Dec26
#3 Glen Biderman-Pam – Cape Town’s Culture Vulture, Choosing Boarding School, and Endorsing Smartick
PODCAST: Episode 3
Glen Biderman-Pam – Cape Town’s Culture Vulture, Choosing Boarding School and Endorsing Smartick
Glen Biderman-Pam, one of South Africa’s funniest comedians, provided us with our funniest episode to date and had our host, Philip, struggling to keep a straight face, definitely an episode not to miss. We were lucky enough to record Glen’s episode 24 hours after the “My Octopus Teacher” parody (below) went viral! It was so great speaking to Glen who also has a lead role in Tali’s Baby Diaries, playing Rael Rosen.
My Kreepy Teacher (My Octopus Teacher Parody) by Retroviral.
Click on the YouTube link to watch Glen’s full episode where we discuss how Glen is Cape Town’s Culture Vulture and how the internet has changed his life and career. This episode is brought to you by Smartick.
Listen to Glen’s Episode on Your Preferred Podcast Channel
About Our Guest: Glen Biderman-Pam
Glen first made his professional debut by winning the Comedy Central Open Mic competition in 2013, which earned him three more appearances on Comedy Central. Glen has performed at the Leicester Square Theatre in the UK, the Perth World Fringe Festival, and the Brighton Festival.
He’s also appeared as a co-host on WTF Tumi and played a key role in the hit series Tali’s Wedding Diary.
More recently, Glen’s the creator, actor, and director of the viral parody video, My Kreepy Teacher which has been viewed over 100,000 times since its release.
Topics Discussed
- Glen’s personal education journey in Cape Town, South Africa.
- What it takes to be a comedian and director.
- How Glen would advise his younger self.
Full Episode Transcription
Guest Introduction
Philip von Ziegler: Glen first made his professional debut by winning the Comedy Central Open Mic competition in 2013, which earned him three more appearances on Comedy Central. Glen has performed at the Leicester Square Theatre in the UK, the Perth World Fringe Festival, and the Brighton Festival. He’s also appeared as a co-host on WTF Tumi and played a key role in the hit series Tali’s Wedding Diary
More recently, Glen’s the creator, actor, and director of the viral parody video My Kreepy Teacher, which has been viewed over 100,000 times since its release just three weeks ago.
In this episode, we discuss Glen’s personal education journey, what it takes to be a comedian and director, and how Glen would advise his younger self. I really enjoyed this exchange but struggled to keep a straight face as Glen went in classic fashion, way off-script. I trust you’ll enjoy this episode. And without further ado, I give you Glen Biderman-Pam.
So, Glen, to start off, tell us a little bit about your education journey.
Glen Biderman-Pam: I started off at a Jewish school called Herzlia, which is here based in the Western Cape, tucked into the foothills of Table Mountain in Vredehoek. And then my parents decided, along with me, decided that I would like to play more sport because it’s not so much of a sporting school, and maybe extend my experience into other cultures and other religions. So we moved over to the other side of the Mountain to a school called Western Province Prep, which is in Claremont.
And that was a big change because a lot of most Jewish folks from Cape Town would go to Herzlia. But not me, I was a maverick, and well, not me, my brother did first, and then I followed him. So my brother was the maverick and then I followed him into Western Province and then into a very, very, very fancy school called Bishops. Don’t know if you know it, but I’ll just say it again. Bishops, B-I-S-H-O-P-S, Bishops, Bishops, we’re the best. That wasn’t a war cry. I just made it up right now, but I think they should use it.
Then I went to that school and I mean, you can’t complain about a school like that. It was absolutely everything for me. I had an incredible time. In fact, I loved it so much that I went into the boarding school; that was still notwithstanding the fact that I lived about 15 minutes away. In fact, the majority of the dormitory, about 14 guys, I’d say 10 of them lived within about a 15-kilometer radius. So that’s how much that school and a school like that has to offer where the boarders are there by choice.
Usually, you think, oh, my God, is it a boarding school? You think your parents forced you. No, not us, no, we went there by choice. And it was fantastic because you could spend four days with the best mates and play touch rugby after school. And as a culture vulture, which I like to call myself, I was able to take advantage of the extra-murals, rehearsals, musicals, all the things, and really just fully immerse myself in what that school had to offer, by being there 24/7.
Not 7, 24/5, because we were allowed to go home on weekends, and that was fantastic. So it was the best of both worlds. We got to experience everything at school, spend 4 nights with your best mates, and then go and have fun on the weekends.
PvZ: Nice, my brother went to Bishops.
GBP: Oh, okay! Yes, I remember him fondly, yes. What’s his name?
PvZ: Kelvin.
GBP: Kelvin, yes, exactly, yeah. No, I think we might have been in the same maths class. How old is he?
PvZ: Close, he’s 21 now.
GBP: Yes, that’s 10 years younger than me so we probably wouldn’t have seen each other, but I thought I might have recognised the name.
PvZ: No, he thoroughly enjoyed it and he’s only got good things to say about Bishops.
GBP: Yeah, well, who doesn’t? Bloody lucky to go there.
PvZ: Old Rondebosch.
GBP: Rondebosch, that’s true, that is true. Rondebosch has nothing good to say about Bishops, but that’s all part of that old bloody rivalry. But honestly, I must be honest, I know we joke about it. We joke about it and every Bishops boy says, well, how long does it take for Bishops boy to tell you this. Or how do you tell if a guy went to Bishops?
He’ll tell you, and I’ll tell you why he’ll tell you, because it’s a great bloody thing to be at. It’s a proud thing to be at, I’m very lucky. I’m one of the one in a billion people who are able to go to school like that. And I’m so grateful for what it did for me as a human being and as a professional now.
I used absolutely nothing that I learned in the classroom now, but sometimes I do use it when I get paid, which I do, a lot of money, then I use it to deduct my tax. And I said, 25% of that. Now you know what tax bracket I’m in, the lowest one. Then I say it’s R1 million, then 25% is R250,000. That’s going to the government, that’s going to be used for roads and bridges and schools, and that’s what makes me feel happy about it. And then that’s the extent that my maths goes, so I maybe do need Smartick. Is this time we advertise Smartick? For taking jobs from teachers? Is that good?
PvZ: It’s fine.
GBP: Smartick, no better way to learn than from a robot.
PvZ: An AI pod robot.
GBP: An AI Pod robot, okay. Do I look into that camera or that one?
PvZ: No, no, anyone’s fine.
GBP: So this is my camera? Smartick, AI bots will make you better at life.
PvZ: Nice.
GBP: Thanks, just use that any time you want.
Glen and Math at School
PvZ: So, did you enjoy maths at school?
GBP: What, what … did you?
PvZ: Funny enough, I’m one of those weird ones, yes.
GBP: Who did? You know, I enjoyed it when when I was getting it right, which was 0% of the time. So it was very hard for me. And I really did try, but I ended up succeeding and I won’t tell you what, it was not the higher grade, but it wasn’t Maths Lit. It was standard grade that I did, but I at least got an A for that. So on the registrar, when you get your registrar, I think that’s what it’s called.
PvZ: Yeah, yeah, your report.
GBP: Yeah, yeah, that’s it. And then it said, Maths A and then I just Tippexed out Standard Grade, and no-one will know. It’s very far away in my study.
The Impact of the Internet on Glen’s Life and Career
PvZ: Yeah, to that point, I strongly believe that anyone with a healthy dose of curiosity and an Internet connection can do pretty much anything they want. To what extent has the Internet helped or enabled your career?
GBP: The Internet? Well, you just have to go so far as to look at what I’ve done in the past 24 hours, Philip.
PvZ: I’m well aware and I’m trying to stay away from that because I think everybody’s going to ask you.
GBP: The Internet is what it’s all about, man. The Internet is where it is going, and I don’t know where I would be without the Internet. It’s just you’ve got so much more reach as a content creator, as a comedian, as a performer, as anyone. Am I close enough to the mic here?
PvZ: Yeah, I think.
GBP: Is this close enough? Is that too close? Do you want me to whisper from now on?
GBP: Yea, no, it’s done amazing things for me as a content creator, and it’s nice to know that brands are now starting to take that seriously. Because before they thought, oh, no, if you make an Internet video, then it’s going to be cheaper because of the Internet. But you’re still using the camera, sound, lighting, you’re still getting the same frame.
But because they had this idea that TV was more, and I know this isn’t your question, but it’s the only thing I know what I want to talk about right now, so. And it’s nice to know that clients, that brands are now starting to cotton on to the Internet and seeing the potential in advertising. And that helps me as a content creator for people to see that there’s an opportunity to sell their products via my content, which is great.
PvZ: You’ve got an audience and it’s a distribution channel.
