WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

Marc Maron

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Marc Maron welcomes comedians, actors, directors, writers, authors, musicians and folks from all walks of life to his home for amazingly revealing conversations. Marc's probing, comprehensive interview style allows guests to express themselves in ways listeners have never heard. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 1629 - Modi Rosenfeld

Some comedians think of comedy as a higher calling, but Modi Rosenfeld knows exactly where the call came from. He points to a story of two comedians in the Talmud, men who gave cheer to those who were depressed and who made peace between those who were at war. Modi and Marc talk about this lofty purpose and how comedy is rooted in not only Jewish scripture but in the patter of the Yiddish language. Modi also explains how doing comedy shows on Zoom during Covid changed the entire trajectory of hi

Mar 27, • 1:21:59

Episode 1628 - Nick Thune

Nick Thune is a comic Marc is always happy to welcome back on the show. But this time, it’s very fortunate that Nick is able to join Marc in the garage at all because there was a time in which he spiraled into alcoholism and almost didn’t survive. With a new comedy special released and his sobriety holding strong, Nick tells Marc what happened since the last time they talked, how he struggled with daily blackouts, hospital stays, and the dissolution of his marriage, and how he was helped into re

Mar 24, • 1:26:20

Episode 1627 - Chris Fleming

Unlike many comedian guests on WTF, Chris Fleming had a lot of support and encouragement from his family when it came to pursuing a career in comedy. In fact, it was his mother who got him started at open mics. Chris talks with Marc about how he embraces being both inclusive and avant-garde, building a loyal audience but also being accessible to newcomers, and using the stage to create characters, like his popular suburban mother Gayle, while also giving plenty of space to telling jokes. Sign up

Mar 20, • 1:33:48

Episode 1626 - Jane Marie

Jane Marie’s early life in Michigan didn’t necessarily put her on the glide path to the future world of podcasting, but an internship at This American Life gave her a crash course in the type of journalism that allowed her to create The Dream podcast. Jane talks with Marc about the subject matter of The Dream’s past seasons, including pyramid schemes, the wellness industry, and life coaching, and why these topics are truly representative of modern day America.  Sign up here for WTF+ to get the f

Mar 17, • 1:21:41

Episode 1625 - Mike Elias

When Mike Elias wanted to learn the guitar, his dad told him he had to teach himself. Mike took that rule and ran with it for the rest of his life, teaching himself everything from sewing to metal fabrication to fashion design, which he deployed when he founded Ship John Leather and Canvas in Portland, Oregon, and created one of the most sought after garments in the world, the Wills Jacket. Mike tells Marc about growing up oyster fishing and hunting in New Jersey, why he wound up making clothing

Mar 13, • 1:21:17

Issa Rae on Friendships That Need to Go, from IMO

Sharing a new show from our friends at Higher Ground. On IMO, Michelle and her big brother Craig Robinson bring their candid perspectives to the everyday questions shaping our lives, relationships and the world around us. Each week, they’re joined by a guest to tackle real questions from real folks just like you offering practical advice, personal storytelling, and plenty of laughs. Topics range from dating and relationships, to family and faith. Michelle and Craig share stories about being ther

Mar 12, • 1:00:39

Episode 1624 - W. Kamau Bell

W. Kamau Bell and Marc are similar comedians in that neither of them will ignore the current political environment in their acts. Kamau and Marc talk about how that’s shaping up today versus how it was during the first Trump administration and what they each feel about the balance between civic responsibility and entertainment. They also talk about Kamau’s decision to play the Kennedy Center despite the Trump takeover, his five year break from comedy, and what happened after he released his

Mar 10, • 1:23:39

Episode 1623 - Will Oldham

Prolific singer-songwriter Will Oldham has been able to maintain what Marc calls “a haunting and elated tone” over the course of his career, whether in his collaborations with other artists or under the name Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Will talks with Marc about how his music stems from the example of his artist mother, records checked out of the library, and his Kentucky roots. They also talk about his recent album The Purple Bird as well as Will’s acting career, which launched when he was a teenage

Mar 6, • 1:22:34

Episode 1622 - Don Johnson

Don Johnson’s life took him far from where he thought it was going growing up in Missouri and Kansas. But at this point, he’s confident that nearly everything he knows in life he learned from the women in it. Don talks with Marc about his wild days in San Francisco and LA, how he handled his sudden fame from Miami Vice, his friendship with Hunter S. Thompson, his career all the way up through his current show Doctor Odyssey, and his hard-fought journey toward enlightenment. Sign up here for WTF+

Mar 3, • 1:20:32

Episode 1621 - Chris Hayes

When Chris Hayes was last on the show almost ten years ago, it was a much different world. Barack Obama had just recently been in the garage and Donald Trump had just declared his candidacy for President. Making sense of that changing world is what Chris does nightly on MSNBC, but he’s also written a new book about our changing brains. Chris and Marc talk about that book, The Sirens’ Call, and our rapidly evolving relationships with attention, information, media and our phones.Click here to subm

Feb 27, • 1:22:02

Episode 1620 - Carrie Coon

As someone from a working class Ohio family, Carrie Coon didn’t think much about acting as a plausible career path. But her post-college work in regional theater led her to Steppenwolf in Chicago, which in turn led her to Broadway, and ultimately to a Hollywood career. Carrie and Marc talk about her first movie being being a baptism by David Fincher’s unique fire, meeting her husband Tracy Letts, learning that acting is not pretending, and spending six months in Thailand for the new season of Th

Feb 24, • 1:38:32

Episode 1619 - Mo Amer

Mo Amer was new to America when he was nine years old and his brother took him to see his first standup show. From that point on, he knew what he wanted to do with his life. Then at age 17, he took advice that helped him map out his entire career. Mo talks with Marc about his love for Houston, its diversity, and its comedy scene. He also explains how he’s honoring his family and his Palestinian heritage in his Netflix series Mo and why the show had to be told from his personal perspective.Click

Feb 20, • 1:22:59

Episode 1618 - Brady Corbet

Brady Corbet spent years in front of the camera until he resigned from the job of actor. The new career he took up, that of filmmaker, has led to ten Oscar nominations for his newest movie The Brutalist. Brady talks with Marc about what made him devote eight years of his life to this epic exploration of the male ego. They also talk about the economics of being an independent filmmaker, the balance between being a collaborator and an auteur, and Brady's conflicted feelings about the creative proc

Feb 17, • 1:29:57

Episode 1617 - James Mangold

James Mangold writes and directs films across multiple genres, but the one style he uses as a prism for so much of his work is the American Western. James and Marc talk about how A Complete Unknown fits into the Western mold and why the placement of the camera was of utmost importance in telling this specific story about Bob Dylan. James also explains his directorial strategy and how it factored into the making of his films like Heavy, Walk the Line, 3:10 to Yuma and Ford v Ferrari. Sign u

Feb 13, • 1:48:25

Episode 1616 - Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande can link one song to her entire life as a performer, from her childhood days singing for her grandpa to her life as a global pop superstar to her performance as Galinda in Wicked. That song is Over the Rainbow. Ariana talks with Marc about the constant presence of music in her life, how she developed her songwriting process, why she sought out a vocal coach for Wicked, how she protects her mental health in an emotionally demanding business, and more. Sign up here for WTF+ to get th

Feb 10, • 1:23:35

Episode 1615 - Demi Moore

Demi Moore has been a searcher since she was a kid, with intense interest throughout her life in things like spiritualism, psychology and, of course, acting. Demi talks with Marc about how she never stopped searching for herself, from her difficult upbringing through her entry into Hollywood and even during the peak of her global fame, and how this journey of self-discovery dovetailed with her Oscar-nominated performance as Elisabeth Sparkle in The Substance. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the ful

Feb 6, • 1:22:39

Episode 1614 - Ke Huy Quan

Ke Huy Quan’s remarkable Hollywood story continues to add more storybook chapters. From coming to America as a refugee to his global stardom as a child actor to leaving acting behind for several decades to a comeback that earned him an Oscar. Now he follows that up with his name above the title of a new action comedy, Love Hurts. Ke tells Marc how all of these memories play out for him and how the vivid recent ones illuminate older memories such as fleeing Vietnam, reuniting with his family in L

Feb 3, • 1:23:24

Episode 1613 - Noah Wyle

Noah Wyle spent 11 seasons in a fictional medical environment on the show ER. So what made him want to return to a trauma ward setting for his new series The Pitt? Noah tells Marc the reason, which had a lot to do with what he heard from real doctors, as well as why it’s meaningful for him, as a third generation Los Angeleno, to shoot the show in LA. They also talk about Noah’s compulsion to amass memorabilia and arcane collections and whether it counts as hoarding. Sign up here for WTF+ to get

Jan 30, • 1:21:32

Episode 1612 - Erin Brockovich

A lot of people know Erin Brockovich’s story thanks to the movie based on her legal work in a groundwater contamination case. But the story that really guided her life is one central to her Kansas roots: The Wizard of Oz. Recorded while the worst of the LA wildfires were still raging, Erin talked with Marc about the lessons she took not just from fantasy stories but from the reality of communities that turned hopelessness into action and from the clarity that can emerge in moments of crisis. Sig

Jan 27, • 1:15:42

Episode 1611 - Sophie Buddle

Sophie Buddle is living in LA and doing comedy all around the United States, but since she spent most of her life in Canada, she’s in a unique vantage point to give Marc the lowdown about the country to the north that he might one day call home. Sophie and Marc also talk about go bags, crisis management, work visas, crowd work, monologue writing, and tall poppy syndrome. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-po

Jan 23, • 1:22:26

Episode 1610 - Bill Burr

Bill Burr is trying to put things to bed. Whether it’s the anger he’s held onto throughout his life, or the sadness from he’s uncovered from his childhood, or even his old tensions with Marc, Bill’s been working to move on from the past. Bill and Marc talk about reaching the age where it’s time to put up or shut up, staying calm during chaotic moments, and taking stock of losing many of their peers. They also discuss Bill’s upcoming Hulu special and his Broadway debut in Glengarry Glen Ross. Sig

Jan 20, • 1:23:52

Episode 1609 - Mo Welch

After evacuating her home and consoling family members who lost their house in the LA fires, comedian Mo Welch acknowledges that she’s visiting Marc’s garage while still somewhere on the trauma spectrum. But she’s not a stranger to that spectrum, nor to processing it, having just made a standup special that’s also a documentary about meeting her estranged father. Mo and Marc talk about her childhood instability and the comedy path that was her salvation. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full sho

Jan 16, • 1:23:37

Episode 1608 - Richard Gadd

Richard Gadd created the Netflix series Baby Reindeer as a way to work through traumatic events in his life that were hard to process. But it became equally difficult to process the runaway success of the show and the impact it had on his life. Richard talks with Marc about how his early days doing standup in the UK and writing stage shows for himself were underscored by a lack of boundaries and a feeling that something was missing inside of him. He also explains why his follow-up to Baby Reinde

Jan 13, • 1:20:37

Episode 1607 - Mike Leigh

Mike Leigh’s films are known for their observant depictions of the working class, their tragicomic tones, and their improvisational construction. But there are some misconceptions about his work that Mike would like to clear up. He does so while talking with Marc about his life-changing introduction to foreign films, his method of collaboration with his actors, the difference between realism and naturalism, and some details about the making of Secrets and Lies, Vera Drake, Topsy-Turvy, Naked and

Jan 9, • 1:21:16

Episode 1606 - Adrien Brody

Adrien Brody does a lot of research for his roles, but his performance in the new movie The Brutalist was shaped largely by his family’s immigrant experience and it aligned with his desire to play characters who are outsiders. Adrien also talks with Marc about becoming the youngest winner of the Best Actor Oscar for The Pianist and how it was a little too much to take. But on the flip side, he explains why he revels in the joy and camaraderie of making Wes Anderson’s films. Sign up here for WTF+

Jan 6, • 1:27:57

Episode 1605 - Ask Marc Anything: A Full Maron Special Presentation

Marc’s been answering listener questions on the Fulll Maron bonus feed for two and a half years. This is a collection of Marc’s answers from across the first 18 installments of the Ask Marc Anything bonus series. It’s like Marc is the guest and the listeners are interviewing him. He gets into questions about Adam Sandler, Taylor Swift, Jon Stewart, the lost David Fincher episode, other interview podcasts, Cheech & Chong, standup lingo, sandwiches, sobriety, relapsing, and more.Click here to watc

Jan 2, • 1:18:51

Episode 1604 - Ron Livingston

Ron Livingston just came over to chat. While most people come to the garage with something to promote, Marc and Ron were happy to be two guys getting to know each other on the microphones with no other agenda. Although Marc already learned some things about Ron from his wife, Rosemarie Dewitt, Ron shared his own stories about growing up in Iowa, how the trajectory of his Swingers character was not far from the truth, how Office Space slowly became a beloved classic, and how Sex and the City burn

Dec 30, 2024 • 1:27:35

Episode 1603 - WTF Origins: A Full Maron Special Presentation

Marc presents a special compilation of mini-series created for The Full Maron feed on WTF+ called WTF Origins. In this series of recordings from the past year, Marc and WTF producer Brendan McDonald talk about pivotal moments that were important in the creation of WTF, including Marc's days at Luna Lounge in the '90s, The Marc Maron Show in Los Angeles, Break Room Live with Sam Seder, and the decisions made in the sink-or-swim early days of the podcast. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full sho

Dec 26, 2024 • 1:30:52

Episode 1602 - Bruce Vilanch

Bruce Vilanch is best known for his time as the head writer of the Oscars, but he is actually a vestige of a fabled era of show business. Bruce talks with Marc about how he went from being a child actor to working at newspapers to writing jokes for Bette Midler. His skill at writing in other people’s voices led him to countless jobs as a joke-writer-for-hire, doing punch up for famous comedians like Lily Tomlin, George Carlin, Joan Rivers and others, as well as for many beloved and detested TV v

Dec 23, 2024 • 1:22:38

Episode 1601 - Justin Kurzel

Filmmaker Justin Kurzel is drawn to stories about outlaws and outsiders. Growing up in South Australia and living in Tasmania, he’s seen the fragile nature of small communities and the people who can prompt societal upheaval. Justin talks with Marc about his new and very relevant film The Order and why Justin was compelled to cast Marc as an assassinated radio host. They also talk about Justin’s other films, including one that the Prime Minister of Australia said shouldn’t be made. Sign up here

Dec 19, 2024 • 1:22:42

Episode 1600 - Bobbi Althoff

Bobbi Althoff’s podcast success story is much different than Marc’s podcast success story. In fact, the concept of a podcast is very different than when WTF got started. Bobbi explains how she grew up in a chaotic environment where money was hard to come by and, after becoming a mom in her early 20s, she found viral fame by sheer force of will, as well as a guest appearance by Drake. They also talk about the grind of the content creation machine, the mental health drain of social media, and fame

Dec 16, 2024 • 1:25:57

Episode 1599 - Andy Blitz

When Marc first met Andy Blitz during the rise of the alt-comedy scene in New York City, Andy still thought show business was magical. And why wouldn’t he? As he tells Marc, he was a kid who grew up in the rough East Village of the 1970s and found himself dealing with depression and panic attacks in college. Andy talks about how his days at Luna Lounge paved the way for his job as a writer and sketch performer on Conan, and how that in turn opened doors for writing on shows like Human Giant, Rev

Dec 12, 2024 • 1:23:01

Episode 1598 - Jesse Eisenberg

Not too many guests come into the garage and tell Marc he changed their lives forever. In fact, Jesse Eisenberg might be the only one. Jesse and Marc go over that formative moment and what it says about both of them. Jesse also talks about being terrified as a child, growing into an adult who identifies with bleakness, and turning some of his life experiences into the new film A Real Pain, which he wrote, directed and stars in alongside Kieran Culkin. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show a

Dec 9, 2024 • 1:23:16

Episode 1597 - Dwight Yoakam

Dwight Yoakam is a multi-platinum recording artist with many number one albums and singles, as well as multiple Grammy wins. But despite all his accomplishments as a musician, including his new album Brighter Days, Dwight is just as comfortable being a music historian. Dwight helps Marc chart the movement of country music to California, with Americana music of the mid-20th Century blending with rock and punk to create a unique sound that Dwight was a distinct part of. They talk all about The Byr

Dec 5, 2024 • 1:45:45

Episode 1596 - Luca Guadagnino

Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino is attracted to the ways in which we’re all imperfect beings. That explains why a clash of personalities is central to so many of his movies, including A Bigger Splash, Suspiria and Challengers. Marc and Luca talk about those films as well as his new one, Queer, which is based on source material by someone who remains a fascination to both of them: William S. Burroughs. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com

Dec 2, 2024 • 1:20:24

Episode 1595 - Steve Furey

Steve Furey’s path to comedy started with youth football. Once he realized he wasn’t great at football, he started selling drugs. Once he realized he wasn’t good at selling drugs, he started comedy. In between there were stories of border crossings, smuggling in Tijuana, gunpoint robberies in Stockton, Kansas overdoses and more. And then there were early standup gigs that, as both Steve and Marc confirm, could wind up being scarier than dealing drugs. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show a

Nov 28, 2024 • 1:25:11

Episode 1594 - Anthony Jeselnik

Anthony Jeselnik is back in the garage more than 13 years since the last time he and Marc talked on the mics. With many career successes and some failures in the rearview, Anthony talks with Marc about where he sees himself in the landscape of comedy today, as he releases his latest Netflix special and while both of them spend a lot of time thinking about the current perception of standup comedy. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.co

Nov 25, 2024 • 1:20:41

Episode 1593 - Rosemarie DeWitt

Rosemarie DeWitt never really thought she would become an actor because she felt like no one was betting on her. In fact, later in life her father said, “I can’t believe that you’re successful.” Marc finds out what drove Rosemarie away from those low expectations and into a prominent career with credits like Rachel Getting Married, Mad Men, Little Fires Everywhere and the new film Out of My Mind. They also talk about why horror movies, like Smile 2, are fun to make and how the two of them share

Nov 21, 2024 • 1:24:24

Episode 1592 - Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo has some tips for Marc on how to get more out of his time on set. For example, she always makes sure to get her steps in. So when you see her playing Elphaba in Wicked, she’s wearing her fitness watch under her witch costume. Cynthia and Marc share their thoughts about the vulnerability of singing, with Cynthia having studied the psychology of music before becoming an award-winning stage performer. They also compare notes on Aretha Franklin from their respective projects about the

Nov 18, 2024 • 1:20:49

Episode 1591 - Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin is a natural guest to return to the garage for a second chat because he and Marc relate on many levels. They both find themselves chasing addictions even when they’re sober. They’re both constantly looking for ways to connect with people. And they both just encountered an intense journey for emotional truth. Marc through his recent acting, Josh through the writing of his new memoir, From Under a Truck, which he calls the most humbling experience of his life. Click here to submit

Nov 14, 2024 • 1:24:59

Episode 1590 - Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange admits she’s always drawn to the darkness and madness of her characters, whether it’s Frances Farmer or Blanche DuBois or her most recent performance as The Great Lillian Hall, which dealt with the trifecta of grief, loss and loneliness. Jessica and Marc talk about how she enjoys plumbing the depths of emotion, but also enjoyed a life that’s taken her all over the world, a career that started in the palm of King Kong, and a body of work that includes Tootsie, All That Jazz, America

Nov 11, 2024 • 1:32:40

Episode 1589 - Robby Hoffman

Robby Hoffman knows she comes in too hot. But that kind of in-your-face enthusiasm helped her go from being one of ten kids in a Hasidic Jewish family to a burgeoning standup comic and television writer. Robby tells Marc about the challenges of her upbringing, including the socially hazardous way she was publicly outed as a teen. They also talk about her love of Uniqlo, Egg McMuffins, and her writing breakthrough on the children’s show Odd Squad. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archiv

Nov 7, 2024 • 1:21:29

Episode 1588 - Mo Mandel

Mo Mandel would like you to enjoy his new comedy special, see him perform live and, if you’re a studio executive, greenlight one of his scripts. But Mo also wants to make sure he doesn’t become too successful, otherwise he’ll lose the sweet deal of essentially being a stay-at-home dad. Mo tells Marc about adapting to his OCD, giving up on self-improvement, and getting sober at the same time he was hosting a show called Barmageddon. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly b

Nov 4, 2024 • 1:16:24

Episode 1587 - Billy Corben

Filmmaker Billy Corben got an early taste of show business as an aspiring child actor. That aborted career path eventually turned into a new vocation as a maker of documentary films, including celebrated projects like Cocaine Cowboys and The U. Billy and Marc talk about the persistent connection to Florida in Billy’s work and how his latest film, From Russia with Lev, is both a cautionary tale about the dangers of a Trump Administration and a meditation on the quintessential Florida Man. Sign up

Oct 31, 2024 • 1:44:04

Episode 1586 - Robert Patrick

The world learned who Robert Patrick was when he showed up as the T-1000 in Terminator 2, but prior to that break out, Robert saw himself as a failed athlete and alcoholic who was lucky to get a chance at success with this acting thing. Robert tells Marc how his personal struggles continued after T2, how being cast in The X-Files and The Sopranos turned things around for him, and how he’s now challenging himself in more productive ways.This episode is sponsored by the Freedom From Reli

Oct 28, 2024 • 1:32:21

Episode 1585 - Keith Urban

Keith Urban may seem like an outsider who conquered Nashville, but as he tells Marc, he was an outsider in his home country, too. Coming from what he calls an oddball family in Australia who owned American cars and played American country music, Keith’s journey to international superstardom was not without its roadblocks, some due to the industry, some self-inflicted. Keith also talks with Marc about his eleventh studio album, High, and how he didn’t realize it was so personal until the songs we

Oct 24, 2024 • 1:27:10

Episode 1584 - Robert Zemeckis

Many films in the career of Robert Zemeckis, including his new one called Here, involve some form of time travel. As Robert explains to Marc, nothing does time travel better than movies. Robert talks with Marc about becoming a filmmaker thanks to Jerry Lewis, his partnership with Steven Spielberg, his collaborations with Tom Hanks, and the making of his beloved films like Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Forrest Gump and more. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and

Oct 21, 2024 • 1:18:03

Episode 1583 - Al Pacino

Al Pacino created indelible memories for generations of moviegoers. But while he was writing his own memoir, Sonny Boy, Al kept coming back to mental scenes of his days in the South Bronx, running around the streets with friends, enjoying the small things in life. Al talks with Marc about his growth as an actor from the stage to the screen, his formative friendship with acting teacher Charlie Laughton, and his career realization that he can only perform in something he relates to. They also go d

Oct 17, 2024 • 1:51:00

Episode 1582 - Joe Boyd

Joe Boyd is part of the music industry in so many ways, as a producer, label founder and more, that his new memoir And The Roots of Rhythm Remain also serves as a history of global music, a political roadmap of popular music trends, and an education in traditional music forms. Joe talks with Marc about music as a way of piercing the past, including his own place in moments like Dylan going electric at Newport, Woodstock, and the beginnings of artists like Pink Floyd and Nick Drake. Sign up here

Oct 14, 2024 • 1:31:45

Episode 1581 - Langston Kerman

Langston Kerman named his new Netflix comedy special Bad Poetry, harkening back to his time as a high school teacher. But as someone with an MFA in poetry, Langston knows enough about the dividing line between the bad and the good in both poetry and comedy, two things which are forever connected in his life. Langston and Marc talk about his days as a teacher, as well as his time in Boston, his trip to China with students, the best comedy clubs in America, and why John Mulaney directed his specia

Oct 10, 2024 • 1:24:31

Episode 1580 - Sebastian Stan

Sebastian Stan believes creativity is the best therapy. So even when he's playing an unappealing person, like Jeff Gillooly in I, Tonya or Donald Trump in the new film The Apprentice, Sebastian knows there's always something to learn about humanity through his performances. Sebastian talks with Marc about fleeing from his home country of Romania at a young age, learning from master filmmakers like Jonathan Demme, seeking out unique material like the film A Different Man, and finding out that his

Oct 7, 2024 • 1:31:19

Episode 1579 - Connie Chung

Connie Chung’s consummate professionalism and journalistic rigor worked against her as she put together her new memoir. Her impulse is to report the facts, but her editors told her she needed to include other things this time, like feelings and emotion. But as Marc finds out, Connie was able to thoroughly explore not only her past, but her family, her husband Maury Povich, and the world-changing news stories she covered as a reporter and later co-anchor of the CBS Evening News. Sign up here for

Oct 3, 2024 • 1:33:30

Episode 1578 - Kaitlin Olson

It’s all a combination of old and new for Kaitlin Olson. She’s just finishing up shooting the first season of her ABC detective series High Potential and is now about to begin shooting the seventeenth season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Kaitlin and Marc talk about the show that changed her life, not only because of the steady work it provided but because it’s also where she started a family. They also talk about her teenage head injury, the Pacific Northwest, therapy, the Groundlings, a

Sep 30, 2024 • 1:24:40

Episode 1577 - Kathleen Hanna

Kathleen Hanna’s life and career exist at the nexus of punk rock, outsider art, photography and feminism. Now that she’s been able to put it all into her memoir, Rebel Girl, Kathleen talks with Marc about her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest, the music scene in Olympia, Washington, her time fronting the bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, her solo projects, her activism, and much more. She also explains the underground riot grrrl movement and the space it created for women in rock music. Sign up

Sep 26, 2024 • 1:41:05

Episode 1576 - Elizabeth Olsen

Marvel fans around the world know Elizabeth Olsen as The Scarlet Witch, but Elizabeth says she has a different alter ego inside of her— that of an elderly New Yorker living on her own in the big city. Elizabeth talks with Marc about this fantasy and how it has something to do with a lifelong desire to avoid the trappings of fame. They also talk about Elizabeth becoming a Dead Head for her latest film, His Three Daughters, and how the two of them have a lot in common when it comes to food and hea

Sep 23, 2024 • 1:29:10

Episode 1575 - Jason Ritter

As a kid, Jason Ritter felt a lot of pressure as the son of a beloved actor who audiences felt like they knew personally. He didn’t feel pressure from his parents, but rather pressure from the world, believing he had to live up to being John Ritter’s son. Jason talks with Marc about how that insecurity, as well as his struggle to find his own identity, led directly to an acting career but also caused him mask his emotions with alcohol. They also talk about the limits of research, Matlock, and Ja

Sep 19, 2024 • 1:38:11

Episode 1574 - Eric Roberts

While putting together his new memoir, Eric Roberts developed a fuller understanding of his life as an actor. As someone whose parents did not help him establish a sense of self, his journey through various roles and personality types was part of figuring out who he was. Eric and Marc compare notes on revelations about parents and Eric looks back on some of the roles that made him who he is, including his most recent performance in The Righteous Gemstones which is his favorite of his career. Sig

Sep 16, 2024 • 1:17:35

Episode 1573 - Ali Macofsky

Hundreds of WTF guests have show business origin stories, but nobody has one like comedian Ali Macofsky, whose impulsive phone call to Ryan Seacrest live on the radio when she was seven years old got the ball rolling on her career. Ali tells Marc about this event and all the other spontaneous decisions in her early life that led to a failed audition for Hannah Montana, solitary trips to The Laugh Factory, teenage alcoholism, and eventual sobriety.  Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show arch

Sep 12, 2024 • 1:23:20

Episode 1572 - Lupita Nyong'o

She may have won an Oscar for her first film role, but Lupita Nyong’o spent the early part of her life hiding her desire to be an actor. Lupita tells Marc about growing up under autocratic rule, living in a country where creative voices were suppressed, and learning how to speak out even when it’s risky. Lupita also explains why she followed up 12 Years a Slave with Star Wars and how A Quiet Place: Day One helped cure her fear of cats. (Check out Lupita’s new podcast Mind Your Own, launching Sep

Sep 9, 2024 • 1:31:39

Episode 1571 - Chris Robinson

It took Chris Robinson a long time to accept being a rock and roll frontman. Even at the height of The Black Crowes’ success, he just thought they were just a group of dudes from Atlanta playing roots music. Now reunited with the band and touring again after releasing their ninth album, Chris tells Marc why it took time and perspective to realize he liked being the guy on lead vocals. Chris also tells Marc about the influence of bands like The Faces and Humble Pie, how he was discouraged from be

Sep 5, 2024 • 1:26:39

Episode 1570 - Drew Lynch

Drew Lynch never planned on being a comedian. But his pursuit of an acting career got derailed by a traumatic brain injury that left him with a stutter and no career prospects. Drew tells Marc the reason he decided to get on stage and put together a standup act, a decision that made him a finalist on America’s Got Talent and helped him land a recurring guest stint on Marc’s IFC series. Drew also talks about his self-consciousness over his early breaks in comedy and why humility has become a nece

Sep 2, 2024 • 1:23:33

Episode 1569 - Brendon Walsh

When the topic of past guests comes up, Marc often mentions Brendon Walsh, a comedian who was on several early WTF episodes as well as Marc’s IFC sitcom. Diving into a full conversation more than a decade since he was last in the garage, Brendon tells Marc about the changes in his life since then, including the break he took from comedy, the tragic death of his podcast co-host, the mistakes he’s come to terms with, and why he currently hosts The World Record podcast with his wife. Sign up here f

Aug 29, 2024 • 1:25:31

BONUS Producer Cuts - Marc's Monologues from July

It's an all-monologue edition of Producer Cuts, with some chunks of Marc's monologues that were cut for time in the month of July, with digressions about flying coach, Vancouver, politics, Marc's favorite albums, and more. Click here to submit a question for an upcoming Ask Marc Anything episode. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 27, 2024 • 35:59

Episode 1568 - Greg Fitzsimmons

Greg Fitzsimmons returns to WTF after a 13 year absence, but his dynamic with Marc remains the same as it was when they were comics starting out in Boston almost four decades ago. With a new comedy special out, Greg talks with Marc about his unhealthy relationship with worry, how he broke the self-destructive cycles of his family, and how his relationship with Marc evolved from trying to get in a fistfight with him backstage to reminiscing about their road stories and hard-earned victories. Sign

Aug 26, 2024 • 1:22:36

Episode 1567 - Paul W. Downs

Over the past four years, Paul W. Downs has been one of the people responsible for constructing the ongoing story of a lifer standup comic on the show Hacks. Paul talks with Marc about how his comedy background is very different from the fictional Deborah Vance, with his training at the UCB Theater, his days at the vanguard of internet video comedy, and his entry into the world of Broad City. They also talk about embarrassment, becoming less odd with age, and the current crisis in comedy develop

Aug 22, 2024 • 1:31:20

Episode 1566 - Michael Rooker

Michael Rooker is known for playing a variety of menacing and intense characters. But menace was something he was always good at, as the protective older brother of six sisters. And intensity is often something people misread because he’s hard of hearing. Michael talks with Marc about growing up in Alabama with no electricity or running water, his bus driver’s outfit helping him land Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, his epic Eight Men Out casting story, his embrace of the comic book world by

Aug 19, 2024 • 1:26:32

Episode 1565 - Blair Socci

Blair Socci comes from an athletic family with a hardened ancestral backstory involving throat slashing and exile. But despite her exterior toughness, Blair spent her youth enjoying poetry, journaling and creative writing. If she hadn't caught the comedy bug, she intended to become a novelist. Blair and Marc talk about her volleyball prowess, how athletics prepared her for comedy, and why she recently felt the need to abandon her anti-social media stance. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full sh

Aug 15, 2024 • 1:33:35

Episode 1564 - Moon Zappa

When Moon Zappa was on the show back in 2013, she and Marc started dating shortly thereafter. Now that Moon has just written her memoir, Earth to Moon, she and Marc sit down for their first real conversation since their abrupt breakup. Moon talks about the forensic investigation she did of her life, the emotional damage she took from her mother, the pressure of carrying Frank Zappa’s legacy, and the realization that her upbringing was quite sheltered despite her family’s very public image. Sign

Aug 12, 2024 • 1:34:44

Episode 1563 - Beth Stelling

When Marc saw Beth Stelling’s Netflix special, he knew there was something he found familiar. It turns out they both have a similar process of making comedy out of trauma. Beth talks with Marc about the childhood event that informed most of the way she addresses difficult subjects in her act and how speaking up about an abusive relationship led to a backlash that left her reeling. They also talk about life in Ohio and what it was like to film a comedy special in her hometown. Sign up here for WT

Aug 8, 2024 • 1:30:39

Episode 1562 - Jimmie Dale Gilmore

One of the reasons singer-songwriter Jimmie Dale Gilmore didn’t get a solo record deal until he was in his 40s is because he took an extended time away from music to live in a spiritual community. Jimmie and Marc talk about the search for enlightenment in the midst of being a trendsetter for Americana music. They also talk about Jimmie’s band The Flatlanders, Texas barbecue, hearing loss, Willie Nelson, and Jimmie’s recent collaborations with Dave Alvin from The Blasters. Sign up here for WTF+ t

Aug 5, 2024 • 1:27:09

Episode 1561 - Anna Akana

Moving from place to place throughout her childhood was difficult on Anna Akana, but it was growing up alongside the internet that really changed her life. Anna tells Marc how her career as a comedian and actor got going when she turned to YouTube after dealing with the lack of Asian representation in traditional media. Anna also explains how she became a mental health advocate due to her sister’s tragic death and why she decided to go back to comedy as a way to explore sensitive issues. Content

Aug 1, 2024 • 1:23:33

Episode 1560 - Wolfgang Van Halen

For Wolfgang Van Halen, learning the drums, guitar and bass came easier than learning to deal with the trolling and resentment he faced for being the son of Eddie Van Halen. Wolfgang tells Marc how touring as part of Van Halen taught him what to avoid in his career and helped him gain perspective on the type of music he wanted to make on his own. They also talk about the universal experience of grief and how Wolfgang has been able to move forward after the devastating loss of his dad. Sign up he

Jul 29, 2024 • 1:24:47

Episode 1559 - Clare O'Kane

When two comics are on tour together, one of the best places to get to know each other is in a car while driving between gigs. Clare O’Kane and Marc didn’t have much history together before Clare started opening for Marc, so they recorded their drive from Cleveland to Detroit and talked about their shared experiences with depression, shaving their heads, ailing parents, dreaming of being an artist, and growing into themselves, as well as Clare’s time writing for SpongeBob and SNL. Sign up here f

Jul 25, 2024 • 1:28:17

Episode 1558 - Shalom Auslander

Shalom Auslander gave voice to something Marc was thinking for most of his life: That he’s been living in a world of Feh. What that Yiddish word means and why Shalom believes it’s an organizing idea that’s been forced on human beings, particularly Jews, for thousands of years is the subject of Shalom’s new book. Shalom and Marc talk about breaking the cycle of Feh, how Shalom did so by completely breaking away from his family, and why the nonstop news cycle is one of the biggest causes of collec

Jul 22, 2024 • 1:30:12

Bob Newhart from 2014 and 2018

First, hear Marc's 2014 conversation with Bob Newhart from Bob's home in Bel-Air. Then, a follow-up conversation from 2018 where Marc and Bob talked on the phone. Bob Newhart died on July 18, 2024, at age 94. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 19, 2024 • 2:03:10

Episode 1557 - Dan St. Germain

It’s been a long time since Dan St. Germain had his first big gig as an opener with Marc in Sacramento. As the years have gone by, Dan took a few breaks from standup, worked as a writer on several TV series, dealt with the heartbreak of a declining parent, and struggled with sobriety. Dan tells Marc how he managed to pull things together, get clean and self-release his latest comedy special. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/w

Jul 18, 2024 • 1:26:42

Episode 1556 - Trey Anastasio

Despite Phish’s enormous following, frontman Trey Anastasio still sees himself as an outsider. Trey talks with Marc about his earliest influences, which were not jam bands, but groups like the Jackson 5 and musicals from Broadway. They also talk about the pressure Phish encountered after Jerry Garcia died, how the party scene surrounding the band spiraled out of control, and how Trey’s deep connection with his bandmates served him well when he was at his lowest point. Sign up here for WTF+

Jul 15, 2024 • 1:50:32

Episode 1555 - Clarence Maclin

Clarence Maclin was uniquely suited to make his film debut in the new movie Sing Sing, starring alongside Coleman Domingo. That’s because the film is based on a real life group of incarcerated men at Sing Sing prison and Clarence plays a fictionalized version of himself. Clarence talks with Marc about how a theater program run by an organization called Rehabilitation Through the Arts turned around his life on the inside and helped him find who he needed to be when he got on the outside. Sign up

Jul 11, 2024 • 1:18:51

Episode 1554 - Stavros Halkias

Stavros Halkias titled his Netflix special Fat Rascal in part because he doesn’t know any other reality than a life with addictive food issues. Marc is no stranger to addiction or food-based trauma, so he can relate. But both Stavros and Marc can also still get really excited talking about Greek food and their love of diners. Stavros explains the food connection with his heritage, the formative moments of his life in Baltimore’s Greektown, and how he shares an unpleasant connection with Marc’s p

Jul 8, 2024 • 1:35:26

Episode 1553 - Julianne Nicholson

Julianne Nicholson came over to the garage at the right time. With Marc deep in the middle of an acting job, it was helpful for both his curiosity and his confidence to talk to an expert actor like Julianne who is so versatile in all her performances, from movies like Black Mass to her Emmy-winning performance in Mare of Easttown. Julianne and Marc talk about their shared Boston connections, taking on heavy roles, and Julianne’s tender new film Janet Planet. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full

Jul 4, 2024 • 1:36:03

Episode 1552 - Paul Scheer

When Paul Scheer was on WTF back in 2010, he spoke about things in his past that he never before spoke about publicly. That conversation with Marc started Paul on a journey of self-discovery that continued as he built a family, grew his career and dealt with the relationships in his life that had deeply unresolved issues. All of this culminated in the writing of his new book, Joyful Recollections of Trauma. Paul and Marc also talk about some of the other traumatic events in the book, most of whi

Jul 1, 2024 • 1:39:55

Episode 1551 - Gareth Reynolds

Gareth Reynolds was struggling in show business as a comic, a writer, an actor, you name it. But not unlike Marc, he finally broke through when he started hosting a podcast along with fellow comic Dave Anthony, The Dollop, where Dave tells stories from history that Gareth knows nothing about. Gareth and Marc talk about what led to the creation of that show ten years ago, as well as Gareth’s years before, growing up in Milwaukee to British parents but absorbing a thoroughly Midwestern personality

Jun 27, 2024 • 1:31:50

Episode 1550 - Jewel

Jewel Kilcher left her troubled home life in Alaska as a teenager, hitchhiking her way across the country and living in her car before becoming a music superstar known globally by her first name. Jewel talks with Marc about how she used creativity to overcome anxiety, how Bob Dylan factored into her breakthrough, and how she feared becoming a statistic when she was offered her first record deal. They also talk about her new art exhibit at Crystal Bridges Museum and the mental health programs she

Jun 24, 2024 • 1:34:04

Episode 1549 - Geezer Butler

As bassist and lyricist for Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler has a lifetime of rock and roll stories to tell. From the band’s working class roots in Birmingham to their early days as a traditional blues band to their transformation into the quintessential heavy metal group, Geezer tells Marc how he brought it all together with Ozzy Osbourne, Bill Ward and Tony Iommi, how it eventually fell apart, and how they picked up the pieces. They also talk about Frank Zappa, the Beatles, and the true meaning o

Jun 20, 2024 • 1:29:36

Episode 1548 - Jude Law

Jude Law and Marc made a movie together but they never actually got to meet during it. They remedy that at the production offices of Jude’s latest project, as he sits down with Marc to talk about the elasticity of time, having a runaway imagination, the traveling life of an actor, and Michael Caine. They also talk about the preparation Jude puts into his portrayal of historical characters, including his recent turn as Henry VIII in Firebrand. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives a

Jun 17, 2024 • 1:20:45

Episode 1547 - Ali Siddiq

Comedian Ali Siddiq draws from his life experiences to create his comedy shows. Now in the midst of a four part comedy special called The Domino Effect, Ali is exploring everything from his tough upbringing to his time spent in prison to the early comedic stylings he displayed while working at the Sunglass Hut. Marc and Ali compare notes on their storytelling styles and share an appreciation of the power in sitting down while performing standup. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show a

Jun 13, 2024 • 1:47:25

Episode 1546 - Ed O'Neill

Ed O’Neill’s his early days working in an Ohio steel mill and contemplating a potential career hustling for mobsters didn’t seem like a path to Hollywood. Nor did his days playing football and coming up short during NFL tryouts. But his working class Irish background wound up making Ed the perfect portrayer of Al Bundy, a performance partially based on his own uncle. Ed talks with Marc about everything that led up to Married… with Children and Modern Family, and why he was determined to say no t

Jun 10, 2024 • 1:32:02

Episode 1545 - Larry David

Larry David says he regrets saying yes to everything right after he agrees to do it. But it’s too late to back out of the garage now, so he’ll try to convince Marc that he actually has a much better disposition than the Larry David character on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry talks with Marc about his early days at Catch a Rising Star, how he found his familiar character while working on Joy Behar’s Lifetime show, his fights with network executives, and the origin stories of Seinfeld and Curb.

Jun 6, 2024 • 1:26:43

Episode 1544 - Susie Essman

After twenty-four years and twelve seasons as Susie Greene on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Susie Essman’s life has become strangers seeing her on the street and asking her to curse them out. Susie tells Marc the ins and outs of making Curb and why so many people have trouble separating the characters from the people who play them. They also talk about Larry David, doctor fathers, making depressed parents laugh, her new History of Curb Your Enthusiasm podcast, and why Susie is glad to be done with stand

Jun 3, 2024 • 1:23:21

Episode 1543 - Tony Goldwyn

Despite a family name that goes back to the dawn of Hollywood, Tony Goldwyn’s father did not want him to get into the family business. It took Tony achieving his own success and landing a lead role in the movie Ghost for his father to accept this career path. Tony tells Marc the hardscrabble immigrant story of his grandfather, the man who became Samuel Goldwyn, before sharing his own ups and downs in the business and why he moved from acting into directing. They also talk about his new movie Ezr

May 30, 2024 • 1:25:19

Episode 1542 - Molly Ringwald

There was a time when Molly Ringwald knew she had to get out of America for a while so she didn’t have to be That Girl anymore. Now, with a career that includes being a jazz singer, a novelist, and a translator of French literature, Molly is much more than That Girl. Molly and Marc talk about her early days on The Facts of Life, her global stardom in the John Hughes movies, and her current day projects, including the recent season of Feud: Capote vs The Swans. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the fu

May 27, 2024 • 1:30:55

Episode 1541 - Steph Tolev

In a role reversal for WTF guests, Steph Tolev thought Marc didn’t like her. And as Marc usually finds out when he assumes another comedian dislikes him, Steph discovered that Marc is actually totally intrigued by who she is and interested in how she developed her unique comedic style. So Steph explains that it has a lot to do with Canada, highland dancing, sketch comedy, spite, pissing off the wrong people, farting, and Bill Burr, roughly in that order. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full sho

May 23, 2024 • 1:37:19

Episode 1540 - Daniel Stern

Daniel Stern made a radical decision in show business after achieving success and financial independence: He decided to stop. After culture-defining projects like Home Alone, The Wonder Years, City Slickers and more, Daniel tells Marc why he decided to devote more time to his family, farming, sculpture and public service, all based on the example set by his co-star Jack Palance. Daniel also explains why he wrote a memoir despite having no interest in selling it or making money off it. Sign up he

May 20, 2024 • 1:29:33

Episode 1539 - Billy Strings

When Marc saw Billy Strings play live on stage at Willie Nelson’s birthday show, he watched a born performer make bluegrass music vital to a modern audience. Billy talks with Marc about his joy of guitar playing as an adolescent in Michigan, how his family helped shape his musical sensibilities, and how substance abuse in and around his life worked hard to crush his dreams. Now invested more in playing than in partying, Billy also talks about the music he loves and the musical heroes he’s been h

May 16, 2024 • 1:39:23

Episode 1538 - A. Whitney Brown

Before discovering comedy, A. Whitney Brown dropped out of the eighth grade, bounced around reform schools, had a criminal record, and spent time in jail. Now, after a career that saw him do standup on Carson, write for SNL during its late-‘80s renaissance, and help launch The Daily Show, Whitney says he’s happy to be out of show business. Marc caught up with Whitney at his home in Austin, Texas to talk about his life, his leisure and Mark Twain. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show

May 13, 2024 • 1:34:28

Episode 1537 - Joe Mande

Joe Mande’s past appearances on WTF involve him being a sort of merry comic prankster, like back in the heyday of Twitter when he was trolling politicians and corporate brands on a daily basis. But in today’s polarized social environment, Joe and Marc talk about how tricky it is to be a modern day troublemaker. They also discuss their shared love of Michael Clayton, courtside basketball, and Joe’s hand in the making of the show Hacks. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekl

May 9, 2024 • 1:06:05

Episode 1536 - Chris Pine

Chris Pine is in the position to offer Marc some advice. As the first-time director of the new movie Poolman, Chris gives Marc practical tips as Marc entertains the possibility of directing a film. But Chris also provides Marc with some insight into why people like them still feel a need to keep going despite their clear measurements of success. They also talk about Star Trek, Hell or High Water, Chris’s dad Robert Pine, Denzel Washington and the eclipse that was happening during this conversati

May 6, 2024 • 1:31:14

Episode 1535 - Tiffany Haddish

Before Tiffany Haddish rocketed to stardom with Girls Trip, she saw Marc at the back entrance of The Comedy Store and told him that she was going to be on his podcast one day. Today is that day. Tiffany and Marc talk about who she was in those days before worldwide fame, how she came up in the foster care system, how she found her voice at comedy camp, and how she wound up navigating the new world of being a major celebrity. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus ma

May 2, 2024 • 1:32:52

Episode 1534 - Neal Brennan

While watching Neal Brennan’s new Netflix special, Crazy Good, Marc learned new things about Neal despite knowing each other for 30 years. They sit down to figure out how things have changed for them, whether they are truly feeling better in their lives, and why they are still pursuing some version of success they can’t quite pinpoint. Neal also shares some insight he received directly from Bono that might answer some of their questions. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and we

Apr 29, 2024 • 1:20:53

Episode 1533 - Tammy Faye Starlite

Nearly 30 years ago in the alt-comedy scene of New York City, Marc crossed paths with an evangelical country singer named Tammy Faye Starlite. She’s the alter ego of lifelong New Yorker Tammy Lang, who stormed the city’s cabarets and clubs with her own form of performance art and musicality. Tammy and Marc reminisce about the days at places like Luna Lounge, the creation of the Tammy Faye Starlight character, and why she started performing as real singers, like Marianne Faithfull and Nico. Sign

Apr 25, 2024 • 1:28:16

Episode 1532 - Paula Pell

Paula Pell is often celebrated as one of the funniest people alive by some of the other funniest people alive. The world is finally getting to see what they mean thanks to Paula’s standout role on Girls5eva, but for years she was comedy’s best kept secret, writing legendary SNL sketches, doing punch-up and script doctoring for major movies, and contributing to hit sitcoms and award shows. Paula tells Marc why it took her a long time to feel comfortable being in the spotlight as a performer. Sign

Apr 22, 2024 • 1:29:57

Episode 1531 - Jimmy Carr

When Marc asked Jimmy Carr to be a guest on WTF years ago, Jimmy admits he wasn’t ready for it. He was already an established comedian at the time, but he felt like Public Jimmy was one thing and Private Jimmy was another. Now years later, Jimmy believes that age and experience have allowed him to get out of his comedy comfort zone and explore more personal truths, as he does in this talk with Marc and in his new Netflix special, Natural Born Killer. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show ar

Apr 18, 2024 • 1:22:59

Episode 1530 - Malcolm McDowell

When Malcolm McDowell left behind Liverpool to pursue acting in London, he didn’t imagine it would be the start of 60 years as a performer. Malcolm talks with Marc about his extraordinary career, including his work with Stanley Kubrick on A Clockwork Orange, the pornographic fate of Caligula, and stories about Lawrence Olivier, Alan Bates, Peter Sellers, Robert Altman, Mick Jagger and more. Malcolm also explains why he fell hard for Newfoundland while making the series Son of a Critch. Sign up h

Apr 15, 2024 • 1:27:43

Episode 1529 - Alex Edelman

Alex Edelman is the kind of comic who makes Marc immediately anxious. But it’s quickly apparent that Marc is reacting to the fact that he sees so much of himself in Alex. They’re both still dealing with complex feelings about their Jewish identities. They both paid their comedy dues doing road gigs in Boston. They both experiment with long-form storytelling, wondering if they’re doing one-man shows or standup, or if there’s a difference. They hash all this out as they discuss Alex’s new HBO spec

Apr 11, 2024 • 1:29:09

Episode 1528 - Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett turns 91 later this month and is still going strong with a featured role in the new series Palm Royale. But Carol is quick to remind Marc that the great success she achieved happened in part due to the kindness of strangers. Carol and Marc talk about the mysterious benefactors who helped her get to New York where she found success on the stage, then on television, and then with her own variety show. They also talk about her friendship with Lucille Ball, collaborating with Julie And

Apr 8, 2024 • 1:35:25

Episode 1527 - Dina Hashem

Standup comedy transformed Dina Hashem’s life. So why is she at a point, right after releasing her acclaimed first special, where she cares less about standup than ever before? Dina talks with Marc about her isolated upbringing in New Jersey, her revelatory first time doing comedy, and why she has a hard time recognizing herself in her own special. Dina also talks about drumming, skateboarding, and writing for The Daily Show. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus m

Apr 4, 2024 • 1:33:03

Episode 1526 - Alejandro Escovedo

Celebrated singer-songwriter and guitarist Alejandro Escovedo made one of Marc’s favorite albums, the 1992 solo record Gravity. But the raw, intimate poetry of that album came from a real place of grief and anguish in Alejandro’s life. They talk about what led up to that point, including his early bands The Nuns, Rank and File, and True Believers, and the rocky road afterward when Alejandro’s health took a turn for the worse. They also discuss his new album, Echo Dancing, and why he chose to rei

Apr 1, 2024 • 1:20:49

Episode 1525 - David Krumholtz

David Krumholtz lives and breathes Hollywood because, according to him, he has no other choice. The prolific character actor got what he considers a once in a lifetime break at age 13, so he needed to honor whatever fates gave him that opportunity by devoting himself entirely to acting. David talks with Marc about what he’s learned from co-stars like Judd Hirsch and Alan Arkin as well as directors like Christopher Nolan and the Coen Brothers, and he also reflects on his leading man status in the

Mar 28, 2024 • 1:33:36

Episode 1524 - Tig Notaro

Tig Notaro’s new comedy special is called “Hello, Again” which serves as a reintroduction of sorts, considering how much has changed in Tig’s life over the years. Tig explains to Marc how her previous tough, no-nonsense demeanor gave way to a different side after surviving cancer and falling in love. They talk about how Tig’s relationship developed with her wife Stephanie and why, after being pushed to the brink by illness, she just wants to raise her family and do work that’s important to her.

Mar 25, 2024 • 1:17:08

Episode 1523 - Eddie Pepitone

This is Eddie Pepitone’s 25th appearance on WTF, by far the most appearances on the show for anyone other than Marc. And yet Eddie and Marc have never had a full length one-on-one talk in the garage. They attempt to do so in this episode, despite of Eddie’s aversion to linear logic and his aggressive style of comedic free association. Will they stay on track? Will they be able to follow through on at least one thought? Find out as they also try to come up with a central concept for Eddie’s upcom

Mar 21, 2024 • 1:21:36

Episode 1522 - Dave Attell

Dave Attell and Marc have known each other for 35 years but really only converse at length on this podcast. Back on WTF after 14 years, Dave explains why he’s still on the road all the time as he gets set to premiere his new Netflix special, Hot Cross Buns. Dave and Marc also marvel at the current comedy boom in comparison to some of the down times they’ve lived through and they both share notes on what it’s like to be sons taking care of elderly parents. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full sh

Mar 18, 2024 • 1:13:48

Episode 1521 - Todd Glass

When Todd Glass was on WTF back in 2012, he decided to do something that changed his entire life. Now, twelve years later, Todd is looking to change the way he does comedy for the rest of his career. Todd tells Marc about his new stage show, The Event of a Lifetime, why he wants to do it forever, and the challenges he’s facing while putting it on its feet. They also talk about the state of comedy today, the benefits of tour buses, and hugging. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives

Mar 14, 2024 • 1:13:05

Episode 1520 - Thurston Moore

Sonic Youth founding member Thurston Moore is not just an influential figure in the evolution of Noise Rock and the no-wave art scene. He’s a chronicler of subversive music and other forms of artistic expression, as detailed in his memoir Sonic Life. Thurston talks with Marc about living on the Lower East Side in the ‘70s and ‘80s and the people who were part of the scene, including Patti Smith, The Ramones and Thurston’s future bandmate and wife Kim Gordon. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full

Mar 11, 2024 • 1:32:37

Episode 1519 - Rory Scovel

Rory Scovel is back in the garage, fresh off premiering a new standup special on Max that Marc found extremely funny. Now at a point in his life where his smack in the middle between feeling young and feeling old, Rory talks with Marc veteran comic to veteran comic about their philosophies on building a comedy hour, riffing, flying by the seat of their pants, re-doing older material, getting jokes from other comics and the intent behind filthy jokes. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show ar

Mar 7, 2024 • 1:32:20

WTF Oscar Nominee Special 2024

Hear Marc’s conversations with past WTF guests who are nominated for Oscars this year: Paul Giamatti, Cillian Murphy, Jeffrey Wright, Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, America Ferrera, Mark Ruffalo, Yorgos Lanthimos, Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig, Rodrigo Prieto, Lily Gladstone, and Robbie Robertson.This episode is sponsored by Acorns. Notices: Paid non-client endorsement. May not be representative of all clients. Tier one compensation provided. Compensation provides an incentive

Mar 6, 2024 • 1:15:36

Episode 1518 - Ben Mendelsohn

Ben Mendelsohn is a prolific actor with a dynamic range, and yet most of his training came from watching movies as a young kid in Australia and learning from the stars he saw on screen. Ben and Marc talk about their shared love of AC/DC, the social gravity of Australia, and the enjoyment of doing nothing. They also dive into some of Ben’s notable roles in Animal Kingdom, Babyteeth and his portrayal of Christian Dior in the series The New Look. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives

Mar 4, 2024 • 1:22:02

Episode 1517 - Mae Martin

Mae Martin is Canadian, has a background in sketch comedy, spent a lot of time doing standup in England, and is non-binary. And yet, despite a life that couldn’t seem more different than Marc’s, the two of them have a surprising amount in common. Mae and Marc share stories on their struggles with addiction and compare notes on how they work through their vulnerabilities on stage. Also, Marc pays tribute to one of his comedy heroes and inspirations, Richard Lewis. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the

Feb 29, 2024 • 1:31:22

Richard Lewis from 2011

Richard Lewis was a comedy hero and inspiration to Marc. They spent their first extended time together in 2011 for this conversation about Richard's life and career. Richard died on February 27, 2024 at age 76. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 29, 2024 • 1:15:39

Episode 1516 - Lily Gladstone

Lily Gladstone knows that people project all manner of emotions and intentions onto her when she gives a performance. Lily and Marc talk about why that happens, including the reaction to her Oscar-nominated performance in Killers of the Flower Moon. They also talk about the time Lily was thinking about giving up acting just as Kelly Reichardt cast her in Certain Women, why it was so important for her to play an incarcerated mother on Reservation Dogs, and why she believes every role she takes be

Feb 26, 2024 • 1:26:10

Episode 1515 - Rodrigo Prieto

Rodrigo Prieto is the cinematographer of two of last year's most celebrated films: Barbie and Killers of the Flower Moon, for which he is Oscar-nominated. Rodrigo talks with Marc about finding the right look for multiple Martin Scorsese movies as well as his strategy for achieving what Greta Gerwig called "artificial authenticity." They also talk about Rodrigo's work with Spike Lee, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Ang Lee, Julie Taymor, Oliver Stone, Cameron Crowe, Pedro Almodóvar, and Be

Feb 22, 2024 • 1:48:24

Episode 1514 - America Ferrera

America Ferrera didn't expect that her performance in Barbie would lead to an Oscar nomination but few things in life have gone in a straight line for the daughter of working class immigrants from Honduras. America and Marc talk about how she encountered stereotypical typecasting even at a young age but saw that her work was making a tangible difference in how people saw themselves on the screen. They also talk about how America satisfied her desire for a career in international relations, her f

Feb 21, 2024 • 1:03:11

Episode 1513 - Mark Ruffalo

Before Mark Ruffalo became the Hulk, he deeply understood what it felt like to be two people in the same skin. A high school wrestler and a member of the drama club, a surfer and a punk rocker, a person with a family history of bipolarity. Mark and Marc talk about how he used this duality in many of his roles, including his Oscar-nominated turn in Poor Things. They also talk about his recent testimony to Congress, his fear of doing SNL, and the terrifying health scare that turned his l

Feb 19, 2024 • 1:39:26

Episode 1512 - Da'Vine Joy Randolph

Da’Vine Joy Randolph is in the midst of the highly competitive Hollywood award season, but the competitive fire always burns strong within her. From high school basketball to her time on a track scholarship to her foray into opera to the theater program at Yale, Da’Vine is always aiming for the top spot. She talks with Marc about nailing her Boston accent for The Holdovers, the reason she stopped singing, and the opportunities she’s making for herself in light of all the award talk. Sign up here

Feb 15, 2024 • 1:24:28

Episode 1511 - Ed Zwick

Ed Zwick’s career as a director, writer and producer in Hollywood lends itself to the full memoir treatment, complete with stories about stars behaving badly and development disasters. But Ed’s new book also serves as a guide to mentorship in a business where every bit of help counts. Ed and Marc discuss some of his most successful productions, like Glory, The Last Samurai and thirtysomething, as well as some of the lumps he took along the way. Plus, Marc pays tribute to the late Mojo Nixon. Sig

Feb 12, 2024 • 1:28:50

Episode 1510 - John Oliver

John Oliver is one of those people who just gets Marc. It’s not surprising, considering John has become one of the sharpest observers of the American way of life. Back in the garage after almost twelve years, John talks with Marc about having what he calls a functional version of a nervous breakdown during the pandemic, finding hope in a painting of rat erotica, and the process of putting together Last Week Tonight as it returns for its eleventh season. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show

Feb 8, 2024 • 1:24:21

Episode 1509 - Laurie Kilmartin

Laurie Kilmartin can make comedy out of the darkest situations in her life, from her father’s hospice care to her mother dying of Covid to being targeted by Fox News and the right wing for making an abortion joke. The latter became the foundation for her latest special, Cis Woke Grief Slut, and Laurie talks with Marc about how comedy can survive information bubbles and the lack of a shared national dialogue. They also talk about getting to a point in their lives where it’s time to let things go.

Feb 5, 2024 • 1:16:45

Wayne Kramer from 2014

Marc's 2014 conversation with Wayne Kramer, co-founder of the legendary rock group MC5, covering the ‘60s, jazz, Iggy Pop, the White Panther Party, prison, drugs and more. Wayne died on February 2, 2024 at age 75. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 3, 2024 • 1:15:13

Episode 1508 - Bobby Lee

In the thirteen years since Bobby Lee was last on WTF, he and Marc have grown to like each other more and more. For one thing, Marc taught Bobby how to tell time. But aside from that, they’ve shared a lot together as two veteran comics regularly working the same clubs, dealing with sobriety, and coming to terms with the changes around them. Marc and Bobby compare notes on relationships, podcasts, grudges, and having happiness for the success of their peers. To an extent. Sign up here for WTF+ to

Feb 1, 2024 • 1:19:52

Episode 1507 - Jon Cryer

Jon Cryer has been in show business for most of his life and has seen the changes, both rapid and gradual, within the industry. Jon talks with Marc about his early stage work, his breakthrough in film with Pretty in Pink, and his great success on network TV, which he just returned to with the new sitcom Extended Family. They also talk about the wild ride shared by anyone who was in the orbit of his former co-star, Charlie Sheen. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonu

Jan 29, 2024 • 1:34:06

Episode 1506 - Moshe Kasher

Moshe Kasher already wrote a memoir about his years as a teenage substance abuser growing up in an orthodox Jewish family with two deaf parents. Now Moshe’s back to talk with Marc about his second memoir, Subculture Vulture, which deals with how he put his life together since those teen years, including getting sober, embracing rave culture, finding standup comedy, becoming a husband and father, and the identity crisis along the way. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and

Jan 25, 2024 • 1:24:43

Episode 1505 - Jacqueline Novak

Jacqueline Novak’s new Netflix standup special is a rite of passage story about a girl finding her way into womanhood. Kind of. For Marc, it was refreshing to watch something so frank, filthy and fun. For Jacqueline, it was an honest expression of what she finds funny, not a statement or provocation. Marc and Jacqueline talk about intentions and reactions in comedy, their approaches to making a special, and how depression factors into the creative output of a comic. Sign up here for WTF+ to get

Jan 22, 2024 • 1:25:18

Episode 1504 - Jonah Ray Rodrigues / Ed Begley Jr.

It’s the return of two past WTF guests who have lots of stories and common experiences to share with Marc. First, Hollywood’s everyman Ed Begley Jr. is back for the first time in a decade, fresh off writing his new memoir, To the Temple of Tranquility… And Step On It! Then Marc talks with Jonah Ray Rodrigues, who spent years crossing paths with Marc in the standup and podcasting worlds. Jonah explains why he gave up standup, started bartending, and dove into collaborative projects like the

Jan 18, 2024 • 1:22:38

Episode 1503 - Billie Joe Armstrong

Billie Joe Armstrong and Green Day are heading out on a global tour as they celebrate the 30th anniversary of their breakout album Dookie, the 20th anniversary of American Idiot, and the release of their new album Saviors. Through it all, Billie Joe has tried to keep a healthy distance from fame while fronting one of the biggest bands of all time. Billie Joe and Marc talk about melodies, power pop, R.E.M., the Bay, his bandmates, and how he’s still learning songs on YouTube.Click here to submit

Jan 15, 2024 • 1:29:48

Episode 1502 - Greta Gerwig

The last time Greta Gerwig was on WTF, she had just directed her first solo feature, the independent film Lady Bird. Now she returns after directing and co-writing the biggest movie of 2023, Barbie. Greta talks with Marc about everything that went into making it, including the costumes, the production design, the performances, the comedy, the music and the personal vision she set out to communicate within the contours of a $140 million summer blockbuster. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the fu

Jan 11, 2024 • 1:31:54

Episode 1501 - Joel Edgerton

Joel Edgerton’s decision to start a filmmaking collective with his brother and friends in Australia is the foundation for his career and an ideal representation of the collaborative process. Joel talks with Marc about the allure of menace, which he infuses into the films he’s directed like The Gift and Boy Erased, as well as his performances in movies like Black Mass, Animal Kingdom and The Stranger. Joel also explains the revelation that occurred to him on his latest film, The Boys in the Boat,

Jan 8, 2024 • 1:26:52

Episode 1500 - Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti and Marc have so many similar interests - amassing books, admiring marginal geniuses, taking jobs out of panic, reassessing classic movies, watching old late night talk show clips, wanting to be the guy in the coffee shop, the origins of conspiracies - that their conversation is a fitting representation of 1500 episodes of WTF. Paul also talks about the weirdest movie he made and goes into detail about his recent performance in The Holdovers. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full s

Jan 4, 2024 • 1:36:28

The Friday Show Special

For New Year’s Day, Marc introduces you to The Friday Show, a weekly episode available to Full Maron subscribers, hosted by WTF producer Brendan McDonald and Kris Lo Presto, a friend of theirs from back in the Air America Radio days. You’ll hear Marc, Brendan and Kris discuss the movie Air, a conversation with film critic Matt Singer about Siskel & Ebert, a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the film The Fugitive, and more. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus

Jan 1, 2024 • 1:42:26

Episode 1499 - Matt B. Davis

Matt B. Davis is unique among WTF guests in that he did comedy for more than a decade, got out of the business and never wanted back in. Matt and Marc talk about how they got to know each other as comics, how they've helped each other in sobriety, and how Matt found a second career within the obstacle racing community. But then the conversation hits an obstacle of its own, as both Matt and Marc try to deal with a roadblock that's interfering with their friendship. Sign up here for WTF+ to get th

Dec 28, 2023 • 1:43:11

The 'Marc on Movies' Special

For Christmas Day, Marc presents a special collection of exclusive segments that were published this past year on the Full Maron bonus feed as part of the Marc on Movies series. First, a conversation with WTF producer Brendan McDonald about the films of Martin Scorsese. Then, Marc’s girlfriend Kit tries to walk him through the puzzles and mysteries of David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive. Finally, another talk between Marc and Brendan about the Sidney Lumet masterpiece Dog Day Afternoon. Sign up here

Dec 25, 2023 • 1:52:29

Episode 1498 - Blitz Bazawule

Growing up in Ghana, director Blitz Bazawule relied on three things to transport him to other worlds: movies, American hip-hop, and his grandmother’s stories. Blitz tells Marc how he combined all three in his work as a director, how his style of visual poetry attracted the attention of Beyoncé, and how he suddenly found himself at the helm of his first major studio film, the musical version of The Color Purple. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material!

