Stand-up comedy on hot-button issues followed by discussion with experts, the audience, and the internet. Monthly at the Hollywood Improv Comedy Club. Plus our weekly show, "Oh great, what now?" - a live-streamed discussion with experts and comedians on big issues from the week.
25 Available Episodes (25 Total)Average duration: 01:13:06
Nov 23, 2020
The Road Ahead feat. Helen Hong, Jackie Kashian, Jose Sarduy, Geraldo Cadava & Mark A. Peterson
01:36:42
Where do we go from here after the election?
Comedians do stand-up followed by a discussion with experts and the audience.Comics:Helen Hong (Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me)
Jackie Kashian (The Dork Forest)
Jose Sarduy (The GIs of Comedy)
with Professors
Gerry Cadava (author of The Hispanic Republican)
and Mark A. Peterson of UCLA Political Science.Hosted as always by Toby Muresianu.
Mar 29, 2020
Oh Great, What Now? - Norm Ornstein Explains Why Our Government is Like This
01:09:14
Toby interviews political scholar and bestselling author of One Nation Under Trump Norm Ornstein. We talk about how our country ended up politically in the place it did in this episode of "Oh Great, What Now?" - the version of the show recorded without a live studio audience.
As mentioned during the episode, Norm also helps run the Matthew Ornstein Memorial Foundation, dedicated to furthering mental health care and urban debate. You can find out more or support it at mornstein.org.
Feb 24, 2020
The Democratic Primary feat. Ben Gleib, Taquita Love, John L. Ray & Aura Vasquez
01:13:50
The Democratic primary is upon us and California’s date is March 3rd. We discuss the state of the race—and the local elections California will be deciding at the same time—with comedian and former presidential candidate Ben Gleib, comedian and nurse Taquita Love, progressive pollster and analyst John L. Ray, and DSA-endorsed candidate for LA City Council Aura Vasquez.
Jan 31, 2020
The Housing Crisis feat. Madison Shepard, Jenny Yang, Andy Bales, Liz Falletta and Michael Manville
01:23:00
Another great live episode from the Hollywood Improv, this time tackling California’s - and America’s - housing crisis. Featuring standup from Comedy Central's Madison Shepard and Last Man Standing writer Jenny Yang, followed by discussion with Andy Bales of the Union Rescue Mission and professors Liz Falletta of USC and the Los Angeles Zoning Advisory Committee and Michael Manville of UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
Jan 06, 2020
2 Hard 2 Spell: An Interview with My Brother, Alex Muresianu
00:50:45
I interview my younger brother Alex Muresianu, the #NeverTrump head of the Tufts College Republicans and contributor to various right-leaning publications on taxes and licensing reform, on this episode of "Oh Great, What Now?" (or perhaps better dubbed "My brother...and me"), the long-neglected in-studio complement to Up Close & Political's live shows.
Oct 09, 2019
Impeachment feat. Jordan Coburn, Michael Loftus, Robert English and Michael Genovese
We’re back to talk about the state of impeachment with standup from Jordan Coburn, co-host of the “Mueller, She Wrote” podcast and Michael Loftus, host of “The Loftus Party” podcast - followed by a discussion with professors Robert English, a specialist in Eastern Europe at USC and Michael Genovese, a professor at Loyola Marymount University and author of over 50 books, including “How Trump Governs.”
Oct 03, 2019
Guns feat. Erroll Southers, Susan Shelley, Josh Stepakoff, Joe Carl Abou Sakher and Steph Tolev!
We’re locked and loaded (metaphorically) for stand-up and discussion on the always too-topical topic: guns. Featuring comedians Joe Carl Abou Sakher and Steph Tolev and panelists Erroll Southers, a USC professor and former DHS, FBI and LAPD veteran; Susan Shelley, a conservative columnist; and Josh Stepakoff, a gun violence survivor and activist.
Oct 03, 2019
New Abortion Laws feat. Megan Gailey, Laurie Kilmartin, Adam Yenser, Brian Nguyen, Jasmine Patel and Raquelle De La Rocha!
Our podcast on new, restrictive abortion laws being passed in states around the country happened in June - but the recording equipment had serious issues. After many attempts to save it we now present it in “as-is” condition. Featuring stand-up comedy from Megan Gailey, Laurie Kilmartin and host Toby Muresianu, followed by an open discussion with doctors Brian Nguyen and Jasmine Patel and civil rights lawyer Raquelle De La Rocha.
May 30, 2019
The Mueller Report feat. Jaleesa Johnson, Mitchell Lamar, Michael Genovese and Rachel VanLandingham