The comedy podcast universe is ever expanding, not unlike the universe universe. We’re here to make it a bit smaller, a bit more manageable. There are a lot of great shows and each has a lot of great episodes, so we want to highlight the exceptional, the noteworthy. Each week our crack team of podcast enthusiasts and specialists and especially enthusiastic people will pick their favorites. Also, we’ll keep you posted on the offerings from our very own podcast network. We hope to have your ears permanently plugged with the best in aural comedy.Â
Bullseye with Jesse Thorn - Christopher Guest
JAY: About once in a generation, a true comedy pioneer graces our presence. In 1984, with This Is Spinal Tap, Christopher Guest (and his all-star crew of collaborators) created a completely original genre of comedy: the mockumentary. On this week’s Bullseye, Guest reflects on his career and discusses his new HBO show Family Tree with Jesse Thorn. From Tap to Guffman to A Mighty Wind, Guest has displayed his skill in both comedy and musical satire. He explains his process during this interview without creeping into the Jerry Lewis “serious business of comedy†realm. Perhaps the greatest insight into why Guest’s films succeed is that his characters are really trying their hardest, but ultimately look ridiculous because of their limitations. It also helps that he uses the talent of some of our greatest comedic actors such as Fred Willard, Eugene Levy, and Catherine O’Hara. Thorn is the perfect host here because he is clearly a student of Guest’s work. This podcast is essential listening for any fan of the Christopher Guest cannon. As far as great comedy podcast interviews go, this one is an 11.
Comedy Bang Bang #221 - Andy Richter and Paul F. Tompkins
ROB: Andy Richter is back on the show, along with Paul F. Tompkins as Buddy Valastro the Cake Boss (Cake Boss!), for another classic episode of CBB. Instead of going straight into the ridiculous, Scott Aukerman first reminds us that he’s a great (semi)conventional interviewer. Much like the early days of Comedy Death Ray, the first segment is a straightforward chat with Richter about his beginnings in show-business: How he started on stage in Chicago, moved to New York, and how he got into comedy announcing – which has to do with an early failed comedy-awards show that intended to give out “Commies†to recipients. But don’t misinterpret straightforward as serious. It’s an Aukerman interview, and he asks awkward questions about how much money Richter makes and other things like “Is it safe to describe you as a flibbertigibbit?’ When Cake Boss (Cake Boss!) joins the show, you can expect some textbook CBB hilarity, though it’s not as much of a storyline or character development episode as some of Paul F. Tompkins’ previous appearances as Buddy Valastro. Still, you’ll hear about Cake Boss’s (Cake Boss!) sabbatical or “cakebatical†to the dark side of the moon, along with plenty of great tangents, puns, cake-related neologisms, and other masterful bullshitting between these three very talented comedians. And for a buh-buh-buh bonus (ssss) at the end of the show, there’s a CBB “Would You Rather†first.
How Did This Get Made? - The Fast and the Furious 6 with Adam Scott
ROGER: “One of the best films we’ve ever done,†came out of co-host Jason Mantzoukas’ mouth at some point in the final moments of this particularly spirited episode. Truly, any installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise is going to be perfect for a podcast that was invented to complete the ironic moviegoing experience, and the sixth version of the financially super-successful franchise did not disappoint in providing grist for the mill. Adam Scott, who had joined Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael and Mantzoukas for their take on Fast Five when it was first released, was a perfect guest once again; his comments in particular came off as witheringly funny. This was due to both his natural tone and because he was chiming in over the phone while being deferential to the hosts, which made him sound like some sort of professor of pop culture garbage. When a movie has Raphael apologizing for talking about the story more than once, as if it’s too low hanging fruit to even discuss, and when one of the stars gave himself the nickname “Franchise Viagra,â€Â How Did This Get Made? is in heaven, and the exuberance is contagious.
