hello hello how’s everybody doing good okay
okay
okay Friday get excited
Friday get excited
Friday get excited my name is Roger I’m a stand-up comedian
my name is Roger I’m a stand-up comedian
my name is Roger I’m a stand-up comedian and in in the vein of keeping things
and in in the vein of keeping things
and in in the vein of keeping things light and humorous let’s start with
light and humorous let’s start with
light and humorous let’s start with something like Donald Trump is in office
something like Donald Trump is in office
something like Donald Trump is in office relax I’m kidding
relax I’m kidding
relax I’m kidding it could be worse though I know still
it could be worse though I know still
it could be worse though I know still joking I want to bring up Donald Trump
joking I want to bring up Donald Trump
joking I want to bring up Donald Trump for a very specific reason and it’s
for a very specific reason and it’s
for a very specific reason and it’s because I feel like for the last ever
because I feel like for the last ever
because I feel like for the last ever since the election took place the last
since the election took place the last
since the election took place the last couple months not just America but also
couple months not just America but also
couple months not just America but also in India we’ve entered this space where
in India we’ve entered this space where
in India we’ve entered this space where people are no longer listening to each
people are no longer listening to each
people are no longer listening to each other at all it’s very very difficult
other at all it’s very very difficult
other at all it’s very very difficult and so I think that I’m uniquely
and so I think that I’m uniquely
and so I think that I’m uniquely positioned to talk about that problem in
positioned to talk about that problem in
positioned to talk about that problem in the in a couple different ways for a few
the in a couple different ways for a few
the in a couple different ways for a few reasons primarily because I’m a brown
reasons primarily because I’m a brown
reasons primarily because I’m a brown bearded guy that lives in Arkansas I
bearded guy that lives in Arkansas I
bearded guy that lives in Arkansas I have to make light of that and survive
have to make light of that and survive
have to make light of that and survive at the same time and it’s difficult so
at the same time and it’s difficult so
at the same time and it’s difficult so how we’re gonna do this is pretty simple
how we’re gonna do this is pretty simple
how we’re gonna do this is pretty simple I’ll talk about me a little bit then
I’ll talk about me a little bit then
I’ll talk about me a little bit then I’ll talk about you and then I’ll talk
I’ll talk about you and then I’ll talk
I’ll talk about you and then I’ll talk about us and if that makes sense
about us and if that makes sense
about us and if that makes sense hopefully we can arrive at a conclusion
hopefully we can arrive at a conclusion
hopefully we can arrive at a conclusion that allows people to not just see the
that allows people to not just see the
that allows people to not just see the problem for its fullness but also see
problem for its fullness but also see
problem for its fullness but also see where we can maybe connect with each
where we can maybe connect with each
where we can maybe connect with each other outside of the things that are
other outside of the things that are
other outside of the things that are happening politically and around us
happening politically and around us
happening politically and around us so Who am I I’m Raj
so Who am I I’m Raj
so Who am I I’m Raj I am a 27 year old I know you’re like he
I am a 27 year old I know you’re like he
I am a 27 year old I know you’re like he looks old
looks old
looks old I’m a 27 year old man that lives in
I’m a 27 year old man that lives in
I’m a 27 year old man that lives in Arkansas and I’ve lived here for three
Arkansas and I’ve lived here for three
Arkansas and I’ve lived here for three to four years now before that I lived in
to four years now before that I lived in
to four years now before that I lived in Jersey for a year before that I lived in
Jersey for a year before that I lived in
Jersey for a year before that I lived in Dallas for year before that I lived in
Dallas for year before that I lived in
Dallas for year before that I lived in Pennsylvania for three or four and
Pennsylvania for three or four and
Pennsylvania for three or four and before that I lived in India and the
before that I lived in India and the
before that I lived in India and the Middle East so I’ve done my fair share
Middle East so I’ve done my fair share
Middle East so I’ve done my fair share of globe-trotting and living around the
of globe-trotting and living around the
of globe-trotting and living around the world and now I’m here I am the kind of
world and now I’m here I am the kind of
world and now I’m here I am the kind of person that is fairly rambunctious I do
person that is fairly rambunctious I do
person that is fairly rambunctious I do things that are fairly wild and out of
things that are fairly wild and out of
things that are fairly wild and out of the norm I work incredibly hard I’ve had
the norm I work incredibly hard I’ve had
the norm I work incredibly hard I’ve had some pretty great highs some pretty low
some pretty great highs some pretty low
some pretty great highs some pretty low lows
lows
lows I have interned and worked for P Diddy
I have interned and worked for P Diddy
I have interned and worked for P Diddy at one point in my life I put out a
at one point in my life I put out a
at one point in my life I put out a comedy album I once worked part time for
comedy album I once worked part time for
comedy album I once worked part time for the Penn State auxilary Police there
the Penn State auxilary Police there
the Penn State auxilary Police there acting traffic for football games and
acting traffic for football games and
acting traffic for football games and I’m also a son to do great parents and
I’m also a son to do great parents and
I’m also a son to do great parents and and a little sister as well so I’ve got
