Paul F. Tompkins welcomes his wonderful listeners back to Spontaneanation! This time out, Paul’s special guest is comedian and actress Helen Hong of Go Fact Yourself! Helen chats about why she is here, her life before stand-up being a producer for reality television, and how the depths of depression lead her to take a stand-up comedy class. Then, they are joined by improvisers Laci Mosley, Ego Nwodim, and Chris Grace, to improvise a story set at a Fish Taco Shack On The Beach. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com/PFT).

Screenwriter Jenelle Riley joins Amy to discuss the 2012 superhero movie “The Avengers.” They touch on the strengths of the main cast, the evolution of Marvel’s characters and storylines, and the prominent female stars. Plus, they dissect the film’s humorous beats and the small human moments among the spectacle. Should “The Avengers” be inducted into The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

This episode is sponsored by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: CANON).

Comedian Gaby Dunn sits down with Cameron to discuss YouTube’s impact on the entertainment industry, shadow culture, and how society can influence our decisions.

This episode is sponsored by TomboyX (www.tomboyx.com/QUEERY code: QUEERY), EverlyWell (www.everlywell.com/QUEERY), and Zola (www.zola.com/QUEERY).

Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz aka Middleditch and Schwartz join Scott to talk about wanting standing ovations for their upcoming live tour, their dream SNL casts, and whether they would shave their head for a role. Later, professional hooker Leonard Stooltap arrives to talk about his new passion of creating sports for babies. Then, stay at home father Mitch Slocum join Scott and Leonard to tell us about his horse accident. Plus, tambourine band leaders Slippy Daniels and Jack Pot stop by to talk about trying to start a summer camp for adults.

This episode is brought to you by Thomas’ English Muffins, Keeps (www.keeps.com/BANGBANG), Rover, and Amazon Music (www.amazonmusic.com).

We’ve been cooped up in the tavern for too long. Time for a road trip! In our imaginations!

Credits:

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp

Chunt: Adal Rifai

Usidore: Matt Young

Memory Gremlin: Sarah Maher

A Half-Remembered Version of Blemish: Martin Wilson

Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen

Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

Tricia: Kate James

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi

Editor: Chris Rathjen

Theme Music: Andy Poland

Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban

Audio Assistance: Jason Knox

Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz

Additional Music: Ryan Anderson, Lemon Yellow Hayes, Brazzmatazz, Komiku, Cambo, Dee Yan-Key.

Gilbert and Frank track down one of their favorite performers, singer and recording artist Tony Sandler, who looks back on his turbulent childhood in Nazi-occupied Europe, his wild times in mob-run Las Vegas, his glory days as one half of “Sandler & Young” and his friendships with Sid Caesar, Sammy Davis Jr., Vincent Price and Phil Silvers (among others). Also, Louis Prima plays the Sands, Lauren Bacall makes her move, Elvis chases chorus girls and Sonny & Cher “entertain” the royal family. PLUS: Les Brown and His Band of Renown! Uncle Miltie lays down the law! Robert Goulet misses the boat! Dino does the boys a solid! And the poetry of Buddy Hackett! 

A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Writer, critic, podcast host, and ultimate soap opera connoisseur Ira Madison [itunes.apple.com] joins Dave and Matt this week to talk about ALL of the soaps, sells Dave on Real Housewives of New York, and tells a story of an aborted threesome during Schitt’s Creek. Plus, Ira contemplates three suitors, Dave talks about meat faces, Matt plays “The Situation” and more!

This episode is sponsored by Joule: Sous Vide by ChefSteps (www.chefsteps.com/joule code: HOMOPHILIA), MIT Press (www.mitpress.mit.edu/HOMOPHILIA), and Tripping.com (www.tripping.com/HOMO).

Colton Dunn (Superstore, Blockers) joins Paul, Jason, and guest co-host Jessica St. Clair (The Deep Dive, Avenue 5) to discuss the 2017 disaster film Geostorm starring Gerard Butler.

