Wits ® – APM Podcasts
97 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 8 years ago - ★★★★★ - 299 ratingsWits was a weekly national public radio broadcast produced and distributed by American Public Media. As of September 2015, the broadcast ended. The stage shows that provided material for the broadcast are on hiatus, as is the podcast version of Wits. It is our intention to take a little time away from Wits and then look for ways to bring it back on stage and in podcast in a different form. On Wits, some of the top names in comedy and music have joined host John Moe for sketch comedy, improv, conversation, songs and genuine beauty in a program praised as "one of the rare public radio comedy shows that's actually funny" (Huffington Post) and "one of the most unique, entertaining and diverse shows on radio" (The Growler). You can listen to all of our archives online and follow host John Moe on Twitter (@johnmoe) for more information on Wits and other projects.
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Episodes
58: Audience Choice Show 2014
September 17, 2015 15:00 - 55 minutes - 50.5 MBThis week on Wits, a special audience choice episode. We asked listeners to tell us what segments they loved on Wits, and they picked their favorites: Amazon Review Theater with comedians Paul F. Tompkins and Keegan-Michael Key, Pop Song Correspondences, sketches about angels in our appliances and Linus losing it when he's separated from his blanket. Plus, Har Mar Superstar with a full horn section, and much more.
69: Music Wits
September 10, 2015 14:00 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MBThis week’s episode features some of our favorite musical moments on Wits, including performances from Har Mar Superstar, Thao Nguyen, Martha Wainwright, Dan Wilson and Sara Watkins, Loudon Wainwright III, Typhoon, Aimee Mann and Ted Leo and more.
47: Paul F. Tompkins, Keegan-Michael Key, Patton Oswalt, Ellie Kemper and The Both (Part Two)
September 03, 2015 10:12 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBThis week's show was recorded at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles. With the help of Paul F. Tompkins, Patton Oswalt, Keegan-Michael Key, Ellie Kemper, Aimee Mann and Ted Leo, we hear what superheroes do when there's down time at the Hall of Justice, get a peek at how Big Foot influenced Fleetwood Mac's Rumors, and find out why someone gave Monty Python and the Holy Grail a one-star review on Amazon.com.
22: Kristen Schaal with Rufus Wainwright
August 27, 2015 06:08 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBIn this week's episode, comedian and actress Kristen Schaal appears as a jaded hamster and a cop who's just had her first ever cup of coffee; singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright plays a cat and sings a stunning a cappella version of his song "Candles," and the real estate agent for the B-52's has a hard time selling a certain property known as the "Love Shack."
28: Hannibal Buress with Open Mike Eagle
August 20, 2015 06:08 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MBOn this week's episode of Wits, top stand-up comedian, and 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live veteran, Hannibal Buress tells about the made-up childhood of Alex Trebek, hip hop artist Open Mike Eagle has a hitherto unexplored question for the Party People, and we find out what you really get at a deli when you place a certain lunch order. Plus, a Pop Song Correspondence from Journey's put-upon editor.
60: Colin Hanks with Father John Misty (Part One)
August 13, 2015 13:55 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MBOn this week’s show, Emmy-nominated actor Colin Hanks tries to get kids to believe that math is cool (it does not go well), singer/songwriter Father John Misty portrays a Fridge Raccoon, and Wikihow Theater shows how to make people respect your pet. Plus, the story of how Prince melted Minneapolis into existence and music from Father John Misty.
14: Paul F. Tompkins with Aimee Mann
August 06, 2015 15:00 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBThis week's show features comedian and actor Paul F. Tompkins (also host of the Pod F. Tompkast) with the Oscar and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Aimee Mann, as well as an EMU ATTACK, and a visit from President James K. Polk the time-traveling repairman.