and a little sister as well so I’ve got
and a little sister as well so I’ve got a pretty routine regular family and
a pretty routine regular family and
a pretty routine regular family and they’re all back in India I have been in
they’re all back in India I have been in
they’re all back in India I have been in the United States now for nine years
the United States now for nine years
the United States now for nine years total and in that nine years I’ve
total and in that nine years I’ve
total and in that nine years I’ve learned a few things mainly what I
learned a few things mainly what I
learned a few things mainly what I learned is that if I didn’t change my
learned is that if I didn’t change my
learned is that if I didn’t change my accent my Subway sandwich would always
accent my Subway sandwich would always
accent my Subway sandwich would always be wrong they would just never get the
be wrong they would just never get the
be wrong they would just never get the ingredients right and that process began
ingredients right and that process began
ingredients right and that process began a long long time ago I went to
a long long time ago I went to
a long long time ago I went to university in Pennsylvania and and not
university in Pennsylvania and and not
university in Pennsylvania and and not you Penn Penn State that one that’s not
you Penn Penn State that one that’s not
you Penn Penn State that one that’s not as good I’m kidding I can say that I
as good I’m kidding I can say that I
as good I’m kidding I can say that I went there and I enjoyed myself I had a
went there and I enjoyed myself I had a
went there and I enjoyed myself I had a great time I had a lot of friends but
great time I had a lot of friends but
great time I had a lot of friends but one commonality among every single one
one commonality among every single one
one commonality among every single one of my friends was this they were all
of my friends was this they were all
of my friends was this they were all American the only Indian guy that I was
American the only Indian guy that I was
American the only Indian guy that I was friends with happened to be my roommate
friends with happened to be my roommate
friends with happened to be my roommate from high school who moved to Penn State
from high school who moved to Penn State
from high school who moved to Penn State as well we live together and I’m still
as well we live together and I’m still
as well we live together and I’m still friends with all of those people it’s
friends with all of those people it’s
friends with all of those people it’s just that my Indian friends are now gone
just that my Indian friends are now gone
just that my Indian friends are now gone they’re back in India and my American
they’re back in India and my American
they’re back in India and my American friends are still here and that’s a
friends are still here and that’s a
friends are still here and that’s a function of a multitude of things and
function of a multitude of things and
function of a multitude of things and the first thing I’d like to talk about
the first thing I’d like to talk about
the first thing I’d like to talk about is the amount of pressure that
is the amount of pressure that
is the amount of pressure that international citizens in the United
international citizens in the United
international citizens in the United States face primarily as a result of
States face primarily as a result of
States face primarily as a result of being both beneficiaries and victims of
being both beneficiaries and victims of
being both beneficiaries and victims of the legal immigration process which is a
the legal immigration process which is a
the legal immigration process which is a long-winded somewhat somewhat harangue
long-winded somewhat somewhat harangue
long-winded somewhat somewhat harangue program that doesn’t really do justice
program that doesn’t really do justice
program that doesn’t really do justice to the people that are part of it I’m
to the people that are part of it I’m
to the people that are part of it I’m put to you this way I’ve been here nine
put to you this way I’ve been here nine
put to you this way I’ve been here nine years now it will take me eleven more
years now it will take me eleven more
years now it will take me eleven more years to achieve a green card status and
years to achieve a green card status and
years to achieve a green card status and maybe four or five more to become a
maybe four or five more to become a
maybe four or five more to become a citizen so when you total up that time I
citizen so when you total up that time I
citizen so when you total up that time I mean that’s a life sentence to get
mean that’s a life sentence to get
mean that’s a life sentence to get citizenship it’s 25 years here it’s not
citizenship it’s 25 years here it’s not
citizenship it’s 25 years here it’s not bad I just think that that system puts
bad I just think that that system puts
bad I just think that that system puts people in a place where at times they
people in a place where at times they
people in a place where at times they don’t feel completely free in the land
don’t feel completely free in the land
don’t feel completely free in the land of the free and the home of the brave
of the free and the home of the brave
of the free and the home of the brave sometimes you hit the end of college and
sometimes you hit the end of college and
sometimes you hit the end of college and you realize that your paperwork is
you realize that your paperwork is
you realize that your paperwork is expensive and you’re not really going to
expensive and you’re not really going to
expensive and you’re not really going to get a career because that expensive
get a career because that expensive
get a career because that expensive paperwork makes you less attractive to
paperwork makes you less attractive to
paperwork makes you less attractive to employers and now all of a sudden not
employers and now all of a sudden not
employers and now all of a sudden not only have you changed your way of life
only have you changed your way of life
only have you changed your way of life to assimilate and become a part of
