Wits ® – APM Podcasts

This week on Wits, a special audience choice episode. We asked listeners to tell us what segments they loved on Wits, and they picked their favorites: Amazon Review Theater with comedians Paul F. Tompkins and Keegan-Michael Key, Pop Song Correspondences, sketches about angels in our appliances and Linus losing it when he's separated from his blanket. Plus, Har Mar Superstar with a full horn section, and much more.

This week’s episode features some of our favorite musical moments on Wits, including performances from Har Mar Superstar, Thao Nguyen, Martha Wainwright, Dan Wilson and Sara Watkins, Loudon Wainwright III, Typhoon, Aimee Mann and Ted Leo and more.

This week's show was recorded at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles. With the help of Paul F. Tompkins, Patton Oswalt, Keegan-Michael Key, Ellie Kemper, Aimee Mann and Ted Leo, we hear what superheroes do when there's down time at the Hall of Justice, get a peek at how Big Foot influenced Fleetwood Mac's Rumors, and find out why someone gave Monty Python and the Holy Grail a one-star review on Amazon.com.

In this week's episode, comedian and actress Kristen Schaal appears as a jaded hamster and a cop who's just had her first ever cup of coffee; singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright plays a cat and sings a stunning a cappella version of his song "Candles," and the real estate agent for the B-52's has a hard time selling a certain property known as the "Love Shack."

On this week's episode of Wits, top stand-up comedian, and 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live veteran, Hannibal Buress tells about the made-up childhood of Alex Trebek, hip hop artist Open Mike Eagle has a hitherto unexplored question for the Party People, and we find out what you really get at a deli when you place a certain lunch order. Plus, a Pop Song Correspondence from Journey's put-upon editor.

On this week’s show, Emmy-nominated actor Colin Hanks tries to get kids to believe that math is cool (it does not go well), singer/songwriter Father John Misty portrays a Fridge Raccoon, and Wikihow Theater shows how to make people respect your pet. Plus, the story of how Prince melted Minneapolis into existence and music from Father John Misty.

This week's show features comedian and actor Paul F. Tompkins (also host of the Pod F. Tompkast) with the Oscar and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Aimee Mann, as well as an EMU ATTACK, and a visit from President James K. Polk the time-traveling repairman.

On this week’s episode, comedian Paul F. Tompkins tries to overcome a lifetime of servile conditioning as Mark, a newly liberated denizen of Oz, while hip-swiveling Rhett Miller of the Old 97′s educates us all about random dandelion surgery. Plus, we go fence riding with the true story of The Eagles’ Desperado.

This week’s show comes to you from the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas with legendary comedic actor Fred Willard. Plus, songs from beloved Austin musicians Shinyribs and Carrie Rodriguez. And an "All About That Bass" Pop Song Correspondence from the ad agency hired by National Bass Fishing Association.

This week on Wits, the hilarious actor Danny Pudi of TV’s Community and singer Har Mar Superstar. Star Wars gets all Ken Burns with tearful letters from actual Storm Troopers in the battle between the Empire and the Rebellion. And a Wits game show, in which Har Mar Superstar uses the word “collapsening.”

On this week’s Wits, comedian Cristela Alonzo details the completely unique brand of nerditude she established in college, Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Ryan Bingham explains how riding bulls made his teeth so white, and we hear student evaluations from Professor Billy Joel’s 20th Century History class.

On the Wits podcast this week, we talk with comedian and actor Andy Daly about his Comedy Central show Review – season 2 debuts in late July. Andy tells us what it’s like to play Forrest MacNeil, a professional life critic. Forrest performs any life experience his audience asks him to and then reviews it on a scale of one to five stars. We also hear how the board game Monopoly was born and take questions from the Wits mailbag.

On this week’s Wits, comedian, actor, and podcaster Paul Scheer tells us about the time he burned down a dude ranch, Neko Case remembers when she found out she was related to one of the first women professional wrestlers, and we meet some superheroes who will never ever make it in the movies.

On this first episode of Conversation Parade, hosts John Moe and Open Mike Eagle explore the relationship between Finn the Human and Jake the Dog and wonder whether we really need manuals in life. Plus, John talks with actor John DiMaggio, the voice of Jake the Dog, about what it’s like to record the show with his fellow actors and why he loves Lumpy Space Princess so much.

On this week’s Wits, Star Trek actor George Takei tells us what event made him decide to come out as a gay man after decades in the closet. Plus, Chicago art-rapper Serengeti provides some eclectic hip-hop that will stick in your head. And, a special preview of a new project we’re working on! Big excitement!

