Over the weekend we got to go to a taping of my favorite podcast. I’ve linked to them once or twice, but seriously, if you like really really ridiculously funny stuff and aren’t afraid of the stray f-word, it’s the best bargain going.
Jimmy Pardo is the main voice behind the show, and he was a big fan of the old-fashioned telethons of his youth, especially once the bow ties came undone and the hosts were drunk and sweaty and desperate, so they decided to do a telethon of their own. The show started Friday night at 9pm and went through until Saturday morning at 6am, raising over $12,000 for SmileTrain, a charity that fixes cleft palettes for children in developing countries.
Guest stars and comedians dropped by all night long. It was just an embarrassment of riches for the comedy nerd. John Hamm, the dreamboat from Mad Men, Oscar Nunez from the Office, Chris Hardwick, host of WebSoup and one of the most easily funny people ever, Scott Aukerman, Paul Gilmartin, Rachael Quaintance, Janet Varney, Jordan Morris…just a huge list of people that crack me up.
Including my very favorite comedian ever, Maria Bamford. Lately seen on those funny Target Christmas commercials. She was the last guest, and by then I was seriously flagging. I went into the hallway to get some blood flowing into my feet again and was there when she came in to prepare for her set. I couldn’t contain myself and I geeked out. I went up to her and told her she was my very favorite and I was so glad she was there and I touched her shoulder as I said it because I’m one of those touchy talkers. She gave me a big smile and a thanks and said she was glad to be there and then got out of there as quickly as she could. I don’t know if it was being touched by this stranger lady or that I was trying to talk to her when she was about to go on stage, but either way, I’m not sure I made a great impression.
I really get uncomfortable being a fan-girl, but this show and these guys totally bring it out in me. I started listening to them back when Atticus was in the hospital, and this show is probably the only thing that allowed me to get through that hour drive leaving my baby behind every night. We’d get to the car, usually crying in some way, and Bear would just say, “Put on your funny podcast and relax. We’ll be home soon.” So I’d put in my earbuds and check out while all these hilarious people took my mind off things.
I feel so much warmth for these guys for helping me out during such awfulness, that I broke my no fan-girl rule and made Jimmy a present.
The saying is from Jimmy’s act, and it seemed the perfect thing to embroider on a hanky. Either the guys are really great actors, or it went over really well, so I’m going to make up some more in the next few days and put them up in the etsy shop. With the funds going to SmileTrain.
oh nice! you're the one who made that handkerchief! what a great pardcast that was!
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