Eddie December 29, 2011 at 9:05 am

Hey Marc!
new fan, started listening to you since I got to China and
have very limited internet, this is one of the only sites that work
and I listen to you when I get some time off and hang out at my place.
Can’t get a premium account in this country but am listening to everything
otherwise, catching up here. Just wanted to say I am loving it.. happy new year

Adam December 29, 2011 at 12:11 pm

Yikes.

Rev. Mike December 29, 2011 at 12:35 pm

On some level on loved this show, but listening to it was like a temporary insanity.  Perhaps it has something to do with my own marriage ending this year and just spending the holidays with my ex and feeling that familiarity, connection, and residual attraction but jesus this brought up a lot of shit.  Is it weird that I didn’t fuck my ex wife the other night because she has a boyfriend and I didn’t want to hurt him?  No, that wasn’t the only reason.  Too bad my ex wife and her lovers didn’t show me the same consideration when we were still together.

Mona December 29, 2011 at 12:44 pm

OMG, How did you sit thru this?  What an annoying woman… She needed to be “on” the entire time I listened.  I had to shut it off.  Maybe you should interview Jeff without his wife.

Bill December 29, 2011 at 1:04 pm

This was the first podcast I could not listen to in its entirety.  What a grating, annoying woman…

Diane December 29, 2011 at 1:16 pm

Wow. They really needed to keep a lid on some of that stuff. There have been only two podcasts of yours that I couldn’t finish listening to and this was one of them. I can see why their marriage doesn’t work; I couldn’t even stand to listen to them for 1.5 hours. Years of that would just be insanity.

Mitch December 29, 2011 at 1:56 pm

I feel like everything they said could be said about almost all marriages. They are just open about their true emotions rather than choosing to repress them! I like the point they bring up that marriage isn’t the solution to all problems, it’s the beginning to all problems.

I don’t think she does experience joy, and I think both of them are having to work too hard to sustain their marriage. 

Nevertheless I wish there was more comedy involved in this episode and less complaining!

Chad December 29, 2011 at 2:37 pm

This gives me new appreciation for Paul Gilmartin’s patience.

Ian December 29, 2011 at 2:43 pm

These are the worst people ever! They deserve each other. I did, however, enjoy listening to the endless meltdown.

eric December 29, 2011 at 4:30 pm

she never paused even for a second and she spoke over everyone else.

yowza.

John December 29, 2011 at 4:52 pm

They felt so hacky: “Please take my wife.” They offer no insight, and there is no charm to their relationship. Just contempt. Yuck.

Pissed Hippie December 29, 2011 at 5:49 pm

Next time I hear about a domestic “murder – suicide” on the news, I’m going to imagine it was these two just to feel better.

- @pissedhippie

Sally December 29, 2011 at 8:55 pm

My favorite thing about WTF is that no matter who the guest is, whether or not I know or like their work, or have some sense of their role or context in comedy, show business, etc., Maron is consistently able to wrangle something authentic from them and engage in an organic back and forth. Even the episodes that are hilarious and have lots of joking around are also stacked with real emotion and pathos. I could get nothing from Annabelle Gurwitch that seemed remotely real. I guess she was sort of funny but her inability to behave that a real person and connect with either her husband, Maron, or the listening audience during the interview really left me cold.

Dan December 30, 2011 at 12:09 am

It speaks volumes to Marc’s talents as an interviewer and host that he was able to keep this episode compelling and listenable, even though the subject matter was definitely a chore. That said, I have to agree with a lot of the commenters here about Annabelle Gurwitch, or at least how she comes off in this interview. I can’t imagine anyone buying one of her books after listening to this episode. There’s no way that someone so utterly solipsistic could have insight into other people’s marriages. Anyways, still love the show. Great job, Marc.

Justin December 30, 2011 at 3:00 am

I’m a single guy who has never been married, and I listened to this episode twice because I found it entertaining in some sick way. Like, I’ve never felt so good to be single.

