Maximum Fun

Maximum Fun
Type Podcast and radio show
Country United States
Availability Global
Key people
 Jesse Thorn
Affiliation National Public Radio, Public Radio International (formerly)
Official website
 www.maximumfun.org

Maximum Fun is an independent podcast and radio show production organization founded and run by Jesse Thorn. The organization originated with Thorn's college radio show The Sound of Young America which continued in an adapted format and with a new name, Bullseye with Jesse Thorn. Maximum Fun has since grown to include several other programs.

In May 2014, Rolling Stone included three Maximum Fun shows on its list of "The 20 Best Comedy Podcasts Right Now": Judge John Hodgman, RISK!, and Throwing Shade.[1]

Programs

The Adventure Zone

The Adventure Zone is a spin-off of My Brother, My Brother and Me, in which Griffin, Justin, and Travis McElroy play Dungeons & Dragons with their father, Clint.[2]

Baby Geniuses

Baby Geniuses is a weekly interview podcast hosted by comedian Emily Heller and cartoonist Lisa Hanawalt.[3] The first episode was released on August 22, 2012,[4] and the show joined Maximum Fun on September 29, 2014.[5]

Beef and Dairy Network Podcast

Beef and Dairy Network Podcast is a surrealist comedy podcast hosted by Benjamin Partridge, taking the form of a serious companion podcast to a fictional beef and dairy industry trade magazine relating the bizarre happenings in the aforementioned industries.[6]

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Bullseye, formerly The Sound of Young America, began as an interview, talk, and sketch comedy radio show at the University of California Santa Cruz.[7] It now follows an interview-only format and is available both as a podcast and via National Public Radio on numerous public radio stations across the United States.[8]

Bunker Buddies with Andie and Travis

Bunker Buddies with Andie and Travis is a comedy survival podcast hosted by comedians Andie Bolt and Travis McElroy (co-host of My Brother, My Brother, and Me). The hosts discuss survival strategies for "every single Apocalyptic scenario" they can think of.[9]

Can I Pet Your Dog?

Can I Pet Your Dog? is a comedy podcast on dogs hosted by dog owner Allegra Ringo, "dog wanter" Renee Colvert, and producer Alexis B. Preston. The hosts discuss dogs among themselves and their guests.[10]

Coyle and Sharpe: The Imposters

This show was a series of rebroadcasts of audio comedy pranks performed and recorded by Jim Coyle and Mal Sharpe in the 1960s.[11] Coyle and Sharpe met in 1959 in a San Francisco boarding house and hatched a plan to make a living performing pranks. Using a hidden tape recorder, they recorded themselves doing comedic interviews with people on the streets of San Francisco. Some of these recordings were released by Warner Bros. Records as an LP. The duo also had a nightly radio show on KGO Radio.[12] Many of the recordings were preserved by Mal Sharpe's daughter, Jennifer Sharpe, and these form the basis of the podcast.[11] Maximum Fun released 100 episodes of the show from March 2007 to September 2010.[13]

Dave Hill's Podcasting Incident

From the Maximum Fun website: "This incredible podcast features comedian/musician/writer/actor/artist/man-about-town/thinking man Dave Hill sitting down and having a delightful conversation with various notable people, including but not limited to fellow comedians, musicians, actors, authors, supermodels, convicts and whoever else he can talk into it."[14]

The Flop House

The Flop House is a bi-weekly film review podcast hosted by Elliott Kalan, Dan McCoy, and Stuart Wellington. The hosts watch a "questionable" movie before each episode and then discuss its merits and shortcomings.[15] It became part of the Maximum Fun network on September 29, 2014.[5]

The Goosedown

The Goosedown hosted by comedians Kimberly Clark & Jasper Redd places an African-American spin on pop culture past and present. They are no longer on Maximum Fun.[16]

The Greatest Generation

The Greatest Generation is a twice-weekly comedy podcast in which hosts Adam Pranica and Benjamin Harrison describe and review an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. [17]

International Waters

International Waters is a comedy panel game hosted by Dave Holmes (formerly hosted by Jesse Thorn). The show features comedians from the US competing against UK-based comedians by answering questions about pop culture. Points are awarded for correct answers as well as for funny incorrect answers.[18]

Jordan, Jesse, Go!

