Never Not Funny
| Never Not Funny | |
|---|---|
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by |
Jimmy Pardo Matt Belknap |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Language | English |
| Updates | Wednesdays (free episode) and Sundays (Primo episodes) |
| Length | Approx. 1½ Hours |
| Production | |
| Camera | Eliot Hochberg |
| Production | Matt Belknap |
| Video format | MP4 |
| Audio format | MP3 |
| Publication | |
| Debut | April 4, 2006 |
| Website | http://www.pardcast.com |
Never Not Funny is a weekly podcast hosted by comedian Jimmy Pardo since spring 2006. He and producer/co-host Matt Belknap have appeared in every episode. Former co-host Mike Schmidt appeared for all of season one, except for episode 60 when his departure was announced.
The show moved to a pay format in March 2008, with the first twenty minutes of each show remaining available to non-paying subscribers. It subsequently returned to free distribution when it joined the Earwolf network in January 2014, with a premium subscription available for access to video and weekly bonus episodes. Episodes from past seasons are also commercially available.[1]
Show format
The show is of the comedy talk variety, consisting of free-form conversation between Jimmy Pardo, Matt Belknap and a third, weekly-changing guest. Topics discussed range from music and popular culture to personal lives and amusing or interesting anecdotes. Starting with season three, the last 5–20 minutes were dedicated to a listener-submitted "Stupid Question Of The Week." The segment has since been retired. At the beginning of season five, a new segment called "Judge Jimmy" was introduced, in which the cast settled a listener-submitted dispute with Pardo as judge and Belknap and the guest as the attorneys.
Until the end of the third season, the show was recorded in a single take without any editing. After the Chino, CA earthquake in August 2008 forced the show to stop briefly (originally so Jimmy, Matt and guest Patton Oswalt could check on family members) the podcast has had one small break per episode.
History
Never Not Funny began when Matt Belknap interviewed Pardo on the podcast for his popular alternative comedy forum A Special Thing. The two had previously discussed producing a podcast version of Jimmy's Los Angeles show "Running Your Trap," which he hosted at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, but they hit it off so well on AST Radio that Pardo said "This is the show."
The first episode featured Pardo, Belknap, and guest Mike Schmidt. Pat Francis was scheduled for episode 2, but when he was unavailable, Schmidt (usually referred to by Pardo as "The Former Third Baseman" after the similarly named baseball player) became the permanent co-host. This arrangement continued for the first season. Every fourth episode would feature a guest such as Pat Francis, Scott Aukerman or Graham Elwood. Midway through the first season, the theme song was changed from a brief portion of an unnamed instrumental song by Jimmy's close friend Daver to "Mad At The World" by Daver, with sound bites from previous episodes mixed into the song. This three-man setup lasted for sixty episodes, including a clip show and two live shows recorded at the UCB Theatre. The show went through little change throughout the first season until episode sixty, when Jimmy announced that his relationship with Mike Schmidt had become strained through the years and that they had decided to go their separate ways; Schmidt left the show in an attempt to reconcile their friendship. (Show notes for episode 60.) Mike explained the situation on May 25, 2007, on his website.[2] In March 2008, Mike started his own solo podcast named The 40 Year Old Boy. At the end of season six, Schmidt made his first return to the podcast, this time as a guest, when Pardo decided, "Life's too short." (Show notes for Episode 623 with Mike Schmidt.)
Following Schmidt's departure, the show began its second season. Instead of the former three-man lineup, Pardo and Belknap appeared as the only regulars, along with a rotating guest every episode. Pat Francis was the guest for the first episode of the second season, which began the tradition of Francis being the "third chair" and appearing on every fourth episode. It was in the second season that the show received its first sponsorship, lasting only a few weeks. On episode 39 of the second season, it was announced that the show would move to a pay format beginning with season three. Listeners would have to pay to continue receiving the complete podcast, although the first twenty minutes of each episode would still be available for free. The subscription price was set to $19.99 for 26 episodes. They also hired Pardo's brother-in-law Andrew Koenig to record video of the show. Only 5 minute clips of the show were available on video during season three, which were hosted on Koenig's site Monkey Go Lucky, but beginning with season four, full video of the show became available for $24.99.
