Comedy Bang Bang: “The Shoe of the Summer Is Flip Flop”

Episode Summary (Feb 9, 2026)
Guests: Todd Glass, Charlie McCrackin, Stephanie Burchinow (as characters Mr. Clarence Gunlock & Charlene La Truck)
Host: Scott Aukerman

Episode Overview

This episode of Comedy Bang Bang is a classic blend of interview, full-throated comic riffing, and improvisational character play. Host Scott Aukerman welcomes longtime stand-up comedian Todd Glass for a candid and hilarious conversation about comedy, working habits, and personal beefs. Later, he’s joined by two eccentric characters: Mr. Clarence Gunlock—a deadpan substitute teacher with unusual hobbies—and Charlene La Truck, an earnest but questionably gifted psychic. The episode’s main throughline is joyfully meandering banter that swings from insider comedy shop talk to absurd bit games, all culminating in explorations of summer predictions, footwear, childhood grievances, and more.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scott and Todd Glass: Comedy, Clubs, and Friendship

• Longevity in Comedy & Friendship (02:33-04:00):

  • Todd reflects on performing stand-up for decades and how he and Scott have known each other 31 years.
  • Quote: “Can you imagine anything lasting that long? I can’t imagine anything lasting 31 minutes.” — Scott (02:34)

• Comedy Room Vibes & Todd’s Perfectionism (04:13-05:27):

  • Todd is known for controlling the environment—lights, music, temperature.
  • Quote: “I just appreciate the atmosphere. And you know what I appreciate the most?...the good vibe in the room and the temperature.” — Todd (03:58)
  • Scott pokes fun at Todd’s “controlling” nature.

• Divergent Comedy Preferences (05:27-06:31):

  • Todd hates unnecessary audience lighting; prefers intimacy. Scott likes seeing the audience, feeling collective participation.
  • Riff on crowd work: Todd disdains comics who rely solely on “where are you from?” crowd interactions.

• On Hypnotists and Crowd Participation (07:10-09:02):

  • They debate whether hypnotism is real, or just audience members playing along for laughs.

• The Joy of Performing & Tour Stories (09:29-12:25):

  • Todd shares a story of performing two shows a night during a Daniel Tosh tour—with only one night off in two months!
  • He’s happiest with a microphone in hand, even joking about announcing at supermarkets.

• The Anatomy of a Great Comedy Venue (13:17-14:28):

  • Todd touts Joe’s Pub in NYC—“the epitome of what I like”—with its jazz club energy, minimal distractions, and no bar inside.
  • Quote: “Most comedy clubs are built like comedy clubs. This is built more like a jazz club. Dark, jazz, black tablecloths...” —Todd (14:10)

• Drummers, Reverb, and Party Hosting (14:48-18:24):

  • Bits about Todd hiring live drummers for parties, his obsession with reverb, and his dream of controlling the audio experience at all times.
  • Anecdotes about receiving a mic gadget that lets him control his own reverb from stage.

• Todd’s ‘Big Show’ and The “7-to-10 Rule” (19:34-21:58):

  • His recent band-infused residency shows in NYC, and the personal metric he uses for audiences: moving “7” energy audience up to a “10.”
  • Quote: “Sevens deserve something from me...all they’re doing wrong is not giving me what I want.” — Todd (21:05)
  • Jokes about the math of increasing audience enjoyment.

• Old Grievances, Boots, and Apologies—A Friendship Bit (22:13-31:05):

  • A centerpiece section: Todd brings up a minor slight at a party where Scott questioned his outfit (“What’s with this?”). It spins into affectionate ribbing, real talk about friendship, and ultimately a hug.
  • Quote: “Every once in a while, a friend will say something untoward...you hold on to it for a while...and I’m glad that we got that out of the way.” —Scott (29:36)

2. Character Visit: Mr. Clarence Gunlock (Substitute Teacher)

(42:44-61:15)

• Introduction & Substitute Philosophy:
  • Characterized as a career substitute (“guest teacher”). “I like to keep my time open for hobbies.” (43:50)
• Unusual Hobbies:
  • Ghost Looking:
    • Explains ghost looking is like bird-watching, but passive; he claims 4 sightings.
    • Epic story about trying to pick up famous ghost “Resurrection Mary”; ends up just giving rides to women at a graveyard. (44:55-45:49)
  • Fire Tending:
    • Collects embers/flames from historical fires and keeps them burning at home—his prized fire is from the 1871 Peshtigo blaze. (48:27-49:57)
    • Feeds the fire pages from old Playboy magazines.
  • Snowstorm Vigilante:
    • Travels to towns before snowstorms, specializes in “pushing” stuck cars out for strangers, then walks away silently (“like David Banner” from The Hulk).
    • Keeps a tally book of “snow saves”—over 400!
• 10th Grade Math Lab Bit:
  • Tries to lead hosts through triangle proofs and “SoH–CaH–Toa” (math mnemonics); everyone fails spectacularly.

