In light of Judd Apatow's HBO documentary The 99-Year-Old Man, we discuss the films of Mel Brooks, which were to varying degrees formative on us (us being Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al). Does the humor of, say, History of the World, Part I hold up? Does Blazing Saddles say anything substantial about race? Are we now in any position to see how cutting-edge it was to make … [Read more...] about PMP#217: Mel Brooks’ Old Comedy
Comedy
PMP#214: South Park Resurgence
We're discussing Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Comedy Central show that premiered in 1997 and has just finished its politically relevant 28th season, featuring the usual crew: Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. How can a show be so juvenile yet so apparently well thought out? Was its purest form right there in its initial shorts (from 1992 and 1995) and first season, or in the … [Read more...] about PMP#214: South Park Resurgence
PMP#206: Abbott Elementary Did Not Win an Emmy This Year, But…
For our rather late-coming back-to-school and Emmy acknowledger episode, we cover the pinnacle of the current network sitcom landscape: The six-time 2025 Emmy nominated Abbott Elementary (which has won previously), which this week begins its fifth season. Mark, Lawrence, Al and West-Philly-resident Sarahlyn discuss the show's Philly-ness and how it integrates cringe humor … [Read more...] about PMP#206: Abbott Elementary Did Not Win an Emmy This Year, But…
PMP#204: Naked Gun Rapid Firing
What is the state of the stream-of-gags formula that used to stand tall in the films of the Zucker Brothers (mainly Airplane) and Mel Brooks? A new generation attempts to revive that with a new Naked Gun film. How does this new effort relate to the classic films? Are these kinds of films particularly timeless? Rewatchable? Do young people appreciate this kind of thing? Mark, … [Read more...] about PMP#204: Naked Gun Rapid Firing
PMP#200: Hollywood Studio Antics (feat. The Studio and Erica Spyres)
In immediate reaction to the Apple TV+ Seth Rogan show The Studio, we talk about Hollywood's obsession with Hollywood and how we the audience understand how studio dynamics interfere with what exactly we all get to see. Are executives the well-intentioned bumblers depicted in The Studio, or the evil interferers we've seen in other media? What's with the fascination with old … [Read more...] about PMP#200: Hollywood Studio Antics (feat. The Studio and Erica Spyres)
PMP#191: Saturday Night Liver
Are we taking for granted this unique, talent-filled weekly nationally televised live comedy event that's been around for 50 years? (as in "What do we think this show is? Chopped liver?") Does its format even make sense at this time given YouTube and streaming? What will its legacy be? Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss the casts, highlights, and the recent anniversary … [Read more...] about PMP#191: Saturday Night Liver
PMP#185: Steve Martin: X-Tuple Threat
Steve Martin was the biggest comic celebrity in the late '70s, became a huge movie star, and now delivers gentle comedy and fast banjo licks according to his desired rich guy schedule. In light of the popularity of Only Murders in the Building (which just finished season 4), last March's Apple TV documentary STEVE! (martin), and his current blockbuster tour, we consider … [Read more...] about PMP#185: Steve Martin: X-Tuple Threat
PMP#184: !BREAKING! Comedy News
Many people use shows like Last Week Tonight or The Daily Show to not just satirize the news but to provide us with our news. Late night shows, SNL, and many other shows get in on this, and conservative media is catching up via Gutfield. How does the comedy news format relate to panel shows, podcasts, and other light-hearted political talk? Some of the historical shows we … [Read more...] about PMP#184: !BREAKING! Comedy News
PMP#165: Jewish Comedy w/ Daniel Lobell
Your hosts Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al explore the characteristics of Jewish comedy with stand-up/graphic novelist Daniel, whose film Reconquistador explores his ancestors being kicked out of Spain. What's the connection of Jewish humor to anti-semitism? We talk about relating as a creator to your identity, Jewish people seeing themselves in film and TV, the … [Read more...] about PMP#165: Jewish Comedy w/ Daniel Lobell
PMP#145: Growing Up Sitcommed
Mark, Sarahlyn, Lawrence, and guest Landen Celano from the Grunt Work podcast (all about Home Improvement) talk about talk about our ambivalence toward the three-camera, laugh-tracked half-hour comedies that filled our childhoods in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Why did some of these stand the test of time? Are some shows well suited for hate-watching or background watching? Why … [Read more...] about PMP#145: Growing Up Sitcommed
PMP#132: “Too Soon” in Comedy?
To honor the death of Gilbert Gottfried, we discuss jokes like the 9-11 one he was pilloried for. Can comedy really be "too soon" in relation to its tragic subject matter? Is comedy really tragedy plus time, or are jokes in fact most needed immediately when pain and discomfort are most acute? Mark is joined by three comedians: Adam Sank (of the LGBTQ-themed Adam Sank Show), … [Read more...] about PMP#132: “Too Soon” in Comedy?
PMP#123: We Are All Jackass
Mark is joined by comedian Matty Goldberg; filmmaker/podcaster Rolando Nieves; and comedy juggler Josh Casey to discuss the Jackass franchise that began in 2000 in light of the new (final?) film Jackass Forever. This is perhaps our sole remaining form of popular entertainment that relies on sheer physicality, without the gamesmanship of sports. What's the appeal of this … [Read more...] about PMP#123: We Are All Jackass
PMP#106: Stand-Up Comedy in the Internet Age
Mark discusses how Internet culture has changed stand-up with three comedians: past guests Rodney Ramsey (who co-owns the Unknown Comedy Club) and Daniel Lobell (host of Modern Day Philosophers and author of the Fair Enough comic), plus Dena Jackson (also a speaker on yoga and mindfulness and host of The Ego Podcast). How does the existence of YouTube, social media, and … [Read more...] about PMP#106: Stand-Up Comedy in the Internet Age
Introducing Philosophy vs. Improv
While we're in hiatus for a couple of weeks between seasons here, enjoy the trailer for Mark's new podcast Philosophy vs. Improv. This grew directly out of PMP episode 20 on improv comedy, with the last straw being our interview with Matt Young (who like Tim from #20 as well as Adal Rifai appears on Hello from the Magic Tavern). So if the attempts at silly voices, joking around … [Read more...] about Introducing Philosophy vs. Improv
PMP#100: Directing Comedies w/ Heather Fink
What makes for a good comedy film or show? Funny people reading (or improvising) funny lines, right? WRONG? Mark, Erica, Brian, are joined by Heather Fink to discuss the role of the director in making a comedy (or anything else) actually good. Heather has directed for TV, film, and commercials and spent a lot of time doing sound (a boom operator or sound utility) for … [Read more...] about PMP#100: Directing Comedies w/ Heather Fink
PMP#87: Female Buddy Comedies w/ Erica’s Female Buddy Micah Greene
The buddy comedy is a staple of American film, but using this to explore female friendship is still fresh ground. Erica, Mark, Brian, and Erica's long-time friend Micah Greene (actor and nurse) discuss tropes and dynamics within this kind of film, focusing primarily on Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, the 2021 release written and starring Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo as a … [Read more...] about PMP#87: Female Buddy Comedies w/ Erica’s Female Buddy Micah Greene
PMP#74: Micro Comedy w/ Tiffany Topol
What has the Internet done to comedy? Does removing gatekeepers mean a more distributed comic landscape, or does it inevitably end with a small number of comics dominating the world? The Internet means that people can and do judge comics based on very short clips, but also makes it easy to follow the activities of someone you discover that you like. Tiffany comes not from … [Read more...] about PMP#74: Micro Comedy w/ Tiffany Topol
PMP#71: Rap Battles w/ Sacrifice (Tyler Hislop)
Mark, Erica, and Brian are rejoined by our audio editor Tyler to discuss a form of entertainment close to his heart: Priming the rhymes to deliver the crimes: an attack on the character, caring not what-you-wear, anywhere, hug-a-bear... man, battle rap is difficult! So what are the rules? How does modern battle rap compare to free-styling and the beefs aired on rap albums … [Read more...] about PMP#71: Rap Battles w/ Sacrifice (Tyler Hislop)
PMP#70: RISKy Confessional Comedy w/ Kevin Allison
Kevin was in the infamous sketch comedy group The State but has since channeled his energies into giving, curating, and coaching personal stories via his stage show and podcast RISK! He joins your hosts Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss this idiosyncratic form: Do the stories have to be funny? Can you change things? What's the relation to autobiographical, humorous essays a la … [Read more...] about PMP#70: RISKy Confessional Comedy w/ Kevin Allison
PMP#67: Borat Pod Show! Very Nice! With Aaron David Gleason
Let's stop obsessing about election matters and consider instead a clown who brings out racism in rubes. Mark, Erica, Brian, and musician/actor Aaron consider the comedy of Sacha Baron Cohen, especially the new Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, which you should definitely go watch before listening, unless it's the kind of thing that so repulses you that you'll never watch it, in … [Read more...] about PMP#67: Borat Pod Show! Very Nice! With Aaron David Gleason