President Obama in conversation with Marc Maron

President Obama in the Garage with Marc Maron

Episode 613 - President Barack Obama
PRESIDENT OBAMA: (25m 55s) Increasingly I've spent my time thinking about "How do I break out of these old patterns that our politics has fallen into?". Which is part of the reason I'm here, I'll be honest with you. One of the conversations I've had with my communications team about is "How do we talk to folks who aren't already so dug into a particular way of thinking about politics that we can create more space for people to have a normal, ordinary conversation and one where the lines aren't so clearly drawn black and white, It's not this battle in a steel cage between one side and another.

MARC MARON: Well I became a little disillusioned. I used to do left-wing talk radio and I realised that there was a lot of things I was naive about...

- Find behind-the-scenes photos of Marc's meeting with the President here: Marc meets Obama
- Listen to Marc Maron and [friend-of-blog] producer Brendan McDonald: Episode 614 - The President Was Here

Marc Maron on the Joe Rogan Experience talks about the Zimmerman verdict and "reactionary politics"

VIDEO: Joe Rogan Experience #374 - Marc Maron  

JRE #374 - Marc Maron
JOE ROGAN: (18m 15s) Its almost like they want brownie points for running towards a progressive point in an aggressive way...
MARC MARON: Well I think what you have there is clasic reactionary thinking. And I've been that guy, I know what that guy is.
ROGAN: Kudos to you for figuring it out
MARON: After doing political talk radio for a year and a half. Like when I started Air America I was just a reactionary guy. I was a leftie guy but I was not educated. So basically anything that was anti-authority, anti-republican, anti-war, I'd be like "F·ck that guy!". I mean my comedy was like that to some degree. But when you get in the trenches of it and you really start to educate yourself on what issues are. How radio personalities are being used by political parties to move talking points. What the talking points are?

When it comes to real progressives, they're not so knee-jerk. They're fairly deliberate. They're fairly focused on what elements and causes are that will facilitate slow change. Rapid change is not really possible. But with these kinds of issues are quick. I tweeted something yesterday that "Occasional self-righteousness way more annoying than consistent self-righteousness"
ROGAN: Exactly. That's true.

MARON: Which is exactly what you're talking about. out of nowhere someone goes "GRRRRRRR" and they don't stand for that any other day or really engage in the public conversation but as soon as there's a hot topic and there's momentum then everybody gets righteous"

Occasional self-righteousness way more annoying than constant self-righteousness.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) July 14, 2013

As the conversation progressed both comics inevitably touched on their personal differences with each other. As independent alpha males they've had their friction borne out of their personality types (Jocks vs Outsiders). As Maron puts it "our type have been fighting for centuries". Joe Rogan describes the discrimination he gets being stereotyped as a "meathead", Maron interestingly finds this unrelated discussion analogous to their earlier points about the Trayvon Martin issue.

JOE ROGAN: (46m 15s) In your defense, or anyone's defense if I didn't know me I'd assume I was a douchebag... The stereotype of anyone that would be a fighter is hyper aggressive, an asshole. I tried to be as friendly as possible so in my mind, I'm not trying to get sympathy but you get put in this weird kind of prejudice where you're put in this meathead category, automatically treat you like you're causing a problem
MARC MARON: That's interesting cuz that's what black people go through in this Country
ROGAN: I don't think I had it that bad (dismissing). That's cute [though]
MARON: No, no that's not what I was saying but that self consciousness. you know that people are going to judge you a certain a way and you have to behave in relation to the social realities of that stereotype

Marc Maron, Colt Cabana and Roland Barthes: The intersection of Wrestling, Comedy and Podcasting

During the intro of the 334th episode of WTF with Wrestler Colt Cabana, host Marc Maron explains his tenuous relationship with Wrestling. Despite having Mick Foley on his Air America show and his long-time producer being an Avid wrestling fan, Marc had little appreciation for wrestling growing up. Though in speaking to Colt he was made more aware of the parallels with Wrestling and Stand-up comedy. To initiate his podcast audience with the nuances of Wrestling he read out an essay from French philosopher Roland Barthes on the subject which was particularly illuminating
Listen to the hole episode here - WTF with Marc Maron episode 334:  Colt Cabana

'Mythologies' by Roland Barthes

THE WORLD OF WRESTLING
We are therefore dealing with a real Human Comedy, where the most socially-inspired nuances of passion (conceit, rightfulness, refined cruelty, a sense of 'paying one's debts') always felicitously find the clearest sign which can receive them, express them and triumphantly carry them to the confines of the hall. It is obvious that at such a pitch, it no longer matters whether the passion is genuine or not. What the public wants is the image of passion, not passion itself. There is no more a problem of truth in wrestling than in the theater. In both, what is expected is the intelligible representation of moral situations which are usually private. This emptying out of interiority to the benefit of its exterior signs, this exhaustion of the content by the form, is the very principle of triumphant classical art. Wrestling is an immediate pantomime, infinitely more efficient than the dramatic pantomime, for the wrestler's gesture needs no anecdote, no decor, in short no transference in order to appear true...

- TXC 'Total Xtreme Comedy': Wrestlers Mick Foley and Colt Cabana performing stand-up
- Mick Foley: Politics is just like wrestling
- Jon Stewart, Wyatt Cenac and Mick Foley endorse the analogy that American Politics is like pro-wrestling
- Mick Foley and Sean Morley: When wrestlers become pundits

Laughspin: Marc Maron gets his own show on IFC

Though Marc Maron has well and truly stepped away from the Political Talk arena, this is welcome news for fans of comedy and podcasting.

