Pardon our shoulder-brush, but this episode is just so great.

In the ultimate guest-pairing, Julie welcomes two notable personalities to her show this week: author Susan Orlean, and comedy writer Jon Hendren, also known as Twitter user @fart.

First off! Susan Orlean--whose new book, Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend, is a superb new addition to the HWYW Book Club--is here to discuss the following topics:

>Whether or not a dog can actually act
>The pinup-like appeal of the Golden Retriever and the historically challenging heroism of the German Shepherd
>What her first tweet was
>The Dogville shorts, and what their deal was

Then, Jon "@fart" Hendren is here to talk about the time he bullied the guy from Smashmouth into eating a whole lot of eggs, why he hates Garfield the cat, what this one Eminem-obsessed guy kept searching for on AOL one time, and whether babies can or should eat cough drops.

Also! The looming spetcre that is the Three Stooges movie, and how it might affect your weekend according to what gender you are; the unacceptable "BOING!" sound effect in this one insanely bad Genesis song; constantly auditioning waiters and how they do not know what words mean sometimes; and how to start a Twitter feud with Leah Remini.

One of the best episodes we've done so far, which is saying something."Something!" #LOL

Happy Easter and Passover!

This week’s episode of HWYW features Dr. Leo Spaceman himself! That's right: the wonderful CHRIS PARNELL, who is so funny and charming and just generally marvelous in one billion different ways, talks to Julie about how weird schnapps is, what he's like at a party, his SNL audition, and the origins of Merv the Perv. 

Then, JON DALY, who is so deeply hilarious it will make your body tissue ache, pays Julie a visit in the form of SAPPITY TAPPITY THE DRUNKEN ENGLISH ROLLERBLADING PINE TREE. Enjoy this insane conversation between Julie and a very important comedy character and relish each factoid Sappity shares about his devotion to The Red Hot Chili Peppers, his speculation on what Whoopi looks like during a moment of exquisite intimacy, the importance of setting aside time for podcasts, and a very exciting theatrical endeavor he's collaborating on with Richard Foreman. 

Also! Julie opts for oil AND cream on her hypothetical commercial pie; introduces, then celebrates, Kip the purse-taking dog; connects Nickelodeon's tradition of sliming female celebrities to the WAM fetish; discusses Petey, a cat who looks like a particular figure from history; and admonishes straight girls for trying to shock their peers by publicly proclaiming their affections for a particular dwarf.

Plus: Sappity's totally funny Vegas prank he pulled one time with The Peppers! Chris Parnell's fond reminiscence of the time Maya Rudolph showed him her breasts! That time January Jones wore a fat suit and inhaled her TV daughter's sundae like it was a placenta! And a sad disclosure of personal events that I hope doesn't make you too depressed to listen to.

A show that's fit to make Good Friday great!

Ahoy! So, this is a big deal.

This week's episode of HWYW features RuPaul's Drag Race Superstar Contestant and "post-Warhol mannequin with the look of a cover model and the soul of a shoe" SHARON NEEDLES, who talks to Julie about her friendship with Chad Michaels, the first horror movie she ever saw, which of the queens on this season's show hasn't seen Paris is Burning, and how incredible Elvira's breasts look in person. Can you deal? You likely cannot. Then, Buzzfeed editor WHITNEY JEFFERSON is here to discuss her five favorite Willard Scott monents from his Smuckers/ birthday greetings gig on The Today Show. Clowns and Jane Fonda are also discussed!

Also! Julie praises George the heroic basset hound and his paw-mashing phone skills; Sharon and Julie do dueling Cher impressions; Whitney Jefferson accepts a compliment about her beautiful eyes; and the real conflict on SMASH is pondered--the battle between Debra Messing's scarves and Meryl Streep's daughter's braids.

Plus! Al Roker's frigid penis! Sharon Needles' Gaga shout-out! Camille Grammer and Madonna's post-divorce art! And a plea for your vote in this important election.

A groundbreaking and artistically explosive show!

On the first HWYW episode of spring, CBS Sunday Morning correspondent, humorist, author and brilliant expert on many important things including musical theater, MO ROCCA is here to discuss what you should and shouldn't say to celebrities that are famous for one thing, why Gypsy is the best musical, what kind of woman Mo looks like when he's in drag, and what Jerry Herman score he listened to on his Discman when he was jogging in Tokyo. 

Then, DAVE CULLEN, author of the book Columbine, is here to talk to Julie about what we've established is one of the greatest non-fiction books published in a long time. It is an important conversation about a riveting book that will hopefully be more fascinating to you than it will just merely give you nightmares.

