Search Party: The Podcast

In each episode of this hilarious companion podcast to HBO Max’s cult hit neo-noir comedy Search Party, comedian Bowen Yang — a real-life fan of the series — sits down with a Search Party co-creator, actor or writer as well as a celebrity fan to dissect specific themes from the most recent season. Together, the three talking heads will humorously analyze the characters’ psychology, share behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and discuss the most insane moments of the critically acclaimed show, getting fans pumped for Season 4 and inspiring them to re-watch past episodes from a new perspective.

Episodes

“Obsession” with Shalita Grant and Charles Rogers

January 13, 2021 • 41 mins

Dory’s obsession with Chantal lies at the core of all the drama and excitement on Search Party. But where does that come from? On the final episode of the podcast, co-creator Charles Rogers and actress Shalita Grant talk about Dory’s motivations, the show’s public obsession with her trial, and how we project ourselves on morally questionable people—both in real life and on the show. We also explore how Shalita approached playing la...

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“Shame” with Vanessa Bayer and John Early

January 11, 2021 • 38 mins

Does Elliott Goss lie because he’s ashamed? According to actor John Early, the answer is a resounding yes. On this episode of Search Party: The Podcast, host Bowen Yang guides a conversation about shame and guilt, bonding with guest Vanessa Bayer over their shared experiences on Saturday Night Live. Meanwhile, Vanessa psychoanalyzes Elliott Goss and why he’s able to reconcile his deceitful actions with few repercussions… aside from...

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“Truth & Lying” with Michael Showalter and Michaela Watkins

January 6, 2021 • 41 mins

The lines between truth and lies constantly blur on Search Party. And on this episode of the podcast, Michael Showalter explains how Dory’s inner reality is actually a conduit for the ways in which we lie to ourselves. Host Bowen Yang also helps unpack the motivations for those lies and how people can get rewarded for bad behavior both in our society and on the show. “I really wanted Polly to win because I want the truth to mean so...

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“Friendship” with Carrie Brownstein and Meredith Hagner

January 4, 2021 • 34 mins

Carrie Brownstein and Meredith Hagner have a history together: not only did Carrie direct an episode of Search Party, but they starred together in the 2018 film, The Oath. “Friendships are really complex, and I think the show explores the grey area of those complexities well,” Meredith says of the often toxic dynamic of the friendships on the show. Host Bowen Yang facilitates a discussion that explores how our friendships can be bo...

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“Fame & Narcissism” with Kate Berlant and Clare McNulty

December 30, 2020 • 42 mins

From self-hatred, to empathy, to “benevolent narcissism,” we’ve got you covered in this fame-fueled episode of Search Party: The Podcast -- and who better to take this journey with than Chantal Witherbottom herself, Clare McNulty, and actress/comedian Kate Berlant, who plays Elliott’s publisher, Nia. Host Bowen Yang guides us through a conversation about the dichotomy between Chantal’s competing feelings of insecurity and self-conf...

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“Identity” with Alia Shawkat and Mitra Jouhari

December 28, 2020 • 40 mins

“She’s willing to do whatever it takes in order to not actually face herself,” Alia Shawkat says of her character Dory Previn’s conflicted identity, which fuels the conflict behind much of Search Party. Luckily, in real life, Alia and actress/comedian Mitra Jouhari have a couple of fun-loving, goofy identities, which is evident in this episode of Search Party: The Podcast. Correspondingly, host Bowen Yang uncovers just how easily M...

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"Love, Passion, and Sex" with Busy Philipps and Jeffery Self

December 23, 2020 • 40 mins

Host Bowen Yang defines sex in the context of Search Party as “this recurring thing that undermines trust or solidarity between all the characters on the show.” This is certainly true for Elliott’s boyfriend Marc, played by Jeffrey Self. In this very “passionate” episode of the podcast, Jeffery describes the lack of sympathy he has towards his character, the performative aspects of romantic relationships, and how he overcame his re...

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"Fear and Rage" with Chloe Fineman and Starlee Kine

December 21, 2020 • 46 mins

Search Party's main characters spend plenty of time experiencing or invoking fear and rage —and that's by design. "They've all walked into the world exposed," explains show writer Starlee Kine, "so we're seeing the psyche behind the outward appearance that Search Party has peeled back." On this episode of the podcast, Starlee, host Bowen Yang, and SNL player Chloe Fineman discuss the similarities between her bombastic Charlie Reeny...

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“Trauma and Victimhood” with Paul Scheer and Sarah-Violet Bliss

December 16, 2020 • 42 mins

Are the main characters of Search Party victims or predators? The lines are especially blurred when it comes to Dory, who reframes her own trauma as stemming from an event beyond her control. “I know it’s crazy,” says guest Paul Scheer of Dory’s involvement in Keith’s murder, “but I see her point of view as being rational in that moment.” In this episode, Paul, host Bowen Yang, and show co-creator Sarah-Violet Bliss reveal how tell...

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“Denial” with Taran Killam and Charles Rogers

December 14, 2020 • 40 mins

Denial lies at the core of Search Party’s third season—but where is the line between denial and delusion? From Dory’s reshaped narrative about Keith’s murder to Elliott’s invented identity and Drew’s shame about his violent past, all of the series’ characters struggle—and some refuse—to come to terms with their actions. In this first episode of the companion podcast to Search Party, host Bowen Yang chats with show co-creator Charle...

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Introducing Search Party: The Podcast

December 3, 2020 • 3 mins

In each episode of this hilarious companion podcast to HBO Max’s cult hit neo-noir comedy Search Party, comedian Bowen Yang -- a real-life fan of the series -- sits down with a Search Party co-creator, actor or writer as well as a celebrity fan to dissect specific themes from the most recent season. Together, the three talking heads will humorously analyze the characters’ psychology, share behind-the-scenes anecdotes and discuss th...

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