EPISODE · Oct 25, 2025 · 1H 5M
#144 Fin Taylor (Fin vs History)
from Origin Story with David McIntosh Jr · host David McIntosh Jr
Fin Taylor is a standup comedian and podcaster. He is the creator of Fin Vs History and Fin vs The Internet.Comedian Fin Taylor joins Origin Story to unpack how a Glasgow kid who relocated to a Oxford girls’ boarding house (7–13) got “cancelled” at 14, started stand-up at 18, and went from £500/month gigs to sold-out tours and a cult podcast. We get into why TV exposure ≠ audience, how to actually build jokes that work anywhere, the Riyadh debate, and the monoculture flashpoint of Bonnie Blue.In this episode:Private school without the money: damage at both endsThe headmaster who told him off… then apologised (context collapse 101)Comedy = craft: word choice, rhythm, ending on the funniest wordTV vs Internet: why clips and podcasts move ticketsParasocial fans & designing theatre shows that don’t feel contrivedGetting punched on stage and handling chaos in real timeBuilding Bumble Risky: owning the edit, scaling a teamThe Riyadh question, Bonnie Blue, and the “death of taste”If starting today: the 90-day playbookChapters00:00 Cold open — “Cancelled at 14”02:18 Glasgow roots & Hutchie debate05:12 Living in a girls’ boarding house (7–13)12:30 Headmaster apology & early confidence17:40 Starting stand-up at 18; debate team as proto-comedy24:10 £500/month vs £380 rent — taking the leap30:22 Why TV didn’t move tickets36:05 Parasocial fans & theatre design43:22 Riyadh debate & brand fit51:03 Punched on stage — what you do next58:00 Building Bumble Risky & the core team1:04:10 Next horizon: a British South Park1:09:40 If starting now: people, reps, own the edit
What this episode covers
Fin Taylor is a standup comedian and podcaster. He is the creator of Fin Vs History and Fin vs The Internet.Comedian Fin Taylor joins Origin Story to unpack how a Glasgow kid who relocated to a Oxford girls’ boarding house (7–13) got “cancelled” at 14, started stand-up at 18, and went from £500/month gigs to sold-out tours and a cult podcast. We get into why TV exposure ≠ audience, how to actually build jokes that work anywhere, the Riyadh debate, and the monoculture flashpoint of Bonnie Blue.In this episode:Private school without the money: damage at both endsThe headmaster who told him off… then apologised (context collapse 101)Comedy = craft: word choice, rhythm, ending on the funniest wordTV vs Internet: why clips and podcasts move ticketsParasocial fans & designing theatre shows that don’t feel contrivedGetting punched on stage and handling chaos in real timeBuilding Bumble Risky: owning the edit, scaling a teamThe Riyadh question, Bonnie Blue, and the “death of taste”If starting today: the 90-day playbookChapters00:00 Cold open — “Cancelled at 14”02:18 Glasgow roots & Hutchie debate05:12 Living in a girls’ boarding house (7–13)12:30 Headmaster apology & early confidence17:40 Starting stand-up at 18; debate team as proto-comedy24:10 £500/month vs £380 rent — taking the leap30:22 Why TV didn’t move tickets36:05 Parasocial fans & theatre design43:22 Riyadh debate & brand fit51:03 Punched on stage — what you do next58:00 Building Bumble Risky & the core team1:04:10 Next horizon: a British South Park1:09:40 If starting now: people, reps, own the edit
NOW PLAYING
#144 Fin Taylor (Fin vs History)
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.