Plus, Julie expresses:

-Relief that a second season of Smash will exist
-Disappointment in the New York Times for publishing an extensive essay about a gel manicure that indirectly references Nora Ephron
-Indifference around the latest Burton-Depp collaboration that doesn't seem to be hurting anybody
-And delight that Sean Young has been appearing in public wearing a neck brace.

Also! The adorability of Siamese children versus Thai ones! What not to say to Richard Klein! A contest having to do with the March 29th live show in LA! And the enormity and scope of Jonah Hill's torso.

A compelling and occasionally intense show, after what was not a great week, at least for me. I hope you love it!

On this episode of HWYW, music legend RICKIE LEE JONES talks to Julie about the messages girls can get from billboards, the barbed blessing of working with a producer whose opinion you trust, and her horse, Cinderella. What a treat to chat with Ms. Jones! This is a huge deal.

Then, author KAMBRI CREWS is here to discuss her fascinating new memoir, BURN DOWN THE GROUND. Kambri is the daughter of two deaf adults, and her dad is currently incarcerated in a Texas prison. It goes without saying that Kambri has a story to tell that is absolutely unique, compelling and heartfelt. A must-listen interview about a must-read book!

I also have to mention that there's a pretty incredible connection between Kambri and Rickie because Kambri, as she mentions in her interview, used to work at Chuck E. Cheese. And of course, I was therefore tempted to title this episode "Chuck E. Cheese's in Love." I would appreciate you praising my restraint.

Plus, Julie devises a theory about Stephen King's writing process, summarizes the "Cat Food Lady" episode of MY STRANGE ADDICTION, pitches the Vern-cast, comtemplates the process of putting tights over recently lotioned legs and compares it to putting wax over cheese, and happily closes the coffin on "Slut-shaming culture," sending it off with a rather disgusting anecdote about the jerk who hosts SOUNDCHECK.

Also, the seductive quality of a certain volume of the encyclopedia! Yet another stupid thing to say about a stranger's dog! And an exciting announcement about our LA show with Patton Oswalt, Katie Notopoulos & Ted Leo and his all-star band on March 29th!

A show that is neither to be missed nor to be underestimated!

It's been a year of How Was Your Week! Can you believe it? Remember a year ago when the podcast began? That's when I was carrying you! 

On this One Year Anniversary episode of HWYW, Barney's creative ambassador, author, humorist, bon-vivant and general full-on f'ing icon SIMON DOONAN joins Julie to discuss his new book, Gay Men Don't Get Fat, the influence of celebrity culture on style, how marvelous sweeping generalizations are, and numerous important facts about Raquel Welch, not least of which is that she and Camille Paglia are good friends (!!!)

Then, author and Monkees historian ERIC LEFCOWITZ sits down with Julie, the week after Davy Jones passed away, to talk about his memories of Davy, the rivalries in the group, the mad beauty of HEAD, and what happened after the band got together for Headquarters. Warning: this is a pretty intense conversation between two hardcore Monkees nerds. If it's Greek to you, consider buying Eric's book first!

Plus, Julie expresses concern about Pat Kiernan's eye not being on the prize, bemoans Jesus's husky understudy, teaches her cat how to use a scratching post with her own stupid fingernails, and reminds a certain enemy of the show that things are usually about Uggie.

A podcast that is so much better than the "paper"-themed one year anniversary gift that is customary. Nobody wants your dead trees, grandma!

On this episode of How Was Your Week, comedian, writer and general superstar LIZZ WINSTEAD joins Julie to discuss her new book, the GOP race so far, her dog's cock, her Planned Parenthood tour, and how you "learn" about menstruation in Catholic School health class.

Then, comedian, storyteller and all-around good egg ADAM WADE is here to celebrate his very special relationship with his landladies; two elderly Italian sisters who leave food outside his apartment when they are not mad at him.

Plus, Julie plays a clip of a blood-curdling acoustic cover of a song called "Fear," by HWYW enemy/ NCIS star Pauley Perrette! S. Epatha Merkerson's blunt but stern Twitter presence is revealed! Patti Stanger's "Sensa Bod" is argued to be real by the snake-woman herself! And two new gingers are inducted into the Redhead Hall of Fame.

Also, why Adam's spirit animal is a kindly senior citizen! What gross and weird thing Lizz has to do twice a day! The power of puppy documentaries to make your emotions violently turn into feelings completely different than the ones you were experiencing moments earlier! And the shocking new Dancing With The Stars lineup is announced.

A show that will warm your heart-cockles and rub your face-temples!

This is exciting! On this special BONUS minisode (it's short for "miniature episode," friends), Julie discusses the 2012 Academy Awards with New York Times reporter DAVE ITZKOFF and cinephile GARY THA SQUIRREL, who came to the New York Times building in a Wawa bag toted by TOM SCHARPLING--- just to talk about Oscars, Oscars, Oscars!