37: Paul F. Tompkins with Rhett Miller
July 30, 2015 06:48 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBOn this week’s episode, comedian Paul F. Tompkins tries to overcome a lifetime of servile conditioning as Mark, a newly liberated denizen of Oz, while hip-swiveling Rhett Miller of the Old 97′s educates us all about random dandelion surgery. Plus, we go fence riding with the true story of The Eagles’ Desperado.
97: Fred Willard with Shinyribs and Carrie Rodriguez (Part Two)
July 23, 2015 15:56 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBThis week’s show comes to you from the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas with legendary comedic actor Fred Willard. Plus, songs from beloved Austin musicians Shinyribs and Carrie Rodriguez. And an "All About That Bass" Pop Song Correspondence from the ad agency hired by National Bass Fishing Association.
96: Danny Pudi with Har Mar Superstar (Part Two)
July 16, 2015 15:55 - 55 minutes - 50.7 MBThis week on Wits, the hilarious actor Danny Pudi of TV’s Community and singer Har Mar Superstar. Star Wars gets all Ken Burns with tearful letters from actual Storm Troopers in the battle between the Empire and the Rebellion. And a Wits game show, in which Har Mar Superstar uses the word “collapsening.”
95: Cristela Alonzo with Ryan Bingham (Part Two)
July 09, 2015 15:57 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBOn this week’s Wits, comedian Cristela Alonzo details the completely unique brand of nerditude she established in college, Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Ryan Bingham explains how riding bulls made his teeth so white, and we hear student evaluations from Professor Billy Joel’s 20th Century History class.
94: Extra: Andy Daly, Monopoly, and the Wits Mailbag
July 02, 2015 16:00 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MBOn the Wits podcast this week, we talk with comedian and actor Andy Daly about his Comedy Central show Review – season 2 debuts in late July. Andy tells us what it’s like to play Forrest MacNeil, a professional life critic. Forrest performs any life experience his audience asks him to and then reviews it on a scale of one to five stars. We also hear how the board game Monopoly was born and take questions from the Wits mailbag.
93: Paul Scheer with Neko Case (Part Two)
June 25, 2015 15:58 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBOn this week’s Wits, comedian, actor, and podcaster Paul Scheer tells us about the time he burned down a dude ranch, Neko Case remembers when she found out she was related to one of the first women professional wrestlers, and we meet some superheroes who will never ever make it in the movies.
92: Wits Extra: Conversation Parade Preview
June 19, 2015 15:31 - 20 minutes - 19 MBOn this first episode of Conversation Parade, hosts John Moe and Open Mike Eagle explore the relationship between Finn the Human and Jake the Dog and wonder whether we really need manuals in life. Plus, John talks with actor John DiMaggio, the voice of Jake the Dog, about what it’s like to record the show with his fellow actors and why he loves Lumpy Space Princess so much.
91: George Takei with Serengeti (Part Two)
June 18, 2015 15:07 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MBOn this week’s Wits, Star Trek actor George Takei tells us what event made him decide to come out as a gay man after decades in the closet. Plus, Chicago art-rapper Serengeti provides some eclectic hip-hop that will stick in your head. And, a special preview of a new project we’re working on! Big excitement!
90: Cary Elwes with Kat Edmonson
June 11, 2015 15:00 - 54 minutes - 49.6 MBOn this week’s Wits, actor and author Cary Elwes. He’s perhaps best known for his role as the dashing hero Westly in the movie The Princess Bride. Elwes shares stories of the fun he had making that movie as well as the painful injuries. Plus, music from mesmerizing chanteuse Kat Edmonson. And, Bob Seger tells us what it’s been like living in a big, ferocious whale.
89: Eric Stonestreet with Brandi Carlile (Part Two)
June 04, 2015 16:00 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBThis week on Wits, Emmy-winning actor Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family tries to convince us all that clowns aren’t creepy, and we have a new installment of Wikihow Theater where you can learn how to annoy your dad and how to sneak a cat into work. Plus, chart-topping singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile blows us away with her singing, and shows off her killer funny bone.