Dec 21, 2023 • 1:36:17

Episode 1497 - Tammy Pescatelli

Tammy Pescatelli and Marc were recently on the same show, performing for thousands in a basketball arena. Now in the garage, Tammy and Marc talk about their lives in comedy, which both of them spent earning their stripes on the road, putting in time at The Comedy Store, hosting daily radio shows, and headlining their own shows. But Tammy had to build it all back up after everything came to a halt due to one joke. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material

Dec 18, 2023 • 1:27:30

Episode 1496 - Rodney Crowell / John Doe

As one of country music’s most prolific singer-songwriters, Rodney Crowell talks with Marc about the art of songwriting, his evolution as a performer, and his collaborations with everyone from Emmylou Harris to Waylon Jennings to Rosanne Cash to Jeff Tweedy, who just produced Rodney’s latest album, The Chicago Sessions. Also, John Doe from the band X returns to the show to talk about his lead role in the new film D.O.A. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus materia

Dec 14, 2023 • 1:37:21

Episode 1495 - Peter Sarsgaard

Peter Sarsgaard is always a memorable presence on screen and on stage. But in his latest role, he’s playing a man losing his memory at an early age. Marc and Peter talk about how life leads to inevitable encounters with dementia and mental trauma, and how depictions in art help us respond to them. They also talk about Peter’s relationship with sports, his collaborations with his wife, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and why he’s forever linked with John Malkovich. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show a

Dec 11, 2023 • 1:32:32

Episode 1494 - Taylor Williamson

Taylor Williamson’s obsession with comedy led him to club gigs as a teenager and national press coverage praising “the 19-year-old’s cerebral wit.” But Taylor tells Marc he was ready to give up on his dreams after a few years of the comedy grind. They talk about how America’s Got Talent was his salvation, what he learned after a decade of projects that almost got off the ground, and why he taped his new special at The Comedy Store, a place he views with equal parts gratitude and resentment. Sign

Dec 7, 2023 • 1:25:11

Episode 1493 - Kate Simon

Kate Simon’s love of photography started with a Polaroid camera and her talents put her right in the middle of the art and music scenes in London and New York City in the 1970s and ’80s. Kate and Marc talk about her notable subjects like Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Andy Warhol, William S. Burroughs, The Clash, David Bowie and Led Zeppelin. But Kate explains why, out of all the artists she encountered, Bob Marley was the most unforgettable, which she documents in her book Rebel Music. Sign up here for

Dec 4, 2023 • 1:20:01

Episode 1492 - Jesse David Fox

Jesse David Fox thinks comedy is serious business. As the comedy reporter at Vulture, he’s been writing about it for more than a decade. Now Jesse is attempting to explain the role of comedy in our ever-evolving culture in his newly published Comedy Book. Marc, as you may imagine, has some thoughts. Jesse and Marc talk about standup as an art form, the meaning of edginess, the melding of comedy with tragedy and grief, and the reason Maria Bamford is their favorite comedian working today. Sign up

Nov 30, 2023 • 1:35:31

Episode 1491 - Albert Brooks

A conversation more than a dozen years in the making, Albert Brooks finally agreed to sit down with Marc overlooking the Pacific Ocean at The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica. After recently going over parts of his life and career in a documentary directed by his friend Rob Reiner, Albert fills in the gaps with Marc, talking about his early days doing bits for radio stations and television variety shows, his standup sets in LA clubs, and his first writing gigs. There are also lots of stories along

Nov 27, 2023 • 1:27:47

Episode 1490 - Elliott Caine

When Marc was living in Highland Park, he found out something interesting about his neighborhood optometrist. Not only was this man an eye doctor, he was an accomplished jazz trumpeter. Marc welcomes Dr. Elliott Caine to the garage to find out how a Midwestern Jewish kid stayed on parallel tracks throughout his life, one fulfilling a career pursuit, one fulfilling his musical passion. Also, Marc delivers his annual Thanksgiving pep talk from Florida. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show ar

Nov 23, 2023 • 1:12:25

Episode 1489 - Taika Waititi

Taika Waititi has his hands in dozens of projects at any given time, but he says the connective thread of all his work is that he’s still trying to impress his deceased father. Taika and Marc discuss the core of grief in all of Taika’s films and television shows, including the Thor movies, JoJo Rabbit, What We Do in the Shadows, Reservation Dogs and his most recent film Next Goal Wins. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/w

Nov 20, 2023 • 1:26:04

Episode 1488 - Fisher Stevens

Fisher Stevens left a lasting impression on Marc in the early ‘80s when Fisher was in Brighton Beach Memoirs on Broadway. Since then, Fisher’s career has taken him from acting to directing to making documentary films, winning an Oscar for The Cove. Fisher talks with Marc about landing himself in director’s jail, what drove him toward making docs, how working with the United Nations led to his role on Succession, and why he needed a different set of tools to make the Beckham docuseries for Netfli

Nov 16, 2023 • 1:26:22

Episode 1487 - José Andrés

Chef José Andrés could have been best known as the owner of some of the most celebrated restaurants in the world. But now he is arguably more well known as someone who feeds people around the world in their times of greatest need. José talks with Marc about the reason he founded World Central Kitchen, how the organization went from providing food relief in disaster areas to operating in active war zones, and how the chaos of restaurants prepared the chef and his team for the unpredictable nature

Nov 13, 2023 • 1:29:50

Episode 1486 - Laraaji

Before he was Laraaji, Edward Larry Gordon was a gig musician with a background in composition, an aspiring actor, a standup comic and a person interested in the metaphysical. Then one day he pawned his guitar for an autoharp and changed not only his life but the genre of ambient music. Laraaji talks with Marc about his lifelong experimentation with instruments, his collaboration with Brian Eno, and his ongoing practice of laughter meditation. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives

Nov 9, 2023 • 1:21:57

Episode 1485 - John Wilson

While John Wilson spends his time filming everything around him, one question he’s constantly asking is whether he should be filming everything around him all the time. John talks with Marc about how his lifelong fascination with film combined with his terrible experiences in reality television led to an embrace of the documentary medium. They talk about the creation of his show, How To with John Wilson, and how it became a way for him to process emotionally difficult things in his life. Sign up

Nov 6, 2023 • 1:33:31

Episode 1484 - Lou Adler

Lou Adler’s career in the music industry is one of the most accomplished in history, writing and producing hit songs and albums for the likes of Jan and Dean, Sam Cooke, the Mamas and the Papas, Carole King and many more. But he also was a producer of films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the director of Cheech and Chong’s Up In Smoke. On top of all that, he opened The Roxy Theater on the Sunset Strip, the club that launched many careers, which Lou talks about with Marc on the occasion of

Nov 2, 2023 • 1:16:52

Episode 1483 - Dan Soder

Nearly fifteen years ago, Dan Soder and Marc were talking at a comedy club right after they were both fired from their respective radio gigs. Marc responded to that moment by launching this podcast while Dan committed himself to standup, which led back to radio with his show The Bonfire and to acting gigs on shows like Billions. Dan also tells Marc how his early life hardened him to adversity, losing his father and sister to tragic circumstances, and how he learned how to explain most of life th

Oct 30, 2023 • 1:34:32

Episode 1482 - Jennette McCurdy

Jennette McCurdy turned the pain of her abusive upbringing and the resentment she had toward her show business career into the blockbuster memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died. More than a year after its release, Jennette talks with Marc about the perspective she gained now that her story is out in the world, how she separates her Nickelodeon past with her self-actualized present, and how she’s looking to continue giving voice to sensitive topics, like with her new podcast Hard Feelings. Sign up here for

Oct 26, 2023 • 1:34:13

Episode 1481 - Joan Baez

Joan Baez is in the midst of examining her life as the subject of a new documentary, Joan Baez: I Am a Noise. Among the many revelations is that, at a very young age, she gravitated toward sad music. What she learned early on was to embrace the music of struggle as a way to rise above the sadness. Joan talks with Marc about the emergence of the folk scene in Cambridge and Boston, how her deeply ingrained pacifism shaped her activism, and how she put in the work to rebuild her relationship with h

Oct 23, 2023 • 1:28:15

Episode 1480 - Doug Stanhope / Louis Katz

It’s another comic double-header with two of Marc’s favorites. Doug Stanhope is back to talk about his new movie The Road Dog, which prompts memories from Doug and Marc about their days doing road gigs when they were just starting out. Also, comedian Louis Katz uses the occasion of his new standup special, Present/Tense, to show how his thought process works, as it swings from the logic of strip clubs to the dangers of global conspiracies within 20 minutes. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full

Oct 19, 2023 • 1:36:10

Episode 1479 - Rob Halford

Fans know Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford as the Metal God. But he says there’s one guy called Rob Halford and another guy called The Metal God. Now, at 72 years old, Rob is embracing a life where those two personas are separate but the same. Rob talks with Marc about the perspective he’s gained after writing two books about his life and the self-awareness that comes with age. They discuss his coming out story, the court case that saw Judas Priest on the front lines of a First Amendment battle

Oct 16, 2023 • 1:37:13

Episode 1478 - Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger likes to focus on life’s victories. That makes for an interesting contrast with Marc, a self-described “obstacle guy.” Arnold and Marc find that their differing approaches to taking on the world make for good conversation about generational change, political awakenings and being useful, which is the subject of Arnold’s new book. They also discuss bodybuilding, James Cameron’s vegan advice, and Arnold’s rivalry-slash-friendship with Sylvester Stallone. Sign up here for WTF+

Oct 12, 2023 • 1:28:00

Episode 1477 - Tom Papa

Tom Papa’s last trip to the garage was mostly about his comedy past, reflecting on how he and Marc got to where they are in their chosen profession. This time, Tom and Marc are thinking mostly about their futures, how they’re navigating the comedy world at their ages and success levels while staring at a not-too-distant time when the stage light goes out for good. Just two comedians discussing meaning, maturity, mysticism and maintaining the funny. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show arch

Oct 9, 2023 • 1:21:10

Episode 1476 - Larry Charles

Larry Charles always knew he liked comedy but he also knew he liked being a button-pusher. Those preferences are on display in his writing for Seinfeld, his work on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and his direction of movies like Borat, Bruno, and his latest film Dicks: The Musical. Larry and Marc talk about comedy’s role in the world as a display of defiant humanity, their shared appreciation of John Waters, and Larry’s filmmaking experience with Bob Dylan. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show arch

Oct 5, 2023 • 1:47:38

Episode 1475 - Les Claypool / Marc Ribot

Les Claypool is the first guest who flew himself to his WTF interview. Whether he’s studying aviation, perfecting fly fishing or starting another band, the Primus founder and bass virtuoso is always doing new things to stave off boredom. Les and Marc talk about his origins, Tom Waits, Adrian Belew, South Park, Sean Ono Lennon, and the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade. Les also mentions that one of his favorite guitar players is the genre-hopping Marc Ribot. So the two Marcs sit down in the garage to

Oct 2, 2023 • 1:51:29

Episode 1474 - LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton was on track to join the priesthood early in life. But that actually turned out to be the fast track to acting and by age 19 he was starring in one of the most watched television programs of all time. LeVar and Marc talk about what he learned while making Roots, why he wanted to be on Star Trek more than any other job, and how it feels to have people coming up to him every day of his life to saying “you taught me to read” thanks to Reading Rainbow.Submit a question here for next wee

Sep 28, 2023 • 1:19:53

Episode 1473 - Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase plays a pivotal role in the history of American comedy, from his work on the National Lampoon Radio Hour to being the breakout star of Saturday Night Live’s first season to his hit comedy films like Caddyshack and Vacation. Chevy talks with Marc about some of the roads he didn’t take, like staying in a band with his friends Walter and Donald who founded Steely Dan, or staying on SNL past the first season instead of leaving for LA. They also talk about Chevy’s perspective on his short

Sep 25, 2023 • 1:21:33

Episode 1472 - Aparna Nancherla

Aparna Nancherla says the self-fulfilling prophecy of imposter syndrome is convincing yourself you don’t belong and acting in a way to prove yourself right. It’s something she’s dealt with no matter what level of success she’s achieved in standup, writing and acting, and something she’s worked to overcome. Aparna and Marc talk about feeling like an outsider even while compiling a list of accomplishments, struggles with performance anxiety, and the persistent question, “What’s the point of anythi

Sep 21, 2023 • 1:21:00

Episode 1471 - Gary Gulman

When Gary Gulman was on WTF in 2013, he and Marc talked about Gary’s mental health in relation to his comedy. Since that time, Gary has dealt with severe bouts of depression and integrated it into his act, specifically in his 2019 HBO special The Great Depresh. Now, with Gary putting a lot of his thoughts on the pages of his first book, he and Marc revisit the ideas they previously had about comedy and how those perceptions changed as they’ve realized comedy can be a tool to help people feel les

Sep 18, 2023 • 1:26:56

Episode 1470 - Hannah Einbinder

Hannah Einbinder was a fan of WTF as a teenager and drew inspiration from Marc’s conversations with comedians while she considered pursuing a career as one herself. Hannah and Marc talk about her multi-generational Los Angeles family, whose businesses included cattle ranching, brothels and, in the case of her mom Laraine Newman, performing on Saturday Night Live. They also talk about Hannah’s experience making Hacks with Jean Smart, wanting to be like Rachel Maddow, and her time as a cheerleader

Sep 14, 2023 • 1:19:58

Episode 1469 - Naomi Klein

Naomi Klein was faced with a rather common problem. She was consistently mistaken for someone else. But because Naomi is one of our most perceptive and astute social critics, she was able to to turn that case of mistaken identity into an examination of the many public threats pervading society and how they’re connected by the deliberate blurring of reality and identity. Naomi and Marc talk about all the research and conclusions of her new book, Doppelgänger: A Trip Into The Mirror World. Sign up

Sep 11, 2023 • 1:33:17

Episode 1468 - Bernie Taupin

Bernie Taupin is a songwriter responsible for many of the most beloved songs ever recorded. But he actually thinks of himself as a cinematographer, taking what he sees in life and turning those mental snapshots into fantastical stories. Bernie and Marc talk about the origins of his more than 50-years-long partnership with Elton John, his friendship with Alice Cooper, the influence of The Band, and the timelessness of his songs. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus

Sep 7, 2023 • 1:33:18

Episode 1467 - Michael Symon / Todd Barry

Michael Symon’s food journey has taken many unexpected turns, from revitalizing the Cleveland restaurant scene to changing his own diet after being diagnosed with autoimmune disorders to being at the ground floor of the Food Network phenomenon. Michael and Marc talk about home cooking, fermenting, hyper-local BBQ and the perfect egg. Plus, old friend Todd Barry stops by to talk about his new standup special. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://p

Sep 4, 2023 • 1:32:33

Episode 1466 - Jeff Sharlet

Jeff Sharlet is a reporter Marc turned to regularly during his days as a radio host to help explain the role of religion in American culture and politics. Jeff’s decades on the religion beat put him in a unique position to decode our modern social divisions, a journey he chronicled in his new book The Undertow. Now, as Marc increasingly seeks to understand the oncoming threat of fascism, he once again tuns to Jeff, whose vantage point while writing the book revealed the stark, unflinching realit

Aug 31, 2023 • 1:41:14

Episode 1465 - Maria Bamford

Maria Bamford is not only one of Marc’s favorite comics, she’s one of Marc’s favorite people to talk with, as evidenced by her six appearances on WTF. Now, more than 13 years after their groundbreaking, highly confessional first episode, recorded as they drove down the California coast, Marc and Maria catch up on their mental health outlooks, particularly after Maria just chronicled her lifelong journey in the new memoir, Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult. The two friends and colleagues compare notes on

Aug 28, 2023 • 1:32:18

Episode 1464 - Andrew Leland

Andrew Leland started having trouble seeing when he was in high school. He learned about his degenerative condition that would slowly render him blind over the course of his life. Now, two decades into his career as a writer, editor and lecturer, Andrew continues to lose his vision and adapt to a world that has a very binary view of blindness. Andrew and Marc talk about technological advancements that help with loss of sight, the complicated emotional response to blindness, and the different fac

Aug 24, 2023 • 1:26:44

Episode 1463 - Amanda Seales

Amanda Seales was on the show Insecure, but only when she had an actual crisis of confidence did she feel like she could get control of her life and career. Amanda and Marc find out they have a lot of similar hang-ups and philosophies about creativity, despite their very different backgrounds. They talk about Amanda's comedy being rooted in her time with Def Poetry Jam, her life as Amanda Diva, her music, her studies of hip-hop, her first comedy special and why she centered her new special, In A

Aug 21, 2023 • 1:31:51

Episode 1462 - Nimesh Patel

Nimesh Patel got advice from his comedy hero Chris Rock that comics need to get personal in order to become universal. After that, Nimesh was able to take his background as a first generation Indian-American whose dad owned a liquor store, a med-school drop out, a cancer survivor with a Jewish wife, and turn it all into an act that works on equally well on stage as it does on TikTok. Nimesh also tells Marc about the time he resisted becoming a pawn in the culture war after a college performance

Aug 17, 2023 • 1:33:22

Episode 1461 - Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain is one of our most celebrated actors, with a recent Oscar win, a Tony-nominated Broadway run, and a highly praised performance as Tammy Wynette opposite Michael Shannon’s George Jones. As Jessica tells Marc, she’s always been a sensitive person and ever since she was the shy kid in high school, she learned to channel that sensitivity into performance. They also talk about how she owes a lot of her career evolution to Robin Williams and Al Pacino. This interview was recorded on J

Aug 14, 2023 • 1:27:44

Episode 1460 - Adam Conover

Adam Conover felt out of place in a family of scientists, but his decision to pursue a philosophy degree actually played into three major aspects of his adult life: Standup comedy, his educational television shows Adam Ruins Everything and The G Word, and civic engagement. Adam talks with Marc about what led him to comedy, why he made TV shows that helped explain the world, and what it's like on the front lines of the WGA strike as part of union leadership. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full

Aug 10, 2023 • 1:35:14

Episode 1459 - Alex Winter

Alex Winter was an actor for much of his young life until he realized it wasn’t his preferred way to tell stories. Now, the man many people knew as one half of Bill and Ted is an accomplished documentary filmmaker. Alex talks with Marc about his new film The YouTube Effect, as well as his other work on the growth of online communities and his doc about Frank Zappa. They also question whether show business as we knew it is finished and examine how Keanu Reeves handles his global superstardom with

Aug 7, 2023 • 1:37:28

Episode 1458 - Gary Mule Deer

Gary Mule Deer's career has spanned more than 60 years, but he's got enough in it to fill at least 600. Gary tells Marc how a guy from South Dakota who stumbled into his first performing gigs by happenstance wound up as a touring musician with bands like the Beach Boys, a popular standup comic in clubs around the country, and a variety TV regular with more than 350 guest shots on everything from Carson to Letterman to Hee Haw. Gary also explains how his career bottomed out with bordell

Aug 3, 2023 • 1:33:03

Episode 1457 - Melissa Villaseñor

Melissa Villaseñor spent six seasons on Saturday Night Live and left her mark with a wide array of impressions. It was a road to success she might not have taken had she not gone to The Laugh Factory Comedy Camp when she was fifteen. Melissa and Marc talk about her early days performing and how she reluctantly auditioned for America's Got Talent, a gig that allowed her to quit her job at Forever 21 and pursue a life in comedy. They also talk about Melissa's music, her art, and her inspirations l

Jul 31, 2023 • 1:27:36

Episode 1456 - George Schlatter

George Schlatter's lifetime in show business encompasses way more than Marc could cover during George's last appearance on WTF. Now that the Laugh-In creator has published his memoir, Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy, he has a lot more stories at the ready. George tells Marc about his time with Sammy Davis, Jr., Don Rickles, Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra, Goldie Hawn, Tiny Tim and more. They also talk about George's stint managing the nightclub Ciro's, which later became The Comedy Store. Sign up

Jul 27, 2023 • 1:20:06

Episode 1455 - Jim Gaffigan

There's a reason Jim Gaffigan is back for his seventh appearance on the show. No matter how much older they get, no matter how much has changed in their lives, Marc and Jim remain two comics who are still figuring out life and having a good time talking about it. With the release of his tenth comedy special, Dark Pale, Jim and Marc talk about the way they're still confounded by their fellow humans on a daily basis and how they're trying to come to grips with that puzzlement as they both get on i

Jul 24, 2023 • 1:25:47

Episode 1454 - Michael Rowe

Michael Rowe and Marc knew each other decades ago from the comedy club scene, but Mike says there was a specific moment when standup left his body for good. He tells Marc how his love of joke writing gave him entry into the world of comedy and then gave him a fulfilling career as a writer that outlasted his time on stage. Mike recounts a life changing phone call from Rodney Dangerfield, his friendship with Andy Kaufman, his X-rated encounter with Milton Berle, and more. Sign up here for WTF+ to

Jul 20, 2023 • 1:18:26

Episode 1453 - Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy knew he wanted to become an actor when he saw A Clockwork Orange. Not the Kubrick film, but an avant-garde theatrical production in a nightclub. From there he left his dreams of being a musician behind and began his acting journey. Cillian tells Marc the lessons he learned from directors like Ken Loach and Christopher Nolan, with whom he’s collaborated on six films. They also talk about Peaky Blinders, 28 Days Later, and trying on the Batman suit. This interview was recorded on Ju

Jul 17, 2023 • 1:20:03

Episode 1452 - Sarah Tiana

Sarah Tiana and Marc are very much co-workers. They see each other at “the office” regularly but they’ve never had an extended period of time to get to know each other. Sarah and Marc get to sit down and compare notes on their experiences at The Comedy Store, both when they started out and how things are now, and Sarah tells Marc about her background doing comedy in war zones. They also talk about Disneyland, doormen and David Spade. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly

Jul 13, 2023 • 1:28:45

Episode 1451 - Lukas Nelson

Lukas Nelson doesn’t fear any comparisons with his father, Willie, because his dad taught him by example to do what you love with all your heart. And Lukas loves making music. Lukas talks with Marc about songwriting, the evolution of country, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Kris Kristofferson, hip hop, his new album, and the fortunate set of circumstances that led him to work on the film A Star is Born and write songs for its best-selling soundtrack. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the

Jul 10, 2023 • 1:23:53

Episode 1450 - Joanna Gleason

Joanna Gleason lives in a vibrant community of artistic people. In a way, it's what she's always known, growing up surrounded by the community of her father, Monty Hall, in the early days of television. Joanna and Marc talk about parents not having the ending you hope, making art that gives them the ending they deserve, and more art that allows you to process the grief. They also talk about her breakthrough performance in Into The Woods, the very show business way she fell in love with

Jul 6, 2023 • 1:27:01

Episode 1449 - The United States of Conspiracy w/ Robert Guffey

Marc admits to a certain amount of conspiracy-driven paranoia when he was younger, which gives him a unique vantage point to observe the conspiracy theories shaking our culture. Conspiracy scholar Robert Guffey joins Marc to talk about the origins of modern conspiracy theories. What is the Illuminati? Why is Freemasonry central to so many conspiracies? How do cultural icons like Rudyard Kipling, John Huston and Steven Spielberg factor into the spread of conspiracy thinking? And how did Qanon gra

Jul 3, 2023 • 1:52:22

Episode 1448 - Clifton Collins Jr.

A bike accident and a cracked bone delayed Clifton Collins Jr.’s appearance in the garage, but now he’s all healed up and ready to go. Clifton talks with Marc about his extensive career, including films like Traffic, Capote and Nightmare Alley, and his family’s cultural legacy stemming from the Mexican carpa scene to Vaudeville to the Hollywood studio system. Clifton also explains why the film Jockey is so personal to him and how Samuel L. Jackson became a friend and mentor. Sign up here for WTF

Jun 29, 2023 • 1:24:51

The Full Maron: Year One

The Full Maron is our WTF+ subscription tier that gives you weekly bonus episodes. It's now a year old, so that means there's 52 weeks of bonus episodes waiting for you in the archive. To give you a sense of what's in store for subscribers, we've put together a selection of Full Maron highlights, including answers from an Ask Marc Anything episode, a post-show chat with Jeremy Strong, Marc's immediate reaction right after Ice Cube left the garage, never-before-heard standup f

Jun 28, 2023 • 48:03

Episode 1447 - Kyle Kinane

Kyle Kinane is a comedian Marc enjoys so much, he had him on multiple early episodes of WTF. But at some point, Kyle felt he hit a wall in show business, feeling weary from the demands of constant pitches and the necessities of self-promotion. Kyle returns to the garage to tell Marc where he went, why he lived in a van for a while, and how he wanted to approach making new comedy, including his new special Shocks and Struts. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus mat

Jun 26, 2023 • 1:36:11

Episode 1446 - Tom Dreesen's Mob Stories

Comedian Tom Dreesen was hanging out with Marc in The Comedy Store parking lot, telling stories of show business and organized crime. Marc had such a good time listening to Tom’s stories, he invited him back on the show to share some of them with WTF listeners. Tom talks about his early days working in mob-run clubs, touring with Sammy Davis, Jr., and an epic tale of Frank Sinatra saving Johnny Carson from certain death at the hands of Crazy Joe Gallo. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show

Jun 22, 2023 • 1:13:19

Episode 1445 - Ben Kingsley

Ben Kingsley believes his job is to reflect truth and in order to do that he keeps many voices in his heart and mind. Those voices include Steven Spielberg, Otto Frank, Elie Wiesel, Rajmohan Gandhi, and others who gave him gifts of wisdom and encouragement as he performed some of his most memorable roles. Sir Ben also talks with Marc about how his science eduction informs his acting, how Shakespeare’s writing is a map of truth, and how he transformed into Salvador Dalí in his most recent film. S

Jun 19, 2023 • 1:18:51

Episode 1444 - Felicia Michaels

Felicia Michaels and Marc started at The Comedy Store around the same time. They got to see the ‘80s comedy boom begin at the club level. They got to see Sam Kinison at his funniest and also his most difficult. And they got to see each other at times in their lives when they were both figuring out who they were. Felicia tells Marc what she learned about herself in those days, why she quit comedy to become a professional photographer, and why she made the decision to come back, not only to standu

Jun 15, 2023 • 1:32:50

Episode 1443 - Ramy Youssef

In 2019, Ramy Youssef surprised Hollywood by coming out of nowhere to win the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Comedy. Now, after three seasons of Ramy on Hulu, he talks with Marc about using his relationship with faith and culture to make comedy and explore the Muslim-American experience. They also talk about the inspiration he took from Jenny Slate, the mentorship he took from Mark Curry, and the path he took from stand-up to his own show.Submit a question here for next week's Ask Marc Anyt

Jun 12, 2023 • 1:28:09

Episode 1442 - Jeff Stilson

Jeff Stilson only had two goals as a comedian: Get on Johnny Carson and write for David Letterman. After he accomplished both things, he developed a reputation as a top shelf writer for talk shows, sitcoms, award shows and other comedians. Jeff talks with Marc about his work with people like Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, George Lopez, Ellen DeGeneres and more, as well as his experience writing for venerable institutions like the Academy Awards. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and

Jun 8, 2023 • 1:26:03

Episode 1441 - Anthony Ramos

Anthony Ramos was ready to give up on acting but seeing the musical In The Heights on Broadway gave him hope. Eventually he wound up playing the lead role in the film version of that very show. Anthony talks with Marc about his journey from housing projects to performing arts school to stage, film and the recording studio, with a baseball detour along the way. They also talk about making The Bad Guys, getting in on the ground floor of Hamilton, and Anthony’s foray into blockbusters with Transfor

Jun 5, 2023 • 1:33:21

Episode 1440 - William Shatner

William Shatner has lived long and continues to prosper. At 92 years old, he has dozens of projects in the works, including the Fox reality show Stars on Mars, a new watch he designed, two documentaries, and his annual charity horse show. But he’s also able to look back with clarity and appreciation on an acting career that started at age six and all the amazing paths his life has taken since. Bill and Marc talk about Canada, Broadway, the Golden Age of Television, Star Trek, and the profound ex

Jun 1, 2023 • 1:39:31

Episode 1439 - Vir Das

Vir Das doesn’t worry about fitting in. He was born in India, grew up in Nigeria, went to school in America, lived and worked in Europe, and now lives back in his country of origin. Vir talks with Marc about wanting his comedy and acting to appeal to a global community, a goal that was met with some resistance in 2021 when he performed a monologue called “Two Indias” in Washington, DC. They talk about the fallout from that performance, the right wing push in India, and Vir’s experience in Bollyw

May 29, 2023 • 1:24:08

Episode 1438 - Amy Sherman-Palladino

Amy Sherman-Palladino says working on a TV show takes over your whole life. This is why Amy went from being a hired gun on sitcoms that made her miserable to her own creatively fulfilling shows like Gilmore Girls, Bunheads and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Amy and Marc talk about her father’s comedy background, her early job at The Comedy Store, the lessons she learned from Roseanne, and the adjustments made when she found out this would be the final season of Mrs. Maisel. Sign up here for WTF+ to

May 25, 2023 • 1:32:38

Episode 1437 - Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson just released his 26th studio album, but he’s been writing songs since the age of six. Smokey talks with Marc about his lifelong friendships with Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and Berry Gordy, the formation of The Miracles, the rise of Motown Records, the process of writing songs for other artists, creating The Tears of a Clown with Stevie Wonder, the brilliance of Marvin Gaye, and the five year period Smokey felt his life was out of control. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full s

May 22, 2023 • 1:23:19

Episode 1436 - Warren Zanes

For Warren Zanes, music has been a salvation. In his troubled teen years, his brother put him in the band The Del Fuegos. Then music was the conduit to his PhD. And now, after a lifetime of seeing himself as just another guy without a father, Warren’s music biographies have helped him feel at home with other lost people. Warren and Marc talk about explaining life through music, writing about Tom Petty, and Warren’s new book Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska. Sig

May 18, 2023 • 1:37:39

Episode 1435 - Paul Schrader

Paul Schrader’s upbringing was steeped in the contradictions of religion, which helped him explore the contradictory characters in his screenplays, like Travis Bickle, Jake LaMotta and the protagonists of his recent films, First Reformed, The Card Counter and Master Gardener. Paul talks with Marc about his early career as a film critic, his rejection of Hollywood filmmaking, his experience directing Richard Pryor, and the sibling dynamic he brought to Raging Bull. Sign up here for WTF+ to get th

May 15, 2023 • 1:18:51

Episode 1434 - Ice Cube

Ice Cube never stopped thinking about making music, from the moment he started writing raps in typewriting class to sitting in his recording studio today making a new album. But he never expected his life to take a parallel track when John Singleton sought him out for Boyz N The Hood. Cube and Marc talk about how his two successful careers took shape and how he’s now branching out into a third with his sports league Big3. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus mater

May 11, 2023 • 1:20:01

Episode 1433 - Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz and her collaborators totally knocked Marc for a loop with the new series Dead Ringers, a show that’s still haunting him long after he watched it. Rachel and Marc talk about her dual performance as twin doctors, as well as her work with Yorgos Lanthimos, how Denis Leary was an influence on her as a young performer, and her time at Cambridge. They also compare notes on their shared love of Lou Reed and cats. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus materia

May 8, 2023 • 1:22:47

Episode 1432 - Shane Mauss

When comedian Shane Mauss was on the show in 2016, he and Marc talked about the new trajectory in his life that involved psychedelic studies. A year later, he lost his mind doing lots of hands-on experiments in that field of study. As Shane gets his standup act back on its feet, he tells Marc about the Roger Waters concert that landed him in a psych ward, the ways people get mentally exploited by motivational hucksters, and how he’s trying to strike a balance between opening his mind and letting

May 4, 2023 • 1:30:14

Episode 1431 - Tituss Burgess

Tituss Burgess was in the movie Respect alongside Marc, playing gospel singer James Cleveland. But it was Tituss’s own original gospel recordings that provided Marc with a fuller understanding of the Real Tituss. Tituss talks with Marc about finally being seen as the Real Tituss, thanks to his work in season two of Schmigadoon! and his writing of the new musical The Preacher’s Wife. They also talk about faith, self-acceptance, forgiveness and seeing the light. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the fu

May 1, 2023 • 1:20:44

Episode 1430 - David Mandel

Both David Mandel and Marc were obsessed with the early years of Saturday Night Live, in large part because of a book they both had. It was the 1977 SNL Script Book and it actually set David on a path to become a writer for that very show. David tells Marc about his “wonderful and awful” time there, followed by genre-defining work on Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep and the new limited series White House Plumbers. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus mat

Apr 27, 2023 • 1:39:12

Episode 1429 - J. Smith-Cameron

J. Smith-Cameron gets just as surprised while watching Succession as you do. With all the footage they shoot, she’s never sure exactly how any given episode is going to turn out, as she waits to see what will or won’t make the cut. Jean and Marc get into all the details about the show, like how Gerri was supposed to be a man, what her husband Kenneth Lonergan thinks of it, and how her New York theater background meshes nicely with a cast full of stage actors. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the ful

Apr 24, 2023 • 1:21:09

Episode 1428 - Lily Rabe

As the daughter of Jill Clayburgh and playwright David Rabe, Lily Rabe felt a lot of pressure not to become an actor, believing she had to stake out her own artistic ground. But while dance was her passion, her acting talents were undeniable. Lily tells Marc what it was like to get her big break doing Shakespeare with Al Pacino at the same time her family was dealing with personal tragedy. They also talk about her recent string of miniseries, including The Undoing, The Underground Railroad, and

Apr 20, 2023 • 1:23:36

Darryl Lenox from 2013

From February 2013, Marc talks with comedian Darryl Lenox about the struggles he faced throughout his life and how he overcame the challenges in front of him. Darryl died on April 16, 2023. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 19, 2023 • 57:10

Episode 1427 - Ray Romano

The last time Ray Romano was on the podcast, he was making the show Men of a Certain Age. Now Ray and Marc are both men of a certain age with a lot of the same concerns about their health and well-being at this point in their lives. They also followed a similar trajectory from standup comedy to dramatic acting and they’re now competing with each other for the same type of roles. They talk about taking risks, Robert DeNiro, and Somewhere in Queens, the new movie Ray co-wrote, directed and stars i

Apr 17, 2023 • 1:20:41

Episode 1426 - Alex Borstein

It's a series of firsts for Alex Borstein: The release of her first comedy special, her first podcast interview done during a power outage, and her first time meeting Marc, despite co-starring with him in The Bad Guys. Alex and Marc talk about Chicago, pizza, therapists, X-rated chocolates, Family Guy, Gilmore Girls, and the high-wire balancing act of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as it begins its fifth and final season. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material!

Apr 13, 2023 • 1:25:45

Episode 1425 - Steven Yeun

Three episodes into the Netflix series Beef, Steven Yeun's character is emotionally overwhelmed in a Korean church. As the former leader of a praise band and the son of devout immigrant parents, it isn't surprising Steven was able to hit the right note. Steven and Marc talk about his upbringing in Michigan, his time in Chicago doing Second City improv, his encounters with cultural gatekeeping, his liberating role on The Walking Dead, his Oscar nomination for Minari and much more. Sign up he

Apr 10, 2023 • 1:18:08

Episode 1424 - Kelly Reichardt

Kelly Reichardt’s latest movie Showing Up is about the life of artists, but Kelly had no experience with art while growing up in a Miami law enforcement family other than crime scene photos. Kelly talks to Marc about the moment that opened her eyes to artistic expression and how a lonely night in Boston watching the snow fall convinced her to start making movies. They also go through all her films and gush over Altman’s McCabe and Mrs. Miller. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show arc

Apr 6, 2023 • 1:39:30

Episode 1423 - Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields is able to look back critically on the toxic culture and misogynistic power structure that pervaded her early career while remaining grateful for the life she lived and the person she became. Marc talks with Brooke about her journey from modeling to acting to motherhood, as explored in the new documentary Pretty Baby. They also delve into the complicated relationship Brooke had with her own mother and what Brooke is hoping to impart to her own teen daughters today. Sign up here fo

Apr 3, 2023 • 1:28:15

Episode 1422 - Cathy Ladman

Cathy Ladman just made her tenth appearance on The Tonight Show, a milestone in a career that started back when Johnny Carson was the host. But something she dealt with throughout that career was an ongoing battle with an eating disorder. Cathy tells Marc how she avoided talking about it in her comedy until now, with a new stage show that centers on her fight with anorexia. They also talk about growing up in a bowling alley, her sitcom writing, and her first serious boyfriend, Jerry Seinfeld. Si

Mar 30, 2023 • 1:08:20

Episode 1421 - Karina Longworth

Karina Longworth grew up in Los Angeles and was fascinated by the haunted memories of Old Hollywood. Later in life, her writing and research led her to creating the podcast that explores these forgotten stories, You Must Remember This. Karina and Marc talk about Kenneth Anger’s Hollywood Babylon, what the history of show business reveals about our current moment, and what exactly is the state of the broader cultural conversation these days. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and

Mar 27, 2023 • 1:19:35

Episode 1420 - Nick Youssef

Nick Youssef found himself on the receiving end of anti-Arab hate when he took the standup stage shortly after 9/11, right at the start of his comedy career. It was that moment when Nick knew he was never going to let anyone get the better of him on the comedy stage ever again. Marc talks with Nick about how the shy son of Lebanese immigrants became a battle-hardened comic who just produced and released his first comedy special.Please click here to take our audience survey. It’s our best way to

Mar 23, 2023 • 1:27:31

Episode 1419 - Laurie Anderson

Laurie Anderson says she never made art to express herself, she didn’t care about having a “style,” and she sure didn’t think about building a “brand.” Laurie and Marc talk about her time in New York City as part of a booming art scene, her days hanging with Andy Kaufman, and her many musical collaborations. They also discuss Laurie’s role as the steward of Lou Reed’s legacy, including the new book she helped edit of Lou’s writing on Tai Chi.Please click here to take our audience survey. It’s ou

Mar 20, 2023 • 1:21:25

Episode 1418 - Jason Woliner / Ashley Barnhill

First up in this two-for-one episode, Marc talks with comedian Ashely Barnhill, who used to work for WTF while she was building her comedy career. Suddenly, a tragic accident had her fighting for her life. They talk about Ashley’s road back. Next, director Jason Woliner returns to talk about his 10-year-long project, Paul T. Goldman. Marc tries to find out what Jason was getting at with this reality-bending series and whether there were any lasting repercussions. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the

Mar 16, 2023 • 1:48:04

Episode 1417 - O'Shea Jackson Jr.

O’Shea Jackson Jr. grew up around music with Ice Cube as a father. But it was a school teacher who set his mind toward making movies. O’Shea and Marc talk about the idea of Ice Cube versus the reality of Ice Cube as a dad and now as a grandfather. They also talk about the two-year process he went through to win the part in Straight Outta Compton, the Twitter coincidence with Aubrey Plaza that opened acting doors for him, and what it felt like to tell Obi-Wan Kenobi that his next job was Cocaine

Mar 13, 2023 • 1:14:35

"The Nominees Are..." - A WTF Compilation

A special compilation of this year's Oscar nominees talking about their nominated works. Hear excerpts from Marc's interviews with Michelle Yeoh, Daniels, Brendan Fraser, Hong Chau, Austin Butler, Andrea Riseborough, Sarah Polley, Todd Field, Rian Johnson, Judd Hirsch and Tony Kushner. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 10, 2023 • 58:28

Episode 1416 - Bobby Farrelly

Bobby Farrelly knows he was lucky to grow up in small town Rhode Island, which was, in his words, marinating in characters. Bobby and his brother Peter were able to take those real life characters and put them into screenplays that became some of the biggest comedy films of all time. Bobby and Marc talk about the origins of Dumb and Dumber, Kingpin, There’s Something About Mary and more, as well as Bobby’s new movie with Woody Harrelson, Champions. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full sho

Mar 9, 2023 • 1:18:50

Episode 1415 - Ronny Chieng

Ronny Chieng has been in America for less than a decade and he’s cementing himself as a prolific force in comedy. With two Netflix specials, a regular spot on The Daily Show, and multiple roles in high profile films already under his belt, Ronny is living a comedian’s dream. He tells Marc how he went from law school in Australia to doing regular comedy work and how a festival encounter with Trevor Noah changed everything. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus mater

Mar 6, 2023 • 1:31:28

Episode 1414 - Hong Chau

Hong Chau owes her acting career to social anxiety and a fear of performing in public. It was the desire to overcome those obstacles that led her to improv and acting classes. Hong and Marc talk about the dangerous journey her family undertook to get from Vietnam to America, her upbringing in New Orleans, the controversy around her performance in Downsizing, and her Oscar nominated performance in The Whale. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://pl

Mar 2, 2023 • 1:17:18

Episode 1413 - Austin Butler

Austin Butler devoted the past four years of his life to Elvis, the last year of which has been spent promoting and talking about Elvis. So it’s a little bit of a break for him to talk with Marc about his cowboy heritage, being a shy kid, becoming a regular of Nickelodeon and Disney Channel shows, finding his calling on the stage, learning from Denzel Washington, and cracking up at Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio on the set of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. And yeah, they talk about the Elvis a

Feb 27, 2023 • 1:34:52

Episode 1412 - Daniels (Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert)

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert share a first name, a passion for filmmaking and now awards for Best Director. But the duo known as Daniels have backgrounds that are as divergent as the multiverse they invented for Everything Everywhere All At Once. They talk to Marc about their distinctions, such as growing up with undiagnosed ADHD versus being an academic overachiever, one being influenced by Rian Johnson's Brick, the other an acolyte of Tim & Eric, and various embarrassing moments of their y

Feb 23, 2023 • 1:34:35

Episode 1411 - Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh travels through the multiverse in Everything Everywhere All At Once. But when she was growing up in Malaysia, there was a universe where she continued her dance training and opened her own dance school. That all came to an end with an injury but it opened the door to another universe where she became a martial arts film star. Michelle and Marc talk about Yes, Madam!, Police Story 3: Supercop, Jackie Chan, James Bond, Crazy Rich Asians, Quentin Tarantino, and more. Sign up here

Feb 20, 2023 • 1:37:36

Episode 1410 - Tim Blake Nelson

Tim Blake Nelson always impresses Marc with his acting and, since the last time he was on the show, he’s made more stuff Marc loved, like Old Henry and Nightmare Alley. But now Tim has also impressed Marc as a novelist. His first novel, City of Blows, is in the tradition of classic Hollywood fiction. Tim tells Marc how his own experiences as an actor fed the book’s morality tale and how he found inspiration in the old stories of Hollywood past.Click here to Ask Marc Anything and Marc might answe

Feb 16, 2023 • 1:27:19

Episode 1409 - Marc Summers

Most people know Marc Summers as the host of Double Dare on Nickelodeon and Unwrapped on Food Network. But his background makes him an ideal WTF guest. A Jewish kid from the Midwest who wanted to get into show business, Marc tried his hand at being a DJ, a magician, a comic, and eventually became a regular at The Comedy Store. Once Marc found success, he had to overcome numerous personal setbacks and health challenges. Marc and Marc talk about it all, including his new podcast Marc Summers Unwra

Feb 13, 2023 • 1:30:44

Episode 1408 - AEW (Chris Jericho, Tony Khan, Colt Cabana, Bryce Remsberg, MJF, Eddie Kingston)

As documented in the Wrestling With Marc series on The Full Maron, Marc undergoes a full immersion into the world of professional wrestling when his producer Brendan suggests Marc explore something totally new to him. With help from All Elite Wrestling, Marc learns the ropes and everything in between. Featuring talks with wrestling legend Chris Jericho (9:20), AEW owner Tony Khan (59:40), returning WTF guest Colt Cabana (1:33:30), referee Bryce Remsberg (1:37:35), AEW World Champion Maxwell Jaco

Feb 9, 2023 • 2:27:11

Episode 1407 - Wayne Brady

Wayne Brady is making himself happy again when he’s performing. He makes other people happy hosting Let’s Make a Deal and being part of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, but only in recent years does Wayne feel like he’s combatting his depression and anxiety in a way that lets him enjoy his job. Wayne and Marc talk about the roots of those issues, as well as his early life in Orlando, playing Goofy and Tigger at Disney World, and that Chappelle’s Show sketch. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show a

Feb 6, 2023 • 1:20:42

Episode 1406 - Dave Franco

Dave Franco is a successful actor but that doesn’t mean he was full of confidence when he began directing his first feature. Dave tells Marc how he overcame the fear of the unknown once he stepped on set to call action for the first time. They also talk about how the timing of the pandemic worked out for the release of that film, The Rental, and how his latest film, Somebody I Used to Know, started as a script he wrote with his wife, Alison Brie, during quarantine. Sign up here for WTF+ to get t

Feb 2, 2023 • 1:19:20

Episode 1405 - Radhika Jones

Radhika Jones just celebrated her fifth year as Editor-in-Chief of Vanity Fair and, as far as Marc is concerned, she plays a major role on the front lines of the American culture war. Radhika tells Marc why she remains optimistic about our current cultural moment, why print is not yet dead, and how a magazine like Vanity Fair can modernize and evolve in order to better represent our current times. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.c

Jan 30, 2023 • 1:30:14

Episode 1404 - Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser is receiving awards and accolades for his performance in The Whale but his reasons for taking on the role go much deeper than wanting to earn well-deserved praise. Brendan and Marc talk about the many layers of pain, trauma and redemption that went into creating the performance, much of which was informed by experiences throughout Brendan’s own life. They also compare notes on their shared love of Canada. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus materia

Jan 26, 2023 • 1:23:45

Episode 1403 - Sarah Polley

Sarah Polley has a lot to say about memory, narratives and the stories we tell. That’s because she believes they’re all fluid, which creates a sort of moving target for a writer and director of films, as she is. Sarah and Marc talk about how this is represented in Sarah’s movies like Away from Her and her latest, Women Talking, and why she made a documentary about a particularly fraught and deceptive narrative from her own family. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bo

Jan 23, 2023 • 1:18:09

Episode 1402 - Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer’s career started behind the scenes, as she worked in casting departments on film sets. Director Joel Schumacher said she should read for the role of Sandra Bullock’s nurse in A Time To Kill and set her on a path that would eventually culminate fifteen years later with an Academy Award. Octavia and Marc talk about how she’s had to resist typecasting, how she conquered stage fright, and how her childhood love of police procedurals is now her life, as she kicks off the third season

Jan 19, 2023 • 1:23:33

Episode 1401 - Todd Field

Todd Field toyed with many pursuits before he ever directed a film. First there was close-up magic. Then he went to school on a music scholarship. He also hoped to become a baseball player, working as a batboy for a minor league team. He helped invent Big League Chew. Then he became an actor and worked with Stanley Kubrick and Tom Cruise, who both offered Todd support as he made his first movie. Todd and Marc talk about the decisions that led him to each of his three films: In the Bedroom, Littl

Jan 16, 2023 • 1:29:49

Episode 1400 - Andrea Riseborough

Andrea Riseborough can't lie. She's terrible at it. But she believes that trait helps her as an actor because there's no hiding her emotions. Marc can attest to this, having acted opposite Andrea in To Leslie, but she's been at it since she was nine years old doing David Mamet plays with other kids. Marc and Andrea talk about her background in theater, how Mike Leigh gave her a charmed entry into film, and how she's personally confronting the current challenges of film creation and distribu

Jan 12, 2023 • 1:23:13

Episode 1399 - Katt Williams

Katt Williams is a one-of-a-kind comic performer, so it’s only natural he should have a one-of-a-kind backstory. Katt tells Marc about his travels as a teenager, trying to make it on his own in Florida, then in Haiti, then around the country in all 50 states as a door to door salesman. Katt recalls the days he was opening for comedians like Jeff Foxworthy and Dan Whitney, before he became Larry the Cable Guy, and he talks about some of his surprising inspirations, from Jack London to Don Knotts.

Jan 9, 2023 • 1:26:28

Episode 1398 - Colin Hanks

Colin Hanks knows there are public perceptions of him that are tricky to navigate. For one, the man known as America’s Dad is his actual dad. There’s also the fact that people have a hard time seeing him in roles other than The Nice Guy. And then there’s the way people still think of him as a young man even as he enters middle age with children of his own. Colin and Marc talk about the mindset he’s had to put in place to feel at ease with himself, much of which he had to absorb as he processed t

Jan 5, 2023 • 1:25:32

Episode 1397 - Ben Foster

Ben Foster was 14 years old and when he had what he calls a breakdown. Ben had a moment while acting where he completely lost himself and he needed to get back to that place at all costs. Marc talks with Ben about how he chased that feeling from the set of a Disney Channel sitcom into dramatic work in movies like Hell or High Water and Kill Your Darlings, where his commitment to the role is never in question. They also get into his two most recent performances in The Survivor and Emancipation, w

Jan 2, 2023 • 1:17:05

Episode 1396 - Eric McFadden

Guitarist and singer-songwriter Eric McFadden is a blast from Marc's past. They knew each other when they were teenagers growing up in Albuquerque, fostering their creative passions in art studios, record stores and guitar shops around town. After coming in brief contact with each other throughout the years, Eric and Marc finally sit down in the garage to talk about what happened when Eric left New Mexico, how he wound up working with George Clinton, Bernie Worrell, Eric Burdon from The Ani

Dec 29, 2022 • 1:13:54

Episode 1395 - Courtney Love

Courtney Love is finishing up her first record in more than a decade while she lives in London, perhaps permanently. Courtney fled LA because, as she tells Marc, she needed to get out of the “overculture.” It’s one of many realizations Courtney came upon in recent years, after a lifetime of ups and downs, peace and chaos, fame and infamy. Courtney takes Marc along for the journey as they sip tea in a London hotel.Click here to Ask Marc Anything and Marc might answer your question in WTF+ bonus c

Dec 26, 2022 • 1:12:56

Episode 1394 - Scott Cooper

Writer-director Scott Cooper says the best thing to came out of his acting career was the friendship he struck up with Robert Duvall. At Robert’s suggestion, Scott started writing his own films, including one he sent to Jeff Bridges. And because Jeff Bridges agreed to make the film, Scott began his career as a director. Scott and Marc talk about that film, Crazy Heart, as well as Out of the Furnace, Black Mass, Hostiles, Antlers, and Scott’s latest mystery film about Edgar Allan Poe, The Pale Bl

Dec 22, 2022 • 1:24:19

Episode 1393 - Rian Johnson

Rian Johnson revived the mystery genre with his movie Knives Out and now he’s seeing what other places he can take it, both with the sequel Glass Onion and his new detective series Poker Face. But that’s the kind of filmmaker Rian is. As he tells Marc, Rian enjoys hopping genres, whether it’s a noir takeoff like Brick, a time travel riff like Looper, or the metatextual Star Wars mythology he explored in The Last Jedi. They also talk about Rian’s direction of two classic Breaking Bad episodes.Cli

Dec 19, 2022 • 1:24:59

Episode 1392 - James Austin Johnson

James Austin Johnson figured out at a very young age that he could do impressions. When he got older and started doing comedy, he wanted to figure out a way to do them that didn’t feel like a Las Vegas lounge act. Now, as the preeminent Trump mimic and SNL’s resident impressionist, James tells Marc how he figured out how to hone in on the people he was imitating and how Covid isolation led to his Trump breakthrough. They also talk about James’s early years as a child actor in conservative Christ

Dec 15, 2022 • 1:39:43

Episode 1391 - Tommy Tiernan

Comedian Tommy Tiernan knows a fellow traveler when he sees one. Ever since he saw Marc perform, he recognized a kinship, which is something Marc notices himself when he’s in Tommy’s home country of Ireland. Tommy and Marc talk about the shared outlook of Irish and Jewish comedians, as well as why they both feel like they’re hooked on doing standup at this point in their lives, why they’re both no good at having fun, and why Bob Dylan remains such an inspiration to Tommy. Sign up here for WTF+ t

Dec 12, 2022 • 1:33:05

Episode 1390 - Elvis Mitchell

Elvis Mitchell waited his entire life to make the new documentary Is That Black Enough For You?!? As a film critic, professor, chronicler of the entertainment business on his show The Treatment and, most importantly, a lifelong movie fan, everything prepared Elvis to write and direct an examination of Black Cinema, particularly the revolutionary films and artists from the 1970s. Elvis takes Marc through the entire journey, with plenty of stops along the way to talk about their favorite movies an

Dec 8, 2022 • 1:29:07

Episode 1389 - Clea DuVall

It’s the holidays, which means Clea DuVall’s movie the Happiest Season is once again part of a new tradition for people everywhere. That’s still taking time to sink in for Clea because it’s a film she wrote and directed that deals with a personal struggle she didn’t even make public until a few years ago. Clea talks with Marc about how she dealt with coming out in her personal life but staying closeted in her professional life. They also talk about her new series High School, based on the memoir

Dec 5, 2022 • 1:12:43

Episode 1388 - James Gray

Filmmaker James Gray had crisis of confidence after watching a rough cut of his first movie, Little Odessa. Now that he’s made his most personal film yet, Armageddon Time, James and Marc talk about what it took to rebuild his confidence over 25 years, survive fights with Harvey Weinstein, and brave a film shoot in the Amazon that almost killed him. They also talk about Ad Astra, The Beatles, The Stones, Jaws, Apocalypse Now, and Fred Trump. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and

Dec 1, 2022 • 1:30:52

Episode 1387 - Rob Delaney / Sam Lipsyte

Rob Delaney says the last time he was on the show, he didn’t have two coins to rub together. After that, he started a family, moved to London, created the hit show Catastrophe and saw his career take off. Then unfathomable tragedy struck with the illness and death of his youngest son. Rob talks with Marc about picking up the pieces and putting his thoughts into a new memoir, A Heart That Works. Also, Marc spends some time with his friend Sam Lipsyte to talk about Sam’s new novel, No One Left To

Nov 28, 2022 • 1:32:29

Episode 1386 - Live with David Baddiel

Live from The Bloomsbury Theatre in London, Marc welcomes comedian and writer David Baddiel to the stage. In light of David’s new book and accompanying documentary, Jews Don’t Count, Marc and David talk about what it’s like to make sure they’re both publicly counted as notable Jewish entertainers. They discuss the recent rise in antisemitism, the ways in which it gets overlooked in the culture and what can be done about it. Marc and David also make sure to spend some time on English breakfasts,

Nov 24, 2022 • 1:33:39

Episode 1385 - Robert Siegel

Writer-director Robert Siegel wanted to explore a career in either comedy or journalism. It turns out he got to do both as Editor-in-Chief of The Onion. But while The Onion was mostly comedy tinged with tragedy, Robert tells Marc how he wanted to flip that dynamic once he started writing screenplays. They talk about how the stories he told in The Wrestler, Big Fan, The Founder, Pam and Tommy, and now Welcome to Chippendales all begin with a very specific type of great American tragic hero. Sign

Nov 21, 2022 • 1:20:18

Episode 1384 - Bruce Wagner

When Marc reads the works of author and screenwriter Bruce Wagner, he starts to question reality. Bruce’s depictions of Hollywood personalities and show business darkness cut close to the bone and leave Marc trying to make sense of the life he chose. Bruce and Marc talk about where it all comes from, starting with his upbringing in the heart of Old Hollywood. Bruce also explains why being a victim of identity theft helped him write his new novel, ROAR, and why he decided to release his previous

Nov 17, 2022 • 1:22:17

Episode 1383 - Wes Bentley

American Beauty completely changed Wes Bentley’s life and is still doing so today, considering he got his current role in Yellowstone because of his performance as Ricky Fitts. But the sudden exposure to fame started Wes down a path of drug addiction that nearly ended his career and could have ended his life. Wes tells Marc about growing up in Arkansas as the son of two ministers, turning down Spider-Man, bottoming out in Argentina, cleaning up and getting a second chance. Sign up here for WTF+

Nov 14, 2022 • 1:32:43

Budd Friedman from 2012

From November 2012, Marc talks with Budd Friedman, the man behind the comedy club boom in America. Budd died on November 12, 2022 at the age of 90. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 13, 2022 • 1:05:04

Gallagher

Marc revisits his 2011 interview with comedian Gallagher, recorded in Portland, Oregon on January 27, 2011. Their conversation about comedy, language and cultural tolerance led to Gallagher walking out on the interview, the first and only time that happened on WTF. Leo Gallagher died on November 11, 2022. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio

Nov 11, 2022 • 44:20

Episode 1382 - Quinta Brunson

Quinta Brunson didn’t pave the traditional path to a hit network sitcom. In fact, she paved a path that didn’t really exist. Quinta and Marc talk about how she was one of the first people on Instagram to hit it big with the comedy she was making on there, which led to jobs at BuzzFeed and YouTube, acting gigs, and ultimately the chance to create Abbott Elementary. They also talk about her upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness, the job she had to give up because of Covid, and why it’s so important to

Nov 10, 2022 • 1:31:47

Episode 1381 - Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks says she’s the kind of person who likes to get ‘A’s on tests. And in show business, directing feature films for Hollywood studios is the ultimate test. Elizabeth and Marc talk about how her imposter syndrome faded over the past few years and how Elizabeth feels like she’s acing the test as she finishes up her third film as director. They also talk about the uncomfortable timeliness of her new movie, Call Jane, and why she jumped at the chance to host the game show Press Your Luck

Nov 7, 2022 • 1:15:47

Episode 1380 - Chris Redd

Chris Redd knows what it’s like to have dreams and then watch them shift in the face of reality. It happened first with the dream of being a rapper, but then Chris realized he had a knack for this comedy thing. Now, as he departs SNL and releases his first HBO standup special, Chris and Marc talk about how your dreams further shift once you’ve had some success in life. Chris also tells Marc how he overcame his stutter, how he turned a corner in his struggle with anxiety, and how he’s adjusting t

Nov 3, 2022 • 1:27:36

Episode 1379 - Armando Iannucci

Veep creator Armando Iannucci knows his job as a purveyor of political satire becomes more difficult as politicians become more absurd and cartoonish. In fact, just hours before recording this episode, the Prime Minister of the U.K. resigned after a tumultuous six weeks on the job. Armando and Marc talk about the unfolding news and also get into Armando’s career in comedy, including his early radio work, creating Alan Partridge, taking on U.S. politics, The Death of Stalin, and his latest show A

Oct 31, 2022 • 1:23:05

Episode 1378 - Ron Carter

Ron Carter is one of the architects of modern jazz. The Guinness Book of World Records cites him as the most recorded bassist in history and his influence has stretched well beyond jazz to a host of musical genres and styles. Marc talks with Ron about the dichotomies of his career, being a session musician and a band leader, a teacher and an eternal student, a maestro in concert halls and a regular in nightclubs. Ron explains how his output is all part of a responsibility he accepted long ago, o

Oct 27, 2022 • 1:16:42

Episode 1377 - Jeremy Strong

Jeremy Strong can’t help being honest. His honesty around his job as an actor is what leads to magazine profiles where he’s portrayed as “intense” and “serious.” His honesty also allows him to admit that he was afraid to do this interview. Marc embraces both that honesty and that fear in this conversation with Jeremy about acting, Succession, finding joy, being an empty vessel, being in service to others, Daniel Day-Lewis, Al Pacino and the new film Armageddon Time. Sign up here for WTF+ to get

Oct 24, 2022 • 1:23:35

Episode 1376 - Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. believes we must understand who we were in order to understand who we are. That goes for individuals, which is at the core of his PBS series Finding Your Roots, as well as society, which is the reason he made the new documentary series Making Black America. Marc talks with Professor Gates about the foundation of America, the progress that’s been made, and the inequality that remains, as well as the professor’s own unique upbringing that informs a lot of his thinking. Sign

Oct 20, 2022 • 1:24:35

Episode 1375 - Ralph Macchio

Everyone knows Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso from The Karate Kid. In fact, so many people know him as Daniel LaRusso, he wrote a book about spending his life as that character. Ralph and Marc talk about his memoir Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me, and delve into his life before the headband, as he worked with Francis Ford Coppola on The Outsiders, acted opposite Robert De Niro on stage, and tried to make sense of everything when superstardom hit. They also get into the protectiveness Ralph fel

Oct 17, 2022 • 1:24:22

Episode 1374 - Béla Fleck / Michael Morris

Béla Fleck is more than a virtuoso banjo player. He’s also a banjo missionary, an evangelist for an instrument he feels is often misunderstood and pigeonholed. Béla talks with Marc about how he wanted to move banjo music away from negative stereotypes and open audiences up to its world music roots, its classical applications, and of course its bluegrass heart. Also, Marc talks with director Michael Morris about the new movie To Leslie starring Andrea Riseborough and, oh yeah, Marc Maron. Sign up

Oct 13, 2022 • 1:33:44

Episode 1373 - Zahn McClarnon

Zahn McClarnon’s early experiences with reservation life helped him add some personal touches as a cast member of Reservation Dogs. But it was actually his experience with the musical Jesus Christ Superstar that got him into acting in the first place. Zahn and Marc talk about their shared love of working with Sterlin Harjo on Reservation Dogs and why it’s a history-making show. They also talk about Zahn’s struggles with drugs earlier in his life and how he actually used psychedelics to help kick

Oct 10, 2022 • 1:20:53

Episode 1372 - Jann Wenner

Jann Wenner’s life as the co-founder and publisher of Rolling Stone Magazine has been chronicled in other books, but Jann says he needed to write a memoir to declare what his generation actually stood for. Jann and Marc talk about the importance of San Francisco as the birthplace of not only the magazine but of ’60s culture in general. Jann explains why the Altamont Free Concert was a turning point for Rolling Stone, what happened in the cocaine-fueled days when the magazine moved to New York, a

Oct 6, 2022 • 1:13:30

Episode 1371 - Tony Gilroy

Writer-director Tony Gilroy is the man behind one of Marc’s favorite movies of all time, Michael Clayton. They get into everything it took to get that movie made and its surprising legacy. But the rest of Tony’s career and the curvy path his life took to get there are equally fascinating. Tony tells Marc about his dogged attempt to start a music career, how he transitioned into screenwriting, the joys of writing for the Devil, and how he came to embrace Star Wars with his new series Andor.