GBP: Shout out? Can I shout out?
PvZ: Go for it.
GBP: Can I shout out to myself?
PvZ: Yeah, absolutely.
GBP: @glenbidermanpam, follow me @glenbidermanpam.
PvZ: And we’ll reference everything in the show now.
GBP: Great. And I’ll transcribe that into Spanish, @glenbidermanpam.
PvZ: But, no, no, we certainly will, we’ll have a transcribed page, and we’ve got a nice blog post and video and audios.
GBP: Great, great, yea, no. On a serious note, the Internet has done amazing things for my career. And at Bishops, just to mention that, again, it was interesting because I was talking about this to my friends the other day. That we got laptops at the ripe age of Grade 9, which you would think it was for school. But we weren’t quite sure what to do with them, but we did at least use them mostly for schoolwork, I’d say.
And it was nice to be able to learn on a laptop, and now I hardly do anything without my laptop. So thanks to Bishops, I know how to use a laptop.
PvZ: Yeah, well, look, coronavirus has been a catalyst for a lot of things, specifically tech innovation. Since coronavirus started, how has that impacted your career?
GBP: Hm, coronavirus?
PvZ: The lockdown, the lockdown.
GBP: The lockdown? Are you talking about this so-called pandemic?
PvZ: Yeah, yeah.
GBP: I don’t know what you’re talking about. I did hear on the radio on the way here, there was something that’s been going around. I don’t know if it’s a mild flu or a cough or something, but it’s done absolutely nothing for me.
From a comedian’s perspective, it’s been terrible. I haven’t been on a stage in a very long time, and I miss it a lot. I miss the affirmation. I miss the love. I miss the appreciation. But most importantly, I just miss that sound of people laughing. And that’s just, you can do a Zoom gig, which is, I’m sure, what you’re getting to with how the technology has evolved, and that is a bright side. But one of the downsides is that I don’t think you can ever recreate live performance through technology. And that’s been very difficult for me as a stand-up comedian.
But then talking about, referring to what I was talking about earlier was that there’s so much more opportunity now for content creation. For people to go to put money and time into making commercials because more people are spending time on their devices. So, therefore, there’s an opportunity for me to rather lean away from live stand-up comedy and more into sort of sketches and content creation.
PvZ: Yeah, well, on the content creation side, you’re not only a comedian but a director as well.
GBP: Yes, I saw you looked at your notes there and referred to. Yea, because I was going to say you haven’t mentioned that yet, and I was getting antsy. I really was, I was actually starting, I was going to say it. I was going to do another shout-out, actually.
Glen’s Role as an Actor, Comedian, and Director
PvZ: Well, on that point, which side of the lens do you prefer?
GBP: Yea, that’s such a good question, and I do get asked it quite a lot. I never really know the answer to it. There are pros and cons to both. Those of you who want to do acting, it’s very hard to complete a career in that and make a lot of money like I have. I’m not joking.
But as a director, there’s, I feel, a lot more to the thing; you’re doing much more. The actor arrives on set and you have your breakfast and you get your makeup and you go and sit in your place and then you come and you do your thing. And it’s fine, and it’s great and it’s sometimes challenging.
But from a directorial perspective, you’re in the process from three weeks before that and three weeks afterwards. And you’re putting together presentations of how you’re going to shoot the thing and look and wardrobe and location and casting and everything. Every split second of the ad has to be thought about, or the short film, or whatever you’re doing, or film. And then you shoot and then you go into a long edit process afterwards.
So from an engagement and a substance point of view, I think I prefer directing because there’s much more to it, in my opinion. But there’s nothing quite like getting on the stage and doing a play; nothing can come close to that. That’s just the best feeling in the whole world.
PvZ: Yeah, well, I mean, speaking about directing now. How’s the last 24 hours been?
GBP: Because of the Kreepy Krauly bit?
Yeah.
Yeah, it’s been crazy, it’s been absolutely nuts, absolutely crazy. But the past five days have been crazy because we thought of the idea on Thursday. This is the Kreepy Krauly spoof of the octopus teacher documentary for those of you who haven’t seen it, @glenbidermanpam, and you can see it on my Insta. And there’s not much to say about it. Sometimes an idea comes to you. It’s just a fleeting moment and you think, this is great.
And then the stars align that it was very relevant in a South African context, and so is Kreepy Krauly, the brand and of the Netflix guy, Craig Foster. The documentary is South African, so those were two great entry points.
