Bill Corbett's Funhouse

It’s the final weekly episode of Bill Corbett’s Funhouse. (Not sure if we’ll ever be back in any form, but definitely not for the next few months.) So let’s talk about death, and endings. Then watch us die! Laughs and sadness. And movie and book recommendations. Then death. With Brandi Brown and Bryan Miller.

Bill interviews chef and restaurateur Ann Kim, who recently won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Midwest. From her early days in Korea to her time working as an actor to her amazing rise as a pizza chef and owner of four restaurants, Ann has a cool and inspiring story.

A follow up to Episode 59 a.k.a. White Supremacist Club. Bill and Brandi chat about the white people problem along with Kyle Tran Myhre, stage name Guante, a hip hop artist, slam poet, activist, and educator based in Minneapolis. With Brandi Brown and Kyle Tran Myhre.

Bill might be an expert in cheesy movies, but his wife Virginia is an expert in cheesy... cheese. Yes, Virginia Corbett is a for-real cheesemonger, a cheese expert for an actual living, and knows her profession well. She and Bill chat about the wonderful world of cheese, and how you might include it in your holiday parties and feasts. Plus lots of conversational diversions and distractions. A lactose super-tolerant show! With Virginia S. Corbett.

Bill interviews John Moe, author, radio host, mental health advocate and star of the late great show WITS on American Public Media. They discuss John's life in public media, including his popular podcast The Hilarious World of Depression and new book of the same name.

Christmas is rushing at us, full speed ahead. There's no stopping it! And since a previously scheduled episode had to be canceled at the last minute, Bill asked Bryan in to chat about the inescapability of Christmas and some of the movies, TV and so forth that come with it: good, bad, offbeat, from the classics to the obscure. Christmas randomness! With Bryan Miller.

Contemplating his next career move, Bill explores the wonderful world of improv comedy. Funhouse regulars and seasoned improv performers Shannan and Mike guide him through this potentially fulfilling and lucrative life change. Includes live audio improv! Yes, and they have fun. With Shannan Custer and Mike Fotis.

Bill interviews longtime MST3K and RiffTrax colleague Kevin Murphy about his early days, the early days of MST3K, early days in general. Note: this is the second time Kevin has been interviewed for the Funhouse podcast, the first time being back in February AND thus far the only instance of Bill absolutely messing up a recording! Let the record show that Kevin was gracious enough to try again.

Let's get shallow! Bill and company go off about their many petty grievances. And some small blessings, though not as many. A truly shabby, petulant little party. Also: Narcos! Great Korean movies! Woodstock '99! With Brandi Brown and Bryan Miller.

Bill interviews one of his favorite comedians and favorite people in general, Mr. Paul F. Tompkins. Besides being a brilliant stand-up, PFT is a a veteran of many great shows such as Bojack Horseman, Mr. Show, The Thrilling Adventure Hour, Comedy Bang Bang, Best Week Ever, plus his own podcasts including Spontaneanation and Dead Authors. They chat about Paul's early years, comedy, clothes, politics, therapy, and life itself!

Bill and some fellow white people discuss what the hell is wrong with white people, a.k.a. themselves. In the wake of a vicious, racist Trump rally in their city recently, they try to look hard at what white supremacy is, and get a glimpse past the White Matrix. Also: interesting stuff to watch including Gary Gulman's new comedy special, the show Derry Girls, and (maybe?) The Watchman. With Shanan Custer and Bryan Miller.

It’s Halloweeeeeen so it’s time to get spoooooky and use too many vowels! Bill and crew honor the scary season and talk about the stuff that frightens them, rational and otherwise. Includes terrifying things to watch like The Exorcist, Testament, and (*shudder*) Unsolved Mysteries! With Brandi Brown and Bryan Miller.

Bill interviews Tim Faust, traveling healthcare activist and author of the excellent new book Health Justice Now. They talk about the utter immoral mess that is the US healthcare system, how it connects with all other areas of life, and the signs of possible hope ahead, maybe. Plus: wrasslin' talk!

A short bonus episode, only 15 minutes long! Recorded LIVE at Dragon Con in Atlanta, it's Bill's novelization of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice brilliantly performed by Janet Varney, Hal Lublin, Joseph Scrimshaw and Mark Gagliardi.

Bill and crew examine Ellen Degeneres' friendship with former president George W. Bush, the furor around their recent hang at an NFL game, and her subsequent defense of same. Also: the Boss is old! Batman sucks! And the tale of Wagatha Christie. With Brandi Brown and Bryan Miller.

