Paul Feig opened up about a memorable encounter with the legendary Robin Williams that left a lasting impact on his stand-up comedy career. Sharing his experience on Sony Music Entertainment’s Dinner’s On Me podcast With Jesse Tyler Fergusson, Feig reflected on the days when luminaries like Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, and Williams were dominating the comedy scene.
Recalling the moments when he finally got his shot at The Improv, Feig candidly admitted, “I mean, yeah, I got sabotaged by Robin Williams a couple of times.” Despite his early foray into the field, Feig felt overshadowed by the established giants of comedy. He vividly described how his opportunity to perform was thwarted by Williams on one particular occasion.
Years later, Feig found himself on stage at The Improv, brimming with excitement as a full audience awaited his performance. However, his hopes were dashed when Williams unexpectedly took the stage before him, captivating the audience for a prolonged hour. By the time Feig’s turn arrived, only a single woman remained in the audience, patiently waiting for her spouse to return.
Although the setback was disheartening, Feig’s fortunes took a turn for the better with the NBC’s pick-up of his show, Freaks and Geeks. Reflecting on this pivotal moment in the podcast episode, Feig shared a poignant memory of jotting down his hopes in a notebook while riding the tube, envisioning a future where his dreams would materialize.
The filmmaker’s perseverance through challenging times paid off when the show garnered positive reviews upon its debut. In an exciting update during the podcast conversation, Feig hinted at the completion of the sequel to A Simple Favor, adding a new chapter to his creative journey. Through highs and lows, Feig’s story is a testament to the resilience and passion of a dedicated artist.
