Taylor Tomlinson Stumps Penn Jillette with Question He Never Saw Coming

It's the Talk Show portion! Andy Richter embraces his little baby boy name, Aasif Mandvi plays favorites, and Penn Jillette is left positively stumped by Taylor Tomlinson.
#AfterMidnight #TaylorTomlinson #Comedy
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AFTER MIDNIGHT is the smartest show on television about the dumbest things on the internet. With celebrated comedian Taylor Tomlinson at the helm and a panel of guests from the worlds of entertainment, comedy, music and beyond, AFTER MIDNIGHT is a late-night comedy series about what set the internet abuzz that day with a game show feel. AFTER MIDNIGHT airs Monday through Friday, 12:37-1:37 AM, ET/PT on the CBS Television Network and streams live on Paramount+.

[@DutchWimo]

I lost it at "Hey Taylor, made any good suits lately?" 😂

[@TurtlesOnIce]

you are not alone... if the upvotes were not enough...

[@user-jn4sw3iw4h]

"Explaining it, ruins it" Penn: "have you met me?"

[@owenangleton8032]

Come to think of it, yeah. Most of his career was explaining things.

[@SidneyBroadshead]

I love when Taylor visibly and honestly corpses and breaks during an interaction. It's so funny to watch her lose it.

[@BreandanAnraoi]

Taylor's reactions are what make this show so good.

[@AnimefortheLazyman]

Yes, i loved the old show but Hardwick didn’t have that. Also, I love how Taylor low-key is dissing all her usual guests by calling today’s guests “famous”

[@Xyridin]

Same! I really like when a comic breaks from another comedian.

[@LycanLink]

Is "corpses" a verb now, or did you mean to say "collapses"? I don't mean this in a trolly way either, because if it's a verb now, I honestly kinda like it.

[@beemoh]

@@LycanLink "Corpsing" has been a term for a performer laughing out of turn for ages- although it's usually used for acting performances, because it's much harder for someone playing a corpse to hide that they're laughing.

[@toledo_campos]

Penn 's breakdown is like Drew Carey at the Sphere 2.0 LOL amazing

[@jaebee1121]

For me, it was, "...just one letter different; it was a direct parallel to what you did!"

[@orchishgrunt7888]

Credit to Aasif. who perfectly executed his interjections, stirring the pot, and keeping that moment alive.

[@Ofjkk]

hah, as if

[@StarpunkPrime]

Except for calling Penn "Mr Teller".

[@alexperaza9475]

I think Penn was angry because Aasif called him "Mr. Teller" 😂

[@WhiskyCanuck]

I caught that one - I was expecting a callback on it, probably from Andy that would have capped it off nicely. Penn did react to it but let it go.

[@AdrianColley]

That was funny. It deserved a bigger laugh. I think a lot of people thought it was a genuine mistake.

[@WhiskyCanuck]

@@AdrianColley For sure it was a genuine mistake, but I think most people didn't even notice it because "Penn and Teller" is such in ingrained term that people just accepted in the moment that "Penn Teller" was his name.

[@glowingfatedie]

That's not Pennen Teller?

[@NickSSSSSSSSSS]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought this

[@kate_6436]

Penn's like "Everybody's so creative!" hahahah

[@MysterySteve]

I've never seen someone milk a bit in such a wholesome way than Penn did just there

[@NickDoddTV]

I love Taylor so much. Watching this show brings me great joy

[@blindleader42]

Taylor's hair should get an Emmy for this episode.

[@AdrianColley]

You don't get an Emmy for hair. You get an Emma.

[@Ernwaldo]

@@AdrianColley Better than an Enema.

[@michaels9595]

It was fabulous

[@dielaughing73]

​@@Ernwaldo speak for yourself

[@VinhPrag]

She should have followed up by asking him why he has a goatee when his name is Gillette

[@sabinrawr]

It's Jillette.

[@TheZotmeister]

@@sabinrawr But it's a homophone! It's just one letter away! r/woooosh

[@sabinrawr]

@@TheZotmeister Obviously. Don't r/whoosh me when you didn't get the joke, lol!

[@TheZotmeister]

@@sabinrawr You didn't MAKE a joke.

[@sabinrawr]

@@TheZotmeister You saying that confirms that you didn't get it. Just move on.

[@JeffSchall]

Taylor opened a huge can of childhood trauma on Penn there. I mean, how many times did some wiseass kid taunt him about his name?

[@-DM]

He's 6 foot 7, probably not many.

[@AdrianColley]

Now, one more!

[@frj3289]

@@-DM not when he was a kid. Unless he was a REALLY early bloomer.

