Live from the 16th annual SF Sketchfest, writer/actor/creator Dino Stamatopolous joins Howard and Kulap to engage in some loving horseplay. Dino gives his old man ratings while the gang counts down the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 5 Songs, and we hear about Corey Feldman’s band at the Mr. Show wrap party and being blacklisted for one-time heroin use during the TV Chart. Finally, Howard and Kulap give Super Bowl predictions and take audience questions while counting down Kevin’s Hot Picks during Two Charted.

Another audio-only episode with guests Ben Schwartz and Kyle Bornheimer. From Diego Luna’s tiny hips to Katherine Ross’s religion-changing lips, not to mention… “Keith?” Oh, and Bill Clinton leaves voice mails for Trump – NO comedy stones are left unturned!

At a young age, he found himself a divorced father of four. Battling depression, all he wanted was to find a nice girl to take on a date for some spaghetti and meatballs. Recovering from the low point in his life, and from career stagnation, this college dropout wants to finish his degree and become a teacher.

This episode is brought to you by Mailchimp (www.mailchimp.com), Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/beautiful), Warby Parker (www.warbyparker.com/stories), and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/beautiful).

Social media manager Lana Berry joins Jensen and Matty to talk about her love of baseball, working with brands to explain internet presence, singer Jessie Reyez, Scribd app, Nirvanna the Band the Show, Howlin’ Ray’s, anti-fatigue mats, how we were late on T.I.’s “Us or Else: Letter to the System,” and many more things you should know about.

This episode is brought to you by MVMT Watches (www.mvmtwatches.com/GETUP).

Jonathan Van Ness of Gay of Thrones has a spiritual experience with Deanna and Emily as they chat about getting their bodies inspected by doctors, figure skating, the inception of Gay of Thrones, and yoga trauma. Jonathan also uses his hairdressing expertise to share some hot 2017 hair tips!

Hayes and Sean return from a visit to Washington to begin a negotiation with Earwolf boss CHRIS BANNON.
This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/handbook) and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/first).

Once you hit your mid-twenties, everything starts beginning to suck. Your favorite band? Not as good as when they first came out. Favorite hangouts? All gone to shit since all the young people started showing up and ruining everything. The world? Basically a day away from total anarchy.

Even the idea of time begins to suck. The present is somehow always the worst and no matter how bad your life was 5, 10 years ago– it all seems tinted with rose-colored glasses. Sure you were bored all the time, had no way of communicating with people who weren’t your neighbors and loved Hootie and the Blowfish, but man the 90s were the absolute peak of human existence, right? Not really.

Somehow humans have this bias that makes them think the world is always at the brink of complete collapse and that things were better before…before AIDS and Ebola started killing everybody; before all the bees disappeared; before crime took over the streets, when you could leave your front door open all day and the criminals would tip their hats and say, “good morning!”

We’re here to say this way of thinking is wrong and completely ignores all of the amazing advancements humanity is continuing to make every day. It’s just you don’t hear about them because the headline “Cancer Deaths Slowly and Steadily Dropping” isn’t as flashy as “IT’S ALL BURNING DOWN MAN, DON’T EVEN BOTHER!”

On the podcast this week, Jack O’Brien is joined by Jason Pargin (aka David Wong) to talk about how we’re neither going to hell nor are we in a hand basket. Poverty, war and disease are at all time lows, all you have to do is look away from the news to see it.

Our next live podcast is on Saturday, February 11th at 7pm at the UCB Sunset Theatre in Los Angeles. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, join Jack O’Brien, Michael Swaim and Teresa Lee as they welcome Dr. Christopher Ryan, author of Sex at Dawn for a discussion about love, relationships and why our sex lives now bear no resemblance to the way our ancestors got down. Tickets are $7 and available here: https://goo.gl/aXqXex

Footnotes:

Articles: Cracked: Pieces of Good News Nobody is Reporting: 

https://goo.gl/ysKK7

https://goo.gl/8z04xT 

https://goo.gl/Kr75IK

Article: Biography.com: H.H. Holmes: https://goo.gl/U1Bo6V

Website: OurWorldInData.com: https://goo.gl/afqC0a

Graph: Innovation.org: Actual vs. Projected Death Rates for HIV/AIDS in the US: https://goo.gl/ZI6zHY

Article: Cracked: 5 Horrifying Apocalyptic Scenarios That Already Happened (#1 The Toba Event): https://goo.gl/5COk09

Scholarly Article: British Journal of Preventative and Social Medicine: The Coal Gas Story: https://goo.gl/EbJkvD

Article: Bloomberg: Bias, Blindness and How We Truly Think: https://goo.gl/98f6Uv

Article: The New Yorker: Doomsday Prep for the Super Rich: https://goo.gl/GBcpKk

This episode is brought to you by Shari’s Berries (www.berries.com code: CRACKED) and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/cracked).

Energy drinks, Mariah Carey, and Sean Connery’s dirty talk, all of these topics are covered as well as Corrections and Omissions for Highlander II: The Quickening. We also hear Blake J. Harris interview Russell Mulcahy, director of Highlander and Highlander II (go to www.slashfilm.com to read the whole thing) and the Movie Bitches review La La Land. Plus, we find out next week’s very ‘90s movie pick.

