Ramy Youssef: Peabody Forward
51:36 Share

Art in your home can instantly transform your space and bring you joy. Saatchi Art makes it easy for you to discover and buy one-of-a-kind art that you'll love. Whether you're looking to complement your home decor, fill a blank space on your walls, or start an art collection, you can find the perfect piece for your specific style and budget at Saatchi Art. Go to SaatchiArt.com today to bring the beauty of art into your home. Plus, listeners get 15% off their first order of original art with code ROB.

That's 15% off at SaatchiArt.com. S-A-A-T-C-H-I-Art.com. Ever wish your favorite TV show had twice as many episodes? Everyone knows that feeling. And so does Discover. Everyone wants more of their favorites. That's why Discover doubles another favorite thing, cash back. That's right.

Discover automatically doubles the cash back earned on your credit card at the end of your first year with Cash Back Match. Now that's a real crowd pleaser. Everyone knows how it ends. Double the cash back. See terms at discover.com slash credit card. Dude, I haven't seen you since you were taking Kimmel's job away from him. Tried. It didn't work out very well. He still has it. You know, further evidence that all our systems are broken. Hey, everybody. Hey.

It is me. Literally. Rami Youssef, ladies and germs. I love his show. His show is really, really good. Won the Golden Globe. You know, that's how good. Won a Peabody. Man's an award magnet. And super funny, super smart, super good guy. One of the first people I interviewed as I was starting my interviewing career on Jimmy Kimmel when I was trying to take Jimmy's job. Let's bring him on because I'd like to say I bring out the best in him. I'm just going to say I do.

And you'll be the judge of that. How's everything? Give me the headlines. What have you been up to in the ensuing coming out of the pandemic? You're just working as always, right? Just been working, man. I mean, it's been fun to get back to stand up, which has been nice getting out there. Yeah. What was that like getting back in front of people? It was really emotional because it felt so nice and it felt really surreal, but it also felt kind of like

It's a bit of a paranoia a little bit because it's still so many people in the room and it's not over. I'm sorry. Laughing projects as much out of one's body as a cough where I come from. I mean, if you're doing your job, it's double cough.

So, yeah. So, you know, it thankfully, though, my sets are pretty subdued. So there's not a ton spreading. You know, it's pretty it's a lot of nodding and staring when I'm up there. So I think it's not a super spreader at all. I think I think it's as safe as you can get. That's your lane. I like that lane as a comedian. I'm not a super spreader. You know, I'm not I'm not trying to get you to laugh too much because that

could spread COVID. So I'm just here for us to kind of feel and remember what it's like to be next to another person, another stranger, but you know, it doesn't have to go much further than that. But I've been doing a lot of that. - Where have you, has it been a proper tour or has it been sort of going out when you feel like it and when you have time?

I have never done a proper tour. I always kind of, you know, I've been really fortunate where we're making the show or I'm shooting something or working on something. And then I'll kind of, you know,

see oh shit I have three weeks that are free that I didn't think were free and then I just scramble to like perform anywhere and I don't really care where I perform or like what's going on I'm just like just get me there like I want to you know I want to just that's do comedy and so I kind of do these bursts where I kind of go out and all year I'm writing all this stuff in my notebook and if I can get out one night I'll go do it and whatever and then I kind of will go out do these like big chunks where I'm just trying shit out and that it's really fun that's so that's amazing so

Do you have favorite cities in terms of the comedy reception? Not just not like food cities. You like I'm talking about like people, audience receptions. You go, I always kill in Miami or whatever it is. I probably have the most fun in D.C.

and Toronto. Those are like the two cities... So weird, because they don't seem at all related. I know, I know. But if I was just like, where do I have the most pure fun? It's in those two, because, you know, Toronto is one of the most diverse cities, and it's just an amazing collection of people who are... You know, they're...

you feel the international difference. Like they really kind of have like a cool perspective that's zoomed out. Um, and yeah, DC, everyone's obviously has to be kind of politically aware. It's like there's, you kind of get a bit of that. I'll have London too. London's really fun. Like they, London's super fun. Isn't it smart and really just not offended by anything. So, so it's that great thing where you get the intellectual level, but you also, you know, you don't really get, um,

you still get the same sensitivities. It's pretty great. London is those audiences. They pay attention. Yeah. I did a, a play there in the West end for six months. And it's a whole different experience than, than Broadway or anywhere else. I mean, it's like, if you get a standing ovation in London, you've earned it in America. I haven't, I haven't been to a show on Broadway.

in probably 30 years where there wasn't a standing ovation yeah those just people just stand for anything here you know they literally i saw i went to a play once and they stood they gave a standing ovation to the change of scenery literally and i was like okay all right this is what it's been debased to and in london man they're like they're not giving it to well the way there's also yeah they have this like um

they know how to watch things in a way that I think is really cultured. I don't know. I just, I really, yeah, I really appreciate being there. It's, it's a, it's a really fun. Yeah. Did you see this whole, this thing that was went viral recently where it's there, it's the new production of death of a salesman and some audience members going, getting whack and going crazy. It becomes an eight, literally probably more entertained than the play actually was.

