Gilbert and Frank welcome veteran stage, film and television actress Joyce Van Patten, who shares fond memories of working with some of Hollywood’s most iconic figures, including Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Danny Kaye, Dean Martin and Peter Sellers (to name a few). Also, Joyce dines with Vincent Price, tours with Tony Randall, treads the boards with Al Shean and remembers the late, great Herb Edelman. PLUS: Mr. Big converts! Rod Serling stops by the set! Joyce praises Martin Balsam! Andy Griffith hates on Jack Lord! And Bob Denver adopts a monkey! 

This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com/GILBERT) and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/GILBERT).

It’s a busy night in the tavern. We talk to a prolific but cursed bard, a guy who just moved to town with his wife and a beloved old longtime sponsor.

Credits:

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Barth: John Reynolds
SAD Bard: Jonathan Mann
Bungaree Chubbins: Tom Gottleib
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Technical Difficulties Witch: Shama Jacover

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi
Editor: Garrett Schultz
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban
Audio Assistance: Jason Knox
Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz
Photographer: Danielle DeNoble

Comedian and actor John Early of Search Party gets physical with Scott as they talk about the new season of Search Party on TBS, his house burning down when he was 8 years old, and the elevator pitch for Rachel Cusk’s book “Outline.” Then, private detective The Chief returns with a new update on her search for international master thief Carmen Sandiego. Plus, community activist B.Q. aka Bone Queef is back to confront her sister Chief for leaving her in Bora Bora.

This episode is brought to you by Night of Too Many Stars on HBO, Shameless on Showtime, Legal Zoom (www.legalzoom.com code: BANGBANG), and Stamps.com (www.stamps.com code: BANGBANG).

Paul F. Tompkins takes a pause to listen to the music before welcoming listeners back to Spontaneanation! This time out, Paul’s special guest is musician and composer Hrishikesh Hirway of Song Exploder and The West Wing Weekly podcasts! Hrishikesh chats about who was his favorite author as a teen and why, recently letting go of all his childhood possessions, and what were his Lego masterpieces as a kid. Then, they are joined by improvisers Shaun Diston, Carl Tart, and Ego Nwodim, to improvise a story set in A Haunted Hotel. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: PFT) and Second City Training Center (www.secondcity.com/TC).

Remember the LOST pilot? It was basically an incredible JJ Abrams movie with plane crashes, polar bears, and dreamy Matthew Fox. If only that first episode aired– it would’ve been a cult phenomenon– an all-time pop-culture “what-if?” But instead we got LOST– the time-traveling, island-hopping sci-fi adventure of diminishing returns.

On this week’s podcast, Alex Schmidt is joined by Carmen Angelica and Brett Rader, the two hosts of Cracked’s newest podcast series Best Episode Ever, to talk about 10 innovative TV pilots that almost made it to series but will forever be “what-ifs.”

And make sure to subscribe to Cracked’s newest podcast Best Episode Ever, where Carmen and Brett will dissect your favorite TV series and try to find each show’s best episode ever. Tomorrow they’ll discuss Friends with Cracked favorite Katie Willert. Search for “Best Episode Ever” in your podcast app of choice or click on the footnotes below to find links to it on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher.

Footnotes: https://goo.gl/G8GfYZ

Host of Engage: The Official Star Trek Podcast Jordan Hoffman joins Amy this week to discuss the 1997 sci-fi action film “Starship Troopers.” They break down the multiple interpretations of fascism the film presents and how the most likely one was influenced by director Paul Verhoeven’s wartime upbringing. Then, they discuss the film’s concentration on the human body, why what it doesn’t show is as important as what it does, and how it fits into our cultural narrative twenty years later. Lastly, they dive into a conversation about the fascinating gender politics within “Starship Troopers.” Should “Starship Troopers” live forever in The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

This episode is sponsored by MUBI.

Premiere episode. Comedian Jimmy Pardo hosts a new pop culture game show/interview podcast, as three call-in contestants vie for prizes. Special guest: Nikki Glaser.

