Former film critic and award-winning filmmaker Rod Lurie (The Contender) goes deep into great performances, this year and from his films.

Actress and writer Cazzie David joins Jensen and Matty to talk about her web-series Eighty-Sixed, rapper Shirt, Aura self cleaning toothbrush, how we were late on Milk Jar Cookies, and many more things you should know about.

Podcast king Matt Gourley (I Was There Too) joins Zach and Jess this week for a new musical filled with pickled eggs, libations of the cocktail sort, and crime jobs. With songs like “Tingle Jingle”, “Vodka & Whiskey” and “Good Times Are Forever”, you’ll be tipsy from hearing all these off-the-cuff hits. 

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: OFFBOOK) and Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: OFFBOOK15).

Youth actress Aubrey K. Miller (Just Add Magic) joins Emily and Deanna this week to discuss her signature cooking dish, the craziest thing about growing up in front of the camera, and her fav K-pop band as well as who’s wrecked her bias. Plus, Aubrey talks about getting involved with YouTube studios and meeting Justin Timberlake before sharing what she is and isn’t over during a brand new game.

This episode is sponsored by ThirdLove and DailyLook (code: HTBLO).

If there’s one book the entire planet wants to read right this second, it’s ‘Harry Potter and the Eighth Novel That’s As Good As The First Seven’. So far J.K. Rowling hasn’t given it to us, because she’s been TOO LAZY (and when we say “too lazy”, we mean she’s written a play and a movie franchise and adult novels and good tweets). So what if someone else could replicate her work, and write us more Potter? Also what if that writer was a machine? And what if that machine delivered utterly brilliant scene descriptions like “Ron was going to be spiders. He just was.” that made us realize how funny Harry Potter oughta be?

On this week’s episode of The Cracked Podcast, Alex Schmidt sits down with Jamie Brew, Elle O’Brien, & Mike Frederickson, a team of comedians & tech wizards from Botnik. They’ll dig into how Botnik’s predictive text technology combines with actual living breathing humans, to find fun jokes within the relentless advance of automation. They’ll also discover a digital future that might actually be worth looking forward to. And they’ll even deliver The Cracked Podcast’s first ever dramatic literary reading.

Footnotes: https://goo.gl/79Y8wT

Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome of Another Period join Scott to talk about the third season of one of the best non-sports shows on television. Then, adventurer Kiwi Kris stops by to tell us about his adventures which includes falling into a hole and discovering a new part of Machu Picchu. Later, musician Josh Fox stops by to talk about working on a new album with his band Septic Imperfection and to do some acapella versions of his songs.

This episode is brought to you by Credit Karma, Audible (www.audible.com/BANGBANG), Black Tux (www.blacktux.com/BANGBANG), Leesa (www.leesa.com/BANGBANG), and Baskets on FX.

We interview a mouth piece of the Dark Lord in a packed tavern. We’re also joined by a solo nymbee of nymbee and Grundle. (Recorded live at the historic Sixth & I synagogue in Washington D.C.)

Credits:

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Conrad Von Plotz: David Plotz
Danielle Kurtzleben: Danielle Kurtzleben
nymbee: Storm DiCostanzo
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi
Technical Difficulties Witch: Shama Jacover

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi
Editor: Garrett Schultz
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban
Audio Assistance: Jason Knox
Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz

This episode is brought to you by The Walk podcast and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/MAGIC).

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes clappers and wooers to Spontaneanation live at the Bell House in Brooklyn! This time out, Paul’s special guest is senior editor for The Daily Beast, Erin Gloria Ryan! Erin chats about whether she is excited for the singularity or if she’s terrified, not being allowed to watch sitcoms as a kid but did watch The Nanny, and her childhood memory of being mad at her dad for falling asleep during The Little Mermaid. Then, they are joined by improvisers Eugene Cordero, Tawny Newsome, and Little Janet Varney, to improvise a story set in Wisconsin. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

This episode is brought to you by Beach Body on Demand.

