Casting matters

Podcasting has been around for a while I must admit, but I came into it fairly recently. About two years ago I received a little tweet from one of my favourite comedians, Wil Anderson, that he was starting a podcast with his mate Charlie Clausen called Thirty Odd Foot Of Pod. 55 episodes later and it is one of the must listen things I do every week.

The great thing about podcasts is that they are usually free and easy to access via itunes or a podcatcher program on your laptop. After a few episodes you really feel you know the hosts and their foibles well. There are many sorts of podcasts but my top three are all Australian and all hosted by comics. They make me laugh a lot and they also get you thinking. Here are my three favourite podcasts-

TOFOP- http://tofop.com/

The above-mentioned podcast is an amazing clash of minds. Wil Anderson is a sharp, edgy comic and has the ability to pull a gag out of every orifice in his being. Far from being a "straight man", Charlie Clausen also proves his abilities as a comic, even though he isn't one. These two are kindred spirits and frequently surprise each other with their observations. Over the course of their show they have a number of topics ranging from the political to the downright weird. My favourite discussions have involved Kathy Bates and a time machine, the demise of the Black-Eyed Peas, the argument that ensues when Charlie admits to never having heard Radiohead's "OK Computer" Album and anytime that Justin Hamilton has been on the show. It can get crude often so it's not recommended for the faint at heart (John Deeks warns of such a thing at the start of the podcast in more recent times).

The Little Dum Dum Club- http://www.dumdumclub.libsyn.com/

Comedians Karl Chandler and Tommy Dassalo may not be household names like Wil, but they are an amazing double act. Every week (mostly) they are joined by fellow comics and they carve out a brilliant podcast that threatens to go anywhere- and usually does. Like with TOFOP, there is a real sense of friendship here and it shines through. I discovered these guys when I was in desperate need of a serious laugh and in many ways they, along with the other podcasts, shook me out of a really bad place. My favourite episodes include Shaun Micallef, Robyn Butler & Wayne Hope, Anyone For Tennis?, Bart Freebairn and Kate McLennan. Their two episodes where they have no guests are also priceless. Not as rude as TOFOP but can still get down and dirty when needed.

Can You Take This Photo Please?- http://canyoutakethisphoto.com/

One of Australia's funniest men, Justin Hamilton, doesn't just flex his comedic muscle on this podcast but proves himself to be a wonderful interviewer in the style of Denton and Michael Parkinson. His partner in crime, Bron Robinson, often has no choice but to sit back and laugh- a lot- and it's so infectous a laugh that you smile regardless of what is being said. Like Dum Dum Club, Hamilton brings in a guest every week and discusses life with them. Mostly these are comics but every now and then he throws in some other people. Actress Hannah Norris appears twice and each time it is an acting masterclass. A young actress talking about her process of preparing roles is a rarity these days and I recommend any aspiring young actor hear these podcasts (plus you get a lot of penis jokes thrown in for good measure). Guests like Rove and Tim Ferguson absolutely shine in this format. I walked away from the chats with Wil Anderson and Charlie Clausen with an even deeper understanding of them then I did listening to TOFOP. Also listen out to Tony Martin's interview (all done to piano accompaniment in the background) about life in the D-Generation and the Late Show.

I would love to know which podcasts you guys listen to as well!