5 Comedy Improv Podcasts
Comedy improvisation is one of the most amazing storytelling arts. When done well, it creates magical moments of connection, authenticity and comedy out of thin air. It gets a bad name because when it goes wrong, it goes terribly wrong, but not today.
I have assembled a list of my top 5 five fully improvised shows where the comedy improvisers are at the top of their game. These will not disappoint.
Improvised Star Trek
This podcast is created by a group of improvisers in Chicago who wanted to translate a live show into an audio fiction podcast. They succeeded and this isn’t just for the geeks. The only thing you need to know about Star Trek to follow along is that everyone wears the same silly uniform.
Join the strangely lovable and incompetent crew of the USS Sisyphus on a journey of laughter and mayhem. Listen today on Podchaser and anywhere you listen to podcasts.
I have to call out the stunning performance of Matt Young, who plays Captain Baxter on the show. He is one of my heroes when it comes to comedy improvisation. His character work is second to none and you can hear him shine in Hello from the Magic Tavern, Improvised Star Trek and the Improvised Shakespeare Company.
Civilized
Civilized is a dark comedy sci-fi podcast and every episode is entirely improvised, but most listeners refuse to believe it isn’t scripted. Join three ill-suited explorers who are sent to colonize a new world. Things go wrong as they crash on a strange planet and do their best to survive a hostile alien world.
Come fall in love with a cook, an HR professional and a Scout as they do their best to fulfill their mission and die horribly in the call of duty.
This is one of our shows at Fable and Folly Productions, and it is our fastest growing show to date. If you like sci-fi and dark comedy, this show is for you.
Off Book: The Improvised Musical
As someone that can’t sing, it just blows my mind that these improvisers can build a complete musical with a guest star. Come join Jack and Jess for a super fun time. Each episode begins with meeting the cast and the guest star, coming up with an offer and then launching into an improvised musical.
Off Book has made the shift to remote recording and I’m so excited that new episodes are dropping again. Find Off Book: The Improvised Musical everywhere you listen to podcasts.
Stellar Firma
Imagine a dystopian world where a junior “employee” is confined to a single room where he must work with his mentor and a quirky computer overlord to create bespoke planets for insanely rich alien species. The stakes are high and the consequences are dire if they don’t succeed in satiating the prospective planet buyers with their questionable and lavish requests.
Stellar Firma from Rusty Quill never ceases to delight or amaze me. A truly wonderful dystopian comedy from some truly talented improvisers.
Mission to Zyxx
Imagine the Star Wars franchise only the dark side wins. Mission to Zyxx is an improvised science fiction sitcom about a team of junior ambassadors, inside the body of a truly hysterical ship, as they attempt to establish diplomatic relations in the ass end of space.
This show combines the best of sci-fi geek culture while exploring the dark comedy of a dystopian empire. One of my favourite things about Mission to Zyxx is the joy they take in justifying past gaffes to maintain continuity for the show.
This show set the standard for comedy improvised sitcoms and it remains one of my go to shows when I need a pick me up.
Honorary mention goes to a Live Play podcast using improvisers: Twenty Sided Stories
What do Marvel, Pokémon and 1890 Victoria have in common? This show combines live play and comedy improvisation and never fails to delight with great performances and super fun characters. If you like to nerd out about your geeky obsessions, this is the show for you. Check out 20 Sided Stories for some crazy fun adventures.
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