Episodes

  • Max Amini: A Joke for Every Country

    Max Amini: A Joke for Every Country
    Oct 15 2026
    Max Amini joins Tom Papa to talk about building a global stand-up audience through crowd work, curiosity and comedy in both English and Farsi. He shares stories from growing up in Iran, directing James the Second and shaping a live show that changes with every room. They also discuss his upcoming special and worldwide tour. Max's film James the Second comes up in this episode. Max's next special is on the way. Max's international tour is on the road now. CHAPTERS 00:00 Max Amini Knows How to Joke With Any Country 03:58 Directing James the Second 07:08 Building a Stand-Up Career on Instinct 09:51 Discovering Crowd Work 12:29 Finding a Place Outside the Industry 16:20 The Class Clown Becomes a Comedian 18:23 Growing Up Between America and Iran 21:43 Teenage Rebellion in Iran 24:48 The Iran Beyond the Headlines 27:55 Hope, Technology and a Fairer World 30:54 Performing Stand-Up in Farsi 34:19 How Max Amini Learns Every Culture 37:08 Bread, Podcasts and Real Connection 40:14 The Famous Comedian You May Not Know 43:53 Building a Global Audience Independently 48:16 Max Amini's Next Special 49:34 How Crowd Work Shapes the Show 52:23 Why Comedy Rewards Originality 56:05 Turning Old Ideas Into New Films 57:26 Cairo, Albania and a Tour Documentary 1:00:28 Bread for the Road See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Chuck Lorre: A Life in Sitcoms

    Chuck Lorre: A Life in Sitcoms
    Oct 13 2026

    Chuck Lorre joins Tom Papa to talk about his book Sitcom and the improbable road from aspiring songwriter to one of television’s most influential comedy creators. They dig into Two and a Half Men and the Charlie Sheen years Chuck admits he was in denial about, The Big Bang Theory, Roseanne, casting Jon Cryer, and the creative rules that keep audiences laughing and caring.

    Chuck's book Sitcom: A Memoir is out October 13.

    Chuck's show Leanne is out now.

    Chuck's show Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is on the way.

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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Zach Zucker: Turning Stamptown into a Netflix Special

    Zach Zucker: Turning Stamptown into a Netflix Special
    Oct 8 2026
    Tom sits down with Zach Zucker for a freewheeling conversation about cheating on the ACT, finding his artistic home in French clown school and bringing his creative family to Netflix with Stamptown. Zach also explains the Iams voiceovers keeping the operation alive and the full-circle moment that took him back to Étampes. Zach's special Stamptown is out now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Brian Posehn: The Big Bang Theory Spinoff

    Brian Posehn: The Big Bang Theory Spinoff
    Oct 6 2026

    Brian Posehn joins Tom Papa to talk about nearly 40 years in stand-up, his lifelong love of metal and Rush, and the call that brought him into a new HBO Max show from the Big Bang Theory universe. They also get into Star Wars, The Mandalorian, Deadpool, creator-owned comics, and the joy of building a career around everything that made Brian Posehn a smart, weird kid.

    Brian plays Bert in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the Big Bang Theory spinoff, streaming now on HBO Max.

    Brian's stand-up tour is on the road now.

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    59 mins
  • Milan Patel: Growing Up Running a Motel

    Milan Patel: Growing Up Running a Motel
    Oct 1 2026

    Milan Patel and Tom trade stories about motel guests, hotel etiquette, Hinge, public pools, TSA PreCheck, and the strange calculations people make during flight delays. Plus, Milan Patel talks about The Paper, his upcoming dates with Anthony Jeselnik, and why Cybertrucks may have finally found their calling.

    Catch Milan in an upcoming episode of The Paper!

    Milan opens for Anthony Jeselnik in San Diego and Phoenix this December.

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    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    58 mins
  • Sam Morril: Why Happiness Hurt His Stand-Up

    Sam Morril: Why Happiness Hurt His Stand-Up
    Sep 29 2026

    Sam Morril sits down with Tom Papa for a conversation about the Knicks, unforgettable bombs, classic film noir, and taking creative risks for the right reasons. They also get into Sam Morril's new Netflix special and the movie he spent two years making on the road.

    Sam Morril's new Netflix special, Incorrect, is out now. His tour mockumentary is coming to Netflix early next year.

    This episode is sponsored by Monarch. Start a free trial, and get 50% off your first year of Monarch Core Tier with code PAPA at monarch.com

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    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Bedouine Was Devastated When She Left Saudi Arabia

    Bedouine Was Devastated When She Left Saudi Arabia
    Sep 24 2026

    Tom sits down with Azniv Korkejian for a conversation about growing up between Saudi Arabia and the United States, turning nostalgia into songs, and discovering a new sense of presence through parenthood. Azniv Korkejian also shares plans for her upcoming tour and the eclectic musical influences that shaped her work. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 00:00 Bedouine Was Devastated When She Left Saudi Arabia 03:03 The new album and going independent 09:14 Turning family history into an album 18:29 Growing up in Saudi Arabia 24:20 How songwriting really happens 30:28 Creative friction with a trusted partner 34:30 Azniv Korkejian on Roger Waters 37:14 Searching for a sense of belonging 41:32 Nostalgia, healing, and parenthood 50:38 Is art a job or an identity? 58:37 From Norah Jones to homemade mixtapes 1:05:58 Simple food and buttered pasta 1:10:38 Tour plans and staying close to home

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    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Billy Gardell: The Health Decision That Sent Him Back to Open Mics

    Billy Gardell: The Health Decision That Sent Him Back to Open Mics
    Sep 22 2026

    Billy Gardell joins Tom Papa to share how rebuilding his health led him back to stand-up, and why he had to begin again at open mics. They revisit the last-chance audition that became Mike & Molly, the lessons of James Burrows, and the family relationships that keep Billy grounded as he returns to touring. Billy Gardell is touring now! Married Moments is also out now. Our thanks to: IQ Bar! Text PAPA to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply. ASPCA Pet Insurance! Go to https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/PAPA to find out more. The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance. For terms and conditions visit: https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/more-info/state-documents-and-sample-policies/. Products are underwritten by either Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581), or United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113) and distributed by PTZ Insurance Agency Ltd

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    1 hr and 1 min