TV is Dead, Long Live TV. While television is rapidly decaying on the business end of things, simultaneously it is consistently evolving, more artistically challenging and even auteur-friendly, and that is partially thanks to the infiltration of comedy podcasts. Some shows try to incorporate some of the DNA of their pods to the small screen, like Comedy Bang Bang and The Nerdist, while standups like Nikki Glaser, Sara Schaefer, and Pete Holmes have parlayed their numerous hours behind podcast mics into late night hosting gigs. Maron, premiering tomorrow, would never have become a reality if it weren't for his years hosting WTF with Marc Maron, the popular interview podcast that [...]
John Hodgman has been warning mankind about the impending apocalypse ever since his book That Is All came out last year, but things are getting close to his (and the Mayans') predicted date for the end times: December 21st. With just ten days left before we all meet our doom, check out this video of Hodgman's survival tips to make sure you know how much urine and mayonnaise to keep around the house.
Here's StarTalk Neil deGrasse Tyson's new web show, which premiered this week on the Nerdist Network. It's based on Tyson's podcast of the same name and features a ton of comedians as guests, with Sarah Silverman and Jim Gaffigan slated to appear in the future. In this first episode, however, Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, John Hodgman, and some astronaut in front of a live audience to educate them about space and to take their smartass questions.
Man, can you imagine how funny zombie Paul F. Tompkins would be? Just a zombie in a tattered three-piece suit asking, "What's better brain pie or brain cake?"
"And I can report that if you are standing in the basement with John Darnielle and wondering how he survived this far, to stand happy in this heavenly basement, you may look down at the hand-painted album of songs you are holding and realize the answer is in your hand." — John Hodgman in touching yet very funny essay about The Mountain Goats' John Darnielle. It's worth a read, if only for how he reacts to stepping in cat vomit.
Here's the first episode of a brand new web series that NYC-based sketch comedy group Elephant Larry made for the Above Average Network, the official YouTube channel of Lorne Michaels's Broadway Video. Deranged millionaire John Hodgman guest stars in this one as some sort of deranged criminal.
Here's John Hodgman on SiriusXM's "Unmasked," in which he talks about how he heard Stephen Colbert rid himself of ever feeling embarrassed: by a strange version of immersion therapy, in which he basically did very embarrassing things in public until it didn't bother him anymore. Comedic commitment: Stephen Colbert basically defines it.
Today is MaxFunDay, the first ever one-day pledge drive for Jesse Thorn’s podcast network, Maximum Fun, which hosts a ton of amazing shows like Bullseye, Judge John Hodgman, Jordan, Jesse, Go!, Risk!, and more. Jesse Thorn and friends are participating in a Google Plus video chat all day and engaging in Reddit AMAs, with plenty of giveaways and other festivities planned. It's for a good cause too, as Max Fun is donating meals to the LA Food Bank for every new member they get. Check out a rundown of the day’s events on the official site. The schedule is also embedded below, along with the best moments [...]
"Romney is money’s bitch. He’s ambition’s bitch. He’s success’s bitch and he’s victory’s bitch. And, like those particular sort of pampered dogs you see in the laps of the very rich, he yaps and snaps and snarls at the everyday mutt. He’s frightened and confused by a dog who’s happy to treasure the sunshine and play with the other dogs and eat enough food to fill its belly and lap enough water to slake its thirst and then get out of the way for the other dogs to have their turn. Romney’s been trained since birth that not only are there No Other Dogs But Him And His Ilk, but [...]
"Podcast empire" might read like an oxymoron to some but those some are just being regular morons. Over the last couple of years some major podcast networks have blossomed like Nerdist, Earwolf, and ACE. Jesse Thorn's Maximum Fun predates them all. This gives Thorn an important perspective on the podcast industry, which he shared with Fast Company. He explained:
Radio is a very personal medium, and podcasts are even more so because people are choosing them in a way that they don’t choose things on the radio. With talk radio, you have about five or so choices at any given time; with podcasts, you have literally tens of [...]
Here's deranged millionaire John Hodgman's first appearance on The Daily Show since November 2012. He probably only came back to show how cool he looks with slicked-back hair.
The Daily Show's Resident Deranged Millionaire John Hodgman slid into his Daily Show rolly chair to frustrate Jon Stewart and to lecture the audience about the horrible mistake they made by voting to re-elect Barack Obama earlier this month. As with most people crying over Romney's loss, Hodgman does it by wiping his tears and blowing his nose on a $100 bill. Is there any other way?
"Here we are, now approaching my predictive date for the end times, December 21, 2012, which is of course not my date, but the one the Mayans have been threatening us with for a long time. And as far as I can tell, it’s very disconcerting, but if you look at the signs around, I’d hate to break this to you, but the world might not end. I think my mistake was relying on the Mayans. I mean, those guys? Come on. If they were really that advanced, they would have made a calendar out of paper, not stone. What was I thinking?"
MaximumFunCon, Jesse Thorn's annual weekend of well-dressed, bookish comedy is getting an east coast version. From October 26-28, Maximum Fun fans will gather for a weekend of comedy, classes, activities, and merriment in the sure to be archetypally autumnal Poconos. (Just look at the picture.) Performers and presenters include Michael Ian Black, Jonathan Ames, Dick Cavett, John Hodgman, Julie Klausner, Kevin Allison, and more!!!! Get more info here. It's a good place to wear that sweater vest one last time before the transition into full-length sweater weather.
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