2015 Holiday Spectacular

Ho! Ho! Ho! BLECH! It’s the most wonderful TIME of the year, the Holiday episode of Comedy Bang! Bang! is upon us and our most dearest of friends (and a complete stranger) stop by including intern Gino Lambardo, John Lennon of The Beatles, Ho Ho the naughty Elf, The Time Keeper, Baron Andrew Lloyd Webber, and small time business owner David Bunting. Pa drum drum drum drums!

Take a trip in your mind back to May 18th, 1999. Bill Clinton was the president, ‘Livin La Vida Loca’ and ‘No Scrubs’ were at the top of the music charts, and there was hope that ‘The Phantom Menace’ would be a great movie. Then the next day happened; the movie was released, and a bit of our collective innocence was forever lost. 

There are videos of fans losing their shit with anticipation lining up to see the movie, and their reactions leaving the theater two hours later. Most said they loved it, but you can hear the twinge of doubt in their voices and see a blankness in their eyes, as if the brain was fighting itself, literally incapable of believing that the movie sucked. And in the coming years we obviously came to a consensus about the prequels: they were the most vile of garbage and George Lucas was persona non grata in the film industry.

It’s sixteen years later and we now hope we’re in a different place, but it’s easy to feel the parallels between where we are now and where we were in May 1999. We have no idea what ‘The Force Awakens’ will bring us later this week. We hope for the best, but also hope we’re not too cynical in expecting the worst. 

On this week’s podcast, Jack O’Brien is joined by Cracked executive editor Jason Pargin (aka David Wong) for a deep dive into the history of Star Wars and how we got to this very moment. They discuss what the original trilogy got right, where the prequels went wrong, and the complicated genius of George Lucas.

Best friends and roommates, comedian Ariana Lenarsky and Academic Outreach Counselor Aileen Parungao join Andrew all this week to answer some racism questions. Today they discuss the Americanization of names. Be sure to call us at (323) 389-RACE to ask if anything is racist.

Flying and smiling with Pat Francis.

From ‘Mad Max’ to ‘San Andreas’ to ‘The Avengers,’ the most popular movies of our times are about how we fear our world will end. We’re obsessed with stories of drought, natural disaster, nuclear war, zombies, aliens and robots. We fear the day science fiction turns into science fact, and while some movie apocalypses are basically pure make-believe, others seem eminently possible.

So what are we doing about the threats of water and energy shortages? And are we destined to play out the doomsday scenarios we see in popular science fiction?

In this special bonus episode taped live at the UCB Sunset theatre in Los Angeles, Jack O’Brien, Alex Schmidt and Michael Swaim are joined by three amazing guests to answer these questions and elaborate on the current state of the end of the world. On the science-fiction front, they’re joined by Akiva Goldsman, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter of ‘A Beautiful Mind’ and ‘I Am Legend’. And on the real science side, they’re joined by Eric Fitch, whose company Purpose Energy is turning wastewater from beer into renewable energy, and Jon Freedman, whose working to shape international and domestic water policies on behalf of GE Water & Power.

This week Franklin chats with two screenwriters from the other side of the pond. First he sits down to chat with Abi Morgan, screenwriter of Suffragette, the story of Maud Watts played by Carey Mulligan, a working wife and mother whose life is changed forever by the growing suffragette movement in early 20th century Britain. Then, Franklin chats with Alex Garland, the writer/director of A24 Film’s April release Ex Machina starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander.

Fresh off his Chicago production of Sherlock Holmes, David Arquette visits the calming shores of Sklarbro Country! David joins Randy & Jason to talk about getting to know each other by playing golf together along with the Sklars’ mother, how portraying deputy sheriff Dewey Riley differently than he was written saved the character from dying in Scream, his time with Courteney Cox at the height of Friends, and being in the studio audience for Happy Days multiple times as a child. Later, David tells us about becoming a one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion during Quick Hits. Plus, Tiger Woods is in-studio to discuss his crazy year and what he means by hanging it up.

Welcome back to Sister Oh, Brother! with your host Wayne Federman! It’s the podcast for people to hash out their sibling rivalries. This week Wayne has an exclusive interview with Lauren Lapkus’ twin sister Blauren Lapkus who is suing her sister for stealing her persona. Blauren and Wayne talk about what the real Lauren is like, call up Wayne’s brother Andrew Federman to chat, and do some word association therapy. Later, Traci Reardon arrives to help her Twitter followers with advice on being embarrassed by your sister, sharing a Netflix account with your sibling, and other sibling issues in another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.”

Andrew Ti and special guest Molly Lambert finish the week off by discussing someone getting upset over people assuming their ethnicity. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

I learn about dungeons from an actual dungeon-guarding skeleton. Nice guy!

Credits

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Clacks/Clax?: TJ Jagodowski
Otok Barleyfoot: Nick Baer
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi
Editor: Ryan DiGiorgi
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban

Sponsors
Basecamp via The Chicago Podcast Cooperative

There will be spoilers to Creed so if you haven’t seen it yet, get your ass to a theater near you! Director/writer Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station) and writer Aaron Covington are the minds behind the critically acclaimed Rocky film franchise sequel/spin-off film Creed starring Michael B. Jordan. This week Ryan & Aaron join Kevin & Kamau to discuss the pitching the movie to Sylvester Stallone, how they found out that Stallone is a regular BET viewer, the incredible amount of work that went into shooting the fight scenes, and the future of Creed. Plus, Ryan & Aaron share their Top 5 Denzel Movies!

Very hilarious comedian and feminist ally Solomon Georgio joins Sarah & Susan to talk about Susanne Boyle’s initial audition on Britain’s Got Talent, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris speaking at his Memorial service.

Matt Gourley digs back into the classic I Was There Too vault to bring out the spectacular Super-sode with the Passengers of Bus 2525. Pop quiz, hotshot. What has a bus, a bomb, and five fascinating interview subjects? The I Was There Too Speed Super-sode. Simone Gad, David Kriegel, Carmen Williams, Hawthorne James, and Carlos Carrasco join Matt to talk about their fateful ride on bus 2525 from the 1994 action classic. Take your seat and tilt dat booty.

Check out Simone’s Days of Our Lives pilot scene here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jXTPRoijVc

SECURITY BANK BLACK ART DECO FACADE 2015 COPYRIGHT SIMONE GAD-ALL RIGHTS RESERVE

On Christmas Eve, Matt is visited by the ghost of Armen Weitzman who helps guide him on a journey to the past, present, and future in hopes that he will become kindlier toward his fellow humons Jon Gabrus, Amanda Sitko, Engineer Brett Morris, talent booker Ele Woods, and improv4humans listeners. Will Matt be able to change? Tune in to find out! Make sure to get the Upright Citizens Brigade television show season 3 now available on DVD and the UCB Comedy Improv Manual!

Making a list with Dave Holmes.

How does Paul F. Tompkins manage his email? Will there ever be another episode of the Pod F. Tompkast? What is it like to do more than 100 episodes of Comedy Bang Bang? All these questions, and more, will be answered on this episode of The Wolf Den, when podcasting’s über-guest subjects himself to the queries of host Adam Sachs. Paul explains why he still feels like he’s learning to do improv, and what he’s learned from working with great comedy podcasters. He also reveals the inspiration behind his seemingly-random impressions of celebrities like TV and film director Garry Marshall. Paul also gives a little behind-the-scenes peek at the Superego podcast and the Howl Original spin-off, Superego’s Forgotten Classics. No self-respecting comedy podcast fan can miss it.

Are resolutions for the New Year worth making even if they are not sustainable throughout the year? Stephen thinks a carefully chosen fresh start may be worthwhile, but can he convince James?

Molly Lambert and Andrew talk about Pranks in the Hood YouTube videos. Don’t forget to keep leaving us messages by calling (323) 389-RACE.

Senior editor at Buzzfeed, AfterSmash podcast host, and Housewives super fan Louis Peitzman joins Casey Wilson and Danielle Schneider to break down “Ciao, Tuscany!” the second episode of Season 6 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! They’ll cover everything from Kyle Richards getting disinvited from Nicki Hilton’s wedding to Yolanda’s health scare. Plus, we’ll hear who listeners believe is the hottest Househusband, the crazy Yelp reviews for Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant Villa Blanca, and Casey treats us with a special Dramatic Reenactment of a piece from Season 3 of New York City aka Scary Island.