to assimilate and become a part of
to assimilate and become a part of America and strap
America and strap
America and strap yourself between these two worlds India
yourself between these two worlds India
yourself between these two worlds India and the United States but after having
and the United States but after having
and the United States but after having done that you’re still not really equal
done that you’re still not really equal
done that you’re still not really equal in very many ways so at the end of
in very many ways so at the end of
in very many ways so at the end of college that was the first time I sort
college that was the first time I sort
college that was the first time I sort of remember thinking I might have a
of remember thinking I might have a
of remember thinking I might have a little bit of an issue with anxiety
little bit of an issue with anxiety
little bit of an issue with anxiety and/or depression and it took me about
and/or depression and it took me about
and/or depression and it took me about five years of going through that before
five years of going through that before
five years of going through that before I finally sat down and went maybe I
I finally sat down and went maybe I
I finally sat down and went maybe I should see a therapist and I did and in
should see a therapist and I did and in
should see a therapist and I did and in about six weeks she undid about five
about six weeks she undid about five
about six weeks she undid about five years worth of damage and I’ve talked
years worth of damage and I’ve talked
years worth of damage and I’ve talked about that on stage extensively before
about that on stage extensively before
about that on stage extensively before and I bring that up because that’s gonna
and I bring that up because that’s gonna
and I bring that up because that’s gonna form sort of a fundamental belief that
form sort of a fundamental belief that
form sort of a fundamental belief that I’ve carried into my stand-up that
I’ve carried into my stand-up that
I’ve carried into my stand-up that allows me to connect with people well so
allows me to connect with people well so
allows me to connect with people well so keep that in mind as we move forward so
keep that in mind as we move forward so
keep that in mind as we move forward so that in a nutshell is me let’s talk
that in a nutshell is me let’s talk
that in a nutshell is me let’s talk about you you guys are mostly American
about you you guys are mostly American
about you you guys are mostly American I’m assuming you tend to formulate a
I’m assuming you tend to formulate a
I’m assuming you tend to formulate a large part of my daily interaction and
large part of my daily interaction and
large part of my daily interaction and on top of that this is a country that
on top of that this is a country that
on top of that this is a country that has people with very different beliefs
has people with very different beliefs
has people with very different beliefs very different races creeds cultures and
very different races creeds cultures and
very different races creeds cultures and for a lot of reasons it’s a lot like
for a lot of reasons it’s a lot like
for a lot of reasons it’s a lot like India in that way we have that in common
India in that way we have that in common
India in that way we have that in common this grand rainbow that we built in this
this grand rainbow that we built in this
this grand rainbow that we built in this country is something that’s mimicked
country is something that’s mimicked
country is something that’s mimicked across the world and a lot of times that
across the world and a lot of times that
across the world and a lot of times that gets forgotten and that’s an important
gets forgotten and that’s an important
gets forgotten and that’s an important thing that I decided to carry into
thing that I decided to carry into
thing that I decided to carry into stand-up as well is this idea that
stand-up as well is this idea that
stand-up as well is this idea that people are weirdly enough common even
people are weirdly enough common even
people are weirdly enough common even though they look different have
though they look different have
though they look different have different passports across the world
different passports across the world
different passports across the world here’s another thing I know about
here’s another thing I know about
here’s another thing I know about America Americans tend to believe very
America Americans tend to believe very
America Americans tend to believe very passionately about things and when they
passionately about things and when they
passionately about things and when they argue they argue vehemently and I saw
argue they argue vehemently and I saw
argue they argue vehemently and I saw that come to a head during probably the
that come to a head during probably the
that come to a head during probably the most polarizing election this country
most polarizing election this country
most polarizing election this country seen in a long period of time I saw
seen in a long period of time I saw
seen in a long period of time I saw Americans that were friends forget their
Americans that were friends forget their
Americans that were friends forget their friendships and all of a sudden all they
friendships and all of a sudden all they
friendships and all of a sudden all they were doing was talking to each other as
were doing was talking to each other as
were doing was talking to each other as if the person they were speaking to was
if the person they were speaking to was
if the person they were speaking to was the person that they voted for or
the person that they voted for or
the person that they voted for or against and that was a weird place for
against and that was a weird place for
against and that was a weird place for me to be because I can’t vote I just got
me to be because I can’t vote I just got
me to be because I can’t vote I just got to watch it from the outside as you guys
to watch it from the outside as you guys
to watch it from the outside as you guys made decisions that would change my life
made decisions that would change my life
