The absolutely adorable Ally Maki joins Ronna and Beverly to chat about her role in the new TBS comedy Wrecked, playing a man on Bones, growing up in Seattle, and her favorite theatre roles she has portrayed. Plus, the ladies share how they spent Mother’s Day.

Comedian Brad Williams joins Randy to discuss his new Showtime special, “Daddy Issues.” He also talks about growing up as a little person and the valuable life lessons his parents taught him. Later, Daniel Van Kirk brings a County Story of a man who argued he doesn’t need a license plate for his car because it’s not in the Bible. Michael Kissick, the friendliest TSA agent, leaves a voicemail about the chaotic Midway Airport lines.

Dannah Phirman (Hotwives of Orlando & Hotwives of Las Vegas) returns to the nook with Casey and Danielle to discuss Sonja’s heatless apartment, Luanne’s juicy vagina and what happens when the promise of pumpkin pancakes is not delivered upon. Also Danielle is forever changed by seeing Beyonce and Casey expertly raps the Shah’s of Sunset theme song. 

This episode is sponsored by Third Love and Texture.

This week Erin gets her period and ravages the donuts in the studio, while Bryan gets outed at the dog store and celebrates being a first time dog dad. Plus Erin takes us on a bathroom adventure through the ages, and Bryan enlightens us with the definition of transgender, a basic concept, among many, that conservatives can’t quite grasp. Crack a book Dan Patrick.

Four short ear movies and four short interviews with four very special writers is happening on a special episode of The Black List Table Reads with Franklin Leonard. Thanks to the wonderful Young Storytellers Foundation you will hear 4 stories written by 5th graders and brought to life by professional actors Gail Bianchi, Darren Bluestone, Dave Hill, Tom Lenk, Jeremy Maxwell, Vanessa Mizzone, Cuba Packett, and Darrin Revitz. Plus, Franklin sits down to have a conversation with Bill Thompson, executive director of Young Storytellers Foundation. For more information go to www.youngstorytellers.com

Chris Gethard welcomes Scott to the Big Apple on a New York edition of Comedy Bang! Bang! Chris tells us about the evolution of his Earwolf podcast Beautiful Anonymous, the haunted places in New Jersey, the new season of The Chris Gethard Show on Fusion, and being infatuated with Galco’s Soda Pop Stop. Then, legendary filmmakers Woody Allen and George Lucas arrive to talk about the upcoming joint projects they have in development. Plus, entrepreneur Renalda stops by with some unfortunate news for Chris.

This episode is sponsored by MVMT Watches, Legal Zoom, and Shudder.

Jason Lew joins Andrew to talk about what is considered authentic sushi. Make sure to leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Many podcasts, this one included, dedicate a considerable amount of time to self-improvement, technical mastery, and peak performance. With that in mind, one QOD listener wrote in wondering what the problem is with being “mediocre, but content?” Listen to Stephen and James talk through their own experiences with the word “mediocre”, then find out where James stands on the issue when Stephen administers Barry Schwartz’ “maximizers vs. satisficers” quiz.

Taking a little trip with Dave Holmes.

This episode is sponsored by Harry’s, Shudder, and Blue Apron.

Kamau and Kevin discuss the early, early stages of trying to get Denzel on the podcast. Terry Gross, host of NPR’s “Fresh Air,” gives Kamau and Kevin tips on how to successfully interview Denzel. They also talk about the do’s and dont’s of interviewing the greatest actor of all time. Period.

Mike Still, Jessica McKenna and Paul Welsh join Matt Besser on this week’s improv4humans. They improvise about the musical number in Virgin Airlines’ safety video and explore new weight loss challenges. People running for U.S. Senate inspire a scene about presidential candidates’ opening statements in a debate. Also, an unhelpful employee starts a new job writing for improv4humans.

Jonathan sits down with comedian and host of United Shades of America, W. Kamau Bell to talk about racism in the US, interracial relationships, and what exactly white privilege is. Plus, Jonathan gives us an example of when it’s okay to overcharge for hairdressing.

The Shrimps take on the The Shecago Bulls at North Weddington Auditorium. Matt Gourley and Colin Hanks call the action, In ‘n’ Out brings the satisfaction.

The Shrimps on Twitter: @pistolshrimpsbb

The Shrimps on Instagram: thepistolshrimps

Pistol Shrimps Radio on Twitter: @ShrimpsRadio

Matt Gourley on Twitter and IG: @MattGourley

Mark McConville on Twitter and IG: @MarkMcConville

Jason Lew joins Andrew to talk about a caller’s question about what is considered blackface. Make sure to leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Could the side-effects of severing ties in a relationship be almost as hurtful as the problem itself? On today’s episode, James and Stephen take opposite positions on whether “burning bridges” is really a fool-proof solution, or if the person initiating the break will continue carrying around weight of the issue. Will our hosts be able to come to an amicable consensus on the topic, or will one of them be forced to walk away from the podcast?

This episode is sponsored by Fracture.

A clown reveals the secrets of how to trick your kids out of tantrums. Plus, the magical power of farts. To join the conversation about this episode, go to longestshortesttime.com!

This episode is sponsored by Amazon Kindle, Alarm.com, Little Passports, and Fracture.

Jeb Bush (Daniel Van Kirk) talks to Mark and Pete about his hopes for a contested convention, his nickname for 9/11, and the difference between the Bush family and Fight Club. Plus: Tamya Harding (Jessica McKenna) is in love with a Hillary booster!

This episode is sponsored by Bonobos.

