Ep 297: Speaking as a Comedian, with Lou Perez

Episode • Oct 21, 2022 • 44m

In this episode, Doug Stuart chats with Lou Perez, speaking as a comedian, about his new book, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore: On the Death and Rebirth of Comedy. Perez offers a "behind-the-scenes" of the creative journey for his new book, as well as experiences in the life of professional comedy - especially in today's highly charged and political climate.

Lou Perez was the Head Writer and Producer of the Webby Award-winning comedy channel, We the Internet TV. During his tenure at WTI, he made the kind of comedy that gets you put on lists and your words in the Wall Street Journal: "How I Became a 'Far-Right Radical.'" In addition to producing sketch comedy, stand-up, and opinion writing, he's also host The Lou Perez Podcast.

Perez details some of the back story to his book. He remarks about how his publisher gave him complete creative freedom to "write the book you want." Perez saw this is a unique opportunity to write about things important to him and the problems he saw brewing about community. He also commented about his experience in 2020 and 2021 when several big names in comedy passed away and the effect that had on him.

Don't miss all this and more in our latest episode.

Main Points of Discussion:

00:00 Introduction

03:25 Perez's intrigue with the connection between anarchism and Christianity

05:54 What was the purpose of writing That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

09:35 Creative, Editing, and Publication process

14:25 The mutual respect and community among fellow comedians.

17:26 What's it like to "bomb" a show?

20:40 What's going wrong with comedy today?

23:46 At what point do you old back from? (Dark humor)

32:51 Is Donald Trump funny?

34:45 Do your kids understand your humor?