What happens when an Iranian-American comedian from Southern California decides to make a leap into the publishing world by writing a book about how to entertain Caucasians? We find out today as cultural polymath and new Earwolf podcaster Negin Farsad returns to Question of the Day joining Stephen and James in the studio to discuss comedy, race, and white people owning outer space. Listen all week as Negin stays in the booth to ask the questions she’s been looking for QOD to answer!

Comedian, brilliant improviser, and Earwolf darling Jon Gabrus (TV Land’s Younger, High and Mighty) joins Deanna and Emily to talk about whether the youth still do “bases” when hooking up, why the premise of TV Land’s Younger is perfect for OMFG! fans, and how performing on MTV2’s Wild ‘n Out helps him stay in touch with youth culture. Plus, Jon does his best to explain some of comedian Brandon Wardell’s tweets to us!

Hayes and Sean have to reprimand a crazed fan. Then HOWARD KREMER joins the guys to organically discuss a service they all love.

This episode is sponsored by Five Four Group.

The prominent philosophers The Righteous Brothers once warned about “los[ing] that loving feeling,” and the sentiment was famously echoed in the 1986 fighter pilot documentary ‘Top Gun’. After having lost said loving feeling, the brothers (not actually brothers) felt as if they couldn’t go on. The sensation they felt wasn’t poetic exaggeration. The Righteous Brothers, along with brothers Maverick and Goose were experiencing a very real and potentially dangerous biological response known as skin hunger.

Skin hunger is your body’s reaction to lack of physical touch and it affects an increasing number of Americans while being a non existent phenomenon in more touch-happy countries like France. The problem that we’re learning is that without skin-to-skin touch (might we add that it doesn’t have to be sexual), your body doesn’t produce the hormone oxytocin. Without that natural chemical, adults are more susceptible to depression and infants can have developmental problems or even die.

On this week’s podcast, Jack O’Brien and Cracked editor Robert Evans are first joined by Dr. Kory Floyd, a professor at the University of Arizona, to talk about the physiological and sociological repercussions of skin hunger and why it’s so prominent in today’s culture. Later Jack and Robert are joined by Jean Franzblau of the Cuddle Sanctuary in Los Angeles and Travis Ashkenasy, an independent contractor, to talk about the services they provide as professional cuddlers and why you shouldn’t be embarrassed to seek out a cuddle party.

This episode is sponsored by Magoosh, The Bouqs, and Credit Karma.

Footnotes:

Psychology Today: What Lack of Affection Can Do to You: https://goo.gl/HOlA9y

Sebastian Junger TED Talk on PTSD, Loneliness: https://goo.gl/e31gD3

NYT Book Review: Sebastian Junger’s ‘Tribe’: http://goo.gl/ysbAAd

Tiffany Field’s Book ‘Touch’: https://goo.gl/oj4NzM

Tiffany Field’s Study of Touch at McDonald’s in the US and France: https://goo.gl/LxipQv

Do High Fives Help Sports Teams?: https://goo.gl/7OJlY9

The delightful Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson film series, Perks of Being a Wallflower) joins Josh to chat about the state of film, the difficult choices he has to make choosing roles, and much more.

I’m not entirely sure, but I think my next guest is in a cult.

Credits

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp

Chunt: Adal Rifai

Usidore: Matt Young

Gracie, the Lonely Cult Member: Scott Elam

From the Fingarian: Mark Logsdon

Otok Barleyfoot: Nick Baer

Flower: Brooke Breit

Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi

Editor: Evan Jacover

Theme Music: Andy Poland

Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban

Audio Assistance: Jason Knox

Production Assistant: Garrett Schultz

This episode is sponsored by Cards Against Humanity.

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes anyone with a moth in their throat to this week’s episode of Spontaneanation! This week, Paul’s special guest is Rachel Bloom of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend! They chat about Rachel’s favorite Prince song, her father’s weird sense of humor, and pretending to know more than you actually do. Paul is then joined by Stephanie Courtney, Ryan Gaul, and Gary Anthony Williams to improvise a story set at Gabrielle’s Quinceañera. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano! 

The next live edition of Spontaneanation happens Saturday, August 6 at Largo at The Coronet! Join Paul & Eban as they welcome improvisors Dan Ahdoot, Tim Baltz and Tawny Newsome, and special interview guest Desmin Borges from You’re The Worst! Tickets are on sale now!

This episode is sponsored by Seeso.com.

