Patton Oswalt | Blocks Podcast w/ Neal Brennan

[@ltheil8030]

I was in Chicago for the taping of his special after Michelle died. When he spoke about her it felt like the oxygen was completely removed from the room. It was so raw, real, and emotional, and then he cracked and joke and brought everyone right back. Absolutely incredible. I love Patton. So glad you had him on!

[@johnmonk6342]

I'll never forget. I saw Patton at the L.A. Times Festival of Books on the campus of USC on a lovely summer Saturday afternoon, maybe 2010. Standing on a small outdoor stage, holding a microphone, in front of a random collection of book fans, young and old couples, erudite students and locals, and families with children of all ages, Patton told the filthiest limerick, which he attributed to Louis C.K. This choice of material at this setting was so inappropriate that, for some, the natural response became laughter.

[@ltheil8030]

@@johnmonk6342 What an awesome experience!!

[@KNosk826]

@@ltheil8030 I rewatched the special immediately after finishing this episode and the standing ovation he got taking the stage made me cry. I read Michelle's book and watched the series early days of the pandemic too. So many feelings!

[@mc76]

I was at the Atheneum that night as well. It is the only time I have ever cried with laughter and sorrow simultaneously. "Michelle said, 'It's chaos, be kind.' And then she proved it in the shittiest way possible" just broke me.

[@ltheil8030]

@@mc76 Goosebumps. It was an incredible experience

[@Dan-ys8nk]

I met Patton in May 2023 at my graduate school ceremony at William & Mary. He graduated from there in 1991 and he was our keynote speaker that night. After the ceremony, I spent a few minutes with him talking about grief because the night my grandmother died in 2017, we were watching King of Queens together. I told him that he and Jerry Stiller made us laugh in her final hours and I'll never forget it. Patton shook my hand and said "I'm glad. I'm so sorry for your loss. I lost my wife a few years ago and it still hurts." He then said, I hope that you continue to live in gratitude and fulfillment with those good memories of her." Patton Oswalt is the real deal and I'm proud to be alums with him.

[@MaxJam684]

I could watch another two hours of their conversation. You could tell Neal was hanging on every word. His ability to steer the interview with such a minimal amount surgical input, is crazy. These two seem like best friends who haven’t seen each other in years.

[@philsowers]

For more time with Patton, his appearance on David Cross's Senses Working Overtime was great, and live. They specifically covered a lot about the alt comedy days from the 90s.

[@hamiljohn]

Patton Oswalt AND Neal Brennan? Can't ask for more!

[@cirquemedia]

This is the original dynamic duo!!! #BAM #POW #BatmanRobin

[@VitaminStudios]

I hope one of the questions to Patton is... "Whats it like selling out and throwing Dave Chappell under the bus" and then virtue signaling by taking a picture of you writing your instagram post on paper trashing Dave

[@jacktrowbridge2041]

🤣

[@MISNM0]

❤❤❤

[@SilentBob731]

@@VitaminStudios Sad Chappelle Fanboys rushing to Dave's defense is truly pathetic. Dave's a big boy, he doesn't need your simping.

[@darinpiland7670]

I lost 3 family members in 3 years. Younger sister leaving behind kids, mom, then step dad. Seeing Patton do that special so close after his wife's death was inspiring. Ty for the laughs

[@MISNM0]

💔🫂🤍🕊🕊🕊

[@ty-mn6ij]

He is literally on my bucket list of standups to see in my lifetime! Absolute legend

[@therealjd1503]

Damn the part about losing his wife and talking to to his daughter about it, that hit hard.

[@drewpace]

Immediate tears. What a beautiful way to help her face the pain. Together.

[@s3cr3tsquar333]

24:23 "i'll absorb all this darkness" beautiful

[@PKriPPer83]

This show is so much better than some huge podcasts 👏

[@oneofus6924]

feeling kinda patton is an absolute favorite for me and my siblings, and is quoted constantly in our every day life.

[@Samaelthekind]

Patton has the gravitas of an elder statesman for GenX now...all those of us who drifted through childhood in the 70s, came of age in the 80s, became adults in the 90s, and have staggered into a strange new century that seems almost alien. He is our literate, heartfelt, humorous voice. But for all that he poo poos his earlier work, it was amazing as well. Obviously he's become much more...and we love all that too...but the Robert Evans bit?? C'mon!!! Priceless.

[@SteveSilverActor]

It is very true that as a performer, you will have peaks and valleys, and often you won't know why. It is all too easy to take it personally, but the best way is to look at it like a surfer catching a good wave -- you know you're experiencing something wonderful, and you know that eventually it has to end. And maybe, just maybe, you might catch another great big wave again one day.

