AND HERE’S MODI
Zach Zimmerman
Episode 80: Comedian and writer Zach Zimmerman joins the AH"M crew and discusses the release of his first book, "Is It Hot in Here (Or Am I Suffering for All Eternity for the Sins I Committed on Earth)?".
Follow Zach on Instagram at @zzdoublezz.
For information about upcoming shows visit www.modilive.com.
Follow Modi on Instagram at @modi_live.
Episode 80: Comedian and writer Zach Zimmerman joins the AH"M crew and discusses the release of his first book, "Is It Hot in Here (Or Am I Suffering for All Eternity for the Sins I Committed on Earth)?".
Follow Zach on Instagram at @zzdoublezz.
For information about upcoming shows visit www.modilive.com.
Follow Modi on Instagram at @modi_live.
Guided us on over just about all Windows 9. Now show jemand, and here's Modi, and we're back. Hey, hi everybody, and welcome to, and Here's Modi Right away. I want to thank our partners A&H Provisions the best hot dogs in the world, the best kosher meats in the world too, amazing packaging and all kinds of stuff Great to send as gifts. And promo code MODY will get you 30% off of your first order and set this up.
Leo:KosherDogsnet What.
Modi:KosherDogsnet. Kosherdogsnet and our other partner, close friend of ours, Arthur Luxemburg, did a law firm of whites and Luxemburg, a law firm that you want to have on your side. Whatever you're going through that you, God forbid, have to go through what's with you, with you And anyway, and their slogan and their thing that we have the Mashiach energy with is they're doing good while they're doing well. They're a very successful law firm and doing lots of great things while they're doing well, And so that's just Mashiach energy And so thank you, And their website is whitesluxcom.
Modi:And promo code is MODY. I don't think it's going to help you. I don't think that would help anybody.
Leo:You never know.
Modi:You never know, say you heard about us with MODY, and here we are. We're going to start off with an email that we received when we did a show in where was it? Kirkland, aka Seattle, kirkland, seattle. We did a show and at the end of the show there's a standing ovation. So Leo comes out with the camera and takes a picture of the people giving me the standing ovation with my back, and, of course, leo's dressed in a nice tight t-shirt and looks good.
Leo:I was wearing a normal black t-shirt. Okay, maybe it sounded like a whore, no, but just.
Periel:I did not get that?
Modi:No one said that.
Leo:But we got this Coming out in a harness and a singlet.
Modi:No, he came out, but we get this.
Periel:He came out.
Modi:And keep in mind, this is in Seattle and it's a very LGBTQ ABCD.
Leo:Yes, seattle is like if an REI store became sentient and started using they them pronouns That's Seattle.
Modi:Their flag, their gay flag is, even has a special thing on it A circle. It's a super advanced LGBTQ community And I have a whole thing I do about they in my act which is super respectful and super acknowledging and how easy it is to be friendly and nice to people who want to be, who want to use certain pro pronouns. Yeah, It's a super positive And, of course, anybody who just hears it already goes off the bat. So this is an email we got the day after the show. Am I doing?
Leo:a dramatic reading.
Modi:Yes, yes.
Leo:Here we go. Dear Modi, I was at the Kirkland show yesterday evening. I could not help but notice that you made a disdainful sound slash tone about they, them pronouns, while proceeding to tell a story about how an awesome non binary checker at Trader Joe's inspired you to tip them. It got a big laugh, especially when you said something to the effect of quote may they be, may they be blessed, or something which is basically Ashkenazi for go yourself.
Modi:It's not. It's I said because I'm to hate, they should, if you want to abuse you they, because I'm to hate, which means in good health be in good health.
Leo:He said it's basically Ashkenazi for go yourself. But I'm not going to try or sure I'll do this. But again you. I also noticed when you first started talking about being gay the room went way quieter than at the beginning of your show. My partner and I were laughing. We were laughing because we get you. We're so happy that you are plowing.
Leo:Some millennial stud who I think came out at the end of the show to take a picture or to show off his perfect body, could not honestly tell good for you. As you've probably picked up at this point I use they, them pronouns, and yes, i'm bold enough to write you because I am 99% Ashkenazi and I have never wasted my money to confirm. Because you talk about 23 and me. My parents are straight off the boat Romanians, and I was born in Haifa and grew up in Berkeley, so I hope that gives me genetic cred. To help you hear me right now. I was probably the only they, them in the audience last night.
Leo:Can you try lay off? Can you try to lay off punching sideways in the community? Actually, it was like punching down. There's no point, dude. It made me feel isolated and other, which maybe prevents Mashiach from coming, but more likely just makes me feel like garbage, after my wife bought tickets as a gift and we were just trying to have fun like everyone else. So take this as you may. If you even read it, don't bother apologizing, though you don't seem like the type or reprimanding me, no worries.
Modi:That was again a call back. He put thing Do you want?
Leo:to do. You want to hear what I wrote to him?
Modi:Oh, i had my deal back, i was very nice Did you. I was nice but I acknowledged.
Leo:If you took the time to write such an email, i'm going to write you back. I said Hi hi, marie, this is Leo. I'm so sorry to hear the joke didn't resonate with you. The tone of the joke is more to illustrate Modi's effort to use the correct pronouns for people at the behest of his millennial husband, aka me, but also to ultimately show that it's not a big deal. I E Gouzunt to hate. May they be blessed and be well is what you say, not go fuck yourself.
Leo:I think, ultimately, it's important to find ways to talk about these subjects, especially with a lot of his religious audience members present. If Modi can use the correct pronouns, then they can too. Of course, i can't tell you how to feel about a joke, and you have every right to feel the way you do, but I thought it would be helpful for you to hear a bit of the reasoning behind it. Ps. I came out at the end of the show because I produced the whole thing and wanted to take photos for the meet and greet, not to quote show off my perfect body. All the best, leo.
Modi:Yeah, very nice, you wrote good.
Periel:Very good, very nice.
Modi:Very nice, very nice. Call a couple. Call a couple. It's people who write emails like that He's in his own world, it's his own movie, he was in his own movie watching my show. But this is, this is the thing, but I will just, i just want to tell you but we don't get once in a blue moon. You get a crazy like this.
Leo:Usually, 99% of messages are great and wonderful, but we're not going to sit here and read Modi.
Modi:You were amazing. We loved you.
