That Sounds Like A Lot with Matt Buechele

Vox Media Podcast Network
Vox Media Podcast Network
  • 4.5 (53)
  • Comedy Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

Every Monday, viewers and listeners can tune in for Matt’s signature walk-and-talk monologue, unpacking the stories shaping culture, politics, and the increasingly strange rhythms of modern life. Each episode then expands into a funny, thoughtful conversation with a guest about what actually deserves attention, what’s wildly overhyped, and what we’re getting wrong. There might be music. There might be absurdity. There will always be laughs. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

  1. 4d ago

    Accountability in Congress, Chasing Creative Work, & Making Music | Brooks Allison

    Matt Buechele breaks down how Congress keeps getting older, but nobody seems to have a plan for what happens when elected officials freeze mid-speech, disappear for months, or quietly leave office without anyone noticing. He also gets into the growing trend of family members stepping in to keep political dynasties alive, and argues that if you’re asking the country to trust you with the government, the least you can do is let us know where you are. Then, comedian, songwriter, and The Tonight Show writer Brooks Allison joins Matt for a conversation about comedy, music, and what happened after “Planet of the Bass” became a Billboard-charting hit. They talk about writing for late-night TV, chasing creative ideas, confess their favorite ways to procrastinate (including Grand Theft Auto), and explain why posting sincere music online can be scarier than telling jokes. Chapters: 00:00:00 Brooks Allison, Comedy glow-ups and splurging on gear 00:05:07 Performing live comedy vs. late night writing 00:10:13 The viral success of Planet of the Bass 00:15:18 Behind the scenes at the the Tonight Show 00:20:20 The realities of late night tv production 00:25:26 Internet culture, outrage, and goldfish brains 00:30:32 Navigating work mistakes and corporate culture 00:35:34 Brooks Allison’s solo music and balancing creative work 00:40:36 High school music nostalgia and loving The Shins  00:45:39 Unwinding with video games and living with cats 00:50:41 Future career predictions Topics: Fan of late night to TV writer Writer on strike in 2023 Splurging on a $3,000 Gibson guitar The stress of walking cats in public Writing for The Tonight Show Making the viral Planet of the Bass How the internet ruined our focus Houston Cougars sports fans Nostalgia for The Shins  FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/   ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell   ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Accountability in Congress, Chasing Creative Work, & Making Music | Brooks Allison

  2. Jul 13

    Political Double Standards, SNL Secrets, and Music Obsessions | Fred Armisen

    Matt Buechele takes aim at the political double standards that are driving the country apart, asking why some scandals end careers while others barely register. From Graham Platner’s failed Senate campaign to President Trump’s $5 million civil judgment, what does accountability even mean anymore? Fred Armisen joins Matt in Los Angeles to talk about filming Wednesday in Ireland, the enduring magic of Hollywood, self-driving cars, and why no one notices the things you’re most self-conscious about. They also dive into Saturday Night Live, with Fred sharing stories about legendary castmates, sketches that bombed, the surprising origins of “The Californians,” and returning for the show’s 50th anniversary. Plus, they discuss music, Devo, the B-52s, and Fred’s 100 Sound Effects album before wrapping up with a round of predictions about Lorne Michaels, UFOs, and Broadway. Chapters: 00:00:00 Fred Armisen, Wednesday S3, and Studio Magic 00:05:42 Waymo Logistics and Bullying Delivery Robots 00:11:30 Mastering the Perfect Fred Armisen Impression 00:17:15 Pitching "The Snob Test" Reality TV Idea 00:23:00 The Genius of the 2000s SNL Cast 00:28:45 Behind the Scenes of The Californians Sketch 00:34:30 Backstage at the SNL 50th Anniversary 00:40:15 Drumming for Devo and the B-52s Live 00:46:00 Pittsburgh Hype and the Stomp Clap Hey Era 00:51:45 Creating the 100 Sound Effects Album 00:57:30 Lorne Michaels and the Future of SNL 01:03:15 UFO Skepticism and Broadway Musical Dreams Topics: Filming Wednesday Season 3 in Ireland Survival tips for New York subways The danger of LA delivery robots Pitching The Snob Test reality show Inside the SNL genius all-star cast How The Californians became a hit Drumming for Devo and B-52s live Why Lorne Michaels won't retire The era of Stomp Clap Hey music UFOs and why aliens are bored of us FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Political Double Standards, SNL Secrets, and Music Obsessions | Fred Armisen

