Mike Birbiglia

Welcome. Welcome to the program. We've been talking about this forever. Yes.

Welcome. Welcome to the program. We've been talking about this forever. Yes.

But it's true, though. I was watching your episode with Sebastian Maniscalco of this show, and I love that episode. And the things that you guys were talking about, I found really relatable. You were talking about like your kid, you know, my daughter's just turned 10 and your kids are like almost six and nine. Yeah. And it's like talking about like, like missing any of it.

But it's true, though. I was watching your episode with Sebastian Maniscalco of this show, and I love that episode. And the things that you guys were talking about, I found really relatable. You were talking about like your kid, you know, my daughter's just turned 10 and your kids are like almost six and nine. Yeah. And it's like talking about like, like missing any of it.

It's like, what's it fucking worth? Because it can just all go in a snap. It's like, we don't know. It's like that thing. It's like, we don't know if we're in the first act or the second act or the third act. We don't know if there's going to be a second half.

It's like, what's it fucking worth? Because it can just all go in a snap. It's like, we don't know. It's like that thing. It's like, we don't know if we're in the first act or the second act or the third act. We don't know if there's going to be a second half.

and it can happen young too you can just fucking oh I know it happens all the time I walk in across the street it's so horrible yeah that so that special is old man in the pool and then this one's called the good life and it similarly like it's about things that are like the unfunny part of life like it's about how my dad had a stroke like a year ago

and it can happen young too you can just fucking oh I know it happens all the time I walk in across the street it's so horrible yeah that so that special is old man in the pool and then this one's called the good life and it similarly like it's about things that are like the unfunny part of life like it's about how my dad had a stroke like a year ago

And the first joke I found in it was like, it's been devastating, but if I'm being honest, it has calmed him down. And I was a kid, he'd be like, where are my goddamn keys? And now he's like, keys. It is more polite.

And the first joke I found in it was like, it's been devastating, but if I'm being honest, it has calmed him down. And I was a kid, he'd be like, where are my goddamn keys? And now he's like, keys. It is more polite.

But it's been honestly digging into this thing of when I started writing this new hour, It was two years ago, and it was all about what can I teach my daughter? When you're a parent, sometimes you're like, I don't know anything. I max out at age seven. I'm killing it to age seven, and then after that, I'm like, eh, I don't know a lot of this.

But it's been honestly digging into this thing of when I started writing this new hour, It was two years ago, and it was all about what can I teach my daughter? When you're a parent, sometimes you're like, I don't know anything. I max out at age seven. I'm killing it to age seven, and then after that, I'm like, eh, I don't know a lot of this.

But then when my dad had a stroke, it's like, oh, I started thinking about now I have to explain the big things to my daughter. And so that's what the show's all about. So similar in terms of the weightiness of...

But then when my dad had a stroke, it's like, oh, I started thinking about now I have to explain the big things to my daughter. And so that's what the show's all about. So similar in terms of the weightiness of...

Yeah. I'm Bob and Thomas. Yeah.

Yeah. I'm Bob and Thomas. Yeah.

was funny it was like the i was at aspen comedy festival and the moth which is a storytelling series yeah they asked me and it was like burr and like gene garofalo lewis black handful of people to tell stories and they kind of like taught us how to tell a story and that kind of thing it was like 2003

was funny it was like the i was at aspen comedy festival and the moth which is a storytelling series yeah they asked me and it was like burr and like gene garofalo lewis black handful of people to tell stories and they kind of like taught us how to tell a story and that kind of thing it was like 2003

It was a while ago, yeah. And I told this story. I'd never really told a proper, like, beginning Madeline story before on stage. And I told this story about how when I was in high school, I had my first girlfriend, and she told me not to tell anyone that she was my girlfriend. Because she... Because she had another boyfriend in another town or whatever. And so I'm like, okay.

It was a while ago, yeah. And I told this story. I'd never really told a proper, like, beginning Madeline story before on stage. And I told this story about how when I was in high school, I had my first girlfriend, and she told me not to tell anyone that she was my girlfriend. Because she... Because she had another boyfriend in another town or whatever. And so I'm like, okay.

Because it's your first girlfriend. You're like, okay, whatever it takes. You know what I mean? And then she invites me to meet her parents for the first time. And I go over to her house and we're hanging out. And then there's this other guy there. And I'm like slowly realizing, oh, that's the other guy. Stop. This chick's wild. It was wild. And I think she is, yeah.

Because it's your first girlfriend. You're like, okay, whatever it takes. You know what I mean? And then she invites me to meet her parents for the first time. And I go over to her house and we're hanging out. And then there's this other guy there. And I'm like slowly realizing, oh, that's the other guy. Stop. This chick's wild. It was wild. And I think she is, yeah.

But, so, and then at one point, so he, the guy, invites us to go to his house to hang out. And we, I go and I meet his parents and the punchline of it is like, it's very nerve wracking meeting your girlfriend's boyfriend's parents. It's like, you're angry, you're upset, but you also want to make a good impression. And so I told that on stage and like, at the Moth,

But, so, and then at one point, so he, the guy, invites us to go to his house to hang out. And we, I go and I meet his parents and the punchline of it is like, it's very nerve wracking meeting your girlfriend's boyfriend's parents. It's like, you're angry, you're upset, but you also want to make a good impression. And so I told that on stage and like, at the Moth,

And then I had this thing where I was like, kind of similar to when I started doing stand-up in the late 90s after I saw Stephen Wright. I was like, oh, I should write jokes. You know what I mean? That's how I started doing stand-up. But that was the first time, 2003, where I was like, oh, I should tell stories. This is crazy.

And then I had this thing where I was like, kind of similar to when I started doing stand-up in the late 90s after I saw Stephen Wright. I was like, oh, I should write jokes. You know what I mean? That's how I started doing stand-up. But that was the first time, 2003, where I was like, oh, I should tell stories. This is crazy.

The feeling in the room when you tell a story that the audience doesn't know which way to go. Yeah. It was such a rush. Yeah. I know. I started like writing a lot of stories. And then when I sleepwalked through a second story window, I was like, then it was like, oh, this is a show. And I started working with a director. This guy, Seth Barrett.

The feeling in the room when you tell a story that the audience doesn't know which way to go. Yeah. It was such a rush. Yeah. I know. I started like writing a lot of stories. And then when I sleepwalked through a second story window, I was like, then it was like, oh, this is a show. And I started working with a director. This guy, Seth Barrett.

So this is old hat to me. Cause I wrote, you know, a show about it, you know, and then I wrote a book about it and made a movie, a movie with the Sundance. And it's called Sleepwalk With Me. I have a serious sleep disorder, which some people think is REM sleep behavior disorder, RBD.

So this is old hat to me. Cause I wrote, you know, a show about it, you know, and then I wrote a book about it and made a movie, a movie with the Sundance. And it's called Sleepwalk With Me. I have a serious sleep disorder, which some people think is REM sleep behavior disorder, RBD.

And it got so bad when I didn't treat it that I jumped through the second story of a La Quinta Inn in Walla Walla, Washington. So that's true. I'm not, yeah.

And it got so bad when I didn't treat it that I jumped through the second story of a La Quinta Inn in Walla Walla, Washington. So that's true. I'm not, yeah.

And does the fall, is what wakes, like snaps you out of that? So I jumped through. So the dream was, and I jumped through the window, like the Hulk, like the Incredible Hulk.

And does the fall, is what wakes, like snaps you out of that? So I jumped through. So the dream was, and I jumped through the window, like the Hulk, like the Incredible Hulk.

Because it was the winter. Windows were closed. So I jumped, I had a dream. There was a guided missile headed towards my room. Jumped out of bed. People who have RBD sometimes act out their dreams in really extreme ways. So I jumped through the window, and then I landed on the front lawn, kept running.

Because it was the winter. Windows were closed. So I jumped, I had a dream. There was a guided missile headed towards my room. Jumped out of bed. People who have RBD sometimes act out their dreams in really extreme ways. So I jumped through the window, and then I landed on the front lawn, kept running.

And this is the part that I remember vividly where I'm running, and I'm slowly realizing I'm on the front lawn of La Quinta Inn in Walla Walla, Washington, in my underwear, bleeding.

And this is the part that I remember vividly where I'm running, and I'm slowly realizing I'm on the front lawn of La Quinta Inn in Walla Walla, Washington, in my underwear, bleeding.

bleeding yeah and i'm like oh no and in that and but then i realized it and at that moment i was relieved that i hadn't been hit by the missile right yeah yeah you're like oh fuck it's like your shit yeah yeah high action yeah uh which is great by the way your show is fantastic and you're I'm sure you probably hear this a lot. He's a great actor, too. He is. Thanks, man.

bleeding yeah and i'm like oh no and in that and but then i realized it and at that moment i was relieved that i hadn't been hit by the missile right yeah yeah you're like oh fuck it's like your shit yeah yeah high action yeah uh which is great by the way your show is fantastic and you're I'm sure you probably hear this a lot. He's a great actor, too. He is. Thanks, man.

He is.

He is.

That's the part I didn't know. I always thought you were funny. I didn't know you could act and play nine parts.

That's the part I didn't know. I always thought you were funny. I didn't know you could act and play nine parts.

Good job, Tom. So, yeah. So, I jumped through the window and lived to tell it. And then that show became a whole thing.

Good job, Tom. So, yeah. So, I jumped through the window and lived to tell it. And then that show became a whole thing.

So here's what's crazy. There we go. There we go. There's a plaque that we sent them to put up on the wall, and it's there still.

So here's what's crazy. There we go. There we go. There's a plaque that we sent them to put up on the wall, and it's there still.

awesome yeah you know it's funny there's a great follow-up to this which is uh yeah in this room january 26 2005 comedian mike verbiglia sleepwalked out the window uh that story became based the basis for a book and feature film sleepwalk with me seriously google it yeah yeah and so this winter on like the 20th year anniversary yeah that's that's i took those photos the night i jumped through the window

awesome yeah you know it's funny there's a great follow-up to this which is uh yeah in this room january 26 2005 comedian mike verbiglia sleepwalked out the window uh that story became based the basis for a book and feature film sleepwalk with me seriously google it yeah yeah and so this winter on like the 20th year anniversary yeah that's that's i took those photos the night i jumped through the window

That's like the real serrated glass.

That's like the real serrated glass.

In a while. That's crazy. And so the 20-year anniversary, we took a camera crew back to Walla Walla, and I went to the hotel, talked to the guy from the front desk. Also, by the way... I interviewed the guy from the front desk. He's still there?

