Ari Shaffir's This is Not Happening

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1. 

   21 May 2026 · 1 hr 1 min

   What Happened to Amy Schumer? The Epic Downfall

   Amy Schumer went from comedy’s biggest star to facing widespread backlash. We cover her meteoric rise with “Inside Amy Schumer,” her Netflix “Leather Special,” accusations of joke theft from comics like Ellen DeGeneres and Patrice O’Neal, and how her political turn alienated fans. From being one of the guys on Opie & Anthony, to a genuine movie star in "Trainwreck' to seemingly irrelevant. Why Are You Laughing? is a history of comedy podcast. FOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttp://www.verygoodshow.org

2. 

   14 May 2026 · 50 min

   The Life and Times of Tim | The Most Underrated Show of All Time

   Is "The Life & Times of Tim" HBO’s most overlooked comedy? We dive into Steve Dildarian’s animated gem, comparing its style to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Seinfeld," as well as other underrated series like "Arrested Development" and "Community." With Nick Kroll and guest stars like Bob Saget, Bob Odenkirk, and Aziz Ansari, we uncover why this series deserves a second look and where it fits in comedy history.TIMESTAMPS0:00 Intro5:07 Creating The Life & Times of Tim16:44 HBO bidding war21:04 The Boss27:00 Nick Kroll & other voices39:20 Bob Odenkirk & other guest stars45:27 Is this the most…

3. 

   7 May 2026 · 1 hr 19 min

   Jim Norton | Opie & Anthony, Stand-Up Comedy, Raw Honesty

   Jim Norton’s comedy journey spans from opening for Andrew Dice Clay to becoming a staple on Opie and Anthony and Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn. We explore his stand-up evolution, his infamous characters like Chip Chipperson and Uncle Paul, and his influence on comedy podcasts and radio. Join “Why Are You Laughing?” as we break down Norton’s raw humor, controversial style, and lasting legacy in stand-up and beyond.FOR ALL THINGS BLIND MIKEhttp://blindmike.netFOR ALL THINGS CRAIGGERShttp://www.verygoodshow.org

4. 

   23 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 49 min

   The Rise & Fall of Cancel Culture in Comedy

   The history of cancel culture in comedy — from Roseanne Barr and Shane Gillis to Joe Rogan and Tony Hinchcliffe — and how it reshaped stand-up, radio, and podcasting.Welcome to the latest episode of Why Are You Laughing?, where we examine the rise and fall of cancel culture in comedy and its lasting impact on the industry. From high-profile controversies involving Daniel Tosh, Roseanne Barr, Owen Benjamin, Shane Gillis, Tony Hinchcliffe, and Joe Rogan, this episode breaks down how careers were altered, opportunities disappeared, and new platforms emerged in response.We explore how cancel…

5. 

   16 Apr 2026 · 48 min

   Mitch Hedberg: Mitch All Together

   Mitch Hedberg's Mitch All Together (2003) stand-up comedy album review.Mitch Hedberg’s Mitch All Together (2003) is one of the most iconic stand-up comedy albums ever recorded, defining his surreal one-liner style and influencing comics like Demetri Martin, Anthony Jeselnik, and Mark Normand.Welcome to another episode of Why Are You Laughing?, where we break down the history and craft of stand-up comedy. In this episode, we take a deep dive into Mitch Hedberg’s Mitch All Together and why it remains a cult favorite more than two decades later.We explore Hedberg’s unmistakable delivery, his…

6. 

   2 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 27 min

   George Carlin | Stand-Up Revolution, Cultural Impact, Comedy Legacy

   George Carlin became one of the most influential stand-up comedians in history by constantly reinventing himself. In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we break down the full history of George Carlin, from his early radio work, Air Force years, and clean-cut beginnings to his rise as one of the most controversial and respected voices in stand-up comedy.We examine Carlin’s early career as part of a comedy duo, his appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and how he first found success as a suit-and-tie comic inspired by performers like Danny Kaye. The episode then follows…

7. 

   12 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 19 min

   Kill Tony | The Complete Podcast History

   Kill Tony started as a small live podcast at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, but over time it evolved into one of the most influential and controversial shows in modern stand-up comedy.In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we break down the full history of Kill Tony, from Tony Hinchcliffe and Brian Redban launching the show at the legendary Comedy Store to its explosion in popularity after moving to Austin, Texas and the Joe Rogan Comedy Mothership. What began as a simple open-mic format — where comedians pull their names from a bucket for one minute of stand-up — eventually became a…

8. 

   5 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 10 min

   It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

   It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one of the longest-running and most influential sitcoms in television history, and this episode breaks down the full history, evolution, and impact of the series in a comprehensive deep dive. This in-depth analysis explores how the show became a cult classic, why many consider it one of the greatest comedies ever made, and why it’s often described as one of the most underrated shows on television.This episode of Why Are You Laughing? examines the performances and creative chemistry of Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny…

9. 

   27 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 3 min

   Ray Romano | Stand-Up Roots, Sitcom Fame and an Underrated Legacy

   Ray Romano built one of the biggest sitcoms of the 1990s, made hundreds of millions of dollars, and still somehow feels underrated. In this episode, we break down Ray Romano’s stand-up roots, his rise to Everybody Loves Raymond, and why his legacy deserves more respect.In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we go back to Ray Romano’s early struggles in stand-up comedy, when he was grinding it out in clubs long before network fame. We talk about how David Letterman played a major role in helping Everybody Loves Raymond get on the air, and how Romano’s low-key delivery and relatable writing…

10. 

    19 Feb 2026 · 49 min

    Opie & Anthony and the Voyeur Bus Incident

    The Opie and Anthony Voyeur Bus incident is one of the most infamous moments in shock radio history. While broadcasting on WNEW in New York City, Opie and Anthony staged a stunt involving a clear bus displaying nudity while driving through Manhattan. The bit quickly spiraled when police pulled the bus over, leading to arrests that included comedians Jim Norton and Lewis Black, along with members of the Opie and Anthony staff.In this episode of Why Are You Laughing?, we break down how the Voyeur Bus stunt came together, why Opie and Anthony pushed the idea, and how it reflected the…