About this episodeComedians Theo Von and Fahim Anoir discuss Anoir's new special 'Intrusive Thoughts,' his background as a mecha…AI summary
Comedians Theo Von and Fahim Anoir discuss Anoir's new special 'Intrusive Thoughts,' his background as a mechanical engineer at Boeing, and his early fame on MTV's 'Road Rules.' The conversation explores the evolution of comedy from the Comedy Store heyday to the digital age, the cultural shift in internet slang like 'gooning,' and the surreal experiences of touring with Joe Rogan.
Key takeaways 5
Fahim Anoir worked as a mechanical engineer at Boeing in Long Beach for four years before quitting to pursue comedy full-time, deliberately waiting for a voicemail to be fired so he could collect unemployment.
The comedy landscape has shifted from the 'heyday' of the Comedy Store where titans like Louis C.K. and Bill Burr performed, to a democratized digital era where anyone can build an audience regardless of location.
Anoir reflects on his early MTV fame on 'Road Rules' and 'Eliminate,' noting that while it provided visibility, it lacked financial value and ownership, teaching him that popularity without a tangible product is fleeting.
The term 'gooning' has evolved from its original meaning (a henchman or fool) to a modern internet slang term describing marathon masturbation and porn consumption, highlighting how online culture reclaims and redefines language.
Anoir's comedic style is heavily influenced by his background in dance, allowing him to use physical movement and act-outs as a second instrument for comedy, distinct from verbal delivery.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“Being popular was cool, but there wasn't like a ton of value to it. Like for years I kind of thought like oh is this cool thing but then I was like well what is it for? ... you didn't really own your fans kind of.”
▶ 1:29:23Anoir reflecting on his time on MTV's Road Rules, realizing that early fame without financial or creative ownership is hollow.
“I think it's just like our military now. It's like there's enough of them doing it now where it's like they have like meetups and they have like you know they have almost like those danceons or whatever... Goon together is typically referred to as a group gooning or participating in a goon session.”
▶ 14:36Discussing the communal aspect of the internet slang term 'gooning' and how it has formed subcultures.
“A lot of life is like Sim City. It'll never be perfect but you can get it as close to optimal as you can but nothing will be perfect. you do something, then drug abuse goes up... just life is Sim City, and there's not a perfect system.”
▶ 38:56Anoir offering a philosophical perspective on life's imperfections and the constant trade-offs involved in societal management.
“I was finally doing well enough in comedy where I could. So that was the goal the whole time... I planned on returning after shooting this MTV show. I'm like, 'Yeah, I you know, can I come back after 3 months? I have to take this leave.' And they're like, 'No, you can't do that. You can't take that much time off.' ... I read that you can only collect unemployment if they fire you. So then, I wouldn't answer their calls or emails or anything. I was just waiting for them to terminate me.”
▶ 1:40:55The specific strategy Anoir used to leave his engineering job at Boeing to pursue comedy full-time.
“It's like being good at something like a really good saxophone player. It's like jazz. You'll see somebody who's just like huge and then you get to take the stage and you're there for a reason and you have to like survive.”
▶ 51:55Anoir describing the dynamic of performing at the Comedy Store after major headliners.
Chapters & Sections (67)▼
0:00Upcoming Podcast Taping and Live Eventchapter2
1:46App-Driven Wildfires and Conspiracy Theories
3:00Crafting Stand-up Comedy and Overcoming Creative Blocks
5:19Racial Diversity in Sports Events and Societychapter1
7:36The Evolution of Virtual Reality and Masturbation
9:29Virtual Reality and Immersive Gaming Trendschapter2
10:53Video Game Realism and Terrible Places
12:13Public Sex and Performance Pressure
13:32The Concept of Gooning and Online Culturechapter1
16:03The Art of Gooning and Edging in Pornography
17:59The Evolution and Connotations of the Term 'Goon'chapter1
19:54Navigating Large Venues in Comedy Touring
22:12Tour Bus Incident with a Fan's Hatchapter2
23:27Embarrassing Moments with Lost and Found Items
25:13Nostalgic Visit to a Historic Music Venue
28:02Testicular Cancer Awareness and Preventionchapter2
30:19Benefits of Efficient Communication in Business
31:47Mount Rushmore's History and Cultural Significance
33:54The Crazy Horse Memorial Construction and Historychapter1
36:15Native American Cultural Significance and Historical Trauma
38:35The Imperfections of Life and Capitalismchapter2
41:09Medical Emergencies and Unconventional Healthcare
42:15The Pressure of Being a Comedian
45:26Childhood Dance Influences and Personal Fearschapter2
47:00The Connection Between Dance and Stand-up Comedy
48:54The Power of Nonverbal Comedy in Performance
50:33The Evolution of Comedy in Los Angeleschapter2
52:32The Evolution of Comedy Clubs and Stage Time
54:11The Rise of Digital Comedy and Industry Trends
55:37The Benefits of Using Modify for Website Developmentchapter3
57:14Encounters with Hollywood Legends and Comedians
2h 30m⏭ 3
1h 58m⏭ 2
1h 44m⏭ 2
1h 35m⏭ 3
1h 27m⏭ 1
1h 33m⏭ 4
1h 51m⏭ 3
1h 34m⏭ 3
2h 0m⏭ 3
1h 50m⏭ 2
1h 53m⏭ 2
1h 48m⏭ 3
1h 26m⏭ 1
1h 35m⏭ 4
1h 53m⏭ 1
1h 5m⏭ 1
3h 10m
54m![[CLEAN VERSION!] Open Chucanos & Closed Chichitos | Ep 118 ft. Fahim Anwar | Bad Friends](https://img.youtube.com/vi/EillbZD0pMc/mqdefault.jpg)
55m⏭ 2
59m⏭ 2
1h 27m⏭ 2
1h 43m⏭ 3
1h 16m⏭ 4
1h 6m⏭ 2
1h 7m
2h 58m⏭ 2
2h 45m⏭ 1
1h 10m
1h 25m
1h 11m⏭ 1
4h 5m⏭ 4
2h 20m
2h 10m
1h 10m
2h 3m⏭ 1
2h 36m⏭ 1
11h 23m⏭ 1
33m
1h 0m⏭ 1
46m
48m⏭ 2
3h 54m⏭ 7
3h 59m⏭ 5
1h 13m
38m
1h 16m
54m⏭ 2
54m⏭ 1