Wits ® – APM Podcasts - podcast cover

Wits ® – APM Podcasts

Wits was a weekly national public radio broadcast produced and distributed by American Public Media. As of September 2015, the broadcast ended. The stage shows that provided material for the broadcast are on hiatus, as is the podcast version of Wits. It is our intention to take a little time away from Wits and then look for ways to bring it back on stage and in podcast in a different form. On Wits, some of the top names in comedy and music have joined host John Moe for sketch comedy, improv, conversation, songs and genuine beauty in a program praised as "one of the rare public radio comedy shows that's actually funny" (Huffington Post) and "one of the most unique, entertaining and diverse shows on radio" (The Growler). You can listen to all of our archives online and follow host John Moe on Twitter (@johnmoe) for more information on Wits and other projects.
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Episodes

58: Audience Choice Show 2014

This week on Wits, a special audience choice episode. We asked listeners to tell us what segments they loved on Wits, and they picked their favorites: Amazon Review Theater with comedians Paul F. Tompkins and Keegan-Michael Key, Pop Song Correspondences, sketches about angels in our appliances and Linus losing it when he's separated from his blanket. Plus, Har Mar Superstar with a full horn section, and much more.

Sep 17, 201555 min

69: Music Wits

This week’s episode features some of our favorite musical moments on Wits, including performances from Har Mar Superstar, Thao Nguyen, Martha Wainwright, Dan Wilson and Sara Watkins, Loudon Wainwright III, Typhoon, Aimee Mann and Ted Leo and more.

Sep 10, 201559 min

47: Paul F. Tompkins, Keegan-Michael Key, Patton Oswalt, Ellie Kemper and The Both (Part Two)

This week's show was recorded at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles. With the help of Paul F. Tompkins, Patton Oswalt, Keegan-Michael Key, Ellie Kemper, Aimee Mann and Ted Leo, we hear what superheroes do when there's down time at the Hall of Justice, get a peek at how Big Foot influenced Fleetwood Mac's Rumors, and find out why someone gave Monty Python and the Holy Grail a one-star review on Amazon.com.

Sep 03, 201556 min

22: Kristen Schaal with Rufus Wainwright

In this week's episode, comedian and actress Kristen Schaal appears as a jaded hamster and a cop who's just had her first ever cup of coffee; singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright plays a cat and sings a stunning a cappella version of his song "Candles," and the real estate agent for the B-52's has a hard time selling a certain property known as the "Love Shack."

Aug 27, 201557 min

28: Hannibal Buress with Open Mike Eagle

On this week's episode of Wits, top stand-up comedian, and 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live veteran, Hannibal Buress tells about the made-up childhood of Alex Trebek, hip hop artist Open Mike Eagle has a hitherto unexplored question for the Party People, and we find out what you really get at a deli when you place a certain lunch order. Plus, a Pop Song Correspondence from Journey's put-upon editor.

Aug 20, 201557 min

60: Colin Hanks with Father John Misty (Part One)

On this week’s show, Emmy-nominated actor Colin Hanks tries to get kids to believe that math is cool (it does not go well), singer/songwriter Father John Misty portrays a Fridge Raccoon, and Wikihow Theater shows how to make people respect your pet. Plus, the story of how Prince melted Minneapolis into existence and music from Father John Misty.

Aug 13, 201557 min

14: Paul F. Tompkins with Aimee Mann

This week's show features comedian and actor Paul F. Tompkins (also host of the Pod F. Tompkast) with the Oscar and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Aimee Mann, as well as an EMU ATTACK, and a visit from President James K. Polk the time-traveling repairman.

Aug 06, 201557 min

37: Paul F. Tompkins with Rhett Miller

On this week’s episode, comedian Paul F. Tompkins tries to overcome a lifetime of servile conditioning as Mark, a newly liberated denizen of Oz, while hip-swiveling Rhett Miller of the Old 97′s educates us all about random dandelion surgery. Plus, we go fence riding with the true story of The Eagles’ Desperado.

Jul 30, 201554 min

97: Fred Willard with Shinyribs and Carrie Rodriguez (Part Two)

This week’s show comes to you from the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas with legendary comedic actor Fred Willard. Plus, songs from beloved Austin musicians Shinyribs and Carrie Rodriguez. And an "All About That Bass" Pop Song Correspondence from the ad agency hired by National Bass Fishing Association.

