The Last Laugh

On this episode of Obsessed, Kevin Fallon is joined by Joanna Coles to dissect the much-talked-about Melania Trump documentary—why it feels more like a glossy ad than a revealing film, what it accidentally exposes about power, marriage, and image, and why its “box office win” doesn't quite add up. Then Joanna sits down with New York Times bestselling author Belle Burden to discuss her devastating and surprising divorce, the voicemail that changed her life overnight, and how betrayal, financial reckoning, and isolation during Covid ultimately led her to write a memoir that has resonated with thousands of women. It's an episode about image versus reality, the stories women are told to keep quiet, and what happens when you finally tell the truth.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallonFollow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Obsessed, Matt Wilstein is joined by producer Rachel Passer to kick things off with a lively conversation about the Super Bowl, Bad Bunny's highly anticipated halftime show, and how politics, pop culture, and criticism collide on TV's biggest stage. Then, Matt sits down with Emmy-winning icon Niecy Nash-Betts for a candid, funny, and deeply personal conversation about her career—from Reno 911! to Getting On, Ryan Murphy collaborations, and that unforgettable Emmy win. Niecy opens up about navigating critical backlash, supporting Kim Kardashian amid All's Fair reviews, and trusting her own path despite the noise. It's a joyful, honest reflection on longevity, ambition, and why the critics don't always have the final word.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallonFollow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Obsessed, Kevin Fallon is joined by producer Rachel Passer as they process the shock of Catherine O'Hara's death and reflect on the warmth, humanity, and legacy she left behind. Kevin then sits down for a candid, funny, and surprisingly emotional conversation with actress and Critics' Choice Award winner, Allison Tolman. During this conversation, they discuss all things comfort TV, career survival, and why ‘St. Denis Medical' feels like exactly the show people need right now. Along the way, the episode gets messy and honest about Hollywood's blind spots, casting shortcuts, and the uncomfortable truth that in this industry, there's no such thing as “arriving.”Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallonFollow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Obsessed, Kevin Fallon breaks down the biggest, buzziest moments from the Grammy Awards with producer Rachel—covering everything from Bad Bunny's powerful speeches and iconic performances to Cher chaos and pop-star discourse worth arguing about. Then, Kevin sits down with Summer House star Carl Radke for a raw, funny, and deeply human conversation about life on reality TV, sobriety, grief, mental health, and what it means to live your hardest moments in front of the cameras. From Bravo fame and shower shots to recovery, vulnerability, and finding purpose through connection, it's an episode that balances pop culture absurdity with genuine emotional weight—and proves why Summer House (and Carl Radke) hit deeper than anyone expects.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallonFollow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Obsessed dives into the legacy and inner workings of Saturday Night Live as anticipation builds for the show's upcoming 1,000th episode. Host Matt Wilstein and producer Rachel Passer discuss why SNL remains a generational obsession, the constant churn of cast departures, and what keeps the show culturally relevant. The conversation then turns to SNL legend Kevin Nealon, who shares candid, funny stories about his years on the show, Weekend Update, working with Lorne Michaels, and how stand-up has anchored his decades-long comedy career. Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallonFollow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Obsessed heads to Sundance for a deep dive into the festival's final year in Park City—breaking down the buzziest films, the glamour-versus-grind reality of the fest, and what Sundance still means for indie cinema as it prepares to move on. Then, comedian and actress Maria Bamford joins the show to talk about premiering her deeply personal documentary Paralyzed by Hope at Sundance, reflecting on vulnerability, career highs and lows, and the moments she wishes audiences had missed. From Oscar chatter to emotional honesty, it's a Sundance episode that's both inside baseball and disarmingly human. Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallonFollow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Sundance in Park City, Kevin Fallon checks in with producer Rachel Passer to break down the biggest celebrity and pop culture stories he missed while away, from buzzy internet moments to the latest Hollywood family drama. Then Kevin sits down with ‘Shrinking' star Michael Urie for a candid, funny, and moving conversation about queer TV milestones, that unforgettable Emmy moment, and why shows about feeling your feelings resonate so deeply right now. It's an episode that blends escapist gossip with meaningful reflection, offering a little pop culture relief when it's needed most.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallonFollow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award-winning showbiz experts Kevin Fallon and Matt Wilstein break down all the drama in the Oscar nominations. Who lost out on a statuette? Who should be furious? And they have the skinny on the biggest shocks: the jaw-dropping Best Picture nomination for F1, starring Brad Pitt as a race-car driver, and Kate Hudson getting her second nomination for Song Sung Blue after a quarter-century break. Kevin and Matt get into Ariana Grande getting shut out in a Wicked disappointment and have some predictions for who's going to triumph os the big night. Need to know what to say about the Oscars? They've got it all covered. Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallonFollow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Obsessed, Kevin Fallon explores two recent watches that made him feel everything — in totally opposite ways. He chats with a film critic to talk about ‘Hamnet,' the quietly devastating film that lingers long after the credits roll. Then, Kevin switches gears with unfiltered celebrity chef and actor, Matty Matheson (‘The Bear')‪‬. They discuss details of Matty's show, Just a Dash, which is a chaotic, funny, rule-breaking and heavily tattooed Netflix cooking show where global comfort food, oversharing, and laughs matter more than perfect recipes. From joyful chaos to emotional heartbreak, this episode is all about the TV and movies that leave a mark.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallon Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Kevin Fallon, host and editor-at-large at the Daily Beast's Obsessed brings everyone inside his latest obsession: ‘Heated Rivalry.' Kevin kicks things off with Matt Wilstein, Editorial Director of The Daily Beast's Obsessed, breaking down how the show pulled him in, why it's so addictive, and what makes it feel like more than just another buzzy series. The conversation then continues with Joanna Coles, Chief Creative and Content Officer for The Daily Beast, as Kevin takes his fixation into a candid, often NSFW discussion about the show's sex scenes, emotional payoff, and why ‘Heated Rivalry' is resonating far beyond its expected audience. Joanna also tells Kevin why she's so frustrated that her other TV obsession, Taylor Sheridan's ‘Landman,' has gone full MAGA.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallon Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Wilstein sits down with Lake Bell (‘It's Complicated') to talk about how she possibly keeps a straight face opposite SNL alum Tim Robinson on HBO's bonkers show ‘The Chair Company.' The comedy star also shares stories about auditioning for Woody Allen and her humiliating first day on set with Meryl Streep. But first, Matt chats with Nick Schager, Entertainment Critic for the Daily Beast's Obsessed, about all things Tim Robinson, breaking down what makes his work so singular, and why this new show feels like him at the peak of his comedic powers.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallon Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney Rose sits down with Kevin Fallon, Obsessed's host, for an unfiltered breakdown of the infamous plane incident no one can fully explain—an explosive confrontation with no footage that continues to divide the cast. She reflects on the emotional fallout from the season finale, a reunion so intense it led to Andy Cohen walking off set, and the complicated reality of confronting castmates only to face them again under the reunion lights. Blending sharp humor with raw honesty, Whitney and Kevin also dive into fan obsession, internet discourse, authenticity in reality TV, and why ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' has evolved into must-watch “cinema,” offering a rare inside look at the chaos, pressure, and power of showing up on camera.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallon Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Isaac Mizrahi joins Kevin Fallon on Obsessed for a fast, funny, and candid post–Golden Globes conversation that jumps from his scene-stealing, outrageously dirty line in ‘Marty Supreme' to why Timothée Chalamet has genuine old-school movie-star magic. Mizrahi weighs in on Jennifer Lawrence's sheer dress, Ariana Grande's grown-up glamour reset, Parker Posey's color misstep, Ozempic-era red-carpet aesthetics, and the sudden coronation of Hollywood's newest hot boys, along with plenty of classic Mizrahi digressions on Gwyneth Paltrow, supermodels, suits, and the eternal heels-versus-flats debate.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallon Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marina Zenovich, the acclaimed documentary filmmaker behind films on Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, and now Chevy Chase, joins Matt Wilstein on ‘Obsessed: The Podcast' to discuss her latest film, ‘I'm Chevy Chase, and You're Not'. Marina opens up about the moment Chevy bluntly told her she wasn't “bright enough” to understand him, the delicate dance of capturing comedy legends on camera, and what it was like piecing together a portrait of a famously prickly subject. Along the way, Matt and Kevin Fallon dive into their obsession with ‘The Pitt,' the medical drama that's back and more gripping than ever, and the show's shocking and emotional premiere moments—from abandoned babies to the chaos of a Fourth of July in the ER. It's your favorite Sunday-night group chat for TV, movies, and the personalities who make them unforgettable—so listen, subscribe, and join the conversation every week.