And so as a branded piece, it just completely came together. But I think even if it wasn’t, I was probably going to shoot it anyway, but luckily we went to Kreepy Krauly, I guess, luckily for them. We approached them and said, hey, guys, would you like us to do this kind of branded content piece for you?
And because I had actually worked with them a few years, maybe five, seven years ago, and so they knew who I was. And yeah, we went, the next day I wrote the script, and then the following day we were shooting, and by that evening we had an edit.
And then it got leaked by I don’t know who, before it was even ready, so that was a whole different story. So there’s a WhatsApp version going around that isn’t actually the final version, which was quite a blessing and a curse at the same time. It just went absolutely crazy and viral, but it wasn’t quite the one that I wanted to craft. But I can’t complain because people love it and people have been going nuts about it. And that’s all you really want when you create these pieces of work.
The Advice Glen Would Give His 18-Year-Old Self
PvZ: So what advice would you give 18-year-old Glen?
GBP: Hm, 18-year-old Glen … what advice would I give him? Very good question. What advice would you give 18-year-old Philip?
PvZ: Hmm …
GBP: It’s quite hard.
PvZ: To read more?
GBP: Yeah, I was going to say read more; that was exactly what I was going to say, and I thought, ag, you know, it’s …
PvZ: Audit your peers?
PvZ: Audit? Your peers?
PvZ: Audit your peer group.
GBP: Like actually physically audit their bank statements?
PvZ: Well…
GBP: Like make sure they’re not, like, failing tax?
PvZ: You could do that.
GBP: Why would you do that?
PvZ: I would certainly be a little bit more critical about my friend group.
GBP: Are you talking? I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.
GBP: Are you saying you need to study accounting and then audit your friends and use them as clients and then make money off them?
PvZ: If you can do that.
GBP: So you’d like to audit … wow, so study accounting is what you saying?
PvZ: It’s not what I’m saying.
GBP: Okay, oh, you mean evaluate them?
PvZ: Evaluate them.
GBP: Before you get into friendships with them?
PvZ: No, no, no, no, I think you’re a little bit …
GBP: Honestly, I don’t think we’re seeing eye-to-eye here.
GBP: Is this a trick question? Is Leon Schuster going to pop out of that pot plant?
GBP: I don’t understand what’s happening. Are we even recording?
GBP: Oh, a joke? [inaudible]
Kumon vs. Smartick
PvZ: Have you ever heard of Kumon?
GBP: Cumin?
PvZ: Kumon maths? Kumon.
GBP: No, tell me about it.
PvZ: So Kumon is this extra-curricular Japanese paper-based maths program that a lot of kids are doing. It’s sort of all ages at school. I’m sure peers of yours would have done Kumon.
GBP: Not peers I’ve audited, that’s for sure.
PvZ: [laugh]
GBP: I audit them, I know.
PvZ: [laugh] but-
GBP: So it’s paper-based as opposed to app-based.
PvZ: So paper-based as opposed app-based, it’s classroom, it’s learning center style. So you go off to school, your parents have to drop you off.
GBP: Yeah, like school?
PvZ: Like school, there’s a whole bunch of inefficiencies associated with it. And what we tried to do at Smartick was to create this online AI-powered improvement of Kumon.
GBP: Okay, okay.
PvZ: So earlier when you’re giving Smartick a little bit of a punt, I think a great one-liner would be, that speaking of Netflix, that Smartick is the Netflix to Kumon’s blockbuster.
GBP: Oh, wow, Smartick is the Netflix to Kumon’s blockbuster. I like that. Yea, that’s great. So Kumon was the blockbuster, it was expensive, it was inefficient.
PvZ: Yep.
GBP: But it had its perks.
PvZ: Yeah, and the tech at the time allowed for it.
GBP: Was right. And Netflix is still doing the same thing and so is Smartick, but smarter and at home, and easier and cheaper.
PvZ: Correct.
GBP: Great! Ag, that was so great. I really like that, that just calmed me down. You should have said that upfront. I had no idea what we were doing here.
PvZ: [laugh] Glen-
GBP: I thought this was a waterless toilet system. I thought this was about global warming. Oh, my God, jeepers, I was about to prepare my speech on glaciers.
PvZ: [laugh]
GBP: So it’s… okay, a blockbuster. No, it’s the Netflix. Smartick is Netflix?
PvZ: Smartick is Netflix.
