ComedyHistorySociety & Culture

Look Back At It

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Each week, Sam and Alex will hop in their time machine and spend time in the past in hopes of understanding the chaos that is sure to be our future. From pop culture to political news to scientific markers and medical breakthroughs, they and a guest will hold up a mirror to society and ask ourselves, “Did we really learn anything, or did we just become dumber?”

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27 episodes
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Avg 51 min
English

Episodes 27

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S1 · E26
Wednesday · 43 min
2020 with Kandi Burruss
Sam and Alex are joined by pop music legend, businesswoman, and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss. Kandi remembers the year 2020 as a year of swift social change, from the way we work and interact with one another to confronting racial inequality at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E25
October 14 · 1 hr 2 min
The Harlem Renaissance with Jeremy O. Harris
Playwright and cultural curator Jeremy O. Harris joins Sam and Alex to discuss the Harlem Renaissance and the true story of Countee Cullen, his marriage to W.E.B. Du Bois’s daughter, and the infamous “fruit bowl” letter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Transcript
S1 · E24
October 7 · 38 min
Pop Music with Brian Patrick Davis
Brian Patrick Davis is THE black socialite of Atlanta. He is a creative director, graphic designer, tastemaker, and pop music aficionado. We start with pop music of the year 1998 and move into the 2000s and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E23
September 30 · 53 min
The OJ Simpson Trial with Derek J
Before Derek J was a celebrity hair stylist and all-around fashionista, he was just a kid in Ohio watching the verdict of the OJ Simpson trial in 1995 on an AV cart in a public school classroom. Sam, Alex, and Derek also discuss the intricacies of being black and gay in the 90s. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Transcript
S1 · E22
September 23 · 42 min
The Assassination of JFK with Maury Povich
Sam and Alex are joined by daytime talk TV legend Maury Povich to hear the story of his coming of age in 1963. Before he was reading the results of paternity tests on TV, Maury was a 24-year-old reporter; his first assignment was covering the assassination of the nation's 35th president, John F. Kennedy. Maury relives the event and the events in the year following: Martin Luther King Jrs. March on Washington, the Civil Rights Act being passed, and the start of the Vietnam War. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E21
September 16 · 1 hr
Summer of Beyoncé with TS Madison
TS Madison takes us back to the summer of 2022. The summer of Beyoncé’s Renaissance album is when TS Madison was elevated from a national community Icon to a globally recognized and Grammy Award-winning songwriter for contributing to the song “Cozy”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Transcript
S1 · E20
September 9 · 1 hr 10 min
1997 with Smoke DZA
This week, Alex and Sam welcome rapper and actor Smoke DZA to catch up on life, surviving New York City, and the pop culture memories that shaped an entire generation. The conversation kicks off with memories of 1997, Harlem’s cultural energy, Biggie’s death, the rise of local legends, and the sounds, styles, and TV moments that defined the era. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E19
September 2 · 52 min
1873 Colfax Massacre with Hunter Biden
Sam and Alex are joined by Hunter Biden for a history lesson on the 1873 Colfax Massacre, which Hunter Biden believes led to our current moment in American politics following the events of January 6th. For more from Hunter, visit his Substack: https://hunterbiden.substack.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E18
August 26 · 47 min
Regan's White House with Rosebud Baker
On today's episode, Rosebud Baker takes us back to her childhood memories of Ronald Reagan's White House. You know her for her stand-up comedy and as a writer for SNL, but did you know her Grandfather was James Baker, Reagan's former Chief of Staff? Rosebud tells us all about it! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E17
August 19 · 56 min
2020 with Rachel Feinstein
Is it too soon to look back at 2020? Today, Sam and Alex are joined by legendary comic Rachel Feinstein to discuss 2020, get perspective on what it was like to be pregnant during the pandemic, and hear her insights on being a mother to a young Gen Alpha child. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E16