On this week’s Wits, actor and author Cary Elwes. He’s perhaps best known for his role as the dashing hero Westly in the movie The Princess Bride. Elwes shares stories of the fun he had making that movie as well as the painful injuries. Plus, music from mesmerizing chanteuse Kat Edmonson. And, Bob Seger tells us what it’s been like living in a big, ferocious whale.

This week on Wits, Emmy-winning actor Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family tries to convince us all that clowns aren’t creepy, and we have a new installment of Wikihow Theater where you can learn how to annoy your dad and how to sneak a cat into work. Plus, chart-topping singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile blows us away with her singing, and shows off her killer funny bone.

This week, Wits is at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas with one of the all-time greats of comedy, actor Fred Willard. He shares some behind-the-scenes stories of those classic Christopher Guest comedies he appeared in like Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. We also have songs from beloved Austin-based music guests Shinyribs and Carrie Rodriguez. Plus, we find out what inspired Abbott and Costello’s most famous routine.

On this week’s podcast, we talk with Cameron Esposito. She's been on Conan, Maron, @midnight ... she's the voice of Carroll the cloud person in Cartoon Network's Adventure Time. She writes a biweekly column for The AV Club called Who in the World is Cameron Esposito, and she did all those Buzzfeed Ask a Lesbian videos. She talks with us about making those videos, coming out, and why she got into stand-up. We also answer questions from the Wits mailbag, and we hear actor Keegan-Michael Key and singer Bhi Bhiman in a Shakespearean take on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

On this week’s Wits, actor Danny Pudi of the beloved sitcom Community tells us what it was like to work with Chevy Chase, singer Har Mar Superstar shares what it’s like to look like Ron Jeremy when you’re at the Playboy Mansion, and we hear from severely disgruntled potential contributors to Cat Fancy magazine. Plus, the world premiere of new music from Har Mar Superstar.

On this week’s show, Cristela Alonzo tells us the amazing story about how she came to be the first Latina to write, produce and star in her own network sitcom, Ryan Bingham tells us what you have to do to ride a bull, and we hear what happens when you mess with Texas. Plus, Ryan sings from his latest album, Fear and Saturday Night.

On this week’s Wits, comedian, actor and podcaster Paul Scheer tells us about his reenactments of Arsenio Hall interviews from the 90s, Neko Case sings songs from her latest album, and we hear the real story of John Mellencamp’s Jack and Diane. Plus, was George Washingon a big jerk? We’ve got the answer. Maybe.

On this week’s podcast, an interview with actor John DiMaggio. He’s the voice of Adventure Time’s Jake the Dog. He’s Bender in Futurama. He’s the Executive Producer of a documentary on voice acting called “I Know That Voice,” and he’s a lot of fun to talk with. We also answer listener questions from the Wits mailbag, and comedians Hari Kondabolu and W. Kamau Bell join us for a scene in the office: a get-to-know-you game gone wrong.

On this week’s Wits, author Neil Gaiman presents the worst submissions to our Bad Gaiman Challenge – where we asked you to send in your poorest imitations of Neil Gaiman’s writing. We also hear Neil selling real estate, or rather, “unreal” estate, and in Pop Song Correspondence, Satan applies for a job at Radio Shack. Plus, music from My Brightest Diamond.

The Thrilling Adventure Hour's married mediums Frank and Sadie Doyle join Wits host John Moe in the crossover event of the holiday season. Relish the sweet song stylings of Rhett Miller, and learn all about the stories behind some of “Weird Al” Yankovic’s big projects. PLUS a super special singalong.

This week on Wits, comedian and actor Maria Bamford as a very creepy Tooth Fairy and a possibly zombified Laura Ingalls Wilder promoting her new books. We also get music from singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith. Plus, Maria and Jeremy try to sort out which patron saints are for real in the Wits game show.

On this week’s show, comedian, author and actor Jim Gaffigan talks about his upcoming book Food: A Love Story, the food he loves, and the food he just doesn’t really understand. Comedian, actor and musician Reggie Watts improvises a song about a beaver who is no good at building dams and singer/songwriter Thao Nguyen wows the audience with her Appalachian-infused rock and roll. Plus, Tom Waits, President Chester Alan Arthur and an immortal stegosaurus want to sell you bubbled gum.

