Emmy-nominated writer and stand-up Josh Johnson is making comedy that’s timely and timeless. On the heels of his new HBO special Symphony, we begin with his creative process of shaping new material week after week, balancing life on the road with writing and hosting duties at The Daily Show (0:46). Then, we talk to Josh about the issues of today: Trump’s 1.8 Billion Slush Fund (4:26), pandemic fears (8:18), AI in commencement speeches (9:34), and “nonviolence as a psyop” (16:27). On the back-half, Josh describes how he transitions between writing topical and evergreen jokes (23:12), the comedic inspiration that came from his Catholic school years (29:00), and finding his way into performing while working at Trader Joe’s (39:30). To close, we unpack the final week of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (42:27), the role of therapy in Johnson’s 2023 special Up Here Killing Myself (46:00), and what he hopes to create in the next five years (56:20). As always, our email: [email protected]. ——— Watch/listen to Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso: YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@talkeasypod Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-easy-with-sam-fragoso/id1100417601 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2qoc5EIZbcuGUgQhl3QeYd Follow Talk Easy: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/talkeasypod/?hl=en TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@talkeasypod Website https://talkeasypod.com/ ——— Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso is a production of Higher Ground Media. Host: Sam Fragoso Producer: Karoline Ribak Video Editing: Alex Dishal Assistant Editing: Kaitlin Moore Studio: The Relic Room Sound Mixing: Andrew Vastola Art: Derek Gabryszak and Ian Jones Production Assistance: Neal Mulani Social Media: Sophene Kevorkian Illustrations: Krishna Bala Shenoi Photography: Roger Gallegos Research Assistance: Pierce Harvey Special Thanks: HBO, Dixon Talent, 42West, and Jeff Garlin.
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In tears hearing Josh talk about thoughts of ending his life in the past and that both therapy and comedy saved him. Josh is such a gift to all of us especially in these difficult times. Hope you know, Josh, how much you mean to all of us that watch you faithfully every week on Josh Tuesday!
My heart hurt so much hearing Josh talk about previous thoughts of ending his life. This vibrant, intelligent, loving soul…. Our world would have no dimension; far less joy, and we would be flippin’ those 12 channels on our black & white tv sets with nothing to watch without you…. You are a blessing and a gift… you are keeping so many of us from jumping off the ledge. Never, ever question your value. You are loved and appreciated abundantly. ❤
A masterclass, you two. Imagine how smart y'all will be when you both turn 20.
48:00 made me tear up so much. As someone who is suicidal or at least death wishy often, and whom Josh Johnson has helped made life more bearable, hearing him say thank you for keeping him alive by watching his comedy, really made my day
The more I hear Josh talk, the more he proves that the best comedians are the most intelligent people
Josh is so beautifully charming and insightful 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
"Comedy is how we decorate reality" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We need intelligent thoughtful people like Josh to lead us out of our dark times. A darkness that has hung on humanity for known human history. If it gets worse my children will have no parents… all the love possible please rain down on people who stand up to oppressors that benefit from our death suffering and hopelessness ❤️❤️❤️✊
I’m going to keep posting this until Josh hears it: your Stans support you treating yourself to a vacation! We’ll still love you just as much when you return! ❤🎉
this is one of the best interviews. I'm keeping this one. Thanks.
“it sucks to be well read”. SO TRUE. ❤
Josh is the best. Love how articulate he is.
JJ's one of my fave people around these days. Makes me sad to know he's been in such a dark place before (and likely still struggles with it all). I've had my own mental health stuff, still do, but he's a bright shining light through all the chaos. Just seems like a genuine powerhouse of a person, in comedy, his work, as a man in the modern world, and as an example of how more of us should be.
Josh has seriously helped me not lose the plot over politics. He can stay calm and eloquent over some of the most outrageous atrocities. He gets it but also keeps hope. His voice is so important
mark my word: this will go down in history as one of the most important conversations on the internet ever
Awesome interview! Josh Johnson is the only stand-up I currently watch. It this was really interesting hearing so much about him.
This was such a beautiful interview, comforting and enlightening at the same time. ❤️
I❤️the authenticity and honesty. So rare.
I have fallen in love with you. 80 yr old white women in hospice in the mid-west(🤮) I have watched thousands of your posts or whatever I am suppose to call them. Just had to say… therapist 30 yrs. Clearly you have done OCD going on, good for you. At some point you will need to begin to address your choices re hoodies and jeans as your only comedy stage attire. I hope I will be here to smile at how you comically work your way thru that. You dear young man are a genius… you will be as big as Chappell…keep breathing deep, keep humble, I know you are grateful… grace us so within your touch. Love and light to you❤
I just love you, Josh Johnson. For so many reasons.