IFC greenlights Marc Maron show straight to series (Exclusive)
MARON explores a fictionalized version of Marc's life, his relationships, and his career, including his incredibly popular WTF podcast, which features conversations Marc conducts with celebrities and fellow comedians. Neurosis intact, Maron is uniquely fascinating, absolutely compelling and brutally funny.
Produced for IFC by Fox Television Studios and Denis Leary and Jim Serpico's Apostle, MARON (wt) is directed by Oscar® winning director Luke Matheny (God of Love) and executive produced by Marc Maron, Denis Leary, Jim Serpico, Olivia Wingate, and Duncan Birmingham, who also serves as the series' writer.

- Listen to my 2008 PunditFight interview with Maron here, NerdsGoneWild presents: A conversation with Marc Maron
- Marc Maron's WTF podcast Ep 23: Wyatt Cenac talks pundits and professional wrestling
- Marc Maron and Patton Oswalt talk about Right Wing pundits and bad comedians

Henry Rollins on travel: "Fox News is pro-wrestling and MSNBC is a TV Blog"

Henry Rollins is a Punk Rock legend and ever evolving artist. Known for his outspokenness Rollins toured with APF's Marc Maron and Janeane Garofalo on their 'It's Not a Play and There's No Music' tour in 2007.

Interview with Henry Rollins: Punk Rock World Traveler
WORLD HUM: So how does an experience like that color the way you consume mainstream media about, say, Iran and U.S.-Iran relations?
HENRY ROLLINS: Good question. It occurs to me that CNN, as neural and sometimes milquetoast and mediocre as they can be, and they’re the nicest, and FOX news, they’re the professional wrestling, and MSNBC, they’re a blog that’s a TV show, all these outlets ultimately are pro-war—some people might argue with me—and pro-corporate bottom line. Whereas Al Jazeera, to me, that’s news. Where you get to hear the full soundtrack of what an Iraqi hospital sounds like full of people with no anesthesia, when you just hear nothing but human screams. That’s bringing it home...

- Marc Maron's WTF podcast Ep 23: Wyatt Cenac talks pundits and professional wrestling

Marc Maron talks to Norm Macdonald about politics and spirituality

On a recent live episode of the WTF podcast, political-talker Sam Seder ribbed his old friend and former 'Air America' co-host Marc Maron, "Politics! You remember politics right Marc?"

In a conversation with SNL alum Norm Macdonald, Marc Maron explains his current stance on Politics and Politicians.

Transcript: Maron on politicians (37min mark)

WTF Episode 219 - Norm Macdonald
NORM MACDONALD: ...Even with politicians, they're still human beings.

MARC MARON: Barely. But yeah, they're the worst f*cking people in the world. All of them!

MACDONALD: Well I agree, I'm glad to hear you say that because everybody thinks you're all leftist

MARON: Well I definitely land on the lefty side of things on ideological terms. I've found from doing political talk radio, carrying water for any of them you just gotta realise the quality of people you're dealing with. You're dealing with corporate whores who are operated by business interests. Really its gonna come down to - however you view politics- the question is "Do you give a sh*t about poor people?" and "Are we being taken advantage of?".

Now if you wanna frame that as "Obama is a communist and draining us of our livelihood", well that's your particular delusion and thats fine. But I just got disillusioned with all of it. These are not quality people. I did a joke on Michelle Bachmann on 'Real Time'...

MACDONALD: I saw that

MARON: Yeah and I was getting flack from a very small portion of the Right, (imitating) "He's a misogynist". Well she's a f*cking politician. Can you name me two politicians who demand any respect whatsoever. Why do we respect these people? These people are car salesman, they're idiots, they're more disingenuous than anybody as performers. They've basically figured out a way to bait and placate morons into voting against their self interest. It's an amazing skill but is it respectable? I don't know. Do you respect a guy who sells you horsesh*t in the guise of a health supplement?

The conversation goes into an interesting comparison of Politics and Evangelism and into a much larger, compelling discussion of spirituality.

- Listen to Norm Macdonald interviewing Ann Coulter (Jan 3, 2008)

Marc Maron at the 2011 Melbourne Comedy Festival

25th Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Marc Maron alongside pals Maria Bamford and Paul F Tompkins will be leading the strong US contingent of the 2011 Melbourne Comedy Festival.

Marc Maron was last here in 2008 doing dates at the Sydney Comedy Store. At that time Marc was hosting the 'Maron V Seder' webcast alongside Sam Seder for Air America Radio which evolved into 'Break Room Live'.

After the dissolution of the network, Marc with his trusty producer Brendan McDonald founded the WTF Podcast. A once humble but now hugely successful endeavor which has raised Maron's profile. With incisive, revealing interviews of some of the biggest and most controversial names of Comedy from Carlos Mencia, Dane Cook, Louis CK, Judd Apatow, Robin Williams and Ben Stiller. Including a host of upcoming, veteran and forgotten comedians.

Closing in on its 200th episode, the show and Maron's voice will be a valuable artifact for comedy lovers for many generations.

- Find Maron's Melbourne Performance dates here
- Read my 2008 interview with Marc Maron here. In it we discuss his abysmal maiden performance run in Australia that threatened to derail his commitment to a life in comedy.
- Find previous Marc Maron related posts here

Comedian Marc Maron featured in New York Times

Marc Maron featured on the NY Times

A write up of Comedian Marc Maron in the New York Times

The Comic Who Explores Comedy’s Darkest Side
In 2004 he found a temporary home at Air America, the left-leaning radio network that went off the air last January. It didn’t work out. “I really began to believe that the struggles of most people are existential, not political,” he said, “and my biggest struggles were existential.”

