JAZZY LADYBUG Ft. EJ Marcus | Episode 218
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In this vibrant episode of The Comment Section, host Drew Afualo welcomes back beloved comedian and creator EJ Marcus for a deeply personal and hilarious conversation. The two dive into EJ's formative experiences, from his awkward middle school days as a 'jazzy ladybug'—a costume that stood out in a sea of sexy ladybug interpretations—to his childhood field trips to fish hatcheries, which left him with a lasting case of trypophobia. EJ recounts the absurdity of his full-body Hulk paint job, the glitter disaster, and the hilarious aftermath of driving home looking like a monster. The conversation shifts to broader themes: EJ's firm stance on not wanting children, his reflections on the vulnerability of stand-up comedy, and his passion for writing his first feature film—a trans man's journey at a senior living facility, infused with romance and magic. He also shares his excitement about writing fantasy romance novels rooted in Polynesian mythology, with complex, older female leads and diverse representation. The episode is peppered with stories of family, absurdity, and self-discovery, culminating in a heartfelt celebration of EJ’s unique voice and creative future.
Embrace your quirks—your 'jazzy ladybug' vibe is your superpower.
Writing your own stories is essential for complex, authentic representation.
Reclaiming childhood passions (like camping) as an adult can be deeply healing.
Authentic comedy doesn't punch down—it welcomes and uplifts.
Your identity can be a performance, but it’s also a form of self-discovery.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Opening: The Jazzy Ladybug Era
“I was a jazzy ladybug. That's all that matters.”
The Glitter Disaster: Hulk Paint & Driving Chaos
“I looked like a monster. This was us driving home. Oh my God. Oh my God.”
Middle School Trauma: The Ladybug Diva Off
“I felt like this will come up again. I don't know what it is but I'm just going to... something's going on.”
Parenting, Identity & the Power of 'No'
EJ shares his firm conviction about not wanting children, framing it as a selfless, intentional choice rooted in love and respect for the profound responsibility of parenthood.
Writing the Future: From I Love LA to a Feature Film
EJ discusses his journey from submitting to I Love LA to serendipitously meeting Rachel Sennett, leading to his writing career, and now, his passion project: a feature film about a trans man at a senior living facility.
“I looked like a monster. This was us driving home. Oh my God. Oh my God.”
“I think in everyone's best interest overall for people to be very fucking sure they want to be a parent.”
“I was a jazzy ladybug. That's all that matters.”
Host
Guest
EJ Marcus
person
Drew Afualo
person
Portland, Oregon
place
Sephora
brand
I Love LA
other
Pacific Northwest
place
Squid
other
Rachel Sennett
person
Calvin Klein
brand
AMC
brand
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