88: Fred Willard with Shinyribs and Carrie Rodriguez
May 28, 2015 14:59 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBThis week, Wits is at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas with one of the all-time greats of comedy, actor Fred Willard. He shares some behind-the-scenes stories of those classic Christopher Guest comedies he appeared in like Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman. We also have songs from beloved Austin-based music guests Shinyribs and Carrie Rodriguez. Plus, we find out what inspired Abbott and Costello’s most famous routine.
87: Extra: Cameron Esposito and the Wits Mailbag
May 21, 2015 14:41 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBOn this week’s podcast, we talk with Cameron Esposito. She's been on Conan, Maron, @midnight ... she's the voice of Carroll the cloud person in Cartoon Network's Adventure Time. She writes a biweekly column for The AV Club called Who in the World is Cameron Esposito, and she did all those Buzzfeed Ask a Lesbian videos. She talks with us about making those videos, coming out, and why she got into stand-up. We also answer questions from the Wits mailbag, and we hear actor Keegan-Michael Key and...
86: Danny Pudi with Har Mar Superstar
May 14, 2015 14:10 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBOn this week’s Wits, actor Danny Pudi of the beloved sitcom Community tells us what it was like to work with Chevy Chase, singer Har Mar Superstar shares what it’s like to look like Ron Jeremy when you’re at the Playboy Mansion, and we hear from severely disgruntled potential contributors to Cat Fancy magazine. Plus, the world premiere of new music from Har Mar Superstar.
85: Cristela Alonzo with Ryan Bingham
May 07, 2015 16:00 - 56 minutes - 51.7 MBOn this week’s show, Cristela Alonzo tells us the amazing story about how she came to be the first Latina to write, produce and star in her own network sitcom, Ryan Bingham tells us what you have to do to ride a bull, and we hear what happens when you mess with Texas. Plus, Ryan sings from his latest album, Fear and Saturday Night.
84: Paul Scheer with Neko Case
April 30, 2015 15:59 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBOn this week’s Wits, comedian, actor and podcaster Paul Scheer tells us about his reenactments of Arsenio Hall interviews from the 90s, Neko Case sings songs from her latest album, and we hear the real story of John Mellencamp’s Jack and Diane. Plus, was George Washingon a big jerk? We’ve got the answer. Maybe.
83: Extra: John DiMaggio, Wits mailbag, an office game gone wrong
April 23, 2015 19:28 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBOn this week’s podcast, an interview with actor John DiMaggio. He’s the voice of Adventure Time’s Jake the Dog. He’s Bender in Futurama. He’s the Executive Producer of a documentary on voice acting called “I Know That Voice,” and he’s a lot of fun to talk with. We also answer listener questions from the Wits mailbag, and comedians Hari Kondabolu and W. Kamau Bell join us for a scene in the office: a get-to-know-you game gone wrong.
63: Neil Gaiman with My Brightest Diamond (Part One)
April 16, 2015 15:55 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBOn this week’s Wits, author Neil Gaiman presents the worst submissions to our Bad Gaiman Challenge – where we asked you to send in your poorest imitations of Neil Gaiman’s writing. We also hear Neil selling real estate, or rather, “unreal” estate, and in Pop Song Correspondence, Satan applies for a job at Radio Shack. Plus, music from My Brightest Diamond.
62: The Great Wits/Thrilling Adventure Hour Crossover with “Weird Al” Yankovic, Paul F. Tompkins, Paget Brewster and Rhett Miller (Part One)
April 09, 2015 15:59 - 55 minutes - 50.4 MBThe Thrilling Adventure Hour's married mediums Frank and Sadie Doyle join Wits host John Moe in the crossover event of the holiday season. Relish the sweet song stylings of Rhett Miller, and learn all about the stories behind some of “Weird Al” Yankovic’s big projects. PLUS a super special singalong.