In a while. That's crazy. And so the 20-year anniversary, we took a camera crew back to Walla Walla, and I went to the hotel, talked to the guy from the front desk. Also, by the way... I interviewed the guy from the front desk. He's still there?

travel oh i know this is like no what we do completely shit oh 15 years yeah yeah so so so i went so i went back in january interviewed the guy from the front desk and i go did it is it how is it how you remember when i tell the story on this american life whatever is that how you remember it and he goes you weren't in your underwear that was it that's it yeah yeah

travel oh i know this is like no what we do completely shit oh 15 years yeah yeah so so so i went so i went back in january interviewed the guy from the front desk and i go did it is it how is it how you remember when i tell the story on this american life whatever is that how you remember it and he goes you weren't in your underwear that was it that's it yeah yeah

Because you weren't in your underwear. But it's funny how memory works. He goes, you were wearing a robe. I absolutely was not wearing a robe. I don't own a robe. There was not a robe at the hotel. Not at the La Quinta. It's not the Waldorf. But it's funny how memory works. But I interviewed all the people. I interviewed the doctor who put stitches in my legs.

Because you weren't in your underwear. But it's funny how memory works. He goes, you were wearing a robe. I absolutely was not wearing a robe. I don't own a robe. There was not a robe at the hotel. Not at the La Quinta. It's not the Waldorf. But it's funny how memory works. But I interviewed all the people. I interviewed the doctor who put stitches in my legs.

at the hospital and uh i interviewed like there were people there were cops who were on the radio that night who were like oh yeah yeah they i this was on the radio they took they said there's an incident and this guy's at the hospital now Yeah.

at the hospital and uh i interviewed like there were people there were cops who were on the radio that night who were like oh yeah yeah they i this was on the radio they took they said there's an incident and this guy's at the hospital now Yeah.

How did you start to treat it? So for a period of time, I was taking, I still take Klonopin. I know. I don't love it. That's a knockout. I don't love it. I've been weaning myself off of it slowly, but it's a lot. And then for a long time, it sounds like a bit, but I slept in a sleeping bag and I wore mittens so I couldn't open the sleeping bag. That was something the doctor told me.

How did you start to treat it? So for a period of time, I was taking, I still take Klonopin. I know. I don't love it. That's a knockout. I don't love it. I've been weaning myself off of it slowly, but it's a lot. And then for a long time, it sounds like a bit, but I slept in a sleeping bag and I wore mittens so I couldn't open the sleeping bag. That was something the doctor told me.

Yeah. Well, keeping you alive. Put mittens on.

Yeah. Well, keeping you alive. Put mittens on.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh, 100%. So for a long time, I wouldn't stay on the second floor. That's the college I performed at that day. I performed at two colleges that day. It was, like, Whitman College and maybe, like, Cascadia College. I was on, like, this was, like, a period in my life where I had done NACA conferences, which are, like, these college booking conferences.

Oh, 100%. So for a long time, I wouldn't stay on the second floor. That's the college I performed at that day. I performed at two colleges that day. It was, like, Whitman College and maybe, like, Cascadia College. I was on, like, this was, like, a period in my life where I had done NACA conferences, which are, like, these college booking conferences.

And I was doing like, I was doing, I don't know, 50, 100 colleges a year. So I'm like driving around and I'm like, you know, barely making enough money to get by. And like, and it was, and I was so sleep deprived.

And I was doing like, I was doing, I don't know, 50, 100 colleges a year. So I'm like driving around and I'm like, you know, barely making enough money to get by. And like, and it was, and I was so sleep deprived.

So a lot of it was sleep deprivation. So like a big thing in my life now is like, get the sleep. Yeah.

So a lot of it was sleep deprivation. So like a big thing in my life now is like, get the sleep. Yeah.

Oh yeah.

Oh yeah.

No, It was a national one. It was a Pacific Northwest. That was from Pacific Northwest. So yeah, so that was how I started telling stories. So then you found you had a lane, kind of, right?

No, It was a national one. It was a Pacific Northwest. That was from Pacific Northwest. So yeah, so that was how I started telling stories. So then you found you had a lane, kind of, right?

Yeah, it's weird. I did not mean to have a lane, but it ended up being that.

Yeah, it's weird. I did not mean to have a lane, but it ended up being that.

wait so after this were you like hey i stay on first floor only yeah for a long time probably right for a long time like my agent mike berkowitz would call and just be like mike is staying on the first floor and it was a secret like we weren't telling people because i didn't want people to think i was insane yeah of course and they'd be like why and he'd be like that's what mike berkley wants you know that's his writer yeah yeah that's hilarious

wait so after this were you like hey i stay on first floor only yeah for a long time probably right for a long time like my agent mike berkowitz would call and just be like mike is staying on the first floor and it was a secret like we weren't telling people because i didn't want people to think i was insane yeah of course and they'd be like why and he'd be like that's what mike berkley wants you know that's his writer yeah yeah that's hilarious

Yeah. Really? Yeah. But then at one point, an engineer explained to me that if you're staying in a good hotel, the glass, you literally couldn't jump through it. Yeah. Like, if you're staying at, like, a Westin or something, like, you couldn't jump through the window of the 10th floor. Like, that's, like, essentially it's the equivalent of, like, jumping into the wall. Right. Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Yeah. Really? Yeah. But then at one point, an engineer explained to me that if you're staying in a good hotel, the glass, you literally couldn't jump through it. Yeah. Like, if you're staying at, like, a Westin or something, like, you couldn't jump through the window of the 10th floor. Like, that's, like, essentially it's the equivalent of, like, jumping into the wall. Right. Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

That's a different level of glass.

That's a different level of glass.

Yeah. But it's funny because you and I haven't crossed paths that much, but for years we have, because you tell stories too, like, we have a lot of people who are, like, I love Sakura. I love Birbiglia.

Yeah. But it's funny because you and I haven't crossed paths that much, but for years we have, because you tell stories too, like, we have a lot of people who are, like, I love Sakura. I love Birbiglia.

No, totally. And to me, it was. Because I grew up outside of Worcester, Massachusetts. I never went to Broadway.

No, totally. And to me, it was. Because I grew up outside of Worcester, Massachusetts. I never went to Broadway.

I think maybe. Yeah.

I think maybe. Yeah.

Some of them, I think, are not. Yeah. But like, Patti LuPone came to Old Man and the Pool. And like, Nathan Lane presented my first show. So there's the people, a lot of the people I respect are really sweet.

Some of them, I think, are not. Yeah. But like, Patti LuPone came to Old Man and the Pool. And like, Nathan Lane presented my first show. So there's the people, a lot of the people I respect are really sweet.

So Nathan Lane had... And that's really, in some ways, why I had legitimacy in the theater world is Nathan Lane had a few of my comedy albums, like Two Drink Mike and I think my Secret Public Journal Live.

So Nathan Lane had... And that's really, in some ways, why I had legitimacy in the theater world is Nathan Lane had a few of my comedy albums, like Two Drink Mike and I think my Secret Public Journal Live.

And he really liked this one story I tell from Secret Public Journal Live where I was in a, this is a true story, years ago I was in a celebrity golf tournament and I was paired up with this, for charity, and I was paired up with these two guys and my brother Joe, and these guys said to me, they go, who do you think our celebrity's gonna be? And I was like, oh, no, I think it might be me.

And he really liked this one story I tell from Secret Public Journal Live where I was in a, this is a true story, years ago I was in a celebrity golf tournament and I was paired up with this, for charity, and I was paired up with these two guys and my brother Joe, and these guys said to me, they go, who do you think our celebrity's gonna be? And I was like, oh, no, I think it might be me.

And then I'm apologizing to the guys. I'm so sorry. I'm your celebrity. If you think this is disappointing for you, you can't imagine how disappointing it is for me. And that was this painful hell gig story that Nathan really liked. And then he came to my show at Caroline's. And I was actually doing all the sleepwalking stuff.

And then I'm apologizing to the guys. I'm so sorry. I'm your celebrity. If you think this is disappointing for you, you can't imagine how disappointing it is for me. And that was this painful hell gig story that Nathan really liked. And then he came to my show at Caroline's. And I was actually doing all the sleepwalking stuff.

and he was on broadway at the time he was in the david mamet play called november it was like 2007 2008 and he like loved the show he loved the sleepwalking show and he sent he like literally like sent me a note hey i love the show i was so nervous because i knew he was in the audience they told me at caroline's he's in the audience oh why do they tell you i know i shouldn't tell me

and he was on broadway at the time he was in the david mamet play called november it was like 2007 2008 and he like loved the show he loved the sleepwalking show and he sent he like literally like sent me a note hey i love the show i was so nervous because i knew he was in the audience they told me at caroline's he's in the audience oh why do they tell you i know i shouldn't tell me

So I was so nervous. And then he didn't come back because he's shy in real life. And then I wrote him a note back. And then we had dinner. And then we became friends. And I said, would you ever consider presenting this show? I have this show called Sleepwalk with me. And he was like, sure. Like, and, and then he didn't, he ran for eight months off Broadway.

So I was so nervous. And then he didn't come back because he's shy in real life. And then I wrote him a note back. And then we had dinner. And then we became friends. And I said, would you ever consider presenting this show? I have this show called Sleepwalk with me. And he was like, sure. Like, and, and then he didn't, he ran for eight months off Broadway.

And so that was like, and so then like two shows later. So then there was a lot of talk at that point of like, maybe this show could go to Broadway and it didn't. And then I had another show called my girlfriend's boyfriend is off Broadway. That's on, I know it's not on Netflix, but it was for a while. And then, and, and they were like, maybe this could go to Broadway. It didn't.

And so that was like, and so then like two shows later. So then there was a lot of talk at that point of like, maybe this show could go to Broadway and it didn't. And then I had another show called my girlfriend's boyfriend is off Broadway. That's on, I know it's not on Netflix, but it was for a while. And then, and, and they were like, maybe this could go to Broadway. It didn't.

But then the, I think it was, yeah, the new one. And then the old man in the pool ended up making it there. That's pretty amazing. It's weird. Yeah, it's amazing.

But then the, I think it was, yeah, the new one. And then the old man in the pool ended up making it there. That's pretty amazing. It's weird. Yeah, it's amazing.

No, no, I know.

No, no, I know.

Yeah. No, and I think that's part of what hooked me into doing theaters at all was people listen.

Yeah. No, and I think that's part of what hooked me into doing theaters at all was people listen.

Because I started out working the door at the Washington, D.C. Improv when I was in college in the late 90s. Yeah, it's the best. And I was like, oh, okay, like... Like, I could work clubs, and then I started working, like, funny bones and improvs out of school, and I was, like, opening for a ton of people. And then I opened for the first Comedy Central live tour.