Oct 3, 2022 • 1:23:31

Episode 1370 - Abigail Disney

Abigail Disney feels the burden of her last name, particularly due to the practices of the global company that was founded by her grandfather Roy and grand uncle Walt. Marc talks with Abigail about her social awakening earlier in life and her current roles as an activist, philanthropist and filmmaker. They also discuss her new documentary, The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales, about the unequal economy as exemplified by the corporation that bears her name. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the fu

Sep 29, 2022 • 1:37:35

Episode 1369 - Sigourney Weaver

Multiple generations of audiences love Sigourney Weaver, whether it’s because of Ghostbusters or Avatar or Working Girl or the Alien franchise or all of the above. But Sigourney tells Marc she never imagined having a film career and in fact resisted it for a long time, preferring instead to work primarily in theater. And now, with movies like The Good House, Call Jane, Master Gardener and the Avatar sequel all releasing in theaters this Fall, Sigourney talks about how she’s never felt more comfo

Sep 26, 2022 • 1:25:29

Episode 1368 - Sam Rockwell

Sam Rockwell and Marc have talked with each other a lot since Sam was last on the show. Granted, during a lot of those conversations they were pretending to be a wolf and a snake, respectively. The Bad Guys co-stars embrace their human sides for this talk where they go over Sam’s journey to his Oscar win, the broadway production of American Buffalo with Sam and Laurence Fishburne, and the accent work Sam had to do for his new movie See How They Run. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show arc

Sep 22, 2022 • 1:25:02

Episode 1367 - Adrian Belew

Adrian Belew’s career in music was influenced by many and has influenced many more. As a completely self-taught guitarist, Adrian absorbed as much music as possible on the way to establishing his own sound and style. After getting his big break with Frank Zappa, Adrian went on to collaborate with David Bowie, Talking Heads, and Nine Inch Nails, just to name a few, and recorded 25 solo albums. Marc talks with Adrian about his amazingly prolific career, including his time with Robert Fripp and Kin

Sep 19, 2022 • 1:21:07

Episode 1366 - Bradley Whitford

Since the last time he was on WTF, Bradley Whitford spent a lot of time listening to the show while taking walks. So he’s primed and ready to take his ongoing one-sided conversation with Marc back to the garage and turn it into a dialogue. Bradley and Marc talk about aging, Quakerism, having grown children, their changing perceptions about acting, and Gene Hackman. Also, as the fifth season of The Handmaid’s Tale gets underway, they confront the ongoing threats to democracy that make the show’s

Sep 15, 2022 • 1:21:03

Episode 1365 - Brett Morgen

Documentary filmmaker Brett Morgen likes to go into the deep end with his films. He never wants to repeat himself, or repeat any other docs for that matter. He wants his films to be an experiential, subjective expression, not a declaration of truth. All of this makes Brett an ideal director to tackle a subject like David Bowie, which he does in his new film Moonage Daydream. Brett and Marc discuss his work on other docs about Robert Evans, Kurt Cobain, Jane Goodall and O.J. Simpson, and Brett de

Sep 12, 2022 • 1:37:18

Episode 1364 - Sharon Van Etten

Singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten creates personal, deeply felt songs that also provide her with relief. Sharon talks with Marc about her stream of consciousness writing style and how it helps her process the difficult parts of her life. They also get into how Sharon’s new album emerged from pandemic isolation, how hard it was to tour in the Era of Covid, how her friendship with collaborator Angel Olsen got started, and why she continues to study psychology in the pursuit of a degree. Sig

Sep 8, 2022 • 1:36:32

Episode 1363 - Al Ruddy

Al Ruddy's life as a producer taught him one major lesson: The making of every movie is itself worthy of a movie. That's why there's a limited series called The Offer about Al's experiences making The Godfather. Al tells Marc about the colorful encounters from his decades-long career in show business, including his work with Robert Mitchum, Burt Reynolds, Robert Evans, Marlon Brando and Clint Eastwood. Al also explains why he decided to make The Longest Yard instead of The Godfather Part II and

Sep 5, 2022 • 1:33:23

Episode 1362 - Whitney Cummings

Whitney Cummings left the garage twelve years ago after a conversation with Marc and couldn’t shake something he said to her. It bothered her for years until she finally decided to own it and turn it into the name of her new standup special. Whitney and Marc hash out what happened during that initial WTF episode and get into all the things that have transpired since, including where they’re both at with their lives and comedy today. They also talk about horses, codependency, crying and TikTok.&n

Sep 1, 2022 • 1:29:31

Episode 1361 - Simu Liu

Simu Liu is now an entrenched member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thanks to his portrayal of superhero Shang Chi. But Simu has his own origin story worthy of a comic book arc. Simu tells Marc how he left China at four years old and was raised by studious parents in Canada.. Only after losing his accounting job did Simu begin a secret life as an actor, an identity he kept hidden from his family until he could no longer fly under the radar. They also talk about Simu’s breakthrough in Kim’s Co

Aug 29, 2022 • 1:22:59

Episode 1360 - S.G. Goodman

Singer-songwriter S.G. Goodman creates songs about complex people and conflicting ideas. She sings about complications that are close to her heart because she has lived them. Raised on a farm in rural Western Kentucky, growing up with a strong Christian background, reconciling the basis of her faith with her emerging understanding of philosophy, S.G. has plenty of stories she can tell through song. Marc talks with S.G. about farm life, being traumatized by corn, her OCD diagnosis, and her pandem

Aug 25, 2022 • 1:23:11

Episode 1359 - Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield was terrified of being Spider-Man. As a 27-year-old who was not yet known to the world, he knew his life would immediately change once he became that beloved character. Andrew tells Marc what he did to protect himself at that time, which included going back to his theater roots and heading to Broadway. Andrew also talks about life since his mother's death, why he considers Ryan Gosling to be one of his inspirations, and why he's been on a spiritual journey with recent p

Aug 22, 2022 • 1:39:30

Episode 1358 - Jerrod Carmichael

Jerrod Carmichael has been busy since the last time he talked with Marc in the garage. He directed his first movie, On The Count Of Three. He put out his third standup special, Rothaniel, and hosted SNL, getting Emmy nominations for both. He also came out as gay. Jerrod talks with Marc about how terrified he was about coming out and how he faced his fear on stage as he incorporated it into his act. They also talk about Jerrod’s realization of the social responsibility in his work now and how his

Aug 18, 2022 • 1:16:18

Episode 1357 - Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci grew up around enough chaos to make her want constant control. Which is why the show Yellowjackets is such a different experience for her. As Christina tells Marc, she decided to surrender knowing anything about the direction of the show and its characters, and that lack of control is infused in her performance as Misty Quigley. They also talk about what Christina learned from Cher while making her first film, the much-loved movie she can’t stand watching herself in, and her long

Aug 15, 2022 • 1:15:52

Episode 1356 - Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt returns to the garage more than a decade since his last appearance, but he and Marc have so much shared history that it’s always easy to pick up right where they left off. Patton and Marc talk about their memories of the San Francisco comedy scene, their encounters with Bill Hicks, their professional triumphs and their personal tragedies. They also discuss Patton’s latest projects including his comic book, Minor Threats, and his new film, I Love My Dad. Sign up here for WTF+ to get

Aug 11, 2022 • 1:29:23

Episode 1355 - Sam Quinones

Journalist Sam Quinones blew Marc’s mind six years ago with his book Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic. More recently, he devoted his research and reporting to understanding how America got caught in the clutches of newer, more addictive, and more lethal synthetic drugs. Sam’s latest book is The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth. Sam talks with Marc about how these drugs work over the brain, how they’re getting into the country, and

Aug 8, 2022 • 1:29:18

Episode 1354 - James Acaster

Comedian James Acaster caught Marc’s attention when he released four hour-long Netflix standup specials simultaneously. But in watching the specials, Marc quickly recognized a likeminded comic with a compulsion to express himself. James and Marc sit down in a Montreal hotel room as the Just For Laughs Festival churns around them and try to figure out why they get so down on themselves while doing an art form that they supposedly love. They also compare notes on the tribal divisions in comedy bot

Aug 4, 2022 • 1:32:49

Episode 1353 - Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman’s writing - from The Sandman to American Gods to Good Omens to hundreds of comics, novels and screenplays - uses fantasy to help explain modern reality. Marc talks with Neil about how his early work sidestepped the pre-adolescent male power fantasies of most contemporary comic books and helped connect with a broad and enduring fanbase. They also talk about the new adaptation of The Sandman for Netflix and why Neil believes his past experiences in TV led him to make the ideal filmed v

Aug 1, 2022 • 1:36:04

Episode 1352 - Zainab Johnson

Comedian Zainab Johnson can survive anything in the comedy world after she survived growing up with twelve siblings in a New York City apartment, substitute teaching in juvenile detention centers, and being hit by a truck in an accident that altered the course of her life. Zainab also tells Marc how comics like Keith Robinson, Ian Edwards and Jimmy Schubert were instrumental in her development on the standup stage. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! ht

Jul 28, 2022 • 1:31:48

Episode 1351 - Jerry Harrison

Talking Heads and The Modern Lovers are two of the most influential bands of the ’70s and many would argue two of the best bands ever. And Jerry Harrison was in them both. Jerry and Marc talk about the blending of modern art and rock music that both of those bands helped pioneer and the environment in New York City that allowed groups like The Velvet Underground, Blondie, and The Ramones to thrive. They also get into the tensions behind the scenes with the Talking Heads members and Jerry’s rekin

Jul 25, 2022 • 1:32:35

Episode 1350 - Nikki Glaser

Nikki Glaser returns to the show because Marc finds her so easy to talk with, probably because they share so many similarities. They have kindred stand-up processes, they both get stressed out by writing, they have lifelong issues with food and eating, and they’re both still trying to figure out all that sex stuff. Marc and Nikki talk about all of that, as well as Nikki’s new HBO stand-up special, the places in the world they’re considering moving to, and whether it’s healthy to know anything ab

Jul 21, 2022 • 1:17:34

Episode 1349 - Michael Mann

When Michael Mann talks with Marc about his 1995 crime epic Heat, he has such command of the deep backstory and destinies of all the film’s characters, it seems like he has a whole Heat Universe in his head. Which is one reason he wrote the new expanded story Heat 2: A Novel. But Marc finds out that Michael does this type of extensive research and world-building for all his films, and they talk about everything from Thief to The Last of the Mohicans to The Insider to Ali to Collateral to Miami V

Jul 18, 2022 • 1:24:14

Episode 1348 - Orny Adams

Orny Adams says that being a comedian is the one thing he knows he’s good at. He also says that being in the documentary Comedian is something that will weigh on him for the rest of his life. Orny talks with Marc about how that documentary largely colored perceptions of him, why Jerry Seinfeld chose him for it in the first place, how his comedy suffered as a result, and how it ultimately led to a surprising career detour with the series Teen Wolf. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archi

Jul 14, 2022 • 1:33:58

Episode 1347 - Naomi Ekperigin

Comedian and writer Naomi Ekperigin is a cheerful person who also finds herself paralyzed with rage. It’s a balancing act she has to manage, just like she balanced her time in writers’ rooms with getting on stage night after night to work on her standup. Naomi and Marc talk about her family in Nigeria, working for the National Theater for the Deaf, editing an art magazine, and her time working on shows like Broad City, Difficult People and Good News. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full s

Jul 11, 2022 • 1:25:38

Episode 1346 - Jerry Stahl

Jerry Stahl is one of Marc’s best friends. But sometimes you have no idea your best friend lived in a cave at one point. And that’s why you sit down with him in the garage. Jerry talks with Marc about his years of troubled behavior which led to a life threatening illness and doctors telling him he only had a year to live. Marc also finds out more about Jerry’s life as a writer, from his days working for porno magazines to his celebrated books like Permanent Midnight and his new book Nein, Nein,

Jul 7, 2022 • 1:24:49

Episode 1345 - Jason Kander

Jason Kander was a rising star in national politics. In fact, he was staging a run for the Presidency and got the thumbs up from none other than Barack Obama himself. Then the roof caved in. Jason tells Marc why he needed to put everything on hold in order to treat his PTSD, something he’d been suffering since serving in Afghanistan eleven years earlier, but also something he wouldn’t allow himself to confront for more than a decade. Jason’s new book is Invisible Storm: A Soldier’s Memoir of Pol

Jul 4, 2022 • 1:22:33

Episode 1344 - Laura Veirs

Singer-songwriter Laura Veirs has something to prove with her latest album, Found Light. After divorce ended her 20-years-long collaborative relationship with her producer husband, Laura not only needed to prove she could create a new album independently, but she needed to be sure of who she was in the world going forward. Laura and Marc talk about love and loss and the power of therapeutic mushrooms. They also talk about how Laura suffers from imposter syndrome when she’s around her other colla

Jun 30, 2022 • 1:17:54

Episode 1343 - Atsuko Okatsuka

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka has familiarity with garages. But unlike Marc, she didn’t start a podcast in one. She lived in one with her mother and grandmother for seven years, as three generations of immigrant women dealt with cramped quarters, eating disorders and schizophrenia. Atsuko tells Marc how she was unaware as a young girl that her trip from Japan to America was going to become permanent and how her discovery of standup comedy helped her find her voice. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the fu

Jun 27, 2022 • 1:22:11

Episode 1342 - Dana Gould

Dana Gould is in his 40th year of doing standup. He and Marc talk about what they’ve learned in their decades of comedy, how they came to accept their limitations, and how they see themselves in today’s standup environment. Dana also explains why he went back on stage after years of giving it up to work on The Simpsons, why he feels that progress in comedy means knowing when you were wrong, and why he always goes back to George Carlin. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and week

Jun 23, 2022 • 1:36:00

Episode 1341 - Kate Berlant

Kate Berlant’s comedy defies easy categorization. That’s okay with Kate, who thinks people use a lot of empty terms to pin down comedy. Kate and Marc talk about how growing up in the art world helped Kate take a different approach when she got on the comedy stage as a teenager. They also talk about Kate’s sketch work with fellow comedian John Early, the inspiration she took from the late Brody Stevens, and why her Bo Burnham-directed comedy special remains in limbo. Sign up here for WTF+ to get

Jun 20, 2022 • 1:18:35

Episode 1340 - Jen Statsky

When Jen Statsky and her collaborators were creating the show Hacks, they knew they needed to nail the portrayal of life in standup comedy because comics will quickly know if they got it wrong. Marc talks with Jen about how they did, indeed, nail it. They also talk about her work at The Onion and on shows like Parks and Rec, The Good Place, Broad City and Lady Dynamite. Plus, Jen and Marc talk about stuffing your feelings, getting better at acknowledging them, and understanding why growing up in

Jun 16, 2022 • 1:20:19

Episode 1339 - Greg Proops

Marc has a very direct question for his old friend Greg Proops: “Did we lose?” In the fight for the heart and soul of comedy, there is real uncertainty about the current trajectory. What legacy did the alternative comedy movement leave, if any? Did the Obama years create a false sense of security for popular comedians that made them drop the ball? Will a there be a counterforce to the dominant strain of reactionary backlash comedy? Marc and Greg interrogate these questions and their own roles in

Jun 13, 2022 • 1:15:13

Episode 1338 - Lara Beitz

For a while, Lara Beitz could only get on stage to do comedy if she was hammered. She'd drink to feel less nervous but then there wasn't a time when she didn't feel nervous, so she was just always drinking. Lara and Marc talk about their shared experiences with addiction and recovery as they were developing their voices as comedians. Lara also looks back on an upbringing that was clouded by the specter of alcoholism and how she had to come to terms with it later in life. Sign up here for W

Jun 9, 2022 • 1:13:01

Episode 1337 - Phil Tippett

Oscar and Emmy-winning visual effects artist Phil Tippett is responsible for some of the most memorable effects in movies history, like the alien chess match in Star Wars, the giant robot walkers in The Empire Strikes Back, the ED-209 in RoboCop and more. And because his work is almost always rooted in stop-motion animation, Phil tends to be meticulous. It's why, as he tells Marc, he started his first film 30 years ago and it's only complete now. They talk about the creation of this movie, Mad G

Jun 6, 2022 • 1:15:49

Episode 1336 - Jesus Trejo

Jesus Trejo knows he put in the work to become a paid regular at The Comedy Store, spending years doing open mic spots and performing at 1am for a handful of people. Not to mention paying his dues unclogging toilets at the club and putting up Mitzi Shore's Christmas tree. But even with all of that behind him, Jesus still breaks out in a sweat when he tells Marc about those times he completely bombed as he was trying to learn the ropes. Jesus also tells Marc about being a caregiver for both his p

Jun 2, 2022 • 1:19:02

Episode 1335 - Rosie Perez

Rosie Perez initially thought success would paper over her trauma. But the emotional ramifications from the abuse she went through as a child were never going to stay hidden for long. Rosie and Marc talk about how acting is still risky for her but now she has tools to help work through the high-wire act of tapping into dark places. They also talk about her friendship with Spike Lee, her reasons for working a lot, and her two current series, The Flight Attendant and Now & Then. Sign up here for W

May 30, 2022 • 1:20:12

Ray Liotta from 2018

From 2018, Ray Liotta talks with Marc about getting his start in soap operas, the debt he owes to Melanie Griffith, and the emotional filming of Goodfellas. Ray died on May 26, 2022 at age 67. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 27, 2022 • 1:03:53

Episode 1334 - Joey Camen

Joey Camen left a dysfunctional home in Detroit as a teenager and, thanks to an ad he saw in a Playboy, knew exactly where he needed to go. He went straight to the brand new club on the Sunset Strip, The Comedy Store, and quickly became one of the club's first regulars. Joey and Marc talk about those early days of the Store, living in fear of Mitzi, and becoming friends with the likes of Paul Mooney and Richard Pryor before falling under the tutelage of legendary voice actor Daws Butler. Sign up

May 26, 2022 • 1:06:22

Episode 1333 - Marc Goes To Washington w/ Dr. Dwandalyn Reece and Lance Mion

This is an episode about history. Collective history and personal history. Marc finds himself in Washington, DC on the latest leg of his standup tour, a place imbued with symbolism, both for what we want it to be, but also what we really are. And it's where Marc's college roommate lives. First, Marc reckons with a history of injustice at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture with curator Dr. Dwandalyn Reece. Then Marc tries to piece together his own past wi

May 23, 2022 • 1:11:12

Episode 1332 - Michael Che

Michael Che wanted out his life on the Lower East Side, but his initial path was not comedy. It was painting and fine art. Michael tells Marc how he became enamored with standup while living in his brother's basement, how he came to love the grind of building an act, and how he puts everything he's learned into his sketch show, That Damn Michael Che. They also talk about the growing pains of doing Weekend Update on SNL and why hosting award shows isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sign up here for

May 19, 2022 • 1:17:06

Episode 1331 - Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh spent much of her career believing certain opportunities weren't going to come her way because they're just not afforded to Asian actors. Sandra and Marc talk about what she found in herself to overcome that sense of externally imposed limitations and how she built a body of work including Grey's Anatomy, Sideways, Killing Eve and The Chair. Sandra also explains how she's drawing inspiration from John C. Reilly in this next phase of her life as an actor. Sign up here for WTF+ to get th

May 16, 2022 • 1:20:03

Episode 1330 - The Doobie Brothers / Steven Jenkins

The Doobie Brothers is a band with almost twenty official members throughout its five decades of existence. But Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons have been playing guitar and performing vocals for the band since Day One. Tom and Pat talk with Marc about how their family-like band has grown and evolved throughout the years, particularly during iterations with members like Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Michael McDonald. Also, during his time in Tulsa, Marc pays a visit to the new Bob Dylan Center

May 12, 2022 • 1:20:54

Episode 1329 - A Tribute to Dan Vitale

Marc remembers the life and comedy of Dan Vitale, a comedian whose raw and unapologetically personal style of stand-up was a big influence on a young Marc Maron. Marc talks about how his perception of what it meant to be a stand-up comic changed while watching Dan, how their talk in 2014 exemplified WTF, and how the connection they maintained in the following years helped Marc through the darkness. Marc also shares the entirety of Dan's episode from March 2014. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the f

May 9, 2022 • 1:28:21

Episode 1328 - Nicole Holofcener

Nicole Holofcener has trouble breathing. She finds herself holding her breath for too long, which could be a result of allergies or a byproduct of sleep apnea. But it's also an apt metaphor for the life of an independent filmmaker. Nicole and Marc talk about what it takes to make films with small budgets, casting conundrums, and deeply personal subject matter. They discuss the films she wrote and directed like Walking and Talking, Lovely and Amazing, and Enough Said, as well as her contributions

May 5, 2022 • 1:19:35

Episode 1327 - Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk walked into Marc's garage on a broken leg, the result of a recent skateboarding trick gone wrong. It's everything about Tony that's on display in the new documentary Tony Hawk: Until The Wheels Fall Off, distilled down to one cracked femur. Tony and Marc talk about why it's so hard to stop doing what you love, the fear of being seen as washed up, and the feeling of being a kid and finding something that you know you want to do for the rest of your life. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the

May 2, 2022 • 1:15:40

Episode 1326 - Trombone Shorty

It's normal for everyone to call Troy Andrews by his stage name, Trombone Shorty, because he's been playing the trombone since he was a tiny, four-year-old boy. Troy and Marc talk about the musical culture of New Orleans, growing up in the Treme, touring with Lenny Kravitz right out of high school, becoming the frontman of his own band, making the trombone a featured instrument, creating a musical education academy, and recording his new album, Lifted, which is inspired by his mother. Sign up he

Apr 28, 2022 • 1:14:59

Episode 1325 - Vanessa Bayer

Vanessa Bayer knows her comedic talent comes from a decidedly unfunny place. Vanessa's teenage cancer diagnosis focused her comedy skills, which in turn allowed her to help people process, understand and laugh at horrible things. Vanessa and Marc talk about how her natural optimism guided her through this health crisis and also put her in a great headspace for the Saturday Night Live audition process. Vanessa also explains why she incorporated her real life medical history into her new comedy se

Apr 25, 2022 • 1:21:02

Episode 1324 - Aaron Blabey

Children's book author Aaron Blabey can measure success by the more than 30 million books he's sold. But that success was a long time coming and in many ways felt like it was never in reach. Aaron tells Marc how the popular art and culture coming from outside Australia made him feel dissatisfied with his own life, how his excursions into acting and painting left him empty, and how he accidentally fulfilled all his creative impulses when he came up with The Bad Guys books. They also talk about Th

Apr 21, 2022 • 1:10:27

Episode 1323 - Robert Eggers

Robert Eggers was never into Vikings or hand-to-hand combat or macho stuff. And yet he just made the Viking movie to end all Viking movies, filled with brutal violence and macho posturing. But as he tells Marc, making The Northman was all in the service of his quest to transmit the sublime. Robert and Marc talk the meticulous attention to detail he brings to his films, how he's fascinated by the search for belief amidst ritual and fantasy, and how he grew up loving comic books but would now rath

Apr 18, 2022 • 1:12:44

Episode 1322 - Harvey Fierstein

The guiding philosophy in the life of Harvey Fierstein is simple: Say yes. As he put together his new memoir, I Was Better Last Night, it was clear to Harvey his extraordinary life relied on saying yes to opportunities, yes to activism, and yes to his own self worth. Harvey and Marc talk about the challenges of dealing with the past in memoir writing, the importance of telling the stories of gay culture in the '60s and '70s, and the evolving understanding of gender and identity. Sign up here for

Apr 14, 2022 • 1:24:55

Gilbert Gottfried from 2012

From 2012, Gilbert Gottfried talks to Marc about his comedy peers, his one-year stint on SNL, the times his jokes got him in trouble, and more. Gilbert died on April 12, 2022, at age 67. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 13, 2022 • 1:08:20

Episode 1321 - Bonnie Raitt

Bonnie Raitt doesn't feel the need to slow down. With the release of her 18th studio album and the start of an eight-month world tour, the prolific singer-songwriter knows what it's like to make the most of your opportunities. Bonnie talks with Marc about growing up in a musical home, falling into the Laurel Canyon music scene, struggling with substance abuse, getting sober in her late-30s and having her first hit album in her 40s. They also talk about Bonnie's continuing work with James Taylor,

Apr 11, 2022 • 1:18:04

Episode 1320 - Zazie Beetz

Zazie Beetz and Marc were in three things together - Joker, the Netflix series Easy, and the new animated film The Bad Guys - but they're only now meeting each other for real. That makes for a good opportunity to interrogate their respective anxiety issues and compare their coping strategies. Zazie and Marc also talk about her German heritage, why she's not an LA person, and how she sees her work on Atlanta as being part of an overall reflection of Donald Glover's real life story. Sign up

Apr 7, 2022 • 1:14:01

Episode 1319 - Adam Ray

Comedian Adam Ray was a high school athlete, a musical theater performer, and an acting student with his eyes on Hollywood. But one thing he never could shake was the feeling of being an overweight kid when he was younger. Adam and Marc talk about how doing comedy helps keep feelings of insecurity at bay and why the two of them struggled to get over their fears of being on stage. Adam also talks about playing Jay Leno on Pam and Tommy, Vince McMahon on Young Rock, and Wolverine at the Universal

Apr 4, 2022 • 1:28:40

Episode 1318 - Guy Torry

Comedian Guy Torry spent 13 years creating and running the most famous all-black comedy night in America at The Comedy Store. And now Guy just spent another 13 years making a documentary about that influential weekly comedy show, Phat Tuesdays. Guy and Marc talk about the limited opportunities for Black comedians in mainstream clubs and how the racially divided climate of 1990s Los Angeles highlighted the need to fill a comedy void. Guy explains the importance of comedian Robin Harris in mentori

Mar 31, 2022 • 1:34:49

Episode 1317 - Flea

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been around for almost 40 years and Flea has been there for every minute of it. He and Marc talk about Flea's jazz-based upbringing that made him the bassist he is today, the various incarnations of the band, and the current reunion with multi-time bandmate John Frusciante for their new album, Unlimited Love. Flea also talks about the heartbreak of losing the Chili Pepper's founding guitarist Hillel Slovak to drug addiction and the demons the rest of the band have

Mar 28, 2022 • 1:25:44

Episode 1316 - Sam Jay

Sam Jay has a lot of irons in the fire. She's on the comedy series Bust Down, she has her own HBO late night show Pause, and she never stops doing standup. Sam tells Marc that standup is the one thing that's guided her through it all, whether it was getting through tough personal times when she was younger or when she was hired as a writer on SNL with no formal writing experience. It's always been standup that served as her North Star, which she now uses as a way to communicate across generation

Mar 24, 2022 • 1:15:49

Episode 1315 - Jeff Foxworthy

Jeff Foxworthy still cringes when he knows other comics are watching his work. That persistent insecurity and the desire to always stay funny is why Jeff has a new Netflix special and a whole new act. Jeff talks with Marc about the drive that made him quit his job at IBM to try and get on Johnny Carson. They also talk about how he formed the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and how he feels about being known for his “You Might Be A Redneck” hook even though it hasn't been part of his act for

Mar 21, 2022 • 1:13:42

Episode 1314 - Ariana DeBose

Ariana DeBose knows there was no way for her to prepare for what's happening right now. There's no instruction booklet for being a professional dancer at age 18 and suddenly becoming an Academy Award-nominated actress. Ariana and Marc talk about how getting voted off So You Think You Can Dance changed her life and how she checked herself by watching The Devil Wears Prada. Ariana also goes into the details of making West Side Story, including her collaborations with Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner

Mar 17, 2022 • 1:12:54

Episode 1313 - Keith Richards

It's been almost seven years since Marc smoked a cigarette with Keith Richards in a radio studio in New York City. Since then, Keith gave up smoking, continued to tour with the Rolling Stones, released multiple new albums including a blues record, and is now re-issuing his solo album Main Offender. Marc and Keith catch up on all of that and also talk about the passing of Keith's friend and bandmate Charlie Watts. Also, Marc revisits his full conversation with Keith from 2015. Sign up here for WT

Mar 14, 2022 • 1:34:48

Episode 1312 - Mike O'Brien

Mike O'Brien has the distinction of being responsible for Marc Maron crossing over into the world of improv. With a background in the Chicago improv and sketch scene and seven seasons writing for Saturday Night Live, Lynn Shelton approached Mike to help create a movie that would be entirely improvised by the cast. That movie was Sword of Trust starring Marc Maron. Mike and Marc talk about the making of the film, Mike's comedy background, and the fan movement that gave Mike's TV show, A.P. Bio, a

Mar 10, 2022 • 1:22:21

Episode 1311 - Caroline Rhea

Not many people know Marc the way Caroline Rhea does. They have a history that runs through the many different stages of each of their lives and careers. Caroline and Marc sit down for a conversation about confronting the past, learning from failure, and reckoning with the fact that their work now resonates with multiple generations of fans. They're also able to compare notes on their experiences in comedy, such as which clubs are actually the good ones and what missed opportunities were better

Mar 7, 2022 • 1:11:47

Episode 1310 - Mira Sorvino

Mira Sorvino has a lot of talents beyond acting. She speaks Mandarin Chinese, she dances ballet, she plays guitar. But acting is what Mira believes she was born to do. And then for almost 20 years, she was prevented from doing it on her own terms because of a powerful man and a complicit industry. Mira and Marc talk about how she went from winning an Oscar to being put on a Hollywood blacklist by Harvey Weinstein and how she didn't learn the truth until 17 years later. They also talk about her c

Mar 3, 2022 • 1:16:44

Episode 1309 - Sam Elliott

Sam Elliott plays a lot of tough guys - cowboys, bikers, soldiers - who can (and often do) beat people up. But in reality, Sam says the only guy he beats up is himself. Sam and Marc talk about how he came to terms with some of the things in his life that were really doing a number on him, like how his father never approved of his life as an actor. They also talk about some of his most popular roles, like The Stranger in The Big Lebowski, Bobby in A Star Is Born, and his new addition to the Yello

Feb 28, 2022 • 1:11:34

Sally Kellerman from 2013

From 2013, Sally Kellerman talks with Marc about being his TV mom, embracing Hot Lips, and working with Robert Altman, Marlon Brando, Rodney Dangerfield and more. Sally died on February 24, 2022 at age 84. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 25, 2022 • 58:32

Episode 1308 - W. Kamau Bell

W. Kamau Bell has talked with Marc before about his life, his comedy and his thoughts about the world. But this time there's a single topic that needs to be addressed: Bill Cosby. Kamau tells Marc why he decided to make the documentary series We Need To Talk About Cosby, the obstacles he encountered in getting it made, the comedians who wouldn't talk to him, and the backlash he's received for making the doc. Kamau also explains what happened when Cosby was released from prison while they were st

Feb 24, 2022 • 1:17:18

The Amazing Johnathan from 2014

From 2014, Marc talks with John Szeles, better known as The Amazing Johnathan, about his life doing comedy and magic, often at the same time. John died on February 22, 2022 at age 63 Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 23, 2022 • 1:03:31

Mark Lanegan from 2017

From 2017, Marc talks with Mark Lanegan, the former frontman of Screaming Trees, about the '90s grunge scene and his collaborations with various artists. Mark died on February 22, 2022 at age 57. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 23, 2022 • 42:34

Episode 1307 - Andy Garcia

Andy Garcia says it's surreal to look back on his early life as a shy Cuban exile who was idolizing famous actors and filmmakers, only to be reminiscing now about the work he's done with Sean Connery, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro and so many others. Andy and Marc talk about his years in LA with no acting work, his improv group at The Comedy Store, and how he was supposed to play the henchman in The Untouchables. They also talk about Andy being part of The Godfather films, with the original being the

Feb 21, 2022 • 1:14:52

Episode 1306 - Roy Wood Jr

Roy Wood Jr can't be angry on stage. He wants to be angry. But he believes his face is too round to be angry. Now, whenever Roy wants to say something mean in his act, he knows he has to smile while he does it. Roy tells Marc how he learned to navigate the way audiences perceive him while doing the Southern standup circuit and honing his skills on The Daily Show. He also explains how doing the show Finding Your Roots upended what he thought was the truth of his life story and prompted him to und

Feb 17, 2022 • 1:22:43

Episode 1305 - Ana Gasteyer

Ana Gasteyer learned a major life lesson from Will Ferrell and it has nothing to do with their time together on Saturday Night Live. It was about making choices, square dancing and knowing how to have fun. Ana and Marc talk about how much fun she's had in her life and career, including her time in the Groundlings, her work on Broadway and her roles in ensemble comedies like her new series American Auto. She also talks about the circle of friends she still keeps from her time on SNL and the bond

Feb 14, 2022 • 1:21:25

Ivan Reitman from 2014

From 2014, Marc talks with filmmaker Ivan Reitman about his career, his movies and his relationship with his writer-director son, Jason. Ivan died on February 12, 2022 at age 75. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 14, 2022 • 1:11:06

Episode 1304 - Chris Spencer

Chris Spencer is the kind of guy the White House calls when they need a show business favor. How did he become so connected? In Chris's words, Black Hollywood is a small place. Chris talks with Marc about how his early comedy career paved the way for a big break as a late night talk show host. But when that opportunity fizzled from the start, Chris had to figure out how to redirect his talents. That new approach led to a lot of comedy writing and directing his first feature film with Kevin Hart,

Feb 10, 2022 • 1:16:31

Episode 1303 - Judd Hirsch

Judd Hirsch is interested in the pursuit of truth. That's why he loved math as a student, that's why he got a physics degree, and that's why he has a civil engineering background. But he also learned to apply the pursuit of truth to his acting. Judd tells Marc why he always insists on conveying the truth about his characters, down to changing the characters' names if they don't feel right. They talk about his roles in Taxi, Ordinary People, Uncut Gems and as Marc's dad on the show Maron, and how

Feb 7, 2022 • 1:20:02

Episode 1302 - Sam Richardson

Sam Richardson thinks desperation is the key to comedy. His characters from shows like Detroiters and I Think You Should Leave are a testament to that philosophy. Sam and Marc talk about his childhood being split between the United States and Ghana, his days performing on cruise ships for Second City, and his friendship with Tim Robinson, which began with Tim as Sam's improv teacher. Sam also explains how his role as Richard Splett on Veep went from a one-episode guest shot to a series regular w

Feb 3, 2022 • 1:11:56

Episode 1301 - Tony Kushner

Tony Kushner is one of the most important American playwrights of the past 50 years who is now a creative partner of one of the most important American filmmakers of the last 50 years. Tony talks with Marc about working with Steven Spielberg on Munich, Lincoln and the new adaptation of West Side Story. They also discuss the history of Jews in the Louisiana lumber industry, the pivotal moment of Angels in America that came to him in a dream, and the play he saw when he was six that made him want

Jan 31, 2022 • 1:26:01

Episode 1300 - Dana Stevens

Film critic Dana Stevens took her love for Silent Movie Era star Buster Keaton and told the story of the 20th century film industry as it evolved alongside Buster's own life. Marc talks with Dana about her new book, Camera Man, which is not just a biography of Keaton. It's a look at the politics of film, the beginning of the studio system, the start of film criticism, the rise and fall of early movie stars, and how America dealt with the seismic change that was ushered in by this new art form.&n

Jan 27, 2022 • 1:24:20

Episode 1299 - Peter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage spent a good portion of his life trying to come to terms with ambition. It's something he's had an adversarial relationship with, going back to the days when he started a theater company that mounted no productions. But Peter tells Marc how he got more comfortable with having an acting career and how he learned to embrace mainstream success, whether it was from his star turn in The Station Agent or his work on Game of Thones or his latest film, the new adaptation of Cyrano. Sign u

Jan 24, 2022 • 1:18:00

Remembering Louie Anderson

Hear Marc's two conversations with comedian and actor Louie Anderson from June 2016 and April 2018. Louie died on January 21, 2022 at age 68. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 21, 2022 • 1:32:24

Episode 1298 - John Mellencamp

John Mellencamp considers his whole career to be a total fluke. Maybe that's because he never planned for anything in his life and just let the chips fall where they may. As he releases his twenty-fifth studio album, Strictly A One-Eyed Jack, John tells Marc what he learned opening for The Kinks, why he had to take the name Johnny Cougar, why he still hasn't written something that makes him proud, and why David Letterman's mom attributed Dave's career to John. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the fu

Jan 20, 2022 • 1:12:45

Episode 1297 - Nicole Byer

Nicole Byer hosts the hit shows Nailed It! and Wipeout, is working on her new standup hour, hosts four different podcasts and is starring in the new primetime NBC series Grand Crew. But she still had time to join Marc in the garage so they can try to figure out why they both have such a hard time with physical affection. They also talk about Nicole's days as an endearingly bad waitress, how she coped with losing both of her parents at a young age, and what few things she actually knows how to ba

Jan 17, 2022 • 1:27:06

Episode 1296 - Drew Michael

Drew Michael wants his comedy to feel different. He wants the audience to have a unique experience. This mindset actually reminds Marc of his own style of comedy, as well as a few other iconoclastic stand-ups who used their time on stage to get laughs but also get to the bottom of life's problems. Drew and Marc talk about the combustible nature of experimental comedy, specifically Drew's new special Red Blue Green. They also talk about how Drew's childhood hearing loss shaped his life and made c

Jan 13, 2022 • 1:28:51

Episode 1295 - Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem finds lots of inspiration in his native Spain: the art, the creativity, the history, the ham. Marc talks with Javier about the importance of being raised in a creative family, including his uncle who fought the fascists through his films and his mother who was his greatest teacher. They also talk about some of Javier's most memorable performances in films like No Country for Old Men, Before Night Falls and his recent portrayal of Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos. Sign up here for W

Jan 10, 2022 • 1:12:29

Remembering Bob Saget

Marc pays tribute to comedian Bob Saget and revisits his three WTF appearances from September 2010, April 2014 and November 2017. Bob died on January 9, 2022 at age 65. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 10, 2022 • 1:47:21

Peter Bogdanovich from 2015

From 2015, Marc talks with director Peter Bogdanovich about his life as a filmmaker, his days in the theater and his friendship with Orson Welles. Peter died on January 6, 2022 at age 82. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 7, 2022 • 1:31:43

Episode 1294 - David Manheim

Most people who know David Manheim don't know him as David Manheim. To fans of the Dopey podcast, he's just Dave (no last name given), a recovering drug addict who built a tight-knit digital community around addiction, recovery and being human. David talks with Marc about how his career in show business fizzled out as addiction took hold of his life and how starting a podcast with a friend he met in recovery was his salvation. They also talk about Dave's other life at Katz's Deli and they get in

Jan 6, 2022 • 1:26:42

Episode 1293 - The Smothers Brothers

Recently, Marc talked with television historian David Bianculli about The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and the important place it holds in American culture. Talking with Tom and Dick Smothers themselves, Marc finds that the brothers are as surprised as anyone that they left such an indelible mark. Starting with an act that grew out of the folk music scene, Tom and Dick talk about the evolution of their variety show, how they wound up locking horns with the network that ultimately fired them, an

Jan 3, 2022 • 1:27:27

Episode 1292 - Rory Cochrane

When Rory Cochrane started acting, he knew he didn't want to be a movie star. He wanted to be a freight train that keeps on moving. Rory tells Marc about the practices and measures he put in place to attain his goal of career longevity and artistic satisfaction. They also talk about why it's important for him to work on productions where the crew is treated well, why he asked to leave CSI: Miami when it was still the biggest show on TV, and what led to some of his pivotal career moments in movie

Dec 30, 2021 • 1:07:29

Episode 1291 - Aida Rodriguez

Aida Rodriguez wanted her first HBO special to be more than a comedy show. She wanted to depict the parts of her past that are foundational to her comedy. So that's why she filmed a short documentary about her visits to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, as she reunited with the father she hadn't seen in 40 years. Marc and Aida talk about how she got comedy material out of a life story that included being kidnapped twice, finding herself raising her children without a home, and breaking int

Dec 27, 2021 • 1:16:23

Episode 1290 - Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro believes in one universal truth: We all get to a moment in our lives when we see ourselves for who we really are. That belief not only guides his own life, it guides the characters through his many films. Guillermo and Marc talk about how he takes on the dark forces of the world in his movies, including his latest, Nightmare Alley. They also discuss his friendship with fellow Oscar-winning directors Alejandro González Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuarón, hi

Dec 23, 2021 • 1:17:20

Episode 1289 - Peter Jackson

Despite multiple Oscars and billions of dollars in box office returns, Peter Jackson still has the same interests he had when he was 10 years old: First World War airplanes, monster movies, using his Super 8 camera, and The Beatles. Peter tells Marc what it was like to be entrusted with more than 60 hours of Beatles footage to make the new documentary Get Back, why he was filled with dread when he started the project, and why he was surprised by what he found when he went through the footage.&nb

Dec 20, 2021 • 1:13:57

Episode 1288 - Cat Power

At one point, Chan Marshall was in a band called Cat Power. But it's appropriate for someone like Chan, who had to be self-reliant almost from birth, that she'd adopt the name as her own once the band dissolved. Chan and Marc talk about her rebirth as Cat Power, the Atlanta music scene in the early ‘90s, carrying trauma throughout her life, and finding out that making music grounded her in something real for the first time. They also focus on her eclectic collections of cover songs as she

Dec 16, 2021 • 1:28:21

Episode 1287 - Halle Berry

Halle Berry wasn't supposed to be in the movie Bruised. And she definitely wasn't supposed to direct the movie Bruised. Then she wound up being in it and directing it, but no one wanted to take a chance on it. Now it's such a hit for Netflix that they've signed her to a multi-picture deal. Halle tells Marc what it took to get to this place in her life and career, transcending her childhood of abuse to create a portfolio of performances where she breathes life into broken people. Sign up he

Dec 13, 2021 • 1:14:19

Episode 1286 - Jesse Plemons

Still only in his early 30s, Jesse Plemons has already delivered a laundry list of indelible performances in everything from Breaking Bad to Friday Night Lights to Black Mass, working with directors like Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin Scorsese and now Jane Campion in The Power of the Dog. Jesse tells Marc how a humble kid from Central Texas cultivated an acting career that would be the envy of any performer. They also talk about what it's like for Jesse to act opposite his wife, Kirsten Dunst. Sig

Dec 9, 2021 • 1:11:19

Episode 1285 - Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson didn't start singing with her eyes open until she was 19 years old. That's not a metaphor. Jennifer tells Marc how she was so afraid to sing in public, the only way she could do it was by closing her eyes. They talk about what it was like to finally feel brave enough to open them and the doors that also opened up when she did. Jennifer explains the centrality of church in her life, how faith helped guide her through unspeakable tragedy, and why she got Aretha Franklin's blessing

Dec 6, 2021 • 1:13:23

Episode 1284 - Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch is a busy man. When he's not holding the Marvel Universe together as Doctor Strange or making prestige dramas with celebrated directors, he's flying between the U.S. and the U.K. to raise a family. Benedict and Marc talk about his latest projects, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain and Jane Campion's The Power of The Dog, as well as his early life as the child of two working actors. Plus a lot of talk about cats. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and w

Dec 2, 2021 • 1:24:20

Episode 1283 - Bill Pullman

Bill Pullman's upbringing in rural Western New York prepared him for a multifaceted life, since he always had to keep his options open. So aside from being an actor, Bill's also been a theater teacher, a rancher, a fruit grower, even a traveling Shakespeare performer in Montana. Bill and Marc talk about how he incorporated dream analysis into his performances in both David Lynch's Lost Highway and his current show The Sinner, why Spaceballs was actually a great crash course in movie acting, and

Nov 29, 2021 • 1:19:27

Episode 1282 - Jason Bailey / Fun City Cinema

WTF takes over the historic Paris Theater in New York City for the first live audience episode of the show in more than six years. Marc is joined by film critic and historian Jason Bailey, author of the new book Fun City Cinema. They get into what the movies tell us about New York and what New York tells us about ourselves. Marc and Jason go over this history of movie making in NYC, including a deep dive into The Taking of Pelham 123 from Jason's Fun City Cinema podcast. Sign up here for WTF+ to

Nov 25, 2021 • 1:17:10

Episode 1281 - Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott has a secret weapon as a filmmaker and it probably has a lot to do with his career longevity and versatility. As a young boy, he would draw everything, and to this day he still storyboards every one of his films with his own drawings. That helps him deliver the finished product efficiently, often under schedule and under budget. Marc talks with Ridley about how he worked his craft on films like Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise, Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, American Gangster, and his t

Nov 22, 2021 • 1:08:21

Episode 1280 - Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Branagh had a lot on his mind when making the movie Belfast, a film based on his own childhood. He thought mostly about loss. Loss of family, loss of where you come from, loss of innocence. As Kenneth tells Marc, he's been thinking about loss a lot lately and figuring out how to strike a balance between heartbreaking and heartwarming. Marc and Kenneth also talk about the importance of visiting the graves of people you admire, what discovering Shakespeare did for Kenneth at a young age, w

Nov 18, 2021 • 1:30:34

Episode 1279 - George Clooney

George Clooney is 60. Which means, much like Marc, he's always reminding himself that he doesn't know how much time he has left. George tells Marc how this mindset affects all his decisions, whether it's the projects he takes on, the causes he fights for, or the time he frees up to spend with his children. They also discuss George's directorial work, including his latest film The Tender Bar, his introduction to show business by his father and his Aunt Rosemary, and his thoughts on avoiding furth

Nov 15, 2021 • 1:20:40

Episode 1278 - "Canceled Comedy" w/ Kliph Nesteroff and David Bianculli

Marc is trying to get to the bottom of something. What does it really mean to be 'canceled' in comedy? Is it something comedians have always worried about? What does actual censorship in comedy look like? And who or what is traditionally responsible for censoring the comedy world? Marc talks to comedy historian Kliph Nesteroff and Smothers Brothers biographer David Bianculli about the history of comedians complaining they “can't say anything anymore” and what it looks like when they

Nov 11, 2021 • 1:16:48

Episode 1277 - Felipe Esparza

The challenges of standup comedy were nothing compared to the obstacles Felipe Esparza faced throughout his childhood. His family was caught crossing the border and sent back to Mexico. When he finally made it to America, he found himself living with an abusive father in a Los Angeles neighborhood being decimated by crack and PCP. And as Felipe tells Marc, even when he was getting good standup gigs, he couldn't escape his past. They also talk about Felipe's vegan journey, the big comedy lesson h

Nov 8, 2021 • 1:18:41

Episode 1276 - Bob Spitz

How did Bob Spitz become the preeminent biographer of the most important and influential names in rock and roll? Before he wrote the definitive narratives of Bob Dylan, The Beatles and now Led Zeppelin, Bob was a business manager who was there for the discovery of Bruce Springsteen and flew around the globe with Elton John. Bob tells Marc how he merged his experience in the business with an investigative approach to these music biographies and then extended it to other subjects like Woodstock, E

Nov 4, 2021 • 1:28:58

Episode 1275 - Ricky Velez

Being from Queens is as much a part of Ricky Velez's personality as his humor, his dyslexia and his depression. Ricky tells Marc how he put it all together when he started doing standup in New York City as a teenager, which eventually led to collaborating with Judd Apatow, who produced Ricky's new HBO special. They also talk about Ricky's friendship with Pete Davidson, his failed attempt to join the Coast Guard, and how a TV segment with Bill Nye led to an internet nightmare. Sign up here

Nov 1, 2021 • 1:18:05

Episode 1274 - Jennifer Lee Pryor

Jennifer Lee Pryor was there for Richard Pryor's highest highs and his lowest lows. She experienced so much with Richard that she married him twice. Jennifer and Marc talk about the brilliant, complicated, visionary, frustrating man that was Richard Pryor and how Jennifer became the guardian of his legacy, culminating with a new career-spanning box set. They also talk about Jennifer's time as a ‘70s wild child, making her way through show biz on both coasts. Sign up here for WTF+ to get th

Oct 28, 2021 • 1:21:45

Episode 1273 - Hasan Minhaj

Hasan Minhaj took the pressures put on him to become a lawyer and channeled them into the ambition necessary to start a standup career, become a Daily Show correspondent, host his own show (Patriot Act), get cast on a prestige drama (The Morning Show), and have a future in comedy as bright as anyone in his peer group. Marc and Hasan break down the roots of that ambition, how it differs between different generations of comedians, and whether or not there's a correlation between comedy and entrepr

Oct 25, 2021 • 1:32:41

Episode 1272 - David Chang

David Chang wouldn't have opened his first restaurant if he wasn't depressed. Now, with his Momofuku empire that brings joy to foodies everywhere, David still finds himself struggling to find joy. Marc talks with David about their shared demons and what steps they each take to overcome them, in particular creating boundaries, being less angry, and working to correct past mistakes. They also talk about David's new show The Next Thing You Eat, his friendship with Anthony Bourdain, and his life as

Oct 21, 2021 • 1:26:42

Episode 1271 - Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall has hope. Yes, even in these times. That doesn't mean the good doctor looks at the world with rose-colored glasses. It means she knows hope is a necessary part of our survival as a species. Marc talks with Dr. Goodall about The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times and finds out what inspires her these days. They also talk about her famous primate research that changed the way we humans understand ourselves, her work to spread environmental equity, and her thoughts on Bigf

Oct 18, 2021 • 1:05:50

Episode 1270 - Alan Ruck

As Connor Roy on Succession, Alan Ruck finally has the kind of role he's been waiting to get for more than 30 years. And as Alan tells Marc, some of those years weren't very fun. There was the time after playing Cameron in Ferris Bueller's Day Off when he could only get work in a Sears warehouse. Or the time before making Speed when he left acting and started tending bar. And then the time when he got sick while shooting Spin City and almost died. At least there were some Star Trek conventions s

Oct 14, 2021 • 1:08:44

Episode 1269 - Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson says all her f***s are behind her now. But after three decades in show business, Taraji admits she only feels freedom from her f***s because of her openness around mental health. Taraji and Marc talk about the importance of coping with mental illness, as well as Taraji's work to encourage mental health awareness in the Black community. They also talk about her landmark performances, from Baby Boy to Empire to Hidden Figures, and how she dealt with getting pushed out of roles aft

Oct 11, 2021 • 1:17:06

Episode 1268 - Kelefa Sanneh

Kelefa Sanneh has been writing about music for his entire career. Drawing on his experience as the music critic at The New York Times, a staff writer for The New Yorker, and a lifelong music obsessive, Kelefa took a detailed look at how music unites and divides us with his new opus, Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres. Marc and Kelefa talk about their own personal musical journeys, how genres are comparable to communities, and how identities can be established and shaped by

Oct 7, 2021 • 1:24:59

Episode 1267 - Julie Delpy

American audiences fell in love with Julie Delpy as the romantic French traveler Celine in Before Sunrise and its two sequels. But Julie didn't have an equal love affair with the making of Hollywood films. She tells Marc that she was always happier as a writer and director, and her ongoing fight against institutional biases and sexism left her more than a little frustrated. With her new comedy series on Netflix, On The Verge, Julie is creating an unfortunately rare depiction of women in their 40

Oct 4, 2021 • 1:23:46

Episode 1266 - Rosebud Baker

Rosebud Baker knows all about the fine line between sadness and funny. She's learned how to get laughs out of the tragedy that befell her family, her alcohol addiction, her co-dependent and abusive relationships, and her grandfather, who happened to be one of the most powerful people in the world. Marc and Rosebud also talk about how she found stability in her life and how she's going about rebuilding her standup act after turning out her first special. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show

Sep 30, 2021 • 1:15:54

Episode 1265 - B.J. Novak

Even when he was a kid, B.J. Novak wanted to achieve greatness. His hard work and ambition brought him to Harvard, to the Lampoon, to doing standup, to getting on The Office, to writing a massively successful children's book, to directing movies and creating the new anthology series The Premise. But one thing remained elusive: B.J. couldn't really understand why Marc Maron seemed to dislike him so much. It's a mystery Marc himself wasn't sure he could solve. Until now, in the garage, face to fac

Sep 27, 2021 • 1:24:23

Franklin Leonard

Franklin Leonard helped change the way movies get made in Hollywood. It’s not what he expected as a young Black math wiz growing up in Georgia. But after a love affair with movies that started at Kim’s Video in New York City, Franklin established The Black List, a tool that became one of the hottest commodities in show business and opened doors for people who weren’t getting a shot. Franklin and Marc talk about how The Black List movies made millions, how it pushed back on conventional wisdom, a

Sep 23, 2021 • 1:26:09

Episode 1264 - Franklin Leonard

Franklin Leonard helped change the way movies get made in Hollywood. It's not what he expected as a young Black math wiz growing up in Georgia. But after a love affair with movies that started at Kim's Video in New York City, Franklin established The Black List, a tool that became one of the hottest commodities in show business and opened doors for people who weren't getting a shot. Franklin and Marc talk about how The Black List movies made millions, how it pushed back on conventional wisdom, a

Sep 23, 2021 • 1:21:48

David Chase

No one is harder on David Chase than David Chase. Even after a successful career as a screenwriter, show creator and director, after changing the face of television with The Sopranos, after putting HBO on the map as the home for prestige drama, David is still beating himself up over things that happened, things that didn’t, and things that could have been. Marc talks with David about New Jersey, The Rockford Files, his early fear of directing actors, The Sopranos’ ending, and going back to those

Sep 20, 2021 • 1:21:13

Episode 1263 - David Chase

No one is harder on David Chase than David Chase. Even after a successful career as a screenwriter, show creator and director, after changing the face of television with The Sopranos, after putting HBO on the map as the home for prestige drama, David is still beating himself up over things that happened, things that didn't, and things that could have been. Marc talks with David about New Jersey, The Rockford Files, his early fear of directing actors, The Sopranos' ending, and going back to those

Sep 20, 2021 • 1:17:53

Episode 1262 - Melanie Vesey

Melanie Vesey has a dividing line in her life: Before and after she got shot. The before part includes being a Juilliard and Alvin Ailey trained dancer, a Stella Adler trained actor, a party girl, a person in recovery, and a co-dependent who sought chaotic relationships. The after part includes deep trauma, a crumbling career, motherhood, and a rebirth involving comedy, acting and starting her own business. It's also when she met Marc, who helps walk Melanie through the whole story. Sign up here

Sep 16, 2021 • 1:21:14

Melanie Vesey

Melanie Vesey has a dividing line in her life: Before and after she got shot. The before part includes being a Juilliard and Alvin Ailey trained dancer, a Stella Adler trained actor, a party girl, a person in recovery, and a co-dependent who sought chaotic relationships. The after part includes deep trauma, a crumbling career, motherhood, and a rebirth involving comedy, acting and starting her own business. It’s also when she met Marc, who helps walk Melanie through the whole story. See omnystu

Sep 16, 2021 • 1:25:30

Norm Macdonald from 2011

From October 2011, Marc's revelatory conversation with Norm Macdonald about life, comedy, gambling, death and Rodney. Norm died on September 14, 2021 at age 61. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 14, 2021 • 1:15:28

Episode 1261 - Tim Reid

Tim Reid's life changed on a New Year's Eve in the 1960s when he lucked his way into a club to see a hot young comedian. That club was Mister Kelly's, that comedian was Richard Pryor and nothing has been the same for Tim since. Tim tells Marc about his segregated upbringing, how he and Tom Dressen created the first interracial comedy team, how he got out of comedy and into acting with roles like Venus Fly Trap on WKRP in Cincinnati, and why he's currently spending a lot of his time on historical

Sep 13, 2021 • 1:15:53

Tim Reid

Tim Reid’s life changed on a New Year’s Eve in the 1960s when he lucked his way into a club to see a hot young comedian. That club was Mister Kelly’s, that comedian was Richard Pryor and nothing has been the same for Tim since. Tim tells Marc about his segregated upbringing, how he and Tom Dressen created the first interracial comedy team, how he got out of comedy and into acting with roles like Venus Fly Trap on WKRP in Cincinnati, and why he’s currently spending a lot of his time on historical

Sep 13, 2021 • 1:19:52

Steve Buscemi

Steve Buscemi has covered a lot of ground in New York City: standup comedy, experimental theater, independent film, even firefighting. Marc talks with Steve about his career beginnings and some of his most memorable roles. They also talk about his time as a New York City firefighter, how he joined his old Engine Company after 9/11 to aid in the recovery operation at Ground Zero, and how he’s working to keep attention on the continuing health needs of firefighters with the new documentary Dust: T

Sep 9, 2021 • 1:19:17

Episode 1260 - Steve Buscemi

Steve Buscemi has covered a lot of ground in New York City: standup comedy, experimental theater, independent film, even firefighting. Marc talks with Steve about his career beginnings and some of his most memorable roles. They also talk about his time as a New York City firefighter, how he joined his old Engine Company after 9/11 to aid in the recovery operation at Ground Zero, and how he's working to keep attention on the continuing health needs of firefighters with the new documentary Dust: T

Sep 9, 2021 • 1:15:35

Remembering Michael K. Williams

Marc revisits his conversation from earlier this year with actor Michael K. Williams. Michael died at age 54 on September 6, 2021. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 7, 2021 • 56:14

Episode 1259 - Sasheer Zamata

Sasheer Zamata doesn't have a ton of free time. She's on the Hulu series Woke, the ABC sitcom Home Economics, a voice actor, a standup, a podcast host and an ambassador for the ACLU. This all happened in the wake of her departure from Saturday Night Live, which started with a very rare public audition process that put her immediately in the spotlight. Sasheer talks with Marc about having the courage to walk away, how she and Nicole Byer are actual best friends, as the title of their podcast says

Sep 6, 2021 • 1:19:19

Sasheer Zamata

Sasheer Zamata doesn’t have a ton of free time. She’s on the Hulu series Woke, the ABC sitcom Home Economics, a voice actor, a standup, a podcast host and an ambassador for the ACLU. This all happened in the wake of her departure from Saturday Night Live, which started with a very rare public audition process that put her immediately in the spotlight. Sasheer talks with Marc about having the courage to walk away, how she and Nicole Byer are actual best friends, as the title of their podcast says

Sep 6, 2021 • 1:22:45

Ed Asner from 2015

From 2015, Marc talks with actor Ed Asner about his legendary career, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, the time he played Marc's dad, and more. Ed died on August 29, 2021 at age 91. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 4, 2021 • 58:25

Episode 1258 - Zoe Lister-Jones

When Zoe Lister-Jones found herself dealing with the anxiety and uncertainty we all encountered during the pandemic, she made a movie about the end of the world. Marc talks with Zoe about how she often finds herself channeling her fears into her work, including a filmography which she calls a direct investigation of lifelong codependency. They talk about Zoe's start in acting, growing up with artists, and her experience jumping into studio filmmaking with The Craft remake. Sign up here for WTF+

Sep 2, 2021 • 1:10:09

Zoe Lister-Jones

When Zoe Lister-Jones found herself dealing with the anxiety and uncertainty we all encountered during the pandemic, she made a movie about the end of the world. Marc talks with Zoe about how she often finds herself channeling her fears into her work, including a filmography which she calls a direct investigation of lifelong codependency. They talk about Zoe’s start in acting, growing up with artists, and her experience jumping into studio filmmaking with The Craft remake. See omnystudio.com/li

Sep 2, 2021 • 1:14:06

Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King is forever remembered as the winner of the Battle of the Sexes, but the battles she fought for equal pay and non-discrimination are still reverberating today. Billie talks with Marc about her realization at 12 years old that she needed to fight for equality, her founding of the Women’s Tennis Association, and her advice for today’s players. They also talk about the mental and emotional toll of sports for all athletes, which were compounded for Billie as she struggled with her se

Aug 30, 2021 • 1:09:19

Episode 1257 - Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King is forever remembered as the winner of the Battle of the Sexes, but the battles she fought for equal pay and non-discrimination are still reverberating today. Billie talks with Marc about her realization at 12 years old that she needed to fight for equality, her founding of the Women's Tennis Association, and her advice for today's players. They also talk about the mental and emotional toll of sports for all athletes, which were compounded for Billie as she struggled with her se

Aug 30, 2021 • 1:07:07

Kimmy Gatewood

Ever since Marc and Kimmy Gatewood said goodbye to each other and their fellow castmates on the set of GLOW, the world has been in a constant state of flux. Marc and Kimmy spend some time catching up and dive into the details of Kimmy's experience directing her first feature film, Good On Paper. They also talk about Kimmy's improv history, her studies of Samuel Beckett, her partnership with Rebekka Johnson, and their early days of podcasting as The Apple Sisters. See omnystudio.com/listener for

Aug 26, 2021 • 1:25:13

Episode 1256 - Kimmy Gatewood

Ever since Marc and Kimmy Gatewood said goodbye to each other and their fellow castmates on the set of GLOW, the world has been in a constant state of flux. Marc and Kimmy spend some time catching up and dive into the details of Kimmy's experience directing her first feature film, Good On Paper. They also talk about Kimmy's improv history, her studies of Samuel Beckett, her partnership with Rebekka Johnson, and their early days of podcasting as The Apple Sisters. Sign up here for WTF+ to ge

Aug 26, 2021 • 1:21:14

Episode 1255 - Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins is grateful that he's been able to harness the tools of filmmaking in order to tell the stories of his ancestors. Barry and Marc get into all the details of making the ten-part series The Underground Railroad and how Barry differentiates between the projects he's made with his head and the ones he's made with his gut. The also talk about Moonlight, bringing James Baldwin's words to the screen, and why it was important to have an on-set counselor for this recent undertaking. Sign up

Aug 23, 2021 • 1:24:03

Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins is grateful that he’s been able to harness the tools of filmmaking in order to tell the stories of his ancestors. Barry and Marc get into all the details of making the ten-part series The Underground Railroad and how Barry differentiates between the projects he’s made with his head and the ones he’s made with his gut. The also talk about Moonlight, bringing James Baldwin’s words to the screen, and why it was important to have an on-set counselor for this recent undertaking. See om

Aug 23, 2021 • 1:27:44

Episode 1254 - Liesl Tommy

When Liesl Tommy got hired as a first-time feature film director to make the new Aretha Franklin movie Respect, she knew there were 100 reasons why she couldn't screw it up. Marc and Liesl talk about their experience making the film together and Liesl explains how she's no stranger to uphill battles. From growing up under apartheid in South Africa to being an outsider as an immigrant in America to making her way around the world as a theater director, Liesl's path to Respect is anything but a tr

Aug 19, 2021 • 1:15:09

Liesl Tommy

When Liesl Tommy got hired as a first-time feature film director to make the new Aretha Franklin movie Respect, she knew there were 100 reasons why she couldn’t screw it up. Marc and Liesl talk about their experience making the film together and Liesl explains how she’s no stranger to uphill battles. From growing up under apartheid in South Africa to being an outsider as an immigrant in America to making her way around the world as a theater director, Liesl’s path to Respect is anything but a tr

Aug 19, 2021 • 1:19:36

Episode 1253 - Marlon Wayans

Marlon Wayans and Marc spent their time on the set of the movie Respect cracking each other up and that dynamic continues in the garage. It's a situation that's familiar to Marlon, growing up with nine funny siblings and hanging around legendary comedians since he was a kid. Marlon also talks about accessing his serious side in films like Requiem for a Dream and harnessing the grief over his mother's death when he got back on the stand-up stage. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archive

Aug 16, 2021 • 1:15:11

Marlon Wayans

Marlon Wayans and Marc spent their time on the set of the movie Respect cracking each other up and that dynamic continues in the garage. It's a situation that's familiar to Marlon, growing up with nine funny siblings and hanging around legendary comedians since he was a kid. Marlon also talks about accessing his serious side in films like Requiem for a Dream and harnessing the grief over his mother's death when he got back on the stand-up stage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa

Aug 16, 2021 • 1:18:51

Sterlin Harjo

Sterlin Harjo is relishing the opportunity to depict Native lives and stories on mainstream television with his new FX comedy series Reservation Dogs. But it’s not like entertainment industry was a wide open door for Indigenous filmmakers like himself. Sterlin tells Marc about the DIY beginnings of his film career, the formation of his sketch group The 1491s, his friendship with Taika Waititi, and why he feels he’s standing on the shoulders of artists like Charlie Hill, Gary Farmer, Wes Studi an

Aug 12, 2021 • 1:28:28

Episode 1252 - Sterlin Harjo

Sterlin Harjo is relishing the opportunity to depict Native lives and stories on mainstream television with his new FX comedy series Reservation Dogs. But it's not like entertainment industry was a wide open door for Indigenous filmmakers like himself. Sterlin tells Marc about the DIY beginnings of his film career, the formation of his sketch group The 1491s, his friendship with Taika Waititi, and why he feels he's standing on the shoulders of artists like Charlie Hill, Gary Farmer, Wes Studi an

Aug 12, 2021 • 1:24:45

Episode 1251 - Tom McCarthy

Tom McCarthy approaches his films like a journalist, even when he's creating a work of fiction. Just as a reporter discovers facts about their stories, Tom's years of research help him unearth truths about the characters he's creating. Tom and Marc talk about how this played out in the process of making movies like Stillwater, Spotlight and The Station Agent. They also talk about how Tom's devout Catholic parents reacted to him making a movie about the deep rot within the church. Sign up here fo

Aug 9, 2021 • 1:30:01

Tom McCarthy

Tom McCarthy approaches his films like a journalist, even when he’s creating a work of fiction. Just as a reporter discovers facts about their stories, Tom’s years of research help him unearth truths about the characters he’s creating. Tom and Marc talk about how this played out in the process of making movies like Stillwater, Spotlight and The Station Agent. They also talk about how Tom’s devout Catholic parents reacted to him making a movie about the deep rot within the church. See omnystud

Aug 9, 2021 • 1:33:20

A.O. Scott

Marc is concerned about the erosion of critical thinking as a broad part of American society. So who better to talk criticism than a person who makes his living doing just that? A.O. Scott brings his expertise as the film and culture critic for the New York Times to this conversation about how we need to be in dialogue with culture and art amidst increasing polarization and the oppressive power of the algorithm. They talk about movies, books, comedy, comic books and all the things we benefit fro

Aug 5, 2021 • 1:14:01

Episode 1250 - A.O. Scott

Marc is concerned about the erosion of critical thinking as a broad part of American society. So who better to talk criticism than a person who makes his living doing just that? A.O. Scott brings his expertise as the film and culture critic for the New York Times to this conversation about how we need to be in dialogue with culture and art amidst increasing polarization and the oppressive power of the algorithm. They talk about movies, books, comedy, comic books and all the things we benefit fro

Aug 5, 2021 • 1:09:45

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s long career in show business has left him with a keen sense of the problems caused by the constant bombardment of media and technology in our lives. Joseph tells Marc how he was able to channel some of his anxieties about how we’re navigating the modern world in his new series Mr. Corman. They also talk about his life in New Zealand, growing up on the screen, and why he hopes his company HitRECord can take the edge off social media. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

Aug 2, 2021 • 1:25:49

Episode 1249 - Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's long career in show business has left him with a keen sense of the problems caused by the constant bombardment of media and technology in our lives. Joseph tells Marc how he was able to channel some of his anxieties about how we're navigating the modern world in his new series Mr. Corman. They also talk about his life in New Zealand, growing up on the screen, and why he hopes his company HitRECord can take the edge off social media. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full sh

Aug 2, 2021 • 1:22:00

Lindsey Buckingham

Lindsey Buckingham wasn’t going to let anything - from the pandemic to major heart surgery - stand in the way of finishing his new self-titled solo album. But it was in part his work on the album and the planning of a live tour that led to Lindsey being ousted from Fleetwood Mac after nearly 45 years. Lindsey and Marc talk about being part of the band’s most successful lineup, his evolving relationships with his bandmates, and the creative goals he continues to work toward in his solo career.

Jul 29, 2021 • 1:27:02

Episode 1248 - Lindsey Buckingham

Lindsey Buckingham wasn't going to let anything - from the pandemic to major heart surgery - stand in the way of finishing his new self-titled solo album. But it was in part his work on the album and the planning of a live tour that led to Lindsey being ousted from Fleetwood Mac after nearly 45 years. Lindsey and Marc talk about being part of the band's most successful lineup, his evolving relationships with his bandmates, and the creative goals he continues to work toward in his solo career.&nb

Jul 29, 2021 • 1:23:38

Episode 1247 - Matt Damon

Matt Damon's continuing presence and popularity in American films can be summed up in four words: He loves to act. Matt tells Marc how he made the most out of working with icons like Clint Eastwood, Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington and many more. He also talks about teaming back up with Ben Affleck for their first screenplay since Good Will Hunting and making his latest film, Stillwater, with Tom McCarthy. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full

Jul 26, 2021 • 1:14:48

Sovereign Syre

Sovereign Syre and Marc have been friends for several years, sharing career paths in comedy, podcasting and writing. Now, as she ventures for the first time into the fraught process of pitching and selling a television pilot, Sovereign and Marc talk about her life leading up to this moment: Her painfully shy early years, her turbulent home life, her academic exceptionalism, her years lost to drug addiction, her entry into the world of adult entertainment, and the leap of faith she took to exit t

Jul 22, 2021 • 1:44:16

Episode 1246 - Sovereign Syre

Sovereign Syre and Marc have been friends for several years, sharing career paths in comedy, podcasting and writing. Now, as she ventures for the first time into the fraught process of pitching and selling a television pilot, Sovereign and Marc talk about her life leading up to this moment: Her painfully shy early years, her turbulent home life, her academic exceptionalism, her years lost to drug addiction, her entry into the world of adult entertainment, and the leap of faith she took to exit t

Jul 22, 2021 • 1:42:26

Rick Rubin

Rick Rubin’s love of music led him to help popularize hip-hop, rejuvenate artists’ careers, and leave his mark on literally thousands of popular songs. But there was a point in his youth where Rick put music aside and focused on something else: Comedy. Rick talks with Marc about being a self-described hardcore comedy nerd and how that informs his process with the artists he produces. They also talk about Johnny Cash, Rick’s love of pro wrestling, and his interviews with Paul on “McCartney 3, 2,

Jul 19, 2021 • 1:36:38

Episode 1245 - Rick Rubin

Rick Rubin's love of music led him to help popularize hip-hop, rejuvenate artists' careers, and leave his mark on literally thousands of popular songs. But there was a point in his youth where Rick put music aside and focused on something else: Comedy. Rick talks with Marc about being a self-described hardcore comedy nerd and how that informs his process with the artists he produces. They also talk about Johnny Cash, Rick's love of pro wrestling, and his interviews with Paul on “McCartney 3, 2,

Jul 19, 2021 • 1:32:49

Rick Ingraham

Comedian Rick Ingraham is a Comedy Store institution. But he’s also the last of a system that was in place going back to the ‘70s, where young comics were baptized and raised in the rites and rituals of the Store. Rick and Marc compare their early careers trying to break into the business and become a club regular. Rick also recalls some of his memorable moments in the different eras of the Store, from when he was touring with Andrew Dice Clay to when he was breaking up fights between Joe Rogan

Jul 15, 2021 • 1:35:44

Episode 1244 - Rick Ingraham

Comedian Rick Ingraham is a Comedy Store institution. But he's also the last of a system that was in place going back to the ‘70s, where young comics were baptized and raised in the rites and rituals of the Store. Rick and Marc compare their early careers trying to break into the business and become a club regular. Rick also recalls some of his memorable moments in the different eras of the Store, from when he was touring with Andrew Dice Clay to when he was breaking up fights between Joe

Jul 15, 2021 • 1:31:52

James Murphy

LCD Soundsystem is one of the hippest, most beloved bands of the early 21st century, but its frontman says he’s spent a lifetime being uncool and no fun. James Murphy talks with Marc about the personal and global tragedies that precipitated the founding of the band, the character traits he had to come to terms with in order to lead the band, and what he’s still trying to figure out about the band today. They also talk about his aborted collaboration with David Bowie and what that taught James ab

Jul 12, 2021 • 1:37:31

Episode 1243 - James Murphy

LCD Soundsystem is one of the hippest, most beloved bands of the early 21st century, but its frontman says he's spent a lifetime being uncool and no fun. James Murphy talks with Marc about the personal and global tragedies that precipitated the founding of the band, the character traits he had to come to terms with in order to lead the band, and what he's still trying to figure out about the band today. They also talk about his aborted collaboration with David Bowie and what that taught James ab

Jul 12, 2021 • 1:34:48

John Swab

John Swab could have been a real world version of the characters from his films who are casualties of addiction and criminality. But his desire to create art and his natural talents won out and set him on the road to recovery. John tells Marc how he channeled his experiences into his films Run with the Hunted and Body Brokers while remaining a true independent filmmaker. They also talk about John’s life in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the influence of Larry Clark, and their shared love of Sam Peckinpah.

