2014 was a crazy year. On this special episode, we take a look at the top stories from the year that was, and how they affected the everyday for all of us, including the rugged. And the feline. We also take some time to ask some of our past guests what they’re excited about in 2015. Featuring Patton Oswalt, Open Mike Eagle, Thao Nguyen, Hari Kondabolu, Kelly Hogan, Mike Doughty, Paget Brewster and Rhett Miller, it’s our Year In Review episode of Wits.
Patton Oswalt is one of the top touring comedians today. He won hearts as the voice of Remy in Ratatouille. He starred opposite Charlize Theron in Young Adult and with Steve Carell and Keira Knightley in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, and was in TV's King of Queens. Patton is also the author of the essay collection Zombie, Spaceship, Wasteland.
The LA Times calls Open Mike Eagle "one of LA's smartest young voices." Mike has also bridged rap and comedy, rapping at shows by some of our favorite comedians, including Paul F. Tompkins and Hannibal Buress. He was named Impose Magazine’s Rapper of the Year for 2013. The rapper of the whole entire year. His new album is Dark Comedy. Its 45 minutes of attempting to giggle at the abyss. It features raps from Hannibal Burress and Das Racist’s Kool A.D. Beats from Jeremiah Jae, Dibia$e, Busdriver and more. Its his first release on Mello Music Group
Paget Brewster can be found on Comedy Central’s “Drunk History”, as Special Agent Emily Prentiss on the CBS crime drama “Criminal Minds”, and various voices on “American Dad”, “The Venture Bros.” and “Dan Vs.". Brewster first came to attention in her recurring role as Kathy, Joey’s girlfriend (and later Chandler’s) on NBC’s “Friends.” She was a regular on “Andy Richter Controls The Universe” and starred as Beth Huffstodt in the Showtime series “Huff." Paul and Paget are Thrilling Adventure Hour's Frank and Sadie Doyle.
Rhett Miller is the front man and main songwriter for alt-country favorites the Old 97’s, as well as a solo artist critically –acclaimed for his clever word play and pop song-smithing. His music has appeared in movies like “The Break-Up” and TV shows like “Scrubs,” and Rhett himself has appearaed on “30 Rock.” He’s also written for Rolling Stone, McSweeney’s and The Atlantic. His latest solo album is “The Dreamer,” and the latest Old 97's album is “Most Messed Up."
Mike Doughty contains multitudes: Singer. Songwriter. Guitar player. Poet. Author. Playwright. Photographer. Most Improved Camper, West Point Youth Camp, 1982. He's released five solo albums, some EPs, a couple of live albums, a bunch of EDM tracks and remixes, a poetry book, and a memoir about that time he was in a band and didn't like it and took a lot of drugs. Up next is an album of covers, out Nov. 6, wherein he plays songs by John Denver, Cheap Trick, and Stephen Sondheim.
Known as a consummate "singer's singer," Atlanta native Kelly Hogan is a multi-faceted solo artist and sought-after vocal collaborator (Neko Case, Mavis Staples, Andrew Bird, Jakob Dylan, Alejandro Escovedo) whose warm, Southern persona and powerful voice have left their mark on countless recordings and live performances.
Hari Kondabolu is a Brooklyn-based, Queens-raised comic who has been described by Timeout NY as “smart, analytical and rising.” He has done standup on the Late Show with David Letterman, Conan , Jimmy Kimmel Live!, John Oliver's New York Standup Show and was a writer and correspondent on the Chris Rock-produced FX Show Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. He has also been interviewed on WTF with Marc Maron and NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross. He recently released his debut comedy album Waiting for 2042 on indie label Kill Rock Stars.