Podcasts have played such an instrumental role in the vast realm known through media. Mainstream radio may include your Top 100 favorites played over and over again, but it's rare to find a talk show that actually captures the short attention-span of the twenty-first century. Besides Howard Stern's broadcast on SiriusXM, very few radio personalities exist in the mainstream with such a loyal fanbase.
However, Marc Maron has been able to dominate the scene these past few years, and his momentum has only just started to build up.
Maron first got his start through stand-up comedy; the medium he mainly associates himself with. He has gained success throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly most noted in his role during "Almost Famous."
He began to really break out in 2009 once he started his "WTF Podcast." The focus of this endeavor os to bring some humanistic qualities to the stars we all know in love, whether it be in film, music, entertainment, etc. Setting up a DIY studio in his own garage, Marc Maron makes a home-like feel project through any speaker. It's to be expected that we learn about Marc's personal life each episode, often citing regret, guilt and everyday problems to make this star seem like an old friend that's ready to bring forth some amicable tendencies.
In 2013, Maron was able to get another big break when his TV show first aired on IFC. The self-titled endeavor, "Maron", is somewhat of an extension of his podcast. We are now able to see Maron's visual personality, often harping on the angry, middle-aged Jew that he actually is. Episodes often include Maron's grasp towards fame, along with incorporating the sobriety he has committed to in such a largely drug-induced world. Now 3 seasons deep, the show has gained great success, along with bringing new fans to the podcast.
Whether young or old, Marc Maron helps ground us in a world that has lost sentimentality. The man leads the podcast charts on iTunes because he has a talent unlike any other. Either smoking a cigarette with Keith Richards or talking about race with Wyatt Cenac, Maron brings a side to the stars that can't be seen amongst any other interview process. He's a comedic man, but his tragic tendencies are what make us drawn to his humanity.
If you are interested, Marc's "WTF Podcast" can be found on iTunes, and multiple stand-up and TV shows are available on your Netflix account. College students can learn a lot from this man, since he'll help us transition into adulthood with style.
