2012 wasn’t a great year for Tig Notaro. In short order, the up-and-coming standup comedian was diagnosed with C. diff. (a rare digestive disorder), her mother died, she went through a breakup, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a bilateral mastectomy. Not exactly fertile ground for comedy.
When Seinfeld premiered in July of 1989, critics and audiences didn’t quite know what to make of it. Everything about it ran counter to what traditional sitcoms looked like up to that point. The characters were self-absorbed and petty. The tone was often cold and mean spirited. Episodes featured mundane stories with low-stakes conflict. It was also funny and smarter than just about anything on TV at the time.
I spent most of Monday in airports. That means I spent most of Monday listening to podcasts. More than music, podcasts have become my default form of aural entertainment whether I’m on a plane, in the car, out for a run or cooking dinner at home. If you’re like me, you’re always looking for new shows. So in that spirit, here are a few of my favorite podcasts that I think are worth checking out.
The Nightly Show allows Wilmore to dig deeper into these issues while also expanding his scope beyond just race. Each episode focuses on a single topic. An introductory segment is followed by a panel discussion featuring a mix of comedians and experts representing opposing sides of the issue. The format will be familiar to fans of Real Time with Bill Maher, though without the alienating smugness that often makes Maher so difficult to stomach.
By JIM SABATASO | STAFF [A version of this review appears in the Oct. 2, 2014, edition of the Rutland Reader.] The party is going strong. The beer is flowing. Games are playing. The din of rowdy high school chatter swells. Suddenly, a hush falls over the room as attention drifts toward the TV. Laughter…
The Plaid Crew 