This episode is brought to you by Dunkin’ Donuts (download Dunkin app and use code: PODCAST) and Seeso (www.seeso.com code: BONKERS).

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

Paul’s new comedy Drive Share is available on Go90. 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 How to Be Single, Sleeping with Other People, and is still indeed in The Dictator.

Time to stock up on supplies for our quest. And we’ve met a kobold who’s selling stuff.

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Traach: James D’Amato
Blemish: Martin Wilson
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

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

This episode is brought to you by Death’s Mistress by Terry Goodkind and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/first).

Comedian and actor Ronnie Schell has shared the stage and screen with virtually everyone in show business, including Andy Griffith, Carl Reiner, Redd Foxx, Rodney Dangerfield, Goldie Hawn, George Carlin and even Groucho Marx. Gilbert and Frank track down Ronnie at his LA home to talk about his early days on the nightclub circuit, his decades-long friendships with legendary funnymen Bill Dana, Pat McCormick and Harvey Korman and his memorable role as Gomer Pyle’s bunkmate, Duke Slater. PLUS: Billy De Wolfe! The Kingston Trio! The reclusive Jack Burns! Sinatra drops by the Blue Angel! And the prodigious talents of Theodore Bikel!

All is finally revealed in the final blowout episode of In Your Dreams! Chris learns the truth about Gary’s questionable past, and Bobby “Dirty Bibby” Moynihan gets caught in the middle of their explosive confrontation. There will be cursing, screaming, furniture breaking, and more than a few tears in this gut-wrenching final voyage into dreamscape.

Go to www.casper.com/dreams and use the offer code “DREAMS” for $50 off your next mattress purchase.

Golden Globe winning actress Rachel Bloom of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend joins Scott and this week’s co-host Ming to talk about Rachel’s time studying Shakespeare at The Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts, what brought her to the good ol’ USA after growing up across the pond, and the dream method she uses to prepare herself while shooting Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Then, chief inspector Yoplait arrives to tell us about his private detective business in which he poses as young children online. Later, Gummy Bright Candy owner Peter Finn returns to talk about his new line of Valentine’s Day candy and the continued search for his wife.

On February 21st in Houston, our good friend Harris Wittels will be named the 2017 distinguished alumnus for the HSPVA (The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts). Earwolf co-founder Jeff Ullrich will match any donations made for the school up to $5000 (put Jeff Match when donating online). For more info go to www.harristribute.com

This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/CBB) and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/cbb).

Before Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) can begin discussing her love of Hamilton, the superfan tables are turned: Travon gushes about his favorite songs from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the musical TV series that Bloom created and stars in. Next, they discuss artistic inspiration, her lifelong love of musicals, and why “Say No To This” would fit so well in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Plus, why she’s a Hamilton all the way.

This episode is brought to you by Zola (www.zola.com/HAMILTON) and MVMT Watches (www.mvmtwatches.com/HAMILTON).

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes himself to welcoming you back to Spontaneanation! This week, Paul’s special return guest is stand-up comedian Cameron Esposito of Take My Wife and Put Your Hands Together! They chat about what happens if the Supreme Court gets rid of Roe v. Wade, dog x-rays, and figuring out a group address to replace “guys.” Paul is then joined by Jeremy Carter, Colleen Smith and Gary Anthony Williams, to improvise a story set in A Family-Owned Bagel Shop. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

This episode is brought to you by MVMT Watches (www.mvmtwatches.com/PFT), Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/PFT), and Indochino (www.indochino.com code: PFT).

Negin is on the road out West, but Fake the Nation rests for no one! Leah Bonnema (VH1) and Benari Poulten (Garbage Time With Katie Nolan) get on the horn to discuss the sensitive, traumatizing first days of Trump’s presidency. Hint: it’s all a bit too Orwellian for comfort. Plus, women Trump voters at inauguration share why they’re optimistic about their new president.

This episode is brought to you by DecodeDC and Berries.com (www.berries.com code: FAKETHENATION).

Actress Kaitlin Olsen joins Randy and Jason this week to talk about getting cast in FOX’s “The Mick,” dealing with a household full of boys, and appearing on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Plus, Kaitlin shares her top bits from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and the Sklars give Ozzie Guillen a call to get his take on the recent Hall of Fame announcements.

This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/happy).

Actress Ana Ortiz joins Ronna & Beverly to chat about acts of kindness at the Women’s March, keeping your cool, and much more. Plus, the girls share a clip from their appearance at the Planned Parenthood benefit.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: SHALOM) and Keepsake (www.keepsake.us/shalom).

Danielle and Casey are live at Largo with special guests Leslie Grossman (who brings us up to speed on Vanderpump and is not embarrassed to be watching Summer House) and Matt Besser (who brings us up to speed on his and Danielle’s daughter Syd). As usual Casey and Danielle close with a musical number that IS about Tom.

This episode is brought to you by Home Chef (www.homechef.com/bs).