Lauren Duca (Teen Vogue) and Lizz Winstead (The Daily Show) join Negin for an all-lady power hour. They chat about the FBI raid on Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen and rate Mark Zuckerberg’s congressional testimony (and his suit). Plus, the panel breaks down Syria’s recent history.

This episode is sponsored by Forto Coffee (www.fortocoffee.com code: FAKE) and Tripping.com (www.tripping.com/FAKE).

Hari and Ashok visit Boston to reflect on Hari’s college years in New England and wax poetic on Ashok’s love of vacuum sealed containers. Recorded live at Improv Boston, the Kondabolu Bros explore their complicated feelings about U2, why they hate the concept of suntanning, and tell the audience what really went down that one time in India.

Danielle and Casey welcome writer of Pitch Perfect 1, 2 and 3 and DIRECTOR (!!!) of the current box office hit BLOCKERS: Kay Cannon. She is a doll and most importantly… a huge housewives fan! Also we have a VERRRRY special listener request…. cryptic! 

This episode is brought to you by Box of Style (www.boxofstyle.com/BITCHSESH), Quip Toothbrush (www.getquip.com/HOUSEWIVES), and thredUP (www.thredup.com/HOUSEWIVES).

Tim Meadows, Peter Hulne, and Colton Dunn join Matt Besser for this week’s improv4humans! They’ll fact check a Peter Gabriel expert, take a homophobic uncle skydiving, and argue over the name of their gang. Plus, a phone-hat tech trend gains traction and a group of police officers comes up with creative ways to be dicks on the job.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: IMPROV).

If you’re a fan of the theatre then this podcast pilot is right up your alley! This week Andy Daly & Matt Gourley present a podcast pilot all about the theatre from the unique perspective of theatrical director Don DiMello. Along with his co-host/theatre critic Mal Bachman (Matt Gourley), they’ll share a bit about their theatre background and review 3 current Los Angeles theatre productions. Then their longtime acquaintance Falcon (Jason Mantzoukas) drops by to explain what his job is when The Rockettes are no longer able to perform. Plus, Don gives aspiring star of the stage & Comedy Bang! Bang! intern Marissa Wompler (Jessica St. Clair) a few tips on becoming a star as part of his mentorship.

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: ANDY).

Listen to Season 2 starting Thursday, March 8th on Stitcher Premium! For a free month trial, go to stitcherpremium.com/andy and use promo code ‘ANDY’.

This week, Bryan brings forward a Princeton study revealing the level of unequal treatment of LGBTQ students, with special focus on the lesbian and bisexual pupils subject to disproportionally frequent disciplinary action. Erin talks about the offensive treatment of pregnant immigrants in ICE custody as well as the disappointing response on social media to Cardi B’s pregnancy. Screenwriter John August (Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) joins to discuss his new book Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire, his Gothic Cheddar font obsession, and the game he invented, “AlphaBirds.” Plus, a surprise guest stops by to explain why everyone ought to see a therapist.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: SHADE), Forto Coffee (www.fortocoffee.com code: SHADE), and Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/shade code: SHADE).

Leila Day, senior producer at Pineapple Street Media, joins Chris and Lex on The Wolf Den to detail her experience establishing her style of audio journalism and how it led her to producing for KALW and Al Jazeera. Leila also discusses teaching storytelling inside San Quentin State Prison and how she developed her podcast The Stoop.

This podcast is brought to you by Act!. Go to act.com for a FREE consultation with one of our growth advisors to see how Act! CRM can grow your business for as low as $1 a day.

Cam talks Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Cohen and “Call Me By Your Name.” Sets from Kyle Ayers, Darcy Michael and Guy Branum, and a chat with Rae Sanni.

This episode is brought to you by TomboyX (www.tomboyx.com/HANDSTOGETHER) and Care.com (www.care.com/HANDS).

