7 chapters across the catalog
Canadian Comedians, National Pride and Cultural Identity
A lighthearted debate over Canadian culture focuses on the country's high output of successful comedians, including Norm Macdonald, Martin Short, and Eugene Levy. The hosts credit Donald Trump with inadvertently reigniting Canadian national pride through his provocative rhetoric.
Ukraine Election, Volodymyr Zelensky Victory
Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky won a landslide victory in the Ukrainian presidential election, defeating incumbent Petro Poroshenko. The hosts discuss how Zelensky's campaign utilized social media and his TV persona as a fictional president to secure the win.
Volodymyr Zelensky Ukraine Election Lead, Comedians in Politics
Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky takes a significant lead in the first round of the Ukrainian presidential election against incumbent Petro Poroshenko. The hosts compare his rise to Beppe Grillo in Italy, noting that comedians often gain traction by speaking "hard truths" in an amusing way. They debate whether a background in entertainment provides sufficient executive experience to lead a nation.
Comedians and Accents, Bill Burr and Jim Jefferies
A discussion on the trend of foreign comedians like Jim Jefferies, John Oliver, and Trevor Noah hosting American political shows highlights a perceived bias. Comedian Bill Burr's appearance on Jefferies' show is used to illustrate the hosts' theory that Americans are more receptive to criticism when delivered with a foreign accent.
The hosts discuss the death of British comedian Tommy Cooper, who suffered a massive heart attack on live television in 1984. They describe the tragic nature of the event, where the audience continued to laugh for several minutes, believing his collapse was part of his comedy routine.
Wendell Potter, Deadly Spin, State Department Comedy Tour
Adam Curry discusses meeting Wendell Potter, the former Cigna executive and author of "Deadly Spin," who spoke before him at the Cusp Conference. Potter's work regarding the "sickness industry" previously inspired Curry to investigate pharmaceutical company PowerPoint presentations and vaccine marketing strategies. Curry also mentions meeting Indian comedians who were part of a controversial $180,000 State Department-funded tour of India.
Brighton Charity Party and Kevin the Comedian
A charity event in Brighton hosted by David Hill of E3 Entertainment featured cruise-line style entertainment and a "gay capital" atmosphere. The gathering included "Super Agent" Keith Bishop and various colorful British personalities. A comedian named Kevin led a social experiment where an entire table laughed on cue to appear as the most interesting group in the room.