Jul 8, 2021 • 1:21:30

Episode 1242 - John Swab

John Swab could have been a real world version of the characters from his films who are casualties of addiction and criminality. But his desire to create art and his natural talents won out and set him on the road to recovery. John tells Marc how he channeled his experiences into his films Run with the Hunted and Body Brokers while remaining a true independent filmmaker. They also talk about John's life in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the influence of Larry Clark, and their shared love of Sam Peckinpah. Sig

Jul 8, 2021 • 1:17:30

Episode 1241 - Danny Trejo

There are Hollywood tough guys and then there's Danny Trejo. No need to front when you've lived a life of crime, drugs, and prison as explicitly as Danny has. But as his new memoir highlights, Danny went from being a criminal and a drug addict to a ubiquitous actor and an inspirational force in his community. Danny and Marc talk about family secrets, toxic masculinity, Charles Manson, and tacos. And Danny's son Gilbert joins in to explain how their personal struggles became intertwined. Sign up

Jul 5, 2021 • 1:38:48

Danny Trejo

There are Hollywood tough guys and then there's Danny Trejo. No need to front when you've lived a life of crime, drugs, and prison as explicitly as Danny has. But as his new memoir highlights, Danny went from being a criminal and a drug addict to a ubiquitous actor and an inspirational force in his community. Danny and Marc talk about family secrets, toxic masculinity, Charles Manson, and tacos. And Danny's son Gilbert joins in to explain how their personal struggles became intertwined. See o

Jul 5, 2021 • 1:42:32

Steven Soderbergh

There’s a reason Steven Soderbergh’s movies are always so unlike whatever movies he’s made before. He tells Marc his goal is to take things that have worked in other contexts and turn them into something that doesn’t feel like anything else. They talk about how this pertains to Steven’s movies like No Sudden Move, Behind the Candelabra and the Ocean’s Trilogy. They also discuss making movies on the iPhone, why his retirement didn’t stick, and how Contagion holds up against the real thing. See

Jul 1, 2021 • 1:11:42

Episode 1240 - Steven Soderbergh

There's a reason Steven Soderbergh's movies are always so unlike whatever movies he's made before. He tells Marc his goal is to take things that have worked in other contexts and turn them into something that doesn't feel like anything else. They talk about how this pertains to Steven's movies like No Sudden Move, Behind the Candelabra and the Ocean's Trilogy. They also discuss making movies on the iPhone, why his retirement didn't stick, and how Contagion holds up against the real thing. Sign u

Jul 1, 2021 • 1:07:50

Episode 1239 - Quentin Tarantino

The pandemic forced a lot of changes on all of us, but for Quentin Tarantino, he was already undergoing a huge change right as the pandemic started: He became a first-time father. Now with the release of his first novel, the famed director talks with Marc about the shifting perspectives and priorities that come with getting older. They also talk about the death of Old Hollywood, the Manson family, and why he wouldn't use the name Tarantino if he had to start all over again. Plus, Tom Scharpling

Jun 28, 2021 • 1:26:57

Episode 1238 - Erik Griffin

If he hadn't been getting laughs as a high school basketball coach, Erik Griffin may never have gone back to comedy. He tells Marc the story of his comedy beginnings, his self-imposed exile, and his stand-up revival that got him back in the game. Erik and Marc also discuss the current environment at The Comedy Store, as everyone tries to find their footing in the aftermath of the pandemic. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com

Jun 24, 2021 • 1:12:14

Erik Griffin

If he hadn't been getting laughs as a high school basketball coach, Erik Griffin may never have gone back to comedy. He tells Marc the story of his comedy beginnings, his self-imposed exile, and his stand-up revival that got him back in the game. Erik and Marc also discuss the current environment at The Comedy Store, as everyone tries to find their footing in the aftermath of the pandemic.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 24, 2021 • 1:15:39

Episode 1237 - Ellen Burstyn

Ellen Burstyn doesn't stop working. She's an Emmy, Oscar, and Tony winner with iconic performances in everything from The Last Picture Show and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore to The Exorcist and Requiem for a Dream, but as Ellen tells Marc, stopping acting just isn't in the cards. They talk about the sea changes in Hollywood, her collaborations with dynamic creators like Martin Scorsese and Jackie Gleason, and her lead role in the new movie Queen Bees. Plus, Tom Scharpling is back so you can Ge

Jun 21, 2021 • 1:14:57

Ellen Burstyn

Ellen Burstyn doesn’t stop working. She’s an Emmy, Oscar, and Tony winner with iconic performances in everything from The Last Picture Show and Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore to The Exorcist and Requiem for a Dream, but as Ellen tells Marc, stopping acting just isn’t in the cards. They talk about the sea changes in Hollywood, her collaborations with dynamic creators like Martin Scorsese and Jackie Gleason, and her lead role in the new movie Queen Bees. Plus, Tom Scharpling is back so you can Ge

Jun 21, 2021 • 1:18:39

David Hidalgo

David Hidalgo has been making music and touring the world with his bandmates in Los Lobos for almost 50 years. From their start playing in schools, in restaurants and at weddings to their crossover into the LA music scene, David tells Marc how Los Lobos became a quintessential American rock band, with influences and techniques as diverse as Los Angeles itself. They also talk about the new Los Lobos album, Native Sons, which pays tribute to other LA-based artists. Plus, Tom Scharpling stops by so

Jun 17, 2021 • 1:09:03

Episode 1236 - David Hidalgo

David Hidalgo has been making music and touring the world with his bandmates in Los Lobos for almost 50 years. From their start playing in schools, in restaurants and at weddings to their crossover into the LA music scene, David tells Marc how Los Lobos became a quintessential American rock band, with influences and techniques as diverse as Los Angeles itself. They also talk about the new Los Lobos album, Native Sons, which pays tribute to other LA-based artists. Plus, Tom Scharpling stops by so

Jun 17, 2021 • 1:05:39

Episode 1235 - Anthony Carrigan

Anthony Carrigan set out to become an actor despite growing up with alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. When he finally went completely bald while on a major network TV show, people in the business told him his career was over. Anthony talks to Marc about how that made him want to succeed even more, how he channeled his anger into his performance on the show Gotham, and how he broke through in a big way playing NoHo Hank on HBO's Barry. They also talk about his role in the new

Jun 14, 2021 • 1:11:23

Anthony Carrigan

Anthony Carrigan set out to become an actor despite growing up with alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. When he finally went completely bald while on a major network TV show, people in the business told him his career was over. Anthony talks to Marc about how that made him want to succeed even more, how he channeled his anger into his performance on the show Gotham, and how he broke through in a big way playing NoHo Hank on HBO’s Barry. They also talk about his role in the new

Jun 14, 2021 • 1:14:02

Episode 1234 - Jackson Browne

Jackson Browne is one of the most prolific singer-songwriters in modern music. He talks to Marc about how a lot of his aptitude comes from his enjoyment of being a solitary player. But that doesn't mean Jackson doesn't have stories about his career collaborations. He does, going back to Nico and the Velvet Underground all the way up to his upcoming tour with James Taylor. Jackson also talks to Marc about his new album Downhill from Everywhere and what it has to do with the Pacific Ocean Garbage

Jun 10, 2021 • 1:18:03

Jackson Browne

Jackson Browne is one of the most prolific singer-songwriters in modern music. He talks to Marc about how a lot of his aptitude comes from his enjoyment of being a solitary player. But that doesn’t mean Jackson doesn’t have stories about his career collaborations. He does, going back to Nico and the Velvet Underground all the way up to his upcoming tour with James Taylor. Jackson also talks to Marc about his new album Downhill from Everywhere and what it has to do with the Pacific Ocean Garbage

Jun 10, 2021 • 1:21:45

Episode 1233 - Helen Hunt

Helen Hunt: Oscar winner, Emmy winner, filmmaker, mother, and self-proclaimed “worst celebrity in the world.” Helen sits down with Marc to talk about how, despite her many accomplishments, she was able to block out the spotlight of fame, through her own choices as well as decisions imposed upon her by the industry. They also talk about Helen's memories of working with Jack Nicholson, how Paul Reiser sold her on doing Mad About You, and how she craves being part of diverse projects li

Jun 7, 2021 • 1:14:31

Helen Hunt

Helen Hunt: Oscar winner, Emmy winner, filmmaker, mother, and self-proclaimed “worst celebrity in the world.” Helen sits down with Marc to talk about how, despite her many accomplishments, she was able to block out the spotlight of fame, through her own choices as well as decisions imposed upon her by the industry. They also talk about Helen’s memories of working with Jack Nicholson, how Paul Reiser sold her on doing Mad About You, and how she craves being part of diverse projects like her new s

Jun 7, 2021 • 1:18:03

Episode 1232 - Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman did not set out to become one of the most prolific film composers in history. He was a distractible kid who couldn't focus on much of anything except music, loved jazz, loved Stravinsky, taught himself how to read, write and play music, and found himself as the frontman for the band Oingo Boingo for 16 years. But everything changed when a fan named Tim Burton came to Danny and asked if he would score a movie called Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Danny and Marc talk about all of it, includ

Jun 3, 2021 • 1:31:03

Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman did not set out to become one of the most prolific film composers in history. He was a distractible kid who couldn’t focus on much of anything except music, loved jazz, loved Stravinsky, taught himself how to read, write and play music, and found himself as the frontman for the band Oingo Boingo for 16 years. But everything changed when a fan named Tim Burton came to Danny and asked if he would score a movie called Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. Danny and Marc talk about all of it, includ

Jun 3, 2021 • 1:35:21

William Zabka

William Zabka spent the ‘80s playing a variety of bullies all seemingly modeled after his star-making performance in his first movie, The Karate Kid. But by the time he was in Back to School, William grew tired of playing the same jerk again and again. He tells Marc how he expanded his life beyond the typecasting, through music, through family, through world travel, through the arduous mounting of an Oscar-nominated short. And now, with Cobra Kai, it’s all come full circle, as William finally ge

May 31, 2021 • 1:11:16

Episode 1231 - William Zabka

William Zabka spent the ‘80s playing a variety of bullies all seemingly modeled after his star-making performance in his first movie, The Karate Kid. But by the time he was in Back to School, William grew tired of playing the same jerk again and again. He tells Marc how he expanded his life beyond the typecasting, through music, through family, through world travel, through the arduous mounting of an Oscar-nominated short. And now, with Cobra Kai, it's all come full circle, as William fina

May 31, 2021 • 1:07:35

Episode 1230 - Andrew Santino

Andrew Santino and Marc didn't know much about each other, aside from both being Comedy Store regulars and comedians from different ends of a generational divide. But in this conversation, they discover the similar paths they both paved in comedy, starting out with no money and no connections, finding themselves unhappy with their early work, and preferring the life of a lone wolf to the life in a pack. Andrew also talks about being a Comedy Store comic starring in a fictional show about the ear

May 27, 2021 • 1:22:41

Andrew Santino

Andrew Santino and Marc didn’t know much about each other, aside from both being Comedy Store regulars and comedians from different ends of a generational divide. But in this conversation, they discover the similar paths they both paved in comedy, starting out with no money and no connections, finding themselves unhappy with their early work, and preferring the life of a lone wolf to the life in a pack. Andrew also talks about being a Comedy Store comic starring in a fictional show about the ear

May 27, 2021 • 1:24:53

Gabe Kaplan

Whether he was getting booked on The Tonight Show or becoming the first standup to have a hit sitcom based on his act or finding success as a professional poker player, Gabe Kaplan says it all happened in spite of his lack of ambition. Gabe tells Marc how he really wanted to become a professional baseball player, how his athleticism served him well in Battle of the Network Stars, and how his initial years in standup were spent opening for strippers and bellydancers. They also talk about the maki

May 24, 2021 • 1:24:01

Episode 1229 - Gabe Kaplan

Whether he was getting booked on The Tonight Show or becoming the first standup to have a hit sitcom based on his act or finding success as a professional poker player, Gabe Kaplan says it all happened in spite of his lack of ambition. Gabe tells Marc how he really wanted to become a professional baseball player, how his athleticism served him well in Battle of the Network Stars, and how his initial years in standup were spent opening for strippers and bellydancers. They also talk about the maki

May 24, 2021 • 1:20:32

Episode 1228 - Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee Jones is, first and foremost, a storyteller. She realized at a young age that she could process her feelings and tell her own story through the fiction of songs. As she tells Marc, that same impulse prompted her to write a memoir in which she could present her life story through the narrative of her extended family of vaudevillians. Rickie Lee and Marc also talk about her formative and tumultuous relationship with Tom Waits and why it's hard for her to reminisce about her early albums

May 20, 2021 • 1:12:20

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee Jones is, first and foremost, a storyteller. She realized at a young age that she could process her feelings and tell her own story through the fiction of songs. As she tells Marc, that same impulse prompted her to write a memoir in which she could present her life story through the narrative of her extended family of vaudevillians. Rickie Lee and Marc also talk about her formative and tumultuous relationship with Tom Waits and why it’s hard for her to reminisce about her early albums

May 20, 2021 • 1:16:34

Eric Bana

American audiences know Eric Bana from his complex performances in movies like Munich, Black Hawk Down and Ang Lee’s Hulk. But in his native Australia, Eric got his start doing standup and sketch comedy. Eric and Marc share their respective experiences of the Australian comedy scene and Eric explains how his gift for mimicry and impressions helped him transition from sketch to dramatic acting. They also talk about Eric’s new movie The Dry, why the demise of movie theaters is greatly exaggerated,

May 17, 2021 • 1:17:18

Episode 1227 - Eric Bana

American audiences know Eric Bana from his complex performances in movies like Munich, Black Hawk Down and Ang Lee's Hulk. But in his native Australia, Eric got his start doing standup and sketch comedy. Eric and Marc share their respective experiences of the Australian comedy scene and Eric explains how his gift for mimicry and impressions helped him transition from sketch to dramatic acting. They also talk about Eric's new movie The Dry, why the demise of movie theaters is greatly exaggerated,

May 17, 2021 • 1:13:38

Episode 1226 - Kristin Hersh

Kristin Hersh needs to make music. Whether it's with her bands Throwing Muses and 50FOOTWAVE or in her solo albums, making music is a compulsion. But she only recently figured out that music was her way of managing trauma. Kristin tells Marc about a life changing car accident, her dissociative disorder, PTSD, “switching,” and how processing all of this helped her understand the music she'd been hearing in her head all her life. They also talk about her new book, Seeing Sideways, whic

May 13, 2021 • 1:12:57

Kristin Hersh

Kristin Hersh needs to make music. Whether it’s with her bands Throwing Muses and 50FOOTWAVE or in her solo albums, making music is a compulsion. But she only recently figured out that music was her way of managing trauma. Kristin tells Marc about a life changing car accident, her dissociative disorder, PTSD, “switching,” and how processing all of this helped her understand the music she’d been hearing in her head all her life. They also talk about her new book, Seeing Sideways, which deals with

May 13, 2021 • 1:16:58

Episode 1225 - Steve Miller

Steve Miller didn't expect to become a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with hit songs that stand the test of time, like The Joker and Fly Like An Eagle. He was just a kid from Wisconsin who loved the Blues and wound up with teachers like T-Bone Walker and his godfather Les Paul. Steve tells Marc how he got his first breaks in clubs run by the Chicago Mafia, how he learned an important lesson from Paul McCartney, and how he discovered a lost 1977 concert performance which he's finally releasing.&nbsp

May 10, 2021 • 1:26:26

Steve Miller

Steve Miller didn’t expect to become a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with hit songs that stand the test of time, like The Joker and Fly Like An Eagle. He was just a kid from Wisconsin who loved the Blues and wound up with teachers like T-Bone Walker and his godfather Les Paul. Steve tells Marc how he got his first breaks in clubs run by the Chicago Mafia, how he learned an important lesson from Paul McCartney, and how he discovered a lost 1977 concert performance which he’s finally releasing.

May 10, 2021 • 1:30:23

Mark Normand

Mark Normand is relieved to get back to the comedy clubs after a year of doing outdoor shows and other compromised sets during the pandemic. But Mark never considered stopping because comedy is something he has to do. Maybe it goes back to growing up feeling like an outsider in his own family of overachievers, or maybe it’s how he coped with childhood anxieties like bedwetting, or maybe it has to do with being a victim of crime at several points in his life. He tries to get to the bottom of it w

May 6, 2021 • 1:28:24

Episode 1224 - Mark Normand

Mark Normand is relieved to get back to the comedy clubs after a year of doing outdoor shows and other compromised sets during the pandemic. But Mark never considered stopping because comedy is something he has to do. Maybe it goes back to growing up feeling like an outsider in his own family of overachievers, or maybe it's how he coped with childhood anxieties like bedwetting, or maybe it has to do with being a victim of crime at several points in his life. He tries to get to the bottom of it w

May 6, 2021 • 1:24:18

Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson is one of the world’s great guitarists, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and creator, along with her sister Ann, of one of the great American rock bands, Heart. But after more than 40 years in the business, she’s finally releasing her first solo album. Nancy tells Marc what led up to it, from opening for big rock acts to writing massive radio hits to headlining giant arena rock shows all over the world. Nancy explains how things got messy within Heart when romantic relationshi

May 3, 2021 • 1:24:32

Episode 1223 - Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson is one of the world's great guitarists, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and creator, along with her sister Ann, of one of the great American rock bands, Heart. But after more than 40 years in the business, she's finally releasing her first solo album. Nancy tells Marc what led up to it, from opening for big rock acts to writing massive radio hits to headlining giant arena rock shows all over the world. Nancy explains how things got messy within Heart when romantic relationshi

May 3, 2021 • 1:20:21

Robert Smigel

Robert Smigel became best known for having a foul-mouthed dog puppet on his hand, but the truth is he’s a defining force in popular comedy for the past 35 years. Robert tells Marc how he was on the path to becoming a dentist until a stand-up comedy competition changed his life. From there it was on to SNL where he forged relationships with people like Conan O’Brien and Adam Sandler, collaborating over the next decade to change the comedy landscape. Robert also explains the origin of Triumph and

Apr 29, 2021 • 1:43:06

Episode 1222 - Robert Smigel

Robert Smigel became best known for having a foul-mouthed dog puppet on his hand, but the truth is he's a defining force in popular comedy for the past 35 years. Robert tells Marc how he was on the path to becoming a dentist until a stand-up comedy competition changed his life. From there it was on to SNL where he forged relationships with people like Conan O'Brien and Adam Sandler, collaborating over the next decade to change the comedy landscape. Robert also explains the origin of Triumph and

Apr 29, 2021 • 1:39:39

Richard Kind

Richard Kind knows his face is memorable, but he still thinks he uses it too much. He knows his characters often exude warmth and joy, even though he is personally powered by dread and anxiety. He wants to be more like George Bailey, but worries he’s closer to Willy Loman. Maybe this is why Richard and Marc connect so easily. They also talk about Richard being a part of the Coen Brothers’ legacy, his friendship with George Clooney, and how he did most of his acting training in front of the camer

Apr 26, 2021 • 1:18:42

Episode 1221 - Richard Kind

Richard Kind knows his face is memorable, but he still thinks he uses it too much. He knows his characters often exude warmth and joy, even though he is personally powered by dread and anxiety. He wants to be more like George Bailey, but worries he's closer to Willy Loman. Maybe this is why Richard and Marc connect so easily. They also talk about Richard being a part of the Coen Brothers' legacy, his friendship with George Clooney, and how he did most of his acting training in front of the camer

Apr 26, 2021 • 1:14:56

Episode 1220 - John Waters

On the day this episode is released, John Waters is celebrating his 75th birthday. But he's still doing the same things that brought him cultural notoriety when he started making movies in the ‘60s: Celebrating filth, fighting censorship, and breaking any rule you can think up. John and Marc talk about those early movies like Pink Flamingos, as well as John's relationship with Divine. John also tells Marc why Hairspray was the most transgressive movie he ever made, why he prays to Pasolini

Apr 22, 2021 • 1:09:27

John Waters

On the day this episode is released, John Waters is celebrating his 75th birthday. But he’s still doing the same things that brought him cultural notoriety when he started making movies in the ‘60s: Celebrating filth, fighting censorship, and breaking any rule you can think up. John and Marc talk about those early movies like Pink Flamingos, as well as John’s relationship with Divine. John also tells Marc why Hairspray was the most transgressive movie he ever made, why he prays to Pasolini, and

Apr 22, 2021 • 1:13:21

Episode 1219 - Tom Jones

Tom Jones doesn't feel like resting on his laurels. He tells Marc there's one main reason he's going strong, recording new music and performing live at the age of 80: Because he still has a point to prove. Tom and Marc talk about his big hits like It's Not Unusual, Delilah, and What's New Pussycat?, how he learned to belt them out by listening to gospel music, and the secret weapon he calls The Push. They also discuss his friendship with Elvis, his musical heroes, and his new album Surrounded by

Apr 19, 2021 • 1:11:34

Tom Jones

Tom Jones doesn’t feel like resting on his laurels. He tells Marc there’s one main reason he’s going strong, recording new music and performing live at the age of 80: Because he still has a point to prove. Tom and Marc talk about his big hits like It’s Not Unusual, Delilah, and What’s New Pussycat?, how he learned to belt them out by listening to gospel music, and the secret weapon he calls The Push. They also discuss his friendship with Elvis, his musical heroes, and his new album Surrounded by

Apr 19, 2021 • 1:15:47

Episode 1218 - Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma remembers a moment in his childhood where it all began to make sense. As a seven-year-old prodigy, he was playing cello in front of an audience that included two U.S. Presidents. But it was an act of kindness and respect from the actor Danny Kaye that helped Yo-Yo look at the world in a different way. He also tells Marc how he found the meaning of art and culture in the Kalahari, why he developed a friendship with Mr. Rogers, and why he chose the title “Beginner's Mind” for

Apr 15, 2021 • 1:24:26

Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma remembers a moment in his childhood where it all began to make sense. As a seven-year-old prodigy, he was playing cello in front of an audience that included two U.S. Presidents. But it was an act of kindness and respect from the actor Danny Kaye that helped Yo-Yo look at the world in a different way. He also tells Marc how he found the meaning of art and culture in the Kalahari, why he developed a friendship with Mr. Rogers, and why he chose the title “Beginner’s Mind” for his new musi

Apr 15, 2021 • 1:28:25

Episode 1217 - Sally Struthers

Sally Struthers is thinking a lot about the passage of time these days. For one, this year is the 50th anniversary of All In The Family premiering on CBS. She's also thinking that so many people she worked with in movies like Five Easy Pieces and The Getaway are no longer with us. And she's thinking about how all this downtime from the pandemic is keeping her from doing what she loves: touring the country in stage productions. Sally talks with Marc about how time catches up with all of us, but a

Apr 12, 2021 • 1:13:41

Sally Struthers

Sally Struthers is thinking a lot about the passage of time these days. For one, this year is the 50th anniversary of All In The Family premiering on CBS. She’s also thinking that so many people she worked with in movies like Five Easy Pieces and The Getaway are no longer with us. And she’s thinking about how all this downtime from the pandemic is keeping her from doing what she loves: touring the country in stage productions. Sally talks with Marc about how time catches up with all of us, but a

Apr 12, 2021 • 1:17:44

Episode 1216 - Katey Sagal

Katey Sagal is known by the public in ways she doesn't see herself. She's known as an actor, but always thought of herself primarily as a singer. She's known as a seminal comedic TV character, even though she didn't think of herself as funny. She's defined by brash, confrontational roles, but sees herself as reserved, even shy. Katey and Marc talk about these contradictions and how they played out in public - on Married... with Children, Sons of Anarchy, her new show Rebel - and in private - in

Apr 8, 2021 • 1:18:22

Katey Sagal

Katey Sagal is known by the public in ways she doesn't see herself. She's known as an actor, but always thought of herself primarily as a singer. She's known as a seminal comedic TV character, even though she didn't think of herself as funny. She's defined by brash, confrontational roles, but sees herself as reserved, even shy. Katey and Marc talk about these contradictions and how they played out in public - on Married... with Children, Sons of Anarchy, her new show Rebel - and in private - in

Apr 8, 2021 • 1:22:47

Episode 1215 - Hunter Biden

Marc only knew Hunter Biden from what he saw in the news. He never heard him speak, he had no sense of who he really was, and he wasn't sure he cared much about the troubled son of a President. Then he read Hunter Biden's book. The sad, tragic, honest, disturbing and concerning story at the heart of the real Hunter Biden made Marc want to talk with him, face to face. Hunter and Marc have a conversation about grief, desperation, tragedy, trouble and deep drug addiction. It ends up in a good place

Apr 5, 2021 • 1:41:43

Hunter Biden

Marc only knew Hunter Biden from what he saw in the news. He never heard him speak, he had no sense of who he really was, and he wasn’t sure he cared much about the troubled son of a President. Then he read Hunter Biden’s book. The sad, tragic, honest, disturbing and concerning story at the heart of the real Hunter Biden made Marc want to talk with him, face to face. Hunter and Marc have a conversation about grief, desperation, tragedy, trouble and deep drug addiction. It ends up in a good place

Apr 5, 2021 • 1:45:55

Episode 1214 - Daniel Kaluuya

Daniel Kaluuya doesn't want to stop the journey. Getting nominated for Oscars, winning a Golden Globe, hosting Saturday Night Live. These are moments within the journey, but he doesn't want any of them to feel bigger than the journey itself. Daniel and Marc talk about this life perspective, how he draws a lot of it from his family in London and Uganda, and how he incorporated it into his portrayal of Black Panther Chairman Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah. They also talk about Sicario

Apr 1, 2021 • 1:20:03

Daniel Kaluuya

Daniel Kaluuya doesn’t want to stop the journey. Getting nominated for Oscars, winning a Golden Globe, hosting Saturday Night Live. These are moments within the journey, but he doesn’t want any of them to feel bigger than the journey itself. Daniel and Marc talk about this life perspective, how he draws a lot of it from his family in London and Uganda, and how he incorporated it into his portrayal of Black Panther Chairman Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah. They also talk about Sicario

Apr 1, 2021 • 1:23:36

Azazel Jacobs

Writer-director Azazel Jacobs was born into the world of experimental film. But it was a combination of comic books, old radio shows, Mad Magazine and The Clash that helped him develop the sensibility he would later put on screen. Aza tells Marc how his parents passed along a love of art and a compulsion to create, why he believes the name they chose for him limited his professional options, and how he found out a world existed between Hollywood and the kind of films his father made. They also t

Mar 29, 2021 • 1:17:42

Episode 1213 - Azazel Jacobs

Writer-director Azazel Jacobs was born into the world of experimental film. But it was a combination of comic books, old radio shows, Mad Magazine and The Clash that helped him develop the sensibility he would later put on screen. Aza tells Marc how his parents passed along a love of art and a compulsion to create, why he believes the name they chose for him limited his professional options, and how he found out a world existed between Hollywood and the kind of films his father made. They also t

Mar 29, 2021 • 1:14:31

Episode 1212 - Eddie Huang

Eddie Huang has been fighting for things his whole life. Whether fighting for respect from a culture that is unwelcoming, or fighting for normalcy amidst a chaotic upbringing, or fighting for approval from his immigrant parents, all his achievements came with a cost. Now, with the first movie he wrote and directed under his belt, Eddie tells Marc why the film Boogie represents a collection of everything he's had to fight for. They also talk about his struggles with having his memoir Fresh Off Th

Mar 25, 2021 • 1:13:41

Eddie Huang

Eddie Huang has been fighting for things his whole life. Whether fighting for respect from a culture that is unwelcoming, or fighting for normalcy amidst a chaotic upbringing, or fighting for approval from his immigrant parents, all his achievements came with a cost. Now, with the first movie he wrote and directed under his belt, Eddie tells Marc why the film Boogie represents a collection of everything he’s had to fight for. They also talk about his struggles with having his memoir Fresh Off Th

Mar 25, 2021 • 1:15:37

Episode 1211 - Christopher Lloyd

Christopher Lloyd has a career spanning more than 60 years on stage, TV and film. But Marc was enamored with stories about the first movie Christopher ever made, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Christopher tells Marc about the unique audition process, how they slept overnight in the institution, what it was like working with his idol at the time, Jack Nicholson, and more. They also talk about the first movie Christopher almost made, shooting lots of guns in the new movie Nobody, and what he con

Mar 22, 2021 • 59:40

Christopher Lloyd

Christopher Lloyd has a career spanning more than 60 years on stage, TV and film. But Marc was enamored with stories about the first movie Christopher ever made, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Christopher tells Marc about the unique audition process, how they slept overnight in the institution, what it was like working with his idol at the time, Jack Nicholson, and more. They also talk about the first movie Christopher almost made, shooting lots of guns in the new movie Nobody, and what he con

Mar 22, 2021 • 1:03:23

Serj Tankian

Serj Tankian from System of a Down says he is dedicated to the truth in a very naive way. That basic need to tell the truth and be honest with himself comes through in his art, his activism and his personal life, all of which are depicted in the new documentary Truth to Power. Serj and Marc talk about how so much of Serj’s life has been dedicated to telling the story of the Armenian genocide and how that mission informs his activism around the struggles in present day Armenia, as well as other h

Mar 18, 2021 • 1:18:43

Episode 1210 - Serj Tankian

Serj Tankian from System of a Down says he is dedicated to the truth in a very naive way. That basic need to tell the truth and be honest with himself comes through in his art, his activism and his personal life, all of which are depicted in the new documentary Truth to Power. Serj and Marc talk about how so much of Serj's life has been dedicated to telling the story of the Armenian genocide and how that mission informs his activism around the struggles in present day Armenia, as well as other h

Mar 18, 2021 • 1:15:17

Episode 1209 - Laraine Newman

Laraine Newman titled her memoir May You Live in Interesting Times, a phrase many people believe to be a curse. But Laraine thinks it's an appropriate framework for her life and career. She tells Marc what it was like to be a part of culture-changing comedy institutions as a founding member of both The Groundlings and Saturday Night Live. They also talk about her prolific career as a voiceover artist in animation which also began on serendipitous terms. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show

Mar 15, 2021 • 1:13:19

Laraine Newman

Laraine Newman titled her memoir May You Live in Interesting Times, a phrase many people believe to be a curse. But Laraine thinks it’s an appropriate framework for her life and career. She tells Marc what it was like to be a part of culture-changing comedy institutions as a founding member of both The Groundlings and Saturday Night Live. They also talk about her prolific career as a voiceover artist in animation which also began on serendipitous terms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

Mar 15, 2021 • 1:16:35

Episode 1208 - Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant thinks he's only getting better as an actor now. The work he's done for the past few years feels real to him, as opposed to felling like he was faking it when he made all those romantic comedies. Hugh and Marc talk about that realization and what happened in his life to make him finally feel less insecure as an actor. They also discuss his early comedy troupe, his recent habit of playing scoundrels and villains, and his mission to push back against the violating behavior of the Britis

Mar 11, 2021 • 1:02:21

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant thinks he’s only getting better as an actor now. The work he’s done for the past few years feels real to him, as opposed to felling like he was faking it when he made all those romantic comedies. Hugh and Marc talk about that realization and what happened in his life to make him finally feel less insecure as an actor. They also discuss his early comedy troupe, his recent habit of playing scoundrels and villains, and his mission to push back against the violating behavior of the Britis

Mar 11, 2021 • 1:06:10

Episode 1207 - Eddie Murphy

In order for Eddie Murphy to become “Eddie Murphy” he had to become a comedian. Eddie tells Marc, comic-to-comic, what it was like being a Black teenager on Long Island building a standup act fueled by impressions and inspired by Richard Pryor. And now, with fatherhood at the center of his life, Eddie explains why he wants to bookend his career by going back on stage. Eddie also talks about the real reason he exploded on the movie scene, why he stopped doing standup before he turned

Mar 8, 2021 • 1:11:19

Episode 1206 - Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal knows he has a great job as a celebrated film actor. But the thing that brings him true joy is bursting into song as part of a stage musical. Jake talks with Marc about his love of theater, which ended up landing him three Tony Award nominations this year, one for acting and two for producing. They also get into why Broadway needs to evolve when it returns, why Jake was in awe of Heath Ledger, and why he was completely surprised by Marc after this episode started. Sign up here fo

Mar 4, 2021 • 1:23:26

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal knows he has a great job as a celebrated film actor. But the thing that brings him true joy is bursting into song as part of a stage musical. Jake talks with Marc about his love of theater, which ended up landing him three Tony Award nominations this year, one for acting and two for producing. They also get into why Broadway needs to evolve when it returns, why Jake was in awe of Heath Ledger, and why he was completely surprised by Marc after this episode started. See omnystud

Mar 4, 2021 • 1:27:02

Episode 1205 - Tim Allen

Tim Allen has embodied enough different personas - Tim Taylor, Mike Baxter, Buzz Lightyear, Santa Claus - that he often doesn't know which guy he actually is. But at least he's no longer the directionless young man who made bad choices and ran afoul of the law. Tim tells Marc how he cleaned up his act and made it as a club comic before breaking out with one of the most popular sitcoms in network history. They also talk about how Tim's emotions are running high as Last Man Standing comes to an en

Mar 1, 2021 • 1:13:23

Tim Allen

Tim Allen has embodied enough different personas - Tim Taylor, Mike Baxter, Buzz Lightyear, Santa Claus - that he often doesn’t know which guy he actually is. But at least he’s no longer the directionless young man who made bad choices and ran afoul of the law. Tim tells Marc how he cleaned up his act and made it as a club comic before breaking out with one of the most popular sitcoms in network history. They also talk about how Tim’s emotions are running high as Last Man Standing comes to an en

Mar 1, 2021 • 1:16:58

Michael K. Williams

Michael K. Williams knows that a lot of people consider his character, Omar Little, to be the best character on The Wire. But he has a different opinion about the show’s best character. Michael tells Marc about how he brought his struggles as an addict to his performance, how he relapsed while making the show, and how the cast gave him the support he needed to get clean. They also talk about Michael’s scar and how it helped him land his first acting job, why he loves Rachael Ray so much, and why

Feb 25, 2021 • 1:10:45

Episode 1204 - Michael K. Williams

Michael K. Williams knows that a lot of people consider his character, Omar Little, to be the best character on The Wire. But he has a different opinion about the show's best character. Michael tells Marc about how he brought his struggles as an addict to his performance, how he relapsed while making the show, and how the cast gave him the support he needed to get clean. They also talk about Michael's scar and how it helped him land his first acting job, why he loves Rachael Ray so much, and why

Feb 25, 2021 • 1:07:13

Melissa Leo

Melissa Leo’s acting style is a combination of gut instincts and a compulsive need to ask questions. It’s a style that already earned her an Oscar and continual employment, but also keeps her from falling into the trap of business-as-usual. Melissa and Marc talk about her performances in movies like Frozen River The Fighter and the new film Body Brokers, how she played a character not unlike Mitzi Shore for the series I’m Dying Up Here, and what is the one type of part she refuses to play, even

Feb 22, 2021 • 1:15:41

Episode 1203 - Melissa Leo

Melissa Leo's acting style is a combination of gut instincts and a compulsive need to ask questions. It's a style that already earned her an Oscar and continual employment, but also keeps her from falling into the trap of business-as-usual. Melissa and Marc talk about her performances in movies like Frozen River The Fighter and the new film Body Brokers, how she played a character not unlike Mitzi Shore for the series I'm Dying Up Here, and what is the one type of part she refuses to play, even

Feb 22, 2021 • 1:11:47

Sam Neill

Sam Neill never had any ambitions as an actor, which is not true about his ambitions as a wine maker. Speaking to Marc from one of his vineyards in New Zealand, Sam talks about how he’s still striving to make the greatest bottle of wine as he lives a sort of double-life as a very familiar face on screens big and small. They also discuss Sam’s ideal music festival, their shared love of Randy Newman, the therapeutic reason Sam started acting in the first place, his new movie Rams, and his own ram

Feb 18, 2021 • 1:06:20

Episode 1202 - Sam Neill

Sam Neill never had any ambitions as an actor, which is not true about his ambitions as a wine maker. Speaking to Marc from one of his vineyards in New Zealand, Sam talks about how he's still striving to make the greatest bottle of wine as he lives a sort of double-life as a very familiar face on screens big and small. They also discuss Sam's ideal music festival, their shared love of Randy Newman, the therapeutic reason Sam started acting in the first place, his new movie Rams, and his own ram

Feb 18, 2021 • 1:05:41

Episode 1201 - Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster came out on the other side of being a child actor as a two-time Oscar winner, a celebrated director, a producer and someone who is content with her life. She tells Marc how she did it, which has a lot to do with her mother and establishing boundaries. They also talk about how Taxi Driver changed her conception of acting, the great lesson she learned playing Nell, why she loves David Fincher, and why she maintains strong relationships with a lot of her co-workers. Sign up here for WT

Feb 15, 2021 • 1:21:19

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster came out on the other side of being a child actor as a two-time Oscar winner, a celebrated director, a producer and someone who is content with her life. She tells Marc how she did it, which has a lot to do with her mother and establishing boundaries. They also talk about how Taxi Driver changed her conception of acting, the great lesson she learned playing Nell, why she loves David Fincher, and why she maintains strong relationships with a lot of her co-workers. See omnystudio.c

Feb 15, 2021 • 1:24:15

Episode 1200 - Mark Harris

Mark Harris is a writer, journalist, critic and lover of film, which is why Marc wanted to talk with him. After months of at-home movie watching, Marc is convinced that artistic appreciation and critical thinking around film is more important than ever. Mark Harris has devoted a large chunk of his life to doing that kind of work, including his books on Hollywood after World War II, filmmaking in the late 1960s, and his new biography about Mike Nichols. They also talk about censorship fights, pan

Feb 11, 2021 • 1:16:35

Mark Harris

Mark Harris is a writer, journalist, critic and lover of film, which is why Marc wanted to talk with him. After months of at-home movie watching, Marc is convinced that artistic appreciation and critical thinking around film is more important than ever. Mark Harris has devoted a large chunk of his life to doing that kind of work, including his books on Hollywood after World War II, filmmaking in the late 1960s, and his new biography about Mike Nichols. They also talk about censorship fights, pan

Feb 11, 2021 • 1:18:17

Episode 1199 - Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek says she survived in Hollywood because she didn't let anger get the better of her. And she'd have good reasons to be angry, facing a barrage of sexism, discrimination, typecasting, and a general dismissiveness of her talent. Salma and Marc talk about how she stood up for herself, particularly when making the film Frida, and why Salma believes the gender imbalance in the industry is changing. They also talk about her new movie Bliss which depicts a false reality that feels uncomfortab

Feb 8, 2021 • 1:02:51

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek says she survived in Hollywood because she didn't let anger get the better of her. And she'd have good reasons to be angry, facing a barrage of sexism, discrimination, typecasting, and a general dismissiveness of her talent. Salma and Marc talk about how she stood up for herself, particularly when making the film Frida, and why Salma believes the gender imbalance in the industry is changing. They also talk about her new movie Bliss which depicts a false reality that feels uncomfortab

Feb 8, 2021 • 1:06:09

Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci is fortunate that he broke into the mainstream with his movie Big Night because it combined two of the things he loves the most: acting and food. Stanley talks with Marc about the comfort he gets from cooking and the satisfaction he gets from a good performance. They discuss his extensive career, including The Devil Wears Prada, Spotlight, Murder One, and his new film Supernova, in which his longtime friendship with Colin Firth paid off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i

Feb 4, 2021 • 1:08:33

Episode 1198 - Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci is fortunate that he broke into the mainstream with his movie Big Night because it combined two of the things he loves the most: acting and food. Stanley talks with Marc about the comfort he gets from cooking and the satisfaction he gets from a good performance. They discuss his extensive career, including The Devil Wears Prada, Spotlight, Murder One, and his new film Supernova, in which his longtime friendship with Colin Firth paid off. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show a

Feb 4, 2021 • 1:07:09

David Duchovny

David Duchovny knows you know him from The X-Files. He knows you know him from Californication. But that’s not going to stop him from wanting to be taken seriously as a novelist and a recording artist. David and Marc talk about his multifaceted career, his early academic pursuits, and The X-Files episode that gave him the foundation for his latest book, Truly Like Lightning. David also explains how he became friends with Garry Shandling and why they maintained such a strong connection.  See o

Feb 1, 2021 • 1:16:55

Episode 1197 - David Duchovny

David Duchovny knows you know him from The X-Files. He knows you know him from Californication. But that's not going to stop him from wanting to be taken seriously as a novelist and a recording artist. David and Marc talk about his multifaceted career, his early academic pursuits, and The X-Files episode that gave him the foundation for his latest book, Truly Like Lightning. David also explains how he became friends with Garry Shandling and why they maintained such a strong connection. Sig

Feb 1, 2021 • 1:12:49

Rick Glassman

Not unlike a lot of comedians, Marc’s relationship with Rick Glassman started out with an apology. But that apology led to both of them liking each other more than they expected. Rick explains how a recent diagnosis has given him more self-awareness and prompted him to reassess the boundaries in his life. And Marc is able to relate to Rick’s desire to start doing comedy as a way to control the laughter coming at you. They also talk about Rick’s time on the show Undateable and his own podcast, Ta

Jan 28, 2021 • 1:24:02

Episode 1196 - Rick Glassman

Not unlike a lot of comedians, Marc's relationship with Rick Glassman started out with an apology. But that apology led to both of them liking each other more than they expected. Rick explains how a recent diagnosis has given him more self-awareness and prompted him to reassess the boundaries in his life. And Marc is able to relate to Rick's desire to start doing comedy as a way to control the laughter coming at you. They also talk about Rick's time on the show Undateable and his own podcast, Ta

Jan 28, 2021 • 1:23:23

Episode 1195 - George Wallace

For a guy who's been working at the top of the comedy scene since the 1970s, George Wallace has held a lot of other identities too. He was a computer engineer, a rag salesmen, an ad executive, and a real estate investor. Even within the comedy world, George kept an eclectic profile, working with musical acts like Tom Jones, operating a Vegas showcase for himself, and finding newfound popularity with his Twitter feed. George also tells Marc about his enduring friendship with Jerry Seinfeld. Sign

Jan 25, 2021 • 1:14:55

George Wallace

For a guy who’s been working at the top of the comedy scene since the 1970s, George Wallace has held a lot of other identities too. He was a computer engineer, a rag salesmen, an ad executive, and a real estate investor. Even within the comedy world, George kept an eclectic profile, working with musical acts like Tom Jones, operating a Vegas showcase for himself, and finding newfound popularity with his Twitter feed. George also tells Marc about his enduring friendship with Jerry Seinfeld. Se

Jan 25, 2021 • 1:17:27

Larry King from 2013

From 2013, Marc talks with talk show icon Larry King about his start in the business, how he got over being nervous on the mic, and the interview subjects who left the biggest impression on him. Larry died on January 23, 2021 at age 87. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 23, 2021 • 49:11

Andy Zaltzman

When Marc first met Andy Zaltzman, Andy was in his element at the Edinburgh Fringe. They talk about why the festival circuit was important for Andy and other comics working their way up in the UK. They also talk about Andy’s podcast The Bugle, which he started with John Oliver, his new career paths as a cricket statistician and a quiz show host, and the strange confluence of Covid and Brexit. Plus Marc and Andy consider what the world will be like when they can return to standup. See omnystud

Jan 21, 2021 • 1:24:34

Episode 1194 - Andy Zaltzman

When Marc first met Andy Zaltzman, Andy was in his element at the Edinburgh Fringe. They talk about why the festival circuit was important for Andy and other comics working their way up in the UK. They also talk about Andy's podcast The Bugle, which he started with John Oliver, his new career paths as a cricket statistician and a quiz show host, and the strange confluence of Covid and Brexit. Plus Marc and Andy consider what the world will be like when they can return to standup. Sign up here fo

Jan 21, 2021 • 1:22:16

Episode 1193 - Daniel Lanois

There's a good chance Daniel Lanois is responsible for some of your favorite music ever and it's all thanks to a penny whistle he bought with his allowance when he was growing up in Canada. Daniel tells Marc about his time working with Gospel choirs and doing experimental music with Brian Eno which led to him producing some of the biggest albums of all time, like U2's The Joshua Tree and Peter Gabriel's So. They also talk about Daniel's work with Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Neil Young and more,

Jan 18, 2021 • 1:23:26

Daniel Lanois

There’s a good chance Daniel Lanois is responsible for some of your favorite music ever and it’s all thanks to a penny whistle he bought with his allowance when he was growing up in Canada. Daniel tells Marc about his time working with Gospel choirs and doing experimental music with Brian Eno which led to him producing some of the biggest albums of all time, like U2’s The Joshua Tree and Peter Gabriel’s So. They also talk about Daniel’s work with Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Neil Young and more,

Jan 18, 2021 • 1:26:36

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet is all about learning on the job. She never trained to be an actor, she just observed her talented co-stars on set. She used her work in Contagion to prepare herself and her family at the onset of the COVID pandemic. And she learned that global fame wasn’t something she wanted after the success of Titanic. Now, with her new film Ammonite, she learned how to tell a universal love story that does away with heteronormative storytelling. Also, Kate tells Marc about reuniting with James

Jan 14, 2021 • 1:13:16

Episode 1192 - Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet is all about learning on the job. She never trained to be an actor, she just observed her talented co-stars on set. She used her work in Contagion to prepare herself and her family at the onset of the COVID pandemic. And she learned that global fame wasn't something she wanted after the success of Titanic. Now, with her new film Ammonite, she learned how to tell a universal love story that does away with heteronormative storytelling. Also, Kate tells Marc about reuniting with James

Jan 14, 2021 • 1:12:32

Episode 1191 - Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman keeps going for a very simple reason: She feels like her job helps her understand the meaning of life. After winning pretty all the major film and television acting awards, after being one of the world's biggest movie stars, and after becoming a major producer, Nicole says she's still working because it allows her to explore what makes humans the way they are. Marc talks with Nicole about those explorations, including Eyes Wide Shut, To Die For, Big Little Lies, Destroyer, The Undo

Jan 11, 2021 • 1:22:12

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman keeps going for a very simple reason: She feels like her job helps her understand the meaning of life. After winning pretty all the major film and television acting awards, after being one of the world’s biggest movie stars, and after becoming a major producer, Nicole says she’s still working because it allows her to explore what makes humans the way they are. Marc talks with Nicole about those explorations, including Eyes Wide Shut, To Die For, Big Little Lies, Destroyer, The Undo

Jan 11, 2021 • 1:23:38

Episode 1190 - Thundercat

Thundercat thinks bass players run the world and not just because he's a great one. The multi-talented singer-songwriter talks with Marc about growing up with music all around him, learning at the feet of his brother and his friends Kamasi Washington and Cameron Graves, and finding his own sound on the bass. They also talk about his work with Kendrick Lamar on To Pimp A Butterfly and Thundercat describes the three areas around which he has structured his life: music, Marvel and anime. Sign up he

Jan 7, 2021 • 1:09:56

Thundercat

Thundercat thinks bass players run the world and not just because he’s a great one. The multi-talented singer-songwriter talks with Marc about growing up with music all around him, learning at the feet of his brother and his friends Kamasi Washington and Cameron Graves, and finding his own sound on the bass. They also talk about his work with Kendrick Lamar on To Pimp A Butterfly and Thundercat describes the three areas around which he has structured his life: music, Marvel and anime. See omn

Jan 7, 2021 • 1:11:08

Episode 1189 - Mandy Patinkin

Mandy Patinkin is a renowned star of stage and screen, beloved for his roles in The Princess Bride and Homeland, admired for his mellifluous voice and impressive vocal range. But Mandy and Marc barely talk about any of that. Instead, they get deep into a discussion about life, death, love, religion, the Holocaust, depression, suicide, self-doubt, insecurity, and the meaning of this whole thing we're all going through. And believe it or not, they find some answers! It's the perfect talk for a new

Jan 4, 2021 • 1:35:31

Mandy Patinkin

Mandy Patinkin is a renowned star of stage and screen, beloved for his roles in The Princess Bride and Homeland, admired for his mellifluous voice and impressive vocal range. But Mandy and Marc barely talk about any of that. Instead, they get deep into a discussion about life, death, love, religion, the Holocaust, depression, suicide, self-doubt, insecurity, and the meaning of this whole thing we’re all going through. And believe it or not, they find some answers! It’s the perfect talk for a new

Jan 4, 2021 • 1:39:28

David Ritz

David Ritz is one of the most prolific biographers of music industry titans, writing about the lives of artists from BB King to Willie Nelson to Janet Jackson. David tells Marc about his obsessive pursuit of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin and how chronicling their lives changed his. He also explains why he often enjoys ghost writing for a musician more than writing in his own voice. Plus, David talks with Marc about finding faith through the Blues and writing his own story for a ch

Dec 31, 2020 • 1:29:14

Episode 1188 - David Ritz

David Ritz is one of the most prolific biographers of music industry titans, writing about the lives of artists from BB King to Willie Nelson to Janet Jackson. David tells Marc about his obsessive pursuit of Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin and how chronicling their lives changed his. He also explains why he often enjoys ghost writing for a musician more than writing in his own voice. Plus, David talks with Marc about finding faith through the Blues and writing his own story for a ch

Dec 31, 2020 • 1:28:12

Patty Jenkins

Patty Jenkins’s connection to superheroes runs deep. Long before she became the first woman to direct a major superhero film, Patty was relying on Superman to help her process the loss of her father. Marc talks with Patty about how she was intrigued by the romance of tragedy, as filtered through the type of mythic storytelling depicted in her two Wonder Woman movies. They also talk about her time as a punk rocker, her years working the camera on hip-hop videos, and how the Beatniks are responsib

Dec 28, 2020 • 1:14:34

Episode 1187 - Patty Jenkins

Patty Jenkins's connection to superheroes runs deep. Long before she became the first woman to direct a major superhero film, Patty was relying on Superman to help her process the loss of her father. Marc talks with Patty about how she was intrigued by the romance of tragedy, as filtered through the type of mythic storytelling depicted in her two Wonder Woman movies. They also talk about her time as a punk rocker, her years working the camera on hip-hop videos, and how the Beatniks are responsib

Dec 28, 2020 • 1:12:38

Sam Tallent

Sam Tallent felt compelled to write a book about the guy he was afraid to turn into. As a comedian plying his trade on the road, San did enough one-nighters and heard enough horror stories from other comics to know there’s a path to ruin while going from club to club. Marc is also familiar with that path, which is why he connected so strongly with Sam’s book, Running the Light. Marc and Sam talk about the book’s fictional (but all-too-real) protagonist Billy Ray Shafer, as well as the actual rog

Dec 24, 2020 • 1:31:46

Episode 1186 - Sam Tallent

Sam Tallent felt compelled to write a book about the guy he was afraid to turn into. As a comedian plying his trade on the road, Sam did enough one-nighters and heard enough horror stories from other comics to know there's a path to ruin while going from club to club. Marc is also familiar with that path, which is why he connected so strongly with Sam's book, Running the Light. Marc and Sam talk about the book's fictional (but all-too-real) protagonist Billy Ray Shafer, as well as the actual rog

Dec 24, 2020 • 1:29:01

Andrew Bird

Andrew Bird’s music defies categorization, so much so that he’s not even sure how to categorize it himself. Andrew walks Marc through the process by which he developed his sound, from youthful obsessions with classical music and jazz to his days on the road doing Old-Time music in bars to the period of isolation and deprivation he put himself through in order to experience a musical breakthrough. They also talk about his love of whistling, which he did in a recent Muppet movie. Also, Andrew play

Dec 21, 2020 • 1:26:51

Episode 1185 - Andrew Bird

Andrew Bird's music defies categorization, so much so that he's not even sure how to categorize it himself. Andrew walks Marc through the process by which he developed his sound, from youthful obsessions with classical music and jazz to his days on the road doing Old-Time music in bars to the period of isolation and deprivation he put himself through in order to experience a musical breakthrough. They also talk about his love of whistling, which he did in a recent Muppet movie. Also, Andrew play

Dec 21, 2020 • 1:22:47

Bootsy Collins

Bootsy Collins is one of the world’s preeminent practitioners of The Funk, although that might not be the case if he hadn’t snuck his brother’s guitar out of the closet when no one was around. Bootsy tells Marc about starting out with a homemade bass and graduating from the James Brown School of Hard Knocks as part of the Godfather of Soul’s band. Bootsy explains how he came out of that experience and shaped his own identity in the Parliament Funkadelic Universe, thanks to the freedom provided b

Dec 17, 2020 • 1:26:51

Episode 1184 - Bootsy Collins

Bootsy Collins is one of the world's preeminent practitioners of The Funk, although that might not be the case if he hadn't snuck his brother's guitar out of the closet when no one was around. Bootsy tells Marc about starting out with a homemade bass and graduating from the James Brown School of Hard Knocks as part of the Godfather of Soul's band. Bootsy explains how he came out of that experience and shaped his own identity in the Parliament Funkadelic Universe, thanks to the freedom provided b

Dec 17, 2020 • 1:22:44

Scott Glenn

Scott Glenn is convinced that every good thing that’s ever happened to him has been an accident. That includes serving in the Marines, getting his start in acting, meeting his wife, finding religion, gaining Lee Strasberg as a mentor, moving to Idaho, and getting the part in Apocalypse Now that kickstarted his confidence as an actor. Scott tells Marc about the serendipitous circumstances behind those moments in his life, as well as stories from the sets of The Right Stuff, Nashville, Urban Cowbo

Dec 14, 2020 • 1:28:54

Episode 1183 - Scott Glenn

Scott Glenn is convinced that every good thing that's ever happened to him has been an accident. That includes serving in the Marines, getting his start in acting, meeting his wife, finding religion, gaining Lee Strasberg as a mentor, moving to Idaho, and getting the part in Apocalypse Now that kickstarted his confidence as an actor. Scott tells Marc about the serendipitous circumstances behind those moments in his life, as well as stories from the sets of The Right Stuff, Nashville, Urban Cowbo

Dec 14, 2020 • 1:27:04

Episode 1182 - Brad Williams

The first time Brad Williams got on a stand-up stage, he was just an audience member. Brought up on stage by a comedian who was telling little people jokes, Brad realized the power that comes with making people laugh on his own terms. Marc talks with Brad about what it's like doing comedy as a little person, how other little people have responded to his act, how he feels about language that's deemed inappropriate, and why he credits his dad for his ability to tell jokes. They also talk about Bra

Dec 10, 2020 • 1:30:11

Brad Williams

The first time Brad Williams got on a stand-up stage, he was just an audience member. Brought up on stage by a comedian who was telling little people jokes, Brad realized the power that comes with making people laugh on his own terms. Marc talks with Brad about what it’s like doing comedy as a little person, how other little people have responded to his act, how he feels about language that’s deemed inappropriate, and why he credits his dad for his ability to tell jokes. They also talk about Bra

Dec 10, 2020 • 1:33:08

Episode 1181 - Zach Braff

Zach Braff and Marc both dealt with a lot of loss in the past year. For Zach, keeping it all in perspective is helping him get through the daily stress of pandemic life, as he fires up his creative impulses. Zach and Marc talk about the struggle of saying goodbye to beloved pets, the trauma of losing someone close to you, and managing childhood anxiety later in life. They also discuss Zach's past projects like Scrubs and Garden State, as well as his new podcast and his upcoming movie with Robert

Dec 7, 2020 • 1:26:19

Zach Braff

Zach Braff and Marc both dealt with a lot of loss in the past year. For Zach, keeping it all in perspective is helping him get through the daily stress of pandemic life, as he fires up his creative impulses. Zach and Marc talk about the struggle of saying goodbye to beloved pets, the trauma of losing someone close to you, and managing childhood anxiety later in life. They also discuss Zach’s past projects like Scrubs and Garden State, as well as his new podcast and his upcoming movie with Robert

Dec 7, 2020 • 1:31:13

Episode 1180 - John Densmore

John Densmore was the drummer for one of the most influential bands of the ‘60s, The Doors, but he's always been on a quest to find truth through art and creativity. John explains to Marc that his love of jazz inspired a lot of the rock and roll he made and his latest book is an attempt to discover the inspirations of other artists. They also talk about how the drug scene spelled the end of the good times in 1960s Los Angeles, why he went to the mat against his bandmates over licensing The

Dec 3, 2020 • 1:05:25

John Densmore

John Densmore was the drummer for one of the most influential bands of the ‘60s, The Doors, but he’s always been on a quest to find truth through art and creativity. John explains to Marc that his love of jazz inspired a lot of the rock and roll he made and his latest book is an attempt to discover the inspirations of other artists. They also talk about how the drug scene spelled the end of the good times in 1960s Los Angeles, why he went to the mat against his bandmates over licensing The Doors

Dec 3, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1179 - James Caan

It may not surprise you that James Caan has been in a few fights. He also played football, boxed and was in rodeo competitions, among other “non-Jewish activities,” as he calls them. James and Marc talk about how he turned his rough and tumble life into an acting career and how the same instincts that served him in competition helped him create memorable performances. They also talk about Robert Duvall, John Wayne, Misery, Thief, The Godfather, and the unexpected person who helped hi

Nov 30, 2020 • 1:24:50

James Caan

It may not surprise you that James Caan has been in a few fights. He also played football, boxed and was in rodeo competitions, among other “non-Jewish activities,” as he calls them. James and Marc talk about how he turned his rough and tumble life into an acting career and how the same instincts that served him in competition helped him create memorable performances. They also talk about Robert Duvall, John Wayne, Misery, Thief, The Godfather, and the unexpected person who helped him create Son

Nov 30, 2020 • 0:00

Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell was more than Tom Petty’s bandmate. He was more than a friend, too. He was a partner who had an almost telepathic writing relationship with his famed frontman. Mike talks with Marc about crafting so many of those Petty hits, how they developed the Heartbreakers sound, what song he played that made Tom put him in the band, and why he wants to keep playing guitar and writing music into his 70s.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 26, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1178 - Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell was more than Tom Petty's bandmate. He was more than a friend, too. He was a partner who had an almost telepathic writing relationship with his famed frontman. Mike talks with Marc about crafting so many of those Petty hits, how they developed the Heartbreakers sound, what song he played that made Tom put him in the band, and why he wants to keep playing guitar and writing music into his 70s. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https

Nov 26, 2020 • 1:07:44

Johnny Flynn

Johnny Flynn and Marc already developed a rapport while they were road-tripping through Canada. They were playing David Bowie and Bowie’s publicist at the time, but they still got to enjoy each other’s company. Now they get to converse just as themselves, as they talk about the movie they made together, Stardust, as well as Johnny’s personal journey from a fishing boat to acting school to rock bands and record contracts. Johnny also brings up a bit of advice Marc gave him when they were on the r

Nov 23, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1177 - Johnny Flynn

Johnny Flynn and Marc already developed a rapport while they were road-tripping through Canada. They were playing David Bowie and Bowie's publicist at the time, but they still got to enjoy each other's company. Now they get to converse just as themselves, as they talk about the movie they made together, Stardust, as well as Johnny's personal journey from a fishing boat to acting school to rock bands and record contracts. Johnny also brings up a bit of advice Marc gave him when they were on the r

Nov 23, 2020 • 1:08:51

Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox didn’t intend to be an inspiration but he’s glad he can help out. As Marc learned from talking with him, Michael maintains a perspective on life filled with gratitude and optimism as he lives with the effects of Parkinson’s disease. Recently, after a run of health setbacks, that perspective faltered. But Michael tells Marc how he got back on track, how he maintains strong bonds with his wife and children, how he felt about giving up show business for a second time, and what he rea

Nov 19, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1176 - Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox didn't intend to be an inspiration but he's glad he can help out. As Marc learned from talking with him, Michael maintains a perspective on life filled with gratitude and optimism as he lives with the effects of Parkinson's disease. Recently, after a run of health setbacks, that perspective faltered. But Michael tells Marc how he got back on track, how he maintains strong bonds with his wife and children, how he felt about giving up show business for a second time, and what he rea

Nov 19, 2020 • 1:05:06

Episode 1175 - Glenn Close

It took Glenn Close a long time to open up about some aspects of her past. Shame was stubbornly in the way. But Glenn tells Marc she was able to discover her inner rebel and push past that shame, many years after she already became famous for finding the buried emotions of complicated characters. They talk about Glenn's personal evolution, as well as the mark she left with her performances in The Big Chill, Fatal Attraction, Sunset Boulevard, 101 Dalmatians, and her latest film Hillbilly Elegy.&

Nov 16, 2020 • 1:22:58

Glenn Close

It took Glenn Close a long time to open up about some aspects of her past. Shame was stubbornly in the way. But Glenn tells Marc she was able to discover her inner rebel and push past that shame, many years after she already became famous for finding the buried emotions of complicated characters. They talk about Glenn’s personal evolution, as well as the mark she left with her performances in The Big Chill, Fatal Attraction, Sunset Boulevard, 101 Dalmatians, and her latest film Hillbilly Elegy.

Nov 16, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1174 - Rhea Seehorn

Better Call Saul features characters who are not honest about their lives and identities, so it's appropriate that one of the show's stars, Rhea Seehorn, suffers from imposter syndrome in real life. Rhea and Marc compare notes on why they both feel insecure and inadequate despite their natural talents, such as Rhea's skills at painting, sculpting and building. They also talk about her father's secretive life in the Naval Intelligence Services, the perils of pilot season, and why Bob Odenkirk is

Nov 12, 2020 • 1:30:07

Rhea Seehorn

Better Call Saul features characters who are not honest about their lives and identities, so it’s appropriate that one of the show’s stars, Rhea Seehorn, suffers from imposter syndrome in real life. Rhea and Marc compare notes on why they both feel insecure and inadequate despite their natural talents, such as Rhea’s skills at painting, sculpting and building. They also talk about her father’s secretive life in the Naval Intelligence Services, the perils of pilot season, and why Bob Odenkirk is

Nov 12, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1173 - Frank Langella

Mel Brooks once told Frank Langella, “Nobody would believe you're from Bayonne. You look like a prince without a country.” But whether he's playing Dracula or Richard Nixon or King Lear, Frank is still a Jersey Boy at heart. Marc asks Frank about that upbringing across the Hudson and how being an introverted, sensitive middle child led him to a life of transforming into larger than life characters. They also talk about an amazing gift Frank was given by Ron Howard, the line of dialog

Nov 9, 2020 • 1:12:29

Frank Langella

Mel Brooks once told Frank Langella, “Nobody would believe you’re from Bayonne. You look like a prince without a country.” But whether he’s playing Dracula or Richard Nixon or King Lear, Frank is still a Jersey Boy at heart. Marc asks Frank about that upbringing across the Hudson and how being an introverted, sensitive middle child led him to a life of transforming into larger than life characters. They also talk about an amazing gift Frank was given by Ron Howard, the line of dialogue from the

Nov 9, 2020 • 0:00

WTF - EPISODE 1172 HEIDI SCHRECK

With the world still wondering what this year's Presidential election really means, it's the right time for Marc to talk with actor and playwright Heidi Schreck, who knows a thing or two about power structures and why they don't serve everyone equally. They talk about Heidi’s acclaimed Broadway show, What The Constitution Means To Me, and how her recognition of generational trauma in her family prompted her to write a show about unequal rights and the people who help stack the deck. They also ta

Nov 5, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1172 - Heidi Schreck

With the world still wondering what this year's Presidential election really means, it's the right time for Marc to talk with actor and playwright Heidi Schreck, who knows a thing or two about power structures and why they don't serve everyone equally. They talk about Heidi's acclaimed Broadway show, What The Constitution Means To Me, and how her recognition of generational trauma in her family prompted her to write a show about unequal rights and the people who help stack the deck. They also ta

Nov 5, 2020 • 1:29:00

Episode 1171 - David Cross

David Cross is one of Marc's oldest friends in show business. And right now is a good time for them to catch up, as David balances his life as the dad to a three-year-old with the demands of going back to work on film and television sets during the pandemic. David explains to Marc how he was feeling more antisocial even before COVID-19 hit, why he wanted to become a dad late in life, and what he had to physically endure while making his new movie, The Dark Divide. Marc and David also compare not

Nov 2, 2020 • 1:23:56

David Cross

David Cross is one of Marc’s oldest friends in show business. And right now is a good time for them to catch up, as David balances his life as the dad to a three-year-old with the demands of going back to work on film and television sets during the pandemic. David explains to Marc how he was feeling more antisocial even before COVID-19 hit, why he wanted to become a dad late in life, and what he had to physically endure while making his new movie, The Dark Divide. Marc and David also compare not

Nov 2, 2020 • 0:00

WTF - EPISODE 1170 MELINDA HILL

If comedy equals tragedy plus time, comedian Melinda Hill has reached the point where she can make some funny out of the traumas from her past. Melinda and Marc talk about processing the pain, particularly dealing with parents suffering from mental illness. They also talk about Melinda’s trajectory in the comedy business, starting with success in voiceovers to her influential LA stand-up showcase What’s Up, Tiger Lily? to her acting, writing and podcasting ventures. Plus, Melinda talks about the

Oct 29, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1170 - Melinda Hill

If comedy equals tragedy plus time, comedian Melinda Hill has reached the point where she can make some funny out of the traumas from her past. Melinda and Marc talk about processing the pain, particularly dealing with parents suffering from mental illness. They also talk about Melinda's trajectory in the comedy business, starting with success in voiceovers to her influential LA stand-up showcase What's Up, Tiger Lily? to her acting, writing and podcasting ventures. Plus, Melinda talks about the

Oct 29, 2020 • 1:35:14

Episode 1169 - Hari Kondabolu

When Hari Kondabolu was a college student, he interviewed Marc for a research paper about standup comedy. Twenty years later, they're talking to each other as peers whose lives have changed considerably in the past two decades. With a newborn baby, a recent Netflix special, and a documentary about Apu from The Simpsons that spurred a global conversation about representation in pop culture, Hari gets Marc up to speed on where his life is at right now. He also explains how he developed his comedy

Oct 26, 2020 • 1:27:58

Hari Kondabolu

When Hari Kondabolu was a college student, he interviewed Marc for a research paper about standup comedy. Twenty years later, they’re talking to each other as peers whose lives have changed considerably in the past two decades. With a newborn baby, a recent Netflix special, and a documentary about Apu from The Simpsons that spurred a global conversation about representation in pop culture, Hari gets Marc up to speed on where his life is at right now. He also explains how he developed his comedy

Oct 26, 2020 • 0:00

Matthew McConaughey

These are appropriate times for reflection and Matthew McConaughey just went through the process of reflecting on his whole life while writing his memoir, Greenlights. Marc talks with Matthew about the revelations he encountered, the perspective he gained, and the philosophies he was able to codify in the process. They go through Matthew’s upbringing in Austin, his first movie role in Dazed and Confused, his launch into superstardom, his self-imposed hiatus, and his career rebirth that saw him w

Oct 22, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1168 - Matthew McConaughey

These are appropriate times for reflection and Matthew McConaughey just went through the process of reflecting on his whole life while writing his memoir, Greenlights. Marc talks with Matthew about the revelations he encountered, the perspective he gained, and the philosophies he was able to codify in the process. They go through Matthew's upbringing in Austin, his first movie role in Dazed and Confused, his launch into superstardom, his self-imposed hiatus, and his career rebirth that saw him w

Oct 22, 2020 • 1:42:53

Patti Smith

Patti Smith has been at the vanguard of art, poetry, rock and roll, and other forms of self-expression since the 1960s. But this talk with Marc happens to be her very first one-on-one conversation done over Zoom. They talk about Patti’s days living at the Hotel Chelsea, carrying on the legacy of the Beat Generation, and forming life-changing relationships with William Borroughs, Sam Shepard, Allen Ginsberg, and Bob Dylan, among others. Patti also recalls the most mortifying live performance mome

Oct 19, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1167 - Patti Smith

Patti Smith has been at the vanguard of art, poetry, rock and roll, and other forms of self-expression since the 1960s. But this talk with Marc happens to be her very first one-on-one conversation done over Zoom. They talk about Patti's days living at the Hotel Chelsea, carrying on the legacy of the Beat Generation, and forming life-changing relationships with William Borroughs, Sam Shepard, Allen Ginsberg, and Bob Dylan, among others. Patti also recalls the most mortifying live performance mome

Oct 19, 2020 • 1:32:17

Episode 1166 - Lewis Black

Everyone needs to let off some steam these days and there are few people better who do it better than Lewis Black. Marc welcomes his old friend back to the show for a talk about pandemic comedy, going stir crazy during quarantine, avoiding cults and pulling for democracy to make it through these times. They also talk about Lewis's new standup special, Thanks for Risking Your Life, which was filmed the day before the country shut down. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and

Oct 15, 2020 • 1:05:47

Lewis Black

Everyone needs to let off some steam these days and there are few people better who do it better than Lewis Black. Marc welcomes his old friend back to the show for a talk about pandemic comedy, going stir crazy during quarantine, avoiding cults and pulling for democracy to make it through these times. They also talk about Lewis's new standup special, Thanks for Risking Your Life, which was filmed the day before the country shut down.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 15, 2020 • 0:00

Wayne Coyne

Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne was in Los Angeles and decided to stop by the garage for a rare pandemic-era in-person chat. It’s been a long time since Wayne and Marc hung out last. Since then both dealt with deaths of people close to them and they talk about how processing those losses gave them perspective on what we’re all living through. Wayne also talks about being a new dad in his late 50s, how an epiphany while working at Long John Silver’s changed his personal trajectory, and why he c

Oct 12, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1165 - Wayne Coyne

Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne was in Los Angeles and decided to stop by the garage for a rare pandemic-era in-person chat. It's been a long time since Wayne and Marc hung out last. Since then both dealt with deaths of people close to them and they talk about how processing those losses gave them perspective on what we're all living through. Wayne also talks about being a new dad in his late 50s, how an epiphany while working at Long John Silver's changed his personal trajectory, and why he c

Oct 12, 2020 • 1:38:42

Episode 1164 - Wynton Marsalis

Wynton Marsalis created a profound examination of America, race, class, politics and human impulses with his latest epic composition, The Ever Fonky Lowdown. He explains to Marc how his perspective for the piece was largely aided by his fear of flying. Wynton's worldview was also shaped by watching his dad play jazz to limited audiences, realizing what it meant to play solely because you believe in the music.They also talk about Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock and Wynton's work with

Oct 8, 2020 • 1:14:07

Wynton Marsalis

Wynton Marsalis created a profound examination of America, race, class, politics and human impulses with his latest epic composition, The Ever Fonky Lowdown. He explains to Marc how his perspective for the piece was largely aided by his fear of flying. Wynton’s worldview was also shaped by watching his dad play jazz to limited audiences, realizing what it meant to play solely because you believe in the music.They also talk about Miles Davis, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock and Wynton’s work with

Oct 8, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1163 - John Cusack

John Cusack is always trying to stay engaged with the world. From a young age when activist priests used to visit his parents to the Reagan years when he underwent a political awakening to present day, John uses his perception of how the world works as a way to build the characters he plays. That comes in handy in the new series Utopia, where John plays an evil billionaire. John also tells Marc what it was like to play Brian Wilson while working with Brian Wilson, how Being John Malkovich got ma

Oct 5, 2020 • 1:13:43

John Cusack

John Cusack is always trying to stay engaged with the world. From a young age when activist priests used to visit his parents to the Reagan years when he underwent a political awakening to present day, John uses his perception of how the world works as a way to build the characters he plays. That comes in handy in the new series Utopia, where John plays an evil billionaire. John also tells Marc what it was like to play Brian Wilson while working with Brian Wilson, how Being John Malkovich got ma