Leo:We're not going to sit, I just think it's interesting because look, you're here, you are on stage talking about being gay, talking about having a husband. The part where you talk about the pronouns is like to me. I mean, obviously I'm, i don't use they, them pronouns. So again, i can't. I can't tell them how to feel about a joke. but to my perception of the joke is like hello, this is me trying to accommodate people and make people feel comfortable, the way you, the way you say it, Like this is me making an effort. It's it's not coming off as like fuck you.
Modi:It's not. It's literally just showing how it's not a big deal. Exactly, i just hear use the day them, use it, don't worry, don't make a thing of a give it to them because that wasn't the punchline of the joke, it wasn't the fact that it was more my feeling for this poor cashier that he has nowhere to unpack my cart.
Periel:That's where the main thing is, but it was uh, but people feel It was just.
Modi:he needed to communicate with us somehow, and instead of doing it in a nice way, he did it in his. I care that he's Romanian, i couldn't care if he was from the toilet.
Leo:I didn't like the way he like spoke about me like a Yeah, i just Listen.
Modi:He's sitting there with his wife and he's a big, big big, they then their wife he's sitting there with their wife, with her, them there, but she is, they, she. they are a hot mess. They're hot. If you're writing an email like that, you are a hot mess.
Leo:I just have never been upset about anything to write an email that long I couldn't you couldn't never get me to write an email. About a comedy show. Oh my God, i think.
Periel:Leo's response was perfect. I mean, of course it was gonna be perfect, the big takeaway for me from all of this is I just appreciate the acknowledgement of Leo's perfect body.
Modi:Oh, That's again something that guy's going through.
Periel:I just They're going through.
Modi:Yeah, they're going through. They're going through. I didn't say that.
Leo:I just like look, I obviously never liked to hear that someone came to a show and was made to feel less than or unwelcome in any way.
Periel:Right, Because that's not the energy of your show, But that's also not what There are some comics where that is the energy of the show.
Leo:Yeah, And that's not you. No, that's not me at all. That's the thing it's like.
Zach Zimmerman :that's not what was going?
Modi:on No.
Periel:So I don't know. Of course you don't want anybody to feel other or less than or uncomfortable, but I do think there is something to have to be able to take a breath and to be like, oh, maybe I'm projecting.
Leo:Speaking of projecting, should we shift into that podcast thing that happened with you, or are we waiting on that? I'm kind of waiting for that Okay.
Periel:Yeah, we're gonna get to that. We're gonna need a little more time Because we're going to.
Modi:We have a special guest coming today.
Periel:We have a special guest coming today. We do have some news on our own, which is that I just finished the 47th draft of thank you, thank you, our book proposal That's right Coming soon to coming soon to a bookshelf or a link. Coming soon to a billboard in Times Square near you and a bidding war near you.
Leo:Yeah. So, There's some pretty juicy stories, and if you think I'm getting juicy on the mic, wait till you see what's on the page, honey.
Periel:Oh my God, it took five months.
Modi:It took.
Periel:That's not that long.
Modi:It took a few sessions, you and me, but you were in the other, crazy writing.
Periel:Five months, i mean.
Modi:No, you do, It's impressive.
Periel:It's not that long right.
Modi:I have no idea. I mean, oh, five months. I should have been done months ago, or five months It's. I'm six months ahead. I don't know. I never wrote a book. How would I have had?
Periel:any idea. Fair enough, i mean, i think, five months is I thought it was ready months ago.
Modi:You didn't think it was ready months ago.
Periel:It wasn't ready months ago. Okay.
Modi:So, it's ready now and it's gonna go in And it's fun, it's juicy, it's yummy.
Periel:It is, it's yummy, it really is Are you excited to read it.
Leo:I am very excited to read it. I there are some stories in there that I'm just curious to see how they translate. I could change, but also the most fun chapter is not even done yet.
Periel:Well, the most, well, no, the most fun chapter is not done.
Leo:I could we could change AKA me.
Periel:I am the most fun chapter We could change your name, though, to like Cleo, if you want to.
Modi:Cleo No, cleo No.
Leo:Why was that funny?
Modi:Cleo was funny.
Periel:Cause you said it, cause there's some juicy stuff about you.
Leo:So I'm saying, if you want to be anonymous, I mean no, i, at this point me, i can't, i don't think I can hop on the anonymous boat.
Periel:So you're gonna read it? Of course I'm gonna read it.
Leo:I'll probably read it on our way to LA tomorrow.
Modi:It'll be something else that blows me away that Leo can do.
Periel:No, he's gonna be great.
Modi:No, he's gonna give you amazing notes. I'm watching Leo edit the special now It is like the things he catches, the way he marks them down of spreadsheets and timing, and I'm watching it and I'm already unfocused completely And he's like no, that's the wrong audience shot, that's the wrong this, that's the wrong that.
Periel:Oh my God, no it's. he's gonna be great.
Modi:Yes, well, let's just pump you up, let's just pump a house.
Periel:Great Leo. The only thing he's not great at is taking compliments. Look, he's already like he doesn't. No, no, not.
Modi:No, you don't.
Periel:But anyway, i'm excited because I think you're gonna have really good insights and really good notes. I just think that I just want to get it to them already. I'm so excited, i'm like ready and you're gonna read it too. Yeah, yeah, I have a flight coming up and I have glasses.
Modi:Here's the thing that I've said about my books.
Periel:For those of you who are just tuning in, i've written two books that are by my you know, my own books, two memoirs, comedic memoirs, but name them. The only bush I trust is my own and Harper Collins And Harper Collins and on my knees, and the one thing I always say about my books is that they're really good like bathroom reads.
Modi:What does that mean?
Periel:It's like they're like fun books to go, like you sit on the toilet and like you read it.
Modi:Oh, no, really.
Periel:Yeah, it's like it's easy.
Modi:Yeah, I have a question.
Leo:I have a real, actual question. Do people actually do that still Like, if you're on the toilet for too long that you're reading a book, you should up your fiber intake.
Modi:No, i think it's just so. Here's my theory about this.
Leo:Do they have time? People have time to do that.
Modi:I never mind Go to the toilet for me.
Leo:I go in, okay we don't need to get too graphic.
Modi:I'm not gonna get graphic, but I go in. I do. It has to happen right away and walk right out. There are people who sit there, I guess now with their phones especially.
