In this episode, Doug Stuart chats with Lou Perez, speaking as a comedian, about his new book, That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore: On the Death and Rebirth of Comedy. Perez offers a “behind-the-scenes” of the creative journey for his new book, as well as experiences in the life of professional comedy – especially in today’s highly charged and political climate.
Summary – Speaking as a Comedian, with Lou Perez
Lou Perez is author of That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore: On the Death and Rebirth of Comedy. He was the Head Writer and Producer of the Webby Award-winning comedy channel We the Internet TV. During his tenure at WTI, he made the kind of comedy that gets you put on lists and your words in the Wall Street Journal: “How I Became a ‘Far-Right Radical.” In addition to producing sketch comedy, stand-up, and opinion writing, he’s also host The Lou Perez Podcast.
Perez details some of the back story to his book. He remarks about how his publisher gave him complete creative freedom to “write the book you want.” Perez saw this is a unique opportunity to write about things important to him and the problems he saw brewing about community. He also commented about his experience in 2020 and 2021 when several big names in comedy passed away and the effect that had on him.
Don’t miss all this and more in our latest episode
Main Points of Discussion
| 00:00 | Introduction |
| 03:25 | Perez’s intrigue with the connection between anarchism and Christianity |
| 05:54 | What was the purpose of writing That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore |
| 09:35 | Creative, Editing, and Publication process |
| 14:25 | The mutual respect and community among fellow comedians. |
| 17:26 | What’s it like to “bomb” a show? |
| 20:40 | What’s going wrong with comedy today? |
| 23:46 | At what point do you old back from? (Dark humor) |
| 32:51 | Is Donald Trump funny? |
| 34:45 | Do your kids understand your humor? |
| 36:53 | What other things have you done besides stand up? |
| 39:11 | The fight you had on Twitter |
| 42:30 | Concluding Remarks |
Resources Mentioned
- Lou’s website: https://www.thelouperez.com/
- Lou’s Wallstreet Journal Article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-i-became-a-far-right-radical-11609370135
- Buy the Book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637582455
Related Stories
- Ep 297: Speaking as a Comedian, with Lou Perez
- Ep 296: Doug Stuart Talks Social Justice and How to Speak to the Left
- Ep 295: Bonnie Kristian and the Unhealthy Skepticism Corrupting Culture
The Libertarian Christian Institute is an educational and religious nonprofit organization that promotes libertarianism from a Christian point of view. LCI is convinced that libertarianism is the most consistent expression of Christian political thought. LCI is ecumenical in nature, welcoming all those who confess the traditional creeds of the universal church. Visit https://libertarianchristians.com