Doctor Vs Comedian

Is Laughter the best medicine? We attempt to answer this and other pressing questions in Doctor Vs Comedian. Dr Asif Doja is a pediatric neurologist and Ali Hassan is a stand up comedian and actor (CBC‘s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) who are each fascinated by what the other one does. In each episode, Asif picks a topic for Ali from comedy and entertainment and questions Ali about it. Then Ali picks a topic from medicine and health and grills Asif on that subject.We talk about serious subjects in an unserious way. If you want to hear about comedy, entertainment, health and wellness and don‘t want to have to choose between being entertaining AND informed, then this show is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. APR 10

    What is Looksmaxxing? Plus The Return of ‘Scrubs’

    Today, Ali and Asif discuss the revival of ‘Scrubs’ (do not call it a reboot).  The guys discuss their thoughts on the old version of Scrubs, the non-stop comedy, their favourite moments, the amazing finale and the much-maligned season 9 (2:04). The guys then discuss the recent revival and how Zach Braff and Donald Faison’s podcast helped to influence the trajectory of the new season.  Then they discuss the recent social media trend of “Looksmaxxing” (26:21). They discuss what it is, how it is thought to have been formed from incel culture and why young men are so captivated now by this trend. Then Asif gives Ali a quiz on looksmaxxing terms.  The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.  Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com Follow us on Social media: Twitter: @doctorvcomedian Instagram:  doctorvcomedian Show Notes: Goofy, cartoonish, and the most accurate portrayal of the medical profession on TV: https://slate.com/culture/2009/05/the-most-accurate-television-show-about-the-medical-profession-scrubs.htmlScrubbing Back In: https://www.theringer.com/2026/02/25/tv/scrubs-reboot-details-zach-braff-bill-lawrenceExclusive: Zach Braff and Donald Faison Say J.D. and Turk’s Scrubs Future Isn’t What Anyone Though: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a69976304/scrubs-zach-braff-donald-faison-exclusive-first-look-photos/‘Scrubs’ Is Back for Redemption, Says Donald Faison: “Season 9 Was Like, ‘What the Heck Were We Doing?'” https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/scrubs-revival-donald-faison-season-9-zach-braff-1236513686/#:~:text=Braff%20confirmed%20to%20The%20Hollywood,Scrubs.%E2%80%9DI Tried "Looksmaxxing": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3zehSJgE8YFrom gym to jawline: What looksmaxxing says about modern masculinity: https://theconversation.com/from-gym-to-jawline-what-looksmaxxing-says-about-modern-masculinity-277130Incels, Looksmaxxing, and the Surgical Design of the ‘Chad’-vertised Body: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1357034X251363787Inside looksmaxxing, the extreme cosmetic social media trend: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240326-inside-looksmaxxing-the-extreme-cosmetic-social-media-trend‘Looksmaxxing’ Reveals the Depth of the Crisis Facing Young Men: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/looksmaxxing-clavicular-vanity-trump/685636/The Captivating Derangement of the Looksmaxxing Movementhttps://www.newyorker.com/culture/critics-notebook/the-captivating-derangement-of-the-looksmaxxing-movementCLAVICULAR Talks Female Psychology, Drug Habit, Infamy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rodcdKuwH3oSex Bracelets: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/sex-bracelets/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  2. APR 3

    The Timothee Chalamet Controversy, plus Raw Milk Dangers

    Today Ali and Asif discuss the career of Timothee Chalamet (2:22).  Asif starts off by quizzing Ali about Chalamet’s early life. Then they go over their favourite Timothee Chalamet performances. Finally they discuss the recent controversial remarks that Chalamet made regarding ballet and opera. Then Ali asks Asif about the dangers of raw milk (32:43). Asif starts off by discussing pasteurization and the history of food preservation. Then Ali goes over the various talking points of raw milk advocates and Asif discusses the science behind these claims (spoiler – drinking raw milk is risky).  The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.  Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com Follow us on Social media: Twitter: @doctorvcomedian Instagram:  doctorvcomedian Gwyneth Paltrow Talks Motherhood, MAHA, And The Raw Milk Revolution: https://www.eviemagazine.com/post/gwyneth-paltrow-talks-motherhood-maha-raw-milk-revolutionFact Checked: The Dangers of Drinking Raw Milk; https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/fact-checked/fact-checked-the-dangers-of-drinking-raw-milk/?srsltid=AfmBOophDasbL1CQaWDqQbmQaEk_mKhlCFfMxXxRf7oNuY42vuYRckUyRaw Milk Misconceptions and the Danger of Raw Milk Consumption: https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/raw-milk-misconceptions-and-danger-raw-milk-consumption?utm_source=chatgpt.comOntario farmer guilty of selling raw milk: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-farmer-guilty-of-selling-raw-milk-1.989663Waterloo farmer fined again for illegal raw milk operation: https://farmersforum.com/waterloo-farmer-fined-again-for-illegal-raw-milk-operation/Belgrave farmer fined for selling unpasteurized milk and dairy products: https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/belgrave-farmer-fined-for-selling-unpasteurized-milk-and-dairy-products/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
  3. MAR 27

