The History of Standup

Introducing Book Dreams

Book Dream is a podcast for everyone who loves books and can’t stop wondering about them. Over the past sixty-plus episodes, co-hosts Julie Sternberg and Eve Yohalem have

Introducing Green Eggs & Dan

Taking a new look at “you are what you eat,” comedian Dan Ahdoot (Cobra Kai and Kevin James's The Crew) brings listeners in on conversations about food, life, and more, w

Introducing Trail Weight

Trail Weight follows a year in Andrew Steven's life as he attempts to lose weight and process grief as he traverses a hike through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Through au

Scenes and Venues (Bonus Episode)

A brief look at where we’ve been and were were going as we continue exploring the history of standup. Featuring moments with James Adomian, Cameron Esposito, Pete Holmes,

S2 Ep. 07: Lyons Den and The Lincoln Lodge

Hear how an open mic and an alt room become the center of standup in Chicago in the early 2000s. Featuring Interviews with Nate Craig, Matt Dwyer, Cameron Esposito, Emily

S2 Ep. 06: Meltdown

Find out how, for six years, the back room of a comic book store became one of the best independent standup venues in the United States. Featuring interviews with James A

S2 Ep. 05: Broadway

Only a few standups were able to parlay their talents into a successful Broadway run. Hear the story of those comics who conquered the legitimate theater like Victor Borg

S2 Ep. 04: The Academy Awards

The Academy Awards has showcased standups throughout its 91-year history, most notably Bob Hope. We look at Bob and the other comedians who have hosted "Hollywood’s Bigge

S2 Ep. 03: The Apollo and the Chitlin’ Circuit

An iconic New York City theater and a collection of black venues provided opportunities for comedians and entertainers during racial segregation, the civil rights movemen

S2 Ep. 02: The Playboy Circuit

Hugh Hefner and Playboy magazine prove to be an unlikely champion for an era of comedy between night clubs and the comedy boom. Featuring interviews with Dick Capri, Tom

S2 Ep. 01: Holy City Zoo

Hear how a small clubhouse influenced the city of San Francisco and inspired a new wave of comedians that helped shape modern standup. Featuring interviews with Greg Behr

Season 2 Trailer

Wayne Federman and Andrew Steven are back for Season 2 of The History of Standup — taking a closer looking at the rooms, scenes, and places where standup happens, and the

Judd Apatow meets Totie Fields (Bonus Episode)

One of the exciting things about making The History of Standup has been discovering relationships that connect standup over generations. On this episode we hear how Judd

Jimmy Pardo and the History of Comedy Podcasts (Bonus Episode)

Earlier in the season (episode 6) we spoke with Never Not Funny podcast host Jimmy Pardo about podcasting's influence on the standup comedy scene. This episode is an unab

Live with Demetri Martin and Ian Abramson (Bonus Episode)

Recorded Live at Dynasty Typewriter at the Hayworth in Los Angeles, Wayne and Andrew join comedians Ian Abramson and Demetri Martin for a special live episode of The Hist

Ep. 06: Boom 2.0

Social media provides new ways for standups to communicate directly with their fans, comedy content is democratized, Netflix floods the market, and a new comedy boom expl

Ep. 05: Alt Comedy and Def Comedy

As the comedy club boom goes bust, standups adapt to this new reality. A DIY ethic emerges and spreads from coast to coast as more and more comedians take control of thei

Ep. 04: The 1980’s Comedy Boom

A fast and unexpected proliferation of comedy clubs cover the country. Long Island natives Eddie Murphy and Jerry Seinfeld ascend to legendary status as a growing glut of

Ep. 03: Carson, SNL, and HBO

In the 1970s a successful appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” was the goal of every young standup, as was epitomized one night in 1973 with Freddie Pr

Ep. 02: Records and Clubs

The comedy albums of the 1960’s ushered in a new era of standup, eventually leading to the the worlds first comedy clubs opening their doors, helping drive the standup co