Tim Dillon’s comedy talk show special ‘This Is Your Country’ is nostalgic and timely trash TV
As a seasoned observer of the human comedy, I must say, the fellow who makes his living by massaging women with Brazilian Butt Lifts is nothing short of a modern-day Renaissance man. His ability to keep his secret from his girlfriend while thriving in this unique profession speaks volumes about his skill and dedication. It’s a testament to the fact that, in today’s world, anything is possible if you put your mind to it – just step outside, and there’s bound to be someone living an equally surprising life.
When Netflix proposed a comedy special to comedian Tim Dillon during the election season, he contemplated various approaches for the content. He might have opted for a routine stand-up special that would soon be overshadowed after the election or perhaps a replica of “The Daily Show.” Instead, he considered creating something unique by incorporating a contemporary twist on an iconic ’90s pop culture institution – daytime talk shows.
Following a particular approach, the comedian from Long Island, New York, might have discovered his true vocation with his recent endeavor, a 47-minute journey through contemporary society, emulating a young Jerry Springer on talk shows. In an audience setting, the comedy special titled “This Is Your Country” explores impromptu themes such as immigration, OnlyFans, and the decline of NFT trading. The people Dillon selected for interviews and the energetic crowd make it a relevant piece of trash TV that America seems to require before the November election. Dillon recently discussed with The Times how the special came about, his dedication to finding authentic individuals to occupy the hot seat, and what their tales reveal about America. This discussion has been shortened and clarified for readability.
Among all the options available for crafting a comedy special, why did the ’90s era daytime talk show seem like the most suitable choice?
My discussion with Netflix didn’t involve creating a comedy special as such. Instead, the dialogue was more about exploring ideas. Netflix wanted an original, unscripted project from me, and initially, they proposed something political which wasn’t appealing to me. However, I had an idea to revive ’90s style trash TV, and that’s what we ended up doing. But it might not be accurate to label it as a comedy special. Netflix may categorize it as such because they don’t have another term for it, but essentially, that’s the nature of the project.
The trash TV talk show angle definitely resonates with a lot of us who grew up watching all that stuff too.
Sure thing!
It appears that not only did it serve as a platform for discussion, but you also sought out real individuals who were experiencing real-life stories or dramas to feature on the program?
Absolutely, we included those in the final cut. We filmed numerous segments but opted for just five, as we believed they offered the most intrigue, humor, and overall quality. What’s appealing about our chosen format is the unpredictability — not knowing what will unfold makes it exciting.
What were your earliest memories of growing up with talk shows?
I clearly recall my mother scolding my father for watching what she referred to as trashy TV, as I walked in from school. She’d say something like, “Turn off that rubbish! Your son is home.” Yet, he’d often respond with an ‘OK,’ only to return to the screen later. Growing up, our household was filled with the chaos of daytime tabloid TV – a mix of trash, fun, and insanity. While today we have reality TV, back then, daytime TV in the ’90s was truly bizarre. It marked the start of the fringe, paving the way for much of what you see now on TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms.
Is there a talent among talk show hosts, such as formulating questions that make guests feel comfortable enough to reveal personal aspects on stage, that could be relevant to the skills you use as a comedian while performing crowd work or material intended to engage the audience? In what way might these two abilities intersect?
For someone accustomed to delivering solo podcast monologues, the challenge lies in adapting to interviews, as I seldom have guests. This undertaking served as a means to develop interviewing skills. It involves mastering collaboration, which I’m familiar with from stand-up comedy, yet integrating various elements seamlessly is a new skill. The goal is to create an engaging and cohesive flow that keeps the crowd and performers invested, ensuring that the performance remains captivating in the studio and on platforms like Netflix.
It’s beneficial when you initially feature couples similar to those on the program. For instance, there’s the man who generates income through OnlyFans by massaging women with Brazilian Butt Lifts, unbeknownst to his girlfriend. I suppose it’s normal for some people to be taken aback by guests on your show who lead such unconventional lives.
It’s perplexing that everyone keeps questioning if these individuals are genuine. I can’t help but wonder if anyone has ventured outside in recent years. The countryside scene is certainly picturesque, but it’s hardly surprising given that it’s his job – he performs massages on BBLs. That’s his line of work. He was a kind man, and he had problems with his partner, which he wanted to discuss. It’s amusing when people watching exclaim, “Wow, are these actual people?” To which I respond, “Yes, they are all real people.” It’s just everyday life in the United States.
In your production, you intentionally introduced political undertones by displaying audience members wearing Kamala Harris t-shirts or MAGA hats. Can you explain the reasoning behind this choice, as it seems to have given the show a distinctly political flavor?
In an effort to portray America authentically, we decided to foster an atmosphere that resonates with the nation’s current spirit. We believed that inviting the audience to don political attire or create signs would be a significant step towards achieving this goal. The themes we selected, while not exclusively unique to America, are undeniably relevant American issues that people are discussing at present.
× It brought to mind an audience at a typical comedy show, where political leanings might vary, yet they’re not typically adorned in political attire to indicate their voting preferences.
One way to rephrase the sentence in natural and easy-to-read language is: “Performing comedy in a club offers a unique experience because it brings together individuals of various races, political beliefs, ages, and genders. Unlike a theater where you might just have your supporters, a comedy club like the Hollywood Improv on a typical Wednesday night will give you a diverse audience. This diversity allows you to test new material and gauge people’s reactions more effectively.
What’s a key point that you hope listeners in the millennial, Gen Z, and younger generations will remember after watching this talk show?
My primary goal is to ensure they’re entertained first and foremost, which is what I want everyone to remember from whatever I create. Secondly, I hope they grasp the idea that understanding the world can be fascinatingly diverse, with numerous enjoyable methods. This show may seem humorous, absurd, and playful, but on a broader scale, it offers insightful perspectives about our reality. Initially, I had specific ideas about the final outcome, but I’m satisfied with how things turned out. However, every topic discussed on the show is a genuine concern in today’s world, ranging from OnlyFans and NFTs to immigration. Despite its comedic and absurd nature, it provides an informed portrayal of America that I believe is accurate.
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2024-10-02 01:31