The Doughboys Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell join Paul and Jason to discuss the 2006 science fiction action thriller Ultraviolet. Recorded live from Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, they talk about vampire diseases, dreads in a fight, changing hair and outfit color at will, and much more.

This episode is brought to you Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, War Dragons (www.wardragons.com/BONKERS), Delta Airlines, Sonos (www.sonos.com code: MADE10), and Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/HOW).

Check out new HDTGM merch over at https://www.teepublic.com/user/howdidthisgetmade

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

Paul’s new comedy Drive Share is available on Go90. Paul can be seen on Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, Opening Night, and Veep. You can see June and Paul on NTSF:SD:SUV:: on HULU. June stars in Grace and Frankie on Netflix, as well as Lady Dynamite alongside with Jason.

Jason can be seen in The Good Place, The House, The Lego Batman Movie, How to Be Single, Sleeping with Other People, and is still indeed in The Dictator.

Welcome back to Talking On The Dock with John Hodgman! Live from WERU in Orland, Maine, John has been fired from TV and only allowed to be a regional humorist and host this podcast. This week he is joined by Margery Deacon to talk about her failed inn in Maine possibly brought upon a family curse. Plus, Traci Reardon drops by to offer advice on running an inn in Maine in another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.”

This episode is brought to you by Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: LAPKUS).

The peerless Justin Sayre (Eggplants, Peaches & Tears) joins Matt and Dave this week to gush about Outlander, Judy Garland and a hookup-based system for navigating the NYC subways. Plus, Justin tells the “perfect Hollywood story,” Matt breaks down Jonathan Cheban’s new name, and more!

This episode is sponsored by Mack Weldon (code: HOMO), Joule: Sous Vide (code: HOMOPHILIA), and Showtime’s Shameless.

Jon Lovett (Crooked Media) and Joel Kim Booster (Model Minority) join Negin to reflect on the anniversary of the 2016 election. Plus, they discuss the recent election results in Virginia and the state of the GOP and the Democratic Party. Lastly, if you’ve ever wondered the difference between a metonym and a demonym, Lovett and Negin get to the bottom of it.

This episode is brought to you by Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: FAKE30), littleBits, and Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/FAKE).

Danielle is joined by Bitch Sesh all-star /American Horror Story genius Leslie Grossman to talk not only housewives, but something much more important…being at a wedding with Kris Jenner!!! Plus, Atlanta is back with a new “husband” for Kenya and a new look for Sheree. And Leslie answers one of the biggest questions known to man, “Why is Peggy doing the Real Housewives ?”

This episode is brought to you by Ifit (www.ifitnourish.com/bitchsesh), Rent the Runway (www.renttherunway.com/unlimited code: HOUSEWIVES), and Texture (www.texture.com/housewives).

Colin Anderson, Executive Producer of Earwolf joins Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. The pair discuss Colin’s background as a BBC Radio producer and how that led to a job in podcasting across the pond. Colin also describes his idea of what makes a show uniquely Earwolf, and some plans for the network moving forward.

Shooting hoops with the Sklar Brothers.

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: PARDO), TrackR (www.trackr.com/PARDO), ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/PARDO), and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/NEVER).

Journalist/author Anne Kreamer (It’s Always Personal) and novelist Kurt Andersen (Studio 360, Fantasyland) join Sarah and Susan to talk about Angie Thomas and TLC, Friday Night Lights, David Carr, and Homeward Bound.

This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com/CRYBABIES) and Third Love (www.thirdlove.com/CRYBABIES).

John Hughes month continues on Cracked Movie Club! In 1984, after writing a string of successful comedies, Hughes made his directorial debut with Sixteen Candles, which launched the careers of 80s it-girl Molly Ringwald, John and Joan Cusack, and that weird guy who would go on to play the janitor in The Breakfast Club.

On this week’s episode, Tom is joined by guest host Bridgett Greenberg and Cracked’s Kristi Harrison as they discuss the numerous amazing but often-overlooked performances in the film, how the film’s status as a classic coming-of-age comedy is weighed down by its many problematic aspects, and whether or not Jake Ryan’s pants have a belt built into them.

