Standup and sketch comedy hand-selected by the staff at The Sound of Young America. This year's edition features emerging standup Hannibal Burress, Parks & Recreation's Aziz Ansari, material from MTV's legendary sketch comedy group The State, and much, much more. Just the kind of curated comedy you can expect from The Sound of Young America 

This week, the metal-est public radio holiday special ever.  Murder and arson in Norway's black metal scene and some holiday music from metal god Rob Halford of Judas Priest. It's the most wonderful time of the year. 

Every year, dozens of public radio specials flood the marketplace. Only one has the slightly skewed, slightly sweet vision of The Sound of Young America. Interviews with Christmas legend Ronnie Spector (the sweet) and B-52s frontman Fred Schneider (the skewed). It's the only holiday special where you can hear Schneider's signature bellow delivering a heartening mid-winter message: "GIVE... ME... PRESENTS!" 

The man himself. A conversation with radio and television personality Adam Carolla. He's perhaps best known as the former co-host of the radio program Loveline and the television program The Man Show. After having replaced Howard Stern on morning radio in several markets for a short time, he's gone independent with his own daily podcast. Plus comedy from Holly Mills and Karen Kilgariff. 

Comedian Greg Fitzsimmons reads from his new memoir Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons, John Brandon's novel Citrus County, Jordan Ranks America and Alex Blagg teaches us how to jack our web strat. 

Two emerging rock bands this week. Matt Berninger from The National talks about coming into his own as a front man, and Dr. Dog explain their fondness for a trusty lo-fi 4-track recorder. 

Jesse talks with producer, writer and director Judd Apatow, one of comedy's most important voices. Plus, sketches from Simon Rich that appear in Judd's new compilation of humor writing call I Found This Funny.

Interviews with Amy Sedaris and Judah Friedlander, with a reading from John Hodgman and a special set of songs from Tim Harrington and Seth Jabour of Brooklyn band Les Savy Fav.  Recorded live at WNYC's Greene Space on October 22, 2010.

We're pushing to the edge this week. Chris Morris finds a way to humanize mass-murderers in Four Lions, his new comedy about a homegrown terror cell. Lee Unkrich, director of Toy Story 3, talks about why it was important to address death, and why that's OK for kids to see. Plus, a news update from the Kasper Hauser comedy group.

Dave Tompkins on the history of the vocoder, William Gibson on his latest novel, Jordan Morris ranks America and a classic bit from Coyle & Sharpe.

Mike Birbiglia on his one-man show Sleepwalk With Me, which is the basis for his new book. Plus, SERIOUS lessons on morality from God's Pottery and the AV Club suggest films from the recent Toronoto International Film Festival.

Three ways of getting a laugh, whether it's the confrontional style of Bill Burr, the bizaare sweetness of Kristen Schaal, or the way Greg Behrendt tears down his former idol. 

Exploring the future of soul. Singer Bilal has a new album out called Airtight's Revenge. Producer Flying Lotus' most recent LP is Cosmogramma. His new EP is called Patter+Grid World.

The weird and wonderful. John Waters has a new book out called Role Models that packs a few surprises -- chief among them the influence of Johnny Mathis. Also, novelist Jonathan Ames tells the story of watching his own show -- HBO's Bored To Death -- at a fan's house because he had no television. Plus, a news update from Kasper Hauser. 

Henry Winkler is of course best known from his starring role as the Fonz on Happy Days. He's been busy since then, appearing on oddball comedy shwos like Arrested Development and most recently Children's Hospital. Donal Logue may be known to children of the 90s as Jimmy the cab driver, who hopelessly commented on pop culture between videos on MTV. He also has starred in cult films such as Tao of Steve, and is now on the new FX series Terriers. Plus, Brain Teasers written by Simon Rich and performed by Rob Huebel. 

An interview with actor Elijah Wood that spans his debut in a Paul Abdul video to his newest movie The Romantics out this month. Plus a conversation with Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton from the FX comedy It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Finally, the AV Club provides their September culture picks. 

Our 2008 interviews with these pop culture big shots. Ben Folds has a new album coming out in collaboration with author Nick Hornby called Lonely Avenue. The Kids In The Hall's new television show Death Comes To Town has just reached American airwaves on IFC. 

 

 

An out of this world episode. Mary Roach talks about the unspeakable side of space travel. Her funny new book is called Packing For Mars. Also, an interview Jon Glaser, who's written for Conan O'Brien and Dana Carvey among others. His show Delocator is entering its second season on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Plus, Prince finds his way into the Ten Commandements courtesy of comedy writer Simon Rich. 

