With his uniquely unfiltered style of interviewing, comedian Marc Maron's contributions to the podcasting world cannot be understated. WTF With Marc Maron was not only a renaissance for the comedian's career but also helped to jump start a boom within the podcasting medium.
Never afraid to ask the hard questions, Maron has interviewed hundreds of interesting guests. From comedians to musical legends and even a sitting president, Marc Maron's show has set the standard for what a comedy podcast can be.
Episode 75/76: Carlos Mencia
In the early days of WTF, some of Maron's most compelling guests were fellow comedians. Together, the host and his guest could lament about stories from the road and tell funny anecdotes about their careers. When interviewing disgraced comedian Carlos Mencia, though, Maron had a different aim than to simply share stories.
By addressing the difficult issue of joke stealing, Maron was able to coax a lot of genuine answers from the guarded Mencia. Interestingly, after not being satisfied with the first episode, Maron immediately invited the comedian back to further address the controversy and was able to get even more candid information.
Episode 831: Randy Newman
Though Randy Newman is now most known for his amazing film scores, the accomplished musician also has had a long career as a solo artist. Newman and Maron bond in the episode over their love of music and it is hilarious to listen to the comedian gush about his love of Newman's signature tunes.
For his part, Newman offered very direct and personal answers to the questions posed to him and tied many of his songs to moments in his life. Though a celebrated artist in his own right, Newman's inclusion in the roster of WTF guests is a rare opportunity for fans to hear from the somewhat private singer. Preferring to stick to his solo work in the discussion, Maron was able to dig out interesting information about Newman's early career in music.
Episode 358: Mel Brooks
The term living legend can often be bandied about with little regard for the weight of the description, however in Mel Brooks' case, the term is apt. The comedy legend graced the sound waves of WTF in 2013 and offered insight into his career, his life, and his philosophy on humor in general.
Always funny, Brooks' life story is enough to carry a two hour podcast but it is his insights into the comedy industry that are most interesting. Having been present for generations of comedy, Brooks acts as a living encyclopedia of the art of humor. Also, his behind the scenes information about Mel Brooks' many classic films also makes for a fascinating listen.
Episode 773: Bruce Springsteen
Few rock and roll musicians have had the longevity and constant fan support as "the Boss", Bruce Springsteen. The rocker appeared on WTF and was his usual insightful and thoughtful self in his interview with Maron. Artfully weaving a narrative of his life and music, Springsteen never had a dull moment.
With evocative lyrics that speak to the struggle of the everyday person in America, Springsteen always has a lot to say about his own career and what his music stands for. On top of discussing the music, Maron also delves into Springsteen's personal struggle with mental health and the rockstar comes off as very human when answering candidly.
Episode 163: Conan O'Brien
Whenever interviewed, the long time late night host Conan O'Brien always has interesting insights to offer into his own personal life. Continuing his self-deprecating style of humor off the stage, Conan explains the connection between his personal life and his comedy. The Harvard-educated humorist is whip smart and never feels overwhelmed by Maron's deep cutting questions.
Beyond his work as a late night host, the celebrated comedian has also written some of the funniest episodes of The Simpsons, and worked on Saturday Night Live as well. This life experience means that O'Brien is never without a fascinating and hilarious anecdote about his lengthy career.
Episode 95: Patrice O'Neal
Never afraid to lean into conflict, Marc Maron used his platform to interview a comedian that he has had a troubled past with and the result is fascinating. Patrice O'Neal and Marc Maron's complicated relationship is on full display in their interview and yet the comedian is still very open and candid with his responses to the interviewer's questions.
Both comedians come off as genuine, if not a bit prickly, when discussing their years on the road and the hard life that is standup comedy. All conflicts aside, O'Neal is a fascinating guest who is not only funny but insightful and was very clear about his past and troubles with the law. Following O'Neal's untimely death, Maron used his platform to praise the other man's work in a sign that their beef had been settled.
Episode 1026: Mavis Staples
Though Maron has interviewed sitting presidents and rock legends, it was his interview with a grand dame of soul music that was one of his most fascinating. Mavis Staples has had a long and storied career in music and she offered a fascinating timeline of events of her life on Maron's show.
Speaking of her time as a black woman in the turbulent 1960s, all the way to her modern day interactions with current musicians, Staples is uniquely herself. Aside from the musical history that she represents, Staples also offered candid information into the lives of more guarded artists like her lengthy friendship with rock icon Bob Dylan.
Episode 67: Robin Williams
Though Robin Williams is now known as the versatile star of many classic films, he got his start in show business as a high energy standup comedian. In his interview, Williams isn't his usual comedic self and instead shows the real and unfiltered side that fans didn't often get to see. Expounding upon his life and career, Williams showed that not everything was perfect in showbiz.
The two comedians share candid moments about mental health and struggles with substance abuse and truly seem to bond over the course of the interview. Though much media about Williams has been made, it is the information directly from him that is most interesting and offers the best insight into who he really was.
Episode 613: Barack Obama
Few podcasters can brag that they have interviewed a sitting president, but WTF was given that distinct honor when Barack Obama stopped by. The president spent little time in his interview discussing politics and instead answered many pointed and personal questions from the star-struck Maron.
Besides the candid information given by Obama himself, what makes they episode most fascinating is Maron's insight into the process of interviewing a president. Instead of making Maron come to him, Obama instead made the trip to the podcaster's signature garage studio for the interview. As an interview subject, Obama humanized himself and stepped down from the pedestal that is the presidency to answer the personal queries about life, music, and many other topics.
Episode 233: Anthony Bourdain
The moniker of celebrity chef doesn't do Anthony Bourdain justice. The noted food traveler acted more as a cultural liaison and speaker of truths on his many television and literary ventures. In his interview with Maron, Bourdain is his usual candid self and showed listeners that the persona on TV was not a mere act.
Bonding over their mutual struggles with substance abuse and mental health, Bourdain is triumphant when given the floor to speak. Stretching far beyond simple food, Bourdain's insight into the restaurant industry and the television industry comes from his unique perspective as an insider to both. Unlike most of the celebrities interviewed by Maron, Bourdain comes off as an anti-celebrity and never lost his image as a simple man who was experiencing the world through the lens of food and culture.