He was canceled by Air America — twice.

A third project with the network, a Web-based show with the comedian Sam Seder, also failed. In September 2009, after that show was canceled, he and Mr. McDonald began to sneak into the Air America studios after hours to record his podcast, bringing guests up in the freight elevator. Soon, he moved from Astoria, Queens, to Los Angeles, where he had spent time on the comedy circuit. And so his garage became the new home of the podcast.

Marc's star has risen considerably with the success of his WTF podcast. He was also recently featured on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of 'The 10 Funniest People, Videos and Things of the Coming Year'

Listen to my 2008 PunditFight interview with Marc Maron here - NerdsGoneWild presents: A conversation with Marc Maron

Sam Seder launches new podcast show - Majority Report Radio (Majority FM)

Sam Seder hosting his new radio podcast - Majority Report Radio (Majority.FM)

Sam Seder has launched a new incarnation of 'Majority Report radio' - Majority.FM'. His latest project in years after the rollercoaster ride that was Air America Radio. His partner on his last two projects ('Maron V Seder' and 'Break Room Live'), Marc Maron had struck gold with a comedy podcast that has consistently been ranked #1 on ITunes.

Sam Seder hopes to do the same with his brand of politics and comedy. A lot of Maron's early success was built on the network of friends he enlisted as guests and the following he had garnered on his previous shows on Air America. Sam shares a similar advantage albeit a long time in between drinks. Moreover he is assisted by the following he has cultivated on his website SamSederShow.com and the increased television profile he's had as a regular panelist on CNN and MSNBC.

Logo for Sam Seder's new 'Majority Report Radio' show - Majority.FM

Find all the relevant links to Majority.FM here
- Listen to Majority.FM on your music player here
- Go to the Majority.FM website
- Go to the Majority.FM Facebook site
- Go to the Majority.FM Twitter site
- Official Sam Seder website
- Listen to my 2008 interview with Sam Seder

Marc Maron and Mark Riley's 'Morning Sedition': The infamous 'Wrestle a Republican' episode with Mick Foley

Morning Sedition - 12-21-04 - The Wrestle a Republican Sketch...Revealed! (Best Of).mp3
MARC MARON: ... We're going to listen to a segment that got more responses than anything else we've ever done for Morning Sedition... Its our infamous 'Wrestle-a-Republican' show...

-cut to a replay of said 'infamous show' with accompanying running commentary followed by a reunion from the principles of the segment-

MARC MARON: Good evening, geniuses, philosopher kings and queens, working class heroes, liberals of all kinds. Even our conservative friends, you're welcome as well. And of course wrestling fans...

We got really tired before the election of hearing these Republican emails and phone calls. Just these blowhards that would say we're all talk no action and why don't you guys do something about it.

So basically what we did was we solicited our Republican listeners to come in and wrestle one of the hosts...

Considered one of the most talked about bits in 'Morning Sedition' history, here is a recap of the infamous 'Wrestle-a-Republican' segment here:

• Mark and Marc talk about Al Franken's collegiate wrestling background. Maron does his Franken impression but makes it clear he is not mocking Franken. 
• The 'Morning Sedition' hosts play a bait-and-switch and get guest host wrestling legend Mick Foley to fight the republican challenger. 
• Mick Foley promotes his children's book 'Tales from Wrescal Lane' and talks about his involvement in educating the youth on politics and voting
• Talked about his debate with fellow wrestler John Bradshaw Layfield at the 'University of Miami'
• Foley explains the different reactions he's gotten from pundits Paul Begala and Chris Matthews to him being a Pro-wrestler involved and well versed in politics 
• Foley explains why wrestlers might be more equipped in discussing politics as they "Straddle between the two Americas", having access to the working class and the elite with their brand of entertainment.
• 'Dave the Republican' returns to the show and breaks kayfabe by revealing his true identity and the effectiveness the "work" had in duping the Air America audience and management.

Find Morning Sedition archives here

This infamous segment is likely to have informed this bit on 'The Daily Show' which featured Mick Foley and Maron's WTF discussion with Wyatt Cenac that touched on pro-wrestling.

Find Brendan McDonald's original recap of the Mick Foley 'Morning Sedition' appearance here: Mick Foley - Politics is just like wrestling

Full transcript: Marc Maron befriends and betrays Ken Mehlman on plane (not in that order)

Gawker has a funny account of comedian Marc Maron's encounter with former GOP Chairman and the recently "out-of-the-closet" Ken Mehlman. Its just the latest example of how reality will only get weirder and meta with the instantaneous dissemination of information and the invisible connectedness of the live-tweeting age.

So a Comedian Sits Next to Former GOP Chairman Ken Mehlman on a Plane... (Updated)
Ken Mehlman is the former GOP chairman who recently confirmed he was gay. Marc Maron is a comedian. Marc Maron has found himself sitting next to Ken Mehlman on a plane and is live-tweeting it. Guess what happened?

If you guessed that LA comedian Marc Maron, creator of the podcast WTF with Marc Maron, took a picture of his exposed nipple next to former GOP chairman Ken Mehlman, you are correct! Since around 2pm EST, Maron has been tweeting about his flight with Mehlman

Here is a roundup of all of Maron's tweets from his Twitter account. I've included retweets from his former Air America co-host Sam Seder. Sam is a pioneer of ridiculing "anti-gay gay republicans", notably in his infamously trimmed chapter devoted to his pet subject in his book 'F*U*B*A*R (2006)'.

