It was a natural transition to keep their craft sharp without the pesky dangers of COVID-19 spoiling the party.

As we’ve discussed before, it’s easier than ever to get a podcast started, and these are trained professionals. With the success of the Joe Rogan Experience, just about everyone in the comedy world fired up a show.

This was also great for audiences who would get to hear these brilliant men and women work, which was a boon for all of us who were stuck inside during the lockdown.

So, without further adieu, let’s dive into some of this comedy gold. I should note, these aren’t presented in any ranked order. If they’re on this list, they have excellent shows and you should be listening to them regularly.

Comedians with Podcasts, an Unordered List…

Now, I chose to do this in an unordered list because comedy is a subjective art form. And George Carlin isn’t around to top the list anymore. I mean, could you imagine George Carlin being on the list of comedians with podcasts? He’d have to be near the top. Oh, we can only imagine.

Neither is Richard Pryor nor so many of the true legends of comedy.

What makes a great comedy podcast? Well, the best comedy podcasts must be authentic. It’s an intimate art form, so they can’t just be telling jokes. They have to be telling stories and adding a more vulnerable human element to them.

The podcasters on this list have managed to achieve that. Perhaps stepping outside their comfort zone to master this new art form.

They don’t even necessarily have to be funny podcasts per se to make the list. Rogan, for instance, isn’t leaning too heavily on his being funny, but it’d be hard to say he’s not doing something right over there. Some of the best interviews have been done on that show without necessarily being laugh-out-loud funny.

Others on this list really are genuinely funny. But that’s not necessarily a requirement. It’s that authenticity that ties this list of comedy podcasts together. Well, that, and they are professional comedians and comedic actors.

So, let’s get into the best comedians with podcasts.

Two Bears, One Cave with Tom Segura & Bert Kreisher

These types of interview shows just work for comedians. And after 175 episodes and counting Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer are among the best in the business.

They are longtime real friends so the chemistry of their interview ping-pong comedic timing is brilliant. As of late Bert has been dealing with some health issues that have sidelined him leaving Tom to do the show with a slew of guest “bears,” filling in for Bert.

Their latest episode features Ryan Holliday, who we’ve discussed many times on this site for reintroducing the ancient philosophy of stoicism to modern audiences.

It’s a fantastic example of comedians being able to pivot and the authenticity on display from Tom is palpable.

While this episode errs less towards comedy it’s still extremely entertaining.

Other recent guests that have contributed to a very entertaining series of episodes have included the likes of Dana Carvey, Tony Hawk, and Louis C.K. Showing that there aren’t many topics that are off-limits.

There are episodes without guests with Tom and Bert essentially telling wild stories of their lives on the road and the general hijinks that one assumes is part and parcel of the comedy lifestyle.

It’s hard to sing the praises of this comedy podcast more.

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

Maron is closing in on nearly a thousand episodes.

So, it makes sense he’s spoken to just about every comedian, actor, author, thinker, and person of interest on the planet. This is another show where Marc showcases an ability to create meaningful connections with his guests.

The result is that these are some of the most interesting discussions in podcasting. Again, comedians with podcasts don’t always equate to something “ha-ha” funny, but it does equate to an entertaining and enjoyable listen.

As I mentioned there are nearly 1,000 episodes in the archives, there is plenty to go back and listen to.

Some of the interviews that stand out are:

• Kat Williams, the legendary comedian.
• Marc Summers, of Double Dare fame.
• Gallagher, who actually walked out on the interview.
• Radhika Jones, Editor and Chief of Vanity Fair
• Whitney Cummings, the brilliant comedian.

The list just keeps on going. Bradley Whitford of the West Wing and Handmaid’s Tale has become a real fan of the show which made their latest conversation an absolute delight. In fact, comedians with podcasts can create some of the most haunting interviews.

There’s something for everyone after a thousand episodes, so make sure this one finds its way into your podcast app of choice.

Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

Conan has been a comedian for more than 30 years. He’s late night royalty. He’s made us laugh on television and on the internet, and now he’s mastering this new art form: the podcast.

