Good One: A Podcast About Jokes – Episode Summary: Dropout Panel Changer

Event Overview

In the February 18, 2025 episode of Good One: A Podcast About Jokes, hosted by Vulture’s Jesse David Fox, listeners are treated to a unique panel event titled Dropout Panel Changer. This event, featured at the Vulture Festival, showcases the innovative spirit of Dropout—a comedy-focused streaming service that emerged from CollegeHumor. Dropout’s CEO, Sam Reich, also the host of the popular game show Game Changer, introduces the panel where the format unpredictably shifts every ten minutes, keeping both panelists and audience on their toes.

Panel Introduction and Fun Facts

The panel features four prominent Dropout personalities: Reika Shankar, Vic Michaelis, Jordan Myrick, and Jacob Wysocki, with Bethy Squires moderating. The session begins with each panelist introducing themselves and sharing a fun fact:

• Jordan Myrick (04:05): Host of Gastronauts on Dropout. Fun Fact: “I do not eat the skins of tomatoes.”

• Reika Shankar (05:04): Enjoys Dungeons and Dragons. Fun Fact: “I'm an elf.”

• Vic Michaelis (05:10): Host of Smarty Pants. Fun Fact: “I remember a lot of birthdays, including Michael Jordan’s on February 17th and Jennifer Lopez’s on July 24th.”

• Jacob Wysocki: Briefly introduces himself as part of various Dropout shows.

Impact of Dropout on Comedy Careers and Creativity

The panel delves into how Dropout has transformed their careers and creative processes:

• Jordan Myrick (06:23): Highlights the financial viability of comedy through Dropout, noting, “You can make money from comedy. And that's been really helpful to my life.”

• Vic Michaelis (06:31): Appreciates the acceptance and support Dropout provides, saying, “Dropout has given me the wave. And that feels really rewarding because I felt like I wasn't getting that in other places.”

• Reika Shankar (06:55): Emphasizes the importance of being properly compensated, mentioning how Dropout’s payment structure pressured improv theaters to improve their pay scales.

• Sam Reich (07:29): Commends Dropout’s business model for fostering creativity by saying, “Dropout succeeds because it's a business and an institution that thrives on telling people yes… This is a place that just lets people burn.”

Fake Reunion Panel: "Daddy Issues"

Transitioning into a playful segment, the panelists engage in a fake reunion panel for a nonexistent show titled "Daddy Issues":

• Vic Michaelis (09:36): Excitedly discusses his role and the unique concept of the show, blending personal struggles with humor.

• Reika Shankar (09:52): Shares her experience portraying a Midwestern character, adding depth to her comedic roots.

• Jordan Myrick (10:53): Performs a monologue, shedding light on character development and personal aspirations:

  “I want to find a project that really let me stand out… I have to work extremely hard with little to no help to get where I am here.”

• Sam Reich (12:00): Adds humor by reminiscing about improvised moments, including Mark’s unexpected dance performance during auditions.

The segment culminates in the dramatic (and humorous) demise of Big Daddy at the hands of Bigger Daddy, sparking discussions on creative decisions and character dynamics.

Clip Setup: Sharing Personal Clips

In the Clip Setup format, each panelist presents a personal video clip:

• Jordan Myrick (19:12): Shows a home dinner scene with Sam Reich where various fictional characters make cameo appearances.

• Reika Shankar (20:04): Shares a deeply personal clip about her grandfather, intertwining humor with heartfelt memories:

  “You cannot get a DUI on a horse and stay… He died because he ran his horse into a lake.”

• Vic Michaelis (21:27): Presents a "Getting Ready with Me" TikTok-style video, blending relatable morning routines with comedic editing mishaps.

• Jacob Wysocki (26:38): Delivers a satirical take on television’s influence, critiquing mindless consumption with exaggerated rhetoric.

Trivia Game: Twilight Edition

The panel shifts to a Trivia Game focused on the Twilight series, challenging panelists with false statements that they must correct:

• Bethy Squires throws convoluted and humorous questions, leading to playful banter and incorrect yet funny answers from the panelists. For example:

  • Jordan Myrick (39:59): Attempts to dissect incorrect plot points with witty remarks:

    “They talk about the Jaco and Seth and Paul up top. But then later they say, Sam Wolfed out.”

Despite the panelists’ best efforts, they struggle to accurately address the false statements, resulting in light-hearted frustration and laughter.

Physical Challenge: Gastroplugs

The final segment introduces a Physical Challenge where panelists must perform while chewing and speaking, emphasizing timing and coordination:

• Reika Shankar (53:57): Demonstrates the challenge, leading to humorous struggles as panelists attempt to comply with the rules while maintaining composure.

• Vic Michaelis (55:30): Successfully completes the challenge, earning applause and demonstrating comedic prowess.

Announcements and Closing Messages

As the panel concludes, each member shares updates on their respective projects:

• Jordan Myrick (56:50): Announces Gastronauts streaming on Dropout and his new podcast Happy Wife, Happy Life with his fiancée.

• Vic Michaelis (57:16): Promotes his upcoming Dungeons and Dragons event and the release of Season 2 Spring of Smarty Pants on Dropout.

• Reika Shankar (58:08): Mentions her regular shows at UCB and her ongoing projects.

The episode wraps up with final messages promoting Dropout’s initiatives and encouragement for listeners to support independent comedy.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jordan Myrick (04:15): “I do not eat the skins of tomatoes.”

• Vic Michaelis (05:33): “I love that.”

• Reika Shankar (06:23): “You can make money from comedy. And that's been really helpful to my life.”

• Sam Reich (07:59): “Dropout is a place that just lets people burn.”

• Reika Shankar (09:57): “He works in mysterious ways.”

• Jordan Myrick (10:53): “Have you seen this yet? I have been here for too many years…”

• Vic Michaelis (21:56): “Oh, I didn’t know that.”

• Reika Shankar (25:14): “I have Share and subscribe…”

• Bethy Squires (44:11): “I have an interesting mind, but I want to smell like a slut.”

• Jordan Myrick (45:22): “You guys know what I mean.”

• Sam Reich (60:28): “Simon says stand up.”

Conclusion

The Dropout Panel Changer episode of Good One showcases the dynamic interplay between comedians, blending structured discussions with spontaneous, format-shifting activities. Through humor, personal anecdotes, and interactive games, the panel not only highlights the versatility of Dropout as a platform but also underscores the camaraderie and creativity that drive modern comedy. Listeners are left with insightful reflections on the industry, the importance of supportive communities, and the enduring power of jokes to connect and entertain.