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallon Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Perfetti, the stealth MVP of ‘Abbott Elementary,' joins Kevin Fallon for a funny, smart, surprisingly heartfelt conversation about his character Jacob Hill. In our first episode of ‘Obsessed: The Podcast,' Kevin (Editor at Large at the Daily Beast's Obsessed) and editorial director Matt Wilstein also dive into the buzziest movie of the moment: ‘Marty Supreme.' From Timothée Chalamet's wild performance, the unwieldy Safdie energy, and that ping-pong paddle scene everyone is talking about, it's safe to say you can't miss this movie. Welcome to your favorite Sunday-night group chat in podcast form. Think brunch gossip, but about TV, movies, and the celebrities who make them. So listen, subscribe, and come hang out with us right here, three times a week.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallon Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilsteinNew episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Obsessed: The Podcast is for those who like their culture pop and their pleasures guilty. Entertainment guru Kevin Fallon and a rotating cast of brilliant critics, including late night TV expert Matt Wilstein, bring you the most dramatic news and interview the biggest celebrities from TV, movies, and that not-so-guilty pleasure you love to binge. Whether it's a steamy-beyond-steamy kiss, just-dropped trailer, or unhinged social media meltdown: if you love it, we're Obsessed.Follow Kevin Fallon on Instagram @kpfallon Follow Matt Wilstein on Instagram @mattjwilstein New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; early drops on YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Judd Apatow didn't realize it at the time, but as a young teenager growing up on Long Island in the ‘70s, he was inventing the comedy podcast by doing the first-ever long-form radio interviews with his stand-up heroes. So it's only fitting that he's the last guest ever on The Last Laugh podcast. In his fourth and final appearance on the show—taped before the tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele—Apatow reflects on his early experiences as a proto-comedy podcaster and explains the “lifelong obsession” that inspired his new book, ‘Comedy Nerd.' (Proceeds benefit the youth writing charity 826 and the Los Angeles wildfire relief organization Fire Aid.) The writer, director, and producer also discusses the state of the studio comedy in 2025, and how some of his most beloved films and TV shows took years to find their audiences. And ahead of his definitive two-part documentary about Mel Brooks coming to HBO in the new year, Apatow breaks down the power of satire to hold the powerful to account. This year, nobody did that better than ‘South Park' creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. And Apatow has a theory for why Donald Trump has stayed conspicuously silent about their humiliating portrayal of him.Stay tuned to this feed for the premiere of Obsessed: The Podcast, coming in January from the Daily Beast. Follow Judd Apatow on Instagram @juddapatow Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's Obsessed YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kathryn Hahn never set out to be an explicitly comedic actress. But starting with breakthrough roles in instant classics like ‘Anchorman' and ‘Step Brothers,' she has slowly but surely established herself as a comedy powerhouse who can go toe-to-toe with everyone from Will Ferrell to Amy Poehler. So it should come as no surprise that she spent 2025 stealing scenes from Seth Rogen on his Apple TV satire ‘The Studio.' In this episode, Hahn breaks down how she embraced her character Maya's signature style, reveals the famous guest star who impressed her most, and explains how the Season 1 cliffhanger predicted the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal that could reshape Hollywood forever. She also shares stories from the sets of her iconic comedy films, discusses the dream come true of entering the Marvel universe as Agatha Harkness, and teases what fans can expect from the upcoming second season of ‘The Studio.' Follow Kathryn Hahn on Instagram @motherhahn Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's Obsessed YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle Wolf is probably best known for being the comedian who roasted Sarah Huckabee Sanders to her face at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2018. Seven years later, her only regret is that she wasn't meaner. In this episode, Wolf reflects on how much—and how little—has changed since, from Donald Trump's escalating attacks on comedians to her new identity as mom of two, which she explores in her new Netflix special ‘The Well.' She discusses her complicated reasons for turning down the Riyadh Comedy Festival, explains how her short-lived talk show ‘The Break' predicted Trump 2.0, and shares her take on the fragile state of late-night TV. And later, Wolf reveals how she ended up writing Kim Kardashian's SNL monologue after the reality star decided Amy Schumer's jokes weren't funny enough. Follow Michelle Wolf on Instagram @michelleisawolf Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's Obsessed YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Meadows was once the longest-serving cast member on ‘Saturday Night Live.' These days, he's subtly stealing scenes as the third lead on a CBS sitcom, ‘DMV.' But despite plenty of ups and downs over the course of his nearly 40-year career, Meadows seems to be at peace with his particular level of fame. In this episode, Meadows traces the arc of his