And they'd stop the play and they're talking and it's like this give and take with the cast and this insane woman. It was... Well, it's interesting because that's always been... So I love performing on stage and because it's... And you know this from doing plays. It's like, it's so...

There's just something you get that's so electric, that's so different. And there's no gap. You know, like you'd be making a show and it's like you tell a joke and then the laugh comes seven months later and you're not even there for it. Like someone's just watching it at home. And being in front of people, it's so immediate. But the thing that always has scared me about doing a play is that you can't,

change what you're saying and you can't react to the audience in real time. And so I feel like I would actually probably love this viral video because it would be like what I love about stand up and what I like about plays. Yeah. I mean, there's, there's great ones. There's a, there's another great one of gosh, who is it? Patti LuPone, the great, you know, amazing, you know, diva of the theater, you know, somebody's cell phone goes off.

And she goes, oh, that's the other thing. Not once did somebody open a bag of Cheetos during like the amazing monologue somebody's trying to have. And not once, not once did a phone go off. Not once. I did have a couple having sex. At the show. Yeah, in the Royal Box, no pun intended. And what I found out later was they were a notorious couple.

that like, oh, they're like quasi-legendary. It's like people talk about, oh, you know, there's a couple that, and like they showed up. Like it doesn't always happen, but like, oh yeah, like I remember I was doing Les Mis and they were, whatever. You know what I mean? It's like-

Well, you almost have to feel for them because you wonder if that's the only time that they can. Oh, can you imagine they've like that's their threshold of titillation? That's what it kind of sounds like, right? Because in order for them to last that long, they probably don't do it any other place. And maybe it's a compliment to the play where it's kind of like, like, oh, man, did you hear about Lowe's play? They that couple, they had sex all the way through the second act. Like that's like that's kind of like a five star review, like how long they can go.

Yeah, I want to ask like Ian McKellen if anybody's ever done it. Stupid little plays or what do you think Shakespeare one guy or a bunch of people you know about that? I do know. I think one guy because I don't know why it would be a bunch of people. What what what would be in it? And I haven't done a deep enough dive in it. But what would be what would be the reason for it not to be one guy? Well, like I said, it's like the JFK assassination. Was it one gunman?

Or many gunmen. I get why there would be many gunmen there. I don't get why there'd be many gunmen writing multiple plays. I actually haven't looked this up, but because I never asked that question to myself. The way you just asked it was really concise. Why would there be? The only thing I could think is if the plays were written by a bunch of women.

who would not be taken seriously. So then they're like, we're Shakespeare, you know, like, like, yeah, well, it's the same thing of, you know, S.E. Hinton, who wrote The Outsiders or J.K. Rowling, who wrote Harry Potter there. They use that because they didn't want

to be known as women. That's, I mean, that's absolutely true. I think it would be that. Okay. So is it one woman or is it multiple women? It was like a knitting circle. Instead of knitting, they were popping out instant classics. It's just instant. Well, the sheer number, it's like, I go back and forth through the sheer number of plays makes me think, oh, this could have been many people. But then the other side of that is there seemingly was nothing else to do.

Nothing else to do. Here's the one thing that I would think maybe there's more than one person. I am not a fan of the Shakespeare comedies. I mean, just between the iambic pentameter and the fact in comedy shelf life.

Yeah, okay. But like – It's a good summer night scene. Come on. Give me Macbeth. Give me Richard III. Give me – you know what I mean? I mean look, no one can – even Shakespeare can't be equally good at writing dramas. Comedy can't. Can they? What if Shakespeare is two people and there was a comedy wing and a drama wing?

Mm hmm. I'm I'm I'm down with that. I'm gonna have to get Paltrow back on the show. You know, Shakespeare in Love herself and ask her when she was preparing for that role. My guess would be the actual Shakespeare that we know from the photos. Comedy. Yes.

And the not named woman who was writing was writing the dramas. And and they're just kind of, you know, they have to put it all under his name. And he's just kind of like, you know, dying inside with the dramas are doing better. I think I think do you ever do you have is there do you have a gnarly drama stirring in your psyche that you're going to write one of these days?

I'm talking like, do you have a version of like the deer hunter in you? Well, I love the idea of writing the film. Okay, well, first of all, what for you is the most radical drama imaginable that you've seen? I watched seven minutes of Dahmer.

I turned it off. I was like, this is too well done, which means it's going to be stuck in my head and I can't do it. I mean, I was...

Just horrifying. I was like, oh my God, this is, I'm so scared. I can't, I can't do it. It's a lot. It's really good. But it's also, I also, it reminded me a lot of Mindhunter, David Fincher's. If you haven't seen Mindhunter, I would see that too. It's also, also great. But yeah, like I want to see your version of Chernobyl. What I realized, what I liked about Chernobyl, it's a real life eight episode version of that great, um,

internet thing where they take us that scene of Hitler and downfall. And instead of them telling Hitler that the, the, the, the, that Berlin is falling in there, they're telling him that, that Tom Brady didn't make the playoffs or whatever. That's what Chernobyl is like, but every scene is like that. It's like,

I'm sorry, the reactors. So there is a comedy version out there. It's ripe for the picking for you. I missed that meme. That was a great meme. Wasn't that the best ever? It was really good, yeah. It's due for a comeback. That one was really funny. It's so good. It's such an evergreen. It's really funny. And I've obviously seen Chernobyl actually a lot because...

my brother-in-law is obsessed with it. So he'll come and just play. He's like, oh, you didn't see Chernobyl? You've got to watch it. And so he showed it to my wife. And it was kind of on in the background. And he was like, oh, you weren't paying attention. We're going to watch Chernobyl. He's just so into... And the filmmaking on it is amazing. It's amazing. It's true. I don't know why it is... I mean, I think it got its due and got its flowers, but I feel like

it isn't, it oddly isn't talked about enough because it is really well done. Yeah. And for me, like making a drama was sick. I mean, I, even the way we approach comedy on the show, definitely we lead with story first and then like add, you know, all the things that are funny, but, you know, kind of just,

I would imagine any drama I did would have to have something funny. And I think most good dramas do just blow a little bit of tension out, but to kind of really feel like, Oh no, I'm not even focusing on like jokes, but I really want to kind of tell something would be so fun. Yeah. Your style of, um, I read this quote where you said, you know, it's, it's for you. It's about, um,

Something that you feel is – and I'm butchering what you said, but it's like there's something in the air that you want to say and there's something you want to say now. And then what's funny about it? Like have you ever reverse engineered – have you ever led comedy first and then realized that didn't work for you and you needed to lead story first? Yeah.

All the time in the sense that I'll just have a scrap of something that's like, okay, I really want to do this joke or this scene is really funny or this punchline just makes me laugh. And then all I then do is just kind of, I kind of interrogate why does it make me laugh? And there's never not a kind of

profound reasoning even if it's stupid like you know i mean like even like why a real life fart will make me like there's times where just like farts have happened in real moments and like i could really like get esoteric about like why that one fart really hit the spot and this is the this is the essay the world needs you know what i mean why that one part hit the spot and and and that

digging will kind of create that pressing feeling of like why I have to tell that thing. So it all the time, it'll start with that really funny thing and then just be like, okay, but why am I saying this? I think at the end of the day, if I can't figure out why, and it's just funny to be funny, I start to actually feel like it's not even my joke, you know, because I don't have a personal connection to it. I'm like, Oh, am I just laughing at this because it's a thing that's funny. And I'm

it's not even mine, like it's actually more someone else's or it's more in someone else's voice or it's really just like something kind of random. And then I start to get a little esoteric about like, why would I waste lifetime on something random? Or why would I present something to people that wasn't part of something cohesive? And so I try to kind of balance all that stuff while still like, you know, having it just be entertaining and you know, you don't have to think about the, uh, the machinery or the wiring of any of it.

All set for your flight? Yep. I've got everything I need. Eye mask, neck pillow, T-Mobile, headphones. Wait, T-Mobile? You bet. Free in-flight Wi-Fi. 15% off all Hilton brands. I never go anywhere without T-Mobile. Same goes for my water bottle, chewing gum, nail clippers. Okay, I'm going to leave you to it. Find out how you can experience travel better at T-Mobile.com slash travel. ♪

Qualifying plan required. Wi-Fi were available on select U.S. airlines. Deposit and Hilton honors membership required for 15% discount terms and conditions apply. Who are your inspirations in the comedy, writing, producing, acting world? I grew up listening to Carlin, you know, and like, so those Carlin style rants were always in my head, not just from listening to him, but my uncle kind of talked like Carlin, like he, that's his way of

breaking things down and arguing and ranting and he's just like a you know to this day like just a ranter about you know he'll just get into shit and be really convicted about it and so and it was always very funny like just as a kid so I was so inspired by my uncles they just fight about trivial things for two hours you know like two hours my uncle I remember one time my uncle took this position that I don't even understand to this day why it mattered to him he

He was just fully convinced that Condoleezza Rice and Bill Clinton had been having sex for decades. And he spent like two hours laying out all the evidence. I'm like 10 and I'm just dying. I'm like, this shit is so funny. I don't know why we're having stuff. I'm like, he's just with dignity. He's like, he's just, you know,

Really, you know, the original internet conspiracy theorist I grew up with. And so, you know, that totally kind of influenced for me, like what I find funny about characters. Man, like I really love characters that are just so zoned in.

on their point of view in a way that is like incredibly blinding. And I think, you know, that's at the core of all the really funny comedies. It's why Seinfeld's funny. It's why it's always sunny. It's funny. It's because everyone is just, they're never going to look inwards. They're only going to look at like what it is that,

they think you know and and that's why those shows can run for like 400 episodes you know and and and so that is so funny to me and so that that is is something that is is always inspiring going into character work and and um you know and then just like in terms of watching stand-up I mean it's like yeah it's the obvious it's like a chapelle and and I think that with with with writing and with and with you know I mean Larry Sanders and you know just all the

obviously, you know, it's just, yeah. You, you named my, all my favorite shows, you know, you named all, we, we have all the same. I'm, I, I agree with every single example. It's so funny. Um, I feel like it's always sunny is first of all, it's in, it's like 17th season, first of all. Okay. And when I say it doesn't get the attention it deserves, I shot an entire season of parks and recreation, uh,

and never knew that in the basement below the soundstage we shot on, they shot a season. When I'm saying they're under the radar, they literally made an entire season beneath us, and we never even knew they were there. But it's one of my favorite. I think it might go down in history as the greatest live-action TV comedy ever, I think. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I...