Leo:Isn't that how you get hemorrhoids and stuff?
Periel:That's one of the ways to get hemorrhoids If you're pushing.
Leo:Not even if you just sit in your butt. No, you're not supposed to sit there for a lifetime.
Modi:You're just sitting and reading with your pants down. If you're going mm, then you get the hemorrhoids.
Leo:I thought, even if you're just in that position, you could get hemorrhoids.
Modi:I guess it's don't forget this people who are like, let's say, you're in an office and the girl in the bathroom gives you like 10 minutes to be alone, and If you're married and you have a bunch of kids.
Periel:I think you spend a lot of time in the toilet, Yeah okay, I get it.
Leo:I get it now, I guess.
Modi:Why would you sit there with a you know You?
Periel:want me to say okay, it's a great book for a flight Like that's Timmy is only.
Leo:Yeah, that's much better than bathroom. Thank you, that's what we needed. We'll find this a little bit toilet humor too.
Modi:If I am in a toilet, by the way, and it's all packed, it's busy, all stalls are busy, i will yell out there's a line, there's a line. just so the people who are sitting there just checking their spam get up and finish off.
Periel:Who is sitting and? peeping in a public.
Leo:This is gross. We need to move on. We need to move on. I'm just saying, People sit there sometimes Oh where were we yesterday that I had a moment at a restaurant where I sent two things back?
Periel:Oh no, what was that? It's Seattle. Oh no, it's in Seattle. What did you send back? That was your story. Oh wow, yeah.
Leo:What did you send back, i, who never sends things back, ever, i never send things back. We went to breakfast at the hotel and I ordered a nice coffee. The coffee came, i think it was someone took the coffee filter and just squeezed the remnants into whatever was left. It tasted so gross. I said can you please take this back and get me a hot coffee, because I think, you know, sometimes I think they make iced coffee and it sits in a pitcher in the like in the bar tender's fridge for like three days.
Modi:Do you know what I'm talking about? Just to set up on this. just to set up on this In the hotel was it The Fairmont?
Leo:The Olympic Fairmont. It was a nice hotel. It was a very nice hotel.
Modi:Beautiful hotel. You could tell when they brought someone in to make this place beautiful and the restaurant was stunning. but they didn't have it with the food. Whoever they brought as a chef, like the avocado toast was just avocado on this piece of bread that wasn't toasted, It was too squishy.
Leo:Gross. It was a little gross. Anyway, I sent the coffee back and then I sent the smoothie bowl back.
Modi:The smoothie bowl. How do you mess up a smoothie bowl? How? And they did. It was just gross.
Periel:They bring you another good one, or they couldn't do it.
Leo:No, we just said bring us a fruit platter instead.
Periel:They could have done it. they would have done it the first time, But Modi was in shock.
Leo:I was in shock, Leo's. I grabbed the waiter. I said I never, ever do this, but this is not okay. Let me talk about smoothie bowls for a second.
Periel:But before you did, it's happening to you. I'm becoming Jewish. Yes.
Modi:No, he's not becoming don't say it like that Like he's becoming Like a werewolf you make it sound like on the full moon.
Leo:After Tish above. I just was like.
Periel:No, do you send food back?
Modi:If it's No, it's really bad. But I usually order things that I know I'm not gonna have to send back. I will ask the waiter how hot is this soup gonna come out of the?
Leo:Oh, you have this thing with soup.
Modi:You have a thing with soup That is Jewish. You have two things.
Periel:I don't know.
Leo:It's the soup and you never take the first table they offer us. That is Jewish. You never take the first table. I'll sit down and I won't even like. I'll just sit there and I'll wait, because I know we're going somewhere else.
Modi:I don't want to keep our water zosta green. I don't want to be one, that's not what I have right now, but just to reflect those steps and walk on the front of the mano lido right next to it.
Leo:I really hate all of this, these thoughts matter a lot, you're so weird man to me.
Zach Zimmerman :I don't know what you're talking about, man.
Modi:I have the same desire, like to lose as I am. I'm leaving my tracks in a like. It says I'm too slow to even even to be the man that's not laughing at me. My bad Emails me, tech tech messages me. Let me know how the podcast goes.
Leo:I'm like Like no, that comes with what I'm not with him.
Zach Zimmerman :How are you? I'm well.
Modi:Is his sound.
Zach Zimmerman :Okay, how's the sound? How's the hair? Well, never, my barber raised his prices so It looks good 140. What 140? When I first started with them, it's this one guy in like a little office building my haircut is $65 and it shows no.
Leo:Folks, if you're watching on YouTube, look at my hair, look at his hair.
Zach Zimmerman :Right back.
Modi:Zack is back on the podcast. Those of you who have not seen his Heard or seen his episode before he was back as a repeat guest. He's a repeat guest. We love him and I follow you and I your maid. You are Mashiach energy, you are Marty has no idea who I am.
Zach Zimmerman :I do, and I read your book.
Leo:Zack just had a not just but Zach's, since you've been here last your book was released here.
Periel:It's just yeah for a year, Yeah you have had this whirlwind book release.
Leo:The book is called is it hot in here or am I burning and hell for all of eternity?
Zach Zimmerman :I think.
Leo:I committed on earth. Yeah, oh my god, that's high, that's so long I know that it right. They butchered a little bit.
Zach Zimmerman :What is it in here? or am I suffering for all eternity for the sins I committed on earth?
Modi:I was close. Oh wow, good for you for remembering I would have I was close. Is it hot in here?
Leo:I would call it yeah, and it's a collection of essays. Yes and humor pieces, and and you've gotten a lot of attention for it was on, it was in Times Square.
Zach Zimmerman :Yeah, they do a little billboard.
Modi:Isn't that fun. Yeah, I had that with the chosen comedy festival.
Zach Zimmerman :It's a lot of fun It's. and then you get there and it's like, oh, it's up for eight seconds every 15 minutes, so you're just like standing on the side of the corner like, okay, when's in diet done, when can't Get these little mermaid ads and then you get it again.
Modi:You have to wait till it comes back. It's so much fun.
Zach Zimmerman :That was Amazon I guess I read with pride thing.
Periel:Wow You know the community very nice one of a number that they're showing and you have all of the most amazing little Reels, like the one with the matches. Whose idea was it to make?
