Tom Wilson shares about performing at the Comedy Store in the early 80s, creating gorgeous pop art, and his audition process for 'Back to the Future'. He also discusses artistic loss, the struggle to express oneself, interactions with fans, and his low-budget podcast and upcoming book.
Richard Pryor's process of developing material at the Comedy Store in the 70s and 80s, starting with nonsensical jokes and shaping them over multiple shows.
The importance of staying true to oneself and developing an authentic style in comedy, despite the pressure to have a unique gimmick.
The value of connecting with audiences on a genuine level and focusing on the craft of stand-up comedy.
Deep dives
Starting as an eco-move
Angie's List rebranded as Angie to be more iconic and user-friendly, allowing for price comparison and instant bookings.
Prime Big Deal Days announcement
Prime Big Deal Days are coming on October 10th and 11th, exclusively for Prime members with big savings on a wide range of products.
The Nerdist Podcast TV show and live dates
The Nerdist Podcast TV show premiered on September 24th, featuring guest appearances by Matt Smith and Craig Ferguson, and the show traveled to various live locations for shows in New York, Portland, Massachusetts, and DC.
Tom Wilson's art career
Tom Wilson is a talented artist known for his classical realism paintings of pop culture toys, with his artwork being exhibited at galleries, including a solo show at Disneyland and California Adventure at the Disney Gallery.
Comedy Store and Richard Pryor
The podcast episode explores the comedy scene at the Comedy Store in the 70s and 80s and the impact of legendary comedian Richard Pryor. The speaker discusses how Pryor would come to the club and work on his material, starting with nonsensical stream-of-consciousness jokes and gradually shaping them into a cohesive set over multiple shows. The audience respected Pryor's process and allowed him the space to experiment and develop his act. The speaker also mentions witnessing a night when Pryor struggled on stage and decided to perform clean, which showcased his determination and ability to adapt.
Finding a Unique Identity in Comedy
The podcast episode delves into the challenges of finding a unique identity in comedy. The speaker reflects on the pressure to have a distinct 'hook' or gimmick, such as playing the tuba or having a visually striking appearance. However, the speaker highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and developing an authentic style based on personal experiences and perspectives. They discuss the temptation to conform to market demands and the struggle to maintain freshness and originality in an industry that often pushes for easy marketing angles. The speaker emphasizes the value of connecting with audiences on a genuine level and focusing on the craft of stand-up comedy.
Tom Wilson talks about performing at the Comedy Store in the early 80s, creating his gorgeous pop art and the audition process for "Back to the Future." Tom is such a terrific guy and we absolutely LOVED recording this episode with him! Like, this will go down as one of our faves. For realsies.
