W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu.
Photo Illustration: Vulture and Getty Images
The comedy podcast universe just keeps getting bigger, much like the universe. We’re here to make it a bit smaller and handier. There are a lot of great shows, and each one has a lot of great episodes. That is why we want to highlight the extraordinary and the remarkable. Every week our crack team selects their favorites from podcast enthusiasts and specialists as well as particularly enthusiastic people. We hope that your ears are permanently connected to the best audio comedies.
Politically reactive with W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu – Donald Trump: OJ.
Politically Re-Active invites listeners to join hosts W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu “as they set off the dumpster fire alarm of American politics and speak to the makers, thinkers and leaders who work on defense and reinvention our democracy do. Long-time friends and comedians Bell and Kondabolu approach politics with a joke that makes both clever and cutting comments. With the duo immersed in recent events, this episode is no exception. Kondabolu Riffs on Jan. 6, 2020 were a “racist coachella” after hearing a Texas realtor rioted a private jet and tried to use her participation in the illegal activity as a publicity opportunity. CNN analyst and attorney Asha Rangappa later speaks about Donald Trump’s “legal obligations under the president”. This highly informative segment offers hope that Trump will face the consequences of his crimes, at least at the state level. The episode contains toxic voicemails for Trump from listeners and is mostly cathartic. Tune in to take the journey from silly to serious to satisfying. – Becca James
Listen: Spotify | Apple | website
Why don’t you want to go out with me – Big Dick Energy with Conan O’Brien
Without a doubt, the week’s biggest news is pretty obvious: Team Coco’s takeover of Nicole Byers Why don’t you want to go out with me? Podcast. After the announcement, it was no surprise that Byer’s first guest on their new network was none other than Conan O’Brien. With O’Brien in his Irish Catholic upbringing and Byer in himself, this comedic pairing proved to be a powerhouse of fun. This episode shows off his best qualities of Felix Unger and comes into full swing as O’Brien winds his way through a series of uncomfortable topics. From Byer’s detailed description of how best to use a Theragun massager, to O’Brien’s inquiry about “Big Dick Energy”, the two will certainly learn a lot from each other in a short time. Since Byer works with Team Coco, I’m excited to see what the next chapter brings. In addition to his new role as a colleague, I’m curious to see whether O’Brien will also be a matchmaker for Byer. At her request, she asks O’Brien to bring her together with one of his brothers. I think only time will tell how that works. Are we going to hear Nicole O’Brien soon? Stay tuned! – Tom Rainey
Listen: Spotify | Apple
Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown – Gay, Sober, and Fabulous with Leslie Jordan
Funny and smart, Mayim Bialik has a PhD. In neuroscience and because of her diverse skills (she also does voice-over), she is uniquely qualified to host this show. Each week she first breaks the topic up from the perspective of the brain and then, with the help of a guest, comes to the human side. This time it’s about homosexuality, and she has the research to back up the idea that being gay isn’t a choice, it’s a matter of brain chemistry, the environment, and upbringing. Her guest – comedian, actor and co-star Leslie Jordan – readily confirms this, claiming that he “fell out of the womb into a pair of her high heels”. Jordan has a lighthearted way of telling the world that he has always felt the way he does now, and he doesn’t care about the choices in his life. His journey gets a little difficult at times – like his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction – as well as wonderfully real and with a few laughs along the way. Bialiks proves herself a great interviewer in just two episodes, and her show will make you feel both entertained and enlivened. – Marc Hershon
Listen: Spotify | Apple | website
Go deep – pasta is always the answer at Tim Baltz & Edi Patterson
Going Deep is an impromptu podcast devoted to the parody of couples therapy by transferring listeners to the office of Diana Deep (Lily Sullivan of Comedy Bang! Bang!), The most famous American couples therapist. Going Deep debuts with a couple working through “an affair at work, an age gap” and teasing an upcoming season of “husbands, wives, lovers, throuples, first years, booty calls and over and over sexes” and an unfulfilled desire for pasta. “The tone sounds like some kind of stereotypical, quiet therapist who offers almost ASMR quality. However, the listeners’ own laughter will prevail as they pick up the storylines that are of the amusingly absurd nature. Although this is a Stitcher podcast The first episode is available for free. If only the same could be said for real therapy. At least this session is sure to be fun. – Becca James
Listen: Stitcher
Other podcasts we’re listening to right now:
Culture Kings – Kingdom Come
Listen: Apple | website
What are you looking at? – Tom Merritt
Listen: Spotify | Apple | website
The Visceralist Podcast – Episode 115
Listen: Spotify | Apple | website
Do you have a comedy podcast recommendation? Write us an email at komedypodcasts@vulture.com.
Goods
Subscribe to:
If you enjoy comedy and podcasts, we recommend subscribing to Vulture’s Good One podcast, which publishes new episodes every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, or anywhere you can get your podcasts.
See everything
