The 39 Best Comedy Podcasts (2026)

KILL TONY is a live comedy podcast that functions like an open mic night on steroids. Recorded weekly in Austin, Texas, hosts Tony Hinchcliffe and Brian Redban invite aspiring comedians to perform one minute of stand-up, then roast and critique them in real time with help from celebrity comedian guests. The format creates genuinely unpredictable moments. Some performers bomb spectacularly and the resulting commentary is brutal. Others surprise everyone with killer sets and get invited back. With 757 episodes and counting, it ranked as the second most-watched podcast on YouTube in 2025. The show thrives on its live energy and the anything-can-happen atmosphere of the performances. Tony is a sharp roast comic with a mean streak that some people love and others find too harsh. Brian Redban, who co-founded the show, serves as the wildcard producer and occasional voice of chaos. The rotating celebrity guests have included some of the biggest names in stand-up comedy. Episodes drop frequently and run about 90 minutes to two hours. Production quality has ramped up significantly as the show moved to bigger venues. It holds a 4.4-star rating from over 5,000 reviews. If you love stand-up comedy and enjoy the tension of watching someone either crush it or crash on stage, KILL TONY is addictive viewing.

Conan O'Brien might be even funnier on a podcast than he was on late night TV, and that's saying something. Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend launched in 2018, and the format is simple: Conan sits down with a celebrity guest for a long, winding conversation that goes wherever it goes. His assistant Sona Movsesian and producer Matt Gourley serve as sidekicks, and some of the best moments come from Conan's ongoing bits with them — the running jokes about Sona's work ethic and Gourley's encyclopedic knowledge become their own comedy universe over time. Each episode opens with the guest saying their name and how they feel about being Conan's friend, followed by The White Stripes' "We're Going to Be Friends" as the theme. It's a small touch that sets the tone perfectly. The interviews themselves are less structured than a typical talk show appearance. Without time constraints, guests open up in ways they rarely do elsewhere, and Conan's improvisational instincts keep the conversation from ever getting stale. He'll derail a serious moment with a perfectly timed absurd observation, then circle back to something genuinely meaningful. The ad reads deserve special mention — Conan turns them into comedy bits, sometimes introduced as "Conan O'Brien Pays Off the Mortgage on His Beach House." Episodes typically run about an hour, and the spin-off "Needs A Fan" segments add variety with fan questions over Zoom. For long-distance driving, few podcasts match the sheer density of laughs per mile. Conan's energy is infectious without being exhausting, and the conversational format means you can jump into any episode cold.

Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas have been tearing apart terrible movies since 2010, and somehow the formula hasn't gotten old. How Did This Get Made? takes the worst films ever produced and turns them into comedy gold, with the three hosts bringing genuinely different perspectives. Scheer's the ringleader who keeps things moving, Raphael often voices what the audience is thinking with her exasperated reactions, and Mantzoukas brings unhinged energy that can derail a conversation in the best possible way.

The show runs on a biweekly schedule, with full episodes dropping every other Friday and "minisodes" filling the gaps. During minisodes, Scheer reads listener mail, fields corrections from eagle-eyed fans, and announces the next movie so listeners can watch along. With over 1,100 episodes in the catalog, they've covered everything from cheesy '80s action flicks and Lifetime thrillers to big-budget Hollywood disasters. Past guests include Seth Rogen, Conan O'Brien, Amy Schumer, Nicole Byer, and Charlize Theron.

Live episodes are a particular highlight. Recorded in front of sold-out audiences, they include fan Q&A sessions and original "second opinion" songs performed by audience members defending the movie. About 30 minutes of bonus material from each live show doesn't make it into the final cut, so attending in person is a different experience entirely.

The podcast is still actively producing new content in 2026, recently covering films like Netflix's "My Secret Santa." If you love bad movies or just want to laugh at Hollywood's most baffling creative decisions, this show has earned its reputation as the gold standard of bad-movie podcasts.

Flagrant is Andrew Schulz and Akaash Singh holding court on everything from conspiracy theories to hip-hop beefs, with absolutely zero filter. The show bills itself as unfiltered and unruly, and that is not marketing speak. These guys will say whatever comes to mind, and the chemistry between Schulz, Akaash, and regulars Mark Gagnon and AlexxMedia keeps the energy high throughout.

