Chris Distefano | Crowd Work With The Mob | Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

This week Mike welcomes Comedy Cellar friend and comedy star Chris Distefano. Chris shares important lessons in failure: how a bad set got him booked on Letterman, and the advice his wife gave him about not listening to studio executives. Mike and Chris also dissect Chris’s famous 9/11 story, and why Chris’ “worst gig” story involves an actual knife at his throat.
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Find Mike:
Website: birbigs.com/
Instagram: / birbigs
Facebook: / birbigfans
TikTok: / mikebirbiglia
Find Chris Distefano:
Website: chrisdcomedy.com/
Instagram: / chrisdcomedy
Facebook: / chrisdcomedy
Hosted and Produced by Mike Birbiglia
Producers: Peter Salomone and Joseph Birbiglia
Associate Producer: Mabel Lewis
Consulting Producer: Seth Barrish
Assistant Producer: Gary Simons
Video Consultant: Graham Willoughby
Special Thanks: Marissa Hurwitz, Josh Upfal, David Raphael, Nina Cwik, J. Hope Stein, Oona
Music: Jack Antonoff and Bleachers

[@coop1247]

I don't know if I've ever seen Chrissy be this serious on a pod, loved hearing all of this genuine conversation.

[@kolpik3708]

"Control your effort" really is some good advice.

[@rawdaaljawhary4174]

Dr. Chrissy D rules! I'm a big fan. His humor can always lift me out of a bad spot. ❤😊Lots of love for him, and I'm so happy for his success.

[@cedarandsound]

I've never seen Distefano's comedy before, but I might check it out now, he's a funny nice guy.

[@MarkK-ne9fs]

Duh welcome to the chaos

[@jw70467]

He’s genuinely funny and a seems a good person. Check out his 9/11 story and also Christories are pretty funny. His podcast is above average overall, and like all of the really good comedy pods, there are a few misses and some real slam dunks.

[@MrsParksIsInTheHouse]

Welcome to the CHAOS! I’m actually jealous that you are just about to discover DAYS of funny!! 😂😂😂 ENJOY!!

[@paulferranti8536]

Hes very funny…..and I’m a tough critic

[@glom9995]

Check him out bro

[@Leviajohnson]

Chrissy Chaos and Mike Bahooski. What a combo I never would have imagined

[@zenclover8468]

seen a lot of chris's stuff. This was easily one of his best podcasts, and i say that with the utmost respect for him. He's way funnier than where he was like 5 years ago.

[@Recoveringdadpodcast]

Chrissy is the best. He seems like a great dad who cares and puts the work into his family.

[@geek-morgue]

This is hands-down, one of my most favourite Chrissy D podcast episodes of all time, on anything.

[@skiddlybatch]

This is one of my favourite episodes of the pod. GREAT chat. Chrissy chaos, baby!

[@richsackett3423]

Home run, Mike.

[@xburtonboardnx]

I've watched HOURS and HOURS of Chrissy pods, and this was by far one of my favorites. Getting down to brass tacks - genuine - no character impressions or "need" to be funny. Thanks Mike!

[@uschilevermann5712]

really good to see chrissy being chill ❤

[@rawdaaljawhary4174]

"I judge people by how they fail." - Dr. Chrissy D. He's the best! I LOVE his 9/11 story.

[@thismothafuckasaid7304]

Not his quote, it's on walls of Planet Fitness gyms (or 24 Fitness? Forget which chain gym). Its old & popular quote from famous philosopher

[@rd0dave]

My god brother can tell a story. I was pulled in the entire hour.

[@franklopez4028]

One of my favorite episodes

[@michaelgaskell6398]

Dude distefano might be the literal most likeable guy on the face of the earth. I'm starting to get burnt out on specials ( my fault I'm obsessive about comedy ) his specials and stand up... I don't feel that way. He's just so insanely likeable. He's so honest that even though he isn't really an Everyman... Literally everyone can relate to him. He truly understands how to recognize and talk about the true human experience in such a way that is riveting no matter what. Even when he's not being funny i still want to hear what he has to say. Awesome. And mike this is my first time stumbling on your podcast and i am so happy it exists and very sad i didn't know about it before. Love you man you're one of my favorites. Everything i said about Chris i also feel about you. You guys have different comedy styles obviously but the reason people listen is no matter what, you guys are always actually saying something that's coming from a place that matters. This episode made my night. Thank you so much

[@the.messy.cookie]

I’ve never heard his come uppance before, and I freakin love it. It makes me love Distafano 10x more. Great ep, Mike.

[@nmatas8]

This was a 🔥 episode. Filled with gems for life.

[@MattAndImprov]

That success-from-failure story is amazing. Every comedian needs to watch this.

[@wachinpntdry.]