made decisions that would change my life and that’s a real that’s a real thing
and that’s a real that’s a real thing
and that’s a real that’s a real thing immigration decisions that politicians
immigration decisions that politicians
immigration decisions that politicians make affect me directly but I get no say
make affect me directly but I get no say
make affect me directly but I get no say in it but at the same time I do pay
in it but at the same time I do pay
in it but at the same time I do pay taxes I pay into Social Security and
taxes I pay into Social Security and
taxes I pay into Social Security and intimate
intimate
intimate okay all just the wait in line that’s
okay all just the wait in line that’s
okay all just the wait in line that’s okay
okay
okay I understood that as I signed up for the
I understood that as I signed up for the
I understood that as I signed up for the process but this is what I wanted to
process but this is what I wanted to
process but this is what I wanted to bring it back around – so we’ve talked
bring it back around – so we’ve talked
bring it back around – so we’ve talked about the first two things one it’s that
about the first two things one it’s that
about the first two things one it’s that people have very very similar fears
people have very very similar fears
people have very very similar fears around the around the globe – it’s the
around the around the globe – it’s the
around the around the globe – it’s the people around the globe tend to be very
people around the globe tend to be very
people around the globe tend to be very very similar to each other I think that
very similar to each other I think that
very similar to each other I think that the one hallmark that I can point at
the one hallmark that I can point at
the one hallmark that I can point at when people say what is India known for
when people say what is India known for
when people say what is India known for its patience
its patience
its patience Indian people when you meet them on
Indian people when you meet them on
Indian people when you meet them on average if they’re from India have had
average if they’re from India have had
average if they’re from India have had to adjust nearly their entire lives not
to adjust nearly their entire lives not
to adjust nearly their entire lives not all of us are patient not all of us have
all of us are patient not all of us have
all of us are patient not all of us have had to adjust some of us have had it
had to adjust some of us have had it
had to adjust some of us have had it very very well but by and large people
very very well but by and large people
very very well but by and large people back home in India undergo a bevy of
back home in India undergo a bevy of
back home in India undergo a bevy of challenges every day commute can be
challenges every day commute can be
challenges every day commute can be difficult there’s pollution there’s
difficult there’s pollution there’s
difficult there’s pollution there’s traffic there’s other people and life in
traffic there’s other people and life in
traffic there’s other people and life in India can also be grand because when you
India can also be grand because when you
India can also be grand because when you are faced with those things materialism
are faced with those things materialism
are faced with those things materialism falls away you’re around people
falls away you’re around people
falls away you’re around people constantly this idea of personal space
constantly this idea of personal space
constantly this idea of personal space tends to disintegrate and suddenly we’re
tends to disintegrate and suddenly we’re
tends to disintegrate and suddenly we’re all moving as one collective mass it’s
all moving as one collective mass it’s
all moving as one collective mass it’s why Indian communities around the world
why Indian communities around the world
why Indian communities around the world tend to do well so that’s probably
tend to do well so that’s probably
tend to do well so that’s probably something that I look at that is
something that I look at that is
something that I look at that is different between India and America in
different between India and America in
different between India and America in some ways culturally patience is
some ways culturally patience is
some ways culturally patience is somewhat ingrained into a lot of us and
somewhat ingrained into a lot of us and
somewhat ingrained into a lot of us and so I’ve talked about me now and I’ve
so I’ve talked about me now and I’ve
so I’ve talked about me now and I’ve talked about you guys a little bit so
talked about you guys a little bit so
talked about you guys a little bit so let’s talk about us so us as a whole
let’s talk about us so us as a whole
let’s talk about us so us as a whole endured a very very tricky election
endured a very very tricky election
endured a very very tricky election campaign and in that period of time I
campaign and in that period of time I
campaign and in that period of time I realized coming into it that my Donald
realized coming into it that my Donald
realized coming into it that my Donald Trump jokes were not always gonna lad
Trump jokes were not always gonna lad
Trump jokes were not always gonna lad people are gonna look at me and see an
people are gonna look at me and see an
people are gonna look at me and see an ethnic minority and immigrant someone
ethnic minority and immigrant someone
ethnic minority and immigrant someone who is expected to be somewhat
who is expected to be somewhat
who is expected to be somewhat left-leaning and automatically assumed
left-leaning and automatically assumed
left-leaning and automatically assumed that I would go pretty hard against
that I would go pretty hard against
that I would go pretty hard against right-leaning folks which is a tricky
right-leaning folks which is a tricky
right-leaning folks which is a tricky position to be in because although I
position to be in because although I
position to be in because although I might be left-of-center the vast
might be left-of-center the vast
might be left-of-center the vast majority of the audience that I play –
