A musical episode this week, featuring dreams with their own theme songs. Comedian Janelle James sings along, and yes, Gary’s an ass man.

Gilbert and Frank take a look back at some of the best moments of an unforgettable year, featuring a lineup of memorable guests, including Dick Van Dyke, Michael McKean, Lee Grant, Bob “Super Dave” Einstein and Matthew Broderick, to name a few. Also, Pat Cooper rants, Bruce Dern praises Gilbert, Peter Bogdanovich classes up the joint and George Takei spanks William Shatner. PLUS: Dueling Paul Williams! Uncle Junior sings! Dick Cavett strips! The wonder of Bob Hope’s “Joys”! And the fascinating journey of Al Jaffee!

Name the year: a new Star War is killing it at the box office, Russia and the US are having a staring contest and a madman driven by the power of celebrity is elected President. Yes, it’s looking very much like we’re living in the year 1980 right now and we want it to stop. I mean, if this is 1980, that means we’re only three years away from more Ewoks. Although what is a Minion but yellow Ewok?

But in all seriousness, the world has taken a turn for the conservative as it did in the early 80s. Free love and long hair were gone and replaced by shoulder pads, cocaine and rich white kids who thought the stock market was dope. So is there anything redeemable about this situation other than the prospect of getting some cool movies and punk music?

Jack O’Brien and Daniel O’Brien are joined by comedian, podcast host and ‘Saved by the Bell’ historian April Richardson for a conversation about how 80s pop-culture perfectly represented those regressive times and how some of the patterns we saw then are starting to appear now in our modern pop-culture. They also talk about ‘Saved by the Bell’ a lot. Like, a whole bunch.

Our next live podcast is on Saturday, January 14th at 7pm at the UCB Sunset Theatre in Los Angeles. Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark from ‘My Favorite Murder’ are back for another hour of creepy unsolved murders and even creepier solved ones. Tickets are $7 and on sale  here: https://goo.gl/5eew6F

Footnotes:

April Richardson: https://goo.gl/uPOCwn

Go Bayside! Podcast: https://goo.gl/FuWvyL

Article: Cracked: Why ‘Saved by the Bell’ is All a Dream: https://goo.gl/J9ujG

Article: Cracked: 6 Ways You Didn’t Realize Ronald Reagan Ruined the Country: https://goo.gl/55AJy2

Article: Cracked: 5 Baffling 80s Trends Explained by Rare Mental Disorders : https://goo.gl/XW6Y6

This episode is brought to you by Lifeafter podcast, Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CRACKED), and Harry’s.

Seems like about time to check back in with the goblins and see how their plan to rise up and take over all of Foon is going.

Credits
Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
General Leebad Fellatio: Atra Asdou
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

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 Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: TAVERN and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/first).

Jimmy Pardo (Never Not Funny) wouldn’t dream of entering the Room Where It’s Happening without the foremost Hamilton expert in his life: his 9-year-old son, Oliver. The father son-duo discusses getting hooked on Hamilton together, how they manage the occasional curse word in the soundtrack, and the thrill of getting a tour backstage at the Chicago production of Hamilton. Plus, a very enthusiastic sing-along to “I Know Him.”

This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/hamilton).

Happy New Year! Ben Schwartz & Horatio Sanz aka the New Year Bros. are back! Ben, Horatio, and Scott meet Gringo Starr, make songs a little more sexy, and share their New Year’s resolutions. Then, author Shelly Driftwood returns to tell us about his past hanging with porn stars, his recent break-up, and getting into the music industry. Plus, a brand new Closing Up the Plugs Bag theme!

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: BANGBANG), Stamps.com (www.stamps.com code: BANGBANG), and Black Tux (www.blacktux.com/bangbang).

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes everyone back to this free show known as Spontaneanation! This week, Paul’s special return guest is Nicole Parker of MADtv and the Broadway stage! They chat about Nicole’s first suit, bombing in front of David Bowie, and the appropriate title for a master of wigs. Paul is then joined by Brandon Johnson, Amanda Lund and Mary Sohn, to improvise a story set in Home Depot. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

This episode is brought to you by Glasses USA (www.glassesUSA.com/Paul).

The lovely, pleasant, and hilarious D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place) joins Ronna & Beverly to chat about the origin of her name, her siblings, ice-cream, and much more. Plus, the ladies tell us how they celebrated their Christmas. Happy New Year!

Please help out Penelope’s “Where Are The Women” cause by purchasing some Girl Scout Cookies by visiting: https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/penelope687715 (link goes live Jan. 3)

This episode is brought to you by Third Love (www.thirdlove.com/shalom and Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: SHALOM).

Grease 2, love it or hate it, we’re going to talk about it. Categories cut from this year’s HOWDIES. Plus, everyone’ favorite: STATS! Paul also goes through Corrections and Omissions for Grease 2, Blake J. Harris interviews director Patricia Birch about the making of Grease 2, and the Movie Bitches review Nocturnal Animals. And we will be traveling to a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles for our next movie!

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

Get yourself a BB-8 “What Is Its Mission?” T-shirt or Tote Bag over at http://howdidthisgetmade.bigcartel.com

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

Paul is in the new Nicolas Cage film “Army of One” available on VOD.

Paul’s new comedy Filthy Preppy Teen$ is now avail on the FullScreen and you can see June and Paul in their old show NTSF:SD:SUV:: on HULU. Paul also appears on Fresh off the Boat on ABC.

June stars in Grace and Frankie on Netflix, as well as Lady Dynamite alongside with Jason.

Jason can be seen in How to Be Single, Sleeping with Other People, and is still indeed in The Dictator.

Katie Halper (The Katie Halper Show) and Leah Bonnema (VH1) join Negin for a willfully positive discussion to ring in 2017. They recap their favorite moments of 2016 and make resolutions and predictions for the year ahead. Also, some deep reflections on drinking water’s optimal temperature.

The holidays are here, and Matt Price, DJ J-Logic, and Jonah Ray join the Sklar Brothers to pass the chord once again. We hear some of the best musical selections of 2016 as they share in good times and good cheer. Happy Holidays!

This week Bryan discusses the disappointments he felt from some of Oprah’s favorite things, while Erin shares some horrors she discovered walking around the studio lot. Also women in china who are called Tongqi are unaware they are married to closeted gay men, and a sub-Reddit devoted to gay ex-mormons has become a place to highlight one mans family struggles.

Each week, comedian Gilbert Gottfried and comedy writer Frank Santopadre share their admiration for lesser-known films, underappreciated TV shows and criminally underrated performers, discussing, dissecting and (occasionally) defending their handpicked guilty pleasures and buried treasures.

This week: Paging Don Gordon! Pursuing Tim Conway! Praising Tony Orlando! Remembering Alan Thicke! And Gilbert sings “Judy in Disguise (with Glasses)”!

No reporter cut through the media din of the 2016 presidential election quite like David Fahrenthold of The Washington Post. Remember the infamous Access Hollywood tape? That was one of Fahrenthold’s scoops, as were his exhaustive stories on Donald Trump’s questionable charitable activities. He joins Katie and Brian to discuss becoming an overnight sensation after 16 years on the job, getting called a “nasty guy” in a phone call with Donald Trump, and how he thinks journalists should cover Trump’s presidency. Plus, how he uses a mix of social media crowdsourcing and old-fashioned gumshoe reporting to break his stories.

This episode is brought to you by Blurb (www.blurb.com/grammar code: KATIE) and The Great Courses (www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/KATIE).

Crybabies proudly presents a special live performance from wonderful singer-songwriter Jill Sobule (writer/producer of the show’s theme song). Recorded live at the Now Hear This Festival in Anaheim, this is our gift to you listeners.

Finally, the conclusion of the Best of Comedy Bang! Bang! 2016 countdown with special co-host Paul F. Tompkins is here with your Top 3 episodes of the entire year and your number 1 on the Best of CBB Live 2016. Thanks for listening and Happy New Year!

This episode is brought to you by Thursday Boots (www.thursdayboots.com/bangbang).

Buddying up with Rhett & Link.

