1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:01,919 Speaker 1: How many times have you gotten in your car or 2 00:00:01,960 --> 00:00:03,680 even at work and you sit there and you say, 3 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:05,360 I don't know what to listen to on a podcast 4 00:00:05,360 --> 00:00:07,919 because the choices seem to be so limited. Well not 5 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:11,800 on Arrow dot net A r Oe dot Net. Twenty 6 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:15,519 different podcasts to choose from, one of them being Beyond 7 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:18,879 the Calling. The men and women who serve this nation, 8 00:00:19,320 --> 00:00:22,719 what are they doing after they come home? We've got 9 00:00:22,719 --> 00:00:26,480 the stories Beyond the Calling only on Arrow dot Net 10 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:31,879 A r Oe dot Net. Enjoy your exploration, Jeff. You're 11 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:34,600 right there in the studio. Boy. Not too many people 12 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:35,719 get to sit in that chair. 13 00:00:35,759 --> 00:00:40,399 Speaker 2: Buddy, Well, I am honored. Thank you for having me. 14 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:43,399 Speaker 1: Well, no, thank you for sharing your gift with us, 15 00:00:43,439 --> 00:00:46,200 because I honestly I wish I could have traveled up 16 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:49,000 into the Broadway area to see take a Banana for 17 00:00:49,039 --> 00:00:51,200 a ride. But now you're really reaching out to us 18 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:53,759 with what you're doing with Netflix. Man, this is what 19 00:00:53,799 --> 00:00:55,520 it's all about. Because I'm one of those people I 20 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:58,799 will watch something over and over again because I just 21 00:00:59,039 --> 00:01:00,119 love comedy. 22 00:01:01,399 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 2: Well that's the idea. I mean, we don't laugh, we cry, right, 23 00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:05,920 life's tough, But. 24 00:01:05,959 --> 00:01:08,480 Speaker 1: How do you deal with that? Transition though, when you're 25 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:11,000 with everything that you're putting inside this, I don't want 26 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:12,920 to call it a variety show, but it is in 27 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:16,640 its own way because you involved so many different levels. 28 00:01:16,239 --> 00:01:22,439 Speaker 2: Here, music, comedy, roasting, rejection, set design. There's a lot 29 00:01:22,519 --> 00:01:24,280 happening here. But you know what, I got a lot 30 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:27,840 of help. I can't take all the credits. So when 31 00:01:27,879 --> 00:01:31,120 you have good collaborators, almost anything as possible. 32 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 1: When did you realize that it was time to grow? 33 00:01:34,239 --> 00:01:36,799 This thought? Because I've always been inspired by that, especially 34 00:01:36,799 --> 00:01:38,959 with comedy, is that it starts off as just a 35 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,599 wild whim and then it has feet on it, and 36 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:43,560 now you're running the path that you're on right now, 37 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:44,719 making your waiting Netflix. 38 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:48,000 Speaker 2: It's kind of hard to believe. Like I started the 39 00:01:48,079 --> 00:01:54,120 show in the mid nineties doing short monologues about my family, 40 00:01:54,159 --> 00:01:58,280 about my Popjack, my grand my grandfather, and that became 41 00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:01,280 thirty minutes, and then that became an hour and over 42 00:02:01,319 --> 00:02:03,959 a couple of years, and then I didn't have the strength, 43 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:06,239 the emotional strength to keep it going, so I put 44 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:09,719 it away for decades and became the roast guy, took 45 00:02:09,719 --> 00:02:13,719 a different path altogether, and then stuff happened in my 46 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:18,319 life circumstances changed. I lost some good buddies, Bob Staggett, 47 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:21,800 Gilbert Godfrey, Norman, Norm MacDonald, and I was like, well, 48 00:02:21,879 --> 00:02:23,759 let me go back and think about what I was 49 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:26,560 talking about as a young man. Now Here I am 50 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:29,240 with all this life experience, and I go I think 51 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:34,240 this would be valuable to others. My experiences could probably 52 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:37,039 help other people deal with their lives a little bit better. 53 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:40,199 So I feel like it's a mission for me. 54 00:02:41,439 --> 00:02:44,360 Speaker 1: And teaming up with Steven blows me away because this 55 00:02:44,439 --> 00:02:47,599 way that now expands the creative level and stuff. And 56 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:49,639 what was that journey like for you to be able 57 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,080 to I always call it relinquishing control because I could 58 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:54,680 never relinquish control in morning show radio. It's always about 59 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:57,599 one man, one man. How are you able to work 60 00:02:57,639 --> 00:02:59,520 with so many people with harmony. 