Author Archives » Julia Hays
Watch More TV: February 6-12
Grab some of that leftover Super Bowl food (if you didn’t eat it all) and sit down to some great comedy on television this week.
Keegan-Michael Key
Keegan-Michael Key made his debut on the most recent episode of Sklarbro Country, Ep. 80. If you haven’t listened to it yet, tune in to hear Key discuss everything from sports and comedy to Downton Abbey and race relations. You can also get a double dose of Key on Tuesday. The second episode of his new sketch series, Key & Peele, will be on Comedy Central, and he’ll also be a guest on Tuesday night’s Conan on TBS.
Tuesday, Feb. 7: Key & Peele (Comedy Central)
Natasha Leggero
Natasha Leggero, a seven time Earwolf guest, has a recurring character on the new NBC comedy series, Are You There, Chelsea? On this week’s episode, her character, Nikki, brings her A-game on for a deep-sea fishing date.
Wednesday, Feb. 8: Are You There, Chelsea? (NBC)
“Weird Al” Yankovic
Another seven time Earwolf guest, “Weird Al” Yankovic always brings the funny. Perhaps one of my favorites was hearing his remix of the Comedy Bang! Bang! theme, which he improvised on Ep. 112. Yankovic will be a guest on this Thursday’s Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Don’t miss it!
Thursday, Feb. 9: Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS)
0 CommentsCatching Up With Eli Braden
Photo by Kyle Mizono
If you’re on Twitter, you’ve probably retweeted an @EliBraden quip. Perhaps you’ve heard one of Eli Braden’s comedic musical contributions on The Howard Stern Show or even right here on Earwolf’s own Comedy Bang! Bang! He was a guest on Ep. 96 of Totally Laime Podcast, and made such a huge impression. A clip from his appearance made its way onto the show’s recent year in review episode, Ep. 104.
Comedian and musician Eli Braden has been blowing up on the comedy scene. As discussed on his Totally Laime appearance, Braden came from impressive musical roots and is now an Internet sensation. He boasts over 33,000 Twitter followers and was featured on several lists of top Twitter accounts and top funny tweets of 2011.
In addition to having his songs featured on several shows, Braden has his own podcast, A Song a Day with Eli Braden. Like musical comedy super groups Tenacious D and The Lonely Island, Braden has managed to fuse serious musical chops with catchy hooks and hilarious lyrics. Unlike those groups, this witty, sometimes biting humorist in an army of one.
Check out my recent interview with Braden below, including a bit of a challenge issued to fellow fans submitting CBB jukebox jury and plugs songs.
Elizabeth and Andy seem to exude a very laidback attitude on their podcast. What was it like recording your episode of Totally Laime with them?
They were great during the recording, but a LITTLE pushy trying to get me to ‘join them in the bedroom’ afterwards. I’m used to that kind of thing, but it’s a bit unprofessional.
On Totally Laime, Elizabeth and Andy told you a story about two women pigging out on Mexican food at the movie theater. If you were to hit a matinee with the TL duo, what film would you see and what snacks would you sneak in?
I’d enjoy watching Last Tango in Paris while splitting a four pack of butter with Elizabeth and Andy. We’d each get a four ounce stick to eat during the movie – then share the remaining one later that night when I ‘joined them in the bedroom.’
Your daily podcast, A Song a Day with Eli Braden, demands that you constantly create original content. What’s your process in putting it together? Do you save concepts and later pair them with music?
It varies. To be honest, it’s a bit overwhelming keeping up with the demand of writing five original comedy songs a week. Let’s just say the name of the podcast MAY be getting changed to A Song a WEEK with Eli Braden in the very near future.
What topics have been the most challenging when putting together a comedy song?
I try to avoid things that have been done a million times. Scott Aukerman often discusses formulas used in comedy music on Comedy Bang! Bang! He once played my song (I Like) Fat Girls on the show and pointed out it follows the common formula of pretending to love (and/or celebrate) something many people find distasteful. He’s right! That said, I still think that particular song is pretty funny – and it came from a place of truth (because) I do find women with a little meat on their bones much more attractive than beanpoles.