[@angelaweibel4660]

Super love Parton, one of the most brilliant intelligent and hyper aware comedians!

[@mapples007]

This is why I believe people find Buddhism after traumatic loss. Learning that all pain is caused by attachment and trying to control has been very helpful. Everything is temporary and our earthly existence is a blink in all eternity. Just enjoy this weird dream of conscious life while it lasts.

[@dawnbG]

Your best guest so far. Patton the world loves you. Neal please get help for your body dysmenorrhea, it’s a joy robber in ways you can’t even imagine. Signed a finally an almost recovered ,60 year old woman. I want better for you

[@GordonCaledonia]

Crampin' ain't easy.

[@Phil.Anthropy]

This whole podcast helped in many areas. Thank you for having Patton on

[@squishyhobo]

@44:04 SOOO FUNNY thanks for acknowledging it XD

[@leekyoverhere]

Who was he referring to? I'm not hip

[@nightburrito9283]

@@leekyoverhere Chapelle

[@leekyoverhere]

@nightburrito9283 thank you

[@Plasticjesus504]

I really enjoyed the interview with Patton. You can really tell he has worked on himself and looked deep within to understand as well as combat his issues. Thank you for all you hard work Neal!

[@joshwhite9810]

How dare you make me cry tears.. Patton is a national treasure ❤

[@dianneking8337]

Your netflix special made me laugh and cry too....Patton I'm so glad you can see the other side of grief ......grief to grace for you and your family!

[@rayberezitzky8560]

Great conversation... thanks for having Patton on. Always have enjoyed listening to him. Great job Neal!!!

[@bees.857]

If this was 7 hours long, I would have listened to the whole thing 💚

[@larcenymccheese2806]

"danny devito is a small guy that's seemingly a tidal wave" cut to Devito diarrheaing in a pool is wild😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ringbling420]

Patton Oswalt is the man through the years I have listened to as kind of a touch base of how to base oneself as a human and this conversation is a prime example of why he is that to me and I know so many others. Great, great entry to the Library of Neal.

[@DanClarkComedy1]

I love Patton Oswalt. One of my all time favorites. As a young comedian I just want to be successful to get on this podcast. I have enough blocks just need get the rest of the jokes 😂

[@Lathey22]

What a genuien and funny guy Patton is. Great listen.

[@dkozlak922]

That was beautiful. Thank you Neal and Patton.

[@cirquemedia]

Mr. Brennan >>> come do stand-up in good ol' Portland, Oregon. #WeMissYou

[@mindlessmusician3117]

Holy shii that was intense.. The part about the loss of Michelle made me cry.. Patton is amazing, long live Sky cake..

[@ericgelbaugh4307]

Patton and I are polar opposites politically, but hearing him talk about the loss of his wife and his instinct to protect his little girl has me sobbing. If there's any way that he could ever read this piffling comment, I would hope he knows that no matter our differences, i love you, man. Keep on keeping on.

[@AMHAPPY]

DON’T GET OLD NEAL!

[@RextheDragon881]

When i saw patton on red letter media i was like, hey, thats neat, i really only knew him as guy on king of queens but checked out some more of his stuff. Im a fan now.

[@eweisenfeld3070]

I love how he read A Grief Observed by CS Lewis - one of may all time favorite authors.

[@accordaffair]

Ah man this is too tough for me right now as a parent. I need to be in a better headspace to hear this. I’ll come back another time!

[@princesssummerland7269]

Loved him in Young Adult. That was a great, interesting and fun movie! ❤🙌

[@ryanutterback]

Tragedy plus comedy equals time…

[@imnotbenavery9220]

