Marc Maron

Summary

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What's Our Podcast? with Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney

Episode: Marc Maron (August 27, 2025)

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney welcome legendary comedian and podcasting pioneer Marc Maron. As always, Beck and Kyle set out to discover what their podcast should be about—this time hoping Maron's wisdom will set them on the right path. The three dive into the nature of creatively making things that may or may not “hit,” dissect what makes a good podcast, and riff on character dynamics, improv, and the existential anxieties of performing (and podcasting). Maron offers insight from his long run hosting "WTF" and discusses his upcoming HBO special Panicked, while Beck and Kyle embrace their trademark blend of earnestness and absurdity.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Podcast’s Ongoing Premise & Meta-Humor

(00:07–03:42)

• Beck and Kyle’s central gimmick: Each episode, they ask their guest for an idea for what the show should be about, then try to enact it—sometimes successfully, sometimes “gloriously” not.
• Kyle sets the comedic tone early with a surreal bit about eating Beck’s shorts dipped in Caesar dressing.
• They reflect on their long friendship and comedic partnership, blending genuine nostalgia with off-kilter banter.
• The hosts reveal this is actually their 10th recorded episode, not the 2nd as released, pointing to the confused, bumbling format of the show.

“Sometimes it works, and sometimes it gloriously does not work.”
— Kyle Mooney (03:33)

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2. The Guest: Marc Maron Arrives

(10:07–13:24)

• Maron greets the hosts, recalling the one or two previous interactions they’d had (“I guess I didn’t make an impact on you, but I’m actually saying that to not deny your experience.” — Maron, 10:28).
• Playful banter about improv, gaslighting, and the challenge of not knowing the show’s premise, with Maron poking at the hosts’ comedic style.

“Isn’t that another word for improv? Gaslighting?”
— Marc Maron (10:46)

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3. Breaking Down Personas: Warmth, Intensity, and Vulnerability

(14:42–22:58)

• Kyle praises Maron’s warmth, saying it surprised him after expecting a tougher exterior.
• Maron discusses how perceptions of intensity or condescension are often defenses, and describes the “Maron decoder”—those able to see beyond his intimidating reputation.
• They riff on needing validation for creative work, the bittersweet nature of making things that may not get widely seen, and the fleeting satisfaction of positive feedback.

“I wouldn’t say in those moments that [the process] is the primary enjoyment. Like, the primary enjoyment, really … is like, did you like it? And someone goes, yeah, dude, I loved it. And it could be a stranger, and that’ll carry me for at least three hours.”
— Marc Maron (22:12)

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4. Insights into Podcast Craft

(24:18–32:17)

• Kyle and Beck seek Maron’s advice on podcasting: how did "WTF" evolve, and what makes a compelling conversation?
• Maron traces "WTF"’s origins to a time of desperation, needing to reconnect with his comedy peers and life after a low point (“It was really a need to reconnect with my community… I just got fired, I’d been through a divorce.” — 24:58).
• “WTF” was always more intimate conversation than formal interview—early on, it was “me inviting celebrities over to talk about my problems” (26:01).
• Maron credits AA for teaching him about the importance of active listening and empathy: “the idea of AA … is two alcoholics talking to each other. … There is something about active listening and about working your empathy muscle” (26:35, paraphrased).
• He stresses that even now, he enters every interview full of dread and anxiety, rarely sure what to expect.

“I have a way of doing what I do that evolved, but it does become a way.”
— Marc Maron (27:56)

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5. On Not Listening to Podcasts

(31:44–33:36)

• Maron admits he's “never listened to a full podcast in my entire life,” calling out the difference between making and consuming them.
• Segues into a discussion of Beatles vs. Stones fandom and the perils of being contrarian (with a name check for David Cross as “the king contrarian”).

“No, I never listen to them … if I’m in the car or at the gym, I’m listening to music.”
— Marc Maron (32:17)

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6. Formulating the Show’s Premise—Classic Comedy Dynamic Advice

(34:13–36:41 and 38:45–39:03)

• Maron is pressed for his “pitch” for what their podcast should be:
  • He suggests leaning into a “straight man/weirdo situation,” likening Beck/Kyle to Abbott and Costello, with the dynamic giving shape to the show regardless of topic.
  • Beck and Kyle discuss occasionally switching roles, and Maron notes the show could riff on any topic, with recurring segments or character bits overlaid.

“If you really let him be as weird as possible and you just try to, you know, keep the kite… from flying away in a comedic way, you might have something.”
— Marc Maron (34:32)

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7. Alternate Podcast Ideas, Segments, and Improv Detours

(36:47–39:14)

• Beck and Kyle riff with Maron on alternate show ideas suggested by the vibe:
  • An “unsung heroes” concept spotlighting underappreciated figures.
  • A culinary segment: "What Did You Cook Last Week?” Maron: “It’s good for one episode, I think. Or what did you cook last week would be a more ongoing thing.” (38:31)
• Ultimately, they return to the classic comedy dynamic as the most sustainable.

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8. Playing Out the Dynamic: "Wacky and Not"

(39:41–47:00)

• The hosts and Maron try out their Abbott and Costello–esque rapport: Beck as exasperated straight man, Kyle as erratic weirdo, with Maron riffing along.
• Wacky voices, invented terms (“I just spoinked myself”), and escalating absurdity test the limits of the dynamic.
• Maron fields questions about his new special, Panicked, discussing themes of anxiety, his creative process, and how he composes a new hour of stand-up.

“I think I’m just, you know, panning for gold in a river of panic.”
— Marc Maron (43:22)

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9. Reflections on Comedy, Anxiety, and Legacy

(47:08–53:33)

• Conversation turns to “WTF” highlights, particularly Maron’s pivotal Robin Williams interview and the intimacy it achieved.
• The bittersweet nature of comedy: moments of being snubbed or unappreciated (“It’s sad when the old guy doesn’t like you.” – Maron, 53:10).
• Shared stories about Robin Williams’ generosity at SF Sketchfest and Mill Valley's Throckmorton Theatre.

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10. Closing Segment: “Give Us Your Wackiest”

(53:34–56:15)

• All three deliver their “wackiest”—Beck and Kyle’s signature close, with Maron sporting a subtle, contained physical bit rather than going full cringe.
• They discuss the difference between “wacky” and “cringe,” eventually championing unapologetic goofiness (“kill the part of you that cringes, not the part of you that’s cringe” — Beck, 54:14).

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11. Post-Mortem Reflections

(56:15–59:06)

• Self-conscious but celebratory debrief:
  • Beck and Kyle admit it’s “intimidating” to improvise with a guest like Maron, but Maron insists they’re clearly equipped.
  • Maron encourages the hosts to use the dynamic as a flexible comedic foundation, integrating whatever specific topics or segments they enjoy.

“You could do anything. … Two-person grouping you can elevate into funny you could do in that segment.”
— Marc Maron (57:27)

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12. Maron's Future & Goodbye

(58:16–59:03)

• Maron confirms he’s stepping away from “WTF” but is unsure exactly what's next, joking about a coming “full of rumination and intrusive, catastrophic thinking” (58:39).
• Beck and Kyle thank Maron for the candor and inspiration he shared.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Isn’t that another word for improv? Gaslighting?”
  — Marc Maron (10:46)

• “It was me inviting celebrities over to talk about my problems.”
  — Marc Maron (26:01)

• “You kill the part of you that cringes, not the part of you that’s cringe.”
  — Beck Bennett (54:14)

• “If you really let him be as weird as possible and you just try to, you know, keep the kite… from flying away in a comedic way, you might have something.”
  — Marc Maron (34:32)

• “I think I’m just, you know, panning for gold in a river of panic.”
  — Marc Maron (43:22)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:07–03:42: Beck & Kyle recap the show’s concept; establish the meta humor and the premise.
• 10:07–13:24: Maron arrives, recalls prior encounters, and the group’s rapport sparks.
• 14:42–22:58: Candid discussion on personas, creative insecurity, and seeking validation.
• 24:18–32:17: Maron’s podcast philosophy and reflections on “WTF.”
• 34:13–36:41: Maron prescribes the classic “straight man/weirdo” format.
• 39:41–47:00: Becker and Kyle act out the dynamic; Maron joins in and discusses his HBO special.
• 53:34–56:15: “Give Us Your Wackiest” segment; reflections on cringe vs. wacky.
• 58:16–59:03: Maron on leaving “WTF” and his uncertain (but honest) next chapter.