Oct 5, 2020 • 0:00

Episode 1162 - Barbara Kopple

Barbara Kopple is known for her acclaimed documentary films, but for Marc the most memorable time Barbara spent behind the camera is the day she directed him in a phone commercial. Marc and Barbara reminisce about how that happened and talk about her entry portal into documentaries working with the Maysels Brothers on Salesmen and Gimme Shelter. They also discuss Barbara's Oscar-winning film Harlan County, USA, how Bruce Springsteen saved one of her early movies, and how she got Jimmy Carter to

Oct 1, 2020 • 1:17:51

Barbara Kopple

Barbara Kopple is known for her acclaimed documentary films, but for Marc the most memorable time Barbara spent behind the camera is the day she directed him in a phone commercial. Marc and Barbara reminisce about how that happened and talk about her entry portal into documentaries working with the Maysels Brothers on Salesmen and Gimme Shelter. They also discuss Barbara’s Oscar-winning film Harlan County, USA, how Bruce Springsteen saved one of her early movies, and how she got Jimmy Carter to

Oct 1, 2020 • 1:20:20

Cecily Strong

The adage “you can never go home again” didn’t apply to Cecily Strong. She did, and it’s what got her on Saturday Night Live. Cecily tells Marc why she didn’t stick around in Los Angeles after studying acting at CalArts, a move that people told her was a mistake. They also talk about why she got kicked out of her high school, how she battles her depression, what it was like to perform for the Obamas, and why she was in a Chinese opera with Alison Brie.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

Sep 28, 2020 • 1:13:13

Episode 1161 - Cecily Strong

The adage “you can never go home again” didn't apply to Cecily Strong. She did, and it's what got her on Saturday Night Live. Cecily tells Marc why she didn't stick around in Los Angeles after studying acting at CalArts, a move that people told her was a mistake. They also talk about why she got kicked out of her high school, how she battles her depression, what it was like to perform for the Obamas, and why she was in a Chinese opera with Alison Brie. Sign up here for WTF+ to

Sep 28, 2020 • 1:11:21

Barry Levinson

Barry Levinson finds himself waking up in disbelief to every outlandish and shocking item in the day’s news. It’s a different mode for a filmmaker who spent his career focused on the natural, quiet moments that make up everyday life. Marc and Barry talk about his beginnings at a Washington, DC television station, his early comedy writing that landed him at The Comedy Store, The Carrol Burnett Show, and with Mel Brooks, and his breakout movies like Diner, The Natural and Rain Man. They also conte

Sep 24, 2020 • 1:35:47

Episode 1160 - Barry Levinson

Barry Levinson finds himself waking up in disbelief to every outlandish and shocking item in the day's news. It's a different mode for a filmmaker who spent his career focused on the natural, quiet moments that make up everyday life. Marc and Barry talk about his beginnings at a Washington, DC television station, his early comedy writing that landed him at The Comedy Store, The Carrol Burnett Show, and with Mel Brooks, and his breakout movies like Diner, The Natural and Rain Man. They also conte

Sep 24, 2020 • 1:32:22

Alicia Keys / John Leguizamo

It's a New York City doubleheader! First up, Marc talks with the woman behind the modern day New York anthem, Alicia Keys. On the release of her seventh studio album, Alicia looks back on what it was like to start a huge music career so young and how she had to finally meet her monster in order to come into her own. Then Marc talks to John Leguizamo about his defining one-man shows, his relationship with other New York City artists, and his new movie Critical Theory, which is the first feature f

Sep 21, 2020 • 1:34:19

Episode 1159 - Alicia Keys / John Leguizamo

It's a New York City doubleheader! First up, Marc talks with the woman behind the modern day New York anthem, Alicia Keys. On the release of her seventh studio album, Alicia looks back on what it was like to start a huge music career so young and how she had to finally meet her monster in order to come into her own. Then Marc talks to John Leguizamo about his defining one-man shows, his relationship with other New York City artists, and his new movie Critical Thinking, which is the first feature

Sep 21, 2020 • 1:31:05

Episode 1158 - Wendell Pierce

Wendell Pierce isn't doing a lot of acting during the pandemic, but he's keeping busy. He's spending more time with his 95-year-old father in New Orleans, he's hosting radio shows on a local station he bought, and he's helping to figure out the future of live theater. Wendell and Marc talk about his time on The Wire and the unique way he experienced that show. They also discuss what he learned playing Willy Loman last year and how Led Zeppelin and jazz helped him become a better actor. Sign up h

Sep 17, 2020 • 1:27:51

Episode 1157 - Toni Collette

Toni Collette might be the first actor to tell Marc that, yes, she does learn about herself through the characters she plays. That's a lot of learning, considering the wide range of characters Toni has played over the years. Toni and Marc talk about how she grew into herself while starring in movies like Muriel's Wedding, The Sixth Sense, Hereditary and now in Charlie Kaufman's latest, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, a movie that left Marc asking a lot of questions (which he'll try to get Toni to

Sep 14, 2020 • 1:10:04

Episode 1156 - Martin Short

Even in the face this year, Martin Short remains an optimistic guy. Maybe it's because he's had a career he loves, or maybe it's his mild-mannered Canadian disposition, or maybe it's because he suffered through a lot of tragedy as a kid. Martin and Marc try to figure it out, and they also talk about his live shows with Steve Martin, the difference between doing SCTV and SNL, why Martin considers 80% of his career to be a failure, and why believes that a 20% success rate is high for a career in s

Sep 10, 2020 • 1:23:02

Episode 1155 - Bad Internet w/ Matt Furie, Arthur Jones & Andrew Marantz

One year ago, Marc used the Labor Day episode of WTF to find out why so much bad stuff in the world gets birthed in the darkest corners of the internet. A year later, it's only gotten worse. Marc talks with comic artist Matt Furie about how his creation, Pepe the Frog, was appropriated by online racists and Nazis, and Arthur Jones explains why he made a documentary about Matt's quest to reclaim Pepe. Also, Andrew Marantz from The New Yorker joins Marc to help draw the line from Pepe to QAnon and

Sep 7, 2020 • 1:39:03

Episode 1154 - J.K. Simmons

J.K. Simmons faced a tough balancing act when his lifelong nonchalance about awards for acting came up against him becoming the runaway favorite to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. J.K. and Marc talk about how he reconciled that contradiction with help from Jason Reitman and how his late-blooming Hollywood career helped him maintain perspective. They also talk about his time on stage in Seattle, Broadway and regional theaters across the country, his fear of being typecast when he was on O

Sep 3, 2020 • 1:15:25

Episode 1153 - Chelsea Peretti

Chelsea Peretti joined Marc in the garage more than ten years ago on a very early episode of WTF. Since then she became a writer for Parks and Rec, played Gina on Brooklyn 99, got married to Jordan Peele, and became a mom. Now she's catching up with Marc about coffee, creative satisfaction, overcoming her fear of commitment, raising a toddler while sheltering at home, and the coping strategies of the pandemic era. They also talk about her first lead role in the new movie Spinster. Sign up here f

Aug 31, 2020 • 1:19:01

Episode 1152 - Billy Crudup

It's been 20 years since Marc demanded that someone “lock the gates” on Billy Crudup and the rest of the band in Almost Famous. Now that both of them are older and wiser, Billy and Marc discuss the simultaneous drudgery and privilege of acting. They also talk about why Billy often opted for roles in the theater over roles in movies, why he thinks he wasn't destined to be a Hollywood leading man, and how he's settled into a career as a character actor by virtue of only taking the part

Aug 27, 2020 • 1:33:57

Episode 1151 - Giancarlo Esposito

Whether it's Gus from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul or Buggin' Out from Do The Right Thing or Moff Gideon from The Mandalorian, Giancarlo Esposito's characters always leave an indelible impression. Perhaps that's because Giancarlo spent a lot of his life reflecting on his own character and where he belonged. He talks with Marc about growing up as the son of an Italian carpenter and a Black nightclub singer, trying to figure out where he fit in. They also talk about life lessons Giancarlo rec

Aug 24, 2020 • 1:22:00

Episode 1150 - Kieran Culkin

A lot is going on for Kieran Culkin right now. He's a new dad, he has an Emmy nomination, he's dealing with life during the pandemic like the rest of us. But chaos is familiar to Kieran, who grew up in a railroad apartment with six brothers and sisters, all of whom were pushed toward show business by their father. Kieran and Marc talk about that childhood environment, why Kieran and his brothers love pro wrestling, and how he established himself as an actor, including in his role as Roman Roy on

Aug 20, 2020 • 1:14:47

Episode 1149 - Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington has a lot to talk about with Marc, but it's appropriate that they spend the first portion of their conversation singing the praises of Lynn Shelton. Kerry talks about what Lynn brought to Little Fires Everywhere, but they also discuss how the treatment of race was different on the show than it was in the book and why that adjustment was so important to Kerry. She tells Marc about her childhood in the Bronx, her feeling of being “the other” in high school, and her det

Aug 17, 2020 • 1:04:35

Episode 1148 - Elliot Page

[NOTE: This episode and its synopsis were published on August 13, 2020.] At the time when Juno became an award-winning hit film, Ellen Page experienced two things she never experienced before in her young life: She was now instantly famous and she fell in love. Unfortunately, the pressures of the former prevented her from publicly acknowledging the latter. Ellen talks to Marc about the struggles she faced in hiding her true self and the relief of coming out seven years later. They also talk abou

Aug 13, 2020 • 1:04:54

Episode 1147 - Sarah Snook

Sarah Snook plays a character on Succession who exists in the center of the American power structure. But in real life, she's riding out the pandemic on the other side of the world, from her homeland of Australia. Sarah and Marc talk about how she was told she was “too much of an enigma” in drama school and how she evolved into the kind of actor who Helen Mirren requests by name as a co-star. They also discuss how she relates to her Succession character, Shiv Roy, and why she never w

Aug 10, 2020 • 1:24:35

Episode 1146 - Joe List

Joe List shot his new standup special a week before everything shut down, but that doesn't mean he's given up on comedy. He's been performing in parks, at drive-ins and even on Zoom. Marc talks with Joe about pandemic comedy. They also explore Joe's roots as a standup, from his first viewing of a George Carlin special to his training in Boston to his experience bottoming out with alcohol while on the road. Marc and Joe compare notes on getting sober as comics. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the fu

Aug 6, 2020 • 1:21:20

Episode 1145 - Ice-T

Tumultuous times call for sensible comments from voices of reason. Who better to speak to the issues of the day than Ice-T? The legendary rapper, rocker and actor talks about his personal experiences with COVID to offer some much-needed perspective. He also gives his take on the importance of the anti-racism protests around the world and how it relates to the race-driven firestorm over his Body Count album in 1992. Marc and Ice also talk about Redd Foxx, Richard Belzer, and a time Marc saw Ice a

Aug 3, 2020 • 1:17:18

Episode 1144 - Marsha Warfield

Not only is Marsha Warfield one of the early pioneers of the Comedy Store scene, she was also there at the start of standup comedy as we know it in Chicago. Marsha tells Marc what it was like to compete for limited spots while coming up against the politics and prejudices of the day. Marsha also talks about the friendships she developed with Richard Pryor and Paul Mooney, how her life changed overnight after her first episode of Night Court, and what it was like to retire from comedy for 20 year

Jul 30, 2020 • 1:15:42

Episode 1143 - Seth Rogen

Trigger warning if you are an anti-Semite: First of all, why are you listening to this show? Get lost! Secondly, you are REALLY not going to like this episode. Seth Rogen returns to WTF for the first time in six years and has, by far, the Jewiest talk with Marc that two Jews ever had on this show. And that's saying something. The subject matter of Seth's new movie, An American Pickle, might have something to do with it, but they really get into their shared childhood experiences, their attitudes

Jul 27, 2020 • 1:11:19

Episode 1142 - Chris Fairbanks

Chris Fairbanks lives the life of a comic, which means a lot of his life is on hold right now. Chris and Marc compare notes on what it's like to live alone during Covid, a non-ideal situation that is nevertheless providing them both with room for personal growth. They also talk about Chris's upbringing in Montana, skateboarding, chewing tobacco, making miniatures, and why having a mustache helps with comedy. Chris also explains what it's like to have a lot of true crime fans coming to his shows,

Jul 23, 2020 • 1:17:07

Episode 1141 - Marc and Tom's Normal Things

Tom Scharpling and Marc spend some time talking about the kind of things we all cared about when life was normal: music, coffee, comedy, live performances, and other things that make us feel alive. Leave your worries at the garage door and listen to these two friends wax nostalgic about Dunkin' Donuts coffee, the music that first hooked them as kids, their favorite comedy albums, and their renewed love of Rodney Dangerfield and Don Rickles. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and

Jul 20, 2020 • 1:14:57

Episode 1140 - Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey just wrote his first novel, a semi-autobiographical look at show business and an examination of persona. It makes sense because Jim has been playing with persona during his entire career in show business. Jim talks with Marc about his days doing stand-up in Canada, LA and Las Vegas, and the late night realization that forced him to change his act and create the public image that launched him to superstardom. They also talk about In Living Color, Ace Ventura, Rodney Dangerfield, Sam Ki

Jul 16, 2020 • 1:27:23

Episode 1139 - Colin Jost

Colin Jost has 15 years of Saturday Night Live under his belt but the time in his life he feels he's still running away from is his upbringing on Staten Island. Colin tells Marc why his Outer Borough roots loom so large in his life and how he's linked with his SNL castmate Pete Davidson by more than just their hometown. Marc and Colin also talk about the stress of hosting the Emmys, the secret gift of Lorne Michaels, and the silver linings Colin and Scarlett Johansson are finding in quarantine.

Jul 13, 2020 • 1:34:43

Episode 1138 - Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren is a winner of the Oscar, the Tony, the Emmy, and the BAFTA, and is in the middle of an illustrious career in which she played the great roles of Shakespeare, Catherine the Great and Queen Elizabeth, to name a few. And yet she still begged to be cast in the Fast and Furious franchise. Helen tells Marc why she finds film acting powerful, challenging, and uniquely fulfilling compared to her stage work. They also talk about her breakthrough on Prime Suspect, her job at an amusemen

Jul 9, 2020 • 1:21:36

Episode 1137 - John Legend

John Legend is a multiplatinum recording artist, a winner of the coveted EGOT, a loving family man and, as Marc found out in this conversation, a tremendously nice guy. The combination of John's talent and his kind disposition is what makes him the type of artist who works with a wide variety of collaborators. John talks about how collaboration defines his professional career, from his first gig working with Lauryn Hill to his new record Bigger Love. He also discusses his marriage to Chrissy Tei

Jul 6, 2020 • 1:20:05

Episode 1136 - George Lopez

George Lopez says much of his career is driven by spite. He talks with Marc about how the people who told him he wasn't going to make it served as fuel for his ambitions, especially coming from a background where his opportunities were limited. George remembers what it was like to get on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, develop a hit sitcom with Sandra Bullock as his producer, and become a late night talk show host. He also sets the record straight on what happened between him and Carlos Men

Jul 2, 2020 • 1:16:36

Carl Reiner from 2013

From 2013, Marc talks with Carl Reiner about his journey from writing to acting to directing, as well as his collaborative relationships with Sid Ceasar, Dick Van Dyke, Steve Martin and, of course, Mel Brooks. Carl died on June 29, 2020 at age 98. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 30, 2020 • 1:15:22

Episode 1135 - Alan Zweibel

One thing Alan Zweibel learned by being a writer for so many funny people is you have to set your ego aside. In doing so, Alan was able to have a career spanning decades and criss-crossing with multiple generations of comedy history. Alan tells Marc about his days selling jokes to comics in the Catskills, being part of Saturday Night Live in its first five years, finding a comic partner in Gilda Radner, creating a beloved sitcom with Garry Shandling, making his way to Broadway with Billy Crystal

Jun 29, 2020 • 1:29:46

Episode 1134 - Nora McInerny

As Marc dealt with personal grief, he looked around the Internet for some guidance on coping with loss. He found a TED Talk by Nora McInerny, who spoke about losing her father, her husband and her unborn child within the span of a few weeks. Since that time, Nora has been able to move forward with her grief, not move on, as she began a career as a published writer, a public speaker, and podcaster. Nora and Marc talk about processing the harsh realities of life while maintaining the ability to fi

Jun 25, 2020 • 1:25:30

Episode 1133 - Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe is not going to stop creating, but right now she feels the urge to use her creativity in the service of action. Marc talks with Janelle about the social and political unrest in the country today and why no one has an excuse to remain silent. Janelle explains how her fears of emotional abandonment when she was younger laid the groundwork for her music career and her acting, including her most recent performance in Homecoming. They also talk about Prince, Stevie Wonder, David

Jun 22, 2020 • 59:34

Amber Preston / J-L Cauvin

It's been five years since President Obama joined Marc in the garage and WTF is marking the occasion not with Donald Trump, but with comedian J-L Cauvin, who talks to Marc about his Trump impression going viral and reinvigorating his standup career. Then Marc talks with comic Amber Preston who, like J-L, held down a day job in Corporate America while her career in comedy took shape. Amber and Marc talk about North Dakota, Scandinavians, having Dead Head parents, and trying to shake her Fargo min

Jun 18, 2020 • 1:25:27

Episode 1132 - Amber Preston / J-L Cauvin

It's been five years since President Obama joined Marc in the garage and WTF is marking the occasion not with Donald Trump, but with comedian J-L Cauvin, who talks to Marc about his Trump impression going viral and reinvigorating his standup career. Then Marc talks with comic Amber Preston who, like J-L, held down a day job in Corporate America while her career in comedy took shape. Amber and Marc talk about North Dakota, Scandinavians, having Dead Head parents, and trying to shake her Fargo min

Jun 18, 2020 • 1:22:04

Episode 1131 - Joe Pantoliano

Joe Pantoliano is widely known for playing bad guys, lowlifes and disreputable characters. He even has his own pseudo-Mafioso nickname: Joey Pants. But Joe tells Marc the reason he got so good at playing bad guys is because he was always bullied when he was younger. Tapping into that helped him with his acting, but he had to wait until later in life to tap into the cause of his depression, which was tied up in his complicated parentage and inescapable genetics. They also talk about some of his b

Jun 15, 2020 • 1:26:57

Episode 1130 - Stacey Abrams

Stacey Abrams believes deeply that the problems facing America today - police brutality, racial discrimination, economic inequality, Covid-19, creeping authoritarianism - all require the same solution: Free and fair elections. As the only Black woman ever nominated for Governor by a major party, Stacey tells Marc how she maintains hope that obstacles can be overcome and change can be achieved. Stacey also talks about how her family traditions of faith and service shaped her political identity an

Jun 11, 2020 • 1:09:17

Episode 1129 - Jerry Seinfeld

WTF started as a comedy podcast. It’s a show made by a comedian who wanted to talk to other comedians about comedy. Finally, after more than 10 years, Marc talks with the most well-known, most successful, and arguably most influential comedian in history, Jerry Seinfeld. About comedy. About how Jerry got started in comedy, how he was incapable of socializing, how he forged a friendship with Larry David, how he fueled himself with anger toward one person in particular. But mostly just about comed

Jun 8, 2020 • 1:22:18

Episode 1128 - Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper was a guy who worked with his hands. He was raised to be a cowboy on his father’s ranch, spent time building Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, and worked as a jack-of-all-trades when he was trying to scrape by. Then he became known as a guy who worked with his heart and got to the top of his craft by doing so. Chris talks with Marc about breaking his shyness to become an actor, meeting his wife in acting class, working with John Sayles, and winning an Oscar for his madcap performanc

Jun 5, 2020 • 1:08:28

Episode 1127 - G.E. Smith

G.E. Smith started playing guitar when he was four. As he grew up, he liked The Beatles fine but it was really the Kinks and the Stones that grabbed him. Cut to many years later and G.E.’s had the opportunity to play with many of his heroes. He tells Marc about working with Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Roger Waters and more. They also talk about G.E.’s time as the bandleader on Saturday Night Live and the current dire situation for live music. This episode is sponsored by Patreon and Hon

Jun 3, 2020 • 1:09:35

Episode 1126 - Jeffrey Wright

Film and television production is on hold, but Jeffrey Wright is using the time to focus on his community. Jeffrey tells Marc how his attempt to help out a friend led him to a Brooklyn-wide effort to keep neighborhood restaurants afloat while feeding frontline workers. They also talk about ancestry, working in prison, Angels in America, Basquiat, Batman, Muddy Waters, and the great acting lesson Jeffrey learned from Christopher Walken. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace, Capterra, and HBO

Jun 1, 2020 • 1:18:05

Episode 1125 - Kenya Barris

Kenya Barris retreated from the abusive situation in his childhood home by listening to party records and reading comic books. Those early influences shaped his understanding of who he is and prompted the creation of Black-ish years later. Kenya talks with Marc about how much he learned from comedians like Patrice O’Neal and Dave Chappelle, how his childhood friendship with Tyra Banks led to his first big success in show business, and how an encounter with Jeffrey Katzenberg and a Ferrari was a

May 28, 2020 • 1:28:22

Episode 1124 - Samantha Bee

Samantha Bee says there was a point in her teenage years when she was clearly headed toward a life of crime. Thankfully, that was also the point when she realized she was being an a-hole and things needed to change. Sam tells Marc how she shook off the grifter lifestyle and started doing comedy. She also details how The Daily Show cake got baked every day and how the timing of Jon Stewart’s departure coincided with Sam getting her own opportunity to host Full Frontal on TBS. This episode is spon

May 25, 2020 • 1:13:40

Remembering Fred Willard

Marc revisits his 2012 conversation with comedic actor Fred Willard, in which they discuss Fred’s career in improv-heavy films and beloved television projects. Fred passed away at age 86 on May 15, 2020. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 21, 2020 • 1:12:04

Remembering Lynn Shelton

Marc pays tribute to his creative collaborator and romantic partner Lynn Shelton, who passed away at age 54 on May 16, 2020. This episode includes her August 2015 interview on WTF. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 18, 2020 • 1:33:55

Episode 1123 - Eliza Hittman / Dan Savage

Filmmaker Eliza Hittman talks with Marc about telling the stories of teenagers in ways that feel like the lived experiences of actual teenagers. That’s partly achieved by the naturalistic performances she gets from many non-actors. But it’s also achieved by the sensitivity of her screenplays, like her latest film Never Rarely Sometimes Always, which takes the teen protagonist on an unavoidably real journey. Also, Dan Savage returns to WTF, bringing his expertise in love and relationships to help

May 14, 2020 • 1:26:15

Episode 1122 - Cate Blanchett

Conventional wisdom holds that Cate Blanchett is one of the world’s greatest living performers, but one person who disagrees with that is Cate Blanchett, who thinks she’s pretty terrible most of the time (her words, not ours). Marc and Cate try to get to the bottom of why she’s so hard on herself despite her many career accomplishments. They discuss The Lord of the Rings, playing Bob Dylan, why her hair fell out when she played Blanche DuBois, why Al Pacino is her hero, and why she took on the s

May 11, 2020 • 1:22:59

Episode 1121 - Liz Garbus / Andy Kindler

Filmmaker Liz Garbus knows the importance of telling stories. Her father is one of America’s preeminent First Amendment lawyers, defending people with important stories to tell like Daniel Ellsberg and Lenny Bruce. Liz used her filmmaking skills to make a documentary on her father, just as she’s done with subjects like Nina Simone, the New York Times, and maximum security prisons. Liz and Marc also discuss her first scripted film, Lost Girls.  Plus, old friend Andy Kindler joins Marc to celebrat

May 7, 2020 • 1:24:30

Episode 1120 - Dan Levy

The OTHER Dan Levy joins Marc to talk about the Canadian perspective of America, the rite of passage for all Canadians that is Degrassi, and having Eugene Levy as a dad. Dan reminisces about his first big show business job, working on Canadian MTV, which led to an existential crisis at the MTV Movie Awards. It was only after being ok with walking away from show business that Dan got the inspiration to start writing for himself, leading to the creation of Schitt’s Creek. This episode is sponsored

May 4, 2020 • 1:26:21

Episode 1119 - Whitmer Thomas

Comedian Whitmer Thomas and Marc made a movie together in Alabama. But while Marc was just a visitor, Whitmer knows Alabama to the core. Growing up in Gulf Shores and living the life of a disaffected Southern skateboarding garage rocker, Whitmer was surrounded by family dysfunction that involved alcoholism, drug addiction, failed show business dreams, jail and eventually death. Whitmer says it was hard to process all of it but that’s what he did in his HBO special, The Golden One, as his despera

Apr 30, 2020 • 1:20:11

Episode 1118 - Laura Linney

Laura Linney thinks about mortality a lot and not just because of the current global predicament. Her thoughts are driven mostly by late-in-life parenthood and how her six-year-old is a constant reminder of the time she has left. Then there’s also the fact that her mother was a cancer nurse in New York City while her father lived apart from them, burning his bridges and living with regret. Laura and Marc talk about keeping things in perspective, dealing with forgiveness as you get older, and sit

Apr 27, 2020 • 1:17:53

Episode 1117 - Barry Sonnenfeld

Director Barry Sonnenfeld had zero interest in film and went to college mainly to get away from his parents. His obsession with lenses and f-stops put him on the path to becoming a cinematographer and soon he was making his first feature film with the Coen Brothers. But not before getting hired as the cameraman for a porn shoot. Barry and Marc talk about Men in Black, Get Shorty, The Addams Family, dealing with bullies in Hollywood, and firing Donald Trump. This episode is sponsored by SimpliSaf

Apr 23, 2020 • 1:31:53

Episode 1116 - Rosie O'Donnell

In a first for WTF, Rosie O’Donnell joins Marc over video chat for a bicoastal conversation about her standup career, musical theater and life during coronavirus. Rosie recalls what it was like to become a touring comic as a teenager, win big on Star Search, steal the spotlight in Hollywood movies, and then land her own TV talk show. It was only after getting to that point that she finally reckoned with the trauma she was carrying her whole life. Also, Marc reveals the connective tissue that lin

Apr 20, 2020 • 1:13:41

Episode 1115 - Sam Morril

The other half of a quarantined comedy couple, Sam Morril joins Marc in the garage at a six-foot distance to talk about the circumstances keeping him away from his home in New York and living with Taylor Tomlinson. Sam explains how he navigates scenarios without a playbook, whether it’s his relationship, getting started in comedy, or finally meeting his biological father. Marc and Sam also commiserate over missing standup and how they both bombed spectacularly during Friar’s Club roasts. This ep

Apr 16, 2020 • 1:22:10

Episode 1114 - Taylor Tomlinson

Taylor Tomlinson is possibly the first guest who grew up listening to WTF and learned the comic trade from comedians on the podcast. At the time, she was a teenager doing standup in churches and she was soon a fixture on the Christian comedy circuit. Taylor talks with Marc about how her career expanded, how she had a crisis of faith, and how her family reacted to her recent work, including her new Netflix special, Quarter-Life Crisis. She also talks about living through quarantine with her comic

Apr 13, 2020 • 1:39:47

Episode 1113 - Fran Drescher

Fran Drescher has a distinctive personality, but she says it wasn’t until her forties that she truly figured out who she is. Fran talks with Marc about growing up in Queens, being very close to her parents, and marrying her high school sweetheart. It wasn’t until she created The Nanny, dealt with post-traumatic stress, and survived cancer that she felt she could truly be her own person. They also talk about Saturday Night Fever, This is Spinal Tap and Fran’s new show, Indebted. This episode is s

Apr 9, 2020 • 1:19:11

John Prine from 2016

From Episode 746, Marc's conversation with John Prine about Kris Kristofferson, Steve Goodman, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt and delivering the mail. John passed away on April 7, 2020. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 8, 2020 • 1:00:43

Episode 1112 - Jeff Dunham

A lot of comedians spend years or decades finding their voice on stage, but Jeff Dunham was very young when he settled on his comic voice. He then proceeded to throw that voice, to great success. Jeff tells Marc what attracted him to ventriloquism, how he studied it, and where he started doing it. Jeff also explains how he designs and creates new puppets, why he uses the puppets when he’s interviewed on the radio, and how he’s responded to accusations of racial insensitivity in his characters. S

Apr 6, 2020 • 1:36:07

Episode 1111 - Byron Bowers

One thing Byron Bowers knows for sure is that comedy taught him who he is. He needed it after a childhood filled with parental discord and moving around Georgia. That was followed by a period where Byron was living three separate lives, as a basketball player, a college student and a drug dealer. Then he had to come to grips with his father’s schizophrenia and wonder if there was a difference between his dad’s disorder and his own delusional pursuit of a comedy dream. Byron also compares notes w

Apr 2, 2020 • 1:28:20

Adam Schlesinger from 2012

From Episode 348, Marc's conversation with songwriter and musician Adam Schlesinger about Fountains of Wayne, That Thing You Do, Broadway and more. Adam passed away on March 31, 2020. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 1, 2020 • 1:03:03

Episode 1110 - Ben Sinclair

Even with the popularity of his HBO series High Maintenance, Ben Sinclair is still not great at taking compliments. He gets a lot of them, considering the show is one of the early success stories from the world of DIY web series that crossed over to mainstream television. Ben tells Marc how he lived a classic struggling artist life in New York before making the show, complete with a failed audition for Blue Man Group, an apartment with bedbugs, and sleeping on a futon in a lobby. They also talk

Mar 30, 2020 • 1:44:05

Episode 1109 - Kathy Valentine

Kathy Valentine is in one of the most famous and profitable female rock bands ever but she’s really taken to becoming a writer. That's because she’s got a lot of stories to tell. Kathy talks with Marc about her new memoir that chronicles her early life and the peak of The Go-Go’s. She explains why the band fell apart after their period of success and tells Marc how the bandmates recently strengthened their bond with each other. Kathy also compares notes with Marc about finding the gift of forgiv

Mar 26, 2020 • 1:42:26

Episode 1108 - Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd has thrived in show business but he’s always been in tune with the business part as much as the show part. Whether it was running his own radio ad company or an after-hours speakeasy, or his House of Blues clubs and his Crystal Head line of vodka, Dan is always thinking of the next thing. He tells Marc how he went from Canadian improv stages to New York City for Saturday Night Live, why he was always good at doing fast-talking characters, and how his professional life became personal

Mar 23, 2020 • 1:22:44

Episode 1107 - Utkarsh Ambudkar

The world took notice of Utkarsh Ambudkar with his freestyle performance on the Oscar telecast but he was almost a classic cautionary character: The guy who blows his big break because of struggles with substance abuse. Utkarsh tells Marc about his early love of hip-hop, how rap battles and general swagger opened doors for him on Broadway and in Hollywood, and why he knew he had to sober up when he torpedoed his shot at a little musical called Hamilton. Utkarsh also talks about his friendship wi

Mar 19, 2020 • 1:39:57

Episode 1106 - Thandie Newton

When Thandie Newton took the part of Maeve on Westworld, she had no idea the character would wind up being a perfect metaphor for her life. As Thandie tells Marc, she didn’t really understand her outsider status as a mixed-race young person in England until much later in life. That confusion created an identity issue where she spent many years without knowing who she really was. Thandie talks about how she turned that corner, how her friendship with Eve Ensler changed her life, and how speaking

Mar 16, 2020 • 1:28:12

Episode 1105 - Don Gavin

Don Gavin has Boston in his bones, so much so that he’s still cold even after moving to Florida. Marc reminisces with Don about their stand-up days in New England, where Don’s kindness and encouragement of younger comics helped earn him the moniker The Godfather of Boston Comedy. But it didn’t start in Boston for Don. He drove cross-country to become a comedian. Don tells Marc about that journey as well as the timely story of what it was like doing comedy on a cruise ship and falling ill. Don al

Mar 12, 2020 • 1:12:47

Episode 1104 - Don Cheadle

It’s a good thing Marc cleaned the garage before Don Cheadle came over, otherwise Don might not have lived through this episode due to his life-threatening cat allergy. With no airborne irritants to cause problems, Don and Marc were free to talk about Don’s days at CalArts, why he loves playing golf, what he learned by portraying Miles Davis and Sammy Davis, Jr., and how Hotel Rwanda got him engaged in global activism against genocide. Don also shares stories about Boogie Nights, the MCU, and hi

Mar 9, 2020 • 1:23:45

Episode 1103 - Thora Birch

Being sixteen is tough for almost everyone. But when Thora Birch was sixteen, she went from being a familiar child actor to the girl from an Oscar-winning phenomenon, American Beauty. That movie changed her career, but it was her follow-up movie, Ghost World, that changed her whole outlook on life. Thora and Marc talk about how she adjusted after that period, what she focused on when she stepped away for a little while, and how she’s reintegrating herself into show business with the goal of expa

Mar 5, 2020 • 1:10:17

Episode 1102 - Peter Berg

Filmmaker Peter Berg and Marc never would have predicted their respective futures when they were living together in a shared apartment back when both of them were just starting out in Hollywood. Now, after they embarked on wildly different careers, their paths converged again, with Pete directing Marc in the new movie Spenser Confidential. Pete explains that once he started acting, he got the idea to write his own movie from James Mangold, learned the ins and outs of directing from working on Ch

Mar 2, 2020 • 1:52:53

Episode 1101 - Carol Kane

Show business paid off early for Carol Kane. She was in her first movie at age 17 and got an unexpected Academy Award nomination for Best Actress when she was 23. Carol tells Marc what it was like to break into the business working with directors like Mike Nichols, Hal Ashby and Sidney Lumet, and develop friendships with co-stars like Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton and Ellen Burstyn. They also discuss her roles in beloved projects like Taxi, The Princess Bride and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, as wel

Feb 27, 2020 • 1:16:40

Episode 1100 - Juliette Lewis

Juliette Lewis spent much of her life facing her fears. She was a natural introvert who was suddenly thrust into the spotlight as a teenager. She had anxiety about going to public places. She saw herself getting into trouble and wondering if she could survive. Juliette and Marc talk about how she learned to manage those fears (with help from the Rolling Stones) and how she still confronts them whenever she acts or performs with her band. They also talk about some of the movies that shaped her li

Feb 24, 2020 • 1:31:37

Episode 1099 - Adam Pally

Adam Pally watched his dad put his own show business ambitions aside while he personally washed out of a high school band and quit the basketball team. So Adam was used to the idea of things not going the way they were planned. But it was when he joined the school AV club that he found his comedy voice and got in on the early wave of the UCB in New York. Adam tells Marc how taking acting classes prepared him to be comfortable with embarrassment, which helped on shows like Happy Endings. He also

Feb 20, 2020 • 1:26:32

Episode 1098 - Ronan Farrow

Ronan Farrow needed to come to terms with a lot of things. He processed the pain and trauma that existed in his family during his upbringing. He came to an understanding with his own ambition and drive. And he realized that the deck is stacked against victims and survivors of abuse the world over. These things all contributed to his current work as an investigative journalist, his Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting, and his bestselling book about it all, Catch and Kill. Ronan also talks with Marc

Feb 17, 2020 • 1:44:37

Episode 1097 - Brett Smrz

Some people are born into stunt performing, some achieve it, and some have it thrust upon them. For Brett Smrz, it’s all three. He was born into a family of stuntmen, including his uncle who died doing a stunt. Brett was given his uncle's name, but instead of following his namesake into the family business, Brett wanted to become a race car driver. Then he lost his leg. Brett tells Marc the story of how he rebounded from that life-changing accident to become an elite Hollywood stunt driver, with

Feb 13, 2020 • 1:11:57

Episode 1096 - Ben Schwartz

Ben Schwartz was afraid to do plays in high school. In fact, if it wasn’t for his college girlfriend pushing him to audition for the school improv group, his life would be dramatically different. Ben talks with Marc about his early comedy ambitions which prompted him to sneak into MTV looking for a job, get an internship at the UCB, and become a page for The Late Show with David Letterman. Ben also explains how his confidence grew on camera playing Jean-Ralphio on Parks and Rec, why his mind is

Feb 10, 2020 • 1:46:10

Episode 1095 - Dan Levy

Once Marc gets over the confusion around Dan Levy’s name (he pronounces it differently than the Dan Levy from Schitt’s Creek), he tries to figure out how Dan went from being a guy opening at comedy clubs to a creator and showrunner of his own network sitcom. Dan talks about getting into writing while doing road gigs as a comic, what it was like to write for friends like Whitney Cummings and John Mulaney, how it was different to be a hired joke writer on a show like The Goldbergs, and how it all

Feb 6, 2020 • 1:24:26

Episode 1094 - Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher is still close with the modeling agent who discovered him in a bar in Iowa. He’s also still with the manager who got him his first acting work. Ashton talks with Marc about why he feels such a strong loyalty to the people who first gave him a shot, especially because those early shots led to acting stardom, a successful production company, and lucrative involvement in the world of tech investing. They also talk about That ‘70s Show, Punk’d, taking over for Charlie Sheen on Two and

Feb 3, 2020 • 1:20:02

Episode 1093 - Ben Bailey

Ben Bailey and Marc share a particular gripe as comics. Both of them became widely known for beloved projects they started doing on a whim. For Ben it was Cash Cab, for Marc it was this podcast. And as much as they love those projects, they really just wanted to be known as stand-ups. Ben tells Marc how he got his start answering phones at The Comedy Store and how he really wanted to be a marine biologist before he got into comedy. He also describes his lifelong fascination with fish tanks and o

Jan 30, 2020 • 1:27:44

Episode 1092 - Terry Crews

Terry Crews survived a lot. He survived a tumultuous upbringing in an alcoholic household. He survived the destruction of his hometown, Flint, Michigan. He survived playing in the NFL. He survived a pornography addiction that sent him to rehab, and his marriage survived it too. And he survived a confrontation with Hollywood agents that he was certain would end his career. Terry tells Marc how his love of art, music and comedy always won out and how projects like Idiocracy, Brooklyn 99 and Americ

Jan 27, 2020 • 1:36:09

Episode 1091 - Josh Klinghoffer

Josh Klinghoffer came over to Marc’s house just days after receiving the surprising news from the Red Hot Chili Peppers that his time with the band was over. He talks with Marc about John Frusciante’s sudden RHCP reunion and being the odd man out. But he also talks about what it’s like to develop as a solo artist under the name Pluralone after may years of feeling like he was hiding in other people’s projects, including well-regarded collaborations with Bob Forrest, the Butthole Surfers, Jon Bri

Jan 23, 2020 • 1:21:52

Episode 1090 - Brian Cox

When listening to actor Brian Cox talk with Marc, it’s hard to see how this pleasant man is anything like the despotic, cold-blooded patriarch Logan Roy, who he plays on HBO’s Succession. Except there is one thing they have in common: They both see the human experiment as rather ludicrous. Brian’s view of a world that is absurd above all else has served him well playing any number of Shakespearian characters, Hannibal the Cannibal, and his real life role as a champion for Scottish independence.

Jan 20, 2020 • 1:38:40

Episode 1089 - Randall Park

Randall Park’s Korean immigrant parents were skeptical about their son’s career path. But that all changed when Randall played the actual dictator of North Korea in The Interview, a movie that caused an international incident. Randall also tells Marc why he founded an Asian-American theater company in college and why he’s taking the same mentality at the core of that group to his Hollywood production company. They also talk about Fresh Off The Boat, Always Be My Maybe, his friendship with Ali Wo

Jan 16, 2020 • 1:10:50

Episode 1088 - Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin received a bit of advice early in her life that she really took to heart: If you can’t be direct, why be? Lily’s direct approach to performing, exemplified by her creation of original characters, led her to early success in New York cabarets, spots on The Merv Griffin Show, and her breakout showcase on Laugh-In. Lily and Marc talk about her personal and professional relationship with her longtime collaborator and now wife Jane Wagner, her roles in movies like Nashville and 9 to 5, an

Jan 13, 2020 • 1:22:05

Episode 1087 - Joe Mantegna

Joe Mantegna is about as Chicago as they come. He grew up in Chicago, he talks like he’s from Chicago, he got his acting start in Chicago, he even used to play with the band Chicago. That might explain why he tells Marc he still thinks of himself as a blue collar guy with a blue collar job. Joe talks about the moment West Side Story changed his life, how David Mamet became his champion, and why he choses such a wide variety of projects, including his 13 years on Criminal Minds and his 30 years a

Jan 9, 2020 • 1:24:43

Episode 1086 - Brad Pitt & Leonardo DiCaprio

During a victory lap for their movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio put movie stardom on hold for an hour to have a chat with Marc. They talk about their early days as show business outsiders, the moment they knew their lives would never be the same, the times they've known a movie they're in is going to tank, why they don't want to direct and why they love to produce. This episode is sponsored by SimpliSafe and Everything's Gonna Be Okay on Freeform. Sign up here

Jan 6, 2020 • 1:07:17

Episode 1085 - Scott Caan

Scott Caan stars in major movies, is on a long running television series, published his own photography, wrote more than 20 plays, and yet he’s still not sure what he wants to do when he grows up. Scott and Marc talk about finding professional fulfillment after a lifetime of personal growth, from being a kid looking for trouble to mellowing with age, letting go of anger, and embracing fatherhood. Scott also tells Marc about his aborted rap career and the evolution of his relationship with his da

Jan 2, 2020 • 1:15:14

Episode 1084 - Shauna Duggins

Shauna Duggins does stunts for blockbuster movies and TV series, but at first she just wanted to entertain. She went to Los Angeles fresh out of college with a business degree and a lifetime of gymnastics experience. At the neighborhood gym, she started hanging out with a stunt crew and learned the skills that got her jobs on Charlie’s Angels, Fast Five, and Iron Man 3. Shauna tells Marc how she got the nerve to do stunts like 80-foot jumps and being set on fire, what it’s like to serve as stunt

Dec 30, 2019 • 1:22:17

Episode 1083 - Brittany Howard

Brittany Howard always needs to keep moving forward. That’s part of the reason she made the difficult decision to take a break from her band Alabama Shakes and go out on her own. Now, for the first time as a Grammy-nominated solo artist, Brittany is trying to force herself to be present and reckon with the fact that she tried so hard to get away from the past. Brittany and Marc also talk about the importance of the rhythm section, being in a prog rock band, trashing her first guitar, and embraci

Dec 26, 2019 • 1:16:22

Episode 1082 - Jimmy Tingle

Jimmy Tingle has a lot in common with Marc and many other Boston-based WTF guests. But what sets Jimmy apart is the merger of his comedy with politics and civic engagement. Jimmy tells Marc about his sobriety, his shift toward one-man shows and his focus on societal issues, which eventually led to him getting into Harvard in his mid-50s, giving the commencement address, and running for office. They also talk about how Jimmy wound up in the Andy Rooney spot on 60 Minutes 2 and his influential fri

Dec 23, 2019 • 1:20:52

Episode 1081 - Alex Gibney

Academy Award-winning documentarian Alex Gibney is always trying to understand why things are the way they are. He’s done so with Enron, Scientology, the War on Terror, Donald Trump and other topics where he often finds people believing that the ends justify the means. That’s true of his new documentary Citizen K about Russian oligarchs and Vladimir Putin. Alex also talks with Marc about his path to becoming a filmmaker and how the Blues opened him up to the possibilities of the documentary medi

Dec 19, 2019 • 1:25:55

Episode 1080 - Jay Roach

Jay Roach went from directing major comedies like the Austin Powers series and Meet the Parents to making timely political films like Recount, Game Change and his new movie Bombshell. The transition makes more sense when you hear Jay tell Marc how he’s gone from one thing to another in life - teaching in college, making documentaries, meeting his wife, meeting Mike Myers, directing his first feature film with no track record - often without warning or any plan at all. Jay and Marc also talk abou

Dec 16, 2019 • 1:39:48

Episode 1079 - Paul Walter Hauser

To play Richard Jewell, Paul Walter Hauser knew he needed to tap into a part of himself he thought he left behind in Saginaw, Michigan. Paul and Marc talk about his Christian upbringing as the son of a Lutheran pastor, the importance of faith in his life today, how show business initially beat him down and kicked him back to his home town, and how he got back in the game with an emotional audition that changed everything. They also talk about his performances in I, Tonya and Blackkklansman. This

Dec 12, 2019 • 1:28:13

Episode 1078 - Cedric the Entertainer

Before he was a King of Comedy, before he was even an entertainer, he was Cedric the Insurance Claims Adjuster. Cedric and Marc talk about his emergence in the St. Louis-area comedy scene and how the business of Black Comedy took off. Cedric also looks back on his brief but game-changing touring days with Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey and DL Hughley, his roles in movies like Barbershop and First Reformed, and his current CBS series The Neighborhood. This episode is sponsored by WHO by The Who, Zoro.c

Dec 9, 2019 • 1:20:28

Episode 1077 - Ethan Russell

Photographer Ethan Russell is the only person to shoot album covers for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who, which is quite an achievement considering he didn’t even want a career as a photographer. Ethan talks with Marc about going from the U.S. to England in the 1960s to become a writer, only to find himself working with Mick Jagger and taking rock and roll photographs that stand the test of time. On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the ill-fated Altamont Free Concert, Ethan describ

Dec 5, 2019 • 1:30:36

Episode 1076 - Jessica Kirson

There was a point in Jessica Kirson’s life where she was living with too many secrets. She was a pot dealer, she had a hidden cocaine habit, and she was deeply in the closet. Jessica worked to unburden herself of all those secrets and found a breakthrough when her grandmother told her, at 29 years old, that she should be a comedian. Jessica and Marc talk about her therapist mom, her stepbrother Zach Braff, her ex-girlfriend Susan Powter, and her unexpected friend Robert DeNiro. She also explains

Dec 2, 2019 • 1:21:47

Episode 1075 - Keith Wager

Keith Wager is a recovery friend of Marc’s who has a lot to be thankful for. Instead of doing drugs and getting arrested, like he did in the past, now he’s telling stories about his addiction and recovery on his podcast It’s All Bad. And because it always helps to talk about things, Keith and Marc talk about the bad decisions he made while drunk or on speed, his time in various detention centers, and his new life as a Hollywood wardrobe stylist. Plus, Marc delivers his annual reminder of how to

Nov 28, 2019 • 1:22:47

Episode 1074 - Mike Sweeney

Mike Sweeney tried on several different careers before becoming the head writer for Conan O’Brien: trial lawyer, standup comedian, warm-up comic. But it’s a miracle he was able to do any of them after growing up in a violent, unpredictable household. Mike tells Marc the truly shocking circumstances of his early life, as well as the better days doing comedy in New York City, the highs of Late Night on NBC, the chaos of Conan’s Tonight Show days, and the many hats he now wears in the Conan Empire.

Nov 25, 2019 • 1:19:56

Episode 1073 - Louis Katz

Comic Louis Katz was working with Marc just before the launch of WTF. In the ten years since, Louis and Marc have taken paths that are both similar and completely different. They share their experiences on the road and get into the nuts and bolts of comedy club standup, then and now, as well as the persistent East Coast-West Coast split between comedy sensibilities. Louis also talks about what it was like to have a long distance relationship when starting out in comedy and what he’s only learnin

Nov 21, 2019 • 1:22:07

Episode 1072 - Nathan Lane

When a very complementary newspaper profile called Nathan Lane “the last of the great entertainers,” Nathan couldn’t help but wonder, “Is that all there is?” Nathan talks with Marc about the subsequent steps he took to get himself out of the box people wanted him in, which included taking on roles like Hickey in The Iceman Cometh and Roy Cohn in Angels in America. They also discuss Nathan’s early days of dinner theater and stand-up comedy, his theory on why The Producers was such a big hit, and

Nov 18, 2019 • 1:39:27

Episode 1071 - Lili Taylor

Actress Lili Taylor and Marc quickly realize how much they have in common, like their nearly 50 combined years of sobriety, their similar stories about parents struggling with mental illness, and their search for belonging in New York City when they were younger. Lili tells Marc what it was like to be a central figure in the independent film community of the 1990s, but that was only a short moment in the first part of her life. The question Lili’s been asking herself lately is, Am I up to the ta

Nov 14, 2019 • 1:25:53

Episode 1070 - Tony Hale

Tony Hale is trying to be more present. He’s motivated by the fact that some of the biggest moments of his career on shows like Arrested Development and Veep are lost down the memory hole. Tony and Marc trace the reasons for these mental gaps, which are largely attributable to childhood panic attacks, codependency, and a long-running search for identity. They also talk about Tony’s reliance on his faith, his comedy partnership with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and his emergence as a beloved children’s c

Nov 11, 2019 • 1:25:55

Episode 1069 - Kate Nash

Kate Nash says getting cast on GLOW saved her life and, when you hear about the emotional roller coaster she was on before landing the gig, that might literally be true. Kate tells Marc what it was like to leverage her MySpace account into pop stardom at age 19, with a number one record and sold out shows for thousands of devoted fans. And then she explains why it all fell apart, with anxiety, OCD and a near-total breakdown to follow. They also talk about working together for the past four years

Nov 7, 2019 • 1:17:30

Episode 1068 - John Goodman

John Goodman has more than four decades of experience on stage, in movies, and on television, but he’s just now learning to trust himself. After a lifetime of trying to please everyone and beating himself up over everything, John tells Marc what finally caused his perception to shift. John also talks about being shaped by comic books and Mad Magazine, finding inspiration working with David Byrne and Al Pacino early in his career, and why he knew there was something special about the Coen Brother

Nov 4, 2019 • 1:14:46

Episode 1067 - Joan Shelley

Marc doesn’t consider himself a “folk music guy” but he cannot deny how strongly he responds to singer-songwriter Joan Shelley’s work. Joan talks with Marc about her Kentucky upbringing and how she’s careful to respect the roots of folk music while also infusing her work with a vulnerability and texture that is her own. She also discusses her collaborative relationship with Nathan Salsburg, working with Jeff Tweedy as her producer, and her reasons for recording her latest album in Iceland. Plus,

Oct 31, 2019 • 1:11:57

Episode 1066 - Edward Norton

Edward Norton knows the importance of slowing things down. While many entertainers feel the need to move immediately from project to project, Edward has learned from his peers, his idols, and his own experience that sometimes it’s all about what you don’t do. Edward talks with Marc about the lessons he learned from working with David Fincher and Milos Forman, the inspiration he takes from David Bowie and Bob Dylan, and the stories behind American History X and The Incredible Hulk. Edward also ex

Oct 28, 2019 • 1:45:31

Episode 1065 - Pamela Des Barres

No one can doubt Pamela Des Barres’s commitment to the life of rock and roll. She’s known as THE rock groupie, but further distinguished herself as a writer, educator, tour guide and interviewer, all involving her life on the road throughout modern music history. Growing up in California with a love of Jesus and Elvis, it wasn’t surprising she was drawn to the charismatic allure of rock stars. Pamela tells Marc about her time with Frank Zappa, Phil Spector, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Keith Moon,

Oct 24, 2019 • 1:09:38

Episode 1064 - Rick Baker

It’s very likely Rick Baker created something that made you smile, laugh, cringe, scream, or all of the above, as one of the most innovative and memorable creators of makeup effects in movie history. Rick tells Marc about being obsessed with movie makeup at 10 years old, watching monster movies on television, and drawing inspiration from Lon Chaney and his future colleague Dick Smith. But he had to fight to be accepted in an industry that didn’t want him, as he went on to create iconic cinema mo

Oct 21, 2019 • 1:38:34

Episode 1063 - Woody Harrelson

Living in Hawaii gives Woody Harrelson a pretty good perspective of what life should really be about. It’s a mentality that influences the way he chooses projects, the way he engages in activism, and the way he fulfills is spiritual side. Woody and Marc talk about this mindset and how it evolved over his career. He talks about the offer he turned down that would have kept Cheers on the air, the process he went through to get into the mind of a psychopath for Natural Born Killers, and the way his

Oct 17, 2019 • 1:22:25

Episode 1062 - Rachel Maddow

Marc sees Rachel Maddow on TV almost every night. But there was a time when they saw each other every day, back when they worked together at Air America Radio. Rachel and Marc talk about those early radio days which turned out to be a transitional point in both of their lives. Rachel also explains how her early days of AIDS activism and public policy studies eventually led her to the broadcasting career she has now, which is something she never imagined herself doing. They also discuss depressio

Oct 14, 2019 • 1:33:21

Episode 1061 - Jackie Tohn

Jackie Tohn is the co-star on GLOW who Marc feels he knows the most. Not because they knew each other before making the show, but because they share backgrounds and upbringings that make them very familiar to each other. Jackie tells Marc about growing up on Long Island, intent on pursuing an acting career, only to be met with heartbreak after heartbreak, from pilots that didn’t go to last minute casting changes to an American Idol bust. Jackie explains how a disappointed friend helped snap her

Oct 10, 2019 • 1:23:03

Episode 1060 - Argus Hamilton

Argus Hamilton is the human embodiment of The Comedy Store, with the distinction of being one of the original Comedy Store comics and the only person of his generation who still works there today. In other words, he’s the perfect guest for WTF, as Marc continues building a comprehensive oral history of the infamous club. Argus tells some stories and dispels some myths about The Store’s origins, about the comics who really put the place on the map, about the big names like Pryor, Williams and Kin

Oct 7, 2019 • 1:36:50

Episode 1059 - Danny DeVito

Danny DeVito is one of America’s most beloved actors and that’s true across multiple generations. Whether it’s because you came of age with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest or watched Taxi every week or accepted his version of The Penguin as definitive or followed his antics with The Gang for 14 years on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Danny is probably someone you feel like you know. Marc takes the time to know more about Danny, finding out about his Jersey Shore childhood, his days as a gard

Oct 3, 2019 • 1:30:16

Episode 1058 - Marilu Henner

Marilu Henner will not forget what was said in this conversation. That’s mostly because she has a rare condition that allows her to remember virtually everything that ever happened to her. But it’s also because she and Marc go deep into her life and multifaceted career. They discuss the eccentric environment she was raised in, the tragedy that befell her family, the acting break that got her started in show business, the health challenges in her life that led to a career as an author, and her va

Sep 30, 2019 • 1:27:34

Episode 1057 - Jeannie Gaffigan

Jeannie Gaffigan had a lot on her plate. She was raising five kids, writing comedy with her husband Jim, and producing a television sitcom. She was so busy taking care of others that she forgot to take care of herself. Jeannie tells Marc how that self-neglect led to the inadvertent discovery of a brain tumor the size of a pear, a ten-hour surgery to remove it, and the complications that threatened her life. Now, on the road to a full recovery, Jeannie is learning how to let go of some of the con

Sep 26, 2019 • 1:23:55

Episode 1056 - Byron Allen

How did Byron Allen go from teenage stand-up to highly successful media mogul and entrepreneur? Byron thinks it has everything to do with growing up in Detroit, watching his dad working at Ford and internalizing that factory worker mentality. Of course, his mom was a big help too, working as a tour guide at NBC Studios so young Byron could watch and learn from Johnny Carson, Redd Foxx, Richard Pryor and many others. Byron tells Marc how he found The Comedy Store, how he put in the hard work to g

Sep 23, 2019 • 1:53:09

Episode 1055 - Chaunté Wayans

Chaunté Wayans has a last name that adds a lot of pressure to a comedy career. She also happens to be the niece and cousin of many famous comedians with that last name. That’s one reason she stayed away from comedy when she was younger, choosing instead to get into film and television production. When Chaunté was working as an editor, she started struggling with anxiety, which led to alcoholism, which led to multiple arrests. Chaunté talks with Marc about rebounding, embracing her own comedic id

Sep 19, 2019 • 1:21:18

Episode 1054 - June Diane Raphael

June Diane Raphael knows people are likely to mispronounce her last name (it’s RAY-feel) but she’s ok with it. She has other things on her mind right now, like being a working mom in Hollywood, getting more women encouraged to run for office, and the simple things like aging, the meaning of life, and the acceptance of death. June and Marc talk about all of that, as well as her improv background, her marriage to How Did This Get Made? co-host Paul Scheer, and what she learns from working with Jan

Sep 16, 2019 • 1:20:32

Episode 1053 - Danny Huston

Danny Huston felt somewhat doomed when it came to show business. His father John and grandfather Walter were legendary Hollywood figures and his half-sister Anjelica seemed like the coolest person in the world to him. To Danny, getting into the business seemed daunting. But after helping to shoot the opening credit sequence on one of his dad’s films, Danny was hooked. His father was his friend and collaborator but his death left Danny rudderless. And that’s when he started acting. Danny talks wi

Sep 12, 2019 • 1:10:28

Episode 1052 - Bruce Dern

When Bruce Dern showed up at The Actors Studio, Lee Strasberg told him he was going to be their Frankenstein Monster and Elia Kazan told him “you’re not into acting, you’re just into being.” But they also told Bruce he would never be a leading man and no one would know who he is until his 60s. It was the start of a career that spanned hundreds of movies, TV shows and plays, and shows no signs of letting up. Bruce goes through all of it with Marc, including his experiences working with legends, s

Sep 9, 2019 • 1:08:01

Episode 1051 - Edi Patterson

When Marc first saw Edi Patterson on Vice Principals, he knew she was the kind of performer who can’t possibly stifle who she is. It turns out her raw, comedic intensity was born in Texas oil-refining country, where she was an anxious, sensitive kid who was in a full-blown existential crisis in fourth grade. Edi tells Marc how she figured out how to fake confidence, how she owes a lot of her growth to an actor from Hogan’s Heroes, and how she wound up collaborating with Danny McBride on shows an

Sep 5, 2019 • 1:20:10

Episode 1050 - Dale Beran

Unlike Marc, Dale Beran was immersed in internet culture for most of his life. He considered himself an artistic, creative person with aspirations to become a writer. But what Dale discovered in the online communities he frequented was a disconnected, nihilistic disposition that evolved from meme creation to activism to alt-right and white supremacist ideologies. Dale thoroughly documents the online worlds that created a culture of toxic trolling in his book It Came From Something Awful, which p

Sep 2, 2019 • 1:26:26

Episode 1049 - Buddy Guy

Legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy had many insecurities about performing and they didn’t really subside until musicians like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck would tell him how big of an influence he was on them. Buddy tells Marc about is humble beginnings, growing up in Louisiana to sharecropper parents, picking cotton for small amounts of money. His high energy performances, inspired by Guitar Slim, helped Buddy stand out among his peers, but respect in the industry was hard fought and late coming

Aug 29, 2019 • 1:21:16

Episode 1048 - Betty Gilpin

Betty Gilpin’s performance on GLOW has brought her critical accolades, Emmy nominations, and personal fulfillment. So why does she feel like she’s constantly running from a monster that is snapping at her ankles? Part of it is she lost a certain degree of invisibility as a performer and as her visibility rises the job gets harder and weirder. Betty and Marc discuss the strange out-of-body experiences of talk shows and junkets, and how learning to fight for yourself becomes a critical survival to

Aug 26, 2019 • 1:31:09

Episode 1047 - David Shields

David Shields is always looking to push the form forward, whether it’s by way of his writing, his filmmaking or his thinking. Using collage-style prose and film techniques to help draw connections, David intrigued Marc with what his art says about the world and our place in it. So the two of them had a talk about some of David’s recent work exploring war, journalism, race, masculinity, Donald Trump, and football player Marshawn Lynch. Both David and Marc try to find the connections, in the work

Aug 22, 2019 • 1:30:09

Episode 1046 - Patricia Clarkson

Patricia Clarkson came to show business by way of New Orleans, where exposure to all manner of public figures who were equal parts good and bad may explain why she never judges the characters she plays, even if they’re monstrous. That’s true of her Emmy-nominated performance in Sharp Objects and her stage performance as Blanche DuBois, a role Patricia says she had to survive. She also talks with Marc about working with Brian DePalma and Clint Eastwood in her first two films, struggling in Hollyw

Aug 19, 2019 • 1:19:38

Peter Fonda from 2018

From Episode 930, Marc's conversation with actor Peter Fonda about childhood trauma, Easy Rider, and talking George Harrison down from a bad trip. Peter passed away on August 16, 2019. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 17, 2019 • 51:32

Episode 1045 - Stephen Root

Stephen Root grew up moving all over the country because of his dad’s job. Being uprooted all the time meant he was shy and quiet without too many friends.  Fortunately, shy, quiet people are good observers. Stephen tells Marc how he was able to channel this childhood disposition into his acting and each opportunity always led to something else. Shakespearean acting helped him play a Klingon on Star Trek. Working on King of the Hill led him to a table read of Office Space. Stephen even sees News

Aug 15, 2019 • 1:18:07

Episode 1044 - Bashir Salahuddin

Bashir Salahuddin is having a moment. He has two new shows out that he co-created and stars in, South Side and Sherman’s Showcase. He’s back in the third season of GLOW. And he’ll be in Top Gun: Maverick next year. But despite all this, Bashir tells Marc that he still struggles with the business aspect of show business. They also talk about his upbringing in Chicago, working with his comedy partner Diallo Riddle, writing for Jimmy Fallon, and dealing with a case of impostor syndrome while workin

Aug 12, 2019 • 1:28:38

Episode 1043 - Greg Kinnear

Greg Kinnear actually bailed on being an actor. Even though he performed in high school plays and hosted his own radio show as a teenager, when he started acting in college he decided it wasn’t for him. As Greg tells Marc, it felt like too much of a crap shoot. So he tried broadcast journalism instead, eventually hosting Talk Soup on the fledgling E! channel and Later on NBC. Greg explains how these gigs led him back to acting, and they discuss some of his best roles in As Good As It Gets, Auto

Aug 8, 2019 • 1:36:09

Episode 1042 - Walton Goggins

Walton Goggins has played tough guys, weird guys and guys who completely defy description, but to him it’s all just playing pretend. Walton found himself as the center of attention at a young age while he was being raised by a group of women - his mother, his aunts and his grandmother. He caught the performance bug wile living in Georgia and a random American Express mail promotion became his ticket to Los Angeles. Walton tells Marc what it was like to learn on the job from Robert Duvall and Ant

Aug 5, 2019 • 1:22:24

Episode 1041 - Juston McKinney

Juston McKinney’s story keeps coming back to New Hampshire. It’s where he grew up, where he lost his mother at age six, where his father was a homeless alcoholic, and where Juston became a cop. He tells Marc why he joined the police force in the first place, why he gave it up for comedy, how his background as a cop made him a hot comedian with TV deals and big money promises that all went away. Through the career ups and downs, Juston always finds himself back in New Hampshire, for comedy purpos

Aug 1, 2019 • 1:28:55

Episode 1040 - Kurt Andersen

At some point in the past decade, Kurt Andersen felt like he had to figure out America. Coming from a professional career rooted in satire and troublemaking, Kurt had a pretty good vantage point to examine the tug of war between reason and magical thinking that has become a chronic American condition. Kurt talks with Marc about putting this all into his book, Fantasyland, and recalls the founding of Spy Magazine, where he and Graydon Carter took pleasure messing with public institutions like the

Jul 29, 2019 • 1:25:08

Episode 1039 - Tom Dreesen

Now that Tom Dreesen has 50 years in show business under his belt, he wants to enjoy life. He’s earned it because he’s already experienced enough for five lifetimes. Tom takes Marc all the way back to when he was a kid in suburban Illinois, holding on to a life-changing secret. After wandering aimlessly through jobs in construction, private investigation and the military, he started doing comedy with his partner Tim Reid. Tom talks about going to LA where he became a regular at The Comedy Store,

Jul 25, 2019 • 1:36:38

Episode 1038 - Geena Davis

Geena Davis says the biggest thing she had to learn as she made her way through show business was how to speak up for herself. This was particularly difficult because she was taught at a very young age that politeness was paramount, to the point where it endangered her life. Geena talks with Marc about how the industry as a whole needed to go through a similar change, which is why she gathered a team from her institute to amass evidence of institutional sexism and gender bias. They also talk abo

Jul 22, 2019 • 1:28:18

Episode 1037 - Alex Ross Perry

Not only did director and writer Alex Ross Perry work in a video store while he was learning to become a filmmaker, his first film crew was made up of his friends and co-workers at the video store and they remain his crew today. Alex explains to Marc that watching films by directors like David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick made him want to have an immediately identifiable style. He found his style while embracing a true independent film aesthetic, which means virtually no money and very few shooting

Jul 18, 2019 • 1:20:30

Episode 1036 - Sean Lennon

Sean Lennon admits that he was naïve about his family legacy when he began a career in music. He also admits that when he received bad reviews for his first solo record, deep down he agreed with them. Sean talks with Marc about how he grew into himself as an artist and musician, how “John and Yoko” as the world sees them are different from his dad and mom as he knows them, and how the trauma of losing his father at a young age left him with memories that will never go away. They also talk about

Jul 15, 2019 • 1:37:29

Episode 1035 - Nahnatchka Khan

When Nahnatchka Khan started developing Fresh Off The Boat for TV, she knew it was an undertaking that no one had tried for more than 20 years: A network sitcom with an Asian-American cast. And it was a premise that appealed to her as a first generation American whose parents are Iranian immigrants. Nahnatchka talks with Marc about getting her start working in kids animation, how she learned the nuts and bolts of show running, and why directing the film Always Be My Maybe is another example of c

Jul 11, 2019 • 1:23:59

Episode 1034 - David Lee Roth

You only need to hear David Lee Roth talk for a few seconds to understand why he is the consummate rock and roll frontman. Diamond Dave takes Marc on a stream of consciousness ride through his past, present, future and whatever else he’s thinking about in the moment. They talk about David’s love of Big Band music, jazz guitar, his Uncle Manny, working as an EMT in the Bronx, and his serendipitous pairing with the Van Halen brothers that created musical perfection and nonstop personal animosity.

