Joel Radio #152: A Heart Breaking Hard Luck Story
May 28th
So much has been said over the years on this show about how modern TV fails to create new comedy stars, but there’s no better example of this than this past week’s America’s Got Talent. AGT trotted out a vocally challenged comedian with a hard luck story who won over the hearts of the judges and gave him a valuable pass to the later rounds. The syrupy performance can be heard here on the show (or seen here) and while the guy clearly gets some laughs, Joel feels it’s worth a $50 emcee gig more than a million dollar prize. These guys know what they’re talking about too, as addition to Corey Hall, this week Joel is joined by veteran comedian Mark Sweetman who remembers the old days before comedy clubs, which leads a discussion as to how Detroit has changed over the years, where it’s going, and Joel’s prediction about the future scandal that will inevitably set back the city even more. Also, Louis C.K. bombs and might be pervert, a final goodbye to David Letterman, and Tom Waits is really good – but not great. Plus, Jimmie Walker holds court, the guys dig Lena Dunham in her underwear, and Mad Max is pretty darn great, too.
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No offense to the guy – but this was the most annoying thing ever
Joel Radio #151: Whistling Through The Graveyard
May 14th
joel Radio has the biggest stories covered: The Letterman retirement, The Avengers in theaters and Joel stranded in Pittsburgh. Actually this show is all over the place, talking a million things like why you should see The Illusionists, why you should see or not see Avengers, why Other Space has become Joel’s favorite show and tons more. Joel’s travel tales are particularly sad, describing his penchant for out-of-town fast food and a trip to the “Magic Capital of the World” – which meant a trip to the graveyard. Also, Corey can’t get enough of Daredevil on Netflix, the Kurt Cobain documentary is a bummer, and The Iron Shiek documentary is exactly what Joel expected it to be. Hear Joel’s inside story of being Iron Sheik’s hype man for a night and why it won’t go down in the annals of great comedy shows – or even mediocre ones.
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Joel at Blackstone’s grave in Colon, Michigan is one of the great travel photos of all-time
Joel Radio #150: The New Comedy Boom or Bust
Apr 21st
Is comedy having a new boom? According to a recent article, comedy’s future will be performed in the back of a comic book store, to other comedians, and without punch lines – hooray! Actually, Joel is pretty troubled by the recent alt-comedy scene, feeling that so much of it’s charming qualities will fail to transfer to a bigger stage and that audiences will ultimately expect a standard of professionalism once the “boom” translates into people paying top-dollar for their entertainment. Corey seems more optimistic about this new future as podcasts (!) are seen as the new, best way of comedians promoting themselves. Either way, this show has some rock-solid advice for aspiring comedy superstars and a look into the future of comedy and why it may end up looking more like comedy’s past than most people realize. Also, the internet goes crazy for movie trailers as the guys look at the upcoming offerings from Star Wars, The Terminator, Jurassic World, and Batman vs Superman. Plus, Joel goes to Florida and has the scars to prove it, Corey is bored by Sinatra, a new voice says Jimmy Fallon sucks, and does Yahoo! have TV’s best new comedy show?
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The face of comedy’s future could be this nerd (actually not THIS nerd, but one like him)
Joel Radio #149: Fat Guys Can Dance Too
Apr 1st
Joel Radio has long been the show of record for changes in the late night talk show landscape. This past week’s debut of The Late Late Show with James Corden was unique, as Joel and Corey don’t agree at all about the show with one host despising its very existence and the other finding it competent with the potential to be really good. Let’s not spoil who liked it and who didn’t, but the argument on the show is fierce, heated and funny as always. Also, Comedy Central has found Jon Stewart’s replacement and his history of bad and possibly offensive tweets may doom his future as host of The Daily Show. Plus, Jeremy Clarkson gets sacked, HBO’s Scientology documentary is terrific, the Flight of the Conchords guys make a vampire comedy, and season four of Girls sees an unlikely return to form.
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It’s likely Corey instantaneously hated this photo
Joel Radio #148: Same Old Song
Mar 17th
Joel Radio takes on the whole “Blurred Lines”/”Got To Give It Up” controversy this week, and feels, for the most part, that everybody steals a little from everyone and everyone is eventually stolen from. The guys listen to examples like Tom Petty and Sam Smith, The Beatles and Oasis, The Who and One Direction and John Fogerty and himself. While some of these are outrageous thefts, others like Pavement, Nirvana and The Strokes managed to make some terrific music by ripping off their influences, so it’s hard to get too upset. Except for guest John E.L. Tenney, whose pre-parnormal investigating fame 90s grunge band’s song was “borrowed” by a then-unknown Kid Rock, and it still infuriates him to this day. Hear John’s original and Kid’s ripoff and decide for yourself. Also, Corey Hall attends Gilda’s Laughfest in Grand Rapids, reporting on the big shows with Brian Posehn, Bo Burnham, and Pete Holmes. Corey also performed himself, but failed to use the dingy road motel’s amenities to their full potential. Plus, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt hits Netflix and every non-male with a Facebook status seems to love it. Joel watched a few episodes and finds the show harmlessly appealing, but with confusing sexual politics and jokes that fail more often than not. Perhaps the show reminded him too much of his last few dates. Listen and decide for yourself.
