Netflix Exec addresses Louis CK backlash, no more John Mulaney late night show, plus Robert Smigel Launches New Humor Me Podcast

May 5, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

This episode of Daily Comedy News rounds up a packed day of comedy developments, with heavy emphasis on Netflix's upcoming specials, the Netflix Is a Joke Festival, and new podcast launches amid ongoing tours and roasts.

Robert Smigel's Humor Me Podcast

Robert Smigel, known for SNL's TV Funhouse and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, launched "Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends," a weekly podcast premiering May 8th. Smigel and rotating guests—including David Letterman, Bob Odenkirk, Ellie Kemper, Jim Gaffigan, Mikey Day, Pete Holmes, Alex Edelman, and Bruce McCullough—help regular people make real-life tasks funnier, like rabbis tweaking sermons or someone diplomatically exiting a mom group. Smigel described it to Variety as capturing the joy of writers' rooms, where idea generation beats execution. A trailer is out, featuring Smigel's self-deprecating intro.

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What you'll learn

1 (02:13) **Daily Comedy News Intro** - Johnny Mac kicks off busy episode on stand-up and comedy industry news
2 (02:20) **Robert Smigel Launches Humor Me Podcast** - New weekly show with celeb guests like Letterman, Odenkirk helping people make real-life tasks funnier; premieres May 8, trailer played
3 (04:06) **Tom Segura's Bad Thoughts Season 2 Announced** - Netflix drops 6 episodes on May 24; Segura thrilled to push horrifying fantasies further
4 (04:30) **Netflix Execs on Is a Joke Festival** - Robbie Pra and Tracy Pedeska discuss Larry David/Jerry Seinfeld roast, Robbie's 5K, Pete Davidson podcast sellouts
5 (05:17) **No More John Mulaney Late Night Show** - Execs confirm no Season 2 of Everybody's in LA due to his tour; no Stephen Colbert talks either
6 (05:42) **Kevin Hart Roast Hype** - Shane Gillis hosts; exec claims unprecedented for comedian of Hart's level, host fact-checks with deep dive on past roasts (Carson, Hope, etc.)
7 (09:00) **Netflix Exec Addresses Louis CK Backlash** - Pra defends summer special despite 2017 scandal: popular ticket-seller, great material, viewer choice like skipping hate speech

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Johnny Mac delivers Daily Comedy News, led by Robert Smigel’s new weekly podcast, “Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends,” premiering May 8, featuring guests including David Letterman, Bob Odenkirk, Ellie Kemper, Jim Gaffigan, and others helping people make real-life tasks funnier. Netflix sets Tom Segura’s “Bad Thoughts” season two for May 24 (six episodes). Variety interviews Netflix Is A Joke organizers Robbie Praw and Tracy Podesca, teasing festival highlights (Pee-wee Herman celebration; Larry David with Jerry Seinfeld), noting success with “The Pete Davidson Show,” saying there’s no current talk of another season of John Mulaney’s “Everybody’s Live,” and hyping the Kevin Hart roast hosted by Shane Gillis. Praw addresses booking Louis C.K. this summer. Louis C.K. discusses India vs. New York poverty on Jim Norton’s podcast. Alex Jones attacks Tim Heidecker amid an Infowars-related court ruling; another hearing is set for May 28. Additional items include reports of King Charles’ jokes being tightly written, LA festival show picks, and Eugene Merman’s YouTube premiere of “Here Comes the Whimsy.”

00:18 Smigel Podcast Launch
02:04 Segura Bad Thoughts Return
02:30 Netflix Is A Joke Insider Talk
04:08 Roast Debate Kevin Hart
06:57 Louis C.K. Netflix Backlash
08:49 Louis C.K. India Clip
10:53 Alex Jones vs Heidecker
12:33 King Charles Joke Writers
13:08 Festival Picks LA Schedule
15:23 Eugene Merman New Special
16:10 Wrap Up And Sign Off

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This is the animal sanctuary mentioned in the February 10 episode.