Be a fly on the wall (albeit one with a very bad online connection) as Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor discuss how the writing of The Complete World of Sports (abridged) is going. Featuring insights on our writing rituals, what our preliminary lists consist of, excerpts from The Complete Millennium Musical (abridged) and The Reduced Shakespeare Radio Show, and how having more projects, more deadlines, and more pressure actually helps. (Length 21:14)
Weird Al Yankovic squanders his celebrity this week by reflecting on his art, craft, influences, aspirations, and beauty tips. Featuring awesome practical advice (where to record for that cool ambience, how to avoid drive-by shootings), inspirational life lessons (sometimes accordion lessons can lead to greatness), and a special appearance by Ron Bottitta from Lost, it's a veritable nerdapalooza! (Length 23:17)
In this week's EXCLUSIVE announcement, Reed Martin & Austin Tichenor reveal the title of the next RSC Stage Show. Featuring what criteria were considered in making the decision, when it's likely to appear at a theater near you, the bits that will absolutely without-a-doubt 100% guaranteed be in the final production, and a special appearance by David Koechner, star of the sports spoof movie, "The Comebacks". (Length 22:26)
Sometimes we beat the news cycle, sometimes the news cycle beats us. This week we reduce the career of Prime Minister Gordon Brown (as heard on BBC Radio 5's Gabby Logan Show), hear about Muslim contributions to world culture, and hear excerpts from our TBS pilot The Week Reduced. Plus, an extra special appearance by "Weird Al" Yankovic! (Length 17:44)
As Van Halen put it so eloquently, we're hot for teachers. This week we remember the ones who influenced us the most. Featuring excerpts from the Alan Harvey Memorial Concert, a special appearance by Paul And Storm, and how to accurately measure a teacher's greatness. (Length 20:54)
Memorial Day Weekend in the U.S. prompts memories and tributes to fallen warriors of a (sometimes) non-military kind. Featuring suggestions for our new stage show, excerpts from The Complete Millennium Musical (abridged), and a catty exchange between two RSC fans. Rowr! (Length 18:01)
Jews In Space, plus other Star Trek influences and the economics of touring are laid out in numbing detail in this week's podcast. Featuring an excerpt from our essay on the MP Expense scandal which aired on The Today Programme on BBC Radio 4, fan suggestions for our new stage show, and a special appearance by Peter Bergman of the legendary Firesign Theatre. (Length 23:26)
Dee Ryan (the Reduced Shakespeare Company's answer to Sarah Vowell) deescribes her adventures being a soccer referee, and literally brings new meaning to the term "soccer mom". Featuring an appearance by Scrubs star Donald Faison, whose new movie Next Day Air opens this week, and a very special Mother's Day tribute and performance by the comedy music duo Paul and Storm. (Length 19:01)
We interact with fans and audience members during post-show talkbacks in both Springfield, Illinois and San Diego, California. Featuring info about whether we dumb down our material (as if that were possible), whether we've ever adopted an audience member, two great RSC Voice Mails and a major milestone in our ongoing quest to autograph body parts. (Length 20:58)
A fan question prompts this analysis of RSC stage fright, and what we do when we get it. Featuring true confessions from five RSC actors and one stage manager, the difference between performance anxiety and audition anxiety, a special appearance by Robin Pressman of KRCB-Sonoma County (CA) Public Radio, and proof why years of professional experience is not necessarily a good thing. (Length 18:09)
"This is one of those podcasts where you want to hit the 'Get All' button and spend some time going through the archives, because every episode is worth listening to."Saturday Morning Podcast
Some of the guests who have joined in the fun on the
Reduced Shakespeare Company Podcast:
COMEDIANS/ACTORS
Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap, Enterprise)
Phil Proctor (Firesign Theatre)
Steven Weber (Wings)
Rich Fulcher (The Mighty Boosh)
Debi Derryberry (Jimmy Neutron)
David Koechner (Anchorman)
Neil Flynn (Scrubs)
Rachel Dratch (SNL)
Matt Walsh (Upright Citizens)
Ken Campbell (Baby Bob)
Rachel Hamilton (30 Rock)
Mike Bunin (My Boys)
Adrian Scarborough (Vera Drake)
Adam Felber (Wait Wait...
Don’t Tell Me!)
Improvised Shakespeare Company
WRITERS/AUTHORS
Jasper Fforde (The Eyre Affair)
Russ Lees (Nixon’s Nixon)
Brett Paesal (Mommies Who Drink)
Jennifer Lee Carrell (Shakespeare Secret)
Adam Long (Dickens Unplugged)
Phil Abrams (Autistic Parents Workbook)
David Goodman (Family Guy)
Andrew Price (Voyager, Jeopardy!)
Bridget Fonger (Lazy Woman’s Guide)
Jess Winfield (My Name Is Will)
Gary Rudoren (Comedy By The Numbers)
Mark Nutter (The Bicycle Men)
Ron West (Trial of Friar Tuck)
Dee Ryan (DeeConstruction)
Will Durst (All-American Sport of Bipartisan Bashing)
BROAD/PODCASTERS
Robert Siegel – NPR
Lauren Laverne – UK Media Superstar Hawke & Dove Political Punditry Podcast
Bob Mondello – NPR
Janice Long – BBC Radio 2
Susan Stamberg – NPR
Michael Rice – CoolAsHell Theatre Podcast
Paul Harris – CBS Radio/Podcaster
Dave Morey – KFOG, SF
Scott Simon – NPR Inexplicable Dumb Show Podcast
Nina Totenberg – NPR
Sedge Thomson – West Coast Live The Word Nerds Podcast
PRESENTERS/DIRECTORS
Leila Gordon – Presenter – Reston, VA
Charles Robin – Presenter – St Louis, MO
Debra Zane – Casting Director – Indiana Jones, Dreamgirls)
Timothy Near – Former Artistic Director, San Jose Rep, CA
Michael Butler – Artistic Director -- CenterRep, CA
Charna Halpern – Founder, ImprovOlympic (IO), Chicago
Tom Gabbard – Presenter – Charlotte, NC
Carey Perloff – Artistic Director – American Conservatory Theater, SF
Kathy Panoff – Presenter – Richmond, VA
Margaret Lawrence – Presenter – Dartmouth College
