May 31, 2024 • 3hr 12min

#2159 - Sal Vulcano

The Joe Rogan Experience

In this episode, Joe Rogan sits down with comedian Sal Vulcano, best known as one of the stars of the hit TV show "Impractical Jokers". Sal has just released his first comedy special "Terrified" directly on YouTube, bypassing traditional distribution platforms. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from Sal's experiences filming outrageous stunts and pranks for his show, to the evolution of stand-up comedy and some of its legendary pioneers. Sal also opens up about his personal struggles with conditions like ADHD and OCD, as well as his lifelong battle with a weak immune system. Later, the discussion turns to the rapid advancements in AI technology and the potential existential risks they may pose to humanity.

#2159 - Sal Vulcano

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Key Takeaways

Sal Vulcano discusses releasing his new comedy special "Terrified" directly on YouTube, bypassing traditional distribution platforms.
He shares stories about his experiences filming stunts and pranks for the TV show "Impractical Jokers", including being put in scary situations like a haunted house.
They explore the evolution of stand-up comedy, reminiscing about legendary comedians like Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Richard Pryor.
Sal opens up about his struggles with ADHD, OCD tendencies, and a weak immune system since childhood.
They discuss the potential impacts of advanced AI systems like ChatGPT and the existential risks they may pose.

Introduction

In this episode, Joe Rogan sits down with comedian Sal Vulcano, best known as one of the stars of the hit TV show "Impractical Jokers". Sal has just released his first comedy special "Terrified" directly on YouTube, bypassing traditional distribution platforms. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from Sal's experiences filming outrageous stunts and pranks for his show, to the evolution of stand-up comedy and some of its legendary pioneers. Sal also opens up about his personal struggles with conditions like ADHD and OCD, as well as his lifelong battle with a weak immune system. Later, the discussion turns to the rapid advancements in AI technology and the potential existential risks they may pose to humanity.

Topics Discussed

Releasing Comedy Specials on YouTube (0:28)

Sal discusses his decision to release his new comedy special "Terrified" directly on YouTube, rather than through traditional platforms like Netflix or HBO. He sees it as the best way to reach the widest audience possible in today's digital age. Joe praises YouTube as an excellent distribution platform, though he notes the potential for issues with censorship or demonetization on the Google-owned platform.

Impractical Jokers and Scary Stunts (1:15)

Sal shares stories from filming "Impractical Jokers", including being put in a haunted house set and a cornfield at night to scare him.
He admits to being terrified during those situations, despite knowing they were staged pranks by his friends.
Joe and Sal bond over their mutual dislike of haunted house attractions and being intentionally scared.

The Evolution of Stand-Up Comedy (13:07)

They discuss legendary comedians like Lenny Bruce, who was frequently arrested for his controversial material in the 1960s.
Joe plays a clip of an old Lenny Bruce bit poking fun at how Western movies portrayed Native American battle preparations.
They reminisce about the early days of George Carlin's career when he had a much cleaner, more straight-laced look and act.
Sal talks about collecting and listening to comedy albums from older comedians like Richard Pryor to study their craft.

Sal's ADHD, OCD, and Weak Immune System (9:13)

Sal opens up about being diagnosed with ADHD and OCD from a young age, which made it very difficult for him to focus and retain information.
He also reveals having an abnormally weak immune system, getting severely ill from common colds that would last weeks.
This led him to become almost germophobic and take various vitamins and supplements to try boosting his immunity.
He shares a childhood story of being hit by a car at age 4 and the $12,500 settlement he received but couldn't access until 18.

The Potential Risks of Advanced AI (1:19:45)

The discussion turns to the rapid development of AI language models like ChatGPT and the existential risks they may pose.
Sal expresses concerns that we may be on the "precipice" of AI becoming smarter than humans in a way that feels unsafe.
Joe argues that the technology is advancing too quickly for regulators and Congress to properly understand and manage the risks.
They ponder whether advanced AI could be an existential threat to humanity, like the creation of nuclear weapons.

Conclusion

This free-flowing conversation between Joe Rogan and Sal Vulcano covers a wide array of topics, from the nuts and bolts of Sal's comedy career to deep dives into history, science, and existential risks. Sal's openness about his personal struggles and comedic storytelling ability make for an entertaining and insightful look into his life and creative process. The discussion also touches on some of the biggest questions facing humanity, like the future of AI and our place in the universe. While the tone is often light and humorous, the episode does not shy away from exploring some of the most profound issues we may soon be grappling with as a species.