Des Bishop, a renowned comedian celebrated for his stand-up specials, shares his unique journey in this engaging conversation. He humorously recounts having a testicle removed and the transition from Irish to New York comedy scenes. Des also shares his ambitious attempt to learn Mandarin for performances in China, reflecting on the cultural challenges involved. The discussion touches on everything from the quirks of airport regulations to humorous childhood escapades, offering an entertaining blend of anecdotes and insights.
The podcast opens with a proposal for a flying license to reduce airport chaos, highlighting current travel etiquette issues.
Jason Miller reads news stories including President Biden pardoning Hunter and Nick Cannon addressing his narcissism, revealing societal concerns.
Comedian Des Bishop shares personal anecdotes about adapting his humor for different cultures, particularly during his experiences in China.
The discussion critiques governmental overreach in public safety regulations, emphasizing the tension between security measures and individual freedoms.
Deep dives
The Concept of a Flying License
The idea of introducing a license to fly commercially is proposed as a solution to the growing chaos observed at airports and on flights. The speaker argues that if society requires licenses for basic activities, such as fishing, driving, or even hairstyling, then it logically follows that one should need a license to fly as well. This proposal is supported by personal anecdotes describing frustrating experiences with fellow travelers who disregard basic flight etiquette, such as standing in the aisle prematurely. The concept suggests that a structured system for flying could reduce the chaos and enforce rules that would help maintain order during air travel.
Airport Experience and Traffic
The unpredictability of airport traffic is highlighted, particularly during peak travel times such as holidays. After recounting a personal trip to Burbank Airport, which had varying crowd levels on different occasions, there's a call for live updates on airport conditions. The speaker discusses the idea of having operational traffic cameras at major airports to inform travelers about congestion levels ahead of their trips. This would help visitors make more informed decisions about when to leave for the airport, reducing stress and potentially missed flights.
The Influence of Andy Dick
Andy Dick is mentioned as a comedic figure who inadvertently impacted the speaker's decision-making regarding podcasting spaces. The narrative explains that after a troubling encounter with Dick that involved personal belongings being taken, there was a shift away from recording the podcast at home. The humorous recounting of these experiences illustrates the chaos that Andy Dick represented in the comedy world, as well as the eventual choice to establish a separate studio to distance oneself from that chaos. This personal anecdote serves to underline the larger theme of how specific individuals can dramatically influence one's path and decisions.
Making Sense of Celebrity Presence
There are humorous observations about the presence of celebrities and their impact on everyday life, particularly when discussing how individuals become known for trivial actions or ties to more successful figures. The speaker reflects on how certain celebrities, like Lance Armstrong, navigate between public persona and private life, weaving in anecdotes from comedy and entertainment. This lays the groundwork for a critique on the excessive scrutiny celebrities face in the media, while also addressing how their actions shape public perception. It highlights the absurdity and complexity of celebrity culture and its interactions with societal norms.
Transportation Regulations and Experiences
Exploration of the speaker’s experience at airports leads to a broader discussion on the general regulation of transport and vehicle operation. Comparisons are drawn between experiences of getting through an airport and driving, emphasizing the chaos often encountered. A critique of how airport etiquette seems to be disregarded speaks to a collective behavior issue, akin to driving and traffic rules. The suggestion that instruction and testing could be implemented for passengers as a means of instilling responsibility and knowledge is shared, emphasizing the importance of public conduct in shared spaces.
On Being a Non-College Sports Fan
The concept of being a non-college sports fan is dissected as the speaker shares advice aimed at younger generations. He emphasizes the emotional turmoil that can come from supporting college teams, often leading to disappointment. The idea is presented that living without allegiance to any college team can provide a more enjoyable and stress-free existence. The suggestion to avoid emotional investment in college sports aims to steer young fans away from potential disappointment and frustration, advocating for a more relaxed approach to fanhood.
Exploring The Police State
There’s a discussion surrounding perceived increased governmental control in the context of personal freedoms, particularly in relation to public safety and regulation. The speaker points to how authorities often wield power over individual rights and choices, especially in situations perceived to threaten public safety like the January 6th protests. This thought process introduces the notion that while security measures may be intended for safety, they can infringe upon liberties. Additionally, personal anecdotes add depth to this narrative, illustrating how societal mechanisms can appear to conflict with individual freedoms.
The Evolution of Humor
The speaker reflects on adaptations within the comedy scene, particularly focusing on how humor is perceived across different cultures. Observations are made on the uniqueness of humor in relation to cultural contexts—especially in countries like China, where comedic styles differ significantly. The importance of local nuances and cultural references in tailoring comedy is emphasized, suggesting that humor can often transcend language barriers yet must align with cultural values. The speaker outlines his journey in navigating different comedic styles, portraying a commitment to understanding and merging varied comedic forms.
The show opens with Adam explaining why people should be required to have a license to travel on planes, why airports need traffic cameras, how Andy Dick singlehandedly caused numerous podcasters to move their show into a studio, the soundtrack at his barbershop, and Bill Maher & Jane Fonda tangling over California’s tendency to overregulate.
Next, Jason “Mayhem” Miller reads the news including stories about President Biden pardoning his son Hunter and “Jan 6ers” getting nervous about Trump’s post-election silence about their pardons, Nick Cannon admitting that he’s seeking help for his narcissistic personality disorder, and Mark Zuckerberg dining with Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Then, comedian Des Bishop makes his first visit to ACS to talk about having a testicle removed, getting sent to boarding school in Ireland at 14, the difference between Irish and New York comedy crowds, and learning Mandarin to perform in China.
For more with Des Bishop:
● NEW SPECIAL: Of All People - Available on YouTube
● INSTAGRAM:@desbishop
● TWITTER/X: @desbishop
● WEBSITE: desbishop.net
● LIVE SHOWS:
○ Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver, BC: Dec. 5th
○ Laughs Comedy Club - Seattle, WA: Dec. 6th & 7th
Thank you for supporting our sponsors:
● http://SimpliSafe.com/Adam
● Aura.com/Trust
● http://Hydrow.com and use code ADAM
● For a limited time, get 20% off your entire order with code ACS at PublicRec.com
● http://OReillyAuto.com/Adam
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