What were 2010's Biggest Moments in Comedy Podcasting? Part 2 features Doug Benson, Mike Schmidt, Pop My Culture, Pod F. Tompkast, Earwolf, and Jimmy Dore. Which will be THE Biggest Moment? READ PART 1 HERE
What was the biggest moment for your podcast in 2010?
DOUG BENSON
Doug keeps his answer simple, and only just technically polysyllabic. "LITHGOW!!!!"
Among the survey respondents who agreed is an anonymous representative of The Sunday Service, who says "It lived up to the hype and then some."
Among the survey respondents who agreed is an anonymous representative of The Sunday Service, who says "It lived up to the hype and then some."
Listen to John Lithgow play Leonard Maltin with his own films, and trounce other guests Jimmy Pardo and Paul F. Tompkins.
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MIKE SCHMIDT
THE 40 YEAR OLD BOY
"I'm calling it a tie: my appearance in San Francisco to debut my one-man show, a show completely generated by the stories I've told and the support I've received associated with my podcast. People flew in from Canada, from Seattle, from Portland; listeners trekking hundreds of miles to meet/see a guy they'd previously only heard in their earbuds. Powerful and humbling all at once.
"I'm calling it a tie: my appearance in San Francisco to debut my one-man show, a show completely generated by the stories I've told and the support I've received associated with my podcast. People flew in from Canada, from Seattle, from Portland; listeners trekking hundreds of miles to meet/see a guy they'd previously only heard in their earbuds. Powerful and humbling all at once.
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| Schmidt in SF, by Mex |
"Tied with that would be the appearance I made on WTF with Marc Maron, an appearance that brought me to the attention of an entirely new audience. Marc had no idea who I was, and booked me solely because listeners of my show repeatedly contacted him, asking that he have me on. His generosity resulted in subscribers and merchandise sales spiking noticeably, and I can't thank him — and my listeners — enough."
Oh, Mike Schmidt's listeners. Let's talk about his tenacious passel of fans. They get things done in support of Schmidt, and this survey was no exception. Among the many, disproportionately many responses of a Schmidt-related Biggest Moment, here are the top 3, along with the best of the answers:
Cole: Other than the creation of our podcast (we started up in March), we've had a lot of amazing moments. It's hard to pick one — but it would probably be the live show we did at the RoofTop Comedy Festival in Aspen. At that time we had only done like 6 or 7 episodes, and Annie at RoofTop asked us to be involved and do it live. I asked my friends Oscar Nuñez and Danny Pudi to do it, and we did it in a hotel wine lounge in front of big cushy leather chairs and a fireplace. It was packed in with a bunch of funny people — including Marc Maron, who I had just seen do his WTF podcast live, and he had nice things to say. It was the moment when I realized that this wasn't just going to be a fleeting pursuit, but something that was actually a THING — people were responding to it, and our listeners were starting to grow. It's one of the most fun things I get to do — working with Vanessa is a treat, as are all of our guests!"
Vanessa: "Doing Pop My Culture has been such an amazing experience — and it keeps getting better! The thrill of sitting down and talking to people you admire and love for AN HOUR (without seeming creepy) never wears off. My favorite moments align pretty much with Cole's — RoofTop in Aspen was the first time I realized our podcast was becoming something. I think a personal favorite moment was the Tony Hale episode — I love his work across the board, and when he walked into my apartment (ehhem, our "studio") I was flipping out inside. The best part about all of our guests so far is that before they arrive (every time) I am nervous and excited because I respect their work so much. After they leave (every time) I am excited and relieved and can't believe what kind people they are. Working with Cole is great (even if he doesn't get the whole Efron thing), our guests are amazing, and I love interacting with our listeners."
2010'S BIGGEST MOMENT IN COMEDY PODCASTING
The wolf NOT dead. Earwolf is the future. Founders Jeff Ullrich and Scott Aukerman started the comedy podcasting network in 2010, and they have begun to give vital structure to a largely renegade new media.
