Kill Tony #53 — Esther Povitsky, Benji Aflalo
Guests: Esther Povitsky · Benji Aflalo
Lineup
Set: Black nerds living next to white hippies; cops called three times due to loud arguments about nerdy topics like Buck Rogers and Batman. She and boyfriend argue using profanity but about comic book trivia.
Interview: Discussed the Batman vs. Christopher Nolan argument, getting to the real story faster, and the black nerd experience. Tony and panel encouraged her to embrace her authentic voice rather than scripting.
- If you reboot Buck Rogers without Twinkie, who carries Dr. Theophilus?
- Batman is the Dark Knight but goes out at 2pm in Nolan films.
- Black nerds are non-threatening enough that cops don't mess with them.
- Panel praised her for being real and authentic rather than performing.
- Benji made callback about seeing them arguing on Red Rock patio.
Set: Friend tried to get her drunk and suggested they share a bed. Woke up with friend's fingers inside her. Led to exploration of bisexuality; later got turned on watching friend breastfeed.
Interview: Panel advised her to get to the punchline faster and be more authentic/conversational. Discussed her journey of sexual discovery and whether the story was true.
- Woke up with fingers inside after friend said 'we're both girls.'
- Got turned on watching friend breastfeed, almost drank the milk.
- Benji suggested she skip the setup and get directly to the sexual content.
- Tony asked if she'd fantasized about hooking up with friend again.
Set: Jokes about misleading movie titles: 'The Others' isn't about Hispanics, 'The Quiet Ones' isn't about rape victims, '12 Years a Slave' sounds like a competition show. Calls '12 Years a Slave' the best comedy, sarcastically.
Interview: Revealed he's adopted from a third world country; parents are Russian. Tony noted his distinctive accent and suggested he lean into voiceover work. Discussed adopted background and unique vocal quality.
- The Others isn't about Hispanics selling oranges with Nicole Kidman.
- '12 Years a Slave' sounds like a freedom competition show.
- Tony and panel fixated on his unusual accent, comparing it to various impressions.
- Panel suggested he use his distinctive voice for voiceover work instead of stand-up.
Set: Just moved from Philadelphia to LA. Drove cross-country doing drugs: smoked pot, took amphetamine, did cocaine. Stopped in Arizona to see 'The Thing' roadside attraction. Set was honest but lacked strong punchlines.
Interview: Tony praised his honesty and stage presence but noted he admitted to felonies casually. Discussed his drug use during the drive, coke dealer in Austin, and podcast listener. Advised recording sets and having punchlines ready.
- Took amphetamine from friend for weed trade to help with 30-hour drive.
- Stopped in Arizona to see roadside attraction called 'The Thing' (mummy).
- Tony noted Matt's comfort on stage and honest admission of drug use.
- Panel advised him to always record sets and add tags for memorable bits.
Set: Got call that stepdad had minor heart attack. Good news: it wasn't hereditary since he's a stepdad. Bad news: he doesn't know who his real father is, so he never knew if real dad died.
Interview: Discussed his Navy submarine experience and stepdad. Tony noted he bowls and belongs in bowling leagues. Explored his mother's age (16 years older than him) and his well-adjusted personality despite abandonment.
- Stepdad's heart attack isn't hereditary—he's the stepdad, so no worry.
- Real dad could've died anytime in 29 years without him knowing.
- Tony noted Joe looks like he belongs in bowling league with his outfit.
- Panel praised his likability despite abandonment issues.
Set: Takes audience back to elementary school playground—kid who wore jean shorts in winter who smelled like piss. His mom was probably an alcoholic. Later those cool moms bought alcohol for teenagers.
Interview: Tony suggested improving the setup and not starting with 'take you back.' Discussed making it less generic and more specific to her story. Panel offered tips on narrowing premise.
- Kid wore jean shorts in dead winter; his mom was probably alcoholic.
- Those moms were cool when you got older—they bought you alcohol.
- Celebrating one-year anniversary of doing stand-up after dropping out of college.
- Panel coached her on opening setup and specificity of premise.
Set: Crock pots are shady—lazy kitchen appliance. Throw whatever in (beans, syrup, carrots), don't know if it's soup or stew. Wife spends day watching Dr. Oz instead of cooking, but claims she's 'slaving away' over the crock pot.
Interview: Tony provided detailed coaching: remove ingredient specifics, cut redundant mentions, focus on 'slaving away' joke and laziness theme. Suggested filling in actual activities wife does (watching Dr. Oz) instead of generic references.
- Crock pots so lazy—dump everything, unclear if soup or stew results.
- Husband asks what's for dinner; wife says slaving away over crock pot.
- Wife watches Dr. Oz episodes instead of cooking while crock pot runs.
- Tony gave extensive coaching to tighten premises and remove unnecessary details.