Today I sat down with Lukas McCrary, stand-up comedian, host of The Absolute Show, and a comedian whose live show blends theater kid energy, absurdist art, and full-throttle stand-up into something totally unhinged and totally original.Lukas opens up about building one of the city’s weirdest and most ambitious live shows from scratch, the chaotic reality of writing for both live crowds and internet attention spans, and what happens when a “Boys vs. Girls” themed episode goes completely off the rails.We talk about balancing stand-up with ensemble work, trying to grow an audience without selling your soul to front-facing videos, and the absolute panic of bombing in front of 200 people. Lukas also shares behind-the-scenes insights on writing sessions, burnout, managing a creative team, and his ultimate goal.Also: how Austin became the new comedy frontier, why slime cannons deserve more respect, and which comic’s cadence Lukas has to actively avoid stealing on stage.If you’re a comic, comedy nerd, or someone who’s ever thought “What if the Eric Andre Show was live and also in Austin?” — this episode is for you.📍 Chapters00:00 – Dad Mode Activated: Beards, Crocs & COVID Style02:52 – Beard Pride… and a Hickey Photo for Mom05:45 – The Birth of The Absolute Show08:38 – Building a Talk Show with a Team11:31 – Absolute Show vs. Eric Andre Show14:24 – Writing Bits for Online vs. Live Audiences17:17 – Editing Burnout & Format Changes20:10 – Slime Cannons, Hot Tubs & Theater Kid Energy23:03 – When The Show Bombs: Lessons from a Dud25:56 – Touring, Stand-Up & Hosting Different Crowds28:49 – Getting Weird On & Off Stage31:42 – The Austin Comedy Scene: Then & Now34:35 – Kill Tony, Rogan & Comedy Freedom37:28 – Creative Theft, Cadence Creep & Comic Influences40:21 – Goals, Growth, and the $500K Dream👇 Follow Lukas McCrary:📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucasmccra/🎥 The Absolute Show: https://www.instagram.com/theabsoluteshow/💥 Support the Show & Unlock Bonus ContentPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/thejimmyclifford🧢 Follow Jimmy Clifford: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejimmyclifford/Twitter: https://x.com/notjimcliffordTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejimmyclifford📢 SPONSORSWant to sponsor Pastor Bullsht*? Hit us up: Jimmy@arrogantmenace.com⚠️ DISCLAIMERThe views and jokes expressed are for comedy and entertainment only. Don’t sue us—we're comedians, not your lawyer.