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

Hilarious stand-up comedian Mateen Stewart joins Andrew post-Dissmas to talk about Margaret Cho and Tilda Swinton beefing over Doctor Strange, A&E’s documentary series “Generation KKK,” and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

This week, writer/comedian/podcaster Kevin Avery joins Howard and Kulap to send off 2016 in a chartacular fashion! They count down iTunes’ Top 5 Holiday Songs while Kevin gives the scoop on his musical history and his appearance on “Last Week Tonight.” Then, the Virgin Airlines safety video gets roasted like a chestnut during the Christmas Movie Chart, and the gang spreads holiday cheer with a gift-giving bonanza on Two Charted.

Note: This episode was recorded prior to Christmas.

J.J. Totah (Other People, Spider-Man: Homecoming) is an immensely talented young actor on the rise. He joins Deanna and Emily to talk about how his sister helped him pursue acting, performing “Lose My Breath” on Glee being a big moment for him, and why it’s important to accept everyone for who they are in order to combat bullying. Plus, J.J. schools us on the terms “so many W’s,” “catch my fade,” and “Snapchat Streak.”

On a very special episode of Get Up On This, Jensen presents an episode of his podcast “Motherly Love (an advice show)” in which he sits with his mother, Haroldine, a few times a month to give advice to listeners who are brave enough to send in relationship questions to motherlylovepodcast@gmail.com.

Hayes and Sean do the Now Hear This Festival in Anaheim and they’re sick of celebrity culture so they talk to everyday people from the crowd for once about being nerds.

This week, writer and comedian Kevin Avery joins Randy and Jason in the County. They chat about Kevin’s podcast “Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor Of All Time Period” before swapping personal Denzel experiences. Then, Daniel Van Kirk brings stories about a woman who lodged a vibrator in her rear end and a strip club attendee who ran himself over. Finally, the Sklars listen to a voicemail from Robert Durst in which he makes every attempt to clear his name.

This week’s episode is a mind-bending journey through the deepest, darkest caverns of the human psyche. Actor and comedian John Reynolds joins the show to help Chris and Gary navigate palaces of pink Play-Doh, interpret messages from beyond the grave, and squeeze every ounce of meaning from the vilest of nightmares.

Go to www.casper.com/dreams and use the offer code “DREAMS” for $50 off your next mattress purchase.

50 years ago, ABC’s “Batman” series debuted, launching “Batmania” and introducing the world to a 21-year-old actor named Burt Ward. Burt joins Gilbert and Frank for a look back at one of the most popular and enduring shows in TV history, sharing his memories of co-star/mentor Adam West, Frank Gorshin, Vincent Price and yes, Cesar Romero. Also, Burt spars with Bruce Lee, Adam makes like Moses, Shelley Winters works her charms and Ol’ Blue Eyes lobbies for the role of The Joker. PLUS: Lesley Gore! Lorenzo Semple Jr! “Legends of the Superheroes”! Batman meets “The Ghost of Frankenstein”! And Burt and Adam go to a nudist colony!

It’s not just us right? There are too many damn movies and TV shows to keep up with. When we’re not in the middle of a season of Game of Thrones, Westworld, Silicon Valley, Stranger Things, or House of Cards, there are always 40 other shows just waiting to get started. If only you were ready to make the commitment. Your girlfriend wants you to propose but you can’t even commit to Six Feet Under, let alone the next 60 years of your life.

This glut of TV shows we’re experiencing completely fails to lack the steady stream of quality movies coming out not only in the US but all around the world. And the surplus of movies doesn’t even address how behind you are on music. Open up Spotify or look at the next festival lineup and you can barely recognize a third of the bands there. And we’re not being old fogies complaining about music these days– most of these bands are good– we just can’t keep up with them. 21 Pilots, 21 Savage, 21 Scarecrows. Only one of those band names is completely made up.

So to give a little order to this exponentially insane world, Jack O’Brien is joined by Cracked editors Soren Bowie and Jason Pargin (aka David Wong) to talk about some of their favorite they discovered in 2016. They commiserate about the superabundance of content and Soren gives some completely unsolicited home improvement advice.