John December 30, 2011 at 3:23 am

This Annabelle might be the most self-centered, irritating person on the planet.  Marc should seriously take solace knowing that this is the type of person that is apparently taking his ex wife’s side on their whole ordeal.  Wow, 49 years old, and still nobody has told this woman she’s not the least bit funny or interesting.  She must be beautiful.

MPG December 30, 2011 at 7:38 am

I’m glad that other people found this insufferable.

I shut it off around the 19 minute mark. I’m surprised that I lasted even that long.

Christ December 30, 2011 at 11:53 am

What an annoyingly self-centered women. I wanted to punch her in the ovaries 10 minutes

Guest December 30, 2011 at 12:14 pm

I was worried it was just me, I did make it all the way through but at the end I was just hoping they were just being facetious. With two interviewees in a quiet room, they always seem to end up running some part of their act and censoring each other by steering the conversation. The Carrot Top and Sklar Brothers interviews are two other examples of this.
My confirmation word for this post is horse32, I’m off to the track.

Gloria December 30, 2011 at 1:32 pm

Re the first married couple on the podcast—didn’t Jim Gaffigan’s wife also appear on his interview?  And arguably, Carrot Top and Charlie Viracola qualify.  Anyways, I’m with the gang here, this woman is insufferable.

Panda December 30, 2011 at 1:52 pm

Let me stray away from most of these male sheep here and say great couple, great interview, great book, great theater production.  Apparently people missed the perfect irony that marriage always is and blamed it all on the “woman talking too much”.  Congratulations fellas, you just discovered something entirely original that everyone has been aware of for decades, including women.  The dynamic of this dysfunctional couple is what creates their not-so-funny humor.  It should be painful to listen to, that’s the point.  Welcome to marriage, welcome to pain and agony, and of course, love.  This is just one mirror to look through, and the insight is there if you read between the lines, whether it’s telling you to “GET OUT” or “DEAL WITH IT”, that’s up to your interpretation.

Beelzebud December 30, 2011 at 1:59 pm

“It should be painful to listen to, that’s the point.”

So is watching Fox News, but I manage to avoid it.

Gloria December 30, 2011 at 3:34 pm

@Panda—I’m not a guy, and yet even I wanted to tell this woman to shut the f__ up.

RT December 30, 2011 at 4:13 pm

Okay, here’s another perspective . . .

The rapid-fire banter is part of their act: the constant complaining about marriage and fidelity.  They both can’t talk at the same velocity; he obviously enjoys chipping in with one liners in between her verbal gymnastics.  The dynamic works, and they seem happy.  For those of you who feel the need to attack Annabelle on this forum,  there are more worthy things to focus your anger on.

John December 30, 2011 at 7:36 pm

Well if that’s an act, it’s a horrible one.  And also misplaced, considering it’s WTF, and you’re allowed to talk like a human being, not some juke box funny monkey pressured to get a laugh every 15 seconds.  Even Robin Williams wasn’t “on” in his interview with Marc. 

Todd December 30, 2011 at 10:17 pm

RT beat me by a few hours; I was going to point out the possibility it’s an act.  Regardless, Annabelle did not get on my nerves, and Jeff’s one-liners were hilarious.  I enjoyed the interview.

Fitzdog December 31, 2011 at 2:14 am

First wtfpod I couldn’t listen to all the way through. She’s what I used to imagine all people in LA being like before I moved there, completely smitten with themselves, obnoxious and irritating and not in the charming way like Marc. Easily the worst guest ever on the show including Gallagher….in fact I wish she’d pulled a Gallagher and walked out into obscurity halfway through so Marc could talk about his cats.

Love ya buddy

Alex December 31, 2011 at 2:31 am

Guys, guys, guys! He fought fought for this. That poor bastard saw this horrendous woman with another idiot, HE MADE A CONCENTRATED EFFORT TO STEAL HER AWAY FROM THAT OTHER DUMB SON OF A BITCH! WITH POETRY!

