The End Is Here w/ Ari Shaffir | 2 Bears, 1 Cave

Bert's Account Of Meeting Tracy Morgan Involved Controversial Bar Interactions After Sharing a Blunt

Bert Kreischer recounts his first meeting with Tracy Morgan, which occurred through their mutual friend Todd. Bert describes being a young comic, around 24 or 25, who was introduced to Tracy. The encounter is memorable for Bert because Tracy handed him what appeared to be a misshapen joint, which Bert realized upon smoking was actually a blunt—something he’d never experienced before. Tracy, recognizing Bert's confusion, joked, “Oh, you never smoked shrimp before?” and teased Bert for his inexperience. This interaction took place at Madam X, a bar Tracy frequented, and Bert vividly remembers Tracy’s personality shining through—all jokes, laughter, and unpredictable antics.

Despite Bert telling this story for years, the details became a point of contention online, with many claiming Tracy Morgan said the event never happened. Bert admits that these denials made him hesitate to tell the story publicly, insisting he didn’t want to contradict Tracy or be accused of fabrication, unless Tracy himself corroborated it.

Bert Arranged a New York Meeting With Tracy Morgan to Verify the Story and Potentially Film It For "the End" Show

Seeking to put doubts to rest and possibly film the reunion for Ari Shaffir's show "the End," Bert reached out through fellow comedians, notably Frosty, who helped connect him to Tracy Morgan. One morning, Bert received a FaceTime from Tracy, who said he’d heard about Bert’s story and invited him to New York to share it. Bert, excited and nervous, immediately flew to New York with Ari Shaffir, where they met Tracy at CAA in the Chrysler Building. Frosty provided ample Chick-fil-A to make everyone comfortable.

Tracy Confirmed the Story in Person, Adding Recollections and Performing Stand-Up Bits, Creating a Magical and Validating Experience For Bert

When Tracy entered, he immediately joked about making a movie together and settled in, eating breakfast and riffing. As Bert recounted his side of the story, Tracy chimed in with his own memories—recalling the confusion over the blunt, joking about Bert never having smoked one, and reminiscing about the night at Madam X. Tracy recalled the night vividly, mentioning how, though not yet famous, he was already attracting attention and had to worry about getting in trouble. Tony Woods, another comic, was also part of the story’s orbit. Throughout their conversation, Tracy dropped into bits, ran through old stand-up routines, and gave his enthusiastic blessing: “You have permission to tell that story from now on, that’s your story.”

The meeting was electrifying for Bert and Ari, who described the moment as magical and validating—a full-circle moment where Tracy not only confirmed the events but also brought his own comedic style to the retelling. Bert and Tracy contemplated filming the story together, but due to Tracy's new show and scheduling conflicts, he was ultimately unable to participate. Though disappointed, Bert gained the satisfaction of Tracy’s public corroboration and permission to keep telling the story, even if internet doubters persisted.

Tracy Morgan's Comedic Voice Shaped Morning Tv Personalities, Highlighting the Importance of Defying Conventions

Tracy Morgan’s influence extends far beyond Bert’s personal stor ...

Bert's Six-month Sobriety: From Devastation to Transformation After Blood Clot

Bert Kreischer begins his sobriety journey after a blood clot traveled from his leg to his lungs, forcing him onto blood thinners and a strict no-alcohol regimen for six months. When his doctor delivered the news, Bert describes it as feeling like a death sentence. He panicked about missing milestone events like the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and the South Beach Food and Wine Festival, questioning how he would cope with these without alcohol, which is entwined with his public persona and personal traditions.

To his surprise, Bert soon finds that not drinking is much easier than he anticipated. He says, "Not drinking is... It's not been hard. Not at all." The only real challenge comes during turbulence while flying, a situation where he once leaned on alcohol to manage anxiety. Outside of that, Bert finds six months of sobriety to be manageable.

The physical benefits quickly manifest. After three months, Bert receives blood work showing his liver is healthier than it has been in years, with enzyme numbers dropping well below his historical averages. The improvements give him a sense of pride but also a mischievous anticipation, as he jokes about wanting "to put a fucking dent in it" once he's allowed to drink again.

Bert's July 12th Drinking Plans: Ideal Location and Approach

Looking ahead to July 12th, the date he can resume drinking, Bert contemplates his ideal location and approach for his return. He considers various beach destinations for breaking sobriety—places like Key West, the Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico appeal to him for their potential for poolside cocktails and a celebratory atmosphere. Urban spots like New Orleans, New York City, and Chicago are briefly discussed but dismissed in favor of a more relaxed, tropical vibe. He imagines three days of drinking in a place like the Cayman Islands: “get up, cocktail in the pool, run it in the afternoon.”

Bert debates whether to have just one beer or to go hard on his first day back. He reflects on the pressure and burden of counting sobriety days, noting that obsessing over the number can become a problem itself. He shares an anecdote about a friend who regrets ever starting to count his days sober, as it became a mental fixation. Bert admits that part of him wants to avoid this trap, suggesting he might have that first drink simply to “break the number.”

Despite his personal journey, Bert expresses skepticism about the growing wave of sobriety influencers and wellness trends. He points out that he doesn’t want to monetize his experience or make sobriety his branding, distancing himself from influencer culture that profits off personal transformation.

Bert Critiques Sobriety Culture and Influencer Wellness Trends; Appreciates Recovery Efforts by Comedians Like Nick Swardson

Bert is frustrated by the algorithmic promotion of sobriety content. His feed is filled with influencers monetizing their recovery, presenting it either as a business model or a miraculous transformation that seems inauthentic. He describes s ...