Zach Zimmerman :matches. I mean it or it was me? I thought I thought it was you.
Periel:That was brilliant.
Leo:No, my favorite. So you've been doing he's been doing all these little like cute creative things that, as you're doing, this book tour Promotion is like for the promotion hell you promoting.
Zach Zimmerman :I was like wait, what was it? when I did cordon backstage, i heard Jamie Lee Curtis say she was a weapon of mass promotion. That part of your job is to kind of like show the industry. Hey, i know how to promote a product.
Leo:Wow.
Zach Zimmerman :Put me in things, I will promote the hell out of them. So with my book I was like you know what that's gonna be the name of this episode. I'm I'm a first-time author. I need to pull out all the stops.
Leo:Wow.
Zach Zimmerman :See my not safe for work promotion I.
Leo:No, I didn't see that one.
Zach Zimmerman :There's a porn star who I follow and I would DM him like hey, it's like a dream of mine. This might be too racy.
Modi:No, no Okay.
Zach Zimmerman :I was like it's a dream of mine to like have someone reading the book. Wow, they're getting fucked, would you mind? Oh, my, would you mind?
Leo:Wow, you're going straight to hell And he, you really all. Go right to hell.
Modi:And he was like that's so funny and he did it. You're gonna be burning in hell And his only fans account.
Zach Zimmerman :He put it on his Twitter And then.
Modi:I fought with my friend.
Zach Zimmerman :I was like am I allowed to retweet this. My account's, not this graphic.
Periel:No Twitter, you can put whatever you want, There's no, Thank you that's great, and so the riff, or part of it is that you grew up very conservative.
Zach Zimmerman :Super conservative yeah.
Periel:And how has the reaction been from that part of your?
Zach Zimmerman :origin story. Mom has read it. She said she was proud of me. She skipped over the sex part Right.
Leo:Yeah, because I have questions about the sex parts. But we'll get there.
Periel:That's a pretty great mom. Come around right, I was impressed with her, your mom seems cool, Like as a reader I've never met your
Modi:mom, We spoke about your mom last time you were on the podcast.
Zach Zimmerman :She wrote Red Lobster Yeah, yeah, has for 40 years now. Wow, i was just home for my nephew's graduation and we had fun together.
Periel:And where's home for again those They're in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Zach Zimmerman :I grew up Virginia, but they've been there for a while And we were just having like a little kiki just hanging out, that's so nice Spiderman, you know We kind of get along Well.
Modi:you're also coming back as a celebrity.
Zach Zimmerman :Yeah, maybe that helps Yeah. We have a star Her. some of her gay coworkers had like the book and they were like can we get him to sign?
Modi:Oh, that's so wonderful.
Zach Zimmerman :And then my dad hasn't read it. Thank God That doesn't bother me, he only reads the Bible.
Periel:Are they still together? They're still together. yeah, I feel like if you could do some sort of a collab with Red Lobster.
Zach Zimmerman :Oh, wow, wow, that would be amazing. Last year they had rainbow colored Cheddar Bay biscuits.
Leo:They're so good. I think they were fake, but it was. Cheddar Bay biscuits. Have you ever had the Cheddar Bay biscuits? You've never been to Cheddar Bay. I've never been to Lops from my life.
Modi:Oh gosh, Oh. We have to have a date, They have other things for you.
Zach Zimmerman :You can't have shellfish, no.
Leo:No shellfish, no pork. Oh sure.
Periel:I'm serious, no fun.
Modi:I'm not going to a restaurant that has 800 of them, is that?
Zach Zimmerman :good, it's my thing, but you can go eat the Cheddar biscuits.
Modi:I go to Shea whatever on Thompson and Graham. I'm not going to a restaurant that there's 1,000 of them in every mall. Where are the Red Lobsters located All over?
Leo:There's one in Times Square. There is one in Times Square.
Modi:We're going after this. By the way, speak of a turnaround moment. Leo went to Spain to be with his grandmother on her dying bed. On her dying bed she said to him I love you, even if you're gay.
Periel:Oh, that's beautiful.
Leo:But even if you knew her, it was kind of was meant to be a joke.
Periel:She had a good sense of humor.
Leo:She was saying she loves me, even if like, because other people in my family care. So she was saying that she doesn't.
Periel:You had to know her. She never cared.
Leo:She never cared No.
Modi:It was in Spanish. How does it sound in Spanish?
Leo:Aunque sea. Aunque sea is even if.
Periel:No, say the whole thing. Yeah, i'm not speaking Spanish. No, just once again No, i want to talk about.
Modi:This is Zach's book.
Leo:Zach's book is what we're going to talk about.
Modi:I want to talk about Zach's book. We had a turnaround moment, so we had it. I want to hear about Zach Te amo. First of all, I have a lot of questions. Te amo, but gay. Thank you, te amo.
Leo:Go ahead. So there's a few things in the book. I did read the whole book. It's been a little bit of time since I finished it. Pop quiz, page 42. No, whatever Listen to me The story of the twink getting locked out of your apartment. Oh God, yes, no.
Zach Zimmerman :That was dark, that was a dark day.
Modi:That was actually a scary synopsis.
Zach Zimmerman :I mean, i'm in Chicago and I flirt with my host at the breakfast brunch place I'm at and we start flirting and then we go on like a third date and I take him He's 20 and so I know a bar that won't card him, so I take him to a bar that won't card him.
Leo:Oh, you're a predator.
Zach Zimmerman :And then he It was No. No, i was a child too. I'm just kidding.
Modi:You know, at 20.
Zach Zimmerman :And then he just proceeded to get really drunk and I was like, oh, we have different nights, So I went home. But then I woke up to some voicemails and he's like He's locked out of his apartment.
Leo:So I'm like okay In Chicago in the winter.
Zach Zimmerman :In Chicago in the winter. So I'm like you can sleep on my couch. Like come to mine, and he's like still blurred speech. And so I take a cab over to bring him back to so he can sleep on my couch. And then the cab driver like runs away because he knows this dude's drunk Guy gets to my couch and then he's like I'm going to take a shower. I'm like, okay, fine, it's 2 am, i have roommates. He starts taking a shower and then he stops responding Oh no. And I'm like, oh God, this is too drowning and the door's locked. So I break down the door, i open the curtain, the shower is empty and the little window is open. We're on the fourth floor. He's climbed out the window, he's gone down the fire escape and is just sitting there, and so I'm like do I have to climb out here? My best friend is like I think. So I climbed down to get him. He's trapped. The fire escape doesn't go all the way to the ground.