Episodes typically run between 90 minutes and two and a half hours, which gives them room to really riff on a topic before moving on. The guest list has included UFC president Dana White, comedian Mo Amer, and Tim Tebow, among others. With 572 episodes and a 4.4-star rating from over 6,000 reviews, the show has built a loyal fanbase over the years.

Schulz came up through stand-up and YouTube, and that background shows. He is fast on his feet, and the podcast feels more like hanging out with friends who happen to have strong opinions about everything than a formal interview. Some longtime listeners have noted the show has leaned more into political commentary recently, which you will either love or skip depending on your mood. But when Flagrant hits its stride, it is one of the funniest podcasts going. If you like the comedy-meets-commentary energy of JRE, Flagrant cranks that dial up a few notches.

Jenna Fischer (Pam) and Angela Kinsey (Angela) launched Office Ladies in 2019 to rewatch The Office episode by episode, sharing behind-the-scenes stories that only cast members would know. They finished that original run in late 2024 after covering all nine seasons across more than 400 episodes. But rather than wrapping things up, they expanded.

The podcast now releases twice a week. Wednesday episodes carry the "Office Ladies 6.0" branding, a reference to the Season 1 episode "Hot Girl" where Michael calls someone the "new and improved" version. These episodes include character studies, specific topic breakdowns, and interviews with cast and crew members. Friday episodes are called "Chit Chat," where Jenna and Angela talk about their lives, personal wins, and whatever else is on their minds. They've also started running their original early episodes under the label "Second Drink" for listeners who came late to the party.

In 2025, the show's scope grew again when creator Greg Daniels launched "The Paper," a new Office-universe series set at a struggling Ohio newspaper. Jenna and Angela have been breaking down episodes of the new show, bringing their insider knowledge and production expertise to a fresh set of stories. They even visited the set.

The chemistry between the two hosts is genuine. They've been best friends since their Office days, and it comes through naturally. Fischer and Kinsey also co-authored "The Office BFFs," a book that extends the behind-the-scenes storytelling. If you've ever loved The Office, this podcast feels like the companion piece it deserved.

SmartLess runs on a simple gimmick that somehow never gets old: each week, one of the three hosts surprises the other two with a mystery guest. Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett have been friends for years, and you can hear it in the way they interrupt each other, talk over the guest, and generally act like overgrown teenagers at a sleepover. It sounds chaotic, and honestly it kind of is, but the chemistry makes it work.

The guest list reads like a Hollywood awards ceremony seating chart. Former presidents, A-list actors, tech billionaires, musicians, athletes -- the range is absurd. But what keeps people coming back isn't the celebrity factor alone. It's watching Bateman try to steer toward something thoughtful while Arnett cracks jokes and Hayes commits to some bit that derails the whole conversation. The surprise element means the hosts are genuinely reacting in real time, which strips away that rehearsed feeling you get from so many interview shows.

With over 330 episodes and a 4.6-star rating from more than 53,000 reviewers, SmartLess has clearly found its audience. Episodes run about an hour and drop weekly. The show moved to SiriusXM for exclusive early access, but free episodes still come out on all the usual platforms. If you want polished, tightly edited interviews, this probably isn't your thing. But if you like hearing famous people get genuinely caught off guard and then watching three comedians try to one-up each other with follow-up questions, it's hard to beat.

Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino shouldn't work together as well as they do. Bobby's the chaotic, unhinged wildcard who'll say literally anything, while Santino plays the sarcastic straight man trying to keep the train on the rails. Spoiler: he can't. That push-and-pull dynamic is what's kept Bad Friends consistently entertaining since it launched in early 2020, and it's racked up over 430 episodes with no signs of slowing down.

New episodes drop every Monday, typically running one to two hours, though the length is genuinely unpredictable depending on how far off the rails things go. The format is loose by design: expect improvised sketches, fictional characters, real talk about mental health, current events commentary, and the occasional celebrity guest stopping by. Bobby's niece Rudy has become a fan-favorite recurring presence, holding her own against two veteran comedians with sharp comebacks that regularly steal the show.

The podcast has grown well beyond its studio roots. In 2024, Bobby and Santino took Bad Friends on a tour through Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. They followed that up with UK and Ireland dates in 2025, including a sold-out show at OVO Arena Wembley. Producer Carlos rounds out the cast as the behind-the-scenes guy who keeps getting pulled in front of the mic.

If you enjoy comedy that feels genuinely off-the-cuff rather than scripted, Bad Friends delivers. The chemistry between Bobby and Santino is the kind you can't manufacture, and every episode feels like eavesdropping on two friends who happen to be hilarious.

Comedy Bang Bang is the show that basically built the modern comedy podcast landscape. Scott Aukerman has been hosting since 2009, and with over 800 episodes, it's one of the longest-running and most influential improv comedy podcasts out there. The format hasn't changed much, and that's a compliment — Aukerman interviews a celebrity guest in the first segment, then after each ad break, a comedian arrives in character, and things go gloriously off the rails.

Those characters are what set CBB apart from everything else. Paul F. Tompkins alone has appeared in over 240 episodes, playing everyone from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Werner Herzog. Lauren Lapkus, Andy Daly, and Ben Schwartz are regular contributors who've built recurring personas with long-running story arcs that span years. Schwartz has an annual tradition of being the first guest every January, and in 2026 he joined the show's exclusive "40 timer's club." The improvisation is almost entirely unscripted, and the willingness to commit to absurd premises for extended stretches is genuinely remarkable.

Each episode closes with the "Plug Bag" segment, where guests promote their projects over a listener-submitted theme song remix — it's become a beloved ritual with its own mythology. The show spawned an IFC television series, a New York Times best-selling book, and dozens of spin-off podcasts. Fans vote for their favorite episodes each December in the annual "Best of" countdown. If you appreciate long-form improv and don't mind jokes that occasionally require a wiki to fully appreciate, CBB rewards dedicated listeners like almost nothing else in podcasting.

Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer sitting in a room, talking. That's the whole show. It shouldn't work as well as it does.

Tom is the dry, dark one. He'll say something absolutely terrible with a straight face and wait for it to land. Bert is the loud, shirtless one — yes, literally shirtless sometimes — who tells stories about his life that sound made up but apparently aren't. The contrast between them is the engine of the whole show. They've been friends for years and it shows in the way they roast each other without mercy.

Topics range from their health problems (a recurring theme that's funnier than it sounds) to insane fan stories to debates about food that somehow last 20 minutes. There's no structure. No planned segments. Just two comedians riffing and occasionally making each other genuinely uncomfortable. The moments where one of them crosses a line and the other can't stop laughing are peak comedy podcasting.

They do seasonal specials where other comedians fill in — Stavros Halkias and Chris Distefano have done summer and winter runs — which keeps the format from getting stale. Those episodes have a different energy, sometimes better, sometimes not.

Weekly episodes, 327 and counting, 4.7 stars from 24,000 reviews. Warning: this is not a clean podcast. If easily offended, scroll past. If you like your comedy raw and unfiltered, this is two of the best in the business being exactly themselves.

Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark turned true crime fandom into a cultural movement when they launched My Favorite Murder in January 2016. The formula sounds like it shouldn't work: two comedians casually discussing serial killers, cold cases, and cults while cracking jokes and going on personal tangents. But it absolutely does, and over 1,100 episodes later, the Murderino community they've built is massive and fiercely loyal. The show's format alternates between full episodes where Karen and Georgia each present a case, and shorter "minisodes" featuring listener-submitted hometown crime stories. Full episodes can run up to an hour and 40 minutes, while minisodes clock in around 20 minutes. Karen brings the polished comedy writer's instinct for pacing and punchlines. Georgia's strength is her emotional honesty and willingness to say what everyone's thinking. Together they create a space where it's okay to be fascinated by dark subjects without being ghoulish about it. They openly discuss their own struggles with anxiety, addiction, and mental health, which gives the show a vulnerability that pure comedy or pure true crime podcasts lack. For car rides, MFM works because the conversational tone makes it feel like you've got two funny friends in the passenger seat. The show is explicit and occasionally intense in its subject matter, so it's best suited for adult listeners. With 170,000+ ratings and a 4.6-star average, this one has clearly resonated with a lot of people.

