Tom Green reflects on fame, cancer and life off the grid | Full Interview

[@GrahamBensinger]

Leave any questions you have about our Tom Green shoot below, and we'll answer them in our upcoming crew podcast episode!

[@DougyFresh010]

did tom tell you how him and Glen became friends again ? i know they didnt speak for awhile.

[@michaelcooperwoti]

This is cool ! Fellow Canadian - Tom Green is a LEGEND

[@934ist]

Hi Graham, wish you would have asked Tom more about his rap group Organized Rhyme. In Ottawa it was a big deal to the rap fans :-)

[@kylesmyth4308]

Ask about Glen!

[@kylesmyth4308]

And ask about Tom’s brother

[@baggszilla]

I will always have a place in my heart for Tom Green! I grew up with him on my television and we all loved it! Thanks Tom and Graham!

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

Ditto and agreed. Well said mate 🍀

[@watcherofthewest8597]

I love that Tom is not chasing what he was but still living a genuine artistic life. I like the older Tom.

[@A_M_P_]

Going through cancer changes people. It obviously had a profound effect on Tom.

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

I agree. Now myself and older, wiser, sober person, i enjoy this coherent and sensible Tom. But still a genuine artist and comedian. Love hia approach

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

​@@A_M_P_getting sober will change a lot of people yes

[@A_M_P_]

@@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery It definitely will, but Tom Greene isn't "sober." He said in this interview that he still drinks now and then.

[@westonstevens3239]

Tom wasn't just a comedian, he was an innovator who followed his own path and always has. Nowadays he still does comedy but he is an incredibly different person with an incredibly different outlook on life that I find very enviable. He's not trying to revive what made him popular back in the day, those days are gone and sensibilities have changed including his own. Despite not being at the forefront of the zeitgeist as he once was it sounds like he wouldn't want that, what he has now is exactly what he wants.

[@ryanh-c7i]

Tom was way ahead of his time and is very under appreciated. He was a teenage rap star in Canada, then he invented a whole genre of reality tv, then he more or less invented podcasts and internet talk shows with the late night show in his living room. He has reinvented himself so many times and continues working in showbiz, happy to see him doing well.

[@degengam2781]

First prank star too

[@birsay123]

To say he was a “rap star” is a quite the exaggeration to be honest! 😂

[@degengam2781]

@@birsay123 he had some success in Canada, he wasn’t as big as Snow but for the time in Canada he was a star lol

[@ryanh-c7i]

@ I suppose the term “rap star” is subjective. He definitely was not as popular as a big US rap star but Organized Rhyme was really popular in Canada for awhile in the early 90s. I believe they won a Much Music award for rap video of the year and I also think they were nominated for a Juno award.

[@mtwhatley3253]

Yes the poo on the microphone was quite avant-garde. 😂

[@Pancakeshouse85]

Really, really good interview. I appreciate the long form and love the detailed answers Tom gives. It was extremely informative and really well done by both of you.

[@robertwiles8106]

Graham this is the most substantively infomative interview you've ever made.

[@Floatillyboats]

This guy literally started it all!! Is the definition of “Ahead of his Time.

[@Jeremiah-ml5ke]

He didn't start anything. He may have been the first person you saw do satire but he wasn't the first by any stretch of the imagination

[@CarharttCowboy]

Tom's looking more like Red Green everyday

[@SeanGleeson-x3d]

Absolutely 😊​@@CarharttCowboy

[@DiegoRuiz1991]

Tom is such a badass, even if you take out all the TV/movie stuff. Outside of his great stuff in comedy, dude is also part of the reason why podcasts became a thing, he is a precursor of one of the most popular forms of media now.

[@blessembreaks]

i wouldnt label tom a badass, i doubt he would either. the thing that makes tom so likeable is he seems so relatable and not some prick with an ego. on his old show he used to take webcam calls from fans, like who does that??

[@soundsbitter]

Rogan had said that during his episode with Tom green back in the day was when it occurred to him the idea of his podcast. ❤ god bless Tom man. People REALLY really respect you dude. Frfr we wanna see you having fun with your creative mind. It’s brilliant

[@parentsbasement7734]

Wait! Freddy got fingered is a classic. Oh wait nevermind

[@degengam2781]

Don’t forget he was the original prankstar too he was way ahead of his time

[@degengam2781]

@@parentsbasement7734it’s a cult classic for sure twin. Other movies besides Transformers and Spider-Man have redeeming qualities as well

[@tomE6420]

Tom is the man. Met him for all of 10 seconds at the Pittsburgh Improv but it made my day. Super cool guy and he really does control the room and stage like a professional.