Periel:If we were actually on fire Is he naked.
Zach Zimmerman :No, no, no. He had his pants on and everything. I didn't have shoes on, though, in January, and I just sit with him for hours. Eventually, i'm like this dude's not going to be able to climb up, and so we call 911. The fire department chops down the fence, puts up a ladder, carries him down, and then the next morning he wakes up and flirts with my roommate.
Leo:No, but the way you tell the story is. it was actually a little suspenseful and scary at some parts because I was like, oh my God, he's going to have a dead twink in his bathtub.
Zach Zimmerman :That's what it felt like going on. I don't need a dead twink on my account.
Leo:That story stood out to me, and then the story of when you went to Paris with your boyfriend. Okay, i'm not going to give away the whole part of what happened with your boyfriend, but there is a small detail that you kind of reintegrate at multiple times in the telling of the story, which is that you guys checked into this Airbnb in Paris Tiny And there were no towels, so you used a dish rag, one singular dish rag for the two of you for the duration of your stay.
Zach Zimmerman :My God, Which have you ever done something? and then you're like oh well, we did it once, we could do it again.
Modi:You know, like the the time shift happens when you're like oh, i honestly Zach no honestly, Zach, we're not going with you on that.
Leo:I was just picturing you walking around.
Modi:I will tell you a quick, quick story on top of this, In the middle of the pandemic, in the middle of the pandemic, Halloween of the pandemic. So that's what? October, October, October the pandemic.
Modi:This guy throws this rave party dancing party that you had to do three COVID checks to go to and was in the sleepaway camp for kids, but they were using it for this And we bought a bunk to buy and we bought, we went to Target and bought sheets and blankets and pillows and everything, put it all on top of it and left it all there. When we left, there's no one dish. No, there's no one one towel Bring our own.
Leo:I was just picturing you walking around Your level of bougie. No, stinky, stinky in Paris, just like the Parisian.
Modi:That's what's in Paris Is your title. Second book, because you're in Paris, stinky in Paris, your next title.
Zach Zimmerman :I lived, not lived there. I visited last year for like three weeks. I was like you know what. I'm reclaiming the city and like have a journal. It was so high, i sweat so much, i chafed so much I haven't chafed, i don't know how I could.
Modi:I didn't know the city surprised you. Yeah, wait, leo. It produced me to. What's that thing? that baby bond.
Leo:Oh, because you get used to chafing a little bit.
Periel:When we used to go dancing No.
Leo:So there's this product called butt paste.
Modi:Yeah.
Periel:It's amazing And it's for babies?
Modi:I'm sure it is. I told you it was good. I turned my cousin in Israel onto it. It's amazing A butt paste.
Periel:It's like a diaper, Ash. I used it when my son was amazing.
Modi:It's amazing. You look a little drop and you just rub it in between.
Leo:You're going to dance.
Modi:It's just really yeah.
Leo:Dancing or walking around.
Modi:Sweating our brains out when we're dancing. You want to avoid?
Leo:it Wait. so how was Corden?
Zach Zimmerman :Oh, i had so much fun. I felt like it was my first time doing a TV appearance, because you know, you know, but without stand up.
Modi:Yeah, What stand up You did. And then the book promotion He just showed the book.
Zach Zimmerman :Oh, cute, yeah, yeah, yeah, i haven't done the couch. Oh, okay, okay, okay, okay. I did it a week before the like.
Leo:Balthazar The Balthazar game.
Zach Zimmerman :Yeah, so it wasn't yet like in that brand of hot waters.
Periel:So how exciting is it to have your first book come out Like what's been the most like surprising.
Modi:What's your thorn and what's your rose?
Zach Zimmerman :Oh, I do this with my friends. Oh all right. I'm just a fucking idiot then The rose is sort of like getting a message every day from someone that they like it meant something to them. Oh, good. Like a constant little, like trickling in of, like love and support that you know myself doubt like appreciates on those days. And then thorn. Oh my goodness, just not knowing what's next, like where to focus, i think like for the longest time.
Leo:There's always something to be doing, yeah.
Zach Zimmerman :Like promoting or this or just like what the next creative big? thing?
Periel:is How long did it take you to write the book?
Zach Zimmerman :I feel like your first books, like you're kind of your whole life, or they say that because there were bits that I've been working on for a really long time or honing, but probably like two years, which hopefully the next one is faster, but I don't know.
Periel:And how long did it take?
Zach Zimmerman :you to write the proposal. Yeah, oh, so it was pandemic May, like three months, six months, are you? are you all playing in that space, potentially? You all are we all are, are all, are all the is it okay to say all, or should I say day?
Modi:Who are they all?
Leo:are, yes, with our Ariel, and Modi are working on a book proposal. Hey, that's exciting.
Zach Zimmerman :Oh yeah, I'm happy to talk, It's like a fascinating world.
Modi:I'm by working on a book proposal, i'm speaking into a microphone and then having a meltdown afterwards Because I forgot, i forgot my childhood. And all of a sudden, like here it is. And she's like So this is how you should. We record everything into a machine.
Modi:I can't write the I don't know, and she gets it and she's explained to me. You speak like a 90 year old Holocaust survivor. That's how you talk And I'm really she's bringing back and you should know not everybody in the audience was crazy about my set. That's what it's.
Periel:And you should have what to talk about Afterwards like, things like that but you've.
Leo:There's also been a lot of the The buying a book for someone else Program that your friends have started my friend, just in general.
Modi:People should know that Zach is Mashiach.
Leo:Yeah, zach is Mashiach, that's something we talk about.
Modi:It's a good thing. Mashiach energy is messianic energy Bringing godliness, unity and love being a good person, helping other people.
Zach Zimmerman :Basically helping other people. I'm coming of Christ, you are.
Modi:Coming of Christ. Do you have to come?
Periel:It's a second right here?
Leo:Yeah, he's right there, wait. So tell us, how did that? What?
Zach Zimmerman :tell us about that, like passing it along, kindness, oh well, my best friend was like I think she heard like someone had tweeted They didn't like have enough money to buy the book or ever. So I sent him a book and she's like, if there are more people, i'll like sponsor five. And I was like so I tweeted like hey, if anybody wants a free book, my friend will buy you. It's gonna do five books Wherever. And then it kind of snowballed and had other friends donating.
