Jim Jefferies on Comedy, Life Lessons, and the Magic of Filling Out Customs Forms (#428)
“The rise is always better than the peak.” — Jim Jefferies
Sydney native Jim Jefferies (@jimjefferies) is one of the most popular and respected comedians of his generation, entertaining audiences across the globe with his provocative, belief-challenging, and thought-provoking comedy. He created and starred in the sitcom Legit and the Comedy Central late-night show The Jim Jefferies Show. Jim was honored as Stand-Up Comedian of the Year at the Just for Laughs Festival in summer 2019. At the end of 2019, he embarked on his new tour Oblivious, performing all around Europe and North America. He is currently working with NBC on a multi-camera pilot that he will star in from writer-producer Suzanne Martin, Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner’s Hazy Mills Productions, and Universal TV.
Jim’s new podcast I Don’t Know About That will debut on Tuesday, May 5th, and his ninth stand-up special will be released later this year on Netflix.
Please enjoy!
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can also watch the conversation on YouTube.
This podcast is brought to you by Laird Superfood and “5-Bullet Friday.” More on both below.
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#428: Jim Jefferies on Comedy, Life Lessons, and the Magic of Filling Out Customs Forms
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This episode is brought to you by Laird Superfood. Founded by big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton and volleyball champion Gabby Reece, Laird Superfood promises to deliver high-impact fuel to help you get through your busiest days. Laird Superfood offers a line of plant-based products designed to optimize your daily rituals, from sunrise to sunset.
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What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
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Want to hear another episode with a standup comedian? — Listen to my conversation with Whitney Cummings in which we discuss emotional intelligence, how to overcome workaholic tendencies, managing instant gratification, and much, much more.
#84: Whitney Cummings on Turning Pain Into Creativityhttps://rss.art19.com/episodes/166c9135-8f0d-47fd-b301-75fe4ae65bba.mp3Download
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Jim Jefferies:
Website | Podcast | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Legit
The Jim Jefferies Show
INXS
Enmore Theater, Sydney
St Ives High School, Sydney
Woolloomooloo Area Guide, Time Out
Clever Cockatoos Learn to Open Sydney Wheelie Bins and Drink from Bubblers, The Guardian
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
Slip! Slop! Slap! The Original Sid the Seagull Video, Cancer Council Victoria
Bondi Beach, Sydney
The Skin Cancer Foundation
The Comedy Store, Sydney
Serial Killer: The Claremont Killer, Crime Junkie Podcast
The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Holländer), Opera Online
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)
Kalgoorlie
‘Skimpies’ Night: The Western Australia Pub Tradition That Refuses to Die, The Guardian
Punchline
Strathfield Car Radios
When the Towers Fell, National Geographic
The Comedy Store, London
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Just For Laughs Montreal Festival
The Scotsman
The Telegraph
The Comedy Store, Manchester
Jim Jefferies Attacked on Stage at Manchester Comedy Store, 2007, Reddit
Seinfeld
Friends
Cheers
Where J.K. Rowling Wrote Harry Potter in Edinburgh, Independent Travel Cats
The Elephant House
Harry Potter Complete Boxed Set by J.K. Rowling
Fleabag
How Phoebe Waller-Bridge is ‘Spicing Up’ James Bond, BBC News
Monty Python’s Flying Circus
Monty Python’s Life of Brian
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
Monty Python And The Holy Grail
Jabberwocky
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Gun Control According to Jim Jefferies, Netflix Is A Joke
Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, Wikipedia
Jim Jefferies: ‘Life of Brian Taught Me More about Religion than Sunday School’, The Guardian
Eddie Murphy — Delirious
Discover Los Angeles
Los Angeles Crips and Bloods: Past and Present, EDGE
SHOW NOTES
Note from the editor: Dear listeners, the timestamps will be added shortly.
Contrary to popular Australian belief, I’ve never played guitar for INXS. Here’s Jim’s Tim Farriss story.
Beautiful birds, awful sounds, and the unforgiving sun and currents down under.
When Jim had to perform his comedy set under parental supervision, and how a serial killer’s murder spree turned out to be a big break.
If comedy didn’t work out, what was Jim’s plan B at age 17?
Why Jim wound up leaving Australia for the UK (after a stint as a terrible car stereo salesman).
Why Jim would argue that those early days as an expatriate comedian in the UK were the happiest in his life, and how the British and American comedy scenes differ.
When did Jim first notice he was achieving some level of success as a comedian?
On getting punched in the head by a heckler in Manchester, traveling the world for free, and the fleeting nature of fame and fortune.
What keeps Jim going these days?
J.K. Rowling, the beauty of Edinburgh, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The time Jim had John Cleese over for dinner, and where someone curious but inexperienced with Monty Python should start.
How a story about taking a friend with muscular dystrophy to a brothel became the seed of Jim’s two-season sitcom Legit.
The story behind Jim’s gun control piece, a peek into his writing process, and how new material gets tested.
What is it about Monty Python’s Life of Brian that makes it a perfect movie in Jim’s estimation?
What comics does Jim see as inspiring and formative to his own development as a comic?
Does Jim plan on calling L.A. home for the foreseeable future?
To what does Jim credit his longevity in comedy?
Today, what might give Jim a high comparable to the first time he was able to write “standup comedian” as the occupation on his customs form?
How does Jim know when he’s being a good dad?
What can we expect from Jim’s upcoming I Don’t Know About That podcast?
Parting thoughts.
PEOPLE MENTIONED
Tim Farriss
Michael Hutchence
Elli Overton
Rich Thompson
Forrest Shaw
Richard Gill
Richard Wagner
Hugh Jackman
Gary Who
Tom Hanks
David Spade
Kevin Nealon
J.K. Rowling
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Stephen Fry
Hugh Laurie
John Cleese
Whitney Cummings
Bryan Callen
John Ratzenberger
George Carlin
Anthony Morgan
Eddie Murphy
Richard Pryor
Johnny Carson
