In this lively conversation, humorist Dave Barry, known for his iconic columns and bestselling books, shares insights from his memoir, Class Clown. He recounts outrageous tales, like driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and his unique approach to humor that combines personal stories with absurdity. Barry discusses the evolution of his comedic style, the challenges of modern writing, and how engaging with readers shapes his work. He reflects on the quirky charm of Florida and the importance of embracing one's flaws in storytelling.
49:58
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Sewage Station Dedication Anecdote
Dave Barry made fun of North Dakota and got 115 angry letters.
They invited him to dedicate a sewage lifting station in his honor, which he humorously described.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Telemarketer Switchboard Prank
Dave Barry called the American Teleservices Association to flood their switchboard, after they opposed banning telemarketer calls.
This prank disrupted their operation and made him part of the story.
insights INSIGHT
Readers as Allies in Humor
Dave Barry's readers were his allies and actively engaged with his humor.
He treated readers as collaborators, making his column a shared experience.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass
How I Went 77 years Without Growing Up
Dave Barry
Dave Barry's 'Class Clown' is a hilarious journey through the life of the Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist. In his memoir, Barry recounts his childhood, career, and the absurdities he's encountered along the way. With self-deprecating humor, he shares anecdotes from his early years to his adventures as a syndicated columnist. The book offers a blend of personal reflection and sharp wit, providing insights into the events and experiences that shaped his comedic perspective. Barry's writing captures the essence of everyday absurdity, making it a relatable and entertaining read. Through his unique storytelling, 'Class Clown' invites readers to laugh at life's foibles and find humor in the mundane.
Kite Runner
Editorial Editorial Atlantic
Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, and his friend Hassan, the son of his father's servant. The narrative explores their childhood, the betrayal Amir commits against Hassan, and Amir's later attempts to redeem himself. The story spans several decades, including the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy, the Soviet invasion, and the rise of the Taliban. Themes of guilt, redemption, and the complexities of father-son relationships are central to the novel. Amir's journey involves confronting his past and making amends, particularly through his efforts to rescue Hassan's son, Sohrab, years after the initial betrayal.
A Note from James:
One of the funniest guys I’ve ever spoken to—Dave Barry. I always love talking to him. He’s been America’s top humorist since the early ’80s with a syndicated column in 500 newspapers and a long list of bestselling books. This is his third time on the podcast, and his latest book, Class Clown: Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass, is out now.
We get into everything—his process, his adventures, and his signature style of humor that’s made him a legend. It’s always fun with Dave.
Episode Description:
James sits down with Dave Barry to explore the surprising journey behind his new memoir, Class Clown. Dave shares how his humor evolved from playful everyman columns to a more personal, story-driven style. They talk about his outrageous adventures, from picking up his son in the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to getting booed by telemarketers and dedicating a sewage station in his honor. They also break down the shifting landscape of writing, how syndication shaped Dave’s career, and why modern humor feels trapped in political silos.
This is a rare chance to hear how one of America’s greatest humorists built a career by doing things to write about them—and why his readers became his closest allies.
What You’ll Learn:
Why Dave Barry was initially reluctant to write a memoir.
How performing outrageous stunts became central to his writing.
The critical role of reader engagement in building the success of his humor column.
How the writing industry—and the path to building an audience—has radically changed.
Dave’s candid perspective on modern political humor and why neutrality feels impossible today.
Timestamped Chapters:
[00:00] Introduction to Dave Barry
[01:00] Writing a Memoir: The Journey Begins
[02:00] The Humorist’s Approach: Balancing Persona and Reality
[03:00] Adventures in Journalism: Creating Stories by Living Them
[05:00] Tactical Humor: Rivalries, Stunts, and Getting Involved
[08:00] When Humor Becomes the Story: Telemarketers and Public Reaction
[12:00] Building a Community: How Dave Engaged His Readers
[17:00] The Syndication Era: How Writing Used to Pay
[23:00] The New Writing Economy: Substack and the Digital Shift
[28:00] Assault Humor and the Loss of Neutral Comedy
[31:00] What’s Next: Substack, Slowing Down, and Florida’s Wild Identity
[35:00] Writing Novels vs. Columns: Dave’s Fast-Paced Storytelling Style
[41:00] Stand-Up Comedy and the Influence of Nate Bargatze
[44:00] Comedy Club Lessons: James on Bombing and Recovery
[46:00] Criticism: Dave’s Approach to Bad Reviews
[47:00] Farewell: Dave’s Thoughts on Humor, Writing, and Legacy
The James Altucher Show 
