Episodes

For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. In this very special episode, Ali and Asif interview ophthalmologist, comedian and social media sensation Will Flannary aka Dr. Glaucomflecken. In their hilarious and wide ranging chat they discuss: His comedic influences How he got started doing stand up and how he transitioned to social media His philosophy of comedy, ‘punching up’ and why one should be cognizant of power dynamics when doing ...

For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. In today’s episode, after a bit of listener mail about Ali’s love of Shonda Rimes (1:00), the guys discuss the issue of actors faking accents on movies and TV shows (2:09). Ali discusses Rizwan Manji from Schitt’s Creek and Aziz Ansari. Ali even discusses how he originally auditioned for the role of Ray Bhutani on Schitt’s Creek and his own experience with using an accent in roles. We also disc...

Today, Ali and Asif discuss comedian Ricky Gervais. They discuss his early life, including his stint in a New Wave Band in the early 1980’s. They then discuss the groundbreaking success of ‘The Office’ and some of his subsequent shows including ‘Extras’ and ‘After Life’. They pivot to then discussing his stand up comedy, including his hosting of the Golden Globes (and comparing him to recent host Joy Koy). After a digression about Gervais’ podcast, they guys talk about his Netflix comedy special...

Today,in the first half of the episode, Ali and Asif review their favourite entertainment from 2023 (1:21). They discuss the best movies, Tv shows, movies and books from the year. Listen to hear what they thought about ‘Maestro’, ‘The Iron Claw’, ‘About My Father’, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’,‘Blackberry’, ‘Succession’, ‘The Bear’, ‘Shrinking’, ‘Beef’, ‘The Curse’ and ‘The Last of Us’. They also discuss comedy albums by Chris Rock and Mike Birbglia and music from boygenius and the Gaslight Ant...

Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the late Norman Lear (0:54) They discuss his early life (and how he based some of his characters on his parents), his military service and how he later began writing for television shows. They discuss his big breakthrough with ‘All in the Family’ and the various shows that sprung from it, including ‘Maude’, ‘Good times’, ‘The Jeffersons’, ‘One Day at a Time’ and many others. The guys then discuss Lear’s legacy and whether shows like ‘All in the Family’ c...

To start off the new year, the guys discuss some listener feedback on their best albums of 1993. Then, Ali and Asif discuss the career of the late Andre Braugher from Brooklyn 99 and Homicide: Life on the Street (2:48). They discuss his early life, his schooling and his breakthrough in movies and tv shows, including Homicide: Life on the Street. They then discuss his breakthrough role as Captain Holt on ‘Brooklyn 99’. Then since Braugher passed away after a short battle with lung cancer, in the ...

Today Ali and Asif discuss the Netflix docuseries ‘Beckham’ (1:40). They start off by going over when they first heard about David Beckham, including a mention of the cult classic movie ‘Bend it Like Beckham’. They then discuss the genesis of the series, how David Beckham himself wanted to do it, and how actor Fisher Stevens came on board as a director. They talk about the structure of the series, Fisher Stevens’ directorial style and the fact that Beckham did not have final cut on the show. Ali...

Today the guys discuss their favourite albums from 1993 (1:00). The guys each give their top 10 lists from the year. Then the guys discuss the issue of gum disease (38:30) and how it can be linked to other health conditions. Asif starts off with discussing the history of gum disease and how it was noted even in ancient man. He talks about how common it is and what the common symptoms are. Asif talks about how gum disease can be linked to inflammation and the evidence that it may be linked to hea...

Today, Ali and Asif discuss the controversy surrounding comedian Matt Rife (1:26). They guys start off by discussing when they first heard of Matt Rife and then go over Matt’s early life and career. They then go over how Matt Rife “blew up” on TikTok and other social media and now has become one of the biggest comedians on earth. Ali then describes how Matt Rife focuses on crowd work and the pros and cons of this approach. They also speak about how Matt’s physical appearance (read: he’s hot) pla...

On today’s episode Ali and Asif debate their favourite movies from 1993 (1:01). After a brief mention of Scarface from 1983, the guys discuss movies from 1993 did NOT make their top 10. Finally, the guys each give their top 10 lists from the year. Then the guys discuss anosmia aka the loss of smell (31:45). Ali introduces the topic by discussing chef and tv celebrity Joshna maharaj who came out about her diagnosis of anosmia several years ago. Asif talks about how smell works from a brain perspe...

Asif recently attended the U2 show at the Sphere in Las Vegas; many listeners had questions about this special show. So in the first half, Ali asks Asif about the show (2:14). The show takes place at the Sphere venue in Las Vegas. Asif discusses how the Sphere is 366 feet (112 m) high and 516 feet (157 m) wide at its broadest point and how it is the largest spherical building in the world at 875,000 sq ft (81,300 m2) and seats 18,600 people. He describes how the bowl-shaped theater contains the...

**PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO THE MATTHEW PERRY FOUNDATION** https://matthewperryfoundation.org/ Today, we will be discussing the life and career of the late Matthew Perry (0:57). The guys start off by shouting out an interview with Perry from last year on CBC’s Q with Tom Power. They then discuss his early life growing up in Ottawa and his “beating up” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when they were both children. They then go-over his early roles and his breakout success with ‘Friends’. They disc...

