Listmania: My Top 50 Favorite Episodes of WTF with Marc Maron

While I condone the idea of podcasts as the future of media, there is a lot that is disposable about it. Topics or comedy sketches become irrelevant and dated. It becomes reliant on the host to bring back the audience every week or month. In its glorious infant stages, the monetization has helped to make the medium more credible. The Nerdist joined allegiances with Legendary Pictures. SModcast has given Kevin Smith more access to his audience (though questionably at the expense of quality films). Among them all stands Marc Maron: a comedian with anger issues who has been around since the 80's (but you probably didn't notice). Over the past few years, he has become one of the biggest podcasters out there. If there is one success story for the podcast medium, it is the rise of Maron, who not only has a successful podcast, but his own TV show and books. Not bad for a curmudgeon doing his 500th episode today from his garage.

I first discovered WTF with Marc Maron in January of 2011 on the episode in which he interviewed Scott Carter. Having heard great things from the AV Club, it was my gateway into a strange, new medium. To me, I had limited exposure prior to this with the countless SModcast shows which I listened to mostly as a Kevin Smith fan. It was slight, but it was the start of my advocating of podcasting as something viable. Even if the interview has long escaped my memory, Maron has come back twice a week to entertain me. I even began searching the back catalog before it became "premium" content that you had to buy.

Maybe it was just luck, but Maron was what I needed at the moment. Going through my own personal problems, I listened to the shows with relativity. The opening monologues dealt with issues that I could correlate with my own. Over the course of the next three years, I grew to have a personal relationship with those episodes. I didn't care for every interview, but I loved how he was raw and honest without needing to be edgy.

Today marks the 500th episode and it couldn't sum up my feelings on the show more perfectly. In the episode, he talks to his family and friend Steven Brill about how they feel he has grown over the decades. There's even a heartfelt moment with his father. The episode doesn't have much going on otherwise, but if you are committed to the show, you'll find a lot of clarity and insight mixed in. He is a troubled man who has been through success, divorce, family and drug problems. He is a comedian who knows how to cut out the nonsense and get to the heart of interviews. They are also not dated by specific conversations of the now, but of more human conditions, which gives the show an edge over competitors such as The Nerdist.

The following is 50 episodes that I personally enjoy and feel would be necessary listening for those wanting to better understand the show. Yes, some of these are hard to get, but they all reflect Maron's interviewing skills rather effectively. I want to preface by saying that this is a subjective list that is missing many fan's favorites. Others were excused simply because I forgot about them. If those are any problems, please let me know what you think. Otherwise, here are the episodes from the first 500 that mean the most to me.

