Fade in on a show...with a focus on Smash...
HEY GUYS! It's the first episode ever of How Was Your Smash!
On this special Extra-Sode (it's not a minisode because, bitch, it's LONG), Julie talks at length to three guests about the best television of all time, Smash! First up it's Nate Harris, and he shares his five and a half favorite moments from the show after chatting before and after the season finale about whether the show is too straight, why the term and the concept of hate-watching must be destroyed, and what the best thing to say is when somebody gives you a massive sum of money.
Then, Smash season one writer Jason Grote is here to discuss the show alongside with Vulture Smash recapper Rachel Shukert! Learn what Julia was meant to be eating in bed instead of peanut butter! How the show could have made more sense if Katherine McPhee had played Katherine McPhee instead of Karen Cartwright! And why Derek will never not be likeable.
Also! Julie asks some How Was Your Week friends/ Smash fans what their favorite moments from season one were and therefore, there are cameos in this episode from Morgan Murphy! Jackée Harry! Retta! Scott Brown! Holly Schlesinger! My Gentleman friend, Jack! And Billy Eichner.
Finally, the Smash Twitter accounts are finally discussed. An easter egg! To say nothing of the Joan Didion anecdote that takes place at Anjelica Huston's house. I know! Yikes.
Let this podcast be your star.
Oh boy, oh boy! This episode of How Was Your Week is so good, it will curl your pretty lashes.
First and foremost, Julie went with Billy Eichner to see Rita Wilson perform at Joe's Pub last night, and there is an extensive recap at the top of the show of that blessed and sacred evening of song and magic. Nora Ephron and Wendi Deng were both in the audience? I mean. I can't.
And then, there are the guests. The guests! And what guests! In time for Mothers' Day, the charming and attractive SARA SCHAEFER (You Had To Be There) is here to tell a touching, funny and insane story about the time her mom invited a homeless man to live with her family for 6 months. Learn about chicken strips, Christmas Eve and Rwanda through the prism of a man named Harold.
Then, wonderful gentleman writer WILL LEITCH (New York Magazine, Gawker, Deadspin) joins Julie for the latest installation of How Was Your Week Movie Club. This week, we discuss the sublime Fargo. Subtopics of our fun, fascinating chat include:
>Whether Tarantino's '90s blood legacy holds up with the woodchipper gag (and it IS a gag, right?)
>If Harve Presnell was indeed Fargo's high-status stand-in for the "bellowing heavy" in the Coen Bros' cabinet of archetypes
>What Lt. Columbo and Marge Gunderson have in common
>A theory about how Walter White, Carl Showalter and Jerry Lundegaard are the trinity of failed virility
>Mike Yanagita, Mike Yanagita, Mike Yanagita
Also, more details are revealed about Jimmy Jazz, including some extremely intimate details about his intimacy parts! Julie accepts her Comedy Awards defeat graciously, then goes on to renew her vow to crush absolutely everybody on her way to where she--and we--need to be! Sean Bean is discovered and considered for who he is and not who he could be! And Julie watches, then recaps, Duck Dynasty and Tanked, because there is nothing better than never leaving the house.
A show that is so wonderful, even Rita Wilson would stop singing "Angel in the Morning" to complement it!
This week's episode is the first-ever one recorded live at The Bell House in beautiful New York City! Isn't that exciting? It is very exciting.
Join Julie as she interviews Fred Armisen, Billy Eichner and Paul F. Tompkins live on stage, while Ted Leo and his band watch! Enjoy a special appearance by Jackée, live via satellite! And marvel in the first-ever IFC Roast of Miranda July.
Plus--Fred covers a Beatles classic, Paul speaks judgementally of Hugh Jackman's casual garb, Billy and Julie cast the all-black cast of the new Steel Magnolias on Lifetime, and a musical tribute to Seal.
Also--we find out which late night TV icon co-wrote "It's Raining Men"! Teddy Leo comes out on the record against mustaches! Which band Julie considers "The Funky Doors"! And why Paul F. Tompkins's mother believes he is friends with a famous satirist. The first of what will hopefully be many terrific live podcast recordings!
The Guests:
Billy Eichner
Paul F. Tompkins
Fred Armisen
And JACKÉE HARRY
The Band:
Teddy Leo
Chris Wilson
Marty Key
Jodi Buonnanno
The Cast:
Anthony Atamanuik (Vincent Gallo)
John Gemberling (Neil LaBute)
Jessica Chaffin (Lorraine Bracco)
Billy Eichner (Chubby Checker)
Fred Armisen (Tom Six)
and Introducing Kiesha as Miranda July
The Dream Team:
Alex Scordelis (Writer)
Marianne Ways (Live Show Producer)
Chris Spooner (Tech, Podcast Producer, Graphic Designer)
Jake Fogelnest (Consultant)
Rachel Shukert (Writer)
Jack Fagan (Consultant; Muse)
Kelly Hudson (Video Editor)
Steve Kandell & everyone at Spin Magazine (Sponsors)
It's a clip show-palooza this week, also known as a "best of" show! The 25th episode of How Was Your Week features all-new content from Julie, who is still recovering from her summer cold, and does not wish to infect new interview subjects with it, because she is a nice and civilized person.
Plus, old favorites and never-before heard footage from some of the best guests on the show so far, including JOAN RIVERS, PATTON OSWALT, HOLLY SCHLESINGER, NEKO CASE, BILLY EICHNER and JAMES URBANIAK! This is a treat for newcomers to How Was Your Week and old-timey HWYW veterans alike. A "Trial and Travel" aisle grab-bag of comedy entertainment.
Also in this episode, Julie discusses Gloria Steinem's joyless tap dancing, Rose MacGowan's arc from cult baby to Boston Terrier owner, how nobody is prepared for the Video Music Awards at all, the difference between certain baboons, and what celebrity she associates with the term "Moon Face."
Plus, Patton Oswalt on the hubris of niche stand-ups! Joan Rivers on the desirability of Martin Mull! Neko Case on masturbating walruses! Billy Eichner on Oprah's arms! James Urbaniak on Alec Guiness's attitude toward Tarot cards! And Holly Schlesinger on French Stewart's break-out role on "Private Practice."
And! Mario Lopez's baby! The premiere episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, uncut! And another Geena Davis-related plea.
On this episode of How Was Your Week?, Julie orders four new pairs of shoes, solicits questions from her listeners, and commemorates the passing of a show business legend. Also discussed: How to be sad when it's sunny outside, Malin Ackerman as Linda Lovelace, and the taste of warm food.
Plus: Comedian Billy Eichner's three least favorite celebrities and Twitter superstar Megan Amram tells us candidly about how her week went and her job at the Disney Channel. This episode is terrific!
Host: Julie Klausner
Guests: Billy Eichner, Megan Amram
Produced by Chris Spooner
Artwork by Marcia Neumeier
Theme Song and Incidental Music by Ted Leo