Interview · moment 23 of 25
Fame vs. Loving the Craft: The Difference Between Real Comics and Famous Ones
from #258 - Fat Recluse | The Tim Dillon Show · #258
5 min
Guest
Jeff draws a distinction between comedians who do it purely because they love comedy versus those chasing fame, citing Bill Parcells' quote about a player who loves football, and calls out how many current comics only care about popularity.
- When he was a young comedian, it was about having the respect of your peers and being great, not about fame or money.
- Now a third of the comics at the Comedy Store are only there because they're popular, not because they're funny.
- Bill Parcells quote about a football player who loves football itself, not what it can bring to him, applies to comedy's shift toward fame-seeking.
- He's done comedy since age eight because it's what he does, not for restaurants tables or early-career status.
- He combines supreme confidence in his skills with humility about opportunities, viewing appearances as chances to be great rather than gets.
- Pamela introduced him to the show, and a deep dive confirmed she was right about Tim's quality as a comedian.
- He started at the Comic Strip in South Florida in the early 80s with Brian Regan, then moved through New York, Chicago, and L.A.
- Tim asks what mistakes people make when they start out in comedy now.
Bill ParcellsThe Comedy StoreBrian ReganLarry gaySecond CityJP smoothcomedyBill Withers