those who might benefit more from the marketing and production support of traditional media outlets.
- Sam Tallent's strategy of breaking up his special into YouTube clips could be seen as fragmenting the viewing experience, potentially detracting from the impact of the special as a cohesive work.
- The discussion on the rigors of producing frequent new specials might not fully consider the creative benefits and audience engagement that come with taking more time to develop material.
- The challenges of handling hecklers and walkouts are presented as ongoing issues, but this might not acknowledge the strategies and skills comedians develop over time to effectively manage such situations.
- Drawing parallels between wrestling and stand-up comedy could be seen as an oversimplification, as the two are distinct art forms with different audience expectations and performance dynamics.
- The humorous discussion of the Mormon "soaking" loophole might be insensitive to those within the Mormon community who take their beliefs and practices seriously.
- The promotion of upcoming projects and tour dates at the end of the podcast could be criticized for potentially commercializing the art of comedy, though it is a necessary aspect of a comedian's career.
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MFYD Live Podcast Topics
The "MFYD" podcast brings together comedians to discuss their current projects, musings on the comedy scene, and quirky anecdotes from their lives and careers.
Sam Morril Live Set and Upcoming Special
Sam Morril has been managing an intense schedule, having performed three sets the previous night despite an ulcer, which he quipped was exacerbated by drinking at a previous event. His commitment is also seen in his work on a new hour of material in preparation for an upcoming tour.
Excitement looms for Morril as he looks forward to filming his upcoming special at The Wilbur theatre, promising an intimate experience for his audience. Despite undergoing an endoscopy for his ulcer and being advised against it, Morril shared his need to drink coffee to function properly. Furthermore, Morril, navigating minor setbacks like forgetting his laptop on a plane due to a broken tray, perseveres to edit jokes and prep for his special.
As Morril points out, comedians today feel obligated to be more prolific in producing specials than earlier generations, attributing this pressure in part to how Louis CK established a roughly annual rhythm for releasing new content. Morril’s next special is slated for release on Amazon, a platform he notes along with Netflix and YouTube as major venues for comedy specials in the modern digital landscape. He also muses on the optimal length for such a special, considering the benefits of a 58-minute duration versus a shorter format.
Excited for intimate feel of filming upcoming special at The Wilbur theatre
Specifically, Sam Morril expresses his anticipation for the special's filming at The Wilbur theatre, a setting that promises to afford a close and personal atmosphere, letting Morril's comedy style shine.
Fahim Anwar YouTube House Money Special
Fahim Anwar is another comedian advancing in the field, whose special "House Money" is premiering on February 28 on YouTube. Anwar is building his fanbase organically on YouTube before exploring his options with larger streaming platforms such as Netflix or Amazon, capitalizing on the direct-to-consumer relationship fostered by the video-sharing website. His approach underscores the shifting dynamics in comedy distribution, demonstrating a growing independence from traditional gatekeepers.
Sam Tallent Live Set and Upcoming Special
With a fresh special already attracting new fans, Sam Tallent is chopping it into clips for YouTube to expand reach. This segmentation for the digital audience is a strategic move to increase viewership and potentially direct more fans to live shows.
The Grind of Frequent New Specials
The conversational thread extends to the demanding grind of creating frequent new specials. The panel reflects on the high pace set by predecessors and recognizes the requirement for constant writing and the strategic move of working on the next hour during the current tour to stay ahead. Touring with new materials allows comedians to hone their craft continually.
Hecklers and Crowd Walkouts
Despite fame, the occasional heckler or crowd walkout persists—a ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
MFYD Live Podcast Topics
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The abbreviation "MFYD" stands for "Make Funny, You Dick," which is a humorous and colloquial phrase often used in the comedy scene. It serves as the title of a podcast where comedians gather to discuss various topics related to their craft and experiences in the industry. The acronym is a playful and attention-grabbing way to represent the podcast's focus on humor and candid conversations among comedians. The use of such a casual and irreverent abbreviation reflects the informal and lighthearted nature of the podcast's content.
- Sam Morril is a stand-up comedian known for his sharp, observational humor and witty storytelling. He has appeared on various late-night shows and comedy specials, showcasing his unique comedic style. Morril is recognized for his quick wit, clever wordplay, and ability to tackle sensitive topics with intelligence and humor. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for his dedication to crafting new material and delivering engaging performances on stage.
- The Wilbur Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts, is a historic venue known for hosting comedy specials and stand-up performances. It is considered a prestigious and intimate setting for comedians to film their specials, providing a unique atmosphere for both the performers and the audience. Many comedians value the opportunity to film at The Wilbur due to its reputation and the special ambiance it offers for capturing their comedy style. The venue's history and acoustics contribute to making it a sought-after location for recording comedy specials.
- Louis CK's influence on the frequency of comedy specials stems from his practice of releasing new content roughly annually. This established a standard for comedians to produce specials more frequently, contributing to the trend of comedians feeling pressured to create and release new material at a faster pace than in previous generations. Louis CK's approach to consistently putting out new specials helped shape audience expectations and industry norms regarding the regularity of comedy content releases.
- Comedy distribution dynamics have shifted with comedians like Fahim Anwar building their fanbase on platforms like YouTube before seeking deals with traditional gatekeepers like Netflix or Amazon. Traditional gatekeepers are entities like major streaming platforms or television networks that historically controlled the distribution of comedy specials and content. The rise of digital platforms has allowed comedians to reach audiences directly, bypassing the need for traditional gatekeepers. This shift signifies a move towards more independent and direct-to-consumer relationships in comedy distribution.
- Segmenting specials for YouTube involves breaking down a longer comedy special into shorter clips or segments. This strategy aims to cater to the preferences of digital audiences who may prefer shorter, more digestible content. By releasing these segmented clips on YouTube, comedians can reach a wider audience and potentially attract more viewers to their full specials or live shows. ...
Counterarguments
- While Sam Morril's dedication to performing despite an ulcer is commendable, it could be argued that prioritizing health is equally important, and performing under such conditions might not always be advisable.
- The pressure to release specials frequently could lead to a compromise in quality over quantity, and some might argue that taking more time to develop material could result in better-crafted comedy.
- Fahim Anwar's decision to premiere his special on YouTube is strategic, but it could be seen as a risk given the platform's vast content and potential difficulty in standing out without the backing of a larger streaming service.
- Sam Tallent's strategy of segmenting his special for YouTube might dilute the impact of experiencing the special as a cohesive whole, which some fans might prefer.
- The grind of creating new specials is demanding, but some might argue that this is part of the evolution of comedy as an art form and necessary for growth and relevance in a fast-paced entertainment industry.
- While hecklers and walkouts are challenges, they can also be seen as opportunities for comedians to refine their approach to sensitive topics and improve their ability to han ...
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