Comedy Bang Bang: Best of 2025 Pt. 1

Podcast: Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast
Host: Scott Aukerman
Date: December 22, 2025
Special Guest/Co-Host: Paul F. Tompkins

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode kicks off the annual "Best of" series, with host Scott Aukerman and co-host Paul F. Tompkins counting down the top Comedy Bang Bang podcast episodes of 2025, as voted by listeners. The show blends genuine comedic banter with half-sincere award-show gravitas, revisiting fan-favorite moments, debating the listeners' choices, and riffing constantly. The episode features a rundown of episodes ranked 14 through 11, with highlights, audio clips, behind-the-scenes stories, and much meta-commentary on the process itself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday/Episode Context and Banter

• The episode opens with Scott and Paul riffing about the holiday season, show traditions, “the infinite” number of Paul’s appearances, and how the “Best Of” isn’t the typical episode format.

  • Memorable riff: “My name is Scott Hawker. Man. Oh, boy. Touch and go. I pulled it out, though, at the very last second.” (Scott, 02:02)
  • Discussion of podcasting longevity, the concept of “infinite” appearances, and the existential dread of ending — or never ending — one’s run on a show.

• Holiday references abound, with Scott humorously noting the proximity to Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Boxing Day, bidding “Goodbye, Hanukkah,” and describing “the show where we count down” as a separate but not-separate entity.

2. Behind-the-Scenes: The Numbers Controversy

• A recurring gag details the hosts’ failure to re-record the celebratory “countdown numbers” used in “Best Of” episodes, despite reminders from listeners (notably from “Deandra/Diandra/Diandra”—a real tongue-twister for the pair).
  • “We have implored the listeners to remind us in a timely fashion to rerecord these. And we promise we will do it… But one reminder on December 8th with a typo in it with a. That ain’t it. That ain’t it, Deandra. Chief. That ain’t it, Chief.” (Scott & Paul, 27:20)

3. Episode Rankings: Summaries & Highlights

#14—Sixteen Toilets and Another Day Older

(Ep. 928, Aug 11, 2025; Guests: Paul F. Tompkins, Andy Daly)

• Characters: Paul as Dr. Bill Blondie (Scott’s “personal physician”); Andy as Danny Mahoney (businessman/life of the party).
• Highlights:
  • Dr. Blondie has transitioned into mysterious government work, specializing in odd health policies (e.g., banning aspirin, making hearing aids “a health luxury item,” and making Skittles healthy).
  • Danny Mahoney details his business as a professional party “life of the party” and a surprising penchant for installing toilets (“a toilet in every room”).
• Memorable Quotes:
  • “I came here to make this your business. And business is good.” (Dr. Bill Blondie/Paul, 34:50)
  • “I have a toilet in every room in my house. Every room.” (Danny Mahoney/Andy, 51:30)
• Meta/Behind-the-Scenes: Scott notes this year is Paul’s lightest on appearances, due to touring, leading to a rare and much enjoyed lineup.

#13—Nasty Boys

(Ep. 907, Mar 17, 2025; Guests: Asif Ali, Lily Sullivan, Dan Lippert)

• Set-Up: Asif Ali promotes his FX sitcom “Deli Boys”; Lily Sullivan and Dan Lippert both debut new characters inspired by TV shows (Severance, Landman).
• Highlights:
  • Lily as “Ms. Macy,” a “wellness officer” from the “Hollywood Cabal,” delivers a parody “severed life” assessment of Scott (inc. veiled Fish tattoo and trust fund-dusted ski bum persona “Dr. Shred”), riffing on Apple TV+'s Severance.
  • Dan as “Russ Suaro,” a Texas water company man in LA (inspired by the TV show Landman), delights in deadpan, out-of-place local wisdom.
  • Asif verbally commits to breaking his season 2 pickup news on the show—Scott jokingly demands he call with the verdict before telling relatives.
• Notable Exchange:
  • “Will you… make the announcement before you tell any of your loved ones?”
  • “That's a verbal commitment. I'll do it.” (Scott & Asif Ali, 1:09:05)
• Inside Baseball: The hosts discuss the challenge and fun of improv when the references (Severance, Landman) are unfamiliar; touches on the legacy of character debuts based on current pop culture.