career, from his unusual path to Lorne Michaels' office to the disastrous attempt to turn his most popular recurring character into a full-length feature film. He reveals why he really didn't want the actual Monica Lewinsky to make a cameo as herself with The Ladies Man Leon Phelps—and what changed his mind. Meadows also explains why he ultimately decided to leave ‘SNL' after 10 seasons, the late-night TV gig he now regrets turning down, and how he found creative fulfillment playing supporting roles in films like ‘Mean Girls' and ‘Walk Hard.'Follow Tim Meadows on Instagram @real_timmeadows Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's Obsessed YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sebastian Maniscalco is consistently one of the highest-grossing stand-up comedians in the country. With his Netflix special ‘Is It Me?' and his autobiographical movie ‘About My Father' co-starring Robert De Niro, he's on the verge of finally becoming a household name. In this episode, Maniscalco opens up about doubling down on nostalgia and (mostly) avoiding controversy on stage. He also talks about how the comedy world has changed for better and worse since he got his start in the late ‘90s, shares stories from the sets of ‘Green Book' and ‘The Irishman' and explains how he decided to embrace the most embarrassing moment of his career on Jimmy Fallon's ‘Tonight Show.'This episode was originally published on December 6, 2022.Follow Sebastian Maniscalco on Instagram @sebastiancomedy Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patton Oswalt begins his latest stand-up special (‘Black Coffee and Ice Water,' streaming on Audible Nov. 20) by reading a fake disclaimer about how he's gone full MAGA in an attempt to avoid the authoritarian hand of Donald Trump. It's a funny bit that also underscores the comedian's very real fears about being an outspokenly anti-fascist voice in 2025 America. In his third appearance on the podcast, Oswalt talks about the freedom of putting together an audio-only special, which includes jokes about his teenage daughter and celebrating 30 years on Prozac. He also shares his visceral reaction to Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, Donald Trump's “mediocrity,” the MAGA-friendly comedians who happily took Saudi Arabia's money, and what keeps him performing stand-up nearly 40 years into his career. Patton Oswalt's ‘Black Coffee and Ice Water' on AudibleFollow Patton Oswalt on Instagram @pattonoswalt Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fred Armisen knows that nobody can ever tell whether he's joking or not—and he doesn't quite understand why. Despite being one of the hands-down funniest ‘Saturday Night Live' cast members of all time, Armisen can, in fact, be pretty sincere when he wants to be. It's a trait that shines through on his latest project: a painstakingly produced album of ‘100 Sound Effects' that provides some observational laughs here and there but is generally an accurate document of what the world sounds like in 2025. In this episode, Armisen discusses how his obsession with sound helped him become an expert mimic on ‘SNL,' whether he was impersonating President Barack Obama or capturing a very specific Californian dialect. He talks about roasting Lorne Michaels during the ‘SNL50' special, whether he could imagine taking over at least part of his former boss' job, and reacts to the ‘Portlandia' memes that have come to epitomize that city's response to Donald Trump's threats. Buy ‘Fred Armisen: 100 Sound Effects' Get tickets to see Fred Armisen liveFollow Fred Armisen on Instagram @sordociego Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new conspiracy-laden film ‘Bugonia' has been described by critics and audiences alike as “bleak.” But the comedy writer who penned the script doesn't see it that way. In this episode, Will Tracy shares how he went from ‘The Onion's' editor-in-chief to winning Emmys for ‘Last Week Tonight' and ‘Succession' to writing the mind-bending script for Yorgos Lanthimos' latest collaboration with Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. He discusses ‘Bugonia's' very 2025 political message and unpacks what could be considered a deeply cynical ending that he finds oddly hopeful about the future of the planet—if not humanity. Tracy also explains why he found writing for John Oliver so miserable, how he managed to identify with Kendall Roy on ‘Succession,' and what it feels like to act opposite Jeremy Strong. Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people probably don't realize Alex Borstein is the same actress who broke out on ‘MADtv,' has been voicing Lois Griffin on ‘Family Guy' for 25 years, and won two Emmys for her role as Susie Myerson on ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.' And yet, while she may still not be a household name, she has slowly but surely put together a more accomplished and steady career than she ever could have imagined. In this episode, the comedian talks about returning to her stand-up roots for her latest one-woman show, ‘Alex Borstein Is Thirsty,' and looks back on the twists and turns of her unlikely Hollywood journey. That includes her misgivings about how her iconic character Ms. Swan went from a loving impression of her grandmother to an unfortunate racist caricature and how she landed the lucrative ‘Family Guy' gig over some much bigger names. Borstein also gets into her beloved HBO cult classic series ‘Getting On' and why she decided to deliver an anti-fascist call to arms when she accepted her second