A talk podcast where hosts Jesse Thorn and Jordan Morris and usually a guest provide a comedic take on a variety of topics. All time number one guest by appearances is "Big Time" Gene O'Neill.

Judge John Hodgman

Stemming from a popular segment on Jordan, Jesse, Go!, Judge John Hodgman debuted as a standalone Maximum Fun podcast in November 2010.[19] Hodgman serves as judge and jury, hearing cases brought by listeners on topics ranging from which kind of soap goes in the dispenser on the sink to whether a high schooler is responsible for the theft of a life-sized Ernie doll that he had previously stolen. Jesse Thorn serves as the "bailiff," though this role is occasionally filled by guest bailiffs when Jesse is preoccupied.

The Kasper Hauser Podcast

Selections of sketch comedy performed by the Kasper Hauser comedy group.

My Brother, My Brother and Me

On January 17, 2011, Jesse Thorn announced the addition of My Brother, My Brother and Me to the Maximum Fun family. The show is a comedy program that poses as an advice podcast, hosted by real-life brothers Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy. Over the course of the show, the brothers answer two types of questions: the real questions, in which listeners of the show write in, asking the brothers for their advice on a certain situation; and the more humorous, ridiculous questions from Yahoo! Answers. The brothers often refer to the latter as "Yahoos."[20]

My Brother, My Brother and Me has featured notable guests answering questions, including Patrick Rothfuss, Elizabeth Gilbert, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Roderick and Dan Savage. These guests are usually billed as "guestperts."

Oh No, Ross and Carrie!

Oh No, Ross and Carrie! joined the Maximum Fun network in January 2014.[21] The hosts, Ross Blocher and Carrie Poppy, personally investigate claims about spirituality, fringe science, religion, and the paranormal, then discuss their findings on the show. They have investigated a number of religious groups, fringe science claims, and alternative medicine modalities, including Mormonism, dowsing, and Reiki healing.[22] The motto of the podcast is "We show up so you don't have to."[23]

Pop Rocket

Pop Rocket is a discussion of pop culture hosted by comedian Guy Branum, who is joined each week by panelists Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Margaret Wappler.[24] Combining comic, journalistic, academic and digital media expertise, the Pop Rocket team will keep you up-to-date on what's most exciting in pop culture this week. Generally the panel explores issues with diversity, feminism, sociology and provide music recommendations called "That's My Jam" and select topics "I'm All About..." of what they were most interested in from the prior week.

Rendered

Rendered, hosted and produced by Julie Sabatier, was a monthly public radio show and podcast about "do it yourself" culture and creativity. Rather than a how-to show of DIY projects, Rendered (formerly "Destination DIY") centered around creative people as well as the processes and resources used to create various skills, communities, and ideas. The shows featured in-studio interviews, recorded sounds from the field, and narration.[25] It was distributed by Public Radio Exchange to several public radio stations in the US.[26] The podcast was added to the Maximum Fun network on September 29, 2014.[5] Rendered retired from publication on August 31, 2015.[27]

Risk!

Risk! is a weekly podcast and live storytelling show hosted by writer and actor Kevin Allison. The show's official website describes Risk! as a place "where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share in public".[28] RISK! started as a weekly live storytelling series in August 2009.

Rose Buddies

Rose Buddies is a weekly podcast hosted by Griffin McElroy (of My Brother, My Brother and Me) and his wife Rachel McElroy. The show features the hosts recapping and discussing the most recent episodes of the television series The Bachelor, along with spinoff series such as The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise. The podcast originally premiered in January 2016, later joining Maximum Fun in January 2017.[29]

Sawbones

Sawbones, "a marital tour of misguided medicine," is a podcast hosted by Sydnee McElroy, a physician, and her husband Justin McElroy, who is also a co-host of My Brother, My Brother, and Me. The weekly show is a humorous exploration of medical history, focusing on the many ways the medical community has been wrong in the past. It premiered on the Maximum Fun network on June 21, 2013 with an episode about trepanation.[30]

Shmanners

Shmanners is a weekly podcast hosted by Travis McElroy (of My Brother, My Brother and Me) and his wife, Teresa McElroy. The show focuses on teaching proper manners and etiquette, as well as the history behind various social guidelines. The podcast was launched in January 2016.[31]

The Sound of Young America: The College Years

The Sound of Young America was a college radio show, and is now known as Bullseye with Jesse Thorn.

Still Buffering

Still Buffering is a weekly podcast hosted by real-life sisters Sydnee McElroy (of Sawbones) and Rileigh Smirl, with their other sister Teylor Smirl becoming a regular co-host in later episodes. The show focuses on experiences and issues faced by teenagers, comparing and contrasting those of current teen Rileigh with her older sisters' memories of their own teenage years. The show was first launched on Maximum Fun in January 2016.[32]

Stop Podcasting Yourself

Stop Podcasting Yourself is a weekly comedy podcast hosted by Graham Clark and Dave Shumka. Each week the comedy duo invites a guest onto the program for a conversational interview. It is sometimes referred to by its acronym—pronounced "spy"—and its listeners are referred to as "bumpers" after Dave mistakenly referred to the audience that way in episode 1.

Stop Podcasting Yourself started independently on March 2, 2008, being distributed through iTunes and its blog. On March 22, 2010, it was announced that the Vancouver-based podcast would join Maximum Fun.[33] SPY is a three time Canadian Comedy Award Winner for Best Podcast/Best Audio Show or Series[34][35]

Notable Stop Podcasting Yourself guests

Throwing Shade

Throwing Shade is a weekly comedy podcast centered around discussions of pop culture, politics, gay rights, and issues important to women, hosted by Erin Gibson (a.k.a. "Feminasty") and Bryan Safi (a.k.a. "Homosensual").[36][37] Gibson and Safi are "equal-opportunity offenders," and their comedic repartee frequently features adult topics and a politically incorrect sense of humor, even as they explore serious cultural and political issues.[38] The podcast launched on November 9, 2011 and on March 5, 2012 it was announced that Throwing Shade was joining the Maximum Fun podcast network.[39]

Trends Like These is a weekly podcast hosted by Travis McElroy (of My Brother My Brother and Me and others) and Brent Black, in which the two spend each episode discussing and analyzing various topics and stories trending on online social media. The podcast was launched in May 2015, and later joined the Maximum Fun network in February 2016.[40]

We Got This with Mark & Hal

We Got This is a comedic debate-style podcast hosted by Thrilling Adventure Hour alumni Hal Lublin and Mark Gagliardi. In it suggestions are given for topics of discussion via social media, and the two hosts (And occasionally a special guest.) engage in an episode-long debate before reaching a final agreement meant to (jokingly) settle the argument permanently. Topics have ranged from "Best or Worst" scenarios (ex: "Best Halloween Candy", "Worst Christmas Song", "Best Season") to debates focused singularly on two outcomes. (ex: "Calling or Texting", "Batman or Superman", "Baths or Showers") After a decision has been reached Hal Lublin closes the show with an improvised speech addressing the "People of the World" with their verdict. Occasionally the two will engage in "Clean Slate" episodes, which consist of "lightning round"-style quick takes on multiple topics they wouldn't otherwise have enough material to make a full episode out of.

Guests on the program have included notable comedians, musicians, authors, professional wrestlers, celebrities of geek/nerd culture, and numerous others. Frequently the show will feature fellow alumni of Thrilling Adventure Hour's "WorkJuice Players" collective as well as fellow podcasters as guests. Their theme song was written and performed by musical comedian/composer Mike Phirman. [41]

Notable We Got This with Mark & Hal guests

Other projects

MaxFunCon

Begun in 2009, an annual weekend convention where fans of Maximum Fun can spend time with Maximum Fun hosts and other celebrities held in Lake Arrowhead, CA. In fall 2012 MaxFunCon East was offered in the Poconos.[42] The Atlantic Ocean Comedy and Music Festival (also known as boatparty.biz) was held in summer 2013 in lieu of Max Fun Con East.[43]