I saw a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time this New Year’s Eve. We’ve known each other since we’re teens. He’s a fellow comedian, the funniest I’ve ever met. I wanted to post a pic & an IG story about it - so I did. The friend is Dave Chappelle. Thirty four YEARS we’ve been friends. He’s refocused and refined ideas a lot of us took as settled about race & history & Life On Planet Earth and spun them around with a phrase or punchline. We’ve done bad & good gigs, open mikes & TV tapings. But we also 100% disagree about transgender rights & representation. I support trans peoples’ rights - ANYONE’S rights - to live safely in the world as their fullest selves. For all the things he’s helped ME evolve on, I’ll always disagree with where he stands NOW on transgender issues. But I also don’t believe a seeker like him is done evolving, learning. You know someone that long, see the struggles and changes, it’s impossible to cut them off. Impossible not to be hopeful and open and cheer them on. Also, I’ve been carrying a LOT of guilt about friends I’ve cut off, who had views with which I couldn’t agree, or changed in ways I couldn’t live with. Sometimes I wonder - did I and others cutting them off make them dig their heels in deeper, fuel their ignorance with a nitro-boost of resentment and spite? I’m an LGBTQ ally. I’m a loyal friend. There’s friction in those traits that I need to reconcile myself, and not let cause feels of betrayal in ANYONE else. And I’m sorry, truly sorry, that I didn’t consider the hurt this would cause. Or the DEPTH of that hurt. I’ve been messaging a lot on IG today, and the back and forth has really helped guide me in the writing of this. I (naively) deleted a lot of posts in the comment thread - critical ones from LGBTQ writers AND shit-posts by TERF/anti-trans orcs looking for clicks & giggles. I wanted a “nice comment thread” about the pic with my friend. Ugh. So easy to think someone ELSE needs growth and miss the need in yourself. Gonna keep trying.

[@danielbarnes9229]

I don't think that means what you think it means

[@ryanutterback]

@@danielbarnes9229 It’s one of Patton’s album names.

[@JimVincent]

​@@danielbarnes9229it's the name of one of Patton's specials/albums.

[@cindykaye7985]

Love his TV show The 1% Club.

[@RUSSIAN_SPY_INC]

King of Queens is one of my top-rated sitcoms and Ratatolou is one of my favorite movies.

[@fatherman3488]

Patton is such an awesome person, all the way around

[@Andy-bv9fl]

I appreciate all the honesty

[@jkick24]

Supporting Neal

[@FlyingElvis1000]

46:50 he just says "you gotta go" 🤓 ALSO, please find a way to get an interview with Leanne Morgan

[@BAyalaJr]

43:47 "Oh, I can't WAIT for the comments."

[@ihateithere87]

God I love Patton

[@Random_UserName4269]

On what he said about rejcting society like HP lovecraft- He says it like it's a choice? What if you keep trying to love society, be bright and cheery, be nice, follow social norms, try to do things for people when appropriate, don't bother them too much, be generous, and people still don't like you or your ideas? When you are distant, and shy, and polite, and just put your head down around others nobody hurts you... when you try to love others, they can hurt you.

[@surfperch365]

I love examining the difficulties of life w millionaires who live in Hollywood, really puts things into perspective.

[@sergeantsassy]

Still waiting on Rata2ille.

[@jdcriswell2499]

2 Brilliant Great Americans Great episode

[@oneofus6924]

great ep

[@jscene17]

Interestingly research shows most men remarry within a year of their wives dying, while women don't remarry for 5+ years after their husband dies. So it is common to move on quickly after a spouse dies but largely for men. Not sure what that means but it's interesting.

[@Bryan8329]

He was tremendous on Justified

[@HorrorFanAndy1]

22:23 BRO!!

[@cardboardconjurer]

💯💛

[@buttertart2022]

I give this episode 4 of Neal’s dismissive “greats” out of 5.

[@itcouldbelupus2842]

I love the dismissive way he says "great"

[@leekyoverhere]

Waddup MODOK 😂 #4TheAlgo

[@Random_UserName4269]

The way he describes his wife dying... is basically 100% identical to going through a divorce. People do not realize this truth but your brain processes the two basically emotionally similar. In both situations, the person you design your entire existence around, no longer is in your existence. But with one you get all the sympathy in the world as you should. With the other, people do not give a shit about you at all... but "relativistically" to the person experiencing it... it ends up being kinda the same, except arguably a breakup is worse because you feel like it's your fault even if it's not, and you hate the person on top of also losing them. Seemingly objectively worse.

[@miramirez3574]

❤️‍🔥

[@johnbookout3535]

10:42 Great observation. It's a shame he doesn't realize he still does it.

[@15clank]

I’m so glad Neal dosent talk a lot during the interviews .

[@GordonCaledonia]

Stand up comedians are such blowhards these days. When you see Richard Pryor's interviews now, on Carson, etc. it's amazing how quiet and humble he is.

[@carolinehowell5362]

“No one excludes harder than the previously excluded.” ❤️it, Patton!

[@Random_UserName4269]

This is sometimes how I feel about black people in America...

[@danielfrain6473]

My wife and I saw Patton for his first show after his wife died. It’s an experience I’ll never forget. This man is brilliant

[@MarioJaker]

This was the best episode yet. Patton is one of my all time faves, I listen to a lot of interviews with him and this is one of the best.

