Good One: A Podcast About Jokes

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox welcomes Kyle Kinane back to the podcast to talk about his sixth stand-up special, Dirt Nap, which is currently available on YouTube. Kyle discusses putting together the incredible, nearly 50-minute story that he closes the special with me. Order Jesse's book (out now!), Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox welcomes Ramy star/co-creator Ramy Youssef to the podcast to discuss his newest stand-up HBO special, More Feelings. Ramy had been touring his hour for years, but the set really came to focus in the weeks following October 7. This episode they discuss the first joke he wrote about what is happening in Gaza. Order Jesse's book (out now!), Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On a special bonus episode of Good One: A Podcast About Jokes, Host Jesse David Fox is talking about the creation of Good One: A Show About Jokes, the docu-special currently airing on Peacock about Mike Birbiglia’s search for his next hour. Jesse invites on Eddie Schmidt, the special’s director, to discuss how they went about adapting this very podcast for television. Order Jesse's book (out now!), Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox welcomes Judd Apatow back to the pod. While last time Apatow spoke about The King of Staten Island and his movie making process, this time he talks about his approach to hosting an award show. Specifically, how he’s approached the five times he’s hosted the Directors Guild of America Awards. Recorded live at SXSW in Austin on March 8, 2024, Apatow and Fox use the DGA monologue as a jumping-off point for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of comedy and the film industry. Order Jesse's book (out now!), Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox welcomes the “Egyptian Jon Stewart” Bassem Youssef to the podcast. A decade ago Youssef was a key figure in the Egyptian Revolution, hosting a satirical comedy show throughout it. But more recently Youssef garnered attention for his international viral appearance on Pier Morgan Uncensored. Youssef discusses how he approached the news segment as a piece of comedy and what satire can or cannot do. Bassem is on tour now. Head to www.bassemyoussef.xyz/upcoming-shows for dates. The Good One TV show, starring Mike Birbiglia, is premiering on March 26, on Peacock! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox welcomes Jon Lovett to the pod. Before co-hosting Pod Save America and hosting Lovett or Leave It, Lovett was a speechwriter for Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. And in that role, he was known as the go-to comedy guy. This episode looks back at the first three White House Correspondents’ Dinner speeches Lovett worked on under Obama, as a way to have a conversation about the role of humor in politics. Stream Pod Save America and Lovett or Leave It Order Jesse's book (out now!), Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox welcomes Jacqueline Novak to the pod. After years touring it around the world, Novak released her debut special, Get on Your Knees, on Netflix earlier this year. Fox and Novak dove deep into the extremely ambitious special about oral sex, that is not actually about oral sex. Stream Get on Your Knees on Netflix. Order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox brings you a conversation he had with Hrishikesh Hirway, the host/producer of the podcast Song Exploder, live at Vulture Festival 2023. Song Exploder, a podcast in which a musician walks through the process of making a song, was the single biggest influence on Good One, so the two hosts had a fun time deconstructing the art of deconstructing art. Song Exploder is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month! Stream wherever you listen to podcasts. Order Jesse's book (out now!), Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To kick off the new year, here’s a little bonus episode to keep you warm as the show ramps up for its seventh year. Recorded live from Vulture Festival, comedian/comedy podcast legend Jonah Ray Rodrigues interviews his friend/idol Weird Al Yankovic about his long and varied career. Rodrigues has Al named the song that is his favorite to do live, was his most surprising hit, features the best accordion skills, and much much more.This was an event of the real Weird Al-heads. But, even a casual fan will appreciate this unique look back at Weird’s unique career. Stream Weird: The Al Yankovic Story on the Roku Channel. Order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's that time of year again: Vulture critic Kathryn VanArendonk's Best Specials of the Year list is out! Years removed from lockdown and with a rise of specials on YouTube, there was a lot to consider. But these are the 10 VanArendonk thought were best! Kathryn’s ranking: https://www.vulture.com/article/best-stand-up-comedy-specials-2023.html Order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox welcomes Zainab Johnson to the pod. Johnson, who is best known for her role on the sci-fi sitcom Upload. Earlier this year, she released her first stand-up special, Hijabs Off. One of the best, most visually interesting specials of the year, Hijabs Off displays Johnson’s ease onstage, unique pacing, and in-the-moment performance. You can stream Upload and Hijabs Off on Prime Video. Order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fresh off the release of his latest Netflix special, I Am Not For Everyone, comedian and podcaster Pete Holmes sits down with Vulture's Jesse David Fox to discuss one of his favorite jokes from his previous special Dirty Clean, and deep dives into his joke writing process. Watch I Am Not For Everyone on Netflix. Follow Pete Holmes on twitter and instagram. Follow Jesse David Fox on twitter and instagram. Buy Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Good One host Jesse David Fox’s debut Comedy Book, a book of comedy criticism and history, is coming out today! To give listeners a taste of what to expect, this week we’re offering an exclusive first listen to the audiobook, read by Jesse. The excerpt answers the question: Has Jesse ever tried stand-up? Buy Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Buy tickets for Jesse’s November 7 Brooklyn book release comedy show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-very-good-show-to-celebrate-the-release-of-comedy-book-tickets-696148497897?aff=odwdwdspacecraft Buy tickets for Jesse’s November 13 Los Angeles book release comedy show: https://www.squadup.com/events/a-very-good-show-to-celebrate-the-release-of-comedy-book-w-chris-fleming-jay-jurden-joel-kim-booster-naomi-ekperigin-and-more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Good