1. The Adam Carolla Podcast
When his L.A.-based radio show went off the air, comedian and former Loveline host Adam Carolla took to his own living room and began recording The Adam Carolla Podcast. Produced from his couch and featuring a series of comedian guests, the show quickly became one of the most downloaded podcasts on iTunes. It's nice to know that comics like Carolla can find ways to make their voices heard, even when traditional outlets no longer have a place for them.
Listen to 'The Adam Carolla Podcast'2. Never Not Funny
Probably the Holy Grail of comedian podcasts, Never Not Funny is required listening for die-hard fans of stand-up comedy. Hosts Jimmy Pardo and Matt Belknap welcome a comedian guest to sit in for each week's show, and the three discuss pop culture and comedy. The show is now a subscription podcast, meaning only the first few minutes of each show are available for free; to hear the rest, you've got to pay for it.
Listen to 'Never Not Funny'3. I Love Movies with Doug Benson
Taped regularly at the UCB Theater in Los Angeles (before Comedy Death-Ray), comedian Doug Benson's I Love Movies is incredibly entertaining for both fans of comedy and fans of movies. Benson typically sits with two guests for each show - usually comics, but sometimes actors, too -- and goof around, talk movies and play movie-themed games (the best is the "Leonard Maltin Game," which is played every week). Benson actually is very knowledgeable and passionate when it comes to movies, and his enthusiasm is infectious. The show is always a great listen.
Listen to 'I Love Movies'4. WTF with Marc Maron
Like Adam Carolla, Marc Maron took to podcasting after seeing several of his radio shows (primarily on Air America) bite the dust. He brings his usual brand of sardonic, neurotic humor (with more than a tinge of bitterness) to WTF, but he also makes it unflinchingly honest and often fascinating. Covering everything from politics to pop culture to "WTF" moments (with regular comedy guests), Maron's show isn't as funny as some other comedian podcasts, but it's never less than fascinating.
Listen to 'WTF with Marc Maron'5. The Ricky Gervais Podcast
The most downloaded podcast of all time (it's in the Guiness Book) features the insanely talented and funny British comedian Ricky Gervais (alongside Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington) in the list's only occasional video podcast. Not a regular or ongoing series, The Ricky Gervais Podcasts comes in limited runs -- almost like seasons on a TV show -- and is ultimately bundled together not unlike an audio book. Some episodes have been made available for free; others require a fee. Pretty much everything Gervais touches is funny, so it's worth it.
Watch 'The Ricky Gervais Podcast'6. Comedy and Everything Else
A round table hosted by comedians Todd Glass, Jimmy Dore and Stefane Zamorano, Comedy and Everything Else features lively and sometimes heated discussions about everything from politics to comedy. It's all engaging, but it's the discussions on comedy that stand-up fans will really enjoy.
Listen to 'Comedy and Everything Else'7. The Greg Fitzsimmons Experience
Underrated comedian Greg Fitzsimmons hosts this regular podcast, which he records immediately after finishing up his excellent weekly SIRIUS/XM radio show -- making it a sort of extension of the radio show (though you don't need to have listened to enjoy the podcast). Like most of the comedian podcasts on the list, Fitzsimmons regularly invites comedian guests onto the show with him. Always a good listen.
Listen to 'The Greg Fitzsimmons Experience8. Comedy Death-Ray Radio
A podcast born out of the Comedy Death-Ray comedy showcases (started by Scott Aukerman and B.J. Porter) held weekly at the UCB Theater in L.A., Comedy Death-Ray Radio is a weekly comedy podcast featuring the country's best alternative comics. If you can't see Comedy Death-Ray every week like you'd like to, this is the next best thing.
Listen to 'Comedy Death-Ray Radio'9. Bill Burr's Monday Morning Podcast
Comedian Bill Burr's weekly podcast combines original material with Burr's stand-up and radio appearances. Burr also takes calls and discusses current events in his usual angry and edgy sense of humor. A great introduction to Burr's comedy -- assuming you're not already a fan.
Listen to 'Bill Burr's Monday Morning Podcast'10. Detention with Josh Sneed
Lesser-known comedian Josh Sneed hosts this regular podcast alongside Mark Chalifoux and comedian guests like Jimmy Pardo (host of Never Not Funny) and Doug Benson (host of I Love Movies). Like most comedian podcasts, the pair discuss pop culture and often comedy with a shaggy charm that makes it just different enough from other podcasts to warrant a listen.
Listen to 'The Detention Show with Josh Sneed'