Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

I go through phases of watching The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, typically until people on social media start quoting the shows like it’s actual news.  No fault of the shows itself, but their lackwit fans are annoying as fuck.  Daily Show alum John Oliver takes the best of both shows and adds his own brand of humor to exploring the news of the week.  It’s like the BingeCast’s TV Round Up segment, without drinking and burping.  Be it political, social or pop culture, Oliver’s biting sarcasm, and the show’s staff of writers, delivers an everyman’s take on the big issues the country is facing.  Usually in “What the fuck, are you fucking kidding me” fashion.  His rant on Net Neutrality is still one of the best things of the year.

Patton Oswalt

Stand up comedy albums are perfect for road trips.  As much as I love music, you can get road hypnotized if you’re in the car more than four or five hours.  Driving back from central Illinois, I threw on Patton Oswalt’s newest album, “Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time”.  It not only turned the 2.5 hour car ride back to Chicago more enjoyable but it made me really appreciate his evolution as a comedian.  Admittedly, I’m late to the party with Patton.  As he mentions in Tragedy during the phenomenal story “Sellout”, I chalked him up to just the “King of Queens” guy, a show despise.  But I really started to take notice when he popped up in some of my favorite radio shows and podcasts, then went back to listen to his catalog.  He’s quick, intelligent, and self-deprecating, which is a combination that always works for me.  His book Zombie Spaceship Wasteland, released a few years ago, is a fantastic read that is chock full of his personality.  Definitely recommend giving his new album a listen.  He also had a guest spot on Parks & Rec in which he ad libbed nearly all of his Star Wars filibuster rant.

Comedy Underground with Dave Attell

I love comedy.  The filthier, the better.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love the clean comedy of Jim Gaffigan and Brian Regan and that other guy.  But to me, a good, raunchy, cringy joke is as brilliant as gets.   Dave Attell is one of my favorite stand ups of all time.  Talk about a guy who takes his craft seriously.  He’s a comedian’s comedian who is often referred to as a favorite in stand up circles.  His newish show on Comedy Central is completely uncensored and was taped live (with Go Pros) in New York.  Each half hour episode, three comedians do a 4-5 minute set of some of the filthiest shit you’ll hear on a cable network, and it’s fantastic.  Some of my favorites include Big Jay Oakerson, Joe DeRosa, Pete Davidson, Robert Kelly, Amy Schumer, and Nikki Glaser (yes, even some of the women are dirtier than the men).  No Youtube clips but you can find full episodes on Comedy Central’s website.

Stay tuned tomorrow for Jack Attack Tuesday and the rest of the boys’ blog this week, as well as The Strain commentary.