  3. Jul 6

    Sondheim, Building A Creative Career, and Horse Lawyers | Gabe Mollica

    America just turned 250, and Matt Buechele argues that it doesn't need another culture war—it needs a constitutional rewrite. His proposed amendments tackle everything from celebrity gambling ads and AI data centers to Supreme Court term limits. Then he sits down with writer, performer, and solo-show mastermind Gabe Mollica to talk about friendship, ambition, changing careers, and the strange challenge of figuring out what kind of creative life you actually want. They get into stand-up comedy, working in television for the first time, Sondheim musicals, horse lawyers, reality TV, and the surprisingly powerful feeling of finding the right creative collaborators. Topics: Working 12-hour days on a tv staff Opening set for a future J-6 rioter Booking standup sets at hostels Moving from bar shows to solo specials Using TV writing to fund my part Millennials and the marriage dilemma Being featured on This American Life The hierarchy of 50 US states Father’s career as a horse lawyer A handwritten letter from sondheim Working for Matthew Gray Gubler Writing for the creator of Monk SNL, Tina Fey, and Lorne Michaels predictions Chapters: 00:00:00 Working for the creator of Monk on Einstein 00:05:38 Why comedy club pay is stuck in 1979 00:10:50 How politics and Trump killed creative optimism 00:15:48 The luxury of being pampered on a network TV set 00:20:58 Sitting at coffee shops and writing jokes 00:26:30 Designing roads to keep people out of New York 00:31:41 The raw energy of early reality television 00:36:44 Watching my father achieve a 30-year dream at 50 00:42:11 Why Whiplash is the ultimate movie for artists 00:47:32 Searching for pretty melodies in the woods 00:53:01 Pitching a high-concept jukebox musical in reverse 00:58:36 Predicting if Lorne Michaels will ever actually retire FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Sondheim, Building A Creative Career, and Horse Lawyers | Gabe Mollica

  4. Jun 26

    Reflecting Pools, Temp Jobs & Brooklyn Coffee Shop | Pooja Tripathi

    Matt Buechele breaks down Washington's mysterious reflecting pool saga, why America suddenly can't stop talking about the color of swamp water, and the surprising symbolism of a government struggling to fix a reflecting pool. He also reports back from Los Angeles, where self-driving cars, delivery robots, and eerily empty sidewalks make New York feel almost normal. Then he sits down with creator and Brooklyn Coffee Shop star Pooja Tripathi to talk about leaving a career in fashion, discovering comedy later in life, weird temp jobs, improv classes, internet fame, and building one of the internet's most beloved comedy series from a tiny Brooklyn coffee shop. They also get into Japan, social media brain rot, comment-section warfare, and why embarrassment is usually a sign you're headed in the right direction. Chapters: 00:00:00 Why creator Pooja Tripathi quit her dream job 00:06:22 When the self-serious fashion world got old  00:18:40 Turning a green screen sketch into a viral hit series 00:24:42 Why being embarrassing is a creative superpower 00:30:56 The extreme rise of male beauty standards 00:36:12 Industry gatekeepers and the "Too niche" Myth 00:42:10 My chill boss was working two secret jobs 00:49:10 Why the world of improv comedy is so nerdy 00:55:13 International vs global production costs 01:01:21 Comparing the noise of New York City to Japan cities 01:07:41 Predicting the first influencer brand trip to space Topics:  Quitting a corporate fashion career at Bloomingdale's  The logistical absurdity of filming in Tokyo vs Kansas City  Why improv feels like a trap  Dealing with modern social media comments  The rise of leg lengthening surgery for men  Japan’s cleanliness and quiet vs NYC  Treating TikTok like high-end HBO productions  Predicting the first influencer brand trips to outer space  Being an only child prepares you for comedy FOLLOW THE SHOW  ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/   ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell   ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Reflecting Pools, Temp Jobs & Brooklyn Coffee Shop | Pooja Tripathi