I've not thought about it that concisely. And as you're saying that, like my whole body agrees. Like, like name it. What? Pound for pound, year in and year out. What is what? What is ultimately more satisfyingly funny consistently than that show? No, they're genius. And in a way, they're it's like.

It's so funny, like, LeBron, you know, you watch him, like, every once in a while, they're like, LeBron scored 48. But, like, for most of the season, people don't even, they're not appreciating, like, what's happening every night and how long it's been happening. And I think Sonny is, they're like the LeBron of comedies, where you're just like, you can sit and, you know, you can sit and say Seinfeld's Jordan and, like, whatever, you know, but, like, when you look back, back, back, you might just be like,

they just went for so long and they were so consistent and it was so like, and what, you know, I think my favorite part about art is like, it's not as binary or competitive as sports. So like you never genuinely have to say something is better than another thing. Like they all kind of take up their own space, but they truly don't actively get the recognition that, that they deserve. Cause it's, it's just unbelievable. It's an unbelievable show. It's so quotable. Yeah.

There's so many. That's the other thing. There's so many moments. What year did that start? Oh, my God. My God. I don't like I kind of want to do a quick like. Yeah. I got a salty on my phone. I got it. You know why I'm bringing that up? So we did this episode this season in the third season where we did, you know, my character works for my uncle in the Diamond District.

And we are the only Arab Muslims in the Diamond District. And we do all of our business with the Hasidic Jewish dudes in the district. And it's based on a few of my buddies who I grew up with, who were the Arabs in the district. And I was so inspired because it'd be amazing. They're arguing over prices. Then it gets political. Then they start talking about religion. Then they fight. And then someone's like, oh, I got to go pray.

And then they go pray and then they come back and then they're like making the deal. And then they're eating together and then they're hugging. And it was just this like,

insanity of, again, what I find funny and what I love about life, everyone's holding their point of view really confidently. And they're still living with each other. And so we kind of, we took that, we put it into the show. And then this season, we did this episode where we went to

Tel Aviv because my character's trying to make a deal there and it kind of gets into the complications of what's happening in Jerusalem, what's happening in Palestine, what's going on. And we kind of see it through his eyes and we kind of went in with this point of view of like, how do we take Rami, the character, to Palestine and Israel and somehow he's the biggest asshole? Like that was like my thesis statement. It's like, wow, this guy has pissed off all sides. Like this is very funny to me.

So I'm in the process of writing it and I'm like, when has this been covered in comedy? And then bam, right away, I'm like, man, Sonny did it. They did everything first. Like Sonny did this episode about Israel and Palestine where they never went anywhere. But it was like this guy moved in next door. He came in with this like old blueprint and he said, I am the original owner of your bar.

Do you know this episode? It's the craziest episode. Yes, yes. And then he builds into their bar. He puts up a wall. And Charlie becomes like a, they start making like terrorist videos in the apartment to scare him. You can't make it up.

And also, I don't think they went for it. Like you're on streaming. You can kind of, you have a little bit more latitude. These guys were like on FX. Dude, but the premise I just explained is wild for cable TV. Wild. And they did it so many years ago. And I'm like sitting here being like, you know, I know what we did is a unique contribution and this and that. And I feel really good about it. And at the same time, I'm like,

Dude, those guys are legends. How did they do that in that year at that time and the way that they did it with the light? Like that is true fearlessness. And I remember even just being like, you know, a young Arab Muslim kid watching that. So I looked it up on my phone. 2005. That's when that's when it started. That's their first. By the way, that's season one. Is that episode in season one? Yes. In season one. No way. That's yeah. They started in 2005.

See, I didn't know that was a season one. So to give you context, season five, 2005, I'm going to age myself. I'm a freshman in high school and I'm watching this and I have never seen anything like cover, you know, an Arab Muslim experience with any sort of conversation or nuance. And it's being done by these guys who own a bar in Philly in a fictional world. Like that's the level of transcendence.

