Doctor Vs Comedian

As a year-end treat, the guys go over their favourite entertainment from 2021… and decide to omit the big 2021 medical topic, since people are likely tired of talking about the Covid-19 pandemic. Ali starts off by talking about his favourite books he read last year (1:44). Then Asif discusses new music he got into in 2021. The guys then compare notes on their favourite movies of 2021 and disagree...

Today, Ali and Asif each list their top albums from one of the greatest years for music, 1991 (2:01). The guys go over their top albums, their honourable mentions and their lowlights of that year. Then, Ali asks Asif why the music from our youth connects so much with us (47:59). Asif discusses the research by Daniel Levitin on music and the brain and discusses why the songs from when we are young...

In response to a listener's question, the guys attempt to answer the questions: “What does it mean to be funny?” and “What does it mean to be healthy?”. After a brief digression about humour in rats, Ali discusses how ‘funny’ laughter and active listening are intricately linked (2:21). He outlines the 4 major concepts that people find amusement in: 1) the misfortunes of others; 2) expressions of o...

The guys start off this episode with Asif reviewing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2:40). Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on Larry David, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and cringe comedy (12:16). Ali talks about the influence of Ricky Gervais ( The Office ) and Sacha Baron Cohen ( Da Ali G Show ) on cringe comedy. After an aside about the new Willow TV show, the guys talk about Larry Dav...

The guys start off the episode with Asif discussing the problems faced by men after trying on their suits after 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic (1:18). The guys then compare two albums released in the fall of 1991, Soundgarden’s ‘Badmotorfinger’ and U2’s ‘Achtung Baby’ (3:15). They start off by discussing ‘Badmotorfinger’ and the amazing productivity of Chris Cornell in the fall 1991 and the ov...

The guys start off the episodes by discussing Ali’s recent attendance at a Toronto Maple Leafs game and his ‘Sophie’s Choice’ of needing to choose whether to cheer for Toronto or the Boston Bruins (1:40). Asif then discusses his thoughts on the recent movie by Denis Villeneuve ‘Dune”. Then Asif asks Ali about Kumail Nanjiani and his thoughts on his body transformation and the reasons Kumail has gi...

Today, the guys switch things around by discussing the medical topic first -- Tics and Tourette Syndrome (1:02). Asif discusses what the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome are, how you diagnose it and what causes it. He also talks about other commonly associated conditions and why you often do NOT need to treat tics. Then Ali and Asif discuss Tourette Syndrome on tv shows, movies and especially social...

On today’s episode, after a brief discussion of Jerry Seinfeld’s “Is this Anything?”, Ali discusses how he and other comedians come up with material (2:21). He talks about writing out jokes, practicing them at open mics and refining them over time. He then talks about what happens when you recommend a joke to a comic. Then,  Asif discusses the health benefits of laughter on pain tolerance, interpe...

Today, in honour of the 30th anniversary of the release of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Use Your Illusion 1 and 2’ and Metallica’s ‘Black Album’, the guys debate which album is better (and yes, we know UYI is 2 albums -- we’re counting them as one…) (1:41).   Ali starts off by recounting the story of how he attended the infamous Metallica/Guns N’ Roses concert in the summer of 1992, which resulted in a massive...

Today, the guys discuss the hit Netflix Show ‘Squid Game’ (1:13) and the influence of Korea on popular culture (BTS, ‘Parasite’) . They talk about how it was developed by writer/director Hwang Dong-hyuk , Netflix and Ted Sarandos. They discuss how it became a global phenomenon and how it’s ‘The Prisoner’ and ‘The Hunger Games’. They mention the excellent acting by Lee Jung-jae,  Kim Joo-ryoung and...

Today, Asif asks Ali about the controversial origins of stand up comedy (1:05). Ali explains that stand up comedy evolved from vaudeville and that vaudeville itself evolved from minstrel shows. With respect to minstrel shows, Ali specifically references Thomas Dartmouth Rice 's blatantly racist song-and-dance number, " Jump Jim Crow ". He also discusses how  the Irish were surprisingly often compl...

Today, the guys start off the pod with a bit of banter about ‘banter’. Then, in honour of ‘Seinfeld’ being released on Netflix this month, Asif and Ali discuss their thoughts and memories of the sitcom. Then they both debate their top 5 ‘Seinfeld’ episodes of all time. Then Ali asks Asif about body odour, and the guys use the ‘Seinfeld’ episode “The Smelly Car” as the perfect transition.   Ali rec...