Jul 8, 2019 • 1:26:50

Episode 1033 - Jamie Lee

Jamie Lee started her career in close proximity to comedy, but not actually doing it. She was working in PR at Comedy Central and found herself around a lot of comics in a professional capacity. It wasn’t long before she caught the bug and was doing open mics in New York City. Jamie tells Marc about the influence of her parents, who were photographers for ZZ Top and later rock concert promoters and club owners. She also talks about working with Pete Holmes on Crashing and why the stress, shame a

Jul 4, 2019 • 1:12:21

Episode 1032 - Stephen Dorff

Stephen Dorff started acting in movies before he was a teenager, but the sudden and tragic death of his brother made him contemplate leaving the business altogether. Stephen tells Marc why he stuck it out and how he wound up landing one of his most fulfilling roles of his career in True Detective. Stephen talks about the good fortune he’s had in forming relationships with an older generation of actors, like Dennis Hopper, Anjelica Huston and Jack Nicholson, and in working with a variety of great

Jul 1, 2019 • 1:25:16

Episode 1031 - Brent Butt

Even though Brent Butt grew up in rural Saskatchewan, his path to comedy is similar to American comics, except it was exclusively Canadian. He was a directionless youth who was taken in by comedy on Canadian TV, he booked gigs throughout the Canadian countryside to hone his act, he dealt with monopolistic club owners and did sets in lousy environments like curling rinks. It all led to him being the first native Canadian with a #1 comedy series in Canada, Corner Gas, which was turned into a hit m

Jun 27, 2019 • 1:23:30

Episode 1030 - Stephen Colbert

Before Stephen Colbert knew what he wanted to do with his life, all he wanted was to be Hamlet. Not to play Hamlet, but to be Hamlet. That’s how he felt as an outsider teen dealing with family tragedy and deep, unaddressed grief. Stephen tells Marc how comedy gave him a refuge from sadness, how his anxiety dissipated when doing improv and sketch comedy, and how a nervous breakdown made him realign his life. They also talk about The Colbert Report, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and doin

Jun 24, 2019 • 1:25:54

Episode 1029 - Steve Sweeney

When Steve Sweeney was growing up in Boston, the last thing he expected to become was an entertainer. He rubbed elbows with career criminals in Charlestown but somehow wound up doing summertime productions of Shakespeare plays and seeing actors like Lawrence Olivier and Christopher Plummer. Acting then led to exposure to comedy, which later led to cocaine-induced psychosis, and eventually to working in jails and with at-risk youth. Steve talks with Marc about the journey to build his act and why

Jun 20, 2019 • 1:17:10

Episode 1028 - Eve Ensler

When Marc read Eve Ensler’s new book The Apology, he knew he had to speak with her right away. Not just because it was a harrowing, beautifully written, courageous book, but because Marc believes the book fully reveals the geometry of toxic masculinity. Eve and Marc have an emotional conversation about why she needed to change the narrative of being the victim to her father’s perpetrator and how she constructed an apology from her deceased father to achieve that goal. They also discuss The Vagin

Jun 17, 2019 • 1:24:11

Episode 1027 - Jamie Denbo

Jamie Denbo’s life and career would not be the same were it not for her job at a Renaissance fair. Her future in comedy, improv, acting, and now writing and producing might not have taken shape if she didn’t mistakenly audition for a gig she didn’t understand. Jamie tells Marc how early life misdirection and heavy duty self-criticism changed course thanks to the honing of her improv skills at the Ren-Fair and her coming-of-age at the original UCB Theater. They also talk about Ronna and Beverly,

Jun 13, 2019 • 1:17:30

Episode 1026 - Mavis Staples

As Mavis Staples turns 80 years old, she continues to perform and record with young musicians and producers across musical genres, just as she’s done her whole life. Mavis talks with Marc about her early years as a gospel singer with her family, the stunned reception they received when they started singing R&B songs, and the life-threatening acts of racial prejudice she encountered in the Jim Crow South. Mavis also details the important moments she shared with her father Pops Staples, Martin Lut

Jun 10, 2019 • 1:25:47

Episode 1025 - Perry Farrell

Perry Farrell is the creative force behind Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Pyros, and the Lollapalooza festival, but while talking with Marc, it’s clear a lot of Perry's focus these days is on being a dad. Perry sees the parallels in how he was angry at his family as a teenager and how his relationship with his own teenage son is evolving. Also, Perry’s wife, Etty Lau Farrell, gets on the mic with him to talk about their collaborative project Kind Heaven, which is an album, a community event and, th

Jun 6, 2019 • 1:12:00

Episode 1024 - John Turturro

When you talk with John Turturro, it’s quickly apparent that he’s a student of history. But John says that type of education really only happened for him once he left school and engaged with the world. His breadth of knowledge has certainly helped him as an actor and director throughout his versatile career. John and Marc talk about his fascinations, as well as what John was able to build for himself after living in a fairly volatile household. He also looks back at his experiences with longtime

Jun 3, 2019 • 1:18:42

Episode 1023 - David Letterman

David Letterman started out doing the very thing that scared him to death - getting up in front of strangers and trying to make them laugh. Now after wrapping up a legendary and influential career as late night host, Dave talks with Marc about his early days at The Comedy Store, his enjoyment of the longform interviews he’s doing for Netflix, and his focus on the hard work of becoming a better person. Dave also reveals his favorite thing about his old show and the one comic he always thought was

May 30, 2019 • 1:29:08

Episode 1022 - Timothy Olyphant

In the last decade or so, Timothy Olyphant realized that a lot of his interests when he was younger were either impractical, ill-fitting or not very cool. He found himself going in many different directions because, as he puts it, he was scared to death of success. Timothy talks with Marc about his false starts as an artist and a standup comic before falling into acting. He explains why Deadwood was the gift that keeps on giving in terms of what he learned while making it and why he started taki

May 27, 2019 • 1:23:35

Episode 1021 - Duff McKagan

Duff McKagan weathered the storm of rock and roll excess and now finds himself with a loving family, sobriety, a reunited band, and a new solo album. Duff takes Marc back to the days when he first met Axl Rose, when Guns N’ Roses became one of the biggest bands in the world, and when heroin decimated his entire scene and nearly ended his life. Duff also talks about the lesson he learned from Joe Strummer that still guides him today, why Slash still blows his mind, and how he keeps himself ground

May 23, 2019 • 1:40:54

Episode 1020 - Lisa Kudrow

Of course Lisa Kudrow talks with Marc about Friends. But first they discuss several other topics Lisa knows well, including genealogy, global migration patterns, evolutionary biology, and headaches. Lisa also explains how Jon Lovitz was responsible for pushing her toward improv, how Conan O’Brien helped her put it all together, and how the cast of Friends stuck together to get what they deserved. Plus, some talk about The Comeback, Web Therapy, and her new movie, Booksmart. This episode is spons

May 20, 2019 • 1:23:11

Episode 1019 - Kyle Mooney

A fateful moment in Kyle Mooney’s life was when his high school hip hop group went up in flames. Quite literally. All his equipment was destroyed in a fire. Lacking an outlet for his creativity, Kyle gravitated toward improv and making digital videos, two skills that would eventually land him on Saturday Night Live. Kyle tells Marc his SNL story (of course) and talks about the fulfillment of making his first feature film, Brigsby Bear. He also explains why he likes going for human reactions in c

May 16, 2019 • 1:15:00

Episode 1018 - Anjelica Huston

If there was one constant in Anjelica Huston’s early life and career, it was the pressure to prove herself. Anjelica tells Marc about the benefits and drawbacks of being part of a Hollywood dynasty, the strains on the relationship with her father when she started making movies with him, and what it meant to her when she won an Oscar for working under her dad’s direction. They also talk about her life with Jack Nicholson, her work on Wes Anderson’s movies, and why it was difficult to make the Add

May 13, 2019 • 1:26:17

Episode 1017 - Anna Konkle & Maya Erskine

Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine, co-creators and stars of the middle school-based comedy PEN15, met and bonded in college. But they knew their most authentic collaboration would come from playing themselves as adolescents, which started them on a six-year journey to put together their show. Maya and Anna talk with Marc about playing their 13-year-old selves again, what it was like to redo traumatic moments of their youth, and why all the other actors are age-appropriate teens. Also, Anna explains w

May 9, 2019 • 1:17:29

Episode 1016 - Dennis Quaid

Dennis Quaid believes in the benefits of familiarity. In fact, he attributes his career to it. Multiple generations of audiences know him for different films, be it Breaking Away or Dreamscape or The Parent Trap or The Rookie, but everyone has a sense of who he is. That’s because Dennis says he’s always playing a version of himself, even when he’s playing real people like Doc Holliday, astronaut Gordo Cooper, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Dennis also talks with Marc about teaching mandolin to Marlon Bran

May 6, 2019 • 1:19:43

Episode 1015 - Irwin Winkler

After fifty years in Hollywood producing some of the most popular movies of all time, Irwin Winkler says the question he still gets asked the most is, What does a producer do? To get the answer, Irwin tells Marc about his days running the bumper cars on Coney Island, his job as a self-described mediocre agent, and his success making movies as the studio system broke down, including culture-changing hits like Rocky, Raging Bull and Goodfellas. Plus, Irwin explains why he’s had such a great collab

May 2, 2019 • 1:21:04

Episode 1014 - Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda is still acting and is still an activist, two constants in her entire adult life. But as she tells Marc, Jane spent a lot of her life thinking she was a worthless person. Carrying the twin burdens of her mother’s suicide and a strained relationship with her father, Jane talks about why she gravitated throughout her life toward strong men, how she struggled with her own compulsive behavior, and what finally happened to convince her that she was worth it. Jane and Marc also talk about t

Apr 29, 2019 • 1:16:36

Episode 1013 - Bryan Callen

Bryan Callen always wished he could be a tough guy. Maybe it was the influence of his Marine father or maybe it was the snippets of American culture he was taking in as he grew up all over the world. Whatever it was, it caused a crisis of identity that pushed him toward acting and, ultimately, standup comedy. Bryan talks with Marc about where that identity crisis stands today, why he doesn’t buy into the concept of alpha males, and what’s driving him to be a better man today. They also compare n

Apr 25, 2019 • 1:22:19

Episode 1012 - Brené Brown

Brené Brown’s degree in social work and her research into conditions like empathy and vulnerability led to one of the most viewed TED Talks of all time, millions of readers of her books, and celebrity boosters like Oprah Winfrey. But it was her academic work on shame that started it all and is the aspect of her work that resonated strongly with Marc. Brené talks with Marc about the evolution of her work, how it’s reflected in social and cultural changes, what her research told her about hope, an

Apr 22, 2019 • 1:21:39

Episode 1011 - Mark Arm / The Pashman Cometh

Mark Arm was there at the beginning of a Seattle music scene that became a national phenomenon. But all Mark ever thought he and his bandmates were doing was entertaining themselves. Mark talks about how he grew up in Suburban Washington with pressure from his mom to be in the arts and how his outsider status led him to starting bands like Green River and Mudhoney, playing alongside contemporaries like Soundgarden and Mother Love Bone. Also on this episode, Marc’s old pal Dan Pashman from The Sp

Apr 18, 2019 • 1:25:05

Episode 1010 - Christina Hendricks

Christina Hendricks can relate if you had a lousy time in high school. Between moving around a lot to her goth fashion style and music choices to her time spent with the school theater crew, Christina was a target of bullies and wanted to get as far away from school as possible. She tells Marc how this alienation led to careers in modeling and acting, and how her agents dumped her when she insisted on pursuing a role in a little show called Mad Men. Christina talks about growing along with the c

Apr 15, 2019 • 1:23:09

Episode 1009 - Bruce McCulloch

Bruce McCulloch’s characters and disposition on The Kids in the Hall would lead you to conclude he’s somewhat shy, sensitive and kind. And while that may be true now, Bruce says he was an angry young man, a drinker, a fighter. Growing up in Calgary, there didn’t seem to be much of a future for him, but improv comedy became the way out. Bruce talks with Marc about the darkness lurking beneath the Kids and why the group dissolved after making the movie Brain Candy. Bruce also talks about his frien

Apr 11, 2019 • 1:12:41

Episode 1008 - Vincent D'Onofrio

The last time Vincent D’Onofrio saw Marc it was at a standup show where Marc got tackled on stage by a disgruntled audience member. A lot has changed for both of them since then. You know Marc's story. But Vincent says in the decades since that night, he has improved his mental wellness and gotten his anger under control, two changes he thought would hurt his craft but wound up helping him become a better actor. Vincent also tells Marc about his first movie job being unadulterated Kubrick, why t

Apr 8, 2019 • 1:13:21

Episode 1007 - T Bone Burnett

Growing up in Texas, young Joseph Henry Burnett first experienced musical transportation while listening to records of Cole Porter and Ella Fitzgerald. He developed into not just a versatile musician and producer, but an obsessive archivist and student of music history. T Bone tells Marc about his days traveling with Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue, his collaborations with the Coen Brothers for their films, and his production work on the late-career albums of artists like Gregg Allman and BB K

Apr 4, 2019 • 1:27:38

Episode 1006 - John Lithgow

John Lithgow can go from playing the sweetest characters you’ll ever see to truly deranged psychopaths, sometimes within the same movie. He’s good at playing kind and evil in equal measure partly because he developed his acting range at a young age growing up around his dad’s traveling Shakespeare festivals. John talks with Marc about his many memorable roles and how working on 3rd Rock from the Sun led him to creating children’s entertainment, from voice acting to songs to books to live concert

Apr 1, 2019 • 1:23:28

Episode 1005 - Phoebe Robinson

Phoebe Robinson knows too well the feeling of being “the only one.” Whether it was being the only black person in her grade, the only woman or person of color on a standup show, or the only person being asked to step out of the line at the airport, the ongoing impact is exhausting. Which is why, as Phoebe tells Marc, she always wants to be doing her own thing on her own terms, from 2 Dope Queens to writing bestselling books to her most recent podcast, Sooo Many White Guys. Also, Phoebe and Marc

Mar 28, 2019 • 1:29:59

Episode 1004 - Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe had several revelations over the course of his life. One is that there’s more fun in sobriety than in being under the influence. Another is that he should have had a sex tape scandal later in life when it actually would have helped his career instead of nearly killing it. And the latest is that he needs to keep doing different things to keep from getting bored, including hosting a game show alongside a giant robotic arm. Rob talks with Marc about these discoveries and the moments that l

Mar 25, 2019 • 1:20:22

Episode 1003 - Tal Wilkenfeld

The word prodigy gets thrown around a lot, but if Tal Wilkenfeld isn’t one then the word has no meaning. Tal tells Marc how she never even saw a person play guitar until she was 14 years old. Thanks to encouragement from her grandfather, she started playing as a teenager and immediately stunned professional musicians with her natural talents. Tal explains how her career took off in part because of a viral video of her bass solo in a Jeff Beck concert, how she wound up playing with artists like H

Mar 21, 2019 • 1:36:19

Episode 1002 - Amy Sedaris

Amy Sedaris had no plan of action for her career other than going to Chicago to do sketch comedy and going to New York to do plays with her brother David. And as she tells Marc, she still has no plan except for doing things that she finds fun. Amy and Marc talk about how that lack of planning  led to her early Comedy Central sketch show Exit 57, a collaborative partnership with Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert that birthed Strangers with Candy, and a public persona that made her an ideal Letterm

Mar 18, 2019 • 1:13:42

Episode 1001 - Aidy Bryant

Aidy Bryant only recently felt like she could tap into her inner rage. She remains a wonderfully nice person and hilarious performer, but with things like her new show Shrill and other mental adjustments, Aidy feels like she’s taking ownership of some righteous anger. She has that in common with Marc, as well as the fact that they both cry while watching TV all the time. They talk about those shared traits as well as Aidy’s early love of improv, her path to Saturday Night Live, and breaking away

Mar 14, 2019 • 1:14:50

Episode 1000 - Episode 1000

To celebrate the milestone of 1000 episodes, Marc and WTF producer Brendan McDonald reflect on how they got here, why they created the show in the first place, and what the future holds for them and WTF. They answer listener questions and divulge some never-before-heard revelations, such as the time the show almost ended and how the White House reacted to President Obama's interview in the garage. Most importantly, Marc and Brendan talk about how their working relationship evolved into a deep fr

Mar 11, 2019 • 2:25:59

The Marc and Tom Show #5

Media juggernauts Marc Maron and Tom Scharpling join forces once again, this time to save not only themselves but the world as well. Along the way, they talk about Howard Stern, movie theater food, falling for advertising, sweating, and Jonah Ray’s influence on Marc’s identity. Also, we get the story of Marc’s ill-fated music career and the reason Sausage Party led to a great awakening in Tom’s life. Theme music by The Tokeleys. This episode is sponsored by Squarespace. Sign up here for WTF+ to

Mar 7, 2019 • 1:00:39

Episode 999 - Alfred Molina

Alfred Molina was told early on that he was a “dreadful actor but a marvelous show off.” Thankfully, he took that assessment as a positive and became one of our great actors, working in experimental British theater, BBC radio plays, and large-scale musicals like Oklahoma. Alfred tells Marc how he transitioned to movies, with his first film being a small trifle called Raiders of the Lost Ark, and how that paved the way for his future work with directors like Paul Thomas Anderson, Sam Raimi, and J

Mar 4, 2019 • 1:33:05

Episode 998 - Gary Clark Jr.

Gary Clark Jr. tries not to put too much pressure on himself. That’s not surprising since outside forces seem to put a lot of pressure on Gary, with guys like Eric Clapton asking him to go on tour and outlets like Rolling Stone calling him The Chosen One. The truth is, Gary was just a kid who wanted to be an R&B singer and taught himself how to play guitar. He tells Marc what he learned about the guitar from watching Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan, playing with Hubert Sumlin , and listening to Ti

Feb 28, 2019 • 1:14:01

Episode 997 - Andrea Savage

Andrea Savage didn't really know Marc but thought he was a little scary. Marc didn't know Andrea but found her to be intimidating. What was it about these two funny people that had them keeping a distance from each other? Perhaps it was because of what they have in common, like the broken homes they came from, the disdain they share for the inner workings of show business, and their histories of missed opportunities. They talk about all of that, as well as Andrea's show "I'm Sorry," how it draws

Feb 25, 2019 • 1:20:49

Episode 996 - Jon Bernthal

Jon Bernthal’s path to becoming an actor was less about following a dream than about getting out of a nightmare. Before he was The Punisher or other streetwise characters in The Wolf of Wall Street and The Walking Dead, Jon was a kid with a nose for trouble and a rebelliousness that pulled toward violence. It was heading in a bad direction but thanks to an acting teacher, a journey to Russia and Chekhov’s The Seagull, Jon turned it around. Marc and Jon also talk about his love of making “pure th

Feb 21, 2019 • 1:39:10

Episode 995 - Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore has already gone through several career phases in her young life, from teenage pop star to animated voice artist to dramatic actress. But her latest phase, as matriarch Rebecca Pearson on This Is Us, came after a long period in which she put her career on hold and lost her sense of self. Mandy explains to Marc what it meant to be emotionally locked into a relationship, how that tumultuous time was preceded by a stunning development in her family, and why she finally feels comfortable

Feb 18, 2019 • 1:22:58

Episode 994 - Yeardley Smith / Krusty the Clown

Yeardley Smith knows that Lisa Simpson gets people through tough times. She knows because strangers come up to her in public and tell her how much Lisa helped them. And yet, despite portraying this iconic character for 30 years, Yeardley struggled for a long time to see her own life and career as a success. She and Marc talk about her journey, which includes Broadway roles as a teenager, stumbling into voiceover acting, and hosting her own podcast, Small Town Dicks. Plus, Marc himself becomes pa

Feb 14, 2019 • 1:25:50

Episode 993 - Tony Shalhoub

Tony Shalhoub grew up with nine siblings so it’s no surprise he developed a way to stand out. Tony and Marc talk about his upbringing in Green Bay, Wisconsin, worshiping at the Church of Lombardi, aka Lambeau Field, and eventually leaving town to become an actor. Tony explains how tricky it is to separate himself from popular characters, like Antonio from Wings and Detective Monk, how his genealogy research in Lebanon made him realize he might be related to a Hollywood legend, and how the popula

Feb 11, 2019 • 1:23:01

Episode 992 - Yorgos Lanthimos

Yorgos Lanthimos makes films that pose a lot of questions and Marc wants answers. But it turns out the question Yorgos finds the least interesting is “Why?” Perhaps his disinterest in simple answers stems from the fact that he was on his own at the age of seventeen, or maybe from his time spent directing hundreds of Greek television commercials, or maybe just from watching movies and being struck by broken conventions. Yorgos talks with Marc about all of his films, from The Favourite to The Lobs

Feb 7, 2019 • 1:34:44

Episode 991 - Anderson .Paak

Long before Anderson .Paak was getting nominated for Grammy Awards, well before his collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and Q-Tip, before he was releasing solo albums to critical acclaim, he had already walked away from the music business and had to be talked into returning. Anderson tells Marc why it was such a struggle to establish himself without conforming to what the record labels wanted him to sound like and why he didn’t really see a place for himself in the industry until Dr.

Feb 4, 2019 • 1:38:01

Episode 990 - Allan MacDonell

Writer Allan MacDonell shaped his writing style at the punk magazine Slash, refined it while working for Larry Flint at Hustler, and turned it all on its ear with his trilogy of memoirs. Allan tells Marc how his life was shaped by a David Bowie concert, how he immersed his life in the LA punk scene, and how he almost ended it all in a fit of rage at God. They also talk about the slipperiness of truth in nonfiction writing, which is why Allan killed himself off in his new memoir, and he also divu

Jan 31, 2019 • 1:27:57

Episode 989 - Allison Janney

Allison Janney won an Oscar playing the mother of a figure skater, but when she was younger she actually wanted to be a figure skater. That dream was cut short by a freak accident as a teenager and her acting career didn’t really take off until she was 38. In between, she tells Marc how she became friends with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, took an aptitude test that told her to become a systems analyst, and was told by casting agents that she could only play lesbians or aliens. Allison also t

Jan 28, 2019 • 1:19:29

Episode 988 - Brad Garrett

If Brad Garrett had to bet on it - and he likes to bet - he’s pretty sure he’ll die in Las Vegas. Which is appropriate because he grew up with an abiding love of Vegas and got his comedy start at the famous Desert Inn on the strip. Brad and Marc talk about how he went from being a six-foot-tall twelve-year-old with no friends to a guy on one of the world’s most beloved sitcoms and now the owner of his own comedy club. Brad also talks about the lessons he learned opening for Frank Sinatra, follow

Jan 24, 2019 • 1:36:10

Episode 987 - Aaron Sorkin

It's very possible the only reason Aaron Sorkin became a writer is because he spent a lonely night in a friend's apartment where the only thing working was an electric typewriter. Aaron tells Marc how that fateful night put him on the path to writing his first play, A Few Good Men, and kicked off a writing career on Broadway, in film and on TV that has few rivals. Aaron also talks about his hero and mentor William Goldman, why his first try at adapting To Kill A Mockingbird was no good, and how

Jan 21, 2019 • 1:25:40

Episode 986 - Linda Cardellini

For Linda Cardellini, a person whose spiritual crisis took her all the way to the Vatican, it's appropriate that the pivotal moment in her career happened when she took a leap of faith on a little TV pilot called Freaks and Geeks. Linda and Marc talk about that seminal show, the initial failure of which was hard to accept, along with the other projects that make her so recognizable to audiences, like ER, Mad Men and the new movie Green Book. They also try to figure out why Linda is still so hard

Jan 17, 2019 • 1:16:22

Episode 985 - Howie Mandel

Howie Mandel went to Hollywood and tried to make a living by putting a latex glove on his head. He never thought he’d be able to maintain it, so he always made other plans: Investor, entrepreneur, actor, voiceover artist. And it wasn’t until Deal or No Deal when all the disparate things he did came together for a project that transformed his life. Howie talks with Marc about his struggles with OCD and AHDH, how those challenges made it difficult for him to fit in, how getting started in comedy c

Jan 14, 2019 • 1:32:00

Episode 984 - Sam Lipsyte

Not only is Sam Lipsyte one of the funniest modern fiction authors, he’s also one of Marc’s best friends, a kindred spirit with whom Marc shares a deep mutual respect and understanding. Whenever Marc is in New York City, he and Sam sit around and talk, going over the pressing questions and answers about the way things are. This is the first time they recorded it for an extended period of time. They get into Sam’s early years with the art-punk band Dungbeetle, how he creates his stories in a mann

Jan 10, 2019 • 1:38:10

Episode 983 - Steve Coogan

When Steve Coogan realized he was good at doing impressions, he also realized it was a really good way to get attention. But Steve also knew he had to deliver beyond the impressions if he wanted to get funnier. Steve talks with Marc about that evolution, with some help from "Michael Caine," "Sean Connery," and others. Plus, Steve explains how his new Alan Partridge series will force the beloved presenter to adapt to a changing world, how his new movie Stan and Ollie is really a love story about

Jan 7, 2019 • 1:27:49

Episode 982 - Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane can host award shows, create button-pushing animated shows, and sing standards in symphony halls, but nothing changes the fact that he’s an introvert by nature. Seth tells Marc why he’s always enjoyed making trouble through comedy, how that impulse got him into hot water when Family Guy started, and why many of the things he’s doing now - studio recordings, live performances, his show The Orville - are rooted in his respect for the past. He also talks about making Ted, hosting th

Jan 3, 2019 • 1:35:47

Episode 981 - Reinaldo Marcus Green

Before directing his first feature film, Reinaldo Marcus Green's life could have gone down multiple paths. There was baseball in his teen years, then teaching elementary school students, then going to work on Wall Street, then helping his brother and other filmmakers with their movies. But it was a short film of his own made with a cop friend that led to an impassioned discussion between the two of them, which provided the impetus to make Monsters and Men. Reinaldo takes Marc down all of these c

Dec 31, 2018 • 1:21:47

Episode 980 - Kyle Dunnigan

Kyle Dunnigan was saved from a midlife crisis by Instagram. He explains to Marc how he bent the social media platform to suit his comedy as they both discuss the challenges of facing down middle age. Kyle takes Marc all the way back to when he was a young song-and-dance-man in high school who got suspended for doing a stand-up routine at the talent show. Kyle also talks about the conditions surrounding his high-profile writing jobs, first writing on Sarah Silverman’s show after the two of them h

Dec 27, 2018 • 1:28:30

Episode 979 - Topher Grace

Topher Grace is at a point where he’s only going to make what he wants to make. Not all actors can afford that luxury, but Topher tells Marc that working on That '70s Show for seven years taught him more about acting than any school, working with Ashton Kutcher taught him about being fully committed to everything you do, and working with auteurs like Steven Soderbergh, Christopher Nolan and most recently Spike Lee taught him you don’t have to compromise your vision. Topher and Marc also talk abo

Dec 24, 2018 • 1:27:34

Episode 978 - Fahim Anwar

Fahim Anwar's path to show business went through Boeing. It's not the most traditional route to Hollywood success, but it was necessary for a son of immigrant parents who did not approve of his standup comedy pursuit. Marc finds out about those early days in Seattle when Fahim was engineering by day and secretly doing standup by night. They also talk about comedy attire mistakes, experimenting with drugs later in life, and Fahim's new sketch comedy project, Goatface. This episode is sponsored by

Dec 20, 2018 • 1:21:47

Episode 977 - The Beastie Boys

Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz deal with many of the typical challenges of middle age, but they’re still deeply in touch with the alter egos they created four decades ago: Mike D and Ad-Rock. They tell Marc about running wild as kids in late-70s/early-80s New York City, meeting their bandmate Adam “MCA” Yauch, collaborating and then falling out with Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, the differences between opening for Madonna and opening for Run-DMC, and the honest self-reflection prompted by t

Dec 17, 2018 • 1:25:51

Episode 976 - Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal grew up with filmmaker parents but didn't really feel like her family was in show business. That disconnect has helped her in her work and life, like when she performs with her husband, Peter Sarsgaard, or when she turns to her mother for screenwriting advice. Maggie and Marc also talk about the sexual politics of The Deuce and how they match up with the Hollywood today, her relationship to poetry and how that factored into her performance in The Kindergarten Teacher, what she

Dec 13, 2018 • 1:24:10

Episode 975 - Jeff Daniels

Jeff Daniels has delivered great performances in films, plays and TV shows for more than 40 years but he thought a true “dream role” had eluded him. Until now. Marc talks with Jeff in the midst of rehearsals for Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird on Broadway, in which Jeff plays Atticus Finch. Jeff explains how he applies his Midwest work ethic to acting, why he sustains his own theater company in Michigan, and what he learned about the job of acting from people like James Cagney

Dec 10, 2018 • 1:17:00

Episode 974 - Ted Alexandro

Ted Alexandro is a comic who believes deeply in social responsibility. Whether it’s responsibility to his fellow comics as he fought for better pay from clubs, or to his fellow citizens as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement, or to his audience as he wrestles with effectively addressing the Trump Era on the comedy stage. Ted talks with Marc about the evolving nature of a comedian’s role in the culture, how his experience as an elementary school teacher prepared him for standup, and why he fe

Dec 6, 2018 • 1:24:36

Episode 973 - Tim Blake Nelson

Tim Blake Nelson might be a familiar face due to his indelible character roles in many films, but that didn’t stop him from defying just about all of Marc’s preconceptions about him. Marc had no idea, for example, about Tim’s Jewish upbringing in Tulsa, or that his family escaped the Holocaust and became oil drillers in America, or that Tim tried his hand at stand-up in the 80s, or that he studied the classics in hopes of becoming a professor or an archeologist. They talk about all of that stuff

Dec 3, 2018 • 1:33:06

Episode 972 - Jeff Tweedy

Jeff Tweedy doesn’t spend a lot of time reflecting on the past. But he awakened a whole lot of it while writing his new memoir. That means he has fresh thoughts on his mind about Jay Farrar, Uncle Tupelo, the early days of Wilco, and coming into his own as a musician and producer, which is on display in his new solo album, Warm. Jeff also talks with Marc about his experiences with mood disorders, painkiller addiction, parenthood, and converting to Judaism. This episode is sponsored by YouTube Mu

Nov 29, 2018 • 1:38:10

Episode 971 - Martin Mull

Martin Mull has many job titles in front of his name: Actor, musician, painter, writer, comedian. But when he was younger, struggling to make it as any of those things, he couldn't afford heat for his apartment and had to borrow an electric blanket, which he also could not afford. Martin tells Marc how things turned around, how he found himself in music circles with the likes of Harry Nilsson and John Lennon, how his comedy performances led him to friendships with the likes of Steve Martin and F

Nov 26, 2018 • 1:23:31

Episode 970 - Annie Lederman

Comedian and writer Annie Lederman saw her adolescence take a turn for the worse after a childhood car crash. She was growing up with learning disabilities and attending a Quaker school. Then after the crash she was making choices she didn’t want to make and finding herself in situations that left lasting scars, physically and emotionally. Annie tells Marc how she pulled herself out of the darkness, started her comedy career and ended up in an unexpected relationship that helped her process her

Nov 22, 2018 • 1:31:21

Episode 969 - Kenneth Lonergan

Kenneth Lonergan doesn’t think there’s a real difference between comedy and drama, at least not in the way he writes and directs. The playwright-screenwriter-director talks with Marc about the lie of sentimentality, how ideas collapse when he’s writing and new ideas emerge, and why he hopes to get to 95% satisfaction with his work (he’s gotten to about 90% so far). That work includes Manchester By The Sea, Margaret, You Can Count On Me, and plays like The Waverly Gallery, which is now on Broadwa

Nov 19, 2018 • 1:34:56

Episode 968 - Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas produced an Academy Award-winner for Best Picture, was the star of a successful television series, and was compiling a notable filmography both in front of and behind the camera. But he still didn't feel like he made it. That finally changed in his 40s, with movies like Wall Street and Fatal Attraction, and Michael tells Marc why that period was such a breakthrough for him. They also talk about why his early work on TV was vital for his career, why Jack Nicholson calls him a “hai

Nov 15, 2018 • 1:14:18

Episode 967 - D.L. Hughley

"The most dangerous place for black people to live is in white people’s imaginations." That idea has allowed D.L. Hughley to organize a lot of his thoughts on what we're dealing with as a country, and he believes what we're really doing is fighting fear. D.L. tells Marc about his experiences growing up in South Central Los Angeles, getting out before he got lost, and building himself up through comedy. They also talk about two of D.L.'s influences, Robin Harris and Bernie Mac, his tours, his spe

Nov 12, 2018 • 1:28:53

Episode 966 - Sandy Hackett

Sandy Hackett learned from the best, but not just because Buddy Hackett was his dad. But also because Buddy was his best friend, his road companion, and the guy he opened for night after night. Sandy tells Marc what it was like to grow up in and around Las Vegas, how his entertainment career actually started out as a career in hotel management, and why he decided to create a touring show about The Rat Pack. Plus, Sandy shares some stories about Buddy, Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, Johnny Carson, a

Nov 8, 2018 • 1:18:46

Episode 965 - Rita Rudner

Rita Rudner is very likely the only person to start a comedy career because of an article in the New York Times business section on soft soap. It was quite the turn of events for Rita, who was dancing professionally on Broadway since she her teenage years. Rita tells Marc how she utilized the performing arts culture of New York City to create a comedy curriculum for herself, how she rose up through the city clubs and took her act on the road to become a major headliner, and why she decided to st

Nov 5, 2018 • 1:18:30

Episode 964 - Roger Daltrey

Roger Daltrey believes you can't retire from rock and roll, rock and roll retires you. But for now, as long as Pete can still play and Roger can "sing the s--- out of the songs," The Who will go on. On the release of his memoir, Roger talks with Marc about building his first guitar by hand, meeting Pete Townsend and John Entwistle as schoolboys, finding Keith Moon in a Beach Boys cover band, getting kicked out of The Who over NOT doing drugs, coming back in time for the band to achieve its great

Nov 1, 2018 • 1:41:37

Episode 963 - Zoe Kazan

Zoe Kazan doesn't think much about the concept of "Hollywood royalty." Yes, her parents are in show business, but she still had to run the gauntlet of failed auditions and odd jobs. Yes, her grandfather's body of work is legendary, but she had a relationship with him that was completely removed from his career. Zoe talks with Marc about paving her own way, as well as working with the Coen Brothers, enjoying the unexpected success of The Big Sick, and collaborating with her partner Paul Dano on t

Oct 29, 2018 • 1:23:51

Episode 962 - Eric Idle

Python Week continues on WTF as Eric Idle gives Marc his perspective on the creation of the legendary British comedy group, talks about the making of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Rutles, and Spamalot, and explores his feelings about the other Pythons. Eric also explains what it was like growing up at the end of World War II, how rock and roll became his escape from reality, and why he wound up having lasting friendships with David Bowie, George Harrison and Robin Williams. This episode i

Oct 25, 2018 • 1:29:55

Episode 961 - John Cleese

John Cleese says there's one constant throughout his life, from Monty Python through today. He still has a very strong childish side and it has done him well. John talks to Marc about putting that childish side to work when he was doing sketch comedy at Cambridge and why the success of Monty Python had a lot to do with five guys who all liked pushing boundaries. Also, John and Marc try to find the line between affectionate and inappropriate comedy by telling each other a string of off-color joke

Oct 22, 2018 • 1:20:56

Episode 960 - Richard E. Grant / Brian Posehn

Actor Richard E. Grant keeps a daily diary and has done so since he was ten years old. Having immediate access to his past experiences has no doubt helped his performances as a wide variety of characters throughout his career. Richard and Marc talk about his standout roles, working with directors like Scorsese, Coppola, and Altman, and now working side-by-side with Melissa McCarthy in Can You Ever Forgive Me? Also, comedian Brian Posehn stops by to talk about his new memoir and how being a nerd

Oct 18, 2018 • 1:34:18

Episode 959 - Busy Philipps

Busy Philipps is on the cusp of becoming a late night talk show host, so it's appropriate for her and Marc to talk about anything and everything during an afternoon in the garage. Busy explains what it's like raising young daughters, how she navigated life after a sexual assault, and why she feels like she's done with acting, despite staring in beloved shows like Dawson’s Creek, Freaks and Geeks, Cougar Town, Vice Principals. This episode is sponsored by This Week at the Comedy Cellar on Comedy

Oct 15, 2018 • 1:27:01

Episode 958 - Kurt Vile

Recording artist Kurt Vile and Marc like a lot of the same stuff: Tom Scharpling, the blues, Randy Newman, Neil Young, flat driveways. They get to share their mutual admiration of these things while also talking about Kurt's unique upbringing with nine siblings in Philadelphia and the banjo that led to his development as a musician. In his early 20s, Kurt had a job driving a forklift and in his free time he was making home recordings, which eventually became the tracks on his first album. They a

Oct 11, 2018 • 1:11:39

Episode 957 - Charles Demers

Writer and comedian Charles Demers has a lot of thoughts on the differences between the United States and his home country, Canada. Differences that are political, social and professional. But he also tells Marc his thoughts about how Canada presaged Donald Trump in one specific way, how socialized medicine in Canada helps the national psyche as well as individual lives, and how the alt-comedy scene in Vancouver took off with the help of a couple prominent American comedians. This episode is spo

Oct 8, 2018 • 1:27:34

Episode 956 - Sissy Spacek

Sissy Spacek was a girl from Texas with a guitar who just wanted to sing. But after spending some time as a teenager living in New York City with her relatives, Rip Torn and Geraldine Page, Sissy got the acting bug. She talks with Marc about the life-changing moment when she made Badlands, how the studio didn't want her in Carrie, what it was like going on the road with Loretta Lynn for Coal Miner's Daughter, and a lot more about her life and prolific career, including her new film with Robert R

Oct 4, 2018 • 1:10:28

Episode 955 - Anna Faris

Anna Faris had Marc on her podcast once. They both agree it got a little weird. They try to navigate that weirdness in the garage for Round Two, while also discussing Anna's painful insecurity as a teen, the great advice she got from Keenen Ivory Wayans, her breakout movie roles, the reasons actresses have it tough if they want to be honest, why she became clickbait fodder, and why she loves her co-star Allison Janney so much. Marc and Anna also make podcast history with an interlude from an une

Oct 1, 2018 • 1:38:27

Episode 954 - Gale Anne Hurd

Gale Anne Hurd is one of Hollywood’s most successful producers, with films like The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss and Armageddon under her belt. She tells Marc how her first job out of college, working as an assistant for Roger Corman, prepared her for a lifetime in the movies and how her collaboration with James Cameron helped her storm the gates of the studios. Gale also talks about shifting from feature films to producing documentaries, why most producers don’t understand how film sets operat

Sep 26, 2018 • 1:21:26

Episode 953 - Joan Jett

Joan Jett wanted to be a rocker ever since she got a hold of a guitar, even though she was told girls don’t play rock and roll. That didn't stop her from forming The Runaways despite the sexist roadblocks the band faced. It also didn't stop her from putting out her own albums when she couldn't get a record label to do it. Joan takes Marc through her past, most of which was shared with her longtime producer and collaborator Kenny Laguna, who also joins Marc and Joan in the garage to add some deta

Sep 23, 2018 • 1:30:20

Episode 952 - Slash

Slash is known for guitar wizardry, the top hat, and a prolific career across several major rock acts. But he's less known as Saul Hudson, a British, biracial son of a costume designer who was into drawing and BMX, not music. He tells Marc about being involved with a tangled web of Los Angeles bands that led to the formation of Guns N’ Roses, the band no one wanted to see succeed except the people who were directly involved in it. Slash also discusses collaborating with Michael Jackson, Carole K

Sep 19, 2018 • 1:25:24

Episode 951 - Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell had an experience as a guest on WTF that not many others get to enjoy: Marc made her a meal beforehand. So with a full stomach, Kristen and Marc talk about why Dax Shepard is pushing her to have an ecstasy party, why does she have a hard time remembering things, and why she began singing opera at a young age. There's also some talk about her beloved projects like Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Frozen, and The Good Place. This episode is sponsored by YouTube Music, the Aro

Sep 16, 2018 • 1:18:07

Episode 950 - Adam Cayton-Holland

Comedian, actor and writer Adam Cayton-Holland didn't plan on having a memoir in his 30s. But Adam's life took a stunning turn when his sister took her life six years ago and the grief process ran through the writing. Adam and Marc talk about hereditary mental illness, the urge to romanticize depression and self-destruction in comedy, and navigating the aftermath of a family tragedy. Adam also remembers what it was like to discover alt-comedy while living in Denver and wonders about the future o

Sep 12, 2018 • 1:20:31

Episode 949 - Billy Eichner

Billy Eichner was singing before he was yelling. The star of Billy on the Street had an early love of Broadway and musical theater but, as he tells Marc, comedy didn’t come quickly. No stand-up, no improv, no sketches. Then he developed a stage show in New York and the seeds of his comedic persona were planted. Billy also talks about the new season of American Horror Story, his role in the upcoming remake of The Lion King, and the return of Billy on the Street. This episode is sponsored by Sam M

Sep 9, 2018 • 1:10:13

Episode 948 - Sir Paul McCartney

Marc talks with Paul McCartney about, well, a lot: The Beatles and Stones rivalry that wasn’t, his current relationship with Ringo, the influence of Little Richard, The Who, The Beach Boys, how he needs to have an out-of-body experience to really examine the Beatles legacy, the reception of his solo work after the Beatles, recording Band on the Run in Nigeria, what messages are in his songs, which songs still make him emotional when he performs them, and what he brought to the table for his late

Sep 5, 2018 • 1:09:23

Episode 947 - ​Dan Schlissel

Dan Schlissel died recently. He tells Marc all about it, along with the less harrowing tale of how an isolated Jewish kid from Nebraska got into producing records. Dan turned his production know-how into a vibrant business when he started Stand Up Records and became a Grammy-winning comedy industry mainstay, producing and distributing albums for everyone from Maria Bamford to Doug Stanhope to Hannibal Buress. And yes, even Marc Maron. This episode is sponsored by New Mexico, Podcasts on Spotify,

Sep 2, 2018 • 1:12:05

Episode 946 - Ian Bagg / Bert Kreischer

If there was a competition for WTF guest who comes from the most far-flung, middle-of-nowhere place, comedian Ian Bagg would probably win by a lot. Ian tells Marc about growing up in Northern British Columbia, being part of the blast crew in a gold mine, and realizing that the satisfaction he got blowing things up was equaled only by doing stand-up comedy. Also, Bert Kreischer returns to the show on the cusp of a mid-life crisis that is mitigated a bit by his new Netflix special. This episode is

Aug 29, 2018 • 1:35:03

Episode 945 - Jo Koy

Jo Koy is one of the biggest headlining comedians in the world and it might not have turned out that way if he hadn't become a vigorous self-promoter. Jo tells Marc how moving around a lot as part of a military family and dealing with his brother's severe mental illness  made him realize that if he was going to do something big, he had to do it himself. Jo and Marc also talk about holding down other jobs while doing comedy, the hazards of burning through material, and why people mistakenly think

Aug 26, 2018 • 1:26:22

Episode 944 - Tanya Donnelly / Jason Bateman

A lot has changed in the 30 years since Marc and Tanya Donnelly worked together at a luncheonette in Boston. Tanya saw her emerging music career take off in the early '90s, thanks to her bands Throwing Muses, The Breeders and Belly. Now in the midst of a Belly reunion with tour dates and a new album, Tanya tells Marc how things evolved in the more than two decades since. Also, Jason Bateman returns to talk about the second season of Ozark on the heels of Marc binge-watching season one. This epis

Aug 22, 2018 • 1:33:36

Episode 943 - Shooter Jennings / Rob Riggle

Shooter Jennings was born into Nashville royalty, the son of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. But he didn't exactly fit the Outlaw Country archetype. In fact, he was a computer nerd whose real influence was Nine Inch Nails. Shooter talks with Marc about developing his own style, idolizing George Jones, collaborating with Stephen King, and always changing things up. Also, Rob Riggle stops by to explain how a fake idea he told people about to mess with them turned into an actual show, Rob Riggle’

Aug 19, 2018 • 1:34:54

Episode 942 - Joe Walsh

There were two times Joe Walsh felt part of a community. The first was as a student at Kent State, but that all went away after the National Guard shooting. The second was when he got to LA and met a bunch of other musicians, including Don Henley and Glenn Frey, and that almost went away in a haze of substance abuse. Joe talks with Marc about his days with The James Gang, opening for The Who, Led Zeppelin, and every band under the sun, joining The Eagles, breaking up with The Eagles, getting sob

Aug 15, 2018 • 1:26:38

Episode 941 - Jimmy O. Yang

Jimmy O. Yang felt like an outsider growing up in Hong Kong and then felt like he didn't fit in studying economics in America. It was only once he starting paying five bucks to do an open mic night in Hollywood that he found a community. Jimmy tells Marc how the immigrant story was different for everyone in his family, how he got his first real lessons in American life from watching BET, and how his performances in Silicon Valley and Crazy Rich Asians are so different when it comes to the pressu

Aug 12, 2018 • 1:27:47

Episode 940 - Chris O'Dowd

Chris O'Dowd charmed and amused audiences in things like Bridesmaids, The IT Crowd, and recently the Get Shorty TV series, but things could have gone differently if he had followed through on his political science major. Chris and Marc talk about growing up in the Irish countryside and heading of to university in Dublin, only to find out he enjoyed acting much more than studying politics. They also talk about Bono, the Native Irish vs the Boston Irish, and having cats but not being a "cat person

Aug 8, 2018 • 1:16:37

Episode 939 - Jay Leno

Jay Leno came up as a comic's comic, a performer recognized by other comedians as one of the best in the game. He also became one of the most successful late night television hosts in history, not once but twice. Those two sides always seemed at odds with each other, especially in the minds of many other comics, but Jay never saw it that way. He tells Marc about the early days in the clubs with Pryor, Carlin, Robin and others, how he and Letterman influenced each other as comics, and how things

Aug 5, 2018 • 1:37:01

Episode 938 - Luzer Twersky

Luzer Twersky is an actor who has been seen on shows like Transparent and High Maintenance. But prior to 2008, he wasn't seen by anyone outside of his Hasidic Jewish community. Luzer tells Marc about his cloistered upbringing, the details of Hasidic life, his troublemaking as a youngster, his crisis of faith, and ultimately his exile from the only world he ever knew. Luzer also explains what role Marc played in his journey and where things stand now with the people from his past. Sign up here fo

Aug 1, 2018 • 1:22:05

Episode 937 - Mila Kunis / Iliza Shlesinger

Mila Kunis says she's had a most fortunate trajectory in show business. That's because she got to experience it as a hobby and as a career. She explains to Marc what that means, along with telling him what it was like to arrive in LA as a religious refugee, why Ashton Kutcher is turning into an old man, and why she didn't realize she was supposed to be promoting her new movie, The Spy Who Dumped Me. Also, Iliza Shlesinger returns to talk about her wedding and her new special. Sign up here for WT

Jul 29, 2018 • 1:43:11

Episode 936 - Sue Costello / Jim Gaffigan

Marc welcomes back to the show two comedian friends from the early years of WTF, both of whom have experienced a lot of changes in their lives since their previous visits. First, Sue Costello talks with Marc about how she persisted in the face of ingrained show business obstacles and is finding herself coming out clean on the other side. Then Jim Gaffigan tells Marc how one day he was out there doing comedy and the next day his family life went topsy-turvy after his wife's visit to the doctor. S

Jul 25, 2018 • 1:12:43

Episode 935 - Bo Burnham / David Sedaris

It’s a summertime double-header of returning guests. First, David Sedaris takes a break from his months-long 'Calypso' book tour to tell Marc about his visit to Buckingham Palace, how he's navigating life with his elderly conservative father, and why he got a bizarre phone call from Roseanne. Then Bo Burnham returns to explain why he decided to make the movie Eighth Grade after having panic attacks on stage. Bo also tells Marc about the special friendship he struck up with Garry Shandling. Sign

Jul 22, 2018 • 1:23:45

Episode 934 - Daveed Diggs / Bob Newhart

Before he was in Hamilton, Daveed Diggs was an aspiring actor, rapper and spoken word performer creating "a rap curriculum" for Bay Area schools. Marc talks with Daveed about how that was the perfect starting point for his eventual portrayal of Thomas Jefferson. They also talk about Oakland, Daveed's rap group Clipping, and his new movie Blindspotting, which he co-wrote as a kind of love letter to his always-changing hometown. Also, Marc gives Bob Newhart a call to talk about his new Audible ser

Jul 18, 2018 • 1:21:46

Episode 933 - Gus Van Sant

Filmmaker and kindred guitar noodler Gus Van Sant meets Marc in the garage and jumps in for a deep dive on his movies, including Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho, To Die For, Gerry, Elephant, Last Days, Milk and more. Gus tells Marc why doing Good Will Hunting felt like such a personal risk at the time, why the remake of Psycho got green-lit in spite of itself, and why his latest movie Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot owes its existence to Robin Williams. Sign up here for WTF+ to get

Jul 15, 2018 • 1:28:28

Episode 932 - Ray Liotta / Jim Jefferies

Ray Liotta had no intention of getting into acting but his fearless disposition led him to performing in school musicals, and the rest was history. Ray tells Marc about why being on a soap opera was great training, why he owes his movie career to Melanie Griffith, and why the filming of Goodfellas was emotionally tumultuous for him. Also, comedian Jim Jefferies stops by to talk about parenting, his new Netflix special, and Crocodile Dundee. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and

Jul 11, 2018 • 1:34:13

Episode 931 - Boots Riley / Bobcat Goldthwait

Filmmaker and hip hop artist Boots Riley wants his audiences to be radically engaged. He grew up with parents who were organizers and he believes political radicalism prompts cultural change. Boots and Marc talk about social movements, power structures, and how he wanted to take on all of it with his years-in-the-making movie, Sorry To Bother You. Also, Bobcat Goldthwait returns to the garage to talk about grief, getting older, and his new series Misfits and Monsters. Sign up here for WTF+ to ge

Jul 8, 2018 • 1:34:01

Episode 930 - Peter Fonda / Andy Kindler & J. Elvis Weinstein

Peter Fonda is happy to be figuring things out, no matter how long it took. Childhood traumas and an emotionally distant father affected his life and career, and he finally has some missing pieces of the puzzle. Peter also talks with Marc about Easy Rider, the time he talked George Harrison down from a bad trip, and working with Christopher Plummer on the new movie Boundaries. Plus, Andy Kindler and J. Elvis Weinstein stop by to try and explain what their podcast Thought Spiral is all about. Sig

Jul 4, 2018 • 1:24:46

Episode 929 - Paul Rudd

One constant for Paul Rudd as he spent a large portion of his childhood moving around the country, chasing an identity, is that he loved watching adults be silly. Even when he was in acting school and performing Shakespeare on stage, he took a lot of cues from influences like Letterman, Carlin and Kaufman. Paul talks with Marc about those early days and the big days that were to come after Wet Hot American Summer, the Judd Apatow movies, and now Marvel's Ant Man and the Wasp. Sign up here for WT

Jul 1, 2018 • 1:22:42

Episode 928 - Eleanor Kerrigan

Comedian Eleanor Kerrigan knows a lot about The Comedy Store. Not only did she become the club's head waitress, she also became a confidant and sometime-assistant to the owner, Mitzi Shore. After a stint as a professional wrestler and an opener for Andrew Dice Clay, Eleanor finally found herself on stage at The Store and she hasn't left since. She tells Marc what it was like to get to know Mitzi, why she can't escape her South Philly roots, and how she's trying to pass along the history of The S

Jun 27, 2018 • 1:15:59

Episode 927 - Lil Rel Howery

Lil Rel Howery burst into the mainstream as a hero. Playing the character who saves the day in Get Out, Lil Rel can see how that role changed everything for him, as he's now the lead in the new movie Uncle Drew and he's putting his life on TV with his own show. He also talks with Marc about learning empathy and compassion from his mom and how those lessons helped him with his comedy. It also helped him see another side of a person who Lil Rey believes is struggling with grief: Kanye West. Sign u

Jun 24, 2018 • 1:23:41

Episode 926 - Dave Itzkoff / Robin Williams from 2010

New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff came into Robin Williams's life right around the same time Marc talked to Robin for WTF. Dave and Marc share notes on what they learned about this one-of-a-kind comedic performer, how his death affected the world, and what Dave was able to glean from working with Robin to write his biography. Then, after their conversation, hear the full interview Marc conducted with Robin back in 2010. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bo

Jun 20, 2018 • 2:05:37

Episode 925 - Billy Bob Thornton

Billy Bob Thornton sees himself in a certain way and feels as though the world sees him differently. That's why he feels uncomfortable at parties, uneasy about being a celebrity, and most relaxed when he can retreat into a new role. With Marc's help, Billy Bob tracks a lot of his anxiety back to his childhood in Arkansas, his pursuit of a life as a rock musician, and his stumble into a long and prosperous career in Hollywood. They also talk about Robert Duvall, Richie Havens, Sling Blade, and th

Jun 17, 2018 • 1:31:19

Episode 924 - Holly Hunter / Amber Tamblyn

Holly Hunter left the family farm in Georgia to become an actor. She talks with Marc about her early days in New York, catching the attention of the Coen Brothers as they were on the verge of making their first film, and everything that followed, including her foray into voice acting with The Incredibles and its new sequel. Also, Amber Tamblyn returns to talk about being a new mom, fighting for gender equality, and how it all relates to her new novel Any Man. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the ful

Jun 13, 2018 • 1:34:49

Episode 923 - Bob Balaban

Bob Balaban was born into show business and he didn't even know it until he was 10. The ubiquitous actor tells Marc how his immigrant family came to Chicago at the turn of the century and broke into the movie business, eventually winding up in charge of Paramount Studios. Bob also talks with Marc about Charlie Brown, Midnight Cowboy, Altered States, Christopher Guest, Francois Truffaut, and his many roles in film, stage and TV, including his new show Condor. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full

Jun 10, 2018 • 1:21:33

Anthony Bourdain From 2011

From Episode 233, this is Marc's conversation with Anthony Bourdain, conducted in 2011. Anthony died on June 8, 2018, at age 61. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 7, 2018 • 1:11:11

Episode 922 - ​Vanessa Hollingshead

Vanessa Hollingshead can honestly say that a cruise ship saved her life. She tells Marc what led to a comedy career in the first place after a childhood spent in communes, foster homes, and around lots of grown-ups on acid and other psychedelic drugs. Vanessa got a hot start in comedy and her big break was right in front of her, and then it all went away, followed by a crushing personal tragedy. And if it wasn't for that cruise ship, she might not be here telling this story. Sign up here for WTF

Jun 6, 2018 • 1:36:50

Episode 921 - David Harbour

David Harbour became pretty cynical about the acting profession before landing the star-making role of Jim Hopper on Stranger Things. But he and Marc are in agreement that it was probably better for David to hit it big after four decades of dealing with anxiety, self-hatred, mania, fear, sobriety, and the difficult project of building one's identity. David and Marc also talk about Hellboy, the elves on the edges of reality, and the one character trait of Hopper's that David likes the most. Sign

Jun 3, 2018 • 1:42:22

Episode 920 - Rachel Brosnahan

Rachel Brosnahan related to the pressures and insecurities of standup comics when she got the lead role of a 1950s standup in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. That's because she feels constant dread as an actor, going from project to project, always worried it's not going to go well. Rachel compares notes with Marc about being a standup vs. being an actor, learning the craft in school vs. learning on the job, and why working on episodic television may be the best training for actors. Sign up here for

May 30, 2018 • 1:21:43

Episode 919 - Tom Papa

Tom Papa got the comedy bug early in life but his unconventional path went from football to live theater to standup. Once Tom started writing jokes while working as a security guard, there was no turning back. Tom talks with Marc about the competitive '90s comedy scene, his close friendship with the late Greg Giraldo, his public failure with The Marriage Ref, his new gig on public radio, and the two people who took a chance on him and helped shape his life and career: Jerry Seinfeld and Steven S

May 27, 2018 • 1:33:35

Episode 918 - ​Paul Rodriguez

Paul Rodriguez has always been paying his dues. Even before he paid his dues doing open mics and parking cars at The Comedy Store, he paid his dues growing up in Compton, serving in the Air Force, and struggling with the religious devotion of his family. Paul and Marc talk about those early days, as well as his first appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, his infamous comedy special in San Quentin, and his most recent comedy special which Paul insists will be his last. Sign up here

May 23, 2018 • 1:14:08

Episode 917 - Neal Brennan

Nearly seven years after doing an episode of WTF that never aired, Neal Brennan sits down with Marc for a conversation that is probably the one they should have had all those years ago. Neal and Marc talk about how the two of them have changed since then, especially in light of Neal’s recent comedy special 3 Mics, which mixed heavy personal stories with jokes. Now that they feel better about themselves and each other, Marc and Neal try to figure out what they really want next and whether they sh

May 20, 2018 • 1:30:59

Episode 916 - Mary Steenburgen

Mary Steenburgen started out pretty far away from Hollywood, as a young girl in Little Rock, Arkansas, growing up during the era of school desegregation. She fortified herself in that environment before heading out to become an actor, working directly with legendary acting teacher Sanford Meisner and getting her big break thanks to Jack Nicholson. Mary and Marc also talk about parenting, fame, divorce, re-marriage, and the close friendship she has formed with the co-stars of her new movie, Book

May 16, 2018 • 1:34:03

Episode 915 - Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin knows that time and maturity saved his life. Going back to his rebellious youth, Josh can point to many times where he could have been done in, even after he was already a successful actor. Josh and Marc talk about addictive behavior, self-destruction, and why sobriety finally stuck. They also talk about Sam Shepard, Nick Nolte, Sean Penn, the Coen Brothers, Denzel Washington, and the surprising fulfillment of making superhero movies, particularly Avengers: Infinity War and Deadpool

May 13, 2018 • 1:41:21

Episode 914 - Melissa McCarthy

Before comedy and acting were ever on Melissa McCarthy's radar, she was like a lot midwestern teens trying to find herself. She tells Marc how her cheerleading years were followed by a partially-shaved head and goth makeup. The search for an identity led to acting, which led to New York, which led to LA, which led to an all-star class at the Groundlings. They also talk about how she met her husband, how she got cast on Gilmore Girls, how Bridesmaids came to be, why she played Sean Spicer on SNL,

May 9, 2018 • 1:28:16

Episode 913 - Rachel Bloom

Rachel Bloom is a self-described show pony, a people-pleaser with a lifelong desire to perform as a means of keeping her anxieties at bay. She tells Marc how those impulses pushed her toward musical theater, which in turn led to self-produced music videos on YouTube, which eventually led to the creation of her hit show, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Rachel and Marc also discuss Jewish grandmothers, gender disparities in TV comedy, and the new movie she made with her husband, Most Likely to Murder. Sign u

May 6, 2018 • 1:22:44

Episode 912 - Drew Carey

Drew Carey was in a bad place. After losing his dad at a young age, suffering through anxiety and depression in high school, confused by the pressures of religion, Drew made a rash decision when he was in college. But it was comedy that pulled him out of the abyss. Drew tells Marc how he figured it all out, plus some talk about Cleveland (The Indians! Ghoulardi! The Cuyahoga River Fire!) and why hosting The Price is Right wound up being the perfect job for him. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the f

May 2, 2018 • 1:33:55

Episode 911 - Scott Thomson / Tom Rhodes

Scott Thompson from The Kids in the Hall isn't too worried about the way of the world these days, mostly because he's been through so much that it all seems like gravy from here out. Scott tells Marc about his recent battle with cancer, his family's tragic encounter with mental illness, and his house being firebombed by Islamic fundamentalists. Also, Marc welcomes back to the show his old friend comedian Tom Rhodes, who had to manage his own grieving process in the past few years. Sign up here f

Apr 29, 2018 • 1:23:04

Episode 910 - Mandy Stadtmiller

Writer Mandy Stadtmiller's career as a dating columnist was taking off as her post-divorce social life was filled with late-night excitement and famous hookups. But she also couldn't get off the hamster wheel of trauma and feel better about herself. Mandy talks with Marc about how she came to terms with the compromises she made writing for a tabloid newspaper and the trouble she encountered when putting her experiences into memoir form. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and wee

Apr 25, 2018 • 1:29:14

Episode 909 - Bradley Whitford

Bradley Whitford was a huge Key and Peele fanboy who was desperate to work with them. But he didn't know what to think when Jordan Peele asked him if he liked horror movies. It turns out Bradley wound up starring in one of the most talked about movies of the last decade. Bradley tells Marc about the making of Get Out, as well as his experiences on Transparent, The West Wing, Studio 60, and what it was like to make movies with Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the

Apr 22, 2018 • 1:26:09

Episode 908 - Sam Tripoli

Sam Tripoli never doubted he would become a comic, so his decision to study psychology was not an attempt to craft a backup plan. Instead he used his psych background to wage mental warfare with his demanding family, temperamental comedy club owners, paying audiences, and his own demons. Sam and Marc also talk about the danger, the intrigue, and the excitement of engaging in conspiracy theories, something Sam loves to do and can trace his interest back to a pivotal moment in his life. Sign up he

Apr 18, 2018 • 1:19:24

Episode 907 - Aisha Tyler / Louie Anderson

Aisha Tyler's directorial debut is a film called Axis about a guy who has hit the wall. That's appropriate for Aisha, following several years of big changes in her life. She ended a long marriage, walked away from a comfortable gig on The Talk, and got rid of most of her possessions. Aisha and Marc talk about what prompted these changes, what's happening now, and what's her next act. Plus, Louie Anderson returns to the show to talk about what it’s like to communicate with his deceased mother, wh

Apr 15, 2018 • 1:39:16

Episode 906 - Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite / E of Eels

Charlie Musselwhite and Ben Harper are musicians with wildly different backgrounds but a unifying love of the blues. Charlie was there at the birth of rock and roll. Ben grew up immersed in music while his family ran a landmark music store. They tell Marc how their shared interests led to their musical collaboration and their new joint album. Plus, Mark Oliver Everett, also known as E from the band Eels, returns to the show after a five-year hiatus to talk about Garry Shandling, Tom Petty, becom

Apr 11, 2018 • 1:18:39

Episode 905 - Bill Simmons

Writer, producer and podcast pioneer Bill Simmons is a man whose life, career and worldview have changed in real time with the evolution of Internet. Bill talks with Marc about some of the checkpoints in that evolution, including why he walked away from a big break in TV when he was writing for Jimmy Kimmel, why he thinks he was considered ‘difficult’ at ESPN, and why his HBO show wasn't what he thought it would be. They also talk about Magic Johnson, Grantland, Letterman, divorce, documentaries

Apr 8, 2018 • 1:43:57

Episode 904 - Jason Alexander

Jason Alexander was one of countless New Jersey kids who couldn't resist the lights of Broadway on the other side of the river. When he became a steady working actor on the New York stage, Jason was totally content with how things turned out. But then he just so happened to get cast on a show that became the most successful sitcom of all time. Jason talks with Marc about Seinfeld, life after Seinfeld, magic, acting, directing, and the McDLT. Actually, there's a surprising amount of talk about th

Apr 4, 2018 • 1:21:26

Episode 903 - Neil Patrick Harris / Michael Imperioli

Neil Patrick Harris credits his New Mexico upbringing with helping him weather the ups and downs of being a child star. It's also something he has in common with Marc. In addition to their memories of being teens in Albuquerque, Neil and Marc talk about Doogie Howser, How I Met Your Mother, Broadway, the secrets of hosting award shows, and magic. Also, Michael Imperioli returns to talk about his debut novel and why Lou Reed is a character in it. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archive

Apr 1, 2018 • 1:30:28

Episode 902 - They Might Be Giants

John Flansburgh and John Linnell tell Marc the unlikely story of how a couple high school friends became a two-man band at the height of the New Wave performance art era in crime-ridden New York City and somehow carved out four decades of mainstream success as They Might Be Giants. The Johns also talk with Marc about children’s music, selling out, the early days of MTV, Malcolm in the Middle, and more. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.ac

Mar 28, 2018 • 1:31:15

Episode 901 - Sean Penn / Lynn Shelton

Sean Penn wrote a novel to slow things down. He fell out of love with making movies, he is disillusioned by the culture, and he finds it hard to draw hope from current events. Sean explains to Marc how writing makes him feel like he's not part of the noise, how he finds strength from the Parkland students, and how an upcoming movie made him feel like he could actually rekindle his love of filmmaking. Also, Lynn Shelton returns to the garage to talk about directing her new movie, Outside In, and

Mar 25, 2018 • 1:29:38

Episode 900 - Nick Nolte

Nick Nolte makes an appropriate guest for the 900th episode of WTF because he clearly has about 900 episodes worth of stories to tell. They can't get to all of them, so Nick tells Marc the ones about football, farming, irrigation, Martin Scorsese, getting arrested, Marlon Brando, Tropic Thunder, Danny McBride, The Thin Red Line, and an epic prank involving Sean Penn and Woody Harrelson. Also, for Episode 900, Marc commemorates the last days of the Garage at the Cat Ranch. Sign up here for WTF+ t

Mar 21, 2018 • 1:32:14

Episode 899 - Nell Scovell

Nell Scovell has written for a Murderers' Row of television comedies - including The Simpsons, It's Garry Shandling's Show, Murphy Brown, and Newhart - created Sabrina the Teenage Witch, wrote for Vanity Fair and Spy Magazine, and co-wrote the mega-hit book Lean In. But as she tells Marc, and outlines in her new memoir, Nell also worked hard to change attitudes in male-dominated writers rooms and challenge the lazy biases of Hollywood. Also, Bill Hader returns to talk about his new show Barry, w

Mar 18, 2018 • 1:50:57

Episode 898 - David Mamet

David Mamet's love for Chicago shows up all the time in his works, including his new novel which is called, yup, Chicago. The prolific playwright-director-novelist-screenwriter talks with Marc about his Chicago roots and how he learned a lot about drama by watching the improv actors at Second City. They also talk about David's theories on acting (very few are good at it), William H. Macy (one of the very few), Eugene O'Neill (he wasn't that great), Shakespeare (he was),  and marriage (you can ta

Mar 14, 2018 • 1:22:25

Episode 897 - Ted Danson

Ted Danson is one of the most visible and familiar actors of the past four decades, and yet he still describes himself to Marc as "a phony," "a fraud," "an outsider," someone with "no real talent," and "too chicken" to do theater. Ted explains why such insecurities still exist for him, even after a lifetime of doing a job he loves. Ted also tells Marc about the quirks of being Larry David's friend, the reason CSI was a challenge for him, and his unique perspective on Sam Malone. Sign up here for

Mar 11, 2018 • 1:28:52

Episode 896 - David Oyelowo

David Oyelowo got America’s attention with his instantly-iconic portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the film Selma. But this classically trained actor was making history on stage years prior, becoming the first black actor in the U.K. to play an English king in a major Shakespearean production. David talks with Marc about the importance of bringing his cultural background and life experience to roles of all stripes, including his character in the new movie Gringo, who was not initially wr

Mar 7, 2018 • 1:16:48

Episode 895 - Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone made a decision after she achieved fame with Basic Instinct. She wanted to build a way forward in Hollywood without being typecast. Sharon tells Marc how she navigated that part of her career, leading to projects like her recent multimedia mystery series Mosaic and collaborations with artists she always admired. Sharon also talks about the family incident that forced her to mature at a young age and gives her opinion on Hollywood's reckoning with sexual harassment and abuse. Sign up

Mar 4, 2018 • 1:14:14

Episode 894 - Bill Janovitz / Danny Lobell

When Marc was a young comic living in Boston, Buffalo Tom was one of his favorite bands. Buffalo Tom frontman Bill Janovitz joins Marc in the garage to talk about the band's rise from the pre-Nirvana days of indie rock to a point where huge mainstream success remained just out of reach. What happened after that? Also, Marc's buddy Danny Lobell returns to talk about turning his life and standup routines into a comic book in the style of one of his heroes, Harvey Pekar. Sign up here for WTF+ to ge

Feb 28, 2018 • 1:25:59

Episode 893 - Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence takes a break from being one of the biggest movie stars in the world to stop by the garage and talk with Marc about Kentucky, cats vs. dogs, older brothers, Winter's Bone, The Hunger Games, David O. Russell, Darren Aronofsky, Amy Schumer, learning a Russian accent for Red Sparrow, and living a relatively private life for someone with a very public profile. Jennifer and Marc also compare their respective symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Spoiler: There's a lot of overlap

Feb 25, 2018 • 1:09:47

Episode 892 - Duncan Jones / Brendon Small

Filmmaker Duncan Jones put his philosophy degree to good use when he started making science fiction films. Now on his fourth one, Duncan tells Marc how he tries to crack life's big questions through sci-fi stories, including Moon and his new movie Mute, which he likens more to Robert Altman's MASH than to Blade Runner. Duncan also talks to Marc about the burdens of having a famous parent - his being David Bowie - when you're trying to carve your own path. Plus, comedian and metal guy Brendon Sma

Feb 21, 2018 • 1:36:15

Episode 891 - ​Heather Graham / Sebastian Maniscalco

Heather Graham had stories she wanted to see made and roles she wanted to play, so she took them into her own hands. As she releases her directorial debut, Half Magic, which she also wrote, Heather talks with Marc about David Lynch, meditation, Drugstore Cowboy, Boogie Nights, and the relevance of her new movie as Hollywood reckons with industry-wide abuse allegations. Also, comedian Sebastian Maniscalco returns to talk about his new book and the success he's achieved since his last appearance i

Feb 18, 2018 • 1:31:16

Episode 890 - Gina Rodriguez

Gina Rodriguez is living the dream with her Golden Globe-winning performance as Jane the Virgin, roles in big Hollywood movies like Annihilation, and new opportunities as both a director and a producer. But she can't stop putting pressure on herself. Gina grew up wondering why there weren't any Puerto Ricans on TV and now she feels a responsibility to advocate for better representation of Latinos in entertainment. Gina and Marc talk about cultural changes and challenges, as well as Chicago, boxi

Feb 14, 2018 • 1:17:48

Episode 889 - Esther Povitsky

Almost a decade ago, a down-on-his-luck Marc Maron told 20-year-old aspiring comic Esther Povitsky to run far away from The Comedy Store because it would be the death of her. Thankfully, she did not take his advice and they talk about why that place wound up meaning so much to both of them. They also break down their kindred attachments to ice cream, departed celebrities and sentimental household objects. Esther also explains how her new TV show Alone Together came to be. Sign up here for WTF+ t

Feb 11, 2018 • 1:21:11

Episode 888 - Tracy Letts

Tracy Letts is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, a Tony Award-winning actor, and someone Marc is nervous about saying hello to when he sees him out in the world. Tracy tries to disabuse Marc of that concern as they talk about the difficult process of writing plays, the compromises made when turning a play into a movie, the pleasures of being in Lady Bird, the fear he had on the set of The Post, and the benefits of being married to another actor. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show arch

Feb 7, 2018 • 1:21:29

Episode 887 - Riki Lindhome / Laurie Kilmartin

Show business finally clicked for Riki Lindhome when she started the comedy music duo Garfunkel and Oates with her friend Kate Micucci. It makes sense because, as she tells Marc, she always wanted to perform when she was growing up in Buffalo, catching glimpses of musical theater from touring companies in Toronto. Riki and Marc talk about Shakespeare, Clint Eastwood, depression, and her show Another Period. Also, Laurie Kilmartin is back to talk about her new book and have a few laughs about dea

Feb 4, 2018 • 1:23:28

Episode 886 - ​Ezra Furman / David Wain

Ezra Furman started writing songs when he was 14 years old after hearing Bob Dylan but while still wanting to be a member of Green Day. Ezra tells Marc how those seemingly contradictory preferences took hold in his music and performances, how comedy was his road not taken, and how he struggled with coming out to his bandmates and friends. Also, David Wain returns to the show after eight years to talk about his movie about the National Lampoon, A Futile and Stupid Gesture. Sign up here for WTF+ t

Jan 31, 2018 • 1:22:11

Episode 885 - Rita Moreno

Rita Moreno is a show business legend with an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony to her name, as well as several lifetime achievement awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She tells Marc about the ups and downs of her 70 year career as a singer, dancer and actor, from the highs of working with people like Jack Nicholson and Gene Kelly to the lows of racial typecasting and sexual harassment. They also talk about relief work in Puerto Rico and why Norman Lear's reboot of One Day at a Tim

Jan 28, 2018 • 1:10:01

Episode 884 - Don Was

Bass player and record producer Don Was is a Renaissance man in the music world. Whether he's producing albums for bands like the Rolling Stones or running the jazz label Blue Note Records or playing in his own band Was (Not Was) or directing documentaries about fellow musicians like Brian Wilson, Don always knows what he's doing. As he tells Marc, Don attributes a lot of his expertise to growing up in Detroit just as a pivotal shift in the American music scene was happening in the Motor City. S

Jan 24, 2018 • 1:24:24

Episode 883 - Macaulay Culkin / Cameron Esposito

Macaulay Culkin considers himself retired, dabbling in whatever he chooses at any given time. It's understandable he would want to settle down, considering he was one of the most famous people on the planet by the age of ten. Mac tells Marc about the struggles and the joys of his acting days, much of which was shaped by people like John Candy, John Hughes, Michael Jackson and Mac's father. Also, comedian Cameron Esposito returns to the garage to talk about the recent bus tour she took with her w

Jan 21, 2018 • 1:33:59

Episode 882 - Derek Waters

Derek Waters created Drunk History, but he really doesn't want to know about the darkness that lies in his family history. And while he doesn't have a drinking problem, he's long been plagued by sleep problems. These are just some of the things Marc learns about Derek, in addition to his love for Bob Seger, his celebrity interactions while working at Tower Video, and his relationship with Bob Odenkirk that changed his life. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus mat

Jan 17, 2018 • 1:21:33

Episode 881 - ​Laurie Metcalf / Tom Segura

Laurie Metcalf has never been through anything in her acting career like what she's going through now. After four decades of performances on stage and screen, she tells Marc why everything feels different with Lady Bird. They also talk about Laurie helping to found the Steppenwolf Theatre company, reviving Roseanne for 2018, and mastering the challenge of her role in Horace and Pete. Also, Tom Segura returns to the garage to talk about his new special and to sort out why his wife is dreaming abo

Jan 14, 2018 • 1:24:43

Episode 880 - Richard Jenkins

Richard Jenkins is one of the great character actors working today but he was a late starter in show business. As he continues to rack up awards and accolades for his performances, including his latest in The Shape of Water, Richard reflects on the early days of his acting ambitions in Illinois corn country and the intervention by his high school English teacher that got him on his way. He also talks about his favorite collaborators, including the Coen Brothers, the Farrelly Brothers and Frances

Jan 10, 2018 • 1:21:11

Episode 879 - Fortune Feimster

Comedian and actor Fortune Feimster joins Marc in the garage fresh off getting engaged to her girlfriend, which feels pretty far away from the young Southern girl who didn't come out as a lesbian or perform comedy until she was in her mid-20s. Fortune tells Marc how she got the nerve to do both, why her grandmother was her rock, and how a random security guard helped her fix the relationship with her mom. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus

Jan 7, 2018 • 1:19:49

Episode 878 - Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates is one of America's most celebrated and insightful writers. But there's part of him that would be fine with it all going away. Marc and Ta-Nehisi talk about the impulse to pull back when things start to get good, the burden of being treated as a representative for a larger community, and the reason Ta-Nehisi finds Black Panther so relatable. They also discuss two of Ta-Nehisi's biggest influences: James Baldwin and David Carr. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives

Jan 3, 2018 • 1:23:52

Episode 877 - Marc's Family

Ring in the New Year with the Maron Family. Marc takes a trip back to some of the earliest episodes of WTF to hear classic interactions with his father, mother, and brother, all of whom help explain how and why Marc got to where he's at now. From his dad's wild ideas for Marc's career to his mom's cautious relationship advice to his brother's concern over getting in too deep with their parents, Marc has no shortage material to take to his next therapy visit. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full

Dec 31, 2017 • 1:14:00

Episode 876 - Michael Marcus / Dr. Steve Read

Marc closes out 2017 with some old friends. Author Michael Marcus might not have made it to the garage if his life had continued the way it was going. He talks with Marc about his days of criminal behavior, addiction and eventual sober living, all of which he wrote about in his new book, #1 Son. Also, Marc's friend Dr. Stephen Dansiger returns to the garage to talk trauma, PTSD, and treating patients in the Trump era. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material!