Where it's so human that you're like, for that episode, that was like culturally personal to me. Not I connected with it. It was personal to me. Like it is genius. I mean, they're genius. You know, the other thing is,

What you hit on is that the comedy comes from a specific myopic point of view. Yeah. Which also means like, tell me about the arc of your character. Guess what? My character is never having an arc. Like, right? Never. The minute your character starts growing. It's over. It's over. For that kind of comedy. And it's interesting because I think like I was trying to explain to somebody.

someone was asking me, you know, they were kind of comparing our show to Atlanta, to Master of None. They were like, I know they're not the same, but there's some sort of DNA thing. And I said, actually this point that you just made where in my show,

The character is affected and is shifting. And because of that, I'm actually writing to a natural end. I'm not writing a show that has an engine that I want to go for like 20 seasons. I'm actually writing to a specific, I am writing to an artist, but so much of the comedy I grew up on wasn't like that. It was literally the character,

truly feels, and this is what's so funny, the character truly feels that they're not the problem. So they're going to spend every episode trying to deal with everything around them without ever looking at themselves. And that's what's so blindingly stupid and funny. It's like they'll never look inward. Everything's outward. Archie Bunker never looked inward. He never looked in. And that's what's so funny. The minute you start writing...

the change you are writing, not in a bad way. You are writing towards the finish of,

of that character's journey. Yeah. Yeah. So interesting. It's a real choice and it doesn't make it not a comedy or anything like that, but it's like, it's just a real, it's, it's a choice and that affects the tone. So then you kind of get things thrown into the category of being called dramedy and then things kind of thrown into the category of being like, you know, comedy, uh, you know, more traditional, but that's the difference. Is there a line for you in watching something?

particularly on streaming. And I have a show coming out on streaming. I'm in the hunt now, starting March 29th. Got my own little show called Unstable. Amazing. When did you guys shoot this? We shot it over the summer. We did eight episodes for Netflix. Amazing. And March 29th, we come out and Fred Armisen is in it and Mary Elizabeth Ellis, who's married to Charlie Day.

Amazing. I'm asking when because I was like having this feeling that you shot it since we knew each other. So I'm just keeping note of knowing that I wasn't, I never got an email or anything like that. Never got a text or anything about, you know, yeah. You're coming on season two. No, no, no, no. Season two. It's joke centric for sure. And I wonder, do you ever find watching some shows where you go,

Like I remember like being on – OK. When I was doing Parks and Rec and we would come in and Amy Poehler would be nominated as she should be for best lead actress in a comedy. And she would lose to like Edie Falco in Nurse Jackie. And I'd be like, OK, look, I love Edie Falco. Edie Falco is one of my favorite actors on the planet.

Comedy? Yeah. Against Amy Poehler? I mean, awards are tortured. Like, I think the whole thing is like, is pretty wild. Like, I think that

you know, again, like the concept of winning and trying to kind of equate like a, because it's essentially kind of equating a point system. So it's like on one end, I'm like, fuck the awards. Like, like, let's just be done with them. And it's so funny. I really felt that when we were like trying to do them during the pandemic, where it was kind of like, like almost as if it was like, like an essential worker situation. Yes, exactly. You must continue, like even through the, and I'm like, this should be on there.

Probably a bunch of other shit we should be coordinating right now. Libraries will remain open and award shows. It's like, what will people do if they don't know what the best comedy and or musical was this year? You know, it actually doesn't matter. But on the flip, you know, with such a crowded landscape, it's an amazing way to get people to watch because it's like, you know, there's only so much time for attention and there's so much happening. So I think...

It's not to dodge the question. I mean, I, I do think they are different. I mean, you are, you are a man with a P body to his name guy. So you know what I'm saying? Yeah. I mean, you have a P body. By the way, to me, that's the, I mean, that's the throat for me. I mean, just, I mean, it's like, yeah, yeah, yeah. You with your Emmys and your golden gloves. Oh, I'm sorry. Is that my P body in the ward? Oh, I'm so sorry. Can I make a suggestion?

Please. The next time you get a new car, when your lease is up, think about having it installed as a hood ornament.

All set for your flight? Yep. I've got everything I need. Eye mask, neck pillow, T-Mobile, headphones. Wait, T-Mobile? You bet. Free in-flight Wi-Fi. 15% off all Hilton brands. I'll never go anywhere without T-Mobile. Same goes for my water bottle, chewing gum, nail clippers. Okay, I'm going to leave you to it. Find out how you can experience travel better at T-Mobile.com slash travel. ♪

Do you know the apocryphal story about Shelley Winters? Have you ever heard this story? No. That Shelley Winters wanted to play a part in something and they wouldn't see her and they wouldn't see her and they didn't think she was right. This is Shelley Winters.

And she finally goes into the audition with a sack. And before she begins to finally do the audition that they wouldn't see her for, she very slowly and deliberately takes out a sandwich and then one Oscar and then another Oscar. And says, okay, we can begin. So I think there is a world in which

there's a, there's, there's like, you know, move. I mean, you know, you did it. You want it. Nobody wanted, but you, you did the hard work. It's good advice to, to, you're essentially telling me to live my life a little bit more P body forward. Yes. P body forward. That's the title of the episode where we're, we're working on right now. P body forward. P body forward. It's interesting. Cause I definitely don't live that way. So I, it's a, it's something to reflect on. I kind of,

like genuinely when you said you want to be body i forgot like there was a part of me that was like oh yeah that felt because everything i don't know if you feel everything feels like

And in a good way, I think. I like to think this helps me feel more present, but everything feels like it didn't happen. Like there's just only now. Like I try to hold on to the good. It's not like I don't want to like eliminate it. But especially I find recognition fades very quickly. What stays is the feeling of getting to do it, which is why you being like, I made a show with my son. I'm like, that's the most brilliant fucking thing that you ever did because it's like that won't go away.