#12—Gelson's Gans

(Ep. 902, Feb 10, 2025; Guests: Zach Galifianakis, Lisa Gilroy, Charlie McCracken)

• Highlights:
  • Zach Galifianakis appears in full “retired”/bored mode, flyering the Promenade with his headshot and questioning the anti-tech opinions of “old people.”
  • Zach and Scott agree to take IQ tests together—to definitively settle who is “smarter.” Scott vows to arrange it officially and do the reveal “Maury Povich style” on air.
    • “I think you and I should go together.” (Zach, 2:11:20)
    • “We'll do IQ test. We'll do some sort of street smart test...we'll do like a triathlon!” (Scott, 2:13:05)
  • Charlie McCracken reprises Inspector Jack Cates, obsessed with tracking criminal “Gans”—parodying the movie “48 Hrs.”—with surreally complicated family reunion hijinks. Megan Ganz comes in as a plot point.
• Memorable List:
  • “Items eaten at Dave and Buster's… Bone in Salami Sliders, Breaded Elder Abuse Mozzarella Sticks.” (Bob Duca/Seth, 2:40:42)

#11—Bone In Salami Sliders

(Ep. 935, Sept 29, 2025; Guests: Jason Mantzoukas, Seth Morris, Mai Darman, Owen Burke)

• Highlights:
  • Seth Morris as Bob Ducca chronicles a harrowing Dave & Buster’s misadventure in excruciatingly medical/poetic lists (foods and injuries).
  • Mai Darman as Peter Streusel, an Austrian exchange student, and tangents about pumpkins and colonoscopies.
  • Owen Burke as “Queasy Jeans” (a woman named Quesadilla; folksy “wisdom” expert from the Midwest, e.g., “Just because a corn cob fits your butt doesn’t mean it belongs there.”)
• Memorable Quotes:
  • “Just because a corn cob can fit your butt, doesn’t mean it belongs there.” (Queasy Jeans/Owen, 2:55:30)
  • “Manograms. Yes, I’m just making sure.” (Bob Duca/Seth, 2:48:20)
• Behind-the-Scenes: Regular joy found in the unique, idiosyncratic perspectives each guest/character brings—especially newcomers like Mai and Owen.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Wouldn’t it be great if in the Cantina…The Babadook was there with his big [head]?” (Paul riff, 00:26)
• “I want everyone to predecease you, Burgess Meredith-style.” (Paul, contemplating his own death and comic legacy, 10:35)
• “We have implored the listeners to remind us in a timely fashion to rerecord these [numbers].” (Scott, 27:46)
• “I have a toilet in every room in my house. Every room.” (Andy as Danny Mahoney, 51:30)
• “Every dream needs a domain.” (Scott’s absurd ad riff, 1:06:10)
• “Just because a corn cob can fit your butt…doesn’t mean it belongs there.” (Queasy Jeans, 2:55:30)
• “I like it sparse…austere.” (Scott, on his office décor philosophy, 2:36:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|--------------| | Holiday banter/opening theme/meta riffs | 00:30-10:00 | | Number/rerecording controversy | 27:00-32:00 | | #14: Sixteen Toilets and Another Day Older | 33:00-1:01:00| | #13: Nasty Boys | 1:09:00-1:36:00| | #12: Gelson’s Gans | 2:11:00-2:40:00| | #11: Bone in Salami Sliders | 2:47:00-3:07:00| | End episode wind-down/plug zone | 3:10:00-end |

Tone & Language

• The hosts and guests maintain a freewheeling, improvisational spirit typical of CBB: irreverent, witty, self-deprecating, and unapologetically weird. There’s a juxtaposition of sincere appreciation for comedy and meta-comedic mockery of their own format and the notion of “Best Of.”
• Paul and Scott often turn bits into self-contained absurdist sketches, maintaining quick banter and escalating each other’s ideas (“She wanted to take a picture in the photo booth...She was looking for a little strange.” (Paul, 18:15)).

Additional Observations

• Listener Involvement: The episode emphasizes how much the “Best Of” depends on listener choices, with Scott and Paul both lovingly—and bemusedly—roasting and doubting the fans' taste.
• Meta Layer: Constant reminders that the show is both work and play for comedians, plus affectionate lampooning of podcast and live performance logistics.
• Guest Camaraderie: The hosts relish in having long-timers and returning favorites but also highlight and uplift newcomers in the CBB universe.
• Classic CBB Bits: Whether it's obsessive commitment to surreal character details, riffs about Song lyrics, office décor, or the endless rehashing of old “inside baseball,” the show leans on its own traditions for both newcomers and long-time fans.

Conclusion

Part 1 of the "Best of 2025" is a dense, playful celebration of CBB’s favorite episodes and culture, brimming with improvisational energy, meta-comedy, and love for the show's evolving cast of characters and listeners. Each countdown episode is not only a review but a fresh comedy event, fusing genuine appreciation with the show’s trademark irreverence and imaginative mayhem.

For fans and new listeners alike, this is both primer and party—a reminder why Comedy Bang Bang continues to be both a comedy mainstay and a cult playground after 15 years.

Next up: The Top 10 begins in "Best of 2025 Pt. 2.”