Midway through season six tragedy struck when Andrew Koenig died. An episode was released in remembrance, highlighting some of Koenig's best moments throughout his time on the show, and Pardo has since memorialized Koenig at the close of every episode with the parting words, "AK-47, gone, not forgotten." Andrew's close friend Eliot Hochberg, who had been providing the video equipment, assumed his role as videographer. Shortly afterwards they hired an intern, Dan Katz, aka "Tabasco Ears." Katz left the show at the beginning of season 11 and was replaced by Pop Culture Beast editor Garon Cockrell, aka "The Beast," shortly after.
On episode 1325, it was announced that at the beginning of season 14, Never Not Funny would change to a free show in audio format. Plus, Never Not Funny would also join the Earwolf podcast network, co-owned by Scott Aukerman (who was the guest on the episode and one of the only guests to appear in every season). Full audio would be available on Earwolf, iTunes and NNF's feed, while video of the episodes were part of the new "Players Club" package for Primo subscribers. Subscribers of the Players Club would also get an additional weekly episode (audio and video), plus bonus material such as live shows.
The show also now has a drone.
Pardcast-A-Thon
A mini episode was released at the beginning of season six that announced Never Not Funny would be doing a live, streaming podcast on their website to raise money in benefit of Smile Train. The first annual Pardcast-A-Thon took place on Black Friday 2009. Pardo, Belknap and Francis welcomed guests such as Chris Hardwick, Jon Hamm and Rich Sommer from Mad Men and Oscar Nunez. By the end of the night, they raised over $12,000.
The next year at Pardcast-A-Thon 2010, they changed the venue to the Acme Comedy Theater and went 12 hours instead of 9 to give even more of a telethon vibe (and raise more money). At the end of the night at 6 am, they raised $27,000. Guests included Rob Corddry, Sarah Silverman, Aimee Mann and Andy Richter.
For Pardcast-A-Thon 2011, the set up was the same as the previous year. Guests included Amy Poehler, Lisa Loeb, Walter Koenig and Adam Carolla. By the end of the event, the amount of money raised was almost double the previous year's total with $41,000.
Pardcast-A-Thon 2012 was expected to the biggest to date with a goal of $50,000 by the end of the night. The hours were changed to 12 pm to 12 am PST so people on the East Coast could stay up later and donate more. Guests included Bob Saget, Conan O'Brien, Simon Helberg, Kevin Nealon, Colin Hay and Zach Galifianakis. The goal of $50,000 was not only raised after 13.5 hours, but midway through an anonymous donor said they would match the end total, making the grand total over $100,000.
The 5th Annual Pardcast-A-Thon went by with flying colors with the guys raising over $130,000 (half of that thanks to the anonymous donor again) by the end of the night. Wayne Federman sat in for the whole event playing music on keyboard. Guests included Patton Oswalt, Jack Wagner, Phil Hendrie, Zach Galifianakis, Bob Odenkirk and Andy Richter.
Pardcast-A-Thon 2014 was just as successful as the previous year, if not more. With Federman as the house band again, Jimmy and the gang raised a record $156,000 over the night. Guests included Weird Al Yankovic, Jack McBrayer, Paul Dooley, Fred Willard, Billy Eichner, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman and more.
Jimmy and Matt stated in a Season 16 episode that The 7th Annual Pardcast-A-Thon will not take place on Black Friday 2015, due to scheduling conflicts in the past. The 7th annual Pardcast-A-Thon took place on March 5, 2016. The event raised over $169,000.
Awards
- Never Not Funny was the winner a 2008 Rooftop Comedy Award for best Comedy podcast.[3]
- Never Not Funny was nominated for a 2007 Podcast Award in the Comedy category.[4]
- Never Not Funny was nominated for a 2006 Weblog Award.[5]
- Never Not Funny was made one of iTunes' "Best in 2006" and "Best in 2007" podcasts.
