Cartoonist and writer Daniel Clowes brings the world of underground comics into Marc's garage. They talk about the great comic artists who paved the way, the difficulty in translating some graphic novels to film, and the similarities between creating comics and performing standup. Plus, filmmaker Ezra Edelman stops by to talk with Marc about his documentary OJ: Made in America. This episode is sponsored by Starry Station, MeUndies, Audible.com and ZipRecruiter.
George C. Wolfe's is a giant of American theater, directing, producing and writing some of the most important works of the last 25 years. Fresh of seeing George's latest musical, Shuffle Along, Marc finds out what George wants audiences to take from the experience of live theater. Plus, Daniel Nazer from the EFF stops by to update Marc on the fight against the podcast patent troll and what needs to happen next. This episode is sponsored by Starry Station, Squarespace, Stamps.com, Casper and the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
Comedian Joe Wong grew up in China. Then he came to America and learned how to be a standup comic. Now he's back in China, helping to shape the Chinese comedy scene and starring in his own TV show. Joe talks with Marc about overcoming language barriers and cultural differences with laughs. Also, Doug Stanhope returns for a breezy, humorous chat about what it was like for Doug to help his mom kill herself. This episode is sponsored by Silvercar, ZipRecruiter, Seeso and Squarespace.
Comedian Chris Gethard and Marc bond over their New Jersey upbringings, but Chris has Marc beat when it comes to unbelievable stories from growing up in the Garden State. They also talk about Viagra, public access TV and dashed dreams of sitcom glory. Also, Marc chats with comedian Quincy Jones, who didn't let a cancer diagnosis stop his push to do his own comedy special, which he has now done for HBO. This episode is sponsored by Carnivore Club, American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card, Silvercar and Audible.
Playwright Stephen Karam received his first Tony nomination about an hour before sitting down with Marc to talk about his experiences in the New York theater community, the way he writes himself into all of his characters, and the shock of having his play The Humans on Broadway next to Phantom of the Opera. Plus, Marc's old "assistant" Josh Brener stops by to talk about his new movie Welcome to Happiness and the new season of Silicon Valley. This episode is sponsored by the American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card, Squarespace, Audible, and Silvercar.
Marc welcomes singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom to the garage, sadly without her harp, although it probably wouldn't fit. Joanna tells Marc how her musical style evolved from composing pieces influenced by American classical music to collaborating with some of the industry's most unique producers. She also talks about the benefits of being married to someone who makes comedy for a living. This episode is sponsored by Silvercar, MeUndies, Stamps.com, and Squarespace.
Terry Reid is one of the most talented singers and rock musicians who never had a massive break, but he doesn't seem to sweat it. Terry tells Marc great stories from throughout his expansive career in the music business and he sets the record straight about the rumor that he turned down a spot in Led Zeppelin. Plus, Marc reaches out to his friend Jim Norton, who is having a problem connecting with people. This episode is sponsored by Inside Amy Schumer on Comedy Central, Squarespace, Preacher on AMC and Silvercar.
Natasha Leggero is ready to embark on a standup tour with her husband just in time for the premiere of her TV show's second season. Things may be going well now but, as Natasha tells Marc, it wasn't always like that. In fact, a fateful trip to Australia with a mysterious stranger altered her course, and it really could have gone either way. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, Silvercar, MeUndies, and Preacher on AMC.
Sturgill Simpson has all the makings of a classic country star, complete with an upbringing in coal country, a job on the railroad, and the stamp of approval by country music legends. But as Sturgill tells Marc, he's not interested in being country's savior. He just likes making music, especially for his son. Also, Marc plays a little teaser clip of his upcoming interview with John C. Reilly, in which they talk about John's crazy new futuristic movie The Lobster. This episode is sponsored by Preacher on AMC, Squarespace and Blue Apron.
Clark Gregg is well known in the Marvel Universe as Agent Coulson from The Avengers and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. But as Marc finds out, Clark long ago established himself as a serious actor with The Atlantic Theater Company under David Mamet's guidance. Clark talks with Marc about his thoughtful evolution as an actor, writer and director. Also, Marc's old buddy Dan Pashman stops by for a little friendly sparring over food-related issues. This episode is sponsored by Silvercar, ZipRecruiter, Squarespace, and Stamps.com.
Ali Wong wants you to know what "leaning in" is like for a working stand-up comic who also happens to be a new mother. Marc talks with Ali about her new life as a mom and her continuing life as a road comic who is bucking conventions on the stage and in the writers' room on the show Fresh off the Boat. Their conversation features something that has never happened on WTF. This episode is sponsored by Seeso, Squarespace, Desert Trip, Casper, and 1-800 Flowers.
Garry Marshall went from writing jokes for comedians in a deli to creating culture-changing television shows and directing blockbuster movies. Garry takes Marc through his entire show business career, from The Tonight Show to Happy Days to Pretty Woman, right up to his latest film, Mother's Day. Also, Marc's friend Mike Eagle stops by to talk about his new album, Hella Personal Film Festival. This episode is sponsored by Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping, Blue Apron, 1-800 Flowers and Stamps.com.
Rob Reiner has been around show business his entire life, which might explain why he's excelled in so many different areas. Rob shares stories with Marc about Groucho Marx, the Smothers Brothers, All in the Family, Albert Brooks, This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, his dad, his mom, Jack Nicholson, Larry David and the creation of Seinfeld, all the way up to his new film, Being Charlie, which he made with his son. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, Framebridge, and 1-800 Flowers.
Steve-O probably could have died several times while making Jackass. But that's nothing compared to the amount of life-threatening danger he faced in real life. Now sober and full of clarity, Steve-O tells Marc talk about his lifelong quest for attention, how it led to his downfall, and how he pulled himself up by embracing his past. This episode is sponsored by Inside Amy Schumer on Comedy Central, Squarespace, and MVMT Watches.
It's a two-part 700th Episode extravaganza. First, Marc and Julia Louis-Dreyfus talk Seinfeld, SNL, Second City, Larry David, Woody Allen, Veep, being a mom and getting older. Then for Part 2, Marc's friend Louis CK stops by to spill the beans on everything that went into making and releasing his series Horace and Pete. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, ZipRecruiter, and Audible.
Susan Sarandon achieved tremendous success as an actor, but one career accomplishment remains elusive. She tells Marc about this major goal and why she is willing to split it with Bruce Springsteen. They also talk about her impressive filmography, her thoughts on evolving as an actor, and why Bernie Sanders restored her faith in humanity. This episode is sponsored by Comedy Central, HBO NOW, Squarespace, and Stamps.com.
David Simon is the creator of arguably the greatest television show in history. He cemented his reputation as a hard-nosed, truth-seeking journalist. But when David walks into the garage, he's a lot like Marc: A guitar-loving Jewish kid who still thinks he's going to screw things up. David and Marc spend over an hour talking about The Wire, Homicide, Treme, Baltimore, newspapers, politicians, the Talmud, and the truth. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, Framebridge, and Blue Apron.
Comedian Nikki Glaser and Marc share a bond that might be deeper than love: They share an eating disorder. Nikki and Marc talk about how they've both struggled, where they've found support, and what they needed to fix elsewhere in their lives in order to make progress. Also, Marc tries to help Nikki extricate herself from what might be an abusive relationship... with her therapist. This episode is sponsored by SlingTV, MeUndies, Squarespace, and Stamps.com.