61: Maria Bamford with Jeremy Messersmith (Part One)
April 02, 2015 16:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBThis week on Wits, comedian and actor Maria Bamford as a very creepy Tooth Fairy and a possibly zombified Laura Ingalls Wilder promoting her new books. We also get music from singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith. Plus, Maria and Jeremy try to sort out which patron saints are for real in the Wits game show.
59: Jim Gaffigan with Reggie Watts and Thao Nguyen
March 19, 2015 15:51 - 56 minutes - 52 MBOn this week’s show, comedian, author and actor Jim Gaffigan talks about his upcoming book Food: A Love Story, the food he loves, and the food he just doesn’t really understand. Comedian, actor and musician Reggie Watts improvises a song about a beaver who is no good at building dams and singer/songwriter Thao Nguyen wows the audience with her Appalachian-infused rock and roll. Plus, Tom Waits, President Chester Alan Arthur and an immortal stegosaurus want to sell you bubbled gum.
82: George Takei with Serengeti
March 12, 2015 15:25 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBThis week on Wits, rappers George Takei and Serengeti. Wait, is that right? Well, sort of. Famed Star Trek officer, social media star, and activist George Takei tells stories about the early days of the iconic science fiction franchise, his new Broadway musical, and how he, along with his Gang from Sugar Hill, started rap music. That last part might be more of a comedy sketch. We also get to know rapper Serengeti and his alter ego Kenny Dennis. Plus, a game of OBSCURE RAPPER, ANCILLARY STAR T...
81: Eric Stonestreet with Brandi Carlile (Part One)
March 05, 2015 15:04 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBThis week on Wits, actor Eric Stonestreet as a Bigfoot who specializes in marriage counseling. Singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile reveals her secret obsession (not to reveal too much but it involves tomatoes). We also get useful lessons on how to cross piranha-infested waters and hear a clip from the new PBS remake of House of Cards. Plus brand new music from Brandi Carlile.
57: Kumail Nanjiani with Valerie June (Part Two)
February 26, 2015 17:20 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBOn this week’s show, comedian Kumail Nanjiani talks about his first time in America, his HBO show Silicon Valley, and his love for video games. He also gets pretty freaked out about a potato in a conference room. And we hear music from singer/songwriter Valerie June, who tells us how sometimes songs come to her in different voices. Plus, an installment of Cop Squadron!
80: Keegan-Michael Key with Bhi Bhiman
February 19, 2015 20:31 - 56 minutes - 51.3 MBOn this week’s show, actor/writer Keegan-Michael Key as Rex, a powerful, 2-ton police force of nature who gets all the confessions. Because he is an actual Tyrannosaurus Rex. We also get the back story on Keegan’s iconic substitute teacher role from his hit show Key & Peele and play a Wits Game Show that reveals our guests might be criminal masterminds. Might! Plus, brand new installments of Amazon Review Theater take on one-star reviews of classics like Of Mice and Men and Hop on Pop, and th...
79: Wits Extra: Hail to the Chief(s)!
February 17, 2015 16:11 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBOn the Wits podcast extra: Hail To the Chief(s)! Chieves? America celebrated its presidents this week. Wits celebrates those same presidents with a look back at the Commanders-in-Chief, Founding Fathers, and First Ladies that we have had on the show over the years. Or at least guests we made pretend that they were those people. And there have been a lot: James K. Polk, others. With special guests Andy Richter, Neil Gaiman, Paul F. Tompkins, Kevin Murphy, Bill Corbett, Paget Brewster, Joseph S...
78: Hari Kondabolu with OK Go (Part Two)
February 12, 2015 17:00 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBThis week on Wits, the band OK Go debuts a brand new, previously unreleased video that you have to see to believe. Yep, video on the radio. Comedian Hari Kondabolu talks colonialism, weird word tricks and having his high school mascot named after him. We play a new Game Show featuring less-than-famous quotes from very famous people. Plus, special guest W. Kamau Bell as a Smurf and we get advice on how to understand the TV show Falcon Crest and/or sneak up on people.