Emmy Award for ‘Maisel.' And finally, a deeply embarrassing story about the time she appeared opposite Halle Berry in ‘Catwoman.' Get tickets to see Alex Borstein liveFollow Alex Borstein on Instagram @alexborstein Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leslie Jones has been a comedic force of nature for nearly 40 years. And in her new stand-special ‘Life Part 2' (streaming this Friday, Oct. 24 on Peacock), she displays more bravado and confidence on stage than ever. In this episode, Jones breaks down everything that went into getting to this moment in her career, from controversial breakout performance on SNL's “Weekend Update” to her difficult decision to walk away from that show after five seasons. She discusses her unique relationship with Lorne Michaels, her very real crush on Colin Jost, and working with “scared little boy” Donald Trump the week he hosted the show. Jones also gets into how much she wanted ‘The Daily Show' host gig and weighs on a new SNL cast that once again features zero Black women. Follow Leslie Jones on Instagram @lesdogggg Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By all accounts, John Candy was such a decent and kind person that when Colin Hanks set out to direct the definitive documentary about his life and career, he knew there wouldn't be any “dirt” to uncover. In the words of Candy's friend Bill Murray, “I wish I had some more bad things to say about him.” But ‘John Candy: I Like Me' (streaming now on Amazon Prime Video) does explore the beloved comic actor's many personal demons. In this episode, Hanks breaks down why he wanted to make a film about Candy, including his personal connection to the comedy star through his father, Tom Hanks, and their shared struggles with issues of anxiety and mortality. Hanks discusses his heartbreaking interview with Macaulay Culkin, reveals the piece of archival footage he was most excited to uncover, and later, discusses his own journey from teen actor to filmmaker—including his first-ever response to the “nepo baby” discourse. Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first 10 years of Phoebe Robinson's comedy career, she “dreaded” getting up to tell jokes every night. It wasn't until she found a way to genuinely have fun on stage that she has produced her best hour of stand-up yet in the new special ‘I Don't Wanna Work Anymore' (now streaming on YouTube). In her return to the show, the former co-host of the popular 2 Dope Queens podcast takes on the rise of the MAGA manosphere podcasters who are suddenly having second thoughts about helping Donald Trump win. She also shares her unfiltered thoughts on the greedy comedians taking millions from the Saudi government to look the other way on human rights abuses at the Riyadh Comedy Festival and weighs in on the “divorce” rumors that have plagued Barack and Michelle Obama.Follow Phoebe Robinson on Instagram @dopequeenpheebs Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Forte is one of the only comedians to ever turn down an initial offer from Lorne Michaels to join ‘Saturday Night Live.' But after three years in the cast, he found himself at a crossroads on the show. In his return to the podcast, Forte discusses the second lease on life that Michaels gave him after coming closer than anyone knew to cutting him loose. The star of two Netflix series this year—‘Haunted Hotel' and ‘The Four Seasons'—also talks about his love of animation and playing the husband of his former ‘SNL' boss Tina Fey. And Forte shares updates on the unlikely fate of his canceled and then resurrected ‘Coyote vs. Acme' movie, reveals the potential for a ‘MacGruber' sequel, and shares behind-the-scenes stories from his wild night at the ‘SNL50' anniversary special.Follow Will Forte on Instagram @orviv Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch full episodes of The Last Laugh podcast on the Daily Beast's YouTube channelHighlights from this episode and others at TheDailyBeast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannah Einbinder had never really acted before she was cast as Ava Daniels opposite Jean Smart's Deborah Vance on ‘Hacks.' Now, she's a three-time Emmy nominee. In this episode, Einbinder opens up about the overconfidence she brings to that role as well the onstage persona she displays in her excellent debut stand-up special ‘Everything Must Go' on Max. She also talks about overcoming the intimidation of acting with Jean Smart, compares the generational gap between their characters to her relationship with her own mother (original SNL cast member Laraine Newman), and reveals how Stephen Colbert helped land her the role that changed her career. And later, Einbinder shares her unfiltered thoughts about the “old f*cking guys” in comedy who complain that political correctness is stifling their craft. This episode was originally published on August 14, 2024.Follow Hannah Einbinder on Instagram @hannaheinbinderFollow Matt Wilstein on Threads @mattwilsteinFollow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpod and Threads @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the course of his long and distinguished career, Rob Reiner has directed some of the most beloved and acclaimed films in Hollywood history. But he had never directed a sequel until ‘Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues.' In this episode, Reiner breaks down why he decided to reunite with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer for one last mockumentary 41 years after they invented the genre with ‘This Is Spinal Tap.' He talks about how the comedy of the film has evolved now that they are in their 70s and 80s, and the secret to playing the straight man opposite someone as effortlessly funny as Guest. Reiner also gets into the state of America under Trump 2.0, how Elon Musk drove him away from Twitter, and what he learned about being a politically outspoken celebrity from Norman Lear and Jane Fonda. Finally, he reflects on his relationship with his late father Carl Reiner, recalls the first time he met Mel Brooks, and considers the enduring legacy of classic films like ‘The Princess Bride' and ‘When Harry Met Sally.'Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When they were shooting the pilot episode of ‘The Office,' Steve Carell told Rainn Wilson that playing Dwight Schrute could change his life forever. And he could not have been more right. In this episode, Wilson breaks down his unique career journey from working character actor to sitcom star all the way through his latest film ‘Code 3' (in theaters Friday Sept. 12) in which he plays a burnt out paramedic alongside fellow comedian Lil Rel Howery. His role in the new movie, as well as much of what he has done since ‘The Office' ended in 2013, feels very different from Dwight, and purposefully so. Wilson opens up about the massive blessing and occasional curse of being so closely associated with such a hugely popular character. Addressing the perennial question about whether ‘The Office' could be made today, he admits that the “clueless, insensitive, racist, sexist” jokes hit differently now. Wilson also reveals the “relief” he felt when NBC killed off a Dwight-centered spinoff and shares whether that character could ever pop up on the new Peacock spinoff ‘The Paper'—or perhaps even a movie version of ‘The Office.'Follow Rainn Wilson on Instagram @rainnwilsonFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raphael Bob-Waksberg was still in his 20s when he convinced Netflix to produce his audacious Hollywood satire about a washed-up, alcoholic former TV star who also happens to be a horse. Now, as a 41-year-old father of two, the creator of ‘Bojack Horseman' is back with another animated Netflix series that is just as boldly funny and devastatingly emotional, but without the crutch of constant animal puns. In this episode, Bob-Waksberg opens up about his “vulnerable” new show, ‘Long Story Short,' which depicts a Jewish family in the Bay Area that is not unlike his own. He breaks down how the show's unique time-jumping format cleverly tricks viewers into feeling like they have known the characters for years and reflects on how the essential Jewishness of the story has been interpreted—or perhaps, misinterpreted—by critics. Bob-Waksberg also looks back on the legacy of ‘Bojack,' including what it did or not predict about the state of “Hollywoo” in 2025 and what it would take for him to revive those characters after saying goodbye to them five years ago. Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the course of eight years in the cast of ‘Saturday Night Live,' Beck Bennett performed comedy with more than 150 celebrity hosts. But no one—not even Donald Trump himself—was as difficult to work with as Elon Musk. In the 300th episode of The Last Laugh, Bennett looks back on his SNL audition, discusses what it was like to join the show with one of his oldest friends Kyle Mooney (with whom he just launched his own new podcast), and reveals exactly what made Musk a more “offensive” collaborator than Trump. He explains how he knows Vladimir Putin liked his shirtless impression a lot more than Trump liked Alec Baldwin's portrayal, how he knew it was finally time to leave the show, and how Lorne Michaels nearly talked him into staying. Finally, Bennett talks about the two very different movies he appears in this summer: voicing a cartoon dog in the raunchy Netflix movie ‘Fixed' and joining the DC cinematic universe as The Daily Planet's Steve Lombard in ‘Superman.'Follow Beck Bennett on Instagram @beckbennettFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

10 years into her run at ‘The Daily Show,' Desi Lydic is riding high with three Emmy nominations—including two for her short-form series “Foxsplains” in which she tries to wrap her head around MAGA's most unhinged conspiracy theories. In this episode, the correspondent-turned-rotating host talks about how the series has granted her more empathy for brainwashed Trump supporters and looks back on processing his second term victory in real-time while hosting ‘The Daily Show.' She talks about wanting to be the show's “female Stephen Colbert” and how things changed once she dropped her Megyn Kelly-inspired character and started being herself on screen. Lydic also gets into the precarious state of late-night TV, from the “shocking” Colbert cancellation to the fate of Jon Stewart under the new Paramount leadership. Follow Desi Lydic on Instagram @desilydicFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The three creators of the Emmy-nominated comedy series ‘Hacks' had no idea they were predicting the future when they had their central late-night host character defiantly speak out against her network bosses and then lose her dream job. In this episode, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky break down the “surreal” parallels between Deborah Vance's arc in Season 4 and the real-life tribulations of Stephen Colbert. They talk about the importance of late-night TV, what its future might hold, and reveal how they got Jimmy Kimmel to play a bully