Episode 1376 - Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Peter Weller knows that most people think of him as RoboCop. But he also knows that when they approach him to talk about RoboCop, it’s his opportunity to talk to them about art, jazz, theater and many other areas that are not merely hobbies for him, but actual artistic pursuits. Peter tells Marc why he got his Ph.D. in Italian Renaissance Art History and how his jazz trumpet playing in college stuck with him his whole life, leading him to a friendship with Miles Davis. They also talk about the necessity of art during times of political upheaval and revolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Apr 1h 34min

When Lynne Margulies was 25 years old, she met Andy Kaufman on the set of the film My Breakfast with Blassie. Two years later, just shortly before he died, Andy made Lynne promise she would keep his work alive. With the release of the new documentary Thank You Very Much, Lynne talks with Marc about fulfilling that promise over the decades by showcasing Andy’s comedy and also allowing the myths about him to persist. They also talk about Andy’s inspirations and why professional wrestling was a foundational part of his personality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Apr 1h 15min

Delroy Lindo can take pride in many accomplishments - his family, his career, his educational - while being aware that he’s still in the process of finding himself. Delroy and Marc, despite their differences, find it easy to relate to each other over that lifelong journey of self-discovery, which for Delroy included the decision to go back to school later in life after his film career already took off. He also explains to Marc how acting saved his life, from the Christmas pageant he was in at age five all the way up through his latest film, Sinners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 Mar 1h 23min

Some comedians think of comedy as a higher calling, but Modi Rosenfeld knows exactly where the call came from. He points to a story of two comedians in the Talmud, men who gave cheer to those who were depressed and who made peace between those who were at war. Modi and Marc talk about this lofty purpose and how comedy is rooted in not only Jewish scripture but in the patter of the Yiddish language. Modi also explains how doing comedy shows on Zoom during Covid changed the entire trajectory of his life and career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Mar 1h 20min

Nick Thune is a comic Marc is always happy to welcome back on the show. But this time, it’s very fortunate that Nick is able to join Marc in the garage at all because there was a time in which he spiraled into alcoholism and almost didn’t survive. With a new comedy special released and his sobriety holding strong, Nick tells Marc what happened since the last time they talked, how he struggled with daily blackouts, hospital stays, and the dissolution of his marriage, and how he was helped into rehab and got the support he needed to rebuild. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 Mar 1h 25min

Unlike many comedian guests on WTF, Chris Fleming had a lot of support and encouragement from his family when it came to pursuing a career in comedy. In fact, it was his mother who got him started at open mics. Chris talks with Marc about how he embraces being both inclusive and avant-garde, building a loyal audience but also being accessible to newcomers, and using the stage to create characters, like his popular suburban mother Gayle, while also giving plenty of space to telling jokes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Mar 1h 32min

Jane Marie’s early life in Michigan didn’t necessarily put her on the glide path to the future world of podcasting, but an internship at This American Life gave her a crash course in the type of journalism that allowed her to create The Dream podcast. Jane talks with Marc about the subject matter of The Dream’s past seasons, including pyramid schemes, the wellness industry, and life coaching, and why these topics are truly representative of modern day America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17 Mar 1h 19min

When Mike Elias wanted to learn the guitar, his dad told him he had to teach himself. Mike took that rule and ran with it for the rest of his life, teaching himself everything from sewing to metal fabrication to fashion design, which he deployed when he founded Ship John Leather and Canvas in Portland, Oregon, and created one of the most sought after garments in the world, the Wills Jacket. Mike tells Marc about growing up oyster fishing and hunting in New Jersey, why he wound up making clothing, and the violent attack that changed his life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Mar 1h 18min