This video features a long-form, unconventional podcast interview between comedian Rick Glassman and actor David Corenswet, who portrays Superman in the upcoming film. The episode begins with the backstory of Glassman sneaking into the Superman press junket to invite Corenswet onto the show, setting a meta-conversational tone for the entire discussion. The conversation diverges significantly from a typical promotional interview, focusing instead on the nature of public performance, the psychology of press tours, and the craft of comedy versus acting.
Corenswet provides a detailed, introspective analysis of his struggles with the "masking" required for press events, his anxiety during his first Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance, and his desire to master the art of spontaneous, charming storytelling in high-pressure situations. Glassman, in turn, offers a comedian's perspective on these challenges, dissecting the "math of a joke," the importance of being present, and coaching Corenswet on how to approach interviews by "playing a game" to manage anxiety and authenticity. The result is a deep, often humorous, and self-analytical dialogue about communication, performance anxiety, and the different skill sets required for acting and stand-up comedy.
A Meta-Conversation on Fame, Comedy, and the Craft of Performance
00:00:00 - Sneaking into the "Superman" Press Junket: The video opens with footage of host Rick Glassman successfully sneaking into a press event for the new Superman movie with the goal of getting actor David Corenswet on his podcast.
00:07:28 - A Podcast During a Massage: Corenswet arrives at Glassman's home while Glassman is in the middle of a massage, which continues for the first part of the interview, establishing the podcast's informal and unusual tone.
00:12:08 - Dissecting the Press Junket Experience: Corenswet discusses the formulaic nature of movie promotion, mentioning standard activities like Vanity Fair's "lie detector test." He explains that he finds the process draining and often struggles with the "masking" required to navigate it.
00:20:27 - Inside the "Superman" Mindset: Corenswet shares that director James Gunn recommended the "All-Star Superman" comic as a key reference for the film. He also discusses how he brings a perspective to the character that could be seen as neurodivergent, focusing on Superman's earnestness and how he might miss certain social cues.
00:45:06 - The Art of a Press Segment: The two analyze the dynamics of doing a pre-scripted segment like a lie detector test with co-star Nicholas Hoult. Corenswet explains that most of the humor in these situations comes from the actors' chemistry, not necessarily the written material.
00:53:56 - Navigating Live Television: Corenswet recounts his anxiety-filled first experience on a late-night talk show (Jimmy Kimmel Live), describing the pressure of being funny and coherent in a live-to-tape environment where there is less room for error.
01:00:26 - The Comedy Spectrum: Charm vs. Humor: Glassman introduces the idea that charm and humor are distinct skills that can exist independently. They use Bill Burr as an example of high humor/low charm and Hugh Grant as high charm/lower humor, debating how these qualities contribute to a performer's success.
01:15:48 - Coaching Session: "Playing a Game": Glassman suggests Corenswet treat press interviews as a "game" to alleviate pressure and find an authentic yet entertaining persona. They workshop this idea, with Glassman proposing Corenswet playfully impersonate his co-star Nicholas Hoult's charming British persona as a potential strategy.
01:38:25 - The Value of Being "Difficult": Corenswet explains his philosophy on being "difficult" on set. He clarifies it means knowing when to raise issues to improve a scene, rather than being disruptive. Key takeaway: He sees it as picking the right battles to make the final product better.
01:48:44 - The "Wax On, Wax Off" Analogy: Glassman uses a Karate Kid analogy, suggesting Corenswet's years of acting training have already equipped him with the instincts to handle high-pressure interviews; he just needs to trust the skills he's already developed.
02:10:42 - A "Homework" Assignment for the Press Tour: Glassman gives Corenswet a final "cheat code" for his press tour: when in doubt during an interview, just be honest and authentic. He argues that Corenswet's natural persona is likable enough to carry a segment without needing to force jokes.
02:19:37 - A Cathartic Conversation: Both express that they found the long, winding, and sometimes argumentative conversation to be cathartic, leaving them in a much better mood than when they started.