SnarkMonkey

Latest Episodes:

Tony Snark presents... May 02, 2015

Show notes

SnarkVengers Assemble! It's been a while since the last groupcast, so there's been a lot of pent-up pop culture just waiting to burst forth into your ears (eww) so join Jason E. Kelley, Brad Bishop and Monkey-In-Chief Larry Morgan for all things media, including Avengers: Age of Ultron, how Netflix is killin' it with Daredevil, Bloodline and Chef's Table, trailers that are getting us excited and there's a lot of buzz (mostly generated by JK) on the new season of Murder In The First on TNT. Listen and you'll find out why.

Oh, and we get a little serious about racial tension and urban unrest. And FINALLY some Monkey News! Enjoy! -LM

#26 - Alan Wenkus Apr 24, 2015

Show notes

One of the writers of the forthcoming NWA biopic, Straight Outta Compton, Alan Wenkus has taken a circuitous path from the comedy clubs of New England, a wacky 80s teen comedy starring a young Johnny Depp, morning radio in New York, writing syndicated comedy bits in the Valley, and now being a big part of a major Hollywood release. Hear how tenacity, rolling with the punches and keeping your sense of humor (at all costs) can pay off in the long run. AND we'll figure out how one of the most Caucasian guys you ever met could write about one of the most groundbreaking rap bands ever.

See below for several of the references we make in the podcast, including the red band trailer for Straight Outta Compton - coming this August. -LM

Follow Alan on Twitter @alanwenkus

How did Alan Wenkus go from this...

...then to this...

...to, now...this!

#25 - Scott Borchetta Apr 16, 2015

Show notes

How does a rebellious teen in a punk-y band in Hollywood and part-time semi-pro race car driver become one of the most powerful people in the music industry based in Nashville...? Scott Borchetta's story is one of drive, passion and (eerily quiet) intensity. From being on stage and on tour playing bass guitar to being behind the scenes helping to build country artists' careers he is now back in the spotlight as the man who was instrumental in launching the juggernaut that is Taylor Swift and, currently, the Season XIV mentor on American Idol. And if you think AI got intense this week - wait 'til you hear what Scott wants from the contestants now! Tough, passionate, confident and super smart, here's some insight into a powerful player in entertainment. Enjoy! -LM

Like you don't already know, you can watch American Idol Wednesday nights on FOX-TV. Watch the two-night finale on May 12-13, 2015. More here. And learn more about the Big Machine Label Group here.

Follow Scott on Twitter here; @scottborchetta

#24 - Max Koch Apr 09, 2015

Show notes

My oh my, the weird, wacky, sometimes creepy mind of Max Koch. An actor, sketch comedy player, animation voice guy, artist, wine blogger, podcaster, viral YouTube sensation - this guy is the personification of the phrase "does it all." But around the edges of his warm, cuddliness there creeps a dark, sinister ooziness which makes for an inviting-yet-dangerous mix. Intrigued? You should be. Oh, and by the way, he's hilarious.

Come with me on the warped, wonderful journey that is the life of Max Koch, and check out below for some of the stuff we reference in the 'cast. -LM

Follow Max on Facebook and Instagram and check out his YouTube page and wine blog Max Koch Uncorked.

National Association of Media Broadcasters Lacking Awareness Apr 01, 2015

Show notes

Monkey-In-Chief

Spring has spung! Birds are chirping...flowers are blooming...water restrictions are tightening...and the Monkeys are Snarking! No April Foolin', we've cover some serious ground in this latest groupcast, including some movies we are FINALLY excited about seeing - eventually - as well as a plethora of new season debuts forthcoming (Mad Men, Orphan Black, VEEP, Silicon Valley and the new Daredevil) wrap-up Empire and give the Bieber Roast a final poke.

Brad Bishop

Briana Mordente

Oh, and American Idol, Trevor Noah, Jim Parsons, The Bible/A.D. and there's even a song from the ol' Iceman...even though he'd probably prefer you not hear it. But you have to hear it to know why.

Rob "The Iceman" Izenberg

Get in the cage with us, we've got a lot of poop to throw this week; duck...and enjoy. -LM

With Rob "The Iceman" izenberg, Briana Mordente & Brad Bishop

NOTE: Brad makes a reference to an indie horror film he just shot...for more info on when BIg Bad will be screening go to bigbadthemovie.com

#23 - Austin Winsberg Mar 27, 2015

Show notes

Austin Winsberg is a hilarious television (and Broadway!) writer/producer who made a name for himself at a very early age as one of the youngest show runners ever in network TV. He was 9. No, I kid, but he was freakin' young. That series lasted only two years, but the path he took to get there, and what he's done since, makes for fascinating conversation!