[@silentjay01]

I mean, my name is legally "Jay" and some kindergartener absolutely wrecked me that first year by saying that "Your parents couldn't even think of a name for you so they just gave you a letter." I cried the whole walk home. And the worst part is, years later, they admitted it was basically true. My dad was insistent that I have a name that starts with the letter J so I would have the same initials as him, but my parents couldn't agree on one, and ended up just going with Jay.

[@justdesignonly169]

@@silentjay01 I would've thought it was after the bird.

[@dogtato]

"rapier wit" was a pretty good burn on it being a pre-written joke that was still that basic

[@gracieofgod8899]

Well, also a good comeback for a sword joke.

[@dielaughing73]

​@@gracieofgod8899because the penis truly mightier than the sword. Well apparently Andy's is, anyway.

[@cybergeek11235]

@@gracieofgod8899 How appropriate - YOU fight like a cow!

[@cybergeek11235]

(look, i'm trying here.)

[@JohnBerry-q1h]

_”When we come back…”_ *they never come back*

[@TreantmonksTemple]

"You made fun of my name in a perfect way, because it sounds like P-E-N!" 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheBucketOfTruth]

Hey I know you

[@DonoVideoProductions]

Dasani? I mean...just drink from the hose and save the plastic!

[@YouHadMeAtMoonPie]

I love Andy Richter.

[@wordzmyth]

Enjoyed Aasif and Andy's gentle ways. And way bewildered like them

[@Sledgeh101]

My last name is "Hammer", and I can't count how many people use the MC Hammer 'Can't Touch This' joke when they hear my name. However, I once had a teacher in grade school who, when he heard my name, went "If I had a hammer, I would hammer in the morn..." No one else had ever used that joke on me, so of course I remember it.

[@jasonsmall5602]

And your parents name you Sledge. So cruel.

[@undine120]

Does everything look like a nail to you?

[@lastframeky]

I don’t have my contacts in and I read that as “mom” not “morn” and was thinking what a horrible thing to say 💀

[@Suryal]

Penn jillette going full Cyrano Dr Bergerac

[@jedinxf7]

and dr is only one keyboard letter off from e, it's like an exact parallel to Penn and Taylor!

[@Suryal]

@@jedinxf7 lol i never even noticed the mistype.

[@andreac3362]

These three should come back. Very good.

[@wirelesmike73]

Another great panel! These guys are old-school awesome!

[@Pailzor]

Penn went on for way too long, but it was all worth it when he found the retort he was looking for, with the explanation "it was an exact parallel of what you did". xD

[@XDeedge]

new conversation strategy: aggressively enthusiastic, meticulous breakdown of the dumb joke you just made.

[@Pailzor]

I would suggest David Mitchell to you, from any British comedy panel show he's ever been on. Change "enthusiastic" to "pedantic", and that's him.

[@IgnisConsumens]

Worked for the late Norm Macdonald

[@dielaughing73]

Not too far off the strategy of Stewart Lee

[@seed_drill7135]

Penn’s response reminds me of Mr. Smokestomuch from the travel agency skit.

[@jrbobdobbs5516]

What a silly bunt.

[@dielaughing73]

"Well, you'd better cut down a little then"

[@benchiaase]

That had some strong reactions! So good to see these comedic legends play along with Taylor though 😂

[@gwexgwex1230]

I love Penn so much. He's so funny

[@shawncapehart5514]

'Made any good suits lately " .. that was swift

[@imjuliewaters]

I got flashbacks to being in either the 1st or 2nd grade when this girl used to be like "Oh your last name is Waters so you must live in the water!" all the time. I could never think of a comeback. Her name was Brook(e?). 🤦🏻‍♀😂 So Brook(e) if you're out there, you must live in a BROOK!

[@orlock20]

You could have called her Shields.

[@pseudotasuki]

You could literally just ask her the same question.

[@pseudotasuki]

Oh! Or say "without me you're just a ditch".

[@imjuliewaters]

@@orlock20 I was 7 or 8. I don't think I had any clue who she was at the time. If I did, I think it would have been more of a compliment than a dig.

[@Peterw3160]

Well that wasn’t awkward at all, Penn.

[@Qermaq]

Richter, to himself: "I'm 'andy with tools..."

[@justdesignonly169]

That interaction between Pen and Tailor was just too cute.

[@Jeffertoya]

Oh man.. Penn.. Overkill. That was awesome

[@dielaughing73]

The perfect amount of Too Much

[@johndescy7904]

Taylor poking the bear. So much fun. :-D

[@Arcturuseyes]

Andy Richter, the Swedish German, as dubbed in Norm McDonald's joke back in the day

[@DarrylMiglio]

Well done After Midnight. great guest and Tomlinson is making great chemistry

[@sweetestpotato4392]

Penn trying to get that Dicken Cider at the bar 😂 what a lineup 😆

[@crankydragon]

Sugar cubes, Andy. Sugar cubes. 🐴

[@pseudotasuki]

Andy is clearly accustomed to being around people with Penn's energy.

