Katt Williams: They Tied Me To A Pole And Beat Me Bloody Every Week!
Steven Bartlett talks with comedian Katt Williams about surviving severe childhood abuse, leaving home at 13, and spending 15 years outworking rivals before his first special, crediting books, faith and self-belief.
The gist
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Williams says books were his escape from abuse, especially Jack London's White Fang and The Call of the Wild, and The Swiss Family Robinson.
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He describes his parents beating him from ages 5 to 12, leaving home at 13, and sleeping in Miami's Peacock Park.
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Williams says it took 300 nos to get 30 yeses, and he counted rivals' laughs per 15-minute set, aiming for 16 or 17 versus nine.
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Following advice from Prince to stay independent, he paid for his first special and the next eight, licensing them to outlets like HBO.
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He closes on forgiving his parents for his own sake, and urges young people to use their time well since untried chances become regrets.
"White Fang, Call of the Wild by Jack London. I was just mesmerized that he was able to create this captivating story that had me fully taken. This was one of the first ones where I couldn't start another book. I had to finish this and understand it."
▶ Play at 16:15"White Fang, Call of the Wild by Jack London. I was just mesmerized that he was able to create this captivating story that had me fully taken."
▶ Play at 16:15"And The Swiss Family Robinson, I was just so proud of them as a family and seeing what the dynamic was of everybody working together and everybody having different strengths and weaknesses and always having to depend on one another. I could find something in each of these tale..."
▶ Play at 16:38What they recommend · 5 picks
"White Fang, Call of the Wild by Jack London. I was just mesmerized that he was able to create this captivating story that had me fully taken."
"White Fang, Call of the Wild by Jack London. I was just mesmerized that he was able to create this captivating story that had me fully taken. This was one of the first ones wher..."
"And The Swiss Family Robinson, I was just so proud of them as a family and seeing what the dynamic was of everybody working together and everybody having different strengths and..."
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See what they all swear by Or pick your own peopleKatt Williams
4 picks · guest
"White Fang, Call of the Wild by Jack London. I was just mesmerized that he was able to create this captivating story that had me fully taken."
"White Fang, Call of the Wild by Jack London. I was just mesmerized that he was able to create this captivating story that had me fully taken. This was one of the first ones wher..."
"And The Swiss Family Robinson, I was just so proud of them as a family and seeing what the dynamic was of everybody working together and everybody having different strengths and..."
Steven Bartlett
1 pick · host
"The book, I'm going to link it below. Highly recommend you read it because it's confronting and vulnerable and inspiring in all the same measures, and it really is truly a hero'..."
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