majority of the audience that I play –
majority of the audience that I play – in Arkansas is Republican or
in Arkansas is Republican or
in Arkansas is Republican or right-leaning or even voted for Donald
right-leaning or even voted for Donald
right-leaning or even voted for Donald Trump and that’s fine so how do you
Trump and that’s fine so how do you
Trump and that’s fine so how do you begin to construct and a conversation or
begin to construct and a conversation or
begin to construct and a conversation or even a set of jokes in an environment
even a set of jokes in an environment
even a set of jokes in an environment that divisive and tricky so you guys
that divisive and tricky so you guys
that divisive and tricky so you guys remember the couple things that I
remember the couple things that I
remember the couple things that I pointed out that we’re scared of the
pointed out that we’re scared of the
pointed out that we’re scared of the same things that’s where I began
same things that’s where I began
same things that’s where I began we began conversations during the
we began conversations during the
we began conversations during the elections period where all of us assumed
elections period where all of us assumed
elections period where all of us assumed that we were very very smart and we’re
that we were very very smart and we’re
that we were very very smart and we’re not because we’re arguing with Facebook
not because we’re arguing with Facebook
not because we’re arguing with Facebook means so we’re not really political
means so we’re not really political
means so we’re not really political pundits and everybody did it everybody
pundits and everybody did it everybody
pundits and everybody did it everybody got into it and I understand why people
got into it and I understand why people
got into it and I understand why people pick their sides I tried to stay in the
pick their sides I tried to stay in the
pick their sides I tried to stay in the middle as much as I could and some
middle as much as I could and some
middle as much as I could and some people accuse me of being complicit as
people accuse me of being complicit as
people accuse me of being complicit as things unfolded the reality is that the
things unfolded the reality is that the
things unfolded the reality is that the position I stand in is again between two
position I stand in is again between two
position I stand in is again between two worlds and it was that it was straddling
worlds and it was that it was straddling
worlds and it was that it was straddling those two things that allowed me to see
those two things that allowed me to see
those two things that allowed me to see something I’d seen before in my life
something I’d seen before in my life
something I’d seen before in my life I told you guys I lived in India I also
I told you guys I lived in India I also
I told you guys I lived in India I also lived in the Middle East I lived in the
lived in the Middle East I lived in the
lived in the Middle East I lived in the Middle East when Arab springs unfolded
Middle East when Arab springs unfolded
Middle East when Arab springs unfolded and we had to move back to India and
and we had to move back to India and
and we had to move back to India and during Arab springs I remember the same
during Arab springs I remember the same
during Arab springs I remember the same thing it was fear on both sides and
thing it was fear on both sides and
thing it was fear on both sides and people reacting harshly without
people reacting harshly without
people reacting harshly without recognizing the fact that though they
recognizing the fact that though they
recognizing the fact that though they were afraid about different things they
were afraid about different things they
were afraid about different things they both actually shared the same emotion
both actually shared the same emotion
both actually shared the same emotion and if we flip this you’ll notice how
and if we flip this you’ll notice how
and if we flip this you’ll notice how easy it is to understand why we should
easy it is to understand why we should
easy it is to understand why we should come together think about it this way
come together think about it this way
come together think about it this way I love Coldplay you love Dave Matthews
I love Coldplay you love Dave Matthews
I love Coldplay you love Dave Matthews Band that’s no reason for us to fight
Band that’s no reason for us to fight
Band that’s no reason for us to fight because the underlying emotion is
because the underlying emotion is
because the underlying emotion is identical so that was the first time I
identical so that was the first time I
identical so that was the first time I began thinking about how I was gonna
began thinking about how I was gonna
began thinking about how I was gonna write jokes that address the concept of
write jokes that address the concept of
write jokes that address the concept of fear on every side of the fence the
fear on every side of the fence the
fear on every side of the fence the second thing that I brought up was that
second thing that I brought up was that
second thing that I brought up was that people are similar the world over we
people are similar the world over we
people are similar the world over we have the same fears but we also have the
have the same fears but we also have the
have the same fears but we also have the same the same sort of problems
same the same sort of problems
same the same sort of problems addressing the same news issues so one
addressing the same news issues so one
addressing the same news issues so one of the jokes that I wrote is a really
of the jokes that I wrote is a really
of the jokes that I wrote is a really fairly simple one-liner and it offers an
fairly simple one-liner and it offers an
fairly simple one-liner and it offers an opportunity to be equally offensive to
opportunity to be equally offensive to
opportunity to be equally offensive to everybody and in doing so you identify
everybody and in doing so you identify
everybody and in doing so you identify handful of things equivalent fears
handful of things equivalent fears
