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Joe Rogan · 2024-08-13 · 2h 17m

Joe Rogan Experience #2187 - Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler and Joe Rogan trade decades of stand-up war stories, comedy nostalgia, and tales of bombing, fame, and rock stars.

Joe Rogan Experience #2187 - Adam Sandler
The guest

Adam Sandler — Comedian, actor, and filmmaker known for SNL and movies like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, and You Don't Mess with the Zohan.

The gist

Joe Rogan and Adam Sandler, longtime friends since the 2011 film Zookeeper, spend nearly three hours reminiscing about their shared roots in stand-up comedy. They cover the New England comedy scene, bombing on stage, the delusional confidence of young comics, and idols like Sam Kinison, Rodney Dangerfield, and Chris Rock. Sandler recounts his improbable path from MTV to a development deal to NewsRadio alongside Phil Hartman, and his return to stand-up after roughly 20 years away. Both reflect on fitness, the importance of touring with funny friends, and the parallels between comedians and aging rock stars. Sandler closes by discussing his heavily-prepared Netflix live special.

Big reveals

  • Rogan describes The Comedy Store during a peak era with Shane Gillis, Mark Norman, Ari Shaffir, Brian Simpson, and Tony Hinchcliffe all 'cooking together.'
  • Sandler reveals he wrote out every bit, transition, and joke by hand and rehearsed his live special set in order for three straight weeks because he was terrified of it.
  • Sandler tells the full story of his big break: his manager mailed his MTV tape around, sparking a bidding war that led to a $150,000 deal out of nowhere.
  • Rogan explains a David Lifton JFK assassination book sent him into a conspiracy spiral that made him bomb on stage that night.
  • Sandler got onto Saturday Night Live around age 23 as a writer, despite barely watching the show, after Dennis Miller vouched for him.
  • Rogan invokes Dunbar's number to explain why famous people can't remember everyone they meet.
  • Sandler recounts being cast as the star of his first movie (Babes Ahoy) days after a stand-up set, not even knowing films had scripts.
  • Both agree stand-up is 'a form of hypnosis,' locking the audience into the comedian's way of thinking.

Things worth remembering

  • Sandler practices intermittent fasting but admits grapes lead to waffles and Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches.
  • Mick Jagger works out every day and travels with two trailers filled with gym equipment.
  • David Lee Roth moved to Japan with his dog for years to train Kendo sword fighting.
  • Rogan helped a knee-damaged Bobby Orr (who had around 20 knee surgeries) onto a VersaClimber at a Boston gym.
  • Bill Kinison's book Brother Sam documents how Sam Kinison's material declined once he made it and stopped writing.
  • Phil Hartman, at 18, worked at the Whiskey catching stage monitors and stood three feet from Jimi Hendrix.
  • At Nick's Comedy Stop, comedians could be paid in cash or in cocaine, and many got caught by the IRS.
  • Sandler was the first comedian aired on Showtime at the Apollo because Chris Rock cursed too much to be used in episode one.
  • Sandler had a scene with Milton Berle in his first film and confirms the rumors about Berle's anatomy.

Recommended in this episode

Books, products and media the guest or host genuinely endorsed here — with the buy link.

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RecommendedBook

Brother Sam

Bill Kinison

“if you're a fan of standup I tell anybody go buy that book because it's a great book” — Joe Rogan 01:18:16
Find it on Amazon
Guest’s ownMedia

The Zohan (You Don't Mess with the Zohan)

Adam Sandler (inferred)

“I watched the Zohan I might have just seen the Zohan 20 times I love that movie thank yeah such a funny movie” — Joe Rogan 00:07:20
Find it on Amazon
Guest’s ownMedia

Billy Madison

Adam Sandler

“Billy Madison I remember I thought oh this could be great a guy who a grown up who does elementary school again” — Adam Sandler 00:30:42
Find it on Amazon
Guest’s ownMedia

Happy Gilmore

Adam Sandler

“like if you decide to do Happy Gilmore how do you how do you like make your movies” — Joe Rogan 00:30:10
Find it on Amazon