Oscar nominated married couple/writers/actors/comedians Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon (The Big Sick) join Sarah and Susan to talk about their thought process behind the sex scenes in their film The Big Sick, Danny & Annie, Peter Bjorn & John’s “Objects Of My Affection,” Fred Rogers testifying before the Senate Subcommittee on Communications for PBS funding, the ending scene of Harry and the Hendersons and the “My Friends, You Bow to No One” scene from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

This episode is brought to you by Juice Beauty (www.juicebeauty.com/CRYBABIES code: CRYBABIES20) and Third Love (www.thirdlove.com/CRYBABIES).

Talking the talk with Leah Krinsky.

This episode is brought to you by Harold Ramis Film School, Quip Toothbrush (www.getquip.com/PARDO), Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/NEVER), and SeatGeek.

Comedian Mike Mulloy joins Andrew to talk about being blocked by Trump on Twitter, The Simpson’s response to The Problem With Apu, Asian-Americans suing Harvard for admissions discrimination, and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

The Shrimps take on the Slam Drunks at South Divorcingounce Tammy Faye. Mark and Matt call the action.

The Shrimps on Twitter: @pistolshrimpsbb

The Shrimps on Instagram: @thepistolshrimps

Pistol Shrimps Radio on Twitter: @shrimpsradio
Pistol Shrimps Radio on Instagram: @pistolshrimpsradio

Comedian, writer, and actor Guy Branum joins H. Michael Kre and Natty Legs to offer up Coachella predictions on this week’s Who Charted! Guy talks about his new book My Life as a Goddess: A Memoir through (Un)Popular Culture while they count down the Top 5 Movie Soundtracks. Later, Guy pits his film pick against Jaws in a thrilling game of Jaws is Better as we hear the Movie Chart. Then SNL bets are made along with a summah secret baby update during the Gang’s Hot Picks.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CHARTED).

Comedians Ruby Karp (Earth Hates Me, We Hope You Have Fun) & Nicole Silverberg (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Reductress’ Mouth Time podcast) join Jo & Manolo to play listener-created games with callers. 

Games played: Eat Your Words, The Teens Aren’t Alright, and Movie Caveman-splain.

Raised By TV is back, and Jon & Lauren are talking about Nickelodeon’s original late night block Snick! They enter the secret world of Alex Mack, get Afraid of the Dark, go on Adventures with Pete & Pete, eat Airheads and debate how to say the word “crayon.” Plus: special guest Scott Aukerman joins a Very Special Episode of Punky Brewster.

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: TV), So Delicious Dairy Free (www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com/tv), Hello Fresh (www.hellofresh.com code: RAISED30), Leesa (www.leesa.com/RAISEDBY), and Zola (www.zola.com/RAISEDBYTV).

Director Lance Bangs joins Adam Scott Aukerman to discuss R.E.M.’s sixth studio album Green. They’ll talk about R.E.M.’s partial reunion in Portland, when Lance first heard of the band, and how Lance began to know the band and start collaborating with them. Plus, Scott and Scott tell us a little bit more about themselves on an episode of “Talkin’ Bout Me.”

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: REM).

Marissa’s longtime rival Traci Reardon (Lauren Lapkus) joins in for this week’s WOMP It Up! During “Hot Topix,” Traci talks about her recent unemployment and her attempts to reconnect with Marissa after their falling out. Then they all share their gripes during “What’s Cheesing You?” and they help listeners with their emotional ages and suspicions of being watched before getting to know Traci a bit better during “Spotlight On.”

This episode is sponsored by RXBAR (www.rxbar.com/WOMP code: WOMP).

Emily and Deanna convene to look back on all the youthful trends they’ve learned about over the last few years as they celebrate their final episode at Earwolf. From the Fappening to bae AF, thirst trapping to old Disney, this is a trip down memory lane you won’t want to miss.

This episode is sponsored by Juice Beauty (www.juicebeauty.com/HTBLO code: HTBLO20).

Sean and Hayes are joined by NICOLE PARKER for Hollywood Handbook presented by Popcornopolis.

This episode is sponsored by Rehabs.com (888-893-3052), Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/THEBOYS code: THEBOYS) and Simple Contacts (www.simplecontacts.com/theboys code: THEBOYS).