The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
EntertainmentThe LatestTV

Exclusive: Comedian Dan Soder talks HBO Special “Son of a Gary”

by Samantha Coulter December 5, 2019
by Samantha Coulter December 5, 2019 0 comments
4.5K

New York City based actor and comedian Dan Soder’s first special with HBO called “Son of a Gary” is set to premiere on December 7that 10 p.m.

Soder is well known for his work as a stand-up comedian. He has toured around the country performing live shows and worked with Comedy Central and Netflix to release multiple recorded specials. Soder also works as an actor on Showtime’s hit series Billions and hosts his own Sirus XM radio show called The Bonfire with fellow comedian Big Jay Oakerson.

We had the chance to interview Soder after watching the special about what it was like working with HBO and how he got his start in comedy.

The Knockturnal: Why did you chose to name the special Son of a Gary?

Dan Soder: Well I have a radio show with Big Jay Oakerson called The Bonfire and we both have dead beat dads named Gary. And our kind of fake motorcycle gang was called “Sons of Gary”. And so I was doing Edinburgh Fringe and they were like what do you want to name it and I was like I don’t know. Son of a Gary.” And they were like great and then I talked to Jay about naming the special that and he gave me his blessing. I think often times people use the phrase son of a b*tch and they are talking about being the son of a mean woman. And my dad was a piece of sh*t so—he wasn’t a piece of sh*t as much as he was just like a terrible dad and so there are some jokes in there that touch on that. And I felt like hey might as well. Why not call it “Son of a Gary”.

The Knockturnal: How did you decide which material to use for this specific special?

Dan Soder: I think I just built the best hour I could. I just really was focused on making the stuff that I wanted to see in a special. HBO is such a big opportunity and it’s such a great platform. That it was one of those things where I was like man if I can just make a great hour that I’m happy with. Just put everything in that.

The Knockturnal: What was it like working with HBO? How was this different from your past work with other networks?

Dan Soder: This felt really like a special. Comedy Central when we did the hour it felt really cool and it felt like a big deal. And then Netflix was a big deal and it was very fun to work with. But HBO it was really about me. I never felt like it was about me. I felt like it was about getting this thing for them. HBO really made it like: we want you to be the best. You can give us the best thing possible. It was really encouraging and I really enjoyed it. I had a great time working with HBO.

The Knockturnal: I noticed from your special you like to do a lot of impressions and sound effects. How do you go about refining those impressions and where do you get inspiration from?

Dan Soder: Doing “The Bonfire”. When you do 8 hours a week of radio—Big Jay Oakerson is one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. One of the funniest people on the planet. And just trying to make him laugh. As an only child I think I was doing a lot of voices by myself and kind of making people laugh. I always enjoyed like Dana Carvey and people like that. That could do voices.

The Knockturnal: Speaking of Dana Carvey, would you say you have any specific comedic heroes that you looked up to?

Dan Soder: For sure, when I was growing up I loved Dana Carvey and Eddie Murphey. I really loved Mike Myers and Robin Williams when I was younger. Then as I got into my teenage years and started getting into stand up Dave Chappelle was really the most important influence. Just because he’s the greatest of all time. I think he’s the best that ever did it. And I was lucky enough to be sixteen when “Killin’ Them Softly” came out and really enjoyed watching him become a legend. It inspired me to want to do comedy and to want to comedy well. And people like Patrice O’Neal and Bill Burr and Dave Attell and Collin Quinn were really important to me just as far as what kind of comedy I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. And then people like Maria Bamford. Maria Bamford is so funny and can take stuff that is so personal and dark and make it really fun and hilarious. It was great.

The Knockturnal: I remember that you had a bit about dark humor in your special, would you say you look to include that in all of your shows?

Dan Soder: I just think that’s how I look at the world. I think if there is something sad and dark there is something funny to be made. Everything’s got a shadow and everything’s got a light side to it. And I think to acknowledge that kind of duality is an important thing and I think when there is a really dark subject there is a shadow of humor that can be cast onto it when you light it up.

The Knockturnal: It became clear in your special that you like to engage with your audience to an extent. Have you ever had a particularly memorable moment with an audience member?

Dan Soder: There was a time where I did a show at a club called “Laughs” in Washington and it was a really light turn out on a Friday night show. There was maybe like twenty people in the audience and one of them was a drunk lady that her daughter like dropped her off at the mini mall so she just went to the comedy club. I ended up just completely abandoning my act just to talk to this woman because she was so out of her mind. She was so convinced the show was about her that I just made the show about her. It was fun. It was a lot of fun.

