Michael Imperioli leads a much different life from the one led by his iconic television character Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos. Michael and Marc talk about what it’s like to have played a role that left such an indelible mark and how his career as a writer, director and actor has taken shape since the show’s final episodes. This podcast is sponsored by Comedy Central, Draft Kings, and Stamps.com.
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth put her life story into the book Girl In A Band. But Marc wants to know what Kim’s life is like today, after decades in the visual art world, after the dissolution of a pioneering band, after marriage, after parenting. What’s next? Maybe the two of them can even give each other pointers on dating. This episode is sponsored by Comedy Central, Slack and Next Issue.
Filmmaker Joe Swanberg is a true independent in every sense of the word. Marc looks at Joe’s most recent films, Happy Christmas and Drinking Buddies, to understand Joe’s approach to his art. Also, Joe talks about shooting on film, the kind of movies he thinks should win Oscars, why he seeks out certain actors and what his version of a major studio film would look like. This episode is sponsored by Draft Kings and MeUndies.com.
John Doe was there at the beginning. When American punk rock was taking shape, his band X was at the forefront. John talks with Marc about being a young poet who fled Baltimore to immerse himself in the LA punk scene, where he experienced the rise and fall, and then the rise again. Somehow he wound up with roles in dozens of films and TV shows along the way. This episode is sponsored by Next Issue, Comedy Central and the new film While We’re Young.
Alex Karpovsky and Marc are enemies on the fourth season of the HBO series Girls. But in this conversation, they bond instantly over OCD, separation anxiety, karaoke and gratitude. Alex also talks with Marc about the films he’s written and directed, and about the early morning hangover that introduced him to Lena Dunham. This episode is sponsored by Next Issue and Stamps.com.
Comedian and actor Chris D’Elia always seemed mysterious to Marc when he was waiting backstage at the comedy clubs. Turns out Chris was just cripplingly insecure. Marc and Chris talk about what it takes to overcome your fears, especially at a place like The Comedy Store. Also, Marc delivers an update to provide some closure on a past WTF guest. This episode is sponsored by Aziz Ansari Live at Madison Square Garden, Casper Mattress and MeUndies.com.
Dan Zanes is one of the most popular musical acts in the country for young children. Marc is a huge fan, too, but that’s because of Dan’s old band The Del Fuegos. Dan and Marc talk about how he went from rock and roll almost-stardom to being a family favorite. Also, Marc talks with singer-songwriter and WTF fan Chris Mansfield about the breakout album for his band Fences. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace and Stamps.com.
Sam Simon, co-creator of The Simpsons and prolific television writer/producer, passed away on March 9, 2015. This is Marc’s conversation with Sam, originally posted May 16, 2013.
Rob McElhenney was fed up with being a struggling actor, so he grabbed a couple friends and made a TV show. Marc talks with Rob about the unlikely success of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia and how Rob is now on the cusp of once again redirecting the course of his career, this time as the director of his own big budget Hollywood film. This episode is sponsored by Aziz Ansari Live at Madison Square Garden and Blue Apron.
A legendary wrestler, a best-selling author, an advocate for abuse victims, a father of four and a part-time Santa Claus, Mick Foley has led a distinctive life. He even has a past history with Marc, who sits down with Mick in the garage to catch up and to find out more about the person behind the battle scars. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace and Stamps.com.
Kevin Allsion found life after The State with his storytelling show RISK! In the garage at The Cat Ranch, Marc gets a full load of Kevin’s stories that track all the way back to his very early sexual awakening right up until his recent BDSM exploration. Plus, Kevin throws in some stories about The State for good measure. This episode is sponsored by Comedy Central, Birchbox Man and Me Undies.
Author and journalist Nick Tosches is often called one of America’s greatest living writers. Marc considers him to be an indispensible tour guide through the darkness in life. Nick talks with Marc about his work, including his influential biographies of Dean Martin, Jerry Lee Lewis and Sonny Liston, but more importantly, Marc gets Nick’s unvarnished take on the way we live now. This episode is sponsored by NatureBox and Stamps.com.
Harry Shearer always leaves his mark, whether it’s on The Simpsons or in Spinal Tap or in Christopher Guest’s movies or on his long-running radio show or in his latest performance as Richard Nixon. Harry and Marc talk about those career touchstones as well as his deep connection to New Orleans and the struggles he experienced in two different incarnations of SNL. This episode is sponsored by The Loop Loft, MeUndies.com and Audible.
Comedian and writer Harris Wittels passed away on February 19, 2015. This is Marc’s conversation with Harris, originally posted on September 16, 2013.
Conor Oberst is a virtuoso singer-songwriter, known for fronting bands like Bright Eyes, Monsters of Folk and Desaparecidos. Now with his first solo album under his belt, Conor sits down with Marc to talk about the intangible nature of writing songs, the difficulty in being compared to Bob Dylan, and the frightening period of his life when a false accusation turned everything upside down. This episode is sponsored by Giuseppe Makes A Movie, Squarespace and Stamps.com.
Live from the LA Podfest, Whitney Cummings deals with codependency, Shelby Fero reckons with being a black sheep, Pamela Adlon doesn’t understand why nipples aren’t allowed on TV, Desi Jedeikin tries to explain what her tweets mean, and Amber Preston surveys the wreckage of a breakup. This episode is sponsored by 1-800 Flowers and NatureBox.
Comedian Cameron Esposito made her mark when a spontaneous moment during an appearance on The Late Late Show put her toe to toe with Jay Leno. Cameron tells Marc about that night and its aftermath, and also discusses what she believes are her responsibilities as an out lesbian in the entertainment industry. This episode is sponsored by 1-800 Flowers and Stamps.com.
92-year-old comedian Marty Allen visits the garage to talk about performing for eight decades and witnessing the evolving landscape of entertainment. Marty tells Marc about his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, including the night The Beatles were introduced to America. Plus, stories about Elvis, Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Don Rickles and the Hollywood Squares. This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron and 1-800 Flowers.