Due to the events occurring at the Oscars, Ali and Asif decided to record an emergency podcast. The guys recap the joke told by Chris Rock and the ensuing slap from Will Smith. Then Ali discusses various ‘defenses’ that have been given for Will Smith’s actions.  Asif then takes a digression to discuss alopecia areata (16:11), the disease which Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, suffers from.  Asif talks about how it is an autoimmune disease, goes over the presenting symptoms and discusses its treatment. Asif also discusses other types of hair loss which can occur in African American women. They then go back to talking about the Oscars and how the slapping incident detracted from other winners (25:43) including Ariana DeBose, Troy Katsur, Questlove, Jane Campion and CODA.  They discuss Will Smith’s speech and the audience reaction to it. The guys discuss varied opinions on the slapping incident including talking about articles from Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Jemele Hill. They also talk about Will Smith’s apology to Chris Rock on Instagram and Denzel Washington’s statement to Will Smith (“At your highest moment be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you”). Asif then asks Ali why he thinks it was a slap and not a punch and the implications of this incident on stand up comedy. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• Will Smith Did a Bad, Bad Thing: https://kareem.substack.com/p/will-smith-did-a-bad-bad-thing?s=r

• The Two Americas Debating Will Smith and Chris Rock: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/03/two-americas-debating-will-smith-chris-rock-oscars-slap/629407/

• White outrage about Will Smith’s slap is rooted in anti-Blackness. It’s inequality in plain sight: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/29/white-outrage-about-will-smiths-slap-is-rooted-in-anti-blackness-its-inequality-in-plain-sight

• Jaden Smith, Tiffany Haddish, Cher & More React To Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock At The Oscars: https://etcanada.com/news/880389/jaden-smith-tiffany-haddish-cher-more-react-to-will-smith-slapping-chris-rock-at-the-oscars/

• Black women's hair: the main scalp dermatoses and aesthetic practices in women of African ethnicity: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4560533/

• Alopecia Areata: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1069931-overview

In this special episode, the guys preview the 95th Annual Academy Awards Preview, taking place on March 27, 2022 (no medical topic this episode). The guys start off by discussing the major controversy this year about the Academy leaving off certain categories on the televised show. They then talk about the minor controversy regarding how the earworm ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ ended up NOT being nominated for best song. Then Asif gives his pics in 8 major Oscar categories. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• Oscars 2022: Why is Encanto's We Don't Talk About Bruno not nominated? https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-60290152

• "Over 70 Hollywood heavy-hitters slam controversial Oscar changes in open letter": https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-09/oscars-controversy-live-show-open-letter-james-cameron

• Steven Spielberg Disagrees With Decision To Pre-Record Eight Oscar Categories, Not Optimistic About A Reversal: https://deadline.com/2022/03/steven-spielberg-oscars-controversy-statement-reaction-1234972587/

• Jessica Chastain says she'd skip Oscars red carpet to support Tammy Faye makeup team: https://ew.com/awards/oscars/jessica-chastain-oscars-red-carpet-tammy-faye-makeup-team/

Today Asif asks Ali about his involvement with Canada Reads, which returns on March 28, 2022 (4:43). After a brief digression about the band Genesis, Ali discusses the genesis of Canada Reads. He talks about how it was developed by the CBC and how the guests and books are selected. He then discusses notable guests and books and how he became involved with the show.  Then Asif discusses his favourite medical books (39:24): ‘The House of God’ by Samuel Shem, ‘An Anthropologist on Mars: Seven Paradoxical Tales’ by Oliver Sachs, ‘How Doctors Think’ by Jerome Groopman, and ‘When Breath Becomes Air’ by Paul Kalanithi. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• Canada Reads 2022: https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/meet-the-canada-reads-2022-contenders-1.6326413
• Jerome Groopman: http://jeromegroopman.com/
• When Breath Becomes Air: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/258507/when-breath-becomes-air-by-paul-kalanithi/
• Five years later: Lucy Kalanithi on loss, grief and love: https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2020/04/20/five-years-later-lucy-kalanithi-on-loss-grief-and-love/

