October 15, 2024 • 10 mins
We're about to make those long drives a laugh-filled adventure with our all time TOP COMEDY podcast picks.
We do the work for you and unpack our recommendations WITH specific episodes to get you into each show.
As always we’ll take listener questions at the end.
Here are links to each episode recommendation (see episode for thoughts and descriptions) :
Show One - Comedy Bang-Bang
Episode - https://youtu.be/INI7Pwg8Cjs?si=SUIVHQ6GbqgLkmnZ
Show Two - Conan O'Brian Needs A Friend
Episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conan-obrien-needs-a-friend/id1438054347?i=1000437939159
Show Three - We're Here to Help
Episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/were-here-to-help/id1702753838?i=1000625229471
Noah and Noodles here!
We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to every listener of Backroad Odyssey.
Your support fuels our passion and inspires us to keep sharing stories and discover overlooked locations.
Follow each adventure visually at:
https://www.instagram.com/backroadsodyssey/
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Cruisin' down the street.
I wonder where this road wouldlead.
So many possibilities.
Care to share what you think.
Oh, noodle Dolls, what do yousee?
Back Road Odyssey.
(00:21):
Van Life Diaries threeessential comedy podcasts.
Welcome to Van Life Diaries.
My name is Noah, your host, andNoodles, my Dog, is sitting in
my van.
We're here to talk today.
No edits, no scripts.
Today we unpack ourrecommendations for comedy
podcasts that liven up thosetedious stretches on road trips.
(00:44):
After many, many hours on theroad, we've narrowed down our
favorite shows and specificepisodes that will help you get
started with those shows.
As always, we'll take listenerquestions at the end.
I'm hanging out somewhere inIndiana and, as we're getting
deep into spooky season, I'vegot myself an apple cider.
(01:05):
Grab a drink if you wish.
Let's hang out, let's talk.
Comedy podcasts.
Some of the shows I'm about torecommend are well known.
Some are not.
Our very first recommendationtoday has been around for over
15 years, went through afive-year run as a TV show and
tours around the US and beyond.
(01:27):
I, of course, am talking aboutthe absolute classic comedy Bang
Bang the podcast.
If you're not familiar, here'sthe premise Host Scott Ackerman
interviews celebrities andfriends and has what is called
an open-door policy so any timeduring each seemingly normal
conversation, characters playedby improvisers and comedians
(01:50):
stop by and create chaoticsituations for over an hour.
One time each week, scott andeach guest are left at the mercy
of whatever the improviserdecides on the day.
Like I said, shows aregenerally over an hour, are
released weekly and usuallyfeature four people interacting
(02:13):
by the end of each episode.
Practically, I'll be honest,it's a bit of a slow burn.
Sometimes Guests, like I said,enter gradually throughout the
hour.
You get to know the guests,their quirks, but at the end,
usually when they all interact,it's comedy gold.
Stick with it and listen.
If you're on a long road trip,it's a great way to section off
(02:35):
parts of the drive by theselonger episodes.
Five hour drive listen to fiveepisodes of Comedy Bang Bang
Sometimes.
That's how I map out my routes.
For my episode recommendationI'll recommend something quote
off the feed.
The show has been going so longthat the host deletes episodes
(02:56):
off the free podcast feed aftera bit.
My episode recommendation,recorded August 29th 2011, was
so popular it was later turnedinto a vinyl and features two
writers from the then-runningshow Parks and Recreation
Chelsea Peretti, a greatcomedian, and Harris Whittles.
They are both joined by AdamScott, who played Ben Wyatt on
(03:20):
the show of the same name.
All you have to do to access myrecommendation is YouTube and
stick with me.
Youtube quote farts andprocreation, part one, cbb end
quote.
Or farts and procreation byitself should do the job, but be
(03:41):
careful with your search, withyour searches, for that it is
absolutely worth it.
The entire episode is Just solistenable and such a classic
Puts you in a great mood.
On to our next recommendation.
You probably have heard of ournext show recommendation.
(04:01):
Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend.
I have to be honest, I almostdid not put this on my list
because of its popularity, butits consistency was hard to pass
up.
If, by chance, you're notfamiliar, that's all right.