handful of things equivalent fears across the playing field and equivalent
across the playing field and equivalent
across the playing field and equivalent people and the joke is simple it’s this
people and the joke is simple it’s this
people and the joke is simple it’s this I want Donald Trump to build that wall I
I want Donald Trump to build that wall I
I want Donald Trump to build that wall I start with that premise because it flips
start with that premise because it flips
start with that premise because it flips the idea that I’m a left-leaning
the idea that I’m a left-leaning
the idea that I’m a left-leaning person up on stage I want Donald Trump
person up on stage I want Donald Trump
person up on stage I want Donald Trump to build that wall because figuring out
to build that wall because figuring out
to build that wall because figuring out how to pay for it just means more
how to pay for it just means more
how to pay for it just means more accounting jobs for Indian people so
accounting jobs for Indian people so
accounting jobs for Indian people so everybody’s happy
everybody’s happy
everybody’s happy and it’s simple jokes like that over a
and it’s simple jokes like that over a
and it’s simple jokes like that over a long period of time and a very sustained
long period of time and a very sustained
long period of time and a very sustained thought process that can actually create
thought process that can actually create
thought process that can actually create material that can do well in front of a
material that can do well in front of a
material that can do well in front of a plethora of audiences when I go about
plethora of audiences when I go about
plethora of audiences when I go about doing political material I also mix it
doing political material I also mix it
doing political material I also mix it with personal material I talk about
with personal material I talk about
with personal material I talk about Halloween in the United States being a
Halloween in the United States being a
Halloween in the United States being a weird concept because parents tell their
weird concept because parents tell their
weird concept because parents tell their kids to avoid strangers 364 days a year
kids to avoid strangers 364 days a year
kids to avoid strangers 364 days a year but that one day go up to all of them
but that one day go up to all of them
but that one day go up to all of them and talk about Halloween in the Middle
and talk about Halloween in the Middle
and talk about Halloween in the Middle East growing up where my neighbor didn’t
East growing up where my neighbor didn’t
East growing up where my neighbor didn’t understand what Halloween was so he gave
understand what Halloween was so he gave
understand what Halloween was so he gave me money and it was fantastic he gave me
me money and it was fantastic he gave me
me money and it was fantastic he gave me $40 and I told all my friends so that
$40 and I told all my friends so that
$40 and I told all my friends so that next year he just threw a loose
next year he just threw a loose
next year he just threw a loose cigarette in my pillowcase that was
cigarette in my pillowcase that was
cigarette in my pillowcase that was we’re culturally different same fears
we’re culturally different same fears
we’re culturally different same fears same emotions same underlying problems I
same emotions same underlying problems I
same emotions same underlying problems I mentioned that I had enjoyed the the
mentioned that I had enjoyed the the
mentioned that I had enjoyed the the strange journey that can be anxiety and
strange journey that can be anxiety and
strange journey that can be anxiety and depression in my life one third of this
depression in my life one third of this
depression in my life one third of this estimate almost one third I think of
estimate almost one third I think of
estimate almost one third I think of people will undergo some kind of mental
people will undergo some kind of mental
people will undergo some kind of mental health issue or episode at some point in
health issue or episode at some point in
health issue or episode at some point in their lives it’s such a commonality that
their lives it’s such a commonality that
their lives it’s such a commonality that gets so under discussed and over
gets so under discussed and over
gets so under discussed and over stigmatized when the reality is that a
stigmatized when the reality is that a
stigmatized when the reality is that a lot of things that you’re seeing play
lot of things that you’re seeing play
lot of things that you’re seeing play out whether it’s political or in your
out whether it’s political or in your
out whether it’s political or in your personal lives it all stems from this
personal lives it all stems from this
personal lives it all stems from this idea that people are scared constantly
idea that people are scared constantly
idea that people are scared constantly you don’t need to always offer the
you don’t need to always offer the
you don’t need to always offer the solution to their problems and that’s
solution to their problems and that’s
solution to their problems and that’s not what I’m here to do it’s to say that
not what I’m here to do it’s to say that
not what I’m here to do it’s to say that whatever you’re going through is real
whatever you’re going through is real
whatever you’re going through is real it’s real to you it doesn’t need to be
it’s real to you it doesn’t need to be
it’s real to you it doesn’t need to be real to me and I don’t need to have the
real to me and I don’t need to have the
real to me and I don’t need to have the solution
solution
solution I just need to listen to you that’s kind
I just need to listen to you that’s kind
I just need to listen to you that’s kind of what I’m really getting at at the end
of what I’m really getting at at the end
of what I’m really getting at at the end of this we have to figure out a way to
of this we have to figure out a way to
of this we have to figure out a way to come to terms with the fact that our
come to terms with the fact that our
come to terms with the fact that our neighbors are not the people that they
neighbors are not the people that they