[@Autistic_Internet_Slap_Fights]

Patton Oswalt is brilliant. “Cool is the opposite of funny”. His ability to relate is amazing. Such a disarming charmer who has lived an amazing life

[@majc69]

Criminally short podcast. Barely scratched the surface. And true to his humble nature, Patton closes by promoting Neal's special.

[@hansaagard]

This - did the elevating thing he talked about, right there.

[@coprococore]

This was one of the better ones, Neal. I personally resonated with a lot of it. I appreciate what you do. Thanks for this broadcast.

[@haruruben]

Wow 😮😢 I’ve never heard someone in the public eye speak so candidly and with such depth about the loss of a close loved one. It’s kind of reassuring to know other people go through some of the same things, I remember waking up and thinking and hoping it had just been a bad dream 😢

[@bonniefreeman-rm1mz]

No doubt Patton can share and articulate as he proved with his own special, but we have to give credit to Neil Brennan, and blocks for creating this platform that encourages this openness from all of his guests. A great program thank you Neil..

[@HettiedeKorteDiplomaat]

I really like Patton Oswald. My husband died in 2018. A friend of mine told me: 'Men find another partner very quickly. Women don't.' Why is that? It took me five years to get over the loss. I just wanted to die too. Then I spent a winter in Portugal and my grief sank into the Atlantic ocean. It was like a miracle. I also admire Michelle being so dedicated to catch one of the most disgusting creatures ever. Such a pathetic loser. She gave victims a name, a face. I'm happy for Patton and his daughter they have another amazing woman in their lives. ❤ And Patton always make me laugh.

[@forever-rosebud]

I'm glad coming to Portugal helped you do deal with your grief :)

[@professormudd]

Looking forward to this conversation. Two of my favorite comedians here.

[@ThePemaquidpoint]

This was one of THE BEST Blocks episodes!! Thank you! Can you have him back and talk some more? I could listen to you both for hours....

[@TheMusicalSchizo]

Patton is a goddamn treasure. Love that dude, love his progression, love the fact that he's still so goddamn funny.

[@chrisbarry9345]

Holy hell, Patton is a legitimate upper level genius. I'm RARELY impressed by anyone's intellect but his mind is so efficient, honest, and thorough. He summarized my life situation and gave insight that I hadn't considered. He's not only has IQ but deep EQ

[@MsWing-ij9nb]

Pearls of wisdom and appreciate his honesty about grief, growing pains, failure, insecurity, humility and championing others- expanding on light and positive energies rather than fueling darkness. It takes time, patience and maturity to reach that veil of higher consciousness. That and a wllingness to change, and to love unconditionally. ❤ Be well Sir Patton! In addition to being a dedicated, talented entertainer, you are a wise teacher, loving parent and spouse above all!

[@adk7962]

Whenever I’m feeling down, I watch Patton’s organic cereal bit, and all is well with the world. Thanks Gents!

[@wakenow1]

Saw Patton recently and every single joke landed hard, it was phenomenal.

[@Carljouannet]

Patton is one of my favorite humans, thank you for booking him for the podcast👍

[@JGAbstract]

Hey it's the guy from Red Letter Media

[@Dfturcott]

I wish certain people would give Patton a break sometimes. He’s out there, standing up for causes those people believe in, been thru a lot but then he does something like take one picture with chapelle and they turn on him.

[@83gemm]

That’s life in general. You almost never get credit for good deeds and can rarely just walk around being a person getting through the day neutrally, but, oh boy, you make a mistake or do something others don’t like and it’s all eyes on you. People like to tear down others because it’s the most basic method of feeling superior. Social media outrage is faux activism. It takes effort to make an actual difference to a cause, but calling out the perceived failings of a celebrity is sooo easy. You get to sound like you’re a moral figure AND you get to do it publicly. All while not making an ounce of difference to whatever cause you’re supposedly so riled up about.

[@yaongingyfmm1571]

44:00 that was about Dave 100% 😂😂😂

[@generalben]

It was but could easily have been Rogan

[@yaongingyfmm1571]

​@@generalbenIn the broader sense sure, but at that timestamp it was about Dave, you can see Neal's reaction confirming it. Patton was hinting at Dave mentioning the trans issue over and over again.

[@generalben]

@@yaongingyfmm1571 Yeah when I said "It was" what I meant by that was, "it was".