GBP: Right, I can get it on Netflix any time?
No, you can get it the same way you can get Netflix.
GBP: Okay, but not on Netflix?
PvZ: No, not yet.
GBP: So it isn’t on Netflix yet. Is it coming soon? Do you want me to punt it?
PvZ: Well, yeah, let’s hold off on that one.
GBP: Okay, cool. Coming soon to Netflix.
Glen’s Future-Self
PvZ: [laugh] So in 10 years’ time-
GBP: What would I give advice to future Glen?
PvZ: No, in 10 years’ time, what would you have done too much of, and what would you have done too little of?
GBP: Are you saying … jeez, these are really difficult questions. What would I, sorry, you can tell I wasn’t great at school, because I wasn’t even listening to what you just said right now.
PvZ: Okay, so in 10 years’ time-
GBP: Yea, okay, picture myself in 10 years, yeah, what?
PvZ: What would you have done too much of in the next 10 years, and what would you have done too little of?
GBP: Are you asking me?
PvZ: Yeah.
GBP: Do I know the answer, or are you asking me to predict what I-
PvZ: Yea, I’m asking you to predict the answer the answer.
GBP: So are you saying that I want to have done too much of this, or are you saying I regret having done too much of that?
PvZ: Yes, what would you regret having done too much of?
GBP: In a bad way?
PvZ: Yeah, in a bad way-
GBP: Can you give me an example, not of yourself, but let’s say, Jack.
PvZ: Sure, so in 10 years’ time, Jack has spent too much time working and too little time with his family.
GBP: Oh!
PvZ: And in ten years’ time, Jack has spent too much time watching TV and too little time reading.
GBP: Okay, Jack, sounds like a [beep]
GBP: Okay, so, and can it be a good thing?
PvZ: Yeah, it can be good, whatever you want it to be.
GBP: Okay, jeez, that’s such – and so too much of and too little of?
PvZ: Hm.
GBP: Yea, that’s good. I think in 10 years’ time, Glen has done too much of working, and too little of traveling. Yes, I think I will have done that. Yes, and in 10 years’ time, Glenn will have done … can I say not enough reading?
PvZ: Yeah.
GBP: So I’m going to give my 30-year-old Glen advice saying read more now, so that in 10 years’ time I won’t be able to say that I’ve done too little of reading.
PvZ: Yeah.
GBP: Yeah, so that’s it. So work less, is that good?
PvZ: Sure.
GBP: Do less work, work, work, no, that can’t be right.
PvZ: Work smarter.
GBP: Work smarter, Smartick, work smarter, and then travel more when all of the so-called I don’t know what, I mean, I don’t know still what you’re talking about, but whatever this thing you’re saying is over.
And number three, definitely read more, because I tell you what? Reading is just so important for everything, every part of your brain. I can’t tell you how important it is. I can tell when I’m reading that I am, I feel smarter in life. When I go into a presentation; when I get onto stage; when I am writing a joke, it’s just huge. I mean, if Smartick had a reading app, that would just be-
PvZ: We’re busy adding reading comprehension to the program.
GBP: Brilliant, that’s amazing. Is that the direction we’re going?
PvZ: Oh, no, no, no, no, actually not.
GBP: Okay, well, do you want me to punt that?
PvZ: You’re welcome to. We’ve got a chess app coming and reading comprehension.
GBP: Chess? Brilliant, amazing, they go hand-in-hand. Chess, music, and reading, all very similar parts of the brain.
PvZ: Do you play any musical instruments?
GBP: Yes, guitar, big time, yeah. I believe I’m good; many people will disagree, but I don’t believe them. I think they’re just trying to keep my ego down and trying to prevent me from becoming a massive, massive star. And I think if it wasn’t for them I would be huge. But they come along and I bring the guitar out and they’re like, oh, no, we’re going to do Johnny Cash again, here we go.
And then I’ll sing along and then by the time I open my eyes, finished the song, they’ve all left. But I always think that’s because they’ve gone to find a record label for me to sign.
PvZ: Yeah, makes sense.
GBP: Look, do I get a Smartick jersey?
PvZ: Yeah.
GBP: Do I?
PvZ: Yeah, you do.
GBP: Ah, yes, I’m really, really happy about that. Do I really?
PvZ: Good, no, you do, really.
GBP: Ag, yes, I’m so glad, I like it a lot. I need a jersey.
