I’m your nerd host, Chris Hardwick
Nerdist is a place where we nerds come together and share the nerdery that we find. It's also my home to various elements of the Nerdist Empire. You might recognize me from TV. You don't realize that's where you know me from, but it is. You think you went to college with me or I look like your cousin's friend, but that is not the case. At one time or another you stumbled upon me on your moving picture box in such cerebral gems as MTV's "Singled Out" and Noam Chomsky's "Shipmates." and so much more...
Say hello to the contributors.
That was an EPIC podcast. If the LEGENDARY Miss Joan Rivers ever wants to do an animated video of some of her comedy, PLEASE forward my link to her. I have done a couple of podcast promotional videos that have been well received and even considered by certain cable networks.
Lately I’ve only been uploading one or two videos a month, but they’re getting about 30,000 views a day and I am so thankful for that. It’s not “shit-tons” of money, but it’s enough to pay the rent. As long as I don’t have to sell my soul and go work in the corporate world again, me am happy. God bless YouTube and ad revenue!
Thanks for the podcast! I’ve always known of Joan Rivers but never actually heard anything of hers. She’s really sharp!
Random Quemment: Is it just me or is the only way to get to the podcast page/comment page to go from main site (nerdist.com), click Podcasts, click Nerdist Podcast, then click the episode title? From the main page, there’s the big banner on the top right for the podcast, but the only links are to play it, download it, itunes, and rss. Would it be possible to make the title or something click-able so we can get right in here? Sorry if this has been asked before!
Wow. That was awesome. It made my day when Joan said that Dane Cook wasn’t funny.
I was going to say that I grew up only knowing that Joan Rivers covered red carpet apparel. Never knew she was a comedian before Nerdist podcast.
She’s a pistol and it’s really refreshing to hear people talk freely about the industry without politic.
Getting Albert Brooks on the show, I dont know if that would be a good idea. I heard hes an ass and doesn’t interview well, if he does interviews at all. If you have to get a Brooks on get Mel Brooks, that would make the rest of my year.
Wow,that was something! One of the most fascinating conversations i’ve ever heard. Can we please have Ms. Rivers on the Nerdist Channel?? Please,please? ’cause that would be beyond amazing!
Where can I send Joan’s $1 since you guys won’t take it? Also, how is it Joan can make it down to New Orleans for shows and you guys can’t?
Great episode. The 1% audience is great bit of inspiration for people working on creative things. It takes perseverance, but there is something to the audience will find you and your stuff.
Also, people keep talking about getting huge, amazing icons on the show–and I totally support that, but I have another suggestion.
I’ve noticed a trend lately (Chris Rock interview on The Daily Show) about comedians envying musicians because musicians can keep playing their old hits and people love them for it, but comedians must constantly produce new material.
Matt McCarthy (great comic) has a fantastic bit talking about this. He did it on John Oliver’s Stand Up show and it killed me. Beautiful bit that nails how audiences treat musicians and comics differently. So, rather than pulling in an icon, bring him (because you have magical powers) in and all of you can talk about it together.
Joan is amazing as always! She always reminds me that life goes on and people should move on whatever comes next. Thanks for sharing this over an hour long great conversation.
UH MAZING…when Joan said “there is one guy who is not funny”, I know all of your listeners instantly thought DANE COOK.
What a great moment for you Chris. Joan still has great timing and cadence. The one thing I will take way is “I haven’t peaked yet”.
Thank you for sharing your moment Nerdist.
Hands down, THE best interview I have listened to; not just on The Nerdist, but of any podcast. Joan was amazing!
Okay Chris, you obviously sold your soul to the the very Devil for this to happen. It was one of the best things I’ve ever listened to, and I was shocked and saddened when I checked the time and saw I had only ten minutes left.
My question: Do you still have his number? There’s a few things I want to talk to him about.
I apologize if it seems I’ve been using this forum for self promotion. It’s rude and inappropriate and a nasty habit that I need to stop.
I assure you, the two art submissions were meant as a thank you for these podcasts and were purely a labor of love.