1. Bryan Cranston (Ep. 216)
   One of the benefits of WTF with Marc Maron is the ability to reconsider long held thoughts on celebrities you consider hacks or uninteresting. No interview has made me change my mind quite as effectively as this interview in which Cranston details his work habits and makes me believe that he is one of the greatest character actors out there. If for no other reason, this episode made me respect him and finally got me to watch (and fall in love with) Breaking Bad.
2. Mel Brooks (Ep. 358)
   One of the perks of the show is that Maron has garnered the ability to interview legendary icons with his rising profile. None have been more engaging than Brooks, who is a great speaker anyways. Here, he details his history in comedy as well as serving in the war in ways that Maron claims is too Jewish, but makes the extended run time so worth it. Also, there is a sense of Brooks being impressed with Maron's interviewing skills. This pays off nicely when the episode ends with Brooks giving Maron access to interviewing the reluctant Carl Reiner.
3. Bob Zmuda (Ep. 274)
   This is probably the most controversial choice in the Top 5 not because of content, but because it is all relevant on if you like Andy Kaufman stories. As someone who adores the performance artist, this episode is one of the most engaging and fascinating peeks behind the curtain (he even references a book that I own called "Lost in the Funhouse"). Even if Kaufman remains an enigmatic figure, the stories are nonetheless fascinating and the myth of his existence remains one of the greatest pranks in history. I love this episode and recommend it to anyone who wants some fresh exploits.
4. Sam Simon (Ep. 389)
   He helped to create The Simpsons, but hasn't worked on the show in decades. Despite the accomplishments, that is all secondary to what this episode is really about. It is about more mature themes exploring his battle with cancer and the revelations that he is approaching death. If anything, it is a humbling conversation about being sick and understanding what is important in life in ways that few podcasts have even paralleled.
5. Tom Scharpling (Ep. 149)
   This episode ranks this high largely for one singular reason. It introduced me to Scharpling and The Best Show on WFMU. Along with my love for the Marc and Tom Show, this interview, this is a bare bones pitch for those wanting to know why the WFMU DJ was a genius at his job. Also, the two have such great banter that it makes sense why they made their own show together, given that its only released three episodes in a few years.
6. Todd Glass (Ep. 245)
   One of the milestone episodes for the show came when longtime friend and host of The Todd Glass Show turned to Maron in order to come public with his sexuality. What follows not only is a great platform for helping a wider audience understand the brilliance of Glass, but also to dissect what discrimination in society actually looks like. It was a very free form show that showed a man relieved to be his true self. Having popped up to promote his new book on episode 499 (featuring RuPaul), there is a strong sense of how he has evolved (and improved) since then. If nothing else, it is a triumphant exploration of self.
7. Cheech and Chong (Ep. 401)
   It was only a few years ago that Cheech and Chong decided to get back together and do comedy. Much in the vein of the Mel Brooks interview, they dissected their history as performers in Canada and becoming stoner icons. Even if The Fogelnest Files did a debatable better episode on the subject, this is a wonderful conversation for fans who better want to understand these legends.
8. Kliph Nesteroff (Ep. 314)
   A lot of you may be asking yourselves: who? That is what I thought when I first popped on the episode. However, one of the advantages of this episode is discovering a writer who had an affinity for classic TV and had an array of stories involving mob members. It was engrossing and powerful from a story standpoint that I feel reflects one of Maron's best abilities: being able to turn an otherwise little known person into one of the most important sounding characters out there.
9. Yakov Smirnoff (Ep. 451)
   To many, Smirnoff is a jokey comedian who doesn't deserve much attention. However, his story is really fascinating simply because of his unique perspective. Having grown up in Russia, he is able to tell the tale of immigration and censorship in such a compelling manner. He is also an advocate for comedy being a unifying factor that by the end of the interview makes you reconsider his significance in American comedy history.
10. Judd Apatow part 1 and 2 (Ep. 103-104)
    Even in the early years of WTF, Maron was able to wrangle some high caliber guests including Apatow. As the don of comedy, he is able to share his process and success stories without seeming insincere. His rolodex of friends is enviable and it is evident in this two part interview which features the traditional conversation as well as many tapes in which Apatow interviewed other celebrities while a teenager. It is a fascinating listen not only on Apatow, but where WTF was going as it barely crossed over the triple digit mark.
11. Key and Peele (Ep. 315)
    As the two funniest people currently working for Comedy Central, they sit down with Maron for an interview that dives into racial politics as well as the city of Detroit. It is lively, engaging and is some of the most successful evidence of the show's desire to explore deeper themes in comedy culture.
12. Pamela Adlon (Ep. 390)
    Maron has had a lot of parental figures on the show that have gone into great detail about their children. However, none have been as frank and crass as Adlon. While also setting aside time to talk about her career and Maron's then girlfriend, it is one of the funniest discussions of children that the show has to offer. Exploring how cell phones can lead to her children discovering porn at a younger age, she has legitimate concerns, and she comes across all the more endearing because of it.
13. Johnny Knoxville (Ep. 436)
    As the head of Jackass, nobody expects much from Knoxville in an interview. Fresh off of Bad Grandpa, he stopped by with an impressive array of stories. Having grown up in "the south," he understands the culture and enjoys discussing the difference in interests. They may be less sophisticated, but he brings them to life in an interview that sounds like a William Faulkner novel gone wrong. He is an endlessly fascinating man thanks to his selfless desire to do whatever he wants while still being one of the most charming, self destructive men alive.
14. Lena Dunham (Ep. 479)
    The episode got a lot of controversy over Dunham's comments about Woody Allen. However, it is also a reflection of a young artist trying to escape a confusing nepotism tag. Dunham has always come across as intellectual and this interview is no different. In terms of stars under 30 whom Maron has interviewed, it is likely that none have been as engaging or fun as Dunham.
15. Episode 300 (Ep. 300)
    One of the few "theme" episodes to pop up. At the mark of 300, Maron decided to take a frank and honest look at where the podcast medium was. Interviewing people ranging from Maximum Fun employees to writers at The AV Club, this is a crucial episode specifically because it raises a lot of great questions and establishes why podcasting is a medium worth investing in. Even 200 episodes later, it doesn't sound all that dated.
16. Laura Dern (Ep. 430)
    Being the daughter of Bruce Dern and working with David Lynch has given her a lot of great stories. In what comes off as a very sincere and optimistic interview, she explores a lot of the creativity that goes into being the daughter of a radical figure. She also talks about breaking into Hollywood and the impact that Enlightened made in its brief two season run.
17. Duncan Trussell (Ep. 480)
    This could serve almost as a companion to the Sam Simon episode. Having been diagnosed with testicular cancer, Trussell goes into detail of his surgery as well as therapy that followed in crass detail. As the rest of the interview suggests, he has psychedelic sensibilities and it influences the conversation greatly. Cancer stories have rarely been this weird or engaging and thus it is worth checking out, even if you don't care for the equally enjoyable conversations of Trussell's comedy and spiritual influences.
18. Phil Hendrie (Ep. 393)
    One of the things that is missing from this list is an equal representation of former radio DJ's. In this case, Hendrie is a legend who has managed to make a career out of confusing the listener. His many characters are slight and the satire is explored in great detail. It hearkens back to a time when the rules and regulations were different. Most of all, it is one of the few times when Maron can openly gush about his time on Air America without it sounding tangential.
19. Morgan Murphy (Ep. 467)
    Along with having the great "Irish Goodbye" released this year, Murphy has had a history with Maron. While it has happened, we rarely get a glimpse into his personal life from people who have been there. Murphy is also someone who suffered from depression and explores the subject of writing for Jimmy Kimmel Live with honesty in ways that seem enviable. By the end, it sounds like a couple coming to terms with their separation while both realizing their faults. It is beautiful and sweet.
20. Simon Pegg (Ep. 415)
    It is a must listen for those who love The Cornetto Trilogy and Spaced. In the interview, Pegg goes into detail of how British TV works as well as the nerdy influences that shaped his worldview. Also, there is a brilliant little bit about why Pegg feels that British culture is so popular with American audiences.
21. Mike White (Ep. 364)
    It was unfortunate that Enlightened was cancelled around the time of this episode. However, along with Laura Dern's heartfelt episode, this episode dives into the creative process with ease. White explores his career while also understanding his inability to make a viable show for Fox. There's a lot of personal and spiritual talk mixed in that makes this a great conversation regarding the conflicts of being a creative person without being nearly as cynical as Maron can be.
22. Jonathan Ames (Ep. 114)
    As creator of the underrated Bored to Death, Ames is a self-deprecating genius. In this interview that explores his strange, flawed career, it is a great introduction for those wanting to understand one of the strangest writers out there. He is possibly even more raw and honest than Maron, which is a high compliment.
23. Shepard Fairey (Ep. 497)
    As a fan of Exit Through the Gift Shop and the potential of modern art, this interview is particularly interesting. It not only explores these themes, but Fairey's contemplation of mixing art with commerce. He is a smart businessman and knows how to make the most out of it, especially with provisions for his family. It is a discussion of all things art and being passionate about making a difference in society.
24. Jack White (Ep. 289)
    Around the release of his solo debut "Blunderbuss," White sat down with Maron at the Seventh Man Studios and had this interview. With White being a loopy guy with a strong admiration for blues, the results of the interview do produce some interesting results. As a blues fan, Maron is at home in this interview and we get a deeper sense of who White is beyond the musical enigma that his career tends to revolve around.
25. Conan O'Brien (Ep. 163)
    For many, the battle over The Tonight Show remains a divisive period that probably put too much vitriol into the NBC mainstay. In the interview, O'Brien doesn't come across that much as bitter, but explores the subject in great detail while also exploring his storied career that included becoming a late night host with no on screen experience. It is a fascinating interview for those wanting to know about one of the most talented voices in late night comedy.

