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. We hope to have your ears permanently plugged with the best in aural comedy.
Monday Morning Podcast - 6-26-17
Marc: Despite rumors to the contrary, Bill Burr hasn’t mellowed since becoming a dad to a baby girl. Joyfully irascible is how I’d put it, and if the latest drop of his Monday Morning Podcast is any indication, his unique ability to berate his listeners while cajoling them at the same time shall continue indefinitely. He starts out on a tear about being ridiculed on Twitter because he didn’t know the difference between photosynthesis and pollination on a previous episode. Then he proceeds to make it worse when he stumbles through the definitions of the terms in real time. Not a few minutes are spent attempting to get to the origin of the phrase “mind your Ps and Qs†but – spoiler alert – the results are inconclusive. Switching gears, he regales us with the exploits at the recent roast for David “Big Papi†Ortiz back in Boston, burying the lede by not letting on that he was the headlining roaster of the event. He then frets about whether his F Is for Family animated series on Netflix will be picked up for a third season (it IS, as announced the next day). Finishing off his ramble by answering questions from listeners – mostly uncomfortable sexual situational problems – he comes full circle by claiming to be disgusted by the details of his fans’ intimacies. I don’t buy it though – I think this is a symbiotic relationship at its best. [Apple Podcasts]
Comedy Bang Bang - Jon Hamm, Edgar Wright, Paul F. Tompkins, Jessica McKenna
Mark: Let’s get this out of the way: Baby Driver is in no way related to Boss Baby, Baby Geniuses, or Baby, Million-Dollar. It is, however, one hell of a movie. Don’t take my word for it, let director Edgar Wright and star Jon Hamm tell you on this week’s Comedy Bang Bang. Then maybe go see the movie. But first, listen to this episode, where Wright challenges Hamm’s long-standing title as Most Charming Podcast Guest. Wright’s British accent and lingo are the subject of heated debate. For example, “bonnet†and “boot†are what British people call the front and back of their cars, so maybe seeking independence was a bad idea? J.W. Stillwater later joins, and to the surprise of no one, he’s a fan of both Fast and Furious’ unfortunately-titled “Race Wars†as well as the unfortunately-existing “Infowars.†Finally, Power Wheels enthusiast Beth joins to peddle old Blockbuster membership cards. This is a bonkers episode worth listening to alone for the cringy silence after Jon Hamm’s Nickelback joke. [Apple Podcasts]
The Buttpod - Craig Northey
Noah: Brent Butt is a Canadian comedy cult figure whose show Corner Gas inspired a whole generation of funny folks north of the border. Since that watershed sitcom and its successor, Hiccups, ended their runs, Butt has made some relaxed stops on many of those same peoples’ podcasts, promoting the precious few new ventures he’s been proud of. The newest is The Buttpod, and if Hannibal Buress was the most overdue to add “slash podcaster†to his resume last year, Butt is the man to beat in 2017. The similarities might end there, though – Butt is a chilled-out dad type with an unassuming wit and his first guest, influential frontman Craig Northey of the Vancouver power pop outfit Odds, is a Warren Zevon protégé with much the same demeanor as the host. Still, their lifetimes of experience in the fast-paced worlds of television and rock and roll gel with their laid-back sensibility about the whole affair – “you really have to be in good shape to be in a fight†might be the most declarative statement either man makes – and makes for something with as much potential as any new comedy podcast in the landscape. [Apple Podcasts]
Adam Ruins Everything - Pete Hammond Pulls Back the Curtain on Awards Shows
Marc: One of truTV’s breakout stars, Adam Conover, has successfully crossed his Adam Ruins Everything show over into the audio format of podcast. It’s a bit of a different vibe than the TV version – more chat, less crazy, but enjoyable all the same. Normally he digs into some juicy real world issues, like health supplements, prostitution, and death. But in the latest installment, he brings media journalist Pete Hammond in to give us the dirt on what’s the what behind all these big awards shows. Are they rigged? Not exactly. But there are some people and some studios who pour an awful lot of money into campaigns and press blitzes in order to try to get the voting members of whatever body is giving the awards – be it the Oscars, the Emmys, or any of a dozen or more other outfits – to take notice of their thing. No wonder those smaller independent movies rarely stand a chance. For every Moonlight that manages to emerge, there are a dozen Jack Reachers waiting to drag them down. [Apple Podcasts]
Other Podcasts We’re Listening To:
Hollywood Handbook - Julie Klausner, Our Tonys Friend
The Jody and Scott Show - Episode 500
The Bill Simmons Podcast - Judd Apatow on Binge-watching, Stand-up Culture, and ‘The Big Sick’
Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air - The Situation in North Korea, Patriotism vs. Criticism, and Kumail Nanjiani on Arranged Marriages and ‘The Big Sick’
The Best Show - Tim Heidecker! Gregg Turkington! Mark from Newbridge Mews! I Can’t Defend It!
I Love You and I Like You: A Parks and Recreation Podcast - Alison Becker talks S1E3 – “The Reporterâ€
Got a podcast recommendation? Drop us a line at [email protected].
Marc Hershon is host of Succotash, The Comedy Soundcast Soundcast and author of I Hate People!
Noah Jacobs is a writer, podcaster, and mark who lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Mark Kramer is a writer, comedian & human boy from Staten Island, New York, but please don’t hold that against him.