Today, based on two listeners’ suggestions, Ali and Asif discuss ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ and Trichotillomania. Asif admits to only having watched the pilot of ‘Mrs Maisel’ (2:26) and as such, Ali gives Asif a sales pitch on why the show should be watched. After a brief digression about TV shows that they were exposed to on airline flights, Ali compares ‘Mrs. Maisel’ to Amy Sherman-Palladino’s previous show ‘Gilmore Girls’ as well as musicals. Then Ali gushes about the expert acting of all the principal characters in the show, particularly Alex Bornstein, Tony Shaloub, Marin Hinkle and especially Rachel Brosnahan. Then Ali asks Asif about trichotillomania (28:47). Asif talks about the definition, how often it is seen and how it is diagnosed. Asif then discusses how it is different from OCD and why we think it occurs. Asif then talks about the long term consequences of trichotillomania including compulsive hair eating (trichophagia) and the treatment of the disorder. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• The ‘marvelous’ Jewish story of Miriam Maisel: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/the-marvelous-jewish-story-of-miriam-maisel-517215

• How Joan Rivers Inspired The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel:: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/12/218383/who-is-marvelous-mrs-maisel-based-on-real-joan-rivers

• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Real-Life Inspirations: Joan Rivers, Phyllis Diller, and More: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a25460957/marvelous-mrs-maisel-midge-real-life-inspiration-joan-rivers-phyllis-diller/

• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Shy Baldwin Is a Fictional Character. But Is He Based on Harry Belafonte?: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a30150990/marvelous-mrs-maisel-shy-baldwin-real-person-inspiration/

• Trichotillomania: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5328413/

• Treating trichotillomania: a meta-analysis of treatment effects and moderators for behavior therapy and serotonin reuptake inhibitors: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25108618/

• Trichotillomania: https://www.statpearls.com/ArticleLibrary/viewarticle/30593

Content Warning: Sexual Assault

Today, the guys discuss the new documentary series ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby” (1:12). They discuss director W. Kamau Bell and the reasons why he chose to make the series. They discuss how the documentary highlights the Bill Cosby’s accomplishments including his stand up comedy, his revolutionary role in ‘I Spy’, his influence on Black stunt people in Hollywood, his Civil Rights work and his promotion of historically Black colleges. Ali and Asif then discuss Cosby’s roles in ‘The Electric Company’, ‘Picture Pages’ and ‘Fat Albert’, as well as the legacy of “The Cosby Show’. They then talk about how Hannibal Buress’ comedy act called out attention to the allegations against Cosby. They guys then take a digression and Ali asks Asif about Spanish Fly, Rohypnal, GHB and Quaaludes (20:36).  The guys then conclude by discussing the crimes Bill Cosby is accused of and the 60 women who have come forward (35:31). 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• We Need to Talk About Cosby: https://www.sho.com/we-need-to-talk-about-cosby

• ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby.’ (Among Others.): https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/07/arts/television/bill-cosby-documentary-w-kamau-bell.html

• We Weren’t Wrong to Love ‘The Cosby Show’: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/14/opinion/cosby-show-documentary.html?searchResultPosition=1

• Cosby's legacy is a third rail conversation we need to have. W. Kamau Bell is ready: https://www.npr.org/2022/02/14/1080066719/bill-cosby-w-kamau-bell

• We Need to Talk About Cosby: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/we-need-to-talk-about-cosby-tv-review-2022

• ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby’ Explores the Sickening Double Life of ‘America’s Dad’: https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-reviews/we-need-to-talk-about-cosby-review-1290186/

• Jerry Seinfeld Talks Steve Bannon and Bill Cosby at New Yorker Festival Q&A: https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/jerry-seinfeld-bill-cosby-new-yorker-festival-1202583520/

• Is "Spanish Fly" really an aphrodisiac?: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-and-nutrition-you-asked/spanish-fly-really-aphrodisiac

• Cantharidin for molluscum contagiosum: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7292508/

• Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB): A Newer Drug of Abuse: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/1201/p2478.html

• Drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA): a serious underestimated issue: https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/10577-10587.pdf