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Episode Conclusion

The episode showcases Beck and Kyle in classic form—vulnerable, playful, and self-effacing—while Maron brings gravitas and hard-earned wisdom as he readies to move on from “WTF.” Through jokes, character play, and honest discussion, the trio touch on the anxieties and rewards of creative life, and Maron provides both gentle roasting and encouragement. Ultimately, he champions finding a unique dynamic—straight man/weirdo or otherwise—as the true heart of a compelling podcast.

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Transcript

[A]

This is a headgum podcast.

[B]

What's our podcast? What's it gonna be about? Tell us what's our podcast? What should we talk about with Beck and Kyle? Yeah.

[A]

Are we good?

[B]

I like to eat Kyle's shorts with a side of Caesar dressing to dip his. Dip his shorts into it. Yum, yum, yum. That's how I like him. Up. Because, you know, when I eat your shorts without a side of dressing, it's kind of bland and kind of. It's got a n. It's really gamey.

[A]

Tell me. We were rolling on that. Wow, people. So I just heard one of my very good friends, my co host, Beck, Bandit, by the way.

[B]

Oh, thank you very much.

[A]

Talking about eating my shorts with Caesar dressing. And all of a sudden I thought, well, he's finally lost his marbles, folks.

[B]

Yeah. Because I've been sitting here hanging out with you.

[A]

Oh, that's the reason.

[B]

Yeah, that's. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. I've absolutely been losing my mind. I can't believe I've known you for so long. It.

[A]

I was just. I'm not doing a bit right now.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I was just thinking about this moments ago. I was like, damn, Like, I've known Beck for, like, forever. I was like, it's like crazy because I've known you back in the day.

[B]

Yeah. From. From September when we were at usc.

[A]

I was just. Oh, my gosh. I was just thinking about that because back in the day.

[B]

Yeah, back in the day we met.

[A]

Man, this feels good. It's like.

[B]

It feels good to see you.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. I was actually just thinking that.

[B]

Ah, yeah.

[A]

Dude, when you get. You know, you're. It's always like, oh, that first, you know, when you're doing the podcast. Like, by the way. By the way, this. By the way, I'm Kyle Mooney.

[B]

And by the way, I'm. I'm. I'm Beck Bennett.

[A]

Do you need to remember? Should I write it down?

[B]

I remember who I am. You said. Yeah, but it's fun to be here.

[A]

This is our show. What's our podcast? Hi, people transmitting from outer space.

[B]

Okay. Kyle was just doing the craziest face you've ever seen in your lives.

[A]

What's our podcast? As a podcast, actually, I co created with Beck.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

And we actually were. We pitched it around.

[B]

Yeah, we took it around.

[A]

Some were into it, some were not. But we're very happy where we ended up at.

[B]

Yeah, well, yeah, it would have been nicer to be somewhere else, but.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I'm just kidding. I did I heard a gas from our producer, actually. This is. No, Well, I mean, we're different people, so we might have different feelings. This is where I always wanted to be. Right here at Headgum.

[A]

That's cool.

[B]

Yeah. I didn't even want to pitch it around town. I just wanted to take it right to Headgum.

[A]

That's really, really cool. And, yeah, I've always thought they've done some really interesting things in the podcast game, I think, about some of their other shows, of course. And just like, sort of the other shows they do are really, really interesting in the podcast game.

[B]

Yeah. And so have we told people what.

[C]

We do here yet?

[A]

No, I was about to say, so what's our podcast? This is a really cool show that we're doing. It is where we bring in a guest. Yeah. Sort of classic podcast style.

[B]

Yeah. Sounds like something.

[A]

But you and me, Beck, we. Because we don't know what our podcast is about.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

We ask the guests to pitch us an idea for what they think our podcast should be about.

[B]

Okay. And then they give us the idea. And then what happens?

[A]

Then we do that podcast and we try it out.

[C]

And it.

[A]

Now, here's the thing. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it gloriously does not work.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, we really.

[A]

This feels old school. This feels old school.

[B]

This whole intro feels old school. Yeah. Yeah, it definitely is. This is definitely one of our more old school interests.

[A]

Episode two.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Now we've got to be. We have a big reveal.

[B]

Perfectly honest with you guys right now. Here it goes.

[A]

I remember having to. I took. I was at a job in college, and I could get in trouble for this. I don't know if I'd get in trouble, but I could make. I could hurt. Hurt somebody's feelings, but I could make somebody feel some sort of way. I had a job, and it was in the entertainment industry. I was sort of like. I worked for an agent. I was like the second assistant. It was just. It was a boutique agency. There's an assistant, and then there was me. I was sort of like a glorified intern. And I got to be honest, I. I didn't really feel. I didn't really love the job.

[B]

Oh, okay. And that's. That's what you're dropping. Wait, so that's.

[A]

And.

[B]

And that's the news is that.

[C]

No, no, no, no.

[A]

I'm. So. I'm just giving. I'm. I'm relaying an experience. I'm talk. It's gonna come together.

[B]

Okay. Bring it. Yeah, bring it around.

[A]

Okay, well, be patient.

[B]

Just bring it around.

[A]

Don't worry. It's all good. But he, I think, was actually a rather rude boss.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And, you know, I remember a video we did dirty dishes for Good Neighbor. I had this character where I sort of, like, speak under my breath, and I'm like, well, it's sort of a passive aggressive thing. Like, why don't you do this?

[C]

You know?

[A]

Like, I don't even remember what the lines are, but it's like, you know, it'd be like, kyle, you got to try it.

[B]

Yeah, Kyle, you got to do the dishes, man.

[A]

I know. I'm going to, but it's just. You guys can't keep treating me like this. You're, like, walking all over me like, we're the kings of this circus. Like, yeah, you are the circus, because I'm going to crush you like a bunch of ants.

[B]

Right. I love that character.

[A]

Thank you so much. That was sort of based on the assistant at the job.

[B]

I remember you telling me, yes.

[A]

Who? Like, my boss would be like, and I'm gonna make up some names. He'd be like, tom. If one client's on the phone and they're trying to get into me, you don't just say, he's. He can't get you. You say. You say, he'll. He'll be here. He's gonna get back to you immediately. Whatever. And then he'd. And then my boss would shut the door, and then Tom would be like, yes, sir, and be like, but I'm trying. My. Just trying. I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. And if you could just actually, like, listen for once. But he'd find out that I'm actually.

[B]

Doing a pretty good job.

[A]

And, like, I would be just sitting back to back with this man having this.

[B]

Yeah. So he knew that you. He. He. Do you think he knew that you could hear him?

[A]

Probably. I think he probably wanted me to relate to him.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

But. Sorry, this is a long walk. But anyway, like, I hated the job, and ultimately, like, I wanted to leave.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I knew I had to have a conversation with my boss, and it took me weeks to the point where, like, every day at the end of work, I would, like, walk up to his door while he was working to be like, okay, I'm gonna do it. And then I would just give up. And then finally, after two weeks or whatever, I was like, boss, I need to talk to you. I can't. I'm not gonna be doing this job no more.

[B]

But I'm sure you didn't say it. Like that.

[A]

However, I said it with that much emotion. And then he said, like, well, you've gotta find your replacement. I was like, what does that mean? I just meant more. I had to keep the job, and then I had to, like, in college, find somebody to take my spot, which.

[B]

Really does not feel fair. I don't think that. I don't think that's right.

[A]

No.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Anyway, okay. The news we have to share with everybody, it's scary sometimes.

[B]

Yeah, it's scary. This is not so. This is. This is not actually our second. I think it's our 10th episode that we've recorded, and that was really hard to say. Yeah, we. This is actually our 10th. But we have an incredible guest. Our guest this week is Mark Maron. He is a pioneer in the podcasting space. Obviously is. Podcast. Wtf.

[A]

Yeah. I was actually just talking to a friend about it. It's really good.

[B]

Ye. I bet you were. What were you saying about it?

[A]

That it's old school and it has wonderful guests.

[B]

Yes. Yes. And it actually stands for what the fuck.

[A]

So we've We've actually. Since our very first pilot episode, we've recorded a few episodes, like Becca said, and we've. We have learned, like, we're actually getting really good at podcasting. That's right. Why right now, as you're listening to this intro, you're like, damn, they're on it right now. It's like they're hitting, like, amazing. The beats are good, and they're hitting amazing more. It's really interesting what they're doing.

[B]

Yeah, it's really.

[A]

It's because we actually have had a little breakdown.

[B]

Really amazing. They're flowing, they're growing, They're. You can see that they're in sync with each other. They are. They are comfortable, but they're energized.