[@midwestdepressed]

Banger interview! Tom Green is an innovator and inspiration, and the rhythm of this interview (especially the moment with the hens haha) is perfect.

[@pbhauser]

Graham is such a great interviewer. He slid right into some touchy subjects without being annoying or invasive. Such a relaxing interview to watch.

[@AlysN1dr]

Tom is a wonderful man- he has mellowed in a very calming way to me! All the best to Tom, From a fellow Canadian (Ontarian), AC

[@krystallovern6752]

Just subscribed ❤

[@smokegames1179]

Im 36 now and i watch this guy when i was in high school good times 😂😂

[@KyleB130]

Love this dude! Been a fan for 25+ years now. Underrated genius.

[@irishguyjg_2ndchancerecovery]

Thats the beauty of Tom, he's still underrated, so still enjoyable and not some huge, overpaid A hole. Josh Brolin is another role model for us Sobeys

[@GrahamBensinger]

0:00 - Makeup for interviews 3:34 - Upcoming Amazon projects 6:33 - Love for tech and cameras 7:30 - Relationship with longtime manager 8:34 - Creative brainstorm in the morning 9:35 - Finding unexpected joy with stand up comedy 12:56 - New US tour in camper van 13:27 - Anxiety connected to the anticipation of stand-up 15:16 - Why Tom decided to cut back on drinking 26:40 - Inventing podcasts and Tom Green’s livestream show 38:30 - Everyone plays pranks these days 39:20 - Lifestyle change during Covid 42:30 - Guinea Hen interruption 45:00 - Moving back to Ottawa 51:32 - Comedy Roots 55:53 - Moving Back in with Parents 1:02:22 - Notable Pranks 1:10:19 - Monica Lewinsky Show 1:14:52 - Starting my TV show 1:23:35 - First MTV pitch 1:26:30 - What led to MTV show stopping 1:33:50 - Freddie Got Fingered 1:37:30 - Marriage to Drew Barrymore 1:39:29 - Charlie's Angels with Drew Barrymore 1:41:56 - Drew Barrymore Show after breakup 1:43:07 - Relationship with Amanda 1:45:19 - Testicular cancer 1:54:30 - Canadian vs U.S. Healthcare 1:57:02 - Dad's cancer 1:58:35 - Lymph Node surgery 2:02:03 - First Letterman appearance 2:04:45 - Party invite from P Diddy 2:07:05 - Eminem 2:08:09 - The Apprentice, Donald Trump and Dennis Rodman 2:10:26 - William Shatner was my landlord

[@TheConorsmithusa]

u should pin this comment graham

[@SeanGleeson-x3d]

Thank You..😊

[@YouShouldDoAPodcast]

The Original. The man who started it all. Bring back The Tom Green Show!!!

[@lemmykilmister185]

Hard working Canadian kid. He deserves any and all success that comes his way. 🇨🇦🍻

[@ragethesystem91]

This is one of the best recent TG interviews. Can’t wait to watch his documentary.

[@nickygogol6011]

Great and thoughtful interview. Those old web-o-vision shows with Neil Hamburger are still classics and crack me up to this day! Let’s not forget Poolside Chats!

[@pbhauser]

Tom truly is the best. I've always had so much respect for him. I wonder what it was like to go from Letterman helping Tom out, to Shatner expecting Tom to help him out. Such a wild shift!

[@JamesPanzini]

Tom, your story of how you got inspired to chase the laugh was something I've always wanted to know about you. Glad you shared it. Thanks!

[@NinjaReyman]

I hope I can meet Tom Green one day so I can thank him. I got testicular cancer in college and his cancer special popped into my head when I felt the lump. It provided some levity to a scary situation and made me go to the doctor immediately. Thanks Tom! Like the cowboy getup as well!