Ari Shaffir Revived "the End," Featuring Comedians Sharing True Personal Stories

Ari Shaffir has brought back his acclaimed storytelling show, now revived as "the End" after its previous cancellation by Comedy Central. Produced by Ymh Studios and available on their website, the show features a lineup of top comedians telling true, personal stories as they actually happened—"word for word," with no fictionalized details or exaggeration. Ari and Tom Segura emphasize that these are honest stories, not stand-up bits, and the format aims to capture life events authentically.

The series lineup is star-studded, including Nate Bargatze, Chris DeStefano, Shane Gillis, Jordan Jensen, Jay Oakerson, Ali Siddiq, Miss Pat, and more. Ari and Tom highlight the exceptional roster, noting its diversity and the high caliber of comedians participating. There’s even a "clean" episode from Nate Bargatze, which is thematically consistent and family-friendly, broadening the show’s appeal.

Ari Structured "the End" Compensation to Prioritize Fair Comedian Pay and Backend Equity

Ari designed "the End" with a payment model that stands out within comedy and podcasting. Unlike many podcast appearances, where comedians may receive only a small ad-read fee, all participating comedians on "the End" receive direct compensation. Episodes are available individually for $9.99, or viewers can purchase the full season for $24.99—a price Ari settled on after Tom Segura persuaded him to lower it from an original $50, making the show more accessible to fans.

Additionally, Ari ensured that the comedians share in backend earnings, so when the show succeeds, both producers and performers benefit financially. This approach creates an equitable structure where everyone involved in the show's creation is rewarded for its popularity and sales—a notable departure from ...

The landscape of comedy is shifting as network television’s influence fades and new platforms prompt comedians to rethink both career strategy and the ways they reach audiences. At the same time, cultural attitudes toward intoxication are changing, with a growing appreciation for low-dose products that facilitate social bonding without overindulgence.

Decline of Network TV and Shift To Digital Content Change Comedians' Career Approaches

Tom Segura and his fellow comedians reflect on how major networks like Comedy Central have all but disappeared and how this has rendered traditional comedy career milestones, such as “booking a pilot,” increasingly irrelevant. The panel jokes about colleagues announcing new pilots on legacy networks like CBS or ABC, suggesting such moves are out of step with how people consume entertainment today. The concept of celebrating a network achievement seems almost antiquated, with Segura quipping that even mentioning a new ABC show sounds ridiculous in the current landscape.

Comedians express skepticism regarding the value of morning television appearances for actually advancing careers or driving ticket sales. Segura repeatedly points out that “no one who’s going to buy a ticket is watching the 7am news.” The group notes that, far from being a crucial marketing vehicle, these network and morning TV spots are now more about making shareable clips than traditional self-promotion. As Segura points out, shows often sell out independent of TV appearances, further undermining the practical impact of legacy media.

Comedians Use Morning TV to Subvert the Format With Bold Jokes Instead Of Routine Promotion

With diminished expectations from traditional media, comedians like Mark Normand and Sam Morrell have shifted tactics, using morning television less as genuine promotion and more as an opportunity to subvert the format with edgy, unexpected jokes. Segura describes how Normand, for example, delivers unabashedly off-color material—like abortion jokes or cursing—during very early morning hours to the visible discomfort of hosts, pushing the boundaries of what’s expected or acceptable in those settings. The intent is not to sell tickets but to generate memorable, viral moments that are authentically funny to comedians and their fans.

Daniel Tosh’s approach is highlighted as another example of this confrontational strategy, as he would go on morning radio fully prepared with bits, presenting crafted material disguised as spontaneous conversation. Tosh’s commitment dominated the format, rarely letting hosts guide the conversation and ensuring that his own comedic voice prevailed.

Comedians are increasingly inclined to “mess with” the morning format out of a recognition that these appearances don’t move the needle for their careers and as an outlet for frustration with the inauthenticity of standard promotional interviews. Instead, they aim to create memorable clips, sometimes openly disregarding the show they were invited to promo ...

Bert Launched Porosos Vodka, a Premium Brand With a Unique Distillation Process, Earning Gold Medals

Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura emphasize the exceptional quality of Porosos Vodka. Bert calls it “the best vodka you’re ever going to have,” highlighting its clean taste and noting that it even enhances his sleep quality compared to other vodkas. Tom describes a proprietary distillation process and points out that the vodka has won gold medals in multiple competitions. Importantly, both stress that praise for Porosos comes from customers themselves, not marketing hype. Tom thanks consumers for their feedback, saying, “you the people are the ones telling us how great it is… this is now your favorite vodka.”

Bert's Porosos Role Stemmed From a Negative Tito's Vodka Experience

Bert’s decision to start Porosos was rooted in his earlier loyalty to Tito’s Vodka. In 2016, during a weight loss challenge triggered by the viral success of his machine story, Bert discovered Tito’s, influenced by a fellow airplane passenger who praised the drink for not causing weight gain. Bert quickly became a de facto brand evangelist, drinking Tito’s and speaking about it onstage, even receiving gift baskets from Tito’s fans at his gigs.

Motivated by his enthusiasm, Bert reached out to Tito’s for a potential collaboration—not seeking a major endorsement deal, but a simple partnership. However, the founder responded with hostility, allegedly sending Bert the message: “tell him to go fuck himself and stop drinking Tito’s.” Disappointed by the rude rejection, Bert stopped drinking the brand, resolved never to treat aspiring collaborators that way, and was inspired to build Porosos into a brand that welcomes partnerships and enthusiasm.

Bert Promotes Porosos By Encouraging Customer Requests and Personally Delivering Bottles To Non-carrying Establishments

When Bert visits bars or estab ...