"right.... right, you should go to the ACTUAL gym though" 🤣

[@ginogarcia8730]

glad to hear Chrissy interviewing Mike here XD

[@JoanneWhitlock]

So fascinating, thanks so much for sharing this. Love it.

[@LionsMayRoar]

Such a good episode. Distefano is a thoughtful guy.

[@dot_t]

Love you Chrissy! ❤️✨

[@MrJom139]

Amazing story - thank you.

[@MarcMcMillin]

great conversation!

[@BellyLaugher]

Another engaging conversation, and rich story telling. Love how much Chris made Mike laugh. I'll be keeping Chris's father's put your focus on, 'putting-in-the-effort, not on the outcome advice. I love hearing the stories of when you all were developing your talents & abt other older classic comedians I don't know, and abt club owners, booking peeps, etc. Chris's description of Catholic brothers at those all boys schools➡you get detention if your top button is unbuttoned!

[@AprilNPaul]

I've been saving this in my watch later folder for quite a while lol. I finally listened to it it was actually really really good.😂😂

[@stephanigorgraf-rosenau3776]

Very inspiring for young comics! Thanks guys :)

[@ginogarcia8730]

Man talking about History Hyenas again

[@portlandsamber]

Miss the tutes.

[@MrsParksIsInTheHouse]

Miss those days… ❤😂❤😂

[@rawdaaljawhary4174]

I hope your dad feels better soon, Mike. ❤❤❤

[@donbrunodelamancha1927]

I have love Chris Distefano since “Guy Code” and “Girl Code”. I knew he had the talent to make it. Those casts were loaded! Great show Mike‼️ Will you ever bring back the guitar??? Algorithm engagement ‼️🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@KMELT]

OHH yay!!! Two of my top 5 together?! This is so great, thank you guys!

[@pjsalvesen]

This was magic! Mike who is arguably the best writer in comedy and Chris who as soon as he opens his mouth I can actually feel my cheeks preparing for the laughs. Thank you guys for making me laugh today.

[@19144troy]

I love Chris but more Mike couldn't get 5 words in edgewise. However, it did prompt me to watch his Letterman debut and 9/11 story and he really was (is) so charismatic.

[@ginogarcia8730]

CHRISSY D BAYBEHHH

[@AntonyHarePI]

Loved this.

[@angiecontreras9324]

😂😂😂❤❤❤❤ I love chrissy!

[@markelcj]

Great convo

[@susanpeck530]

Saw chris recently on Kimmel. Love his family stories. Was funny

[@Roryohanloncomedy]

Great Interview

[@cedarandsound]

I hope someday I see Dan Cummins on this podcast...

[@kenbillingsley9239]

Chrissy Wissy is the bestie westie.

[@joshamato3498]

Name that watch ⌚

[@brianmaringer863]

I love your podcast but could you please tell me what the sandwhich-lookin' thing that's always next to the guest is? I can't sleep anymore because of it😂 10:53

[@MrBigboi241]

What shirt is Chris wearing?

[@MattAndImprov]

It's a special kind with a crease down the front.

[@patricpleasure]

Mark Ruffalo has the voice of Birbiglia, and vice versa.

[@RomanLilija]

Love the mispronounciation of your guest's name 😅

[@Guy-qs5nz]

He left off the Travolta bit of the Letterman story but I suppose we all know it since he told it on JRE

[@beksinski]

I spoke with a compulsive gambler once who explained that he wasn't addicted to winning. Or even playing. His high came from the experience of losing big and then having to risk some kind of catastrophe to ante back in. Similar to how some junkies can't get high unless scoring involves the risk of violence.

[@patrickbusche7250]

hey mike get ur sleep big dawg

[@maxxriot37]

GayGay!?

[@jacoblouisfilm2019]

Terrible Netflix special. Great podcaster

[@rottensquid]

Dude, it seems like Chris just told the world a story he was paid to never tell anyone. I really hope he changed names and street addresses. Amazing story, but... seriously.

[@anneswinson3370]

I watched and enjoyed every part where Chrissy D was talking. Just not a fan of the other guy.

[@focuspulling]

Oh lord, another water cooler shop talk podcast. Comedians, please understand that hours and hours talking about career struggles (with colorful post-it notes in the background to prove it) interest almost nobody. Chris doesn't do any of this on his own podcast, either. There's a limit to what court jesters have to say; in Shakespeare's time, minstrels never attained celebrity even at these lower rungs. And "celebrity" comedians hobnob with producers in a money game. A "one-man show on Broadway" is all about who you know, after years of tactical maneuvering in social circles.

[@casemahn236]

THANKS C. & M.

[@cockerjc]

Thanks!

[@MrsParksIsInTheHouse]

Great episode!! Few people get to see THIS side of the chaos! ❤️🫶🏻❤️🫶🏻 I love it!!