Comedy Bang Bang: "BOO-nus Bang: The Exorcism of Hot Dog" (Ep. 850)
Featuring: Scott Aukerman, Jason Mantzoukas, Andy Daly (as Byron Denniston and others), Paul F. Tompkins (as Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and others)
Originally released: Feb 11, 2024. Reposted as a Halloween bonus episode on Oct 30, 2025.
Episode Overview
This special "BOO-nus Bang" celebrates Comedy Bang Bang’s 850th episode with a star-studded (and character-packed) show. Scott Aukerman marks the milestone by inviting Jason Mantzoukas and beloved recurring characters Byron Denniston (Andy Daly) and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber (Paul F. Tompkins) into the mayhem, joined by surprise drop-ins from “Hot Dog” and more. Centered around the pseudo-spiritual "exorcism" of Hot Dog, the episode is a hilarious exploration of in-jokes, fake British aristocracy, pop-culture deep-cuts, and surreal improvisational antics—the perfect CBB blend of absurdity, nostalgia, and meta-commentary.
Key Discussion Points & Segments
1. Opening Banter: Milestones, Dings & Aging (2:41–6:25)
- Scott references the show's longevity and jokes about "dingless" episodes and milestones with Jason.
- Running joke: Scott’s computer making ‘dings’—incites ongoing riffing.
- Mantzoukas and Aukerman reflect on “getting old” and the passage of time:
“Doing that many of anything… Boy, we got old.” (Jason, 05:34)
- Jokes riffing on tech, Y2K, and nostalgia for the show's deep archive.
2. Character Drop-Ins: Shimmy, Robo-Shimmy, Hot Dog, August Lint (3:26–10:10)
- A parade of random CBB characters pop in and out, offering running gags about “having to go,” tandem bike rides, and accidental robot creation.
- Wordplay on “Terminator” and “Freaky Friday Face-Off” scenarios.
3. Valentine's Week and Dungeon Life (10:10–12:24)
- Jason claims he lives in a dungeon; Scott plays along with fantasy tales.
- “Cool ogre” with “surf culture,” sunglasses, and a side business making ogre-bone sunglasses.
4. Welcoming Byron Denniston & Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber (12:24–19:20)
- Byron and Lord Webber banter about British customs, royal watching, and “Big Ben Wise” volume adjustments.
- Webber insists he be called “chaps.”
- Debate over wardrobe and the aftershocks of musical “Bad Cinderella.”
- Mini-riff on Norman Jewison, “Jesus Christ Superstar," and perceived anti-Semitism:
"They’re not necessarily cartoonishly evil with giant leather balloon hats.” (Byron/Andy, 15:56)
5. Deep Dive: The Coronation, Royally Bad Disguises, and Jigsaw Puzzling (19:20–31:42)
- Byron recounts going in disguise (with help from “Rick Baker,” Cher’s wigmaker, etc.) to the royal coronation.
- Make-up mishaps: “It looked like nothing so much as a woman disguised as a man, reverse Mrs. Doubtfire.” (Scott, 22:32)
- “Jigsaw” misunderstanding: they end up watching Saw movies after talking about the puzzles:
“It was a real chocolate and peanut butter situation.” (Webber/PFT, 30:46)
6. Byron’s Obsessive Neatening, Poltergeist, and the Incompetent Exorcist (31:42–36:40)
- Byron cleans up Lord Webber’s house; Webber assumes it’s a poltergeist, calls exorcist “Padre Davide Benvenuto” (least successful, even causes possessions).
- Call-back to Guinness book, Fred Guinness cameo (via phone).
7. Sha Na Na Obsession & Rebranding Schemes (36:46–44:47)
- Hot Dog rhapsodizes about Sha Na Na’s demise, ambitions to buy the band's name for $10 million, and GoFundMe dreams.
- Extensive puns and alternate concepts:
- “Are You Nanang My Sh?”
- “Shanana Twain” (Shania Twain covers in the style of Sha Na Na)
- “Janana” (reggae Sha Na Na)
- Dread Zeppelin nostalgia and tangent about reggae novelty bands.
8. Further Digressions: Minions, Munions, Mustard Bars (44:47–45:41)
- Lord Webber dreams up “Munions”—horizontal mustard-yellow Minions who eat mustard—and proposes selling mustard at theater intervals.
- GoFundMes for both hot dog’s and Webber’s wild ideas.
9. Segment: New Arrivals and Royal Developments (49:51–51:12)
- Return from break: Byron recaps recent "hospitalizations" amongst royals, jokes about Bigfoot-like Queen sightings.