Writer, producer and showbiz historian Mark Evanier joins Gilbert and Frank for a loose and lively conversation about the lasciviousness of Herve Villechaize, the eccentricities of Paul Winchell, the multiple talents of Howard Morris (and Allan Melvin!) and the artistry of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Also, Red Skelton works blue, Vincent Price disses Danny Kaye, Billy Barty meets the Bay City Rollers and Groucho visits the set of “Welcome Back, Kotter.” PLUS: Sergio Aragones! “Who’s Minding the Mint?”! Jack Benny goes to the movies! Gilbert breaks bread with Rob Petrie! And Frank sings the “Banana Splits” theme with Joe Barbera!

This episode is brought to you by SeatGeek and Leesa (www.leesa.com/GILBERT).

This week, podcaster Nate DiMeo (The Memory Palace) joins Amy for a Hal Ashby versus: 1971’s “Harold and Maude” against 1979’s “Being There.” First, they discuss “Harold and Maude,” touching on its message of embracing life, what it says about dealing with your problems, and how the titular relationship defies the bounds of normalcy to feel totally natural. Then, Amy and Nate tackle the treatment of simplicity and limited information in “Being There,” with its theme of finding logic in the illogical and what Chance’s unlikely success says about us all. Which Hal Ashby film belongs in The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

Sweet superstar Fortune Feimster (The Mindy Project, Champions), joins Dave and Matt this week to talk all about her recent engagement, going to “gay grad school”, and rubbing arms with straight girls. Plus, Dave gushes about HQ trivia, Matt breaks down “Riverdale”, and everyone learns about putting their phones “on discreet”.

This episode is sponsored by Tripping.com and Sony Pictures Classics’ Call Me By Your Name.

Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne (One Mississippi) join Paul and Jason to discuss the 1985 horror film Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf. Recorded live from The 9th Annual Bentzen Ball Comedy Festival in Washington D.C., they talk about Christopher Lee in space, monkey costumes in place of werewolf costumes, awful werewolf orgies, and much more insanity.

This episode is brought to you by Baskets on FX and Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: BONKERS).

Check out new HDTGM merch over at https://www.teepublic.com/user/howdidthisgetmade

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

You can see Jason, June, and Paul in The Disaster Artist in theaters now.

Paul’s new comedy Drive Share is available on Go90. Paul can be seen on Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, Opening Night, and Veep. You can see June and Paul on NTSF:SD:SUV:: on HULU. June stars in Grace and Frankie on Netflix, as well as Lady Dynamite alongside with Jason.

Jason can be seen in The Good Place, The House, The Lego Batman Movie, How to Be Single, Sleeping with Other People, and is still indeed in The Dictator.

Recorded live from Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, Wild Horses (Lauren Lapkus, Mary Holland, Stephanie Allynne, Erin Whitehead) get cozy with special guest Conan O’Brien and then improvise a scene based off their conversation.

Kendra Cunningham (Last Comic Standing) and Baratunde Thurston (The Daily Show) join Negin to talk about the latest in immigration policy and the possible government shutdown. Plus, the panel grapples with the claims against Aziz Ansari and the difficult conversations it has prompted. Lastly, Negin brings the panel up to speed on the Trump administrations’s plan to expand offshore drilling.

This episode is brought to you by Ellevest (www.ellevest.com/fake) and Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: FAKE15).

In a sad, dark week for the Housewives world (RIP Bobby Zarin) we are joined by the bright light that is Riki Lindhome (Another Period, Garfunkel and Oats) to discuss the genius that is Vanderpump Rules. Casey and Danielle have changed their minds and their tune (much like Tom Sandoval’s gorgeous trumpet playing) and now worship at the church of Lala. 

They talk about about it all, except Siggy’s foyer, because if we talk about her foyer then she’ll talk about ours!

This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com/HOUSEWIVES), Lola (www.mylola.com code: HOUSEWIVES), and Quip Toothbrush (www.getquip.com/HOUSEWIVES).

Writer, actor, comedian, activist Mo Gaffney (Absolutely Fabulous) joins Sarah and Susan to talk about Jose Carreras singing “Maria” from Westside Story, Terms of Endearment, “Funeral Blues” by W.H. Auden, and Bette Midler’s “Stay With Me Baby.”

This episode is brought to you by Stitch Fix (www.stitchfix.com/CRYBABIES) and FabFitFun (www.fabfitfun.com code: CRYBABIES).

Kerri Hoffman, CEO of PRX, joins Lex Friedman and Chris Bannon on The Wolf Den. The three discuss Kerri’s unconventional path from working for Greenpeace to the world of podcasting. Kerri then discusses PRX’s place in the industry, including their Podcast Garage, a Massachusetts-based community recording studio and educational hub.

Acting casual with Michaela Watkins.

This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/NEVER).

This week, Bryan addresses the findings of the Human Rights Campaign’s annual State Inequality Index that an overwhelming amount of outdated, oppressive laws are still on the books and continue to be introduced around the country. Then, Erin discusses how “protecting the sanctity of life” has had a sinister effect on the well-being of black women and mothers especially. Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson joins to discuss his new book All We Can Do Is Wait, the state of YA literature, Logan Paul, Bette Midler, Oscar predictions, and much more.

This episode is sponsored by EveryWell (code: SHADE) and Casper Mattresses (code: SHADE).

Don Fanelli and Laura Willcox join Matt Besser for this week’s improv4humans! They perform scenes about PTSD after a bomb cyclone, Don’s mom’s obsession with the soundtrack from The Holiday, and a complicated audition for a Dr. Scholl’s ad. Plus, Lana Del Rey debuts a new song with a familiar tune, and a coffee mug slogan writer goes in for his big pitch.

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

Writer Jessica Gao (Rick and Morty, Whiting Wongs) returns to join Andrew to discuss Trump’s “shithole” remarks, Trump’s “pretty Korean lady” comment, the idea that calling someone a racist is the new McCarthyism, and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Comedians Dan Chamberlain (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Chambaland) & Becky Abrams (Nipsey Comedy) join Jo & Manolo to play listener-created games with callers. 

Games played: Twist Manolo’s Tongue, Pants, Pants, Pants, and Alanis I Forget.

Former White House strategist and Breitbart.com head Steve Bannon (Josh Simpson) comes to Hard Nation still reeling from his rough dismissal by the President. Steve explains why he’s the inspiration for every Seinfeld character and helps Mark with his “revenge porn” dilemma, while Pete demands to know what an Orange Julius is.

Actor Noah Segan joins Matt this week to discuss his role as X-wing fighter pilot Stomeroni Starck in the 2017 film Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. Noah talks about how he got the role, the origin of the name Stomeroni Starck and the connection to Poe Dameron, and becoming emotional while touring the Millennium Falcon. Plus, Noah shares how he became good friends with director Rian Johnson and has been lucky enough to be a part of his many projects.

Actor, writer and comedian Carl Tart joins Howard and Kulap for this week’s Who Charted! They count down Billboard’s Top 5 Hip Hop Songs, and Carl discusses musical going experiences and favorite quarterbacks during the Movie Chart. Later, Producer Kevin joins in on Two Charted to hear where crows come from, and Howard gives his latest SNL picks.

“If anybody has seen hell, it would be me.” What starts as an immigrant success story ends up weaving through prostitution, revenge, tragedy, sexuality, morality and religion. Note that this episode contains difficult topics including sexual violence.

This episode is brought to you by Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/beautiful), Brooklinen (www.brooklinen.com code: BEAUTIFUL), and HBO’s Crashing.

The incredible Tawny Newsome joins Jess and Zach this week for a new musical that is legitimately out of this world. With songs like “It’s Gossip In Space”, “That Is Dragon Ball Z”, and “You’re Not A Robot”, you’ll be moonwalking and singing along to more Pokemon facts than you ever dreamed you would. 

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: OFFBOOK), Leesa (www.leesa.com/OFFBOOK), Third Love (www.thirdlove.com/OFFBOOK), and Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: OFFBOOK15).