Episode 116 Notes and Links to Noel Casler’s Work
On Episode 116 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Noel Casler, and the two talk about, among other topics, Noel’s growing up and understanding of struggle and poverty and American political and cultural forces that shaped the country in recent decades. They also discuss Noel being shaped by ploitically-aware comedians, writers, and musicians, Donald Trump as emblematic of American excess, Noel’s observances and unde...
Episode 116 Notes and Links to Noel Casler’s Work
On Episode 116 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Noel Casler, and the two talk about, among other topics, Noel’s growing up and understanding of struggle and poverty and American political and cultural forces that shaped the country in recent decades. They also discuss Noel being shaped by ploitically-aware comedians, writers, and musicians, Donald Trump as emblematic of American excess, Noel’s observances and understanding of Donald Trump and his family, Noel’s writing process and standup techniques, and some amazing and profound experiences in the world of music and other entertainment.
Noel Casler is a New York City based stand-up comedian. He has appeared in People Magazine, Newsweek, on Sirius XM and in clubs across the country. His comedy draws on his over 25 years experience working behind the scenes in live television and the music industry; including working directly with the Trump family for six seasons on ‘Celebrity Apprentice.’ He has become an outspoken critic of the Trump administration.
Noel Casler's Website
Buy Tickets for Noel’s Upcoming Shows
Noel Casler Podcast Hub
Noel’s YouTube Channel
"Noel Standup: He Discusses Donald Trump / NDA"
The Hole Podcast-Noel on Working with Trump
Video of Noel’s Standup from November, 2019
Video of Noel’s Car Rant from June 18, 2021
At about 1:45, Noel gives background on growing up in the multicultural DC and how humor helped him survive
At about 4:45, Noel talks about his interest in being a rock star, including his interest in songwriting and its transformative power
At about 6:30, In response to Pete’s questions about Noel mentions Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, and his connections to Pete Seeger and Crosby, Stills & Nash and Jackson Browne
At about 8:15, Noel explains a shift in focus from music to comedic acting
At about 9:25, Noel recounts a transformative time in his family life and “American Imperialism in Central America” and its connection to Jackson Browne
At about 10:40, Noel outlines how he began working in live TV
At about 11:20, Noel mentions Narcissus and Goldmund as a big influence on him
At about 12:15, Pete wonders about Noel’s ideas on “laughing at” and “laughing with”
At about 13:30, Pete asks Noel about vulnerability and the essence of comedy and perspective
At about 15:00, Noel talks about sympathy and empathy for Richard Pryor, due to similar childhoods
At about 16:00, Noel highlights George Carlin and Howard Zinn and their understanding of American groupthink, “jingoistic” rhetoric, and a tragic American tradition of the disenfranchised blaming others who are disenfranchised due to race
At about 18:15, Noel talks about a song that he recorded for The Southern Poverty Law Center with two folk music legends, and in 2017, how he saw comedy (and Comedy Twitter) as a better avenue for social change
At about 19:50, Noel explains how Donald Trump was seen by New Yorkers in the 80s and 90s, and how Trump’s renown was indicative of the “calcification of the Reagan years” and “greed is good” mentality
At about 22:40, Noel talks about the ignorance and media outrage that played on and played up racist tropes
At about 24:20, Pete asks Noel if Mark Burnett made Trump POTUS, and Noel talks about the “whitewashing” of Trump’s image for purposes of entertainment, as well as how Mark Burnett picked Trump as his second choice for The Apprentice
At about 25:50, Noel talks about the “lark” that got him into The Celebrity Apprentice and how Trump was not taken seriously as a candidate initially
At about 27:20, Pete and Noel talk about the quandary of giving Trump too much “air time,” and Noel talks about the disgusting things that Trump was able to get away with pre-POTUS, including on the Miss USA Pageant
At about 29:10, Noel details the media’s thinking as so many (including Trump) though Hillary Clinton would win, and Noel describes his speaking out about Trump brought him into the public eye
At about 30:30, Noel describes media mores about speaking out about celebrities
At about 32:00, Noel highlights how his career as a comedian and his ethos of speaking the truth and keeping his “artistic sanity” developed
At about 33:30, Noel gives background on a routine of his going viral, with some help from his keen insight and the Trailer Park Boys
At about 35:05, Noel details Trump’s surprise and “shock” after being elected, in response to Pete’s comparison of Trump’s campaign to an incredible Law & Order episode
At about 37:40, Noel discusses Trump’s immediate and “visceral” needs and how so many grifters jumped on Trump’s bandwagon
At about 38:25-Noel responds to Pete’s wondering if Trump is a manipulator or manipulated, and Noel expands on the idea of his love of adulation
At about 40:10, Noel answer Pete’s questions about Trump’s lack of work ethic/care
At about 42:30, Noel describes the “broken” Trump family as Pete wonders about the family’s connections to each other; Noel throws in a Martin Shkreli reference
At about 48:00, Pete asks Noel if Trump has friends and about Trump’s interactions in social situations
At about 50:15, Noel homes in on the disgusting infamous video of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as a microcosm of Trump’s personality
At about 51:15, Pete and Noel discuss why people vote for Trump, and racism seems to be a unifying factor
At about 54:40, Pete wonders about the infamous key moment when Trump decided to run for POTUS, as well as jealousy/resentment towards Barack Obama
At about 56:20, Pete asks if Noel ever saw humanity in Trump, and Noel discusses lack of punishment for Trump that has become his hallmark
At about 58:40, Noel discusses the process of writing comedy, revision, and trial-and-error, as well as the importance of pacing
At about 1:02:10, Noel cites Anthony Jeselnik and his innovative joke structure as inspiring, as well as Noel’s study of the masterful Steve Martin
At about 1:04:20, Noel talks about hypocrisy and injustice as major themes of his comedy, and how he considers “voice”
At about 1:06:10, Noel sharing an iconic line from his skits sets up conversation about connection with the audience
At about 1:08:00, Noel talks about his almost-retirement of Trump Twitter material before January 6 happened; Noel talks about how the family
At about 1:08:50, Noel gives out information about upcoming projects, including a book project, his podcast, and his upcoming tour dates (see above for links)
At about 1:09:30, Noel gives a brief overview of working with Stephen Stills and other incredible stories racked up over so many years in the music and entertainment industries
At about 1:11:20, Noel shares a funny story about his time with Bruce Springsteen
At about 1:12:25, Pete wonders if Jackson Browne ever read Noel’s treatise on foreign policy, and Noel highlights his respect for Jackson and details an incredible reunion with the singer
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Please tune in for Episode 117 with Nadia Owusu, a Ghanaian and Armenian-American writer and urbanist. Her debut memoir, Aftershocks, was selected as a best book of 2021 by Time, Vogue, Esquire, The Guardian, NPR, and others.
The episode will air on April 5.