Oh, Mike Schmidt's listeners. Let's talk about his tenacious passel of fans. They get things done in support of Schmidt, and this survey was no exception. Among the many, disproportionately many responses of a Schmidt-related Biggest Moment, here are the top 3, along with the best of the answers:
- WTF, Episode 128 (Guest Mike Schmidt)
"These two very similar though vastly different comedians and podcasters transcended all that strangeness to bring me two of the most entertaining podcasts of the year for me. Mike's anguishing over the ups and downs one can feel in the grips of Hollywood, and the payoff of the interview on Marc's show." ~ Rich Galvin
- Never Not Funny, Episode 623 (Return of the Third Baseman)
"Nothing better than the two funniest men in podcasting finally getting back together, fixing a rift, and making one of the funniest 1½ hours ever recorded." ~Jake Iverson
- The 40 Year Old Boy, Episode 22 (San Francisco one-man & Quentin Tarantino)
"He'd just come back from a successful return to the stage, with his one man show at San Francisco, and then he tops all that off with his story about being the MC of this special show put on for non other than the Quinster himself! It was spine tingling as I just revelled in Mike's time of his life." ~Greg Nockolds
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JIMMY DORE
"We had so many highs in 2010, it is honestly hard to pick. Having Joan Rivers on the show was a big highlight, but I would have to say that the thing that made us the most happy was the return of Todd Glass for our 100th episode."
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| Dore, Stef Zamorano & Glass |
Mononymous survey respondent Laura emphatically agrees: "Todd Glass back on CAEE!!! I've listened to it at least 20 times since July."
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VANESSA RAGLAND & COLE STRATTON
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| PMC, Episode 11 |
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| PMC, Episode 21 |
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THE POD F. TOMPKAST
In July 2010, Paul F. Tompkins started a podcast that goes beyond riffing to include segments from his show at Largo, sketches, and a regular phone call with Jen Kirkman. Even Tompkins' extemporization is soundtracked live by musician Eban Schletter.
Tompkins, who was inspired by Superego and Tom Scharpling’s The Best Show on WFMU, is interested in exploring the full potential of podcasting. “I want to have that creative outlet to do whatever I want, without anybody having a say in it. That’s the beauty of podcast; it can be whatever you want it to be, and nobody is able to tell you that you have to change anything."
Tompkins, who was inspired by Superego and Tom Scharpling’s The Best Show on WFMU, is interested in exploring the full potential of podcasting. “I want to have that creative outlet to do whatever I want, without anybody having a say in it. That’s the beauty of podcast; it can be whatever you want it to be, and nobody is able to tell you that you have to change anything."
And several people chose launch of The Pod F. Tompkast as the Biggest Moment. Fans say that "it made my world a better place," "it's the best thing about the first day of each month," and "when Paul F. Tompkins started his podcast, it raised the bar."
And, now...the year's most significant moment in comedy podcasting!
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And, now...the year's most significant moment in comedy podcasting!
2010'S BIGGEST MOMENT IN COMEDY PODCASTINGThe wolf NOT dead. Earwolf is the future. Founders Jeff Ullrich and Scott Aukerman started the comedy podcasting network in 2010, and they have begun to give vital structure to a largely renegade new media.
So, what's 2010's Biggest Moment in Comedy Podcasting? "March 24th, 2pm PST, Echo Park. Scott Aukerman sitting on my couch, patiently listening to my presentation about how a podcasting network would work and why we should start one together." ~Jeff Ullrich
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THE FUTURE OF COMEDY PODCASTING
Comedy fans can now download countless hours of entertainment for free. Listeners expect increasing quality in both content and production, and the Darwinian landscape in which the best podcasts receive only accolades or better ratings will be a brief utopia. Even if podcasters are willing to generate high-quality, on-demand entertainment for free, ISPs and content gatekeepers can smell the untapped profits in the air.
Direct support from the listeners is the only way podcasting can remain truly independent, unbeholden to the demands of sponsors and media conglomerates. How will comics and podcast producers retain control of their shows? What are the most effective systems of monetization? How will content gatekeepers and ISPs begin moving in to profit? These are the questions I'll be exploring in 2011, in addition to keeping up with comedy podcasting's best entertainers.
Support the shows you listen to now! DONATE to your favorite podcasts; PAY for bonus episodes, apps, and full versions when they are available; and SPREAD THE WORD.
Thanks to all of the podcasters and fans who contributed to this piece!
Support the shows you listen to now! DONATE to your favorite podcasts; PAY for bonus episodes, apps, and full versions when they are available; and SPREAD THE WORD.
Thanks to all of the podcasters and fans who contributed to this piece!
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For more interviews with podcasting comedians and reviews of their live performances,