10. Return of The Grizz and Wedding Humiliations (53:33–58:00)
- Grizz, Byron’s former nemesis (now lifestyle coach and water polo inspector), arrives.
- Humiliation at Grizz’s wedding: forced best-man speech, multiple outfits, serving drinks.
11. Lifestyle Coaching & Impersonation Schemes (59:00–62:41)
- Byron’s plan: have Grizz teach him his “lifestyle,” use prosthetics and impersonation to take over the Grizz’s life and his wife.
- Consults Greg Nicotero (makeup wiz) for zombie transformation, discusses posing as sick/zombified Grizz to cash in on sympathy.
12. Impressions Game & Phone Calls (64:20–66:12)
- Byron attempts multiple impressions: Grizz, Fred Guinness, Bill Paxton.
- Series of phone gags and cross-voices.
13. Dog-Related Records Controversy (66:22–68:05)
- Discussion: Oldest dog, Bobby, turns out to just look really old. Fred Guinness doesn't care about correcting the record.
- “Is there another dog who's gonna be upset?” (Fred Guinness, 67:31)
14. Plugging Projects & Comedy Bang Bang Action Figures (105:18–110:06)
- Mantzoukas plugs UK “How Did This Get Made” tour, Star Trek: Prodigy on Netflix, Percy Jackson.
- Webber (PFT) plugs Paul F. Tompkins’ variety tour.
- Byron plugs “Royal Roundup” on Andy Daly’s Patreon.
- Announcement: Comedy Bang Bang action figures (Scott Aukerman and J.W. Stillwater editions).
Notable Quotes & Highlights
- “I don't like growing old, but I'm glad that I did.” (Scott, 05:42)
- “Never want to hear the words bad or Cinderella… not in such close company.” (Webber/PFT, 15:15)
- “If it’s inside an animal, get it inside me.” (Webber/PFT on sweetbreads, 19:34)
- “Jigsaw against one another... someone puts down a piece and the other person just takes it out.” (On competitive puzzling, 29:20)
- “He’s actually caused more people to become possessed than he has exorcised demons.” (On Padre Davide Benvenuto, 32:12)
- “I’m going to call them the Munions and make them oblong horizontally instead of vertically.” (Webber/PFT, 43:19)
- “If you’re a white guy in your 50s, you have a lot of Dread Zeppelin information.” (Jason, 39:33)
- “Are you in charge of water polo, or inspecting water polo-based crimes?” (Jason, 57:16)
Time-stamped Memorable Segments
- 02:41 – Show milestone banter, “ding-less” episode, intros.
- 12:24 – Byron Denniston and Webber join; “Big Ben Wise” joke.
- 19:20 – Byron’s coronation disguise disaster story.
- 29:12 – Competitive jigsaw puzzle tales and Saw film confusion.
- 31:50 – “Poltergeist” setup and least successful exorcist riff.
- 36:59 – Sha Na Na ambitions, GoFundMe chatter, “Janana” band proposal.
- 44:47 – Mustard-colored Minions & “Munions.”
- 49:51 – Return from break; real-life royal updates.
- 53:33 – The Grizz arrives; Byron’s humiliation at the wedding.
- 59:00 – Byron plots to become the Grizz via lifestyle coaching and zombie makeup.
- 64:16 – Impressions contest (Grizz, Bill Paxton).
- 66:41 – Bobby, the not-so-old dog—Guinness record controversy.
- 105:18 – Plug bag and project shout-outs.
- 109:31 – Comedy Bang Bang action figures announcement.
Episode Tone & Style
- Highly meta – Constantly breaks fourth wall, references CBB and pop culture lore.
- Improvisational character play – Characters pop in and out, interrupting with surreal, escalating bits.
- Pun-heavy, nostalgic, and self-referential – Especially regarding 70s-90s references, aging, and musical parody.
- Absurdist and emotionally playful – Veers from earnestness (“exorcising” Hot Dog’s malaise) to relentless joking, with an undercurrent of friendly camaraderie.
Conclusion
For fans and newcomers, this 850th episode embodies Comedy Bang Bang’s signature comedic chaos. The “Exorcism of Hot Dog” is not just a send-up of horror tropes but a showcase of recurring character synergy, deep-dive pop references, and the show's willingness to let the weirdness build and flourish. Whether you love British caricature, Dread Zeppelin deep cuts, or meta-podcast lore, there’s something in this sprawling, joyful improv mess for you.
For more, check out full episodes at www.cbbworld.com and don’t forget to peruse the shop for new Comedy Bang Bang action figures!