MaxFunStore

An online store for Maximum Fun-related merchandise.[44]

References

  1. ↑ "Listen Up: The 20 Best Comedy Podcasts Right Now". Rolling Stone. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "The Adventure Zone". Maximum Fun website. Maximum Fun. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "Baby Geniuses". Maximum Fun website. Maximum Fun. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Baby Geniuses". Feedburner. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "Welcome Destination DIY, Baby Geniuses, and The Flop House!". Maximum Fun website. Maximum Fun. September 29, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  6. ↑ http://www.beefanddairynetwork.com/
  7. ↑ Byrne, Matt (April 12, 2011). "Jesse Thorn of The Sound of Young America" and "Jordan, Jesse Go!"". AV Club. The Onion. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  8. ↑ "About Bullseye with Jesse Thorn". maximumfun.org. Maximum Fun. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Bunker Buddies with Andie and Travis". Maximum Fun website. Maximum Fun. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  10. ↑ Travis McElroy (29 July 2015). "Ep. 1: Tindog and Lin-Manuel Miranda". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  11. 1 2 "Coyle and Sharpe: The Imposters". Maximum Fun website. Maximum Fun. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Coyle & Sharpe". Maximum Fun website. Maximum Fun. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Coyle and Sharpe: The Imposters". Feedburner. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Dave Hill's Podcasting Incident". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  15. ↑ "The Flop House". Maximum Fun website. Maximum Fun. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  16. ↑ "The Goosedown". Maximum Fun website. Maximum Fun. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  17. ↑ http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/greatest-generation
  18. ↑ "International Waters". Maximum Fun website. Maximum Fun. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Judge John Hodgman: The Podcast". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  20. ↑ "The Newest Maximum Fun Podcast: My Brother, My Brother and Me!". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  21. ↑ Blocher, Ross & Poppy, Carrie (2 January 2014). "Ross and Carrie Strike Water: Dowsing and Pendulum Edition". Oh No, Ross and Carrie!. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  22. ↑ "Oh No, Ross and Carrie!". Feedburner. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  23. ↑ Doctorow, Cory (25 March 2014). "Oh No Ross and Carrie: podcasting investigative journalists join cults, try woo, and get prodded -- for science!". Boing Boing. Happy Mutants LLC. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  24. ↑ "Pop Rocket". Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  25. ↑ "About Destination DIY". Maximum Fun website. Maximum Fun. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  26. ↑ "Destination DIY". Public Radio Exchange. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Rendered: The Last Episode". Rendered website. Rendered. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  28. ↑ "About Us". Kevin Allison Presents: RISK!. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  29. ↑ Travis McElroy (2 January 2017). "Rose Buddies Ep. 51: Girl Fieri". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  30. ↑ "Sawbones". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  31. ↑ http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/shmanners
  32. ↑ http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/still-buffering
  33. ↑ "Coming Soon to MaximumFun.org: Stop Podcasting Yourself". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  34. ↑ "Canadian Comedy Awards Festival | Award Winners". Canadiancomedy.ca. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  35. ↑ "Stop Podcasting Yourself wins second Canadian Comedy Award". Maximum Fun. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  36. ↑ "Throwing Shade: Podmass Central". A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  37. ↑ Middleton, Josh (January 4, 2013). "Throwing Shade at Delta Burke - and Philly". GPhilly: Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  38. ↑ "Joseph Gordon-Levitt charms Nerdist and Gilbert Gottfried is unrepentant on WTF: Podmass Central". A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  39. ↑ Thorn, Jesse. "Please Welcome: Throwing Shade!". Jesse Thorn's blog. Maximumfun.org. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  40. ↑ http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/trends-like-these
  41. ↑ http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/we-got-this
  42. ↑ "Announcing MaxFunCon East!". MaxFunCon. 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  43. ↑ Archived December 16, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  44. ↑ "Maximum Fun". TopatoCo. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
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