Mermaids with Johnny Pemberton

In this lively episode of The Bonfire, Big Jay Oakerson and Robert Kelly welcome comedian and actor Johnny Pemberton to discuss his new film, Mermaid, a wild, darkly comedic movie about a man whose life spirals after he becomes infatuated with a grotesque, non-romanticized mermaid. The conversation dives into the emotional toll of watching a premiere, with Pemberton confessing he can't sit through screenings due to the mental strain of being hyper-aware of every reaction. The hosts share stories of being 'pivoted out' of roles, referencing past casting disappointments involving Dane Cook and Pete Holmes, and reflect on the absurdity of Hollywood casting decisions. They also launch into a hilarious, extended riff on The Rock’s rumored habit of urinating in water bottles on set, complete with anecdotes about the logistics of handling such waste and the absurdity of his 'Iron Paradise' gym. The discussion expands to include actor immersion, with stories of performers becoming their roles—like Austin Butler's Elvis or the cast of Sons of Anarchy—before veering into bizarre true crime documentaries, including one about a white supremacist’s transformation and another about a woman who eats her boyfriend’s ashes. The episode closes with a playful debate on the reality of mermaids, the absurdity of celebrity behavior, and a final plug for Pemberton’s film, now in theaters.