This weekly podcast is from a legend where Conan interviews his friends, who are also comedians. The show is funny, but it’s also a way for Conan to get out of his comfort zone and have some real conversations with people he doesn’t know very well.

The guests range from Jimmy Fallon to Jane Lynch to Richard Lewis, but they all seem to be having a great time talking about their lives and careers as comedians. You want to be a fly on this wall.

Office Ladies

Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey are best friends, and they’re back at it with a new podcast. Well, not so new at this point.

I had no idea they were best friends in real life, but I guess that’s the kind of relationship you develop on a show like this over such a long period of time.

If you’ve ever watched The Office, you know what these two are like: Jenna is the sweet one who everyone loves, and Angela is the tough-talking woman who can always be counted on to say something outrageous. But in real life, they’re both the sweet ones.

In their podcast, they get together to talk about their time on The Office, as well as the many projects they’ve worked on since then. And while they don’t always agree on everything (who would?), they still manage to have a good time reminiscing about their time together on one of television’s biggest sitcoms—and that’s what makes this podcast so much fun.

There are interviews with the show’s cast and creators, as well as fans of the show. Like self-described “super fan,” Billie Eilish.

The Patdown with Ms. Pat

The Miss Pat show is an amazing show. Emmy nominated don’t you know. Have you been watching it?

That’s what makes this podcast so good. Ms. Pat pulls back the curtain on her show that she created and stars in. So, she knows the goods. Chris Spangle and Deon Curry (among others) join Ms. Pat to talk about making the show and share some unique perspectives on life.

Want to hear what she thinks of Cocaine Bear, or what she thought of her court experience? Want to hear Deon Curry leave one of the best comedians speechless?

I really don’t want to give too much away here. But this is a fantastic podcast with hilarious people talking about life.

Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata

I love listening to podcasts that take me out of my familiar perspective. Yeah, of course, I listen to comedy podcasts by people who look like me. That’s understandable I think.

That said, I think some of the best podcasting experiences are when you specifically go out of your way to broaden your horizons. This is one of those shows.

On paper, I have nothing in common with Nicole and Sasheer, which is why I learn so much from their podcast, Best Friends. I learn that I’m wrong. Sasheer is into My Chemical Romance. Or a fascination with the Blue Man Group.

It’s just one of those podcasts that’s tough for me to comment on other than you really should be listening to Best Friends. It’s one of the top 10 comedy podcasts that you just don’t see coming as a plain vanilla straight white guy.

I love this show and can’t say enough good things about it.

THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST

Adam has one of the best funny British podcasts on Spotify. I’m a little concerned that there hasn’t been a new release in 2023, but when you’ve been doing this non-stop since 2015, we can wait a bit.

But, since the archive goes back to 2015, if you aren’t listening on a regular basis, you’ve got some catching up to do.

His discussion with the aforementioned Maron from 2017 is a masterclass in a comedian having a discussion with another comedian. I think the British perspective makes this one of the top free comedy podcasts UK can deliver.

As of this writing, there are 200 episodes for you, dear reader, to catch up on.

Comedy Bang Bang

Scott Aukerman hosts this show. It’s kind of a variety show that is a blend of conversation between a genius comedian… and Scott Aukerman. No, I’m kidding, Aukerman is from Mr. Show fame.

But it’s the special guest that gets to shine in each episode. Because it’s more than just conversation. It’s also some top-notch character work, games, and general revelry. It’s kind of like a looser, less NPR, wait wait, don’t tell me. So if you like that show and would like something a bit edgier, this show is for you.

The guest list is a who’s who of working comedians. Zach Galifianakis, Jason Alexander, David Cross, Nick Kroll, Mary Holland, and Allison Williams are just a few of the litany of brilliant guests that are on the show.

I highly recommend starting with the Best of Episodes that condense the show into something resembling digestible.

You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes

I absolutely love the premise of this show. The idea is that everyone has something weird about themselves. Think about that anecdote or idiosyncratic personality trait that you don’t lead with at parties.