Your style reminds me in many ways of one of my favorite groups, Tenacious D, in that the music could stand alone as its own rock song. It’s not just a simple music bed to support funny lyrics. What seems to come quicker when producing new songs – the musical composition or the comedic lyrics?
First off, thanks for recognizing that – Tenacious D is a HUGE influence on what I do and I probably never would have conceived of jumping from ‘serious’ music to comedy music without them. The idea of funny songs you might actually want to listen to after you ‘got the joke’ started with them as far as I’m concerned.
By far the hardest thing for me is concepts for songs. I’ve been a songwriter for a long time and have a relentless work ethic for working on lyrics and music until I come up with something I think is good enough, but the initial concepts – ideas I KNOW will make good/funny songs – are the ephemeral muses I cannot control.
Do you have any new music videos in the works? Which songs would you like to produce videos for?
I’d love to do more videos. Comedy music on its own doesn’t resonate with some people – but once you give them a matching visual the switch goes off. Lonely Island are great at that – though their songs are also great on their own. My next video will probably be for a new jam called I’m in Shape – which in theory will be funny because I’m very much not in shape.
Any teasers as to what we can expect coming up on A Song a Day with Eli Braden?
A name change to A Song a Week with Eli Braden. Probably very soon. And, corresponding with that, fewer – but better – songs.
You’ve had some of your songs featured in the jukebox jury and plugs segments of Comedy Bang! Bang! As a fan, what are some of your favorite CBB memories?
The first time I got played on the show, which I think was the 2010 Thanksgiving show, was really cool (because) I’d been a fan of the show since the beginning (and a fan of Scott since Mr. Show). Also, when Jimmy Pardo dug my song on the jukebox jury once (because) I’m a huge fan of him as well.
Do you have any advice for listeners who would like to take a stab at creating a jukebox jury or plugs song?
Don’t bother. You’ll never beat me.
One of my favorite things on your Twitter feed is reading your hilarious responses to celebrity tweets. Who are some of your guilty pleasures to follow on Twitter for possible material?
The Kardashians are perennials, though the low-hanging joke-fruit on those idiots has been pretty thoroughly picked over. Paris Hilton and Chris Brown are good for me, because I genuinely despise both of them as human beings quite intensely. Deepak Chopra – who I actually think is an inspired guy but he blocks anyone on Twitter who makes even a good-natured joke about him WHICH ISN’T VERY ZEN, DUDE. Yoko Ono, because she tweets the stupidest bullshit and continues to prove that some celebrated ‘artists’ are merely clever snake-oil salesmen who sham gullible people into thinking they’re talented THAT’S RIGHT I SAID IT GLOVES OFF, ONO. I’ve also had some Twitter beef with @BurgerKing (no pun intended).
Do you have any pointers for amateur joketellers looking to develop their craft on Twitter?
I’d say, find your own voice – and I guess that could apply to any creative endeavor. A lot of the people I really love on Twitter don’t really write the kind of jokes you’d see in a talk show monologue but they’re hilarious and become even funnier once you get to know their ‘tweetstyle’. A good example is @fart – I don’t even know how to explain what he does on Twitter but I love it.
One last question: While playing the Laime or Totally game on TL, you responded to “jean jackets” with “totally.” Are you still sticking with that answer?
I wish I had ‘DENIM 4 LYFE’ tattooed on my lower back so I could send an Instagram photo of that as my response.
For more from Eli Braden, you can follow him on Twitter (@EliBraden) or via his website, www.EliBraden.com. His podcast, A Song a Day with Eli Braden, is available on iTunes.
0 CommentsWatch More TV: January 30 – February 4
My mom always told me: “Nothing good happens late at night.” It turns out she was a liar. Here are five late night shows featuring funny folks who have appeared on Earwolf shows. Stay up, and tune in!
