Comedian Anthony Jeselnik recently made an appearance on the popular talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, where he discussed various aspects of his career and personal life. In the lively conversation, Jeselnik talks about his new comedy special, “Bones and All,” which is currently streaming on Netflix.
Right off the bat, Jeselnik’s sharp wit is on full display as he jokes about his dark, menacing appearance. Sporting a suit that sends the message, “I hate lamb,” he engages in playful banter with host Jimmy Kimmel, even asking if he could smell Kimmel’s lamb skin suit.
Moving on to more serious matters, Kimmel congratulates Jeselnik on his special, which premiered just in time for Thanksgiving weekend. Jeselnik humorously remarks that his comedy is not suitable for kids or even Grandma, but somehow, everyone ends up watching it.
Jeselnik reveals that he has been doing stand-up for an impressive 22 years and shares a heartfelt story about Kimmel being the first person to put him on TV. He recalls how his jokes, which focused on killing children, made him wonder if he would ever make it on television. However, Kimmel’s support and invitation to appear on his show changed everything. As if to add to the comedy, Jeselnik hilariously recounts how he mistook Kimmel’s compliments for someone working for Kimmel’s show, only to realize that he was talking directly to the host himself.
The conversation takes an unexpected turn as Jeselnik mentions that he had taken a writing job in New York after moving from Los Angeles. He thanks Kimmel for encouraging him to be in front of the camera, crushing his dreams of being a writer. The audience erupts in laughter as Jeselnik humorously admits that he personally believed he would be backstage wearing all hemp and plotting ways to ruin the business every 12 years.
During the interview, Jeselnik also reveals that he recently embarked on a 27-date international tour, performing in countries such as India, Australia, Amsterdam, Athens, and Hong Kong. He describes the thrill and challenge of performing comedy in places where English isn’t the first language.
In a comedic twist, Jeselnik jokes about being housed in a theater in Amsterdam, known as The Amsterdam theater, which was originally built to feature “The Diary of Anne Frank” every night. He amusingly notes that the theater, not built for laughter, is an interesting choice for comedy shows.
Jeselnik further regales the audience with tales of his experience in Glasgow, Scotland, where getting into a fight isn’t over until someone’s face gets slashed. In his distinctive dark humor style, he mentions that the tooth fairy in Glasgow doesn’t exist, as losing a tooth simply leads to a face-slashing instead.
Wrapping up the conversation, Kimmel inquires about Jeselnik’s dog, which he rescued from Korea during the pandemic. Jeselnik reveals that his dog has difficulty warming up to new people and even hired a full-time assistant to care for the pup while on tour. He passionately expresses his belief that those who abandon their pets after adopting them during the pandemic should be held accountable.
Overall, the interview showcases Jeselnik’s unique comedic sensibility and his ability to engage the audience with his dark, irreverent humor. Fans of Jeselnik can catch his new comedy special, “Bones and All,” on Netflix. With over two decades of stand-up under his belt, Jeselnik continues to entertain and challenge audiences around the world with his unconventional comedy style.