Join us as we take you on fun-filled trek from the mean streets of Brentwood, CA to the hard-scrabble world of musical theatre summer camp in the Catskills to the dog-eat-dog existence of the Ivy League to...well, the no-kidding cutthroat battle of big-time television.

Along the way we befriend Fred Savage, get fired from Punky Brewster, get championed by John Stamos, crack the code of Gossip Girl, try to solve a problem like Maria, make it to The Great White Way, conceive and look for that elusive thing called Happiness. Oh, and there's a great deal of finger-banging.

Hilarious, inspiring, informative and ultra-snarky, enjoy Austin Winsberg... -LM

#22 - Camilla Cleese Mar 19, 2015

Show notes

Imagine growing up the daughter of frickin' Comedy Royalty, being shuttled around the world as a very tall, geeky, British-accented adolescent, living a somewhat privileged life riding horses competitively, becoming a bit of a party girl, doing some modeling and then deciding to break into stand-up comedy. What the what...?

Camilla Cleese will always live with the last name of one of the most beloved comic figures of all time (John Cleese of Monty Python, if you're slow) which only adds another element of difficulty when you're trying to get into an already tough business. Not to mention she's been targeted by a short men advocacy group; I'm. Not. Kidding.

Check out this fascinating conversation with a young, female stand-up on the rise - and yes, as a major-league Pythonite myself there is some good inside info on that world to satisfy the comedy geek in all of us... -LM

Follow Camilla on Twitter and get more info and see where she's performing at camillacleese.com. She's got a lot of dates coming up, including; March 23rd 9:00pm @ The Parlor in Hollywood; March 25th-29th @ Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta; April 1st 9:00pm @ Springbok in Van Nuys; April 3rd & 4th at 8:00 and 10:00pm opening for Jimmy Shubert @ Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank; April 7th @ Canter’s in the Kibitz Room; April 30th @ The Ice House in Pasadena.

The Bearded Monkey Mar 16, 2015

Show notes

The Monkeys are back with a particularly hirsute episode that covers Empire, McFarland USA, the upcoming Bieber Roast on Comedy Central, the difficult life of celebrities, the return of the Kardashians and we do some in-depth beard talk. There's even a song from the ol' Iceman to celebrate your impending St. Patrick's Day celebration!

Come on in for the fun with Rob "Iceman" Izenberg, Chris "The McGahan" McGahan & Briana Mordente as things get hairy... -LM

#21 - Denny Tedesco/The Wrecking Crew Mar 13, 2015

Show notes

In 1996 when Denny Tedesco learned that his father Tommy had been diagnosed with terminal cancer he began to document his dad's thoughts and memories about the practically unknown group of L.A. studio musicians Tommy had been an integral part of, now referred to as The Wrecking Crew. What began as a tribute to the life and work of Tommy and his unsung cohorts has turned into an almost 20-year battle to get this film released -- and that time has finally come!

The Wrecking Crew documentary is now officially released in theaters (as of 3/13/15) and on iTunes and On Demand; but besides the story of the blue collar, working musicians who created the indelible sounds behind Frank & Nancy Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Sonny & Cher, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, The Byrds, The Monkees, The Partridge Family...the list literally goes on and on...the story of Denny's fight, passion and determination to bring this story to the world is compelling in its own right.

We talk about both stories in this fascinating conversation that is a true study in how work ethic and pride in your craft can joyously result in timeless art - and that goes for the men (and woman) of The Wrecking Crew as well as for Denny himself.

If you love music at all - and have ever hummed along to "God Only Knows", "And The Beat Goes On", "Wichita Lineman", "Tijuana Taxi", "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" and hundreds of other songs from the 60s and 70s, you MUST seek out this fantastic tribute to Tommy and the people who were (literally) instrumental in making the music we love.

See where it's screening near you, or learn more at wreckingcrewfilm.com

Put Your Face In It! Mar 10, 2015

Show notes

The kids go back in the cage after a brief break, and we totally put our collective faces In the latest pop culture mishegas. We do a belated tribute to Leonard Nimoy, binge-talk House of Cards, break down The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, discover where Community is gonna be and when, intensely analyze SNL and lament the limp state of film while proclaiming a new Golden Age of TV...and much more.

Join Jason E. Kelley, Gabrielle Thomas, Chris "The McGahan" McGahan, Eric Schwartz aka "Smooth-E" with Desiree (last name withheld for privacy and, um...I don't know what it is) for all the fun. And a special thanks to "Shotgun Tom" Kelly for providing the title and catchphrase of this ep, even though it's almost impossible to explain exactly how and why it came about. Just trust us on this. Enjoy! #OnMyDougStamper -LM

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected