About this episodeTaylor Tomlinson joins Drew Barrymore to discuss her new Netflix special 'Prodigal Daughter,' detailing her ev…AI summary
Taylor Tomlinson joins Drew Barrymore to discuss her new Netflix special 'Prodigal Daughter,' detailing her evolution from religious trauma comedy to a more nuanced perspective. She shares a dramatic story of quitting a corporate standup gig after sponsors demanded she make her material 'nicer to men,' highlighting the clash between artistic integrity and brand safety. The conversation also covers the realities of book publishing cover designs, the psychological benefits of turning 30, and humorous anecdotes from red carpet interviews where she uses snacks and alcohol as leverage.
Key takeaways 4
Taylor Tomlinson quit a corporate standup gig after a sponsor's representative demanded she make her set 'more uplifting' and 'nicer to men,' highlighting the tension between artistic integrity and corporate control.
Tomlinson's new special 'Prodigal Daughter' reflects a nuanced evolution in her comedy, moving from antagonistic religious trauma jokes to a more balanced, understanding perspective developed over a decade.
The book publishing industry heavily prioritizes author face recognition on covers for sales, often forcing authors to compromise on design preferences (e.g., Tomlinson covering her face vs. publisher wanting full face).
Tomlinson avoids reading non-fiction/self-help while writing her own book to prevent her photographic memory from unconsciously imprinting external ideas, opting instead for fiction like 'The Acatar' series.
Notable quotes 4AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“"They want me to go up there and open the room in prayer. Can I open this up in prayer? Do you guys? Which would be easier than doing 20 minutes of standup."”
▶ 36:49Tomlinson mocking the corporate demand for her standup set to be 'uplifting' and less antagonistic towards men.
“"I'm in my 30s. Yes. I'll be in my 30s at that point. Or I'm like or like I'm like I can't eat that. It's too late. I'm in my 30s."”
▶ 11:06Explaining how turning 30 provides her with a convenient excuse for adult behaviors and limitations.
“"I have photographic memory... I stopped reading any sort of feminist theory, any sort of like self-help, empowerment, anything like that. I stopped reading all of it as I was writing because I didn't want anything to like imprint in my brain and then I write it and then I'm like, I came up with that, of course."”
Describing her strategy to avoid accidental plagiarism while writing her book due to her memory.
“"If you just had the time, I could be Taylor Tomlinson... If you had 16 years, you could be Taylor spare. That's literally what I'm saying. Well, and it's also like you could have all the time. That doesn't mean you can do it."”
Addressing the misconception that anyone can do standup just because they have time, emphasizing the skill required.
Chapters & Sections (59)▼
0:00Book Cover Design and Matching Tattooschapter3
1:46Book Cover Design and Airport Success
3:24Family Matching Tattoos and Dad's Regret
5:53Tattoo Paralysis and Matching Vibes
7:45Tattoo Pain and Aging in Your 30schapter4
9:19Perceptions of Youth and Aging Rapidly
10:31Turning 30 and Age Excuses
11:44Aging Perception and 2016 Photo Trend
14:10Nostalgia for 2016 Fashion Trends
15:22Navigating Fashion Choices and Online Speculationchapter3
16:52Online Speculation on Fashion and Makeup
18:56Managing Public Reaction Photos
20:22Hair Transformation and Disney Nostalgia
23:43Religious Trauma and Dating Evolutionchapter1
25:17Processing Religious Trauma and Dating
28:11Standup Comedy Process and Brand Deal Conflictchapter3
30:26Standup Brand Deal Conflict
32:32Corporate Gig Branding and Crowd Work
34:51Comedy Show Notes and Gender Bias
36:35Comedian Quits After Men Demand Softer Setchapter5
37:51Comedian Quits Over Censorship Demands
40:41Critique of Terrible Netflix Special
41:47Production Quality in Podcasts and Standup
43:09Podcasting Advice and Interview Skills
44:42Charlie XCX Wedding Press Anecdote
46:12Writing Process and Book Cover Decisionschapter2
48:12Photographic Memory and Writing Originality
49:42Reading Fiction and Cover Coverage
52:26Book Cover Design and Author Photo Cringechapter3
53:59Author Photo Pose Struggles
55:22Writing Young Adult Fiction and Processing Trauma
57:32Balancing Truth and Privacy in Memoirs
58:48Discussing Favorite Fiction Books and Authorschapter2
1:00:24Bookstore Hunt and VE Schwab Titles
1:01:32Lesbian Vampire Fiction and Book Series Critique
1:02:39Audio Porn and Fiction Tropeschapter1
1:03:59Audio Porn and Fifty Shades Critique
1:06:33Romantasy Age Tropes and Nostalgic TV Showschapter2
1:08:02Romance Tropes and Bridgerton Discussion
1:09:13Nostalgic TV Shows High School Musical Glee Vampire Diaries
1:11:12TV Show Plot Holes and Glee Nostalgiachapter2
1:13:59Heated Rivalry and Glee Nostalgia
1:15:53Darren Criss Appeal and Glee Character Dynamics
1:17:51Glee Mashups and Standup Originschapter1
1:19:52Sibling Feedback on Appearance
1:22:35Red Carpet Snacks and Comedy Firingchapter2
1:24:01Red Carpet Snacks and K-Pop Encounters
1:26:02Red Carpet Snacks and Church Firing
1:27:51Church Comedy Career and Political Pivot Jokeschapter
1:31:47Comedy, Offense, and Media Literacy Crisischapter2
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