[@chrisf8898]

As someone who grew up in the days when Tom Green was coming up in Canada and then seeing him go to MTV.. there's something surreal seen him now humble living on a farm talking about those days

[@markwarburtontkd]

His show was my favourite thing to ever be on TV and watching it and laughing helped me through depression during high school. Hopefully someday I see him around Ottawa some day and get to say thank you.

[@TheChinapop]

Such an incredibly likable guy.. So happy to see he's well!

[@chefjeff1366]

i love when Tom gets into the technical details of how his early shows were made, especially Web-O-Vision... truly a pioneer. reminds me of Steve Jobs or the original ILM guys. i'm grateful that Tom went live and opened up his phone line during the heights of the pandemic - i actually rang him up on the phone and chatted with him for like 5-10 minutes AND he's been making me LAFF WHOLE-HEARTEDLY for a few decades now

[@DamonLaRiche]

I'll never forget in highschool watching the Tom Green Show on MTV and I was hooked. This man was one of a kind and ahead of his time. It was absolutely hilarious. I will forever miss it. Glad you're still here and cancer didn't take you like it did so many.

[@ryansmiley5495]

I don't think I could be happier that he is happy ❤

[@Bove_bove]

im 41, i grew up watching Tom. Hes one of the funniest people in my opinion...what a comedic mind

[@krystallovern6752]

New subscriber ❤

[@EmilyKresl]

Just gotta say Tom's live videos playing with his keyboards and drum machines making beats got me through the first half of the pandemic and watching him explore the American southwest helped me get through the rest of the pandemic. So basically I'm only alive rn because of Tom . Thank you Tom ❤

[@sugarsore]

Brilliant interview. Very abrupt ending. Tom very well may be the most influential TV personality on my life. I adore him. I'm very excited to see these new shows of his.

[@ianhamilton396]

Spent a night bar hopping in Whistler with Tom and a few others years ago. He was hilarious, gracious and genuine.

[@sugarsore]

Lucky bast**d!

[@ScottJBR]

Tom is one of the coolest people on the planet

[@andrewmachado6988]

Great interview. I’ve always been a big fan of Tom Green. Ive always been happy to see that despite all the success Tom has had, he never let it all go to his head like many celebrities do and didn’t become a “Hollywood tragedy” like many end up becoming. Tom never changed and he still seems like the exact same guy who grew up in Petawawa/Ottawa.

[@brendanhoffmann8402]

I loved Tom Green as a young man. I just went off grid for a camping trip, I just got a Van, at 43 this is my last hurrah before I get too old.

[@licka]

This was so fun to listen to.

[@STXJRB17]

23:15 As someone who drinks a lot I can relate big time. After I stop for just 2 or 3 weeks my mind is so much quicker and sharper it’s kinda crazy.

[@cableroyson9992]

I have been a Tom Green fan since 97. A lot of ppl think he was just the original troll but the man is an underrated genius. A lot of his work has gotten better with time, especially Freddy got Fingered. Please can we get a Freddy 4k directors cut. Thank you for this interview!

[@laurieogrady5259]

Amazing interview! Beautiful place to film! TG the OG 🇨🇦

[@timma9027]

I have a short list of celebrities I'd actually want to meet. Tom Green is definitely one of them.

[@Webbcatt4]

Tom is such a wonderful man.... Its awesome to see how far hes come; both professionally and personally... God bless him!!!!

[@most_dfnt_barber]

I was walking at the Galleria in Houston and my friend said to me that an actor just passed us by. I wanted to see who it was and it was Tom Green. I yelled out "MCTG!" he looked back and said what's up with a peace sign.

[@josephs5419]

The segment about Tom's elementary school speeches and the buildup to his Grade 6 mic drop on the judge was great story telling. What a wonderful interview/conversation. Tom Green 🇨🇦

[@danman1789]

I really loved Tom's show on Axs TV. Tom Green Live. Would love to see that show come back.

[@TheSyntheticForest]

killer a 2 hour interview with tom! : D!!!!

[@mrrandy2306]

Subbed. I dig the ur style Graham. Great job and what a neat guy Tom has become.

[@David.S.]

watching The Tom Green Show as a kid was the best...so many segments I still watch to this day and laugh my ass off.

[@caseyberry6959]

Most of us watching I'll say are fans of his from the start. Hopefully alot of us here have gotten to see his standup live. He just seems so incredibly relatable in his life journey and so down to earth. I just want to say thanks . And I love hearing this part of his life is his happiest . Thank you Tom Green for all the laughs and also all the insighfulness.