This week on Wits, rappers George Takei and Serengeti. Wait, is that right? Well, sort of. Famed Star Trek officer, social media star, and activist George Takei tells stories about the early days of the iconic science fiction franchise, his new Broadway musical, and how he, along with his Gang from Sugar Hill, started rap music. That last part might be more of a comedy sketch. We also get to know rapper Serengeti and his alter ego Kenny Dennis. Plus, a game of OBSCURE RAPPER, ANCILLARY STAR TREK CHARACTER, or NFL LINEMAN; and great music from Serengeti.

This week on Wits, actor Eric Stonestreet as a Bigfoot who specializes in marriage counseling. Singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile reveals her secret obsession (not to reveal too much but it involves tomatoes). We also get useful lessons on how to cross piranha-infested waters and hear a clip from the new PBS remake of House of Cards. Plus brand new music from Brandi Carlile.

On this week’s show, comedian Kumail Nanjiani talks about his first time in America, his HBO show Silicon Valley, and his love for video games. He also gets pretty freaked out about a potato in a conference room. And we hear music from singer/songwriter Valerie June, who tells us how sometimes songs come to her in different voices. Plus, an installment of Cop Squadron!

On this week’s show, actor/writer Keegan-Michael Key as Rex, a powerful, 2-ton police force of nature who gets all the confessions. Because he is an actual Tyrannosaurus Rex. We also get the back story on Keegan’s iconic substitute teacher role from his hit show Key & Peele and play a Wits Game Show that reveals our guests might be criminal masterminds. Might! Plus, brand new installments of Amazon Review Theater take on one-star reviews of classics like Of Mice and Men and Hop on Pop, and the beautiful music of singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman.

On the Wits podcast extra: Hail To the Chief(s)! Chieves? America celebrated its presidents this week. Wits celebrates those same presidents with a look back at the Commanders-in-Chief, Founding Fathers, and First Ladies that we have had on the show over the years. Or at least guests we made pretend that they were those people. And there have been a lot: James K. Polk, others. With special guests Andy Richter, Neil Gaiman, Paul F. Tompkins, Kevin Murphy, Bill Corbett, Paget Brewster, Joseph Scrimshaw, Josh Ritter, Chris Koza, Amy Sedaris, Eugene Mirman, Nellie McKay and Margaret Cho.

This week on Wits, the band OK Go debuts a brand new, previously unreleased video that you have to see to believe. Yep, video on the radio. Comedian Hari Kondabolu talks colonialism, weird word tricks and having his high school mascot named after him. We play a new Game Show featuring less-than-famous quotes from very famous people. Plus, special guest W. Kamau Bell as a Smurf and we get advice on how to understand the TV show Falcon Crest and/or sneak up on people.

On the podcast extra this week: Extra bonus Neil Gaiman, Friend of Wits! Acclaimed author Neil Gaiman is a long-time pal of our show. He’s been a full-on guest twice, and has made special appearances countless times. Because we have so much fun with Neil every time he’s on, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of his more memorable moments on Wits. So we tuned up the Wits time-turn-backer machine to turn back time, where it’s time to turn toward timeless Neil Gaiman turns on our show.

This week on Wits, acclaimed best-selling author Neil Gaiman tells tales of his time in a teenage punk band, reveals the conversations he’s had while owning multiple talking animals, and tackles the role of a smooth jazz trumpeter tasked with saving the world from Murder Cat. Singer/songwriter Shara Worden joins us for a Wits Game Show about some of the most obscure comic books ever made, and we get beautiful eclectic music from My Brightest Diamond.

We had such a great time taping our show with Paul F. Tompkins, Paget Brewster, Weird Al Yankovic, and Rhett Miller that we lost track of ourselves and made way too much material for the radio. So we are sharing this bonus material as an extra TOO MUCH FOR RADIO episode. Hear Paul F. Tompkins and Paget Brewster battle Rhett Miller for “Weird Al” Yankovic’s affection. Check out the new #1 single, Guacamole Heart. And swoon to Rhett’s croons.

This week: the triumphant return of the terrific Wits/Thrilling Adventure Hour Crossover. Enjoy an all-new feature featuring married mediums Frank & Sadie Doyle and their quest to figure out just who is filling all these martini glasses with booze while they sleep. The one and only “Weird Al” Yankovic reveals the true stories behind some of his most iconic songs and projects, while actress Paget Brewster stuns the audience with her allegiance to the most hated of all insects. Plus, Paul F. Tompkins reveals that you’ve been singing Bowie wrong all this time, and we get a blast of pure rock energy from singer/songwriter Rhett Miller.