The Knockturnal: How did you get started in comedy?

Dan Soder: I always loved it. I always wanted to do it. I worked in radio when I was nineteen and twenty. And then about the end of twenty-one I started doing open mics in 2004 and just kept doing them. Once I found the world of comedy it just felt like home. It felt like all of those people were very similar to me and had similar opinions. We all liked to do the same thing and it was really nice.

The Knockturnal: For the people that are going to be reading this, if you had to describe to them what to expect when they watch this special what would you say?

Dan Soder: Jokes. This is just a guy telling jokes for an hour. I’m not going to give you a world view or sit down and give you an opinion. I hope you enjoy it that’s really all I care about it. I hope people like the jokes.

Big Jay OakersonDan SoderHBOSon of a GaryStand-UpThe Bonfire
0 comments 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Samantha Coulter

previous post
Interview: Hadar Debuts Jewish Jazz Release “It Never Was You”
next post
Exclusive Interview: Meet the Kadebostanian Emperor of Pop

Related Posts

Renowned Restaurant Fresco by Scotto Debuts a New...

October 22, 2025

Cedric the Entertainer Reflects on The Neighborhood’s Final...

October 22, 2025

It: Welcome to Derry Season 1 Non-Spoiler Review

October 22, 2025

Bernadette Peters, Sutton Foster & Leslie Odom Jr....

October 22, 2025

James Callis, Shaul Metzstein & Nick Mohammed Talks...

October 21, 2025

AIF 2025 Festival Opens with Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet

October 21, 2025

Techno and Tragedy in Oliver Laxe’s Sirat

October 21, 2025

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Joel Kim Booster Talk...

October 20, 2025

NMIXX Explores All ‘Shapes of Love’ in Their...

October 20, 2025

LA Premiere: HBO’s The Chair Company 

October 19, 2025

Digital Cover No. 19

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

theknockturnal

Lifestyle. Music. Entertainment.
Info@theknockturnal.com
New Cover Out Now ⬇️

Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company Step inside the chaotic world of The Chair Company, where office life meets absurd comedy. 🪑 
Stream it now on @HBO. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/la-premiere-hbos-the-chair-company/

✍️: Katherine Wright
-
#TheChairCompany #HBO #HBOOriginal #HBOShow #BingeWorthy #MustWatch #StreamingNow
@justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The @justinbieber led @skylrk to a standout win at The Leag, one of LA’s most talked-about underground sports events. With celebrities, athletes, and creators filling the sidelines, the night captured the energy of competition and culture colliding under the lights. 🏀

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/justin-bieber-leads-skylrk-to-victory-at-las-underground-sports-phenomenon-the-league/

✍️: Parris Rose

-
#JustinBieber #SKYLRK #TheLeag #LosAngeles #SportsCulture #Basketball #UndergroundSports
@nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about t @nmixx_official spoke with The Knockturnal about their journey as six members, a long, inspiring adventure that’s led them to a major milestone: their first-ever full-length album, Blue Valentine. 💙

The project dives deep into the complexity of human emotions, wrapped in NMIXX’s signature MIXX-pop sound. 🎶

“The story of NMIXX is still unfolding.” 

Full Article 🔗 https://theknockturnal.com/nmixx-blue-valentine/

By @EmmaSalehi 

#NMIXX #BlueValentine #NMIXXBlueValentine #MIXXPOP #NMIXXComeback #KpopInterview #TheKnockturnal #Kpop #KpopNews #KpopGirlGroup #NMIXX_BlueValentine #HAEWON #LILY #BAE #JIWOO #KYUJIN #SULLYOON #엔믹스
Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of @beetlejuicebway? Now you can! From now until Halloween, @tempotimessquare hosting an unforgettable Beetlejuice Suite experience where every corner is bursting with spooky charm, strange surprises, and a whole lot of Netherworld flair. 💀✨ 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a little strange and unusual, this is your chance to step into the world of the ghost with the most. 👻 #BeetlejuiceBroadway #TempoTimesSquare #BeetlejuiceSuite
#ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when y #ParkChanWook new film might make you laugh when you least expect it — and flinch when you do. 👀💥

Full review out now.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/park-chan-wooks-no-other-choice-is-dark-gripping-and-bitingly-funny/

