Joe Rogan Experience #1778 - Joey Diaz

Episode Summary

Main Topics

Joey Diaz joins Joe Rogan to discuss his recent move back to New Jersey, contrasting it with his long tenure in Los Angeles and the deep impact of The Comedy Store on his career. The conversation spans the physical demands of aging and combat sports, including Joey's knee replacement and Joe's knee strengthening regimen, alongside a rich exploration of legendary comedians like Richard Pryor and Andrew Dice Clay. They also delve into current societal issues, from the mental health toll of the pandemic and political polarization to the complexities of modern privacy, technology, and the evolving landscape of entertainment and legal gambling.

Key Discussion Points

• The Enduring Legacy of The Comedy Store: Joey reflects on his profound connection to The Comedy Store, describing Mitzi Shore as a genius who cultivated an unparalleled environment. He emphasizes how invaluable the experience of hosting open mic nights and following comics like Paul Mooney was for developing his unique stage persona, moving past simply imitating others. Joey details his emotional final visit to the closed LA venue, while Joe reminisces about seeing comedians like Chris Rock work out material for 30 people at 1 AM.
• Navigating Aging and Physical Well-being: Joey shares the brutal reality of his knee replacement surgery, humorously recalling mallets and epidurals, and his subsequent decision to pursue PRP for his other knee. Joe, in turn, highly recommends Ben Patrick's "Knees Over Toes Guy" program, specifically highlighting the benefits of pulling a sled backwards for knee strength. They touch on Ron White's improved health since quitting alcohol and discuss the intense physical demands faced by long-term athletes and fighters.
• Comedy Legends and Inspirations: The hosts celebrate the raw genius of Richard Pryor, with Joey recalling listening to his albums like "This Something I Said" as a kid and Joe describing the transformative experience of seeing "Live on the Sunset Strip" in a movie theater. They extensively discuss Andrew Dice Clay's unique stage presence, including his "not talking" sets and how he influenced Joey. Joey reveals he rented a VCR in a halfway house to show Dice's specials to inmates on New Year's Eve, initially feeling Dice stole his jokes.
• The Perils and Progress of Travel and Modern Society: Both recount tense and bizarre incidents on airplanes, from a dispute over overhead bin space to Joey's confrontations with other passengers, including one involving a German man and a cell phone on the runway, and another where he was weeded in Columbus. They discuss the heightened tension in society post-pandemic, attributing it to mental health issues and constant global stressors. The duo also criticizes GoFundMe's initial attempt to redirect Canadian truckers' donations and the lack of government promotion for exercise during the pandemic.
• The Evolving Entertainment and Gambling Landscape: Joe shares his awe at seeing The Rolling Stones live in Austin, praising Mick Jagger's extraordinary fitness and professionalism, referencing their 2016 Cuba concert from the *Olé Olé Olé* documentary. They also touch on the shift from movie theaters to streaming, the financial models of cinemas, and the rapid legalization of online sports gambling. Joey vividly describes the "crucifixion" cycle of a degenerate gambler and laments the demise of traditional bookies, while Joe highlights the massive tax revenue generated by states legalizing online betting.

Notable Moments

• Interesting Story/Anecdote: Joey recounts working at a comedy club in Westminister, Colorado, where he started as a doorman, then sound guy, then bar-back, only to be fired when the owner discovered he was doing stand-up at a rival club on Tuesdays. This led to a mentor taking a liking to him and getting him road gigs.
• Surprising Fact/Revelation: Joey reveals that he was influenced to respect the stage and the craft of comedy from watching a Stephen Wright special. However, he was surprised and disappointed that Wright repeated the exact same jokes when Joey saw him again, leading Joey to vow never to repeat material in his own career.
• Memorable Exchange: Joe and Joey discuss the 1976 Clint Eastwood film *The Outlaw Josey Wales*, specifically the "Ten Bears" scene. Joey describes it as a "masterpiece" and watches it monthly to stay focused, emphasizing the "iron in your words of life and death" as a profound communication lesson.

Key Takeaways

This episode offers a candid, sprawling look into the minds of two seasoned entertainers, highlighting the passion and struggle inherent in a career dedicated to comedy. Listeners gain intimate insights into the unique culture of The Comedy Store and the personal journeys of self-discovery, resilience, and adaptation. Beyond entertainment, the discussion underscores broader societal shifts, from evolving physical health challenges to the double-edged sword of modern technology and societal polarization, emphasizing the importance of genuine connection and critical thinking in a rapidly changing world.