neighbors are not the people that they voted for because we’re gonna be out to
voted for because we’re gonna be out to
voted for because we’re gonna be out to bat again in another election a handful
bat again in another election a handful
bat again in another election a handful of years and all I’ve seen this entire
of years and all I’ve seen this entire
of years and all I’ve seen this entire time is not much progress nothing really
time is not much progress nothing really
time is not much progress nothing really constructive as far as grassroots
constructive as far as grassroots
constructive as far as grassroots conversations go I still see the same
conversations go I still see the same
conversations go I still see the same people putting up Facebook memes I still
people putting up Facebook memes I still
people putting up Facebook memes I still see people angry at each other all the
see people angry at each other all the
see people angry at each other all the time I still see people divided as to
time I still see people divided as to
time I still see people divided as to what should get attention and who should
what should get attention and who should
what should get attention and who should tweet when when the reality is why you
tweet when when the reality is why you
tweet when when the reality is why you looking up the chain for someone to
looking up the chain for someone to
looking up the chain for someone to deliver when you could be doing it too
because he’s president but whatever
because he’s president but whatever that’s something that’s a different I
that’s something that’s a different I
that’s something that’s a different I didn’t think about that when I wrote
didn’t think about that when I wrote
didn’t think about that when I wrote this my point is this I’ve enjoyed my
this my point is this I’ve enjoyed my
this my point is this I’ve enjoyed my time in Arkansas and putting those
time in Arkansas and putting those
time in Arkansas and putting those things in place those ideologies and
things in place those ideologies and
things in place those ideologies and those thought processes as I come to
those thought processes as I come to
those thought processes as I come to actually write jokes has been
actually write jokes has been
actually write jokes has been phenomenally useful over a long period
phenomenally useful over a long period
phenomenally useful over a long period of time if you had told me three or four
of time if you had told me three or four
of time if you had told me three or four years ago that I would come down here
years ago that I would come down here
years ago that I would come down here become a stand-up comedian do well at it
become a stand-up comedian do well at it
become a stand-up comedian do well at it I’d have been really really surprised
I’d have been really really surprised
I’d have been really really surprised because I didn’t do stand-up at the time
because I didn’t do stand-up at the time
because I didn’t do stand-up at the time the first place I ever did stand-up
the first place I ever did stand-up
the first place I ever did stand-up comedy was actually a handful of blocks
comedy was actually a handful of blocks
comedy was actually a handful of blocks there are left at this little coffee
there are left at this little coffee
there are left at this little coffee shop called common grounds it has since
shop called common grounds it has since
shop called common grounds it has since been turned into a Taco Bell so comedy
been turned into a Taco Bell so comedy
been turned into a Taco Bell so comedy doesn’t pay that’s the lesson it was the
doesn’t pay that’s the lesson it was the
doesn’t pay that’s the lesson it was the first place I ever did comedy and I
first place I ever did comedy and I
first place I ever did comedy and I liked it and I stuck at it and I didn’t
liked it and I stuck at it and I didn’t
liked it and I stuck at it and I didn’t stop for three years I worked as hard as
stop for three years I worked as hard as
stop for three years I worked as hard as I possibly could and over that period of
I possibly could and over that period of
I possibly could and over that period of time built a set of connections and I
time built a set of connections and I
time built a set of connections and I asked them if they would help grow the
asked them if they would help grow the
asked them if they would help grow the scene piece by piece by piece
scene piece by piece by piece
scene piece by piece by piece local comedians regional folks and soon
local comedians regional folks and soon
local comedians regional folks and soon enough we were attracting audiences that
enough we were attracting audiences that
enough we were attracting audiences that were big enough that people from out of
were big enough that people from out of
were big enough that people from out of town would fly in guys that do Conan
town would fly in guys that do Conan
town would fly in guys that do Conan Leno Kimmel I helped open a small comedy
Leno Kimmel I helped open a small comedy
Leno Kimmel I helped open a small comedy club in Lowell called the Grove and for
club in Lowell called the Grove and for
club in Lowell called the Grove and for 16 weeks that’s how long we ran the demo
16 weeks that’s how long we ran the demo
16 weeks that’s how long we ran the demo we were scheduled for 8 and the response
we were scheduled for 8 and the response
we were scheduled for 8 and the response was good enough that we stretched it out
was good enough that we stretched it out
was good enough that we stretched it out to 16 and now we’ve actually shut it
to 16 and now we’ve actually shut it
to 16 and now we’ve actually shut it down to scale it up to three times the
down to scale it up to three times the
down to scale it up to three times the size and three times the seating
size and three times the seating
size and three times the seating capacity and that all happened this year
capacity and that all happened this year
capacity and that all happened this year last year I did a show at George’s and I
last year I did a show at George’s and I
last year I did a show at George’s and I got in touch with the guy that books