It doesn't even matter if, who cares what it is on Rotten Tomatoes. Like you did that. Like you got to spend all that time together achieving something like that. Like that, that means so much. It's so, yeah, you don't forget that. No, the rest of it comes and goes. Like, which is a thing you hear too, but then it's really interesting to like truly live it and experience it and just be like, oh yeah, this is like,

the things you remember or you want to remember are so incredibly personal. What was it like shooting in Tel Aviv? I've shot in Israel as well. What did you shoot there? Oh, this is before your time, but there was a guy named Menachem Golan and he was very famous Israeli producer who, you know, as, as, you know, but every 10 years there's, there's somebody who tries to buy their way into the industry. Yes. Yes. Spending a bunch. Right. So,

He would famously overpay A-listers and he made nothing but schlock. And like every 10 years, there's someone who tries to buy their way in and I cash that check. And I am their first call. He did make one really great movie called Runaway Train with John Voight and Eric Roberts. I've just seen you like in three years in this like indie funded by Putin movie.

Oh yeah. Me and Steven Seagal, we already have it in development. We're actually doing a reboot of the odd couple. One of them's from Ukraine. The other's from Russia. And they don't understand themselves until the end when they understand each other. Um, anyway, so we, it was a Navy seal movie called, uh, the finest hour and it wasn't mine. Um, and we shot it all through Israel, uh,

And they didn't even spend enough money to have like proper weapons. And it was, they told me, it was me and another guy. And I'm like, oh, who's playing the other guy? It's a really important part. And I remember, what's the movie where with Robin Williams, where everybody stood on the tables at the end and cried? Oh yeah. The Dead Poets Society. Dead Poets Society. That's my, by the way, my one line.

My log line, everybody stands on a table and cries. So everybody's right. Like that's all anybody remembers from that movie. But they, I was like, who's the, the, the, you know, my coaster. I'm like, Oh, the guy from dead poet society. And I was like, fucking ain't great. And I thought, you know, it meant it was like what Ethan Hawke, right? Yes. It wasn't, it was like a guy who passed by who was in a scene and,

in the dead poet society. And then I was like, well, okay. And I was like, okay, so who's playing my, the love interest. And they're like, Oh, Melanie Griffith. I love Melanie Griffith. It was her sister, Tracy Griffith. So it was just one thing after another. And, um, that, my, it was, it was nuts, but, um, we got through it. And, and, and again, it's like,

The movie comes and goes, but shooting in Israel was so insane and fun. And what an amazing place. It's so funny. I forgot it. Like in the middle of it, I forgot it was in Israel. And I was like, we've really been through shit. And we didn't even get to like that you were in the region. In Israel? It was already like a journey. Oh, they were...

I'm a Navy SEAL. I'm doing scenes in the water. And I realize they haven't grounded the wires for the lights. Oh, yeah. Then there's like we're supposed to have smoke and they were burning rubber tires. No, like be smokers. They didn't have any. They didn't believe in that shit. It was so nuts. But, you know, it's really cool, though. And then this just goes to show you why it's a danger to shit on any of your work, even if it is bad.

is like, that is a beloved movie in the Navy SEAL community. Because there aren't that many movies about Navy SEALs. Yeah. You know, they've all seen it. Everybody in the teams has seen it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, and I'm sure they laugh about it, but...

I mean, look, if it did something, you know, if it connected. That's what we're doing is just to connect. So if it connected, then it connected. How long were you in Israel shooting it? We... So we were there for like three weeks. And it was...

It was, I mean, the crew we worked with was unbelievable. You know, we were really trying to tell, again, the story with the goal of Rami kind of pissing everybody off. He goes over to do this deal. He, you know, dating app matches with a girl.

who drops her pin and he only realizes until he gets up to the wall in the checkpoint that she's on the other side of it. And so he kind of spends, you know, a bunch of this episode negotiating getting over there. And then he gets there and kind of see what life is like in Palestine. We see what, you know, the kind of human slice of what people are really going through.

And while we were there, we were supposed to be actually shooting between Jerusalem, a little bit in Haifa, and then a little bit- I shot in Haifa. Yeah, Haifa's gorgeous. We shot all there in the port. That's where I was in the water all the time. Dude, that, it's just, it's unbelievable. And speaking of that port, what was really interesting is the other place we were supposed to shoot-

was in a few of the Palestinian cities that are on the other side of the wall. And while we were there, there was this journalist who was killed, Shrena Barakhla, which kind of made the news. It was a pretty big story. That happened while we were there.

