Overview of Fan Favorite Episode 355 — Nick Swardson
This episode of The Fighter and The Kid (Fan Favorite Episode 355) features comedian Nick Swardson in a freewheeling, often explicit conversation with hosts Brian and Brendan. The talk covers Swardson’s comedy origins, career highlights, personal habits (athletics, anxieties, living choices), movie/TV projects and tour plans, plus a long string of comedic anecdotes involving other comedians and celebrities. Tone is informal, rambling, and adult — full of crude jokes, physical-comedy recollections and off-the-cuff stories.
Key topics covered
- Nick Swardson’s stand-up beginnings: Minnesota → New York → L.A.; early bombing and learning to adapt on stage.
- Comedy scene memories: peers like Sarah Silverman, Louis C.K., Jim Gaffigan, Amy Poehler, Bill Burr, Zach Galifianakis and others.
- Physical approach to performing: high-energy stage persona, physicality, backflips and “firework” style.
- Relationships with other comics/celebrities: Adam Sandler (basketball stories), Zach Galifianakis (barbecues/volleyball), Chris Leben (UFC anecdotes), Kevin Dillon, Josh Duhamel.
- Acting and film work: mentions of projects including Think Like a Dog, Buddy Games, and Grandma’s Boy; joking references to big productions (Avatar gag).
- Tour and special: Nick is touring (Vegas, San Francisco, Sacramento and many other cities) and working on a new special titled Many Smells; ticket note: nickswardson.net.
- Personal life & habits: doesn’t own a car (uses rideshare), drinks little, avid basketball player and physical trainer/boxing sparring, tattoos and cruise-ship tattoo stories.
- Fears/anxiety: fear of elevators (stuck-elevator anecdote), reflections on panic/anxiety and travel.
- Newsy asides and viral items discussed: Golden State Killer arrest update; a China video of a pregnant woman tripping a child in a restaurant; problematic promposal in Florida (racist sign).
- Sports and pop-culture tangents: sports fandom (Minnesota teams), hypothetical athlete fame talk, UFC/boxing comments.
Notable anecdotes & moments
- The “turkey” bit: Nick recalls blaming early bad sets on eating too much turkey — a recurring comic refrain that got his uncle cracking up.
- Early days: walking New York clubs as a young comic, being booed, then finding a rhythm in LA where space and actor-centric culture made things easier.
- Adam Sandler basketball stories: Nick recounts sandler’s competitiveness and an injury anecdote (broken finger during a game).
- Physical altercations and sparring tales: stories of teaching boxing footwork, the Phoenix green-room punch anecdote, and Chris Leben rage episodes in Hawaii.
- Stuck in an elevator: Nick describes ripping open elevator doors and jumping out when trapped — origin of elevator phobia.
- Drink/party and travel mishaps: helicopter urine story with David Spade, vomiting/rowdy crowd stories from Florida shows, and show-stopping crowd behavior.
- Tattoo and cruise stories: multiple “cruise” tattoos and funny backstage photos/humiliation stories.
Memorable quotes (paraphrased or brief)
- “I was a firework — I would get up and flip out because I was afraid people wouldn’t laugh.”
- On touring special title choices: “Many Smells” (Nick’s chosen title); Brian pitched titles like “Bipolar Ape” (rejected).
- On living choices: “I haven’t had a car in like two years — I Uber everywhere.”
- On anxiety: description of ripping open elevator doors and diving into the lobby during a panic episode.
Main takeaways
- Nick Swardson is a physical, high-energy comedian whose style evolved from smalltown Minnesota → rough New York rooms → a more hospitable LA scene.
- He remains active across stand-up, films and producing (mentions of past projects like Grandma’s Boy and current/coming projects and tours).
- The episode is conversational and wide-ranging — mixes professional recollections with very explicit personal stories, celebrity encounters, and off-color humor.
- Several news/viral items are discussed in a topical, opinionated way — the hosts don’t shy from controversial takes.
Tour, projects & where to follow
- Nick is touring and working on a new special titled Many Smells. Tickets and dates referenced — check nickswardson.net for up-to-date shows and ticketing.
- Appearing projects mentioned (some as jokes): Buddy Games, Think Like a Dog, Grandma’s Boy (past).
- Hosts’ show: The Fighter and The Kid / Thiccc Boy Studios | PodcastOne — subscribe to the show for full episodes and guest archives.
Content warnings
This episode contains explicit language, sexual content, violent references and crude humor. It includes racially and socially sensitive topics discussed jocularly; listener discretion advised.
Quick summary for listeners who want the essentials
- If you want Nick’s career story and how he developed his onstage persona: skip to the early-career anecdotes (Minnesota → New York → LA).
- If you want showbiz/celebrity stories: listen for Sandler, Galifianakis and the UFC/boxing stories.
- If you want tour info: check nickswardson.net (he’s promoting a new special and multiple tour stops).
- If you prefer clean, structured interviews: this is not it — the episode is improvisational, unfiltered and often NSFW.