How Glen Learned to be Confident From a Place of Insecurity
PvZ: So, where does this confidence come from? Obviously being a comedian, you have to either not care what people think, or be extremely confident, or both.
GBP: Or neither.
PvZ: Or neither?
GBP: Yea, confidence. Confidence different because a lot of us are incredibly insecure, including myself. And we are constantly having to work on taking our confidence and overriding that insecurity, and it happens almost with practise. Like, for example, if you go on stage and you try a joke and then it dies, it doesn’t do well, it feels terrible.
It’s a really horrible feeling, because it’s not, I mean, even as a fine artist, the art is different. It’s separate from you, so at least if someone says, I don’t like that artwork, it’s horrible, but it doesn’t feel like it’s yourself. When you’re on stage and people are not laughing at you and your intention is to make them laugh, it’s a terrible feeling. You feel like you are not good enough.
And so you develop this, I wouldn’t call it a thick skin, because a thick skin indicates that there’s a very soft center. I think you develop mechanisms to be able to hold on to the good parts, when you were doing well, and when things were good and the accolades that one has achieved. And to try and nurture those, and use those for when you are in a bad situation, or something doesn’t go well. Or if you don’t get a part, a role in a movie, or whatever it is. And try and develop that confidence by like holding on to the good as opposed to the bad.
But it’s not as easy as it looks. And everyone has insecurities, you know, everyone does. And it’s about acknowledging those and knowing that they’re there and being friends with them and working with the good stuff to try and take yourself forward.
PvZ: And on that point, what advice would you give-.
GBP: 10-year-old Glen?
PvZ: No, what advice would you give the 10-year-old boy or girl out there that wants to follow in your footsteps and become either a comedian or director?
GBP: Or an actor?
PvZ: Or an actor.
GBP: Or content creator.
PvZ: Content creator, actor-
GBP: Or a child star?
PvZ: Child star?
GBP: I was a former child star. That’s why I’m so kooky, too much sherbet. What advice would I give them? Oh, read more; I knew you wanted me to say that.
GBP: I’m joking! Ag, you know, man, it’s a cliché for a reason, like if you’re going to do the damn thing, then you really just have to do the work. It’s so clichéd, but I can’t stress it more. The harder you work, the better you will be. That is the only thing in life you need to know. I promise you, if you work hard, you will beat the ones that are more talented than you.
I learned that just across the road at drama school. I wasn’t the most talented in the class, but I bloody worked late into the night and rehearsed and knew my lines and did my research, and really, really, I just I lived it. And you really do need to live it. If you’re going to do this career, you can’t half-heart it. You can’t kind of pitch up, because the opportunities are so scarce and the competition is so high, you just don’t have a choice but to be obsessed and to live it.
And I’m learning that more and more as a director, that you can sort of dip your toes into it and kind of direct an ad here or there. You have to watch hundreds and thousands of ads, and short films, and films, and stand-up. It’s about going every night, going to an audience of 10 people, and if one line works, great. You might bomb for 15 minutes, but you might get one line out of that night, and that’s enough to take that one line into the next one.
And it’s just about commitment, that’s all I can say. I can’t give any other advice. And I’m still trying to get there. I’m not there yet; there’s still so much to for me to learn and still a lot of work to do. Now I can’t work too much because then in 10 years’ time, then I’m going to say I’ve worked too much. So work smart, but also work hard, rather work too hard, than not hard enough.
PvZ: Yeah, good point.
GBP: I would say.
PvZ: All right.
GBP: Oh, and money, yea, money is the best.
PvZ: So I’ve got to work hard.
GBP: Exactly! People say money can’t make you happy, but it’ll make you flippen happy.
Rapid-Fire Questions
PvZ: I must agree! A couple of rapid-fire questions.
GBP: I like a rapid-fire.
PvZ: Answer as quickly as you can. Favorite subject at school?
GBP: History.
PvZ: Favourite sport to watch?
GBP: This is rapid-fire. Cricket, test cricket.
PvZ: I must agree with you.
GBP: That’s two out of two fantastic, great.
PvZ: Best comedian of all time?
GBP: Jerry Seinfeld, yeah. Do you not agree with that?
PvZ: No, no, no, it’s in the ballpark.
GBP: Who’s yours?
PvZ: I must say, controversially, either Louis C.K.
GBP: Not controversial.
PvZ: Not really controversial.
GBP: A stand-up is a stand-up.
PvZ: And I think Robin Williams is also-.
