WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

William Shatner has lived long and continues to prosper. At 92 years old, he has dozens of projects in the works, including the Fox reality show Stars on Mars, a new watch he designed, two documentaries, and his annual charity horse show. But he’s also able to look back with clarity and appreciation on an acting career that started at age six and all the amazing paths his life has taken since. Bill and Marc talk about Canada, Broadway, the Golden Age of Television, Star Trek, and the profound experience Bill had when he traveled to outer space.

William Shatner has lived long and continues to prosper. At 92 years old, he has dozens of projects in the works, including the Fox reality show Stars on Mars, a new watch he designed, two documentaries, and his annual charity horse show. But he’s also able to look back with clarity and appreciation on an acting career that started at age six and all the amazing paths his life has taken since. Bill and Marc talk about Canada, Broadway, the Golden Age of Television, Star Trek, and the profound experience Bill had when he traveled to outer space.

Marc's girlfriend Kit is a big fan of genre movies. Marc is not. Kit tries to expand Marc's viewing habits into the realms of horror, sci-fi, fantasy and more. On this episode they talk about the 1984 Neil Jordan gothic fairy tale, The Company of Wolves.

Vir Das doesn’t worry about fitting in. He was born in India, grew up in Nigeria, went to school in America, lived and worked in Europe, and now lives back in his country of origin. Vir talks with Marc about wanting his comedy and acting to appeal to a global community, a goal that was met with some resistance in 2021 when he performed a monologue called “Two Indias” in Washington, DC. They talk about the fallout from that performance, the right wing push in India, and Vir’s experience in Bollywood films.

First, a behind-the-scenes update about an upcoming WTF guest, Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner. Then (starting at 19:40), in response to a listener question about wrestling commentary teams, Brendan and Kris talk with the man they consider the best in the business today, Excalibur of AEW, to figure out the secrets behind great wrestling commentary. Also, the guys preview this weekend's AEW pay-per-view, Double or Nothing. Send us your questions, comments and suggestions by clicking here.

Amy Sherman-Palladino says working on a TV show takes over your whole life. This is why Amy went from being a hired gun on sitcoms that made her miserable to her own creatively fulfilling shows like Gilmore Girls, Bunheads and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Amy and Marc talk about her father’s comedy background, her early job at The Comedy Store, the lessons she learned from Roseanne, and the adjustments made when she found out this would be the final season of Mrs. Maisel.

Amy Sherman-Palladino says working on a TV show takes over your whole life. This is why Amy went from being a hired gun on sitcoms that made her miserable to her own creatively fulfilling shows like Gilmore Girls, Bunheads and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Amy and Marc talk about her father’s comedy background, her early job at The Comedy Store, the lessons she learned from Roseanne, and the adjustments made when she found out this would be the final season of Mrs. Maisel.

Back in the early episodes of WTF, there was typically a third act to the show. Sometimes it was a monologue, sometimes phone calls with family members, sometimes friends stopping by. But a few times, Marc did long-form improv with another comedian to create a segment that left people wondering, "WTF?" Marc listens back to some of his favorites:Dave Waterman as Daryl Loomis, an alleged drug counselor with possible ulterior motives, from Episode 36Matt Walsh as Michael Garvey, creator of a homebound assistance program with possible ulterior motives, from Episode 43Dave Waterman as "Troy," the 12th member of The State who has some shocking claims and possible ulterior motives, from Episode 71Nick Kroll as El Chupacabra, a Spanish-language radio DJ with no motives whatsoever, from Episode 26

Smokey Robinson just released his 26th studio album, but he’s been writing songs since the age of six. Smokey talks with Marc about his lifelong friendships with Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross and Berry Gordy, the formation of The Miracles, the rise of Motown Records, the process of writing songs for other artists, creating The Tears of a Clown with Stevie Wonder, the brilliance of Marvin Gaye, and the five year period Smokey felt his life was out of control.