    Why Dr. Casey Means is a Terrible Choice for U.S. Surgeon General

    Today Asif and Ali discuss the nomination of Dr. Casey Means for the position of U.S. Surgeon General (no entertainment topic).  They discuss her early background (including why Ali thinks he is a nepo baby) and how she went to Stanford medical school and left partway through residency. They then go over the (very few) positive aspects of her nomination.  However, they spend most of the rest of the podcast discussing why she is a terrible choice for surgeon general, including her inability to practice medicine, her controversial beliefs and her waffling on certain issues. They then discuss Means’ numerous financial conflicts of interest.  The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.  Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com Follow us on Social media: Twitter: @doctorvcomedian Instagram:  doctorvcomedian Show Notes: Good Energy: https://www.caseymeans.com/goodenergyWhat Casey Means and MAHA Want You to Fear: https://www.newyorker.com/books/second-read/what-casey-means-and-maha-small-want-you-to-fear“She Was Tearful About It”: The Nuances of Casey Means’s Medical Exit and Antiestablishment Origins: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/the-nuances-of-casey-means-medical-exitFact-Check: Did RFK Jr. Use Steroids to Build Muscle? Here’s What We Know: https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-rfk-jr-steroids-muscle-claims-2055117Who Is Dr. Casey Means: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/science/casey-means-trump-surgeon-general.html#Casey Means, Critic of Mainstream Medicine, Poised to Become Nation’s Top Doctor: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/25/well/casey-means-surgeon-general.htmlSurgeon General Nominee Pledges to Divest From Wellness Interests: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/16/health/casey-means-financial-invesments-surgeon-general.htmlUS needs a crisis-tested surgeon general, not an influencer: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2026/03/12/trump-surgeon-general-nominee-casey-means-unqualified/88961719007/The Pill and the Women's Liberation Movement: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/pill-and-womens-liberation-movement/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/casey-means-md_in-this-clip-on-tucker-carlson-network-i-activity-7232891868361977856-HPoT/https://www.caseymeans.com/learn/newsletter-38Trump, Kennedy defend new surgeon general pick amid MAGA backlash: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/kennedy-defends-new-surgeon-general-pick-maga-backlash-2025-05-08/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Loomer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  4. MAR 20

    Remembering Rob Reiner and Catherine O’Hara, plus Situs Inversus

    The guys were on hiatus when two prominent entertainers passed away – Rob Reiner and Catherine O’Hara – so today Ali and Asif discuss their careers. They guys start of by discussing Rob Reiner (3:43), his early career and when they both first heard of him. They discuss ‘All in the Family’,  This is Spinal Tap’, and Rob Reiner’s unprecedented run of movies beginning with ‘Stand By Me’ to ‘A Few Good Men’.  Finally they discuss Reiner’s life outside of entertainment, including his political activism. Then they discuss Catherine O’Hara’s comedy legacy (19:17). The guys chat about seeing O’Hara originally  in ‘SCTV’, ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’. Then they talk about her roles in Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, ‘Schitt’s Creek’, ‘The Last of Us’ and ‘The Studio’.  O’hara suffered from situs inversus (although she died from complications of rectal cancer), so in the last part of the podcast, Ali asks Asif about this disorder (33:51). He chats about when it was discovered, as well as how most people can live their whole lives without knowing they have it. He then discusses the potential complications as well as its relation to Kartagener syndrome.  The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.  Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com Follow us on Social media: Twitter: @doctorvcomedian Instagram:  doctorvcomedian Show Notes: Rob Reiner, Actor Who Went on to Direct Classic Films, Dies at 78: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/movies/rob-reiner-dead.htmlCatherine O’Hara, ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Actress, Dies at 71: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/arts/television/catherine-ohara-dead.htmlJiminy Glick Interviews Catherine O'Hara: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwlPI9KpkTsSitus Inversus Totalis: A Clinical Review: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8901252/Mitch & Mickey - A Kiss At The End Of The Rainbow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwLZfPPM7GQ&list=RDQwLZfPPM7GQ&start_radio=1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min
  5. MAR 12

