Podthoughts by Ian Brill: “Never Not Funny Primo”

Posted by Maximum Fun on 16th March 2008

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It’s rare that I write about a podcast that’s new. It’s even rarer that I write about a podcast that technically hasn’t started yet. But Never Not Funny Primo is the new version of what I already consider the greatest podcast in existence. Now hosts Jimmy Pardo and Matt Belknap are asking for $19.99 for 26 weeks of material (or you can pay nothing and get the first 20 minutes of every episode free). This move could pay off for them or it could lose them a big chunk of their audience. I’m devoting this column to NNF because I believe that $19.99 for half a year of comedy is completely worth it. Here’s why.

I got addicted to NNF as soon as I discovered it around episode 20. Waiting the whole week in-between episodes I decided to investigate the archives to hear what I’ve been missing. I have had the experience of watching episode after episode of a television show on DVD but had never done the equivalent with a podcast. That night I listened to episode after episode of Jimmy, Matt and then co-host Mike Schmidt speaking their mind about whatever. The show regular hits this sweet spot where it’s always something about new but done in a way you were familiar with. There are never any planned topics but the atmosphere is the same.

What’s consistent is the rhythm of the show. Jimmy starts every episode trying to sound like Casey Kasem with a big professional opening but within seconds he’d sound like a guy sitting next to you at lunch, asking if you remember that one band from the ‘80s. Jimmy’s musical taste is a touchstone of the show. His earnest enjoyment of ‘80s stadium rock is endearing. It brings him to a lot of concerts where the crowd seems to have done nothing since that one great homecoming game. Jimmy can describe being in the middle of that chaos like Edward R. Murrow can describe London during World War II.

I was worried what the show would be like after Mike left but Matt stepped up and even though he’s not a comedian he holds his own against Jimmy and guests like Paul F. Tompkins and Maria Bamford. He’s still the understated producer but he gains a certain amount of power when he speaks because he is so easy going and nonchalant. When he says something that’s actually funny it hits you twice, the second time because you just weren’t expecting it to come from a low key guy.

There are a lot of podcasts where the idea is if you get a bunch of friends in front of a few microphones and have them talk about pop culture magic will happen. You have one or two guys who are cut ups and everyone else figures he should be world famous. I’ve listened to a few podcasts like that. Frankly a lot of people have overestimated how funny and fascinating their musings can be. Jimmy Pardo can pull this off, though. The man’s been a professional comedian for decades. He’s worked tough rooms. His act is 80% crowd work. He is comfortable going up in front of a group of strangers and acting chummy. There’s a certain mastery of tone and temperament that allows him to do that. Anyone can interest themselves talking about the stuff they like. Jimmy has the hosting skills to make he likes interesting to anyone else, even Chicago’s back catalog. Every turn leads into five different anecdotes. I signed up for primo because I don’t want to miss a one.