The guys start off the episode by discussing Ali and his family recently contracting Covid-19. Then they switch up the format by first discussing the history of opioids, the interplay between pharma and medicine in the marketing of opioids and the rise of Purdue pharma (5:29). They then talk about the opioid crisis, the rise of oxycontin and fentanyl, and the damage done. The guys then discuss the television show ‘Dopesick’, how it was developed, and it’s focus on the Appalachian area of the US (30:50). The guys praise the performances of all the actors and the writing of the series. Finally, Ali asks Asif about his personal experiences in learning about opioids in medical school and whether he prescribes them in his clinical practice (43:35). 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• The Crime of the Century: https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/the-crime-of-the-century

• Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/612861/empire-of-pain-by-patrick-radden-keefe/9780385697545

• ‘The crisis was manufactured’: inside a damning film on the origins of the opioid epidemic: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/may/10/opioid-crisis-alex-gibney-the-crime-of-the-century

• A Timeline of the Real-Life Events From Hulu’s Dopesick: https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a37885480/dopesick-on-hulu-timeline/

• The One-Paragraph Letter From 1980 That Fueled the Opioid Crisis: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/06/nejm-letter-opioids/528840/

• Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America: https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/beth-macy/dopesick/9780316551281/       

• ‘Dopesick’ Star Rosario Dawson Grateful for the Show’s Human Depiction of the Opioid Crisis: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/rosario-dawson-dopesick-hulu-opioid-crisis-1235049990/

• Dopesick review – the heinous truth behind America’s opioid emergency: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/nov/12/dopesick-review-the-heinous-truth-behind-americas-opioid-emergency

• Is 'Dopesick' a true story? Experts and the show's creators sort fact from fiction: https://www.npr.org/2021/11/08/1051475843/dopesick-hulu-true-story-opioid-addiction

• They Made the Most of the Opioid Crisis. Until They Didn’t: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/19/books/review/hard-sell-evan-hughes.html

It’s our 50th episode! To celebrate this, Asif asks Ali about his top 3 favorite comedy specials (1:31). Ali picks Dave Chapelle’s ‘Killing Them Softly’, Wanda Sykes’ Im’a Be Me’ and Eddie Izzard’s ‘Dress to Kill’ and discusses what makes these specials so good. Then Ali asks Asif about the biological basis of why we develop laughter (32:04). Asif goes over how laughter and humour develops in babies and what they find ‘funny’. Then, Asif talks about the areas of the brain where laughter originates and what areas of the brain when injured can cause you to lose your sense of humour. Finally he discusses the evolutionary basis of why laughter may have developed in humans. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• The Man Who Broke the R. Kelly Story—Twice—on Whether This Time Will Be Different: https://slate.com/culture/2021/08/r-kelly-trial-2021-jim-derogatis-interview-abuse-charges.html

• Eddie Izzard clarifies personal feelings on gender fluidity following recent comments: https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a35235936/eddie-izzard-clarifies-gender-fluidity-feelings/

• Meet a scientist with a most delightful job: He studies baby laughter: https://ideas.ted.com/meet-a-scientist-with-a-most-delightful-job-he-studies-baby-laughter/

• The evolutionary origins of laughter are rooted more in survival than enjoyment: https://theconversation.com/the-evolutionary-origins-of-laughter-are-rooted-more-in-survival-than-enjoyment-57750

• Why do humans laugh? The evolutionary biology of laughter: https://slate.com/culture/2014/03/why-do-humans-laugh-the-evolutionary-biology-of-laughter.html

• How Laughter Works: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/laughter2.htm

• Neural correlates of laughter and humour: https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/126/10/2121/314497

To start the episode, Ali asks Asif about 2 movies he saw recently - Spider-Man: No Way Home and The Matrix Resurrections. Short story: one was good nostalgia and the other reminded him of the “member berries” from South Park. Then, Asif asks Ali about how comedians create personas for comedy (7:28). Ali also discusses how podcasts and twitter have made personas less common but also discusses the advantages of using a persona. The guys then discuss some classic comedians who have used personas such as Larry the Cable Guy and Andrew Dice Clay and others who have dropped personas such as Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Joan Rivers. Then Ali asks Asif to pick back up on their conversation on Physician Burnout from a few episodes back (23:57). The guys start the discussion by using the example of a video from friend of the show Dr. Glaucomflecken. Asif then discusses what individuals can do, but more importantly what organizations can do to help address burnout. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• Stand-Up Comedians and Their Alternate On-Stage Personas: https://www.vulture.com/2012/08/stand-up-comedians-and-their-alternate-on-stage-personas.htm