[@torianholt2752]

Monkey shower van-time 😀

[@Jeremiah-ml5ke]

You'll say that based on what? Did you ask a magic 8 ball or your teddy bear?

[@caseyberry6959]

@Jeremiah-ml5ke I'll say that you're deuche bag.

[@briangswaldrip6392]

Great interview! I love Tom

[@stephenbrock7146]

total original. what a guy. great interview. amazing he got his start after seeing norm!

[@joshuacarro]

I have always loved Tom Green, and always will. Amazing artist at heart.

[@paulferranti8536]

Tom's journey led him to become one of the greats of media and broadcasting. He's funny also.

[@sethrenaud8647]

It's October 1997, in a small town in Nova Scotia. A bunch of older guys from my highschool who were hanging out next door come over to grab my stepbrother. On the way out, a tall slender, kid, with long dark hair; wearing baggy jeans, a wallet chain and a 'No Rules' single striped shirt looks at me and says, "Boys you need to come see this. This is the most hilarious shit ever." My step brother protested, but Nathan insisted. "This is insane, though. Like, youre not going to find anything normal funny again." He briefly flashes a VHS at us. On the cover I just make out a title with the word 'Green' standing out in "You Can't Do That On Television" bucket slime. Puzzled, we follow them down the street and into the musty, carpet covered split-level basment. We all sit around, the older boys on the couch, and us younger kids on the floor. The kid of the house, Chris; pops it in as a skunky smell fills the room. My step brother has just lit a joint. It's the first one I'll ever encounter. It swiftly moves to one of my close friends, Craig who refuses. Out of the corner of my eye I see skate boarders flyong around to odd, off-kilter, mostly flats and sharps bass sounds. 'Ugh. Its just a fucking skater vid.' I think. I tell the guys we should be heading back. My step brother half loses it. "Don't frigging tell my mom what we're doing over here!" "No! Just wait guys." Nathan throws the video into rewind. "This guy was just doing like a local cable show or something and just got picked up by Comedy Network. My cousin brought me this tape he bought in Ottawa, just fucking sit guys!" We sat. And for the next hour lr so, watched the most uncomfortable, insanely gonzo, punk comedy I'd ever seen. My friends and I were only 15, but it was the hardest I'd ever laughed. It actually reminded me of some pf the things my friends and I were doing when we would get bored. Pretending we haf Tourette's at a McDonalds and hurling burgers. The staff tolerating it as thetyd been informed 'thos could happen.' But this guy made a SHOW out of it. How ballsy, original, and wonderfully cringey. Peppering the absolutely ludicrous with wit.

[@ricksmith2127]

The Tom Green Show that aired in Canada (pre MTV) was wild. I can only imagine it was like seeing Monty Python for the first time in the 70s

[@lucymartyn8205]

Love my fellow Canadian Tom green , looking good wishing him the best🇨🇦👍❤️

[@BenTube666]

Absolutely loved this interview. Tom is the best and he better tour Australia again soon. It's been too long.

[@Weirdo77313]

Tom is a Canadian National Treasure . thanks for the laughs over the years.

[@oilikepeanuts]

Tom lives in my head rent free.

[@buckc3471]

What are rent prices there normally?

[@privateprivate1865]

​@buckc3471 two dolla 👲

[@user-uu1ru5de4g]

You need a hug dont look for love from a youtube comment .

[@butterfly7624]

I loved watching The Tom Green Show when I was a teenager.

[@irietropicals4255]

Love this dude! One of kind 🦄

[@april1200]

Such a great interview !& so happy for Tom Green and his new life in Canada 🇨🇦. ✌️

[@jupite1888]

Only person missing there would been having Norm Macdonald phone Tom during the interview.

[@hopperwalker]

Love Tom Green!

[@allbusiness8869]

We all love Tom. He was super funny on MTV and the Tom Green show. He deserves to be and stay relevant in the comedy scene.

[@jasonlubold3066]

I love his mom’s name is Mary Jane Green. He should market that

[@DetroitTyler]

Nice to see Canadian rapper/comedy legend also the godfather of podcasting Tom Green enjoying life. Wonder how his buddies Glen and Phil are doing, a Tom Green reunion show would be amazing.