 

 

Hanson is known for their mega-hit MMMBop but less known for the decade long recording career they've maintained since then. Their new album is called Shout It Out. Art and performance rock act Devo is best known for a mega-hit of its own, Whip It. Their newest album was constructed using Internet focus groups and is called Something For Everybody. 

Jim Lehrer is the host and executive editor of the PBS Newshour. He’s also the author of 20 novels, the latest of which is called Super.  Walter Mosley has penned 34 novels and his latest is Known To Evil. We also listen in to a confrontation between Batman and the Riddler, a comedy sketch written by Sarah Gee. 

We're northbound for the Calgary Folk Festival. Interviews with Corb Lund, a native Albertan country singer and indie songstress Annie Clark, who performs as St Vincent. Plus, the song that changed Roberta Flack's life.

This show was taped in Park City, Utah during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Kevin Kline has been in countless films and holds the distinction of having won an Oscar for a comedic role in A Fish Called Wanda. He spoke with Jesse after the premier of his new film The Extra Man. Taika Waititi's first feature film is Eagle Vs. Shark. Jesse spoke with him after the premier of his new film Boy. The star of Boy, James Rolleston, joined them.

This week on The Sound of Young America an interview with Daily Show correspondant Samantha Bee about her new memoir-ish book "I Know I Am But What Are You?" Plus pop culture picks from the AV Club and comedy from Nick Adams. 

Jazz singer Jose James has two new albums out -- the soul & hip-hop influenced Blackmagic plus a collection of standards titled For All We Know. Colson Whitehead's new novel Sag Harbor is a semi-biographical account of summer with an understated narrative. Plus, Jordan's latest rankings of America. 

Rob Corddry is best known as a long-time correspondent for The Daily Show. His new show Children’s Hospital begins its run on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim this month. Matt Walsh and Ian Roberts are co-founders of the Upright Citizens Bridgade. Their show Players returns to Spike TV this month. Plus comedy from Superego. 

Mark Frauenfelder is the founder of BoinBoing.net and author of the new book Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World. Dan Clowes is a cartoonist known best for Ghost World and Art School Confidential. His new graphic novel is called Wilson. Plus, stand up comedy from Matt Braunger.

 

Comedian, actor and writer Andy Richter is best known as Conan O'Brien's long time sidekick. He talks about his career, and what it was like working on The Tonight Show while knowing it was in its last days. Plus, new picks from the AV Club. 

 

 

Hanson is known for their mega-hit MMMBop but less known for the decade long recording career they've maintained since then. Their new album is called Shout It Out. Art and performance rock act Devo is best known for a mega-hit of its own, Whip It. Their newest album was constructed using Internet focus groups and is called Something For Everybody.

 

This week, conversations with three outstanding up-and-coming comics: Nick Thune, Kyle Kinane and W. Kamau Bell.   

 

This week on The Sound of Young America, a full hour with San Francisco comedy group Kasper Hauser. Their newest books are Weddings of The Times and Obama’s Blackberry. 

 

The man himself. A conversation with radio and television personality Adam Carolla. He's perhaps best known as the former co-host of the radio program Loveline and the television program The Man Show. After having replaced Howard Stern on morning radio in several markets for a short time, he's gone independent with his own daily podcast. Plus comedy from Holly Mills and Karen Kilgariff. 

Jim Lehrer is the host and executive editor of the PBS Newshour. He?s also the author of 20 novels, the latest of which is called Super. Walter Mosley has penned 34 novels and his latest is Known To Evil. We also listen in to a confrontation between Batman and the Riddler, a comedy sketch written by Sarah Gee.

This week is about relying on yourself. Comic actor and writer Donald Glover is part of the sketch group Derrick Comedy, who recently produced the film Mystery Team entirely by themselves. Mark Duplass and his brother Jay started out making short comedy videos and moved on to feature length films like 2005's The Puffy Chair. Mark can currently be seen in the FX series The League. 

Mark Oppenheimer talks about growing up in a culture of debate and Julie Krausner on dating faux sensitive types. Plus, Jordan Ranks America once again and Donald Glover delivers comedy about that one time his teacher farted. High minded topics this week on The Sound of Young America. 

Interviews with Scott Adsit and Rik Cordero; music from Nellie McKay and Andrew WK; and comedy from Kumail Nanjiani. 