Because I started out working the door at the Washington, D.C. Improv when I was in college in the late 90s. Yeah, it's the best. And I was like, oh, okay, like... Like, I could work clubs, and then I started working, like, funny bones and improvs out of school, and I was, like, opening for a ton of people. And then I opened for the first Comedy Central live tour.

I did, like, five or six of the dates. It was Mitch Hedberg, Louis Black, and Dave Attell. Yeah. Crazy.

I did, like, five or six of the dates. It was Mitch Hedberg, Louis Black, and Dave Attell. Yeah. Crazy.

Unbelievable lineup. And I did Philadelphia. I did D.C. I did New York City. Yeah. And I called, and I was like, people listen. People are listening to the jokes because they're not really drinking that much. They're seated. They're looking at you as opposed to looking away from you. So crazy. Watching the show like this? Yeah, yeah. And I literally call my agent.

Unbelievable lineup. And I did Philadelphia. I did D.C. I did New York City. Yeah. And I called, and I was like, people listen. People are listening to the jokes because they're not really drinking that much. They're seated. They're looking at you as opposed to looking away from you. So crazy. Watching the show like this? Yeah, yeah. And I literally call my agent.

I go like, dude, you gotta book me in theaters. And he was like, you don't have enough fans to fill a theater. And I was like, smaller theaters. You know what I mean? So like I, for a bunch of years there from like 2006 through 12, I was playing like 500 to like 900 seat theaters.

I go like, dude, you gotta book me in theaters. And he was like, you don't have enough fans to fill a theater. And I was like, smaller theaters. You know what I mean? So like I, for a bunch of years there from like 2006 through 12, I was playing like 500 to like 900 seat theaters.

It was great. Yeah. And so that was like, yeah. Those are still really fun sizes. They're great.

It was great. Yeah. And so that was like, yeah. Those are still really fun sizes. They're great.

Yeah. So that was like, yeah, that was a great part.

Yeah. So that was like, yeah, that was a great part.

The business we work in is insane. So crazy.

The business we work in is insane. So crazy.

I've done that one, yeah.

I've done that one, yeah.

That was a wild card. I'm hoping for Angel Salazar there.

That was a wild card. I'm hoping for Angel Salazar there.

Check it out, Cleveland! I'm hoping for that millionth time! Check it out, check it out!

Check it out, Cleveland! I'm hoping for that millionth time! Check it out, check it out!

He kills. And his credit is still Scarface.

He kills. And his credit is still Scarface.

Shut that up. Oh, my God. Angel Salazar.

Shut that up. Oh, my God. Angel Salazar.

Nice guy. Yeah. And also, he kills. He kills. But it's so hard to explain to people sometimes that the business that we work in of comedy is so low class.

Nice guy. Yeah. And also, he kills. He kills. But it's so hard to explain to people sometimes that the business that we work in of comedy is so low class.

I was at the Comedy Cellar the other night. We're all trading stories at the table about when we worked for mobsters. You took a gun out when you're settling with them. And everyone had a different story of a different guy. And people think we're making this...

I was at the Comedy Cellar the other night. We're all trading stories at the table about when we worked for mobsters. You took a gun out when you're settling with them. And everyone had a different story of a different guy. And people think we're making this...

stuff up and it's like no no the fucking manager puts a gun on the table is like how much do I owe you like $400 he's like I think it's $300 you know and puts a fucking gun on the table these are real people yeah yeah yeah some of them are dead thankfully yeah some of them die it's good when they die yeah

stuff up and it's like no no the fucking manager puts a gun on the table is like how much do I owe you like $400 he's like I think it's $300 you know and puts a fucking gun on the table these are real people yeah yeah yeah some of them are dead thankfully yeah some of them die it's good when they die yeah

Oh, that's interesting.

Oh, that's interesting.

But I'm sure he had one. And you need a coat? Did you say no on the coat?

But I'm sure he had one. And you need a coat? Did you say no on the coat?

Yeah.

Yeah.

what do you what and donna just goes he's right and he goes all right he just changed the chat i was like dude dude i was just trying to i had a gig once i won't say where it was where but i can guess i get to the settlement and i'm like oh my god it's gonna be like three thousand dollars it's gonna be so much money i like packed this place and the booker just starts crying

what do you what and donna just goes he's right and he goes all right he just changed the chat i was like dude dude i was just trying to i had a gig once i won't say where it was where but i can guess i get to the settlement and i'm like oh my god it's gonna be like three thousand dollars it's gonna be so much money i like packed this place and the booker just starts crying

I swear to God, I've never told this story, starts crying. And I was like, are you okay? She goes, we just don't have the money. I was like, how much money do you have? She was like, we have this much money. I go, that's fine, whatever. And then I just was like, okay, I'm not going back, but.

I swear to God, I've never told this story, starts crying. And I was like, are you okay? She goes, we just don't have the money. I was like, how much money do you have? She was like, we have this much money. I go, that's fine, whatever. And then I just was like, okay, I'm not going back, but.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

And we deal with it as comedians because we're so desperate. Yeah.

And we deal with it as comedians because we're so desperate. Yeah.

Yeah, when you're starting out, you just take anything.

Yeah, when you're starting out, you just take anything.

Todd Glass told me the joke joke once. You know Todd? Yeah, of course. He told me the joke joke once of like, you know, the one that's, you just improvise what the beginning is and then it's, who books that? Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

Todd Glass told me the joke joke once. You know Todd? Yeah, of course. He told me the joke joke once of like, you know, the one that's, you just improvise what the beginning is and then it's, who books that? Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

I think Todd's just like, oh, I went to this place, it was West Virginia, and the person has one tooth, and you have to fuck the grandmother of the person, and then you have to sleep in a cabin in the woods, and it's got cockroaches on it, and then the other comic goes, who books that? Of course. I'd love that week. Of course. Yeah, I'd love that week.

I think Todd's just like, oh, I went to this place, it was West Virginia, and the person has one tooth, and you have to fuck the grandmother of the person, and then you have to sleep in a cabin in the woods, and it's got cockroaches on it, and then the other comic goes, who books that? Of course. I'd love that week. Of course. Yeah, I'd love that week.

Yes, La Quinta Inn.

Yes, La Quinta Inn.

Oh yeah.

Oh yeah.

I had to go somewhere. I was in Tulsa last year and it was a great show. That's a great comedy town. Yeah. I'm in an Uber from the airport and the woman who's driving goes, so there's right over there on our left. There was like a shootout yesterday. Yeah. And then she drives 20 more feet and goes, here's your hotel. Pretty cool.

I had to go somewhere. I was in Tulsa last year and it was a great show. That's a great comedy town. Yeah. I'm in an Uber from the airport and the woman who's driving goes, so there's right over there on our left. There was like a shootout yesterday. Yeah. And then she drives 20 more feet and goes, here's your hotel. Pretty cool.

Comedians stay at hotels where it's only comedians and sex workers at the hotels. Totally. That's where we stay.

Comedians stay at hotels where it's only comedians and sex workers at the hotels. Totally. That's where we stay.

Comedy condo. I don't even know if it's a thing anymore, though.

Comedy condo. I don't even know if it's a thing anymore, though.

Oh, God.

Oh, God.

Oh, God, you're right. I never even thought about that.

Oh, God, you're right. I never even thought about that.

Which is 40 minutes from Kansas City.

Which is 40 minutes from Kansas City.

Okay, yeah.

Okay, yeah.

The guys who are the brothers?

The guys who are the brothers?

The two brothers, those guys are wild. Wait, are they still alive?

The two brothers, those guys are wild. Wait, are they still alive?

Because those guys are wild.

Because those guys are wild.

We gotta get that guy in. He's good.

We gotta get that guy in. He's good.

He's just such a... I remember that radio guy, too, in Kansas City. It was something like the wolf, the animal.

He's just such a... I remember that radio guy, too, in Kansas City. It was something like the wolf, the animal.

Yeah. Woody and the beaver. The beaver.

Yeah. Woody and the beaver. The beaver.

That's how we started doing that. You have to be deferent to this, like, essentially failed comedian. Yes. Right? Like, most of those radio guys who we used to go were people who couldn't hack it in comedy. They end up on the show. The show takes off in that market. And then they're real tough.

That's how we started doing that. You have to be deferent to this, like, essentially failed comedian. Yes. Right? Like, most of those radio guys who we used to go were people who couldn't hack it in comedy. They end up on the show. The show takes off in that market. And then they're real tough.

Are you moving tickets? No. Some of the places, weirdly, I think you are.

Are you moving tickets? No. Some of the places, weirdly, I think you are.

Back then.

Back then.

Yeah. Yeah, the WWE guys in Pittsburgh. That was a big thing. And they were funny.

Yeah. Yeah, the WWE guys in Pittsburgh. That was a big thing. And they were funny.

Some of them are funny. Bob and Tom was big. Move tickets.

Some of them are funny. Bob and Tom was big. Move tickets.

Yes. Yes, they were good.

Yes. Yes, they were good.

Preston and Steve's great in Philly. That's still great.

Preston and Steve's great in Philly. That's still great.

Yeah, some of them are great.

Yeah, some of them are great.

They were fun to do. Shredding Regan in Buffalo, and they were funny. They were fun.

They were fun to do. Shredding Regan in Buffalo, and they were funny. They were fun.

The funny thing about... I started in D.C. at a club at the door and... The funny thing when you're starting out is there's a lot of hacks. Like who are the opening acts? And I was an opening act, but like the other comics, and they're crushing. The hacks are basically doing like 10 people's act. Or a mashup of a bunch of people's jokes. And local references too. And I was so young.

The funny thing about... I started in D.C. at a club at the door and... The funny thing when you're starting out is there's a lot of hacks. Like who are the opening acts? And I was an opening act, but like the other comics, and they're crushing. The hacks are basically doing like 10 people's act. Or a mashup of a bunch of people's jokes. And local references too. And I was so young.

I was like 22 years old. I didn't know what it meant to be a hack. I was writing my own jokes, performing the jokes. And like I would open for people and they would go, you're gonna go far in this business. Like I would open for, I remember opening for this guy, he goes, in like West Virginia, he was like, you're gonna go far. I go, why? He goes, you write your jokes. I go, doesn't everybody?

I was like 22 years old. I didn't know what it meant to be a hack. I was writing my own jokes, performing the jokes. And like I would open for people and they would go, you're gonna go far in this business. Like I would open for, I remember opening for this guy, he goes, in like West Virginia, he was like, you're gonna go far. I go, why? He goes, you write your jokes. I go, doesn't everybody?

