The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi #320 The Chicken Deal With The Devil with Roy Wood Jr.
Oct 14, 2025
Roy Wood Jr., a stand-up comedian and former Daily Show star, shares insights on the pitfalls of comedy, including handling conflict with peers and the health care blind spots in the industry. He reflects on the complex relationship between comedians and politics, questioning whether performers should adopt journalistic rigor and discussing how comedians can unintentionally normalize political narratives. Roy also introduces his new book, The Man of Many Fathers, while humorously ranting about barbecue etiquette and the absurdities of rich space tourists.
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Voice Doctor's Emergency Protocol
- Roy describes losing his voice before a high-profile Correspondents' Dinner and the voice doctor's steroid regimen.
- The specialist reverse-engineered meds and timing to let Roy perform for a limited window despite vocal risk.
Jaw Surgery vs. Comedian's Voice
- Roy Wood Jr. considered breaking his jaw to fix sleep apnea but feared losing vocal nuances vital to his comedy.
- He chose conservative treatment because a six-week vocal recovery and possible tone change risked his career timing.
Pick Your Media Battles Carefully
- Do prepare and choose which interviews you want to push off-rails for maximum impact.
- Do stay mindful that righteous policing and perpetual moralizing is a finite currency for a comic's career.