Dec 27, 2017 • 1:33:50

Episode 875 - WTF Shows of Christmas Past

For Christmas Day, Marc presents a look back at some holiday moments from the earliest years of WTF. First, hear Todd Glass and Marc talk about the perils of going home for the holidays. Then some highlights from the 2009 live WTF Christmas show with Sarah Silverman, Paul F. Tompkins, Jerry Minor, Eddie Pepitone and Jim Earl. Finally, a beautiful story of hope and humanity from the late Mike DeStefano, recorded around the holidays in 2010. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and

Dec 24, 2017 • 1:02:17

Episode 874 - Neal Preston

Photographer Neal Preston is known for taking some of the most iconic shots of the world's most famous rock musicians. Neal tells Marc how his love of music and love of photography merged when he was in high school, leading to a rock and roll lifestyle filled with hard partying, head trips and permanent hearing damage. He shares some stories of Led Zeppelin, Gregg Allman, Stevie Nicks, Queen, and Sly Stone, and reflects on the fact that the majority of his subjects have passed away. Sign up here

Dec 20, 2017 • 1:18:36

Episode 873 - Steven Van Zandt

Steven Van Zandt, a.k.a. Little Steven, is an encyclopedia of rock and roll history. Steven talks with Marc about learning to play music by watching the Beatles, learning to be a performer by watching the Rolling Stones, and using those skills to form a partnership with his career-long collaborator, Bruce Springsteen, a relationship that Steven kept in mind when shaping his performance as Silvio on The Sopranos. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https

Dec 17, 2017 • 1:24:31

Episode 872 - Darren Aronofsky

Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky knows his films are not always crowd pleasers but he also knows exactly what he wants to say. Darren talks with Marc about the universal mysteries that inspire him - from numerology to Old Testament parables to shadowy professions - and the personal implications behind movies like mother!, Requiem for a Dream, Pi, and more. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Ac

Dec 13, 2017 • 1:09:17

Episode 871 - Loudon Wainwright III / Judd Apatow

Singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III talks life, love and Roman numerals. The prolific musician tells Marc about the heyday of the folk music scene, the late-in-life acting career he didn't expect, and the burden of having talented singer-songwriter children who turn his transgressions into songs. Plus, writer-director-producer (and Loudon Wainwright fan) Judd Apatow stops by to talk about getting back on the standup stage for his Netflix special, Judd Apatow: The Return. Sign up here for WTF

Dec 10, 2017 • 1:40:57

Episode 870 - James Franco

At some point after James Franco became a high-profile movie star, he found himself asking, "What if you get everything you want and nothing changes?" As James explains to Marc, that led to a re-engagement with art and academics, a stint on General Hospital, an infamous hosting experience on the Oscars, and many passion projects that he willed to fruition. Only now, with his new movie The Disaster Artist, which he wrote and directed, does James realize what he was chasing and what he has in comm

Dec 6, 2017 • 1:57:12

Episode 869 - Greta Gerwig

Like the protagonist of her new film Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig grew up in Sacramento, spent the summer going to the state fair, had a complicated relationship with her mother, and escaped to institutes of higher learning in New York City. Marc and Greta talk about the desire to get out from under the weight of your home town, how that tension translated into her acting career, and where she was coming from when she wrote and directed Lady Bird. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives a

Dec 3, 2017 • 1:16:56

Episode 868 - Sam Beam / Bob Saget

His given name is Sam Beam but he's known in music as Iron & Wine, maker of soulful folk rock. Marc finds Sam to be a thoughtful son of the South who let his early interests in avant-garde photography, filmmaking and artwork open the door to a career in music. But Sam also explains to Marc why he doesn't listen to much music anymore. Plus, Bob Saget returns to the garage for a rare third appearance to talk about his new special, his just-wrapped movie, and the sudden change in his life. Sign up

Nov 29, 2017 • 1:28:17

Episode 867 - Rob Huebel

Rob Huebel and Marc start a new podcast within this podcast. It's a show called Contact List and they're pretty sure it makes them sound like jerks. But before that, Rob tells Marc about getting started in comedy during the early days of the UCB Theater, which led to his sketch comedy show Human Giant as well as rolls in movies like The Descendants and TV shows like The League. Plus, they talk about Rob's other new show, Do You Want to See a Dead Body?, which is better than Contact List. Sign up

Nov 26, 2017 • 1:19:47

Episode 866 - Jimmie Vaughan / Kasper Collin & Bennie Maupin

It's an extra helping of music talk for Thanksgiving. First Marc sits down with filmmaker Kasper Collin and jazz musician Bennie Maupin to talk about the documentary I Called Him Morgan, which deals with the life, love and murder of jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan. Then Texas blues rocker Jimmie Vaughan jams with Marc in the garage, sharing stories about Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, and Jimmie's little brother Stevie Ray Vaughan. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly

Nov 22, 2017 • 1:33:50

Episode 865 - Christina Pazsitzky

For Christina Pazsitzky, comedy was finally something she enjoyed doing after burning through twenty-two different jobs in the course of four years. She talks with Marc about her troubled teen years, her ineffectual degree in philosophy, her general post-college aimlessness, her stint on MTV Road Rules, and the other circumstances of her life that made the grind of standup comedy seem exhilarating by comparison. Christina also talks about how she and her husband, Tom Segura, are dealing with the

Nov 19, 2017 • 1:11:22

Episode 864 - Lawrence O'Donnell

Lawrence O'Donnell is on MSNBC every weeknight talking about the chaos and tumult of uncertain times. He's no stranger to historic national turbulence, as he came of age in the Vietnam Era and received his draft notice shortly before the U.S. withdrawal. Lawrence talks with Marc about those times, which are the subject of his new book, but also about his Boston upbringing, his father's career change from cop to defense attorney, his job in the U.S. Senate, and his time writing for The West Wing.

Nov 15, 2017 • 1:30:07

Episode 863 - Kim Deal

As a member of The Pixies and The Breeders, Kim Deal is already a rock legend. But she was also a backup singer in a disco band with her twin sister Kelley and a budding cellular biologist with a degree in Medical Technology. Kim talks with Marc about all of that as well as her hard-fought sobriety and her reasons for coming around on digital music production. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hos

Nov 12, 2017 • 1:23:27

Episode 862 - John Dwyer

Whether you call his band Thee Oh Sees, Oh Sees, or OCS, there's no denying John Dwyer's prolific musical output. From garage bands in Providence to noise rock in San Francisco to his current jam in Los Angeles, John has been doing it his own way, including the creation of his own music label, to churn out an abundance of albums. John talks with Marc about the music he makes, Ty Segall, Mitch Hedberg, Cuba, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, rock and roll drug casualties, and what it was like to play a conc

Nov 8, 2017 • 1:14:29

Episode 861 - Jenna Fischer

Jenna Fischer came to Los Angeles when she was 22 with no contacts, no guidance, and no idea of what it meant to sink or swim in show business. Now with a successful acting career and a long-running role as the beloved Pam on The Office, Jenna wants aspiring actors to get the advice she never got. As she tells Marc, that's the main reason she wrote her new book, in addition to detailing some of her own true Hollywood stories. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus m

Nov 5, 2017 • 1:19:10

Episode 860 - John Hammond / Michael Rapaport

John Hammond was kid from New York with a dad in the music industry, so it's no surprise he became a recording artist. But it was a bit unexpected that he became obsessed with the Blues at an early age. As one of the premiere Blues artists of the past six decades, John tells Marc about the connections he's made along the way, from Howlin' Wolf to Bob Dylan to The Band to Cheech and Chong. Plus, the always excitable Michael Rapaport returns to the garage to talk about his new book, This Book Has

Nov 1, 2017 • 1:31:06

Episode 859 - Joy Behar / Adam Goldberg

Joy Behar was already a successful comic when she became a co-host on The View. But before she was a comic, she had already been a teacher, raised a daughter, and worked on staff at Good Morning America. Joy talks with Marc about the many chapters of her life, her new book about surviving Donald Trump's presidency, and whether or not comedy can ever be inappropriate. Plus, Marc's buddy Adam Goldberg calls in to try and crowdfund his new movie, The Hebrew Hammer vs Hitler. Sign up here for WTF+ t

Oct 29, 2017 • 1:20:19

Episode 858 - Lizzy Goodman / Dana Gould

Marc completely missed the era of music that writer Lizzy Goodman chronicles in her book 'Meet Me in the Bathroom: Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City 2001-2011.' But as Lizzy explains to Marc, that era is just one chapter in the larger New York cultural story, a story that both Lizzy and Marc found themselves rushing to be a part of after growing up in New Mexico. Plus, comedian Dana Gould stops by to talk about his new album, his TV show Stan Against Evil, and Don Rickles. Sign up here

Oct 25, 2017 • 1:34:06

Episode 857 - Willem Dafoe

Actor Willem Dafoe might have had a hard time standing out while he was growing up as the seventh of eight kids. But he found a way to express himself performing in community plays, which led to the pursuit of stage acting and an embrace of the avant-garde performance world. Willem talks to Marc about his early stage work as well as his many notable films like Platoon, To Live and Die in L.A., Auto Focus, and his latest movie The Florida Project. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archiv

Oct 22, 2017 • 1:19:35

Episode 856 - Bassem Youssef / Sam Seder

Bassem Youssef was a surgeon in Egypt who started doing a YouTube show from his house and eventually became the most popular television personality in his country, doing what people called "The Egyptian Daily Show." Bassem talks with Marc about using comedy as a political weapon and what happens when the government pushes back in a life threatening way. Also, Marc's old friend and co-worker Sam Seder stops by to talk about doing political news every day in the current climate. Sign up here for W

Oct 18, 2017 • 1:32:08

Episode 855 - Tracey Ullman

On a list of the world's funniest people, Tracey Ullman ranks pretty high. But Tracey tells Marc she doesn't consider herself a comedian or a comic, but rather a character actor. The fact that she started performing as a way to cheer up her widowed mother means she's always trying to find sympathetic notes in the characters she's creating, with an ability to mock and humanize simultaneously. Tracey and Marc talk about her TV shows, her family, The Simpsons, and her brief pop music career that le

Oct 15, 2017 • 1:14:53

Episode 854 - Marilyn Manson

Despite being born Brian Warner, Marilyn Manson doesn't separate his stage persona from who he is as a person. That makes for an interesting chat with Marc in the garage. Marilyn talks about his early years getting kicked out of Christian school, being beaten up for playing the triangle in the school band, and starting up a poetry night for his first taste of performing. He also talks about becoming friends with Alice Cooper, patching things up with Trent Reznor, and getting a kick out of David

Oct 11, 2017 • 1:23:56

Episode 853 - Jeff Bridges / Beau Bridges

It just so happens that Jeff Bridges and Beau Bridges are both in new movies at the same time (Only the Brave and The Mountain Between Us, respectively). So it's as good a time as any to have the two brothers in the garage for separate chats. First, Beau tells Marc about being the big brother, taking a First Amendment stand, and staying busy in fickle Hollywood. Then Jeff talks about the music he makes, the path to enlightenment, and the transcendence of The Dude. Sign up here for WTF+ to get th

Oct 8, 2017 • 2:01:25

Episode 852 - Waiting For The Punch

Marc presents a special audio version of the first chapter of Waiting for the Punch: Words to Live by from the WTF Podcast. This chapter features thirty WTF guests talking with Marc about growing up. Hear from Conan O'Brien, Sir Ian McKellen, Kevin Hart, Mel Brooks, RuPaul Charles, Jim Gaffigan, John Oliver, Maria Bamford, Paul Scheer, Norm Macdonald, Molly Shannon, John Darnielle, Ahmed Ahmed, Dave Attell, Russell Peters, Joe Mande, Ron Funches, Allie Brosh, Gillian Jacobs, The Amazing Johnatha

Oct 4, 2017 • 1:39:38

Episode 851 - Elliot Gould

Elliot Gould was at the vanguard of American New Wave Cinema in the 1970s, but he tells Marc there were two enemies always working to diminish his potential: ego and vanity. On the cusp of launching a new network sitcom, 9JKL, Elliott talks about his earliest memories, his marriage to Barbra Streisand, his collaborations with Robert Altman, and his difficulties working with others, including one specific comment that Elliott believes put the breaks on his career. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the

Oct 1, 2017 • 1:18:06

Episode 850 - Tom Colicchio

Top Chef's Tom Colicchio discovered a passion for cooking at a young age, thanks to a book his corrections officer father found in a prison library. Even now as a celebrity chef, with restaurants around the country, Tom still marvels at the simplicity of cooking. He talks with Marc about food trends, the respectful competitiveness he has with fellow chefs, and being politically engaged around food sustainability and hunger issues. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bo

Sep 27, 2017 • 1:14:21

Episode 849 - Pete Davidson

Saturday Night Live's "Resident Young Person" Pete Davidson might be the only member of the SNL cast who knew about the show exclusively through YouTube clips. Pete tells Marc how he landed the show just shortly after graduating high school, how he survived a lonely upbringing on Staten Island watching Eddie Murphy's standup concerts, and how a life-changing traumatic event in his childhood pushed him toward comedy in the first place. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekl

Sep 24, 2017 • 1:11:02

Episode 848 - George Schlatter

Television comedy impresario George Schlatter created Laugh In at the peak of cultural upheaval in 20th Century America. He tells Marc why he linked the rebellious youth movement of the '60s to a buttoned-up style firmly rooted in the history of show business, which he learned all about as manager of the legendary Sunset Strip nightclub Ciro's. George talks about getting his education from luminaries like Groucho Marx, Red Skelton, Danny Thomas, and Milton Berle, and sparking the careers of brig

Sep 20, 2017 • 1:27:08

Episode 847 - Lee Daniels

Lee Daniels got his start in show business by running a nursing agency. That may seem unusual but the road to success for the producer-writer-director behind Precious, The Butler and Empire has always been unorthodox. As Lee tells Marc, the sideways nature of his path to achievement matches up with his personal life, in which he found out by phone one day that he was going to have to put the breaks on his partying and become a father to his niece and nephew. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full

Sep 17, 2017 • 1:02:17

Episode 846 - Kathy Bates / Graham Elwood

Kathy Bates hammered her way into movie and pop culture history with her Oscar-winning performance in Misery. Kathy tells Marc why acting never seemed like an option when she was younger, what she learned working with colleagues like Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Tandy, Mike Nichols, and James Caan, and why after decades of work on the stage and screen she decided now was the time to do a show like Disjointed, a three-camera sitcom with a live studio audience. Plus, comedian Graham Elwood stops by to

Sep 13, 2017 • 1:30:49

Episode 845 - Ken Burns & Lynn Novick

Ken Burns and his frequent collaborator Lynn Novick have made indelible documentaries about American life, on subjects like jazz, baseball, the Civil War, and World War II. Their latest film is a ten-part examination of the Vietnam War, and Marc talks with them about the bold storytelling choices used in the film, the decade-long process that went into making an 18-hour documentary, and the lessons learned that show we are still living in an America defined by this specific war. Sign up here for

Sep 10, 2017 • 1:26:50

Episode 844 - Lorde

Not every global pop superstar would feel at home in Marc's garage, but Lorde isn't your average global pop superstar. The singer-songwriter takes some time before kicking off her worldwide Melodrama tour to talk with Marc about her life in New Zealand, her frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff, and the math of making pop music. They also go down a music rabbit hole as Lorde reveals herself to be a knowledgable student of classic rock, power pop, rhythm and blues, and Phil Collins. Sign up here fo

Sep 6, 2017 • 1:10:33

Episode 843 - ​Warren Hutcherson

Warren Hutcherson and Marc were getting their starts in standup around the same time. Then, as Marc recalls it, Warren was suddenly a television writer and wasn't on the standup scene anymore. Warren explains how his college-age writing was responsible for his somewhat accidental entry into comedy, which led to him running the network television gauntlet, navigating the conventions and biases of Hollywood on his way to becoming a writer and showrunner on programs like The Bernie Mac Show. Sign u

Sep 3, 2017 • 1:32:08

Episode 842 - Steve Jordan

Steve Jordan is considered one of the greatest rock and roll drummers of all time. He joins Marc in the garage to talk about his years playing in the house bands for David Letterman and Saturday Night Live, which included being part of The Blues Brothers' band. Steve also shares stories of his collaborations with Neil Young, Don Henley, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry and The Rolling Stones, which led to a prolific partnership and friendship with Keith Richards. Sign up here for WTF+ to get

Aug 30, 2017 • 1:29:19

Episode 841 - Jay Baruchel

Actor Jay Baruchel takes the trip down from Canada to talk with Marc about life, acting and the Great White North. Jay explains what it was like being raised in a family that was righteously engaged in politics while also beset by criminal activity and alcoholism. He also tells Marc why it's important to him to see Canadian culture reflected in film, which is one of the reasons he wrote and directed the new movie Goon: Last of the Enforcers. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives an

Aug 27, 2017 • 1:16:33

Episode 840 - Alice Cooper

Marc gets the full story of how Vincent Furnier became Alice Cooper and took rock & roll into dark and unexpected territory. Alice tells Marc about the early formation of his band, how his return to Christianity helped him confront his alcoholism, and how he's remained sober for nearly 40 years. Along the way, he inspired, and was inspired by, the likes of John Lennon, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Frank Sinatra, Groucho Marx, Glen Campbell, and many more. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archiv

Aug 23, 2017 • 1:32:31

Episode 839 - Brent Weinbach / Ms. Pat

First things first: Brent Weinbach and Marc need to have a good conversation about crying. Once that's out of the way, the two of them figure out how Brent's performance-based comedy, filled with multiple characters and flights of absurdity, is connected to his pursuit of becoming a jazz musician as a teenager. It also has something to do with why Brent thinks Chico is the best Marx Brother. Also, Ms. Pat returns to the garage now that she's turned her harrowing personal stories into a new memoi

Aug 20, 2017 • 1:44:00

Episode 838 - Jennifer Jason Leigh

To prepare for this conversation, Marc watched one of Jennifer Jason Leigh's earliest films, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, as well as her most recent, the crime thriller Good Time. The details of what happened in between help explain why Jennifer is one of our best actors, so much so that Marc even asks her for a few acting pointers, which Jennifer is happy to provide. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podc

Aug 16, 2017 • 1:08:24

Episode 837 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar / Phil Stutz

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest basketball players ever, but he's happy if you know him as a writer, a cultural critic, an activist, a chronicler of African-American history, an actor, an ambassador, and a coin collector. Kareem and Marc talk about all those things and how life in 2017 America is similar to life when Kareem was a young man. Plus, therapist Phil Stutz returns to the garage to talk about the follow up to his enormously successful and helpful book The Tools. Sign up here

Aug 13, 2017 • 1:30:14

Episode 836 - Mike MacDonald / Jon Ronson

Canadian comic Mike MacDonald survived four decades in comedy, drug abuse, Sam Kinison, chronic illness, psych wards, and a liver transplant to make it to the garage. Mike takes Marc through his early days doing comedy in Canadian punk rock clubs up to his return to the road after recovering from a major organ transplant. Also, writer Jon Ronson returns, this time to talk about porn, which he explores in his new audio series The Butterfly Effect. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archiv

Aug 9, 2017 • 1:38:26

Episode 835 - The Lucas Brothers

Keith and Kenny Lucas are identical twins and Marc is freaking out at how similar they are. Well, freaking a little bit anyway, but only at first because once the three of them get talking it's hard not to be taken with the Lucas Brothers' story. They talk about their childhoods, their philosophy-based education, their attempt to go into law, culminating with a mere two-and-a-half years in which they were apart, and it almost ruined them. Thankfully, as they tell Marc, comedy came calling. Sign

Aug 6, 2017 • 1:28:17

Episode 834 - Rory Scovel / Maz Jobrani

Rory Scovel is from the South, he was born into a legacy of postal workers, and one of his first jobs was in production at a local TV station. It's all great background material for a comedy career, which is probably why Rory and Marc have such a thorough conversation about doing the job of comedy, from the grind of working on the road to the art of being a warm-up comic to the craft of making an hour-long stand-up special. Also, Maz Jobrani is back to talk about being a comedian and immigrant i

Aug 2, 2017 • 1:37:53

Episode 833 - Al Gore

Former Vice President Al Gore has been thinking about change his whole life, whether it was the way the changing media shaped our politics or the way a changing climate altered the way we live on this planet. He talks with Marc about our current political atmosphere, the Trump administration, his regrets about the 2000 election, the progress he sees on climate issues, and the continuing fight for the environment as depicted in the documentary An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power. Sign up here

Jul 30, 2017 • 1:16:36

Episode 832 - David Alan Grier / Joe Mande

David Alan Grier studied to become a serious actor at Yale School of Drama, which actually came in handy when he got cast on one of the funniest shows of all time, In Living Color. David talks with Marc about his varied career on stage, screen and in the comedy clubs. Plus, comedian Joe Mande takes a break from Twitter to stop by the garage and talk about how he staged an award show for his new standup special. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https:

Jul 26, 2017 • 1:40:49

Episode 831 - Randy Newman

Marc believes - and many agree with him - that Randy Newman is an American genius. One person who's not so sure is Randy himself who, after half a century as a recording artist, 13 solo albums, 23 soundtracks, six Grammys, two Oscars and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, tells Marc he still doesn't think he's done enough. They talk about Randy's early albums, his struggles with songwriting, his film scores, his latest album Dark Matter and his legacy in American music. Sign up here

Jul 23, 2017 • 1:33:59

Episode 830 - David Remnick

David Remnick is a seasoned journalist, an accomplished writer and a proud amateur guitar player. But he's also the gatekeeper of an American institution as editor of The New Yorker. Marc and David talk about the versatility of The New Yorker's content, from poetry to fiction to investigative reporting and more, and how the current political and cultural climates demand our engagement with all aspects of art, literature and information. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and wee

Jul 19, 2017 • 1:14:33

Episode 829 - Edie Falco

With indelible roles in shows like The Sopranos, Nurse Jackie, and Horace and Pete, a lot of people feel like they know Edie Falco very well, even though they only know her characters. Edie helps Marc dispel some of these preconceived notions by discussing her early struggles as an aspiring actor, why she wanted to be a mother, who intimidates her when she's on set, and how she dealt with a major dilemma when she was offered the role of Carmela Soprano. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show

Jul 16, 2017 • 1:26:38

Episode 828 - Keb' Mo' / Taj Mahal

Blues legends Keb' Mo' and Taj Mahal are distinctly different individuals. One grew up in Compton, California, the other grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts. One was raised on Caribbean music, the other got schooled in the Southern Blues. One is quiet and contemplative, the other is an excitable storyteller. But as they tell Marc about their separate journeys, it actually makes sense that they wound up weaving their styles together and collaborating on a new joint project, TajMo. Sign up here

Jul 12, 2017 • 1:15:49

Episode 827 - Glow Writers & Creators

Give a listen to how the sausage of television gets made as Marc talks with the creative team behind the show GLOW. First, hear about the process of scripting a season of television as a group from the show's writers, Rachel Shukert, Nick Jones and Sascha Rothschild. Then Marc speaks with the creators and showrunners Carly Mensch and Liz Flahive who had to bring all the parts together and still maintain their long-standing friendship. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekl

Jul 9, 2017 • 1:21:13

Episode 826 - Jeff Baena / Dave Anthony

Filmmaker Jeff Baena was always into movies that didn't fit into easy categories. He tells Marc about having his mind blown at an early age thanks to directors like Kubrick and Fellini, which helps explain how Jeff could wind up writing a screenplay like I Heart Huckabees and directing a twisted Middle Ages comedy like The Little Hours. Also, Marc gets his friend and television foil Dave Anthony to stop so they can talk about Dave's new book and make fun of each other. Sign up here for WTF+ to g

Jul 5, 2017 • 1:32:14

Episode 825 - Kia Stevens / Chavo Guerrero Jr.

It's a tag team match with two of Marc's GLOW colleagues. First, Chavo Guerrero Jr. stops by to tell Marc what it's like to be part of a wrestling dynasty and how he put his lifetime of experience to use as the behind-the-scenes trainer on GLOW. Then Kia Stevens talks about going from social work to wrestling stardom and how she was able to play the character of Tamee, aka Welfare Queen, by drawing on past incidents of dealing with racial stereotyping in the wrestling world. Sign up here for WTF

Jul 2, 2017 • 1:47:05

Episode 824 - Jason Mantzoukas

Jason Mantzoukas is a great improvisational comedian, which you would know from seeing him in shows like The League, on podcasts like How Did This Get Made? and in movies like The House. As he explains to Marc, it was only after undertaking a global musical quest, having mystical experiences in foreign lands and being jailed in Morocco that Jason realized his true calling was comedy, which is still the one thing that quiets his fears and anxieties. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show arch

Jun 28, 2017 • 1:42:15

Episode 823 - Jenji Kohan

Even when she was in school, Jenji Kohan didn't like being told what she couldn't do. So it makes sense that after she was told there was no chance she'd ever get on a TV writing staff, Jenji would make the hit shows Weeds, Orange is the New Black and now GLOW. Jenji tells Marc about her early influences, her string of unsatisfying writing jobs, and the inspiration she drew from working with Tracey Ullman. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plu

Jun 25, 2017 • 1:33:02

Episode 822 - Sofia Coppola

Despite a surname that is practically synonymous with modern American cinema, Sofia Coppola didn't want to be a film director. She tells Marc about her early career ambitions and how they inevitably led her into the family business. The two of them also discuss Sofia's films, including The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette, and her remake of a gritty 1970s Clint Eastwood movie, The Beguiled. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https

Jun 21, 2017 • 1:08:07

Episode 821 - Alison Brie & Betty Gilpin

Marc sits down with his coworkers Alison Brie and Betty Gilpin to take stock of the time they spent shooting the first season of the new Netflix series GLOW and to learn a bit more about each other now that they're not in character anymore. They also discuss their newfound appreciation of wrestling, Alison's realistic fear that she wasn't going to get the part, and the reason Marc was intimidated by Betty. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plu

Jun 18, 2017 • 1:05:17

Episode 820 - Kumail Nanjiani & Emily Gordon / Jim Florentine

Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon are married. They also wrote the movie The Big Sick, which is based on their lives and in which Kumail plays himself. Marc also wrote an episode of television that was based on Kumail, only Kumail did not play himself. The three of them talk about the circumstances surrounding that situation and about the making of the movie. Plus, comedian Jim Florentine stops by to talk comedy, rock and driving Metallica around. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archiv

Jun 14, 2017 • 1:24:55

Episode 819 - Ariel Leve / Wheeler Walker, Jr.

When Marc crossed paths with writer Ariel Leve back in the '90s, she was working at MTV and on the verge of making a splash as a print journalist. Ariel didn't know she would soon uncover the trauma inflicted by her gaslighting mother. As Ariel tells Marc, she would have to decide with whether telling the truth was a betrayal. Also on the show, in what was probably a mistake, Wheeler Walker, Jr. explains why he's having a hard time getting his new album played on country music radio. Sign up her

Jun 11, 2017 • 1:31:48

Episode 818 - Marc Mulcahy / Phil Elverum

It's a doubleheader of singer-songwriters who are separated by several years but tied together by similar tragedies that reshaped their lives and their art. First, Phil Elverum of The Microphones and Mount Eerie tells Marc why he urgently needed to write his new album. Then Marc Mulcahy talks about the stops on his journey, from his work with Miracle Legion to finding mainstream recognition as part of the show The Adventures of Pete and Pete to realigning everything through his solo work. Sign u

Jun 7, 2017 • 1:45:13

Episode 817 - Lesley Stahl / Demetri Martin

Marc interviews an interviewer when Lesley Stahl spends 60 minutes in the garage. The veteran journalist tells Marc what it was like to cover Watergate, interview U.S. Presidents, report on the struggles of real people, confront the changing nature of journalism, and become a grandma. Also, Demetri Martin returns to talk about his new movie Dean and the new challenges he's facing with his standup. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.c

Jun 4, 2017 • 1:39:27

Episode 816 - Senator Al Franken

Marc travels to Washington, DC for a conversation with his old radio co-worker who now happens to be a United States Senator. Al Franken takes Marc through his start in comedy with Tom Davis, his fifteen years at SNL and his emergence as a political leader. The Senator works through the challenges of the Trump Presidency, gives his impressions of fellow Senators and explains how his career in comedy helped him in politics. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus mate

May 31, 2017 • 1:28:25

Episode 815 - Jake Fogelnest / Ron Funches

Jake Fogelnest was a teenager with a public access show who was thrust into a high-profile MTV gig and before too long was in rehab for drug addiction. Now Jake's a successful writer and show runner but it all started out with him as a 10-year-old comedy fan going to the clubs of New York City to see people like Marc Maron. Plus, Ron Funches returns to the garage as he gets ready to head out on tour, ready to talk about losing some TV shows but also losing 140 pounds. Sign up here for WTF+ to ge

May 28, 2017 • 1:29:50

Episode 814 - Danny Fields / J Mascis

Danny Fields is a music manager, a publicist, a magazine editor, a writer, and a conduit to some of the greatest artists ever, including Andy Warhol, the Velvet Underground, the Doors, the Ramones, and many others. Danny takes Marc through a his experiences during a half-century of cutting edge music and pop art and also explains his role in an infamous Beatles controversy. Also, guitar legend J Mascis stops by to hang out, talk about Adele, and play some tunes. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the

May 24, 2017 • 1:37:22

Episode 813 - Griffin Dunne / Bill Burr

Griffin Dunne caught the acting bug at a young age and had early success with movies like American Werewolf in London and After Hours. But tragedy struck when his career was ascendant and his whole family channeled grief into activism. Griffin tells Marc about that journey, as well as the moment he finally felt comfortable in show business. Plus, Bill Burr stops by because the new season of 'F is for Family' is coming out, but actually he's all worked up about drums. Sign up here for WTF+ to get

May 21, 2017 • 1:30:09

Episode 812 - AJ Mendez Brooks / Fred Stoller

As AJ Lee, she was a larger than life superhero who won the WWE women's wrestling championship three times. But as AJ Mendez Brooks, she spent most of her life coping with mental illness. AJ tells Marc why she decided to open up about her struggles now that she's retired from wrestling. Also, Fred Stoller stops by again, this time with some insecurity over the interviews he did for his new book. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com

May 17, 2017 • 1:37:32

Episode 811 - Joel Hodgson / Jonah Ray

Joel Hodgson took his Midwestern sensibility, his interest in theater of the absurd, his standup comedy experience, and his robot assembly skills, put them together and created the beloved comedy institution Mystery Science Theater 3000. Joel takes Marc through the process of making MST3K, from its start on a local UHF station to its revival on Netflix. The new MST3K stars Marc's neighbor Jonah Ray, who also stops by to talk about being in one of his all-time favorite shows and doing the new sea

May 14, 2017 • 1:44:53

Episode 810 - Kevin Bacon

Kevin Bacon started his career with an awkward experience on the set of Animal House. Then his fear of becoming a major star after Footloose led him to self-sabotage. It wasn't until he rejected Hollywood's idea of being a leading man and embraced being a character actor that everything flourished. Kevin also tells Marc stories about Diner, JFK, A Few Good Men, Sleepers, Apollo 13, Mystic River and the new series I Love Dick, which has him doing things he'd never done before as an actor. Sign up

May 10, 2017 • 1:37:13

Episode 809 - John Michael Higgins / Maria Bamford

John Michael Higgins is instantly familiar to audiences after seeing him in the Christopher Guest movies and Pitch Perfect and so many other films and TV shows. But he and Marc discover in the middle of their conversation that they actually share a comedy connection going back decades. They also talk about his Broadway career and his big break playing David Letterman. Plus, Maria Bamford stops by to talk about her new Netflix special and explain why she's taking Improv 101 classes at the UCB. Si

May 7, 2017 • 1:39:20

Episode 808 - Wendi McLendon-Covey / Al Madrigal

Wendi McLendon-Covey may have found success with The Goldbergs and Bridesmaids but the Hollywood lifestyle was never her thing. As she tells Marc, Wendi lived at home with her parents until she was 26, worked at a hotel in Anaheim while she was in the Groundlings, and kept a job on the side even when she was starring in shows like Reno 911. Marc's friend Al Madrigal also stops by to talk about his new special and to smooth over some rough patches in their friendship. Sign up here for WTF+ to get

May 3, 2017 • 1:34:30

Episode 807 - Mark Mothersbaugh

Although Mark Mothersbaugh co-founded Devo, he didn't think it was a band at first. To Mark and his bandmates, Devo was an art movement. Mark sits down in the garage to talk about his upbringing in Akron, attending Kent State University when the National Guard shooting happened, the unexpected success of Whip It, and the unforeseen creative rejuvenation he experienced while scoring television shows, films and animation, beginning with Pee-Wee's Playhouse. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full sh

Apr 30, 2017 • 1:27:39

Episode 806 - Mark Lanegan / Mac DeMarco

Mark Lanegan is the soft-spoken elder statesman of the '90s Seattle grunge scene. Marc Maron talks with the former frontman of Screaming Trees and finds out how Mark went on to collaborate with a wide variety of artists, from Guns N' Roses to Belle and Sebastian. But first, singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco brings his laid-back Canadian rock vibe to the garage as he releases his third studio album and helps answer a puzzling question: Why does Marc like his music so much? Sign up here for WTF+ to ge

Apr 26, 2017 • 1:32:11

Episode 805 - Walter Hill

Poor health kept Walter Hill out of the Army in the '60s, but that twist of fate led him into filmmaking during the tumultuous end of that decade. Walter tells Marc about being there for the major shift in cinema during the '70s, making his own influential films like The Driver, The Warriors and 48 Hours, and working closely with actors like Steve McQueen, Eddie Murphy, and Richard Pryor. Walter also explains how he helped kick off the Alien franchise. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show

Apr 23, 2017 • 1:43:08

Episode 804 - Amanda Peet / W. Kamau Bell

Marc is a fan of Amanda Peet when she's playing funny, quirky characters, like in Togetherness or Brockmire, and when she's cold-hearted and mean, like in Changing Lanes or Syriana. He finds out in person if those two sides of Amanda come to the surface in real life. Also, W. Kamau Bell stops by to talk about some of his projects and winds up talking with Marc about pretty much everything going on in the world. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https:

Apr 19, 2017 • 1:37:11

Episode 803 - Baron Vaughn / Moshe Kasher

Baron Vaughn knows that growing up without a father and sharing a bunk bed with grandma can ignite the comedy spark. He tells Marc about being a latchkey kid watching cable TV and drawing inspiration from the black comedians of the early '90s. With a successful comedy and acting career to his name, Baron was also able to document his search for the father he never knew. Plus, Moshe Kasher returns to the garage to explain why he wants to get to the bottom of the trickiest stuff in his new show Pr

Apr 16, 2017 • 1:35:11

Episode 802 - Michael Chiklis / Kurt Braunohler & Lauren Cook

It turns out Michael Chiklis and Marc went to Boston University at the same time, but soon after school Michael got cast as John Belushi in the movie Wired, which almost ended his career on the spot. Michael talks about how he bounced back with The Commish, transformed himself with The Shield, and finally got to engage his passion for music with his debut album Influence. Plus, Kurt Braunohler and Lauren Cook are in the garage to talk about their new podcast Wedlock, with Lauren on the verge of

Apr 12, 2017 • 1:29:22

Episode 801 - Anne Hathaway / Aimee Mann

Marc tries not to fanboy out too much with Anne Hathaway in the garage. While he attempts to keep it together, they talk about her path from party girl to motherhood, the lessons gleaned from messed up relationships, dealing with the aggressive anonymity of the Internet, and the real monsters in her new movie Colossal. Plus, Aimee Mann just released what Marc thinks is her best album, so she stops by to play one of the songs from it. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly

Apr 9, 2017 • 1:38:06

Episode 800 - Jeff Ross

For the 800th episode of WTF, Marc welcomes back the show's very first guest, Jeff Ross. Just as WTF evolved since that first episode in 2009, Jeff evolved from the Roastmaster General to a comedian using his talent as a put-down artist in order to help us all better understand each other. He also talks about the unique relationships he built along the way with people like Buddy Hackett, Billy Crystal, Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks and, yes, Donald Trump. This episode is sponsored by Louis CK 2017 on N

Apr 6, 2017 • 1:39:52

Episode 799 - Jason Zinoman / Hank Azaria

New York Times comedy critic Jason Zinoman is the one person analyzing comedy from the most prominent journalistic platform in the world. So naturally Jason and Marc would want to talk about the nuts and bolts of creating comedy and, very specifically, the origin of David Letterman's influential brand of comedy, which is the subject of Jason's new book. Plus, Hank Azaria is back in the garage to talk about bringing a gleefully drunk sportscaster to your televisions. Sign up here for WTF+ to get

Apr 2, 2017 • 1:38:34

Episode 798 - Paul Beatty / Jackie Kashian

Marc was blown away by author Paul Beatty's celebrated novel The Sellout and wanted to know how a writer can turn a stew of ideas about identity, race, pride, language and representation into a provocative and hilarious book. Paul visits the garage to provide some answers and reflection. Plus, Marc's friend Jackie Kashian stops by to talk possums, iguanas, sci-fi, and her new comedy album. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf

Mar 29, 2017 • 1:31:28

Episode 797 - Paul Shaffer

Paul Shaffer takes Marc down the path that turned a piano-playing kid from Canada into a keyboard-for-hire who became the bandleader for the famous Toronto production of Godspell. And from there, the dominoes fell, as Paul joined the SNL band, the Blues Brothers band, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame house band, and the band for David Letterman's show, which turned into a relationship that lasted for 33 years. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://p

Mar 26, 2017 • 1:24:40

Episode 796 - Reza Aslan

Religious scholar Reza Aslan has spent his life studying the facts and misconceptions about belief and the evolutionary reasons people need to believe in something larger than themselves. Beginning with his family fleeing a religious revolution in Iran, then landing in Oklahoma as a child and growing up in a Latino community in San Jose, Reza talks with Marc about his lifelong exploration of faith, including the findings of his new documentary series, Believer. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the f

Mar 22, 2017 • 1:21:11

Episode 795 - Paul Rust / Dax Shepard

Actor and writer Paul Rust knew how to be funny as a kid growing up in Iowa and struggling with OCD. But he tells Marc it was his knack for taking intense, borderline-unspeakable risks on stage when he got to LA that caught the attention of people like Scott Aukerman, Paul Reubens and Judd Apatow, which led to his Netflix show Love. Also, Dax Shepard returns to the garage to talk about CHiPs, the movie he wrote, directed and stars in. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekl

Mar 19, 2017 • 1:45:16

Episode 794 - Louis Theroux

Filmmaker Louis Theroux once tried to make a documentary featuring Marc but he never used the footage. Marc's been puzzled by that ever since, but when you look at the subjects of many Louis docs - addicts, criminals, hate mongers, pornographers - Marc might be lucky Louis never made that movie. Marc talks with Louis about evolving as a filmmaker, learning from Michael Moore, and what went into Louis's latest film, My Scientology Movie. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and wee

Mar 15, 2017 • 1:13:36

Episode 793 - Kevin Nealon

Kevin Nealon is trying a new approach to life in order to be less of a people pleaser and to allow himself some anger from time to time. But Kevin is able to keep that anger at bay while he tells Marc about heading to LA during the '70s comedy boom, working as a bartender at the Improv, getting onto The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and unexpectedly landing on SNL. Kevin also talks about the importance of his friendship with the late Garry Shandling. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show

Mar 12, 2017 • 1:28:24

Episode 792 - Fred Melamed / Andy Kindler

Fred Melamed is instantly familiar, not only because of his scene-stealing performances in the Coen Brothers' A Serious Man and Maria Bamford's Lady Dynamite, but because he is an indelible New York character. But that familiarity came with a price, as 20 years of successful work actually led to a complete bottoming out in Fred's life. He tells Marc how he pulled out of it. Plus, Andy Kindler stops by to talk about the big change in his life. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives a

Mar 8, 2017 • 1:41:31

Episode 791 - Eugene Levy

Eugene Levy brings more than five decades of comedy history from north of the border into the garage. He tells Marc about his early days as a college student in Canada hanging out with Martin Short, Ivan Reitman, and Catherine O'Hara, performing in a fabled production of Godspell in Toronto with an all-star lineup of comedy stars, and joining the Second City theater, which paved the way for SCTV. Eugene also explains what goes into co-writing Christopher Guest's largely improvised films. Sign up

Mar 5, 2017 • 1:24:12

Episode 790 - Jennifer Coolidge

Whether you see her in Christopher Guest's movies or on 2 Broke Girls or as Stifler's mom, Jennifer Coolidge is always a unique comic presence. She tells Marc how she put her wild New York City cocaine days behind her to come to LA and join the Groundlings, where she established her comedic chops. Jennifer also talks about her blown chance to get on Saturday Night Live and what she learned from that missed opportunity. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material

Mar 1, 2017 • 1:25:20

Episode 789 - Raoul Peck

Filmmaker Raoul Peck spent more than a decade putting together the documentary I Am Not Your Negro, a powerful film illuminating the words and life of writer and social critic James Baldwin. But as Marc learns in this conversation, Raoul’s own backstory of living under dictatorships, studying across four continents, and learning how to engage activism through art is just as important in understanding how to respond to the world today. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekl

Feb 26, 2017 • 1:27:48

Episode 788 - Norah Jones / Pete Holmes

Singer-songwriter Norah Jones can float between multiple genres of music with ease, whether it’s jazz or standards or country or acoustic pop. That's not surprising when you consider how she was influenced by her Texas roots, her early piano playing, performing arts school and her estranged father, who she only got to know later in life. Plus, Pete Holmes stops by to test how prickly Marc will get as they talk about Pete's new HBO series, 'Crashing.' Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show ar

Feb 22, 2017 • 1:31:46

Episode 787 - Trae Crowder / Lena Dunham

Comedian Trae Crowder does not shy away from his Southern upbringing, in which he saw economic devastation and drug abuse lay waste to several generations around him. But in defiance of the stereotypes some might assign to him, Trae finds himself being called the Liberal Redneck Comic. He and Marc talk about what those labels mean in today's social climate. Plus, Lena Dunham returns to the garage as the final episodes of Girls draw near. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and we

Feb 19, 2017 • 1:29:33

Episode 786 - Will Arnett

Unfolding world events are messing with Will Arnett and Marc as they sit in the garage, but they won't let the existential terror stop them from tracking Will's path and finding out how growing up in Toronto, getting kicked out of school, becoming a voiceover actor, hanging out at UCB, doing off-Broadway plays, and working on failed pilots all led to Arrested Development. They also discuss how the lines between fiction and reality got blurred while Will was making his new show, Flaked. Sign up h

Feb 15, 2017 • 1:31:14

Episode 785 - Ryan Adams

Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams knows there's a stark difference between the way he views the work throughout his career and the popular perception of it. Whether it's his years in Whiskeytown or his song New York, New York becoming a rallying cry after 9-11, Ryan tells Marc why history has created a different narrative of these events than what he experienced at the time and how that guides what he's doing today. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https:

Feb 12, 2017 • 1:36:10

Episode 784 - Steve Jones / Jed Maheu

If Steve Jones was going to start a band after a troubled upbringing filled with petty crime, it makes sense that the band wound up being the Sex Pistols. Steve takes Marc through the formation of the band, the rocket ride to the top and the just-as-fast dissolution, which led to Steve's descent into heroin addiction. Also, Marc's neighbor Jed Maheu of the Zig Zags stops by to premiere the band's new song. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plu

Feb 8, 2017 • 1:31:15

Episode 783 - Bill Paxton / Dylan Brody

If Bill Paxton hadn't suffered from rheumatic fever when he was growing up in Texas, he might not be in show business. Bill tells Marc some great stories about some of his most memorable work in things like Weird Science, Aliens, Big Love, and his new TV show Training Day. Plus, Marc's friend Dylan Brody returns with an all new ornate wardrobe. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. S

Feb 5, 2017 • 1:37:40

Episode 782 - Joe DeRosa / John Hodgman & Jesse Thorn

Marc had prejudged comedian Joe DeRosa. He thought he was a Philly tough guy who wouldn't want to have anything to do with a guy like Marc. Now that they're friends and realize how similar they are, they can commiserate about the insecurities and doubt that plagued both of their careers. Also, John Hodgman and Jesse Thorn stop by to compare facial hair. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on

Feb 1, 2017 • 1:39:12

Episode 781 - Robbie Robertson

Robbie Robertson is in the garage to give Marc the full lowdown on the history of The Band, from its origins as a backing group to its final bow with The Last Waltz. Robbie talks about being with Bob Dylan when he went electric and dealing with the blowback of that, and he explains how he came to have such a great working relationship with Martin Scorsese on many of the director's films. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-w

Jan 29, 2017 • 1:35:50

Episode 780 - Jonathan Daniel / Nick Thune

How did an '80s glam metal bassist become one of the most prominent music managers in the industry, representing Sia, Weezer, Train, Courtney Love, Fall Out Boy, Lorde, and many others? Marc hears one of the most unlikely stories of show business success from his friend of more than 20 years, Jonathan Daniel. Plus, comedian Nick Thune stops by to talk about making jokes with Jesus. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-ma

Jan 25, 2017 • 1:46:13

Episode 779 - Martin Landau

Martin Landau is an Oscar-winning actor with a lifetime of work on film, TV, and stage. But he's also one of the foremost educators on his craft. Martin takes Marc through his early days in New York City at The Actors Studio studying under Lee Strasberg alongside fellow students like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean, which led to Martin becoming a revered acting teacher in his own right. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with

Jan 22, 2017 • 1:26:15

Episode 778 - Martha Kelly / Bruce Talk with Dan Pashman

Comedian Martha Kelly told Zach Galifianakis she cannot act. That didn't stop Zach from casting her as one of the leads on his show Baskets, but Martha's insecurity plagued her throughout life and, as she tells Marc, probably had something to do with her alcoholism, depression, eating disorder, and suicidal thoughts. Plus, Marc's buddy Dan Pashman stops by to talk about Bruce Springsteen. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-

Jan 18, 2017 • 1:29:07

Episode 777 - ​John Larroquette

John Larroquette knows that people still identify him most strongly with Night Court, and he's okay with that. John believes things would have been different if he hadn't made his character, Dan Fielding, endearing beneath his cynical exterior. John and Marc talk about booze, recovery, sobriety, Stripes, The Librarians, and the one job that was so intense, John forgot his wife's birthday for the only time in 40 years. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material!

Jan 15, 2017 • 1:22:50

Episode 776 - Roger Corman / G.J. Echternkamp

Roger Corman made hundreds of films and gave huge opportunities to filmmakers who became the best Hollywood has to offer. Now, at 90 years old, Roger joins Marc to look back at his career of high concepts and low budgets. Plus, hear from a young director, G.J. Echternkamp, who just went through the full Corman experience while making Roger's latest film, Death Race 2050. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-po

Jan 11, 2017 • 1:46:11

Episode 775 - James Hetfield

Before James Hetfield formed Metallica, his musical awareness was shaped in equal parts by classical music, Aerosmith, and the desire to kill disco. James talks with Marc about the band's continued growth, his recovery from not only addiction but also anger issues, and his belief that bands need to reconcile no matter how bad the break-up. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See aca

Jan 8, 2017 • 1:21:45

Episode 774 - ​Martha Plimpton / Laurie Kilmartin

Martha Plimpton says she learned how to act on the job. She talks with Marc about her childhood roles in movies like The Goonies, how those paved the way for her work on Broadway, and what she does to overcome crippling stage fright. Plus, Marc's friend Laurie Kilmartin stops by to talk about how she was able to take overwhelming grief and turn it into a new comedy special. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron

Jan 5, 2017 • 1:25:16

Episode 773 - Bruce Springsteen

Marc leaves the cozy confines of the garage and heads to New Jersey (where else?) to talk with The Boss. Just two Jersey guys hanging out, talking about dads, depression, fear, fulfillment, and the future. Bruce tells Marc how and why he constructed "Bruce Springsteen" and what he's learned about the struggle we all go through to become who we really are. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted o

Jan 2, 2017 • 1:12:14

Episode 772 - David Bromberg

Singer-songwriter David Bromberg is a human bridge between at least a half-dozen different styles of music. David and Marc talk about the pivotal evolution of modern music, as folk transitioned into rock, and all the people David worked with over the years, including Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, The Band, The Grateful Dead, and Reverend Gary Davis. Plus, David explains why he quit for 20 years and developed a highly specific obsession. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly

Dec 29, 2016 • 1:13:25

Episode 771 - Sammy Shore

Marc makes a pilgrimage to Las Vegas for a sit-down with Sammy Shore, a comic with a long show business life that doesn't quite have the ending he planned on. Sammy tells Marc about starting his career as Shecky Greene's partner, becoming the opening act for Elvis, starting The Comedy Store, and how each of these successful points of his career seemed to fall apart every time. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-ma

Dec 26, 2016 • 1:11:55

WTF Uncovered - Live At Now Hear This

It's not entirely accurate to say this episode has never been heard by anyone before. About 700 people were in the room at the Now Hear This podcast festival in Anaheim this past October to hear Marc and his producer Brendan McDonald reveal the secrets behind WTF. It's the first time Marc and Brendan ever did anything like this together in front of a live audience. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast.

Dec 23, 2016 • 42:08

Episode 770 - Derek Trucks

A lot of former child stars have been in the garage, but Derek Trucks wasn't so much a child star as he was a prodigy. At the age of nine, Derek was a guitar wizard. He talks with Marc about avoiding the pitfall of becoming a novelty act and evolving into a versatile practitioner and appreciator of music, with help from several notable mentors along the way. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hoste

Dec 22, 2016 • 1:15:01

Episode 769 - Annette Bening

Annette Bening attributes her longevity in acting to stopping when she wanted. She talks with Marc about being able to put the brakes on her career when dealing with the responsibilities of parenting. They also talk about privacy, winning (or not winning) awards, Warren Beatty, and the many influential people Annette worked with who are no longer with us, including Garry Shandling, Mike Nichols, John Candy, and Robin Williams. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus

Dec 19, 2016 • 1:25:03

WTF Uncovered - The Lost Marc and Tom Show

Every so often Marc gets together with Tom Scharpling of The Best Show to figure out life's big questions. They record these conversations and release them as The Marc and Tom Show. This one was recorded almost four years ago and was never released. For the first time, hear Marc and Tom talk about painful high school experiences, times they've fallen victim to con artists, what they plan to do during the apocalypse, and more. Featuring theme music by The Tokeleys. Sign up here for WTF+ to get th

Dec 16, 2016 • 44:51

Episode 768 - Billy West

Comedian Billy West is a master of voices and one of the preeminent voiceover artists working today. Billy tells Marc about his need to escape into characters while growing up in a chaotic home. It was a retreat from reality that led to success later in life with Ren and Stimpy, Futurama, The Howard Stern Show, and countless other projects. And it all hinged on his lifelong love of The Three Stooges. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acas

Dec 15, 2016 • 1:30:40

Episode 767 - Casey Affleck

Casey Affleck says he doesn't want fame or stardom. So how's he handling it now that the spotlight keeps getting hotter? Casey talks with Marc about growing up in Massachusetts, maturing as an actor, living in the public eye, having kids, dealing with an alcoholic dad, and creating his performance in Manchester by the Sea. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo

Dec 12, 2016 • 1:21:41

WTF Uncovered - Jerry Lewis

In September 2016, Marc recorded a conversation with the legendary Jerry Lewis. Until now, no one has heard it other than those in the room. This was supposed to be a full-length episode of WTF, but the interview was compromised and there were no plans to release it. Marc explains what happened as we present this never-before-heard conversation. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast.

Dec 9, 2016 • 31:55

Episode 766 - Shane Mauss

Comedian Shane Mauss saw his career gathering steam only to stall out and make him feel like opportunities were passing him by. Then an accident that left him with two broken feet coincided with another journey. One that involves neuroscience, psychedelic drugs, and an altered perception that led to a career rejuvenation. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

Dec 8, 2016 • 1:25:19

Episode 765 - Dana Carvey

As Dana Carvey puts it, he gave a Heisman to fame, essentially putting himself on the sidelines of showbiz for 15 years. Dana and Marc talk about the string of events that happened after SNL and Wayne's World that prompted Dana to reevaluate what's important in life and how he's developed a new perspective on his early years. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac

Dec 4, 2016 • 1:43:42

WTF Uncovered - Maria Bamford

We go back into the WTF Shoebox Vault to find another unaired pilot for The Marc Maron Show in Los Angeles from 2006. This time the guest was comedian Maria Bamford, the sidekick was still Jim Earl, and the investigative reporter was Eddie Pepitone. The only people who ever heard this were the people who made it, plus one angry program director who didn't want to put it on the air. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-ma

Dec 2, 2016 • 26:33

Episode 764 - The Handsome Family / Sam Pollard

Gothic folk duo The Handsome Family meet up with Marc while he's in Albuquerque to talk about American roots music, carnival sideshows, meeting your heroes, and dealing with bipolarity. But first, documentary filmmaker Sam Pollard joins Marc in the garage to talk about his new film Two Trains Runnin', a look at the summer of 1964, as history converged in unexpected ways. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-po

Dec 1, 2016 • 1:28:51

Episode 763 - Joe Matarese

Comedian Joe Matarese has struggled with bouts of rage, anxiety, and paralyzing indecisiveness. As he tells Marc, Joe is correcting these problems through medication, therapy, help from his wife, and inspiration from one particular episode of WTF. Joe also explains why his big idea of being the comic who snaps on the audience didn't have a lot of running room. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hos

Nov 27, 2016 • 1:17:51

WTF Uncovered - Patton Oswalt

This limited series dives deep into the WTF Vault (aka a shoebox under producer Brendan McDonald's bed) to present lost Marc Maron material that has never been heard by anyone else. In this episode, hear an unaired test show Marc and Brendan created ten years ago for a nighttime variety program on Los Angeles radio, featuring Patton Oswalt as the guest and Jim Earl as Marc's sidekick. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with

Nov 25, 2016 • 27:16

Episode 762 - Scott Fagan

Singer-songwriter Scott Fagan created a beautiful album in 1968, called South Atlantic Blues. But things didn't go the way they were supposed to. Scott talks with Marc about why the album and his career fizzled, how they were both resurrected, and how he connected with a son he never met, who is an accomplished artist in his own right. Plus, Marc delivers his annual Thanksgiving Day pep talk. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/

Nov 23, 2016 • 1:28:23

Episode 761 - Michael Shannon

Michael Shannon cuts a pretty intimidating figure on stage and screen. The combination of his Southern upbringing and his early-career immersion into the Chicago theater scene probably accounts for much of his intensity. Michael and Marc talk about his experiences with creators like Tracy Letts, William Friedkin, and Jeff Nichols, and they delve into what occupies Michael's mind when he's not acting. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acas

Nov 20, 2016 • 1:15:29

Episode 760 - Legs McNeil & Gillian McCain / Andre Royo

Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain wrote a book that changed Marc's life. On the 20-year anniversary of 'Please Kill Me: An Uncensored Oral History of Punk,' Legs and Gillian tell Marc why they wrote it in the first place and why it still resonates two decades later. Also, Marc's neighborhood buddy Andre Royo stops by to talk about his new independent film Hunter Gatherer. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podc

Nov 16, 2016 • 1:25:32

Episode 759 - Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is not only the creator of Hamilton and In The Heights, he's also a long-time WTFer. So he's well prepared to get into everything with Marc during a visit to the garage, including his multicultural upbringing, his early exposure to both hip hop and musical theater, his reasons for making Hamilton, and what "Weird Al" Yankovic has to do with all of it. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-pod

Nov 13, 2016 • 1:36:40

Episode 758 - Shep Gordon

Talent manager Shep Gordon had no real interest in pop music. He was a young hippie making money dealing drugs to rock stars. Shep tells Marc how he transitioned into a life of management and production with an eclectic group of clients including Alice Cooper, Ann Murray, Teddy Pendergrass, Raquel Welch, and a bunch of celebrity chefs. Also, Marc reflects on the 2016 Presidential Election. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf

Nov 9, 2016 • 1:41:34

Episode 757 - Sam Quinones

On the eve of the U.S. Presidential Election, you owe it to yourself to hear this conversation between Marc and journalist Sam Quinones. Sam's travels in Mexico and his curiosity about the epidemic of opiate addiction in America led him to discover how cheap heroin production, pain management proliferation, impeccable marketing and unfettered capitalism combined to create a crisis that is at the heart of modern American dysfunction. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly

Nov 6, 2016 • 1:35:36

Episode 756 - Paul Major & Jesper Eklow (Endless Boogie)

Endless Boogie was never supposed to become a band. It was made up of some guys who worked at Matador Records, one in particular who loved to collect old vinyl. Frontman Paul Major and guitarist Jesper Eklow tell Marc what it took to put the mother of all jam bands together and how the band's style is influenced by Paul's nearly obsessive practice of collecting rare LPs. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-po

Nov 2, 2016 • 1:10:26

Episode 755 - Roger Waters

Roger Waters wrote songs that changed rock and roll, organized them in ways that changed how albums were made, and performed them in ways that changed how concerts were staged. The Pink Floyd frontman tells Marc why he only now feels like he's getting it right. They also talk about his Pink Floyd bandmates, John Lennon, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, and the state of the world. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-

Oct 30, 2016 • 1:30:47

Episode 754 - Ron Howard

Ron Howard knows the key to longevity in show business. He should, considering his evolution from child actor to sitcom star to award-winning director to highly respected producer. Ron divulges that key to Marc, and also talks about his experiences with John Wayne, Henry Fonda, George Lucas, Robin Williams, Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, and Tom Hanks, who he just directed for a fifth time in the new movie Inferno. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https:

Oct 26, 2016 • 1:52:19

Episode 753 - Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker started her acting career at age 11 working with Harold Pinter on Broadway. That would be enough for most people, but it only got better from there. With a new show on HBO called 'Divorce,' Sarah Jessica and Marc talk about her career, her life, what she learned while dating Robert Downey Jr., what she loves about Matthew Broderick, and how she dealt with Carrie Bradshaw becoming an iconic character in American culture. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and

Oct 23, 2016 • 1:21:17

Episode 752 - Ritch Shydner / Anthony Bourdain

Comedian Ritch Shydner is a true road warrior who made his reputation during the comedy club boom of the 1980s. Ritch talks with Marc about diving into the deep end of stand-up comedy, getting out entirely, and then coming out of retirement after more than a decade away from the mic. Plus, Anthony Bourdain stops by with his new cookbook to tell Marc how to make the things we take for granted. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/

Oct 19, 2016 • 1:38:29

The Marc and Tom Show #4

It's been almost four years since the last Marc and Tom Show. After countless hours helping each other figure out what's going on, they're now facing something different: What happens when you might be winning? What's happens after the fight is over? And what happens if you can't figure out what's next? Music by The Tokeleys. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Oct 17, 2016 • 1:06:04

Episode 751 - David Crosby

David Crosby readily admits that he probably shouldn't be alive. Drug addiction, alcoholism, and health issues have taken their toll but have not knocked David out. He's still making music and going out on tour, but he had a little time to talk with Marc about The Byrds, CSN, Neil Young, Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, Woodstock, Altamont, Melissa Etheridge, and much more. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podc

Oct 16, 2016 • 1:37:30

Episode 750 - Margo Price

Singer-songwriter Margo Price entered the garage on a wave of acclaim and notoriety that is rare for an artist with only one album. But Margo's country music bona fides are not in doubt. Despite her modest origin as a young Midwestern cheerleader and dancer, Margo encountered personal tragedy, struggles with depression and a battle with substance abuse on her way to Nashville. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-ma

Oct 12, 2016 • 1:30:06

Episode 749 - Larry Clark

Larry Clark does not consider himself a photographer and he explains to Marc why he doesn't. But that didn't stop a young Marc Maron from being drawn to Larry's raw, unflinching photos and his uncompromising art. Larry talks with Marc about his photography, his experiences in war and in prison, his struggle to get clean, and his films Kids, Bully, Another Day in Paradise, and Wassup Rockers. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/w

Oct 9, 2016 • 1:36:46

Episode 748 - Hutch Harris/A Pashman Interlude

When Marc first saw Hutch Harris perform live with his band The Thermals, he was won over immediately and invented a whole mythology around who Hutch Harris must be. But as Hutch tells Marc, he was just a kid who wanted to start a band and did it with talent, timing, a lot of gumption and a little luck. On a related note, Marc's friend Dan Pashman stops by to talk about the expectations we have when we see our favorite artists play live. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and we

Oct 5, 2016 • 1:16:42

Episode 747 - Rachel Feinstein

Comedian Rachel Feinstein has conquered one of the most difficult spaces in the comedy world: The back table at The Comedy Cellar in New York. You better be able to give as good as you get if you sit there. Rachel talks to Marc about her early years of living in squalor and having second thoughts about a comedy career, all while honing her craft and gaining the respect of her peers. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-m

Oct 2, 2016 • 1:20:35

Episode 746 - John Prine

If you're wondering how John Prine, one of America's greatest living songwriters, came up with such great lyrics, just look to your mailbox. John tells Marc how his days as a mailman provided him time to ruminate on music, which led to his discovery by Kris Kristofferson, his friendship with Steve Goodman, and his encounters with Bob Dylan, Sam Phillips, Bonnie Raitt and others. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-

Sep 28, 2016 • 1:16:31

Episode 745 - Katie Couric

America is plenty familiar with Katie Couric in the role of interviewer. But what about when the roles are reversed? Marc finds out why Katie got into journalism and gets her take on the notable moments of her career, including her live coverage of the 9/11 attacks, her tenure anchoring CBS Evening News, conducting the Sarah Palin interview, and hosting a new podcast. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podca

Sep 25, 2016 • 1:37:25

Episode 744 - Kamasi Washington / Ben Ratliff

It's Jazz Fest at The Cat Ranch. First, Kamasi Washington tells Marc how an Inglewood kid growing up in the early 90s wound up at the forefront of a modern jazz revolution, including groundbreaking work with Kendrick Lamar and his own massive debut album, The Epic. Then jazz critic and writer Ben Ratliff joins Marc to open minds and change old listening habits, as he explains how to truly enjoy music in the age of unlimited options. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly

Sep 21, 2016 • 1:46:55

Episode 743 - Geoff Tate / Nick Kroll & John Mulaney

Comedian Geoff Tate always found it a little odd that Marc needed to squash so many beefs with other comics, because the two of them hit it off so well. Marc and Geoff explore the shared parental connection that helped them relate to each other and also gave birth to a lot of their comedy. Plus, Nick Kroll and John Mulaney stop by as they get ready to launch 'Oh, Hello' on Broadway. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-m

Sep 19, 2016 • 1:35:37

Episode 742 - Chris Garcia

Comedian Chris Garcia thought his upbringing was fairly typical as the son of first-generation immigrants, with stories and experiences that paved the way nicely for a career in comedy. But Chris tells Marc that a recent trip to Cuba and the discoveries made there changed everything he knew about his family, particularly his father. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/

Sep 15, 2016 • 1:16:09

Episode 741 - Ron Perlman

Actor Ron Perlman is often buried under layers of makeup, whether he's playing Hellboy or the Beast or some other humanoid oddity. But Ron's not hiding anything when he joins Marc in the garage, revealing his heartfelt thoughts on the entertainment business and his evolving role in it. Plus, Ron shares a Marlon Brando story to rival the best of them. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Aca

Sep 12, 2016 • 1:42:47

Episode 740 - Billy Crystal

Billy Crystal's early love of show business put him on the path to standup comedy, which in turn got him on TV shows like Soap and SNL. Marc talks with Billy about his own show business footprint, including movies like When Harry Met Sally, Mr. Saturday Night, Deconstructing Harry, and Analyze This, as well as hosting the Academy Awards. Plus, Billy fondly remembers his relationships with icons like Muhammad Ali, Mickey Mantle, Jack Rollins, and Robin Williams. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the f

Sep 8, 2016 • 1:56:49

Episode 739 - Joseph Arthur / Peter Bebergal

Joseph Arthur faced some of the same struggles as Marc even though he's a musician and artist, not a comedian. Joseph and Marc talk about the false starts, the friendships with heroes like Lou Reed and Peter Gabriel, and the challenge of feeling okay with how things turned out. Also, author Peter Bebergal talks about magic and music, as he details in his book Season of the Witch: How the Occult Saved Rock and Roll. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! ht

Sep 5, 2016 • 1:30:48

Episode 738 - Laura Albert & Jeff Feuerzeig

Whether you know the story of JT LeRoy or not, you certainly haven't heard an episode of WTF like this. First, Marc talks with filmmaker Jeff Feuerzeig about documenting the rise and fall of literary phenom JT LeRoy, a celebrated young man who was later revealed to be the creation of Laura Albert. Then Laura joins Marc in the garage to explain what gave birth to her infamous alter ego and to provide some insight into her life. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus

Sep 1, 2016 • 1:30:13

Episode 737 - Robert Kelly

Robert Kelly is at the point in his comedy career where he can't help thinking about what's next. He's on the FX television show Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, he's touring all over the country, he has a great family, and yet he keeps wondering what happens if it all goes away. Bobby and Marc commiserate over this shared experience as well as the ups and downs of being sober comedians. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-mar

Aug 29, 2016 • 1:40:14

Episode 736 - Gad Elmaleh

Gad Elmaleh is a mega-successful international comedian and actor. Now he's basically starting from scratch to perfect his act in America, not in his native French but in English. Marc and Gad talk about the challenge of doing comedy in another language and the universal truths about standup that cross all language barriers. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Aug 25, 2016 • 1:27:52

Episode 735 - Alan Alda

Alan Alda always strives to play someone different. He takes Marc through the many characters he's created, from Hawkeye to Uncle Pete, and explains how he challenges himself from role to role. Plus, Alan talks about why he created an academic organization that advances science communication. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 22, 2016 • 1:22:41

Episode 734 - Kristen Wiig

Kristen Wiig is afraid of too many things going well at once, speaking in front of groups of people, and deep water. But she's not afraid of sharing these things with Marc, as well as the story of how she became a performer after a meeting with Mike the Psychic and how she got on SNL after not getting on SNL. Plus, some talk about Bridesmaids, The Skeleton Twins, Welcome to Me, and Sausage Party. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.co

Aug 18, 2016 • 1:39:28

Episode 733 - Werner Herzog / Godfrey

Werner Herzog is one of the only people who could make a great movie from inside Marc's garage. With a new documentary about the internet on his mind, the legendary filmmaker talks with Marc about the achievements and follies of humanity. You know, light stuff. Also, Godfrey stops by again so he and Marc can trade insults under the guise of promoting his new special. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcas

Aug 15, 2016 • 1:36:48

Episode 732 - Lauren Lapkus

Lauren Lapkus showed up to the garage as herself, but she clearly could lapse into one of dozens of characters at any time. Marc and Lauren talk about how she honed her talent for improv, how she missed out on her dream of SNL, how she found a home on Comedy Bang! Bang!, and how she got away with the unthinkable while making Jurassic World. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See ac

Aug 11, 2016 • 1:14:31

Episode 731 - Seth Meyers

Seth Meyers didn't expect to be on Saturday Night Live. Then he didn't expect to anchor Weekend Update or become the show's head writer. And then he really didn't expect to host his own late night talk show. Seth and Marc retrace the steps to figure out how it all happened, complete with some Lorne stories to add to the collection. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p

Aug 8, 2016 • 1:23:39

Episode 730 - Eric Andre

Eric Andre and Marc did not like each other. An incident from when Eric first started doing comedy in LA kept him from doing WTF for seven years. Marc and Eric talk about their beef and also dive into Eric's background in music, his rejection of another career path, and his desire to destroy all expectations of talk shows with The Eric Andre Show. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast.