    The BAFTA’s and Tourette Syndrome, plus Oscar picks

    The boys are back! After a brief discussion about their hiatus, the guys discuss the recent situation that occurred at the BAFTA awards regarding John Davidson and Tourette Syndrome (2:24). The guys go over exactly what happened at the BAFTA’s and what occurred prior to Davidson yelling a racial slur at actors Micheal B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. Ali then asks Asif about Tourette syndrome, how common obscenities are in this disorder and how the movements and noises are involuntary (9:44). They then discuss the aftermath of this incident.  The guys then switch gears and go over their Oscar picks for this year (21:17), including a discussion of the phenomenal success of ‘Sinners’.  The guys go over their Oscar picks in the following categories: Original and Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Picture.  The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.  Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com Follow us on Social media: Twitter: @doctorvcomedian Instagram:  doctorvcomedian Show Notes: John Davidson Gives First Interview and Explains Tourette’s Tics After Shouting N-Word and Other Slurs at BAFTAs: ‘I Felt a Wave of Shame’ (EXCLUSIVE): https://variety.com/2026/film/awards/john-davidson-tourettes-tics-bafta-n-word-interview-1236671850/ How the Tourette’s Fallout Unfolded at the BAFTA Film Awards: From Preshow Warnings to a “Throw-Away Apology”: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tourettes-bafta-film-awards-bbc-john-davidson-sinners-1236512321/ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0Xat8jo_L5g Michael B. Jordan EMOTIONAL Over Mom’s Support in Awards Season and Beyond (Exclusive): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl3ThymIFqc The Hit Hollywood Didn’t Want: https://prospect.org/2025/12/11/sinners-hit-hollywood-didnt-want/ Ben Stiller, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Defend ‘Sinners’ Amid Conversation About Its Box Office Success:https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/ben-stiller-patrick-schwarzenegger-defend-sinners Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
  6. MAR 6

    Best of DvsC: Anthony Jeselnik and Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder

    For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. Today, Ali and Asif discuss the career of comedian Anthony Jeselnik and his special ‘Bones and All’ (1:54). They discuss his early life, when they first saw him (Ali actually met him person!) and an insightful interview with Jeselnik in ‘Cracked Magazine’. They discuss Jeselnik’s success as well as his admiration for Norm MacDonald.  The guys then discuss (31:31) psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) (NB Jeselnik does a dark character on stage, but does not have psychopathy or ASPD). Asif starts off with ASPD and discusses what it is and about how conduct disorder in childhood is related. Asif talks about how common it is and the prevalence in the prison population. Asif goes over the diagnostic criteria as well as the treatment and prognosis. Asif then briefly discusses how psychopathy is slightly different and also discusses the concept of ‘corporate psychopaths’.  The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions. Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com Follow us on Social media: Twitter: @doctorvcomedian Instagram: doctorvcomedian Show Notes: Anthony Jeselnik Is Evolving. But He’s Not Losing His Edge: https://www.cracked.com/article_44517_anthony-jeselnik-is-evolving-but-hes-not-losing-his-edge.htmlAnthony Jeselnik Attacks Modern Comedians: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3W-VCMzXhM8?feature=shareAntisocial Personality Disorder: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546673/What is the difference between sociopathy and psychopathy? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psychopath-vs-sociopath#psychopathyPsychopathic, Sociopathic, or Antisocial Personality? https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/tyrannical-minds/201907/psychopathic-sociopathic-or-antisocial-personality Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  7. FEB 27

    Best of DvsC: A Quiz on French Culture and French Medicine

    For the next few weeks, the guys will be re-airing some of their favourite episodes from our archives. This week, Asif is in France on his sabbatical. To commemorate this, the guys give each other a quiz on France. Ali starts off by quizzing Asif about French culture and cuisine. They discuss croissants, Bouillabaisse,  Versailles, and French greetings. Then Asif quizzes Ali about medicine in France including the advent of teaching in hospitals, pasteurization, the guillotine (!), as well as a lightning round.  The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.  Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay Contact us at doctorvcomedian@gmail.com Follow us on Social media: Twitter: @doctorvcomedian Instagram:  doctorvcomedian Show Notes: Revolutionary hospital medicine: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/medicine/revolutionary-hospital-medicine10 Most Influential French Doctors Throughout History: https://medium.com/heritage-digest/10-most-influential-french-doctors-throughout-history-523cc4d99b15 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
4.8
out of 5
133 Ratings

About

Is Laughter the best medicine? We attempt to answer this and other pressing questions in Doctor Vs Comedian. Dr Asif Doja is a pediatric neurologist and Ali Hassan is a stand up comedian and actor (CBC‘s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) who are each fascinated by what the other one does. In each episode, Asif picks a topic for Ali from comedy and entertainment and questions Ali about it. Then Ali picks a topic from medicine and health and grills Asif on that subject.We talk about serious subjects in an unserious way. If you want to hear about comedy, entertainment, health and wellness and don‘t want to have to choose between being entertaining AND informed, then this show is for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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