Via Marc Maron's Twitter account September 19
On plane. Upgraded. Sitting next to former GOP party leader Ken Mehlman. This is gonna be good.

Former GOP Party leader Ken Mehlman now asleep with mouth open. I will write on his face with a Sharpie. about 10 hours ago via web

Should I Tea Bag Ken Mehlman as he sleeps? about 10 hours ago via web

I think the other passengers would understand if I explain who he is. I'll do it for America. about 10 hours ago via web

Ken Mehlman looks so vulnerable sleeping. I wonder if he dreams about being part of the cock that fucked the country. about 10 hours ago via web

They just served us nuts. I hope Ken Mehlamn doesn't eat mine. about 10 hours ago via web

He's awake and I have a big screen so I might have to pull back...and button my shirt. Awww, he's got a copy of The New Republic. What? about 10 hours ago via web

I just wrote 'Yes We Did' on Ken Mehlman's forehead. about 10 hours ago via web

Shhhhhh. Be very quiet. http://twitpic.com/2q2i0w about 10 hours ago via Twitpic

Okay, its dinner time. My first mutual blind date with Ken Mehlman on the plane. We'll see what happens. I hope he wakes up soon. about 10 hours ago via web

Soooo hot! http://twitpic.com/2q2la9 about 10 hours ago via Twitpic

Okay, everyone be cool. I want to be able to talk to this guy. about 10 hours ago via web

Ahhhh. Cute. http://twitpic.com/2q2jw9 about 10 hours ago via Twitpic

Recap. Photo from my surprise date with former GOP Leader Ken Mehlman on plane. http://twitpic.com/2q2la9 about 10 hours ago via web

This is fucking crazy. I have to start a conversation. 'Uh...do you support teabagging...er...tea baggers? Uh. Fuck. Either? Both?' about 10 hours ago via web

Tried to use blackberry chit chat talk to get things going. False start. I hope he doesn't log on with his computer or I'm fucked. about 9 hours ago via web

Okay, I'm going to eat and try to do this like an adult. So, be cool. I'm beside myself here. Be back in a few. about 9 hours ago via web

Paraphrasing Mehlman. 'Karl Rove is not evil. He's my friend.' I tried to convince him he was evil. He called me cynical. about 8 hours ago via web

Paraphrasing Mehlman. 'Politicians do the best they can'. I tried to convince him other wise with facts. He called me cynical. about 8 hours ago via web

paraphrasing Mehlman. 'I think if you met George W Bush you would like him.' I said I would never let myself do that. about 8 hours ago via web

Paraphrasing Mehlman. 'I'm a socialist when it comes to social security.' Swear to god. It was a longer conversation but... about 8 hours ago via web

Paraphrasing Mehlman. 'They did not manufacture intelligence to get us into the Iraq War.' Me: Come on. Him: You are really very cynical. about 8 hours ago via web

Man, I hate when villains become human. I will not feel remorse. I will keep him a villain. about 8 hours ago via web

Paraphrasing Mehlman: 'If Sarah Palin became the candidate it wouldn't be good.' I called him cynical. jk. about 8 hours ago via web

He just asked me if I'm online? Uh oh. Could get tense here. about 8 hours ago via web

Paraphrasing Mehlman. 'I would have done health care reform differently blah blah blah...' I am cynical. about 8 hours ago via web

Okay. That's it. I think he may be on to me. Will continue conversation with you guys on @WTFpod at some point. Will tweet later. about 8 hours ago via web

The general theme of the Mehlman chat was that people make mistakes and politics doesn't let them own them and grow. Who's cynical? about 8 hours ago via web

Paraphrasing Mehlman. 'Dick Cheney and crew were not engaging in opportunism and greed with the Iraq war.' Come on. I'm cynical again. about 7 hours ago via web

Gotta stop. I feel like our relationship is being tainted by my betrayal. about 7 hours ago via web

RT @SamSeder Betrayal? He used homophobia as a professional tool- he should feel lucky all ur doing is taking funny pics about 7 hours ago via web

@SamSeder Get on IM, Sammy. Let's chat. about 7 hours ago via web in reply to SamSeder

Paraphrasing Mehlman. 'I'm a libertarian Republican.' (so, conservative on everything but gays? Now?) about 7 hours ago via web

Paraphrasing Mehlman. 'Christine O'Donnell is kooky.' about 7 hours ago via web

Now Mehlman is just watching 'Curb' laughing like a person. about 6 hours ago via web

Shit. Now I don't know which bottle of water is mine or Mehlman's. What if it's contagious. Not drinking. about 6 hours ago via web

I guess this happened. http://bit.ly/citxmH Time to land. We'll see what happens. about 6 hours ago via web

Longest tow into a gate ever. Watching Mehlman look at the Gawker on his blckbrry and i talked nonsense on the phone. about 5 hours ago via txt

I really couldn't help myself. Glad you were all on board. What a flight. about 4 hours ago via mobile web

He definitely found out. He was looking at the pic as we taxied. Shoulda said, 'all in good fun. Don't be cynical'. about 4 hours ago via mobile web

RT @samseder what did he say about the pic?// I got on the phone. Just sat in the weirdness. about 4 hours ago via mobile web

Politics is wrestling, Quote roundup: Ann Coulter, Jon Stewart, Mick Foley, Marc Ambinder, Matt Lewis, Wyatt Cenac, Mick Foley

Believers in the 'Politics is Wrestling' meme

1) Jim Cornette, Pro-wrestler manager and promoter

Wrestling legend Jim Cornette rants on the right wing
JIM CORNETTE: Maybe [wrestling commentator, Joey] Styles is like Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity or all these people I listen to that are -- You know that -- they're too smart to believe the sh!t that they say. They're heels cutting promos and its obvious and they're doing it for the marks who are dumb enough to believe it and they get paid big money to do it.