Jul 23, 201557 min

96: Danny Pudi with Har Mar Superstar (Part Two)

This week on Wits, the hilarious actor Danny Pudi of TV’s Community and singer Har Mar Superstar. Star Wars gets all Ken Burns with tearful letters from actual Storm Troopers in the battle between the Empire and the Rebellion. And a Wits game show, in which Har Mar Superstar uses the word “collapsening.”

Jul 16, 201555 min

95: Cristela Alonzo with Ryan Bingham (Part Two)

On this week’s Wits, comedian Cristela Alonzo details the completely unique brand of nerditude she established in college, Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Ryan Bingham explains how riding bulls made his teeth so white, and we hear student evaluations from Professor Billy Joel’s 20th Century History class.

Jul 09, 201556 min

94: Extra: Andy Daly, Monopoly, and the Wits Mailbag

On the Wits podcast this week, we talk with comedian and actor Andy Daly about his Comedy Central show Review – season 2 debuts in late July. Andy tells us what it’s like to play Forrest MacNeil, a professional life critic. Forrest performs any life experience his audience asks him to and then reviews it on a scale of one to five stars. We also hear how the board game Monopoly was born and take questions from the Wits mailbag.

Jul 02, 201533 min

93: Paul Scheer with Neko Case (Part Two)

On this week’s Wits, comedian, actor, and podcaster Paul Scheer tells us about the time he burned down a dude ranch, Neko Case remembers when she found out she was related to one of the first women professional wrestlers, and we meet some superheroes who will never ever make it in the movies.

Jun 25, 201554 min

92: Wits Extra: Conversation Parade Preview

On this first episode of Conversation Parade, hosts John Moe and Open Mike Eagle explore the relationship between Finn the Human and Jake the Dog and wonder whether we really need manuals in life. Plus, John talks with actor John DiMaggio, the voice of Jake the Dog, about what it’s like to record the show with his fellow actors and why he loves Lumpy Space Princess so much.

Jun 19, 201521 min

91: George Takei with Serengeti (Part Two)

On this week’s Wits, Star Trek actor George Takei tells us what event made him decide to come out as a gay man after decades in the closet. Plus, Chicago art-rapper Serengeti provides some eclectic hip-hop that will stick in your head. And, a special preview of a new project we’re working on! Big excitement!

Jun 18, 201557 min

90: Cary Elwes with Kat Edmonson

On this week’s Wits, actor and author Cary Elwes. He’s perhaps best known for his role as the dashing hero Westly in the movie The Princess Bride. Elwes shares stories of the fun he had making that movie as well as the painful injuries. Plus, music from mesmerizing chanteuse Kat Edmonson. And, Bob Seger tells us what it’s been like living in a big, ferocious whale.

Jun 11, 201554 min

89: Eric Stonestreet with Brandi Carlile (Part Two)

This week on Wits, Emmy-winning actor Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family tries to convince us all that clowns aren’t creepy, and we have a new installment of Wikihow Theater where you can learn how to annoy your dad and how to sneak a cat into work. Plus, chart-topping singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile blows us away with her singing, and shows off her killer funny bone.

Jun 04, 201556 min

88: Fred Willard with Shinyribs and Carrie Rodriguez

This week, Wits is at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas with one of the all-time greats of comedy, actor Fred Willard. He shares some behind-the-scenes stories of those classic Christopher Guest comedies he appeared in like Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. We also have songs from beloved Austin-based music guests Shinyribs and Carrie Rodriguez. Plus, we find out what inspired Abbott and Costello’s most famous routine.

May 28, 201559 min

87: Extra: Cameron Esposito and the Wits Mailbag

On this week’s podcast, we talk with Cameron Esposito. She's been on Conan, Maron, @midnight ... she's the voice of Carroll the cloud person in Cartoon Network's Adventure Time. She writes a biweekly column for The AV Club called Who in the World is Cameron Esposito, and she did all those Buzzfeed Ask a Lesbian videos. She talks with us about making those videos, coming out, and why she got into stand-up. We also answer questions from the Wits mailbag, and we hear actor Keegan-Michael Key and si...