Connor December 31, 2011 at 3:07 am

im sorry, i was crying i was laughing so hard. theyre hysterical.

bg December 31, 2011 at 3:43 am

Her ass may be called the “the sad left cheek” but this episode is called “the sad listener”

Johnathan December 31, 2011 at 8:46 am

Some people want authenticity and profound revelations of the heart and soul and some just want to watch a thousand flowers bloom.

Who knows her true self and more importantly does it really matter?  Bob Sagat wasn’t exactly Gary Shandling, was he?  I enjoy wtf for its diversity of interviewees.  If you don’t like that chocolate don’t eat it, or in some of your cases, eat it, spit it out, look at it and then shit on it here.  What’s the point?  Futility is a message board full of whiners.

Marjorie December 31, 2011 at 10:47 am

I liked this one - it’s an act! I thought they were funny. Besides, I’m 60, and I’m still trying to figure put why marriage is so damn important…they were riffing on that…

Marjorie December 31, 2011 at 10:53 am

PS Let’s face it - many of the WTF’s are kind of fencing match were the boys (usually) don’t let each other get a word in - the pay off is usually the moment where they finally turn that off - it takes time! These two didn’t get there in the time allotted - but Marc gave it a good shot. Was fascinated listening to him try.

Johnathan December 31, 2011 at 11:25 am

Just to clarify what I said earlier guys, I basically meant stop liking what I don’t like and don’t you fucking dare dislike what I like.
Also, don’t even think of making fun of me for trying to whiteknight a helpless actress, author and tv personality.
This comment section is for me to try to sound smart by criticizing idiots who genuinely dislike episodes, not for negative reviews jerks!

Crate&Trauma; December 31, 2011 at 12:21 pm

They bicker like an old couple, I thought it was pretty funny.

Man the internet is filled with a lot of angry people.

Mike December 31, 2011 at 2:45 pm

Was she the inspiration for Suzie on Curb? Someone mentioned “She must be beautiful” & I had the same thought. Turns out she’s not bad for a 49 yo but not good enough. Jeff?...wtf indeed.

Jason December 31, 2011 at 5:39 pm

Hey Marc I think you should review every movie you see with your phrase “I liked it and I’m not gay.”

Big B December 31, 2011 at 10:37 pm

Like others have stated: if that was an act it’s the worst fucking act in the history of comedians.  Relationship difficulties can be amusing but not like this. It was grating and so forced at times.  The in’s and out’s the women went with just didn’t gel well together at all. 

Like I said, partnerships can often be funny but not with these two.

MeMeMe January 01, 2012 at 1:21 am

The guy is an unabashed Family Guy fan.  It’s not surprising he would think her schtick is endearing.

fuzzy zoller January 01, 2012 at 1:21 pm

I agree with Johnathan, some people want to watch a thousand machines working, others want the stars to align. Some want laughter, some know Franklin Thomas.
They listen and then say things and then I say things. I White Knight her, and then you say don’t eat toast on a Tuesday Morning. 

This forum is for me to make fun of people giving positive reviews of negative reviews of negative people on a positive show.

idiots!

Myndi January 02, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Nothing bothers me more than a woman bitching about how her husband ALWAYS wants to have sex with her. Marc is right, she should feel good about that. I think Annabelle just likes the sound of her own voice bitching.

Lee Stringer January 02, 2012 at 10:44 pm

Of course half of this is a performance, but that still leaves the other half. I hope to God single people don’t listen to this and think it’s what all marriages are like. As a married man I’ll say the ancient institution certainly isn’t an easy one, but fuck, it’s not as hard as that. It annoyed me that she didn’t seem to know how to turn off the schtick at the appropriate moments, but I didn’t get the sense that either of them were bad people. I also find it ironic that the personality traits that usually attract people to each other are sometimes what annoys them the most once the years go by.