So it was incredibly tense. Her funeral was highly politicized. There were protests. It was this kind of massive human rights violation that, you know, to this day really hasn't been even... It's never been hashed out, but it was very, you know, wild to be in the middle of it. We had to shift all of our shooting. So we had cast these kids who are...

on the other side and now we need to get them to Haifa. The plan was never for them to be in Haifa, we were supposed to go to them. And one of them had never been. So we had to kind of get him a visa

And it was basically like negotiating this massive political thing because I was like, it came to me, you know, I'm talking to people at Disney and this whole thing. And they're like, you got to recast the kid. And I'm like, no, get him a visa. Like you're Disney. Like we can do this. Like, let's just get this kid a visa. And so we get this kid a visa and it's his first time

getting to cross the checkpoint. He's never been. And he came just for our shoot. We took him to the port in Haifa and it was his first time being in the water. Like he'd never been to like a body of water. It was my, it was just mind blowing. Like to get to be part of that for someone there and have that be just a side effect of this thing that we put on TV was just incredibly emotional. It was one of the most emotional things I've ever experienced.

had the chance of being a part of i mean it was it was really it was special it was it was really special that's amazing it's also amazing that they even let you you were able to to work out going there in the first place with security and travel yeah yeah because you know how it is on these shoots you know and i think now my only regret is i wish i had been able to tell him you know when he was in the water for the first time like i wish i'd been able to at that time know and tell him you know

Rob Lowe swam here. You're in these waters. He doesn't know that. It's kind of a shame, I think. Yeah, I think that most people don't know it as a tragedy. It's a very misunderstood thing about the region, I think, of the many things. But I think one of them would be this is kind of a lost fact in history. That's right. So you're telling me that your show's coming to an end. That makes me sad.

Yeah, I mean, you know, we're kind of trying to figure it out right now. I mean, we're hoping to do what would be, yeah, what would be like the last season. And no, it's exciting. Don't die. I'm going to have to die. Yeah, that's the only way anything can end. Don't die. Every show has to end like the end of Breaking Bad. You know, just like...

Sorry if I just spoiled it for anyone, but just covered in blood. Yeah. Yes. And by the way, it's why I don't want to see the new Indiana Jones because it could not be more clear. Oh, is that what they're leading to? Yeah. It could not be more clear that Indiana Jones is going to die. First of all, Harrison Ford can't stop saying he wants Indiana Jones to die. He's been saying it for 30 years. And

The man's not a spring chicken, so I don't know about you, but I can do the storytelling math. Yeah, yeah. When he becomes Indiana Jones, there is a lot of fatalism that comes out of him, for sure. That energy is very present. Isn't it? Have you seen the trailer for it yet? No. I kind of feel like I am seeing it just by talking to you. I'm like, oh, I get it. It's already playing in my head. There's a great moment where...

Where he kind of puts on the fedora and they go, Mr. Jones. You know, it's like some amazing character actor just throwing the fuck down, right? And I'm just going like, we will not stand for your shenanigans, Mr. Jones. Like one of those setups. And Harrison kind of gives him the, well, I don't really do that.

Anymore. And he kind of walks off like he's going to the lunch wagon. It's really weird. It's kind of amazing. It's like, I'm going to crafty energy. Oh, it's got, I'm going to crafty vibes. It's so subtext is Harrison's going to crafty. The subtext is, can I go to crafty now? Like in every scene? Very, very much so. Cause I think, I think he's going to the great crafty in the sky. Yeah.

I don't want that to happen to you on your show. I want you to skip the light, trip the light fantastic. No, you're right. To the next chapter. You're right. You're right. We'll keep it open. Or at least in the coming attractions for the new season, be like, Rami, we don't want any more of your shenanigans. Yeah.

I'm not going to do that anymore and slowly turn. How about just a few more episodes? You know, I mean, just, yeah. I'm in. Yes, we need to find a way to do something together. I think this is a couple America demands. Dude, that's what I'm saying. Yeah, it's definitely, yeah. And is Menachem still around? Unfortunately, he and his wallet died.

Unfortunately, this is the day when we were shooting on film. Do you know what short ends are? Because you don't shoot on film. You've probably never seen a film movie camera. You're such a young man. I've seen one. I've definitely been here many. All right. So when you can't afford or don't want to pay for actual film in the magazines, what you buy are called the short ends.

which are what happens when the guy goes, you know, we got about 30 more feet here. And they go, okay, let's just change mags. Yeah. That 30 feet is what we shot the movie on. Yeah. Patched together. It's like, like when you get sneakers from like a recycled shoe company and you're like, these are not comfortable. These aren't really Yeezys. Yeah.

You can't fool me. Mr. Rami Youssef, always a pleasure. I did get this show. I got this show. Maybe that was because we had such a good interview during Kimmel. Yeah, I would hope that we should ask Sirius Corporate, but I'm guessing it had to be one of the examples shown to them.

It was one of the deciding factors. It must have tipped over some conversation. I think it did. And we will do more. I am here to fet you, interview you, do a moderated conversation with you.