2) Matt Lewis, Political writer, blogger and commentator

TownHall's Matt Lewis: "Arlen Specter as Hulk Hogan"
MATT LEWIS: From a conservative perspective, at least, the Specter story was a classic archetype that has been re-played throughout human history -- and retold in the Bible (Judas), American history (Benedict Arnold) movies (Anakin Skywalker) ... and even in the less sophisticated world of ... professional wrestling!

3) Jon Stewart, Television host and Political media critic

William 'Bill' Kristol - Top wrestling heel (villain)
JON STEWART:... Boy the audience, I don't know when they started thinking this was pro-wrestling. It's the strangest thing -- they literally boo and hiss and cheer like you're the Rock and I'm - you know - The Undertaker.

4) Marc Ambinder, politics editor of 'The Atlantic'

Marc Ambinder: Wrestling with Politics
MARC AMBINDER: When staged correctly, both [politics and pro wrestling] can be mesmerizing... Both professions tend to divide people into good and evil... Politics is exhausting... Both politicians and wrestlers are very hearty, and the fans appreciate when each performs effectively.

5) Marc Maron, comedian and radio host

Marc Maron's WTF podcast Ep 23: Wyatt Cenac talks pundits and professional wrestling
MARC MARON: Like you said before, it really is all professional wrestling. The sad thing is, people are really struggling for a lot of different reasons... and they don't really know what to do with those frustrations. So when you've got these ideologues or these pundits... who are driving media culture leading them in a direction. They just want some temporary relief or some satisfaction and they are so easily misguided in times that are desperate...

6) Don Callis, former professional wrestler

Politics is wrestling - the 2004 edition
DON CALLIS: Witness the verbiage from the front-runner, Senator John Kerry: "I have a message for George Bush: we're coming, you're going, and don't let the door hit you on the way out!" Now come on, if I fed you that line and asked if it came from a wrestling show or the potential next leader of the free world, what would you say?

7) Ann Coulter, Conservative social and political commentator

Ann Coulter: "Political discourse resembles professional wrestling"
ANN COULTER: Political "debate" in this country is insufferable. Whether conducted in Congress, on the political talk shows, or played out at dinners and cocktail parties, politics is a nasty sport...

Instead of actual debate about ideas and issues with real consequences, the country is trapped in a political discourse that increasingly resembles professional wrestling.

8) Mick Foley, professional wrestler

Mick Foley - Politics is just like wrestling
MICK FOLEY: This current mess I believe honestly, and I’ve told Stone Cold this, somewhere around 1998 then-Governor George Bush was watching Raw, and let’s face it, you know he watches the show. He took a look at Stone Cold Steve Austin and said, "That’s who I’m going to be." Because that’s when the swagger came around and it’s my feeling that if Vince hadn’t copyrighted Texas Rattlesnake, Bush would be calling himself that now.

9) Wyatt Cenac, Comedian, Actor and writer

Jon Stewart, Wyatt Cenac and Mick Foley endorse the analogy that American Politics is like pro-wrestling
WYATT CENAC: Jon here's your problem. You think politicians wanna win their arguments when all they really wanna do is keep having them. They know arguments are interesting, they energize voters, they keep the money flowing in.
JON STEWART: You're telling me their interest is in conflict, not in resolution?
WYATT CENAC: Yes. Jon do you watch professional wrestling?

Marc Maron's WTF podcast Ep 23: Wyatt Cenac talks pundits and professional wrestling

Sean Hannity VS Keith Olbermann

On November 9, 2009 Cable News rivals Keith Olbermann and Sean Hannity were in attendance at Yankee Stadium for Game 6 of the World Series. On March 15, 2010 Wyatt Cenac performed a sketch that used the analogy that American Punditry was like professional wrestling.

At the time of the sketch I speculated whether the analogy was simply drawn from the ether like it had been so many times. Or quite ambitiously, perhaps somehow this blog was in their orbit.

On November 19, 2009 Marc Maron hosted Comedian and Daily Show correspondent Wyatt Cenac on his WTF podcast. Among other things they spoke about punditry, pro-wrestling and the interactions between Sean Hannity and Keith Olbermann at that baseball game.

WTF with Marc Maron Podcast: Episode 23 - Wyatt Cenac (starts at 39min mark)
WYATT CENAC: ... It gets frustrating... You can watch Hannity or Countdown. Then you can watch Hannity or Olbermann talk about each other or each other's networks. Or talk about how horrible the other side is. Yet then they can take photos of each other at a Yankees game like its no big deal.

MARC MARON: Like you said before, it really is all professional wrestling. The sad thing is, people are really struggling for a lot of different reasons... and they don't really know what to do with those frustrations. So when you've got these ideologues or these pundits... who are driving media culture leading them in a direction. They just want some temporary relief or some satisfaction and they are so easily misguided in times that are desperate...

Because like you said these guys are going to Yankee games together... having steaks and beers, laughing at the different sides they're on but are in the same business. But a great many people in the country just want some resolution or truth. Something that will bring them together that isn't based in some kind of choosing sides.

WYATT CENAC: Maybe in some ways we need pro-wrestling to step up...

The discussion is quite incisive and expansive moving on to speculation that Keith Olbermann and Sean Hannity should take a page from the Iron Sheik and Hulk Hogan. The conversation degenerates into absurd imaginings of an Annual "Pundit Cage match to the death". Its worth noting that the act of preserving the illusion that wrestling is real is called 'kayfabe'.