He goes, nah. And then I would, people in DC, I'm not gonna name names, but there would be people who crush, crush at the club. And I'm like, they're gonna be huge. And then like Dave Chappelle would come a week later and I'd be like, oh, he's doing his act. Or like a week, yeah, a week after Dave Chappelle comes, like there's three comics doing his jokes locally. That's nuts. That's wild.

He goes, nah. And then I would, people in DC, I'm not gonna name names, but there would be people who crush, crush at the club. And I'm like, they're gonna be huge. And then like Dave Chappelle would come a week later and I'd be like, oh, he's doing his act. Or like a week, yeah, a week after Dave Chappelle comes, like there's three comics doing his jokes locally. That's nuts. That's wild.

It was wild, like I didn't even understand it.

It was wild, like I didn't even understand it.

Oh, my God. They're just, yeah, they're staring at you.

Oh, my God. They're just, yeah, they're staring at you.

No!

No!

Well, you and I have this thing in common. You and I have this thing in common. I was watching that great clip of your mom watching your TV show. Oh, yeah. Your Netflix series is super funny. You and I have this thing in common, which is like, that's my dad with my comedy. Yeah. Like, my dad just doesn't get it. You know, he'll just be like... maybe stay away from the personal stuff.

Well, you and I have this thing in common. You and I have this thing in common. I was watching that great clip of your mom watching your TV show. Oh, yeah. Your Netflix series is super funny. You and I have this thing in common, which is like, that's my dad with my comedy. Yeah. Like, my dad just doesn't get it. You know, he'll just be like... maybe stay away from the personal stuff.

I'm like, that's sort of what we're doing here. And when I started out working the door at the improv when I was in college, my dad was so furious. He goes, you're working at a comedy club? My dad would fly off the handle. And I go, yeah. He goes, what do they do, strip? I'm like, no, they perform comedy. He's like, well, that's not your priority. He would go nuts.

I'm like, that's sort of what we're doing here. And when I started out working the door at the improv when I was in college, my dad was so furious. He goes, you're working at a comedy club? My dad would fly off the handle. And I go, yeah. He goes, what do they do, strip? I'm like, no, they perform comedy. He's like, well, that's not your priority. He would go nuts.

And so for years, you know, when I did the Broadway show, my first Broadway show, that was the first time where my dad was like, oh, okay. Like, this is a pretty, you're on the fucking marquee. Yeah. It's crazy. But it is weird, like, when your parents, I actually think it's kind of good when your parents don't really get what you do. A thousand percent. Yeah. It's kind of great.

And so for years, you know, when I did the Broadway show, my first Broadway show, that was the first time where my dad was like, oh, okay. Like, this is a pretty, you're on the fucking marquee. Yeah. It's crazy. But it is weird, like, when your parents, I actually think it's kind of good when your parents don't really get what you do. A thousand percent. Yeah. It's kind of great.

Like, it's kind of refreshing to see your mom be like, no, no. Yeah. Yeah. Hates it.

Like, it's kind of refreshing to see your mom be like, no, no. Yeah. Yeah. Hates it.

My dad had that at one point. He brought, my dad was a doctor. My joke in the special, I go, my dad was a doctor when I was a kid. He got his law degree and I go, that's how much he didn't want to be a dad. He was like, what can I do in these slots of time when I would be parenting? But like, One time he brought a bunch of nurses from the hospital, and they were kind of wild.

My dad had that at one point. He brought, my dad was a doctor. My joke in the special, I go, my dad was a doctor when I was a kid. He got his law degree and I go, that's how much he didn't want to be a dad. He was like, what can I do in these slots of time when I would be parenting? But like, One time he brought a bunch of nurses from the hospital, and they were kind of wild.

They brought a party bus with a stripper pole, and they were dancing and drunk. They were the worst audience members, but it was oddly kind of satisfying that my dad looked cool at work. Yeah. That was like... Wait, is he really a doctor and a lawyer? He is... Well, he had a stroke, so he's not practicing anymore, although he could, but the poor patients. Yeah, yeah. He's like, what day is it?

They brought a party bus with a stripper pole, and they were dancing and drunk. They were the worst audience members, but it was oddly kind of satisfying that my dad looked cool at work. Yeah. That was like... Wait, is he really a doctor and a lawyer? He is... Well, he had a stroke, so he's not practicing anymore, although he could, but the poor patients. Yeah, yeah. He's like, what day is it?

They're like, this is really important to me. But no, he got his law degree in his free time when I was a kid. What? He didn't practice law, but he was... Just to entertain himself? He was a super smart guy.

They're like, this is really important to me. But no, he got his law degree in his free time when I was a kid. What? He didn't practice law, but he was... Just to entertain himself? He was a super smart guy.

My mom's great. My mom is honestly super religious. I talk a lot in the special about how I got... I met the Pope last year, and that was a big, big deal. Were you one of the comics? There's a bunch of comics.

My mom's great. My mom is honestly super religious. I talk a lot in the special about how I got... I met the Pope last year, and that was a big, big deal. Were you one of the comics? There's a bunch of comics.

I didn't get to hear about it. It was like Chris Rock and Stephen Colbert and Whoopi Goldberg and Gaffigan, Conan. I didn't get a call either, but that's cool.

I didn't get to hear about it. It was like Chris Rock and Stephen Colbert and Whoopi Goldberg and Gaffigan, Conan. I didn't get a call either, but that's cool.

I feel like they would have flagged some of your content.

I feel like they would have flagged some of your content.

I feel like you could hear Rock going, you're the Pope, right? Rock said the funniest thing. We're walking down the hallway, and it's unbelievable. Yeah, there I am. That photo's in my parents' living room.

I feel like you could hear Rock going, you're the Pope, right? Rock said the funniest thing. We're walking down the hallway, and it's unbelievable. Yeah, there I am. That photo's in my parents' living room.

I said, I held up, okay, so there was a sheet on my seat and it said Birbiglia, Mike Birbiglia. And I walked up and I held it up and his last name before he died was Bergoglio. And I go, I am Birbilia. You are the Birgolio. I'm the next pope. I don't think he understood, but he sort of smiled. I was clearly doing a bit. It was fun. Yeah.

I said, I held up, okay, so there was a sheet on my seat and it said Birbiglia, Mike Birbiglia. And I walked up and I held it up and his last name before he died was Bergoglio. And I go, I am Birbilia. You are the Birgolio. I'm the next pope. I don't think he understood, but he sort of smiled. I was clearly doing a bit. It was fun. Yeah.

But it was great for my, I mean, that was like a big deal for my parents because I was raised, my mom was like very Catholic. Yeah. You know, grew up in Buffalo and, you know, went to Latin Mass when she was a kid. Latin Mass?

But it was great for my, I mean, that was like a big deal for my parents because I was raised, my mom was like very Catholic. Yeah. You know, grew up in Buffalo and, you know, went to Latin Mass when she was a kid. Latin Mass?

Oh, that's. Like not even in English.

Oh, that's. Like not even in English.

That's serious.

That's serious.

yeah so yeah there's Conan and what did you say Rock said oh yeah I was walking down the hall like that hallway actually it was Rock and I go I go what do you think of all this and he looks around at like these ornate ceilings and walls and he goes well it's not a union job it was a great joke that's great

yeah so yeah there's Conan and what did you say Rock said oh yeah I was walking down the hall like that hallway actually it was Rock and I go I go what do you think of all this and he looks around at like these ornate ceilings and walls and he goes well it's not a union job it was a great joke that's great

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, I think in our... The three of us, in our career span, comedy went from being kind of a dirtbag, kind of nightclub sport, to being like pop culture. The Pope was inviting us. A little bit of propaganda. He's giving a speech, comedy is important at this moment in time. It brings people together and all this stuff.

Well, I think in our... The three of us, in our career span, comedy went from being kind of a dirtbag, kind of nightclub sport, to being like pop culture. The Pope was inviting us. A little bit of propaganda. He's giving a speech, comedy is important at this moment in time. It brings people together and all this stuff.

What he's really trying to do is say, it's cool to be pious and care about things and connect people. Yeah. And it was good. It was a good speech. I mean, it really was like, and he gave us these rosary beads that he blessed. And so I brought them home to my parents and like, you know, she loved that.

What he's really trying to do is say, it's cool to be pious and care about things and connect people. Yeah. And it was good. It was a good speech. I mean, it really was like, and he gave us these rosary beads that he blessed. And so I brought them home to my parents and like, you know, she loved that.

Yeah, it's a strange turn. Because I was an altar boy as a kid and all that. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. My joke in the special is, and the answer is no. I think because they knew I was a talker. Yeah, but... But, like, but, yeah, no, so I was very, like, that was one of the only things I ever truly studied in my life, and it was Catholicism when I was a kid.

Yeah, it's a strange turn. Because I was an altar boy as a kid and all that. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. My joke in the special is, and the answer is no. I think because they knew I was a talker. Yeah, but... But, like, but, yeah, no, so I was very, like, that was one of the only things I ever truly studied in my life, and it was Catholicism when I was a kid.

In Ohio?

In Ohio?

Well, that was the whole thing. I'm so much the opposite of my parents. I was indoctrinated as a kid. And then with my daughter, who's 10, we've never taken her to church, ever. I haven't told her almost anything. We go to the Vatican. She's like, Dad, who's Jesus? I'm like, oh, wow.

Well, that was the whole thing. I'm so much the opposite of my parents. I was indoctrinated as a kid. And then with my daughter, who's 10, we've never taken her to church, ever. I haven't told her almost anything. We go to the Vatican. She's like, Dad, who's Jesus? I'm like, oh, wow.

I've really done some oversight, overlooked some big things. Because she knows about the Greek gods and the Roman gods and the Norse gods. And I just didn't say anything about Jesus. So I'm just doing this crash course on Jesus. He's this guy. He's a big deal. He's a big deal. People think he's God and son of God.

I've really done some oversight, overlooked some big things. Because she knows about the Greek gods and the Roman gods and the Norse gods. And I just didn't say anything about Jesus. So I'm just doing this crash course on Jesus. He's this guy. He's a big deal. He's a big deal. People think he's God and son of God.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's interesting. I heard this theory, which is a majority of what your kids learn isn't from their parents. It's from their friends' parents. Oh, wow. Ever heard that concept? That's terrifying. Because the kids tune out their own parents. Yeah. But then other adults are like, all right, maybe.

