Today we welcome Scott Aukerman of the Comedy Bang! Bang! TV show coming to IFC on Friday, June 8th, at 10:00 / 9:00 Central. He is also the host of Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast on the Earwolf podcast network which he co-founded. You may also know Aukerman as a writer on the groundbreaking Mr. Show with Bob and David, the producer and director of Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, and co-founder of the Comedy Bang Bang (formerly Comedy Death-Ray) show every Tuesday night at the UCB Theatre in Los Angeles, a mainstay of the LA comedy scene.
We’ve already seen a sneak peek and one full episode (starring Amy Poehler) of IFC’s Comedy Bang! Bang!, and it’s like nothing else we’ve seen on TV. The best comparison I can think of is the originality of Steve Coogan’s “Knowing Me, Knowing You… with Alan Partridge” except Coogan’s show was scripted and Aukerman’s has plenty of improvisation from celebrities and comedians. In other words, it’s surreal and off the cuff and several of our favorite people are going to show up. Seriously, here are just some of the guests you can see in the first season on IFC: Paul Rudd, Jon Hamm, Elizabeth Banks, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Ed Helms, Seth Rogen, Adam Scott, and “Weird Al” Yankovic. The first episode on June 8th includes appearances by Zach Galifianakis, Gillian Jacobs, Andy Daly, and Will Forte.
Comedy Bang! Bang! host Scott Aukerman will be swinging by the discussion from 2 PM to 3 p.m. EST, just answering your queries and being effortlessly awesome. If you have any questions or comments for him, begin your comment with @Scott and go for it. If you wrote your question on a brick and threw it at my car’s windshield, that is a classic UPROXX open thread blunder — we’ll have to deduct points for that. You should have asked those questions here. We are now opening the floor to questions.
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I’m sorry I missed this. I had to go to bed for a stupid morning radio show.
Thanks for hanging out with we merry degenerates, Scott!
The wolf dead!
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Okay, that’s all! Thanks everyone for being interested in the show. I think you’re really going to love it. I’m very proud of it. I’ll see you at the movies!
*runs to the end of the driveway, waves with both arms*
(The song playing in Burnsy’s driveway right now)
Scott, thanks for dropping by and hanging out. As expected, you’ve been a prince. Good luck with the show and all of your endeavors. We’ll be watching and pulling for you.
Agreed. Thank you Scott!
And thank you Uproxx overlords, these live discussions are fantastic.
We do it all for you guys, WBB!
Truly, this was great. It made the last hour at work feel like only 54 minutes!
Seconded and thirded.
@Scott What day is exactly is What’s Up, Hot Dog Memorial Day? I need to ask for it off.
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You missed it! It was Monday.
@Scott Favorite PFT character…go.
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I love Lord ALW!
@Scott, what do you think about men who wear toe rings?
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Why stop at the toes?
@Scott Not to be “that guy,” but could you do your Ray Romano impression really quick?
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DEBORAH!
@Scott – Do you think Reed Richards could have ever stretched himself infinitely thin to the point that he became string theory?
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Great question. Why hasn’t there been an issue of the Fantastic Four where Reed Richards just stretches and sees how far he can go? All the way across the US, stopping in various small towns, and discussing their problems. Oh wait – Superman just did that and it was terrible.
@Scott Will we get to see any hot Taint action on this season of CBB?
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If you have one of those TVs where you can zoom up people’s legs, like you have mirrors on your shoes – Yes!
@scott: Is LegalZoom a lawyer???
Yours is my favorite question so far. Bully for you!
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They are NOT a lawyer, but provide legal services at your discretion!
@Scott: Who are the three best standups in the alternative comedy scene right now? And who do you think is the next rising star?
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I mentioned Rory Scovel, but let’s see…. Kumail Nanjiani? I like Eliza Skinner, too… this is all off the top of my head, so forgive me.
Scauckerman.
@scott How was working with IFC?
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They have truly been the greatest. After slogging my way through several networks of people who don’t get it, they love the show, they are totally supportive of my vision, and are there to help make it happen. Also, they have the greatest marketing team I’ve ever come across.
@Scott – Also, can you please bring a live CBB to Salt Lake City? Us Mormons (and non momos like myself) need your Word of Wisdom
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There may be news like this coming around the pike. Not sure about SLC, tho. How many fans of the show are there, would you say?
I know of quite a few…I have ties to the largest comedy club here as well as the largest radio station. You say the word and I’ll promote the hell outta it.
@Scott, Man or Astro-Man?
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Yes.
