BEST COMEDY PODCAST EPISODES
1. Judge John Hodgman, "The Santa Suit"
Unlike most advice shows, John Hodgman focuses on often picayune disputes between friends or loved ones. But these cases, about how best to deal with a bat infestation or where its okay to leave a gross towel to dry in a shared office, are often about how we should live our lives. This episode, where a woman complains that her husbands Santa impersonation is creeping too far into her marriage, is typically funny and poignant. Considering the subject, its also one the cutest podcast episodes of all time.
2. Spontaneanation, "A Theme Park Break Room"
Paul F. Tompkinss new podcast Spontaneanation is built on a format youll find at most improv theaters: A cast of comedians base a long-form improv on an interview. PFT throws a little wrench in there, though, by allowing the guest to also pick a location. Here, Raphael Bob-Waksberg, creator of BoJack Horseman, suggests a theme-park break room, which was exactly what Erinn Hayes, Marc Evan Jackson, and Mark McConville needed for what was easily one of the most wildly funny podcasts of 2015.
3. U Talkin' U2 to Me?, "iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE Tour"
This show has more or less grounded to a halt, as hosts Scott (Aukerman, of CBB) and Scott (Adam Scott, of Party Down and Parks and Recreation) have already run through the titular bands catalogue. Still, this years three episodes were a treat. Our hosts get U2 concert tickets and are surprised with something extra. You might have heard about the episode where they interview the band, but this ones funnier and doesnt demand as much interest in U2. The bits within bits are dynamite, and the storytelling is fun and just suspenseful enough.
4. The Best Show, Fly Like an Eagle
The Best Show features the most rabid fans in the business, which means the Friends of Tom are probably already furious with me for not including him up top. That said, its good to have Tom Scharpling back, as the show, which ran on the radio at WFMU in New Jersey for 13 years, returned after a year off late last year. The best Best Show from this new podcast version may be from just after Scharplings dad passed away early this year. For a guy who is known for finding comedy in bitterness and grumpiness, Scharplings honest reflection was heartfelt, inspiring, and very funny.
5. Comedy Bang! Bang, "Mailer Daemon: Jason Mantzoukas, Nick Kroll"
Jason Mantzoukas and Nick Kroll have been on Scott Aukermans CBB many times, and their extreme comfort with the format and each other leads the trio into unexpected, hilarious, and even gross territory. Were they planning on summoning the Mailer Daemon from the start? Probably not, but we are thankful thats where they ended up.
6. Stop Podcasting Yourself, "Alicia Tobin"
Different guests have different rapport with SPYs two hosts. With Paul F. Tompkins, its mutual respect and admiration. With John Dore, its mildly adversarial and quippy. For fan favorite Alicia Tobin, its giggly silliness. Discussion ranges from Tobins health-food knowledge to Canadian snack food pizza pops.
7. My Brother, My Brother and Me, "The McElroy Family Fun Hour Brought to You by Totino's"
In the arms race of unique and complicated premises, sometimes a show is so out there that the hosts have to reassure the listener that this is really happening. In this special non-canonical episode of My Brother, My Brother and Me, the McElroys spend 45 minutes extolling the virtues of the Totinos family of products. Griffin attempts a pizza-roll power hour by eating one each minute. Yes, Totinos really gave them money to do this. In the world of sponsored content, this is a perfect match.
8. Never Not Funny "Andy Daly"
Any appearance where Dalys not performing as a character is kind of a rare treat. Things get out control quickly as person after person from the show heads across the street to the 7-Eleven in order to find out whats going with the sign hanging outside. Within about ten minutes, everyone on the show has asked the employees, and the riffs are just as rewarding as classic radio pranks.
9. How Was Your Week, "Stick and Pins"
This year, fans of Julie Klausners How Was Your Week celebrated the release of her Hulu show Difficult People, which is a delight. (Sadly, though understandably, it resulted in Klausner releasing fewer podcast episodes this year than usual.) On this episode, she watches the first two episodes on her laptop and narrates the experience, commercials and all. Its fascinating to hear about her creative process firsthand, as well her gut reaction to seeing herself onscreen and what she thinks about the finished product.
10. Til Death Do Us Blart, "2015"
The brothers McElroy, along with New Zealanders Guy Montgomery and Tim Batt of The Worst Idea of All Time (watching Sex and the City 2 every week for a year) have started a new tradition. On Thanksgiving each year, they will release a podcast about Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 for the rest of their lives. Everyone agrees the movie is bad, but Traviss 11 annotated laughs send Griffin over the edge. Listen to this years episode, or just wait a bit and check back in 2045.