Johnathan January 03, 2012 at 9:57 am

Wow, someone using my name in vain.  That second post isn’t me, as if it matters.  Anyway, glad I pissed someone off enough to get them to write such bilious shit.

jackie gleason January 03, 2012 at 2:07 pm

My boyfriend has nudity radar, and I agree that it’s annoying! I’m trying to get dressed in the morning and BAM! there he is, watching me put on a bra.

Michelle January 04, 2012 at 3:42 am

Excruciating.

grind January 04, 2012 at 11:26 am

whoa!  this thing got a little scary - babylonandon :(
marc nailed the vibe and started to zing the babylon sister.
i think their goal was to be a post-modernist Lockhorns
and take that act on the road, and this interview was viewed
as a publicity stunt to garner word of mouth or something :(

i thought marc handled it well.
but part of it i wondered:  wtf?...

federal76 - out.

AD January 05, 2012 at 10:09 pm

I reluctantly gave this episode a shot.  I almost didn’t bother listening after glancing at many of the negative responses here.  I loved the little jabs at Annabelle from Marc and Jeff.  And she was a good sport in those moments.  A real nightmare of a partner wouldn’t tolerate those snarky jabs.  Anyway, it’s rare that I find a couple’s dynamic refreshing (married or not).  So these two and their little game is like an exaggeration of the annoying dynamics that are present in most relationships.

Marc—towards the end you brought up the notion that a successful marriage involves HE doing whatever SHE wants.  I see this in most relationships as well.  And I can’t go the distance with that type of imbalance.  Please expand on your thoughts on this stuff when it comes up again !

Paul W January 09, 2012 at 12:11 pm

Wow, I’m not surprised but I am saddened at the reaction here, and all the wrath and negative comments towards just the woman. I agree that there was too much talking over each other going on, and that the two rarely came across honestly—it felt like most of their comments were just an act. But I’m not sure why everyone is pinning the talking-over thing and monopolizing the conversation thing on just the woman. Marc talks too much in many episodes, and Jeff and Marc cut Annabelle out of a big chunk of the show as well.

All that said, I thought there was some really good stuff in this episode about marriage and honesty, and the stuff at the end about trust vs respect was truly something revelatory.

All of you who are focusing your annoyance on the woman here should take a step back, relisten, and think of her as an individual who’s just as insightful and just as annoying as the other two people in the conversation.

MuddyG January 09, 2012 at 1:48 pm

These two definitely had some nuggets of wisdom and truth, but I found their schtick tiresome and a bit of a put-on. The funny thing is, it’s probably all true, but they just have it down to such a routine it rings false.

Ann January 10, 2012 at 12:07 am

This can only be a Chanukkah/Xmas gift on Marc’s part, - Listen to this episode and you’ll thank God that you’re relationship isn’t like theirs

justwow January 11, 2012 at 6:43 pm

Marc, I think you hit the nail on the head when you asked if the therapist ever lets Jeff talk. This episode honestly annoyed the hell out of me and I had trouble sitting through it. This woman is truly insufferable. She needs to stop talking about herself and give someone else a chance. She also needs to listen to them when they do. I hope she hears the podcast and decides to make a change for the better.

justwow January 11, 2012 at 6:44 pm

Correction: when you asked if the therapist asks if she ever lets Jeff talk.

grind January 12, 2012 at 4:17 pm

loved it when she said she
was thinking about getting out of the relationship now,
because she’s “still fuckable” -
and marc counters with -
what…“once a week?”...
nice!

believe69 (!) out.

Roadshow January 15, 2012 at 4:07 am

I see a lot of people commenting had trouble getting through this episode but I LOVED it.
This was one of my favourites.
At first, I thought “Oh they rag on each other; that’s their comedy schtick” but as it went on (And this was thanks to their honesty and willingness to be open) it became clearer that this is really how they are.  All.  The.  Time.
As a person in a relationship who can find the going hard and wonders if I’m with the “right” person etc I found this really eye opening and relatable.

Sure, Annabelle came off a little worse than Jeff did but, as Marc said at the end, we all have issues, we all come with baggage and he, no less than her, does too.

