Over the past year or so I have become a full fledged addict of Podcasts. At one point I think they were all I listened too. I was subscribing to about 19 or so, not including the ones I would only listen to at work (I’m looking at you PTI and NBC Nightly News). It started out with the BS Report, Bill Simmons wildly popular ESPN podcast that covered the world of sports and pop culture, pretty much the pre-cursor to his site Grantland. Being that it is one of the most popular podcasts, I don’t think I am alone in this one. Like with anything, I feel into the rabbit hole and found more and more podcasts that I liked. They took over my listening habits and eventually started blending into each other.
I decided I needed to walk away from a bunch of them*, it is not that I don’t like them, it is just that my time is limited and I don’t have time to indulge in them, so even though I won’t feature them here I definitely suggest you give them a look-see. They might be right up your alley and give you more joy than the ones I feature here.
*Doug Loves Movies w/ Doug Benson, Never Not Funny w/ Jimmy Pardo, The World and Why w/ Dizzo, The BS Report w/ Bill Simmons, Affirmation Nation w/ Bob Ducca.
Now for the essentials:
5. The Champs w/ Neil Brennan, Moshe Kasher & DJ Douggpound
The Champs is a podcast featuring Neil Brennan (From the Chappelle Show), Moshe Kasher (From comedy) and DJ Douggpound (From Tim and Eric) and focuses on their many black friends, every episode features a visit from a black comedian and turns into a free-for-all that that is equal parts hilarious and inspiring. DJ Douggpound provides drops that will make you piss yourself at family functions and crap yourself at a bris. This one is new to my listening habit, but is fucking aces with me and my reformed wigro sensibilities. (no video available)
4. Comedy Bang Bang w/ Scott Aukerman
Formerly known as Comedy Death Ray, this improv heavy show is based loosely around the now legendary LA comedy showcase. It features a who’s who of the comedy world and occasionally the world of music. Scott Aukerman is equal parts brilliant and hilarious as the show’s host and straight man, as he and a rotating cast of madmen delve into all sorts of bullshit and hootenanny….yeah hootenanny.
3. Who Charted? w/ Howard Kremer
Howard Kremer and Kulap Vilaysack count down the music and movie charts every week with the help of a special guest, the discussion serves as the spring board into Howard Kremer’s sensational and off kilter interview style, asking the important questions and cutting out the bullshit. You can also expect new games and quizzes almost weekly that will make you think, laugh and cry, unless of course you are a dirty prick of a human being. Who Charted? is perfect for anyone trying to keep track of the pulse of the entertainment industry and to make fun of shitty music.
2. WTF w/ Marc Maron
WTF is so fucking brilliant, a very straight forward format, long form interviews with comedians, celebrities, authors, etc. Very in depth, highly personal, always hilarious, and more often than not, highly spiritual…but not in a Jesus sort of way; I like many had always painted Marc Maron with a political comedian brush but what I have found is that he is more of a shaman than a fucking conman or political hack. I tend to listen to this one in batches, when I need a fix of humanity and a kick back onto the path of centeredness. With Marc Maron I have found a sort of guide and reminder that the path of truth and beauty is the reason we are here, and in and of itself the reward. For all the exposed flaws and fucked up stories you will hear you always get back to the very human core of it all. It is a heavy but super rewarding listen.
1. Uhh Yeah Dude w/ Jonathan Larroquette and Seth Romatelli
Uhh Yeah Dude gets played the second it is released, it is powerful in that it shines the spot light in the absurdity of our everyday life with a flabbergasted sense of shock, disgust and amusement. Seth and Jonathan have a grasp and control of the discussion that is just admirable and insightful. No podcast makes me laugh the way this one does, the world is a fucked up and funny place and Uhh Yeah Dude is the commentary track on all the fucked uppedness.