Funny Marco Talks ‘Open Thoughts’ Season 2 And His Secret Sauce For Scoring Big Interviews

Funny Marco is back, and season two of his interview series Open Thoughts promises more surprises, more laughs, and even deeper insight into some of our favorite celebrities.

Ahead of the season’s premiere, VIBE spoke with Marco to get the scoop on what’s to come, and pleasantly, the conversation revealed a man who’s even more interesting behind the camera than he appears in front of it.

“This season is different because I have a team behind me,” Marco said. “It’s more about getting different people’s ideas and thoughts that help push the content. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact of doing something independently versus going mainstream.” That blend of hustle and mainstream reach has always set Open Thoughts apart from its competitors, as Marco has created a whimsical space where guests can be caught off-guard, while still feeling comfortable enough to open up.

As traditional journalism increasingly adapts to social media and personality-driven content, Marco, né Marco Summers, discussed the trend of celebrities gravitating toward streamers and online personalities rather than traditional journalists.

He explained how that comfort often comes from a host’s reputation. “As long as you got a resume showing how you treat people, people will love to sit down with you no matter who you are. It’s no different from Oprah when she had her talk show,” he declared.

For the 32-year-old, his series’ next season marks a moment of self-reflection. Recalling his 2023 interview with Southside and G Herbo, Marco opened up about the viral sit-down and the aftermath of the awkward exchange. Determined to grow from the moment that saw Herb and Southside trolling him on his own show, Marco said he’s learned his lesson: if something like that happens again, “I will be able to speak up for myself.”

There seems to be an undeniable “secret sauce” behind Marco’s access to big names like Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj — two subjects that many journalists have not had a chance to interview. He’s attributed his power to persistence and creating a unique lane. “I just kept DMing them and trying. You have to know who to pick and who you feel comfortable sitting down with,” he said.

Marco also shared insights on his Nicki Minaj interview, which saw Minaj jokingly becoming annoyed with his uncanny style of questioning. “Nicki is a powerful woman… if you don’t want to understand her, just stay out of her way,” he said, framing her as a trailblazer whose influence extends beyond rap.

Although known for her satirical humor online, Marco was rather serious, soft spoken and a deep thinker during our conversation. He touched on the balance between his on-camera persona and his real-life self. “Everybody’s a character… you just know when to pull them out,” he explained. Whether cracking jokes or having a serious conversation, Marco said he’s learned how to “read the room and adjust.”

Open Thoughts returns in partnership with Wave, the creative force behind some of today’s most viral digital series, like 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony. “Funny Marco has built a reputation for creating viral, must-watch moments that cut across culture,” said Tunde St. Matthew-Daniel, EVP of Original Content at Wave. “Bringing Open Thoughts into the Wave Originals network is a key step in expanding our creator slate as we continue to push into new genres.”

He added, “This season will build on everything fans already love about Marco: his off-the-cuff interviews, bold humor, and hilariously awkward conversations with A-list names in music, sports, and culture.” Marco echoed those sentiments, adding, “I’m excited to partner with Wave to take my show to the next level.”

Looking ahead, he teased what fans can expect this season, which will be more of him trying to “shock his guests” with his questions and not just conduct prank interviews. He wants to “get to know them more.” And whether he ever gets his dream guests such as 50 Cent and Eminem together, or Barack and Michelle Obama — Marco says he’ll approach each conversation with gratitude and curiosity.

Beyond his viral show, the father-of-three hinted at other ventures such as his TV show in the works, plus coming up with more creative concepts online. “I’m working on just creating new content of people seeing me in the spotlight of acting,” he shared. “There’s some scenes that I want to redo and recreate. I always wanted to be Coach Carter, so I’m going to try giving that a shot.”

The all-new season of Open Thoughts premieres Tuesday (Oct. 21) on YouTube and Spotify, rolling out weekly with a star-studded lineup of returning and first-time guests, including LaLa Anthony, Coi Leray, Miguel, and a highly-anticipated reunion with Bobbi Althoff.

See the trailer for Open Thoughts season two below.