77: Wits Extra: Neil Gaiman, Friend of Wits
February 10, 2015 23:26 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBOn the podcast extra this week: Extra bonus Neil Gaiman, Friend of Wits! Acclaimed author Neil Gaiman is a long-time pal of our show. He’s been a full-on guest twice, and has made special appearances countless times. Because we have so much fun with Neil every time he’s on, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of his more memorable moments on Wits. So we tuned up the Wits time-turn-backer machine to turn back time, where it’s time to turn toward timeless Neil Gaiman turns on...
76: Neil Gaiman with My Brightest Diamond (Part Two)
February 04, 2015 21:04 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBThis week on Wits, acclaimed best-selling author Neil Gaiman tells tales of his time in a teenage punk band, reveals the conversations he’s had while owning multiple talking animals, and tackles the role of a smooth jazz trumpeter tasked with saving the world from Murder Cat. Singer/songwriter Shara Worden joins us for a Wits Game Show about some of the most obscure comic books ever made, and we get beautiful eclectic music from My Brightest Diamond.
75: The Great Wits/Thrilling Adventure Hour Crossover with ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, Paul F. Tompkins, Paget Brewster and Rhett Miller: Too Much For Radio
February 03, 2015 17:49 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBWe had such a great time taping our show with Paul F. Tompkins, Paget Brewster, Weird Al Yankovic, and Rhett Miller that we lost track of ourselves and made way too much material for the radio. So we are sharing this bonus material as an extra TOO MUCH FOR RADIO episode. Hear Paul F. Tompkins and Paget Brewster battle Rhett Miller for “Weird Al” Yankovic’s affection. Check out the new #1 single, Guacamole Heart. And swoon to Rhett’s croons.
74: The Great Wits/Thrilling Adventure Hour Crossover with ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, Paul F. Tompkins, Paget Brewster and Rhett Miller (Part Two)
January 29, 2015 17:00 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBThis week: the triumphant return of the terrific Wits/Thrilling Adventure Hour Crossover. Enjoy an all-new feature featuring married mediums Frank & Sadie Doyle and their quest to figure out just who is filling all these martini glasses with booze while they sleep. The one and only “Weird Al” Yankovic reveals the true stories behind some of his most iconic songs and projects, while actress Paget Brewster stuns the audience with her allegiance to the most hated of all insects. Plus, Paul F. To...
56: Peter Sagal and Paul F. Tompkins with Open Mike Eagle (Part Two)
January 22, 2015 17:05 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MBOn this week's episode, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! host Peter Sagal sings, comedian Paul F. Tompkins reads one-star Amazon reviews (and also sings), and art-rapper Open Mike Eagle offers chilling insight on the Happy Birthday song. He sings as well. Plus, a peek at what probably happened in movies like Christine and Steel Magnolias, cocktail recipes from Don Draper, and a Wits game show.
73: Maria Bamford with Jeremy Messersmith (Part Two)
January 15, 2015 15:57 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBThis week on Wits, you will be shocked by what you learn about our guest, comedian Maria Bamford, and the things she’s eaten that belong to other people. We also meet Buttonwillow, the world’s best salesperson, and get incredibly valuable advice on how to appreciate the band ABBA. Plus, behind-the-scenes with the Doobie Brother mother, and lots of great music from Jeremy Messersmith.
72: Colin Hanks with Father John Misty (Part Two)
January 08, 2015 15:50 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBThis week on Wits, Emmy-nominated actor Colin Hanks takes us to the new M. Night Shyamalan restaurant, and he and singer/songwriter Father John Misty travel back in time to the Great Depression and the first moments of the game Monopoly. Plus, advice on how to enjoy life when you stand nowhere, a tour through American slang, and music from Father John Misty.