I think many, perhaps most or all, couples have these issues and it is so rare for 2 people to be confronting them head on like this.  I believe they’re in it for the long haul, they just worry about the path less travelled.  Who doesn’t?
LOVED IT.
I would absolutely listen to these 2 again.

Also, Annabelle is hot.  She’s still got it.
*

EDWARD January 24, 2012 at 4:02 am

Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and exposure! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve included you guys to my blog roll.
<a href=“http://www.writers-write.co.uk”>Essay writing</a>  ||  <a href=“http://www.writers-write.co.uk/custom-assignment-help.php”>Assignment Help</a> ||  <a href=“http://www.writers-write.co.uk/Article-Assignment.php”>Assignment Writing Service</a> || <a href=“http://www.writers-write.co.uk/custom-coursework.php”>Coursework Help</a> || <a href=“http://www.writers-write.co.uk/dissertation-writing-help.php”>Dissertation Writing Service</a> || <a href=“http://www.writers-write.co.uk/university-essays.php”>University Essays</a>

jennie January 31, 2012 at 10:56 pm

I’ve been in a relationship with my husband for over 10 years and I’ve never said or even thought some of the things this couple say to each other. I don’t think it’s common to bicker like that with your partner unless the relationship is on the rocks.  I had to shut it off about halfway through. Mark, why did you keep saying something to the effect that ” it seems you two have a strong relationship and will stay together”? It seems like it was a bit of a show. Didn’t really enjoy this one.

Heidi Madsen January 31, 2012 at 11:37 pm

Thank you for helping me to tweak the dialogue between a married couple for my latest play ;o) Is it bad that the only thing I may actually remember from this podcast is “there are no pubes on a marble statue, that’s why I don’t mind being hairless” - Annebelle Gurwitch? Tough one to finish, I made it 1:02:11… LOL!

Maya February 02, 2012 at 6:20 pm

Good Lord. Their bickering was GRATING to listen to. I almost stabbed myself in the ear. The end part where she just goes on & on . . .  I think the only reason I got through it is because I am at work. However, the lady-blaming comments are somewhat disturbing too. I am with Alex who wrote above:
Guys, guys, guys! He fought fought for this. That poor bastard saw this horrendous woman with another idiot, HE MADE A CONCENTRATED EFFORT TO STEAL HER AWAY FROM THAT OTHER DUMB SON OF A BITCH! WITH POETRY!
I would like to add that he did this for YEARS. His bad. His issues may not be as outwardly annoying but he made his bed.

veganbetty February 07, 2012 at 7:36 pm

Wow, thought I was the only one who actually turned off the show and couldn’t listen anymore.  Never done that with any of Marc’s interviewees.  It’s a shame b/c I’ve actually enjoyed seeing Annabelle on shows like Jackie Woodman.  I am so sad to learn that she is so dreadful in real life.  Arg, name-dropping, self-centeredness, and sheer annoyingness.  Yikes, I can’t imagine how dreadful the book is.

Sheryl February 11, 2012 at 8:39 pm

I like Annabelle and Jeff.  Intelligent and funny.

zita February 27, 2012 at 4:56 am

Glad to visit this professional blog… I would love to learn more and more about technical and programming related things.. Great work! <a href=“http://www.webhostings.in/web-hosting-india-and-reseller-hosting”>web hosting india and reseller hosting</a>

Frank May 13, 2012 at 12:19 pm

Wow, I used to like Annabelle Gurwitch, but hearing her speak unscripted made me detest her. As a pretty hard-left-leaning neo-feminist, I found her to be exactly the kind of person who screws it up for everyone else: people who are so annoying and unreasonable in their views about male-female and familial relations that they alienate anyone in the center who might consider becoming more pro-women’s rights. She tries to mask her shrill irrationality as intellectualism, and it’s so obviously false. Yuck.

Cireric May 16, 2012 at 2:25 am

Oh man. She just never shut up. Sometimes Marc talks a lot, sure, but the thing is Marc is infinitely likeable and hilarious. She’s just grating.