MARC MARON: ...We've rendered down [hatred in America] to a problem with professional wrestling. But sadly there's always going to be the crazy caller type of person who still will not be able to deal with the fact that the Iron Sheik and Hulk Hogan will have lunch together
WYATT CENAC: And that's when we need to do a better job with our professional wrestlers. When the cameras are off they still can't interact...

... with the amount of hatred and anger that they seem to have for each other... the way you guys [Sean and Keith] talk about each other I expected that you guys would have just picked up bats and started going at each other
MARC MARON: Own it! Stay in it. Stay in character. Maybe if we had Olbermann and Hannity dress up as professional wrestlers...

Read Keith Olbermann's original posting on his Sean Hannity encounter at the World Series below:

America's Biggest Small Town
And lastly, a reminder that baseball does erase boundaries. The guy [Sean Hannity] I'm taking a photo of, who's taking a photo of me [Keith Olbermann] - we get along perfectly at the ballpark - less so during our day jobs.

Wyatt Cenac expands and popularises the Wrestling analogy on a later episode of the 'Daily Show'
- Jon Stewart, Wyatt Cenac and Mick Foley endorse the analogy that American Politics is like pro-wrestling

Sam Seder unveils 'That's Bullsh*t': We're not Greece

APF pundit Sam Seder has unveiled new video project, 'THAT'S BULLSH*T'.

I've begun working on a new weekly feature entitled THAT'S BULLSH*T. It's about four minutes of video of me tackling some of the BULLSH*T floating around in the media ether.

The table is being set to make cuts in our Social Security, this week I shatter the latest coporatist scare tactic like a Greek plate at an ouzo party!...

You'll notice I haven't spelled out the second word in the title of this new feature. I've done so because my four year old (nearly 5) daughter proofreads all of my email blasts to work off all the food we feed her. I don't want her getting potty mouth, but let this be a warning for those of you who work in pre-schools- I say this word multiple times in this show!

VIDEO: That's Bullshit: We're not Greece

Sam's prior project was Break Room Live for the now defunct Air America partnering with longtime friend Marc Maron. You will notice the 'That's Bullsh*t - Seder VS Bull' graphic is an appropriation of the old BRL logo. While Marc quickly moved onto his personal 'WTF podcast', Sam has been relatively quiet outside of his regularly updated blog - SamSederShow.com
Here's hoping Sam finds a regular platform for his voice.

- Read and listen to my interview with Sam Seder
- Go to Sam Seder's YouTube channel

Robin Williams chats with Marc Maron - WTF Podcast Episode 67

WTF with Marc Maron | Ep 67: Robin Williams

Marc Maron takes his brand of incisive conversation to arguably the most recognisable comedian of this generation - Robin Williams. Its an enlightening sit-down, with Robin Williams using his indoor voice for the whole hour talking candidly about celebrity, bitterness, vices and joke stealing

Episode 67 - Robin Williams
Yeah, Marc's sitting down with Robin Williams for an hour. No big deal. So what do you talk about with an international comedy superstar? How about alcoholism, cocaine, divorce, joke stealing, heart surgery, fame, Richard Pryor, jealousy, and Twitter? Yeah. That should do it.

Maron tells Punchline Magazine about his trepidation before the interview considering Williams' public persona as a Tangent-Tasmanian devil.

Marc Maron delves into the real Robin Williams
Maron continues: “No matter what your opinions may be of him he was, and might still be, one of the biggest comedy stars in the world. I was nervous because I didn’t want to get caught up in the Williams riff cyclone and be blown out without getting a real interview– a genuine conversation with him. We sat down for about an hour and he stayed still and focused and open. This is a rare chat with a huge star.

Comedians Marc Maron and Jimmy Pardo liken Adam Carolla fans to Rush Limbaugh dittoheads

I've often highlighted the comparisons between pundits and comedians. Pundits, like comedians are ultimately masters of their own fiefdoms. They create loyal followings of people supportive of their idol's world perspective. The fans of the comedian or pundit will usually share their affinity with their friends and associates and likewise share their animosity towards their rivals.

Whilst its expected across party lines i.e a liberal pundit dissing Rush Limbaugh's "dittoheads", there are also internecine feuds amongst conservative and liberal listeners. The most prominent of this is between Conservatives Mark Levin and Michael Savage, both pundits stir their passionate supporters into deriding their respective rivals. Whilst Levin and Savage have a heated rivalry between each other they also impassion their listeners against other competing conservative pundits.

During Comedian Jimmy Pardo's 'Never not Funny' podcast. The host Jimmy spoke to fellow comic and APF pundit Marc Maron, they discussed the listeners of fellow Comedian and Podcaster Adam Carolla and used an interesting pundit analogy to describe his belligerent fanbase. Carolla's fans are known for haranguing "rival" comedians on Carolla's unsolicited behalf

'Never not Funny' Episode 610 - Marc Maron
JIMMY PARDO: This is a horrible comparison... I would listen to Rush Limbaugh... I didn't always agree with what he said. Most of the time I didn't agree with anything he said. but to me he was an entertainer...

MARC MARON: (assisting) Engaging

PARDO: He was engaging, he would keep me company for 4 hours and he was fine. I didn't mind him. It was when the asshole callers would call in and they would just be "Why is the President feeding us lies" then Rush would say "You're wrong sir, here are my thoughts. Like everybody thought they would call up and kiss his ass, you know "Mega dittoes". Then he would say "No you're misunderstanding everything I'm saying"

MARON: (completes his sentence jokingly) "I did not say kill the President"

PARDO: Right (laughing). He's not the same now than he was back then mind you. Then he was just a broadcaster, now he truly thinks he is changing the world...

