Whether listening during a long commute, throughout long work hours, or even recreationally, listeners frequently turn to podcasts. Celebrating a diverse range of topics from funny to serious to sinister, a podcast almost definitely exists within each listeners' specific interests –– there’s even a podcast devoted to determining whether every single Mike Myers film is actually good.
As podcasts continue to grow in popularity, they bring with them more possibilities for what podcasts can be and focus on. But one podcast type remains constant and thriving: comedy. Everybody loves - and needs - a good laugh. But some comedy podcasts rise above the rest. We have compiled 10 of the most side-splitting podcasts for those days when you just need someone to tell you that Shrek is a masterpiece.
10 Anna Faris is Unqualified
Anna Faris is an underrated comedian. Most known for being Marvel star Chris Pratt’s ex-wife, rather than her comedic work, the comedian hosts this interview and advice podcast that is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. As the name suggests, Faris is unqualified to be giving advice but she tries her best. And she does so with her endearing and comedic flair.
Each week features a different celebrity guest, usually a comedian or comedic actor, who Faris interviews. Following the interview, they call someone and attempt to help them solve a problem. Usually, the listeners are calling in for relationship advice, and the listeners hear Faris and company’s oft-hilarious take on the situation.
9 Guys We F****d
There’s nothing more awkward than running into an ex-hook up. Well, unless you're Corrine Fisher and Krystyna Hutchinson, who do so willingly. The comedy duo even bring their ex flings onto their podcast to answer a bunch of questions, about everything from ghosting a hookup to orgasms.
This sex-positive comedy podcast discusses sexual topics with humor, hitting on everything from hook up tips to trauma relief. The podcast is frequently visited by sex workers and people in comedy, so it is another podcast that is both funny and educational. Plus, the hosts’ candid discussion of sexual topics makes the podcast an enjoyable and inclusive listen, in addition to being hilarious.
8 Yo, Is This Racist?
There is something special about comedy that can also enlighten. In Yo, Is This Racist?, Andrew Ti and Tawny Newsome answer questions via email and voicemail about whether or not something is racist. Oftentimes, the podcast also features visiting comedians or other guests who give their input.
Though Yo, Is This Racist? Is a comedy podcast, it is also a genuine microscope into how to navigate the world in a meaningful and mindful way, focused on how society handles race issues. By framing race issues in a casual and comedic light, the hosts are able to discuss these topics in an inclusive yet educational way –– all the while remaining funny.
7 How Did This Get Made?
From “The Room” to “Face/Off,” horrible movies sometimes develop a following that brings them into eternal fame –– or infamy. In How Did This Get Made?, a trio of comedians watch and make fun of genuinely terrible movies. Hosted by comedians Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas, movie criticism has never been so funny.
Similar to sitting on a couch making jokes about a bad movie with friends, How Did This Get Made? is filled with clever quips about some of the worst movies of all time. Bringing movie lovers together to discuss movies –– especially bad ones –– is a perfect setup for a great comedy podcast. In a standout episode, they discuss 1993's Demolition Man with visiting guest Wyatt Cenac.
6 My Favorite Murder
It’s hard to decide whether to classify My Favorite Murder as a true crime or a comedy podcast, because in reality it is both of those things. Hosted by comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, My Favorite Murder manages to take the macabre topics of murder, and other true crime situations, and turn it into comedy. The topics range from well-known murders like the Jonestown Massacre and the Golden State Killer to lesser-known murders and survivor stories.
The two women often delve into tangents throughout the course of each episode, making the serious topics easily digestible for listeners. Plus, the hosts are genuinely funny people who are clearly passionate about what they do, making My Favorite Murder an educational and funny listen.
5 The Dollop
Two Ls that go hand-in-hand: Laughter and learning. Similar to a favorite history teacher, The Dollop addresses the history of the United States through comedy. Comedians and hosts, Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, aren’t afraid to get weird and abstract in their pursuit of telling American history. That makes for an entertaining, if not sometimes jarring, podcast experience.
The hosts try to select subjects that are humorous or peculiar in their own right, then add their own comedic instincts into the mix. In one peculiar episode, the hosts discuss William Post, the most unlucky lottery winner in history. For those looking for a podcast that is equal parts absurd, funny and educational, The Dollop is the right find.
4 My Brother, My Brother and Me
My Brother, My Brother and Me begins with a warning: Listeners shouldn't follow their advice. Hosted by three brothers, Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy, My Brother, My Brother and Me is an advice podcast that rarely features useful advice. The three brothers are comedians who often delve into riffs and tangents as they answer questions from viewers and Yahoo! Answers. In one episode, a viewer asks the brothers for help convincing his wife to let him get a pet tarantula. The brothers decide to rebrand the spooky spiders with a social media campaign and parade.
The beautiful thing about My Brother, My Brother and Me is its genuine warmth between the three brothers as they laugh together, and make the listeners laugh along with them. Plus, sometimes they actually dole out some pretty solid tips.
3 My Dad Wrote a Porno
Upon discovering that his father had a secret penchant for writing erotic fiction, host of My Dad Wrote a Porno, Jaime Morton, did the obvious: He made a podcast about it. My Dad Wrote a Porno features Morton and his two friends, James Cooper and Alice Levine, as they read excerpts of Morton’s dad’s erotic fiction.
They dissect exactly what is happening in each chapter, sometimes in disturbing detail. In one episode, the protagonist is handcuffed to a trellis in a medium-sized maze and visited by several sexual clients. The podcast features both quips about the novels and legitimate literary comment about the protagonist's adventures. The strangeness of this podcast’s topic is exactly what makes it so bizarre and hilarious. My Dad Wrote a Porno is a NSFW podcast that comes with guaranteed cringes and laughs.
2 2 Dope Queens
Listening to 2 Dope Queens feels like sitting at a wild, hilarious brunch with friends. The casual conversational style takes listeners through a wide range of topics, as comedians Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams riff off of each other. Bonus: Every episode is a live recording, so there is an authenticity to each episode that gives it a truly hilarious spin.
2 Dope Queens doesn’t exactly have a set topic, but the hosts are such funny people that the podcast is sure to be a funny listen. Plus, its lack of singular topic gives it more possibility to run wild. In one episode titled "Black Nerds," Williams recounts her visit to the Sims office, which was a childhood dream realized for the massive Sims fan.
Even more awesome: 2 Dope Queens takes special care to highlight women comedians and comedians of color.
1 Comedy Bang! Bang!
In some ways, Comedy Bang! Bang! is the pinnacle of comedy podcasts. Starting as a radio show, the popular podcast has also had its own television run. Comedy Bang! Bang! has inspired generations of comedians and aspiring podcast hosts.
Hosted by Scott Aukerman, Comedy Bang! Bang! features a wide berth funny guests, including Paul F. Tompkins, Lauren Lapkus, and Jason Mantzoukas. Each episode, the visiting comics do comedy on tape. This oftentimes means performing as a character. A mix of character work, Aukerman’s funny interviews, and a selection of recurring bits, Comedy Bang! Bang! is a must-listen for anyone interested in comedy, podcasts or, especially, both.