If the guys from the Free Credit Report Band asked you to play tambourine, but you wouldn’t get to be in the commercial, would you still do it?
@Scott, do you have a prediction for tonight’s Heat-Celtics matchup?
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SPOOOOOOOOOORTS!!!!
@Scott No question, just wanted to say how much Bob Ducca makes me cry with laughter every time he’s on. Tell Seth he’s awesome
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I will! That will mean a lot to him – thanks.
scotts auskerman – will you have fan bingbing on comedy bang bang?
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Most definitely.
@Scott Has anyone ever refused to be on the show?
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I don’t think anyone’s refused to be on – it’s more like they just don’t get back to me!
Nowadays, it seems like everybody and their brother has a podcast. From a legal standpoint, how many podcasts do you think should be legally allowed to exist? And about how many brothers?
Never too many brothers, man.
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Two more, and then I think we’re done!
@Scott How did you meet Reggie Watts?
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I think I met Reggie at a show Kulap used to book called Garage Comedy. LIke most great things in life, I didn’t know what I was seeing or how to react. Then I started having him on the live CDR shows. Then our friendship blossomed!
@Scott — Is the Earwolf store ever going to stock Kulap Knee High Socks?
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Kulap says she is getting these going! I want to wear some myself.
OMG. I would wear them on my hands so I can be just like an American Apparel model.
@ Scott : is there a rough outline of where you and the guest want to take the adventures of the guests? you alluded to that on the “bonus” episode w/ Ed Helms, but what about regular characters, like Gary Marshall or Bob Douka or Bobby Bottleservice?
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Actually we never plan anything out!
@Scott Not to ruin the mystery but how much do guests know going into Between Two Ferns? I can imagine someone like Michael Cera being in on the joke but on the other hand there’s no way Sean Penn has any idea.
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They for the most part have seen them and know what they are. We hope to put out a DVD this fall with deleted scenes and the like!
That’s an amazing screen name, RerishNo.
@Scott, do you know what happened to Affirmation Cation with Bob Douka?
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Bob is missing! If you’ve seen him please call 1-800-328-7448
His hotline is 1-800-eat-shit? But now how will I tell people how they’re driving? DAMN YOU, DUCCA!
@Scott: The released episode, and full length trailer, of Comedy Bang Bang on IFC was RIDDLED with meta-humour. Delightful as it may be (and it was), isn’t it a bit worrying that you might run out of ways to meta-fy the episodes? I’m not even sure if that was a question, but please bear in mind that i’m foreigner. And yes, I DO want to know what love is.
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We were actually very concerned about being TOO meta with some things – i think we have a nice ratio right now of meta, weird, actually funny, delightful, scary, poop-inducing, etc.
Has anyone ever pointed out the amazing similarity between your voice and the Sargento Cheese guy?
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People also say I sound like comedian Wayne Federman – who does VO work in a lot of commercials. I’m constantly being asked if I did some commercial where I’m in a refridgerator.
@scott Will you ever stop doing other stuff that is not important and nobody cares about and instead make more Mike Detective?
Please – more Mike Detective!
Life without Mike Detective has been like a cookie that’s been stepped on over and over: crumby.
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We have one episode written – I was hoping to write it for an hour a day when we were working on the TV show. But that was a pipe dream! I talked to Neil Campbell the other day, and we’re hoping to get started up on it soon.
How much money do you make in a year?
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Great question. About one and a half times what I’m worth.
@Scott How does Rocky feel about some other dog getting what should be his sweet gig?
Also, how far away are we from the inevitable CBB video game?
How does Rocky feel about some other dog getting what should be his sweet gig?
Also, how far away are we from the inevitable CBB video game?
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Rocky is so jealous – but he does appear in the season, at a certain point! They tried to cut him out yesterday, but i PUT MY FOOT DOWN.
@Scott He should get some kind of producer credit
@Scott – how long did it take Amy Poehler to apply her wig in the recent episode of CBB on IFC? Also, Cake Boss! Also, since earwolf has an “open door” policy for guests, when can I schedule my appearance on the show? /inappropriate hugs
damnit, someone beat me to the Amy Poehler question sort of…quick follow up then: how does Nick Kroll smell since you didn’t get a good whiff of Alison Brie?
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I think it took Amy about seven hours in the makeup chair – applying the wig, applying the blue bodypaint, taking OFF the blue bodypaint, then realizing the wig was on backwards… but that was her committment to the Amy Poehler character! PS- feel free to drop by anytime.
@Scott – You’ve tweeted more than one joke about Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Do you generally enjoy food programming? Do you have any food television you consider must-see?
