Topic: Comedy

Practical steps for increasing happiness include setting challenges, joining a singing choir, and engaging in new hobbies to stretch oneself. These activities are particularly recommended for men going through difficult transitions like divorce to help shift their internal state. The "High Value Man way" is described as a transformation where shifting one's own mindset changes how the world and other people react in return.

The hosts discuss the television show Abandoned Towns before transitioning to Jimmy Carr's program, LOL: Last One Laughing. They describe the show's premise, where comedians like Bob Mortimer and Daisy May Cooper must avoid laughing while trying to make others crack. They analyze the creative difficulty of making professional comedians laugh.

Glen Ocsko shares a story about being unexpectedly pulled on stage for an open mic set at a singles comedy night. He describes the adrenaline of getting an audience to laugh and his newfound respect for the craft. Jonnie Jensen recommends Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee as a resource for understanding the art of comedy.

The hosts discuss the ethics of comedy, emphasizing the rule of "punching up" rather than "punching down" when making jokes about sensitive topics like health or disability. They transition into a critique of the current state of the UK healthcare system, noting the difficulty of securing GP appointments. A neighbor's claim about doctors receiving £10 per COVID-19 vaccination is mentioned as a source of local frustration.

The discussion shifts to the British comedy series White Gold, which follows double glazing salesmen in the 1980s. The hosts compare the show's humor to The Inbetweeners and reminisce about the culture of the 80s motor trade and the lifestyle of their parents' generation. They observe that their parents were likely the first generation with significant disposable income for hobbies like car racing.

Jonnie introduces Glenn to the Derek and Clive live albums recorded by comedians Dudley Moore and Peter Cook in the late 1970s. Described as edgy, profane, and un-PC, the albums feature the duo improvising while seemingly intoxicated. Glenn agrees to listen to the material as "homework" for a future discussion, while the hosts acknowledge the cultural weight of the "C-word" in different regions.

The group reflects on how societal standards have evolved since the 1970s and 80s, when racist and sexist jokes were common on television. Joe, drawing on her experience interviewing offenders, explains that rapists often begin with a pattern of lower-level predatory behaviors like luring and inappropriate comments. They stress the importance of breaking these patterns early through education and social pressure.

The hosts critique the current format of Comic Relief, arguing that the broadcast has become too focused on "sad children" and guilt-based appeals rather than the comedy that defined its early years. While they acknowledge that British stand-up comedy is currently in a "rich vein," they feel the televised event is outdated. Suggestions are made to modernize the fundraiser using TikTok or NFTs.

The hosts discuss the release of Coming 2 America on Amazon Prime, expressing concern that Eddie Murphy may struggle to recreate the magic of the 1988 original. They reflect on Murphy's high-energy performance in the 80s and the cultural impact of the first film. One host questions if the original movie is appropriate to watch with his children due to sexual innuendo.

Introducing children to the 1990s prank show Trigger Happy TV, starring Dom Joly, proved successful as the kids enjoyed the "big phone" sketches. The hosts discuss the satisfaction of seeing their own sense of humor translate to the next generation through shared media.

A PBS documentary about Richard Pryor serves as a starting point to discuss his status as a "comedian's comedian" who influenced stars like Eddie Murphy. The conversation touches on Pryor's difficult upbringing in Illinois and his subsequent struggles with drug addiction and personal trauma.

John Davis recounts his transition into comedy after being a "big intimidating character" at Renaissance festivals, eventually creating the "Hack and Slash" comedy sword fighting show. The act performed over 100 shows for troops on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the Anbar province, as part of USO tours.

The final "F" of Davis's framework is flexibility, which involves viewing obstacles as part of the process rather than reasons to quit. He applies this to divorce, suggesting that people should reframe a former spouse as "the love of that chapter" rather than "the love of their life" to allow for a new "comedy" chapter to begin.

The hosts provide entertainment recommendations for the weekend, highlighting the American baseball comedy Brockmire and the Greg Davies sitcom Man Down. They describe Brockmire as a hilarious look at a commentator's breakdown, while Man Down is praised for its surreal humor and cast. These suggestions are framed as "positive media" to help listeners avoid negative news cycles.

A discussion of 70s and 80s comedy highlights the careers of Jon Belushi, Richard Pryor, and Dudley Moore, noting how their work serves as a commentary on the social standards of their era. A recent documentary about Jon Belushi on Sky/Virgin prompts a comparison between Belushi’s anarchistic genius and Jerry Seinfeld’s professional, modern approach to comedy. The host reflects on Belushi's quote about preferring anarchy over professionalism and questions if such a persona can succeed in the modern world.