Bill Burr sits down every Monday and just talks. About sports, the news, his own neuroses, helicopters, cooking, whatever crosses his mind. The ad reads become comedy bits. The rants become legendary. There's no format, no guests usually, no preparation visible to the naked ear. And somehow it's consistently one of the funniest podcasts available. His ability to find the absurdity in everything, combined with zero filter and zero concern about offending anyone, produces something that can't be replicated. You either love Burr or you don't. No middle ground.

Nikki Glaser says the things you think but would never say out loud. That's always been her thing on stage, and the podcast is just that with less editing. She talks about dating, her body, pop culture, and whatever else is on her mind, and she does it with the kind of honesty that makes you wince and laugh at the same time.

The format is loose — about an hour per episode, with co-host Brian Frange and producer Noa keeping things on the rails (loosely). Some episodes are reactions to current events. Others are deep confessionals about her personal life. The best ones are when she gets on a roll about something specific and just doesn't stop — her takes on relationships are brutal, specific, and way too relatable.

Her career trajectory matters here. She went from solid working comedian to hosting the Golden Globes to being everywhere. The podcast caught that momentum. Earlier episodes have a different energy than recent ones — smaller, more confessional. The newer stuff is more polished but still genuinely funny.

Not every episode hits. The ones that lean too hard into celebrity gossip lose me. But when she's doing actual comedy — telling stories, working out bits, being ruthlessly self-aware — she's one of the sharpest voices in stand-up right now. 535 episodes, 4.4 stars. The backlog is deep enough that you can cherry-pick topics you care about and skip the rest.

Extended interviews from The Daily Show that give guests room to actually finish their thoughts rather than hitting TV time limits. Trevor Noah's interviewing skills shine when freed from the constraints of late-night scheduling - he asks follow-up questions, lets answers breathe, and creates genuine conversation. The extra time produces interviews that are substantially more interesting than the broadcast versions. For people who watch The Daily Show and wish the interviews were longer.

BBC Radio 4 rotates their best comedy shows - The Now Show, Dead Ringers, and others - into a weekly podcast that's consistently sharper than most comedy content coming from anywhere else. British political satire and cultural commentary delivered with a wit that American comedy podcasts rarely match. The rotation keeps things fresh because you're never stuck with one format too long. If you appreciate humor that's actually clever rather than just loud, and you can handle UK-centric references, this is a weekly treat. Properly funny, consistently.

The Dollop is what happens when two comedians discover that American history is already funnier, weirder, and more absurd than anything they could make up. Dave Anthony does the research and presents a historical topic to Gareth Reynolds, who comes in completely blind. The result is 886 episodes of genuine reactions, ridiculous tangents, and surprisingly thorough history lessons wrapped in comedy.

Running since 2013, this show has earned a 4.7 rating from over 18,200 listeners, and that longevity speaks for itself. Anthony picks the strangest corners of American history -- the time Ted Nugent did something unhinged, a 19th-century milk strike, a baseball player named Charley Sweeney who was an absolute disaster of a human being. Reynolds's reactions are half the show, and his ability to be genuinely shocked by real historical events never gets old.

The format is loose and explicit -- this is very much a comedy show first, history show second, but Anthony's research is actually solid. He reads from primary sources, historical accounts, and old newspaper clippings, and you end up learning real stuff between the jokes. The recurring "Past Times" segment, where they read actual historical newspapers, is a particular highlight. If traditional history podcasts put you to sleep, The Dollop is the antidote. Just know what you're signing up for: it's loud, opinionated, and occasionally profane, and that's exactly why people love it.

A forensic anthropologist examines cold cases and suspicious deaths through the science of bones and physical evidence. Part true crime, part science education, and the combination works really well. Most crime podcasts rely on witness testimony and detective work - this one adds a forensic layer that most hosts simply can't provide. The analysis is detailed without being gratuitously morbid. You'll learn things about what bones can reveal that you never considered. Good for true crime fans who want their show with a side of actual scientific methodology.