[A]

It's like they're finally. Beck and Kyle. They're trying to figure out, like, this is Beck and Kyle. This is cool.

[B]

Yeah. So. So, yeah, we're more polished than we should be.

[A]

Anya, I'm put you on the spot. Maybe it's Casey and maybe it's Headgum as a whole. But we were set. We were told. We were like, you know what? Mark Marin is a really good guest for your second episode because we're gonna be releasing the first and second episode the same day.

[B]

Yes. And we are starting a podcast, and he is finishing his iconic. Yes.

[A]

And it makes sense. He is. Yes. He is an icon. He's a. He's. He's a pioneer.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And so we'll see how this affects things going forward. We might need to. We might need to re record an intro for an episode.

[B]

Yeah. Depending on how powerful it is. And I'm not putting any.

[A]

Maybe people don't give it. Maybe people don't care about this sort of thing.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, this podcast is about us figuring out what our podcast is and figuring out all that.

[A]

And this is something we did not foresee. So we've, like, been recording in sequence, being like, that's episode two, that's episode three. And it's like, well, now this is episode. And it's like, oh, well, that's like, I didn't even think about that. But it's like, that is part of the podcast. And things like, oh, I've got to figure this out, because I've never done it before. And it's like, oh, that's actually like more rediscovery.

[B]

Right. Well, I'm nervous. I've never met him. You have.

[A]

I have met him, and I think. I think we can learn a great deal. And. Yeah, he is an intimidating man in a lot of ways.

[B]

I love him.

[A]

Yeah, me too.

[B]

I love what he does and what he represents and who he is. And I think we're being told he's here.

[C]

Good night. Meet you briefly at snl. For some reason, I was there once. Why the hell was I even there? Do you remember I was there. Oh, it's when I was interviewing Lorne.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

And I was around. And I think I met you briefly in passing, maybe really quickly. Yeah. I guess I didn't make an impact.

[B]

On you, but I'm actually saying that to, like, you know, not say no to you. To not be like. To not deny your experience.

[C]

Oh. To yes. And my memory. And to go ahead and live with the gaslighting that I'm doing.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[C]

Isn't that another word for improv?

[B]

Gaslighting?

[A]

You know better than me, sir.

[B]

Now, you know, I don't remember, but I do remember the first interaction we had, which was at The Glow Season 1 after party. You gave me one of these from. I was there with Chris Lowell. Oh, yeah. My freshman year. Yeah. In college. And you gave me one of these, like, a little. And I was like. I was. I don't think he's talking to me. We don't. We've never met. And I. I didn't know what to do. Yeah. And. And like, I've thought about that for a long time, for years, being like, was he saying hi to me? You gave one of these Like a.

[A]

Well, do you recall this moment?

[C]

Of course. I've been meaning to take, you know, talk about.

[B]

This is cool.

[C]

Fortuitous that I was asked to be on the podcast.

[A]

Yeah. So what went down?

[B]

I hope we're.

[C]

It was something I was learning. It was a ritual, a magical thing to deeply connect with him from across the room.

[B]

That's actually really cool.

[C]

And, yeah, I got it out of, I think, an Al. Esther Crowley book, and it seems to have worked. Stayed with you.

[A]

It seems like a really cool connection between you guys. Really glad that I get to be.

[B]

A part of it. Yeah, man. And, yeah, you can do.

[C]

Yeah, you want to do your thing now?

[B]

You want to do your thing now? You want to see.

[A]

Hey, guys, what's up? I'm Kyle Mooney, and welcome to the podcast. We got Mark Marin here today.

[B]

Wow, you really connected with him, right?

[C]

Did she do an intro already or was that.

[A]

We did. Yeah, we did it a little.

[C]

She just did it again.

[B]

Can I.

[A]

Can I say please?

[B]

See? See, this is helpful because we don't know how to. You're. I'm interrupting you.

[C]

I would like to say that I liked your movie.

[A]

Oh, thanks, Mark.

[C]

That really means the one you directed. I did. I liked it with the. With the machines. Yeah. What Was that called?

[A]

Y2K.

[C]

Yeah, it was good.

[A]

Oh, thank you for seeing.

[C]

And I went. I saw it because of you.

[B]

That's.

[C]

And I felt like it was a good movie.

[A]

You know what?

[C]

What I wanted is don't listen to the music, though. Give me time. Music?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. I thought you were saying you.

[A]

Oh, my music.

[B]

I thought you were saying you watched the movie without the music.

[C]

No, it was hard to separate, but I felt it was the only way to watch it.

[A]

I. You know, knowing you're gonna be here.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And I'm sure somebody's explained the premise of our podcast that we don't. That we're trying to figure out what our podcast.

[B]

I'm struggling with the mic right now. I'm not sure. No, you're. Okay.

[A]

Okay. We're not gonna put them down, so.

[B]

I'm not putting them down.

[A]

Don't tell. And like, you have.

[B]

You might have.

[A]

You probably have a pitch for a premise of our podcast, but don't say it yet.

[C]

I thought you had a premise. Like, I was asked to.

[A]

Oh, wait, sorry.

[C]

No, no.

[B]

What are you going to say?

[C]

No, no, no. I want you to go. It's your show.

[A]

Well, I just don't. Yes, you. In theory. You have a pitch for a podcast topic for Us.

[C]

Oh, yeah. I.

[A]

But I don't want to hear it yet.

[C]

Oh, I thought I sent it to somebody.

[A]

Okay, good. You'll say it out loud at some point.

[B]

Yeah, they know it, but we don't know yet.

[A]

All of this to say.

[C]

Oh, good. It is a game. I knew it had to be a hook.

[B]

And it's a little bit of. It's a little bit of improv, which might be g. Gaslighting in this situation.

[C]

Well, it's only gaslighting to me because, like, I. I just. I don't. I don't necessarily consider myself an improviser. I can do it.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

So, like, I just kind of, like, take it for what's happening. Like, I don't know what I'm being fucked with because this is like, it's not a. It's not a Tim and Eric situation. Like, with Tim and Eric.

[A]

Let's go. Go after it.

[B]

No, here you go.

[C]

Let's get real with Tim, who is. Who has softened nicely and is becoming quite a. An interesting and well rounded adult. Sure. But there was periods with those two guys where you talk to them, and I never knew whether they were with me or not.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[C]

And I. I don't think that's happening here. You don't seem like the kite.

[B]

I don't know he. This guy, though. Nobody knows.

[A]

Truly. It's. It's. It's actually obnoxious how much people don't know what.

[C]

Yeah, you're a little, like, you know, untethered.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I want to.

[B]

For a while, I was like his little translator. And I know he's. He's fine. He's.

[C]

Translate to people's inability to read him.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

[A]

But I've gotten. You've said I've gotten better.

[B]

Yeah, no, you have gotten better.

[C]

You have gotten better. Even that moment where you experience sort of like that was very focused. Okay. Yeah.

[A]

I thought. Now, you forgive me for saying this, and you have to talk about this all the time, but you are legendary in this field of podcasting. That is. That's just factual.

[C]

Okay. Yeah.

[A]

And I was very honored that I got to be on your show. And if speaking of like, kind of, kind of Personas and how you perceive somebody or what you expect them to be, I was almost caught off guard with how warm you were to me. And you saying something nice about my movie, it reminded me of that feeling again that, like, you have an endearing quality that, like, might not. Everybody might not know immediately. Is it fair to say?

[C]

Yeah, well, there's people that have the built in Marin decoder and those are the people that know, you know, the essence of me. Other people are kind of like, he's a little intimidating. He's intense. I think he's like, you know, and that spectrum goes to condescending to. He's a dick. But I think that people that, that kind of can just see through that, which is many people. I'm not that way. I mean everyone's got to have certain amount of defenses or you're just going to let all the garbage in.

[A]

Well, I just want to say it's.

[C]

What am I, how am I going to be an asshole to you? You're barely holding on.

[B]

Yeah, he's going to take care of you. He's really trying to help you out. I feel.

[A]

I mean I was going to put people what I'm telling myself all the time, but I thought it was. But my wife is telling me that it's not real.

[B]

No, no, she's your wife so she's being, she's being helpful. She's trying to give you what you need to get out. But no people.

[A]

So it is what people feel.

[B]

People think you're a second away from falling apart.

[C]

I mean, when I have somebody over to my house to talk, I've made a choice. You know, I'm not saying I'm not sitting there going like, oh fuck, right? This Kyle guy. How do I get into this?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And with the movie, like, you know, if I didn't like it, I wouldn't say so.

[A]

That's smart.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

That's diplomatic.

