Marc Maron Reflects on Ending 'WTF' Podcast After 16 Years, Discusses New HBO Special 'Panicked'
Marc Maron ended his long-running "WTF" podcast in October after 16 years and says he doesn't miss it, reporting a sense of freedom rather than sadness. He has resisted offers to return to podcasting, stating he no longer sees the format as special or worth competing in. His latest HBO special "Panicked" features material about the January 2025 L.A. fires and his cats, with a particular joke about liberals annoying Americans into fascism earning widespread praise.
Marc Maron wrapped his "WTF" podcast in October after 16 years of producing two episodes per week, describing the experience as all-consuming but ultimately liberating. Rather than experiencing panic or sadness, Maron reports feeling freed from the demands of the format and has declined multiple pitches to return, including offers involving his extensive back catalog. He explained that continuing would risk becoming "the guy that people are going, 'Oh, is he still doing that?'" His newest HBO special, "Panicked," took nearly two years to develop and features a 15-plus minute segment about evacuating his home during the January 2025 L.A. fires, with particular attention to his cats. A joke about liberals "annoying the average American into fascism" that came to him a week before taping has resonated strongly with audiences. Maron also discussed his three cats—Charlie, Buster, and Sam—and the behavioral challenges he's managing with medication and spatial separation.
What different sources said
- VarietyCenter
Marc Maron on the Last-Minute Joke That Elevated His Latest HBO Special, Why He Doesn’t Miss His Podcast and How His Cats Are Doing
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