On this week's episode, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! host Peter Sagal sings, comedian Paul F. Tompkins reads one-star Amazon reviews (and also sings), and art-rapper Open Mike Eagle offers chilling insight on the Happy Birthday song. He sings as well. Plus, a peek at what probably happened in movies like Christine and Steel Magnolias, cocktail recipes from Don Draper, and a Wits game show.

This week on Wits, you will be shocked by what you learn about our guest, comedian Maria Bamford, and the things she’s eaten that belong to other people. We also meet Buttonwillow, the world’s best salesperson, and get incredibly valuable advice on how to appreciate the band ABBA. Plus, behind-the-scenes with the Doobie Brother mother, and lots of great music from Jeremy Messersmith.

This week on Wits, Emmy-nominated actor Colin Hanks takes us to the new M. Night Shyamalan restaurant, and he and singer/songwriter Father John Misty travel back in time to the Great Depression and the first moments of the game Monopoly. Plus, advice on how to enjoy life when you stand nowhere, a tour through American slang, and music from Father John Misty.

Comedian and writer Aparna Nancherla stopped by the Wits studios recently. John Moe got the chance to talk with her about almost attending West Point, working on late-night television, the process of writing funny things on sad subjects, and the current wave of comedians who are also first-generation Americans.

On this week's show, comedian, author and actor Jen Kirkman tells us what it's like to make an episode of Drunk History, punk rock godfather Bob Mould performs tracks from his latest album, and we hear why dead author Franz Kafka is so upset with Pharrell Williams about the song, "Happy."

2014 was a crazy year. On this special episode, we take a look at the top stories from the year that was, and how they affected the everyday for all of us, including the rugged. And the feline. We also take some time to ask some of our past guests what they’re excited about in 2015. Featuring Patton Oswalt, Open Mike Eagle, Thao Nguyen, Hari Kondabolu, Kelly Hogan, Mike Doughty, Paget Brewster and Rhett Miller, it’s our Year In Review episode of Wits.

On this week's episode, comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani tells us what happens when you Google a smell, singer/songwriter Valerie June explains how she's able to smile when she sings the blues, and the premiere installment of Wikihow Theater teaches how to behave around Grandpa and how to befriend a squirrel (the key is not to kiss it).

Comedian and actor Maz Jobrani stopped by our studio to talk with John Moe. Maz shares what is was like moving from Iran to America as a child, why it took him so long to start doing comedy, and his upcoming book, “I’m Not a Terrorist, But I've Played One On TV."

This week on Wits … a special episode of the moments on the show that are just a little off. Sketches and songs that are funny, surprising, moving and weird, where Mr. Rogers turns into a werewolf, letters from Civil War soldiers who are animals, an office trainee who doesn’t understand idioms, a spa filled with insects. Featuring Colin Hanks, Amy Sedaris, Andy Richter, Tig Notaro, Kristen Schaal, Patton Oswalt, Keegan-Michael Key, Loudon Wainwright III, Robyn Hitchcock and more.

On our recent crossover episode with the Thrilling Adventure Hour, guest Paget Brewster joined us for a remount of a classic Wits sketch. Here is Paget as Lucy van Pelt, a role originally performed by Julia Sweeney, and John Moe as Charlie Brown.

This week, the deeply hilarious, Peabody Award-winning comedian Keegan-Michael Key channels Michael Jackson, sings like Radiohead, and busts some myths about love and commitment. Plus, singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman wows us with his powerful voice, and a Shakespearean take on how the Fresh Prince’s life got flipped, turned upside down.

On this week’s show, comedian Hari Kondabolu is horrible at playing the game Two Truths and a Lie. He also becomes J.R. Toot McGoots and helps people find meaning in their lives. Plus, a special acoustic set from OK Go, and we hear about the teaching assistant who inspired the band’s name.

On this week's episode, host John Moe and comedian Margaret Cho play characters in an unconventional wedding ceremony, we learn some unusual things about penguins, and Josh Ritter performs songs from his latest album and tells us why Macbeth is a good read for people going through divorce.

On this week's Wits, Zach Galifianakis reveals his secret ambitions, Ed Helms plays one of his original songs, Anna Kendrick becomes Beccany, co-owner of a very different kind of casino, and Sara Watkins and Dan Wilson knock out the crowd with their beautiful harmonies.