Bill is joined by certified first-wave millennials Brandi and Bryan to discuss how their generation has ruined literally everything and / or been ruined by everything. Also: Succession, Charles Manson, and the glorious tedium of Ken Burns! With Brandi Brown and Bryan Miller.

Bill talks to comedian Jonah Ray, star of the recent Mystery Science Theater 3000 revival. They chat about Jonah’s childhood in Hawaii, punk rock, comedy, creativity, and all other manner of things. Including, of course: MST3K.

Recorded before a live audience at Dragon Con in Atlanta, Bill is joined by actor James Urbaniak (Venture Brothers + so many more things), musician Molly Lewis and Funhouse fam regular Joseph Scrimshaw. They discuss the idea of self-declared Unpopular Opinions and what the hell is that all about? Also: culture, entertainment, and audience participation, within reason!

Television veteran Caissie St. Onge has worked in the industry since she was 20. She's written jokes and produced shows for Busy Phillips, Joan Rivers, Paul F. Tompkins, Rosie O'Donnell, David Letterman, Andy Cohen and others. She's also a YA author, a devoted Prince fan / expert, and a wonderful guest with great insights into humor, media, power and misogyny. Caissie joined Bill for a wide-ranging chat in L.A. last month. Enjoy!

Bill and Brandi talk with Maggie Koerth-Baker, senior science writer for FiveThirtyEight.com, about the connections between gun violence and mental health. Then things lighten up with discussions of a wrestling movie, a cowardly senator at the Minnesota State Fair, and a whole bunch of feral hogs (approx. 30-50).

Writer Dan O'Sullivan joins Bill to talk about the rightwing radicalization of young white men via the Internet, citing his own history as an angry online kid. That, general politics, and more, including an appreciation of the underrated Kids in the Hall and their.... Art.

A talk with brilliant veteran comedy writer (and Bill's college pal) John Levenstein, creator of the Netflix special FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER'S MONSTER, FRANKENSTEIN, which stars David Harbour. John has been a writer for some of the best comedy TV has ever produced: ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, KROLL SHOW, SILICON VALLEY, BASKETS, and more. He's also been a performer on PORTLANDIA, KROLL SHOW, and many other shows. He often plays judges. Gather 'round for John's judicial wisdom in this chat with Bill! Guest stars: John's dogs.

Funhouse regular Joseph Scrimshaw is a lifelong Star Wars fan, expert and host of the Force Center podcast about all things Starwarsian. Bill is a Star Wars agnostic at best. Can these two unlikely allies team up to explain the enduring popularity of the Star Warsiverse? Stay tuned! A deep culture dive with lots of dumb jokes.

Super-popular video essayist Lindsay Ellis is back on Funhouse to talk about her Hugo Award nomination for The Hobbit Duology, which she created with Angelina Meehan. Before Lindsay heads off to Ireland for the ceremony this week, she and Bill -- both fans of the LOTR movies -- chat about this fascinating three-part documentary which explores how the Hobbit movies doomed themselves which each successive choice, plus the disheartening labor issues that further dispirited the production and ultimately hurt the New Zealand film industry. Lovesick elves, weirdly hot dwarves, and goblin management!

Bill talks with drummer Tony Thaxton of the band Motion City Soundtrack, who are gearing up for another reunion tour in 2020. They also chat about Tony's cool new podcast Bizarre Albums, which does brief but deep dives into those strange albums released by pro athletes, actors, fictional characters, and more. The Return of the Return of Bruno!

On the eve of RiffTrax Live: Giant Spider Invasion opening in theaters next week, Bill chats with RiffTrax writer and producer Sean Thomason, a longtime secret weapon in our crusade to make unfunny movies funny. We discuss Sean's early years as country boy in Appalachia, his time as a comic strip writer, his move to Tinseltown, plus the joys and occasional pains of writing for RiffTrax. Lots of inside baseball and wondrous reflections on movies like Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny! All that and more.

The all-culture show! Bill, Brandi and Bryan review all manner of culture, entertainment, and related stuff. High culture and low! Old, new, borrowed, blue! Includes seed art. With Brandi Brown and Bryan Miller.

Comedy legend Andy Kindler is in town for some shows at the Acme Comedy Club, and he drops by Funhouse HQ for a chat. Bill and Brandi talk to Andy about his standup career; his upcoming State of the Industry speech at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal; how he deals with OCD; religion and lack thereof; and his longtime nemesis Ricky Gervais. Plus more YES MORE! With Brandi Brown.

Bill chats with Funhouse producer and fan convention veteran Ken Plume about the state of pop culture fandom in the USA, and how it’s changed over the last few decades. Bonus: Bill tells a long rambling anecdote about a recent experience in the local dog park! Podcast magic.

