Comedy Bang Bang: “A Thanator Around Your Neck”
Host: Scott Aukerman
Guests: Anna Konkle, Griffin Newman, Connor Ratliff, Anna Bezahler (as herself and “Leaf Clover”)
Date: January 19, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode of Comedy Bang Bang blends signature absurdity and meta-comedy as Scott welcomes Anna Konkle (Pen15, The Drop), along with returning character guests “James Cameron” (Griffin Newman) and “Jake Sully” (Connor Ratliff) from Avatar, plus “Leaf Clover” (Anna Bezahler), a somatic therapist. The show covers Anna’s new movie and memoir, an extended satirical “press conference” for the underperforming Avatar: Fire and Ash, and a parody therapy session, with the freewheeling tone, dense callbacks, and gleeful bits that define Comedy Bang Bang.
Key Segments and Discussion Points
1. Anna Konkle Interview: “Untitled Home Invasion Romance” & Memoir
(00:44 – 25:26)
-
Anna’s New Movie
-
Anna discusses her role in the comedy-thriller "Untitled Home Invasion Romance," a directorial debut by Jason Biggs.
-
Plot revolves around a couple’s crumbling marriage and a staged home invasion that goes horribly wrong.
-
Anna plays the small-town sheriff—a role she jokes is “the only thing [she] could be in that town.”
Quote:
“So basically, Jason and the character that Jason plays... surprises [his wife] by going back to her hometown... [He] stages a fake home invasion that then goes wrong in order to play the hero.”
— Anna Konkle, 09:39
-
-
On Being a Sheriff
- Anna riffs with Scott about law enforcement onscreen vs. her personal beliefs.
- Talks about her “hippie” upbringing in Vermont and Massachusetts.
-
The Evolution of the Film’s Name
- Jokes about whether “Untitled Home Invasion Romance” would ever get a real title; conclusion: that IS the title.
-
Anna’s Memoir: “The Sane One”
-
Out May 5, with Random House.
-
Memoir explores her parents’ divorce, her childhood, and her estrangement & reconciliation with her dad.
-
She admits the title is ironic: “I’m not the sane one. Spoiler.”
Quote:
“We didn’t speak for a year. We didn’t see each other for five years... I’m not the sane one. Spoiler.”
— Anna Konkle, 18:57
-
-
Other News
- Appearance in upcoming season of “Hacks.”
- New film at South by Southwest: Joe Swanberg’s The Sun Never Sets.
Memorable Moment:
- Scott and Anna’s riff on never dying:
“I run pretty fast. I can outrun Lady Death.”
— Scott Aukerman, 15:00
2. Avatar Segment: James Cameron & Jake Sully Press Conference
(31:12 – 54:08)
-
The Bit:
-
James Cameron and Jake Sully (in character) join to address the “failure” of Avatar: Fire and Ash (satirically noting “only” $1.5B box office).
Quote:
“In less than one month, Avatar: Fire and Ash has only made $1.5 billion… It’s embarrassing.”
— Jake Sully/Connor Ratliff, 35:07
-
-
Industry Satire
- They bemoan being “box office poison,” plan to “release” Avatars 4 and 5 as a press conference since interest has evaporated.
-
Plot Reveals & Meta-Humor
-
Unchecked, they spoil future sequels, riffing that Avatar 5 would let Spider bring “every character from every movie ever” onto Pandora—including Kramer vs. Kramer, the Cool Runnings team, minions, and even “the door from Titanic.”
-
Plans for every film character to become a Navi, satirizing IP crossovers.
Quote:
"In Avatar 5, Spider has the ability to bring every character in the history of movies back to life."
— James Cameron/Griffin Newman, 46:01
-
-
Anna’s Parodic New Role
- She's offered “the door from Titanic” and jokes through contract terms.
-
Recurring Meta-Bit:
-
The segment gleefully drags, with guests repeatedly noting its excessive (even by CBB standards) length.
Quote:
"I'm no director, but I feel like this segment's been running very long. If I were you… I would have gone to a break by now." — Jake Sully/Connor Ratliff, 53:07
-
3. Leaf Clover: Somatic Therapist
(57:33 – 71:16)
-
Introduction
- “Leaf Clover” (Anna Bezahler) joins as a self-styled somatic therapist—therapy focused on bodily sensations.
- Asks guests about their physical sensations, “presses” on Scott, and prompts Anna to Venmo her $1 per minute for therapy.
-
Bits & Satire
-
Anna is genuinely enthusiastic about therapy, while Scott is skeptical.
-
The segment parodies the language and quirks of real-life wellness and bodywork trends.
Quote:
“Somatic therapy is therapy that focuses on the body… the body keeps the score…”
— Leaf Clover/Anna Bezahler, 58:18
-
-
Comedic Highlights
- Jake Sully describes his two “births” (Earth, then as Navi).
- Literal and figurative interpretations: fortress analogized as emotional boundaries; pushing on the pelvis as therapy.
-
Notable Exchange:
“I feel like the segment needs to wrap up.”
— Scott Aukerman, 71:33
4. Plugs & Close
(72:17 – 81:10)
-
Plug Bag Song
- An epically long, intentionally overblown song submission leads into the plug segment.
-
Plugs
- Anna:
- “Untitled Home Invasion Romance” (Jan 27, VOD)
- Memoir “The Sane One” (May 5)
- Upcoming “Hacks” episode
- “The Sun Never Sets” (SXSW premiere; Joe Swanberg film)
- James & Jake:
- Reluctantly plug “Avatar: Fire and Ash”
- Hulu plug for “Blank Check” podcast (which “defends” the new Avatar movie)
- Griffin/Connor project plugs: “Acting Class” (YouTube), “George Lucas Talk Show”
- Leaf/Anna Bezahler:
- “Anna and Isabella Do Improv” podcast
- “Crazy Story Show” (YouTube)
- Will Hines’ “Play by Play” (tour Feb 5-9)
- Anna:
-
Signature Closer
- Classic bits and running gags, extended riffing on the absurdity of the plug segment’s length.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Anna on memoir family drama:
- "We didn't speak for a year. We didn't see each other for five years...I'm not the sane one. Spoiler." (18:57)
-
James Cameron on Avatar’s fortunes:
- "It's a bittersweet day for us... we have to admit in less than one month, Avatar: Fire and Ash has only made $1.5 billion." (35:07)
-
Meta humor on segment length:
- “I'm no director, but I feel like this segment's been running very long. If I were you… I would have gone to a break by now.” (53:07)
-
Anna on classic community theater beginnings:
- "I really came out strong with Annie... No, I was Tessie... Nobody knows who Tessie is." (13:21-13:32)
-
Anna’s therapist enthusiasm:
- "I really love therapy." (57:44)
-
Jake Sully’s deepest wounds:
- "I built a fortress of love around myself." (62:00)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Anna Konkle Interview (Film & Memoir): 00:44 – 25:26
- Avatar: James Cameron & Jake Sully Press Conference: 31:12 – 54:08
- Leaf Clover, Somatic Therapist Parody: 57:33 – 71:16
- Plugs & Closing: 72:17 – end
Episode Tone & Style
Delightfully unhinged, densely referential, and packed with longform bits, this episode features CBB’s core strengths: surreal improvisation, affectionate showbiz parody, satire of Hollywood self-seriousness (especially with the Avatar segment), and recurring meta commentary (especially about the show’s own structure and the patience of its listeners). Animated interplay and playful in-jokes make it accessible—even if you’re unfamiliar with every guest’s whole back catalogue.
By the end, the show’s in-jokes, character commitment, and constant breaking of the fourth wall remind listeners why Comedy Bang Bang remains a podcast comedy institution.