List of guests
- This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
| Guest | Episode # |
|---|---|
| Aaron Bleyaert | 14L |
| Adam Carolla | 507, PCAT11 |
| Adam Ferrara | 1108, 1413, 1520 |
| Adam Pally | 1702 |
| Adam Ray | 1807 |
| Adam Scott | 808, 1402, PCAT14 |
| Aimee Mann | PCAT10 |
| Aisha Tyler | 919 |
| Al Jackson | 1318, 14V, 1715 |
| Al Madrigal | 701, 902 |
| Alison Rosen | 1606, PCAT16 |
| Allan Havey | 806, PCAT14 |
| Amy Poehler | PCAT11 |
| Andrew Daly | 302, 421, 624, 805, 1201, 1405, 1602, 1625, PCAT16 |
| Andy Kindler | 220, 703, 913, 1125 |
| Andy Peters | 15P |
| Andy Richter | 410, 622, PCAT10, 821, PCAT11, PCAT13 |
| Anthony Jeselnik | 1619 |
| Anthony Rapp | 1621, 1720, PCAT16 |
| April Richardson | 14M, 15O, 16Y, 18C, PCAT16 |
| Ben Gleib | 1506 |
| Ben Schwartz | 1309, 1502, PCAT14, PCAT16 |
| Bil Dwyer | 148, 317, 422, 601, PCAT11, 1011, 15A |
| Billy Eichner | 1510, PCAT14 |
| Bob Odenkirk | PCAT13 |
| Bob Saget | PCAT12, 1418 |
| Bob Zany | 1208 |
| Brendon Walsh | 17K |
| Bret Hart | TORONTO |
| Brian Scolaro | 15Y |
| Brody Stevens | PCAT09 |
| Brooks Wheelan | 15E |
| Budd Friedman | PCAT13 |
| Carla Cackowski | 17Z |
| Carolyn Hennesy | PCAT13 |
| Cathy Ladman | 236, 416, 17A |
| CeCe Pleasants | 17B |
| Chick McGee | BLOOMINGTON12 |
| Chip Chinery | 17S |
| Chip Pope | 17C |
| Chris Fairbanks | 228, 406, 510, 625, 1007, 1213, 14W, PCAT14, 18B |
| Chris Hardwick | 224, 310, 502, PCAT09, 1324, PCAT14 |
| Chris Mancini | 14D |
| Christian Finnegan | BRIDGETOWN, 1225 |
| Christy Stratton | 1713 |
| Colin Hay | PCAT12 |
| Conan O'Brien | 608, 811, PCAT12, PCAT14 |
| Costaki Economopoulos | 1122 |
| Craig Bierko | 802, 1013, 1404 |
| Cristela Alonzo | 1617, 1725, PCAT16 |
| Damien Fahey | 910 |
| Dan Cronin | 1221 |
| Dan Katz | 14H |
| Dan Kaufman | PCAT09 |
| Dana Gould | 1006 |
| Danielle Fishel | PCAT10 |
| Danielle Koenig | 132, 155, 205, 211, 226, 230, 239, 308, 412, 425, 522, PCAT09, 725, PCAT10, 912, PCAT11, 1014, PCAT12, 1308, PCAT13, 14F, PODFEST14, PCAT14, 16H, 17O, PCAT16 |
| Dave Anthony | 901, 1111 |
| Dave Attell | 1415 |
| Dave Foley | SKETCHFEST10 |
| Dave Hill | 16S |
| Dave Holmes | 222, 225, 233, 301, 314, 401, 414, 512, 617, 726, PCAT10, PCAT11, 1002, 1113, PCAT12, 1317, PCAT13, 14A, 15K, PCAT14, 15Z, 1618, 1718, PCAT16 |
| David Huntsberger | 15D |
| David Koechner | SKETCHFEST11 |
| David & Leeman | PCAT14 |
| David Park | 16B |
| David Steinberg | 1724 |
| Doug Benson | 232, 305, 407, 516, PCAT10, 1023, PCAT12, PCAT13, 1511, PCAT14, PCAT16 |
| Dwayne Perkins | 1012 |
| Ed Crasnick | 917 |