[@dielaughing73]

Person

[@pseudotasuki]

@@dielaughing73 It just occurred to me that they're both extremely tall, too.

[@depleteduraniumcowboy3516]

LOL, Penn really spelled it out for us. I love to see Taylor having fun time, cuz that's we we get the best suits!

[@josem1419]

HAHAHA what wholesome cast

[@Qermaq]

4:04 Taylor went full Vanessa Bayer there.

[@dwaynehendrickson8854]

I was waiting for “you pronounce it ‘candy’? I thought it was ‘c Andy’ like ‘look at the guy on the end over there’ !”

[@charlespayne6983]

Just saying that Taylor looks super gorgeous in this clip.

[@scootover7]

Love the jokes between Penn and Taylor

[@Bartcmh]

Calling granola candy is like calling an oatmeal cookie a cookie.

[@LycanLink]

I often see comments on these videos criticizing Taylor's laugh, because they think she's being fake, but I find it sweet and endearing. 🥰 Also, she frequently has actual comedians on. OF COURSE she's really laughing. :p

[@eswift8318]

Nice to see people who are usually doing highly scripted comedy get a chance to cut loose.

[@renatoism]

Hate to break it to you but each guest has a writer who writes jokes with them.

[@kate_6436]

@@renatoism its scripted to a certain extent yes but a large amount is improvised. Its semi structured

[@MisterItchy]

That mockery from Penn was brutal and non-stop!

[@TheZotmeister]

It is a bit ironic that on _Fool Us_ it's Penn that talks and Teller that writes things down. It'd have been so fitting the other way around.

[@blairbrown4812]

Much like the mighty Lorelai Gilmore the Second and Paris Geller, you have to wonder how long Taylor had been waiting to ask that one.

[@emmabunch-benson4795]

Dasani has salt in it, it’s a great way to dehydrate yourself

[@sailfast2005]

What a panel!

[@Legrand68]

I don't think Penn was at all "joking around", he seemed pissed. Watch his demeanor, especially at the end of the show, turn off the sound and just look at his body language. He was giving off the vibe of "wtf am I doing here, this show is below me". Maybe I'm wrong, he always seems to come off as a d.

[@lynnstlaurent6789]

I don’t think you are wrong at all. I have never found him funny. Behaviour like this is unhinged not comedic. I grew up on a street with a name that was unusual and funny. It never angered me. My last name is a database nightmare, kindness and patience go far.

[@avklock]

@@lynnstlaurent6789 Agree with both of you. He's a showman and magician, not a comedian.

[@mnguardianfan7128]

I do think he came off as a bit of a dbag here.

[@glowingfatedie]

@@avklock He might not be a comic per se, but he's /quite/ witty. Definitely has done hard reps with his hecklerhandler muscles.

[@peerblickdicht8401]

You done did it again, Tomlinson! 👍

[@sheolcodemonkey4027]

I'd recommend Aquafina for a beginner's water if you MUST go bottled, but honestly room temperature tap water through a filter is the way to go, then you get all the minerals

[@jthompson5341]

The Best episode of this show ever! Fun fact, I've only seen maybe 4 episodes 😆

[@TSIRKLAND]

I know that this show is largely pre-scripted by a team of writers, but there is also a good portion of panelist improv and on-the-spot wit that goes on. Some bits are more obviously scripted, and some I'm never quite sure what the ratio is... Still funny, still entertaining! Just adds an extra level of "play the game at home" for guessing the written / improvised bits. Fun!

[@RabblesTheBinx]

And that is how Penn works. He showed how he is mightier than a sword while making you think he was doing something entirely different.

[@queenvrook]

Penn Jillette sounds exactly like Jesse Ventura, just on helium

[@MandosaWright]

Dasani is alright if you like the mineral taste it has, I don't mind it. But my favorite water is Aquafina, it's just so clean a crisp.

[@jordanziskin2234]

Andy is so quick

[@Tonyhouse1168]

This is weird because Andy’s first name is Paul. Conan was blown away finding that out

[@pseudotasuki]

WHAT

[@pseudotasuki]

Everything I thought I knew was a lie!!!

[@tayloreh]

Ohhh Taylor you're lucky. Cos I'm a musician I always get 'Hey, do you play a Taylor guitar!?!'

[@kidwave1]

I love Andy Richter. Having said that, ...its astounding what passes for entertainment these days. This "show" should not exist.

[@plasticvideo]

Taylor is so cute

[@brofenix]

Lol, definitely too long of a joke Penn :) But I appreciate the attempt

[@OpinionsNoOneCaresAbout]

I thought it was cool that Penn has his own state...then I found out it's only a university.

[@JoellePretty]

Aasif!