got in touch with the guy that books
got in touch with the guy that books George’s because he also books a handful
George’s because he also books a handful
George’s because he also books a handful of other venues around here one of them
of other venues around here one of them
of other venues around here one of them being the Walmart amp so I played a
being the Walmart amp so I played a
being the Walmart amp so I played a place that could probably hold 200
place that could probably hold 200
place that could probably hold 200 people and then talk to him about a
people and then talk to him about a
people and then talk to him about a place that holds about 6,000 and comedy
place that holds about 6,000 and comedy
place that holds about 6,000 and comedy has always been part of a developing
has always been part of a developing
has always been part of a developing discussion with them Kevin Hart comes
discussion with them Kevin Hart comes
discussion with them Kevin Hart comes down two nights ago they announced that
down two nights ago they announced that
down two nights ago they announced that Jim Gaffigan was coming to the amp next
Jim Gaffigan was coming to the amp next
Jim Gaffigan was coming to the amp next year and slowly things that started to
year and slowly things that started to
year and slowly things that started to grow just inch by inch by inch over that
grow just inch by inch by inch over that
grow just inch by inch by inch over that period of time I formed a small little
period of time I formed a small little
period of time I formed a small little promotional outfit called bentonville
promotional outfit called bentonville
promotional outfit called bentonville comedy and there’s free shows all the
comedy and there’s free shows all the
comedy and there’s free shows all the time there’s literally for this weekend
time there’s literally for this weekend
time there’s literally for this weekend two on each night to tonight earth
two on each night to tonight earth
two on each night to tonight earth there’s two tonight at 2:00 tomorrow
there’s two tonight at 2:00 tomorrow
there’s two tonight at 2:00 tomorrow and this endless stream of events has
and this endless stream of events has
and this endless stream of events has all occurred because for five seconds I
all occurred because for five seconds I
all occurred because for five seconds I decided that I didn’t really want to go
decided that I didn’t really want to go
decided that I didn’t really want to go to war with people I could always have a
to war with people I could always have a
to war with people I could always have a contrarian point of view you can always
contrarian point of view you can always
contrarian point of view you can always make fun of people’s beliefs but it’s
make fun of people’s beliefs but it’s
make fun of people’s beliefs but it’s until that point that I feel like I’ll
until that point that I feel like I’ll
until that point that I feel like I’ll lose them that I’ll do it I’ll push you
lose them that I’ll do it I’ll push you
lose them that I’ll do it I’ll push you guys but I’ll also make fun of myself
guys but I’ll also make fun of myself
guys but I’ll also make fun of myself because making things full-circle at the
because making things full-circle at the
because making things full-circle at the end of the day is what allows us to keep
end of the day is what allows us to keep
end of the day is what allows us to keep that conversation going and that is more
that conversation going and that is more
that conversation going and that is more important than winning the argument
important than winning the argument
important than winning the argument because I’m not in here to make points
because I’m not in here to make points
because I’m not in here to make points about presidents and win the argument if
about presidents and win the argument if
about presidents and win the argument if it leaves you feeling defeated
it leaves you feeling defeated
it leaves you feeling defeated there’s no point winning political
there’s no point winning political
there’s no point winning political points at the table when you can just
points at the table when you can just
points at the table when you can just win points with people and so with that
win points with people and so with that
win points with people and so with that I’d really like to ask you guys as you
I’d really like to ask you guys as you
I’d really like to ask you guys as you leave here today whenever you’re having
leave here today whenever you’re having
leave here today whenever you’re having that next discussion whatever it’s about
that next discussion whatever it’s about
that next discussion whatever it’s about whatever the argument is whatever the
whatever the argument is whatever the
whatever the argument is whatever the topic is remember that the person you’re
topic is remember that the person you’re
topic is remember that the person you’re talking to is probably just as scared or
talking to is probably just as scared or
talking to is probably just as scared or angry or upset or frustrated as you are
angry or upset or frustrated as you are
angry or upset or frustrated as you are and also remember the flipside that if
and also remember the flipside that if
and also remember the flipside that if you both approached it with love it
you both approached it with love it
you both approached it with love it wouldn’t matter if you went in different
wouldn’t matter if you went in different
wouldn’t matter if you went in different directions so why does it matter when
directions so why does it matter when
directions so why does it matter when you take at it with anger come back to
you take at it with anger come back to
you take at it with anger come back to the table talk to each other it’s about
the table talk to each other it’s about
the table talk to each other it’s about time we started listening thank you guys
time we started listening thank you guys
time we started listening thank you guys I appreciate you so very much
I appreciate you so very much
I appreciate you so very much [Applause]
”
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