It's interesting. I heard this theory, which is a majority of what your kids learn isn't from their parents. It's from their friends' parents. Oh, wow. Ever heard that concept? That's terrifying. Because the kids tune out their own parents. Yeah. But then other adults are like, all right, maybe.

Do you guys ever have like big picture conversations? Yes, Mike Birbiglia.

Do you guys ever have like big picture conversations? Yes, Mike Birbiglia.

Yeah. I like that you got... The thing I envy about you guys living in Texas is you got outdoors. Yeah. Kids can run around. They do. Brooklyn. We live in Brooklyn. They can't really run around.

Yeah. I like that you got... The thing I envy about you guys living in Texas is you got outdoors. Yeah. Kids can run around. They do. Brooklyn. We live in Brooklyn. They can't really run around.

That's fine.

That's fine.

You think so?

You think so?

You grew up in Canada, right?

You grew up in Canada, right?

I did a joke years ago where I was like, girls, when they're little, girls are just like, would you like to have a tea party? And boys are like, now what? You know what I mean? It's such a distinct dichotomy. Tea party? They can't even sit still. Would you like to have a tea party? No, I went to her first swim meet last week, and it was just like, great.

I did a joke years ago where I was like, girls, when they're little, girls are just like, would you like to have a tea party? And boys are like, now what? You know what I mean? It's such a distinct dichotomy. Tea party? They can't even sit still. Would you like to have a tea party? No, I went to her first swim meet last week, and it was just like, great.

But it's funny because I have a joke in the special where I say I went to her... My wife and I went to her ballet recital and we're just crying and crying because she doesn't have it. We spent thousands of dollars on the lessons and hundreds of hours of going to rehearsal. She's not going to pro. But I'm going to have to show her that just to be like, the joke is this. You know what I mean?

But it's funny because I have a joke in the special where I say I went to her... My wife and I went to her ballet recital and we're just crying and crying because she doesn't have it. We spent thousands of dollars on the lessons and hundreds of hours of going to rehearsal. She's not going to pro. But I'm going to have to show her that just to be like, the joke is this. You know what I mean?

It's not...

It's not...

my status in our house would change forever. It's all they care about. Mikey Day, to my daughter, is what Steve Martin was to me. You know what I mean? He is the icon of show business.

my status in our house would change forever. It's all they care about. Mikey Day, to my daughter, is what Steve Martin was to me. You know what I mean? He is the icon of show business.

Yeah, so you got on.

Yeah, so you got on.

Is that Sam Morrill? Yeah.

Is that Sam Morrill? Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's very hard. The thing that was a big deal in my daughter's world is that I was in the Taylor Swift video for the music video Antihero. What? Wow. Yeah, so I played her son in a dystopic future. Like, what would be a nightmare if this became my son who wanted all my money? Wow. That's cool. Yeah, that's me with a wig. How did you get that? Yeah.

It's very hard. The thing that was a big deal in my daughter's world is that I was in the Taylor Swift video for the music video Antihero. What? Wow. Yeah, so I played her son in a dystopic future. Like, what would be a nightmare if this became my son who wanted all my money? Wow. That's cool. Yeah, that's me with a wig. How did you get that? Yeah.

I met her around the time she was writing that song because in my, you know, the old man in the pool, the song that plays at the beginning is by this group called Redhurst. That's one of the people in that group is Jack Antonoff, who's like one of my best friends. And he produces a ton of stuff with Taylor. Wow. So we met at the we we met around the time and she was conceiving of this video.

I met her around the time she was writing that song because in my, you know, the old man in the pool, the song that plays at the beginning is by this group called Redhurst. That's one of the people in that group is Jack Antonoff, who's like one of my best friends. And he produces a ton of stuff with Taylor. Wow. So we met at the we we met around the time and she was conceiving of this video.

And then one day she texted me and was like, hey, would you do this?

And then one day she texted me and was like, hey, would you do this?

Yeah, it is, right? Yeah, it was crazy. So that's like, for my daughter, that's like hands down number one thing.

Yeah, it is, right? Yeah, it was crazy. So that's like, for my daughter, that's like hands down number one thing.

We have the Pope in Taylor Swift.

We have the Pope in Taylor Swift.

You did?

You did?

That met life. It was amazing. That's like best concert I've ever been to.

That met life. It was amazing. That's like best concert I've ever been to.

That's Jack on the back left.

That's Jack on the back left.

Yeah, she is so talented. No, it's crazy. That show is a feat of, you know, it's like a marathon. It's like a three and a half hour, four hour show. It's crazy. It's unbelievable.

Yeah, she is so talented. No, it's crazy. That show is a feat of, you know, it's like a marathon. It's like a three and a half hour, four hour show. It's crazy. It's unbelievable.

Yeah.

Yeah.

No, except for those 15 songs that are undeniable. Yeah.

No, except for those 15 songs that are undeniable. Yeah.

So the beginning of it is I'm walking with my daughter home from school and we see like a smoke shop called The Good Life. And she's like, Dad, what's The Good Life? And I'm like, I don't even know. It's not what I'm doing. And then I'm trying to explain drugs and sex and all these things that are like religion, big things. And then I kind of go into a lot of flashbacks about my dad.

So the beginning of it is I'm walking with my daughter home from school and we see like a smoke shop called The Good Life. And she's like, Dad, what's The Good Life? And I'm like, I don't even know. It's not what I'm doing. And then I'm trying to explain drugs and sex and all these things that are like religion, big things. And then I kind of go into a lot of flashbacks about my dad.

And then in the middle of all that, my dad has a stroke. And I'm kind of coming to grips with the fact that like,

And then in the middle of all that, my dad has a stroke. And I'm kind of coming to grips with the fact that like,

you know my dad like we had a stilted relationship for like i would say most of my life and it's weirdly only now like in his final phase of life where like i'm starting like i said like it has calmed him down the stroke it has like he used to shout so much it wouldn't be every day but it would be enough that you'd be like on edge like is it gonna happen today yeah

you know my dad like we had a stilted relationship for like i would say most of my life and it's weirdly only now like in his final phase of life where like i'm starting like i said like it has calmed him down the stroke it has like he used to shout so much it wouldn't be every day but it would be enough that you'd be like on edge like is it gonna happen today yeah

you know the joke i say in the show that he'd be like where are my goddamn keys and we'd all be like we gotta find dad's keys like i spent my whole life looking for those keys i go i jumped through a window to find those keys and uh but like that was my you know that was a lot of it and then and then i was you know now that my dad is dying like in the final phase of life like

you know the joke i say in the show that he'd be like where are my goddamn keys and we'd all be like we gotta find dad's keys like i spent my whole life looking for those keys i go i jumped through a window to find those keys and uh but like that was my you know that was a lot of it and then and then i was you know now that my dad is dying like in the final phase of life like

you really do realize he's just a person, and he was probably doing his best, and we're all doing our best, you know what I mean? It is like seeing your parent in that stage puts us so much in perspective.

you really do realize he's just a person, and he was probably doing his best, and we're all doing our best, you know what I mean? It is like seeing your parent in that stage puts us so much in perspective.

Good looking folks. I'll see my dad like picking up like a cup or something and like, and I'll just be like, that's sort of like me. Like you just see, you go, Oh yeah, he's a human struggling with this thing. And that kind of reminds me of my own physicality. Even is he close to you now? Like, does he live in New York also? No, he lives in Rhode Island.

Good looking folks. I'll see my dad like picking up like a cup or something and like, and I'll just be like, that's sort of like me. Like you just see, you go, Oh yeah, he's a human struggling with this thing. And that kind of reminds me of my own physicality. Even is he close to you now? Like, does he live in New York also? No, he lives in Rhode Island.

So I'm going home like every few weeks on a train. And, uh, That's where my brother and sister live. Oh, they live there? Yeah, which is hard for them. It's hard for my mom. It's just hard. The way America deals, the healthcare system deals with end-of-life stuff is not good. There's this book Atel Gwande wrote called Being Mortal. You ever read that? It's really good, but it's all about...

So I'm going home like every few weeks on a train. And, uh, That's where my brother and sister live. Oh, they live there? Yeah, which is hard for them. It's hard for my mom. It's just hard. The way America deals, the healthcare system deals with end-of-life stuff is not good. There's this book Atel Gwande wrote called Being Mortal. You ever read that? It's really good, but it's all about...

how he kind of opens by saying like, in like India gets a lot of things wrong in medicine, but like the thing they get right is like end of life. Cause they treat it like it's special. And like, essentially you're like letting someone go. And like in America, we're like,

how he kind of opens by saying like, in like India gets a lot of things wrong in medicine, but like the thing they get right is like end of life. Cause they treat it like it's special. And like, essentially you're like letting someone go. And like in America, we're like,

we need to prop him up and put him on stilts and shock his body and all this shit just to keep someone alive but like barely alive and so much of their body doesn't work you can't walk you can't stand it's like so many things that are brutal doesn't remember what happened in the last year it's a really hard thing so hard yeah

we need to prop him up and put him on stilts and shock his body and all this shit just to keep someone alive but like barely alive and so much of their body doesn't work you can't walk you can't stand it's like so many things that are brutal doesn't remember what happened in the last year it's a really hard thing so hard yeah

A condo.

A condo.

We don't have, because communities don't have insurance. No. No. We don't have loved ones. We don't love, we don't love anyone. We're not loved.

We don't have, because communities don't have insurance. No. No. We don't have loved ones. We don't love, we don't love anyone. We're not loved.

No, no, no, no, no, no. That's not how it works. That's not how it works. Let's get my dad on the phone. He can explain.

No, no, no, no, no, no. That's not how it works. That's not how it works. Let's get my dad on the phone. He can explain.

can he talk he can talk yeah so i talked like i basically end up talking to him about it just asking questions about his childhood i grew up in bushwick in the 1940s and and it's just like you realize or i've realized through this thing of like of like oh i didn't ask my dad enough questions

can he talk he can talk yeah so i talked like i basically end up talking to him about it just asking questions about his childhood i grew up in bushwick in the 1940s and and it's just like you realize or i've realized through this thing of like of like oh i didn't ask my dad enough questions

Yeah. Like, I just didn't. I should have just let him go.

Yeah. Like, I just didn't. I should have just let him go.

Really?

Really?

okay next question like do you regret leaving your mom like my mom no not really like there's no cognition we gotta get you on working it out we're gonna work this into a bit have you done that as a bit because it's so funny like my my podcast working out literally the whole premise is people come on and we talk about stories it's like how could that be a bit we gotta i want to do this yeah come on let's do it come on in new york

okay next question like do you regret leaving your mom like my mom no not really like there's no cognition we gotta get you on working it out we're gonna work this into a bit have you done that as a bit because it's so funny like my my podcast working out literally the whole premise is people come on and we talk about stories it's like how could that be a bit we gotta i want to do this yeah come on let's do it come on in new york

Oh, my God. I was like, what? He fought in the war?

Oh, my God. I was like, what? He fought in the war?

72 years old.

72 years old.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, and then with my dad, 10, 20 years ago, I would get in the weeds of arguing with him about politics or whatever, and it's like, who cares? It doesn't matter. This is not important what your politics and my politics are. What matters is that there's a human connection. I don't know. That's my lesson of my 20s and 30s was like, don't talk about stuff like that with your parents.

Yeah, and then with my dad, 10, 20 years ago, I would get in the weeds of arguing with him about politics or whatever, and it's like, who cares? It doesn't matter. This is not important what your politics and my politics are. What matters is that there's a human connection. I don't know. That's my lesson of my 20s and 30s was like, don't talk about stuff like that with your parents.

Just ask them about themselves. Yeah.

Just ask them about themselves. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, there's this moment, especially where I talk about arguing with my dad about something and I go, I realized my whole life I sort of wanted to be my dad and at a certain point I had decided I wanted him to be me. Oh, wow. Isn't that true? I feel like I've just realized that. That's true. That's a big one.

Yeah, there's this moment, especially where I talk about arguing with my dad about something and I go, I realized my whole life I sort of wanted to be my dad and at a certain point I had decided I wanted him to be me. Oh, wow. Isn't that true? I feel like I've just realized that. That's true. That's a big one.

Yeah. Right. And who cares?

Yeah. Right. And who cares?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, and also we're fucking up as parents. We're fucking up in ways that we do not understand yet. We don't yet. Fuck. And we're just going to find out.

Yeah, and also we're fucking up as parents. We're fucking up in ways that we do not understand yet. We don't yet. Fuck. And we're just going to find out.

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Yeah. My mom would say, I'm not going to do drugs. Fuck drugs.

Yeah. My mom would say, I'm not going to do drugs. Fuck drugs.

I think so, yeah. I think the next thing I'm going to do is that I'm writing a movie right now. Awesome. The last movie was called Don't Think Twice, and that's available, I don't know, wherever movies are. That was about like a group of people in an improv group where someone gets cast on like Saturday Night Live type show and then everyone else doesn't.

I think so, yeah. I think the next thing I'm going to do is that I'm writing a movie right now. Awesome. The last movie was called Don't Think Twice, and that's available, I don't know, wherever movies are. That was about like a group of people in an improv group where someone gets cast on like Saturday Night Live type show and then everyone else doesn't.

And it's sort of about what happens in friendships when that happens. Oh, yeah. That's called Don't Think Twice.

And it's sort of about what happens in friendships when that happens. Oh, yeah. That's called Don't Think Twice.

Oh, you saw the movie? Yeah, so I'm writing the next movie right now. Yeah, thanks for having me on, you guys. Thanks for coming, man. This is awesome. Congrats on the special. This is a long time coming. We'll bring you to New York. We're working it out. Love to. Work out some bits. For sure. All right, we'll see you guys next week.

Oh, you saw the movie? Yeah, so I'm writing the next movie right now. Yeah, thanks for having me on, you guys. Thanks for coming, man. This is awesome. Congrats on the special. This is a long time coming. We'll bring you to New York. We're working it out. Love to. Work out some bits. For sure. All right, we'll see you guys next week.

Welcome. Welcome to the program. We've been talking about this forever. Yes.

But it's true, though. I was watching your episode with Sebastian Maniscalco of this show, and I love that episode. And the things that you guys were talking about, I found really relatable. You were talking about like your kid, you know, my daughter's just turned 10 and your kids are like almost six and nine. Yeah. And it's like talking about like, like missing any of it.

It's like, what's it fucking worth? Because it can just all go in a snap. It's like, we don't know. It's like that thing. It's like, we don't know if we're in the first act or the second act or the third act. We don't know if there's going to be a second half.

and it can happen young too you can just fucking oh I know it happens all the time I walk in across the street it's so horrible yeah that so that special is old man in the pool and then this one's called the good life and it similarly like it's about things that are like the unfunny part of life like it's about how my dad had a stroke like a year ago

And the first joke I found in it was like, it's been devastating, but if I'm being honest, it has calmed him down. And I was a kid, he'd be like, where are my goddamn keys? And now he's like, keys. It is more polite.

But it's been honestly digging into this thing of when I started writing this new hour, It was two years ago, and it was all about what can I teach my daughter? When you're a parent, sometimes you're like, I don't know anything. I max out at age seven. I'm killing it to age seven, and then after that, I'm like, eh, I don't know a lot of this.

But then when my dad had a stroke, it's like, oh, I started thinking about now I have to explain the big things to my daughter. And so that's what the show's all about. So similar in terms of the weightiness of...

Yeah. I'm Bob and Thomas. Yeah.

was funny it was like the i was at aspen comedy festival and the moth which is a storytelling series yeah they asked me and it was like burr and like gene garofalo lewis black handful of people to tell stories and they kind of like taught us how to tell a story and that kind of thing it was like 2003

It was a while ago, yeah. And I told this story. I'd never really told a proper, like, beginning Madeline story before on stage. And I told this story about how when I was in high school, I had my first girlfriend, and she told me not to tell anyone that she was my girlfriend. Because she... Because she had another boyfriend in another town or whatever. And so I'm like, okay.

Because it's your first girlfriend. You're like, okay, whatever it takes. You know what I mean? And then she invites me to meet her parents for the first time. And I go over to her house and we're hanging out. And then there's this other guy there. And I'm like slowly realizing, oh, that's the other guy. Stop. This chick's wild. It was wild. And I think she is, yeah.

But, so, and then at one point, so he, the guy, invites us to go to his house to hang out. And we, I go and I meet his parents and the punchline of it is like, it's very nerve wracking meeting your girlfriend's boyfriend's parents. It's like, you're angry, you're upset, but you also want to make a good impression. And so I told that on stage and like, at the Moth,

And then I had this thing where I was like, kind of similar to when I started doing stand-up in the late 90s after I saw Stephen Wright. I was like, oh, I should write jokes. You know what I mean? That's how I started doing stand-up. But that was the first time, 2003, where I was like, oh, I should tell stories. This is crazy.

The feeling in the room when you tell a story that the audience doesn't know which way to go. Yeah. It was such a rush. Yeah. I know. I started like writing a lot of stories. And then when I sleepwalked through a second story window, I was like, then it was like, oh, this is a show. And I started working with a director. This guy, Seth Barrett.

So this is old hat to me. Cause I wrote, you know, a show about it, you know, and then I wrote a book about it and made a movie, a movie with the Sundance. And it's called Sleepwalk With Me. I have a serious sleep disorder, which some people think is REM sleep behavior disorder, RBD.

And it got so bad when I didn't treat it that I jumped through the second story of a La Quinta Inn in Walla Walla, Washington. So that's true. I'm not, yeah.

And does the fall, is what wakes, like snaps you out of that? So I jumped through. So the dream was, and I jumped through the window, like the Hulk, like the Incredible Hulk.

Because it was the winter. Windows were closed. So I jumped, I had a dream. There was a guided missile headed towards my room. Jumped out of bed. People who have RBD sometimes act out their dreams in really extreme ways. So I jumped through the window, and then I landed on the front lawn, kept running.

And this is the part that I remember vividly where I'm running, and I'm slowly realizing I'm on the front lawn of La Quinta Inn in Walla Walla, Washington, in my underwear, bleeding.

bleeding yeah and i'm like oh no and in that and but then i realized it and at that moment i was relieved that i hadn't been hit by the missile right yeah yeah you're like oh fuck it's like your shit yeah yeah high action yeah uh which is great by the way your show is fantastic and you're I'm sure you probably hear this a lot. He's a great actor, too. He is. Thanks, man.

He is.

That's the part I didn't know. I always thought you were funny. I didn't know you could act and play nine parts.

Good job, Tom. So, yeah. So, I jumped through the window and lived to tell it. And then that show became a whole thing.

So here's what's crazy. There we go. There we go. There's a plaque that we sent them to put up on the wall, and it's there still.

awesome yeah you know it's funny there's a great follow-up to this which is uh yeah in this room january 26 2005 comedian mike verbiglia sleepwalked out the window uh that story became based the basis for a book and feature film sleepwalk with me seriously google it yeah yeah and so this winter on like the 20th year anniversary yeah that's that's i took those photos the night i jumped through the window

That's like the real serrated glass.

In a while. That's crazy. And so the 20-year anniversary, we took a camera crew back to Walla Walla, and I went to the hotel, talked to the guy from the front desk. Also, by the way... I interviewed the guy from the front desk. He's still there?

travel oh i know this is like no what we do completely shit oh 15 years yeah yeah so so so i went so i went back in january interviewed the guy from the front desk and i go did it is it how is it how you remember when i tell the story on this american life whatever is that how you remember it and he goes you weren't in your underwear that was it that's it yeah yeah

Because you weren't in your underwear. But it's funny how memory works. He goes, you were wearing a robe. I absolutely was not wearing a robe. I don't own a robe. There was not a robe at the hotel. Not at the La Quinta. It's not the Waldorf. But it's funny how memory works. But I interviewed all the people. I interviewed the doctor who put stitches in my legs.

at the hospital and uh i interviewed like there were people there were cops who were on the radio that night who were like oh yeah yeah they i this was on the radio they took they said there's an incident and this guy's at the hospital now Yeah.

How did you start to treat it? So for a period of time, I was taking, I still take Klonopin. I know. I don't love it. That's a knockout. I don't love it. I've been weaning myself off of it slowly, but it's a lot. And then for a long time, it sounds like a bit, but I slept in a sleeping bag and I wore mittens so I couldn't open the sleeping bag. That was something the doctor told me.

Yeah. Well, keeping you alive. Put mittens on.

Yeah.

Oh, 100%. So for a long time, I wouldn't stay on the second floor. That's the college I performed at that day. I performed at two colleges that day. It was, like, Whitman College and maybe, like, Cascadia College. I was on, like, this was, like, a period in my life where I had done NACA conferences, which are, like, these college booking conferences.

And I was doing like, I was doing, I don't know, 50, 100 colleges a year. So I'm like driving around and I'm like, you know, barely making enough money to get by. And like, and it was, and I was so sleep deprived.

So a lot of it was sleep deprivation. So like a big thing in my life now is like, get the sleep. Yeah.

Oh yeah.

No, It was a national one. It was a Pacific Northwest. That was from Pacific Northwest. So yeah, so that was how I started telling stories. So then you found you had a lane, kind of, right?

Yeah, it's weird. I did not mean to have a lane, but it ended up being that.

wait so after this were you like hey i stay on first floor only yeah for a long time probably right for a long time like my agent mike berkowitz would call and just be like mike is staying on the first floor and it was a secret like we weren't telling people because i didn't want people to think i was insane yeah of course and they'd be like why and he'd be like that's what mike berkley wants you know that's his writer yeah yeah that's hilarious

Yeah. Really? Yeah. But then at one point, an engineer explained to me that if you're staying in a good hotel, the glass, you literally couldn't jump through it. Yeah. Like, if you're staying at, like, a Westin or something, like, you couldn't jump through the window of the 10th floor. Like, that's, like, essentially it's the equivalent of, like, jumping into the wall. Right. Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

That's a different level of glass.

Yeah. But it's funny because you and I haven't crossed paths that much, but for years we have, because you tell stories too, like, we have a lot of people who are, like, I love Sakura. I love Birbiglia.

No, totally. And to me, it was. Because I grew up outside of Worcester, Massachusetts. I never went to Broadway.

I think maybe. Yeah.

Some of them, I think, are not. Yeah. But like, Patti LuPone came to Old Man and the Pool. And like, Nathan Lane presented my first show. So there's the people, a lot of the people I respect are really sweet.

So Nathan Lane had... And that's really, in some ways, why I had legitimacy in the theater world is Nathan Lane had a few of my comedy albums, like Two Drink Mike and I think my Secret Public Journal Live.

And he really liked this one story I tell from Secret Public Journal Live where I was in a, this is a true story, years ago I was in a celebrity golf tournament and I was paired up with this, for charity, and I was paired up with these two guys and my brother Joe, and these guys said to me, they go, who do you think our celebrity's gonna be? And I was like, oh, no, I think it might be me.

And then I'm apologizing to the guys. I'm so sorry. I'm your celebrity. If you think this is disappointing for you, you can't imagine how disappointing it is for me. And that was this painful hell gig story that Nathan really liked. And then he came to my show at Caroline's. And I was actually doing all the sleepwalking stuff.

and he was on broadway at the time he was in the david mamet play called november it was like 2007 2008 and he like loved the show he loved the sleepwalking show and he sent he like literally like sent me a note hey i love the show i was so nervous because i knew he was in the audience they told me at caroline's he's in the audience oh why do they tell you i know i shouldn't tell me

So I was so nervous. And then he didn't come back because he's shy in real life. And then I wrote him a note back. And then we had dinner. And then we became friends. And I said, would you ever consider presenting this show? I have this show called Sleepwalk with me. And he was like, sure. Like, and, and then he didn't, he ran for eight months off Broadway.

And so that was like, and so then like two shows later. So then there was a lot of talk at that point of like, maybe this show could go to Broadway and it didn't. And then I had another show called my girlfriend's boyfriend is off Broadway. That's on, I know it's not on Netflix, but it was for a while. And then, and, and they were like, maybe this could go to Broadway. It didn't.

But then the, I think it was, yeah, the new one. And then the old man in the pool ended up making it there. That's pretty amazing. It's weird. Yeah, it's amazing.

No, no, I know.

Yeah. No, and I think that's part of what hooked me into doing theaters at all was people listen.

Because I started out working the door at the Washington, D.C. Improv when I was in college in the late 90s. Yeah, it's the best. And I was like, oh, okay, like... Like, I could work clubs, and then I started working, like, funny bones and improvs out of school, and I was, like, opening for a ton of people. And then I opened for the first Comedy Central live tour.

I did, like, five or six of the dates. It was Mitch Hedberg, Louis Black, and Dave Attell. Yeah. Crazy.

Unbelievable lineup. And I did Philadelphia. I did D.C. I did New York City. Yeah. And I called, and I was like, people listen. People are listening to the jokes because they're not really drinking that much. They're seated. They're looking at you as opposed to looking away from you. So crazy. Watching the show like this? Yeah, yeah. And I literally call my agent.

I go like, dude, you gotta book me in theaters. And he was like, you don't have enough fans to fill a theater. And I was like, smaller theaters. You know what I mean? So like I, for a bunch of years there from like 2006 through 12, I was playing like 500 to like 900 seat theaters.

It was great. Yeah. And so that was like, yeah. Those are still really fun sizes. They're great.

Yeah. So that was like, yeah, that was a great part.

The business we work in is insane. So crazy.

I've done that one, yeah.

That was a wild card. I'm hoping for Angel Salazar there.

Check it out, Cleveland! I'm hoping for that millionth time! Check it out, check it out!

He kills. And his credit is still Scarface.

Shut that up. Oh, my God. Angel Salazar.

Nice guy. Yeah. And also, he kills. He kills. But it's so hard to explain to people sometimes that the business that we work in of comedy is so low class.

I was at the Comedy Cellar the other night. We're all trading stories at the table about when we worked for mobsters. You took a gun out when you're settling with them. And everyone had a different story of a different guy. And people think we're making this...

stuff up and it's like no no the fucking manager puts a gun on the table is like how much do I owe you like $400 he's like I think it's $300 you know and puts a fucking gun on the table these are real people yeah yeah yeah some of them are dead thankfully yeah some of them die it's good when they die yeah

Oh, that's interesting.

But I'm sure he had one. And you need a coat? Did you say no on the coat?

Yeah.

what do you what and donna just goes he's right and he goes all right he just changed the chat i was like dude dude i was just trying to i had a gig once i won't say where it was where but i can guess i get to the settlement and i'm like oh my god it's gonna be like three thousand dollars it's gonna be so much money i like packed this place and the booker just starts crying

I swear to God, I've never told this story, starts crying. And I was like, are you okay? She goes, we just don't have the money. I was like, how much money do you have? She was like, we have this much money. I go, that's fine, whatever. And then I just was like, okay, I'm not going back, but.

Yeah, yeah.

And we deal with it as comedians because we're so desperate. Yeah.

Yeah, when you're starting out, you just take anything.

Todd Glass told me the joke joke once. You know Todd? Yeah, of course. He told me the joke joke once of like, you know, the one that's, you just improvise what the beginning is and then it's, who books that? Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

I think Todd's just like, oh, I went to this place, it was West Virginia, and the person has one tooth, and you have to fuck the grandmother of the person, and then you have to sleep in a cabin in the woods, and it's got cockroaches on it, and then the other comic goes, who books that? Of course. I'd love that week. Of course. Yeah, I'd love that week.

Yes, La Quinta Inn.

Oh yeah.

I had to go somewhere. I was in Tulsa last year and it was a great show. That's a great comedy town. Yeah. I'm in an Uber from the airport and the woman who's driving goes, so there's right over there on our left. There was like a shootout yesterday. Yeah. And then she drives 20 more feet and goes, here's your hotel. Pretty cool.

Comedians stay at hotels where it's only comedians and sex workers at the hotels. Totally. That's where we stay.

Comedy condo. I don't even know if it's a thing anymore, though.

Oh, God.

Oh, God, you're right. I never even thought about that.

Which is 40 minutes from Kansas City.

Okay, yeah.

The guys who are the brothers?

The two brothers, those guys are wild. Wait, are they still alive?

Because those guys are wild.

We gotta get that guy in. He's good.

He's just such a... I remember that radio guy, too, in Kansas City. It was something like the wolf, the animal.

Yeah. Woody and the beaver. The beaver.

That's how we started doing that. You have to be deferent to this, like, essentially failed comedian. Yes. Right? Like, most of those radio guys who we used to go were people who couldn't hack it in comedy. They end up on the show. The show takes off in that market. And then they're real tough.

Are you moving tickets? No. Some of the places, weirdly, I think you are.

Back then.

Yeah. Yeah, the WWE guys in Pittsburgh. That was a big thing. And they were funny.

Some of them are funny. Bob and Tom was big. Move tickets.

Yes. Yes, they were good.

Preston and Steve's great in Philly. That's still great.

Yeah, some of them are great.

They were fun to do. Shredding Regan in Buffalo, and they were funny. They were fun.

The funny thing about... I started in D.C. at a club at the door and... The funny thing when you're starting out is there's a lot of hacks. Like who are the opening acts? And I was an opening act, but like the other comics, and they're crushing. The hacks are basically doing like 10 people's act. Or a mashup of a bunch of people's jokes. And local references too. And I was so young.

I was like 22 years old. I didn't know what it meant to be a hack. I was writing my own jokes, performing the jokes. And like I would open for people and they would go, you're gonna go far in this business. Like I would open for, I remember opening for this guy, he goes, in like West Virginia, he was like, you're gonna go far. I go, why? He goes, you write your jokes. I go, doesn't everybody?

He goes, nah. And then I would, people in DC, I'm not gonna name names, but there would be people who crush, crush at the club. And I'm like, they're gonna be huge. And then like Dave Chappelle would come a week later and I'd be like, oh, he's doing his act. Or like a week, yeah, a week after Dave Chappelle comes, like there's three comics doing his jokes locally. That's nuts. That's wild.

It was wild, like I didn't even understand it.

Oh, my God. They're just, yeah, they're staring at you.

No!

Well, you and I have this thing in common. You and I have this thing in common. I was watching that great clip of your mom watching your TV show. Oh, yeah. Your Netflix series is super funny. You and I have this thing in common, which is like, that's my dad with my comedy. Yeah. Like, my dad just doesn't get it. You know, he'll just be like... maybe stay away from the personal stuff.

I'm like, that's sort of what we're doing here. And when I started out working the door at the improv when I was in college, my dad was so furious. He goes, you're working at a comedy club? My dad would fly off the handle. And I go, yeah. He goes, what do they do, strip? I'm like, no, they perform comedy. He's like, well, that's not your priority. He would go nuts.

And so for years, you know, when I did the Broadway show, my first Broadway show, that was the first time where my dad was like, oh, okay. Like, this is a pretty, you're on the fucking marquee. Yeah. It's crazy. But it is weird, like, when your parents, I actually think it's kind of good when your parents don't really get what you do. A thousand percent. Yeah. It's kind of great.

Like, it's kind of refreshing to see your mom be like, no, no. Yeah. Yeah. Hates it.

My dad had that at one point. He brought, my dad was a doctor. My joke in the special, I go, my dad was a doctor when I was a kid. He got his law degree and I go, that's how much he didn't want to be a dad. He was like, what can I do in these slots of time when I would be parenting? But like, One time he brought a bunch of nurses from the hospital, and they were kind of wild.

They brought a party bus with a stripper pole, and they were dancing and drunk. They were the worst audience members, but it was oddly kind of satisfying that my dad looked cool at work. Yeah. That was like... Wait, is he really a doctor and a lawyer? He is... Well, he had a stroke, so he's not practicing anymore, although he could, but the poor patients. Yeah, yeah. He's like, what day is it?

They're like, this is really important to me. But no, he got his law degree in his free time when I was a kid. What? He didn't practice law, but he was... Just to entertain himself? He was a super smart guy.

My mom's great. My mom is honestly super religious. I talk a lot in the special about how I got... I met the Pope last year, and that was a big, big deal. Were you one of the comics? There's a bunch of comics.

I didn't get to hear about it. It was like Chris Rock and Stephen Colbert and Whoopi Goldberg and Gaffigan, Conan. I didn't get a call either, but that's cool.

I feel like they would have flagged some of your content.

I feel like you could hear Rock going, you're the Pope, right? Rock said the funniest thing. We're walking down the hallway, and it's unbelievable. Yeah, there I am. That photo's in my parents' living room.

I said, I held up, okay, so there was a sheet on my seat and it said Birbiglia, Mike Birbiglia. And I walked up and I held it up and his last name before he died was Bergoglio. And I go, I am Birbilia. You are the Birgolio. I'm the next pope. I don't think he understood, but he sort of smiled. I was clearly doing a bit. It was fun. Yeah.

But it was great for my, I mean, that was like a big deal for my parents because I was raised, my mom was like very Catholic. Yeah. You know, grew up in Buffalo and, you know, went to Latin Mass when she was a kid. Latin Mass?

Oh, that's. Like not even in English.

That's serious.

yeah so yeah there's Conan and what did you say Rock said oh yeah I was walking down the hall like that hallway actually it was Rock and I go I go what do you think of all this and he looks around at like these ornate ceilings and walls and he goes well it's not a union job it was a great joke that's great

Yeah.

Well, I think in our... The three of us, in our career span, comedy went from being kind of a dirtbag, kind of nightclub sport, to being like pop culture. The Pope was inviting us. A little bit of propaganda. He's giving a speech, comedy is important at this moment in time. It brings people together and all this stuff.

What he's really trying to do is say, it's cool to be pious and care about things and connect people. Yeah. And it was good. It was a good speech. I mean, it really was like, and he gave us these rosary beads that he blessed. And so I brought them home to my parents and like, you know, she loved that.

Yeah, it's a strange turn. Because I was an altar boy as a kid and all that. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. My joke in the special is, and the answer is no. I think because they knew I was a talker. Yeah, but... But, like, but, yeah, no, so I was very, like, that was one of the only things I ever truly studied in my life, and it was Catholicism when I was a kid.

In Ohio?

Well, that was the whole thing. I'm so much the opposite of my parents. I was indoctrinated as a kid. And then with my daughter, who's 10, we've never taken her to church, ever. I haven't told her almost anything. We go to the Vatican. She's like, Dad, who's Jesus? I'm like, oh, wow.

I've really done some oversight, overlooked some big things. Because she knows about the Greek gods and the Roman gods and the Norse gods. And I just didn't say anything about Jesus. So I'm just doing this crash course on Jesus. He's this guy. He's a big deal. He's a big deal. People think he's God and son of God.

Yeah.

It's interesting. I heard this theory, which is a majority of what your kids learn isn't from their parents. It's from their friends' parents. Oh, wow. Ever heard that concept? That's terrifying. Because the kids tune out their own parents. Yeah. But then other adults are like, all right, maybe.

Do you guys ever have like big picture conversations? Yes, Mike Birbiglia.

Yeah. I like that you got... The thing I envy about you guys living in Texas is you got outdoors. Yeah. Kids can run around. They do. Brooklyn. We live in Brooklyn. They can't really run around.

That's fine.

You think so?

You grew up in Canada, right?

I did a joke years ago where I was like, girls, when they're little, girls are just like, would you like to have a tea party? And boys are like, now what? You know what I mean? It's such a distinct dichotomy. Tea party? They can't even sit still. Would you like to have a tea party? No, I went to her first swim meet last week, and it was just like, great.

But it's funny because I have a joke in the special where I say I went to her... My wife and I went to her ballet recital and we're just crying and crying because she doesn't have it. We spent thousands of dollars on the lessons and hundreds of hours of going to rehearsal. She's not going to pro. But I'm going to have to show her that just to be like, the joke is this. You know what I mean?

It's not...

my status in our house would change forever. It's all they care about. Mikey Day, to my daughter, is what Steve Martin was to me. You know what I mean? He is the icon of show business.

Yeah, so you got on.

Is that Sam Morrill? Yeah.

Yeah.

It's very hard. The thing that was a big deal in my daughter's world is that I was in the Taylor Swift video for the music video Antihero. What? Wow. Yeah, so I played her son in a dystopic future. Like, what would be a nightmare if this became my son who wanted all my money? Wow. That's cool. Yeah, that's me with a wig. How did you get that? Yeah.

I met her around the time she was writing that song because in my, you know, the old man in the pool, the song that plays at the beginning is by this group called Redhurst. That's one of the people in that group is Jack Antonoff, who's like one of my best friends. And he produces a ton of stuff with Taylor. Wow. So we met at the we we met around the time and she was conceiving of this video.

And then one day she texted me and was like, hey, would you do this?

Yeah, it is, right? Yeah, it was crazy. So that's like, for my daughter, that's like hands down number one thing.

We have the Pope in Taylor Swift.

You did?

That met life. It was amazing. That's like best concert I've ever been to.

That's Jack on the back left.

Yeah, she is so talented. No, it's crazy. That show is a feat of, you know, it's like a marathon. It's like a three and a half hour, four hour show. It's crazy. It's unbelievable.

Yeah.

No, except for those 15 songs that are undeniable. Yeah.

So the beginning of it is I'm walking with my daughter home from school and we see like a smoke shop called The Good Life. And she's like, Dad, what's The Good Life? And I'm like, I don't even know. It's not what I'm doing. And then I'm trying to explain drugs and sex and all these things that are like religion, big things. And then I kind of go into a lot of flashbacks about my dad.

And then in the middle of all that, my dad has a stroke. And I'm kind of coming to grips with the fact that like,

you know my dad like we had a stilted relationship for like i would say most of my life and it's weirdly only now like in his final phase of life where like i'm starting like i said like it has calmed him down the stroke it has like he used to shout so much it wouldn't be every day but it would be enough that you'd be like on edge like is it gonna happen today yeah

you know the joke i say in the show that he'd be like where are my goddamn keys and we'd all be like we gotta find dad's keys like i spent my whole life looking for those keys i go i jumped through a window to find those keys and uh but like that was my you know that was a lot of it and then and then i was you know now that my dad is dying like in the final phase of life like

you really do realize he's just a person, and he was probably doing his best, and we're all doing our best, you know what I mean? It is like seeing your parent in that stage puts us so much in perspective.

Good looking folks. I'll see my dad like picking up like a cup or something and like, and I'll just be like, that's sort of like me. Like you just see, you go, Oh yeah, he's a human struggling with this thing. And that kind of reminds me of my own physicality. Even is he close to you now? Like, does he live in New York also? No, he lives in Rhode Island.

So I'm going home like every few weeks on a train. And, uh, That's where my brother and sister live. Oh, they live there? Yeah, which is hard for them. It's hard for my mom. It's just hard. The way America deals, the healthcare system deals with end-of-life stuff is not good. There's this book Atel Gwande wrote called Being Mortal. You ever read that? It's really good, but it's all about...

how he kind of opens by saying like, in like India gets a lot of things wrong in medicine, but like the thing they get right is like end of life. Cause they treat it like it's special. And like, essentially you're like letting someone go. And like in America, we're like,

we need to prop him up and put him on stilts and shock his body and all this shit just to keep someone alive but like barely alive and so much of their body doesn't work you can't walk you can't stand it's like so many things that are brutal doesn't remember what happened in the last year it's a really hard thing so hard yeah

A condo.

We don't have, because communities don't have insurance. No. No. We don't have loved ones. We don't love, we don't love anyone. We're not loved.

No, no, no, no, no, no. That's not how it works. That's not how it works. Let's get my dad on the phone. He can explain.

can he talk he can talk yeah so i talked like i basically end up talking to him about it just asking questions about his childhood i grew up in bushwick in the 1940s and and it's just like you realize or i've realized through this thing of like of like oh i didn't ask my dad enough questions

Yeah. Like, I just didn't. I should have just let him go.

Really?

okay next question like do you regret leaving your mom like my mom no not really like there's no cognition we gotta get you on working it out we're gonna work this into a bit have you done that as a bit because it's so funny like my my podcast working out literally the whole premise is people come on and we talk about stories it's like how could that be a bit we gotta i want to do this yeah come on let's do it come on in new york

Oh, my God. I was like, what? He fought in the war?

72 years old.

Yeah.

Yeah, and then with my dad, 10, 20 years ago, I would get in the weeds of arguing with him about politics or whatever, and it's like, who cares? It doesn't matter. This is not important what your politics and my politics are. What matters is that there's a human connection. I don't know. That's my lesson of my 20s and 30s was like, don't talk about stuff like that with your parents.

Just ask them about themselves. Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, there's this moment, especially where I talk about arguing with my dad about something and I go, I realized my whole life I sort of wanted to be my dad and at a certain point I had decided I wanted him to be me. Oh, wow. Isn't that true? I feel like I've just realized that. That's true. That's a big one.

Yeah. Right. And who cares?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, and also we're fucking up as parents. We're fucking up in ways that we do not understand yet. We don't yet. Fuck. And we're just going to find out.

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Yeah. My mom would say, I'm not going to do drugs. Fuck drugs.

I think so, yeah. I think the next thing I'm going to do is that I'm writing a movie right now. Awesome. The last movie was called Don't Think Twice, and that's available, I don't know, wherever movies are. That was about like a group of people in an improv group where someone gets cast on like Saturday Night Live type show and then everyone else doesn't.

And it's sort of about what happens in friendships when that happens. Oh, yeah. That's called Don't Think Twice.

Oh, you saw the movie? Yeah, so I'm writing the next movie right now. Yeah, thanks for having me on, you guys. Thanks for coming, man. This is awesome. Congrats on the special. This is a long time coming. We'll bring you to New York. We're working it out. Love to. Work out some bits. For sure. All right, we'll see you guys next week.