Overview of Ep 269: Adam Ray (with Sam Morril & Mark Normand)
Sam Morril and Mark Normand host comedian Adam Ray for a freewheeling conversation that moves between bar-room stories, touring life, film recommendations, heckler survival, celebrity encounters, and the business of comedy. The episode blends long-form anecdotes (hotel mix-ups, catching a thrown wine glass) with career updates—Adam’s theater tour, Dr. Phil/Netflix crossover and upcoming special—plus recurring riffs about drinking, edibles, and crowd work.
Key topics covered
- Touring life and venues
- Adam’s current theater tour (Town Hall, Beacon, Wilbur, Troy Savings Savings Bank, etc.) and preference for old historic theaters.
- Tradeoffs of multiple shows per night vs. spacing out gigs.
- How touring connects comedians to new audiences and opens doors (athletes, media).
- Adam Ray’s career moves
- Doing Dr. Phil–style live shows filmed for Netflix (how it came together quickly).
- Balancing improv/characters (Dr. Phil bits) with keeping stand‑up sharp.
- Plans to tape a new special (taping planned around June/July); Tampa Theater special Feb 27 sold out.
- Crowd work & hecklers
- Strategies: “kill with kindness,” include hecklers where useful, and avoid losing crowd support.
- Wild heckle stories: a wine glass thrown in Paso Robles that Adam palmed mid-air; a man repeatedly demanding to be roasted.
- Drinking culture, booze-driven storytelling
- Bar anecdotes (Santino hang, peanut-butter whiskey cocktails, Sip & Guzzle).
- Discussion of alcohol vs edibles: Adam recounts a severe edible panic; notes some comics can perform while high, others can’t.
- Film and director recommendations
- Another Round (Thomas Vinterberg) — praised for balancing comedy and trauma; mentions Mads Mikkelsen.
- Vinterberg’s other films: The Celebration (Festen) and The Hunt—recommended for their dark emotional power and Dogma 95 style.
- Celebrity & sports meetups
- Adam’s connections in Seattle sports (Seahawks GM John Schneider), presenting at events, meeting athletes and actors (Spike Lee, Rami Malek, Jalen Brunson, Kendall Gill stories).
- Stories about Courting/courtside experiences and celebrity encounters at shows.
- Sponsor ad reads (in-episode commercials)
- Lucy (nicotine pouches), Hims (ED & men’s health), Rocket Money (subscription/bill management), Shopify (e‑commerce), Grainger (industrial/hvac supplies).
Notable anecdotes & memorable moments
- Hotel key mix-up: Adam and Vito were handed keys that opened another couple’s room; after reporting it they were upgraded to a presidential suite.
- Catching a thrown wine glass: at a brewery show a drunk woman threw a wine glass toward Adam — he palmed it midair, set it down, and wound up a local hero.
- Edible panic: Adam recounts a terrifying experience after ingesting a large amount; describes the pacing and how edibles can feel uncontrollable compared with alcohol.
- Dr. Phil live shows: Adam describes getting Phil onstage for comedy-store tapings (quick turnaround, helpful/abrasive showmanship).
- Spike Lee / Rami Malek courtside photo: Adam shares a courtside photo with Rami Malek, Spike Lee and friends — a favorite snap that looks like “they’re all best friends.”
Guest snapshot — Adam Ray
- Comedian, character performer and stand-up veteran (20 years).
- Running a successful theater tour, heavily doing stand-up and improv/character bits (e.g., Dr. Phil bits).
- Active in pop culture crossover: filmed material for Netflix, does podcasting, posts crowd‑work clips online.
- Tour & specials: Tampa Theater special (Feb 27 sold out), touring US dates, Australia & New Zealand in June; plans to tape an hour in summer.
Main takeaways
- Adam Ray is focused on protecting and sharpening his stand-up while using character/improv work to expand his audience and bookings.
- Good crowd work and handling hecklers calmly (or creatively) is key to preserving a show and winning crowds.
- Touring brings unpredictable and valuable non‑comedic experiences (celebrity access, sports suites, chaotic after‑parties), which often fuel material.
- Film choices like Another Round and Vinterberg’s films are recommended for their emotional depth and how trauma + real life can improve art.
Practical info / where to follow & tickets
- Tour and tickets: AdamRayComedy.com (mentioned repeatedly—check for current dates and tickets).
- YouTube: youtube.com/AdamRayComedy (for Dr. Phil clips, character material).
- Check Adam’s social channels for updates on special tapings (June/July target) and festival appearances (Netflix Fest / LA).
- Sponsors mentioned (for listeners): Lucy, Hims, Rocket Money, Shopify, Grainger.
Recommended viewing (from the conversation)
- Another Round (Thomas Vinterberg) — recommended—mix of drinking highs and tragic lows; Mads Mikkelsen highlighted.
- The Celebration (Festen) — dark, Dogma 95-style family drama with shocking toast scene.
- The Hunt — intense drama about wrongful accusation (also by Vinterberg, starring Mads Mikkelsen).
Notable quotes
- “It is a realistic look at like how fun drinking can be and how sad drinking can be.” — on Another Round
- “Kill it with kindness” — approach to handling hecklers and disruptions.
- “Emotion helps art.” — on why Vinterberg’s personal loss enriched Another Round.
If you want to skip the episode: tune into the highlights above (hotel key mix-up, wine-glass catch, Dr. Phil setup, edible panic, film recs, and tour/special details) — those are the bite-sized, material-heavy moments that sum up the conversation.