Search Party: The Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

“Obsession” with Shalita Grant and Charles Rogers Jan 13, 2021

Dory’s obsession with Chantal lies at the core of all the drama and excitement on Search Party. But where does that come from? On the final episode of the podcast, co-creator Charles Rogers and actress Shalita Grant talk about Dory’s motivations, the show’s public obsession with her trial, and how we project ourselves on morally questionable people—both in real life and on the show. We also explore how Shalita approached playing lawyer Cassidy Diamond, and how the character—and her personal motivation to win the case, is far more complex than may appear on the surface. If you’re still curious about how Dory’s relationship with the topic of obsession comes full circle over the first three seasons of the show, we break it all down for you here. And be sure to tune in to the new season of Search Party —premiering tomorrow, January 14th, only on HBO Max!

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“Shame” with Vanessa Bayer and John Early Jan 11, 2021

Does Elliott Goss lie because he’s ashamed? According to actor John Early, the answer is a resounding yes. On this episode of Search Party: The Podcast, host Bowen Yang guides a conversation about shame and guilt, bonding with guest Vanessa Bayer over their shared experiences on Saturday Night Live. Meanwhile, Vanessa psychoanalyzes Elliott Goss and why he’s able to reconcile his deceitful actions with few repercussions… aside from hives. Finally, our guests share shameful moments from their past, including the time that John’s house burned down on Christmas night when he was eight years old (true story!). His family lost everything, but in true Elliott Goss fashion, a grown-up John Early admits how much he actually enjoyed the attention and sympathy that came along with the tragedy.

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“Truth & Lying” with Michael Showalter and Michaela Watkins Jan 06, 2021

The lines between truth and lies constantly blur on Search Party. And on this episode of the podcast, Michael Showalter explains how Dory’s inner reality is actually a conduit for the ways in which we lie to ourselves. Host Bowen Yang also helps unpack the motivations for those lies and how people can get rewarded for bad behavior both in our society and on the show. “I really wanted Polly to win because I want the truth to mean something,” says Michaela Watkins, who plays tough-as-nails prosecutor Polly Danzinger, about the outcome of the trial and the parallels it has with the larger cultural moment. There are also plenty of laughs—specifically, when it comes to the infamous “pancake” moment of the courtroom scene, which Michaela thinks is the funniest joke she’s ever read in a script.

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“Friendship” with Carrie Brownstein and Meredith Hagner Jan 04, 2021

Carrie Brownstein and Meredith Hagner have a history together: not only did Carrie direct an episode of Search Party, but they starred together in the 2018 film, The Oath. “Friendships are really complex, and I think the show explores the grey area of those complexities well,” Meredith says of the often toxic dynamic of the friendships on the show. Host Bowen Yang facilitates a discussion that explores how our friendships can be born from a sense of pain, the characters’ shared search for meaning, and why Dory and the crew are at their best when they have to work together. And finally, if you were wondering what it was like for Carrie to direct Elliott’s opulent wedding scene…we get into that as well!

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“Fame & Narcissism” with Kate Berlant and Clare McNulty Dec 30, 2020

From self-hatred, to empathy, to “benevolent narcissism,” we’ve got you covered in this fame-fueled episode of Search Party: The Podcast -- and who better to take this journey with than Chantal Witherbottom herself, Clare McNulty, and actress/comedian Kate Berlant, who plays Elliott’s publisher, Nia. Host Bowen Yang guides us through a conversation about the dichotomy between Chantal’s competing feelings of insecurity and self-confidence, how Berlant’s character enables Elliott’s worst tendencies, and what it’s like for her to work with her real-life best friend John Early. We also discuss which childhood traumas our guests would mine for their respective memoirs. Believe it or not, McNulty’s eerily familiar real-life story involves being searched for by cops, dogs and helicopters…

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“Identity” with Alia Shawkat and Mitra Jouhari Dec 28, 2020

“She’s willing to do whatever it takes in order to not actually face herself,” Alia Shawkat says of her character Dory Previn’s conflicted identity, which fuels the conflict behind much of Search Party. Luckily, in real life, Alia and actress/comedian Mitra Jouhari have a couple of fun-loving, goofy identities, which is evident in this episode of Search Party: The Podcast. Correspondingly, host Bowen Yang uncovers just how easily Mitra could have turned out like her character, Laney, in real life, why we all had “mean best friends” growing up, and the significance of the recurring motif of the mirror on the show (including why it’s so hard for an actress to put on lipstick while pretending to stare into one).

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"Love, Passion, and Sex" with Busy Philipps and Jeffery Self Dec 23, 2020

Host Bowen Yang defines sex in the context of Search Party as “this recurring thing that undermines trust or solidarity between all the characters on the show.” This is certainly true for Elliott’s boyfriend Marc, played by Jeffrey Self. In this very “passionate” episode of the podcast, Jeffery describes the lack of sympathy he has towards his character, the performative aspects of romantic relationships, and how he overcame his real-life fear of marriage. Meanwhile, actress Busy Philipps examines why sex is so destructive on Search Party and in our culture at large, the reason so many child actors—including herself—get married young, and why Four Seasons Travel would be her dream sponsor if she were to renew her vows. Finally, Busy explains how her appearance on season 4 of Search Party came about, and how she was able to avoid any spoilers while she was on set!

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"Fear and Rage" with Chloe Fineman and Starlee Kine Dec 21, 2020

Search Party's main charactersspend plenty of time experiencing or invoking fear and rage —and that's by design. "They've all walked into the world exposed," explains show writer Starlee Kine, "so we're seeing the psyche behind the outward appearance that Search Party has peeled back." On this episode of the podcast, Starlee, host Bowen Yang, and SNL player Chloe Fineman discuss the similarities between her bombastic Charlie Reeny and Dory's characters when it comes to the different, and sometimes dangerous ways in which they express their respective rage. Meanwhile, Chloe discusses meeting the Fox News correspondent who serves as the inspiration for her character in real life, her explosive onscreen chemistry with John Early, and what it was like walking around Murray Hill with hair extensions and a spray tan.

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“Trauma and Victimhood” with Paul Scheer and Sarah-Violet Bliss Dec 16, 2020

Are the main characters of Search Party victims or predators? The lines are especially blurred when it comes to Dory, who reframes her own trauma as stemming from an event beyond her control. “I know it’s crazy,” says guest Paul Scheer of Dory’s involvement in Keith’s murder, “but I see her point of view as being rational in that moment.” In this episode, Paul, host Bowen Yang, and show co-creator Sarah-Violet Bliss reveal how telling white lies can result in a slippery moral slope, and how evolution has programmed us to defend ourselves at all our costs. Sarah-Violet also explains the way in which Search Party’s story arc redefined itself over the first three seasons and what she means when she says that “the show takes us where it’s meant to go.”

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“Denial” with Taran Killam and Charles Rogers Dec 14, 2020

Denial lies at the core of Search Party’s third season—but where is the line between denial and delusion? From Dory’s reshaped narrative about Keith’s murder to Elliott’s invented identity and Drew’s shame about his violent past, all of the series’ characters struggle—and some refuse—to come to terms with their actions. In this first episode of the companion podcast to Search Party, host Bowen Yang chats with show co-creator Charles Rogers and loooooong-time fan Taran Killam about the ways in which denial fuels the characters’ personal journeys, how their friendships enable each others’ manipulative tendencies, and why season three’s judicial backdrop allowed for greater creativity in the writing process. Also, Taran speculates on what’s in store for season four. (Spoiler alert: He has no idea.)

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Introducing Search Party: The Podcast Dec 03, 2020

In each episode of this hilarious companion podcast to HBO Max’s cult hit neo-noir comedy Search Party, comedian Bowen Yang -- a real-life fan of the series -- sits down with a Search Party co-creator, actor or writer as well as a celebrity fan to dissect specific themes from the most recent season. Together, the three talking heads will humorously analyze the characters’ psychology, share behind-the-scenes anecdotes and discuss the most insane moments of the critically acclaimed show, getting fans pumped for Season 4 and inspiring them to re-watch past episodes from a new perspective.

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