Andy, Mike, and Jason debate the most ridiculous hypothetical questions imaginable with the passionate commitment of people arguing about things that genuinely don't matter at all. Pure comedy built on authentic friendship and the willingness to argue about absolutely nothing for way longer than is reasonable. The hypotheticals are the vehicle but the friendship is the engine. Consistently funny because they're not performing comedy - they're genuinely amusing each other and you get to listen. Low-stakes, high-fun entertainment.

Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke explore the world's deadliest diseases with scientific rigor and genuine enthusiasm for disease ecology. Plague, parasites, pandemics - you'll learn things about infectious disease you never knew you wanted to know. The science is real, the hosts are charming, and the subject matter is morbidly fascinating. For people who find disease more interesting than scary, and who want to understand how pathogens actually work.

Bobby Lee and Khalyla Kuhn bring chaotic comedy energy to conversations that go everywhere and nowhere in particular. Their relationship dynamic is the show's engine - raw, unpredictable, and frequently hilarious. The comedy comes from genuine moments between two people who've learned to be funny together. Not polished, not structured, just authentically chaotic. For people who like their comedy unfiltered and relationship-driven.

Keith Malley and Chemda have been podcasting since 2005, making them genuinely pioneering in the medium. Their chemistry reflects almost two decades of partnership - the kind of comfortable, unpredictable dynamic that newer shows spend years trying to develop. Comedy, pop culture, and whatever random thing catches their attention, delivered with the ease of a long-running institution. They don't need gimmicks because the conversation itself carries every episode. An independent podcast that's survived every era of the medium. If you want something that feels lived-in and authentic, few shows compare.

Kevin Ryan and H. Foley ask one beautiful question: are you garbage? Meaning did you grow up classy or trashy? Then they ask comedians and celebrities increasingly specific and hilarious follow-up questions to determine the verdict. Did your family have a landline in the kitchen? Did you eat dinner in front of the TV? It's low-brow in the absolute best way and the guests get shockingly honest about their upbringing. Everyone has a garbage score whether they admit it or not. Consistently one of the funniest interview podcasts around.

Brian Altano, Scott Bromley, Ryan Scott, Max Scoville, and Kristin Van De Yar bring the energy of friends who've been making each other laugh for years. Pop culture, personal stories, weird trivia, and whatever else comes up - delivered with the comfort of long friendship and genuine humor. Not trying to be polished or professional. Just funny people being funny together. The chemistry carries every episode because it's real rather than manufactured.

Katelyn Hempstead invites guests to pitch conspiracy theories - ranging from plausible to absolutely unhinged - and a panel decides whether they buy it. The format is comedy first, conspiracy second. The theories are just the vehicle for genuinely funny conversations. Flat earth, reptilian overlords, mattress store money laundering - nothing is too ridiculous to discuss with straight-faced intensity. If you enjoy the intersection of humor and paranoia, this is your sweet spot. Even the most skeptical listener will find themselves thinking 'wait, actually...' at least once per episode.

Dave talks about addiction with a rawness that most recovery content can't touch, and he does it through humor. Not humor that minimizes the pain - humor as survival mechanism. Dark, honest, strangely hopeful. The show doesn't pretend recovery is pretty or linear, and the guests who share their stories bring a vulnerability that's sometimes hard to listen to and always important. If you or someone you love deals with addiction, this podcast understands in a way that clinical resources often don't. Comedy and tragedy living in the same sentence. Powerful stuff.

Kate Winkler Dawson investigates historical true crime with the thoroughness of a journalist and the narrative skill of a novelist. Each case is meticulously researched, drawing on archives and original documents that bring historical crimes to life with a vividness that modern cases often lack. The historical distance gives these stories a different texture - you're not just learning about a crime but about the era that produced it. For true crime listeners who want their cases with historical depth and literary storytelling quality.

Graham Elwood and Chris Mancini watch movies with a cinephile's eye and a comedian's mouth. Their reviews are knowledgeable and genuinely funny, especially when they disagree - which happens a lot and is half the entertainment. They cover everything from blockbusters to obscure indie films, and you'll consistently discover movies you'd never have found otherwise. The chemistry between them makes even lukewarm films interesting to hear about. Good for people who want more from movie discussions than just 'it was good' or 'it sucked.' Opinions with substance and laughs.