[@TravisAlanHall]

Now we just need the Galifianakis and Posehn episodes…

[@voice_of_a_little_lady]

Hey Editor: I appreciate the visual clips that bolster the interview! They're always very well done

[@shanerichmond4433]

Patton was my gateway into comedy. Started listening when I was 11 and am 32 now. So much of his comedy is forever engrained in my memory. Every time I see a rose garden I’m reminded of Orudis Blamfort. 😂Really awesome to hear about his blocks in both life and career.

[@Scoobystyle]

I am almost 60, from Roanoke VA, and would like to say I am sorry to Mr Oswalt, he won't forgive me, but I am still a huge comedy fan, watch all your specials!

[@Amber_the_Awesome]

What did you do to him?

[@Scoobystyle]

@@Amber_the_Awesome It was a looong time ago, and I am mature now, I am embarrassed to even say, but it wasn't horrible back then, I just heckled him and he was just introducing a comic to the stage! I feel bad because it looked like he was having a ruff day and I was a jacka$$.

[@elizabethheyenga9277]

@@Scoobystyle making amends is a good thing, you don't have to do them directly. Own it and do better, that is all he'd want I hope

[@Phil.Anthropy]

​@@Scoobystyle unless you said some really wackadoo stuff, I'm sure the fact that you acknowledge what happened in the manner that you have, he would forgive you. Be well

[@KNosk826]

Dream project: Patton and Rob Delaney in conversation about comedy and grief. The power of their combined candour about grief and their dark hilarity would blow my mind and heal my soul!

[@michaelsanzone7217]

And marc maron

[@itcouldbelupus2842]

The sad boy trifecta

[@integralmark]

man. loved that thing about the way comic book heroes were drawn and how it changed to being burdened.

[@charlesnelthorpe9252]

reflective of the times as always, one of the reasons golden age superheroes have a hard time being happy-go-lucky in a world that is anything but.

[@HusamSimaan]

When i watch Dennis Millwr. I improve my voçabulary. Chris Rock shows how to argue bitj aides,Seinfeld points oùt the annoyingly mundane and. Patton is mire unterwatinh,funny philosophy class. Thanks, Brennan, for inviting him.

[@michaelrafales2782]

Great conversation. I've been a huge fan of Patton Oswalt for a long time. He's so talented, smart, hilarious and creative. An idiot....savant when it comes to film/tv knowledge. But that story about telling his daughter that her mom passed, brought me to tears. I can not imagine what that was like. But such a good idea to have the family brought in ahead of time. Thank you both for everything!

[@gfdia35]

I felt so so bad for Patton then suddenly he married my first crush 😅,,, and I'm like well ok lucky him holy sht 😮😂

[@michellenelson7954]

I'd never heard the story of Patton's wife. This made me binge the documentary. It's really beautiful. Thank you for sharing Michelle's story and honoring her work.

[@lex_inker]

The hate this man gets is 99% unwarranted

[@JENNIFERBOO]

Alice is already 15! Whoa...yeah, kids grow up so fast, so true! Who the HECK is stepping on that fast forward button!?!?

[@jasonlengyel1104]

Last time I checked on Patton his kid was a baby

[@BruinPhD2009]

This was amazing. I remember when his first wife died and it still feels so unfair. I'm happy that he made it through those tough times and can speak about it in such a clear way.

[@JoseGrullon]

Hey, first comment!

[@fuferito]

"My friend, Patton Oswalt, said to me that the worst thing about Bill Cosby was the hypocrisy. To which I disagreed; I thought it was the r•p¡ng." -Norm Macdonald

[@Ottophil]

The worst thing about norm is the fans.

[@agfrench82]

@@Ottophilsure pal

[@BPTNY]

​@@OttophilPatton is a fan. Now we have a conundrum.

[@willistisdale4293]

Made me cry a little in a good way. Patton is so brilliant and vulnerable

[@iamgoingtodeckyoutwo5966]

There's a thousand great quotes in this ep.

[@chrisbardolph]

Ok, so who was he talking about at 44 min?

[@GordonCaledonia]

Dave Chappelle.

[@dspiffy]

He nailed the Chappelle stuff

[@lpluva1]

People who would "never sellout" say that right up until the lucrative opportunity TO sell out is presented to them.

[@JoshLange3D]

Only 46min? (Dave voice) "C'mown mayn" Love you and Patton. I drew a caricature of Patton over a decade ago and showed him at Comicon. He was so kind and decent. He'll always be one of my all-time favorites. The hunched hero observation got me thinking for sure. It's an interesting point about comedy vs rallies. I thought Rory's new HBO special walked that line pretty well since he leaned so hard on the silliness while definitely getting into religion.