Adam Friedland on why comedians should focus on being funny, not becoming 'modern-day philosophers'
Friedland sat down with Fox News Digital and broke down why he believes comedians shouldn't be looked at as "modern-day philosophers" as they sometimes are, and why taking yourself too seriously as a comedian may not be the right move if your focus in life is to make people laugh.
The 38-year-old comedian hosts a weekly talk show where he interviews a wide range of guests — from politicians like California Rep. Ro Khanna and disgraced former Congressman Anthony Weiner, to former NBA star Blake Griffin and the Nelk Boys' Aaron Steinberg.
Regardless of who you are or what you do, one thing you can count on when you go on Friedland's show is that he will test your wit and ask you uncomfortable questions.
For example, when interviewing Anthony Weiner, the comedian did not shy away from addressing the elephant in the room.
"You haven't seen the documentary, right? About your run for, I mean, I imagine that would be like f-----g stressful as f--- for you to watch it," he asked, referencing the 2016 documentary "Weiner" that depicted the former congressman's disastrous 2013 bid for New York City mayor. Like his stint in Congress, his run was blown up by a sexting scandal that made him a national punchline.
"I'll say this, as a person that just watched it, it's incredible," he told Weiner.
Friedland's never-ending bits typically fly over the heads of the unsuspecting celebrities or politicians on the show, making for hilariously awkward interactions.
Fox News Digital asked Friedland whether he believes guests like Weiner are aware that they are submitting to be put in uncomfortable positions like this before coming on his show.
"Probably. Anthony Weiner is running for city council now so he's trying to relaunch a campaign. I think sometimes a lot of guests don't really know what to make of me, which is fun," he replied. "It makes a fun show."
Since Friedland's interview with Fox, Weiner lost his city council bid.
It is becoming more commonplace to see prominent politicians like President Donald Trump and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., making appearances on comedians' podcasts. The line between political media and comedy podcasts can sometimes seem blurry.
While Friedland admits that he's always been interested in politics and occasionally hosts politicians on his show, he's upfront with the fact that his main objective is to "just do what's funny," and not take himself too seriously.
"I guess comedy is having a good moment right now. I don't think it should be one or the other though. I think we should have the media. I do jokes on stage about Tinder and stuff. I don't think that makes me into Wolf Blitzer," he joked.
The comedian noted that nowadays, comedians are sometimes "looked to as authorities in a way" in which they are not.
"I try to kind of be mindful of that, I guess, when I'm doing my talk show." He joked, "Because I am kind of, effectively, I am an idiot."
One of Friedland's favorite comics growing up, Norm Macdonald, had similar feelings about comedians being looked at as sage-like figures.
"You know, Norm Macdonald had a quote once that said that people say comedians are like modern-day philosophers, and that's really insulting to modern-day philosophers. And I think I would probably agree with that," he concurred.
Growing up, Friedland's favorite comedians were the type of people whose main objective was simply humor, and never aspired to be looked at as "modern-day philosophers." They also include comedy icons like Louis C.K., Kat Williams and Conan O'Brien, whom Friedland credits with inspiring the loose and "silly" atmosphere on his show.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Wilmer Valderrama welcomes second baby with fiancee Amanda Pacheco
Wilmer Valderrama has welcomed a new baby with Amanda Pacheco. The NCIS star and his fiancée announced the birth of their second child together, a son named Wolf Monte Valderrama. The couple also share a four-year-old daughter, Nakano Oceana. Valderrama and Pacheco shared their baby news in a joint Instagram post that features several black and white photos of their precious new addition. In one pic, Nakano is holding her baby brother. Valderrama, who starred as Fez on That '70s Show from 1998 until 2006, has said he "was born to be a dad". The actor spoke with People magazine in February when he and Pacheco announced they were expecting again. "Like you could in fact lift a car if you had to," he shared. "Personally, being a dad has been the most fulfilling feeling." Wilmer and Amanda were first romantically linked in 2019, and the TV star popped the question on New Year's Day in 2020. The following year, the pair welcomed their first child. During an interview with Parents, Valderrama recalled first falling for Pacheco and said he had felt "a gravitational pull" towards her. "There was just something about her that told me I needed to know this person," he explained.
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tommy Lee clears up divorce rumours
Tommy Lee has denied ongoing speculation that he and wife Brittany Furlan have called it quits. "Hey fake news, we're not separated or divorced," the Motley Crue musician wrote via Instagram. "Get your s**t together!" Lee uploaded a new photo with Furlan as they posed for a sweet selfie. The couple twinned in black as they cosied up for the camera. Furlan also attempted to silence the divorce rumours, sharing footage of the pair's shadows kissing via her Instagram Story. The actor and comedian admitted earlier this year that the couple, who wed in 2019, had hit a rough patch in their marriage. "I've been going through a lot in my marriage, which is not anyone's business," Furlan said in a May social media video, claiming that she was living in a hotel apart from Lee. Furlan alleged that she had been "catfished" online by a man she believed to be Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke, who allegedly harassed her for two weeks. Prior to his relationship with Furlan, Lee was married to Pamela Anderson from 1995 to 1998, during which time they welcomed sons Brandon and Dylan. The blended family all remain on amicable terms. "We're all good. We want happiness. We want everyone to be friends," Furlan told TMZ.
Fox News
6 minutes ago
- Fox News
Joe Rogan urges progressive Texas Democrat to run for president, calling him a 'good person'
Podcast giant Joe Rogan suggested on his show Friday that his latest guest, Texas Democratic State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, run for president as Democrats scramble for a new leader. "You need to run for president," Rogan told Talarico near the end of the nearly 3-hour conversation. "We need someone who's actually a good person." The two shared a laugh, though Talarico warned against people putting faith into one politician, regardless of whatever side of the aisle they support. He used Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, whom Rogan has frequently supported, as an example. "I like Bernie a whole lot, but some people treat him as if he's a messianic figure," Talarico said. "And Trump on the right, people treat him as a messiah in some ways. This is a problem." He added, "The change is going to come from your listeners, not from me, right? I can be a part of that, but I mean, if there's any hope I can give people, it's that the people in power, including the billionaire mega-donors who basically run this whole thing, and I can get more into that if you want… But they are very afraid of the power that the people have. That I know for sure." Talarico has called himself a "proud progressive" in the past and has pushed back against Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. In 2022, Talarico called Abbott "the greatest public safety threat" to the state following the Uvalde mass shooting. "You know me well, and I try to be careful with what I say, but Texans are dying. The kids in Uvalde, the teachers in Uvalde, the hundreds of Texas who died during the blackout last year, the Texans who died needlessly from Covid-19 because our governor chose to open bars too early in the pandemic. Greg Abbott is the greatest public safety threat in our state. He is the greatest public safety threat to Texans right now," Talarico said on MSNBC. By contrast, Rogan has been outspoken about his opposition to lockdowns and has invited guests who have blamed the "Defund the Police" movement for the response to the Uvalde shooting.
