Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
"I think more and more about like, as I get older and, you know, one and a half kids with my wife and like, like achievement is outside of just career. It's like, who am I becoming as a person? And, and am I like keeping the good things my parents gave me and my changing the things that, you know, I wish they maybe did different." — Bobby Kelly
"The thing that was hard for me to do, and I've done it in the last few years is to, you got to be careful because you, you, my, my therapist said to me one day, you don't get a dad. Boohoo. You are the dad. I'm sorry. You don't, other kids get dads. You don't. You're the dad." — Bobby Kelly
"But the thing that the fans don't understand, some of the, but they never saw the love. It was fucking real deep, like I love you, man. You know what I mean? We really cared about, you're spending fucking like, he'd hours a day with these people. Eight hours a day, every fucking day, none of us were headliners. None of us were right. We were in the city seven nights, so we were hustling and hanging out until the birds chirp. So we, there was a fucking, a family. We were family." — Bobby Kelly
The episode features a deep dive with comedian Bobby Kelly, focusing on his personal journey and the release of his first stand-up special. Kelly shares raw anecdotes about his early life, struggles with addiction, and the pivotal moments that shaped his comedic perspective. He details his experiences with sobriety, the challenges of navigating the comedy industry, and the evolution of his understanding of fatherhood and personal growth. The conversation highlights the camaraderie within the comedy scene, particularly the "back table" culture at The Cellar, emphasizing the supportive yet brutal environment that forged strong bonds among comedians. Kelly discusses how personal hardships, like addiction and complex family relationships, became the bedrock of his authentic comedic voice, contrasting with the pressure to conform to cleaner, more palatable material.
The discussion also touches upon the changing landscape of comedy, including the impact of the internet and self-production, and how comedians are now able to bypass traditional gatekeepers. Kelly reflects on his career trajectory, the lessons learned from mentors and peers, and the importance of artistic integrity. He emphasizes that true comedy often stems from vulnerability and honesty, even when addressing difficult or uncomfortable topics. The episode concludes with Kelly expressing his gratitude for the opportunities he's had and his commitment to his craft and family, underscoring the idea that personal fulfillment and artistic expression can coexist.