Funny radio shows / podcasts / audiobook recommendations?
July 22, 2013 10:49 AM Subscribe
I am looking for something I can listen to while working. Nothing too complicated--I write and design on my desk, so I want something that will enable me to have a laugh but also continue with my work. Kind of like when you're doing your homework with the TV on. At the moment, I don't want something that I have to pause so I can contemplate/decipher the plot, you know?
I love Cabin Pressure and have recently started listening to Welcome to Night Vale. I also love the LOTR and Hobbit audio books. Lectures are okay, too (Sir Ken Robinson's "Do schools kill creativity?" TED Talk is perfect).
Mostly I just really want to laugh.
I love How Did This Get Made? They skewer bad movies in a really funny way.
posted by xingcat at 10:59 AM on July 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by xingcat at 10:59 AM on July 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
Stop Podcasting Yourself is in the generic comedians-and-a-guest-chitchat-aimlessly category, but I find it consistently funny and charming.
I also like Throwing Shade but it's not for everyone. If you enjoy off the rails insanity and also a good dose of obscenity with your social commentary, then give it a shot.
Also How Did This Get Made and Answer Me This, above, are great and light.
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:00 AM on July 22, 2013
I also like Throwing Shade but it's not for everyone. If you enjoy off the rails insanity and also a good dose of obscenity with your social commentary, then give it a shot.
Also How Did This Get Made and Answer Me This, above, are great and light.
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:00 AM on July 22, 2013
Stop Podcasting Yourself, My Brother My Brother and Me are two that I really like. Really any of the Maximum Fun podcasts might do.
posted by goggie at 11:01 AM on July 22, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by goggie at 11:01 AM on July 22, 2013 [3 favorites]
Along the same vein (and I think is better) of How Did This Get Made? I give you The Flop House.
Makes me laugh so hard so many time...
Oh you could also add new comer Sawbones to that list as well. Husband and wife (shes a real Doctor , but not YOUR doctor) and they talk about odd medical history.
posted by ShawnString at 11:22 AM on July 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
Makes me laugh so hard so many time...
Oh you could also add new comer Sawbones to that list as well. Husband and wife (shes a real Doctor , but not YOUR doctor) and they talk about odd medical history.
posted by ShawnString at 11:22 AM on July 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
John Hodgman's audiobooks are pretty good for this. A lot of books by comedians are, actually.
Also if you're into the atheism/skepticism scene, Geologic Podcast might be up your alley. He also does a lot of weird sketches and long, rambling, blog-entry style stuff.
posted by NoraReed at 11:46 AM on July 22, 2013
Also if you're into the atheism/skepticism scene, Geologic Podcast might be up your alley. He also does a lot of weird sketches and long, rambling, blog-entry style stuff.
posted by NoraReed at 11:46 AM on July 22, 2013
Professor Blastoff. Comedy podcast with Tig Notaro, Kyle Dunnigan and David Huntsberger. It is amazing!!
posted by bjharl at 11:54 AM on July 22, 2013
posted by bjharl at 11:54 AM on July 22, 2013
Stuff You Should Know is my favorite, and some episodes of WTF with Mark Maron are better than others, but it's worth checking out. They're both usually just two people talking. SYSK is about a specific topic (this morning on the way to work I listed to "How do Building Implosions work?", for example) and WTF is comedian Mark Maron interviewing other comedians or musicians - I often fast forward through the 10 minute intro/sponsor message thingy but once he's talking to his guest I love it. The Mel Brooks episode is particularly great. Both have large back catalogs that could keep you entertained for ages!
posted by hungrybruno at 12:24 PM on July 22, 2013
posted by hungrybruno at 12:24 PM on July 22, 2013
Podcasts for background listening, but not necessarily funny: Previously
posted by tinymegalo at 12:33 PM on July 22, 2013
posted by tinymegalo at 12:33 PM on July 22, 2013
Best answer: I used to listen to Wait Wait Don't Tell me at work a lot.
posted by radioamy at 12:57 PM on July 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by radioamy at 12:57 PM on July 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
Seconding NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.
posted by RedOrGreen at 1:12 PM on July 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by RedOrGreen at 1:12 PM on July 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
I have to say The Bugle, hosted by comedians Andy Zaltzman and John Oliver. Consistently makes my stomach hurt from laughing so hard.
posted by That's Numberwang! at 1:37 PM on July 22, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by That's Numberwang! at 1:37 PM on July 22, 2013 [4 favorites]
Its not as good as The Flop House, but We hate Movies is funny and the book was better is also funny.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 11:21 PM on July 22, 2013
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 11:21 PM on July 22, 2013
Am 1710 antioch broadcasts old time radio shows 24/7. I'm a big fan of old time radio; there's something about the storytelling and cadence of the speakers thats comforting and fun to listen to. A lot of modern attempts to recreate otr, to me, feel as if they're trying too hard. You can also download a billion and twelve shows at the otr section of the internet archive
posted by swashedbuckles at 4:35 AM on July 23, 2013
posted by swashedbuckles at 4:35 AM on July 23, 2013
Seconding old time radio (internet) stations. This has lots of BBC stuff, from the 1950s up to the last 5 years:
British Comedy Channel. Also, BBC 4 Extra has lots of comedy shows, plays and readings. Both available via Tune In
posted by Gomoryhu at 6:59 AM on July 24, 2013
British Comedy Channel. Also, BBC 4 Extra has lots of comedy shows, plays and readings. Both available via Tune In
posted by Gomoryhu at 6:59 AM on July 24, 2013
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