• Does Society Need Andrew Dice Clay?: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/26/style/andrew-dice-clay-star-is-born.html

• Dr. Glaucomflecken “Resiliency Pizza” Video: https://twitter.com/DGlaucomflecken/status/1440443128603762696

• Burnout isn’t due to resiliency deficit. It’s still a system issue: https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/burnout-isn-t-due-resiliency-deficit-it-s-still-system-issue

• Resilience and Burnout Among Physicians and the General US Working Population: https: //jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2767829

• Physician burnout: contributors, consequences and solutions: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joim.12752

• Executive Leadership and Physician Well-being. Nine Organizational Strategies to Promote Engagement and Reduce Burnout: https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(16)30625-5/fulltext

Today on a  very special episode, Ali and Asif interview superstar podcaster Dr. Sydnee McElroy (Sawbones, Still Buffering). In their wide ranging conversation they discuss how she got started in podcasting with her husband, Justin McElroy, and how they developed the wildly successful podcast ‘Sawbones’. Then they discuss the evolution of her other podcast ‘Still Buffering’ which she co-hosts with her sisters. Later, they discuss her volunteer work with the homeless population in her city, physician burnout and Dr. McElroy’s advice on how to address it at an organizational and individual level. Finally they discuss the opioid crisis, how West Virginia is one of the worst affected States and Dr. McElroy’s efforts at harm reduction locally. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• Assessment of Changes in the Geographical Distribution of Opioid-Related Mortality Across the United States by Opioid Type, 1999-2016: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2725487

• Where opiates killed the most people in 2015: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/12/13/where-opiates-killed-the-most-people-in-2015/

Shout outs: Bif Naked, Dopesick

The guys start out discussing the recent snowstorms in North America, the politeness (or lack thereof) of Torontonians, Ali’s toothache and leaving your phone number with bakeries. Then the guys discuss the recent deaths of Louie Anderson and Bob Saget. They start by discussing the legendary Louie Anderson (5:40) his acting on shows such as ‘Baskets’ and his legacy in comedy.  The guys then discuss Bob Saget, his television work and the contrast to his outrageous stand up personality (17:48). They then discuss his legacy and the impact he made on his peers in the entertainment industry. Bob was also an advocate for scleroderma research, as his sister passed away from this disease several years ago. Ali then asks Asif about scleroderma (27:50) and Asif explains the manifestations of this disease and how it is one aspect of systemic sclerosis. Asif talks about the various symptoms, why it can be so hard to diagnose, and how it is treated. 

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. 

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram:  doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• Louie Anderson, Iconic Stand-Up Comic and ‘Baskets’ Star, Dies at 68: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/louie-anderson-dead-comedian-baskets-star-1235078681/

• Wesley Snipes, Henry Winkler, Adam Sandler, George Wallace Remember Louie Anderson: “Heaven Has a Hell of an Open Mic Night Goin’ Right About Now: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/louie-anderson-dead-hollywood-tributes-1235078703/

• Bob Saget, comedian and 'Full House' star, dead at 65: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/09/entertainment/bob-saget-death-full-house/index.html

• The Generators with Trent McClellan- Bob Saget: https://play.acast.com/s/the-generators-with-trent-mcclellan/bobsaget

• Weeks before he died, Bob Saget opened up about the tragic death of his sister: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bob-saget-sister-gay-scleroderma/

• Bob Saget Said He Would Keep Fighting Scleroderma 'Until I'm Gone' in Interview Weeks Before Death: https://people.com/tv/bob-saget-said-he-would-keep-fighting-scleroderma-until-im-gone-in-interview-weeks-before-death/

• Scleroderma Research Foundation: https://srfcure.org/
• Scleroderma Canada: https://www.scleroderma.ca/