DeepSummary
The episode features a conversation with comedian, actor, and writer Ramy Youssef. They discuss his experience as a Muslim kid in New Jersey after 9/11, and the self-doubt and fear he felt about his identity during that time. He shares how he ultimately developed an intimacy with his faith and culture, appreciating prayer from a young age.
Ramy talks about the process of creating his semi-autobiographical show 'Rami' on Hulu, pitched as a single-camera comedy after initially considering a multi-camera format. He explains the decision to name the main character 'Ramy' and the subsequent conflation of his real identity with the fictional one.
The conversation covers Ramy's foray into comedy and filmmaking from a young age, his love for directing, and working on projects like 'Poor Things' with actors like Emma Stone. He also shares an embarrassing story from middle school about his fear of missing out, which led to him repeatedly soiling himself rather than using the bathroom.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Ramy Youssef's deep connection with his faith and culture, especially through prayer, from a young age.
- His experience as a Muslim American after 9/11 and the self-doubt and fear he felt about his identity.
- The process of creating his semi-autobiographical show 'Rami' and the decision to name the main character after himself.
- His commitment to promoting diverse narratives and perspectives within the Muslim American community through his work.
- His early love for filmmaking, directing, and working with actors on projects like 'Poor Things'.
- His willingness to share embarrassing and relatable stories from his middle school years, such as his fear of missing out leading to incidents of soiling himself.
- The importance of diversity and representation in the writers' room, allowing new voices to contribute their stories.
- His commitment to authenticity and avoiding stereotypical narratives, instead embracing the nuances and complexities of his identity.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I had FoMo really bad. I didn't want to miss out on anything, and so I would have to go to the bathroom. Like, I'd have to poop, but I'd be like, well, I don't want to go poop, because while I do it, something cool could happen... But then I'd shit my pants.“ by Rami Youssef
- “You get an opportunity and you're like, all right, well, we need to make sure it's good who's done it before?“ by Rami Youssef
- “I think what's really cool is, like, getting to create from the idea that there can be a bountiful amount of stories that come from people in our communities and in our tradition.“ by Rami Youssef
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Episode Information
Podcrushed
Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari
4/8/24
In honor of our friend Ramy Youssef's recent SNL performance, and the overwhelming success of his Academy Award winning film Poor Things, we're rerunning our episode with him! Come join us as Penn falls in love with our guest, Ramy Youssef (award-winning actor, producer, and stand-up comic). Ramy shares what it was like to be a Muslim kid in New Jersey the day after 9/11, why he loves Jesus but won't eff with Santa, and why in middle school he literally would have rather shit his pants than miss out on a good time.
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