[@EmilyKresl]

I used to watch web o vision and I've been trying to find an episode ever since wear Tom put on a wig, a bandana and sunglasses and said his name was Leonard and he played drums while someone jammed on the bass.

[@spooly]

Saw him live last year - really great! Ps. Stealing Harvard and Freddy Got Fingered are hilarious and infinitely rewatchable.

[@conrad463]

What??? No mention of Road Trip?

[@spooly]

​@conrad463 I like Road Trip, but he's a real costar in that - not top billing. It's a decent movie for sure though, where despite his limited screentime, he adds some of the best parts:)

[@shawnfloyd6542]

When Tom Green went to Japan he was at the top of his game !

[@alcapone2523]

His van videos are awesome, and I was impressed with how careful he was based on what the media was telling us. When you find the love of your life, like he did with Charlie, it makes you wanna stay alive.

[@gibson5056]

THIS WAS AN AMAZING INTERVIEW,, A COOL CHILL SIDE OF TOM GREEN THAT NOT TOO MANY HAVE SEEN!! KUDOS!

[@anthonyfrench3169]

This was a cool interview, but as an American who lives close to the border. This is a nice Canadian style interview. Loved it

[@AJ_BayArea]

History will absolutely credit Tom green as the godfather of podcasting and the KZbin prankster influencer era

[@soundsbitter]

God bless Tom man. ❤ straight up legend . This interview is helping me to prepare mentally for the annual social media cleanse. Looking forward to it

[@turdferguson2839]

Tom Green was definitely ahead of his time. He did a lot of great (and weird) things, but overall, he's responsible for a lot of the change in media.

[@doug3773]

such a great comedian… influenced so much in the comedic community.. awesome stuff Graham

[@ryanwhitacre773]

Tom is one of the greats.

[@MattHall]

Quite an abrupt ending for a video with such high production value

[@davidpolaczek3614]

God tom you are such an inspiration ! Keep it up! Love ya brother!

[@thecookster23]

A true pioneer in the evolution of social media.

[@Jeremiah-ml5ke]

Nope. He got fame from MTV

[@brendonching7952]

Pioneer of Reality Television

[@JakeBlake-m3d]

Kind of...but that was more the real world on mtv

[@YHBTSTLL]

Tom used to ride for Birdhouse, and no one talks about this lol. The man is an enigma

[@dvdrgn]

The Guinea Hen music did it for me. Here I am, giggling.

[@coyster530]

I was just watching an old episode Gotham Comedy live and Tom Green was hosting

[@Rick_Reno]

Its awesome to hear tom mention mike bullard

[@billysunshine9100]

I love the beginning where Tom Green talks about the Kabuki mask Tom Segura wore on his special

[@rickyiglesias5384]

Great interview. But man, I feel like there was so much else to talk about. I would have loved to hear about the special he did in Japan, his relationship with Glenn, etc.

[@NMcCoy]

Incredible interview.

[@MrShene123]

It looks like you are living the dream, good for you Tom.

[@jeffreyeickhoff591]

Love Tom Green, all his stuff. But I've been super curious about Joe, his brother. They brought him up briefly when talking about his dad and the impact agent orange had on Joe. He made a rare appearance in the house painting episode, but no clue of him on Tom's social media.

[@Badfinger4]

“If mom and dad find out about this, you’re f--n’ gone.”

[@SeanGleeson-x3d]

Graham, in most interviews one only gets the gravy , in your interviews we get not only the meat and potatoes but also the dessert ...thank you 😊

[@jakebush4749]

Tom really needs to get into the sausage business. He’s make instant bank. Much luv to all

[@rw9854]

I love Tom, seems a genuine and authentic guy. Anyone who enjoyed this should watch his appearance on Norm Mcdonalds podcast/talkshow. It is 10/10 funny!

[@TinCanCampers]

Tom i love you and i love my off grid lifestyle

[@AntonyHarePI]

Love the early streaming tech talk around the 30 minute mark.

[@JoJoICB316]

Tom Green Absolute Legend🎉

[@enoughisenough670]

amazing. we love you tom

[@trevorrobar1540]

A Great Canadian!

[@ericwhite4640]

Tom is awesome this was a great

[@JohnnyPerth]

Excellent fascinating interview