| Eddie Pepitone | 1508 |
| Eddie Trunk | 816 |
| Eli Braden | PCAT11 |
| Eliza Skinner | 1705 |
| Ellis Paul | 810, ATLANTA, 1513, PCAT14, 1801 |
| Erin Foley | 1518, 16N |
| Florence Henderson | SKETCHFEST12 |
| Fred Stoller | 1219, 14R |
| Fred Willard | PCAT14 |
| Garry Meier | CHICAGO |
| Gary Brightwell | 15N |
| Gary Gulman | 1009, 1512 |
| Gary Lucy | 923, 14Q |
| Geoff Tate | 18K |
| Graham Elwood | 116, 203, 207, 237, 319, 418, 521, 616, PCAT10, 814, PCAT11, 1101, 1311, PCAT14, 1605 |
| Greg Behrendt | 318, 603, PCAT09, 702, BUMBERSHOOT, PCAT10, 825, PCAT11, PCAT12, 1202, PCAT13, 1409, PCAT14, 16T, PCAT16 |
| Greg Fitzsimmons | 505, 1116, 1806 |
| Greg Proops | 709, 1315 |
| Greg Warren | 15M |
| Guy Branum | 1610 |
| Harland Williams | 1001, 1207 |
| Horatio Sanz | 1711 |
| Howard Kremer | 1218 |
| Hugh Fink | 1021, PCAT12 |
| J. Keith van Straaten | 16R |
| Jack McBrayer | PCAT13 |
| Jack Wagner | PCAT13 |
| Jackie Kashian | 718, 15G |
| Jake Fogelnest | 1719 |
| Jake Johannsen | 1316 |
| James Urbaniak | 1701 |
| Jamie Denbo | 17J |
| Janet Varney | 419, 506, VANCOUVER, PCAT09, 708, 824, PCAT11, 1019, 1314, PCAT13, 1614, PCAT16 |
| Jason Mantzoukas | 1517 |
| Jason Nash | 14U, 1611 |
| Jason Pardo | 16M |
| Jason Thompson | 1503, PCAT14 |
| Jen Kirkman | 409, 515, 622, PCAT10, 807, PCAT12, 1301, 1603, 1723 |
| Jere Burns | 1810 |
| Jesse Thorn | 503, 607, 707, PCAT10, 920, PCAT11, 1217, PCAT13, 1417 |
| Jessica St. Clair | 1419 |
| Jill Kushner | 17W |
| Jill Whelan | PCAT13 |
| Jimmy Dore | 144, 220, 316, 423, 605, PCAT09, 711, 1003, 1319, 15R |
| Joe DeRosa | 1507 |
| Joe Lo Truglio | 618, 823, PCAT11, 1401, 16F |
| Joe Wagner | 16K |
| Joel Stein | 1220, PCAT13 |
| John Butler | 16G |
| John Heffron | 221 |
| John Mulaney | 1114 |
| John Ross Bowie | 916, PCAT11, 1211, 1403, 14N, PCAT14, 1524, 1703, 17Z, PCAT16 |
| Jon Cryer | 1812 |
| Jon Dore | 1205 |
| Jon Hamm | 403, SKETCHFEST09, PCAT09, 721, 820, PCAT11, PCAT12, 1320, PCAT13, PCAT14, 1525, 1708, SKETCHFEST16, PCAT16 |
| Jonah Ray | 1105 |
| Jonathan Katz | 1123 |
| Jordan Brady | 15F |
| Jordan Morris | PCAT09, 613, 16W |
| Josh Comers | 1307 |
| Josh Gondelman | 17F |
| Judy Gold | 1303 |
| Julian McCullough | 1112, 17L |
| Justin Willman | PCAT16, 1805 |
| Karen Kilgariff | 14S, 1716, 18I |
| Kate Flannery | 1609 |
| Kathleen Wilhoite | PCAT14 |
| Keith and The Girl | 1109, 15H |
| Keith Stubbs | 1215 |
| Ken Marino | 909 |
| Kevin Bigley | 1607, 17X |
| Kevin Meaney | NYC |
| Kevin Nealon | PCAT12, PCAT14 |
| Kevin Pereira | 1008 |
| Kevin Pollak | 716, PCAT10, PCAT12 |