GBP: Robin Williams, unbelievable, yeah.
PvZ: Yeah, real sad, but really talented.
GBP: Yea, yea, yea, great.
PvZ: What do you believe about the education system that most people disagree with?
GBP: Smartick – be better and more blockbustery, but less money. Is that what you want me to say?
PvZ: That’s perfect.
GBP: Is it Netflix we’re promoting? Do everything, but from your own … no, which one was it?
PvZ: Well, Smartick is Netflix.
GBP: Right, but not-
PvZ: Kumon is blockbuster.
GBP: Kumon, exactly, okay, what was the question? What do I believe about the South African Department of Education? I hate all of them.
GBP: I hate every single person who works in a government. Is that good?
PvZ: That’s perfectly fine.
GBP: [inaudible] stupid, stupid, stupid, no, seriously.
PvZ: No, okay, and to end off, Glen-
GBP: No, no, ask the question, what was it?
Just Some More Laughing
PvZ: Okay, so what do you believe about education that most people disagree with?
GBP: What do most people say?
PvZ: Oh, most people would say that teachers are going to be obsolete one day.
GBP: Oh!
PvZ: People say the education system’s broken. People think that, online … [laugh]
GBP: [sound]
GBP: I’m so sorry, I thought I had much more than I’m sorry.
PvZ: No, no, no, that’s fine.
PvZ: I’m not sure what happened [laugh]
GBP: I’m so sorry. What just happened as I was listening intently that I forgot that I was drinking water and I spilt all over myself and all the equipment and clearly Philip’s Macbook. Okay, well, I’m glad we got that question out of the way.
PvZ: I think I’ll move on! Glen, on that [laugh].
GBP: Actually, my spit is in this, coronaspit!
PvZ: On that, on that-
GBP: On that note.
PvZ: On that beautiful note, to wrap things up. Where can people find you? What are you up to at the moment? To anybody that’s listening that doesn’t know who you are, where can they find you?
GBP: Yeah, well, we’re in very exciting times with a production called Tali’s Wedding Diary. There’s Season 2 coming out, so watch out for that on Showmax. We’re shooting that in November, December, so that will be out, I think, in March, April of next year, winter of next year.
And you can catch me on my Instagram @glenbidermanpam or Twitter. Sorry, just-
PvZ: Take your time.
GBP: Sorry, @glenbidermanpam Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. Not any live shows coming up because there’s a so-called pandemic.
PvZ: Sure.
GBP: That’s pretty much it, so I’m just burping-
PvZ: [laugh]
GBP: It’s the least smooth shout-out to myself I can give. So you can get me on Tali’s Wedding Diary, Season 2, that’s coming out in the middle of next year on Showmax. I’ll be playing the character of Rael Rosen. I don’t know why I’m looking in the camera, but I like it.
You can catch me on Instagram. Well, I don’t know if you can catch me. You won’t catch me. I’m not in the air. You will just find me on Instagram @glenbidermanpam, @glenbidermanpam on Twitter, Facebook, glenbidermanpam.
And then, yeah, Panther Punch is a production company that I have with a friend of mine called Oliver Booth, shout-out @olliebooth_10 underscore, don’t forget that. We have a content creation company and you can find all our sketches on the Panther Punch website.
If you want to get me as a director, you get Sketchbook Studios, Actor in Joburg, Owen Swanson, Manager. Actor in Cape Town, Emma Ress Management. Comedian, Cape Town, Emma Ress Management as well. Comedian Joburg, Kate Goliath. In fact, I think you spoke to her earlier today.
PvZ: Indeed.
GBP: And that’s all my representation.
PvZ: Great, Glen, it’s been a pleasure.
GBP: It’s a pleasure, and I’m sorry for spitting.
PvZ: No, no, no, no, that’s part of the pleasure.
GBP: [Inaudible] studio. Thanks for having me, guys, love you all.
PvZ: Thank you so much.
GBP: Cheerio.
The Future Minds podcast is brought to you by Smartick. Smartick is an award-winning, intelligent, online mathematics and coding program for kids aged 4 – 14. Powered by sophisticated, adaptive AI, Smartick teaches kids math and coding from the comfort of home in as little as 15 minutes per day. For more information, visit smartick.com or download the app on tablet or iPad today.
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She is the founder and producer of Smartick's podcast called Future Minds with Phil.
In her spare time, Sabrina enjoys horseback riding, reading, and going to the gym. She also loves to travel!
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