WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

Bruce Vilanch is best known for his time as the head writer of the Oscars, but he is actually a vestige of a fabled era of show business. Bruce talks with Marc about how he went from being a child actor to working at newspapers to writing jokes for Bette Midler. His skill at writing in other people’s voices led him to countless jobs as a joke-writer-for-hire, doing punch up for famous comedians like Lily Tomlin, George Carlin, Joan Rivers and others, as well as for many beloved and detested TV variety shows.

Bruce Vilanch is best known for his time as the head writer of the Oscars, but he is actually a vestige of a fabled era of show business. Bruce talks with Marc about how he went from being a child actor to working at newspapers to writing jokes for Bette Midler. His skill at writing in other people’s voices led him to countless jobs as a joke-writer-for-hire, doing punch up for famous comedians like Lily Tomlin, George Carlin, Joan Rivers and others, as well as for many beloved and detested TV variety shows.

As we reach the end of the year, Kris and Brendan go through some of the listener questions and comments that have been sent in, but not before diving into a particularly complicated and thorny WTF episode that aired this week.Click here to send us your suggestions, comments and topics.

Filmmaker Justin Kurzel is drawn to stories about outlaws and outsiders. Growing up in South Australia and living in Tasmania, he’s seen the fragile nature of small communities and the people who can prompt societal upheaval. Justin talks with Marc about his new and very relevant film The Order and why Justin was compelled to cast Marc as an assassinated radio host. They also talk about Justin’s other films, including one that the Prime Minister of Australia said shouldn’t be made.

Filmmaker Justin Kurzel is drawn to stories about outlaws and outsiders. Growing up in South Australia and living in Tasmania, he’s seen the fragile nature of small communities and the people who can prompt societal upheaval. Justin talks with Marc about his new and very relevant film The Order and why Justin was compelled to cast Marc as an assassinated radio host. They also talk about Justin’s other films, including one that the Prime Minister of Australia said shouldn’t be made.

From Feb 2013, it’s the third verbal jam session between Marc and Tom Scharpling. Tom tells a story about a bad encounter with a famous athlete at a Who concert, Marc spills the secrets of his rock and roll past, Tom details his pitch for Big Momma's House 3, and more. This episode was offered as an a la carte purchase at the time and is now available on Acast+ for the first time.Theme song - Mausoleum by The Tokeleys - Download by clicking here or listen to them on Spotify.

Bobbi Althoff’s podcast success story is much different than Marc’s podcast success story. In fact, the concept of a podcast is very different than when WTF got started. Bobbi explains how she grew up in a chaotic environment where money was hard to come by and, after becoming a mom in her early 20s, she found viral fame by sheer force of will, as well as a guest appearance by Drake. They also talk about the grind of the content creation machine, the mental health drain of social media, and fame being an economic engine.

Bobbi Althoff’s podcast success story is much different than Marc’s podcast success story. In fact, the concept of a podcast is very different than when WTF got started. Bobbi explains how she grew up in a chaotic environment where money was hard to come by and, after becoming a mom in her early 20s, she found viral fame by sheer force of will, as well as a guest appearance by Drake. They also talk about the grind of the content creation machine, the mental health drain of social media, and fame being an economic engine.

First, a check-in after an unfortunate incident that almost made this episode not possible. Then, Kris and Brendan discuss the week's WTF episodes. And finally, Owen McDonald returns for a look at a holiday film that doesn't get much attention, which leads Brendan and Kris to discuss other films that are better than their reputations.Click here to send us your suggestions, comments and topics.