Showtime showrunners for the Hollywood Reporter, I'm just saying. I think definitely a Hollywood Reporter collab is in the works. Don't you think? For the next award season? Next award season, some sort of actors on actors. Oh, yes. There's a lot that could go down.

I'm your guy. We're each other's guys. And remember, live your life Peabody forward. Next time I see you, I'm going to let you know about the results of it. But I think it will lead in some uncomfortable situations, but ones that are ultimately more honest with those that I'm interacting with. And I need that this year. Yeah.

Listen, I'm trying to convince Tom Hanks to wear his Kennedy Center honors. That ginormous looks like a goddamn Olympic medal. I'm like, bro, you want it. Tom Hanks, wear it to the Starbucks. I think I would. I think I might. We're going to see. I'm working on him. He's a hard nut to crack. But if you do see a paparazzi photo of him wearing it to, you know, in his Lululemons getting out of a spin class, you'll know it was because he finally listened to me.

Well, if you've learned nothing, you've learned you could try to find my Menachem Golan Navy SEAL movie. He was the Tommy Wiseau of producers. If Tommy Wiseau actually made many, many, many, many, many movies. Anyhow, Remy Yusuf, thank you for being on the show. I just love going down silly rabbit holes with you. He's just such a smart, funny, funny man. All right. Just one more thing before we end today's episode. Let's check the lowdown line.

Hello, you've reached literally in our lowdown line where you can get the lowdown on all things about me, Rob Lowe. 323-570-4551. So have at it. Here's the beep. Hey, Rob. This is Kathy down in Charlotte, North Carolina.

And I'm a longtime fan. I love your books, of course, all your movies. I'm not embarrassed to say I had your poster on my wall back in the 80s. And the podcast is amazing. But I was watching the interview last night, which I had never seen before. And guess who shows up as a cameo? Mr. Rob Lowe.

So my question for you is, did you have a blast making that movie with those guys? And also, what was your experience with the release of that movie and all the controversy surrounding it? Thanks so much. And keep the podcast going. I absolutely love it. It makes my walks with my dog very, very, very fun. Oh, thank you so much. Thank you for being with me since the poster on the wall days.

The interview. Oh, my goodness. So Seth Rogen, who I didn't really know, was a fan, obviously. And his partner asked me if I would come in and play, you know, the part of myself going on James Franco's CNN show and announcing to the world that I was bald and taking off my toupee publicly for the first time, which I thought was a genius idea.

And of course was going to do that. And we had hours and hours and hours trying to get the, it's a bald, it's a bald cap with a wig over it, but the wig had to look good. It had to look sort of like my hair. So it was a really elaborate process, way more elaborate and time consuming. I spent more time in the makeup and hair chair than I ever did actually shooting the movie. And they were super funny, yelling out joke ideas and,

super loose on the set. The way that they work is so collaborative and so funny. And I had an absolute blast. I think my favorite part is the chyron that I think runs under my interview on it. I think it says, Rob Lowe, bald actor, I think is the description, which made me laugh. And then of course,

Kim Jong-un gets very upset at the movie, as you were alluding to, and cyber attacks Sony. And it's a big deal. And if you guys – if it somehow slipped beneath your radar, Google it. It was – I mean we didn't know what was going to go on. It was – the movie caused an international incident. This stupid comedy –

I mean, careers were lost, politicians. It was a big deal. I mean, we had to have security. We didn't know if we were going to be targeted for death. Really, it sounds insane. It sounds like that should be the Seth Rogen movie. Who knew? And it kind of hurt the movie, actually, because that became the story and not a lot of people watched.

saw it but it's a it's a really good movie and I'm glad you saw it and I had a good time doing it I will see you all next week here on literally and thank you again for being on the treadmill with me walking your dog with me taking the kids to school with me sneaking weighing your lunch break with me or ignoring your wife or husband in bed with me whatever you're doing however you're doing this I know how you're doing it I've implanted a device and I can follow you so keep it up and I'll see you next week

You've been listening to Literally with Rob Lowe, produced by me, Rob Schulte, with help from associate producer Sarah Bagar. Our research is done by Alyssa Grahl. The podcast is executive produced by Rob Lowe for Low Profile, Adam Sachs, Jeff Ross, and Joanna Solitaroff at Team Coco, and Colin Anderson at Stitcher. All of the music on this podcast was composed by Devin Bryant. Thanks for listening. We'll see you next time on Literally with Rob Lowe.

This has been a Team Coco production in association with Stitcher.

All set for your flight? Yep. I've got everything I need. Eye mask, neck pillow, T-Mobile, headphones. Wait, T-Mobile? You bet. Free in-flight Wi-Fi. 15% off all Hilton brands. I never go anywhere without T-Mobile. Same goes for my water bottle, chewing gum, nail clippers. Okay, I'm going to leave you to it. Find out how you can experience travel better at T-Mobile.com slash travel. ♪

Qualifying plan required. Wi-Fi were available on select U.S. airlines. Deposit and Hilton Honors membership required for 15% discount terms and conditions apply.