Sean Clements of Hollywood Handbook is back on this week’s Comedy Bang! Bang! to speak on his love of reading lyrics, his thoughts on Melania Trump, and what it would sound like if his character Tervis were to have made an appearance on the show. Later, Sean leaves and proud citizen Rich Mind Vain arrives along with great Hollywood actor Nick Nolte who is doing press for Suicide Squad. Finally, Angelica Trashmouth stops by in complete awe as she shares her feelings on visiting the city for the first time.

Pete Davidson (Saturday Night Live) joins Paul, June, and Jason for a LIVE episode recorded at the world famous Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles to discuss the 1994 superhero movie The Shadow starring Alec Baldwin. They will cover everything including Llama cigarettes, Alec Baldwin’s long cocaine nails, and whether or not that hotel in the movie was real. Plus, they find a possible connection to The Golden Child starring Eddie Murphy.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace and Credit Karma.

WATCH Filthy Preppy Teen$ on the FullScreen App today! Get yourself a BB-8 “What Is Its Mission?” T-shirt or Tote Bag over at http://howdidthisgetmade.bigcartel.com/ Set your DVRs for Party Over Here, a new FOX sketch comedy show from The Lonely Island and Paul starring Nicole Byer, Jessica McKenna, and Alison Rich. It airs Saturdays at 11 pm. People of the internet: Watch Paul in Fresh off the Boat on ABC. Awhile ago, Paul and Rob Huebel did a comedy special on a 60 foot glass bus that traveled around LA. Now you’ll be able to see it. Go to https://itun.es/us/3M4J9 now to buy it! You can also see Jason and June in Lady Dynamite on Netflix! Also, check out June in Grace and Frankie available on Netflix, and in all the episodes of NTSF:SD:SUV:: on HULU for free, and Jason in The Dictator (he’s still in it!).

Sirius/XM host Dean Obeidallah and comedian/writer Nato Green join Negin at the roundtable to talk about all things RNC and a little bit of Turkey. They discuss what Melania Trump has in common with My Little Pony and which Trump corresponds to which Lannister. They also dig deep on the RNC’s platform positions and explain what the heck happened in Turkey last week. Learn how to say Erdogan the way Turks do.

This episode is sponsored by Mack Weldon.

Former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour is willing to take a chance this election season – on Donald Trump. He sat down with David on the last day of the Republican National Convention to talk about how he and Trump may disagree on certain issues, but looking past those differences is worth bringing a change to the White House.

Keep an eye on your podcast feed next week for more conversations – this time from Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention!

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron, Stamps.com, and Harry’s.

Dennis Palp (Matt Gourley) has kidnapped Sharla Corbin Contreras, daughter of a U.S. Senator in hopes of making a friend on a podcast he likes to call Stockholm Syndrome. Will they find common ground? How much does Sharla’s father believe she is worth? Will Traci Reardon call for help during her Twitter advice segment “Help Me, Rhonda”? Tune in to find out!

This episode is sponsored by Magoosh.

Nate Corddry’s Reading Aloud bids farewell to Earwolf. As a send off, Nate reads “Behold Your Newest Silver-Screen Sex Goddess, Jane Neighbor” by writer and playwright Rachel Axler (Veep), an excerpt from the novel Stoner by writer John Williams, and the first letter from “Letters to a Young Poet” written by poet Rainer Maria Rilke to Franz Xaver Kappus.

Comedian Brian Moses transitions from county lad to country boy on this week’s Sklarbro Country! He joins the Sklars for discussions about Corey Tindal’s poker robbery, how to kill at a rap battle, and Aaron Rodgers’ family drama on The Bachelorette. Later, they dive into the Rourke/Dykstra feud, and Christoph Waltz calls in to share his concerns regarding the New York Knicks.

This episode is sponsored by Howl.

The hilarious and fashion forward Marcos Luevanos (Telenovela, Life in Pieces) joins Casey and Danielle in the nook to talk about Milania’s home under the couch and what is worthy or unworthy of being called a “Housewife trip”. Also Casey reveals her secret Jersey feelings and Danielle’s house is filled with bath salts. 

And for a bonus treat, Bitch Sesh superstar and staunch Vicky Gunvelson advocate June Diane Raphael chimes in with a voice memo giving us all her thoughts on Vicky’s latest struggles.

This episode is sponsored by PaintNite.com, Texture, Adam and Eve, and Ring.com.

This week Erin finally tries out long nails only to find out they are like garden hoes and catch everything while Bryan teaches us the lifelong lesson that even if you save up for something, the money still goes away when you pay for it. Also male tennis players and business owners believe female tennis stars should be applauded for playing, but their hormones may get in the way of the game, and trash tabloid the National Enquirer accused Richard Simmons of transitioning just for click bait. Class acts.

OD fire with Amber Rose.

This episode is sponsored by Harry’s.

