Life Lessons from Maron: "Marc's Dad"

Left to right: Judd Hirsch and Marc Maron

Welcome to a new recap series on the IFC series Maron in which comedian/podcaster Marc Maron lives life and tries to learn how to be a better person. To pay homage to the series, these recaps will be released on Tuesdays and chronicle the various life lessons that are presented in the 30 minute format on a weekly basis as well as a meter that determines just how angry our protagonist seems to be. Join us as we tackle the psyche of the popular angry man and pray that he doesn't lose it entirely.

Plot: Among interviews with Andy Kindler and Jeff Garlin, Marc tries to deal with manager Teddy (Brian Palermo) and his father Larry (Judd Hirsch), who are both royal pains.

Brian Palermo

A Line That Sums Up the Episode: "Why are you wasting your time with this podcast stuff?" -Teddy

Left to right: Pete Holmes and Maron

Guests Review: This episode features the most guests appearances of the show to date. From Pete Holmes stealing his thunder by signing with his manager to Judd Hirsch playing the father, this universe is starting to blend realism and the Maron culture nicely. While Holmes' cameo was essentially just an inside joke for podcast fans who know the Holmes/Maron relationship, the real stars of the episode were Andy Kindler and Jeff Garlin. Somehow Kindler comes out of this as the voice of reason with the chunkiest role, having to deal with Marc's father in a rather unsettling way. Still, it is bizarre to think that Maron is so frustrated when his father is Judd Hirsch and his mother is Sally Kellerman. How can that lead to problems?

Left to right: Maron and Andy Kindler

Anger Meter: 9 (out of 10): This episode practically opens with Maron yelling at the camera. He complains about his life to a mailman (Harrison White) and then goes on to have problems with his father. While they become justified as the episode progresses, he seems to be almost at a satirical level of anger here and it almost strips away the comedy. As stated earlier, the real anchor to this episode is Andy Kindler, who plays the voice of reason by just suggesting that they go to the gym. While it is interesting to see Maron's father as a kook, it almost is establishing this universe as almost too cynical, as it gets harder and harder to like Maron the higher the Anger Meter goes.

Left to right: Maron and Jeff Garlin

We good?: For the most part, this episode has one impressive notion. It suggests that despite the rebellious nature, Maron is very similar to his father. That nice touch creates a solid conclusion to the episode, which otherwise feels like a satirical level of anger bordering on unlikable. It isn't that Marc Maron is a bad actor, it is just that with these concepts already done to death on his podcast, the only joy that comes from the episode is the guest stars trying to convince him to be a good person. Usually not in clever or original ways. Andy Kindler is the real star of the episode, despite the fact that the great Judd Hirsch is in here. It is funny though that he doesn't get a Breaking Bad reference for some reason.

Rating: 3 out of 5