This 8th episode of the Gettin’ Close podcast is one that’s extra special to me. I mean, they’re all special. I love all of them… but this one holds particular weight because the guy that I talk with, as you’ll hear me say in the intro, comes from a team of people that helped to shape where my life would go. Into improv. And now I’m following him into podcasting too. That person as you know from the title is Greg Proops.

Greg was in town last weekend to perform a few standup sets and record his “Smartest Man in the World” podcast. He was awesome enough to give me about an hour to chat and I think, had he not had to leave to perform, he would have gone on longer. It was a great conversation that talks about how he got into podcasting and why he continues to do it, life as a standup and what’s helped him grow, how he landed his gig on Whose line, improv in general, politics (because that’s one of his big things), Star Wars, baseball and even Deadwood at one point. We were in the green room at Helium, which is just behind the stage, so you’re going to hear a lot of ambiance noise starting about half hour in. That would be Ed McGonagal and Doogie Horner doing really well. So I’m glad we can hear the crowd as much as we do.

Listen to his podcast and also watch Trust Us With Your Life, his new show on ABC that also has some other Whose Line Guys including another favorite, Colin Mochrie. On the right side you’ll see the link to like the brand new (and quite basic) Gettin’ Close with Mike Marbach Page. If you like that you can keep up to date on who’s on the podcast. You can also follow me on the Twitter @MikeMarbach for Gettin Close and any other MikeMarbach.com updates. Now, listen closely, as I get close… to Greg Proops.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER

RECENT POSTS

Khazad-damn!: ROP S02E08

Crossroads Philly October 17, 2024

In this episode of the Beacons are Lit we’re discussing The Rings of Power S02E08. This is the season finale, which means after this episode, much like the Balrog of the Misty Mountains, the Rings of Power disappears for a long period only to come back when Amazon digs too deep. The Dwarves show up to save whoever is left at Eregion, Celebrimbor tells Sauron he’s going to the bad place, King Durin goes toe to head to horn with the Balrog, Adar gets a glow up shortly before getting Jon Snowed, Elendil has r-u-n-n-o-f-t as Numenor turns on the faithful, Isildur leaves his babe behind to go back home, Kemmen continues to grow his hater base, Cirdan is nowhere to be seen, and lots more for better or worse. We’re on another break, but will return soon with our awards episodes for The Two Towers and Return of the King. Lots more planned… but not scheduled.

User Illusion 3: ROP S02E07

Crossroads Philly October 9, 2024

In this episode of the Beacons are Lit we’re talking about The Rings of Power Season 2 episode 7. We’re deep into the siege of Eregion now. Celebrimbor is living his best imaginary life, Sauron is blaming everything on Celebrimbor, Elrond putting the moves on Galadriel, Gil Galad puts on his Sunday best for battle, Adar’s kids are starting to turn on him, the Dwarves got their own problems going on, and Harfoots & the Stranger are nowhere to be seen.

Prodigy S02E011&12 + Voyager S04E04

Crossroads Philly October 7, 2024

Let’s fly! It’s time for an old Star Trek tradition where we make a broken-down ship spaceworthy! In the now, in Prodigy S2E11 and E12, “Last Flight of the Protostar Parts I and II,” the Prodigy gang finally meet Captain Chakotay, stranded on a distant planet. And they have no choice but to roll up their sleeves and plot an escape! Then, we take a trip into the Before for more Chakotay character study, we journey to Star Trek: Voyager S4E4, “Nemesis,” where the commander is stranded and meets the Vori, an alien soldier race that harbors some secrets and enough slightly-off idiosycratic idioms that you can fathom! Grab some warm Coverings, pour yourself something Savory, and dive into some Gloried Tellings about some Trek!

Through the Ringer: ROP S02E04-06

Crossroads Philly October 2, 2024

In this episode of the Beacons are Lit we’re talking about The Rings of Power Season 2 Episodes 4-6. We’re building to the Siege of Eregion, Orcs are getting a little skeptical of Adar, Galadriel does some cool stuff and gets captured anyway, an Ent Wife is found, Elrond and company bust some ghosts, King Durin is spiraling, Celebrimbor doing arts and crafts as his city burns, Probably Gandalf getting in some training, Numenor summons a sea monster, Celebrimbor is losing his mind and Annatar is reaping the benefits, and much more.

Prodigy S02E09&10 + TNG S01E06

Crossroads Philly September 30, 2024

It’s time to discuss three action-packed episodes of Star Trek! First, we head over to the TNG universe to discuss Season 1 Episode 6, “Where No One Has Gone Before,” which introduces the mysterious traveler and his interest in Wesley Crusher. Then, we jump ahead to Prodigy Season 2 Episodes 9 and 10, “The Devourer of All Things Parts I and II,” where we’ll meet Wesley again, now a full-fledged Traveler! Join Chris Newcomer, Karie Coleman Hinners and Chris Newcomer as we travel across series, the galaxy and even time itself!

LOAD MORE