Ten Great Episodes of WTF with Marc Maron

Even if his name doesn't ring a bell, chances are you've seen or heard stand-up comedian Marc Maron at some point- whether it was during one of his many appearances on Letterman or Conan, one of the episodes of Short Attention Span Theater he hosted on Comedy Central, or when he was a radio personality for Air America. Since 2009 he's produced a podcast, WTF with Marc Maron, where he interviews notable comics, comedic writers and actors in his garage studio, inviting them to speak candidly about their successes and struggles. These are not softball press-junket interviews, nor are they hard-boiled confrontational ambushes. Marc's openness about his own insecurities and flaws seems to evoke genuine introspection from his guests, resulting in interviews that appear to surprise Marc and his subjects as much as anyone listening.

The format of each show is consistent. Marc begins with a "riff" which may or may not be intentionally funny, and sometimes ties in with the subject or theme of that show's interview. The interview follows, and after that Marc usually caps the show with some post-interview observations. It's almost always worth listening all the way through. While Maron has scored some major celebrities in the show's short life (including Louis C.K., Robin Williams, and Ben Stiller), his best shows aren't always the ones with the best-known guests. The interviews that really leave an impression are the ones where people lay themselves bare, admitting their mistakes and imperfections, or where they relate amazing or unusual stories from their lives.

There are occasional "live" episodes where Marc interviews several comedians in front of an audience. These interviews are necessarily shorter and shallower, but are frequently amusing, at least.

All of the show's episodes are available online in some manner, although the options for listening to them vary depending on how old the show is and who the guest was. Older shows with particularly famous guests usually end up as iTunes album downloads called "WTF Premium" shows, which are available for a price. Shows too old to be cached in iTunes' free podcast directory are available for streaming through the WTF mobile app, or by subscribing on the official site. I link to the most convienient/affordable means of obtaining each of the below episodes. You can also refer to the show's episode guide for a complete breakdown.

Note: Aside from the WTF Premium episodes available from the iTunes Store, I've only heard episodes back as far as 124 (Paul Scheer). There are certainly some gems in the first non-premium 123 episodes that I have not yet uncovered.

75. Carlos Mencia
76. Willie Barcena, Steve Trevino, and Carlos Mencia

The first entry in this list is kind of a cheat since it's technically two episodes, but you get the point. Most people who follow Comedy even casually remember the controversy when Joe Rogan and others publicly accused "Carlos MenSTEALia" of lifting material from other comedians. In episode 75 Carlos addresses the problem directly and with a humility that convinced me, while listening, that people were overreacting to the scandal. But Marc closes that show with his own doubts and some telling details that he hadn't revealed during the interview, which shed doubt on Mencia's story. Things become much more interesting in the following show where Maron interviews two comics with specific and alarming details about Mencia's antics, and then gives Mencia a chance to respond to the new criticisms. I almost guarantee you'll come away from this second part with a totally different perspective than after the first one.

130. Mike DeStefano

Listeners first got a taste of Mike DeStefano in a short and hilarious live interview Marc had tacked onto the end of episode 129 (Janeane Garofalo). In this long-form studio interview, though, we get a much clearer understanding of why so many people in the business love Mike DeStefano. His honesty, strength, and love for life are just as appealing as his sense of humor. Very few people have lived through the horrors and struggle this guy has, and almost none of them managed to cling to their humanity as he did.

This interview was recorded and published in late 2010. After listening to it, fast-forward to episode 156 (Kathleen Madigan) for a heartbreaking epilogue in Marc's opening riff.

145. Gallagher

You don't have to search very hard for evidence that lowbrow prop-comic Gallagher is an insecure and bitter old man. So it's not surprising that Gallagher comes off as an evasive ass in his WTF interview. You get a very clear sense that Gallagher didn't know what he was getting into when he agreed to appear on the show, and probably didn't even know what a podcast was. This is not to say that Marc was overly confrontational; it's just that Gallagher seemed to expect it to be your average Morning Zoo kind of fluff whereas Marc was ready to discuss some specific criticisms about Gallagher's act. This is, I believe, the shortest WTF interview because Gallagher walked out halfway through. "Aw, c'mon Gallagher" has become an unofficial WTF meme.

146. Dave Foley

One of the most likeable characters from The Kids in the Hall and News Radio, Dave Foley had an enviable life and career for several good years. But after the agents stopped calling and problems at home started escalating, the likeable Canadian's life took a number of dark turns. Foley details his woes in good humor if not good spirit, charting the course of his life from promise to desperation.

147. Stephen Tobolowsky

The prolific character actor Stephen Tobolowsky has featured in over a couple hundred movies and shows since the Seventies. His career has taken him to interesting places, and in this interview he shares a number of amazing and inspiring stories. After hearing this show it should make sense that Tobolowsky has his own podcast.

151. Carl LaBove

While he's never even approached household name status, Carl LaBove is well-known in stand-up circles, and was one of Sam Kinison's closest friends throughout that comic's entire tumultuous career. Marc Maron actually has some history with both Sam and Carl, some dark and traumatic times which still haunt him. He confronts Carl about their shared past and delves deep into Carl's own troubled friendship with Sam. Listen very closely to this one; it gets heavy.

173. Jonathan Winters

I've got to admit, ever since I was a kid I never liked Jonathan Winters. The first I ever saw of him was when he played that adult baby on Mork and Mindy. Well the fact was that I was just too young to get Winters; he won me over in this interview. Marc traveled to the 85-year-old Winters' home to record the interview, and it's just astounding how easily the old guy drifts into character and riffs between fielding serious questions. It's just as delightful to hear Marc cracking up every few minutes whenever Winters goes into a bit. If I remember right Marc also tells a great little story in the closing comments about a tour of the house Winters took him on which shows what a pure and youthful heart that man still has.

174. Sally Wade

Sally Wade was George Carlin's long-time partner. They never married, but they shared a magical, storybook-romantic relationship for many years. This interview illuminates a side of Carlin that no one else ever saw. It's a heartwarming (and breaking) tribute to the man she loved.

190. Todd Hanson

This episode was recorded as two separate interviews a few weeks apart. A longtime writer and editor for The Onion and a longtime friend of Marc Maron's, Todd Hanson tells the story of The Onion's early days and its ultimate effects on the world of Comedy. The first interview is easy-going and light-hearted, even though both Marc and Todd allude to something more ominous without going into detail. Things are made clear in the second interview, where Hanson lifts the curtain on some life-altering events and analyzes their impact on everyone he knows. You might never hear another person who's not an immediate family member speak so honestly about something so painfully private.

194. Rob Riggle

I envy the opportunities Marc Maron has to get interesting people to talk openly about interesting things. Rob Riggle is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and at a broad-chested 6'3" is about the least likely guy you'd expect to find working with some of the best minds in comedy. He's appeared on Upright Citizens Brigade, Chappele's Show, Saturday Night Live, Human Giant and the NBC version of The Office. He talks about his career in the military, including working Search and Rescue detail at Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks. A hard-to-pigeon-hole guy with a fascinating career.