In this Very Special Episode, Funhouse regular + ace reporter Brandi Brown turns the tables and interviews Bill about all sorts of stuff: growing up in Brooklyn, early days in theater and comedy, pretty much everything else. It might be more than you need to know! Or it might be EXACTLY how much you need to know.

It’s just dudes this episode. Dudes sitting around, giving each other some good-natured manly shit, discussing toxic masculinity. Bill is joined by comedian / podcast regular Bryan Miller and too-long-gone Mike Fotis to chat about what the hell is wrong with men. (And right too. But mostly wrong.) Also a fine selection of horror movies are discussed, including HBO’s reality-scary CHERNOBYL. Finally: a classic film starring young and unbroken Orson Welles. With Bryan Miller and Mike Fotis.

Bill is joined by friends and classic MST3K vets Trace Beaulieu and Mary Jo Pehl to discuss the super-fun topic of aging! An honest but not particularly serious chat about getting older in the arts & entertainment world, and the world in general. Spoiler: it’s really not that bad. Oww my knees.

It’s a loosey-goosey show this week! We mostly play with an interactive map showing who the most famous people are from every geographical area of the USA. Can Bill get over his bitterness about not making the map?? Also we revisit the excellent show Fleabag, now in its second and final season; descend into ursine madness with the Berenstain Bears; and Bill tries some domestic joy-sparking. With Brandi Brown and Shanan Custer.

Welcome to the Democratic Party presidential primary! There are 7000 candidates and it lasts forever. In this very special episode, Bill and Brandi consider EVERY SINGLE DAMN CANDIDATE who has announced before this sentence started being typed. So maybe not all, but a lot. A real lot. We parade them all before us and judge away. Judging is fun. But man, there’s a lot of ‘em. With Brandi Brown.

Let us be frank about Frank! Frank Conniff Jr. a.k.a. TV's Frank from Mystery Science Theater 3000 joins us to discuss all sorts of things, including: his childhood in NYC; his deep love and knowledge of show biz; the early days of MST3K; comedy, politics, and media. It's Podcast's Frank!

More with TV's Frank! We talk about MST3K past and present, ageism, and addiction. And it's fun, wheee!

According to our old friend The Internet, it’s hashtag Mental Health Awareness Month. Bill, Brandi and guest Bill Stiteler chat about their adventures in mental health care, the challenges involved, and what seems to work in addressing depression, anxiety, ADHD, and so forth! A stigma-free podcasting zone. Also: Stan and Ollie and... Rothschild? Plus a graphic novel about black Americans; a sitcom about Canadian farmers. And advice about genre switching. With Brandi Brown, Bill Stiteler.

GAME OF THRONES and AVENGERS: ENDGAME both just finished long-running stories set in complex fictional worlds. Were their last chapters satisfying? What makes for a good ending? Do time travel stories give you a migraine? What the hell was Bran’s deal? Bill is joined by veteran podcaster and Funhouse producer Ken Plume to discuss the joys and pitfalls of tying up big, giant, really huge stories. An episode of geeky indulgence.

Bill chats with Greg Sestero, a.k.a. Mark from legendarily bad movie The Room. They discuss the making of the movie, Greg's book on the experience The Disaster Artist (and movie of the same name), and the strange ways of Tommy Wiseau. Also: Greg's new movie series with Mssr. Wiseau, Best F(r)iends; his starring role in 1999's Retro Puppet Master; and his boyhood pitch to costar in a Home Alone movie. Bonus: Greg channels the spirit of Tommy W. for an exclusive interview! With an assist from B-movie aficionado and Funhouse regular, Bryan Miller.

Issues and only issues, mostly! Bill and Brandi are joined again by organizer and activist Erica Mauter as they try to look past the 137 Democratic presidential candidates and the narcissistic madman in the White House to focus on what actual policy issues the country should prioritize for 2020 and beyond. Also: black Game of Thrones fans and their #DemThrones live tweets; Minneapolis moped culture; and a recipe website even Bill can handle. Finally, we try to help a listener who thinks she may be DONE trying to find a life partner. With Brandi Brown and Erica Mauter.

In the wake of a insanely well-attended NFL draft weekend in Nashville, we explore the wonderful world of sports fandom in all its good and bad aspects. We also discuss Japanese novelist Jun'ichirō Tanizaki; a series of dumb and decadent perfume commercials starring Natalie Portman; and the 1999 Guinness-soaked Boston gangster movie The Boondock Saints. Finally, we try a help a listener who makes plenty of money at his longtime day job but really wants to be a financially precarious artist like your humble hosts. With Brandi Brown and Bryan Miller.

