LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marc Maron drops the 1,686th and ultimate episode of his “WTF” podcast Monday.
The present started with the comedian and actor primarily interviewing stand-up comedians. Maron would go on to speak to legends of music and Hollywood, and a sitting president.
Right here’s a take a look at seven important episodes from the 16-year historical past of the pioneering longform interview podcast.
Robin Williams
“WTF” episode No. 67, April 26, 2010
Pretty well-known names had come on Maron’s podcast from its 2009 debut, however Robin Williams, the Oscar, Emmy and Grammy winner and luminary of the stand-up stage, was an enormous get simply seven months into the present. Maron made probably the most of it with an unforgettable interview that continuously shifted between comedy and tragedy. “Discussions of death,” Williams mentioned after occurring one lengthy riff in his improv model. “It’s very freeing.” He delved into his previous ideas of suicide in a dialogue that felt all of the extra essential after Williams killed himself in 2014. Maron re-aired the episode, framed by his personal tearful ideas and recollections.
It later earned a spot within the Nationwide Recording Registry on the Library of Congress. Maron, who virtually by no means listens to his recorded episodes, heard a clip from it for the primary time final month when “WTF” superfan Judd Apatow got here on and performed his favourite present moments for the host.
“You get his whole life story,” Maron mentioned, “you get his weird improvisational genius, and you get a real sense of struggle.”
Louis CK
“WTF” episodes No. 111 and No. 112, Oct. 4 and seven, 2010
The earliest episodes of “WTF” have been largely dedicated to Maron understanding his long-simmering beefs with different stand-up comics. His final query to them usually was, “Are We Good?” (The road would change into a catchphrase and is the title of a brand new documentary about him.) Most listeners and Maron himself agree the phenomenon peaked together with his epic, two-part peace negotiation together with his fellow stand-up and former greatest buddy Louis CK. It took the present, and the medium, to a different degree. Maron lately mentioned their salvaged friendship didn’t survive CK going through accusations in 2017 of sexual misconduct involving a number of comedians.
Todd Glass
“WTF” episode No. 245, Jan. 16, 2012
Comic Todd Glass used the podcast to return out publicly as homosexual. It was an indicator that the present may very well be a spot for private revelations. In later years, comedian Maria Bamford and actor Mandy Moore would share particulars on abusive relationships. Comic and actor Pete Davidson would focus on, for the primary time publicly, his prognosis with borderline character dysfunction. And actor Andrew Garfield would open up about his nervousness and the grief of shedding his mom.
Barack Obama
“WTF” episode No. 613, dropped on: June 22, 2015
It was a crowning second for each Maron and for podcasting when then- President Barack Obama appeared on “WTF” for a protracted interview. With the Secret Service in tow, Obama went by means of the common visitor ritual of going to the modest Los Angeles residence Maron dubbed “The Cat Ranch” and sat within the soiled storage studio the place the primary 9 years of the present have been based mostly. A relaxed Obama used the speak to mirror on his two phrases as president as they have been coming to an finish.
“I’ve been through this, I’ve screwed up, I’ve been in the barrel tumbling down Niagara Falls, and I emerged and I lived,” Obama mentioned.
“Wow. I don’t think I realized how truly present and somewhat vulnerable he was,” Maron instructed Apatow when he listened again. “Also, I’m always amazed at my fearlessness to go ahead and finish even the president’s sentences.”
Lynn Shelton
“WTF” episode No. 627, Aug. 10, 2015
When filmmaker Lynn Shelton appeared on “WTF” in August of 2015, it was an excellent however unremarkable episode. When it re-aired in 2020, its significance had grown wildly. The interview was the primary assembly of Maron and Shelton, who started courting and have become long-term life companions and collaborators. After her sudden and surprising loss of life, Maron, his voice quivering, poured out his emotions in an introduction to the previous interview.
“I don’t even know if I should be out in public talking,” Maron mentioned. “But this is what I do and this is where I’m at and there’s no right or wrong with grief.”
Lorne Michaels
“WTF” episode No. 653, Nov. 9, 2015
For years on the podcast, Maron obsessed over “Saturday Night Live” mastermind Lorne Michaels and his energy over the comedy world, partially as a result of Maron by no means managed to make it on to the present. So it was an enormous second when Michaels lastly turned a “WTF” visitor, and Maron gave him a blow-by-blow of his tryout for “SNL” 20 years earlier. “God, you REALLY remember this,” Michaels mentioned.
To this present day, Maron has by no means appeared on “SNL.”
Mavis Staples
“WTF” episode No. 1026, June 10, 2019
Music would change into more and more essential to “WTF” as years handed. Maron’s guitar enjoying and accumulating pastime turned a vital a part of the present, which he would finish together with his riffing. Musical company would finally change into as essential as comedians and actors, as he had sit-downs with Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger and Neil Younger. However his 2019 speak with singer Mavis Staples could also be his better of the bunch. The 2 mentioned making music together with her household within the Jim Crow South and her shift from gospel nice to funk-and-soul legend.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story consists of dialogue of suicide. For those who or somebody you recognize wants assist, the nationwide suicide and disaster lifeline within the U.S. is obtainable by calling or texting 988. There may be additionally a web-based chat at 988lifeline.org
