Joe List (Tom Dustin: Portrait of a Comedian)

MovieMaker

Joe List and Tom Dustin both started out as Boston-area comedians more than 20 years ago. They quickly became friends, drinking buddies and roommates, with a shared dream of moving to New York City to pursue comedy greatness.

List followed through on the dream. He got sober, scored a slew of TV appearances and standup specials, and started a thriving podcast, Tuesdays With Stories, with his friend and fellow comedian Mark Normand. He's also just directed his first film — a documentary — about his old friend.

Tom Dustin: Portrait of a Comedian tracks Dustin's decision to keep drinking, and to relocate to Key West, Florida. He runs a comedy club where he does what he loves and regularly kills with audiences — but outside of the mainstream. He sometimes struggles financially, and wonders if quitting booze would be good for his mental health.

We talked with Joe List for the MovieMaker podcast about Tom Dustin, YouTube vs. theaters, and how you can be an offensive comedian and good liberal at the same time.

Photo by Matthew Salacuse.