On this week’s show, actor/writer Keegan-Michael Key as Rex, a powerful, 2-ton police force of nature who gets all the confessions. Because he is an actual Tyrannosaurus Rex. We also get the back story on Keegan’s iconic substitute teacher role from his hit show Key & Peele and play a Wits Game Show that reveals our guests might be criminal masterminds. Might! Plus, brand new installments of Amazon Review Theater take on one-star reviews of classics like Of Mice and Men and Hop on Pop, and t...
Feb 19, 2015•56 min
On the Wits podcast extra: Hail To the Chief(s)! Chieves? America celebrated its presidents this week. Wits celebrates those same presidents with a look back at the Commanders-in-Chief, Founding Fathers, and First Ladies that we have had on the show over the years. Or at least guests we made pretend that they were those people. And there have been a lot: James K. Polk, others. With special guests Andy Richter, Neil Gaiman, Paul F. Tompkins, Kevin Murphy, Bill Corbett, Paget Brewster, Joseph Scri...
Feb 17, 2015•27 min
This week on Wits, the band OK Go debuts a brand new, previously unreleased video that you have to see to believe. Yep, video on the radio. Comedian Hari Kondabolu talks colonialism, weird word tricks and having his high school mascot named after him. We play a new Game Show featuring less-than-famous quotes from very famous people. Plus, special guest W. Kamau Bell as a Smurf and we get advice on how to understand the TV show Falcon Crest and/or sneak up on people.
Feb 12, 2015•54 min
On the podcast extra this week: Extra bonus Neil Gaiman, Friend of Wits! Acclaimed author Neil Gaiman is a long-time pal of our show. He’s been a full-on guest twice, and has made special appearances countless times. Because we have so much fun with Neil every time he’s on, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of his more memorable moments on Wits. So we tuned up the Wits time-turn-backer machine to turn back time, where it’s time to turn toward timeless Neil Gaiman turns on ou...
Feb 10, 2015•21 min
This week on Wits, acclaimed best-selling author Neil Gaiman tells tales of his time in a teenage punk band, reveals the conversations he’s had while owning multiple talking animals, and tackles the role of a smooth jazz trumpeter tasked with saving the world from Murder Cat. Singer/songwriter Shara Worden joins us for a Wits Game Show about some of the most obscure comic books ever made, and we get beautiful eclectic music from My Brightest Diamond.
Feb 04, 2015•54 min
We had such a great time taping our show with Paul F. Tompkins, Paget Brewster, Weird Al Yankovic, and Rhett Miller that we lost track of ourselves and made way too much material for the radio. So we are sharing this bonus material as an extra TOO MUCH FOR RADIO episode. Hear Paul F. Tompkins and Paget Brewster battle Rhett Miller for “Weird Al” Yankovic’s affection. Check out the new #1 single, Guacamole Heart. And swoon to Rhett’s croons.
Feb 03, 2015•21 min
This week: the triumphant return of the terrific Wits/Thrilling Adventure Hour Crossover. Enjoy an all-new feature featuring married mediums Frank & Sadie Doyle and their quest to figure out just who is filling all these martini glasses with booze while they sleep. The one and only “Weird Al” Yankovic reveals the true stories behind some of his most iconic songs and projects, while actress Paget Brewster stuns the audience with her allegiance to the most hated of all insects. Plus, Paul F. T...
Jan 29, 2015•56 min
On this week's episode, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! host Peter Sagal sings, comedian Paul F. Tompkins reads one-star Amazon reviews (and also sings), and art-rapper Open Mike Eagle offers chilling insight on the Happy Birthday song. He sings as well. Plus, a peek at what probably happened in movies like Christine and Steel Magnolias, cocktail recipes from Don Draper, and a Wits game show.
Jan 22, 2015•56 min
This week on Wits, you will be shocked by what you learn about our guest, comedian Maria Bamford, and the things she’s eaten that belong to other people. We also meet Buttonwillow, the world’s best salesperson, and get incredibly valuable advice on how to appreciate the band ABBA. Plus, behind-the-scenes with the Doobie Brother mother, and lots of great music from Jeremy Messersmith.
Jan 15, 2015•55 min
This week on Wits, Emmy-nominated actor Colin Hanks takes us to the new M. Night Shyamalan restaurant, and he and singer/songwriter Father John Misty travel back in time to the Great Depression and the first moments of the game Monopoly. Plus, advice on how to enjoy life when you stand nowhere, a tour through American slang, and music from Father John Misty.
Jan 08, 2015•54 min
Comedian and writer Aparna Nancherla stopped by the Wits studios recently. John Moe got the chance to talk with her about almost attending West Point, working on late-night television, the process of writing funny things on sad subjects, and the current wave of comedians who are also first-generation Americans.
Jan 06, 2015•21 min
On this week's show, comedian, author and actor Jen Kirkman tells us what it's like to make an episode of Drunk History, punk rock godfather Bob Mould performs tracks from his latest album, and we hear why dead author Franz Kafka is so upset with Pharrell Williams about the song, "Happy."
Jan 02, 2015•57 min
2014 was a crazy year. On this special episode, we take a look at the top stories from the year that was, and how they affected the everyday for all of us, including the rugged. And the feline. We also take some time to ask some of our past guests what they’re excited about in 2015. Featuring Patton Oswalt, Open Mike Eagle, Thao Nguyen, Hari Kondabolu, Kelly Hogan, Mike Doughty, Paget Brewster and Rhett Miller, it’s our Year In Review episode of Wits.
Dec 30, 2014•18 min
On this week's episode, comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani tells us what happens when you Google a smell, singer/songwriter Valerie June explains how she's able to smile when she sings the blues, and the premiere installment of Wikihow Theater teaches how to behave around Grandpa and how to befriend a squirrel (the key is not to kiss it).
