I, unfortunately, don't have exact stats for how much podcast content I listened to over the past year. My phone did a weird thing that reset all of my Stitcher statistics (and I listen to several podcasts through the nigh unusable Apple Podcasts app), but as of October of 2013, I've listened to 195 hour and 517 of podcasts through Stitcher. For those keeping track at home, that's over eight days of my life. (I would calculate how much time I've spent in the car over the past few months, but I don't want to depress myself before I embark on this listicular journey.)
So, without further adieu and in no particular order, here are the podcasts that I liked in 2014. (Some these clips aren't totally indicative of the show, but I'm too lazy to cut my own.)
Improv4Humans - Earwolf
The conceit of Improv4Humans, the self proclaimed "Best Podcast in the Universe," is that UCB co-founder and instructor, Matt Besser gets together with three other improvisers and does long form improv inspired by tweets, youtube videos or news stories (and audience suggestions during live shows). The show tends to start strong, as the assembled comedians tell stories based on the suggestions, then fluctuates as they work out bits of varying quality. Generally, the later bits are stronger, as the crew is able to work in callbacks to previous jokes.
Part of my enjoyment of I4H is just that it's a consistently funny show, but another, and maybe larger part is that it allows me to indulge in a fantasy while I listen to it. My ultimate goal (as you know dear readers) is to be a comedy writer in LA, and taking classes at UCB is one of the first steps I plan to take upon arriving on the West Coast. The show cycles through so many improvisers that I start to feel like I really get to know the people that either teach or perform at UCB. I like to play along in my head and try to work out how I would respond to the bits. It's a fun way to get engaged during my largely crushing commute.
Tell 'Em Steve-Dave - Smodcast
I was an early adopter of Smodcast, as it started right when I was in my Kevin Smith wheelhouse. I've since outgrown the flagship show for the most part (as well as Smith in general), but I still really enjoy Tell 'Em Steve-Dave, which features some of Kevin's friends from New Jersey. It started as kind of the hang out sitcom of podcasts, with comic clerk Walter Flanagan serving as the curmudgeon, unemployed creative Bryan Johnson as the wildcard and fireman Brian Quinn as the sound guy turned co-host/voice of the youth.
The show was pitched basically as a way to keep Johnson (who suffers from depression) engaged with his friends and the outside world in general, but has since evolved into a realized audio world, complete with running gags and a robust cast of supporting characters. The show really took off once Flanagan took what amounts to creative control, pitching bits, games and special episodes - the first of which, "Makin' Hay" featured the three hosts traveling to a nearby flea market, recording their adventures and then providing a running, mocking commentary over the recorded dialogue.
The show has gone through cycles of stagnation, Flanagan and Johnson were cast on AMC's Comic Book Men, while Quinn is on TruTV's Impractical Jokers. While the trio is shooting, most of the talk tends to focus on TV related stuff, which can be funny, but gets old after a while.
The best part of the show is the clear love that the guys have for each other and for the people that orbit the show and the comic shop in which it is recorded. There's non-stop bickering and ball-busting, but it all appears to stem from a place of deep concern and affection.
You Made it Weird - Nerdist
I love You Made it Weird mostly because of the way it stands in contrast to many other podcasts, and, in particular, it's closest podcast corollary, WTF. While WTF's Marc Maron is clearly an intelligent guy, his self-loathing schtick can be grating. YMIW's Pete Holmes, on the other hand, really, really loves himself, and seems to love all of his guests.
It's a longform interview show that usually features one of Pete's comedy friends, so the interviews are often less about learning anything about the performer, and more about Pete goofing off with a pal, but it's generally worth it for the last section, where Pete asks the guest about his or her religious beliefs.
Pete grew up in an environment similar to the one that I did, conservative and devoutly religious - even more so than me really, as he attended a tiny Evangelical university. This gives him an insight into religious sentiment that you don't often see in the LA comedy community (though I will give Maron credit in this regard, his show is always fascinating when broaching this topic). Pete's gentle probing as to why people believe what they believe and his amiable non-judgment sparks profound and honest conversation. It's the rare public space where religion is discussed in a way that doesn't make me uncomfortable.
It's almost as if the show is ancillary to the real through line, which is Pete working out his own spirituality. He goes so far as to feature Rob Bell on an episode, which is something I never thought I'd see on a podcast by a comedian. The Jay Mohr episode is probably the best introduction to the show.
The Flophouse - All Things Comedy
I listen to a handful of movie podcasts, but The Flophouse is my favorite. It's typical of movie podcasts in that hosts Elliot Kalan, Dan McCoy and Stuart Wellington watch a bad movie prior to the recording, and then riff on why it sucks. Unlike most movie podcasts, they tend to stick with recent films (outside of theme episodes).
The show is most successful when the crew stops talking about the movie at hand and digresses into weird hypotheticals and word games. They even participate in a Beta Delta favorite game, intentionally misidentifying actors, actresses and movies (one of my favorite lines is when Elliot refers to "Keith Ledger's iconic role as 'The Japester'").
The Adam Carolla Show - Carolla Digital
I'm aware that I paint myself as a neanderthal by admitting to being a fan of Carolla, but what can you do? I often disagree with his ideas, but he communicates them in an entertaining way. I also don't buy the narrative that he is racist, sexist, homophobic etc., he tends to paint with a broad brush when discussing groups as a whole, but his interviews with minority guests tend to be the most fun, as he asks questions that don't often come up on these shows and the guest seem to respond well.
The central reason Carolla doesn't bother me is that I believe his views come from a place of identification and compassion, as opposed to hate and distance. He doesn't oppose hot breakfast programs because he hates kids, rather it's because he's seen first-hand (Carolla grew up very poor) the dehumanizing effects that well-intentioned social programs can have.
He's also spent a ton of time in radio and podcasting, so his show is the most professional and smooth that I listen to.
The Bugle
I get most of my world news from The Bugle, hosted by Jon Oliver and Andy Zaltzman. The two Britons usually set their satirical sights on events outside of the US, and without them I would never have my deep-felt appreciation for Silvio Berlusconi, former Italian PM and transcendent buffoon.
Jon and Andy's rapport (honed over years as friends and comedy partners) is top notch, particularly Jon's frustration with Andy's unbearable pun runs. Producer Chris is also a nice target of mockery.
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