Senior editor at Buzzfeed, AfterSmash podcast host, and Housewives super fan Louis Peitzman joins Casey Wilson and Danielle Schneider to break down “Ciao, Tuscany!” the second episode of Season 6 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! They’ll cover everything from Kyle Richards getting disinvited from Nicki Hilton’s wedding to Yolanda’s health scare. Plus, we’ll hear who listeners believe is the hottest Househusband, the crazy Yelp reviews for Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant Villa Blanca, and Casey treats us with a special Dramatic Reenactment of a piece from Season 3 of New York City aka Scary Island.

Scott Cooper, the writer-director of Crazy Heart, which earned Jeff Bridges an Oscar, and this year’s Black Mass with Johnny Depp joins Leonard to talk about his lifelong love of movies, how he makes actors feel at ease, and one of his favorite sleepers, Funny Bones (1995) with Oliver Platt and Jerry Lewis.

Howard, Kulap, and Stard are reunited! We’ll hear all about Howard’s new weapons to fight the clench and see if Kulap can name all of The Beatles as they count down the Top 5 Songs from iTunes. Then, Howard breaks down the main issue he has with Marvel’s Jessica Jones during the Top 5 Prime Time Ratings By Viewership for Television Chart. Later, author and podcaster Emily V. Gordon answers chartist questions about her upcoming Judd Apatow-produced film “The Big Sick,” her book “Super You: Release Your Inner Superhero,” and “The Wiz Live” on NBC.

As the end of the year approaches, so does the number of cards promising to make a charitable donation “in your name”. But how well do these charities spend the money with your name attached to it? Also, what does it take to make “the list” for an annual holiday party?

Molly Lambert and Andrew talk about if it’s racist to be afraid of getting sick from street food and water from China. Be sure to keep leaving us messages at (323) 389-RACE.

The Shrimps take on the Miss Demeanors at Pan Pacific Park. Matt Gourley and Mark McConville call the action, Greg Escalante has the Sock Report. Season finale!

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

Hope Booksh of MTV’s Awkward is no stranger to awkward situations and is a master of “smell the fart” acting. Hope joins Deanna & Emily this week to talk about what it was like going to high school during a time when fights go down on the wall, the Thigh Brow phenomenon, and how social media has created the term FOMO. Plus, Hope plays a quick round of “Awkward AF or Chill AF?”

Actress Alison Becker joins Jensen and Matty to talk about her time on the MTV prank show Boiling Points, interviewing R. Kelly as a TV VJ, the online show Mayne Street with ESPN broadcaster Kenny Mayne, Sowle, Bon Jovi, CreativeMornings, 5 Every Day, E Dance, Anomalisa, Clifton’s Cafeteria, the Secret Hitler game, how we’re late on battle rapper Fresco, Chopped Junior, the Griffith Observatory and many other things you should know about.

Recorded LIVE at UCB Sunset’s Inner Sanctum, Ian Roberts, co-founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade, hosted a lecture on the topic of “rules” vs. “no rules” in improv comedy. It’s Ian’s position that rules are necessary for teaching, learning, and practicing improv and any other discipline. Listen as Ian presents his argument and engages with the audience. For more info, consult the UCB Comedy Improv Manual and stay tuned for part two!

Does the stress of the holidays compel you to pick up the martini glass? For many it does, but at what cost?

County favorite and fantastic writer Matt Goldich is back to talk about writing on Late Night with Seth Meyers, the benevolent vandalism he’s experienced with his recent move to Harlem in NY, and misappropriated Shakespeare quotes. Then, Daniel Van Kirk brings us stories that include Darth Vader being arrested after a Jacksonville Beach attempted robbery, a New Jersey woman accused of making a fake 911 call so she could drive drunk, and a Brazilian group that is putting racist comments on billboards near offenders’ homes. Plus, we hear a special message from Doug Buffone on why the Bears are doing so well recently.