Guests from across the pond this week. First an interview with The xx whose self-titled debut was released last year. Then the stars and executive producer of the most recent incarnation of Doctor Who -- a series relegated to public television stateside, but a cultural force to be reckoned with in Great Britain. Plus, April's pop culture picks from the AV Club.

Comedian, actor and writer Andy Richter is best known as Conan O'Brien's long time sidekick. He talks about his career, and what it was like working on The Tonight Show while knowing it was in its last days. Plus, comedy from God's Pottery. 

Revisiting conversations with the cast of the Starz comedy Party Down which will soon launch its second season. Jane Lynch is now in the cast of the Fox hit Glee, Martin Starr is best known for his role on Freaks & Geeks, and Adam Scott shares his hometown of Santa Cruz with this radio show. 

The second show from this year's South By Southwest festival delves into the lives of two outsiders who have new biopics: Bill Hicks and Lemmy. First, a conversation about Hicks with Matt Harlock and Steve Hicks the director of American and the brother of its subject respectively. Then, Wes Orshoski and Greg Olliver, the creators of the new Lemmy biopic. Finally, the man himself, Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister.

The first of two shows from the South By Southwest Film Conference and festival. David Gordon Green is the writer and director of the acclaimed drama George Washington but has recently transitioned into lighter fare such as Pineapple Express. Malcom Ingram is the director of the heart warming film Bear Nation. It explores the gay subculture in which larger, hairier gentlemen are not only accepted, but desired. 

An interview with Upright Citizen's Brigade co-founders Matt Walsh & Ian Roberts. Their new show on Spike TV is called Players. Plus comedy from Karen Kilgariff and the singing duo God's Pottery.

Character actor Luiz Guzman currently appears in the HBO series How To Make It In America. He's also been in one out of every four movies you probably see. Plus, news from comedy group Kasper Hauser and some of March's overlooked pop culture gems as decided by the AV Club. 

This week: fresh faces. Comedian and actor Aziz Ansari has a new comedy special called Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening. Elna Baker has a new memoir on being single and Mormon in the Big Apple. Plus live stand up from Hugh Moore.

The third of three shows taped in Park City, Utah during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. 'Lucky' is the new documentary from Jeffrey Blitz and Sean Welch that follows the lives of lottery winners through both their joy and their pain. Blitz and Welch were previously nominated for an Oscar for their film 'Spellbound'. Trevor Groth is the Director of programming at Sundance and talks about the selection process for this year's films. 

The second of three shows taped in Park City during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Drake Doremus is the 26 year old director of Douchebag, a dramatic comedy that follows a man and his brother on a quest to find his 5th grade sweetheart. Biker Fox is a Slamdance documentary about a Tulsa, Oklahoma eccentric known for bike tricks on busy roads and feeding wild animals with his bare hand. Drunk History is an HBO series originated on the web that features famous actors reenacting historical stories as told by drunken comedians. 

The first of three shows taped in Park City, Utah during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Kevin Kline has been in countless films and holds the distinction of having won an Oscar for a comedic role in A Fish Called Wanda. He spoke with Jesse after the premier of his new film The Extra Man. Taika Waititi's first feature film is Eagle Vs. Shark. Jesse spoke with him after the premier of his new film Boy. The star of Boy, James Rolleston, joined them. 

Sal Santana is the son of Carlos Santana. His debut album is a fusion of rock, hip-hop, electronica and soul called Keyboard City. Loudon Wainwright III is a folk singer, humorist and actor. His new album High Wide & Handsome is a tribute to the work of Charlie Pool.

This week we plunge into a world of aesthetics with the curator of London's Design Museum and an all-female, all-keyboard band from Brooklyn who scour thrift stores and pawn shops for the perfect vintage sounds. Plus a nun fight, so that's pretty amazing.

Television writer Jane Espenson has been involved in numerous shows, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Battlestar Galactica. She's an executive producer for the new Battlestar prequel series Caprica. Gahan Wilson is a legendary cartoonist whose light macabre style has been seen prominently in Playboy and the New York. Plus, hear from the AV Club about some films out now on DVD that you may have missed in theaters.

This week: fresh faces. Comedian and actor Aziz Ansari has a new comedy special called Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening. Elna Baker has a new memoir on being single and Mormon in the Big Apple. Plus live stand up from Hugh Moore.

On the show this week are two satirists. First Armando Iannucci – the unknown great behind classic British comedies such as The Day Today and I’m Alan Partdrige. His new film In The Loop is on its way to DVD. Plus comedy great Marc Maron. His newest CD is called Final Engagement.