The rest is listed. If you are interested in understanding my logic in choices, feel free to ask in the comments.

26. Jason Reitman (Ep. 488)
27. W. Kamau Bell (Ep. 325)
28. Diablo Cody (Ep. 256)
29. Danny McBride (Ep. 280)
30. Judy Greer (Ep. 492)

31. Jonathan Winters (Ep. 173)

32.Dave Foley (Ep. 146)
33. Edgar Wright (Ep. 445)
34. Ivan Reitman (Ep. 489)
35. Donald Glover (Ep. 235)
36. Will Forte (Ep. 460)
37. Whitney Cummings (Ep. 106)
38. Mark Duplass  (Ep. 291)
39. Robin Williams (Ep. 67)
40. Will Ferrell (Ep. 450)
41. David Cross (Ep. 269)
42. Noah Baumbach (Ep. 388)
43. Carrot Top (Ep. 221)
44. Russell Brand (Ep. 242)
45. CM Punk (Ep. 444)
46. Tom Kenny (Ep. 324)
47. Dave Grohl (Ep. 353)
48. Tom Green (Ep. 360)
49. Bo Burnham (Ep. 283)
50. Aubrey Plaza (Ep. 199)

This list wouldn't be complete without a reference to the most controversial episode out there. In episode 145, Maron interviews Gallagher. Many consider him a hack comic and through the course of an abbreviated episode, Maron tries to understand him better. Through the mix of smutty jokes and inability to connect, it becomes a chaotic example of a comedian out of his prime. It is one of the few episodes that every fan must hear in order to have their opinions and reference it at ridiculous points. It isn't necessarily a great interview, but along with a few listed here, it has managed to give the show a distinct place in podcast history.