Chris Gethard
You heard him on Ep. 41 of The Wolf Den, and if you’re a book lover like me, you know that his new book A Bad Idea I’m About to Do: True Tales of Seriously Poor Judgment and Stunningly Awkward Adventure was published this month. Turns out Gethard and I have a few things in common. I’m from New Jersey too! As for the stint playing a pimp in a wrestling league? Well, I haven’t accomplished that one yet. Check out the comedian and author on tonight’s Conan.
Monday, Jan. 30: Conan (TBS)
Marc Maron
Nine-time Earwolf guest Marc Maron is legendary for his podcast, WTF with Marc Maron. He was recently at Sundance to promote Mike Birbiglia’s film Sleepwalk With Me, in which Maron appears, and he’ll be a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live this evening.
Monday, Jan. 30: Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
Glenn Howerton
When It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is between seasons, I spend approximately 90 percent of my time eagerly awaiting a new season of the hit FX comedy. Earwolf has featured several characters from the program, including Glenn Howerton, who plays Dennis, on the second episode of Sklarbro Country. Howerton will be a guest on Last Call with Carson Daly this Wednesday.
Wednesday, Feb. 1: Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC)
Jenny Slate
Jenny Slate’s Marcel the Shell has gone viral, with two very popular videos, and a book, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On: Things About Me. Listen to Ep. 130 of Comedy Bang! Bang! to hear more about the Marcel character and Slate’s experience on Saturday Night Live. She will also be a guest on Thursday night’s Conan.
Thursday, Feb. 2: Conan (TBS)
Tim Heidecker & Eric Wareheim
Avant-garde comedy duo Tim and Eric dropped their film, Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, at Sundance last week and released it for video-on-demand. It will hit theaters on March 2. Until that trip to the big screen, be sure to re-listen to Heidecker’s four Earwolf appearances, and watch the duo’s appearance on this Thursday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Thursday, Feb. 2: Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
0 CommentsTotally Laime: Hangin’ With Leo Contest & Interview
One of my favorite Totally Laime recurring bits is hearing host Elizabeth Laime talk about her experience as a narrator of the unauthorized documentary Hangin’ with Leo!!
My fellow Laimewads know what I’m referencing, and if you’re a big fan of the show, like me, you’ve wondered exactly what this legendary VHS tape holds within it. For one lucky Laimewad, that wait is over. Thanks to some online shopping, a copy of Hangin’ with Leo!! has come into my possession. Below is my recap of the gossip-fueled wonder, and an interview with Elizabeth Laime.
CONTEST
To win this copy of Hangin’ with Leo!!, signed by Elizabeth Laime, and a special note from Totally Laime Podcast’s Elizabeth and Andy, leave a comment on this blog post with your favorite Totally Laime moment of this past year. Check out today’s year-in-review episode for inspiration.
CONTEST RULES
You must live within the United States to enter. One winner will be selected on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, so make sure you post a comment before that date.
THE TAPE
As boasted by the VHS cover, Hangin’ with Leo follows a young Leonardo DiCaprio (the video was released in 1998) partying with pals, at the beach, and out on dates. The video shows us mostly latenight footage of DiCaprio in his young 20s, as he leaves bars and clubs. Celebrity journalists let us know all about the exclusive world that we’re seeing.
From Leo’s biography, we learn the young actor is an “earthy child,” born of hippie parents in California. Though, we’re shown photos and video of DiCaprio flirting with young women near his new car, we’re assured that he is a down-to-earth young man, because he’ll casually sport headbands and barrettes. How can he not be down-to-earth? He’s just hangin’ out with his hair in a scrunchie!
One of my favorite elements of Hangin’ with Leo are the transitions. During a segment about Leo, the Ladies Man, we heard narrator Elizabeth Laime say: “If Frank Sinatra and the gang were called the Rat Pack, Leo the Lion and his pals have been called the Cat Pack for the way they carouse and treat Hollywood like their personal playground.”
We soon cut to footage of DiCaprio, in a parking lot, kicking his feet spastically into the air and falling to the ground.
“Leo loves doing karate kicks.”
And then we move on to the next topic. Who was DiCaprio fighting? Invisible ninjas?! Does he even know martial arts? I NEED MORE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS KARATE MASTER, AND LESS ABOUT HIS WOMEN.
