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PODCAST

Why Are You Laughing?

Blind Mike Project

Breaking down the history of comedy and stand-up, one career, special, controversy, and storyline at a time.

comedy comedy interviews

All Episodes

01:48:03

Why Norm MacDonald was the Perfect David Letterman Guest

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/10/08

Norm MacDonald made the perfect guest for David Letterman's Late Show. We look at some of Norm's highlights and funniest moments, and discuss the history between the two comedy legends.FOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttps://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttps://www.verygoodshow.orgFOR ALL THINGS KC DAY / HACKRIDEhttps://hackridestudios.com

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01:53:17

Top 25 Stand-Ups of the 2000's

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/06/11

Ranking the Top 25 stand-up comedians of the 2000's, so far. We discuss the most influential, prolific and funniest voices in stand-up comedy through the first quarter of the 21st century. *SPOILERS*TIMESTAMPS0:00 Show intro5:30 25. Dane Cook12:39 24. Jim Jefferies17:42 23. Gary Gulman22:53 22. Jim Norton27:46 21. Rory Scoval30:30 20. Anthony Jeselnik34:40 19. Katt Williams37:05 18. Shane Gillis41:51 17. Daniel Tosh46:00 16. Maria Bamford50:47 15. Nate Bargatze54:24 14. Mitch Hedberg57:54 13

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01:00:43

What Happened to Amy Schumer? The Epic Downfall

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/05/21

Amy Schumer went from comedy’s biggest star to facing widespread backlash. We cover her meteoric rise with “Inside Amy Schumer,” her Netflix “Leather Special,” accusations of joke theft from comics like Ellen DeGeneres and Patrice O’Neal, and how her political turn alienated fans. From being one of the guys on Opie & Anthony, to a genuine movie star in "Trainwreck' to seemingly irrelevant. Why Are You Laughing? is a history of comedy podcast. FOR ALL THINGS BLIND

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00:50:16

The Life and Times of Tim | The Most Underrated Show...

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/05/14

Is "The Life & Times of Tim" HBO’s most overlooked comedy? We dive into Steve Dildarian’s animated gem, comparing its style to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Seinfeld," as well as other underrated series like "Arrested Development" and "Community." With Nick Kroll and guest stars like Bob Saget, Bob Odenkirk, and Aziz Ansari, we uncover why this series deserves a second look and where it fits in comedy history.TIMESTAMPS0:00 Intro5:07 Creating The

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01:19:03

Jim Norton | Opie & Anthony, Stand-Up Comedy, Raw...

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/05/07

Jim Norton’s comedy journey spans from opening for Andrew Dice Clay to becoming a staple on Opie and Anthony and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. We explore his stand-up evolution, his infamous characters like Chip Chipperson and Uncle Paul, and his influence on comedy podcasts and radio. Join “Why Are You Laughing?” as we break down Norton’s raw humor, controversial style, and lasting legacy in stand-up and beyond.FOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS

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01:49:19

The Rise & Fall of Cancel Culture in Comedy

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/04/23

The history of cancel culture in comedy — from Roseanne Barr and Shane Gillis to Joe Rogan and Tony Hinchcliffe — and how it reshaped stand-up, radio, and podcasting.Welcome to the latest episode of Why Are You Laughing?, where we examine the rise and fall of cancel culture in comedy and its lasting impact on the industry. From high-profile controversies involving Daniel Tosh, Roseanne Barr, Owen Benjamin, Shane Gillis, Tony Hinchcliffe, and Joe Rogan, this episode breaks down how careers were

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00:47:37

Mitch Hedberg: Mitch All Together

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/04/16

Mitch Hedberg's Mitch All Together (2003) stand-up comedy album review.Mitch Hedberg’s Mitch All Together (2003) is one of the most iconic stand-up comedy albums ever recorded, defining his surreal one-liner style and influencing comics like Demetri Martin, Anthony Jeselnik, and Mark Normand.Welcome to another episode of Why Are You Laughing?, where we break down the history and craft of stand-up comedy. In this episode, we take a deep dive into Mitch Hedberg’s Mitch All Together and why it

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01:16:25

Ari Shaffir's This is Not Happening

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/04/09

Ari Shaffir’s This Is Not Happening on Comedy Central changed comedy storytelling.In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we break down the history of Ari Shaffir’s storytelling series, his rise in stand-up, and the controversy with Comedy Central after he sold his special to Netflix instead of giving it to them.Featuring comedians like Big Jay Oakerson, Joey Diaz, Ralphie May, Ali Siddiq, Sal Vulcano, and Brian Regan, the show became a proving ground for some of the best true stories in comedy

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01:27:05

George Carlin | Stand-Up Revolution, Cultural Impact,...

