S9 E8A - Haji Outlaw - Life in LA

This week, comedian and writer Haji Outlaw joins us for the second half of our interview! We dive into Haji’s move to Los Angeles in 2009 and the reality of navigating the professional writing world, including the crucial role of representation and why an agent is the key to getting into the room. Haji shares stories from his time writing for The Eric Andre Show and At Midnight, and how a spec script for Eastbound and Down helped him sign with major management. We also explore the "clique-ish" nature of the LA comedy scene compared to Chicago, his collaborations with Hannibal Buress, and his eventual decision to return to the Midwest during the pandemic. Along the way, we discuss the balance between acting and standup, the hazards of "leeching" in the industry, and Haji’s thoughts on whether AI could ever truly master comedy. All that and much, much more! Enjoy!