One host Jesse David Fox’s debut Comedy Book, a book of comedy criticism and history, is coming out on November 7! To mark this occasion, this week on Good One, he will be the guest. Filling in as host is comedy legend and guest from the most popular episode of this show, Gary Gulman, whose own debut memoir, Misfit, came out earlier this year. Pre-order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Buy tickets for Jesse’s November 7 Brooklyn book release comedy show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-very-good-show-to-celebrate-the-release-of-comedy-book-tickets-696148497897?aff=odwdwdspacecraft Buy tickets for Jesse’s November 13 Los Angeles book release comedy show: https://www.squadup.com/events/a-very-good-show-to-celebrate-the-release-of-comedy-book-w-chris-fleming-jay-jurden-joel-kim-booster-naomi-ekperigin-and-more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox welcomes Sam Jay back to the show. Since they last spoke, Jay left her job writing for Saturday Night Live to host her own talk show, the revolutionary, provocative Pause on HBO and co-create Peacock’s Bust Down. Jay is here to talk about her newest special, Salute Me or Shoot Me where she displays what really edgy material looks like. You can stream Salute Me or Shoot Me and Pause on Max. Pre-order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Buy tickets for Jesse’s November 7 Brooklyn book release comedy show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-very-good-show-to-celebrate-the-release-of-comedy-book-tickets-696148497897?aff=odwdwdspacecraft Buy tickets for Jesse’s November 13 Los Angeles book release comedy show: https://www.squadup.com/events/a-very-good-show-to-celebrate-the-release-of-comedy-book-w-chris-fleming-jay-jurden-joel-kim-booster-naomi-ekperigin-and-more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's that time of year again! Vulture dropped their annual list of all the future stars of comedy. In honor of this special occasion, we compiled mini Good One episodes featuring each list-honoree so they could introduce themselves to you personally. This week—in alphabetical order by first name—we present to you the Comedians You Should and Will Know, 2023: Andrea Jin Asha Ward Auguste White Brian Bahe Curtis Cook Edy Modica Fumi Abe Jordan Jensen Jordan Temple Katrina Davis Maggie Winters Natalie Rotter-Laitman & Charlie Bardey Nimesh Patel Opeyemi Olabaju Rachel Kaly Ralph Barbosa Richard Perez Rob Haze Sabrina Wu Sophie Buddle Stavros Halkias Zach Zimmerman Zach Zucker Learn more about the list on Vulture.com Pre-order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Buy tickets for Jesse’s November 7 Brooklyn book release comedy show: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-very-good-show-to-celebrate-the-release-of-comedy-book-tickets-696148497897?aff=odwdwdspacecraft Buy tickets for Jesse’s November 13 Los Angeles book release comedy show: https://www.squadup.com/events/a-very-good-show-to-celebrate-the-release-of-comedy-book-w-chris-fleming-jay-jurden-joel-kim-booster-naomi-ekperigin-and-more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox talks to comedian Hari Kondabolu! From his time as a writer/performer on Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell to his 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu to his 2018 Netflix special Warn Your Relatives, Kondabolu has been one of the foremost political comedians. His work brings to mind the question of what comedy actually can do to foster social progress. Now Kondabolu is back with a new YouTube special, Vacation Baby, which seems him heading in a more personal direction, talking about the birth of his son while keeping his socio-political bent. You can stream Vacation Baby on YouTube. Pre-order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Follow Hari on Twitter and Instagram. Follow Jesse David Fox on Twitter and Instagram. THIS INTERVIEW WAS RECORDED BEFORE THE WGA AND SAG-AFTRA STRIKES. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, stand-up comedian and podcast host Chris Gethard steps in for Jesse for an interview with SNL-Alum and comedian Sasheer Zamata to discuss her latest comedy special The First Woman. The two discuss their humble beginnings at UCB and how their unique approach to improv and stand-up shaped their comedy voices, how Sasheer handles being a voice for many women while also staying true to herself, and gives us a deep die into her comedy writing process. Watch Sasheer Zamata's latest special The First Woman free on YouTube. Pre-order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Follow Sasheer on Twitter and Instagram. Follow Chris on Twitter and Instagram. Jesse David Fox on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, comedian and television host W. Kamau Bell fills in for Jesse for a Good One-style interview with comedy legend/Daily Show mainstay Lewis Black. Coming off the heels of his fifteenth (yes, you read that right) stand-up special, Kamau and Lewis do a bit of a retrospective of Black’s career, and give us a peak behind the process of how he writes his comedy. Watch Lewis Black's latest special Tragically, I Need You free on YouTube. Pre-order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Follow Lewis on Twitter and Instagram. Follow Kamau on Twitter. Jesse David Fox on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Good One, host Jesse David Fox talks to comedian Paul F. Tompkins! Paul is a comedy podcasting legend, whether it is from hosting shows like "The Pod F. Tompkast," "Spontaneanation," and "The Neighborhood Listen" or setting the standard for being a podcast guest. You might also know Tompkins versatile from his roles on such shows as "BoJack Horseman," "Mr. Show," and "Community." Still, Tompkins is probably best known as one of the greatest stand-ups ever! You can buy or stream Impersonal wherever you get albums. Paul’s specials are available on Paramount+. You can listen to Threedom, Stay F. Homekins, and any of Paul’s old podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Head to Paulftompkins.com to buy tickets for future Varietopias or to stream video from old Varietopias. Pre-order Jesse's book, Comedy Book: How Comedy Conquered Culture–and the Magic That Makes It Work here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374604714/comedybook Follow Paul on Twitter and Instagram. Follow Jesse David Fox on Twitter and Instagram THIS INTERVIEW WAS RECORDED BEFORE THE WGA AND SAG-AFTRA STRIKES. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices