Guest: Joe Lycett

Joel Dommett, a comedian and painter, charmed his audience with his laid-back demeanor and unique sense of humor during a gig. His ability to connect with people and make them feel at ease was evident as he chatted with the audience before his performance, even when he was running late. His paintings, particularly those featuring cats on skylights, showcase his creativity and originality. Dommett's career has left an impression on his fans, who find his easy company and humor soothing and enjoyable. Despite his success, he remains approachable and unintimidating. Dommett's talent for painting and comedy, combined with his relatable personality, continue to captivate and entertain audiences.

Having a good idea is crucial in both art and comedy. The speaker, who has a background in drama, English, graphic design, and stand-up comedy, shared his experiences with painting and performing. He mentioned that he struggled with painting due to a lack of good ideas, feeling pretentious when he couldn't produce the desired results. When asked about his paintings, he showed reluctance to share them, revealing that some of them had fallen down or didn't resemble the intended subjects accurately. He also shared an anecdote about painting a commission for a friend and missing the mark. The speaker acknowledged his skills as a painter but admitted that he hadn't been able to execute an idea first. He compared this to stand-up comedy, stating that one doesn't have a knack for it but keeps trying and learning from mistakes. The speaker also expressed his irritation with the lettering on a Brian and Charles poster, highlighting the importance of good ideas even in seemingly minor design elements.

The small details, like the spacing between letters in a font, can significantly impact one's perception and satisfaction with an image or design. The speaker in this conversation expressed frustration with the "e" and "c" in the name "Charles," which sit differently on the line. Despite this annoyance, they acknowledged the overall beauty of the font and image. The conversation also touched upon the speaker's painting habits, revealing they tour extensively and find great pleasure in performing. They shared stories of their relaxed and seemingly effortless approach to stand-up comedy, which left others in awe. Another theme that emerged was the importance of managing unexpected situations, or "little predicaments," which the speaker described as causing stress but also leading to moments of humor and connection. Overall, the conversation highlighted the importance of paying attention to details, finding joy in creative pursuits, and embracing the unexpected.

Dealing with anxiety and uncomfortable situations involves pushing through discomfort and trusting that it won't last forever. Joe Malia shared his experience with anxiety, which led him to avoid social situations. He overcame this by facing his fears and having a pint of beer, an activity he once thought he couldn't do due to anxiety. This experience helped him become more zen in uncomfortable situations, like storming off a live TV show. The unexpected event initially caused a negative reaction from the crew and audience, but Malia took it in stride and knew it was all part of the plan. The situation turned out to be funny, as everyone involved was used to the show's format, and the media reaction had not yet kicked in. Ultimately, Malia's ability to embrace discomfort and trust that it would pass helped him navigate an uncomfortable situation and learn from it.

The speaker had an unexpected encounter with various notable figures during a television appearance, including Rishi Sunak and Alan Sugar. Despite feeling intimidated by some of these individuals due to their fame and power, the speaker found the experience surreal and even enjoyable. The interaction with Alan Sugar was particularly memorable, as he seemed uninterested in conversing and was accompanied by a large bodyguard. The speaker also mentioned that they found appearing on the show to be a welcome break from their usual routine. Overall, the speaker's anecdote highlights the unexpected and sometimes humorous encounters that can occur during television appearances.

During an appearance on a game show, Joe Lycett was offered more money to leave the studio, but he refused and convinced the other panelists to do the same, leading to the banker backing down. Noel Edmonds, the host, played a role in this standoff. Lycett also shared that Alan Sugar, the businessman from another reality show, is known to behave similarly and "floats in and out" of situations. Lycett expressed his anxiety about performing stand-up comedy again after a long hiatus and compared the experience to being at a wedding where he feels pressured to conform and lie. Despite feeling uncomfortable, he acknowledged the importance of authenticity and not giving into the pressure to conform.

The comedian's success in their career comes with a sense of anxiety and the fear of backlash, even when selling out large venues. They feel a pressure to maintain a certain image and reaction from the audience, which can be overwhelming. Despite the excitement of reaching larger audiences, the comedian remains level-headed and realistic about their achievements, acknowledging that their shows are just moments in time. This fear and pressure were particularly prominent when planning a tour several years ago, which they ultimately canceled due to anxiety. The comedian's journey from small venues to arenas is a remarkable one, but it comes with its challenges and emotions.

Successful comedy shows require preparation and a clear understanding of the audience and venue. The discussion revealed that booking a tour without having read the material or knowing the venue's capacity can lead to unnecessary stress and confusion. The comedian in question shared an experience where he kept his stunt a secret until it was completed, and only then started writing the jokes around it. He emphasized the importance of having a deadline to finish the material and knowing the potential earnings from the tour. The conversation also touched upon the importance of having a personal connection with the audience and avoiding overly large venues that may detract from the intimacy of the performance. In essence, the takeaway is that a well-planned and prepared comedy tour can lead to a successful and enjoyable experience for both the performer and the audience.