Colton Dunn, Allan McLeod, and Joel Spence join Matt Besser for a special Movie Form double feature edition of improv4humans! First is “Fashiontown,” the story of a young haberdasher with dreams of making it big and an executive in need of killer new headwear. Then, a group of Indians scours the plains of Arizona for a serial killer and cultural appropriator in the western-style “Prairie Revenge.”

Bryan and Erin celebrate the wave of progressive candidates swept into office in the latest elections before getting into this week’s stories about a judge’s secretly recorded homophobic insults and Notre Dame’s rollback of birth control coverage for students and faculty alike. Guests Elise Bauman and Natasha Negovanlis of webseries-turned-movie “Carmilla” join to explain how they ended up providing a voice for a rainbow of fans, the history behind the titular character, and the unlikely intersection of vampirism and lesbianism.

This episode is sponsored by Astroglide and JustFab.

Writer and comedian Curtis Cook (The Jim Jefferies Show) returns to join Andrew to discuss Election Day 2017, moving from Portland to Los Angeles, Papa John’s not wanting neo-nazis to buy its pizza, and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

The Shrimps take on the Miss Demeanors at Lake St. Gym. Matt and Mark call the action.

The Shrimps on Twitter: @pistolshrimpsbb

The Shrimps on Instagram: @thepistolshrimps

Pistol Shrimps Radio on Twitter: @shrimpsradio

Pistol Shrimps Radio on Instagram: @pistolshrimpsradio

It’s a Hard Nation Odyssey, as video game legend Mario and his sidekick Cappy (Jessica McKenna & Zach Reino) visit Mark & Pete to discuss their latest adventure. They discuss the ethics of “capturing” an enemy, what hats eat, Mario’s addiction to psychedelics, and Luigi’s shady real estate scheme. Plus: Mark & Pete decide who’s the Mario and who’s the Luigi of their relationship.

Actor, chess teacher, great storyteller Marcus Henderson joins Matt to discuss his roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained and Jordan Peele’s Get Out. He tells us about his Django audition in which he pretended to be attacked by a dog, the layers he went into in portraying Groundskeeper Walter in Get Out, and running to the point of injury for Get Out. Plus, Marcus shares a memorable encounter with Samuel L. Jackson.

This episode is brought to you by Hello Fresh (www.hellofresh.com code: IWTT30).

Tom Scharpling (The Best Show, Monk, Steven Universe) and Jason Gore (The Best Show, Difficult People) join Jo and Manolo to play listener-submitted games with callers. 

Games played: Band Name Or Fact?, Is It Raining?, and Don’t Get Me Started.

Actor/writer Jessica St. Clair swings on board for a mid-November chartstravaganza! She explains why Pink is a role model for everyone while helping count down Billboard’s Top Album Sales. During the TV Chart, Jessica recounts her run-in with a park ranger and laments the death of the love letter, and Two Charted brings with it Salmon Face Cody and Young Kevin to check on SNL predictions and to count down Kevin’s Hot Picks.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (code: CHARTED).

Jon & Lauren are so excited to kick off Raised By TV that they spend the whole hour brainstorming ideas for future episodes.  They touch on Supermarket Sweep, TGIF, Saved By The Bell, The Real World, theme songs, an infamous Oprah moment, why it’s creepy that Clarissa kept a ladder next to her window, and the 90s trend of keeping tarantulas as pets.

This episode is brought to you by Shameless on Showtime, Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: TV), and Tripping.com (www.tripping.com/TV).

Join Kevin for his long-anticipated sit down with Ricky Gervais. Ricky chats about his new stand up comedy tour, his love of the personification of animals, and the joy of getting one juicy Twitter idiot a month.

Dogs, cats, cops, Geocities websites, smooth jazz, holograms and more are all in this new live musical with Carl Tart and Madeline Walter. With stand out numbers like “So Many People On This Enemy List”, “Edible Arrangements” and “Plans & Meetings & Times & Details”, you’ll definitely have a (hair)ball listening to this one!

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: OFFBOOK), Design My Soap (www.designmysoap.com code: OFFBOOK), Spice Islands (www.spiceislands.com/OFFBOOK), and Hello Fresh (www.hellofresh.com code: OFFBOOK30).