Actor, comedian, and fellow movie lover Samm Levine is back to join Leonard for a discussion of films of the 1980s: the box-office hits, enduring favorites, and titles we’ve all forgotten. They also discuss remakes, what it means for a movie to be considered a classic, and the pre-computer & post-cellphone eras in film.

Actor Ryan Gaul joins Howard and Kulap on this week’s Who Charted. During the Billboard’s Top 5 Hip-Hop and R&B chart, they discuss Beyoncé vs. Rihanna and what Ryan’s dog found in the woods. The movies chart inspires conversation about running out of holiday films and Howard’s ideal movie-watching experience. In Two Charted, the gang got some GIFTS.

Actress Jenna Elfman (Dharma & Greg) joins Kevin to sit down for a conversation.

This entrepreneur seems like he’s got it all figured out. But there are certain things he will never reveal to Chris. Plus: how a volcano inadvertently caused the best trip he’s ever had in his life. Want to see Chris take a live Beautiful Anonymous call? Come see a live taping in New York City on May 21st at 1:30pm at the Vulture Festival!

This episode is sponsored by AMEX, Mack Weldon,  Sundance Now Doc Club, and Framebridge.

Hayes and Sean are brought to the studio against their will for an unscheduled record.

This episode is sponsored by Nudist Colony Clothing.

Filmmaker Jason Lew joins Andrew to talk about a caller not knowing the heritage of their grandmother. Make sure to leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Writer Bennett Webber joins Jensen and Matty to talk about The ESPY Awards, writing NFL sketches for Rob Riggle, Hush, Sing Street, Peanut Butter Snappers, Alan Partridge, how we’re late on remembering Weezer being great, and many more things you should know about.

James believes that admitting your biggest excuse is the first step towards stopping the action. So today, our hosts get personal about the things they avoid doing, some from lack of interest, others from procrastination. Will coming clean to the listening audience be enough to set them on the straight and narrow path?

Author Gary Belsky joins Randy and Daniel Van Kirk for a remote episode of Sklarbro County. They discuss being a St. Louis sports fan and Gary’s new book “On the Origins of Sports.” Daniel brings a County Story of a Florida man who faces charges after trying to steal a snake from a pet store. Later, “On the Origins of Sports” co-author Neil Fine calls in to share what inspired the creation of the book.

Filmmaker Shane Black joins Josh this week to talk about his latest film The Nice Guys with Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, the importance of titling projects, how Kiss Kiss Bang Bang started out as a romantic comedy, The Longest Goodnight sequel that never happened, and much more.

This episode is sponsored by www.replayseries.com

Filmmaker and actor Jason Lew joins Andrew all this week to answer some racism questions. Today they discuss the American perception of Japanese and Chinese food. Be sure to call us at (323) 389-RACE to ask if anything is racist.

When you picture a serial killer, what do you think of? Do you think of Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant and sophisticated doctor who treats murder with the joy of a foodie at a gourmet mac & cheese bar? Or do you think of John Doe from ‘Seven’, a man who goes out of his way to create the most elaborately constructed crime scenes in order to make a thematic point to the police?

Either way, you’re probably imagining someone way more competent than an actual serial killer. Real murder is messy, and the real reason serial killers get away with what they do is because they’re brilliant at feigning human emotion. Evil, yes, but they’re not super-geniuses, laughing maniacally at a collage of pictures and string on a wall.

On this week’s episode, Jack O’Brien is joined by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, the hosts of the podcast ‘My Favorite Murder’ (http://goo.gl/gpaZN8) to discuss the common assumptions we get wrong about serial killers, theories surrounding the JFK, RFK, and JonBenet Ramsey murders and, of course, some of their favorite murder stories.

Footnotes:

– HBO’s Tales of the Grim Sleeper: https://goo.gl/t9yLF4

– Popular Crime by Bill James: http://goo.gl/X6w1HC

– The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule: http://goo.gl/MywKqw

– The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout: http://goo.gl/aXatW8

– Nikolai Dzhumagaliev (Metal Fang): https://goo.gl/qiwnur

– Metal Fang Escapes: http://goo.gl/zAGKGZ

– Latest DNA Evidence in JonBenet Ramsey Case: http://goo.gl/GI2Uy7

– Possible CIA Involvement in RFK Assassination: http://goo.gl/bCKS54

– Lost RFK Photos: http://goo.gl/9agV9

– Souflikar the Strangling Executioner: http://goo.gl/xYMmK

– Hinterkaifeck Urban Legend: http://goo.gl/iYAg2p

– Cropsey: http://goo.gl/szUCjU

– Woman Fed Her Own Dog:http://goo.gl/iYAg2p

– Hikers Killed in Avalanche: http://goo.gl/xpSo

– Woman Murdered in Penn State Library: http://goo.gl/iYAg2p

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes ladies or gentlemen to a LIVE episode of Spontaneanation, recorded at San Francisco SketchFest 2016! This week, Paul’s special guest Jon Hamm of Mad Men! They chat about what book inspired Jon as a child, questionable babysitting tactics, and being pro- or anti-possum. Paul is then joined by Craig Cackowski, Matt Gourley, and Little Janet Varney to improvise a story set in a Storm Drain. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano! SPONTANEANATION LIVE returns to Largo on Saturday, June 4th, with improvisors Nyima Funk, Colleen Smith and Chris Tallman, with special interview guest Robyn Hitchcock! Tickets are available now: bit.ly/SPONT616

Photos by Liezl Estipona.

This episode is sponsored by Leesa.com and Seeso.