From: officialflagrant
Comedian Shane Gillis appeared on a podcast where he shared personal anecdotes, engaged in historical and cultural debates, and discussed various aspects of life and comedy with the hosts.
Setting the Scene and Early Banter
Upon his arrival, Shane requested the hosts “be nice” and “don’t be nasty” [00:00:53]. To make him feel comfortable, the hosts attempted to display a painting of Father William Corby at Gettysburg, which Shane recognized as “The Absolution” [00:01:19]. Shane expressed his appreciation for Father Corby, noting he later became the President of Notre Dame and was a “beast” who rebuilt the university [00:01:55].
Debates on History and Generals
Conversations frequently turned to historical figures and events:
- Greatest Generals: One host surprised Shane by suggesting a French general was the greatest of all time, which Shane countered, stating Robert E. Lee was the greatest because “he wasn’t working with a lot” [00:04:17]. They also discussed Stonewall Jackson, whom Shane described as “an autistic man clearly” due to his unusual behaviors, like holding his injured hand up constantly and believing God would decide his death [00:04:56].
- War Strategy: Referencing a podcast with Sebastian Younger, they discussed three things an underdog needs to win a war: a cause worth fighting for, a leader not afraid to face fear, and women involved in the war effort [00:06:04]. The last point was expanded to emphasize the necessity of women in wartime industries like factories and nursing, contrasting it with the traditional South’s potential lack thereof [00:07:34].
- Civil War Causes: One host recalled a middle school teacher in New York who taught that the Civil War was “not about slavery, it was about states rights,” a view he repeated for a decade [00:09:02].
- Ancient History: Shane admitted he dislikes ancient history because he believes “no one knows, it’s all made up” [00:10:38], citing Napoleon’s quote: “History is a set of lies agreed upon” [00:10:41].
- Total War: Shane broke down Napoleon’s concept of “Total War,” where an entire country’s industry switches to war production, a departure from more “gentlemanly” warfare prior to Napoleon [00:53:56].
Philosophical and Cultural Discussions
The conversation branched into various social and cultural topics:
- Religion: They humorously debated the “best” religions, with Catholicism ranked highly for its historical impact on the Western world [00:25:06]. They also discussed the infallibility of the Pope and the Pope’s changing views on dogs in heaven [00:32:15].
- India and British Imperialism: A host humorously described British imperialism as turning India into “a Walmart for 400” years [00:47:47]. They also discussed India’s space program amidst poverty and a host’s confusion about “To Let” signs in India, mistakenly believing they were selling toilets [01:54:15].
- Conspiracy Theories:
- JFK Assassination: They debated whether Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone or if the CIA was involved, referencing theories about multiple shooters and the “Magic Bullet” [02:09:18]. The theory of Woody Harrelson’s father being involved as a contract killer was also brought up [02:11:42].
- MK Ultra: They discussed the CIA’s LSD program and its alleged role in creating “violent psychos” like Charles Manson, and even Whitey Bulger [02:28:09].
- Political Dynasties: They discussed a conspiracy theory linking George H.W. Bush, John Hinckley Jr., and Barack Obama as distant relatives, suggesting a deeper, hidden political control beyond elections [02:21:58].
- Alcohol’s Role in Society: They explored the idea that cultures with “stiff upper lips” and less daily emotional expression, like British or Russian cultures, tend to “abuse” alcohol more as a means of releasing emotions and connecting with others on weekends [01:54:10].
Personal Insights and Anecdotes
- Sexual Anecdotes: Shane shared a humorous personal story about a partner sucking on his “bob” (nipple), leading him to instinctively nod and then regret it because “she thinks that’s my thing” [00:00:00]. This then leads to a discussion of other “weird things” that make people “jizz” [00:55:59].
- Gambling Incident with Jamie Vernon: Shane recounted a heated argument with Jamie Vernon (part of Joe Rogan’s inner circle) during a blackjack game after a show, where Shane fronted money for Jamie’s split aces and then demanded a larger share of the winnings, leading to a loud dispute that required intervention [00:49:50].
- Molly/Ecstasy Experiences: Shane shared his first experience with Molly at a bachelor party and later, his experiences doing Molly every two weeks with Big Jay during COVID shows at Helium in Philly. He recalled hosting a show after taking Molly and being unable to speak due to the “wave” of the drug [00:59:19].
- Fighting History: Shane claimed an “undefeated” fight record, humorously noting his tactic is “literally just grabbing someone and holding them down and crying” [01:16:16]. He recalled a recent sparring session with Joe Rogan where Rogan “ripped my shoulder off” with Jiu-Jitsu moves, admitting he was “hammered” [01:17:01].
Discussions on Entertainment and Media
- Actors and Movies: They engaged in a lengthy debate about the “best” actors, comparing Tom Cruise, Daniel Day-Lewis, Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Denzel Washington, Christian Bale, Robert De Niro, and Joaquin Phoenix. They debated the relative merits of movies like Top Gun, Mission Impossible, Gladiator, Deer Hunter, Black Panther, and various superhero films [03:16:09].
- Comedic Shows: They discussed the style of comedy in Shane’s new show Tires, contrasting it with traditional sitcoms where characters deliver jokes without in-character reactions [01:06:30]. They also lauded Eastbound & Down as a unique and influential comedy [01:45:00].
Political and Social Observations
- UFC Fighters and Opinions: They discussed UFC fighter Sean Strickland’s controversial, humorous remarks about women’s voting rights and child abuse, noting how he “knows it’s a joke” but still says “wild shit” [01:18:53].
- National Service: Shane stated his biggest regret was not doing some form of national service after high school, advocating for a mandatory year for all Americans, even if not military, to “make some sacrifice to be part of the country” [02:56:50].
- New York City Culture: They debated whether New York is an “accepting” place, concluding that while many transplants bring progressive opinions, native New Yorkers often hold more traditional views, leading to a cultural “battle” [03:02:21].