About this episodeDennis Leary discusses his enduring career, the transition of the Boston comedy scene, and his recent projects…AI summary
Dennis Leary discusses his enduring career, the transition of the Boston comedy scene, and his recent projects including 'Going Dutch' and 'Ice Age 6'. He shares personal anecdotes about quitting smoking due to genetic luck, his early struggles in stand-up, and industry insights regarding streaming vs. theatrical releases.
Key takeaways 5
The Boston comedy scene of the 80s/90s was characterized by a mix of 'angry' comedians (Leary, Bobcat Goldthwait) and unique styles (Stephen Wright, Paula Poundstone), often performed in rough venues like Lenny Clark's club.
Leary's comedic persona as an angry smoker was partly a character developed in college at Emerson University, which he later adopted for stand-up, though he quit smoking 4 years ago due to a sudden realization rather than a planned effort.
The film industry has shifted heavily toward streaming; Leary notes that low-budget films struggle in theaters against blockbusters and that tax incentives make locations like Ireland and Boston attractive for production compared to LA.
Leary experienced a rapid financial shift from having no money/credit cards to earning significant paychecks quickly after his role in 'The Sandlot' led to opportunities with Disney/Touchstone and films like 'The Ref' and 'Demolition Man'.
Leary attributes his good health despite a history of heavy smoking to genetic luck, citing his mother's longevity (died at 98) versus his father's early death (60) despite smoking.
Notable quotes 4AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I got my mother's insides and my dad's outsides, I think.”
▶ 20:23Leary explaining his genetic luck regarding health and aging, contrasting his mother who never smoked/drank with his father who smoked heavily.
“I just finished the cigarette and I thought that's it. And I thought that's weird that I said that to myself and I had a full pack. So I'm like I'm going to smoke again tomorrow. I woke up in the morning. I threw that pack away. [__] never smoked again.”
Leary describing the sudden moment he quit smoking after 52 years, contrasting it with his planned quitting of alcohol.
“Those [__] ripped you off. They rap me. Can you say [__]? Yeah, you can say anything. Don't No, but you can say rap. Drive me nuts.”
▶ 0:42Leary joking about his low pay for voice acting in Disney's 'The Emperor's New Groove' compared to the massive profits the film made.
“I was fresh off the [__] tree... I go to first day on Demolition Man... Sly is in his demolition man outfit... driving both [__] slicing again... He's like, 'Hey, Dennis... You wanna hit some balls? Get some lessons? This guy's with me all the time.'”
Leary recounting meeting Sylvester Stallone on the set of 'Demolition Man', highlighting Stallone's dedication to golf even during filming.
Chapters & Sections (45)▼
0:00New Season of Scrubs and Denis Leary's Careerchapter3
0:00New Season of the TV Show Scrubs Announced
1:17Comedian Denis Leary's Career and Projects
2:38Home Studio Setup and Remote Work Challenges
4:54Boston Comedy Scene in the 80schapter2
4:54Boston Comedy Scene in the 80s
7:14Comedy Career and Influences Discussed
9:10The Challenges of Performing in Massachusettschapter3
9:10Kennedy Family Politics in Massachusetts
10:51Overcoming Stage Fright and Performance Anxiety
12:03Early Days of Standup Comedy Experience
13:53Comedy Origins and Early Career Developmentchapter3
13:53Development of Stand-up Comedy Style
15:39Scrubs Revival and New Season Details
17:10The Art of Smoking as a Comedic Device
19:43Genetic Luck and Aging Perceptionchapter3
19:43Genetic Luck and Aging Perception
21:20Maintaining a Long-Term Career in Comedy
22:36Family Ties and Physical Characteristics
24:17The Evolution of Podcast Consumption Habitschapter2
24:17The Art of Podcast Consumption and Engagement
26:01Saturday Night Live and Standup Comedy
28:33Redoing Scripts and Animation in Movieschapter4
28:33Redone Scripts and Animation in Movies
30:22Film Negotiations and Production Deals
31:42The Decline of Traditional Movie Theaters
33:33The Decline of Movie Theater Experience
36:11Alternative Awards Show Commentary Conceptchapter3
36:11Alternative Awards Show Commentary Concept
37:53Licensing and Clearing TV Shows for Streaming
39:40The Evolution of Podcasting as a Comedy Format
41:23New Season of the TV Show Scrubs Announcedchapter2
41:23New Season of the TV Show Scrubs Announced
44:14Benefits of Online Shopping for Home Goods
45:48Comedy Sketch about Bizarre Negotiation Tacticschapter3
45:48Comedy Sketch about Negotiation and Escalation
47:43Filming in Ireland vs. the Netherlands
49:10Film Production Costs and Tax Incentives
50:58Early Career Experiences in Hollywoodchapter6
50:58Career Reflections on Early Film Reviews
52:42Behind the Scenes of Demolition Man Filming
55:37Comedy Sketch Writing and Improvisation Techniques
57:10Breaking into Hollywood with Early Success
58:32Working with Comedy Heroes and Improvisation
1:00:01Favorite Comedy Moments and Collaborations
Transcript
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