Conan O'Brien interviewscelebrities after talking with
two co-hosts for a bit of a coldopen at the start of each
(04:22):
episode.
Here's why I think this podcastshould be on the list.
For many years, conan'sinterviews were cut short by
cable regulations, commercialsand the format of the show that
he put on.
But now Conan has much moretime and freedom to crack jokes
and talk to each guest in a waythat's more deep.
It feels much more likefreeform 90s Conan, which is a
(04:45):
good thing in my opinion.
I'll say this Scroll throughthe Needs a Friend feed, find a
guest, you'll enjoy.
An actor you like.
A singer you enjoy and listento that.
But if you're looking for anabsolute classic, an absolute
banger, go all the way back tothe very first Bill Hader
episode.
I did the work for you.
The episodes aren't numbered,so you need to go all the way
(05:08):
back to May 12th 2019 in yourpod feed and see Bill Hader by
that date.
Also, the Dana Carvey series isa gem as well.
It started Monday, august 5th2019.
Just follow the dates all theway back and give them a listen.
Well worth your time.
(05:29):
Great conversations and speakingof great combos, that brings us
to our next recommendation.
And speaking of great combos,that brings us to our next
recommendation.
We're bringing out a relativelynew show for our last
recommendation, called we'rehere to Help, which, at its core
, is a lighthearted advicecall-in show hosted by New
Girls' Jack Johnson and comedianand co-host of the Dollop,
(05:52):
gareth Reynolds.
They freely admit that theadvice might not be fantastic,
but that nonchalant approach togiving advice gives a
lighthearted to the show thatyou don't get with a lot of
Colin shows.
For me it's fun to think aboutwhat advice you would have given
.
Listen to what advice they dogive and see if you're like,
(06:18):
wait, that's good advice, that'sbad advice, or just don't think
at all and listen to theconversation because it's funny
and you'll have a laugh At theend of the day.
It's just fun to listen to twofunny people interact with
people and give advice.
I've got two episoderecommendations for this, one
for you.
First recommendation the Questof Vilamina, september 22nd 2023
(06:43):
.
And the second is wait is thecaller the villain, may 30th
2024.
Both are good places to startbut they're all pretty fun.
And here's a pro tip for thisshow specifically Skip ahead
five minutes on almost everyepisode.
They do a lot of front ads soit's worth it just to get into
(07:05):
it, particularly with the questof Vilamina.
We've got some honorablementions for funny shows.
For you I'll put all of theepisodes, everything in the show
notes.
Here we go.
Hollywood Handbook is good fora very, very dry-humored person.
The Dollop is great.
The Last Podcast on the leftfor true crime and very crude
(07:28):
humor.
The Sloppy Boys is a pod by thecomedy rock band of the same
name who try review differentcocktails each week.
It's fun watching them talkabout that.
I'll include links to each oneof these, like I said.
With that said, let's get tolistener questions Always love a
van life question.
Is van life cheaper thanrenting?
(07:49):
Short answer is yes, but itfluctuates depending on how much
you travel.
Gas is far and away the highestcost of van life, so it could
get expensive if you're goingall around the place and it
wouldn't be cheaper than renting.
But if you live smartly in avan, it will be very hard to
(08:11):
match how much it would be forrenting, particularly if you're
living around.
You know San Diego and reallycondensed places like that.
So no, my electricity is solar,the biggest cost is gas and I
try my best to be smart aboutthat.
(08:32):
Where would you most like to gothat you have not yet?
I've been trying to go toAlaska for a long time.
The problem is it's such ashort window when the weather
would be good enough to camp andI just haven't had a July free,
so in the future I'd love to gothere.
Also, baja, mexico, is a placethat people in vans go to all
the time that I have not been to, so I'd really like to check
(08:54):
that out.
Would you ever van life with acat?
That is a great question.
My first thought is it would bereally really hard with noodles
to also have a cat unless theywere really good friends.
And there's no way to find thatout other than just doing it,
which I don't think would besmart, because I want both of
(09:16):
them to have a quality of lifethat's worth how awesome they
are.
Whatever my cat would be, myimaginary cat would be I love
following van accounts wherecats are on the road and on
leashes and exploring and stuff.
