House of Pies star Ben Schwartz and SNL alum Horatio Sanz keep the CBB tradition alive as they help Scott ring in the new year! Ben tells us about being a Star Wars: Force Awakens voice over consultant for BB-8, Horatio shares some of the cut Chewbacca lines from the film, and everyone has some fun with Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Then, small business owner Ted Ronson stops by to talk about about Peanuts Awareness Month. Plus, everyone participates in the first Would You Rather? of 2016!

Paul F. Tompkins wishes all of you here and in heaven a Happy New Year and a grand return to SPONTANEANATION! This week, Paul’s special guest is humorist David Rees of Going Deep with David Rees! They chat about the best gift David’s ever given, the extreme cuteness of David’s baby brother, and David’s strange high school secret. Paul is then joined by Shulie Cowen, Jean Villepique, and Chris Tallman to improvise a story set in a Pet Store, Post Robbery. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

LIVE episodes of SPONTANEANATION return to Largo on The Coronet on Saturday, February 6, 2016! Get your tickets now: bit.ly/SPONT0216

Most disaster movies make cannon fodder out of almost every single living person on the planet who isn’t a president, a fighter pilot, or the one scientist who has the key to solving the alien/meteor/whatever problem. What about the rest of us? Isn’t there a great story in the Armageddon expanded universe about a bunch of people partying like the world is going to end and then having to go to work the next day?

What about the thankless IT workers of S.H.I.E.L.D. or any secret organization of that matter? Where are the stories of the people whose job it is to handle the IT tickets when Darth Vader’s hologram doesn’t work or Captain America forgets his password?

In this live episode recorded at the Comikaze Expo in Los Angeles, Jack O’Brien is joined on a panel by Dan O’Brien, Soren Bowie, Michael Swaim, Tom Reimann, Katie Willert, Alex Schmidt, Adam Tod Brown, Cody Johnson and Josh Sargent to discuss movies that would be completely changed if you viewed them from the point of view of the little people.

Also, be sure to buy tickets to our next LIVE podcast on Wednesday, January 6th at 7pm at the UCB Sunset theatre in Los Angeles. Jack will be joined by Dan O’Brien, Alex Schmidt and Carmen Angelica to talk about the frustrating intricacies and strange evolution of the English language. Tickets are only $5 and on sale here: bit.ly/1OCNQTK

Welcome back to another episode of Join Me In My Room with Fiona Bloom (D’Arcy Carden)! It’s the show where Fiona invites other kids from her school or summer camp over to her house to talk about her three favorite things — the book series The Weeping Willows, the band Baby Alligators, and her camp counselor Bryan Cranston (not that one silly!). This week she welcomes notable 8th grader Josie Cranston into her room to talk about which characters from The Weeping Willows they would ship, if she’s ever kissed a girl or boy, and her step-brother Bryan Cranston. Later, Traci Reardon arrives to help her Twitter followers with preteen advice in another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.”

On a very special episode of Reading Aloud, Nate is incredibly honored to chat with the iconic Gloria Steinem. Steinem is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader and spokeswoman for the feminist movement in the late 1960s and early 70s. Steinem currently travels internationally as an organizer and lecturer and is a media spokeswoman on issues of equality. Nate and Steinem discuss her new book about her travels called My Life on the Road. Happy New Year!

It’s the time of year when we give thanks to the celebs who populate the Sklarbro Country universe! Randy and Jason welcome special guests Nicholas Cage, Robert Durst, Michael Caine, Christoph Waltz, Bill Walton, Ozzie Guillen, Mark Wahlberg, Racist Vin Scully, Tiger Woods,  Sam Elliot, Dicky V, the Worm Dennis Rodman, Philly Guy, and many more to celebrate the New Year!

Happy N(j)ew Year from Ronna & Beverly! The kick ass Zoe Bell joins Ronna & Beverly to chat about her first break as a stuntwoman on Xena: Warrior Princess, her transition from stunt work on Kill Bill to becoming an actress with a major role in Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof, her role in The Hateful Eight, and why the praying mantis is the only thing that frightens her.

This week I meet two Sharks, but only one of them is a literal shark. I mean I GET IT, but it still seems more confusing than it needs to be.

