Join comedian Bill Burr, known for his sharp wit and candid takes on life, as he reflects on his tumultuous journey from childhood anger to comedic self-awareness. Actor Simu Liu, famed for his role in Shang-Chi, shares his experiences filming underwater and the challenges of navigating Hollywood as an Asian-Canadian. The pair discuss societal frustrations, the evolution of comedy, and the pressures of cultural expectations, all while blending humor and personal storytelling in an engaging conversation.
Bill Burr reflects on his journey to manage anger, highlighting its transformative effect on his comedy and audience connection.
Simu Liu emphasizes the importance of representation in media through his experiences as an Asian superhero, advocating for authentic cultural narratives.
Deep dives
Bill Burr's Struggle with Anger
Bill Burr discusses his ongoing battle with anger, attributing it to his childhood experiences. He shares how he often attempts to suppress his frustrations, only to find himself overwhelmed by them throughout the day. Despite being recognized for his rage-fueled humor, Burr expresses a desire to overcome this aspect of his personality. His journey towards understanding and managing his anger is both personal and reflective, demonstrating how it has affected his relationships and comedic approach.
Evolving Comedy and Self-Reflection
Burr emphasizes the transformation in his comedy style, moving away from purely confrontational humor to a more introspective approach. He reflects on how understanding his participation in situations has enriched his material, allowing him to revisit topics with a new perspective. This shift has not only lightened his performance but also made comedic discussions more accessible to his audience. According to Burr, infusing empathy into his comedy has the potential to make it more relatable and impactful.
Simu Liu's Leadership in Representation
Simu Liu reflects on his role as Shang-Chi, the first Asian superhero in the Marvel universe, highlighting the significance of representation in the industry. He candidly shares his journey, including the struggles of growing up as an immigrant and the pressure to meet his parents' expectations. Liu's experience has shaped his aspirations for authentic stories that resonate with diverse audiences, demonstrating that representation goes beyond the screen. His commitment to bringing his character to life underscores the importance of sharing unique cultural narratives in mainstream cinema.
The Reality of Saturation Diving
In the film 'Last Breath,' Simu Liu portrays a saturation diver, a role that requires immense physical and emotional preparation. He describes saturation divers' grueling work under extreme conditions, where they spend lengthy periods living in cramped quarters at great depths. Liu emphasizes the dangers faced by these divers, highlighting the true story of a colleague who risked his life to save a trapped diver. The experience of embodying such a challenging character contributes to Liu's understanding of the value and risks associated with heroic actions in everyday life.
Bill Burr knows exactly where his sense of humor comes from. He learned at an early age that if he could make people laugh, then they'd be less likely to hurt him. "I am a mess of a human being, still, this far into life. ... But it makes for good comedy," he says. His new Hulu stand-up special is called Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years.
In 2012, three deep-sea divers were on a routine dive in the North Sea when one of the divers became trapped underwater. The harrowing story of that rescue is the plot of the movie Last Breath. Actor Simu Liu had to scuba dive in dark depths for his role, which was largely shot underwater.