When we see Leo, the Beach Boy, he’s trying to hit a baseball with a baseball bat, alone, while standing on the beach in swim trunks. One of the celebrity journalist notes how his partying ways may account for his doughy midsection. I don’t know, celebrity journalist. DiCaprio may, in fact, be a secret ninja, judging by his karate kicks. So your story doesn’t quite check out.
Next we hear about Leo, The Renaissance Man: “Despite the fact that Leo is a fast food freak, he loves quality literature. These days some say the 6-foot-1 hunk du jour is becoming a renaissance man.”
This transition left me in mild confusion. I consider myself a bit of a bookworm, and I’ve enjoyed a burger and fries now and again. Hell, sometimes I bring a book to a fast food joint to read and eat AT THE SAME TIME. I’m glad to know that DiCaprio and I can share that together…and also share our headbands and martial arts capabilities.
Now that we know DiCaprio’s height, are there any other body proportions to share?
“The Titanic star is a size eleven shoe, but he’s got even bigger shoes to fill.”
Yes, nailed it.
Hangin’ with Leo doesn’t only feature the voice of our awesome narrator and a few celebrity journalists, we also hear from a few random women on the street about what their favorite DiCaprio traits are.
One of the celebrity journalists breaks it down for us as to why DiCaprio is such a heartthrob: “He always plays someone that you can admire and dream about, and this is what girls want when they go to the movies. They want to dream about a special guy, someone they wish they could find in the real world.”
Now I’m not here to debate the findings of this celebrity journalist, however, I do have a four word response to that last quote: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. I rest my case.
Though Hangin’ with Leo!! left me with many questions (why karate kicks?!), it also satisfied me in knowing that earthy child DiCaprio is just a man trying to get through this world like the rest of us. And if he can juggle fast food, quality literature, karate kicks, and the opposite sex, then there may be a chance for the rest of us too.
INTERVIEW WITH ELIZABETH LAIME
What are your personal highlights from your experience narrating Hangin’ with Leo!!?
The main highlight was that when they hired me I was a naive 17-year-old. They told me over the phone, in an apologetic tone, that I would only make “twelve fifty an hour” to do it. I had been babysitting at the time making $12 an hour, so I wasn’t thrilled but I thought, I’ll do it for whatever. When I received the check for three hours of work, it was actually for $3,750. They’d meant $1,250 per hour, and little did they know I would’ve done it for a few bucks! Also, looking back it was pretty funny. I went and bought a suit at Ann Taylor to go and do the voiceover because to me it was my first “real job.” I’m sure the guys at the recording studio thought that was funny – this young girl showing up to narrate a sleazy TMZ type thing and wearing a business suit like I was going to Wall Street.
Do you have any favorite facts that you learned about Leonardo DiCaprio from narrating this video?
Well I didn’t know that he was SO INTO DOING KARATE KICKS IN PARKING GARAGES!! Also, I had no idea he loved scrunchies so much. Nor that his dick was so big (size 11, as you mention).
If you could narrate an unauthorized documentary about any other stars, who would you pick?
Ummm, OPRAH!!!
Now that the year-in-review episode has dropped, can you tell us any goals you have for this next year of Totally Laime Podcast, or upcoming guests you can disclose?
My goals are to just keep on keepin on! We’re also hoping to start doing some live shows. Guests I hope to get this year are: Megan Amram, Rob Delaney, Nick Kroll, Sarah Silverman, Scott Aukerman and Anthony Jeselnik to name just six of fifty-two.
Who’s your Totally Laime dream guest?
C’mon now…rhymes with Boprah.
Is there an Oprah episode, or topic, that hasn’t come up yet during The Oprah Game that you’re really hoping to dive into with a guest one of these days?
I can’t think of one off the top of my head although a few Laimewads have Twittered at me asking when a specific episode is going to come up. I would hope we would eventually cover them all! It is surprising how many times we’ve revisited the same episodes – the girl in the cage, the mom who drove drunk and killed all those people, anything having to do with molestation. You know, all the uplifting ones.