| Kira Soltanovich | 15I, 15X |
| Kulap Vilaysack | 1505, 16E, 1804 |
| Kumail Nanjiani | 1312, 1616 |
| Kyle Anderson | 1808 |
| Laraine Newman | PCAT12 |
| Larry Miller | 1704 |
| Laura House | 1118, 14G |
| Lauren Ash | 1410, PCAT14, 1622, PCAT16 |
| Lauren Lapkus | 1615 |
| Laurie Kilmartin | 621, 818, 1412, 15C, 17P |
| Lennon Parham | 1419 |
| Lenny Schmidt | 17I |
| Lisa Loeb | PCAT11 |
| Marc Maron | 610 |
| Maria Bamford | 208, 234, 401, MAXFUN09, 526, PCAT09, 907, 1121, 1501 |
| Mark Volman | 517 |
| Matt Besser | 622, 1514 |
| Matt Braunger | 513, 719, 1103, 1408, PCAT14 |
| Matt Gourley | 15J, 16I |
| Matt Mira | 17D |
| Matt Oswalt | 1721 |
| Matt Price | 14X |
| Matt Walsh | 313, 415, 518, 1015, 1216, PCAT13, 1411, 1608, 1714, PCAT16 |
| Matt Weinhold | 16C |
| Micah Sherman | 1310 |
| Michael Koman | 1010 |
| Michael Kosta | 17G |
| Michael Sheen | PCAT16 |
| Mike Henry | 15V |
| Mike McShane | PCAT16 |
| Mike Schmidt | 623, 722, PCAT10, 925, 1018, PCAT12, 1222, PCAT13, 14C, PCAT14, 16F |
| Mike Siegel | 124, 212, 235, 322, 420, 614, 1005, PCAT12, 1224, 14K, 16Q, 18A |
| Mike Sweeney | 713, 1110 |
| Mike Toomey | CHICAGO |
| Mo Mandel | 15S |
| Moshe Kasher | 921, 1017 |
| Murray Valeriano | 15B |
| Myq Kaplan | 915, 1115, 14P |
| Neil Campbell | PCAT14 |
| Neil Garguilo | 16B |
| Nick Kroll | 1519 |
| Nikki Glaser | 1620 |
| Oscar Nunez | PCAT09, 1304, 15L |
| Pat Francis | 108, 140, 201, 205, 209, 213, 215, 217, 220, 221, 229, 230, 236, 240, 303, 307, 311, 315, 320, 325, 404, 408, 413, 416, 420, 425, 504, 508, 514, 519, 523, 604, 609, 619, 622, 704, 710, 714, 723, 804, 817, 906, 922, 1018, 1026, 1124, 1214, 1306, 14E, 14Z, 1515, 15U, 16F, 16O, 1707, 17R, 17Z, 1809 |
| Patton Oswalt | 321, 812, 1313, PCAT13, PCAT14 |
| Paul Brittain | 16V |
| Paul Dooley | PCAT14 |
| Paul F. Tompkins | 128, 202, 214, 231, 309, 326, 426, 602, 715, PCAT10, 926, PCAT12, 1302, PCAT13, 1407, PCAT14, 1521, 1706, PCAT16 |
| Paul Gilmartin | 104, 120, 204, 223, 239, 324, 424, 524, PCAT09, PCAT10, 822, PCAT11, PCAT12, PCAT13, 14T, PCAT14, 17E, PCAT16 |
| Paul Goebel | 130 |
| Paul Provenza | 1523 |
| Paul Reiser | 1119, 1811 |
| Paul Rust | 615, PCAT10 |
| Paul Scheer | 1516, PCAT16 |
| Pete Holmes | 803, 1326, 1509 |
| Pete Schwaba | 152, 209, 216, 17U |
| Phil Hendrie | 1107, PCAT13, PCAT14 |
| Phil Rosenthal | 1709, PCAT16 |
| Rachel Dratch | NYC |
| Rachel Quaintance | 417, 525, PCAT09, 620, 801, PCAT10, PCAT11, 1024, 1210, 1323, 14B, PCAT14, 16A, 17N |
| Rebecca Corry | 905, PCAT11 |
| Rebecca Loebe | 18J |
| Regan Burns | 1204 |
