Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out 185. Julio Torres: Off-Broadway, SNL, and Why Barbie Isn’t Pink
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Sep 22, 2025 
Julio Torres, a quirky writer and filmmaker known for his surreal comedy, dives into the colorful world of creativity in this conversation. He shares the inspiration behind his Off-Broadway show, Color Theories, and how his viral SNL sketch, 'Papyrus,' featuring Ryan Gosling, came to life. Julio humorously assigns colors to cultural figures like Barbie and Martha Stewart, revealing how these ideas play into his art. The duo also recounts odd gym encounters, blending comedy with personal insights on OCD and the creative process.
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Colors As Metaphors For Personality
- Julio uses colors as metaphors to explain personalities and social behavior in playful, non-literal ways.
- He hopes color thinking invites experimentation instead of dread or judgment.
Reclaiming Childhood Creativity
- Julio lost his childhood creative freedom in adolescence trying to fit in, then reclaimed it in adulthood.
- He remembers fourth grade as a turning point when he accepted solitude and let go of the burden to make friends.
Novelty Over Formulaic Emotion
- Julio dislikes art that prescribes audience emotions through formulaic "math"; novelty is central to what makes work meaningful.
- He argues repetition of commercial success often destroys the original novelty that made the work succeed.