Our next live podcast is on Saturday, January 14th at 7pm at the UCB Sunset Theatre in Los Angeles. Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark from ‘My Favorite Murder’ are back for another hour of creepy unsolved murders and even creepier solved ones. Tickets are $5 and on sale soon at sunset.ucbtheatre.com (https://goo.gl/UNy5YF)

Footnotes:

Website: Pandora — Search Standup: https://goo.gl/tXZB

Video: Youtube FanFest: https://goo.gl/RhW2jK

Netflix: John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid: https://goo.gl/EPZMWF

HBO: Pete Holmes: Faces and Sounds: https://goo.gl/zIxXV4

Album: Kyle Kinane: Loose in Chicago: https://goo.gl/UYTPsS

Netflix: Michael Che Matters: https://goo.gl/TiM4Jm

Video: Dave Chappele SNL Monologue: https://goo.gl/5D6dB0

Website: Nextdoor: https://goo.gl/R1XSI

Video: Red Letter Media: Wheel of the Worst #11: https://goo.gl/zYUXeo

YouTube: Jim Sterling: https://goo.gl/r4SguC

Wikipedia: Square Screws: https://goo.gl/uGtgQY

Amazon: Wet Vacuums: https://goo.gl/auLfij

The Elf on the Shelf: https://goo.gl/I9CJ0P

Screenplay: Monsters, Inc: https://goo.gl/71xVcx

Video: Train to Busan (Trailer): https://goo.gl/4Zbxfo

Video: I Saw The Devil (Trailer): https://goo.gl/6ojCqo

Netflix: Amanda Knox: https://goo.gl/y4LTOa

Netflix: David Blaine: Real or Magic?: https://goo.gl/olbb48

Netflix: Planet Earth: https://goo.gl/vrZwiE

Video: Bill Burr Makes a Pie Crust: https://goo.gl/rJ5CV8

Netflix: F is for Family: https://goo.gl/Cnokr6

Website: Stitcher: https://goo.gl/R5h4rX

Podcast: Science Vs: https://goo.gl/Fa4g7D

Podcast: Doughboys: https://goo.gl/idq8zm

Podcast: The Bill Simmons Podcast with Andy Cohen: https://goo.gl/ok3LTs

Video Game: The Last Guardian: https://goo.gl/PTRsMj

Video: Robyn “Call Your Girlfriend” on SNL: https://goo.gl/CC2ozz

Video: Chance the Rapper “Same Drugs” on SNL: https://goo.gl/1TOJ3R

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CRACKED) and I.T. is Greater Than Sci-Fi podcast (www.vmware.com/radius/scifi)

A new song and a big announcement you’re going to want to hear. The regular show will be back next week.

Credits
Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Spants: Meridith Stepien
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

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

“Solstice Cheer” written and performed by Meridith Stepien

Travon and Mike head to Chicago to interview Ari Afsar, who plays Eliza in the Chicago production of Hamilton. She opens up about being an American Idol alumna, what Hamilton songs are most cathartic to perform, and why she’s definitely a Hamilton, not a Burr. She even lays down the beat from “Take a Break.” Plus, a bonus segment featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda and some very dedicated New York City Hamilheads.

This episode is brought to you by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/first)

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes the Anaheim audience to Spontaneanation, recorded in front of a LIVE audience at The Now Hear This Festival! This week, Paul’s special guests are Kulap Vilaysack and Howard Kremer of Who Charted! They chat about the first joke they laughed at, Howard trying to write a Polish joke when he started doing stand-up because he thought his dad would like it, and Kulap reading the Encyclopedia as a child for fun. Paul is then joined by his Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ co-stars Dan Ahdoot, Tawny Newsome, and Drew Tarver to improvise a story set in Boise, Idaho. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

LOS ANGELES! Spontaneanation records its 100th episode LIVE at Largo on Saturday, January 7th! Be there for boring your future grandchildren purposes! Tickets: bit.ly/SPONT100

This episode is brought to you by Smartypants Vitamins (www.smartypantsvitamins.com/PFT)