May 21, 201540 min

86: Danny Pudi with Har Mar Superstar

On this week’s Wits, actor Danny Pudi of the beloved sitcom Community tells us what it was like to work with Chevy Chase, singer Har Mar Superstar shares what it’s like to look like Ron Jeremy when you’re at the Playboy Mansion, and we hear from severely disgruntled potential contributors to Cat Fancy magazine. Plus, the world premiere of new music from Har Mar Superstar.

May 14, 201555 min

85: Cristela Alonzo with Ryan Bingham

On this week’s show, Cristela Alonzo tells us the amazing story about how she came to be the first Latina to write, produce and star in her own network sitcom, Ryan Bingham tells us what you have to do to ride a bull, and we hear what happens when you mess with Texas. Plus, Ryan sings from his latest album, Fear and Saturday Night.

May 07, 201557 min

84: Paul Scheer with Neko Case

On this week’s Wits, comedian, actor and podcaster Paul Scheer tells us about his reenactments of Arsenio Hall interviews from the 90s, Neko Case sings songs from her latest album, and we hear the real story of John Mellencamp’s Jack and Diane. Plus, was George Washingon a big jerk? We’ve got the answer. Maybe.

Apr 30, 201555 min

83: Extra: John DiMaggio, Wits mailbag, an office game gone wrong

On this week’s podcast, an interview with actor John DiMaggio. He’s the voice of Adventure Time’s Jake the Dog. He’s Bender in Futurama. He’s the Executive Producer of a documentary on voice acting called “I Know That Voice,” and he’s a lot of fun to talk with. We also answer listener questions from the Wits mailbag, and comedians Hari Kondabolu and W. Kamau Bell join us for a scene in the office: a get-to-know-you game gone wrong.

Apr 23, 201526 min

63: Neil Gaiman with My Brightest Diamond (Part One)

On this week’s Wits, author Neil Gaiman presents the worst submissions to our Bad Gaiman Challenge – where we asked you to send in your poorest imitations of Neil Gaiman’s writing. We also hear Neil selling real estate, or rather, “unreal” estate, and in Pop Song Correspondence, Satan applies for a job at Radio Shack. Plus, music from My Brightest Diamond.

Apr 16, 201554 min

61: Maria Bamford with Jeremy Messersmith (Part One)

This week on Wits, comedian and actor Maria Bamford as a very creepy Tooth Fairy and a possibly zombified Laura Ingalls Wilder promoting her new books. We also get music from singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith. Plus, Maria and Jeremy try to sort out which patron saints are for real in the Wits game show.

Apr 02, 201554 min

59: Jim Gaffigan with Reggie Watts and Thao Nguyen

On this week’s show, comedian, author and actor Jim Gaffigan talks about his upcoming book Food: A Love Story, the food he loves, and the food he just doesn’t really understand. Comedian, actor and musician Reggie Watts improvises a song about a beaver who is no good at building dams and singer/songwriter Thao Nguyen wows the audience with her Appalachian-infused rock and roll. Plus, Tom Waits, President Chester Alan Arthur and an immortal stegosaurus want to sell you bubbled gum.

Mar 19, 201557 min

82: George Takei with Serengeti

This week on Wits, rappers George Takei and Serengeti. Wait, is that right? Well, sort of. Famed Star Trek officer, social media star, and activist George Takei tells stories about the early days of the iconic science fiction franchise, his new Broadway musical, and how he, along with his Gang from Sugar Hill, started rap music. That last part might be more of a comedy sketch. We also get to know rapper Serengeti and his alter ego Kenny Dennis. Plus, a game of OBSCURE RAPPER, ANCILLARY STAR TREK...

Mar 12, 201554 min

81: Eric Stonestreet with Brandi Carlile (Part One)

This week on Wits, actor Eric Stonestreet as a Bigfoot who specializes in marriage counseling. Singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile reveals her secret obsession (not to reveal too much but it involves tomatoes). We also get useful lessons on how to cross piranha-infested waters and hear a clip from the new PBS remake of House of Cards. Plus brand new music from Brandi Carlile.

Mar 05, 201554 min

57: Kumail Nanjiani with Valerie June (Part Two)

On this week’s show, comedian Kumail Nanjiani talks about his first time in America, his HBO show Silicon Valley, and his love for video games. He also gets pretty freaked out about a potato in a conference room. And we hear music from singer/songwriter Valerie June, who tells us how sometimes songs come to her in different voices. Plus, an installment of Cop Squadron!

Feb 26, 201554 min
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