On today’s special episode, Ali and Asif answer listener questions about all things comedy, doctoring and… everything else. Join us as the guys answer questions about the ‘Barbie Movie’, ‘Odd Squad’, favourite candy, favourite restaurants, comedy crowds and Ali’s Mount Rushmore of comedy. The guys also answer some follow up questions on their episodes on sleep apnea, tv comedies. Jon Mulaney and hernias. They even discuss some topics that should eventually be full episodes, including the issue ...

Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of actor and comedian Martin Short in response to an article that recently appeared in Slate magazine (1:00). The guys start off by first discussing a bit of background on Martin Short’s early life and they provide some interesting trivia tidbits they found while doing their research, including Martin Short’s 9 categories for self evaluation. They then discuss the article from Slate magazine ‘Why We Keep Putting Up With Martin Short’ and the celebrities who...

Today, Asif and Ali discuss the new Netflix docuseries ‘Wrestlers’ (1:30). The guys discuss the director of the show, Greg Whiteley, and his other shows ‘Last Chance U’ and ‘Cheer’. They then discuss the main characters in the show, including former wrestler Al Snow, talk radio celebrity Matt Jones and breakout star . They discuss their thoughts on the show and how the show is really about showmanship, devotion to craft and putting everything on the line for a dream. Then, since a character in ‘...

Based on a recent article from the AV club, Ali and Asif list their top 10 TV comedies from the 2000’s (2:03). See who made the list, and who was left off (horrific spoiler – the following shows did NOT make our top 10: Schitt’s Creek, Ted Lasso and Brooklyn 99). Then the guys discuss the recent new article about a woman in Australia who had a parasitic worm removed from her brain (41:46). Asif discusses this rare diagnosis and how scientists eventually figured out it actually was a worm that ty...

Today, the guys discuss the controversy surrounding comedian Hasan Minhaj and the recent New Yorker article ‘Emotional Truths’ by Clare Malone (1:52). Ali summarizes the bombshells in the article, including the fact that several of the stories Minhaj recounts in his stand up specials were untrue. The guys then compare Hasan’s case to other famous cases including Stephen Rannazzisi, who lied about being in the Twin Towers during 911 and news anchor Brian Williams who lied about being shot down i...

Today Ali and Asif discuss the career of the man, the myth, the legend, ‘The Boss’ Bruce Springsteen (2:03). They start off by discussing his early life growing up in New Jersey, his working class background, and how he feels somewhat like a ‘fraud’. Then they talk about his nickname ‘The Boss’ and how people call out “Bruuuuce” in his concerts. The guys then discuss famous covers of his songs and other trivia about Springsteen (Ali also tells a story about meeting Jake Clemons, from the E Stree...

Today Ali and Asif discuss the life and career of singer and actress Selena Gomez (0:54). They start off by discussing her start with children’s shows and movies, including her involvement with the Disney Channel. They talk about her philanthropy and their favourite songs of Selena’s. Ali and Asif then discuss Selena’s recent TV successes including ‘Selena + Chef’ and ‘Only Murders in the Building’. Then then discuss the documentary on Selena’s life from last year’s ‘Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me’,...

Last month, Paul Reubens, aka Pee Wee Herman passed away; for today's episode the guys review his life and career (1:10). They discuss his early background and his involvement with the Groundlings Comedy troupe. They then discuss the creation of the Pee Wee Herman character and Phil Hartman’s involvement with its development. They talk about how the character went on to a hit stage show in Los Angeles. They then talk about his cult hit movie “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” and the involvement of direc...

Asif and Ali are back! After their brief hiatus over August, they return with a new episode. They start off by recapping what they did this past summer. Then, they each discuss their favorite entertainment from the summer of 2023 (4:33) (MILD SPOILERS AHEAD). Asif heaps praise on movies such as Oppenheimer, The Flash, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. He also discusses TV from this past summer including The Bear, What We Do in the Shadows, Harley Quinn, Fubar and Severance. Then Ali talks a...

To start the episode, Ali and Asif discuss the controversy surrounding country singer Miranda Lambert chastising concertgoers for taking selfies (0:48). Then, after a brief digression on Dana Carvey’s Joe Biden impression, Asif asks Ali about the surprise hit TV show ‘Jury Duty’ (10:32). They discuss the background of the show and how it is a combination of ‘The Office’ and ‘The Joe Schmo Show’. They then discuss how the show did not make much of a splash when it first debuted, but then gained b...

Today, Asif and Ali briefly continue their conversation from the last episode about ‘pitching’ and in doing so discuss Jason Sudeikis, ‘Ted Lasso’ and what makes someone successful in comedy (0:37). Ali then describes people who have pitched unsuccessfully to him. Then, Ali asks Asif about erectile dysfunction (7:27). Asif defines the terms, and discusses its many causes and how it is often an indicator of other health issues…a so-called canary in a coalmine. Asif discusses both the psychologic...

Today, Asif asks Ali about how one “pitches TV shows and movies”. Ali describes his experiences pitching and the most important advice he has for prospective pitchers – ‘Know who you’re pitching to’ and ‘Know your own product’. Ali then describes how you write a pitch, what a ‘logline' is, and how shorter pitches are preferred. Ali then discusses how to present to a room and how to ‘play to your strengths’. He then discusses how you deal with studio ‘notes’, how he deals with ‘fakeness’ in ente...