[@Arcturuseyes]

3:49 according to the brilliant documentary "Half Baked" an early Dave Chappelle joint, a horse can eat quite a large amount of candy...just make sure Buttercup isn't diabetic...

[@aref2268]

comedy is weird, the more he explains the joke the funnier it gets

[@slospop1125]

It's his delivery and passion for bit that sells it

[@wordzmyth]

Did it for you? It just seemed to unhinge

[@wordzmyth]

Did it for you? It just seemed to unhinge

[@jeff4926]

Should have booked Teller...

[@viktorsebastien604]

Tellers way funnier than this host and the 2024 husks of aasif and andy.

[@jso6790]

The great retort to Penn would have been when he said "rapier sharp wit".. Taylor could have retorted.. "No, Penn, not rapier, sword" Guess you are not mightier than a rapier.. or something to that effect, but funnier from her room full of Harvard Lampoon grad writers

[@CaptHayfever]

Somebody who doesn't believe in free will really doesn't have any place getting upset with other people for what they do or say, since--by their own reasoning--the other person couldn't have done anything else. Also, Dasani is literally tap water, so calling it a "cheaper" option when you could just drink tap water instead for free is _wild._

[@withalittlehelpfrom3]

Taylor should’ve responded to Penn Jillette “Hey Jillette, shave any beards lately?” She could’ve also responded “See, you can’t make fun of my last name-it doesn’t sound like anything!”

[@emurphy42]

There's a Lily Tomlin joke in there somewhere, but I'd have to re-watch Laugh-In to figure out what it is. (Was it Laugh-In? This was going back to reruns from like the 90s.)

[@elishmuel1976]

Geez, Penn looks good!

[@nazfrde]

Wow, Penn took some STP or something before the show.

[@pymarathon]

I think the funniest part to me is that everyone on here apart from Penn are comedians... You ever heard Jimmy Carr breakdown a joke before or heard people talk about the "Carlin Process" for joke writing or anything? Pretty sure Penn just improv-ed the comedy equivalent of a full-length 'P&T style' version of pulling a quarter from your ear complete with monologue.

[@Arcturuseyes]

Taylor rules, her talent outshines the talk/gamshow host role, yet she does it very well.

[@Suryal]

Dasani ain't water cuz water doesn't have ingredients

[@richpeltier9519]

How much candy can a horse eat? Ask Harland Williams! #HalfBaked all the way!

[@---l---]

Why have a fridge of water bottles? Are you in Flint?

[@DrZaius3141]

@@synical13 Not really. It's pretty good in most parts of Europe.

[@dielaughing73]

​@@DrZaius3141 fine in Australia.

[@beemoh]

Clearly Penn's double-act partner was also present, because she just got *told*.

[@beemoh]

...telled.

[@fancifuldevices]

I honestly can’t tell if he angry, laughing, sarcastic or what. Is this what autism feels like because it is deeply unnerving.

[@dielaughing73]

Penn has a shockingly dry sense of humor for a magician from Vegas

[@CT-sf9nd]

Why is there no unbleeped version?

[@i.am.adrian]

I felt Penn's pain. I grew up in the 80s, a very popular movie where the main character's love interest shared my name. (see username) Guess what I heard ALL THE TIME?

[@AdrianColley]

Preach, brother!

[@JasePhilip]

Ummm.... "Yo Adrian!" ? ;)

[@videovoidtv]

Hilarious segment. Plus Taylor look hot af.

[@jonh2853]

What a tool. Did she shoot him down before the show or something? He went full froth.

[@Liz-ru2io]

right? always cool to see a well respected person in showbiz punching down

[@luistx16]

1:32

[@godnoble]

Gillette's outburst is what we all feel when someone makes the same stupid "joke" about our name that we've been hearing since middle school.

[@jordankelley8894]

... Is Penn okay?

[@Redmenace96]

Penn's bit about being stumped was funny.... but he also could have gone into a literal interpretation about how many people/places/things he has defeated with his words.

[@dallasoleary187]

Poor Jenny Jones - never gets the recognition anymore, despite having just as big a talk show as Ricki Lake

[@NickSSSSSSSSSS]

I think Penn was actually upset because Aasif got his name wrong

[@micanope]

She is very much, not in control of her show. It does add a unique form of chaos.

[@Pj32Sr]

Butterstuff😢

[@fightclub6291]

Me (before watching this clip): Hmmm Penn is pretty funny in his magic act with Teller I think this will be pretty good Me: Ohhh yeah no calling was missed here. I'm glad magic worked out. I'll have to watch this episode and see if we runs this joke into the ground more later (did I love it though? Yes, Yes I did).

[@williamalexander7481]

I feel a bit bad for taylor. I would hide if Penn went off on me.

[@baylinkdashyt]

How does it make me feel? Can *I* get a promotional deal like that? What's that pay?