Patreon only! Here's a recording of the play MY MONSTER done by Bill and Trace Beaulieu LIVE at DragonCon in Atlanta way back in 2010. It's a reading of the short comic theater piece co-written by Joseph Scrimshaw and Bill, discussed in the interview with Joseph. Trace performed this with no rehearsal at all and completely killed. With live audience laughing, and sometimes not! A li'l bit of history.

Frequent guest and contributor Joseph Scrimshaw talks to Bill about his life and career: childhood days pinballing between Minnesota and Oregon; his work in the raucous Twin Cities theater and comedy scene (including a strange play co-written and performed with Bill) before moving to the sleepy town of L.A; his “geek-flavored” comedy, his long-running Obsessed podcast, and work as a writer on the hilarious uncanny-valley-ish Adult Swim hit TIGTONE. Joseph also discusses his academic grounding in comedy theory, as Bill tries to learn Why Stuff Is Funny. Does Bill find out? Tune in and see!

Do you suffer from lachanophobia, the fear of vegetables? Or maybe you have live in terror of the Pope, or papaphobia? In this show we follow in the great tradition of Dr. Lucy Van Pelt and explore the wonderful world of phobias, those irrational fears that add such color to our lives (unfortunate if you have chromophobia, fear of colors). Also we discuss the amazing TV show Fleabag and other cultural things and stuff! Finally we try to help a listener who thinks her mom is just too damned polite. With Brandi Brown and Bryan Miller.

Fellow Mystery Science Theater 3000 alumnus, original Tom Servo, television writer, documentary maker, musician and seasoned stand-up comedy vet (whew!) J. Elvis Weinstein joins Bill for a one-on-one discussion about all manner of things. They chat about Josh’s brand new comedy album; his chill fight with cancer; reaching the 100th episode of his podcast Thought Spiral with Andy Kindler; his work writing for Freaks and Geeks; and his Minnesota upbringing in Coen Brothers suburbia. Finally: a frank and detailed talk about the early days of MST3K, including the circumstances that led to Josh leaving the show. All that and more!

Frequent BC Funhouse panelist Shanan Custer joins Bill for a one-on-one chat! She’s a Twin Cities comedy legend, a serious student of the arts, and a dedicated goofball. Shanan discusses her California to Minnesota reverse-Inside Out childhood, her time in the groves of academe, and her time performing at the longest-standing improv theater in the country. Also: her hit plays about booze!

Brilliant and funny food writer Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl joins us to talk about restaurants, food criticism, and her path to becoming one of the most awarded food writers working today. Also: things in cans, MN State Fair fare, dumb food trends, and Dara talks about her late friend and colleague Anthony Bourdain. Finally Bill, Dara and Brandi advise a listener worried about her kids' media exposure during these dark times. With Brandi Brown.

Have you ever wanted to DESTROY or ANNIHILATE or EVISCERATE someone in a debate? If so, this is the episode for you. We discuss "debate me" culture, including YouTube debate grifters, social media attention-wanters, and yammering cable news talking heads. Brandi gives us a primer on formal debate procedures, and Bill offers his tips for [super-dramatic destructive verb here]-ing your opponent in an informal debate free-for-all! Also: David Lynch's biography-slash-autobiography; the 1970s comic adventures of Lois Lane, Superman's Awful Girlfriend; and a very bougie appreciation of streaming music available on public radio. With Brandi Brown and Bryan Miller.

Bill sits down with Andy for an extensive interview about the early days of Conan, his died-in-a-wool midwestern ways, his start with the Real Live Brady Bunch, comedy, seriousness, therapy, aging, death, and possible...happiness.

Yes, it’s a great name for a band but it’s also the title of this episode! Bill is in L.A. and chats with superstar YouTube essayist Lindsay Ellis and Funhouse regular Joseph Scrimshaw. They discuss the “Death of the Author” theory that’s the subject of Lindsay’s recent video series. Some of the authors metaphorically made dead include J.K. Rowling, John Green, Orson Scott Card, Anne Rice, John Scalzi, Neil Gaiman, plus that incorrigible duo William Shakespeare & the guy who wrote Ready Player One. Also, inevitably: Star Wars. Finally, Lindsay, Joseph and Bill give listener advice to a couple annoying each other!

You've heard her on many episodes of Funhouse, now get to know Bill's cohost Brandi Brown better! Bill and Brandi talk about her bright college years; east coast vs. midwest rich peoples; Brandi's standup comedy and circuitous path to it. Also: Hamburglar jokes; MN State Fair crop art adventures; Brandi's Supreme court comedy; and finally, her history with the deeply weird comic strip cat Heathcliff.