Pints With Aquinas Comedy, Rehab, and Going on The Tonight Show (John Crist) | Ep. 547
35 snips
Oct 22, 2025 
In this lively conversation, stand-up comedian John Crist delves into his journey of clean comedy, including his experiences on The Tonight Show. He shares candid insights about his rehab journey and the importance of accountability and community support in recovery. John discusses the vulnerability of stand-up, how comedy often touches on personal trauma, and the role of humor in faith communities. With reflections on shame, hope, and the challenges of modern distractions, he inspires listeners to embrace honesty and transformation.
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Comedy Is Shared Recognition
- John Crist defines comedy as noticing shared oddities and asking, "Do you notice this too?"
- That simple recognition is the core mechanism that turns observation into laughter.
Cut Anything That Doesn’t Serve The Punchline
- Trim any words that don't contribute to the punchline when preparing TV material.
- Rehearse tightly and iterate until every line earns its place.
Adapt Material For TV, Then Iterate
- When auditioning for TV, adapt your material to network standards and be ready to rewrite repeatedly.
- Collaborate with producers and refine until timing and content fit the format.