Yeah, everyone has those. You can imagine if you’re drawn to comedy as a profession, you’re going to have more weirdness, or weirder weirdness.

Host Holmes gets some of the biggest comedians in the business to disclose theirs to his audience. The result is absolutely perfect. *Chef’s Kiss*

There are 779 episodes on Apple Podcasts as of this writing, which makes it another podcast with an archive to dip in and out of at your leisure. With so many guests, it makes it one of the top comedian podcasts that should be in your player of choice.

Comedians With Podcasts – Rarely Stand Up

Did you notice a theme on this list? Comedians with podcasts are rarely performing. They’re having authentic conversations. They’re having intimate conversations.

Even when they are performing comedians with podcasts are doing something more like a variety show. We’ve talked on this site about how the medium just lends itself to an intimacy that you aren’t going to get from a comedian on stage. That’s a performance, to a crowd.

It’s a shared experience. A podcast usually happens alone. And often, it’s a discussion that’s shared between the listeners between the earbuds. It’s a completely different experience.

This is what makes these comedians with podcasts, playing with the format, within the medium, so good. You get to see what makes these people so smart. We, as listeners, get to see the wheels turning a bit more than a polished special on Netflix. It’s a real treat to see how the work is done.

Are there shows I missed that I should be listening to? Let me know on twitter @discover_pods.

The post 9 Of The Most Amazing Comedians With Podcasts appeared first on Discover the Best Podcasts | Discover Pods.

Streaming services have made it so the choices aren’t just limited to what’s currently running. You can catch up with shows that are still on, as well as popular ones might have missed during their original runs like Seinfeld, Friends, or The Office. Others might be on the same journey to experience these shows, or in many cases re-experience them, which is why there are so many terrific podcasts about new and old television. 

These entertaining podcasts travel alongside you like faithful companions, examining shows in-depth with recaps, delighting in their mysteries and mythologies, and analyzing them through progressive political and social lenses that shed fascinating light on the context in which they were created.

If you’ve recently embarked on a new television adventure yourself or you’re thinking about starting one soon, here are 10 of the best TV podcasts you should travel with.

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Gayest Episode Ever

Don’t be fooled by its seemingly flamboyant title, Gayest Episode Ever has both pomp and circumstance. One of the sharpest and most thought-provoking TV podcasts running, the weekly show co-hosted by journalist Drew Mackie and screenwriter Glen Lakin, examines the one-off LGBTQ-themed episodes of classic sitcoms, before it was normal to see queer characters on television. Framing discussions in the historical context of the shows’ storylines and their place in television history, this incredibly well-researched podcast goes deep, analyzing queer characters and their representation from a laundry list of classic TV shows, with a sense of humor often complemented by entertaining guests. Mackie and Lakin even manage to make revisiting shows interesting, like when they returned to Friends and Frasier to examine different queer characters or themes that popped up throughout the series through unique and fascinating lenses. If you’re a TV history buff, a queer listener searching for a show that speaks to you, or even just a LGBTQ ally looking to better understand how queer culture has been represented and misrepresented on television, there’s plenty in Gayest Episode Ever to satisfy you emotionally and intellectually. 

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

Buffering the Vampire Slayer

Whether you’re falling in love with Joss Whedon’s creative universe for the first time or you’re a diehard Whedonite looking for your tribe, you must listen to Buffering the Vampire Slayer, the definitive Buffy the Vampire Slayer podcast. This bi-weekly show hosted by Whedon experts Jenny Owen Youngs (a professional musician) and Kristin Russo (a professional writer), tackles Buffy the Vampire Slayer one episode at a time through thoughtful discussions that offer a dynamic queer perspective on the TV show. Aside from the podcast’s impressive no-spoilers policy, both Youngs and Russo will floor you with their chemistry and enthusiasm, even down to the ads they read. Their humorous show contains segments like “Spooky News” flanked by entertaining musical themes crafted by Youngs about characters like Spike, Giles, and Vampire Willow, as well as clever original songs recapping each Buffy episode. Russo and Youngs also have an extensive in-person presence where they plan Buffy-themed events like live recordings and their annual “Buffy Prom,” where they engage with their equally enthusiastic listeners. If you’ve been looking in the Whedonverse for somewhere to belong, chances are you’ll find your home with Buffering the Vampire Slayer and its like-minded fellow fans. 

