The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table - podcast cover

The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table

Comedy Cellar Networkwww.comedycellar.com
For 30 years, New York's legendary Comedy Cellar has served as the launching pad for greatest stand up comedians in the world. Colin Quinn, Dave Chappelle, Ray Romano, Dave Attell, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Dane Cook, Robert Kelly and Greg Giraldo are just a few of the comedians who began as Cellar regulars. But classic stage performances have never been the only show going on at the Cellar. The biggest comedians in the world come to sit at the table upstairs, where comedians come to argue and discuss the events of the day and their lives, sharpening their their comedy knives on each other. This kibitzing (an inspiration for Comedy Central's Tough Crowd), has always been a private affair... until now. Join us for a weekly peek into the happenings at the Comedy Cellar's comedian table, where the funniest people in the world debate and discuss. Subscribe now and don't miss a second of it. We would love to hear your comments. Email them to podcast@comedycellar.com
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Episodes

Epstein, Moral Panic and Racism with Richard Hanania

Noam Dworman, Dan Naturman and Periel Aschenbrand are joined by Richard Hanania. Hanania writes a newsletter about American politics, ethics, international relations and culture. He is the author of Public Choice Theory and the Illusion of Grand Strategy and The Origins of Woke. His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, The Economist, and other publications. His book, Kakistocracy: Why Populism Ends in Disaster, is forthcoming.

Dec 01, 20251 hr 9 min

Atlantic Writer Helen Lewis on The Riyadh Comedy Festival and Hero Worship

While Noam Dworman is away, Dan Naturman and Periel Aschenbrand are joined by The Atlantic's Helen Lewis. They discuss The Riyadh Comedy Festival, Lewis's book, The Genius Myth and The Beatles. Then Sheba Mason drops by to talk about her play about her late father, The Jackie Mason Musical.

Nov 14, 20251 hr 25 min

Exposing the “Clean Break” Myth: Israel Was Not Behind the Iraq War - With Dr. David Wurmser

Were the Jews Really Behind the Iraq War? David Wurmser Responds. Dr. David Wurmser, former senior advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney and co-author of the infamous “Clean Break” memo, gives us a first-hand account. Wurmser addresses the persistent claim that Israel and “neocon Jews” manipulated the Bush administration into invading Iraq. The discussion expands to include Dick Cheney’s character, the psychology of 9/11, the myth of dual loyalty, and the new wave of anti-Semitism being mainstre...

Nov 07, 20251 hr 51 min

While Israel Slept – How Complacency Led to Catastrophe - Yaakov Katz ( No, there was no conspiracy)

Former Jerusalem Post editor-in-chief Yaakov Katz joins Noam Dworman and Dan Naturman to dissect the failures behind October 7, the moral and strategic crises of modern Israel, and the political culture that allowed catastrophe to take root. Based on his new book While Israel Slept, Katz lays out how a nation of elite intelligence, defense technology, and Iron Dome confidence was blindsided by its own assumptions. Buy Yaakov Katz’s book — While Israel Slept — on Amazon: http://bit.ly/4o3b7XE He ...

Oct 23, 20251 hr 8 min

Moumen al-Natour. LIVE from Gaza: Hunger, Torture, and Hope — We Want Peace, Not Hamas

A Live Interview from Inside Gaza. In this exclusive Live From the Table conversation, we speak directly with Moumen Al-Natour, the Gazan lawyer and founder of the We Want to Live movement. Al-Natour describes daily life under Hamas rule, the corruption of aid, hunger during the war, and his escape from repeated torture. An unfiltered account of courage, suffering, and the fight for a peaceful future.

Oct 23, 202541 min

Did Israel Win in Gaza? “Yes — Emphatically, and Tragically, No.” Ambassador Michael Oren.

With his son Yoav Oren (former IDF special‑forces soldier) Ambassador Michael Oren (historian; former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.) sits down for anunvarnished assessment of the war what “victory” actually means. Highlights: Psychology of war & the IDF: A deep dive into moral erosion under prolonged combat; how rage, fear, and fatigue are managed; why some units choose capture‑over‑kill in close quarters; and the IDF practice of embedding psychologists with frontline units during Gaza oper...

Oct 21, 20251 hr 13 min

The Babylon Bee's Seth Dillon Speaks His Mind on Today’s Right—and Refuses to Flinch

Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon joins Live From The Table to talk about the emerging splits on the political right—Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA, anti-Semitism, and the responsibilities that come with free speech. Topics (AI gleaned): The Babylon Bee and modern satire Trans debates and free speech Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, and Turning Point Anti-Semitism and cowardice on the right Religion, truth, and respect in public debate

Oct 16, 20251 hr 20 min

Has the War in Israel Become a War on Jews? | Bret Stephens, Coleman Hughes & Michael Moynihan

Two years after October 7th, the Comedy Cellar hosts Bret Stephens (New York Times), Coleman Hughes (The Free Press), and Michael Moynihan (The Fifth Column) for a discussion of how the Hamas war against Israel ignited something larger — and perhaps more enduring. The panel explores: How sympathy for Israel inverted almost overnight into hostility toward Jews. The emergence of “October 8th Jews” and the new sense of isolation in America. The Plight of the Long Suffering Palestinians Double Stand...

Oct 09, 20251 hr 40 min

John Spencer on Gaza: Wrestling With the Unbearable Questions of War

Impossible choices haunt every war. John Spencer, executive director of the Urban Warfare Institute, joins Live from the Table to confront the hardest questions raised by Israel’s war against Hamas. How are civilian deaths justified in war? Can Israel defeat Hamas ? What does it mean to fight an enemy that will not protect its own people? Is Israel held to a different standard than other nations Difficult questions, no easy answers.

Sep 26, 20251 hr 14 min

“I’m not saying Israel Did It…”: The Charlie Kirk Conspiracy Chorus and its Enablers - With Ross Barkan.

Charlie Kirk’s assassination has sparked a firestorm of conspiracies. The Live from the Table crew, joined by journalist Ross Barkan, exposes how antisemitic tropes are spreading on the right—from Candace Owens’ tweetstorms and Max Blumenthal’s “sources” to Holocaust denier Ian Carroll’s overt accusations. And why is Megyn Kelly - staunchly pro-Israel - hesitant to call out Candace Owens, even at times praising her, as Owens’ conspiracy talk spreads? Why has Kirk’s murder been reframed around hi...

Sep 22, 20251 hr 53 min

Is Israel Undermining The Moral Case for its Existence? - Professor Robert Pape

University of Chicago Professor Robert Pape maintains that Israel is passing "historic thresholds of civilian punishment" and is risking its own future existence. Please Note: This PDF contains the post-show conversation between Noam and Pape. It contains many links to articles and videos that Pape draws from. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rk9NJ6BEYx6qa7JUEjuwzKG7R2MUOus4/view?usp=sharing Here is Pape's recent article on the matter in Foreign Affairs: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/gaz...

Sep 07, 20251 hr 13 min

America's Youngest Nationally Syndicated Columnist Wants to be Like Ben Shapiro When He Grows Up

Noam Dworman and Periel Aschenbrand are joined by Gregory Lyakhov, America's the youngest nationally syndicated columnist. He serves as a columnist for Newsmax, The Gateway Pundit, and Townhall Media, regularly contributing to major outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, and The Hill. His work has appeared in dozens of other publications and has been cited by top institutions, including the White House. He shares his views on the war in Israel, anti Semitism and why he wants...

Aug 29, 20251 hr 21 min

Richard Hanania: Epstein, Israel, and Hot Physiognomy

Social and political critic extraordinaire Richard Hanania joins us for a wide-ranging discussion on Israel, Epstein, and whatever else he's thinking about these days. 📖 Get his book The Origins of Woke: Civil Rights Law, Corporate America, and the Triumph of Identity Politics on Amazon: http://bit.ly/4lA4hH5 📰 Read his Substack: https://substack.com/@richardhanania 🐦 Follow him on X: https://x.com/RichardHanania

Aug 23, 20251 hr 25 min

In Ozempic We Trust with The Free Press's Suzy Weiss

Suzy Weiss is a co-founder of The Free Press. Before that, she worked as a features reporter at the New York Post. There, she covered the internet, culture, dating, dieting, technology, and Gen Z. Her work has also appeared in Tablet, the New York Daily News, and The Wall Street Journal among others.

Aug 06, 202558 min

Omer Bartov on the Genocide Debate - Hamas Must Be Destroyed (But Not This Way).

Omer Bartov discusses his recent article in The New York Times accusing Israel of genocide. A contentious conversation. Links: https://newrepublic.com/article/96369/hitler-wwii-middle-east-islam https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/entertainment/books/2004/12/19/an-end-full-of-horror/f62352ab-2561-45bf-ad33-e1368d1e81cd/ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/opinion/israel-gaza-holocaust-genocide-palestinians.html https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/01/israel-south-africa-genoc...

Jul 25, 20251 hr 30 min

Bonus Episode: Ozempic, Stand Up and Jeffrey Epstein

Dan Naturman and Periel Aschenbrand discuss using notes on stage, Dan's cruises, the adult obsession with the weather, Ozempic, Periel's new show and whether or not Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide.Live from the Table Bonus Episode: Ozempic, Stand Up and Jeffrey Epstein.

Jul 13, 20251 hr 17 min

Anti-Victim Tom Nash

Noam Dworman and Dan Naturman are joined by Tom Nash, a self described storyteller and vagabond. Noam gets nostalgic, Dan gets philosophical and Tom explains anti-fragility. Nash is a Global Keynote Speaker and has graced the stages of some of the world's largest conferences and festivals including TED and SXSW. He is also a club DJ, author. He lost all four of his limbs after a devastating brush with a deadly disease.

Jul 09, 20251 hr 4 min

Bonus Episode: Colonoscopies, Diddy, Mamdani and Bob Vylan

Noam Dworman unexpectedly joins Dan Naturman and Periel Aschenbrand despite the fact that he had a colonoscopy earlier in the day. They discuss his procedure, the recent Diddy Verdict and what it means to globalize the intifada.Live from the Table Bonus Episode: Colonoscopies, Diddy, Mamdani and Bob Vylan

Jul 04, 20251 hr 16 min

Israel vs. Hamas Debate with Twitter's "@History_Speaks" Matthew Cockerill

Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MhxjO0q9vmk https://youtu.be/MhxjO0q9vmk 2 hours of debate (plus another hour over drinks after) and we didn't settle it. Discussed: Is It Genocide? Does Hamas maximize civilian deaths? Comprehending martyrdom - does Hamas consider all civilians to be combatants? Does Hamas have "no choice" but to break the rules? Does Israel break the rules? Why all the name-calling? Is civility possible in debating Israel's action in Gaza? More More from Matthew: https://h...

Jun 26, 20252 hr 22 min

Should Jews Abandon Israel? An Uncomfortable Conversation with Josh Szeps

Two Zionist Jews discuss: "Until Israeli politics can radically reorient itself, it’s time to construct a vision of Jewishness that’s independent of the state that pretends to act on our behalf. It’s time for Jews to reclaim the moral mantle of our ancestors. For the Palestinians, but also for the future of the Jewish people, it’s time for Jews to abandon Israel." https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/about Josh Szeps is the host of the podcast Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Sze...

Jun 24, 20251 hr 55 min

In COVID’s Wake: Prof. Stephen Macedo Debates COVID Lockdowns, Liberty, and the Data.

The pandemic playbook was ripped up in 2020—but did the replacements work? Was Great Barrington/Sweden the better way? In this deep-dive conversation, Comedy Cellar owner Noam Dworman goes head-to-head with Princeton political philosopher Stephen Macedo over the empirical record and moral calculus of COVID-19 policies. Here is the Israeli study Noam refers to: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8144835/

Jun 14, 20251 hr 28 min
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