Episode 53 – The Blow Gene Wilder Hour f/James Urbaniak

This week’s episode is a big one as we talk for a good long while with actor James Urbaniak, Dr. Venture himself, about The Venture Bros., his hilarious web videos, his enjoyment of alternative comics (including those by a fellow he played in American Splendor, R. Crumb) and our mutual love of Gene Wilder, among other things. We also debut a new theme song by a guy you may have heard of, Adam Warrock, and explain the reasons we needed a new theme pretty much immediately. Add in some Jeopardy! talk and some mysterious news from Chris and it’s a jam-packed show!

The Rundown

  • Do yourself a favor and follow James Urbaniak on Twitter and Tumblr. We didn’t get a chance to get into it on the show, but he’s had some hilarious political tweets in the past few weeks.
  • Also check out some of James Urbaniak’s super-good online comedy videos: Topic A episode 1, Human Centipede Anonymous and The Cat Whisperer. And while you’re at it, download and listen to the James Urbaniak Christmas Song!
  • One last thing! James does some neat old-time-style radio with the folks at The Thrilling Adventure Hour! Download the podcast or go see ’em!
  • I was mistaken about the availability of the second half of Venture Bros. season 4 on DVD. It won’t be out until March. But you can get the first half!
  • Okay, so here’s what happened with this week’s Pick a Question, Any Question. Skype was being its Skypey self during our interview with Urbaniak, which is to say it was cutting out every once in a while. It happened to cut out right as James was answering the question, so it sounds like he just says “…Well,” which is actually a pretty funny answer itself, but it wasn’t what he really said. His actual answer was, “You know damn well,” which is also funny. Just so we’re clear.
  • The J Ferocious Euge mentions in the new theme song is the guy who sent us the e-mail alerting us to the problem with the old one. If you were wondering about the beat for the new theme, it’s “Hindsight” by the Visionaries. You’ll be able to download it soon at Euge’s site.
  • Chris’s Rec: Ghostface Killah’s “Apollo Kids”
  • Matt’s Rec: Veronica Mars
  • Music used: “Oh! You Pretty Things” by David Bowie

Comics Talked About:

  • Iron Man #500
  • Amazing Spider-Man #652
  • Superman/Batman #79-#80

Shameless Self Promotion:

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5 thoughts on “Episode 53 – The Blow Gene Wilder Hour f/James Urbaniak”

  1. Awesome show! And my question spawned the title. Super good!
    Now why I asked that:
    I worked on an animated documentary called “Chicago 10” wherein James Urbaniak had a voice role as a prosecutor. As the lowest person on the post production totem pole, my job was mainly to take the recording sessions and start sorting clips to the appropriate scene bins for the editor, while removing anything that was not specifically line related.
    There’s sometimes dead air or downtime between takes as people get new directions or lines, and James was asking who was being considered to play the Judge. At the time, we were chasing after Gene WIlder (who literally knows he doesn’t have to work anymore much to his agent’s chagrin). When Gene was mentioned, James got enthusiastic, saying he could hear him in the role. I don’t even remember the line, but James did it as Gene Wilder and it always stuck with me.

    PS: Chris, If you need an alibi in West Harlem (or just good barbecue), let me know.

  2. Fantastic episode! It makes me love both WRA and Venture Brothers even more. R. Sikoryak is such a sweetheart and I am not surprised Urbaniak is friends with him. Keep up the good work.

    Love that letter spawning the new WarRock tune.

  3. My guess for New York: Porn shoot. It’s to do with tv and Chris has been in contact with the Batman XXX people who offered to fly him out a while back, just a guess but it all seems to fit. Also Urbaniak is always a delight to hear, loved him on Paul and Storm as well.

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