SlapStik Comedy By Jessica Lopez
Gone are the days of being along with your thoughts for too long. Whew! Who needs introspection, am I right? Thanks to podcasts, laughs are only a click, sit, and listen away. Those in-between moments that would usually be filled with the sound of your own buzzing inner critics can now be filled with the familiar sound of your favorite comedians. Listening to weekly episode releases feels like catching up with old friends. See! The loneliness epidemic is real! …or maybe there is simply too much content to choose from.
- Kicking Back with Friends
Unsurprisingly, some of the most popular comedy podcasts involve collaboration between multiple comedians. There’s something so inviting about listening to your favorite comedians share silly anecdotes, reference inside jokes, and roast each other in a way that only good friends can painlessly do. “Smartless,” hosted by Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, initially launched during the pandemic as a way for the three friends to keep themselves occupied. Since then, they’ve released over 200 episodes, interviewing a different celebrity guest each week. A simple premise has produced some of the funniest moments in the podcast landscape. Some of the best episodes are undoubtedly the ones featuring longtime friends, the guys lighting up at the mention of shared failed audition experiences or chaotic theater stories. If you haven’t listened to the following episodes, you haven’t experienced true joy: John Krasinski, Dana Carvey, Kristen Wigg, David Spade.
- Pop-Culture Splash
Sometimes you just need a good pop-culture recap from those in the know, ya know? “Las Culturistas,” co-hosted by SNL cast member Bowen Yang and comedian Matt Rogers, initially began in 2016, and has since become a biting series of pop culture updates and media analysis. Yang and Rogers have been friends since their days at NYU. Their playful chemistry carries any cultural conversation into depths perhaps not expected but certainly welcomed. Last year’s “Great Americans” episode featuring Tina Fey even spawned a viral moment with Fey sharing words of wisdom during the “I don’t think so, honey” ending segment. Fey reflected on the risks of being vulnerable while in the public eye, declaring that “authenticity is dangerous and expensive.” Fey, who is known for her 100-jokes-per-minute style of comedy on works like “30 Rock” and “Mean Girls,” expertly combines critical thinking and hilarious comedy, and “Las Culturistas” is the perfect platform for it.
- The State of the World Today
2024 marked the glorious return of comedian and political satirist Jon Stewart to “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central. He came back to us when we needed him most. Stewart helped us navigate the ups and downs of the 2024 election by hosting the “The Daily Show” on Mondays, and by launching “The Weekly Show,” a podcast featuring guests from the TV program. Stewart helps break down the current political landscape by interviewing academics, pundits, and politicians, interjecting every now and then with that beloved Stewart wit. While it’s easy to fall for doomerism through the endless news cycle, Jon continues to fight the good fight in the way he knows best, through levity and laughter.
Comedy podcasts keep us afloat through uncertain times. Starting a podcast is the easiest it’s ever been, and no matter the subject, chances are there’s someone out there thinking to themselves, “Finally, someone’s talking about this! Maybe I should start a podcast too,” and the cycle continues. So, next you need a few laughs, just sit back, pull up a chair, and tune in.
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