Credits

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Louis A. Shark: John Patrick Coan
Lois, a shark: Jen Jackson
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi
Editor: Chris Rathjen
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban

Sponsored By: Iron Galaxy via The Chicago Podcast Cooperative

Happy New Year Denzealots! Sonari Glinton of NPR joins Kamau & Kevin to talk about the growth of Denzel’s character in the 1993 film Philadelphia. Sonari also tells us about the moment he realized that he was real close to Black Judgement and his experience attending the White House Christmas party. Plus, Sonari leaves Denzealots with a special quiz!

At long last, the conclusion of the Best of Comedy Bang! Bang! 2015 countdown with special co-host Paul F. Tompkins is here with your Top 3 episodes of the entire year. Thanks for listening and Happy New Year!

Singer-songwriters Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan together are The Milk Carton Kids and this week they join Mary Holland, Matt Newell, and Seth Morris for another musical edition of improv4humans with Matt Besser! The Milk Carton Kids play us some select tracks off of their many albums that will inspire scenes about a new dog who learns how to fit in, heaven being much like life on Earth, and the incredible lengths a group of kids go to find out what kind of jean shorts a lady in their neighborhood is wearing. Make sure to get the Upright Citizens Brigade television show season 3 now available on DVD, the UCB Comedy Improv Manual, and pick up The Milk Carton Kids music at www.themilkcartonkids.com!

Do you strive to follow in the professional footsteps of Stephen J. Dubner and James Altucher? Is direct advice from the men themselves the one element you’re missing from accomplishing that goal? If so, strap on your headphones and start listening to today’s episode!

Join Danielle and special co-host Jessica St. Clair with their guest Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty, Devious Maids) as they discuss Munchausen syndrome, Kyle’s never not seen shoulders and animals rising up to attack Lisa and Ken. You’ll hear Amazon reviews of Bedroom Kandi vibrators, a teary email from Casey away on holiday, praise for Teresa’s post prison blow-out, and a dramatic reading of a classic Real Housewives of New York scene.

All that and a visit from Watch What Happens Live associate producer Mariah Smith, who gives us some behind the scenes scoop.

Dana Gould, comedian/Simpsons writer/die-hard movie buff joins Leonard and Baron to talk about what lead to his love of horror films, the incredibly wide range of references on The Simpsons that you would either get or not get, and one of his favorite sleepers, Carnival of Souls (1962) directed by Herk Harvey.

Ring in the New Year with Howard, Kulap, and Matt Besser of improv4humans! In a Who Charted? first, Matt shares his Top 5 Songs of 2015 and explains how his daughter inspired Ben Lee’s music video for “Happiness.” Then, everyone talks about what made them cry as they watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Finally, Howard takes us through his special Christmas for One experience as he counts down his Top 5 Hip-Hop Songs of 2015. Happy New Year Chartists!

Today’s question originated on Quora, where it has over 1600 users following it. Ours hosts take a look not only at the question itself, but also why so many people are obsessed with their offspring being gratuitously wealthy.

It’s that time of year once again where Jensen & Matty countdown their top 10 Get Up On picks of 2015, throw in their 3 favorite Get Up OFFs, and then make fun of each other by pointing out what they think was each other’s WORST pick of the year. Enjoy and thanks for listening Bunheads!

Naomi Villa is a Los Angeles based improviser who is a brunch fanatic. Naomi joins Deanna & Emily to talk about why brunch is the perfect place to make friends, test her Friends fandom, and explain why Tumblr is a comfortable place to express yourself. Treat Yo Self and have a Happy New Year!

On a very special New Years edition of Sklarbro County, Randy, Jason, and Daniel Van Kirk get into some real talk about Vin Diesel, Hanukkah, Larry King, and the usual County insanity. Plus, we hear from our good friend Michael Kissick who has some great jokes to share with us. Happy New Year!

Do you ever stop a podcast mid-episode even though you like the content, because it’s ‘unlistenable’? Today, James and Stephen posit why some shows pay seemingly no attention to their aural character, and what it takes to become a ‘Top 10’ podcast.

Devin & Amy count down their Top 10 Films of 2015 as they decide which movie they will choose to be inducted into the Canon. Will they nominate Jurassic World? What about Creed? One thing is for sure, they cannot induct Mad Max again. Tune in for the discussion — and head to the forums on Wolfpop to cast the deciding vote for both films!

One of the most celebrated filmmakers of all time, Quentin Tarantino joins Josh to end the year strong with a conversation about his latest film The Hateful Eight, why he wouldn’t be able to make a horror film as good as The Exorcist, meeting his hero Brian De Palma, the early version of Kill Bill, and the possibility of a stage version of The Hateful Eight. Happy New Year!

The Best of Comedy Bang! Bang! 2015 countdown continues with Scott and special co-host Paul F. Tompkins as they go through numbers six, five, and four on the list of the best episodes YOU voted for. Please enjoy and we will see you on New Year’s Eve for the final installment!

Marina Del Ray High is hopped up on Christmas cheer this year as Marissa, Listler, and Substitute teacher Mrs. Patti Raper (Jamie Denbo) gather together on the last day of school for a special Holiday WOMP IT UP! After sharing their holiday plans, we hear everyone’s issues with DiGiorno Pizza, public tampon dispensers being unavailable, and WOMP IT UP merch in a new segment called “What’s Cheesing YOU?” Then, the spotlight is on Mrs. Patti Raper as she tells us about being intimate with a cast member of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, meeting her husband in jail, and her brief time with the Manson Family. Plus, listeners get some advice on long distance relationships and more during Listler’s Love Lockdown!

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes all, the many, the few, the high, and the low back to SPONTANEANATION! This week, Paul’s special guest is comedian/improviser/writer Eliza Skinner of Turnt Up! and The Late Late Show with James Corden! They chat about the glamour of entertainment seen through a child’s eyes, having conversations with sleeping people, and feeling frustrated by TV/movie characters in frustrating situations. Paul is then joined by Hal Lublin, Mark McConville and Jean Villepique to improvise a story set Inside a 40 Year-Old Woman’s Purse. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

LIVE episodes of SPONTANEANATION return to Largo on The Coronet on Saturday, February 6, 2016! Get your tickets now: bit.ly/SPONT0216

Merry Christmas Reading Aloud listeners! Nate shares some very special holiday pieces recorded LIVE from the UCB theatre in Los Angeles by special guests Megan Amram, Seth Morris as Bob Ducca, Natalie Palamides, Emily Maya Mills, and Steve Agee. Relax this holiday season and pick up “Fates and Furies” by Lauren Groff and send in your thoughts on the book at readingaloudpodcast@gmail.com.

Celebrate Life Day with Paul, Jason, and special guests Matt Gourley of I Was There Too and Eden Sher of The Middle as they discuss the infamous 1978 CBS TV film The Star Wars Holiday Special. They’ll talk about Chewbacca being a bad father, the Diahann Carroll virtual reality porn, Harvey Korman being truly committed in all of his “comedic bits,” and much more. Merry Christmas and Happy Life Day from HDTGM!

Don’t forget to check out Blake Harris’ Oral History of The Star Wars Holiday Special over at www.slashfilm.com!

Get yourself a BB-8 “What Is Its Mission?” T-shirt or Tote Bag over at http://howdidthisgetmade.bigcartel.com/!

People of the internet: Watch Paul in Fresh off the Boat on ABC and a while ago, Paul and Rob Huebel did a comedy special on a 60 foot glass bus that traveled around LA and now you’ll be able to see it. Go to https://itun.es/us/3M4J9 now to buy it! You can also see Jason in Transparent on Amazon and in Sleeping With Other People on iTunes! 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!).

Ho! Ho! Ho! Welcome back to the North Pod with your host Santa Claus (Paul F. Tompkins) and returning special guest Ho Ho the naughty Elf. They’ll read from the Naughty and Nice List, hear some North Pole gossip from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and challenge each other to come up with the quintessential Christmas Song. Plus, Traci Reardon arrives to offer advice to her Twitter followers who are desperate for Christmas help in another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.” Merry Christmas!

It’s the time of year where The Sklar Brothers, Matt Price of the Whale Cave, DJ J-Logic, and Nate DiMeo of The Memory Palace podcast pass the chord and share their Top 3 Songs of 2015! Happy Holidays!

On a special Christmas Edition of Yo, Is This Racist, Andrew Ti and special guest Megan Rosati finish the week off by discussing if it’s racist for a White person to convert to Islam. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.