This week Bryan and Erin share about their time at the Women’s March and the disaster of a human that is Kellyanne Conway. Also, a post election poll shows that Republican men believe women have it better in America right now, and House Bill 133 in Wyoming would allow discrimination under religious freedom against LGBTQ people. Plus, guests Caitlin Barlow and Katie O’Brien from the TV Land show “Teachers” are here to discuss Kris Jenners influence, their improve group “the Katydids”, and writing polar opposite characters from themselves.

The humons have voted, and here are your favorite scenes of 2016. These performances feature James Adomian, Mary Holland, Jon Gabrus, John Gemberling, Gil Ozeri, Anthony Atamanuik, Neil Casey, Pam Murphy, Ian Roberts, Sean Clements, Jessica McKenna, Zach Reino, Nicole Parker, Paul Rust, Andy Daly, Bob Dassie, Mookie Blaiklock, Seth Morris, Horatio Sanz, Shaun Diston, Adam Pally, Lauren Lapkus, Erin Whitehead, Stephanie Allynne, and Danielle Schneider.

This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/improv) and Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: IMPROV).

This week: The REAL Fifth Beatle! Gilbert “salutes” Leon Russell! Jerry Lewis’ “Space Oddity”! And the magnificent talents of Marni Nixon!

Hitting the post with Rich Sommer.

This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/NEVER) and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/happy).

Earwolf producer Dana Wickens sits in with Kevin this week for discussions on the Academy Award nominations and Denzel’s theatrical debut, “Carbon Copy.” They review what aged well and what didn’t, and Kevin explains why he couldn’t finish the film.

Bill Browder used to be Russia’s largest foreign investor. Then, in 2005, he was blacklisted by the Russian government and kicked out of the country. Now he’s one of Vladimir Putin’s most outspoken critics. He joins Katie and Brian to explain what went wrong, including how his own lawyer ended up dead in a Russian prison. Plus, Browder unpacks the perils and opportunities of a closer U.S. relationship with Russia and offers a chilling assessment of Putin.

This episode is sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts, Toyota, Princess Cruise Lines (www.princess.com/katie), and Crane & Canopy (www.craneandcanopy.com/katie).

When you give birth by cesarean, doctors are required to warn you of the risks. But not so with vaginal delivery. Hillary interviews Kiera Butler about her recent article in Mother Jones on the risks of vaginal birth and why we should be talking about them more. To join the conversation go to longestshortesttime.com!

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace, Thirdlove, Yogi Teas, 1-800 Flowers and Tweed Wolf.

To hear more episodes from Hello from the Magic Tavern presents: Offices and Bosses. Go Howl.fm/magic and use promo code MAGIC at checkout to receive 1-month of our premium service for free!

In episode 1, The game of Offices & Bosses begins! Metamore plays Office Manager guiding Arnie, Usidore, Chunt and Flower on an adventure to attain the Q4 numbers. 

Cast includes: 

Arnie, aka Orlando Bloom: Arnie Niekamp https://twitter.com/misterarnie

Chunt, aka Dan Smith: Adal Rifai https://twitter.com/adalrifai

Usidore, aka John Bastion: Matt Young https://twitter.com/morepeoplehappy

Metamore: Bill Arnett https://twitter.com/btarnett

Flower, aka Gail Davidson-Durst: Brooke Breit https://twitter.com/brookebreit

Charles Schmutz: Scott Kurtz https://twitter.com/pvponline

Oodles of Doodles Players: Angela Kurtz, Cory Casoni, Steve Hamaker

Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen https://twitter.com/MisterSniffen

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Ryan DiGiorgi, Evan Jacover

Editor: Ryan DiGiorgi https://twitter.com/rdigiorgi

Theme Music: Andy Poland https://twitter.com/crabbydad

Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban https://twitter.com/rdigiorgi

Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz https://twitter.com/Garrettanite

Albert Desalvo said he committed all the Strangler murders, but he would never be tried for those crimes. Instead, he would stand trial for his crimes as the Green Man. DeSalvo’s wily lawyer, F. Lee Bailey, used DeSalvo’s violent history and his reputation as the Boston Strangler to assert that his client was not guilty by reason of legal insanity. In this episode, we’ll follow the prosecution and defense as they attempt to sway the jury, and we’ll hear chilling trial excerpts. We’ll also learn how one popular ’50s television sitcom may have given Albert DeSalvo the rationale he needed to invade the homes of hundreds—perhaps thousands—of women.   

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: STRANGLERS), Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/STRANGLERS), Audible (www.audible.com/stranglers), Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/stranglers), and Investigation Discovery.

Katherine Spiers (La Weekly Food Editor and Smart Mouth podcast host) joins Andrew to talk about the Women’s March, Richard Spencer getting punched, and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

On this episode of HARD NATION, Mark and Pete interview First Daughter / First Lady Ivanka Trump (Jen D’Angelo) post-her father’s inauguration. We hear more about Ivanka’s clothing line, her husband Jared Kushner’s true racial identity and what’s hidden under her clothes. Is this interview real?! Or is there just some “funky poison” in the air…

This episode is brought to you by the DecodeDC podcast.