#2192 - Raanan Hershberg

At a Glance

• Cold Showers for Awakening - “You never realize how not present you are until you take a cold plunge and then you’re right now. I’m in the world right now.” This highlights the invigorating effects of cold showers on mental alertness and presence.

• Importance of Recording Sets - “He was like the first comic recording of sets, he was just a smart dude and he just figured out that you got to do that.” Emphasizes the significance of recording comedy sets for improvement and development.

• Advice for Comedians - “Advice as long as it’s not rigid is really good because you really can’t tell people how to do things.” Discusses the subjective nature of advice in comedy and the importance of individualized approaches.

• Memory Room Movie - “It’s a movie I made with my brilliant co-director, Dan McCabe.” Introduces the movie “Memory Room” and the process of creating and filming a thriller.

• Cold Plunges and Cold Showers - “It’s hard to breathe, too. I used to do them for a while, though.” Highlights the physical and mental challenges of cold showers and the benefits of cold plunges for awakening and alertness.

What to Do

• ‘Write a lot, listen to your recordings’ - This advice emphasizes the importance of practicing and self-reflection in order to improve as a comedian.

• ‘Be who you are now’ - This advice encourages embracing personal growth and accepting oneself in the present moment.

• ‘Drugs only enhance who you are at your core’ - This perspective highlights the idea that substances can amplify one’s true nature, whether positive or negative.

• ‘Learn from the greats and study their work’ - By studying the performances of legendary comedians like Lenny Bruce, one can gain valuable insights and inspiration for their own craft.

What to Get

• Hitler: Ascent: 1889-1939 by Volker Ullrich - Amazon - Kept on one of the speaker’s bookshelves for reading and research purposes.

• Books by Dr. Michael Baden - Amazon - Dr. Michael Baden, mentioned for examining autopsy results related to a specific case.

• Cold Plunge - Amazon - Used for cold plunge therapy.

Summary

In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the importance of authenticity and emotion in comedy. They emphasize the need for comedians to truly care about the material they are presenting, as the audience can tell when the performer is not invested in their own jokes. The conversation delves into the process of developing comedy material, highlighting the importance of taking risks and allowing jokes to evolve naturally over time. The hosts also touch on the idea that comedy is a constantly changing and evolving art form, and that rigidness in performance can hinder the growth and success of a comedian.

The hosts use examples from well-known comedians like Bill Burr to illustrate the power of staying true to oneself on stage. They discuss how Burr’s ability to maintain his anger and authenticity in his performances sets him apart as a comedic talent. The conversation also touches on the challenges of developing new material and the importance of being willing to let go of jokes that no longer resonate with the performer.

Overall, the episode provides insights into the creative process of comedy and the importance of staying true to one’s voice as a comedian. It emphasizes the need for performers to constantly evaluate and refine their material, while also maintaining a sense of authenticity and emotional connection with their audience.