I think you can make a casethat you can make a cat really
happy on the road if you'resmart about it.
But personally it's just not inthe cards with noodles.
(09:39):
I would say it's Noah here.
Thank you for listening to thisweek's Van Life Diaries.
I appreciate your time.
If you find value in Van LifeDiaries for Back Road Odyssey,
the work that we put in, tell afriend about us.
It goes such a long way to helpthe show grow, to help us
continue to do what we are doing.
(10:00):
But thank you for listening.
Be good to each other.
Where to next?
Cruisin' down the street.
I wonder where this road wouldlead.
So many possibilities.
Care to share what you think.
Oh, noodle Dolls, what do yousee?
Back Road Odyssey.
(00:21):
Van Life Diaries threeessential comedy podcasts.
Welcome to Van Life Diaries.
My name is Noah, your host, andNoodles, my Dog, is sitting in
my van.
We're here to talk today.
No edits, no scripts.
Today we unpack ourrecommendations for comedy
podcasts that liven up thosetedious stretches on road trips.
(00:44):
After many, many hours on theroad, we've narrowed down our
favorite shows and specificepisodes that will help you get
started with those shows.
As always, we'll take listenerquestions at the end.
I'm hanging out somewhere inIndiana and, as we're getting
deep into spooky season, I'vegot myself an apple cider.
(01:05):
Grab a drink if you wish.
Let's hang out, let's talk.
Comedy podcasts.
Some of the shows I'm about torecommend are well known.
Some are not.
Our very first recommendationtoday has been around for over
15 years, went through afive-year run as a TV show and
tours around the US and beyond.
(01:27):
I, of course, am talking aboutthe absolute classic comedy Bang
Bang the podcast.
If you're not familiar, here'sthe premise Host Scott Ackerman
interviews celebrities andfriends and has what is called
an open-door policy so any timeduring each seemingly normal
conversation, characters playedby improvisers and comedians
(01:50):
stop by and create chaoticsituations for over an hour.
One time each week, scott andeach guest are left at the mercy
of whatever the improviserdecides on the day.
Like I said, shows aregenerally over an hour, are
released weekly and usuallyfeature four people interacting
(02:13):
by the end of each episode.
Practically, I'll be honest,it's a bit of a slow burn.
Sometimes Guests, like I said,enter gradually throughout the
hour.
You get to know the guests,their quirks, but at the end,
usually when they all interact,it's comedy gold.
Stick with it and listen.
If you're on a long road trip,it's a great way to section off
(02:35):
parts of the drive by theselonger episodes.
Five hour drive listen to fiveepisodes of Comedy Bang Bang
Sometimes.
That's how I map out my routes.
For my episode recommendationI'll recommend something quote
off the feed.
The show has been going so longthat the host deletes episodes
(02:56):
off the free podcast feed aftera bit.
My episode recommendation,recorded August 29th 2011, was
so popular it was later turnedinto a vinyl and features two
writers from the then-runningshow Parks and Recreation
Chelsea Peretti, a greatcomedian, and Harris Whittles.
They are both joined by AdamScott, who played Ben Wyatt on
(03:20):
the show of the same name.
All you have to do to access myrecommendation is YouTube and
stick with me.
Youtube quote farts andprocreation, part one, cbb end
quote.
Or farts and procreation byitself should do the job, but be
(03:41):
careful with your search, withyour searches, for that it is
absolutely worth it.
The entire episode is Just solistenable and such a classic
Puts you in a great mood.
On to our next recommendation.
You probably have heard of ournext show recommendation.
(04:01):
Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend.
I have to be honest, I almostdid not put this on my list
because of its popularity, butits consistency was hard to pass
up.
If, by chance, you're notfamiliar, that's all right.
Conan O'Brien interviewscelebrities after talking with
two co-hosts for a bit of a coldopen at the start of each
(04:22):
episode.
Here's why I think this podcastshould be on the list.
For many years, conan'sinterviews were cut short by
cable regulations, commercialsand the format of the show that
he put on.
But now Conan has much moretime and freedom to crack jokes
and talk to each guest in a waythat's more deep.
It feels much more likefreeform 90s Conan, which is a
(04:45):
good thing in my opinion.
