The College Years is a look deep into the vaults of The Sound of Young America. Take a journey with us every week as we post a new program or two from our salad days.

Today's theme: R.I.P. ODB

Charlie Todd is the founder of Improv Everywhere. You may know Improv Everywhere from pranks such as Frozen Grand Central, Ted's Birthday, and Who you Gonna Call. Charlie shares with Jesse the origin of Improv Everywhere and explains the rationale behind their pranks. For more details behind Charlie Todd's "missions," make sure to read the Improv Everywhere book, Causing a Scene.

After that segment, life throws Jesse and Jim a curveball as Ed Helms cancels the interview. Rather than sulk and wallow in a bottomless pit of public radio despair, Jim demonstrates why his nickname is "Master of Would You Rather."

And since this episode is a tribute to the work of Ol' Dirty Bastard, let's finish with Shimmy Shimmy Ya. It's apropos anytime really, but especially for this episode.

The College Years is a look deep into the vaults of The Sound of Young America. Take a journey with us every week as we post a new program or two from our salad days.

Today's theme: Strong Words

To start things off, Jesse welcomes Chuck D of Public Enemy fame. Listen in as Jesse brings out some passionate words about the state of hip hop, politics, and Black entrepreneurship from Chuck D. For more, make sure to check out some of Chuck D's work.

After that, Jesse interviews Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, better known as Tim and Eric. In this segment, Tim and Eric discuss their unique and unusual creation, Tom Goes to the Mayor.

The College Years is a look deep into the vaults of The Sound of Young America. Take a journey with us every week as we post a new program or two from our salad days.

Today's theme: Show People

To start the show, Jesse and guest-host Steve Palopoli interview Pearl of the Suicidegirls. While promoting her group's traveling burlesque show, Pearl explains to the guys why Suicidegirls is about more than just pictures of pretty girls. Note: very hard to find SFW links of that other stuff Pearl talks about due to risqué pictures of pretty girls. In any case, if attractive women is your cup of tea, check out the DVD of the tour.

Next, Jesse and Steve talk to the arguably just as NSFW Josh Kornbluth. (NSFW because you might guffaw while listening). Josh speaks about his one man show, Ben Franklin: Unplugged. Although that show has passed, you can still catch Josh in the film, Haiku Tunnel and at future performances.

The College Years is a look deep into the vaults of The Sound of Young America. Take a journey with us every week as we post a new program or two from our salad days.

Today's theme: Free Form

To begin the show, Jesse speaks with Tom Scharpling. Known for his writing on shows such as Tom Goes to the Mayor and Monk. Tom talks about his radio programme, The Best Show on WFMU. Why don't you become Tom's friend?

Next up on this episode, Eugene Mirman! Listen as Eugene shares memories of childhood alienation and loneliness. Meanwhile, Jesse talks about Gallagher. If you're feeling lonely and don't want to listen to another Gallagher album, pick up some of Eugene's hilarious work.

This week's classic episode brings us part one of The Sound of Young America's first live on-stage show (aw!), recorded at The People's Improv Theater in New York City.

The standup comedian Heather Lawless, who is part of the live show Variety Shac, begins with ruminations on her body issues and other relatable topics, related in her fabulous Southern drawl.

Then we hear from Mike Daisey, the amazing storyteller, actor, and author of 21 Dog Years: A Cube Dweller's Tale. Mike spends some time telling us stories of his time spent in frozen Northern Maine, giving us a alternately funny and scary portrait of his youth.

The actor, director, and writer David Wain then joins the stage for a conversation with Jesse to talk about his film The Ten and being a part of the hotbed of creative talent that was the sketch comedy show The State.

And finally, we wrap up with a performance from hip-hop group Tanya Morgan. Enjoy.


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This week's guests are two writers. First, we welcome V. Vale, legendary underground publisher behind Re/Search Publications, a series of zine-like books on the counter-culture, including ZINES! Volume One: Incendiary Interviews with Independent Publishers.

We also talk to acclaimed author Josh Karp, who wrote A Futile and Stupid Gesture, an exploration of the history of National Lampoon and how it changed America's comedy scene.




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On this week's show, we entertain two wonderful (and entertaining) guests.
Jimmy Carr is one of the UK's most popular standup comics. Here in the US, he's hosted the game show Distraction on Comedy Central and appeared on Late Night and The Tonight Show. His new book, written with his long-time friend Lucy Greeves, is "Only Joking: What's So Funny About Making People Laugh?

Then we talk with Amy Sedaris.
She's a rabbit lover and taxidermied squirrel owner, as well as the author of "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence." The book provides domestic advice of many types, ranging from recipes to costumes to how to make fake food out of felt.

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This week on The Sound of Young America, a new New Yorker and an New Yorker of long standing.

First we talk with Roz Chast, long-time New Yorker cartoonist. Her cartoons have now been compiled into a stately tome called "Theories of Everything: Selected, Collected, and Health-Inspected Cartoons, 1978-2006."

Then a chat with Saturday Night Live's Bill Hader. He talks about how he got the gig after Lorne Michaels came to see him perform in a Southern California backyard, and what it's like to be the new guy at one of television comedy's most revered institutions.
He's TSOYA listener, by the way.

Be sure to check out our bonus audio for discussion of his upcoming movie projects, which involve Michael Cera of Arrested Development, the folks behind Reno 911 and Mr. Show's Bob Odenkirk, among others.

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Bonus Audio: Bill Hader

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This week on The Sound of Young America, two men who hold the keys to WORLDS OF WONDER.

Chris Elliott came to prominence in the early 1980s as the buffoonish foil on "Late Night with David Letterman." His career has also included the cult sitcom "Get A Life" and film "Cabin Boy," as well as several seasons on the hit sitcom "Everybody Love Raymond." Most recently, he's become an author, and his absurd 19th century mystery, "The Shroud of the Thwacker," has just been released in paperback. Be sure to take a listen to our special bonus questions for Chris for comedy nerd insider info on his specials, "Action Family" and "FDR: The One Man Show," among other stuff.

Then we speak with Terry Gilliam. Since his days as a member of Monty Python's Flying Circus, he's directed many acclaimed films, including "Brazil," "Time Bandits," "The Fisher King," & "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas." His most recent film, "Tideland," a dark & disturbing fairy tale, is in theaters now.

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Bonus Extra Question with Chris Elliott

Incidental Music by DJW

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This week on The Sound of Young America, we explode your brain with the power of music and ideas. Our first guest, Daniel J. Levitin, is the author of "This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession." Levitin a former record producer, who today is a neuroscientist studying the relationship between the brain and music.

Then we speak with the electronic music duo Matmos. Their new album, "The Rose Has Teeth in the Mouth of a Beast," presents ten biographical sketches of historical figures they admire. The music itself is composed of sounds related to the figures, including a cow's reproductive system played in the manner of a bagpipe.

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