August 12 · 55 min
00’s Talk TV with Liza Treyger
You know her from Last Comic Standing, and her hit SVU podcast called “That’s Messed Up.” Liza Treyger was a TV kid. Were you raised by trash talk TV, Real Sex and True Life? Then you might be a TV kid, too! Enjoy this walk down memory lane with Liza Treyger from the perspective of the TV guide in the 00's. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E15
August 5 · 37 min
2002 with Greg Yüna
On this week’s episode, beloved NYC jeweler Greg Yüna joins the show to discuss the year 2002 (and a little bit of 2001 and 2003 for good measure). Greg tells Sam and Alex what it was like to be a young 20-something enjoying the nightlife and everything else NYC had to offer, and how today’s kids aren’t partying right. Plus, Greg’s mom phones in to prove just how much Greg loves Michael Jackson, even after the infamous baby-dangling moment in 2002. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E14
July 29 · 43 min
2011 with Devon Walker
Comedian, actor, and writer Devon Walker joins the podcast to discuss the year 2011- when Devon was walking around Texas State University with an afro and Frank Ocean in his headphones! The three discuss the retail jobs they had at the time, the killing of Osama bin Laden, and take turns ganging up on each other for laughs. Buckle in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E13
July 22 · 40 min
The ‘90s with Bevy Smith
Host and TV personality Bevy Smith joins the show this week to look back at not just a year, but a whole decade! Bevy reminisces on being in Harlem in the 1990s- from the crazy club scene to experiencing the rise of hip hop music. Plus, Alex, Sam, and Bevy debate how sex, being Black, and strip clubs were just different in the ‘90s. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E12
July 15 · 55 min
2013 with Sam Jay and Alex English
This week Sam and Alex tackle 2013 solo and share their beginnings in stand-up comedy. They also discuss the year’s biggest events, like Obama’s second inauguration and the Boston Marathon bombing. Plus, the two debate the quality Kanye’s 2013 albumYeezus and whether he is too far gone to forgive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E11
July 8 · 57 min
1999 with Marie Faustin
Comedian and host of the MESS podcast, Marie Faustin, joins the show to talk about the supposed end of the world: 1999! Sam, Alex, and Marie share where they were when the clock struck midnight on January 1st, and whether they truly believed that was the end. Plus, the three discuss two major scandals of ’99: the conclusion of the Lewinsky-Clinton saga and Lil’ Kim and Diana Ross’ iconic VMAs moment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Transcript
S1 · E10
July 1 · 54 min
1991 with Mouse Jones
Comedian Mouse Jones joins the podcast to dissect the year 1991, and there’s much to discuss! It was a big year for basketball with a Michael Jordan championship and Magic Johnson’s HIV diagnosis. Plus, Sam, Alex, and Mouse dive deep on the politics of 1991- from George Bush Sr.’s presidency, war in the Middle East, and whether a transparent government helps or hurts its people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Transcript
S1 · E9
June 24 · 57 min
2015 with Judy Gold
Comedian, Actor, and Author Judy Gold takes us back us back to 2015— when the Obamas were still in the White House and gay marriage was finally legalized in the United States. Judy also shares about the death of her mother, prompting Alex and Sam to speak on losses in their lives. Plus, the three bond over what it’s like to be gay in comedy, and how it has changed over the years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Transcript
S1 · E8
June 17 · 48 min
1994 with Tone Bell
Comedian and actor Tone Bell takes us back to one of his most memorable years: 1994. The year of O.J. Simpson’s infamous car chase, Friends, and the death of Kurt Cobain. They also discuss reverting back to the eating habits of the '90s, and debate whether Seinfeld is really as good as the general population says it is. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Transcript
S1 · E7
June 10 · 47 min
2001 with Sydnee Washington
Comedian, Actor, and co-host of the MESS podcast Sydnee Washington takes us back to being a teen in New York City in 2001. When the city was still the epicenter of culture, and you could spot Dame Dash and Aaliyah at your corner store! They also discuss the impact that 9/11 had on both the nation and Mariah Carey’s Glitter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Transcript

Showing 1–20 of 27 episodes