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/04/02

George Carlin became one of the most influential stand-up comedians in history by constantly reinventing himself. In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we break down the full history of George Carlin, from his early radio work, Air Force years, and clean-cut beginnings to his rise as one of the most controversial and respected voices in stand-up comedy.We examine Carlin’s early career as part of a comedy duo, his appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and how he first found

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01:18:31

Kill Tony | The Complete Podcast History

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/03/12

Kill Tony started as a small live podcast at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, but over time it evolved into one of the most influential and controversial shows in modern stand-up comedy.In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we break down the full history of Kill Tony, from Tony Hinchcliffe and Brian Redban launching the show at the legendary Comedy Store to its explosion in popularity after moving to Austin, Texas and the Joe Rogan Comedy Mothership. What began as a simple open-mic format —

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01:10:20

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/03/05

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one of the longest-running and most influential sitcoms in television history, and this episode breaks down the full history, evolution, and impact of the series in a comprehensive deep dive. This in-depth analysis explores how the show became a cult classic, why many consider it one of the greatest comedies ever made, and why it’s often described as one of the most underrated shows on television.This episode of Why Are You Laughing? examines the performances and

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01:03:28

Ray Romano | Stand-Up Roots, Sitcom Fame and an...

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/02/27

Ray Romano built one of the biggest sitcoms of the 1990s, made hundreds of millions of dollars, and still somehow feels underrated. In this episode, we break down Ray Romano’s stand-up roots, his rise to Everybody Loves Raymond, and why his legacy deserves more respect.In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we go back to Ray Romano’s early struggles in stand-up comedy, when he was grinding it out in clubs long before network fame. We talk about how David Letterman played a major role in helping

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00:48:36

Opie & Anthony and the Voyeur Bus Incident

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/02/19

The Opie and Anthony Voyeur Bus incident is one of the most infamous moments in shock radio history. While broadcasting on WNEW in New York City, Opie and Anthony staged a stunt involving a clear bus displaying nudity while driving through Manhattan. The bit quickly spiraled when police pulled the bus over, leading to arrests that included comedians Jim Norton and Lewis Black, along with members of the Opie and Anthony staff.In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we break down how the Voyeur Bus

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01:11:05

Nick Mullen Prank Calls | The Cum Town Archives

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/02/12

Nick Mullen has always been known for his sharp instincts, patience, and ability to find comedy in discomfort — and some of his best work existed long before Cum Town ever began.In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we dig into Nick Mullen Prank Calls: The Cum Town Archives, focusing on a collection of early, largely underground prank calls Nick made before Cum Town was even a concept. These aren’t loud, obvious bits — they’re slow-burn, subtle exercises in tension, timing, and endurance, often

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00:48:23

Doug Stanhope 'Something to Take The Edge Off'

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/02/05

This episode of Why Are You Laughing?, reviews Doug Stanhope’s two thousand comedy album Something to Take the Edge Off. The discussion focuses on the album’s themes, joke construction, delivery, and performance style, with attention to how it reflects Stanhope’s early development as a stand-up comedian. The episode also places the album within his broader body of work and considers its relevance in the context of stand-up comedy at the turn of the millennium.3:50 Analysis begins9:43 Smoking14:57

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01:12:44

The Rise and Fall of Comedy Central

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/01/29

Comedy Central once defined what mainstream comedy looked like.In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we break down the rise and fall of Comedy Central — how the network became the center of stand-up comedy, political satire, and boundary-pushing television, and why that dominance slowly unraveled. From Chappelle’s Show and South Park to The Daily Show, we examine the shows that made Comedy Central essential viewing and the cultural moment that allowed them to thrive.We also look at Comedy

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01:08:07

Karl Pilkington: Idiot Or Genius?

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/01/22

Karl Pilkington is known from The Ricky Gervais Show & Idiot Abroad, among other projects. We examine his philosophy and personality traits that built a cult following. FOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttp://www.verygoodshow.orgFOR ALL THINGS HACKRIDEhttp://hackridethedemon.comFOR ALL THINGS DJ ELECTRA FRYhttp://djelectrafry.com

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00:56:28

Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/01/15

A breakdown of Steve Martin's 1978 stand up comedy album, A Wild & Crazy Guy. FOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttp://www.verygoodshow.orgFOR ALL THINGS HACKRIDEhttp://hackridethedemon.comFOR ALL THINGS DJ ELECTRA FRYhttp://djelectrafry.com

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01:01:05

History of The Ron & Fez Show Part 2: The WNEW Era

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/01/08

Former Ron and Fez producer Al Dukes joins us to discuss his experience on the show as well as interactions with Opie & Anthony. FOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttp://www.verygoodshow.orgFOR ALL THINGS HACKRIDEhttp://hackridethedemon.comFOR ALL THINGS DJ ELECTRA FRYhttp://djelectrafry.com

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01:00:48

Top 9 Comedy Specials of 2025

Why Are You Laughing? ·

2026/01/01

Top 9 Comedy Specials of 2025 Ranking the best stand up comedy specials of the year 2025. 3:30 Honorable Mentions11:20 9 Tim Dillon: I’m. Your Mother15:30 8 Ali Saddiq: My Two Sons22:20 7 Rosebud Baker: The Mother Lode25:45 6 Doug Stanhope: Discount Meat *31:10 5 Jordan Jensen: Take Me With You34:45 4 Ari Shaffir: America’s Sweetheart39:40 3 Joe List: Small Ball45:05 2 Jim Norton: Unconceivable51:30 1 Joe Derosa: I Never Promised You a Rose GardenFOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL

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