James may be the outspoken QOD host regarding higher education’s low return-on-investment, but today Stephen is having a hard time remembering what he learned over those four very expensive years. Listen on as we roll back the clock to test both Stephen’s post-50-year-old memory and see if the electives he paid for as an undergrad were worth more than a few minutes on Wikipedia today.

This episode is sponsored by Magoosh.

Learn all about Audible’s new Channels podcast line-up with Eric Nuzum, the company’s Vice President of Original Content. He joins new co-hosts Chris Bannon and Lex Friedman in the Wolf Den to explain what Channels is, and how the effort intends to grow the audience for spoken word audio by expanding the variety of content. Eric talks about how he evaluates programming and its performance, and recalls a mentor from early in his career who taught him what makes for really good content. He also addresses his move from NPR  to Amazon, as well as the migration of talent out of public radio, reflecting on changes that public radio could make to adapt to the changing landscape. Plus, Eric shares his advice for podcasters and producers who are pursuing success.

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron.

Comedian, actor, writer Yassir Lester (writer for HBO’s Girls) joins Sarah and Susan to talk about The Jackson 5 Reunion for Motown’s 25th Anniversary, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos being helpful for crying, the last scene from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Barack Obama’s re-election speech, and Spike Lee’s Crooklyn.

This episode is sponsored by Third Love and Blue Apron.

Actress, comedian, and writer Phoebe Robinson of the podcast “Sooo Many White Guys” joins Kevin for a discussion on the 1993 thriller “Pelican Brief.” They do some mild humblebragging and watch the new trailer for Denzel’s new movie “The Magnificent Seven.” Later, they examine the “90s realness” of “The Pelican Brief” and rate its overall Denzelishness.

Check out Phoebe’s new book here: https://blaria.com/buy-my-book-you-cant-touch-my-hair/.

Musical guests Austin Lucas, Fernando, and Adam Faucett return along with John Gemberling, Billy Merritt, and Brian Huskey to improv4humans with Matt Besser. Austin brings some talented musicians with him to play songs that inspire songs about a band that cannot emote and a record label that pays its artists in compliments. Later, we visit a future where nobody touches anything and meet a couple of parents that take wishes too seriously.

Check out Austin Lucas’ music over at www.austinlucasmusic.com!

Ira Madison III (Senior Writer at MTV News) joins Andrew this week to discuss exposing violence by the use of phones, current trends, Pokemon Go, and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Melissa Stetten takes on Paisley Grey in Round 2 of the Pistol Shrimps Radio: Summer Masters Mini-Golf Tournament.

The Shrimps on Twitter: @pistolshrimpsbb

The Shrimps on Instagram: @thepistolshrimps

Pistol Shrimps Radio on Twitter: @ShrimpsRadio

Matt Gourley on Twitter and IG: @MattGourley

Mark McConville on Twitter and IG: @MarkMcConville

Jamie Donnelly aka “Brush-a Brush-a Brush-a” Jan the Pink Lady is back to talk more about the 1978 musical Grease. We’ll hear if Jan was a snacker onstage as much as she was in the film, what would be the future of all the Grease characters, and possible inspiration for the end of the film. Plus, Jamie shares stories of stagnant LA river water, Seabreeze shammies, and Johnny Depp finger kisses.

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron, Casper Mattresses, and Now Hear This Podcast Festival.

Tim Pinebluff (Matt Besser), the founder of the All Lives Matter movement, joins Mark and Pete live from the Republican National Convention to discuss why some lives matter more than others and the demise of Crystal Pepsi. Plus; Mark reads poetry, Donald Trump (Anthony Atamanuik) promises to burn Ted Cruz alive, and Pete sneaks off to chat up his daughter Tiffany.

Katie Couric had her dream job, her dream husband. After he died of colon cancer, Katie was left to raise their two girls young girls on her own—all while interviewing our nation’s most famous and infamous figures. To join the conversation about this episode, go to longestshortesttime.com!

This episode is sponsored by Havenly, Hooked on Phonics, Icon Undies, Bumby Box, Zappos, and Horizon Organic.

Trump isn’t his first choice, but Representative Peter King is in Cleveland at the Republican National Convention as a Trump supporter. David sat down with Rep. King on the second day of the convention to talk about his decision. Keep an eye on your podcast feed this week for more conversations from the RNC!

Have you ever pretended to start a fight with someone much larger than you in the middle of the night just to start a conversation? What about entering a private community garden while people stare at you? James has done those things in the past few weeks, in fact, and today he’s helping Stephen keep his vagabond mindset intact, following a return to the US after weeks abroad.

This episode is sponsored by Magoosh.