There’s a very good chance that a lot of what Patrice O’Neal says will offend you. And there’s an equal chance he’ll say something that will change your outlook. So it makes sense that Marc, in the midst of emotional turmoil, would turn to a sturdy, non-polarizing voice like Patrice’s. Expect some analogies. Lots and lots of analogies.
Marc liked Mike Birbiglia. Then he didn’t. Then he was a jerk to him. Then he felt bad. Now he’s sitting down with Mike to find out why he resented him and why he finds himself liking Mike again. They’ll also talk about the dangers of sleepwalking and the hazards of the Comedy Cellar in New York.
Marc describes Dana Gould as someone who represents the history of modern comedy. Dana stops by the garage to talk about having a breakdown on stage, being a writer for The Simpsons, offending people, and adopting children from China. Plus, Marc tries to figure out why he feels haunted whenever he comes to Boston.
Paul Provenza has documenting the lives and styles of other comics in projects like the film The Aristocrats, the book Satiristas, and the TV show The Green Room. Now Marc will try to document the life of Paul, including why he stopped doing comedy in the U.S. and how he overcame stage fright. Plus, Marc communes with the ghosts (and insects) residing in the Chelsea Hotel.
Marc welcomes the great fictional married couple of Jeff Garlin and Susie Essman, plus Gary Gulman and Joe Mande. Taped 7/21/10.
Marc’s back at the UCB Theatre in L.A. to welcome one of the founding members of the UCB, Matt Besser, as well as veteran comic Ed Crasnick. Plus, as usual, Jim Earl and Eddie Pepitone will stop by. And Marc holds out hope that Craig Robinson will show up as planned. (SPOILER ALERT: He won’t.)
Marc strikes up a bromance with writer and comedian Joe Wagner, who really thinks he and Marc should become good friends. It’s a conversation that straddles the line between surprisingly sweet and stunningly embarrassing. Plus, Marc gets on the phone with his dad to figure out why the two of them can’t seem to have any fun.
Andy Richter talks about improv, Conan, sidekickery, weight loss and farts. And oh yeah, something about The Tonight Show and Jay Leno and TBS. Not sure what he was talking about, it sounded so outlandish. Plus, Marc has career advice for yoga instructors and supermarket managers.
It’s always a party with comedian Nick Swardson who stops by the garage for a talk about fireworks, Sandler movies, and marrying Ving Rhames. It’ll be a welcome relief for Marc, who spent two days in the desert trying to find spiritual fulfilment by the Joshua Tree. Find out if he still hasn’t found what he’s looking for.
Marc talks child rearing, literature and go-go dancing with Daniel Handler, the author also known as Lemony Snicket. Plus, now with the nicotine behind him, Marc is fighting to take control of his food addiction. Almost Dr. Steve drops by to help analyze the cravings.
Marc’s in San Francisco for Bring the Rock, a show in which he’s booked to play guitar and sing in font of a live audience. He’ll get on stage with help from musician Grant-Lee Phillips and comedian Greg Behrendt. But will he be able to go through with it and perform like a rock star for the first time in 31 years?
How can you sell out 20,000-seat arenas, star in several Hollywood films, record the biggest selling comedy album in 30 years, and still be called “polarizing?” Dane Cook stops by the garage to talk about being Dane Cook and whether that might be more complicated than it seems. Meanwhile, Marc tries to kick his nicotine addiction. This may not end well.
Marc catches up with Marga Gomez, a comic he knew in San Francisco some 15 years ago. They’ll talk about what it was like to be part of the emerging Bay Area performance scene that launched careers and helped to define a cultural movement. Plus, Marc embarks on an adventure with his pants that will take him into uncharted waters… literally.
Jim Jefferies (or Jeffries if you’re not American) has found success in the UK and the US, but perhaps his greatest success was found in an Australian brothel. He’ll tell Marc that story and he’ll recall the time he got punched in the head repeatedly by an audience member. Also, Marc writes an opera.
Marc doubles his pleasure with Randy and Jason, The Sklar Brothers. They’ll try their best to turn Marc into a sports fan and he’ll try his best to tell them apart. Plus, Marc examines the connection between three recent news stories that have rattled his non-faith.
Back from Ireland, Marc sits down with comic Tig Notaro . He’ll see if he can overcome his feelings of intimidation around her long enough to talk about her family in the Gulf, working with Sarah Silverman, and why she hates people who take pity on female comics. Plus, Marc has more trouble on planes.
Live broadcast from the Rooftop Comedy Festival in Aspen, Colorado, featuring Ryan Singer, Chris Fairbanks, Hannibal Burress, Shane Mauss, and Michael Ian Black. Taped 6/12/10.
Marc battles the demons of comedy while performing in Kilkenny Ireland. Amidst his struggle, he’ll meet up with an international array of comedians - Australia’s Tom Gleeson, Ireland’s Maeve Higgins, England’s Alun Cochrane, America’s Dom Irrera, and comic Des Bishop, a US expat living in Ireland.