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

The West Wing Weekly

Aaron Sorkin is well-known for his ability to create rapid-fire dialogue and moving political speeches, however if you want to see where he really hit his stride, look no further than his long-running presidential drama The West Wing, which featured an incredible cast of characters constantly pushing themselves to provide the best government to the American people. Thankfully to help you process the nuances of this sprawling series, there’s The West Wing Weekly, a weekly podcast co-hosted by one of the show’s stars, Joshua Malina, and Hrishikesh Hirway of the music podcast Song Exploder. Their lowkey, spoiler-free show offers the kind of unique wisdom you can only acquire from someone who was there on set. If you don’t mind ample tangents, it’s worth sticking around to hear their pointed analysis, which isn’t afraid to examine the content and themes of each episode with a critical eye. Their desire to critique the show warts and all makes it fascinating to listen to, and an absolute must if you’re going back through The West Wing, or spending your first term with President Jed Bartlett (Martin Sheen) and his team of passionate advisors.         

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

Office Ladies

Think of the treasure trove of information available for a show if one of its stars podcasts about it, then double it, and you’ll get Office Ladies. This delightful weekly podcast is co-hosted by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey, two stars of the brilliant NBC workplace comedy The Office. Unlike their characters Pam and Angela on the show, in real life, Fischer and Kinsey are best friends, which leads to a charming rapport on the podcast. They aren’t just two close friends goofing around however; they truly deliver a remarkable listening experience. With fun segments like “Fast Facts,” interviews with their co-stars, and a musical theme by co-star Creed Bratton, Fischer and Kinsey delve deep behind the scenes, sharing their own incredible anecdotes and exposing the creative process that led to the most memorable moments of the series. Each episode flies by because the pair are so high energy and they stuff it with such amazing content. Hearing two people who were there throughout the entire series discuss it in such vivid detail, inspires immense respect for the show’s writers and directors, who did so much to make all of us laugh. Regardless of whether it’s your first day at paper company Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch or your 188th, you’ll find plenty of reasons to love The Office thanks to Office Ladies. 

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

…These Are Their Stories: The Law & Order Podcast

Can’t get enough true crime in your life? Writers Kevin Flynn and Rebecca Lavoie are the same way. As co-hosts of the Crime Writers On… podcast they covered true crime extensively, but one thing they really loved was talking about true crime in the context of Law & Order. So they did what any logical people would do: they started a separate Law & Order podcast called…These Are Their Stories. On the show they discuss the unbelievable ripped-from-the-headlines episodes of Law & Order, SVU, and Criminal Intent. No matter which of those series you love (maybe even all of them), you can hear Flynn and Lavoie dissect them all as they hop around analyzing episodes, interviewing guests, and digging into the true crimes that inspired the episodes. The result is a splendid mix of well-researched Law & Order commentary, amusing guests, and silly segments like “Hey it’s that guy,” where you can try to guess where else you might have seen an actor from the episode. True crime television and podcasts are having a moment and there’s no better way to to share in it than to learn all about one of the most famous TV shows to mine true crime for entertainment: Law & Order. 

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

Seincast

You may know that Seinfeld was “the show about nothing,” but Seincast, the podcast about it, certainly isn’t. The podcast has something for you whether you’ve seen every episode of Seinfeld countless times in syndication or if you’re one of the increasingly rare people who hasn’t seen it at all. Hosted by Vinnie and Matt, two guys who claim they can barely run their own lives, the deadpan podcast breaks down each episode of Seinfeld in exquisite detail. After a freewheeling intro and a hilarious quote from the episode they’re about to dissect, Vinnie and Matt wow you with great anecdotes and behind the scenes information, which really demonstrate their incredible knowledge of the show. It’s more fun to listen to their podcast in order, but you could also easily jump around based on which Seinfeld episodes you see on cable or streaming. Either way you’ll gain fresh insight into one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms. Although Seinfeld ended its run 20 years ago, and Matt and Vinnie ended their run in 2018, their podcast is loaded with amazing evergreen content that will keep you satisfied as you join Jerry, George, Elaine, Kramer on their wacky, yet uproarious misadventures across New York City.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Libsyn

The Talking Dead

You’re probably thinking that Talking Dead is a podcast version of the Chris Hardwick AMC talk show, but it’s not. Co-hosts Chris and Jason actually had the name first, and have released over 400 episodes since 2009 for this podcast dedicated to The Walking Dead and its spinoff shows. Although The Walking Dead may get mature in its subject matter, these two Canadians keep things very polite and wholesome as they provide detailed commentary on the fan-favorite TV shows. They also talk when the show isn’t running, addressing rumors, news, and other nerdy entertainment like the latest Star Wars movie and Star Trek show. The lighthearted experience feels a lot like hanging out at your local comic book shop shooting the breeze with like-minded geeks who share a similar sense of humor. Thankfully it eschews the toxic aspects of fan culture that particular crowd can be known to exhibit. If you can’t get enough of The Walking Dead, or if you’re trying to catch up after a decade of missing out on it, tune in to Talking Dead.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

A Cast of Kings

HBO’s drama Game of Thrones ended in a blaze, and whether you think it was a blaze of glory, a dumpster fire, or you’re just wondering who started the fire, the podcast Cast of Kings is there to help you make sense of it all. Hosted by Slashfilm’s Dave Chen and VanityFair.com contributor Joanna Robinson, the show takes an intellectual approach to Game of Thrones through deep conversation about the plots, themes, and high/lowlights of the show, and how it diverges from its source material. Their discussion often addresses what other critics said about Game of Thrones and offers Chen and Robinson’s response, which leads to a more thoughtful, well-rounded perspective on the show. It’s the kind of podcast that will keep you thinking about the TV show between episodes and challenging your perspective each time you hear it.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

Related reading: best Game of Thrones podcasts

The Good Place: The Podcast

It may have just come to a tear-jerking conclusion, however if you quickly need to soak it in all over again or if you haven’t already seen The Good Place, you’ll greatly benefit from tuning into The Good Place Podcast as you consume the zany, heady comedy that keeps you on your toes. This official Good Place podcast is so legit it’s hosted by the series regular Marc Evan Jackson, it replaces swear words with G-rated versions like in the series, and it even has an intro/outro voiced over by Michael and Janet themselves (Ted Danson and D’Arcy Carden). The TV show is already so clever and mind blowing, but it takes on a whole new brilliance when Jackson interviews cast and crew members that work on the comedy. The artistry and attention to detail they describe in those interviews elevates the quality of The Good Place to unspeakable heights. Plus, the way Jackson asks guests, What’s good?” to wrap up each episode might get you thinking about how you’d answer. It would be easy to reply “The Good Place and The Good Place Podcast” without hesitation. 

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

Best of Friends Podcast

Given the show’s recent 20th anniversary, Friends has been a hot topic the past year, inspiring viewers and critics to rewatch it and re-examine it through more progressive lenses. Although for the more casual fan or person who is just starting out on their Friends journey, there’s the much lighter Best of Friends podcast co-hosted by Erin Mallory Long and Jamie Woodham. The podcast, which is almost 190 episodes strong, takes a meandering approach to talking about the TV show, however there are amusing conversations in the meantime before Long and Woodham dig into each episode. They wrap up with a star-based rating system, where they rank the episode according to their particular preferences, and like their opinions, not all of them are created equal. At least the co-hosts are good friends, and hopefully you’ll be there for them too, week after week as they wrap up their coverage of Friends.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker

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