  5. Jun 19

    The World Cup, Tarot Cards & Star Wars Toys | Brenda Cullerton

    Matt Buechele breaks down the World Cup coming to America, the shared confusion of getting to MetLife Stadium, and why international visitors keep looking at American food like it's a science experiment. He also takes on primary election season, campaign spam, and the annual transformation of abandoned storefronts into political headquarters nobody asked for. Then he sits down with writer, actor, and internet icon Brenda Cullerton for a conversation about New York in the 1970s, accidentally building a creative life by following curiosity instead of a plan, and why making things with people you like is still one of life's greatest pleasures. Along the way, they get into writing copy for Star Wars toys, tarot cards, stand-up comedy, social media brain rot, the surprising upside of living rich and dying poor, and whether America is actually getting dumber or if we're just filming it more. Topics : Writing star wars copy in the seventies Being the secret voice of darth vader Living in a ninety-five dollar studio Why remote work is a virtual prison The value of peaking late in a career Navigating nyc fashion and elitism Handling creative rejection and hubris The terror of bad tarot card readings  Chapters: 00:00:00 Brenda Cullerton paid $95 a month for a studio in Gramercy Park 00:03:48 Writing for Darth Vader and Office Habits 00:10:03 Politics and Common Sense 00:15:12 The Approachable Coastal Elite 00:20:49 Handling Creative Criticism 00:25:46 Rejection and Artistic Failure 00:30:31 Birthday Drama and Boundaries 00:35:24 Tarot Readings and Curses 00:40:30 NYC Mayor and Local Politics 00:43:45 The Strait of Vermouth and Geography 00:48:54 Modern Education and 80K Tuition 00:55:17 Summer Predictions and Closing FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/   ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot   FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/  ►TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell  ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    The World Cup, Tarot Cards & Star Wars Toys | Brenda Cullerton

  6. Jun 12

    Knicks Fever, TikTok Tours & Buying the Good Rice | Fumi Abe

    Matt Buechele celebrates the New York Knicks' historic Finals comeback, the return of civic pride to New York City, and why a basketball team might be doing a better job bringing Americans together than just about anything else right now. Then he sits down with comedian Fumi Abe to talk about growing up in Ohio after immigrating from Japan, the strange economics of stand-up comedy, touring with TikTok stars, marching band humiliation, cross-country crushes, and what happens when a comedy writer suddenly starts making enough money to ignore parking tickets. They also get into late night TV, social media fame, upstate New York, and why the true sign of success might just be buying the expensive rice. Topics: Life as a touring stand-up comedian Writing for James Corden in Los Angeles Performing on Fallon and Colbert Internet viral culture changing comedy  Secrets of late night TV writing Creating comedy inspired by everyday life Hot takes with Fumi Abe Making it big on the internet Chapters: 00:00:00 Fumi Abe’s viral podcast clip story 00:05:45 Touring revenue and quitting writing jobs 00:11:30 Performance of wealth in LA and Upstate New York 00:17:15 Making internet jokes work on a comedy stage 00:23:00 Growing up in Ohio and high school sports 00:28:45 Being an organic folk drummer in Brother Goose 00:34:30 Leaving music business for the comedy grind 00:40:15 Navigating social media and getting older fans 00:46:00 Experience writing for James Corden in LA 00:51:45 Stand-up sets on Fallon and Colbert 00:57:30 Comedy writing process and the urologist bit 01:03:15 Predictions for self-driving cars and airplanes FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Knicks Fever, TikTok Tours & Buying the Good Rice | Fumi Abe