MARON: Now he's a monster

PARDO: and its the same with Carolla. I think Adam is a terrific broadcaster. He's got funny in his bones... he doesn't have to fake being funny. He's got it. But his listeners -- Not all of them! Some. I don't want to get those emails. A small percentage of them are these neanderthal idiots like - "You suck. Listen to Adam instead". You can listen to both. There's no rule that you can't listen to both.

- Listen and Download the full 'Never not Funny' Episode 610 podcast

Taking a page from wrestling and punditry Marc Maron cuts a promo, facetiously calling out Adam Carolla. Pardo's co-host and producer Matt Belknap sets the table by explaining why Carolla and his fanbase (what Maron calls "Carolla-tards) might be so angtsy.

MARC MARON: I like Adam. I've not listened to his show a lot. I did his show once years ago when Bonaduce was on and I'd love to do the show again. And I've got no problem with him but there's always this weird thing like "You're just doing Adam". And I'm like I don't even know what Adam does for the most part...

MATT BELKNAP: He gets some heat in certain circles for being a little conservative

MARC MARON: He probably calls himself libertarian though. Anyone who calls themselves libertarian are just Republicans who are little scared to say they're Republican now

BELKNAP: But I think that's what people want. They want to see you, you're political slant but the same style -- not the same style but the same energy go up against his energy

MARON: I'd love to do that because I don't even know what his politics are and I'm not really doing political talk anymore but I'm not aligned with any political party necessarily but I do think some things are righteous and some things aren't and I'd be curious to talk to him about that. I think I'd actually like to.

I keep doing this on podcasts, I'm like "I'm out on the streets man (laughter). Let's go Carolla!

Marc Maron and Patton Oswalt talk about Right Wing pundits and bad comedians

After the abrupt cancellation of 'Break Room Live' on Air America, Marc Maron has resurfaced alongside his long-time Producer Brendan McDonald on their project 'WTF with Marc Maron'. It is a podcast dedicated to Maron's brand of comedy.

Whilst I would encourage people to enjoy the show starting from the pilot episode. For those unfamiliar with Marc, Episode 3 featuring an interview with comedian and friend Patton Oswalt is a perfect distillation of Maron's unique voice.

In a wide ranging interview discussing Maron's favored themes of success, obsession and acceptance. Patton Oswalt makes an interesting observation of Right Wing pundits likening them to comedians.

'WTF with Marc Maron' - Episode 3 with Patton Oswalt and Lawton Smalls
PATTON OSWALT: ... Have you noticed that a lot of right-wing pundits especially on AM radio are former failed comedians? I think that a bad comedian just wants the audience cheering for the 8 things that they say... the good comedians and the same with the good pundits, good broadcasters are that they're always out there asking questions. Of themselves. Of the audience. Whereas the bad comedians are like "I want to know that there are 11 to 12 things that I can say and get surefire applause and get my cheque and that's as far as I'm willing to go...

- Go to 'WTF with Marc Maron Podcast'
- Go to 'Break Room Live', Maron's previous project with friend Sam Seder on Air America
- Find my interview with Marc Maron in 2008 here

Air America cancels 'Break Room Live' with Marc Maron and Sam Seder

Online Webcast, 'Break Room Live' with Marc Maron and Sam Seder is no longer. This is sad news for fans of Marc and Sam and unfortunately all too familiar. For Sam this is the fourth show incarnation he has hosted for Air America and has been canceled from. Beginning with 'The Majority Report' with friend Janeane Garofalo. Then 'The Sam Seder Show' sans Janeane followed by 'Seder on Sundays' when Air America under new management replaced Sam's weekday timeslot, transferring him to Weekend duty.

At the end of that run, Sam continued his infamous sparring segments with Marc Maron on a startup video chat show informally called 'Maron V Seder'. After many months as a webshow on Sam's website, Air America picked up the format during the run up to the 08' elections where it picked up the official show title of 'Break Room Live'.

For Marc Maron this is his third run with Air America. Starting with his first show 'Morning Sedition' co-hosted with Marc Riley. Then going solo on the 'Marc Maron Show' after moving home to LA. Marc famously left Air America in spectacular fashion, fighting on-air with management which he recounted to Sam and Janeane at the time.

Marc and Sam have both alternated between being outspoken, diplomatic and philosophical of their turbulent relationship with Air America. This has been highlighted in previous posts and my interviews with Marc and Sam.

As has been the case previously Marc foreshadowed the impending but not yet announced cancellation of 'Break Room Live' during the closing a monologue of their penultimate show - Tuesday July 14, 2009.

MARC MARON: (talking about America's economy and job market) It's a very bleak thing and I'm feeling it personally cause you never know how long you're job is going to last. I know I'm in show business...

Marc continues, alluding to favourite themes like 'Art VS Commerce' and integrity whilst taking a swipe at "management" types

MARC MARON: This is us, we're doing big work here... we appeal to specific people on a first name basis and that's exactly the kind of business that gets killed by the big guys in this country. Because there are people's jobs in this country who's only job is to smugly and with a smile fire other people. They get paid a lot of money to do that and when they leave they move onto something else where they hang out and fire other people.

