Joe Rogan Experience #366 - Bobcat Goldthwait

Episode Summary

Main Topics

This episode features Bobcat Goldthwait discussing his new Bigfoot horror film, "Willow Creek," and his deep personal fascination with the cryptid, leading to a humorous debate with Joe Rogan about the Patterson-Gimlin footage. Goldthwait reflects on his unique career trajectory, from his destructive early comedy persona in the aggressive Boston scene to his current focus on directing and independent filmmaking, emphasizing artistic integrity over mainstream success. He shares wild anecdotes, including performing at the Gathering of the Juggalos and his recent experience with Dilaudid following back surgery, offering a candid look into his life and creative philosophy.

Key Discussion Points

• Bigfoot and "Willow Creek": Bobcat Goldthwait details his lifelong obsession with Bigfoot, which inspired his horror film "Willow Creek." He recounts his extensive research trip to famous Bigfoot sighting locations in the Pacific Northwest, including Willow Creek itself, to ensure authenticity. He highlights his film's non-mocking approach to believers and shares experiences of unusual phenomena and close encounters with mountain lions during filming, while Joe Rogan discusses his own Bigfoot investigation for his show, "Joe Rogan Questions Everything," noting strange tree formations and unexplained snapped trees.
• The Patterson-Gimlin Footage Debate: A lively and contentious debate unfolds between Joe Rogan and Bobcat Goldthwait regarding the authenticity of the iconic Patterson-Gimlin Bigfoot footage. Rogan adamantly dismisses it as a "stupid outfit" worn by Bob Heironimus, pointing to the gait and lack of clear definition due to blurriness. Goldthwait, conversely, argues for its realism, emphasizing the unreplicable nature of the suit's movement and musculature at the time, particularly questioning the presence of "breasts" on the creature as an unlikely detail for a hoaxer.
• The Wild Boston Comedy Scene of the 80s: Goldthwait offers a vivid portrayal of the raw, aggressive, and often violent atmosphere of the early 1980s Boston comedy scene, which spawned unique voices like Lenny Clark, Dennis Leary, and Steven Wright. He shares extraordinary tales, such as doing cocaine with police officers at the Ding Ho comedy club, instances of comedians breaking arms over joke theft, and his notorious performance where he gutted a rancid fish on stage, causing a woman in the audience to vomit, to the amusement of the club owner.
• Artistic Freedom vs. Mainstream Success: Bobcat reflects on his deliberate choice to distance himself from the "crazy persona" that brought him early fame in Hollywood, particularly after "Police Academy" and setting the "Tonight Show" chair on fire. He explains that the pressure of mainstream success was terrifying and led to self-destructive behavior. He now champions artistic freedom, directing projects for figures like Jimmy Kimmel and Patton Oswalt, and advises others to "quit as often as possible" until they find work they genuinely love.
• Gathering of the Juggalos Experience: Goldthwait recounts a chaotic and memorable experience performing at the Gathering of the Juggalos. He describes a lawless environment where fires were commonplace and his opening act, Upchuck the Clown, was punched and later concussed by a thrown can of Faygo soda. Bobcat found himself steering a runaway golf cart while Upchuck was incapacitated and was paid for his performance in a plastic trash bag filled with twenty-dollar bills, highlighting the unique and intense community culture.

Notable Moments

• Interesting Story/Anecdote: Bobcat tells a humorous and slightly disturbing story about his daughter, a film costumer, who found herself trapped in Russell Brand's dressing room toilet after an unexpected bout of diarrhea. Goldthwait advised her via text to open the door and declare, "Hi Russell Brand, I just had to change my tampon. Shark Week," a tactic he admits was partly to prevent Brand from trying to "screw her."
• Surprising Fact/Revelation: Bobcat reveals he maintained sobriety from alcohol and drugs since age 19, breaking it only recently due to a prescription for Dilaudid after back surgery. He describes the powerful, "right after that and before regret" feeling of the opiate. His wife, affectionately called "the '09," eventually cut off his medication when she found him crying while watching Lifetime movies, concluding he was no longer the man she married.
• Memorable Exchange: During his time directing "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Bobcat was told by Nickelback's manager not to film lead singer Chad Kroeger in profile due to his nose. Annoyed by the demand, Goldthwait secretly orchestrated a montage of Kroeger's nose from multiple camera angles as the show went off the air, a "tribute" that resulted in a silent control room and the segment being censored from the West Coast broadcast.

Key Takeaways

The episode underlines the importance of pursuing one's authentic artistic vision, even if it means foregoing conventional paths to success, as exemplified by Bobcat Goldthwait's career evolution. It highlights how creativity often springs from personal challenges and unconventional experiences, fostering resilience and a unique perspective. The discussion also explores the complexities of belief and skepticism, particularly regarding phenomena like Bigfoot, showcasing the diverse ways individuals interpret evidence and maintain conviction. Ultimately, the conversation advocates for finding genuine joy and satisfaction in creative endeavors, irrespective of external validation or societal expectations.