A Real Hero

Tim Dillon brings the manic, end-of-the-world energy of his massive podcast to a theater stage, pacing and shouting like an apocalyptic street preacher who is deeply concerned about Disney adults. He builds the hour around a skepticism of the modern concept of a hero—particularly nurses—before declaring himself the only real hero left. It is a loud, sweaty diatribe against a culture he views as thoroughly rotten.

Filmed at the Paramount Theatre in Denver, Colorado, the 2022 special caught Dillon at the peak of his pandemic-era momentum. His weekly podcast was pulling over a million listeners, transforming the former New York tour guide from a club favorite into a theater headliner. Directed by Linda Mendoza, the 45-minute set takes on the absurdity of corporate fast-food advertising, his own ill-advised move to Texas, and the dark humor of Princess Diana’s death.

The special divided his audience. While fans of his podcast enjoyed his aggressive skepticism, some felt the manic rants were less effective on a grand stage than behind a microphone. The production itself was messy; a fire alarm pulled during one of the Denver shows disrupted the taping schedule, resulting in some noticeable sound mixing issues. In late 2024, the special quietly left Netflix when its two-year licensing agreement expired.