Today, the guys start off the pod by discussing 2 new television shows: Sandra Oh in ‘The Chair’ and FX’s ‘Y: The Last Man’ (0:43). Then Asif asks Ali about what life is really like on television and movie sets (8:53). Ali talks about the first set he was on and how he learned the “rules” of being on set. Ali then talks about the food on sets including craft services and catering as well as traile...

Today, the guys start off by discussing the recently departed Norm Macdonald (1:00). They talk about his unique comic voice and the tremendous respect Ali and other comics had for him. Then, since both albums were released 30 years ago this month, the guys debate which album is better: Nirvana’s Nevermind’ or Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten (8:09)’. During their wide-ranging conversation, they reference the orig...

To start the show, the guys discuss the sometimes murky issue of copyright claims on YouTube (1:30). Then the guys preview the upcoming 73rd annual Emmy awards and their picks in various categories (7:03). Then, Ali asks Asif about the academic publishing and why Asif feels the whole system of academic publishing needs to be fixed (29:39). He discusses the monopoly of academic publishers as well a...

The guys start with a serious debate about whether ‘drums’ or ‘flats’ are the better chicken wings (00:50). Ali then discusses life on the road as a comedian (5:11), including tips on how to get started in comedy touring. Then, Asif discusses the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on the prescribing habits of doctors (29:36). He discusses his own personal experiences with pharma, as well as...

In this episode, Ali and Asif discuss the surging rates of eating disorders during the Covid-19 pandemic, with Adolescent Medicine and Eating Disorders expert Dr. Megan Harrison (who also happens to be Asif’s wife). Dr. Harrison discusses what eating disorders are and how adolescents develop them. Dr. Harrison also discusses how eating disorders are occurring in younger and younger children and th...

To start the episode the guys give their thoughts  on two recent summer movies; Asif talks about “The Suicide Squad” and Ali reviews “The Green Knight” (2:00). Then the guys talk about the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest summer movies of all time, ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (18:55). The guys start off by talking about their personal connections to the movie. They then talk about how George...

To start the episode, Ali’s recounts a recent Drive-in comedy show he did with Shaun Majumder (1:03). Then Asif asks about the course Ali teaches at Queen’s University and whether you can “teach funny” (7:38). Ali then talks about various exercises he used with his students to develop their comedic skills. Ali then discusses various books on the history of comedy and to help with honing one’s stan...

In this very special episode, Ali and Asif interview ophthalmologist, comedian and social media sensation Dr. Will Flannary aka Dr. Glaucomflecken. In their hilarious and wide ranging chat they discuss:   His comedic influences How he got started doing stand up and how he transitioned to social media His philosophy of comedy, ‘punching up’ and why one should be cognizant of power dynamics when doi...

Today, after playing a clip of Will Ferrell ‘heckling’ Jimmy Fallon on the tonight show (1:52), Ali discusses heckling in comedy (2:25). He discusses the different types of interruptions that can occur and the ‘dangers’ of crowd work and a crazy story from Sudbury, Ontario. Then Asif discusses the idea of ‘difficult” parents in pediatrics (24:39)-- and quickly dismisses this terminology and emphas...

In this episode, Asif starts things off by discussing how he finally got around to seeing Zach Snyder’s Justice League (1:00) and they compare the viewing experience to Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. The guys then discuss clowns in comedy as well as hospital clowns. First, Ali discusses the different types of clowns and the history of clowning (4:59). Then he discusses a specific subtype of clown, “ L...

On today’s episode the guys first off start talking about last week’s Emmy nominations, including the surprises and snubs (00:54). Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on ‘Ted Lasso’ (5:16). The guys talk about the development of the show and praise the performances of the cast, particularly Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham. They then talk about why the show has resonated with so many people...

On today’s episode, the guys start off by reminiscing about the career of the acclaimed director Richard Donner (1:07). They talk about his classic films including ‘Superman’, ‘The Goonies’, ‘Scrooged’, ‘Lethal Weapon’, as well as the not so classic ‘16 Blocks’ (featuring a classically bad vocal choice by Mos Def). Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on Mindy Kaling’s ‘Never have I Ever’ (7:25),...

On today’s episode, Ali updates us on his filming of Hudson and Rex in Newfoundland (00:54).Then Asif asks Ali about his thoughts on Bo Burnham’s new netflix special ‘Inside’ (3:56). The guys talk about Bo Burnham’s rise to fame via the internet and the response to his special, both good and bad. They compare the response to the special to Hannah Gadsby’s ‘Nanette’ and other atypical comedy specia...