Beautiful episode. Really enjoyed it. Thanks Joan, Chris and Jonah. It was a lovely listen.
I never really like Joan only because I saw her on the red carpet, but she was pretty great! I have a new respect for her & it was funny as all get out to hear her just talk openly about people. I see a Joan Rivers podcast joining the Nerdist network soon…
I was smiling (and tearing up a little) from the moment that I hit play. Although I didn’t know it until I found your podcast, I grew up a comedy nerd. I too was a 8-year-old kid climbing out of bed every night to pull an old black and white tv from my closet to watch Letterman every night.
As a girl, Joan was my hero. She works so hard and I hope that she realizes that, through all of the showbiz crap and small paychecks, she is loved and is suck an inspiration.
I would totally subscribe to any podcast and/or vlog that she would do. Make it happen.
That was a great podcast! Post that address so we can give Joan Rivers a dollar to see how much we really care!
An absolutely inspiring conversation — one of your all-time best episodes — I daresay it vaulted right over Rainn Wilson and John Lithgow though they still rank amongst the champions.
I wanted to go out and make things, write things, get up and try things.
Freakin’ fantastic way to head into a meeting about a new education reform we are starting in our school district. I was on fire, I daresay, fire.
Holy cow, what a great way to start a Wednesday. I love Joan Rivers and will listen/watch anything she does. I hope you can get her on the ole intertubes, Chris… she would be a great addition to the Nerdist channel. Just sayin’.
I love Joan. This was such a great show. It was such an honest and hilarious conversation. Also, props for name dropping Noel Fielding =)
Funny is funny is funny indeed! She is one of those people that you can’t help but root for! One of my favourite episodes for sure!
I had no idea Joan Rivers was this funny. And I’m 39 years old so I have no frikkin excuse. Thanks for introducing me to this great woman before it was too late.
Best thing was despite her years in the business Joan was open to new ideas and learning from Chris. For a first time meeting tha could not have gone better. I hope she comes back on the show.
Joan Rivers is just as funny as she was when I was a little kid. She was funny and so open. Everybody really clicked. You guys did a great job at interviewing Joan and she did a great job at pushing you guys to give away secrets. This was beyond funny. I loved the insights into Ms. Rivers’ work ethic and what drives her. This is what happens when talented, smart people get together. PURE MAGIC!
awesome! honestly I’m only halfway thru. but damn. Joan is a killer.
for those who werent aware of her funny do yourself a favor and watch Fashion Police on E(!)
I never would have started watching it if I wasnt married… but that show is Joan’s vessel and she be steerin it into some hilarious waters!
not only do you get to enjoy Joan skewering everyone, but the reaction shots of whoever else is on the show are PRICELESS!
also, toonsymth, I accept your unnecessary apology. keep doing your thing, and keep keepin the lights on!
wow, fat jokes about Jonah! I wonder if when Matt hears this he will have some of the weirdest jealous feelings ever…
Chris, to suggest a guest, I think you and Henry Rollins could have a really interesting discussion about non-stop work and why you can’t stop moving. It’s a running theme for both of you.
Also, loved this podcast. But I love all of them. Big fan!
How is it that you guys can take someone that I have very little interest in and turn them into the most fascinating people ever.
Rock on and other kudos.
–x gonz’
Taking a Sharpie and drawing little hearts all over this podcast. Which means I now have a laptop screen covered in indelible ink hearts. That’s going to get in the way of my internet porn. Thanks, Hardwick. (No, seriously, thanks–it was totally worth it!)
I’m only halfway through this episode and really love it – I can’t wait til my commute home to hear the rest.
I’m pretty sure she said “Bring me another Dane Clarke” at 19:29. Awesome.
I LOVE Joan Rivers, and i always kinda laugh that i do considering she says things like “No straight man can be a fan of mine” yet im a 24 year old straight guy, who’s a gamer, lover of all the nerdy stuff we all love…yet Joan Rivers just hits the spot for me. I never knew of her when younger, only really when she re-surged onto Fashion Police did i discover her and i have loved her ever since.
I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope you two had a good long conversation about Podcasts/Youtube Channel’s and put her on the road to creating one. She would be perfect for either, though IMO (especially considering the lack of video part so she doesnt have to get all dressed up and makeup done) Podcast would suit her SO well.
She is SO sharp and so funny in regular conversation that she wouldnt need to write material, like your hostfulls she could just be awesome off her cuff. If she makes anything on the internet i will be subscribing and listening/watching. Shes a genius and she never doesn’t make me laugh. And i laugh big multiple times listening to this podcast.
Btw i dont disagree with her regarding having a special and selling it yourself. I do understand putting your first Special on CCentral and its 1+ Million guaranteed viewer base is a smart move, you will make good money and more people will know about you that didnt before (non nerd community folks).
However, maybe for your second, i’d say there are two good options, first: Go to Google/Youtube, see them about taking away the “Specials” from HBO/Comedy Central and paying comics (like yourself) to record your Specials and then put them up on Youtube. Of course it being the internet they can be as dirty or clean as you want. Have Youtube make it the first search that comes up when Nerdist or Chris Hardwick is searched, so they see theres a free 1 hour long HD Special of your standup..if i saw that on YT right now id watch it right away, and totally be fine if it had commercial breaks or w/e.
Second option: Just do it how Jim Gaffigan/Louie CK did. Tape your special, put it up here on Nerdist for people to buy and DL for $5 using credit card and paypal, you have 1.65 followers on twitter, tweet it and i bet at least 500,000 of your followers would buy it, and mention it a few times on the podcasts and on the Youtube Channel’s shows. and bam you got probably at LEAST 300,000-1 million buys or something.
You make so much stuff for free, which is awesome, but i think you of all people (nerd king) should see in our nerd community, we shell out money for things we love. Kickstarter campaigns, all the support for shows to come back like Community and others, we pay $5 for awesome specials and documentaries (Katee S/Tricia Helfer LA-LA ride) and how many people buy nerdist merch and pay for tickets to see host-fulls etc.
Joan always knocks it out of the park on Howard Stern’s show, but this was something new…it was fascinating to hear her talk in depth about her process and the early days of her career. I do hope that the conversation off the air included an offer for her to join The Nerdist podcast family!
Thanks so much for having Joan on. I’ve been addicted to all things Joan since I was little kid too! And Chris… you’d make an amazing gay dude! <3
Joan Rivers is an AMAZING woman. She was such a fantastic guest, telling great stories, making awesome jokes, and just being SUCH a delight. And I love how gung-ho she is about getting involved in new media. She is by far one of my favorite people, and she should be on the Nerdist every month if possible.
Also, was it just me or did Jonah seem a bit flustered at the beginning?
Thank you for such a great conversation. Chris, I hope you work your internet magic to find Joan a spot in the digital world. I was a kid during her guest-hosting on The Tonight Show years so I am thrilled that you are exposing people to her comedy who just knew her as a red carpet critic. And her documentary should be required watching for anyone who loves comedy and people with drive.
Really late to the party on this episode, but just had to comment for the first time to say that was my favorite Nerdist interview EVER. Joan was so good, so honest, and the interviewing was really well done. I loved when she turned the tables and made Chris talk about himself.
Loved this episode. Joan Rivers always cracks me up with her witty/out of left field comedy.
I loved this Episode so much that when I heard you wrapping it up I was “So soon, it’s only been like 20 mins.” then I saw the playtime and realized that an hour had gone by.
Thanks for this episode, made my workday go by quicker.
So awesome.
I keep rolling around this idea for a web-series that’s kinda like Julie & Julia but it’s Joan & Jonah.
Jonah is a struggling stand-up that writes to Joan about how inspiring she is and how he wants to learn from her, and one day she just shows up and with a suitcase cause of some silly reason, and then it’s an odd couple thing where Jonah just keeps doing shit that joan calls him an idiot for.
One possible episode would be where Jonah is hesitant to take a commercial gig with an unnamed company he is unsure about and Joan keeps telling him he’s an idiot and needs to take the job. Then you cut to the Bing commercial. At the very end we would see Joan in a Gamestop trying to return an X-Box claiming she lost the receipt.