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Photoshopping Kid Rock into John Tenney’s 90s band cover art is mean, but exactly how Bob would want it
Joel Radio #147: Just Play Along
Feb 24th
It’s a breakdown of the 2015 Oscars as Joel and Corey tell you why Neil Patrick Harris “bombed” as host when he actually did just fine, how celebrity assholes in the crowd ruined the performance for Neil and why nobody can seem to do the job well. The guys also reveal why Birdman was an undeserving winner for best picture, the reasons the academy loved it so, and Oscar’s long history of picking the wrong film as the best year after year. They also look into the controversies from the show like the death montage snubs, Wes Anderson’s girlfriend and the idiotic article that followed, and the extremely weird look and behavior of John Travolta – though still not as weird as Michael Cimino. Plus, SNL turns 40 and the reunion was as expected – the funny guys were funny and the guys who weren’t, weren’t. Joel says that’s enough of Fallon and Timberlake, Corey can’t get enough of Bill Murray, and Eddie Murphy has pretty much won the asshole of the year already.
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By the look on his face, even Eddie Murphy knows NPH is in trouble here.
Joel Radio #146: Full of It
Feb 13th
Joel and Corey were driven nuts by the deluge of media stories this week. Jon Stewart quit, Brian Williams got suspended, and Kanye West went crazy. There is also the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, and the controversial list of the best cast members in history. Joel tries to guess the top ten, and probably does a better job than Rolling Stone. Hear who’s ranked too high and who gets the shaft (Norm Macdonald is great! – Joel). Also, find out possible replacements for Stewart at The Daily Show, Joel’s simple summation of what’s wrong with Brian Williams, and lots of hate for Kanye – but none better than this guy. Plus, the guys say mean things about Sam Smith, Corey gets chicken & waffles (eventually), and Joel goes to a Brazilain steakhouse and won’t be eating again for a while. Listen, laugh and then help Corey get a shockmount.
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We’re sorry, but there aren’t 134 people who have ever lived that are or were funnier than Norm Macdonald
Joel Radio #145: Movie Mania 2015
Jan 29th
It’s time for the annual review of the best and worst movies of last year. Joel saw all the Oscar-nominated films (except the ones that nobody can see), and did his very best to put together his list. Corey also saw a ton of movies, but his more cavalier approach led to a major oversight in his best-of list, even though the guys surprisingly agreed on what was the year’s very best film. Hear what the best dramas, comedies, animated films and documentaries were, find out the one movie all year that made Joel cry, and why so many movies on the lists were not even released traditionally in theaters. There’s also the worst movies, which include a few Oscar-nom acting performances, the much talked about The Interview, and the perennial appearance of an Adam Sandler movie. If you are looking for some good movies to watch, then this is the show for you. Brought to you by two guys who felt Interstellar was too long, and yet talked for three hours about The Babadook. Enjoy!
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As this collage demonstrates, 2014 was a weird year at the cinema
Joel Radio #144: The State of TV 2015
Jan 16th
It’s the Joel Radio annual look at all things television with Joel Fragomeni and Corey Hall. Rather than a “Best” and “Worst” list the guys decide to do an all-encompassing look at what everyone’s watching right now and in the past year. This includes the new season of Girls on HBO, the new Duplass brothers series Togetherness, Mad Men, Fargo on FX, a reboot of Mythbusters, and so much more. Joel deep-dives into the Golden Globe winning The Affair and the Amazon-only Transparent. One of these is a real bore and one might be the best thing ever – listen and find out which one! Also, Corey presents his list of “Hits and Shits” including some of the worst that daytime TV has to offer. Plus, a farewell to Parks and Recreation, a battle of the best sketch shows with Inside Amy Schumer, Kroll Show and Friends of the People, and why Black Mirror is a must-watch even though it’s old. If you’re looking for shows to watch, stream or download this is the show for you; and if you’re Gaby Hoffmann, we’re sorry. They just can’t help themselves.
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This image will make perfect sense after you’ve listened to the show. It really will
Donate and Support This Podcast!
Jan 9th
If you’re a fan of Joel Radio, you can help support the show by donating in any amount using the PayPal button below:
Your donations will help pay for hosting costs, equipment upgrades and allow Joel and Corey to purchase separate pizzas with the toppings of their choice.
Thanks.
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