3. Character Visit: Charlene La Truck (Psychic)

(64:39-85:09)

• Origin of Psychic Powers:

  • Claims she became psychic after a psychosis-inducing, 6-hour stint trapped in a Vegas airport massage chair (71:11-71:57).
  • Needs to continue hitting a trigger spot on her knee (now covered with bruises) to activate visions.

• Type of Predictions:

  • All predictions are light, consumer-oriented “of the summer” forecasts:
    • Song of the Summer: “Drops of Jupiter” by Train (72:37)
    • Shoe of the Summer: Flip flop (75:36)
    • Drink of the Summer for Todd: Lemonade (74:20)
    • Breakfast of the Summer: Starbucks egg bites (78:17)
    • Annoyance of the Summer: Neighbor’s mulch (76:48)
    • Movie of the Summer: A hat-wearing dog video (94:53)
  • Todd: “Are you a lemonade fan?” Charlene: “Oh, so good.” (74:32–74:47)

• Weird Riches:

  • She’s a stay-at-home dog mom to two Bichons (“both named Megan”) and is heiress to the fortune of “Pierre Le Truck,” inventor of the truck.

• Host/Crew Skepticism:

  • Scott points out her “psychic” abilities are just personal opinions or recurring annoyances.
  • Hilarious breakdown of the psychic trope, with Charlene irritated at not being believed and doubling down on her predictions.

4. Notable Moments, Running Gags & Quotes

• Todd’s Microphone Fetishism: “Any time you see a live microphone, it’s an opportunity for you to just get up and do bits.” — Scott (11:11)
• Scott & Todd’s Handicap/Outfit Bit: Ongoing affectionate ribbing; ultimately hugging it out over boot-based trauma
• Charlene’s Bichon Make-A-Wish: “For her Make a Wish, I had Jennifer Aniston come over and give her a makeover.” (69:14)
• Math Lab Bit: “SoHo–CaH–Toa: Sign, opposite, hypotenuse; cosine...I don’t know what...opposite.” — Mr. Gunlock (59:51)
• Psychic’s Self-Delusion: Scott: “You also like lemonade.” Charlene: “Oh, so good.” (77:26)

Timestamp Highlights

• 03:24 – Todd officially enters the 13-Timers Club.
• 07:10 – The hypnotist debate.
• 13:27 – The importance of venue atmosphere.
• 22:23 – Todd brings up the party slight.
• 32:25 – Tattoo humility bit.
• 42:44 – Mr. Gundlock enters.
• 44:55 – The Resurrection Mary hitchhiker ghost saga.
• 48:27 – Fire tending explained.
• 52:10 – “Snow vigilante” origins & role play.
• 59:51 – Triangle math meltdown.
• 66:09 – Charlene La Truck intro and psychic origin.
• 72:37 – Song of the Summer prediction.
• 74:20 – Lemonade prediction for Todd.
• 78:17 – Starbucks egg bites as “breakfast of summer.”
• 94:53 – Movie of the summer is a dog video with a hat.

Closing: Plugs & Outros

• Todd’s Plugs: Joe’s Pub, Creek & Cave (Austin), Blue for Die Alaska Festival, Comedy Bar (Toronto). Active on TikTok/Instagram.
• Mr. Gunlock: “15 minutes of I Ready” math lab assignments.
• Charlene: Improv group SHAG, TikTok series “Platonic Two Stars.”

Tone & Style

The episode sustains the laid-back, anarchic, and affectionate Comedy Bang Bang house style—celebratory of weirdness, full of “yes, and,” and jammed with comic call-backs. Scott’s playful “grievance” work with Todd becomes a mini-arc, while the guest characters are absurd straight men with their own quirks, all delightfully taken at face value. Running clubby in-jokes abound, but never at the expense of warm, heavily signposted comedic beats.

Quick Reference Table

| Segment | Notable Moment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Todd Glass intro & catch-up | 13-Timer’s Club, comedy tech talk, “7-to-10” philosophy| 03:24–21:30 | | Friendship & boots saga | Grievance/hug it out | 22:23–31:05 | | Mr. Gunlock (Substitute teacher) | Ghost looking, fire tending, snow vigilante | 42:44–61:15 | | Math lab failure | Triangle proof/SohCahToa confusion | 59:41–61:04 | | Charlene La Truck (Psychic) | Summer predictions: song, drink, shoes, eggs, mulch | 66:09–85:09 | | Plugs & wrap-up | Show dates, improv plugs, lemonade jokes | 87:08–92:58 |

Standout Quotes

• “Sevens deserve something from me...All they’re doing wrong is not giving me what I want.” — Todd Glass (21:05)
• “Any time you see a live microphone, it’s an opportunity for you to just get up and do bits.” — Scott Aukerman (11:13)
• “The song of the summer is going to be ‘Drops of Jupiter.’” — Charlene La Truck (72:59)
• “My dad wore flip-flops all the time. I don’t know.” — Todd Glass (75:57)
• “We’ve really hashed everything out.” — Todd Glass, after a long hug-out (42:09)

Bottom Line:
If you like your comedy podcasts dense with affectionate comic roasting, left-field characters, playful meta-commentary, and recurring inside jokes, this is a prime Comedy Bang Bang episode.
— Come in a 7, leave a 10!