[C]

If I had to talk about the movie, I'd be like, so you really did a. Did something with that?

[A]

Which you, you don't think you'd be.

[B]

Like, you know, I saw the movie and I just, it bothered me. You wouldn't, you wouldn't look because I feel like you are very honest.

[C]

I did like I did that with Kroll, but again I have a relationship with Kroll. But like I was talking about that new movie, his. The horror movie, you know, I don't.

[B]

Know, I haven't seen it with where.

[C]

He plays a gay dude and they go to Italy and on a. To get married or something. But you know, it was not for me and I'm not sure it was a great movie. But when I have to interview people knowing it's gonna be an hour but yet they're there for a reason. I have to, if I don't like the movie, figure out a way to be diplomatic. But he saw right through it.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Cause it was really, like. Well, you know, it seemed like everything was there. You know, like, you really. It was those kind of things. And he posted everything I said about it as blurbs for the movie.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

That's.

[C]

It was very funny.

[B]

But.

[C]

But, no, I can usually find one good thing. But. But generally speaking, I wasn't here for that, and I'm being honest.

[A]

Well, thank you.

[C]

You know, I. I thought it was a great, you know, story, and it was funny, and it was kind of nostalgic, and, you know, I, like, I identified with all the appliances.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Well, I. That, again, that's a nice thing to hear. And I want to say a surprise, but, like. Yeah, you never know when somebody admires. Says something nice. It always feels good.

[C]

But, yeah, you did a thing, and that's a big thing. Like, people who make movies. Jesus, man, stop.

[A]

I'm, like, getting embarrassed in front of everybody.

[C]

No, it's hard to do a thing.

[B]

It's hard to do.

[C]

Pull a thing together, write a thing, then get people that want to do the thing, then want to act in the thing.

[B]

So it's a big deal.

[C]

It's a long time.

[A]

It is a lot. It's. It's a massive investment, for sure.

[C]

And you. And then, like. But honestly. So you spent how many years?

[A]

We kind of came up with the idea January 2019, and the movie came out December 2024.

[C]

Right. So that's a long time. You know, maybe not all in all the time. There's a lot of waiting involved. But it just. I'm curious, did it do what you wanted to do on any level?

[A]

I mean, absolutely. I mean, like, I think, like, the experience. Just having the experience is.

[C]

But the whole thing, you must have been happy with the whole movie.

[A]

I was happy with it.

[C]

Was. Was that enough to, like, fulfill me?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

No.

[A]

Oh, but you might. I mean, like.

[C]

Well, no, that's my feeling with most things, because in. In the world we live in, you know, I talk to people all the time. You know, they spend six years on this thing.

[B]

Right.

[C]

And then it's like, nobody even knows where to watch it.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Right.

[C]

Where do I even see that? Like, I had. Who is that amazing. Oh, Jessica Chastain came on the show to promote a movie that she did with the. It's not a Skarsgrd, It's a Sarsgaard. Who's Gyllenhaal's husband.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Peter Sarsgaard. So he's not a Skarsgard, but Peter Sarsgaard and it was Jessica Chastain. It was about dementia, early onset dementia. And it was a pretty stunning, poetic, heavy movie. And she was promoting it, and I don't know that anybody saw it. And then I just gotta think, like, well, what about the filmmaker? What about, you know, actors can kind of just be like, well, you know, job's a job. You kind of, you know, I just did a. Leading a movie. I don't know if it's ever, you know, who the hell knows what's going to happen to it? But it's hard to detach from that kind of, like, when is it going to, you know, do the big thing.

[B]

Right.

[C]

I don't know if there's that many big things anymore.

[B]

There's not.

[C]

And that's a sad.

[B]

And I also think that when you make something, it's rare or when you're a part of something, it's rarely going to live up to those expectations in your head. I know where it's like, even, like, that's a huge success. Like, this would happen a lot at SNL with sketches. Yeah. Like, oh, this could be the one.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Maybe it gets on just to get on air and then to get some laughs. But you're like, oh, I thought that was gonna solidify me. That character was gonna be down in the store with like a, you know, a T shirt and everything.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You're like, ah, it's a bummer. But then it's like, it was still a great success, you know.

[C]

For what it is, I guess. And it's very hard for me because I'm thinking about directing this movie. I've got it in motion. But then when I really think about, like, oh, my God, it's gonna take years to get it out, you know, to just get it together to get to go, you know, and then there's a whole other thing of, like, you know, can I even do it?

[B]

But this might be it at this point.

[A]

Horny to some degree, or even cliched maybe. But, like, the reality is that thing that. That thing that is probably the most fulfilling of the experience is the conceptualizing it and making it. And it's the process, I hate to say. Well, there are parts of the process I. I did not like, but I think there are moments, there are highlights where you're connecting with your co writer or you're, like, talking with the actors. Like, those are the moments that, like, those are good. That give you life in a way that, like, if you're. I feel like if you're living towards, like, The. The release or.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

The reception or something like that. That. That's not. I don't think that.

[C]

I think that always gives. A little shallow.

[A]

I don't. You know, this is. This is my.

[C]

I wish I had better parents and.

[A]

Okay, well, that. I can't.

[C]

That validation, you know, you got to get it somewhere.

[B]

You got to get it somewhere. But.

[C]

But no, I understand that people who say that, like, you know, it's really, you know, the process is where it's at. And I'm like, well, then I have blown life.

[B]

No, no. What I mean, how.

[A]

Why? What you mean, like, you don't enjoy the process? Is that what that means? I do.

[C]

Like, I do enjoy the process because I can be present for it. You know, I can show up and. And be in it. But I wouldn't say in those moments that that is the primary enjoyment. Like, the primary enjoyment, really, if I'm honest, and I don't like to be this honest on this level, is like, did you like it? And someone goes, yeah, dude, I loved it. And it could be a stranger, and that'll carry me for at least three hours.

[B]

And is it more? But is it beyond that? It's like, oh, I want this to be successful. I want this to be a big deal. Yeah.

[C]

Because you do the work and you're not. You know, you may be doing it for yourself, you know, because that's what the impetus is.

[B]

Right.

[C]

But you're doing it to. To be seen.

[B]

Right, Right, absolutely. And to not be a failure.

[C]

Right.

[B]

And the opposite of that, you know.

[C]

When you tank it.

[B]

Yeah, sure.

[A]

But do you ever feel if you.

[C]

Take it and people are like, that was great. I'm like, no, it wasn't. Then you take it away from them. That's a very bad moment.

[A]

Well, as you know, we're trying to figure out.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

How to podcast.

[B]

I mean, this is. Well, this is going to come out to.

[A]

To our listeners, episode 10 of us, actually.

[C]

How's it going? Defined.

[B]

You know, it's. It's good. It's. It's. I'm. I get very uncomfortable with it. Like, I've seen it back a little bit, and I'm like, oh, God, it's. It's. I don't like this.

[C]

Really?

[B]

Yeah, it's.

[C]

Do you feel like it lacks definition?

[B]

I mean, I think I like the show, but I like. I get. I get sweaty about myself.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

What part of you. I. I think it. I'm like, oh, I'm not cool. Oh, you know, I'm not. I'm Like, I'm like, I. I'm reactive or I'm like, yeah, you're not. You know, sometimes I don't know what to say. Sometimes I don't have a question. I'm like, I'm not like this profound interviewer. I'm just kind of like dealing with stuff in the moment, just trying to like, stay afloat.

[C]

I like the not cool thing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Did you. Sorry, did you.

[B]

Do you mind if I. Yeah, please, go ahead.

[A]

Also, I want to say you're. I think you're doing great.

[B]

Thank you. And I think part of. Part of doing great is just like saying being honest about it and putting it out there like we said, you know, like, I don't want to hide from it. I want to really.

[C]

Sure.

[B]

Like, oh, this is. And like, I'm. If it's a chance to grow and evolution settle and.

[C]

Sure.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Having you have a. You had. You did WTF for a while.

[C]

I did from 16 years.

[A]

From. From year one or day one. What are. Forgive me for putting you on the spot if I am putting you on the spot right here. What. How did you change? How did you evolve as a interviewer? As a. I mean, like, how did the show change? What did. Were there moments of like, oh, I shouldn't do it like this anymore, or like, I need to connect in this way? Were there any. Yeah, I think, like.

[C]

Being like a fairly self centered person, which we all kind of are because of the nature.

[B]

Of what we do.

