One positive byproduct of hardworking comics and actors and actor-comics in Hollywood is, when the jobs aren't coming in as fast as they'd like, many often turn to podcasting as an outlet. Case in point: Mike Truesdale. An actor, comic, and improviser with Groundlings and UCB chops, he's also the host of My Favorite Things, an interview show where he talks to (mostly) other working and waiting actor/comic/improvisers about his favorite things.
Most recently he caught up with Ross Marquand, whom he worked with on the short-lived cable show Impress Me but is more widely recognized as Aaron from A&E's The Walking Dead.
In the podcast style, the interchange is more conversation that interview, a format that allows Truesdale the chance to -- as promised by the title -- bring his favorite things into the chat. Marquand doesn't have children but somehow it's a perfect point for Truesdale to talk about his own kids, as well as the rabbit that seem so have the run of the house. (The bunny's name is Vulva, but space prohibits unreeling the story behind that here.)
You'll hear no Walking Dead spoilers in this episode but we do discover that Marquand is a charming guy who is happy to follow wherever the host leads and occasionally throwing in a pretty dead-on celebrity impression or two. (Personally, I was hoping to hear more impressions, since both host and guest are known for doing them, but perhaps they're not among Truesdale's favorite things...)
The chat goes from light to real from time to time, with the pair delving into living on the edge of not knowing when the next job might come in to ruminating on the world's religions and each other's own beliefs.
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It's over.
This will be a short review because it's a short episode of The Bugle. The podcast's been on life support since, well, since co-host John Oliver hit it big and busy with his This Week with John Oliver popped on HBO.
The wings had already been shaking when he stepped in to guest host for Jon Stewart on The Daily Show a couple of years ago. But "buglers" (devotees to the satirical new commentary show) held out hopes that Oliver would one day be back with cohost Andy Zaltzman on a regular basis. Not so.
He does return for this "farewell...for now" episode of said goodbye and to thank the fans. And Zaltzman reveals that a NEW version of The Bugle will return in September, to feature himself and a revolving cadre of guest hosts (including his podcasting sister Helen Zaltsman of The Allusionist fame.)
Until then, it's bye-bye to The Bugle.
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Podcasts I'm also listening to this week: The SchmozzFest: #19 - The Mayor of Parts Unknown; and The Meat Improv: #7 - "Dads & Chads"
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The My Favorite Things, The Bugle reviews and other podcasts mentioned originally posted as part of This Week In Comedy Podcasts on Splitsider.com.
Marc Hershon is the host and executive producer of Succotash, The Comedy Podcast Podcast, featuring clips from comedy podcasts from across the Internet as well as interviews with podcasters, comedians, and assorted show biz folk.