Learning from previous experience Sam chose to bite his tongue over his fourth cancellation on Air America

SAM SEDER: There have been many times where I've made the mistake of expressing certain things at at inopportune time that has led to a greater lack of inopportunity

Watch the abrupt final show - Wednesday July 15, 2009

Bill O'Reilly blamed partly for George Tiller's death: Marc Maron calls him a "truth murderer"

Making headlines has been the murder of George Tiller, controversial doctor infamous for performing late term abortions who was gunned down in front of his church.

Abortion Doctor Gunned Down at Kansas Church, Suspect in Custody
Dr. George Tiller, who remained one of the nation's few providers of late-term abortions despite decades of protests and attacks, was shot and killed Sunday in a church where he was serving as an usher.

The gunman fled, but a 51-year-old suspect was arrested some 170 miles away in suburban Kansas City three hours after the shooting, Wichita Deputy Police Chief Tom Stolz said.

George Tiller, often referred to as George "Baby Killer" Tiller by his detractors was a favourite target for Right Wing talkers like Laura Ingraham but most notably Bill O'Reilly.

Salon has a rundown on the rhetoric O'Reilly has used against the controversial doctor

O'Reilly's campaign against murdered doctor
But there's no other person [Bill O'Reilly] who bears as much responsibility for the characterization of Tiller as a savage on the loose, killing babies willy-nilly thanks to the collusion of would-be sophisticated cultural elites, a bought-and-paid-for governor and scofflaw secular journalists. Tiller's name first appeared on "The Factor" on Feb. 25, 2005. Since then, O'Reilly and his guest hosts have brought up the doctor on 28 more episodes, including as recently as April 27 of this year. Almost invariably, Tiller is described as "Tiller the Baby Killer."

The charges insinuating O'Reilly's complicity in this murder due to his demonisation of Tiller mirrors charges leveled against Fox Stablemate Glenn Beck, accused with triggering paranoid radicals with his own rhetoric. Watch Bill O'Reilly's reply to this charge of complicity here

Liberal talker and comedian Marc Maron, parodies the "coded language" to "paranoid radicals" by going on several tongue-in-cheek rants mirroring Bill O'Reilly's rhetoric

VIDEO: Bill O'Reilly Is A Truth Murderer @ BreakRoomLive.com

Break Room Live, July 2nd episode
MARC MARON: He is guilty of putting out there a message, these people know how to speak in code. Especially when the people they are speaking to are desperate and more marginalised than they ever have been of doing dangerous things. I sort of see him and Glenn Beck as dangerous cult leaders overseeing the minds of mentally fragile, angry lost people...

(Marc reading a reader's comment) "Its too late for Bill O'Reilly mother to get an abortion"
MARC MARON: Yes but its not too late for somebody to take the appropriate action. I'm reaching out to you progressive whackjobs, people out on the margin. Bill O'Reilly is a murderer of truth, he's a truth murderer. He kills truth everyday. Do you know how many truths that he's killed. Do you know how many truths remain unborn American truths because of Bill O'Reilly. Bill O'Reilly is a truth killer. I'll say it again - A truth killer. That's all I'm going to say to you people. If you respect somebody who kills the truth then what kind of person are you. If you think there is justice. An eye for an eye to take a truth killer out. I'm not saying to do anything but its in your hands, its in your heart...

Maher, Olbermann, Levin, Maron, Shep Smith: Public Enemy Number one Glenn Beck

There is a truism that the bigger you get the larger a target you become. The fastest rising star in the APF, Glenn Beck has been taking fire from all sides.

Glenn's Fox stablemate, Shepard Smith playfully ribbed Glenn on his theatrical presentation. Fellow Fox news anchor Chris Wallace also adds in his two cents. This is indicative of the types of critique Glenn Beck has been receiving from his peers, a mix of respect, jealousy and dread for his meteoric rise.

SHEPARD SMITH: We are not sure what Glenn's "We Surround Them, You Are Not Alone" super-special episode is about, today, but it involves a giant satellite dish and a call from Glenn in "the fear chamber."

VIDEO: Shep Smith goofs on Glenn Beck - "Fear Chamber"

Conservative Pundit Mark Levin has alluded to his disdain (perhaps jealousy) towards Glenn. Liberal talker Marc Maron is fearful of Beck's craven ambition. Most recently Bill Maher with guest panelist Keith Olbermann expressed their concern for Beck's influence and messaging.

VIDEO: Bill Maher and Keith Olbermann on Glenn Beck + Beck's response

Maher: Glenn Beck Increasing Chance of 'Horrible Action' on Obama
BILL MAHER, HOST: Listening to people like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck these days, I cannot figure out whether these right-wingers are more dangerous when they're in power or when they're out of power. Because when they're out of power, their paranoia goes off the charts. This Glenn Beck guy, I wouldn't even give him the time of day except he's a big star now on Fox and a lot of people believe him, and he's talking about FEMA concentration camps. He says, "We are headed towards socialism, totalitarianism beyond your wildest imagination." But apparently not beyond his wildest imagination.

- Read an astute listeners' posting on Mark Levin's contempt for Glenn beck - Mark's "hate-on" for Glenn Beck
Listen to Levin taking a shot at Beck at the top of his monologue on the origins of Economic disaster - Economic Disaster: How did we get here?

MARK LEVIN: I remember I had said it a few weeks a go because some jerk on Cable TV repeats everything I say. The guy with tourettes

- Listen and download audio of Marc Maron ripping into Glenn Beck

MARC MARON:just underneath all that sappy bullsh*t is a populist demagogue willing to exploit and mine people's fear through fearmongering and bizarre insane leadership qualities that come from a broken man who has rebuilt himself in the form of a giant angry baby demanding that America parent it, if only it would do what it says