Periel:We ended up like over the course of a day I raised like 5k to send wow, yeah, and now the only thing your life is is packaging up, and oh, i know my weekend was on me.
Zach Zimmerman :I was a customer service associate. I like copy all these DMs over. I was like I need, i need an assistant. That was the day, wow you have an assistant now. No Oh.
Modi:Wait, right now. I could just imagine you hiring an assistant. Oh yeah, it wouldn't it 22 year old twink business. You'd have to be with something like a complete.
Periel:You do like an older woman.
Modi:Yeah, like an older straight woman.
Leo:You need someone who like used to run a dental office.
Modi:Yes, you can't be like you can't be like with your assistant doing some work And you're over there shoulder going. You gotta be like. You need somebody that you've no canoes sexual energy with and boom boom.
Zach Zimmerman :You know, can I tell you something I did last night where I felt like I'm entering a new phase of my like romantic life?
Modi:Oh, i was dated a 22 year old. Oh my god, you brought it up in a year.
Zach Zimmerman :Go ahead. No, i um, i was at a drag show, like a late-night drag show no one was there. It was like an after party, and we went there and I saw a guy who I knew had been on Broadway like a little twink and my friend was the drag performer and all I had all I had in my pocket was two $100 bills. I couldn't tip any less and I was like I should tip and I was like you know what, this is my moment.
Zach Zimmerman :So I tipped her $100 pick a song. And they were doing drag roulette. We got to request a song. I love the roller here.
Leo:The book is doing well guys.
Zach Zimmerman :And the twink's eyes like turned to it suddenly like, okay, someone's tipping a hundred bucks. And then I recommended a song from his Broadway musical as a way of saying like I knew you're on Broadway. This is my way of saying hello And I felt like such a little baller in that moment.
Leo:Did you get his?
Zach Zimmerman :number home could Venmo me a hundred dollars. I am trying to make rent this month. Did you get his number?
Modi:No, no, no, wow We were in some uh, we were in some event together, yes, where you were like working some twink and then I, leo and I were leaving right and on the way out I go. I'm so sorry, are you? you're the comedian, zack. We follow you. We've seen you the comedy story. We are such fans of yours, yeah love you, you're amazing and walked out and the spring's like Wingman. wingman, who is this?
Zach Zimmerman :He later I was like was on your fire escape, crying for help. He told me he was like I live in boston and we're kind of at different phases in our life, so I don't think it makes sense for us. I was like you're right.
Periel:You're like, I just need you for a couple of hours, honey.
Zach Zimmerman :And it's, let's be honest Is.
Modi:How's torrey house comedy? how you? how's it going? Torrey is so fun.
Zach Zimmerman :Isn't it? I had some this book tour like unlocked, some new like fan experiences. I haven't had where people were like bringing inside jokes Or someone was like the way you said someone's name in this video I saw is now how my kid says our dad's name, and I was like, oh my god, there's like cool way. I mean it's not at the scale, it's only like a hundred people at a show, but it's still like oh people, no, it's, it's a ripple.
Periel:So are you doing book tour like us, across the us book tour? I?
Zach Zimmerman :hit seven cities and now I'm kind of, wow, it was, it was, it's a lot at bookstores or where are you going? I was doing like comedy venues mostly, so are you doing comedy.
Leo:And then Are you doing? how does it work?
Zach Zimmerman :I did comedy for maybe 30 to 40 and then like a little chat was.
Leo:That was fun.
Zach Zimmerman :I asked my like most famous friend in every city. I went to like hey, will you say nice things about me?
Modi:That's nice, that's very sweet, yeah, fun. I'd like a little Q and a yeah the book. That's where we're. We are. We have a fire Allen house with a guy who's writing a book, jay kohen, and he's preparing himself mentally and physically. Physically. He's like I'm just enjoying the summer because I have to go promote this book And it's.
Zach Zimmerman :And he's like he's working out like a crazy person too, because he knows he has to be on like Yeah, on tv and you're doing like a morning show, you're up at 7 am Or your late night things, yeah, you get into, like you just become like this little horse being trotted.
Leo:I remember that when my first book came out, doing radio like Well, you sent me a really cool picture of you sitting next to santa bernard, who we had dinner with tonight at at uh at 6 30, with a reservation. Oh, that's good to know. So at what point am I supposed to do any of the things I need to do to that? I forgot to tell you that.
Periel:Well, I wonder if you remember that that was my first time on tv, was with you look hot, yeah, i would you look so good sitting on the sofa next to sandra bernard with soundra bernhardt and you.
Modi:Yeah, you could. You could tell you like.
Periel:I know I was so excited.
Modi:I love her.
Periel:It's so funny but I do, i remember send them send me that video again.
Modi:I could show it tonight.
Periel:I have to find it, i'll find it Um. I do. I remember going on on book tour. This was like before, like social media even existed.
Modi:I would be the worst on a book tour.
Periel:No, you're going on a book tour, get ready. who?
Modi:reads anymore. Is anybody read? No, I loved when you put the book.
Leo:Anybody read when you put the book through the baggage check carousel and it came down.
Zach Zimmerman :Oh, yeah, you have your cute thing. He's so creative. He's so creative. More interested, you know, because I'm saying the same things over.
Periel:I um, i made my Book was the same title as a t-shirt that I had just made. That like had gotten like very popular So I sent all of the editors t-shirts. It's the only bush I trust is my own, so it was. It was cute, i love it, i like. I like the matches, though I'm really into like the branding. You're very good. Yeah, it can be kind of fun.
Zach Zimmerman :I am learning, though You can Miss opportunities too. I did. Uh, i was to watch what happens. Live bartender. One day, andy cohen show, yeah and I was stands on that so great, like he's gonna Were you shirtless. I'm gonna be so funny, no very sure, why not I got? a custom shirt made inspired. By the book.
Modi:Okay, okay. So what happened?
Zach Zimmerman :But all I got I was like I have so many jokes ready and he was like book comes out Tuesday, right? And I was like yes, Tuesday.
Modi:Our trainer does that spot once in a while. Oh yeah, yes.
Leo:Andy asked me to do that. For me to do that.
Modi:Why don't?