version of himself on the show. The trio also goes deep on casting leads Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, as well as this year's Emmy-nominated guest stars Robby Hoffman and Dance Mom herself, Julianne Nicholson. And they tease what might be in store for Season 5—including why fans are so desperate for Deborah and Ava to finally hook up. Follow Paul W. Downs on Instagram @paulwdownsFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Akiva Schaffer prefers to stay behind the scenes. But that doesn't mean he's any less funny than his Lonely Island bandmates Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone. The three middle school best friends started shooting videos right out of college before landing a plush gig making digital shorts for ‘Saturday Night Live,' including hits like “Lazy Sunday,” “Dick in a Box,” “Jizz in My Pants” and many others. In this episode, Schaffer talks about their unusual path to SNL and how directing outrageous movies like ‘Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping' led him to take on a meta ‘Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers' reboot for Disney+ starring Samberg and John Mulaney—and now the huge ‘Naked Gun' reboot starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. He also explains why he might be single handedly responsible for Netflix deciding to greenlight ‘I Think You Should Leave' with Tim Robinson. This episode was originally published on May 24, 2022.Follow The Lonely Island on Instagram @thelonelyisland Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natasha Rothwell can be a bit defensive when it comes to her character on ‘The White Lotus.' The actress, who just scored her second Emmy nomination for the hit HBO show, may have struggled at first to understand why Belinda did what she did at the end of Season 3. But she also believes she “deserves” what comes to her and gets why she ultimately decided to “f— the morality.” In her return to the podcast, Rothwell opens up about how she used her own past struggles with money to relate to her character on the show. As a former SNL writer herself, she reacts to the “White Potus” sketch that caused an uproar and frustrated her castmate Aimee Lou Wood. Rothwell also discusses how another co-star, Jason Isaacs, helped fuel rumors on real-life drama between cast members, reflects on the disappointing cancellation of her Hulu show ‘How to Die Alone,' and explains why she has spent nearly a decade tweeting “you are trash” at Donald Trump every single day. Follow Natasha Rothwell on Instagram @natasharothwellFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch this episode of The Last Laugh on YouTubeHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a fraught time to be a political comedian in America. It's something Stephen Colbert learned when CBS suddenly canceled ‘The Late Show.' And it's something comedian Jena Friedman experienced in an even more visceral way the last time she crossed the border back home to the U.S. In her fourth appearance on The Last Laugh, Friedman weighs in on the end of the late-night show that served as her very first TV writing gig and tells the harrowing story of being grilled about her jokes by U.S. Customs and Border Security. She also talks about putting together her new TED talk on comedy and AI, recalls the time she nicknamed her fetus “Jeffrey Epstein” on Colbert's show, and previews her new stand-up hour ‘Motherf---er' about becoming a mom and losing her own mom at the same time. Get tickets to see Jena Friedman liveFollow Jena Freidman on Instagram @jenafriedmanFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodWatch this episode of The Last Laugh on YouTubeHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jameela Jamil no longer “gives a f---” what people think about her. After years spent trying to inspire fans with positive affirmations, the British presenter and actress has turned her attention to the subject of humiliating failure on a new comedy podcast called Wrong Turns. In this episode, Jamil reveals why she has moved away from trying to inspire people to action and instead has decided to become, in her words, a kind of shameless “failure pervert.” She also breaks down how landing her role as Tahani on the NBC sitcom ‘The Good Place' had less to do with “imposter syndrome” and more with being an actual imposter, details why not knowing who Larry David was when they first met led to her officiating his second wedding, and shares a story about the time she inadvertently ended up pretending to be Priyanka Chopra at an awards ceremony. And, for the first time, Jamil addresses the backlash she received for declaring that she no longer plans to sit for written interviews with female journalists. Follow Jameela Jamil on Instagram @jameelajamilFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Late Night with Seth Meyers' writer Jenny Hagel has spent the entirety of Donald Trump's political career writing and telling jokes that ride a precarious line between funny and offensive. But the difference between Hagel and Trump's anti-woke comic crowd is that she only ever targets her own demographic. In this episode, Hagel breaks down her and Amber Ruffin's long-running “Jokes Seth Can't Tell” segment, including how they got Hillary Clinton to join in after losing the 2016 election and why they are able to get away with outrageous punchlines that could get people with the wrong intentions canceled. She also discusses how ‘Late Night' has changed during the second