Nerdist #361 - Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
JOSH: This week the affable duo of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg drop by Nerdist to chat about their writing process, chair sex, the effects of smoking pot on productivity and their new movie, This Is the End. Following what may be the catchiest theme song in the podcast circuit today, Rogen discusses his short-lived stand-up comedy career—including the time he and Jonah Hill performed in front of Louis C.K. Where did Seth and Jonah rank on the Louis C.K./Louie Anderson scale of comedy? Not high. Rogen’s infectious energy is always entertaining, but the most interesting portion of the podcast is when Rogen candidly details what creatively drives him and openly talks about the surprising benefits of commercially unsuccessful endeavors. Rogen and Goldberg are both refreshingly genuine throughout the podcast; Rogen even going as far as to sarcastically poke fun of himself stating, “Daniel Day Lewis is acting 24 hours a day, and I’m not even acting every second I’m on camera.â€
Here’s The Thing with Alec Baldwin - Stacy Keach
MARC: Now that 30 Rock is off the air, I guess Alec Baldwin must have more time to devote to his podcast. That, and do TV commercials for Capital One (who also sponsor his podcast – no Audible, Adam & Eve, or Amazon for this guy!). Baldwin has become a better interviewer just in the few dozen episodes of Here’s The Thing that he’s done. In the latest, he kicks it around with veteran stage and screen actor Stacy Keach. Keach has a vivid recollection of almost every role he’s filled, always seeming to gravitate back to doing Shakespeare in the stage, including three runs as King Lear, two as Falstaff and many others. He’s also been married four times and has led both a wild and reclusive lifestyle. While this may not be an episode in the most comedic of veins, there’s plenty of smiles to be had, especially when Baldwin and his guest get into dueling impressions of late film director John Huston.
This Week on the Splitsider Podcast Network:
The Complete Guide to Everything: Binge Watching
This week, in honor of the premiere of the new season of Arrested Development, we discuss the new way of watching television (according to blogs): Binge Watching. We share our opinions on the wisdom of watching eight hours of television at one time, the uselessness of Nielsen Ratings and how terrible 24 is when episodes are watched back to back.
It’s That Episode: Connor Ratliff Revisits His Teen Favorite thirtysomething
Connor Ratfliff (UCB’s The Stepfathers) joins Craig to watch one of his favorite episodes of thirtysomething. Connor discusses why he watched the show at age 15 even though the TV told him he was watching women’s programming. Also, learn about Paul Dooley’s acting career which includes his masterful work as the classic thirtysomething character Mr. Bob Spano.
The Jeff Rubin Jeff Rubin Show: Game Of Thrones 2-for-1 w/ Cooking and High Valyrian
This week on the Jeff Rubin Jeff Rubin Show, Jeff is joined by not just one but TWO Game of Thrones related guests. In this 2 for 1 Game of Thrones spectacular Jeff talks to Chelsea Monroe-Cassel, the chef for the GoT food blog Inn At The Crossroads and A Feast of Ice and Fire, the official GoT cook book, as well as David Peterson, the creator of the fictional languages Dothraki and High Valyrian that the show uses.
A Funny Thing: Kim Kutt is the Beauty and the Beast
Our story this week: Comedian Kim Kutt was enamored with the Spanish handsome, Gaston. But their earliest dalliances hit nothing but snags, and when Kim went the extra mile she found herself crossing some lines. Lines like the Threat of Mass Murder Line and the Stalking Outside Your House Line, amongst others. Why must we destroy what we love, Kim?
Make Yourself Comfy with Abra Tabak #20: Butts with Wings
In this week’s episode, Joanna Bradley (Namaste), Dan Black (Death By Roo Roo), & Natasha Vaynblat (Things My Straight Boyfriend Says) join Abra to create a world where Dibble Dabble breaks, butt cracks help with fractions, & Walmart farts.
Roger Cormier would like to ride a cadence to fame and fortune.
Marc Hershon is host of Succotash, the Comedy Podcast Podcast and author of I Hate People!
Jay Kuperstein is a writer, founder of ComedyK.com, and attorney working in Washington, DC.
Rob Schoon lives in Brooklyn and writes about tech, media, comedy and culture.
Josh Sorokach is a comedy writer living in NYC who was once referred to as a “Poor Man’s Joshua Jackson†while on a date.