| Rich Sommer | PCAT09, 612, PCAT10, 815, PCAT11, PCAT12, 1209, PODFEST13, PCAT13, 1406, 14O, PCAT14, 15T, 1601, 16F, 16U, PCAT16 |
| Richard Kind | 1802 |
| Richard Lewis | 1117 |
| Richie "LaBamba" Rosenberg | PCAT10 |
| RJ Thieneman | 14L |
| Rob Corddry | 312, 402, PCAT10, 1120, PCAT12, 1504, PCAT16 |
| Russ McGarry | 903, 17H |
| Samm Levine | 520, 1020, PCAT12 |
| Sarah Colonna | 1604 |
| Sarah Silverman | 706, PCAT10, PCAT12, PCAT14, PCAT16 |
| Scott Aukerman | 112, 130, 156, 206, 219, 227, 238, 304, 323, 411, 501, PCAT09, 626, 724, 826, 924, 1022, PCAT12, 1126, 1226, PCAT13, 1325, 1414, PCAT14, 1522, 1623, 1722, PCAT16 |
| Scott Gimple | PCAT14 |
| Scott Thompson | 720, 18G |
| Sean Cullen | 819, 17Q |
| Seth Morris | 1321 |
| Shane Mauss | 16L |
| Simon Helberg | PCAT12 |
| Sinbad | 1421 |
| The Sklar Brothers | 210, 218, 509, 1425 |
| Stefanie Wilder-Taylor | 14J |
| Steve Agee | PCAT10, 1206 |
| Steve Almond | 705 |
| Steven Weber | 1803 |
| Super Dave Osborne | PCAT13 |
| Susannah Schaefer | 16Z |
| Tami Sagher | PCAT10, 1106 |
| Tig Notaro | 1004, 1416, PCAT14 |
| Timothy Omundson | PCAT16 |
| Timothy Simons | 1613 |
| T.J. Miller | 1612 |
| Todd Barry | 1710 |
| Todd Glass | 136, 306, 405, 511, 611, 809, 908, 1025, 1322, SKETCHFEST14, 1420, 16J, PCAT16 |
| Todd Levin | 606, PCAT09, 717, PCAT10, PCAT11, 1104, PCAT12, PCAT13, 1423, PCAT14, 16D, 1624, PCAT16 |
| Todd Van Allen | TORONTO |
| Tom Arnold | 1016 |
| Tom Dreesen | PCAT10 |
| Tom Snyder | 1123 |
| Tom Wilson | 911 |
| Tommy Johnagin | 1102, 1305 |
| Tony Thaxton | PCAT13, PCAT14, PCAT16, 18F |
| Ty Burrell | 712, 914 |
| Vance Gilbert | 1422 |
| Walter Koenig | PCAT11 |
| Wayne Federman | 918, PCAT11, 1212, PCAT13, PCAT14, 15W, 1712, PCAT16 |
| "Weird Al" Yankovic | 1424, PCAT14 |
| Wendi McLendon-Covey | PCAT14 |
| Wendy Liebman | 1203 |
| Wil Anderson | 904 |
| Will Forte | 813 |
| Wink Martindale | PCAT14 |
| Zac Brooks | AUSTIN |
| Zach Galifianakis | PCAT12, PCAT13, PCAT14 |
References
- ↑ "Never Not Funny". Pardcast.com. 2013-11-29. Retrieved 2016-03-05. (subscription required (help)).
- ↑ blog.mikeschmidtcomedy.com Archived November 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Stand Up Comedy & Funny Videos on Rooftop Comedy". Rooftopcomedy.com. 2014-01-22. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
- ↑ "PodCastAwards.com". PodCastAwards.com. 2014-01-17. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
- ↑ "Nominations - Best Podcast". The 2006 Weblog Awards. 2006-11-13. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
External links
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