Leo:you go do it, what are you?
Zach Zimmerman :waiting for because I have to be shirtless, so get, get ready. Are you kidding me?
Periel:You didn't do it for the love of god.
Zach Zimmerman :Love of god All right, you better get on that show when the book comes out. Oh, I'll promote your book.
Leo:Good, i'll get a new tattoo of the title of your book.
Zach Zimmerman :Oh, Do you have a title?
Modi:No, it's a work mode. You have a working title, working title.
Zach Zimmerman :Yes, titles are hard.
Modi:Yeah, how'd you come up with you? How did you did commit? Yeah, a long title.
Leo:Did you have pushback from the people making their book that it was too long? They wanted it They did I?
Zach Zimmerman :my original was on your right fire and brimstone, like a little tour guide through hell, like end on your right, and it's got that response. And then I made a big list and then they saw this one and they were like that is like a gut punch, like it's kind of hard to ignore that title.
Leo:Well, the the book covers also very hard to ignore. It's like it's like a skull on fire. For those of you who haven't seen it, it's very like eye catching.
Modi:With a purple background. Yeah, that'd be nice. I've seen it.
Leo:I know there's two copies floating around our apartment. I hope you see it Yeah two, not one.
Zach Zimmerman :Two, that's the incredible must, or? I don't know if that happened with y'all, but my publisher sent them to the wrong people.
Leo:No we bought one, so we bought one, yeah, and then you sent one.
Modi:Oh, okay, so yeah for everyone else They were accidentally there's also two copies of um perials and adamant's book. Oh yeah, Yeah there's only one copies of your books, sorry guys haven't read yet.
Periel:You haven't even read. I love that you read Zach's book and not my book.
Leo:Well, Zach's was a little bit sure.
Modi:My god, it is it was digestible.
Leo:It's a collection of essays. What do you want for me Isn't that easier, just to do essays.
Zach Zimmerman :Book is essay. Oh, good Yeah.
Leo:I can't a chapter. So a lot of the vibe though of the stories that you tell, like, for example, the twink on the fire escape or Your heartbreak in Paris, your, you kind of explain it and you're like, well, that happened. I mean, you obviously ended on a funny note and like the way you wrap it up, but like you don't try to like offer some sort of like deeper life, is that does, do you? is that wrong? Should I not be saying that hidden in there?
Zach Zimmerman :It's hidden in there a little.
Leo:There's insight in the way that you like. Move on with it, like Your first three, some Experience. We're like it was kind of disappointing, kind of I think with love.
Zach Zimmerman :I'm still figuring things out. Maybe with family I'm a little more. I have the insight to share, but I hope there's like hidden in there some like oh Zach's, what a dumb, silly character Zach was at this time like Falling for something like in a song in the sauna story. Like falling in love with some guy. That's just like in the sauna hanging out With you for the day.
Modi:Like that's dumb you fell in love with a guy you met in the sauna.
Zach Zimmerman :Oh yeah. And then I saw him later with someone else and I was like how could you do this to my hilarious Is a sexy sauna for those of you and then he adds a third and I'm like this is too early in our relationship. What are you doing?
Modi:Oh my god, really I thought you'd be more like with the part Understanding what's happening.
Zach Zimmerman :I'm maturing now. Yeah. Well, how old are you in that hat? How old are you now? I was 30, then I'm 34 now, okay.
Leo:Okay, i'm getting a little more like oh, don't fall for every hookup, oh wow but the part where you talk about you talk about your dad, right, and the why, why he views the world the way he does. Yeah, and I Feel like you offer a lot of forgiveness in the way that you explain Why he is the way that he is, and I thought that was as someone who struggles with my parents. Hmm, i thought you wrote it very well, it was very beautiful.
Zach Zimmerman :That was one of the less funny essays.
Leo:It was serious. Yeah, i was a serious essay, but you, you forgive your father. I think so there was a sense of forgiveness in the way you were definitely like at an impasse.
Zach Zimmerman :I'm learning. This last trip I felt like I learned like there's no, you don't have to discuss Religion every time we hang out or politics. Maybe it'll be more nice if we just have like a meal together. Talk about the weather, like the more mundane things are, sort of like maybe that's their baby steps.
Modi:Yeah, That's a good metaphor. No, i never really had like in depth the conversation with my father about like anything, but like he, he, he, you could tell he wants to have a conversation. Like when I went to college and he wanted to be like, how were you learning, what are you? He came out with like he said this blazer, wait, like a snowplow blazer. He would like, he wanted to communicate. I changed all the tires on the blazer. He like tell you all about that's. I'd ask him about how would new tires you got new blazer, new this, new that, and it was a Good different. But I didn't. You know he doesn't do in group in a very They didn't go up in an environment where they spoke and they, you know, we grew up in Israel before it became Israel and it's like a very tough luck. But yeah, but forgiving your father, is I nothing to forgive for? but but it's, it's, it's Amazing step, you know.
Modi:It frees you.
Zach Zimmerman :Oh, a hundred percent Yeah.
Periel:Listen, i'm just thinking like listening to you guys talk, like am I doing like you know? okay, job raising this kid.
Zach Zimmerman :You're.
Leo:We don't want kids because I will fuck it up.
Modi:No, we wouldn't if we had that, it's just not on the I think so.
Periel:You think I'm traumatizing.
Zach Zimmerman :Her kid is great idea.
Periel:He's almost 10.
Zach Zimmerman :He's great, he's gonna be great.
Modi:He lives, he's stunning and he has a great father and his great his mother, he's not very love. Aw, yeah and he's the only kid.
Zach Zimmerman :Yeah, which is getting all the?
Modi:attention, all the attention, which is probably good. I.
Periel:Hope, so I don't know. Zach just said I'm traumatizing even ways I can't even imagine.
Leo:I Think you're fine.
Zach Zimmerman :I think I've met one told me you're gonna say like a hundred things to a kid And you have no control over the one that they remember, and so you all, you can do is be as good as you can With as much as you can, in every moment.
Modi:What a great.
Zach Zimmerman :And then in 10 years, when he's like mom. I always remember you used to say this you're like Yeah, do you want kids? I've been asked that I think tiktok is my kid Because it shows me all the Something cute it pops up on my tiktok. I don't need to change a diaper, i don't need to do anything. There's funny things people are saying are just coming in. My best friend has a one month old And so I joke, i'm looking for a new best friend.
Leo:But I held the kid holding a kid was Hold the baby bit all over me. I don't want to hold it. Yeah, it's gonna leak on me, it's they're all sticky baby paste, but But paste no I.
Modi:I don't hold, that's what. What am I? because they project alvom it.
Zach Zimmerman :That's why I'm holding this It's like a geyser walk and then it pooped in my hand, not directly, it had a diaper on, sorry, but you felt it, but I could feel, sir, that's like a nuisance also Nobody tells you that tiny male babies.
Periel:Oh okay, back to the You guys, because I was never one of those people who wanted kids.
Leo:I had no, we know what happened.
Periel:I got an Israeli husband by accident.
Modi:Oh, and they demand same by accident. It's so funny because we were in a. We were in a YouTube rabbit hole yesterday with Joan Rivers and like and Johnny Carson, and then we watched running danger filled Johnny Carson, and then You know you're in that Johnny Carson. For those of you who are young, johnny Carson was The Tonight Show host for many years and the best person at that job, and they would promote their books. They had books and there was no, there was no Facebook and there was no Instagram and no tick to promote anything and they literally had to go on this show.
Modi:But I think I'll talk about one of my appearance, one appearance on Johnny Carson back in those days, oh it's like yeah, all you do is seven hundred seven million Instagram account. You sort on, johnny, it was, that was it. Everybody went and bought the book. Yeah, and bought the book to buy the book.
Leo:Yeah, it's a link. Pink pink, thank you done What's the most famous put what's the most fun place. You've seen your book for sale at the airport.
Zach Zimmerman :I saw it in one San Francisco airport, which is like indie bookstore.
Leo:Did you sign it?
Zach Zimmerman :Oh yeah, i always. but then it's a double-edged sword on my way In I signed them, and on my way out I went back. They're all there, yeah.
Periel:You just ask that cuz I was just thinking about that. That's like one of the best places if they get, if you get your book.
Zach Zimmerman :Picked up.
Periel:Yeah, yeah that's really exciting.
Zach Zimmerman :It is fun to it's a double-edged sword. Now when I go to a bookstore I'm like I wonder if they have my book and it can be like devastating if they don't, or it's fun if they do, and then you Sign it.
Modi:Oh my god, i could see I could see me seeing my book.
Zach Zimmerman :That's helpful.
Modi:I'm buying all of them just to let them know. Go order, order more books.
Zach Zimmerman :That's what I think a lot of like Republicans who have bestsellers do they buy, you buy 10,000 of your own book and sit it in a warehouse and then suddenly you're a bestseller.
Leo:Yeah, I actually think that is something they do. Is that to do? I know that's what the music industry does with a lot of Albums fine, really.
Modi:Arthur.
Periel:Luxembourg is gonna buy 25,000 copies of.
Modi:He had in his office our friend, one of the partners of this of this, of this of this podcast. When you go to his office he has like piles of books that he loves. He just buys piles and just to get the people.
Periel:It's beautiful, you have read this book.
Modi:Read this book. He has like piles of books that he just loves and he just, yeah, there is something special about a book especially today because,
Zach Zimmerman :it requires. It's hard, it's work to sit down right to your point who reads like it's hard to sit down and read, but I think it can mean more. You get someone's attention for longer than just 10 seconds or 20 seconds Yeah it's, it's active, like watching a show. You're laughing and you're having fun, whether it's TV or stage. But a book like requires you. You have to meet the author in the middle, you have to like.
Modi:Do the work. Yeah, yeah, i'm excited to read yours. That'll be exciting, it's gonna be fun. Yeah, it is fun.
Periel:Okay, I'll be finished. Yeah, we're got.
Modi:Thank you so much for coming. Tell us where you're gonna be. Where can they?
Zach Zimmerman :see you do stand-up. Oh, my goodness, i'm in New York most nights and then I'll be in London. This isn't announced yet. The Roundhouse Comedy Festival.
Periel:Oh it's 19th.
Zach Zimmerman :If anybody in London wants to come, okay, and then this also not announced. But in September I'm doing gay days at Disneyland Show in the hell, so if anyone's in LA that'll be fun.
Leo:LA, oh LA Disneyland, not Disney World. I get confused same.
Zach Zimmerman :you know, I remember it, Oh Land LA.
Leo:Oh we love a trick. What's that called a Monic, a mnemonic?
Zach Zimmerman :Thank God you're here and then follow me on night against your grandma tick-tock at ZZ, double ZZ. I post little clips which I need to do a better job.
Leo:Yeah, he's really fun to follow you guys, he's fun to follow.
Modi:I follow him. I love, i love you. You're great. And all the work you do with the old, older people, too, do I, didn't you used to do this? take care of older people, maybe wait, you had a whole promotion Take care of somebody. Take care of somebody else. Help somebody else older people.
Zach Zimmerman :Oh yes, oh yeah, yeah, caring across generations. Yeah me do like a thing on the street.
Periel:Yeah, I get really resonated with you.
Modi:Yes, I am glad look.
Leo:He's busy He's on a whirlwind.
Modi:Did you buy a book? no, some 80 year old woman. Then get out of the way.
Zach Zimmerman :Me, me, me, me, me, no, no, no, yeah, care is important?
Modi:Okay, so what's the? what's the best place to find what your shows are?
Zach Zimmerman :website yeah, Zach's H-Zimmermancom or Instagram tick tock and Twitter.
Modi:Yes, and we have a. We have a lot of shows coming up in America and in Europe and it's all on. Modi live calm. Amsterdam, brussels, frankfurt, berlin, israel. Shows are on sale. The show. Ladies and gentlemen, get your tickets for December 21st, the town hall, those that's gonna be sold out sooner than you know it. And modi live calm for shows near you. Look, look and see what shows are near you or near your friends and be the friend that brings the friends to the comedy show. A Big thank you to a and H provisions for being our partner. What's their website?
Periel:Wwwcosherdogsnet with 30% off with promo code modi and.
Modi:Whites and Luxembourg also our partners, and their website is whites luxe Com and they are a law firm. That's doing Doing well and doing good, that's they do a lot of Philanthropy and we are so happy that they're partnered with us. Thank you for joining us, zach, thank you Leo for everything and perry up for everything, and Thank you guys for listening. Bye, bye, you.