The Sklar Brothers and Dan Van Kirk find real news stories about real people doing spectacularly stupid things and celebrate them with gleeful, slightly mean enthusiasm. Is it kind? Not really. Is it funny? Extremely. The stories are curated from actual headlines, which means reality is consistently funnier than anything writers could invent. The comedy is quick and the three hosts bounce off each other with years of chemistry. If you need twenty minutes of laughing at humanity's dumbest moments to get through your day, this delivers reliably. Guilt-free schadenfreude.

James Kennison and John Steinklauber prove that clean comedy can be genuinely funny rather than just inoffensive. They tell stories without relying on shock value or vulgarity, and the comedy works on its own merits. That's harder than it sounds and they pull it off consistently. Good for people who want to laugh without worrying about what comes next, or families who want comedy everyone can enjoy. The stories are entertaining and the delivery is skilled. Clean doesn't mean boring when the storytellers are actually talented.

Doug Stanhope is one of the most unfiltered comedians working, and his podcast reflects that completely. Raw comedy, social commentary that doesn't worry about offending anyone, and conversations that go exactly where you'd expect from someone who's never concerned himself with being polite. Not for everyone, and Stanhope wouldn't want it to be. For people who like their comedy with zero filters and zero apologies. Genuinely funny and genuinely abrasive in equal measure.

Felipe Esparza brings the warmth and chaos of his stand-up to long conversations with other comedians and artists. His humor comes from a genuinely wild life story, and that authenticity draws out similar honesty from his guests. The comedy here is personal and story-driven rather than bit-based, which means episodes can go to unexpected emotional places between the laughs. Some of the best moments happen when the conversation drifts into territory nobody planned. For people who like their comedy real and their comedians human rather than performing a character. Esparza is the real deal.

James Howard Kunstler thinks most of American suburban development is an aesthetic and practical catastrophe, and honestly? He makes a pretty strong case. His podcast covers urban planning, architecture, and the built environment with the passion of someone who genuinely cares about how places look and function. Sometimes cranky, always opinionated, consistently interesting. If you've ever driven through a strip mall wasteland and felt vaguely depressed without knowing why, Kunstler can articulate exactly what's wrong. Not for everyone, but the people who get it really get it.

Romel, Cam, and Emmanuel from Dormtainment brought their YouTube energy to podcast form and the chaotic friend-group vibe translates perfectly. They're loud, fast, and unapologetically funny in that specific internet comedy way that connects with younger audiences. Pop culture roasts, relationship takes, cultural commentary, and the kind of arguments between friends that somehow everyone relates to. Not polished. Not trying to be. The rawness is the whole point and it works. If you grew up watching comedy on YouTube, this feels like coming home.

Kara Klenk and Liza Treyger break down Law & Order: SVU episodes with the obsessive knowledge of superfans and the comedic skill of professional comedians. For people who've watched every episode multiple times and still can't get enough, this is the weekly debrief you've been wanting. They occasionally land actual cast interviews, which is a bonus. The comedy keeps things light despite the show's heavy subject matter. If SVU is your comfort show and you want someone to analyze it with you, pull up a chair.

Chris Fairbanks and Karen Kilgariff literally pick people up in their car and record the conversations that happen. That's it. That's the concept. And it works because there's something about car conversations that makes people honest and funny in ways studio recordings can't capture. The intimacy is real. You're basically a backseat passenger eavesdropping on strangers opening up. Some rides are hilarious. Some are surprisingly deep. All of them benefit from the natural chemistry between two comedians who are genuinely curious about people. Simple idea, great execution.

Michelle Buteau and Jordan Carlos take on everything nobody prepared you for as an adult. Taxes. Relationships. Career anxiety. The existential dread of picking health insurance. They're genuinely funny - not podcast-funny, actually funny - and refreshingly honest about the fact that nobody really has this figured out. The comedy keeps it from getting heavy even when the topics are. Like a survival guide narrated by your two funniest friends who are also kind of struggling. If adulting makes you want to crawl back into childhood, this helps.