Professor Blastoff

Professor Blastoff was a weekly comedy audio podcast, which was released every Tuesday and lasted four years from May 15, 2011 to July 21, 2015. It was hosted by comedians Tig Notaro, Kyle Dunnigan and David Huntsberger. The topics ranged from scientific, philosophical, metaphysical and humanitarian with guest host Aaron Burrell assisting in the research, who was also Tig's assistant at the time.[1]

Professor Blastoff
Logo
Presentation
Hosted byTig Notaro, Kyle Dunnigan, David Huntsberger and guest host Aaron Burrell
GenreComedy, science, philosophy, absurdism, improv, entertainment, talk
LanguageEnglish
UpdatesWeekly
Length60-90 minutes
Production
Opening theme"Professor Blastoff" Opening Theme by Tim Farrell
Ending theme"Welp, that's been podcast."
Audio formatMP3
No. of episodes217 (list of episodes)
Publication
Original releaseMay 15, 2011 – July 21, 2015
RatingsCharted in 4 countries
ProviderEarwolf Media
LicenseStitcher Radio
Websitewww.professorblastoff.com

History

The podcast was broadcast as part of the Earwolf comedy podcasting network, being recorded in studios owned by the company. In late 2012 and early 2013, the podcast went on tour across the U.S. and recorded live episodes at comedy festivals and small venues. The 100th episode was shot on camera.[2] In 2015, Kyle reported that "Tig got too busy."[3] So they decided to end it for good.[4]

Theme song change

The first episodes of the podcast had a theme song[5] by the hosts of the show, then in June 2011, podcast listener Tim Farrell submitted a new theme song that the show used until it ended.[6]

Tig's diagnosis

In the Spring through Fall of 2012, Notaro was absent from a lot of the podcast episodes due to various sicknesses she experienced in a short time period, which she documented on her Grammy-nominated album, Live.[7]

Streaming

The podcast could be streamed from the Earwolf website or downloaded from iTunes up until June 14, 2016 when it was switched to exclusively being hosted by Stitcher Radio.[8]

Guests

Many notable people in the world of comedy, music, television and film have appeared on the podcast, including Nick Offerman, Jens Lekman, Nick Kroll, Doug Benson, Myq Kaplan, Sarah Silverman, Paul F. Tompkins, Reggie Watts, the Sklar Brothers, Taylor Dayne, Dave Hill, Scott Aukerman, Amy Schumer, Jen Kirkman, Wyatt Cenac, Missi Pyle, Lake Bell, Ira Glass, Janeane Garofalo, Al Madrigal, Jackie Kashian, Steve Agee, Bo Burnham, Kurt Metzger, Barry Katz, Josh Radnor, Diablo Cody, Jim Roach, Bill Burr, Aisha Tyler, Pete Holmes, Mark Flanagan, Jimmy Pardo, Marc Maron, Moshe Kasher, Jon Dore, Greg Behrendt, Molly Ringwald, Whitney Cummings and Ian Harvie.[9]

Format

The backstory of how the podcast came to be was that a scientist, Professor R.L. Blastoff PhD, got lost in space and reports back findings to his abandoned basement, or the "Hatch," via radio signal and determines the subject of each episode. At the beginning of each episode, Aaron dialed into the signal to see what they will discuss that day after the hosts updated the listeners about what was going on in their lives. Then, the guest was introduced and is either an expert in the field of the subject or very interested in talking about it. As the conversation goes on, usually Kyle is riffing on his various characters and impressions, Tig is being silly and David is trying to keep everyone on track of getting back to the subject.

Features

Throughout the show's history, Kyle introduced his various impressions and skits such as: Donald Trump, Tim Gunn, Bill Maher, Swamp Rock, the game show Name that Punky, Mother Meditations, Top Shelf Thoughts, Knockout Ball and improvised raps using only noises from his body.[10]

Episodes
Main article: List of Professor Blastoff episodes

Reception

The podcast has charted in the following countries: United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia.[11]

References
  1. "Professor Blastoff". audioBoom. July 21, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  2. "Professor Blastoff – 100th Episode! – Earwolf – Video Podcast Network". YouTube. April 23, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  3. "Comedian Kyle Dunnigan on stand-up, 'Professor Blastoff,' and dancing onstage with Amy Schumer, Jennifer Lawrence and Billy Joel". The Washington Post. October 1, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  4. "So Long, 'Professor Blastoff'". Splitsider. July 24, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  5. "Original "Professor Blastoff" Theme". YouTube. September 13, 2012. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  6. "Theme from Professor Blastoff". SoundCloud. June 5, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  7. "Tig Notaro To Release New Album 'LIVE' Via Louis C.K's Website". SecretlyCanadian.com. September 25, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  8. "STITCHER PREMIUM Professor Blastoff". Stitcher Radio. July 20, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  9. "Professor Blastoff". Earwolf. June 14, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  10. "Professor Blastoff". Howl FM. June 14, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  11. "Earwolf – 'Professor Blastoff' American iTunes Chart Performance". iTunescharts.net. July 29, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
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