Midroll's 'Now Hear This' Celebrates Podcasts All Weekend

Maron And McDonald

MIDROLL MEDIA's NOW HEAR THIS podcast festival filled the conference area of the ANAHEIM MARRIOTT with live podcast tapings this weekend (10/28-30).

Among the shows represented were a special behind-the-scenes "WTF WITH MARC MARON" featuring producer BRENDAN MCDONALD and an emotional moment when MARON, choking back tears, noted how his show's success enabled MCDONALD to finally be able to buy a house; "HOW DID THIS GET MADE?," eviscerating the NICOLAS CAGE vehicle "VAMPIRE'S KISS"; NPR's "EMBEDDED" with reports from EL SALVADOR; The CRACKED podcast with comedians imagining the best use of a time machine; NPR's "POP CULTURE HAPPY HOUR" with guest GUY BRANUM discussing fads and not liking things everyone else does; "RONNA AND BEVERLY" with guest JIMMY PARDO, who also hosted his own "NEVER NOT FUNNY"; "WITH SPECIAL GUEST LAUREN LAPKUS" parodying relationship shows; MATT GOURLEY interviewing MARON about his role in the movie "ALMOST FAMOUS" on "I WAS THERE TOO," then joining his SUPEREGO crew for a live edition of that show as well; and several more, including SCOTT AUKERMAN's surreal talk show parody "COMEDY BANG! BANG!," storytelling series "THE MOTH," "TRUMPCAST" (with a DONALD TRUMP impersonator), DOUG BENSON's "DOUG LOVES MOVIES," DAVY ROTHBART's "FOUND" on forbidden love (featuring guest STARLEE KINE of "THIS AMERICAN LIFE" and "MYSTERY SHOW" fame), CHARLAMAGNE THA GOD and ANDREW SCHULZ's "THE BRILLIANT IDIOTS," "DINNER PARTY DOWNLOAD," "MEMORY PALACE," "CRIMINAL," and MIKE PESCA's "THE GIST" with comic ANDY KINDLER guesting.

The festival drew a sizable crowd for many shows and long queues for autographs; sponsors included CASPER, LOOTCRATE, STITCHER (like MIDROLL, owned by SCRIPPS), and MACK WELDON.

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