What topics in the Laime or Totally Rapidfire game do you enjoy asking guests about the most?
It’s a toss up between bald vaginas and the death penalty – partially because those two are the ones that most guests seem surprised by, and also I’m terrible at guessing what the guests are going to say to those two. Also, Garden State. I had no idea so many people hated that movie…like to the point I feel embarrassed that I liked it so much, and even thought it was cool to like it!
Sometimes your listeners can hear you, Andy, and the guest are enjoying beverages during the show. What’s your poison? Any special Totally Laime drinks?
My poison is usually a light beer or red wine. Andy of course loves the stomach churning combo of tequila and root beer. He is a special one, that Andy. I guess that drink combo can definitely fall under the category of totally lame.
14 CommentsWatch More TV: January 23-29
Many of our listeners our tuning in from areas blanketed in snow, but even if you’re not, it’s always fun to curl up, stay in and watch some television. Check out these Earwolf guests this week, including one of our favorite stand-up’s first one-hour specials.
Aisha Tyler
FX’s Archer is now in its third season, and the animated comedy features one of the platinum citizens of Sklarbro Country – Aisha Tyler. Ep. 50 of Sklarbro Country will give you a good idea of the hilarity you can expect at one of Tyler’s live shows. If you use the Earwolf Live app, you’ll see that she already has several live dates scheduled in 2012.
Thursday, Jan. 26: Archer (FX)
Andy Dick
It’s been a little while since Andy Dick appeared on Earwolf, so if you’re a new listener, or you want to revisit some comedy gold, check out Ep. 16 and Ep. 72 of Comedy Bang! Bang! for your dose of the alumnus of The Ben Stiller Show and Newsradio. Dick will be a guest on The Wendy Williams Show this Friday.
Friday, Jan. 27: The Wendy Williams Show (Syndicated)
John Mulaney
In his debut, first-ever one-hour Comedy Central Original World Premiere Stand-Up Special, John Mulaney will tackle such red-hot topics as French fries, Law & Order, and his bygone partying days. To prepare for John Mulaney: New in Town, revisit Mulaney’s appearance on Ep. 107 of Comedy Bang! Bang!, which features Mulaney and Nick Kroll as the hilarious duo George St. Geegland and Gil Faizon.
Saturday, Jan. 28: New In Town (Comedy Central)
0 CommentsWatch More TV: January 16-22
This week I’ve got an informative list of upcoming primary debates for you all to watch… just kidding! Some of your favorite Earwolf guests will be on television this week, including a new animated series and the final season of a hilarious IFC favorite. Tune in and prepare to chuckle.
Megan Mullaly
One of the things that I love about Megan Mullally is it’s always easy to find her. Since her days on Will & Grace, she’s appeared on a number of great series, from Party Down and Boston Legal to Childrens Hospital and Parks and Recreation. This Thursday, she will play a talk-show host on the new NBC series Up All Night. To get your Mullally fix before then, listen to her appearance on the second episode of Gelmania.
Thursday, Jan. 19: Up All Night (NBC)
Kathy Griffin
Though Kathy Griffin is leaving her hilarious series My Life on the D-List on Bravo after six seasons, the network has announced it will air four stand-up specials quarterly this year. Until then, Griffin will be a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman this Thursday and you can revisit Ep. 61 of Sklarbro Country to hear more from Griffin. Check out the clip below from last week’s People’s Choice Awards red carpet to find out about Griffin’s upcoming talk show.
Thursday, Jan. 19: Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
David Cross
Two-time Comedy Bang! Bang! guest David Cross has announced that his IFC series The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret will end after this season. Don’t miss out on the hilarity! This Friday’s episode features Todd being high on morphine with a test tube of toxic spores. It’s sure to be a classic.
