The fact that Paul F. Tompkins isn't a household name is a true miscarriage of justice. PFT is one of the best standup performers, one of the best sketch writers and performers, and one of the best improvisers in the world. And yet, he isn't a household name. However, there is one arena where PFT is one of the greatest celebrities: Podcasts. So it is fitting that a tribute in his honor, held at SF Sketchfest, is now available as a bonus episode of his latest podcast, Spontaneanation. This is Podcast Wednesday, and I'm here to talk PFT.
I've seen PFT in various things before I knew who he was. He wrote for and acted in Mr. Show, one of the greatest sketch shows of all time. He had a small part in There Will Be Blood. He was one of the best regular panelists on @Midnight He was in lots and lots of TV shows. But I think I first became aware of who he is on two podcasts: Comedy Bang Bang and Doug Loves Movies.
Comedy Bang Bang is an interview podcast, where one person - sometimes more - is there to be interviewed, and then a bunch of characters show up. It is a very uneven show, but the best episodes are sheer brilliance, and many of those have starred PFT in one or more of his signature characters, such as Lord Andrew Lloyd Weber and Werner Herzog.
Doug Loves Movies is generally a much more straight forward affair. It's a movie quiz show with jokes. And PFT has been there as himself, but also as Werner Herzog. Now, PFT isn't the only person to play a character on the show. Daniel Van Kirk has brought his "Mark Wahlberg" character on many times. But PFT is probably the only one to play two characters as two competitors on the quiz show at the same time.
Another PFT related podcast I wanted to mention was the long running Thrilling Adventure Hour, a "stage production in the style of old-time radio." The show had several serialized stories, which rotated from show to show, but the two constants were "Sparks Nevada: Marshal On Mars," and the PFT and Paget Brewster starring "Beyond Belief," about a rich married couple who see ghosts. It was hilarious.
PFT also created the The Dead Authors Podcast, in which he played a time traveling HG Wells, and interviewed various deceased authors played by various improvisers.
While many of these projects are no longer active (though I do recommend looking at their archives and having a listen), PFT does have one current weekly podcast, the aforementioned Spontaneanation. This is where he has a conversation with a guest, and then gets a location - from the guest, or from twitter - which leads to an improv where some details from the conversation may be used by the rotating cast of improvisers.
Paul F. Tompkins is one of the hardest working people in showbiz, and one of the most talented. If you listen to comedy podcasts, he's probably popped up for a guest appearance, and it was probably one of the best episodes ever. Seek out his work!
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I am a massive fan of Thrilling Adventure Hour and that's where I first met PFT. I somehow always picture him wearing a suit. Good write up!
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