Join Gary, Dave and Julie in a respectful roundtable discussion, during which they address burning questions from last night, such as:

-Who got the worse snub: Scorcese or Albert Brooks?
-Will "Community" get a post-Oscars Descendants bump?
-Where was Tom Cruise during the majority of the broadcast?
-What happens when Nikki Finke decides to be funny?
-Can Billy Crystal be stopped from doing blackface?
-Did Gary like Midnight in Paris? Does he have an anecdote about Diane Lane?

Plus! Gary shares with us his three point plan to make next year's ceremony dazzle us all. And Dave hints at some tidbits from his book about the great film, Network!

And, as an even bigger bonus, the great TED LEO wrote a brand new theme song to the show--complete with a tropical beat that will cause you to shake your maracas. Even you, Albert Nobbs!

You want the mini-sode? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE MINISODE! But here it is anyway. Hooray!

Host: Julie Klausner
Guests: Gary Tha Squirrel, Dave Itzkoff
Produced by Chris Spooner
Original Artwork by Marcia Neumeier
Special Theme Song and Incidental Music by Ted Leo
Thanks to Tom Scharpling

This week's episode was recorded live on Feb 2nd at The Bell House in beautiful New York City! Isn't that exciting? It is very exciting.

Join Julie as she interviews SANDRA BERNHARD, TOM SCHARPLING and JOE MANDE live on stage, while TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS watch! Enjoy a special, unannounced guest appearance by IRA GLASS, who joins LEIGH HENDRIX, the winner of the HWYW Poetry Contest, in our Pretzel Crisps and Peanut Chews-furnished Snack Nest! And marvel in unexpected moments: like when Julie forgot the opening verse to an Avril Lavigne song! When Sandra Bernhard came out wearing a gorgeous boho ensemble, only to slide around in her shitty folding chair! And when we all remembered, along with Joe Mande, how much we all miss Andy Rooney.

Plus--Ted has some pressing questions for a gentleman who works for Peanut Chews and some disconcerting theories about "Kiss From a Rose," Tom has big ideas about the Candyland movie, Ira has some harsh words for white chocolate, Joe has some innovative ways to confuse female bodybuilders on Twitter, and Leigh Hendrix has a new friend.

Also-- Julie asks Ted about the "Philly Lunatic"! Tom asks when he missed the meeting about everybody deciding to watch and live-tweet Downton Abbey! Ira suggests the ultimate snack mash-up! And Sandra makes Julie's dreams come true when she duets with her on "Wichita Lineman."

What a show! What a memory-maker!

The Guests:
Sandra Bernhard
Tom Scharpling
Joe Mande
Ira Glass
And introducing Leigh Hendrix

The Band:
Teddy Leo
Chris Wilson
James Canty

The Dream Team:
Alex Scordelis (Writer)
Marianne Ways (Live Show Producer)
Chris Spooner (Tech, Podcast Producer, Graphic Designer)
Lacey Micallef (GIF designer)
Jake Fogelnest (Consultant)
Miriam Grubin-Cappel & Ben Cappel, and their dog Chloe (Ground Dog Wranglers; Ground Dog)
Jack Fagan (Consultant; Muse)
Kelly Hudson (Video Editor)
Greg Stees (Cameraman)
Bob Zender from Peanut Chews & Jason Harty from Pretzel Crisps (Sponsors)
Sanjib Mukhopadhyay (Sound Recording)

On this episode of How Was Your Week, basset aficionado, comedienne and Twitter superstar JENNY JOHNSON joins Julie to discuss her mother's hatred of gingers, the choreography of certain celebrity sex tapes, what her dog once thought was cheese, and the Kim Kardashian tweet that confused the hosts of The View.

Then, comedian and occasional recapper of food-themed television MAX SILVESTRI is here to inform us of a television show that exists called "Rachael Vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off." Unfortunately, this program is not a televised fight to the death, but at least Taylor Dayne was on it--to say nothing of Coolio and Lou Diamond Phillips! They were also participants. Yikes, right? Right.

Plus, Julie breathes life into the theory that Malachy, the winner of the Westminster Dog Show, is NOT A DOG AT ALL! A story about a grifter-fainter on her flight who littered his free snack debris on the seat between them! A bold takedown of Julie's alleged racism from the hard news blog, KittenMittens.org! 

Also, what it was like to kiss Uggie and why it is okay to say you're jealous about it! Whether it's likely that Holocaust victims care about being posthumously baptized! And Julie meets a new enemy who stars on NCIS and is named something ridiculous.

A fine, fine show for your ears!