61 00:03:02,039 --> 00:03:04,360 Speaker 2: I like to work with people that are smarter than me, 62 00:03:04,879 --> 00:03:08,680 you know, people that bring new ideas. You know. I 63 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:11,800 can admit that my expertise is an insult comedy. But 64 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:16,599 if I want to start putting choreography and sound design 65 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:19,960 and set design and costume design into something, then I 66 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,280 need other experts. I need people that are great at 67 00:03:22,319 --> 00:03:25,319 what they do and I think that's why overall the 68 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:29,400 show is a stand up at its core as stand up, 69 00:03:29,439 --> 00:03:31,759 but it's elevated to a theatrical event. 70 00:03:32,400 --> 00:03:34,919 Speaker 1: See. One of the attractions for me on it is 71 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:36,840 the fact that I'm one of those freaks. I will 72 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:39,800 sit there on Antenna TV and watch old Johnny Carson episodes. 73 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:42,680 You've now given me something to watch over and over 74 00:03:42,759 --> 00:03:45,199 again in the way of studying your art but also 75 00:03:45,439 --> 00:03:48,960 understanding where you're growing as a creative mind. 76 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:54,639 Speaker 2: That's quite a compliment. Thank you. Just watch it once. 77 00:03:54,879 --> 00:03:56,199 The fact that you're going to watch it over and 78 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:59,759 over really excites me, because you know that's how Netflix works. 79 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:02,039 Speaker 1: What is that like as a business man to be 80 00:04:02,039 --> 00:04:04,400 thinking about that because we all think that comedy you know, 81 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:06,719 Oh there's Jeff, he's up on that stage tonight. He 82 00:04:06,759 --> 00:04:08,919 only has one thing to think about. I'm not thinking 83 00:04:08,919 --> 00:04:10,840 that's true about you, dude. 84 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:14,080 Speaker 2: I'm very lucky in that I also have great business 85 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:17,519 people around me who make sure who make sure you know, 86 00:04:17,519 --> 00:04:21,639 I'm doing everything in the best way, most efficient way possible. 87 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:24,480 The truth is I don't think about the business too much. 88 00:04:24,519 --> 00:04:27,399 I think about the creativity part of it and let 89 00:04:27,439 --> 00:04:30,040 others handle the business part of it. Like, to me, 90 00:04:30,639 --> 00:04:33,560 just getting on stage and entertaining people, that's enough for me. 91 00:04:34,319 --> 00:04:37,160 Speaker 1: Please do not move. There's more with Jeff Ross coming 92 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:42,079 up next now on Netflix, Take a Banana for the Ride. 93 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:45,920 We are back with comedian Jeff Ross. Well, I love 94 00:04:45,959 --> 00:04:49,120 the idea that you embrace showmanship. I mean, to me, 95 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:52,759 that's the pages of those of those earlier generations of comedy. 96 00:04:52,759 --> 00:04:55,319 Where you're bringing this show to us now. I mean, 97 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:58,079 just like what you're doing with this on Netflix, Take 98 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:00,959 a Banana for a Ride. You're giving us the full show. 99 00:05:02,079 --> 00:05:04,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's an hour and a half. Most stand up 100 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:09,319 specialists are a tight hour. This is a full meal, breakfast, lunch, 101 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:13,240 and dinner. And that's kind of what I wanted to do. 102 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:15,879 I wanted it to feel like a Bruce Springsteen concert 103 00:05:15,959 --> 00:05:19,120 where at the end you've earned born to run, you've 104 00:05:19,199 --> 00:05:23,560 earned the sing along, You're just like, it's a thorough, full, 105 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:28,480 satisfying experience. I wanted to feel cathartic at the end. 106 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:30,879 Speaker 1: Can you feel that up there on that stage because 107 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:32,680 I've been up there to silence, and I know what 108 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:36,160 silence has done to me on that stage. 109 00:05:36,639 --> 00:05:39,600 Speaker 2: You know, I play the silences. This is a dramatic show, 110 00:05:40,079 --> 00:05:43,720 comedy show. So let this the silence is okay. You 111 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,279 get you get, you get credit for the pauses as 112 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:47,480 much as you get the laughs. 113 00:05:47,759 --> 00:05:49,920 Speaker 1: Do you want the door to open up for Network 114 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:51,959 Flicks to say, hey, look, you know, Jeff, why don't 115 00:05:51,959 --> 00:05:53,839 you come back for at least two or three specials 116 00:05:53,879 --> 00:05:57,680 a year and do this variety exploration of comedy as 117 00:05:57,680 --> 00:05:58,399 well as music. 118 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:02,279 Speaker 2: Well, you know, they've been very good to me. I'm 119 00:06:02,319 --> 00:06:06,160 also producing right now the Kevin Hart Roast, which will 120 00:06:06,199 --> 00:06:10,600 come out in May on Mother's Day. So they have 121 00:06:10,759 --> 00:06:14,199 been open to my ideas, different variety show ideas. So 122 00:06:14,879 --> 00:06:17,920 I think I'm good there, very lucky at partners. 123 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:19,759 Speaker 1: Yeah, because there's a side of me and this is 124 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:22,199 a compliment. Hopefully you'll take it that. You're almost like P. T. 125 00:06:22,399 --> 00:06:24,560 Barnum in the way of come on everybody, come on 126 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:26,959 in one for all. I'll bring you a show that 127 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:28,160 you'll never forget. 128 00:06:29,199 --> 00:06:31,879 Speaker 2: Yep, that's it. You want to be a big tent producer. 129 00:06:31,959 --> 00:06:35,199 I want everyone to enjoy my shows. You know, you know, 130 00:06:35,399 --> 00:06:39,480 eighteen to eighty, you know it's young old. No matter 131 00:06:39,519 --> 00:06:42,519 where you're from, there's something there for you, and I 132 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:45,839 always love that kind of comedy. The roaths are that way. 133 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:49,839 There's a lot of multi generational plenty of kids tell me, 134 00:06:49,879 --> 00:06:52,399 I watch my dad or I watch my mom. You know, 135 00:06:52,519 --> 00:06:54,519 like that's the best. 136 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 1: Do you have a personal favorite? And I know everybody 137 00:06:57,720 --> 00:06:59,000 in the world is going to ask you that because 138 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:01,160 I mean, inside my I can still see you with 139 00:07:01,199 --> 00:07:04,160 Bieber and it's just because it was like wow, because that, 140 00:07:04,279 --> 00:07:06,399 to me was the coming out of Bieber. That's when 141 00:07:06,439 --> 00:07:08,519 he became a man on your roast. 142 00:07:09,879 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 2: I ran into him the other day and he hugged 143 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:13,720 me and he did say, you know that roast changed 144 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:15,800 my life. Man, it really did. It was like a 145 00:07:15,839 --> 00:07:19,079 reset button for him. My favorite roast is Whoever's Next? 146 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:23,079 That's right comrad about super Bowls, So Whoever's Next? That's 147 00:07:23,120 --> 00:07:24,560 my That's always my favorite. 148 00:07:24,639 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 1: Okay, speaking of next, are we going to see you 149 00:07:26,959 --> 00:07:29,279 on another one man show? Is it in the works? 150 00:07:30,399 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 2: Not yet? I got to finish this one first. Yeah, 151 00:07:33,199 --> 00:07:35,680 this one is still this one is still warm. 152 00:07:36,199 --> 00:07:37,839 Speaker 1: I was gonna say, you just told me you've been 153 00:07:37,879 --> 00:07:39,920 working on it all over all these years. That's what 154 00:07:39,959 --> 00:07:42,199 I love about comedy is the crafting of the show. 155 00:07:42,439 --> 00:07:46,160 The skillsmanship that goes into the show. It doesn't just happen. 156 00:07:47,399 --> 00:07:50,439 Speaker 2: No, No, I worked on this like like I was 157 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:56,360 building a skyscraper. I wanted this to be undeniable ninety 158 00:07:56,439 --> 00:08:02,160 minutes and there's not one wasted moment. It's funny, it's healing, 159 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:07,439 and I think ultimately it'll be a cathartic experience. People 160 00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:09,399 will watch it and go wow. I think I feel 161 00:08:09,399 --> 00:08:12,360 better about what I'm going through now because I saw 162 00:08:12,399 --> 00:08:14,160 how Jeff got through all that stuff. 163 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:17,120 Speaker 1: So now with you doing what you're doing, you're talking 164 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:19,680 about skyscrapers. Of course, my mind goes, oh, he needs 165 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:22,360 his own library like a president. Then where would you 166 00:08:22,439 --> 00:08:27,680 put your president? Your library? Out of comedy Newark. 167 00:08:27,399 --> 00:08:30,920 Speaker 2: New Jersey, brick city where I'm born, Baby, build it, 168 00:08:31,079 --> 00:08:33,759 come on. I love that question. 169 00:08:34,519 --> 00:08:36,840 Speaker 1: Where can people go to find out more about you, 170 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:39,679 Jeff in the way that you continuously travel as well 171 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:40,840 as create new things? 172 00:08:41,519 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 2: Oh? I love it. Go to my Instagram, the real 173 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:46,720 Jeffrey Ross on instant And if you watch the show, 174 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:49,159 whoever's listening, if you watch it, write me a little 175 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:52,039 review in the comments. I love hearing from the fans. 176 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:53,759 Speaker 1: See and that's why you're still here, dude. That's why 177 00:08:53,759 --> 00:08:56,320 you keep pumping up the volume because you understand who's 178 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:57,639 on this side of that microphone. 179 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:01,879 Speaker 2: It's all about the fans, about the baby. Yep, why 180 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:02,399 we do it. 181 00:09:02,519 --> 00:09:04,480 Speaker 1: Please come back to this show anytime in the future. 182 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:06,720 The door is always going to be open for you. Dude. 183 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,159 Speaker 2: Hey man, I really appreciate that. Thanks for getting the 184 00:09:10,159 --> 00:09:10,639 word out. 185 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 1: Will you be brilliant today? Okay, sir, you got 186 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:15,039 Speaker 2: It, baby, that's a promise.