[C]

That, you know, in the beginning, you know, that the beginning of the podcast was really a desperate act, you know, like, I, you know, I was not, you know, a ticket seller. I was not, you know, I was old. I was in my 40s, and, you know, I didn't have anything on the books. And I just, you know, got fired. I've been through a divorce. And it was like. So the whole act of it was really a need to reconnect with my community, with, you know, something. And I knew I was pretty good on these mics because I'd done some radio. And so a lot of those early episodes are me talking to my peers in kind of a contrite way about ways that I might have offended them. Like, I was apologizing for things that mostly were in my head. And, you know, it developed this style of, you know, connection that was involved a lot of me. It was never an interview show. It was always sort of like it was about me. Like, the way I used to frame it is like, I think for about the first hundred episodes it was me inviting celebrities over to talk about my problems.

[B]

Right.

[C]

And there was an honesty to that in the comedy community. But I think over time, what happened was I maintained that, and I do now that I'm not an interviewer, that they're conversations and they are specific moments in time of people. And I think they all kind of function as fairly effective audio portraits of that performer, that person at that time, and how that evolved was. And I think I learned some of this from aa, to be honest with you. I think structurally, the idea of aa, you know, I'm not a representative of the program, and it's important to say that in relation to the program because, you know, there is anonymity, but I do think it helps people. But the basic premise of AA is two alcoholics talking to each other. To not drink, to get out of your head. You get out of your head if you engage with someone else's wife, and then you're not thinking about yourself or drinking. Right. So there is something. I don't know if I'm retrofitting that, but there is also something about active listening and about working your empathy muscle. I mean, people are empathetic. Most people maybe, but it is not necessarily a natural trait to really put yourself in someone else's shoes or engage in the conversation in a way where you live through what they're talking about with them in a symbiotic way. So you experience the emotions available through that interaction. Was something that evolved. And I think I did. You know, despite not wanting to believe it. I do have some things that I do as a conversationalist on the mics that became part of my craft in doing it.

[A]

You mean, like, outside of.

[C]

No, I mean, during it. Like, you know, I. I have a way of doing what I do.

[A]

Right.

[C]

That evolved, but it does become a way.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

You know, but leading into all of them, I'm full of dread and anxiety, and I don't know what the hell I'm gonna talk to him about. Like, there was probably a point where you were coming over where, not in a hostile way, I was like, what the fuck am I gonna talk about with this guy?

[B]

That's great. That's so great to hear. Oh, God. That's like.

[C]

Cause I don't. You can only do so much research, and you're really going on your perception of their work, what you think you know about them and who you think they are. But almost 100% of the time, it's much broader than that.

[B]

Right.

[C]

You know, you're going to lock into this thing. And either you're going to be surprised one way or the other. Like, I had you all wrong. Like, wow, you're much more complex or interesting than I thought.

[B]

Right. And if you just go off a set of questions, you're not going to really connect you. Like, that's what I find hard. It's like, I'm in this situation listening, and I'm like, I thought about a bunch of other stuff and I'm like, that's gone. And I just am like, I can't think. I can't be in two places at once. You know what I mean?

[C]

But you can do the other stuff.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, like, you just gotta figure out where to fit it in. I generally. I used to have these very almost art looking, you know, ways of structuring things. There are certain people, if you're talking to somebody who's prolific or old or is a, you know, a cultural figure, because of their amount of work, their body of work, there's a certain respect that has to be afforded to them where I can't just, like, shoot the shit about their life because you got to deal with the work. But there are, like, people like Lorne or, you know, people like, you know, Keith Richards. Like, I used to do these very weird kind of. I'd say some of them, it was just a blank page of paper, and I just put things that I wanted to touch on and they'd be all over the paper and they'd just fill the paper. And it was all random and it was almost like the way my brain was. So, like, I would, like in. During the interview, I just scramble around on that piece of paper, like, and then, like, it trigger something.

[B]

Right.

[C]

But I. I left it sort of an improv improvisational moment on both sides. Like, there was no list. It was just. I got to scramble to find it and then. And then it's fresh.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

I don't do that much anymore with the big scribbles.

[A]

Scribbles right here, man. What are we waiting for?

[C]

I wish I could show you those pages. They're kind of. It's kind of crazy.

[A]

I was. I was definitely intimidated to come on.

[B]

People are.

[C]

I don't know why, but I think.

[A]

I. I think it's because I didn't.

[C]

Have you on a fan.

[B]

It's okay. I don't know what we could do. I don't know. It was close. Yeah. There was a moment.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Oh, man. Wow, that's great.

[C]

Yeah. I really think it becomes down To a scheduling thing usually.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Where things kind of get drifted, you.

[A]

Know, I was, I think I felt like I didn't sleep well the night before.

[C]

Is that what happened?

[A]

My interview.

[C]

I felt that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He's thinking about, how did you feel coming in now? What was your level of intimidation coming on? Coming on.

[B]

That's what I wanted to ask you. Yeah. What were you thinking? Okay. He was asking. Level of intimidation. So as that's, well, you know, I.

[C]

Haven'T, you know, I haven't guessed it in a while. You know, I just kind of stopped doing it. But because, like, I've got all these things going on, I was like, well, let me go talk to the funny people. And like, I don't know you guys that well. You know, I interviewed you, but with certain podcasts, I'm like, how much, how much of a is there a conceit to the thing that I'm going to have to play along with? And I can do that. So I didn't really know what you guys do. I know you're both funny guys and I know you're a weirdo.

[A]

What do you mean?

[C]

That's exactly what I see.

[B]

Yeah. But.

[C]

I use weirdo with nothing but affection. So I didn't know what you guys had in mind. I didn't think you were going to fuck with me, but I thought I would have to play along with something.

[A]

Do you did throughout the process. We should move on in a moment. But I am curious. Were you ever listening to podcasts?

[C]

Are you into podcasts? I really don't. I haven't listened. I don't think I've listened to a full podcast in my entire life.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So you just sort of like, you were. I, I, I find that that makes sense. That makes sense. I mean, like, if you're doing them.

[B]

A month, if you're doing two a week.

[C]

And I mean, like, I, I had to listen.

[A]

Like, ours is actually going to be. It's sort of.

[B]

You're going to want to listen. Crazy. It puts, I can feel the whole thing.

[C]

This is the first time I've been on a podcast where I'm like, I'm.

[B]

Gonna listen to this.

[A]

You're like, already going, I want to see what I said that time. Oh, Beck and Kyle. That was a really good moment.

[C]

That was a good one.

[B]

It's actually about to get a little bit crazier.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

So, no, I never listen to him. And I, you know, I used to listen to radio, and like, a lot of times I don't listen to Anything. I listen to music and stuff, but if I'm in the car at the gym, I'm listening to music.

[A]

You Stones guy or a Beatles guy?

[C]

I listen to the Stones more in my life, but it's hard not to have a foundation of Beatles in you.

[B]

That's a great answer. I love all. I agree with both.

[C]

Yeah, I mean, like when I watched that Let It Be, the documentary that was good, I thought was fucking life changing. It really is kind of magical and I always want to watch it again.

[A]

Yeah, it stinks. I do sort of feel the frustration of like it's such a non take to say you like that band, but I do really like them.

[C]

Yeah. Well, I've known people that are like, you know, the, you know, there's the contrarian thing. Yeah, yeah, there's one in this, in this network here. Dave Cross is the king contrarian.

[B]

Absolutely.

[C]

Dave Cross, who I've, you know, known since we were children, basically has always been that guy, like, you know, you know, Lou Reed or whatever. Like he's always. He'll draw lines, you know, and he'll.

[B]

Hold on to it.

[A]

I don't like food.

[C]

Yeah, right. Yeah, he's that kind of guy. But now. But you know, everyone softens as they get older and he's kind of.

[A]

Some people don't like food, though. Some people feel like it's. They just. They just eat it.

[C]

I'm afraid of food. I had an anorexic mom who trained me to. To distrust food. So it's an.

[A]

So what's your idea for our podcast?

[C]

We're doing it.

[B]

I guess so.

[C]

I mean, I'm fine, guys.

[B]

Yeah, no, I was gonna get more guests like me for a second. I got worried about your time. I know you still have another chunk to do, and in my mind there's a world where you go like, I only have.

[C]

I know you got to cut this or what?

[B]

No, no, this is good.

[C]

This is good.

[B]

Juicy stuff.

[C]

You have to tighten this up now.

[B]

Oh, man. Are.

[A]

Things are okay. I feel like I've, you know, in a somewhat rude way, sort of cut you off about your mom and the anorexics.

[C]

Oh, no, no, that's right. Believe me.

[A]

So what's your idea for the podcast?

[C]

Oh, you mean in terms of the words you wanted?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Like we're going to go try. You're going to tell us what our podcast should be about and then we're going to go try to do the podcast. Like just a shorter version. This was the longer version.

[C]

Well, I think I think what you have here, if you really kind of lean into it, is a fairly classic straight man weirdo situation.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

And. And I think that if you really let him be as weird as possible and you just try to, you know, keep the kite, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

From flying away in a comedic way, you might have something and then, you know, just, you know, fold other people into it occasionally.

[A]

So it's sort of like. Yeah. So should that. Should that be like an Abbott and Costello, like, Bennett and Mooney type scenario?

[C]

Exactly. You'd definitely be Costello.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah. That's the role that I feel like we've typically fallen into when I. When I did a. When I am the weird one. I think it kind of throws people off, or at least like, post SNL before snl, maybe not as much because we weren't as established, but in our. I would say in our everyday lives, Kyle can often be the one that.

[C]

Is the grounder.

[B]

Yeah. And the sort of. The being like. No, that doesn't make any sense.

[C]

What did you do that's interesting. Convert it. You know, you can be like, this seemingly rational guy that has flights of anger and weirdness, and he's sort of like. Well, wait, wait, no, I think that.

[A]

And then what, you. And you're just. Excuse me, I'm Kyle Mooney.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, that's exactly Kyle Mooney.

[C]

It wasn't quite that.

[A]

Oh, no, I was doing Woody Allen.

[C]

Yeah, I know. You did Good.

[A]

I wasn't. I want to make sure that's good.

[C]

Woody Allen.

[A]

Oh, I was just, like, messing around, but yeah. Our guest on. On the episode is Mark Marin. What is he. What does our guests do? Are they, like, part of the. Are they observing? Are they.

[C]

Well, I mean, what do you want to do? I mean, you could do. What do you want to do?

[B]

Like that. Like that.

[C]

What's that improv show that's been around forever where they have a monologist coming? Yeah. You can do a little. Little ascat situation where you ask the. Guess a couple questions and then you guys, you know, do a thing. But do you want to do that? I don't think you guys know what you want to do. You kind of want to just hang out. We're trying to figure people like it.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, we could do the characters. We could do the straight man and the. The. The weirdo. Yeah. But, like, I feel like it should. The podcast should be about something. It can't just be Beck and Kyle. Beck and Kyle's podcast. I think it.

[C]

So you want to have a topic like, you know, maybe you want to. Like, maybe one day it's just all Phyllis Diller.

[A]

So we're as like the straight guy and the weird guy being like, I like Phyllis Diller. No, you idiot.

[C]

This is another approach.

[A]

Oh, okay, okay, okay.

[C]

Where, you know, you assess like a. Maybe a slightly, you know, off the radar talent, talk about, you know, how maybe they influence you, and then where, you know, just kind of, you know, use it as a starting point for conversation.

[A]

Well, is there.

[C]

Do that with maybe have two or three of those.

[A]

This. It's like sort of like the. The name you might not know or something like that.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

What do you think about this?

[C]

Okay.

[A]

And this is you. You kind of get you. You're behind the reins to some degree here. What if the podcast is unsung heroes and, like, we all sort of get to pitch in on, like, this is somebody, I think, who hasn't gotten their due for what they've brought to whatever culture.

[C]

Yeah, I like that. You got. You have to dig them up.

[A]

Well, yeah.

[B]

You feel good about that? No, but. No, I feel it. No, no. So wait, but we are going to play these characters. I'm gonna.

[A]

I thought.

[B]

I thought it was one of my interests.

[A]

Yeah, no, we don't need to play the character. I don't think we need to play.

[C]

Like, you know, like. All right, got the day off. I'm gonna.

[B]

I'll go. I'll go find a, like a, like a high end, like, grocery store type thing, get some good ingredients. Yeah. Make something new. Cook. Yeah.

[C]

Where's that segment?

[B]

Yeah, come on.

[A]

Okay. All right, let's do what?

[C]

Becky, I was just at Erewhon.

[B]

Yeah, Erewhon's great. I was like, I would love to pop.

[C]

You like to cook? I cook, too. What do you cook?

[B]

I mean, it's. Recently I've just been doing sandwiches.

[A]

I'm calling the podcast. It's called what do you cook? We're gonna be right back. What do you cook? What?

[B]

That's what we're doing. What do you cook? Okay, great. We'll do what do you cook?

[A]

I think that's not bad.

[C]

It's good for one episode, I think. Or what did you cook last week? Would be a more ongoing thing.

[B]

Okay. What did you cook last week?

[A]

We've got it. If we're going to commit to this, we got to commit to it in the proper setting.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

What a kitchen.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

We're going into another studio and we're going to do this. I think we got.

[A]

Well, let's. We can we can settle on it? Do we want unsung heroes? What do you cook? Or what did you cook last week? And characters.

[C]

Evan Costello.

[B]

I mean, my instinct is to go with the first suggestion.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

The Avenue Costello thing.

[A]

Okay, great. Maybe maybe midway through, we. Maybe we get to switch. Maybe one straight and silly switch, and then the other person becomes.

[B]

All right. Yeah. Let's see. Yeah, this is gonna be good. No, it's gonna be good.

[C]

That's good. Habit face.

[B]

My face is getting wet. I'm getting nervous.

[A]

I'm nervous, too. This is uncharted territory.

[C]

Is something about to happen?

[B]

What producers? What do you think? Are we going. Is that. We're going with. Okay, let's go. All right. What's up?

[A]

Guess we're getting started.

[B]

Jeez. Yes. We're getting started. Okay. So welcome back to Wacky and Not with Beck and Kyle. I'm back.

[A]

Oh, sorry. Is it my turn?

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Hey, guys. Kyle here. What's going on?

[B]

Just. Yeah, if you're uncomfortable, that's fine. It's just we're.

[A]

No, I'm feeling good. I'm feeling monkey good.

[B]

Sorry about that, Mark. Kyle. We're very excited to have you on, Kyle.

[C]

Happy to meet you.

[B]

Kyle told me before that he was nervous. You don't have to try to be funny around him, dude. He's like.

[C]

We're just having a conversation, I guess. I feel monkey good.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, okay. I'm sorry. I mean, I. I'm sorry. It's fine. You can answer the question. I didn't mean to.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Just, you know, he's. I know that he's very. He's always like this. No, he's. He's not really. He's always kind of like this a little bit, but he. He's a little uncomfortable. He's. He's nervous that you're here.

[C]

Okay. You're one of the greatest.

[B]

Podcast.

[A]

I thought the day would never come.

[B]

He starts doing voices.

[A]

Sorry, I am a little nervous.

[C]

It's okay.

[A]

In fact, I just spoinked myself.

[B]

Oh, my God. You just boinked yourself. What is boinked? So is that. Did something go inside of you?

[A]

They haven't found what that one is yet, folks.

[B]

So, yeah, thanks for coming on.

[A]

Congrats on the special.

[B]

Yeah, congrats.

[A]

What's it called again?

[C]

Panicked. Yeah, exactly.

[B]

Yeah. All right. And is. Comes out August 1st.

[C]

Yeah, August 1st. HBO. HBO. Yeah.

[A]

What does that stand for, by the way?

[C]

HBO Home Box Office.

[B]

Yeah. I think everybody knows what it stands for.

[A]

Habooey.

[B]

That would just be the sound that HBO makes.

[C]

That's good, though.

[A]

Thanks, man.

[B]

All right, so it's panicked. Yeah.

[A]

You're okay over there? I'm okay.

[C]

I'm a little sweaty. You're making me nervous.

[A]

I have that effect on people.

[B]

So, so what was the. Is it. Is it right to ask you if there was there, like an impetus for this special, or was it just like you're working on material and then you frame it with the panicked. You know what I mean?

[C]

I think that it's hard to choose a name, you know, because, you know, there's been this history of, like, one name specials.

[B]

Right.

[C]

You know, Shameless or. Or like, that's the only one that comes to mind.

[B]

Pickle. Yeah, yeah. You know, that kind of stuff.

[C]

Yeah. I want you to give me a couple names.

[A]

Bradley.

[B]

So, yeah, I don't know if he's gonna do Bradley or.

[C]

No, Bradley's not good.

[B]

You got another thing? You got anything else?

[A]

Oh, I need a diaper change.

[B]

Oh, my God. Do you actually need a diaper change?

[C]

Did you shoot yourself? He spoinked.

[B]

He spoinked himself.