71: Extra: Aparna Nancherla
January 06, 2015 15:10 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBComedian and writer Aparna Nancherla stopped by the Wits studios recently. John Moe got the chance to talk with her about almost attending West Point, working on late-night television, the process of writing funny things on sad subjects, and the current wave of comedians who are also first-generation Americans.
54: Jen Kirkman with Bob Mould
January 02, 2015 15:55 - 57 minutes - 52.2 MBOn this week's show, comedian, author and actor Jen Kirkman tells us what it's like to make an episode of Drunk History, punk rock godfather Bob Mould performs tracks from his latest album, and we hear why dead author Franz Kafka is so upset with Pharrell Williams about the song, "Happy."
70: Extra: Year in Review
December 30, 2014 16:30 - 17 minutes - 16.5 MB2014 was a crazy year. On this special episode, we take a look at the top stories from the year that was, and how they affected the everyday for all of us, including the rugged. And the feline. We also take some time to ask some of our past guests what they’re excited about in 2015. Featuring Patton Oswalt, Open Mike Eagle, Thao Nguyen, Hari Kondabolu, Kelly Hogan, Mike Doughty, Paget Brewster and Rhett Miller, it’s our Year In Review episode of Wits.
55: Kumail Nanjiani with Valerie June (Part One)
December 26, 2014 15:55 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBOn this week's episode, comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani tells us what happens when you Google a smell, singer/songwriter Valerie June explains how she's able to smile when she sings the blues, and the premiere installment of Wikihow Theater teaches how to behave around Grandpa and how to befriend a squirrel (the key is not to kiss it).
68: Extra: Maz Jobrani
December 16, 2014 16:51 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBComedian and actor Maz Jobrani stopped by our studio to talk with John Moe. Maz shares what is was like moving from Iran to America as a child, why it took him so long to start doing comedy, and his upcoming book, “I’m Not a Terrorist, But I've Played One On TV."
67: Weird Wits
December 11, 2014 16:43 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBThis week on Wits … a special episode of the moments on the show that are just a little off. Sketches and songs that are funny, surprising, moving and weird, where Mr. Rogers turns into a werewolf, letters from Civil War soldiers who are animals, an office trainee who doesn’t understand idioms, a spa filled with insects. Featuring Colin Hanks, Amy Sedaris, Andy Richter, Tig Notaro, Kristen Schaal, Patton Oswalt, Keegan-Michael Key, Loudon Wainwright III, Robyn Hitchcock and more.
66: Extra: Paget Brewster in ‘Charlie Brown and Lucy’
December 09, 2014 18:00 - 6 minutes - 5.94 MBOn our recent crossover episode with the Thrilling Adventure Hour, guest Paget Brewster joined us for a remount of a classic Wits sketch. Here is Paget as Lucy van Pelt, a role originally performed by Julia Sweeney, and John Moe as Charlie Brown.
65: Keegan-Michael Key with Bhi Bhiman (Part One)
December 04, 2014 15:44 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBThis week, the deeply hilarious, Peabody Award-winning comedian Keegan-Michael Key channels Michael Jackson, sings like Radiohead, and busts some myths about love and commitment. Plus, singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman wows us with his powerful voice, and a Shakespearean take on how the Fresh Prince’s life got flipped, turned upside down.
53: Peter Sagal and Paul F. Tompkins with Open Mike Eagle (Part One)
November 26, 2014 16:22 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBOn this week's episode, Wait Wait … Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal plays a Wits game show, comedian Paul F. Tompkins performs Amazon.com one-star reviews of great literature, and Open Mike Eagle performs from his album Dark Comedy. Plus, Leonard Cohen texts Leonard Cohen in this week's Pop Song Correspondence.
64: Hari Kondabolu with OK Go (Part One)
November 20, 2014 17:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBOn this week’s show, comedian Hari Kondabolu is horrible at playing the game Two Truths and a Lie. He also becomes J.R. Toot McGoots and helps people find meaning in their lives. Plus, a special acoustic set from OK Go, and we hear about the teaching assistant who inspired the band’s name.