I'll say this Scroll throughthe Needs a Friend feed, find a
guest, you'll enjoy.
An actor you like.
A singer you enjoy and listento that.
But if you're looking for anabsolute classic, an absolute
banger, go all the way back tothe very first Bill Hader
episode.
I did the work for you.
The episodes aren't numbered,so you need to go all the way
(05:08):
back to May 12th 2019 in yourpod feed and see Bill Hader by
that date.
Also, the Dana Carvey series isa gem as well.
It started Monday, august 5th2019.
Just follow the dates all theway back and give them a listen.
Well worth your time.
(05:29):
Great conversations and speakingof great combos, that brings us
to our next recommendation.
And speaking of great combos,that brings us to our next
recommendation.
We're bringing out a relativelynew show for our last
recommendation, called we'rehere to Help, which, at its core
, is a lighthearted advicecall-in show hosted by New
Girls' Jack Johnson and comedianand co-host of the Dollop,
(05:52):
gareth Reynolds.
They freely admit that theadvice might not be fantastic,
but that nonchalant approach togiving advice gives a
lighthearted to the show thatyou don't get with a lot of
Colin shows.
For me it's fun to think aboutwhat advice you would have given
.
Listen to what advice they dogive and see if you're like,
(06:18):
wait, that's good advice, that'sbad advice, or just don't think
at all and listen to theconversation because it's funny
and you'll have a laugh At theend of the day.
It's just fun to listen to twofunny people interact with
people and give advice.
I've got two episoderecommendations for this, one
for you.
First recommendation the Questof Vilamina, september 22nd 2023
(06:43):
.
And the second is wait is thecaller the villain, may 30th
2024.
Both are good places to startbut they're all pretty fun.
And here's a pro tip for thisshow specifically Skip ahead
five minutes on almost everyepisode.
They do a lot of front ads soit's worth it just to get into
(07:05):
it, particularly with the questof Vilamina.
We've got some honorablementions for funny shows.
For you I'll put all of theepisodes, everything in the show
notes.
Here we go.
Hollywood Handbook is good fora very, very dry-humored person.
The Dollop is great.
The Last Podcast on the leftfor true crime and very crude
(07:28):
humor.
The Sloppy Boys is a pod by thecomedy rock band of the same
name who try review differentcocktails each week.
It's fun watching them talkabout that.
I'll include links to each oneof these, like I said.
With that said, let's get tolistener questions Always love a
van life question.
Is van life cheaper thanrenting?
(07:49):
Short answer is yes, but itfluctuates depending on how much
you travel.
Gas is far and away the highestcost of van life, so it could
get expensive if you're goingall around the place and it
wouldn't be cheaper than renting.
But if you live smartly in avan, it will be very hard to
(08:11):
match how much it would be forrenting, particularly if you're
living around.
You know San Diego and reallycondensed places like that.
So no, my electricity is solar,the biggest cost is gas and I
try my best to be smart aboutthat.
(08:32):
Where would you most like to gothat you have not yet?
I've been trying to go toAlaska for a long time.
The problem is it's such ashort window when the weather
would be good enough to camp andI just haven't had a July free,
so in the future I'd love to gothere.
Also, baja, mexico, is a placethat people in vans go to all
the time that I have not been to, so I'd really like to check
(08:54):
that out.
Would you ever van life with acat?
That is a great question.
My first thought is it would bereally really hard with noodles
to also have a cat unless theywere really good friends.
And there's no way to find thatout other than just doing it,
which I don't think would besmart, because I want both of
(09:16):
them to have a quality of lifethat's worth how awesome they
are.
Whatever my cat would be, myimaginary cat would be I love
following van accounts wherecats are on the road and on
leashes and exploring and stuff.
I think you can make a casethat you can make a cat really
happy on the road if you'resmart about it.
But personally it's just not inthe cards with noodles.
(09:39):
I would say it's Noah here.
Thank you for listening to thisweek's Van Life Diaries.
I appreciate your time.
If you find value in Van LifeDiaries for Back Road Odyssey,
the work that we put in, tell afriend about us.
It goes such a long way to helpthe show grow, to help us
continue to do what we are doing.
(10:00):
But thank you for listening.
Be good to each other.
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