[C]

Don't you remember?

[B]

I do remember that. He's. Now, he tried to tell us a while ago. All right.

[C]

Yeah, no, I. Well, it just seems to be kind of a through line of. Of who I am. And I. And it turns out with the special, I do talk about, you know, anxiety. I talk about the world. I talk about, you know, my, My, My. My past, my dad's dementia. I talk about, you know, you know, trauma, all the funny stuff.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, you do talk about anxiety a lot.

[C]

I do lately. And you use.

[B]

It's your. It's. It's a creative fuel. Like, I've kind of. I've heard this. I mean, it's. It comes up in different ways that, like, anxiety is like, most people who are involved in comedy have a form of anxiety. I think for a while. Like, I. I'd be like. People would be like, oh, your friends, Kyle or whoever, they're.

[C]

What's the matter with him?

[B]

And I'd be like, what are you talking about? That's not anxiety. He's just funny. You know what I mean? It's like, so, like you and also. So you, like, create out of that space.

[C]

Yeah, I do a line in the special about wanting to deal with my anxiety. But say. I say like. But I don't know if I do, because I think all my creativity comes from that. I think I'm just, you know, panning for gold in a river of panic. So, you know, there is an element.

[A]

To that, and we can do that real quick.

[C]

Yeah. Could you. Could you cut to a river of panic? Maybe it's just a lot of, like, little heads going. Yeah.

[A]

Now you did it.

[C]

Okay. I didn't mean to step on your.

[A]

No, no, that would make me better. Give me a panic.

[C]

Give me a panic face. Panic face. That's good.

[B]

That's pretty good.

[C]

Quiet panic. How about terror? Yeah, that's good. That's almost Bobcat ish. That's like a callback to Bobcat.

[A]

Thanks, Mark.

[C]

Yeah, that is too.

[A]

Yeah, I think you.

[B]

You're kind of a Bob.

[A]

You're just doing Bobcat.

[C]

Actually, old Bobcat, not new Bobcat.

[B]

Wait. Oh, crap. I was gonna say something awesome.

[A]

When did you. How. How long did it take to get to a place that you felt comfortable with, with this set to say, like, it's done?

[C]

Well, I.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

I think that was a shot. Did you take a shot at me? Yeah, I think you just took a shot.

[A]

A can of sporkle soda.

[C]

Sporkle, but not spoink different.

[B]

The soda is not.

[A]

With vitamin diarrhea.

[C]

It took about a. It took about a year and a half, two years to put this set together. You just, like, as a comic, you just start the new hour. And at first it didn't have a home. I didn't have a special. But when you get one and you're like, we're going to shoot it, then. Then you kind of like, all right, well, let's start.

[B]

So you're working.

[A]

You're working on it. At some point you're like, okay, I have something here. And now I'm going to pitch this to.

[C]

No, no, I did. They know me. So it was just a matter of, like, are they going to give me another special? And when they stepped up, I was like, all right, well, I've got about an hour and a half. Usually heading into it. I've got about an hour and a half, two hours of material that I'm doing. And then ultimately, I know a lot of people do comedy specials that are like 34 minutes long, but for me, kind of old timey. I'm like, no, you do an hour like a real comic.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And, you know, and. And hbo. It was weird. My last special, From Bleak to Dark. You all right? Yeah, it's coming out both ends.

[A]

Some of that spork point soda.

[C]

Just, just.

[B]

If you're gonna burp, just don't burp right into the mic.

[A]

Sorry about that.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Because we don't have the kill button.

[B]

Oh, my God. Oh.

[C]

When did you first learn how to burp on purpose? What a day that was, huh? It's a big day. And a funny person's wife. When you learned how to burp on purpose.

[B]

Oh, it was a huge point of pride for me.

[C]

Oh, my God.

[A]

I got it. Okay, let's see, let's see. Oh, that's great.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I gotta work out.

[B]

It can make you think. Feel like you're going to throw up if you do it too much. Nice. Very good. Yeah. Well, good.

[C]

His head tone.

[B]

Yeah, his was.

[A]

Feel my. My Zappo chips coming back.

[B]

That sounds like a made up chip, but no zaps. I think it's zaps.

[A]

Oh, zaps.

[B]

Yeah. Not me.

[A]

I eat zappo.

[C]

They're extra zappy. Oh, there you go.

[B]

Wow. Would you just focus on the interview?

[A]

I'm sorry. I feel like I'm not. I feel like I'm not doing what you wanted.

[B]

This is more than doing it. Now, are we ever. Were we ever gonna switch? Or do you want to say it's switcher time?

[A]

Brought to you by Spoink. Okay. What's that? So. Yeah. So that must be.

[C]

Oh, so now we're back to.

[B]

Huh?

[A]

Oh, just so you know, my buddy here is very stupid.

[B]

No, I'm not. I just.

[A]

What we're talking about.

[B]

Do you, like.

[A]

Do you want me to finish for you?

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Mark.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I think what Beck is trying to ask is, do you like your place in the culture and where you've. Where you've landed?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[C]

Is that what you're trying to say?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Yeah.

[C]

I. Yeah, I think I've landed in a. In a nice cultural pocket of my own.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And I. And I feel okay about it sometimes I feel like it should be a bigger pocket, but, you know, that's just me.

[A]

What was the moment? What was the moment you knew? Go ahead.

[B]

Leather pocket.

[C]

Yeah, leather pocket. Sure.

[B]

It's kind of a leather pocket.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Landed in. You kind of feels really nice on your.

[C]

Yeah, Like. Yeah, the soft weather, not hard leather.

[B]

You know, a nice soft leather. And he's sitting in it.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Why did. Why am I doing this podcast? I.

[B]

We all bring something different to the table.

[A]

You bring all the different.

[B]

Sorry. I'm just trying my best.

[C]

Yeah, sure.

[A]

I think this is going better this way.

[C]

Yeah, sure. When you can just make fun of the stupid guy. How is that?

[B]

Why not satisfy the inner bully in you?

[A]

Face it, you're stupid.

[B]

Stupid. Who. Who Is. No.

[C]

Who is.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

What. Was there a moment. I want to. I. I want you to be able to say whatever you can about the special, but I got to know about wtf. Was there a moment where you felt like, okay, this is. This is on a different plane. This is.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

What was that?

[B]

Oh, it was in the garage.

[A]

Jesus Christ.

[C]

That's right. It was in the garage. It's actually in the car.

[B]

Can you imagine doing a podcast on a plane?

[C]

I. I've almost done them on planes.

[B]

Okay. That was. That was probably crazy.

[C]

Yeah, I did it at the. Oh, hey, could you turn down the noise? Yeah, I'm recording. And they're like, you turn down the plane and they're like, yeah, yeah, I'm picking that up on my bike.

[B]

And then. And then just a podcast of a.

[C]

Plane going down because the engine goes out.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Oh, no. And then. And then you're dead. Yeah. Because you crash.

[C]

Yeah. And then they have to find the podcast, like the Black Box, and they're like, oh, it's the last podcast he did.

[B]

And you call it Black Box.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

What?

[B]

And then. And then you go to. But then it also record. You go into the bathroom too. That would be before on the plane.

[C]

Yeah, that'd be before.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. It's good. Nice to trail off a little bit. It's good that he has his co host that you. That you step in to save him when necessary.

[B]

This actually could be a good. Maybe we'll bring this to the podcast. Yeah.

[C]

The Robin Williams episode, I think, was the first big kind of like, whoa. We did something because.

[A]

Because of the reception of it or because he.

[C]

Yeah, because you knew him. I did know him a bit, but, like, the nature of the interview was very candid, and it was never. And I don't think ever again something that happened. You know, I drove up there to the Bay Area, I went to his house, and, like, I think he's the guy. If he has two people, that's an audience, but just one on one with a comic, you know, at his home. It was a tone of trust there that I don't think ever happened again with him. When he passed, sadly, it kind of got used a lot, you know, because it was the only real him just talking. He's very shy guy.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I think anybody who was in. Forgive me for saying something that I maybe don't even have the right to be sane because people knew Robin so well, and I can't.

[C]

It's a free country, man. You say what you want while you can appreciate it. Yeah.

[A]

We got the.

[C]

Our God bless America.

[B]

Hell, God bless America.

[A]

That's actually really awesome. My sketch group, Good Neighbor that I was in with Beck and our friend Nick and our friend Dave, we came up. We. I met Beck, Becky, doing.

[C]

What happened to Nick and Dave? They here.

[A]

They're in la. Well, Dave lives in New York.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

But we're all still very close.