Podcasting has become a significant source of income and popularity for many individuals. The math behind it involves securing a cast, attracting listeners, and earning money based on listenership. The potential for success is substantial, as evidenced by the growing number of successful podcasters who have sold out large venues and tours, like Joe's friend John McNally, who has sold 60,000 tickets in Dublin alone. However, starting a podcast can be challenging, and the pressure to constantly perform and secure high-profile guests can be overwhelming. The potential for damaging comparisons and the fear of losing listeners can also be detrimental to mental health. Ultimately, podcasting can be a rewarding and lucrative venture, but it requires dedication, hard work, and resilience.

Technology and platforms like YouTube have the power to bypass traditional gatekeepers in the entertainment industry, allowing more diverse voices and perspectives to reach wider audiences. This was evident in the conversation about a comedian's experience with the industry and the impact of her YouTube show. She expressed frustration with the gatekeeping in traditional stand-up comedy, and how the same straight white men often held power in reviewing and booking shows. However, with her YouTube show, she gained a large following and the freedom to share her unique perspective without the same constraints. Despite her newfound power, she still felt a sense of powerlessness compared to industry insiders. The conversation also touched on the potential reach and success of another comedian, Chatevaux, who was starting to break through but still wasn't a household name. Overall, the conversation highlighted the potential for technology to level the playing field and provide opportunities for underrepresented voices in the entertainment industry.

The conversation between the two individuals revolved around growing older, their past experiences, and their current interests. At the age of 34, Joe expressed his desire to grow old gracefully and not be embarrassed by his age. He also shared his feelings about getting bored of things quickly and his annoyance with Spotify. The discussion then shifted to their shared love for podcasts, with both mentioning their favorite shows and expressing their excitement about attending one of Joe's upcoming shows in Brighton. David also mentioned his past experiences with their tour and his desire to see Joe's art. The conversation ended with Joe offering to send David some art, but David expressing his lack of inspiration and uncertainty about what he wanted to achieve through creating art. Overall, the conversation showcased the shared experiences and interests of two individuals, as well as their excitement for creative pursuits and live entertainment.

Art is about expressing yourself and embracing imperfections. Joe and his friend discuss their art collections and experiences, and Joe expresses his admiration for pieces that have unique character and pop with color. They also touch on the idea that everyone has artistic potential, even if they don't believe it. Grayson Perry's advice that happy accidents are something to celebrate resonates with them. Joe shares his recent exploration of 3D printing and the excitement of creating unique sculptures. They also discuss the importance of trying new things and not being too concerned about the outcome, as perfection may not always be achievable or desirable. An example of this is a painting called "Bastard," which was initially a failure but ended up being a beautiful, textured piece due to its imperfections.

Creativity and passion can lead to unexpected success, even if one doesn't have formal training or a traditional approach. The speaker in this conversation expresses admiration for artists and their ability to turn their passion into a living. She shares stories of artists she knows, including one who went from sharing a studio to suddenly selling a painting for a significant amount of money. The speaker also mentions her own experience with painting and how she enjoys the process, even with its messiness. Additionally, she expresses curiosity about new technologies, such as AI art, and the potential they have to create and produce art in unique ways. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of following one's passions, even if the path to success is unconventional.

OpenAI's art generation tool, discussed during the podcast, offers a unique and entertaining experience as users can generate various art styles, including Renaissance, for their chosen subjects. Jimmy Carr, a comedian, experimented with generating images of Carr riding a motorcycle in the Renaissance style, which resulted in humorous and intriguing outcomes. The tool also allows users to explore different art styles, such as Pontilism and oil paintings, expanding their creativity and imagination. However, it's important to remember that the generated content might not always perfectly resemble the original subject, but the results can still be enjoyable and thought-provoking. Additionally, the podcast conversation touched on the importance of understanding context and intentions when interacting with others online, as some people might not be able to read sarcasm or might have different perspectives.

Authenticity and connection are key in building relationships, even if they start online. The speaker shared an experience of discovering someone had been pretending to be them on TikTok, but instead of being upset, they found common ground and appreciation for each other's content. The conversation also touched on the importance of staying true to oneself, whether it's in comedy, life, or online interactions. The speaker reflected on how they had to remind themselves of their comedic style after a long break from performing, and how dealing with a heckler brought back the reassuring feeling of being in control. Ultimately, the conversation highlighted the importance of staying authentic, finding common ground, and adapting to new situations.

Kindness and aggression can lead to unexpected outcomes. The speaker shares an experience where they were aggressive but received kindness in return. They also discuss the appeal of having control over their career and the enjoyment of performing in smaller venues. The speaker mentions the importance of moving on after shows and the value of older female audiences. They also express their admiration for the podcast and their desire for more interaction with the hosts. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the power of positive interactions.

The discussion revolved around Joe and his friend's involvement in a comedy tour and their surprise appearance in an HSBC advertisement. The friends were excited about their unexpected fame and encouraged listeners to attend their tour, which was a love letter to Chatterbits and Chatterbix. The conversation also included some friendly banter and expressions of gratitude towards the host, Joe. The discussion ended with well-wishes and the friends signing off. Overall, the conversation showcased the friends' enthusiasm for their comedy tour and their unexpected encounter with fame.