After the Laundry, the Misery Joe Raiola, Rod Meade Sperry

What a week: Brett Kavanaugh's possible confirmation is looming, and #MeToo energy is exploding, thankfully, perhaps like never before. So that’s what Joe and Rod are talking about this episode — while trying not to contribute to the ever-growing clouds of toxic masculinity out there. But can they resist the allure of low-hanging — no pun intended — dick jokes? (Spoiler alert: NO.)

Turn On, Tune In, Drop Dead: Joe Raiola recalls his late MAD magazine comrade Nick Meglin, and we delve into the use (and misuse) of mild-altering substances for the purpose of spiritual—and comedic—attainment. Plus: Death! (On stage and off.)

Joe shares his tale of a “cinematic” visitation, of sorts, from Alan Watts, famed philosopher, rapscallion, and synthesizer of Zen -- and many other forms of -- wisdom.

Comedian and "After the Laundry, the Misery" co-conspirator Joe Raiola just did his “Joy of Censorship: Free Speech in the Age of Trump” show for a Red State audience. So, was it a blast? Or a bomb? Plus: unpacking the “Trump Monkey Theory,” which everyone needs to know about because, as Joe so eloquently puts it, “Monkeys funny. We love monkeys.”

Flashing lights. Families, and children, bathing in cigarette smoke. “Spiritual nightlife.” Welcome to Las Vegas, land of the Gene Wilder Slot Machine. "You will not," Joe Raiola contends, “find a more freakish place.” He just spent five nights there — before heading off to four days at a Zen monastery. Here’s what he saw.

Comedian and Full Frontal host Samantha Bee’s use of an epithet in reference to Ivanka Trump is big news. And now she’s issued an apology. Being a comedian and satirist deeply concerned with language and free speech, MAD magazine Senior Editor Emeritus Joe Raiola has lots to say about it all. “These words,” he says, “have power and meaning. How we use them matters!” Caution: this being a conversation about taboo words, there are taboo words ahead.