[C]

That's good.

[A]

But we came up making Internet videos and then we would do live shows and we had the chance to do a show for this SF sketch fest in Mill Valley.

[C]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Where? At the.

[C]

At the Thr. Morton.

[B]

Yes, yes. Yeah, yes.

[C]

Robin used to hang out there and he.

[A]

He was. He was there and prior to our show he wanted to play. He might have seen the show before us. And Nick approached him. I'm pretty sure it was Nick. I don't want to be.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

And was like, robin, do you mind staying for our show? We're such a huge fan.

[C]

Saying he's like, let me get on.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So he. He watched the show and then he came afterwards backstage to like give us a round of compliments and like went fully into bit mode.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He's like, you know, who am I? You know, Bill Dildo Baggins. And he's just like going off.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, oh, shit, we're getting the Robin Williams treatment.

[B]

And it was right.

[A]

So special and so meaningful and it's like, I don't know, just the fact that we got to have that moment with somebody like that. And I feel like he had that moment with, I think a lot of people.

[C]

It is something sweet of him. It is something like. Cause I remember it was very funny. I did a show at the Throckmorton, just a stand up show, and I kind of knew Robin and he was up there and it was not a great. I was struggling a little bit and he was sitting up in the balcony where you couldn't really see him.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But every time a joke would just do, you know, okay.

[B]

I'd hear him go, oh, that's a good impression. Yeah.

[C]

But I knew he wanted to get on stage and it was so scary to me to like do that because he'll jump on stage with anybody.

[B]

Right.

[C]

And you got to work with it. But I was really just trying to keep him at bay. And every time a joke would just kind of tango.

[B]

Do you know how far away from that theater he lived?

[C]

Wasn't far.

[B]

I feel like he like had that in his back, like, would just go all the way.

[C]

Yeah, he Lived on the water. I don't remember exactly what town, but, yeah, another comic used to run that place, Mark Pitta, who was a San Francisco comic, and it became Mort Sol used to hang out there. You know, he was, like 100 years old, and he never liked me. Mortzall. I never had him on the show, and I had a lot of the old timers on it, but I think there was some sort of, you know, tension between me and Mort. Saul.

[B]

Damn.

[C]

I know. It's sad when the old guy doesn't like you.

[B]

Yeah. He still doesn't like you.

[C]

He's dead. Yeah.

[B]

So he probably still doesn't.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Forever, probably. Yeah. For eternity.

[C]

He doesn't like me.

[B]

Yeah. He can't fix it.

[C]

It's hard.

[B]

It sucks.

[A]

Okay, well, before we. Before we get out of here, we do have an ongoing segment, as you know, and as our listeners know. It's. Give us your wackiest.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So everybody has to go around and give their wackiest and.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'll start.

[B]

You want to start? Yeah.

[A]

D. Deal. Do you like. Oh, I don't think they fit anymore.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Okay. Okay. That was your wacky.

[C]

I think you ride the line of wacky and cringe.

[A]

Oh, no.

[B]

But cringe is dead. We're killing cringe.

[C]

No, cringe is over.

[B]

Yeah, we're killing it. Oh, yeah. You. You. Yeah, it's. There's. Wait, what? It's called kill the part of you that cringes, not the part of you that's cringe.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

That's what everybody's. That's what everybody's saying.

[C]

That's like freedom.

[B]

Yeah, it's freedom. Yeah. Yeah. So check this out. Yeah, that's pretty good.

[C]

That's pretty good.

[B]

Yeah. Now. Now. I can't believe. Yeah. So now you came on this podcast.

[A]

Knowing you were gonna do your wackiest. That was.

[B]

Okay. We got Marc Marin. Give it his wackiest. Well, you.

[C]

One more time.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And for our listeners, you can't see.

[B]

What'S happening down below.

[A]

It's like Mark is like. It's almost as if he's capsizing into, like, a small, little Mark, man. His teeth are clenching and his eyes are closing, and he's coming together, and it's really wacky.

[B]

Well, that was amazing. Thank you all for listening. And that was our wacky.

[A]

Or. And not.

[B]

Or. And not with Beck and Kyle and.

[A]

Our guest, Mark Marin.

[B]

Thank you for being.

[A]

See you next time.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Wow.

[A]

Wow. That was.

[B]

I. I gotta say, that was pretty wacky.

[A]

That was wacky at some point, but there's also sort of, like, always somebody sort of, you know, guiding it and making sure that things were sort of.

[C]

This is the post.

[B]

Yeah. This is a trap to talk about.

[C]

I think it worked really well. I think you both inhabited the roles of wacky and straight guy pretty good. Both very unique in your approaches.

[A]

Thank you, Mario.

[B]

Thank you.

[C]

I think I did a great job as guest.

[B]

You did a fantastic guy. Your ability to sit there with it was really incredible.

[C]

And I thought my wackiness was subtle because I didn't want to cross over into cringe because I'm not comfortable wacky.

[A]

You also, as a guest, I think you were able to ride the wave of, like, at some points you did join in with the fun and the silliness, but other times you were sincere about, like, okay, I'm here to talk about my project and I want to also, like, let the audience know about who I am and what.

[C]

I don't want to. Step on the spoink.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Step in the spoink.

[C]

Speaking of which, Lucky it didn't. He was out.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

You also, like, you know, that is suggestion for us. Like, I don't know how you felt back, and I feel like we said it a little bit, but that was intimidating because it's like, it was. That was really. That felt like a free fall. Like, what is this going to be?

[C]

Right?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Isn't that the fun part? It is not really fun for me. You know, I mean, when I do it, it's very, you know, it's within standup and I have complete control. But, like, I'm not a comfortable character guy. You guys have done a lot of that. So, like, I know it might have felt like a free fall, but you do have the tools.

[B]

Yeah. And I mean, that's what is nerve wracking. But also exciting about this podcast is we're like, we just throw. Throw something in there.

[A]

Yeah. So you think we should do. We should potentially run with that as a podcast.

[C]

Well, I mean, it worked as a bit.

[B]

Yeah, I think we should try it as a bit at the beginning.

[C]

Yeah. I don't know if you have to, you know, commit to a.

[A]

We can certainly, whatever our podcast is just work that. I mean, maybe we already have that dynamic.

[C]

If you want to do that segment, be honest, like, I mean, you could do anything. You could be film reviewers, you could be, you know, golf commentators.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You could be, you know, like, whatever. You could talk about philosophy that no one understands. I mean, like, you any Sort of two person grouping that you can kind of elevate into. Funny you could do in that segment. No reason to.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

And do we have a name for your guy? It's just Beck. I guess.

[B]

It's probably just Beck. What's your guys name? Keigo.

[A]

I was thinking Keigo.

[B]

Probably Keigo. Well, thank you for that idea. Thank you for being here. Yeah.

[A]

Buddy special comes out August 1st.

[C]

Yeah. Panicked.

[B]

Panicked.

[C]

Yeah, it's out now. We're gonna post this.

[B]

Oh, yeah, it's out now. After the thing, I felt so comfortable with you here. I felt very warm and tingly inside.

[C]

Oh, good. Me too.

[B]

You lit me up.

[A]

You're completely out of the podcast game.

[C]

What do you mean? Not yet? He's in month or so.

[A]

Oh, shit. Am I saying something's not supposed to be? Oh, no, no, no. Oh, yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

No, no. Yeah. I mean, we're retiring. Wtf? I don't know what my future holds. You might. By the time this is on, we'll still have a couple of months.

[B]

I probably. We probably don't have time for another question though, right?

[C]

What?

[B]

No.

[A]

You have a question you want to ask?

[B]

Well, like, do you. Do you. Could you. Can you guess how your life is going to be different without the podcast? Without that rhythm?

[C]

Yeah. It's going to be, you know, full of rumination and intrusive, catastrophic thinking.

[B]

Yeah. Well, good luck with that. Yeah. Thank you for coming.

[A]

You're always pushing us to think in different ways, and you're also opening yourself to us in ways that is inspiring by letting us see who you are and how you tick. And we really, we really appreciate that.

[C]

Thanks for having me.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

See you, everybody.

[B]

Bye. What's Our Podcast is a Headgum podcast created and hosted by Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney. The show is produced and engineered by Casey Donahue and Anya Konobskaya with production support from Marika Brownlee, Rachelle Chen and Ali Khan. Our executive producer is Anya Kenovskaya. Katie Moose as our VP of content at Headgum, our theme music is made by us. For more podcasts by headgum, visit headgum.com or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[A]

That was a Headgum podcast.