Aug 4, 2016 • 1:20:25

Episode 729 - Roseanne Barr

Long before Roseanne Barr ran for President, even before she had the number one sitcom in America, she was a giant in the comedy world. Marc and Roseanne talk about her tumultuous early life, her first days doing stand-up, and her memories of The Comedy Store. She also explains how her life in show business prepared her to be a political player in the Green Party. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast.

Aug 1, 2016 • 1:17:03

Episode 728 - Brian Scolaro

Comedian Brian Scolaro is back to pick up where he left off 627 episodes ago. The last time, Brian and Marc barely scratched the surface of how they met. This time they get into everything, including Brian's childhood love of The Marx Brothers, how he used comedy as troublemaking while growing up, what he learned from working with the disabled, and what lessons he took away from the crap-shoot that is network television. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus materi

Jul 28, 2016 • 1:19:32

Episode 727 - Jane Lynch

Before Jane Lynch stole scenes in Best in Show, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Glee, Party Down, and everything else she's ever been in, she was told she would never make it at one of the country's biggest comedy institutions. Jane and Marc talk about shaking off that ill-fated prediction and finding success as a comedic performer of the highest order. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. S

Jul 25, 2016 • 1:13:02

Episode 726 - Chuck Klosterman

Writer Chuck Klosterman is always thinking. That's a good thing because his latest book is called "What If We're Wrong?" and you don't want someone who doesn't think raising that question. Marc and Chuck break down the ideas in the book by going all the way back to Chuck's childhood and leading up to present day to find out if things are better or worse now. Their conclusions are not as bleak as you might think. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https

Jul 21, 2016 • 1:27:27

Episode 725 - James L. Brooks

James L. Brooks is responsible for something you love. Probably many things. Marc talks with the prolific writer-director-producer about all of it - The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, Taxi, Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News, As Good As It Gets, The Simpsons, and more. They also talk about how Jim dealt with writer's block, what he considers his worst professional experience, and why he and Jack Nicholson had to send the crew home one day to make things right. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the fu

Jul 18, 2016 • 2:08:35

Episode 724 - Amber Tozer

Amber Tozer is a comedian who wants out. She tells Marc about her move away from standup after years of sobriety, a semi-successful bootleg mattress hustle, attempted lesbianism, and a quest for the guidance of Tony Robbins. And upon the release of her memoir, Amber reminds Marc of an incident he was involved in that is buried deep within his subconscious. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted

Jul 14, 2016 • 1:20:15

Episode 723 - Paul Dano / Adam Goldberg

Actor Paul Dano has chosen interesting, off-beat roles since he was a teenager. He tells Marc the reasoning behind those choices, as they talk about his indelible work in Little Miss Sunshine, There Will Be Blood, Prisoners, Love and Mercy, Youth, and his latest, Swiss Army Man. Also, Marc's buddy Adam Goldberg stops by and, as usual, talks about everything. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hoste

Jul 11, 2016 • 1:34:08

Episode 722 - John Caponera / Adam Devine

Comedian John Caponera was one of the Comedy Store comics who left a real impression on young Marc Maron. John and Marc catch up in the garage and talk about the grind of the road, corporate gigs, comedy on cruise ships, and raising a family while doing this crazy job. Plus, Adam Devine from Workaholics stops by to talk about the new movie he and Marc are in, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/

Jul 7, 2016 • 1:24:57

Episode 721 - Jeff Goldblum

It's not really Independence Day without Jeff Goldblum. Instead of spending the holiday fighting aliens, Jeff sits down with Marc in the garage to discuss Robert Altman, Wes Anderson, Pittsburgh, the Meisner technique, The Fly, Jurassic Park, Carl Sagan, becoming a new father, and saving the world. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 4, 2016 • 1:22:32

Episode 720 - Joe Dante / John Carpenter

Marc dives deep into genre waters when he welcomes madcap director Joe Dante into the garage. They talk about art school, Roger Corman, Piranha, minimal budgets, Gremlins, Innerspace, and more. But first, a master of modern horror also stops by the garage. John Carpenter tells Marc why he wanted to make scary movies and why he now wants to make music with his son. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast.

Jun 30, 2016 • 1:47:29

Episode 719 - John C. Reilly / Brett Gelman

People think they know John C. Reilly. There's something about his performances that seem so familiar, even though he doesn't like to reveal much about himself personally. Marc tries to pull the curtain back a bit, talking with John about Chicago, clowns, Laurel and Hardy, Boogie Nights, Sean Penn, improv, Will Ferrell, and more. Also, Brett Gelman stops by to talk about his insane new Adult Swim special. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus

Jun 27, 2016 • 1:32:40

Episode 718 - Deon Cole / Dweezil Zappa

Deon Cole didn't think he would become a comedian when he was growing up on the South Side of Chicago. But now with a new comedy special, acting roles on two hit TV shows and continued success on Conan, Deon tells Marc how it all went down. Also, Dweezil Zappa returns to discuss the struggle he's up against as he heads out on a new tour. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast

Jun 23, 2016 • 1:40:35

Episode 717 - Neil Young

Neil Young. There's not a lot you need to say in introducing a legendary musician with three dozen studio albums spanning five decades. Neil joins Marc in the garage to talk about his music, his family, his friends, his guitars, his innovations, and his new album, Earth. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 20, 2016 • 1:26:07

Episode 716 - Chelsea Handler / Jen Kirkman

Chelsea Handler is embarking on a brave new world with a weekly talk show on Netflix. But Marc wants to find out if this Chelsea is really any different than the last Chelsea. Awkwardness ensues. Plus, Jen Kirkman stops by to talk about her new book and figure out how she's grown since her last WTF appearance, nearly seven years ago. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co

Jun 16, 2016 • 1:15:36

Episode 715 - Louie Anderson

Louie Anderson's standup career is unquestionably legendary. But his astounding performance as Christine Baskets has put Louie in an entirely new dimension. Marc and Louie go through it all, from the Midwestern upbringing in a household of 11 kids to getting called over by Johnny Carson to his current TV success. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in

Jun 13, 2016 • 1:17:37

Episode 714 - Daniel Clowes / Ezra Edelman

Cartoonist and writer Daniel Clowes brings the world of underground comics into Marc's garage. They talk about the great comic artists who paved the way, the difficulty in translating some graphic novels to film, and the similarities between creating comics and performing standup. Plus, filmmaker Ezra Edelman stops by to talk with Marc about his documentary OJ: Made in America. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-m

Jun 9, 2016 • 1:46:52

Episode 713 - George C. Wolfe / Daniel Nazer

George C. Wolfe is a giant of American theater - directing, producing, and writing some of the most important works of the last 25 years. Fresh of seeing George's latest musical, Shuffle Along, Marc finds out what George wants audiences to take from the experience of live theater. Plus, Daniel Nazer from the EFF stops by to update Marc on the fight against the podcast patent troll and what needs to happen next. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https

Jun 6, 2016 • 1:28:01

Episode 712 - Joe Wong / Doug Stanhope

Comedian Joe Wong grew up in China. Then he came to America and learned how to be a standup comic. Now he's back in China, helping to shape the Chinese comedy scene, and starring in his own TV show. Joe talks with Marc about overcoming language barriers and cultural differences with laughs. Also, Doug Stanhope returns for a breezy, humorous chat about what it was like for Doug to help his mom kill herself. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plu

Jun 2, 2016 • 1:30:10

Episode 711 - Chris Gethard / Quincy Jones

Comedian Chris Gethard and Marc bond over their New Jersey upbringings, but Chris has Marc beat when it comes to unbelievable stories from growing up in the Garden State. They also talk about Viagra, public access TV, and dashed dreams of sitcom glory. Also, Marc chats with comedian Quincy Jones, who didn't let a cancer diagnosis stop his push to do his own comedy special, which he has now done for HBO. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.a

May 30, 2016 • 1:40:58

Episode 710 - Stephen Karam / Josh Brener

Playwright Stephen Karam received his first Tony nomination about an hour before sitting down with Marc to talk about his experiences in the New York theater community, the way he writes himself into all of his characters, and the shock of having his play The Humans on Broadway next to Phantom of the Opera. Plus, Marc's old "assistant" Josh Brener stops by to talk about his new movie Welcome to Happiness and the new season of Silicon Valley. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives an

May 26, 2016 • 1:34:07

Episode 709 - Joanna Newsom

Marc welcomes singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom to the garage, sadly without her harp, although it probably wouldn't fit. Joanna tells Marc how her musical style evolved from composing pieces influenced by American classical music to collaborating with some of the industry's most unique producers. She also talks about the benefits of being married to someone who makes comedy for a living. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-wi

May 23, 2016 • 1:21:16

Episode 708 - Terry Reid / Jim Norton

Terry Reid is one of the most talented singers and rock musicians who never had a massive break, but he doesn't seem to sweat it. Terry tells Marc great stories from throughout his expansive career in the music business, and he sets the record straight about the rumor that he turned down a spot in Led Zeppelin. Plus, Marc reaches out to his friend Jim Norton, who is having a problem connecting with people. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plu

May 19, 2016 • 1:32:16

Episode 707 - Natasha Leggero

Natasha Leggero is ready to embark on a standup tour with her husband just in time for the premiere of her TV show's second season. Things may be going well now but, as Natasha tells Marc, it wasn't always like that. In fact, a fateful trip to Australia with a mysterious stranger altered her course, and it really could have gone either way. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See a

May 16, 2016 • 1:18:47

Episode 706 - Sturgill Simpson / John C. Reilly

Sturgill Simpson has all the makings of a classic country star, complete with an upbringing in coal country, a job on the railroad, and the stamp of approval by country music legends. But as Sturgill tells Marc, he's not interested in being country's savior. He just likes making music, especially for his son. Also, Marc plays a little teaser clip of his upcoming interview with John C. Reilly, in which they talk about John's crazy new futuristic movie The Lobster. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the

May 12, 2016 • 1:33:43

Episode 705 - Clark Gregg / Dan Pashman

Clark Gregg is well known in the Marvel Universe as Agent Coulson from The Avengers and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. But as Marc finds out, Clark long ago established himself as a serious actor with The Atlantic Theater Company under David Mamet's guidance. Clark talks with Marc about his thoughtful evolution as an actor, writer, and director. Also, Marc's old buddy Dan Pashman stops by for a little friendly sparring over food-related issues. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and wee

May 9, 2016 • 1:32:32

Episode 704 - Ali Wong

Ali Wong wants you to know what "leaning in" is like for a working stand-up comic who also happens to be a new mother. Marc talks with Ali about her new life as a mom and her continuing life as a road comic who is bucking conventions on the stage and in the writers' room on the show Fresh off the Boat. Their conversation features something that has never happened on WTF. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-po

May 5, 2016 • 1:28:53

Episode 703 - Garry Marshall / Open Mike Eagle

Garry Marshall went from writing jokes for comedians in a deli to creating culture-changing television shows and directing blockbuster movies. Garry takes Marc through his entire show business career, from The Tonight Show to Happy Days to Pretty Woman, right up to his latest film, Mother's Day. Also, Marc's friend Mike Eagle stops by to talk about his new album, Hella Personal Film Festival. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/

May 2, 2016 • 1:29:31

Episode 702 - Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner has been around show business his entire life, which might explain why he's excelled in so many different areas. Rob shares stories with Marc about Groucho Marx, the Smothers Brothers, All in the Family, Albert Brooks, This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, his dad, his mom, Jack Nicholson, Larry David, and the creation of Seinfeld, all the way up to his new film, Being Charlie, which he made with his son. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bo

Apr 28, 2016 • 1:24:40

Episode 701 - Steve-O

Steve-O probably could have died several times while making Jackass. But that's nothing compared to the amount of life-threatening danger he faced in real life. Now sober and full of clarity, Steve-O tells Marc talk about his lifelong quest for attention, how it led to his downfall, and how he pulled himself up by embracing his past. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co

Apr 25, 2016 • 1:42:56

Episode 700 Part 2 - Louis CK

It's a two-part 700th Episode extravaganza. First, Marc and Julia Louis-Dreyfus talk Seinfeld, SNL, Second City, Larry David, Woody Allen, Veep, being a mom, and getting older. Then for Part 2, Marc's friend Louis CK stops by to spill the beans on everything that went into making and releasing his series Horace and Pete. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

Apr 21, 2016 • 1:50:25

Episode 700 Part 1 - Julia Louis-Dreyfus

It's a two-part 700th Episode extravaganza. First, Marc and Julia Louis-Dreyfus talk Seinfeld, SNL, Second City, Larry David, Woody Allen, Veep, being a mom, and getting older. Then for Part 2, Marc's friend Louis CK stops by to spill the beans on everything that went into making and releasing his series Horace and Pete. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

Apr 21, 2016 • 1:25:44

Episode 699 - Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon achieved tremendous success as an actor, but one career accomplishment remains elusive. She tells Marc about this major goal and why she is willing to split it with Bruce Springsteen. They also talk about her impressive filmography, her thoughts on evolving as an actor, and why Bernie Sanders restored her faith in humanity. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See aca

Apr 18, 2016 • 1:12:09

Episode 698 - David Simon

David Simon is the creator of arguably the greatest television show in history. He cemented his reputation as a hard-nosed, truth-seeking journalist. But when David walks into the garage, he's a lot like Marc: A guitar-loving Jewish kid who still thinks he's going to screw things up. David and Marc spend over an hour talking about The Wire, Homicide, Treme, Baltimore, newspapers, politicians, the Talmud, and the truth. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material

Apr 14, 2016 • 1:18:48

Episode 697 - Nikki Glaser

Comedian Nikki Glaser and Marc share a bond that might be deeper than love: They share an eating disorder. Nikki and Marc talk about how they've both struggled, where they've found support, and what they needed to fix elsewhere in their lives in order to make progress. Also, Marc tries to help Nikki extricate herself from what might be an abusive relationship... with her therapist. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-ma

Apr 11, 2016 • 1:24:10

Episode 696 - John Lurie

John Lurie has a creative fire that rages without end. But sometimes he can't avoid burning himself. John talks with Marc about his many artistic pursuits, including jazz, acting, scoring films, and painting. John also goes into detail about making his show Fishing with John, as well as smelling like fish throughout the shooting of The Last Temptation of Christ. And, oh yeah, whatever you do, don't call him ‘dude’. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! ht

Apr 7, 2016 • 1:19:37

Episode 695 - Sam Rockwell / Richard Linklater

Sam Rockwell has become such a memorable actor in films and on stage because he really likes to prepare. On the release of his latest film, Mr. Right, Sam and Marc talk about doing good work and why that sometimes means saying no to a paycheck. Also, Richard Linklater returns to talk about his new movie Everybody Wants Some!! which he was just finishing up the last time he was in the garage. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/w

Apr 4, 2016 • 1:27:16

Episode 694 - Quinn Cummings

Writer Quinn Cummings does not let her Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress define her. After all, she was only 10 when it happened. Quinn tells Marc why she rejected acting after her early success and why she prefers to write. They also talk about homeschooling, avoiding marriage, and how Quinn became a patent-holding inventor. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. Se

Mar 31, 2016 • 1:16:41

Episode 693 - Ethan Hawke

Audiences have watched Ethan Hawke grow up on screen. But he’s also grown as a writer, a director, a stage actor, and more. Ethan talks to Marc about the challenge of playing drug-addled trumpet player Chet Baker and also tells some great stories about Boyhood, Training Day, Dead Poets Society, and that time he got put through a wall by Peter Berg. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast

Mar 28, 2016 • 1:13:32

Episode 692 - Al Lubel

Comedian Al Lubel stopped being a lawyer in order to start doing stand-up. But he never stopped putting himself on trial. Al tells Marc how his desperate search for an identity was coupled with a never-ending barrage of crippling self-judgment, even after he won Star Search and became a favorite of late night talk show hosts and fellow comedians. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast.

Mar 24, 2016 • 1:19:29

Remembering Garry Shandling

Marc’s conversation with Garry Shandling from May 2011. Garry passed away on March 24, 2016. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 24, 2016 • 1:12:31

Episode 691 - Todd Rundgren

If you look at Todd Rundgren’s body of work, you might think it’s the product of a dozen different people in various fields of the music industry. But it’s just one guy. Todd talks with Marc about his many projects, including his own music and his work with The Band, Meat Loaf, XTC, and others. Plus, Todd explains how he came up with Bang the Drum All Day quite literally in his sleep. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with

Mar 21, 2016 • 1:36:58

Episode 690 - Ryan Singer

For longtime WTF listeners, comic Ryan Singer is a continuing presence throughout the history of the show. But this is the first time he goes in depth with his friend Marc, getting into Ryan’s deep-seated Catholic roots, his scuffles in the comedy world, and lots and lots about cigarettes. They probably talk too lovingly about cigarettes. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acas

Mar 17, 2016 • 1:13:36

Episode 689 - Michael Rapaport

Michael Rapaport thought he was going to be a professional basketball player. That didn’t happen, but Michael happily surprised himself with an acting career that saw him working alongside childhood heroes and legendary directors. Michael and Marc talk about all of it, even if Michael gets sidetracked thinking about sitting where the President once sat. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on

Mar 14, 2016 • 1:19:24

Episode 688 - Dweezil Zappa

When it comes to making music, high standards were set for Dweezil Zappa at a very young age. His father made more than 80 albums in his lifetime, which provided Dweezil with a lot of influences but created some roadblocks, too. Dweezil tells Marc that his own musical journey not only made him a better artist, it brought him closer to his late father. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Ac

Mar 10, 2016 • 1:18:21

Episode 687 - Bonnie McFarlane

Comedian Bonnie McFarlane has a backstory like no other guest on WTF. That’s probably because no other guest grew up in circumstances that could be described as Canadian Little House on the Prairie. Bonnie tells Marc why she left the Great White North to get into comedy, how she met and married comedian Rich Vos, and why she still has trouble telling her neighbors what she does for a living. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/w

Mar 7, 2016 • 1:17:08

Episode 686 - Iliza Shlesinger

Comedian Iliza Shlesinger doesn’t need to convince Marc she’s at the top of her game. He’s watched her put in the work for years, during nightly shows at The Comedy Store and on the road where she grinds it out as a touring comic. But despite Iliza’s confidence as a stand-up, she still has some horror stories about show business, particularly her ill-fated stint on The View. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maro

Mar 3, 2016 • 1:25:13

Episode 685 - Scott Ian

Scott Ian is a founding member of Anthrax and one of the most respected metal guitarists in the world. But despite being in one of the four bands that brought thrash metal into the mainstream, Marc finds out that Scott’s musical awakening was spurred by Elton John and that he’s part of a storybook romance that wouldn’t be out of place in a pop song. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acas

Feb 29, 2016 • 1:33:30

Episode 684 - William Friedkin

Director William Friedkin is a consummate storyteller, which explains why he tells such an entertaining story of his own life, rooted in three recurring themes: faith, fate, and film. Within that story, William tells Marc about the making of The French Connection and The Exorcist, the failure and resurgence of his film Sorcerer, and his reasons for never wanting to do a second take. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-m

Feb 25, 2016 • 2:28:54

Episode 683 - Sacha Baron Cohen

You know Borat. You know Bruno. You know Ali G. But you probably don’t know much about Sacha Baron Cohen. The man himself sits down with Marc in the garage to talk about what goes into bringing such rich comedic characters to life, why he was drawn to comedy in the first place, and what’s next, with his new movie The Brothers Grimsby on the horizon. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Aca

Feb 22, 2016 • 1:46:45

Episode 682 - Herb Alpert / Mark & Jay Duplass

Herb Alpert had enormous success as a musician and recording artist before becoming a massively influential recording industry executive when he co-founded A&M Records. Herb’s talks to Marc about the past and explains why he’s still recording music, touring, and playing that famous trumpet. Also on the show, Mark and Jay Duplass stop by to talk about the new season of Togetherness on HBO. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-

Feb 18, 2016 • 1:37:27

Episode 681 - Abbi and Ilana

Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer got Broad City off the ground when they were fed up with not getting their shot. In that way, they have something in common with Marc and WTF. Abbi and Ilana join Marc in the garage to talk about the birth of their hit show, plus some talk about New York City, drumming, digital media stars, the UCB, and Amy Poehler. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast.

Feb 14, 2016 • 1:22:31

Episode 680 - Ben Hoffman

Comedian Ben Hoffman’s latest venture into country music seems inevitable. As an out-of-place Jewish kid in Kentucky, he found an escape by becoming a comedic actor and writer. But Ben tells Marc that career ups and downs, not to mention OCD and crippling anxiety, pushed him back to his good ol’ boy roots and prompted him to create Nashville sensation Wheeler Walker, Jr. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-po

Feb 11, 2016 • 1:23:53

Episode 679 - Pete Correale

Pete Correale and Marc probably didn’t intend for their conversation to turn into an unabashed celebration of stand-up comedy, but that’s what happened when these two comics sat down in the garage. They take a warts-and-all look at the profession they both love, including their feelings about life on the road, grinding it out in the clubs, and watching other comedians work. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron

Feb 8, 2016 • 1:20:40

Episode 678 - Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford was unquestionably the most famous model in the world during the 1990s. She survived and prospered far beyond the typical career duration of a model by determining early on that if the industry was going to use her, she needed to use it back. Cindy and Marc talk about the days when the Supermodel ruled the culture, the changes in her life since becoming a mother, and the shifting perceptions of middle age. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus materi

Feb 4, 2016 • 1:16:34

Episode 677 - Mike Binder

Mike Binder’s career evolved in unforeseen ways since he first started doing stand-up on TV when he was 18. After being a staple in the glory days of The Comedy Store, Mike tells Marc how doing comedy led to writing some early screenplays, which opened the door for him to become a full-time film director, TV show creator, and thriller novelist. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. Se

Feb 1, 2016 • 1:29:48

Episode 676 - Peter Guralnick

Peter Guralnick’s childhood love affair with the Blues led him on a life-long journey through the history of rock and roll. Peter shows Marc why he is considered one of American music’s preeminent writers and historians, dropping knowledge about some of his most famous subjects, from Sam Cooke to Elvis Presley to Sam Phillips, the man who fundamentally changed music in the United States. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-w

Jan 28, 2016 • 1:17:27

Episode 675 - Michael Moore

Michael Moore says he’s angrier than he’s ever been about the state of things. But Marc senses something softer in Michael’s personality these days. The filmmaker and activist sits down with Marc in the garage to discuss where that anger comes from, why he’s made a conscious choice to channel those feelings in a new direction, and how this all plays out in his latest film, Where To Invade Next. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/

Jan 25, 2016 • 1:36:32

Episode 674 - Cintra Wilson / Zach Galifianakis

Cultural critic and writer Cintra Wilson has always made Marc’s head spin. She takes him back to her wild and woolly days in San Francisco and gets him up to speed on her most recent project, a cross-country exploration of American fashion. Plus, Zach Galifianakis stops by to talk about his new series Baskets, which he co-created with Louis CK. Zach and Marc also compare notes on their respective interviews with President Obama. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonu

Jan 21, 2016 • 1:35:16

Episode 673 - Crispin Glover

Crispin Glover knows you might think he’s crazy. As he tells Marc, he sees madness as being good for art. They talk about what that perception has meant for his acting career, including the lawsuit that stemmed from Back to the Future, and the roles he’s taken in big budget movies like Charlie’s Angels. Crispin also talks about the final installment in his own soon-to-be-completed trilogy of films. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.

Jan 18, 2016 • 1:32:45

Episode 672 - Garrett Morris

Garrett Morris is the first original member of the Not Ready for Prime Time Players to sit down in the garage. Garrett tells Marc how he made it to SNL despite being homeless, addicted to cocaine, and cursed by his grandmother. He also gets into his career post-SNL and explains how he survived being shot by a would-be mugger. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac

Jan 14, 2016 • 1:14:14

Episode 671 - Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson

Writer-director Charlie Kaufman takes Marc through his impressive filmography, including Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, and Synecdoche, NY. But they also go back to when Charlie was a panic-stricken writer on TV shows like Get a Life and The Dana Carvey Show. Then Charlie and Marc are joined by Duke Johnson, Charlie’s co-director on his new film Anomalisa. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Host

Jan 11, 2016 • 1:13:12

Episode 670 - Todd Haynes / Sarah Silverman

Todd Haynes has been messing with Marc’s mind for decades. Well, his films have. The writer-director sits down in the garage to go over it all, from his Barbie doll biopic about Karen Carpenter to his identity-bending Bob Dylan film to his latest love story, Carol. Plus, Marc gives Sarah Silverman a call to congratulate her on her SAG Award nomination. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on A

Jan 7, 2016 • 1:36:19

Episode 669 - David Spade

David Spade kicks of 2016 in the garage, talking with Marc about growing up with guns, becoming a father unexpectedly, turning the corner at SNL after years of struggling, getting to know and love Chris Farley, and hitting the road to do stand-up again. Plus, David explains how he narrowly avoided becoming a Hollywood tragedy during a terrifying night at his home. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast.

Jan 4, 2016 • 1:27:14

Episode 668 - Bill Burr / 2015 In Review

Bill Burr returns to WTF for the first time in six years. He talks with Marc about big banks, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, playing drums for Slash, and his new animated series on Netflix, F is for Family. Also, Marc bids farewell to Lemmy and looks back at a year of great conversations, including highlights from President Obama, Terry Gross, Keith Richards, and more. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-po

Dec 31, 2015 • 1:23:02

Episode 667 - Neil Strauss

Author and journalist Neil Strauss became the story after he wrote the enormously popular and controversial book, The Game. He got so deep into the world of pick-up artists and the seduction community, he struggled to find the truth about his own identity and personal relationships. Neil and Marc sit down in the garage to talk about what Neil learned from the experience. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-po

Dec 28, 2015 • 1:30:02

Episode 666 - Bob Forrest

Singer-songwriter Bob Forrest has a hell-and-back story befitting the 666th episode of WTF. Bob tells Marc how he became a drug counsellor after struggling with addiction while leading the band Thelonious Monster. He also explains why he felt Celebrity Rehab was desperately needed and why he worked with Dr. Drew to create it. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac

Dec 24, 2015 • 1:28:42

Episode 665 - Horatio Sanz

Horatio Sanz didn’t always plan on becoming a comedian or an SNL cast member for eight seasons. Initially he wanted to be a CIA special agent. Marc talks with Horatio about the sudden change in career path and how it eventually led to the start of the UCB Theater. Horatio also explains why he decided to kick the hornet’s nest a little after he was gone from SNL. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. H

Dec 21, 2015 • 1:13:59

Episode 664 - Eric Bogosian

Eric Bogosian leads several creative lives, as a stage performer, a film actor, a playwright, a screenwriter, a novelist, and now a non-fiction writer. Eric takes Marc on the journey from his breakout play Talk Radio through his absorbing new history book Operation Nemesis and explains the tricks to keeping all the balls in the air: Have fun, keep things interesting, and don’t plan to make money because those plans usually fail. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonu

Dec 17, 2015 • 1:16:46

Episode 663 - Brian Grazer

Super-producer Brian Grazer joins Marc in the garage for an incredible conversation about what it takes to get stuff done in Hollywood. Brian is responsible for dozens of the most beloved movies and television shows of the past three decades, everything from Splash to Empire. He and Marc talk about the intersection of creativity and commerce, and why the most important part of the equation is usually curiosity. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https:

Dec 14, 2015 • 1:16:12

Episode 662 - Danny Boyle

Director Danny Boyle takes Marc through his impressive and versatile filmography, from Shallow Grave and Trainspotting to Slumdog Millionaire and Steve Jobs. And while all of Danny’s films are vastly different, he says redemption is at the core of all of them, which might explain why Danny almost became a priest. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf

Dec 10, 2015 • 1:09:24

Episode 661 - Adam Resnick

Adam Resnick’s career should be the envy of any living comedy writer. He’s written for Letterman, Get a Life, SNL, and The Larry Sanders Show. But as Adam tells Marc, he never really wanted to be in show business, a sentiment underscored by his devastating experience directing the movie Cabin Boy, an ordeal that left him questioning his place in the world. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted

Dec 7, 2015 • 1:26:41

Episode 660 - Brian Kiley / Brian Posehn

Comedian Brian Kiley has been writing for Conan O’Brien’s shows for more than 20 years. But prior to that, he and Marc were doing open mics in Boston, and Brian was living with Todd Barry. They revisit the good old days, and the bad ones too. Plus, Brian Posehn returns to the garage to talk about his leading role in the new movie Uncle Nick. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See a

Dec 3, 2015 • 1:28:54

Episode 659 - Gloria Steinem / Kliph Nesteroff

American icon Gloria Steinem visits the garage to talk with Marc about her journey on the road as an activist and cultural leader. They discuss how the feminist movement has deepened throughout the years while the challenges facing the movement evolved. Plus, Kliph Nesteroff returns to celebrate the release of his long-in-the-making book about the history of comedy in America. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-ma

Nov 30, 2015 • 1:28:38

Episode 658 - Jim Ladd & Frazer Smith

Recorded in front of a live audience at the LA Podfest, Marc pays tribute to the radio legends who helped make it possible for podcasters to operate with complete freedom. Jim Ladd and Frazer Smith are icons of freeform rock radio, and they have no shortage of stories, lessons, and secrets to divulge about the Golden Age of FM DJs. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/

Nov 26, 2015 • 1:10:11

Episode 657 - Ira Kaplan / Bob Odenkirk & David Cross

Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan tries his best to demystify the band, but Marc is convinced that Yo La Tengo remains hugely influential in the world of indie rock. Hear Marc make his case while Ira takes it in stride. Plus, Bob Odenkirk stops by, and Marc gets David Cross on the phone so they can all talk about the new Netflix series, W/ Bob and David. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. S

Nov 23, 2015 • 1:32:41

Episode 656 - Robert Trujillo & Flea / Aziz Ansari

Metallica’s Robert Trujillo and Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers are two of the best bass players on earth. Now both of them are in the garage, paying tribute to Jaco Pastorius, a bass legend who is the subject of a new documentary that Robert made. Plus, Aziz Ansari also stops to talk about his new series, Master of None. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m

Nov 19, 2015 • 1:35:11

Episode 655 - Daniel Radcliffe

Daniel Radcliffe has his head on pretty straight for someone who was thrust into worldwide superstardom at the age of 10. Daniel stops by the garage to talk about growing up as part of the Harry Potter juggernaut and how he’s chosen projects like Equus, Kill Your Darlings, and Victor Frankenstein to help distinguish himself from everyone’s favorite boy wizard. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hos

Nov 16, 2015 • 1:11:31

Episode 654 - Elvis Costello

Fresh off writing his memoir and primed by a high octane espresso from Marc’s kitchen, Elvis Costello is ready to dive into his past and connect the dots on his prolific career. Elvis talks with Marc about forming The Attractions, producing for The Specials, working with Nick Lowe, collaborating with Burt Bacharach, and writing dozens of indelible hit songs. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Host

Nov 12, 2015 • 1:18:40

Episode 653 - Lorne Michaels

In the history of WTF, Lorne Michaels is talked about more than any other person. Now he is finally a guest. The man behind SNL goes through it all, from the reason he started the show back in 1975 to the reason he keeps doing it. Meanwhile, Marc tries to get some closure on the meeting he had with Lorne 20 years ago that has haunted him ever since. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acas

Nov 9, 2015 • 1:54:57

Episode 652 - James Corden

James Corden knows a thing or two about hosting a talk show. The host of The Late Late Show trades notes with Marc about their respective jobs, and James explains that he got the gig by accidentally pitching it to CBS executives. Marc and James also nerd out over some favorite films, and James reveals why he believes there are only two types of actors in the world. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast.

Nov 5, 2015 • 1:22:53

Episode 651 - Patricia Arquette

Long before Patricia Arquette won an Oscar, long before she filmed a movie over the course of 12 years, long before she worked with directors like Scorsese, Burton, and Lynch, and long before she delivered a star-making turn in True Romance, she was a kid from a showbiz family growing up on a hippie commune in Virginia. Patricia and Marc get into all of it, including her acceptance speech at the Academy Awards. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https:

Nov 2, 2015 • 1:19:57

Episode 650 - Steve Albini

Steve Albini had his hands and fingers on the mixing board for some of the greatest albums ever, like Nirvana’s In Utero and the Pixies’ Surfer Rosa. But don’t call Steve a producer. He hates that. As Steve tells Marc, he sees himself as an audio engineer and a musician with his own bands, not as someone who should take credit for other people’s albums. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on

Oct 28, 2015 • 1:41:24

Episode 649 - Aaron Draplin

It’s likely that Aaron Draplin has more passion about graphic design than you have about anything. Marc visits Aaron at the seat of the empire he created in Portland and finds out how a skater kid from the Midwest worked his way up through Snowboarder Magazine to build his own independent design business from scratch and become the go-to guy for some of the country’s most prominent brands. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf

Oct 25, 2015 • 1:27:34

Episode 648 - James Taylor

Legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor stops by the garage for one of the more surprising conversations Marc can remember. James holds nothing back as he tells Marc about the ups, the downs, the darkness, the light, and everything else he encountered during his storied music career, leading up to his first new album of original music in 13 years. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acas

Oct 21, 2015 • 1:17:43

Episode 647 - Mikal Cronin / Patrick Stickles

A garage is a pretty comfortable place for Mikal Cronin. He’s been making rock music with his buddies since high school, especially with his longtime friend and collaborator Ty Segall. As he tells Marc, it’s always been a DIY affair. Plus, Patrick Stickles from Titus Andronicus returns to get Marc up to speed on his new rock opera. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/

Oct 18, 2015 • 1:34:47

Episode 646 - Mike Epps / Pashman Returns

Mike Epps doesn’t stop. The comedian and actor is one of the busiest people in show business, starring in new TV shows like Survivor’s Remorse and Uncle Buck, making movies like the upcoming Richard Pryor biopic, doing standup around the country, and being a dad. It’s a long way from the young guy who went to prison for selling drugs on the streets. Mike tells Marc how he made it out. Plus, Dan Pashman from The Sporkful is back for the second course. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show ar

Oct 14, 2015 • 1:12:32

Episode 645 - Annie Baker

Playwright Annie Baker is one of the most original and exciting voices in American theater. She’s already a Pulitzer Prize winner and counts super-producer Scott Rudin as one of her most ardent supporters. But as she tells Marc, Annie just wants to write plays for the type of people who don’t want to go see plays in the first place. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com

Oct 11, 2015 • 1:38:23

Episode 644 - John Mayall / Dan Pashman

Blues legend John Mayall founded one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century. John talks with Marc about ushering musicians like Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and John McVie through his band, giving birth to Fleetwood Mac, and using music to get himself through the Korean War. Plus, Dan Pashman, host of The Sporkful podcast, stops by to argue with Marc about cereal. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-m

Oct 7, 2015 • 1:18:22

Episode 643 - Peaches

Peaches defies easy categorization, unless you want to define her as a multi-media event. She takes Marc on her journey, from growing up Merrill Nisker in Toronto through her artistic career as a musician and performance artist. Marc finds out what provokes Peaches and why she enjoys pushing buttons herself. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat

Oct 4, 2015 • 1:21:41

Episode 642 - Michaela Watkins

Actress Michaela Watkins is not only very funny, she can make you cry without warning, as Marc found out in the garage. Through laughter and tears, the two of them talk about the power of mime, very long engagements, stage acting, the Groundlings, Jill Soloway, and Michaela’s year at SNL that did not go as planned. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i

Sep 30, 2015 • 1:37:59

Episode 641 - Jake Kasdan / Fred Stoller

Writer/director Jake Kasdan inherited some good show business genes from his father. But he’s paved his own way, whether it was through his work on shows like Freaks and Geeks or by writing and directing his own feature films. Jake and Marc discuss if it all played out the way Jake had hoped. Plus, past guest Fred Stoller drops in to explain how things have changed since his last appearance on WTF. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.

Sep 27, 2015 • 1:34:21

Episode 640 - Nick DiPaolo / Brian Regan & Joe Bolster

Comedian Nick DiPaolo is a relentless button-pusher, which might be why Marc likes him so much despite all their differences. Marc and Nick reminisce about their early comedy days in Boston, as they both try to figure out whether they’ve changed all that much. Plus, one of Marc’s favorite comedians, Brian Regan, stops by to talk about his new special. He brings along comic Joe Bolster, who has a unique connection with Brian and Marc. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly

Sep 23, 2015 • 1:30:21

Episode 639 - Keith Richards

Marc finally comes face to face with his childhood hero and the results do not disappoint. Keith Richards is rock and roll to many people, including Marc. So it’s no surprise that Marc would talk with Keith about his career arc, the evolution of The Rolling Stones, the solo work including his new album, the drugs, the arrests, the fights, the reconciliations, and the satisfaction of it all. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wt

Sep 20, 2015 • 1:11:47

Episode 638 - Sir Patrick Stewart

Marc and Sir Patrick Stewart together in the garage? Make it so. The cultural icon engages with Marc about his life as an actor, from the English stage to the Starship Enterprise, culminating with his new show Blunt Talk. Sir Patrick also talks about the traumatic events of his childhood and how he turned them into motivation for his activism and charitable work. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast.

Sep 16, 2015 • 1:22:00

Episode 637 - Matt Sweeney

You’ve probably heard something Matt Sweeney recorded, even if you don’t immediately recognize the name Matt Sweeney. As Marc discovers in this conversation, Matt has left his fingerprints all over the last 20 years of rock music as a member of several bands, a sought-after session guitarist, an unlikely A & R man, and a guy who is a lot of fun to be around. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hoste

Sep 13, 2015 • 1:09:36

Episode 636 - Fred Armisen

Fred Armisen sits down with Marc for a surprisingly revealing chat, especially considering how Fred can completely disappear into the many characters he creates. They talk about Fred’s love of music, his desire to take comedy to uncomfortable places, the biggest perk of being on Saturday Night Live, and the one aspect of his life that always feels like chaos. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hos

Sep 9, 2015 • 1:33:24

Episode 635 - Bob Guccione, Jr.

Bob Guccione, Jr. knows a thing or two about publishing. He’s the founder of Spin Magazine, and his father was the man behind Penthouse. Now back at Spin to celebrate its 30th anniversary, Bob talks with Marc about the problems in the publishing industry, the state of journalism in general, and where he thinks he fits into all of it today. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See aca

Sep 6, 2015 • 1:16:09

Episode 634 - Richard Thompson / Lemmy Kilmister

Richard Thompson and Lemmy Kilmister seem like they exist at opposite ends of the rock spectrum, but you’ll notice a lot of similarities in this double-header episode. First, Marc talks with Richard about his brand of guitar wizardry and how he keeps the tradition going in his family. Then, Marc and Lemmy talk Motorhead, the Beatles, dads, drugs, Ozzy, and what it means to be Lemmy. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-m

Sep 2, 2015 • 1:39:11

Episode 633 - Lake Bell

Lake Bell is an actor, a writer, a director, and a mother. She tells Marc how all four of those things came to be, including what it took to get her own movie made, how she got connected with the comedy community, and what complications arose while making the movie No Escape. Plus, Jessie Askinazi and Rose McGowan stop by to talk about their #YesAllWomen fundraiser and auction. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-m

Aug 30, 2015 • 1:25:56

Episode 632 - Peter Bogdanovich

It’s been 14 years since Peter Bogdanovich made a movie, but that doesn’t mean he’s slowing down. The man who burst on the scene with The Last Picture Show is busier than ever, and he joins Marc in the garage to reflect on a life in show business, starting with his early foray into theater to his friendship with Orson Wells to his latest movie She’s Funny That Way. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast.

Aug 26, 2015 • 1:40:41

Episode 631 - Jerrod Carmichael

Still in his mid-20s, Jerrod Carmichael already has a reputation in comedian circles as a comic who has the goods. Marc talks with Jerrod about his rapid rise, which includes an HBO special directed by Spike Lee and a new NBC sitcom called The Carmichael Show. Jerrod explains how he stays grounded through all of it and why he still has an impulse to make things messy. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podca

Aug 23, 2015 • 1:23:21

Episode 630 - Robert Rodriguez / Jonathan Ames

Robert Rodriguez has been making movies on his own terms since he was 12 years old. Before Spy Kids and Machete and Sin City, he famously made his first feature, El Mariachi, for $7000. And, as Robert tells Marc, it’s possibly all just a prelude to the new television network he created. Plus, writer Jonathan Ames stops by to talk about his latest show and how he’s adjusting to Los Angeles. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf

Aug 19, 2015 • 1:25:30

Episode 629 - John Ridley

Before John Ridley won the Academy Award for writing 12 Years A Slave, he was a stand-up comic. Marc talks to John about the times they crossed paths in comedy clubs and why John needed to leave comedy behind so he could move forward as a writer, a filmmaker, and television show creator. Plus, Marc announces a new partnership for WTF. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c

Aug 16, 2015 • 1:23:33

Episode 628 - Chris Hayes

MSNBC’s Chris Hayes steps away from the anchor chair and into the garage to talk with Marc about life outside of cable news. Chris explains how his upbringing shaped his political conscience and how his career in journalism fine-tuned his sense of empathy. He also reveals what he really wanted to do before going into news and why he hasn’t given up that dream. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hos

Aug 12, 2015 • 1:17:46

Episode 627 - Lynn Shelton

Filmmaker Lynn Shelton works outside the Hollywood system. About 1,000 miles outside the Hollywood system, in fact. Lynn talks to Marc about living in Seattle while being a working director for film and television. She also discusses the creative evolution in her life that took her from writing to acting to photography to editing to making feature films. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on

Aug 9, 2015 • 1:24:51

Episode 626 - Jason Bateman / Bob And Barry

Jason Bateman wondered if he was done with acting. After finding success at a very young age, Jason thought about hanging it up. He talks with Marc about his career rebirth, from Arrested Development to his latest movie, The Gift. Plus, Marc’s friends Bobcat Goldthwait and Barry Crimmins stop by to talk about Bob’s new documentary, Call Me Lucky, which is about Barry. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podca

Aug 5, 2015 • 1:38:02

Episode 625 - Harmony Korine

Filmmaker Harmony Korine and Marc give it a second try after a fairly awkward live WTF episode a few years ago. Without Eddie Pepitone and James Franco to distract them, Harmony and Marc have a long chat about making movies, pushing boundaries, shooting on film, David Blaine, Werner Herzog, and the 20th anniversary of Harmony’s breakout movie, Kids. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acas

Aug 2, 2015 • 1:28:09

Episode 624 - Sinbad

Sometimes people ask Sinbad if he’s “still got it.” But as he proves to Marc, you can’t lose funny. And Sinbad’s been funny for a long time, from his time as a cutup in the military through his career as an actor and standup comedian. Sinbad tells Marc how it all went down. They also discuss how difficult it is for Sinbad to deal with the revelations about Bill Cosby after regarding him as a friend and mentor for decades. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus mater

Jul 29, 2015 • 1:34:46

Episode 623 - Jason Segel

Jason Segel was drawn to acting because of a quote from The Muppets. Now that he’s been on a hit TV series, starred in several successful movies, and helped resurrect those very Muppets, what’s next? Jason talks to Marc about the changes in his life, the debt he owes Judd Apatow and the challenge of playing David Foster Wallace. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri

Jul 26, 2015 • 1:24:32

Episode 622 - Wyatt Cenac

Wyatt Cenac and Marc go way back. But despite two WTF appearances, Wyatt never sat down with Marc for a full conversation in the garage until now. Wyatt talks about the loss of his father, the struggles with his mother, his pursuit of SNL that led him to the wrong side of the country, and his unexpected arrival at (and departure from) The Daily Show. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Ac

Jul 23, 2015 • 1:41:36

Episode 621 - Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen turns the garage into a master class as he tries to help Marc develop a better understanding and appreciation for Shakespeare. Along the way, they talk about what it was like growing up during World War II, why he felt liberated as an actor when he came out, what he likes best about his role in “Mr. Holmes,” and the real reason he keeps agreeing to play Gandalf. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-

Jul 19, 2015 • 1:06:32

Episode 620 - Vince Gilligan

Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan has a reputation as one of the nicest showrunners in Hollywood. It's a deserved reputation based on this incredibly friendly conversation in the garage with Marc. They talk about Albuquerque, the South, used books, film vs video, George Lucas, The X-Files, meeting Bryan Cranston and spinning off Saul Goodman. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. Se

Jul 15, 2015 • 1:26:27

Episode 619 - Robert Kirkman / Bob Fingerman

The Walking Dead creator and writer Robert Kirkman gives Marc a crash course in the comic book industry and explains how he got started in the business by self-publishing out of his home in Kentucky. Plus, Marc's old buddy Bob Fingerman heralds the return of his comic series Minimum Wage which features an illustrated version of Marc Maron. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See ac

Jul 12, 2015 • 1:34:32

Episode 618 - Ed Asner / Adam Goldberg

Ed Asner has enough acting credits to cover several lifetimes and he's not even close to finished. Ed talks with Marc about his legendary career, from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to the time he almost played Marc's dad. Plus, Adam Goldberg stops by to enjoy his burgeoning friendship with Marc and to talk about his new movie, No Way Jose. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.

Jul 8, 2015 • 1:25:24

Episode 617 - Laura Jane Grace

Laura Jane Grace, founder and lead singer of the band Against Me!, tells Marc about her experiences as a trans woman in a punk rock world. Laura tells Marc how she got her start in music, why punk rock was such a natural fit and the many ways her life changed as she transitioned. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 5, 2015 • 1:18:47

Episode 616 - Rich Vos

Comedian Rich Vos and Marc were pounding the same pavement decades ago when they were both starting out in comedy. Of course Rich was smoking crack, but why quibble with minor differences? Rich tells Marc how he made it out of the drug-fueled insanity of the mid-80s and wound up marrying a fellow comedian, Bonnie McFarlane. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f

Jul 1, 2015 • 1:23:20

Episode 615 - Penelope Spheeris

Filmmaker Penelope Spheeris was born into a traveling carnival, so it makes sense she would wind up in show business. The director talks to Marc about her early work with Richard Pryor, Albert Brooks and Lorne Michaels, as well as her experiences making The Decline of Western Civilization documentaries and Wayne's World. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

Jun 28, 2015 • 1:14:51

Episode 614 - The President Was Here

From the minute the Presidential motorcade pulled away, Marc began recording his reaction to the momentous event that just occurred in his garage. Hear Marc's ongoing reflections in the aftermath as well as a discussion with WTF producer Brendan McDonald about how this happened in the first place. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 24, 2015 • 1:12:38

Episode 613 - President Barack Obama

Marc welcomes the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, to the garage for conversation about college, fitting in, race relations, gun violence, changing the status quo, disappointing your fans, comedians, fatherhood and overcoming fear. And yes, this really happened. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 21, 2015 • 1:07:03

Episode 612 - Judd Apatow

Judd Apatow has a lot going on right now. So when he came over to the garage to talk with Marc about some of his projects, it's no wonder they kept talking for an hour. Judd and Marc discuss charitable works, the fear of insignificance, and continuing to learn from other funny people. Plus, Marc has a big announcement. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m

Jun 17, 2015 • 1:06:40

Episode 611 - Godfrey

Godfrey and Marc usually bust on each other in the back of comedy clubs, but this is the first time they've sat down for an hour to bust on each other in a garage. When they're not hurling insults, Godfrey tells Marc about his Nigerian background, his memories of Bernie Mac, his stint as the 7 Up guy, and his new TV show Bullseye. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p

Jun 14, 2015 • 1:11:27

Episode 610 - Mike Watt

Fair warning: Mike Watt's story of a near-death experience is not for the squeamish. The good news is he survived. One of history's greatest bass players, Mike tells Marc about forming the rock bands Minutemen and Firehose, helping reunite Iggy and the Stooges, coming to terms with the death of his best friend, and writing three rock operas to help deal with personal crises. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maro

Jun 10, 2015 • 1:19:28

Episode 609 - Constance Zimmer

Constance Zimmer kicked off her busy summer with a role on the new season of Maron and followed it up with two movies and a new TV show. Constance talks with Marc about getting acting roles in her 40s, an experience which is not what she expected. Plus, the two of them swap notes on how to perform sex scenes, and Constance talks about being in the high-testosterone world of Entourage. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with

Jun 7, 2015 • 1:13:19

Episode 608 - Kurt Metzger

Comedian Kurt Metzger is currently a staff writer on Inside Amy Schumer, which is a far cry from his first TV writing job on a game show hosted by Marc. Kurt tells Marc how he broke out of his life as a Jehovah's Witness, became a comedian, and found himself embroiled in an online controversy about his comedy. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform

Jun 3, 2015 • 1:12:48

Episode 607 - Haley Joel Osment / Jerry Stahl

Haley Joel Osment not only survived being a child actor, he was one of the most celebrated child actors of all time. Haley and Marc talk about the massive run of success he had during his youth, why he left Hollywood, and why he came back. Also, Marc's good friend Jerry Stahl stops by to discuss Jerry's second chance at fatherhood. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/

May 31, 2015 • 1:30:14

Episode 606 - Kevin Corrigan

Kevin Corrigan is a prolific character actor and a quintessential New York guy. So it makes sense that there's a lot of Scorsese worship in this episode. Kevin also talks to Marc about growing up in the Bronx, the importance of music in his life, and how he feels about an acting career where he is often called upon to play the friend, not the lead. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acas

May 27, 2015 • 1:16:25

Episode 605 - Tommy Davidson / Phil Hendrie

In Living Color changed the face of sketch comedy and Tommy Davidson was one of the main faces. He talks to Marc about how the show came to be, what got him into standup, and how he almost didn't live to the age of two. Also, radio legend Phil Hendrie drops by to talk with Marc about the new frontier of audio. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform

May 24, 2015 • 1:10:08

Episode 604 - Terry Gross

The tables are turned on one of the world's greatest interviewers, when Marc sits down with Fresh Air's Terry Gross in front of a live audience at the BAM Opera House in Brooklyn. The voice of NPR and the mind of WTF go deep into Terry's past to examine the life of a person who is so familiar to millions and still very much a mystery. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co

May 20, 2015 • 1:34:06

Episode 603 - David Byrne

For many people, including Marc, David Byrne has served as a tour guide through a new frontier of creativity. The frontman for Talking Heads sits down with Marc to talk about forming the preeminent new wave band of the 20th century and then branching out on his own to create work in theater, film, ballet, opera and, most recently, the world of competitive color guard performances. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-mar

May 17, 2015 • 1:16:52

Episode 602 - Richard Lewis / Greg Proops

Richard Lewis and Greg Proops have been in the garage before, but whenever they stop by for a chat, it makes sense to turn the mics on and roll tape. They always have a lot to say. First, Greg tells Marc about his experiences doing his podcast all over the world. Then, Richard Lewis braves a unique car ride to get to The Cat Ranch in order to offer a pep talk of sorts to Marc. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-ma

May 13, 2015 • 1:17:57

Episode 601 - Kenan Thompson / Scharpling & Wurster

Kenan Thompson was on his way to a pitch meeting at Saturday Night Live when he stopped by Marc's hotel room to talk about The Mighty Ducks, Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, and Lorne Michaels' handlebar moustache. Plus, Marc has a chat with Tom Scharpling and Jon Wurster about the massive new box set that chronicles 14 years of their comedy. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.

May 10, 2015 • 1:33:26

Episode 600 - Sam Seder

For the 600th episode of WTF, Marc goes back to someone who was there at the beginning. Sam Seder and Marc retrace the path of their contentious friendship, which reached its combative apex right before WTF was created. Also, a surprise guest who is staying in the hotel room next to Marc drops by for an impromptu chat. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo

May 6, 2015 • 1:39:32

Episode 599 - Parker Posey

Indie film superstar Parker Posey talks with Marc about her life so far, from being born "the size of a beer can" to recently contemplating whether she should leave the movie business. Plus, Parker offers her take on working with directors like Woody Allen, Richard Linklater and Christopher Guest. And also her dog pees on Marc's floor. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c

May 3, 2015 • 1:18:30

Episode 598 - Robert Williams

Artist Robert Williams is on Marc's Mount Olympus of Mind-Blowers. Robert talks with Marc about his numerous career highlights, including his work for Zap Comix, his founding of Juxtapoz magazine, his banned album cover for Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction and more. Plus, Marc's buddy Nate Bargatze stops by the garage to talk about his new special. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted o

Apr 29, 2015 • 1:28:01

Episode 597 - Zach Woods

You've seen Zach Woods in Silicon Valley, The Office, Veep and In The Loop, but Marc saw him doing improv at the UCB Theater and was blown away. Zach tells Marc why improv is the one thing in life that makes him feel truly comfortable. Zach also explains how the trajectory of his career was quite possibly altered forever by oral surgery. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast

Apr 26, 2015 • 1:13:01

Episode 596 - Blake Mills

Songwriter Blake Mills might not be comfortable with being called a "guitar wizard" but that doesn't stop Marc from unapologetically slapping that title on him. Blake tells Marc how the sight of Kurt Cobain with a guitar led him down the path to becoming a solo recording artist, an accomplished producer, and an accompanist for a plethora of fellow musicians. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hoste

Apr 22, 2015 • 1:07:10

Episode 595 - Rose Byrne / Kevin Pollak

Rose Byrne is everywhere. With two new movies coming out, Adult Beginners and Spy, and a laundry list of big hits in recent years, she still had some time to chat with Marc about her journey from Australia to Hollywood and all the stops along the way. Also, WTF friend Kevin Pollak is back with a debrief about his new documentary Misery Loves Comedy, which happens to feature Marc. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc

Apr 19, 2015 • 1:26:01

Episode 594 - Britt Daniel

Spoon frontman Britt Daniel tells Marc what it was like growing up in Texas as a sensitive kid who liked The Cure. Britt and Marc also trace the path of young heartbreak that preceded the formation of Spoon. Also, Jon Ronson returns to the garage to talk about his new book, So You've Been Publicly Shamed. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information

Apr 15, 2015 • 1:25:37

Episode 593 - Henry Winkler

Sit on it ("it" being your most relaxing podcast-listening seat) and enjoy this conversation between Marc and Henry Winkler. Although he's embedded in popular consciousness as The Fonz, Henry tells Marc how he finally feels like the real Henry Winkler is coming to the surface, after a career of acting, directing, producing and now writing children's books. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted

Apr 12, 2015 • 1:14:21

Episode 592 - John Agnello / Maz Jobrani

After The Rolling Stones called into the show on two consecutive episodes, record producer and engineer John Agnello gives Marc an idea of what happens on the other side of the studio glass. Plus, Maz Jobrani returns to WTF almost five years after his first appearance to talk about his new memoir, "I'm Not a Terrorist, But I've Played One On TV." Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast.

Apr 8, 2015 • 1:25:31

Episode 591 - Amber Tamblyn / Keith Richards

Amber Tamblyn's life as a child actor was in her mind when she wrote Dark Sparkler, a collection of poems about departed Hollywood starlets. Marc talks with Amber about her obsession with the book's subjects, her show business upbringing, her acting career and her husband, David Cross. Plus, Marc gets a phone call from one of his heroes, Keith Richards, as The Rolling Stones launch their new tour. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.c

Apr 5, 2015 • 1:25:19

Episode 590 - Drew Friedman / Mick Jagger

Cartoonist Drew Friedman is a true student of comedy. Marc talks with Drew to find out how this attachment to comedians started and why Drew has spent a good part of his life illustating funny people. Also, Marc invites his friend (and Rolling Stones superfan) Dean Delray over to the garage as they await a phone call from the one and only Mick Jagger. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on A

Apr 1, 2015 • 1:25:18

Episode 589 - Michael Imperioli

Michael Imperioli leads a much different life from the one led by his iconic television character Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos. Michael and Marc talk about what it's like to have played a role that left such an indelible mark and how his career as a writer, director and actor has taken shape since the show's final episodes. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co

Mar 29, 2015 • 1:12:17

Episode 588 - Kim Gordon

Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth put her life story into the book Girl In A Band. But Marc wants to know what Kim's life is like today, after decades in the visual art world, after the dissolution of a pioneering band, after marriage, after parenting. What's next? Maybe the two of them can even give each other pointers on dating. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f

Mar 25, 2015 • 1:12:26

Episode 587 - Joe Swanberg

Filmmaker Joe Swanberg is a true independent in every sense of the word. Marc looks at Joe's most recent films, Happy Christmas and Drinking Buddies, to understand Joe's approach to his art. Also, Joe talks about shooting on film, the kind of movies he thinks should win Oscars, why he seeks out certain actors and what his version of a major studio film would look like. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podc

Mar 22, 2015 • 1:27:04

Episode 586 - John Doe

John Doe was there at the beginning. When American punk rock was taking shape, his band X was at the forefront. John talks with Marc about being a young poet who fled Baltimore to immerse himself in the LA punk scene, where he experienced the rise and fall, and then the rise again. Somehow he wound up with roles in dozens of films and TV shows along the way. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hoste

Mar 18, 2015 • 1:12:12

Episode 585 - Alex Karpovsky

Alex Karpovsky and Marc are enemies on the fourth season of the HBO series Girls. But in this conversation, they bond instantly over OCD, separation anxiety, karaoke and gratitude. Alex also talks with Marc about the films he's written and directed, and about the early morning hangover that introduced him to Lena Dunham. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

Mar 15, 2015 • 1:11:13

Episode 584 - Chris D'Elia

Comedian and actor Chris D'Elia always seemed mysterious to Marc when he was waiting backstage at the comedy clubs. Turns out Chris was just cripplingly insecure. Marc and Chris talk about what it takes to overcome your fears, especially at a place like The Comedy Store. Also, Marc delivers an update to provide some closure on a past WTF guest. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. S

Mar 11, 2015 • 1:19:02

Episode 583 - Dan Zanes / Christopher Mansfield

Dan Zanes is one of the most popular musical acts in the country for young children. Marc is a huge fan, too, but that's because of Dan's old band The Del Fuegos. Dan and Marc talk about how he went from rock and roll almost-stardom to being a family favorite. Also, Marc talks with singer-songwriter and WTF fan Chris Mansfield about the breakout album for his band Fences. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-p

Mar 8, 2015 • 1:24:06

Episode 582 - Rob McElhenney

Rob McElhenney was fed up with being a struggling actor, so he grabbed a couple friends and made a TV show. Marc talks with Rob about the unlikely success of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and how Rob is now on the cusp of once again redirecting the course of his career, this time as the director of his own big budget Hollywood film. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.

Mar 4, 2015 • 1:29:09

Episode 581 - Mick Foley

A legendary wrestler, a best-selling author, an advocate for abuse victims, a father of four and a part-time Santa Claus, Mick Foley has led a distinctive life. He even has a past history with Marc, who sits down with Mick in the garage to catch up and to find out more about the person behind the battle scars. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor

Mar 1, 2015 • 1:21:32

Episode 580 - Kevin Allison

Kevin Allison found life after The State with his storytelling show RISK! In the garage at The Cat Ranch, Marc gets a full load of Kevin's stories that track all the way back to his very early sexual awakening right up until his recent BDSM exploration. Plus, Kevin throws in some stories about The State for good measure. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

Feb 25, 2015 • 1:25:53

Episode 579 - Nick Tosches

Author and journalist Nick Tosches is often called one of America's greatest living writers. Marc considers him to be an indispensible tour guide through the darkness in life. Nick talks with Marc about his work, including his influential biographies of Dean Martin, Jerry Lee Lewis and Sonny Liston, but more importantly, Marc gets Nick's unvarnished take on the way we live now. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-m

Feb 22, 2015 • 1:13:37

Episode 578 - Harry Shearer

Harry Shearer always leaves his mark, whether it's on The Simpsons or in Spinal Tap or in Christopher Guest's movies or on his long-running radio show or in his latest performance as Richard Nixon. Harry and Marc talk about those career touchstones as well as his deep connection to New Orleans and the struggles he experienced in two different incarnations of SNL. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast.

Feb 18, 2015 • 1:46:15

Episode 577 - Conor Oberst

Conor Oberst is a virtuoso singer-songwriter, known for fronting bands like Bright Eyes, Monsters of Folk and Desaparecidos. Now with his first solo album under his belt, Conor sits down with Marc to talk about the intangible nature of writing songs, the difficulty in being compared to Bob Dylan, and the frightening period of his life when a false accusation turned everything upside down. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-

Feb 15, 2015 • 1:11:05

Episode 576 - Live From the LA Podfest Whitney Cummings / Shelby Fero / Pamela Adlon / Desi Jedeikin / Amber Preston

Live from the LA Podfest, Whitney Cummings deals with codependency, Shelby Fero reckons with being a black sheep, Pamela Adlon doesn't understand why nipples aren't allowed on TV, Desi Jedeikin tries to explain what her tweets mean, and Amber Preston surveys the wreckage of a breakup. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 11, 2015 • 1:18:04

Episode 575 - Cameron Esposito

Comedian Cameron Esposito made her mark when a spontaneous moment during an appearance on The Late Late Show put her toe to toe with Jay Leno. Cameron tells Marc about that night and its aftermath, and also discusses what she believes are her responsibilities as an out lesbian in the entertainment industry. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat

Feb 8, 2015 • 1:15:27

Episode 574 - Marty Allen

92-year-old comedian Marty Allen visits the garage to talk about performing for eight decades and witnessing the evolving landscape of entertainment. Marty tells Marc about his appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, including the night The Beatles were introduced to America. Plus, stories about Elvis, Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Don Rickles and the Hollywood Squares. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast. H

Feb 4, 2015 • 1:06:14

Episode 552 - Bret Easton Ellis

Bret Easton Ellis is still the guy who wrote Less Than Zero, American Psycho and Lunar Park, but he's also way different than that guy from decades ago. Bret and Marc compare notes on evolving with age and trying to keep it all together. Plus, Marc's old buddy Mick Foley drops by to talk about his new life as Santa Claus, as documented in the new movie I Am Santa Claus. Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-pod

Nov 19, 2014 • 1:26:09