The guest
Adam Sandler: Comedian, actor, and filmmaker known for SNL and movies like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, and You Don't Mess with the Zohan.
What this episode covers
Joe Rogan and Adam Sandler, longtime friends since the 2011 film Zookeeper, spend nearly three hours reminiscing about their shared roots in stand-up comedy. They cover the New England comedy scene, bombing on stage, the delusional confidence of young comics, and idols like Sam Kinison, Rodney Dangerfield, and Chris Rock. Sandler recounts his improbable path from MTV to a development deal to NewsRadio alongside Phil Hartman, and his return to stand-up after roughly 20 years away. Both reflect on fitness, the importance of touring with funny friends, and the parallels between comedians and aging rock stars. Sandler closes by discussing his heavily-prepared Netflix live special.
Recommended on this episode
BookRecommended
Brother Sam
Bill Kinison
“go buy that book because it's a great book; if you're a fan of standup”
“if you're a fan of standup I tell anybody go buy that book because it's a great book”— Joe Rogan
The guest's own work
MediaBy the guest
The Zohan (You Don't Mess with the Zohan)
Adam Sandler
“I watched the Zohan I might have just seen the Zohan 20 times I love that movie thank yeah such a funny movie”— Joe Rogan
MediaBy the guest
Billy Madison
Adam Sandler
“Billy Madison I remember I thought oh this could be great a guy who a grown up who does elementary school again”— Adam Sandler
MediaBy the guest
Happy Gilmore
Adam Sandler
“like if you decide to do Happy Gilmore how do you how do you like make your movies”— Joe Rogan
Also referenced (named, not recommended)
ProductReferenced
Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches
Skinny Cow
“Skinny Cow this new that's the new thing Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches in the house started a little problem for me”— Adam Sandler
ProductReferenced
VersaClimber
VersaClimber
“you'd have to help him get on the Versa climber machine oh my goodness cuz Bobby's knees didn't bend right”— Joe Rogan
BookReferencedISBN verified
Best Evidence
David Lifton
“it was a book called best evidence by this guy David lton it's all about the Kennedy assassination”— Joe Rogan
BookReferenced
The Strange Death of Vince Foster
Christopher Ruddy
“I read this book called The Strange death of Vince Foster it's all Vince Foster a guy who worked with Clinton who got murdered”— Joe Rogan
BookReferenced
Murder Machine
Gene Mustain and Jerry Capeci
“Joey Diaz gave me this book called Murder machine once and it's about Roy Deo do you know who Roy Deo was”— Joe Rogan
MediaReferenced
When Stand Up Stood Out
Fran Solomita
“France Salam made this great documentary about the Heyday of Boston comedy called when stand up stood out”— Joe Rogan
MediaReferenced
Shakes the Clown
Bobcat Goldthwait
“I was in Bobcat gowe made a movie called shakes the clown I remember that that was a great movie”— Adam Sandler
Big reveals from this episode
- Rogan describes The Comedy Store during a peak era with Shane Gillis, Mark Norman, Ari Shaffir, Brian Simpson, and Tony Hinchcliffe all 'cooking together.'
- Sandler reveals he wrote out every bit, transition, and joke by hand and rehearsed his live special set in order for three straight weeks because he was terrified of it.
- Sandler tells the full story of his big break: his manager mailed his MTV tape around, sparking a bidding war that led to a $150,000 deal out of nowhere.
- Rogan explains a David Lifton JFK assassination book sent him into a conspiracy spiral that made him bomb on stage that night.
- Sandler got onto Saturday Night Live around age 23 as a writer, despite barely watching the show, after Dennis Miller vouched for him.
- Rogan invokes Dunbar's number to explain why famous people can't remember everyone they meet.
- Sandler recounts being cast as the star of his first movie (Babes Ahoy) days after a stand-up set, not even knowing films had scripts.
- Both agree stand-up is 'a form of hypnosis,' locking the audience into the comedian's way of thinking.
Worth remembering
- Sandler practices intermittent fasting but admits grapes lead to waffles and Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches.
- Mick Jagger works out every day and travels with two trailers filled with gym equipment.
- David Lee Roth moved to Japan with his dog for years to train Kendo sword fighting.
- Rogan helped a knee-damaged Bobby Orr (who had around 20 knee surgeries) onto a VersaClimber at a Boston gym.
- Bill Kinison's book Brother Sam documents how Sam Kinison's material declined once he made it and stopped writing.
- Phil Hartman, at 18, worked at the Whiskey catching stage monitors and stood three feet from Jimi Hendrix.
- At Nick's Comedy Stop, comedians could be paid in cash or in cocaine, and many got caught by the IRS.
- Sandler was the first comedian aired on Showtime at the Apollo because Chris Rock cursed too much to be used in episode one.
- Sandler had a scene with Milton Berle in his first film and confirms the rumors about Berle's anatomy.
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