Podcasts We Like!

Hey there! Are you new to podcasts? Well shit, I'm sorry we had to be your first one... but you should know that there actually are some really great and worthwhile shows out there. This is a big ol' list of podcasts that Sandy-pants and I listen to all the time. We sometimes even make references to them in SSJ episodes (and by that I mean we steal content from them). So anyway, if you're at all interested in the wonderful world of podcasts, here's a list of our favourites, broken down into handy bite-sized categories:

COMEDY

• Comedy Bang Bang - Comedian Scott Aukerman (Mr. Show, Between Two Ferns) hosts a bizarre and totally unpredictable talk-show, with awesome celebrity guests and an 'open door policy' that leads to an incredible cast of characters, improvised bits, and good ol' fashioned yuks.
• Mike and Tom Eat Snacks - Michael Ian Black and Tom Cavanagh eat snacks then talk about them. Except they spend roughly 90% of the time not talking about them. But they're an extremely good comedic pair. Also they use one of our songs in Episode 57! YAY!
• The Book Was Better - Hosts Jessica McLeod and Luke Milton talk about the book of the movie - yes, the grand tradition of the shitty cash-in novelisation - often for movies which should never have been made in the first place. The pair tear the books apart (not literally) in an incredibly funny and super well executed way, plus they're Aussies! Yay!
• Who Charted? - Howard Kremer and Kulap Vilaysack use weekly charts (movies, music, and more) to learn about their comedian guests. Like a lot of these podcasts, the formula's dead simple, but the chemistry between Ku-Ku and Wie-Wie, as well as the brilliant theme tunes for each of the charts, make this a pretty damn charming show.
• Mike Detective - A brilliantly funny spoof on films noir, which doesn't let up on the hilarity - it's kind of like a radio version of Airplane. Full to bursting with quick-fire references, puns, and bizarre plot twists. The show also features some terrific guests, such as Weird Al Yankovic, Scott Aukerman and Henry Winkler.
• TOFOP (RIP) - Wil Anderson and Charlie Clausen get stoned and talk about Batman, time travel, prison rape, and all sorts of other wacky random bullshit. Much laughter ensues. Unfortunately this one's now run its course, but there are 83 great episodes in their catalogue which are definitely worth checking out.
• Historians of Time - Sydney-based comedians James Colley and Nick Fischer discuss the week's most interesting historic events, as determined by Wikipedia's 'This Day In History'. This setup, combined with their comedic skill, invariably leads to madcap discussions and ridiculous premises.
• The Comedy Button - Super lowbrow but very funny group of dudes discuss... I don't even know. Their wacky daily lives? Evolved out of The Gamespy Debriefings, it's a balls-out bout of ridiculousness. Give it a listen if you have no soul.

VIDEO GAMIN'

• The Indoor Kids - Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon host in-depth discussions of interesting gaming concepts and topics. Not as newsy as most of these other gaming podcasts.
• Gaming Cult Podcast - An ever-rotating, international list of guests populate this in-depth and interesting (and totally hysterical) games podcast. Hosted by Jake Innes (and featuring friend of SSJ, Zac Innes), it's a look into what's happening now, as well as deeper and more obscure older and indie titles... plus sexy Seinfeld fan fiction.
• IGN.com - Game Scoop! - IGN's general gaming news podcast. Frequently very funny, but also a pretty solid dose of gaming news. One of the first podcasts Tom and I ever got into. Featuring Greg Miller, big hero of mine. YEAH WHAT.
• IGN.com - Podcast Beyond - IGN's PlayStation podcast. Also featuring Greg Miller, also very funny, based around the latest in Sony news and whatnot. Another podcast that inspired SSJ!
• IGN AU Podcast - AKA the Pubcast, IGN Australia's editors drink and talk about games. Very funny and super nice guys, plus excellent skits at the start of each episode. Also I tend to write in all the time, so you can hear them say my name on air! OH BOY!
• The Legacy Music Hour - This is one for the diehards. Brent Weinbach and Rob F. share and discuss 8-bit and 16-bit video game music. With each episode based on a different theme (composer, style of music, etc), the show is a great resource for learning more about the golden age of video game music.

SEXY SEXY SEX

• IGN.com - Knockin' Boots (RIP?) - Dating advice from gamers for gamers. A rotating cast featuring members of the IGN editorial team and the occasional pornstar. Extremely funny, evolved out of a recurring Game Scoop segment. Unfortunately, it doesn't update too often.
• Sex Nerd Sandra - Crazy informative and in-depth analysis of sex/gender/other interesting issues, hosted by sex educator Sandra Daugherty and comedian Dave Ross.

INTERVIEW/OTHER

• You Made It Weird - Comedian Pete Holmes interviews comedians and other cool people, touching on three weird things about each guest. This one's at its best when Pete starts reflecting on his own life - it gets quite deep at times, but it's completely and totally hilarious all the way through. So many awesome catchphrases! Guests include Bo Burnham, Chelsea Peretti, David Koechner, Jake & Amir, Demetri Martin.
• This American Life - Ira Glass presents a deeply entertaining show with brilliant storytelling and insight into lives and stories from around the world. From serious to light-hearted, each story is captivating in its own way, and Glass is a perfectly charismatic and adept host.
• The Nerdist - Comedian/nerdy dude Chris Hardwick interviews geeky/cool/whatever celebrities about their careers and whatever else comes up. Guests include Tina Fey, They Might Be Giants, Cake, Conan O'Brien, David Cross.
• WTF with Marc Maron - What is there to say about WTF? One of the absolute titans of the medium, comedian Marc Maron hosts a great interview show featuring some of the biggest guests in all of podcasting. Look out for controversial episodes featuring the likes of Dane Cook and Carlos Mencia - Maron doesn't shy away from really cutting into his guests.
• Out To Dinner With Max and Xavier - The incredibly funny Max Skelton and some other guy go  out to dinner with a special guest. I can't even begin to describe how great Max is on this show, and the other dude only talks for like a third of the time, so why not give it a go?

Tom and I are always looking for new podcasts to check out. If you happen to know of any we should listen to, let us know at ssjoystick@gmail.com, and if we like it, it just might end up on this list! YAY! -XRN