Friday, Jan. 20: The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (IFC)
Jon Heder
I could spend this time incorporating all of my favorite Napoleon Dynamite quotes into this description, but let’s keep it simple… NAPOLEON DYNAMITE IS ON TV! One of the funniest movies of the last decade is now an animated series on Fox. It features voice work from the film’s actors, including Napoleon himself – Jon Heder. Heder discussed the new series on Ep. 128 of Comedy Bang! Bang! My vote is for watching this hilarious show on Sundays – “all your wildest dreams will come true.”
Sunday, Jan. 22: Napoleon Dynamite (FOX)
0 CommentsWatch More TV: January 9-15
Hit shows are starting to come back from their mid-season hiatuses and a few new shows are premiering, including one starring an Earwolf favorite. Read on to see what’s must-see on TV this week.
David Cross
Most recently seen on the big screen, in the film Alvin and The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, David Cross has been a guest twice on Comedy Bang! Bang!, including Ep. 117. That episode featured Would You Rather?, Hollywood Facts AND a plane break. So, yeah, it’s certainly worth revisiting. Also, don’t miss his appearance on tonight’s Conan.
Monday, Jan. 9: Conan (TBS)
Jonah Ray
Three-time Earwolf guest Jonah Ray was a guest on the most musical of Sklarbro Country episodes, Ep. 74 “Sklarbro Mixtape 2011.” In case you missed it over the holidays, you’ll want to listen to reminisce about some of the top indie music hits of last year. You can also catch Ray’s comedic stylings on The Soup, one of my favorite TV shows, where he is a writer.
Wednesday, Jan. 11: The Soup (E!)
Nick Kroll
Nick Kroll has been an Earwolf guest 22 times. Does he even need an introduction at this point? Well, here’s one: he’s hilarious. To hear more from the man behind the characters, his latest appearance on Ep. 56 of Who Charted? was a doozy. You can also hear him weekly on the animated HBO series The Life & Times of Tim.
Friday, Jan. 13: The Life & Times of Tim (HBO)
Ben Schwartz
He’s graced the Earwolf airwaves six times. He’s a fan favorite as recurring character Jean-Ralphio on NBC’s Parks and Recreation. Last night his new show House of Lies premiered on Showtime. You can catch the new comedy series, which also stars Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell, on Sundays. In case you missed it, Showtime posted last night’s premiere on YouTube. Watch the episode below.
Sunday, Jan. 15: House of Lies (Showtime)
Rob Huebel & Paul Scheer
They both have their own shows here on Earwolf, Mike Detective and How Did This Get Made?, and they make up two-thirds of MTV’s sketch comedy series Human Giant. Now you can catch comedy superstars Huebel and Scheer hosting the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards this Thursday. We may not know who the big winners of the night will be yet, but considering the awesome hosts, I think we can count ourselves among the victors.
Thursday, Jan. 12: Critics’ Choice Movie Awards (VH1)
0 CommentsWatch More TV: January 2-8
Renew your resolution to watch some funny television, because we’re kicking off 2012 with a bang. Sure, some of our favorite shows are still on their mid-season hiatus, but there’s still plenty of comedy to go around. Here are three Earwolf bros who always makes us smile.
Myq Kaplan
Myq Kaplan has been on five different Earwolf shows, making him an Earwolf MVP. He last entered our ear holes with an appearance on Ep. 53 of Who Charted? Video game enthusiasts will want to make sure they listen to the exclusive bonus chart to hear some Skyrim dirty talk. You can also see Kaplan on tonight’s Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Monday, Jan. 2: Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS)
Fred Armisen
A new season of his IFC show Portlandia starts at 10 p.m. this Friday, and, of course, you can catch him on NBC’s Saturday Night Live as well. Fred Armisen will drop by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday to promote his many endeavors, and to prepare, you can revisit Ep. 68 of Comedy Bang! Bang!, a live episode from Los Angeles.
Thursday, Jan. 5: Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
Chris Gethard
Chris Gethard is a New York comedian with a loyal fanbase and a long resume. He’s starred on a Comedy Central sitcom, written for Saturday Night Live and currently hosts a popular public access show. Gethard was a guest on Ep. 41 of The Wolf Den, and he will also be a guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon this Friday.