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I love to eat shitty food, so that is one program that makes my mouth water. Until Guy Fieri starts eating, that is! That guy is disgusting. Most other food shows I find boring – I used to love Iron Chef, until I found out how fake it is.
@Scott Will Brett Gelman be allowed on the show and, if so, will there be a live action iBrain?
iBRAIN IS THE BEST THING EVER.
I just re-listened to the original iBrain story the other day. So good.
I listen to it every week or so to remind myself that I’ll never be that funny. And then I drink.
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Fans of Brett Gelman – IF THERE SHOULD EVER BE SUCH A THING – will be pleased during a certain episode. iBrain, however, is too long to ever be on television!
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AND TOO TRUTHFUL!
I missed this. What is the iBrain story and where can I hear it?
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I think episode 35, with Patton Oswalt and Thomas Lennon?
Patton was definitely on. I remember because he kept interrupting.
Yeah it’s Patton and Thomas as Little Gary.
@Scott Who is the one guest that has always eluded you but you would love to have on the show?
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I tried VERY hard to get Chris Elliott on both the podcast and TV show. I even offered to pay for flying him out myself, since it was a little over our budget. His work means a lot to me. Some day, I hope! I was very pleased I got to have Paul Reubens on, though.
Get a Life and Cabin Boy remain two of the most important works of comedy ever.
Have you ever read Shroud of the Thwacker? It’s tremendously underrated. On that note, have any of your improv friends ever considered drunk Teddy Roosevelt as a character?
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I love Shroud of the Thwacker
@Scott – Ok, enough questions. I just want to say that Comedy Bang Bang Radio is one of the most consistently funny audiovisual whatever that I know. I will say that you do have a fanbase here in Sweden (that’s right) calling for your to bring your standup show here. Give me the odds on that happening, and PLEASE, be gentle.
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Man, I would love to go to Sweden. Is that where the GIrl with The Dragon Tattoo lived? Does anyone remember what her tattoo was of?
I think it was of a baby in honor of El Chupacabra
@Scott, why do they put pecans in bags of assorted nuts? They just don’t fit in.
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Pecans could put a person off eating nuts forever!
@Scott: How much do you bench? Follow-up question: How much don’t you bench?
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I will answer both questions in one sentence: I don’t bench everything in the world except for 180 lbs.
@scott why have you dissed Kevin Smith on your show??
I bet it’s because of the jorts.
If it is the jorts then that’s something I can get behind.
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they’re just jokes! Who cares? He obviously doesn’t.
They say the first sign of not caring is jorts.
@Scott If you had to lose your actual name and be known only by one of your many nicknames, which would you choose?
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Fartbreath Jones!
coffee spit take #2…my poor keyboard
@Scott – You’re just now premiering a show on TV, now what’s YOUR favorite show on TV? Nice segue, me.
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Mad Men has been truly incredible this season – I can’t think of anything better. As much as I like Breaking Bad – that show survives on a pure “oh shit, what’s going to happen next?” kind of level, that MM transcends. They’re like wonderful short stories every week that don’t rely on guns or killing anyone to be awesome. I think this season will go down as one of the best seasons of TV ever.
I adore all of Andy Daly’s characters and have listened to every CBB he is on at least 3 or 4 times and that number will increase. Is he as awesome as I think he is?
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He is truly amazing. I stand in awe of him.
@Scott, You’ve had Aimee Mann, Jon Hamm, Adam Scott, Patton Oswalt, Thomas Lennon, Ben Stiller and David Cross as guests. Is the key to being a great comedian having double letters in your name?
I only ask because my birth name is Aaron Nipple.
I was originally Allinn Hatterrmann.
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That is a weird thing – I wonder if Louis CK will change his name to Louis CCKK?
@scott – Will you be my best friend? It will require you to move to North Carolina, because I am unwilling to relocate.
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I have always wanted a true BFF! So if you are serious, I am game!
Can you start at the bottom, Scott? I was too excited and asked my question at 9 am.
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I did!
Ahem…
I know, I know, I feel like a dipshit now.
@scott – When can we expect to hear another superb rendition of Wipeout?
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Haha… when people were talking about that after the first time I did it, I was like “what are they all talking about?” I usually forget everything that happens on the show the minute we stop recording. I had to go back and listen to that again, hence my callback to it.
@Scott – I’m really curious on why Pete Holmes hasn’t been on the podcast yet, how come? Too noisy? It’s the noise, right?
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I want to get Pete on – there are so many people I want to get on! I love Pete!