The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi

Comedian Stavros Halkias joins to share the downsides of Greeks making bootleg versions of American TV & music, the similarities between football practice and wartime training, which hand we’re using, and why the 2 day digital movie rental has gotta stop.Follow Stavros Halkias on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and XSee Stavros Halkias in a city near you: https://www.stavvy.biz/#tourWatch/listen to Stavros Halkias' podcast, Stavvy's World: https://www.youtube.com/@stavvysworld--This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok.The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi has a Patreon! Subscribe here for two bonus episodes every month and access to exclusive content!Follow Gianmarco Soresi on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and TwitterFollow Russell Daniels on InstagramFollow the show on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTokProduced by Paige Asachika & Gianmarco SoresiTechnical production by Ty ColgateVideo edited by Dave ColumboSpecial Thanks Tovah SilbermannOriginal music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Douglas Goodhart⁠Executive Producer - Anya KanevskayaVP of Development & Production at Headgum - Kaiti MoosSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gianmarco and Russell dive into the cringe-worthy details of Andrew Cuomo's deleted AI campaign ad, highlighting its racist undertones. They hilariously critique the ad's cheesy performances and lack of factual accuracy. The duo examines cultural stereotypes, particularly the rice-eating jab, emphasizing its lazy attack style. Speculation about election implications and the possible consequences of a Zoran victory is discussed, alongside reflections on political accountability, including a shocking tattoo controversy. Plus, they rant about the renovation of the White House ballroom.

Comedian Blair Socci joins to share the downsides of opening a show with jokes about your predatory high school volleyball coach, getting diagnosed with autism as an adult, experiencing a life-saving facial, and why there are a LOT of things that have gotta stop.Follow Blair Socci on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and FacebookSee Blair in a city near you: https://punchup.live/blairsocciWatch Blair's special, "Live from the Big Dog" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oyau71a5XE--This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok.The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi has a Patreon! Subscribe here for two bonus episodes every month and access to exclusive content!Follow Gianmarco Soresi on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and TwitterFollow Russell Daniels on InstagramFollow the show on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTokProduced by Paige Asachika & Gianmarco SoresiTechnical production by Ty ColgateVideo edited by Dave ColumboSpecial Thanks Tovah SilbermannOriginal music by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Douglas Goodhart⁠Executive Producer - Anya KanevskayaVP of Development & Production at Headgum - Kaiti MoosSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gianmarco shares his whirlwind experience emceeing Zohran Mamdani's rally, highlighting the chaos of grassroots organizing. He navigates balancing humor with the seriousness of political activism, while reflecting on the stakes of local politics. From improvising with hecklers to feeling starstruck meeting Mamdani, he candidly discusses the complexity of supporting specific policies amid broader political concerns. Along the way, he humorously ponders the legacy of his social media presence and the fine line between comedy and propaganda.

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.

The hosts dive into the impact of sports events on comedy ticket sales, exploring how local demographics affect holiday observance. They reflect on the surprising moment when Candace Owens shared a joke, sparking discussions about political figures and their reactions to comedy. Gianmarco also performs and dissects his Jewish holiday bits, sharing insights on audience reactions and the delicate balance between humor and serious topics. A workshop segment focuses on rewriting an edgy joke about Owens, weighing its potential risks.

Demi Adejuyigbe, a talented comedian and internet creator, joins the discussion to reflect on his journey from London to Texas, touching on the challenges of losing his British accent. He humorously shares experiences of being meme-ified as a teen and attempting a backflip on stage. The conversation dives deep into the implications of being labeled 'wholesome' and the cultural nuances that come with it. Demi also candidly explores the interaction between content creation and living in the moment, offering insights on navigating internet fame.

Prepare for manic laughter as the hosts dive into the absurdities of the Riyadh Comedy Festival. They debate the implications of comedian participation, including Wayne Brady's involvement and Bill Burr's controversial praise. Expect sharp critiques on the idea that fast-food chains signify a country’s morality. Plus, a light-hearted look at the art of fake laughing on stage wraps up this entertaining discussion!

Siobhan Thompson, a comedian and writer known for her work on Dimension 20, dives into fascinating topics like the pitfalls of social media censorship and parallels between cults, religion, and politics. She shares her British upbringing and contrasts etiquette differences, while also lamenting the state of little free libraries. The conversation takes a turn towards the absurd with discussions on online abuse, the failures of Quibi, and frustrations with clothing sizes, all sprinkled with humor and insight.

Two comedians hilariously bemoan their exclusion from the Riyadh Comedy Festival, debating what it would take to perform in Saudi Arabia. They tackle the ethical dilemmas of performing for a government with a controversial human rights record. The pair express disappointment in high-profile comics who accepted invitations, questioning whether humor can incite change under oppressive regimes. They also explore the notion of comedians as unwitting propagandists and ponder what bold statements a performer could make on such a stage.