Trump term, reveals some secrets behind Seth Meyers' popular “Day Drinking” bit, shares her reaction to NBC's decision to kill ‘The Amber Ruffin Show,' and teases her live comedy show ‘Jenny Hagel Gives Advice' in which she bolds tells audience members how to live their lives. Get tickets to see ‘Jenny Hagel Gives Advice' liveFollow Jenny Hagel on Instagram @jennyhagelFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilsteinFollow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seth Meyers is currently vying for one of just three nomination spots in the late-night TV Emmys race. But ahead of the 2024 election, the comedian, ‘Saturday Night Live' alum and host of NBC's ‘Late Night' was doing his best to stay in the present and take each new insane development as it comes. In this episode, Meyers talks about how he ended up releasing a stand-up special (‘Dad Man Walking' on Max) that has nothing to do with politics so close to the election. He also shares thoughts about his infamous ice cream date with Joe Biden, why he regrets platforming JD Vance on his show, how SNL's reliance on guest stars has changed the show since he was in the cast, and so much more.This episode was originally published on October 30, 2024.Follow Seth Meyers on Instagram @sethmeyers Follow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first several years of his career, stand-up comedian Matteo Lane would open his sets by telling the audience, “Obviously, I'm gay.” At a certain point, he got tired of coming out to a room of strangers every night and instead begins his new Hulu hour ‘The Al Dente Special' by making fun of the way white women talk—a bit that delighted Gayle King and led to one of the more awkwardly hilarious morning TV moments in recent history. In this episode, Lane explains why he decided to give the ‘CBS Mornings' host a pass for repeating the “f-slur” back to him and reveals how King's fellow astronaut Katy Perry ended up being part of his special as well. And as Pride Month comes to a close, he discusses why he's sick of people expecting gay comedians to relive their trauma, shares why he avoids talking politics on stage, and calls out TV bookers for keeping him off of late-night TV because they deemed his act “too gay.” Buy Matteo Lane's cookbook ‘Your Pasta Sucks'Follow Matteo Lane on Instagram @matteolaneFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the course of his 40-year career, Larry Charles has had two central creative relationships with Larry David (‘Seinfeld' and ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm') and Sacha Baron Cohen (‘Borat' and ‘Brüno'). Now, he reveals in a new memoir that he hasn't spoken to either man in years. In his return to The Last Laugh podcast, Charles breaks down how it all fell apart with two comedians he still considers complicated geniuses. He shares stories about how ‘Seinfeld' solved its early Elaine problem after Julia Louis-Dreyfus came to the creators sobbing and reveals why a young David Sedaris turned down an offer to write for ‘Seinfeld.' Charles also discloses what exactly it was about his HBO documentary that Larry David couldn't stand, shares his thoughts about friends Bill Maher and Cheryl Hines flirting with MAGA, explains why there was a time he would have literally “died” for Sacha Baron Cohen and what went so wrong with their final collaboration ‘The Dictator.' Buy Larry Charles' new memoir ‘Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter'Follow Larry Charles on Instagram @larrycharlesFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justine Lupe thought there was no way she'd ever be able to top the experience of playing Willa on HBO's ‘Succession.' Then she got cast as Morgan, one of the “loser siblings” on the runaway Netflix hit ‘Nobody Wants This.' They are two very different roles on two very different shows, but she says on this episode that she feels extremely “lucky” to get the opportunity to show both comedic and dramatic sides of herself on each. Fresh off of wrapping filming for Season 2 of ‘Nobody Wants This,' Lupe talks about the pressure of satisfying fan expectations for her character's complicated relationship with Timothy Simons' Sascha. And she opens up about her deeply rewarding experience on ‘Succession,' which was only supposed to be a handful of episodes before Willa became a central character, and even part of the Roy family, all the way until the very end. Follow Justine Lupe on Instagram @mejustinelupeFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 years ago, Kevin Smith released his most controversial and provocative film. Then, after a solid run in theaters and a robust life on VHS, it disappeared into the ether and has never been available to stream. Now, as ‘Dogma' makes its triumphant return to theaters this weekend, Smith reveals the full story of how he got huge stars like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, George Carlin and others to appear in his audacious satire of the Catholic Church, how he was able “rescue my movie about angels from the devil himself” Harvey Weinstein, how a planned sequel will change now that he has fully lost his own faith, and so much more. Plus, Smith confirms the Oscar-winning actors who almost played God before Alanis Morissette got the coveted role and reveals the major Hollywood job he turned down to focus on finishing his greatest film. Follow Kevin Smith on Instagram @thatkevinsmithFollow Matt Wilstein on Bluesky @mattwilstein Follow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.