Interview · moment 20 of 26
Jokes vs. No-Jokes Comedy and Louis CK's Retirement Talk
from Small Talk with Colin Quinn | The Tim Dillon Show #343 · #343
3 min
Guest
They debate whether comedy requires actual jokes and laughs to count as stand-up, discuss Louis CK feeling like he's already hit every height, and joke about launching an energy drink and merch instead of writing tight material.
- Tim argues that comedy without jokes isn't really stand-up — if you're not getting laughs, call it something else.
- Louis C.K. told him recently he might not come back to stand-up because he's already done everything.
- Tim says he has backed-up material but wants to take a few years to write and direct instead.
- He's selling only a couple hundred seats on the road, not headlining big venues or flying friends around.
- Tim suggests launching an energy drink instead of perfecting comedy material.
- The new model: take photos with people, sell them shirts, do five to ten minutes on stage instead of real comedy.
- Everyone's fighting for attention in comedy now — Tim used to run around with wigs and fake tits to get noticed.
- Tim advocates for style and substance together, but admits style without substance was his mistake.