Dec 26, 2014•54 min
Comedian and actor Maz Jobrani stopped by our studio to talk with John Moe. Maz shares what is was like moving from Iran to America as a child, why it took him so long to start doing comedy, and his upcoming book, “I’m Not a Terrorist, But I've Played One On TV."
Dec 16, 2014•24 min
This week on Wits … a special episode of the moments on the show that are just a little off. Sketches and songs that are funny, surprising, moving and weird, where Mr. Rogers turns into a werewolf, letters from Civil War soldiers who are animals, an office trainee who doesn’t understand idioms, a spa filled with insects. Featuring Colin Hanks, Amy Sedaris, Andy Richter, Tig Notaro, Kristen Schaal, Patton Oswalt, Keegan-Michael Key, Loudon Wainwright III, Robyn Hitchcock and more.
Dec 11, 2014•54 min
On our recent crossover episode with the Thrilling Adventure Hour, guest Paget Brewster joined us for a remount of a classic Wits sketch. Here is Paget as Lucy van Pelt, a role originally performed by Julia Sweeney, and John Moe as Charlie Brown.
Dec 09, 2014•6 min
This week, the deeply hilarious, Peabody Award-winning comedian Keegan-Michael Key channels Michael Jackson, sings like Radiohead, and busts some myths about love and commitment. Plus, singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman wows us with his powerful voice, and a Shakespearean take on how the Fresh Prince’s life got flipped, turned upside down.
Dec 04, 2014•58 min
On this week's episode, Wait Wait … Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal plays a Wits game show, comedian Paul F. Tompkins performs Amazon.com one-star reviews of great literature, and Open Mike Eagle performs from his album Dark Comedy. Plus, Leonard Cohen texts Leonard Cohen in this week's Pop Song Correspondence.
Nov 26, 2014•54 min
On this week’s show, comedian Hari Kondabolu is horrible at playing the game Two Truths and a Lie. He also becomes J.R. Toot McGoots and helps people find meaning in their lives. Plus, a special acoustic set from OK Go, and we hear about the teaching assistant who inspired the band’s name.
Nov 20, 2014•54 min
On this week's episode, host John Moe and comedian Margaret Cho play characters in an unconventional wedding ceremony, we learn some unusual things about penguins, and Josh Ritter performs songs from his latest album and tells us why Macbeth is a good read for people going through divorce.
Nov 06, 2014•57 min
On this week's Wits, Zach Galifianakis reveals his secret ambitions, Ed Helms plays one of his original songs, Anna Kendrick becomes Beccany, co-owner of a very different kind of casino, and Sara Watkins and Dan Wilson knock out the crowd with their beautiful harmonies.
Aug 22, 2014•54 min
This week's episode comes to you from our first touring show at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles with a long list of Wits friends. Keegan-Michael Key performs a one-star Amazon review of Dixon Ticonderoga #2 pencils, actress Ellie Kemper learns Spanish from a Tom Waits cassette, comedian Patton Oswalt becomes a ghost from Pac-Man, and comedian Paul F. Tompkins joins the musical team of Aimee Mann and Ted Leo for some improv songs in our Wits Game Show.
Aug 08, 2014•54 min
On this week's show, actor Steven Yeun talks about how his character Glenn from the hit show The Walking Dead keeps his spirits up amid a zombie apocalypse. Yeun also lets loose his master improv chops in the Wits Game Show. Plus, rock band Motion City Soundtrack debuts a song written specifically for Glenn and tells us where Motion City is actually located. And, we get to know the gritty life of chain restaurant workers in suburban America.
Aug 01, 2014•57 min
On this week's show, podcast icon Marc Maron tells us about a very memorable encounter with Iggy Pop, singer/songwriters Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires make beautiful music together, and we come face to face with Murder Cat! Plus, in our Pop Song Correspondence, we stop the world to melt with Superman.
Jul 18, 2014•57 min
On this week's show, Tom Waits, Abraham Lincoln and Morrissey tell us about their snack foods for kids, Neko Case sings from her latest album and tells us about her love for heavy metal, and TV's Andy Richter is a prom king forever. Plus, we find out what really happens when you play Gotcher Nose with a baby.
Jul 11, 2014•54 min
On this week's show, comedian Maria Bamford is a pro-wrestler who becomes a substitute English teacher, and a girl scout who may have eaten all the girl scout cookies before delivering them. Plus, singer/songwriter Thao Nguyen rocks songs from her latest album.
Jul 04, 2014•54 min
On this week’s episode, actor Jason Ritter explains his fascination with puns and gives handsome people advice on how to be handsomer, singer/rapper/writer Dessa confesses her love for the elderly and warns against serpents with bad circulation, and we learn about Edgar Allen Poe’s early career misadventures. Plus, the Supreme Court finally weighs in on whether or not you do, in fact, have the right to party.
Jun 13, 2014•54 min
On this week’s episode, comedian, actor, director David Cross talks about Arrested Development’s Tobias Funke and Alvin and the Chipmunks, Har Mar Superstar lays down his sweet soul sounds, and the two compete in the Wits Game Show: The R & B singer vs. the Slam Poet. You decide who’s who. Plus, a Pop Song Correspondence to Lorde and learn math with Tom Waits.
May 30, 2014•55 min
On this week's show, comedian Tim Heidecker becomes an unconventional aerobics instructor, the Wits Game Show goes delightfully off the rails, and we hear new songs from singer/songwriters Aimee Mann and Ted Leo, who have joined forces in a super-duo called The Both.
May 23, 2014•57 min
