Breaking Bread with Tom Papa

Jeff Arcuri joins Tom Papa to talk about his Netflix special Nice to Meet You, the strange luck behind great crowd work, and the Comedy Cellar experiences that helped him trust his comedy. They get into rough tapings, online success, creative anxiety, and why a new joke landing still beats everything else.

Jeff's Netflix special NICE TO MEET YOU is out now.

Our thanks to:

Monarch! Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code PAPA at monarch.com

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00:00 Cold open

01:00 Jeff Arcuri joins Tom

01:30 How comedians give compliments

03:23 Making crowd work work on camera

07:20 Five unpredictable special tapings

12:37 Tom's first special

14:33 Learning to edit comedy clips

21:04 Giving every clip an arc

24:42 Keeping crowd work authentic

28:06 Success, guilt and adapting

32:19 The Cellar gave Jeff confidence

38:26 Performing high or drunk

41:04 Moving seamlessly into material

43:04 What changes after a hit special

48:38 New York versus Los Angeles

50:35 Bread and sourdough cookies
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This week we welcome Gianmarco Soresi to the table! He and Tom talk about the easy things, you know, like weddings, funerals, religion, and relationships. Laughs abound! Enjoy!

Our thanks to:
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Monarch! Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code PAPA at ⁠monarch.com⁠
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This week we welcome David Wain to the table! The Wet Hot American Summer Writer & Director talks with Tom about Cleveland, working with Steph Curry, and raising kids. Enjoy!

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This weekend we welcome Jenna Fischer to the pod! Jenna is author of two books. She hosts the Office Ladies Podcast along with Angela Kinsey, and she stars in the upcoming film Nimrods, in theaters August 14! We're so thrilled to have her join us at the table.
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This week we welcome Todd Glass to the table! He and Tom chat all about comedy, touring, and writing. Plus food, of course! Enjoy!

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