  7. Jun 5

    Kareem Rahma Built an Empire with Subway Takes | Kareem Rahma

    Matt Buechele breaks down why tiny indie films with names that sound like shuttered strip clubs are suddenly beating massive studio franchises at the box office, and why audiences seem increasingly desperate for something that doesn't feel focus-grouped to death.  Then he sits down with Kareem Rahma to talk about building Subway Takes into an internet institution, the weird economics of making things online, arguing with commenters, country-house dad life, late night TV's future, and the challenge of making meaningful art while still paying the bills. They also get into New York, burnout, family, and Kareem's political philosophy: if you want to be rich, be rich — we'll take care of the rest. TOPICS COVERED: Keep the Meter Running with Kareem Rahma Shooting on NYC trains Why creators need security From digital creator to producer Viral burnout and fame Future of late night on YouTube Will digital creators win Emmys A one billion dollar wealth cap CHAPTERS: 00:00 Kareem Rahma on shooting Subway Takes 04:40 Filming with security and getting recognized 09:20 Building the New Hollywood in New York 14:00 Why the digital creator label is frustrating 18:40 Fame and the dream of being a one hit wonder 23:20 Comparing traditional late night to YouTube 28:00 Why digital shows need brand deals and ads 32:40 Dealing with viral comments and internet culture 37:20 Personal life and providing for family 42:00 The Socialist Capitalism political party idea 46:40 Running for mayor and 2028 election predictions 51:20 The future of awards and driverless cars in NYC FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsoundslikealot/ ►Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatsoundslikealot FOLLOW MATT BUECHELE ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/ ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mattbooshell ►Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mattbooshell.bsky.social #KeepTheMeterRunning #SubwayTakes #NewHollywood #SmallTownMayor #LateNightFuture #WriterVsCreator Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Kareem Rahma Built an Empire with Subway Takes | Kareem Rahma

  8. May 29

    The Tonight Show, New York & Standup | Alexandria Love

    Matt Buechele breaks down the New York Knicks making the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years, the terrifying possibility of a Manhattan championship riot, and the upcoming UFC fight on the White House lawn featuring a lineup that feels suspiciously close to a county fair sponsored by Monster Energy. Then he sits down with comedian and writer Alexandria Love to talk about surviving late night TV, sharing a tiny office at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, New York slowly turning you into a louder person, comedy partnerships, sports betting apps, Taylor Swift discourse, and trying to build a creative career while the entertainment industry melts in real time. Topics Covered:  Working for the Tonight Show and being in writer’s room Moving from Oakland to LA and surviving the industry How professional friction builds career skills. Why late-night TV feels like the Titanic. Revisiting the bits that didn’t make the air. Predictions for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Deleting dating apps and modern dating. The rise of AI therapists and digital habits. Oscars: Michael B. Jordan vs. Timothée Chalamet Chapters: 00:00:00 NYC culture and meeting Alexandria Love 00:05:00 Writing for the Tonight Show and After Midnight 00:10:27 Career advice: how professional friction builds skills 00:16:14 The future of the late night TV industry 00:21:00 Stand-up comedy vs. digital content production 00:27:16 Taylor Swift’s new album and pop culture review 00:32:42 Career transitions: from law school to comedy 00:38:53 The reality of living in New York vs. Los Angeles 00:44:17 Behind the scenes: the Tonight Show writer’s room 00:51:50 2026 predictions: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce 00:57:27 Dating app trends and deleting the Feeld app 01:02:07 Oscar predictions: Michael B. Jordan vs. Timothée Chalamet #AlexandriaLove #ProfessionalFriction #ComedyWriter #TaylorSwiftHotTakes #ModernDating #JordanVsChalamet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    The Tonight Show, New York & Standup | Alexandria Love
See All (13)

Trailer

4.5
out of 5
53 Ratings

About

Every Monday, viewers and listeners can tune in for Matt’s signature walk-and-talk monologue, unpacking the stories shaping culture, politics, and the increasingly strange rhythms of modern life. Each episode then expands into a funny, thoughtful conversation with a guest about what actually deserves attention, what’s wildly overhyped, and what we’re getting wrong. There might be music. There might be absurdity. There will always be laughs. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Information

More From Vox Media Podcast Network

You Might Also Like