✍️: Ishan Wankavala 

-
#NoOtherChoice #KoreanCinema #Cinephile #FilmReview #NewRelease #MustWatch
📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining 📸 WOODZ (@woodz_dnwm) — the artist redefining boundaries with each track, image, and evolution. Dive into our exclusive to uncover the artistry behind the name. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/woodz/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#Woodz #Kpop #ArtistSpotlight #Editorial
EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to elect EXCLUSIVE: STAYC take the Stay Tuned tour to electrifying new heights, bringing “I WANT IT” to life with unmatched energy, confidence, and flair. Every beat, every move, every note is a reminder that STAYC don’t just perform—they command the stage. 🌈💥

From their glowing visuals to powerhouse vocals, @stayc_highup deliver a night that’s equal parts spectacle and soul.

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/stayc/

✍️: Emma Salehi

-
#STAYC #StayTunedTour #IWANTIT #STAYCgirls #STAYChighup #Kpop #ConcertHighlights #ExclusiveFeature
Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new Park Chan-wook shares how The Ax inspired his new film, exploring its unique darkness. 🌟

#ParkChanWook #NoOtherChoice #TheAx #KoreanFilm #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook tea Big sci-fi dreams ahead 🔥🤖Park Chan-wook teases his probable upcoming project Genocidal Organ! 

#ParkChanWook #GenocidalOrgan #NYFF #NYFF26
Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in Dark humor and deep tragedy with @byunghun0712 in his latest film @nootherchoicefilm. 🖤🎬

#LeeByungHun #NoOtherChoice #KDrama #NYFF #NYFF26
Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun refl Two worlds, one screen 🌏🎥 Lee Byung-hun reflects on 20 years of film, from South Korea to Hollywood! 

#LeeByungHun #Hollywood #KoreanCinema #Film #NoOtherChoice #NYFF26 #NYFF
Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what Brighter days ahead 🌞 @cix.official share what it means to move forward together in their latest comeback. 

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/cix/

✍️: Emma Salehi

Photo Credits: C9 Entertainment 
-
#CIX #GOChapter1 #GOTogether #TheKnockturnal #KpopInterview #KpopNews #CIXComeback #CIX2025 #KpopFeature #CIXFans
It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North Ameri It’s going down! @stayc_highup is in North America on their ‘Stay Tuned’ tour! 💖

Watch their energetic and fun filled show near you 👀🌟

#stayc #kpop #kpopconcert #iwantit #staycstaytuned #staytuned
Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷 We had the most a Who runs the world? Girls! 🩷

We had the most amazing day of inspiring panels, activations and networking at @femalefounderworld, with @eyebuydirect! 👓
Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joa Eskil Vogt reunites with longtime collaborator Joachim Trier for their sixth cinematic journey, co-writing Sentimental Value, a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation. 

-
#Screenwriting #Storytelling #WritingForFilm #FilmWriting #NYFF2025 #NewYorkFilmFestival #IndieFilm
At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to l At @thenyff , @renatereinsve brings Nora Borg to life in Sentimental Value, portraying a character whose journey through family complexities and personal discovery resonates deeply. 

-
#RenateReinsve #NYFF #SentimentalValue #NoraBorg #FilmFestival #Actress
@nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as @nobledanceroslo at @thenyff shares his vision as a director, bringing his story to life with precision, collaboration, and attention to every frame. 

The film reflects his dedication to emotion, storytelling, and cinematic craft. 🎥

-
#JoachimTrimmer #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Director #Filmmaking
We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the We spoke with @ingalilleaas at @thenyff about the emotional process behind her latest film. ✨

-
#IngaIbsdotterLilleaas #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #Cinema
Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ Poised, perceptive, and endlessly compelling — @ellefanning in conversation at this year’s @thenyff.

-
#ElleFanning #NYFF #NewYorkFilmFestival #FilmFestival #RedCarpet #Cinema
✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performa ✨ From powerful panels to unforgettable performances, the 2025 #TeenVogueSummit brought together voices shaping fashion, culture, and activism today. 💬🎶

🔗: https://theknockturnal.com/2025-teen-vogue-summit-recap-full-of-fun-fashion-and-connection/

✍️: Zipporah Pruitt

-
#TeenVogue #TeenVogueSummit2025 #TeenVogueEvents
#TeenVogueCommunity #TeenVogueStyle
Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch