Dystopia Tonight With John Poveromo

Niko Stratis is an exceptional music journalist, writer, and culture commentator known for her distinctive voice and unique perspective. As a trans woman, Niko brings an invaluable and intersectional lens to her work, providing a fresh and insightful take on the world of music and popular culture. With a deep passion for music, Niko possesses an uncanny ability to unearth hidden gems and spotlight...

In the realm of comedy, Mike Burton stands out as a true original, blending his southern hospitality with a sharp New York edge. His performances are a testament to his comedic brilliance, leaving audiences clutching there sides and eagerly awaiting his next show. Hailing from North Carolina and Delaware, he found inspiration in comedy legends like George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, and Steven Wright. A...

In the ever-evolving landscape of comedy, certain performers emerge as true trailblazers, pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms. Among these luminaries is Mark Anthony Ramirez, a comedic force whose multi-racial heritage encompasses Latin, Black, Caucasian, and Asian roots. Ramirez's ability to embody the mosaic of America in his craft has garnered him critical acclaim and a dedicated...

Evoking a sense of wanderlust, taking listeners on a melodic journey through bittersweet emotions, introspection, and the beauty of everyday life, The Volebeats, helmed by Matthew Smith and Jeff Oakes, are a beloved Detroit band known for their enchanting blend of alt-country, folk-rock, and dreamy pop melodies. With their signature sound characterized by lush harmonies, twangy guitars, and heartf...

Melissa Auf Der Maur, a Canadian-American musician and artist, first rose to prominence as the bassist for the iconic alternative rock band Hole. Her powerful and melodic bass lines added a distinctive edge to their sound, and she became an integral part of the band during their critically acclaimed albums, including "Celebrity Skin" and "Live Through This." Following her time with Hole, Melissa j...

Jamie is an American comedian and voice actor renowned for his exceptional voice-over work in movies, TV shows, and video games. Many of you may know him as one half of the legendary comedy duo, Mack & Jamie. Jamie's journey into comedy began in a serendipitous way when cartoonist Mack Dryden left a note for him at his Key West radio station, acknowledging Jamie as one of the funniest men in town....

Paula Poundstone is a comedic force known for her improvisational skills, wit and sharp sense of humor. With a career spanning several decades, she has established herself as a beloved and respected figure in the world of stand-up comedy. Paula's comedy style is characterized by her quick-thinking, impeccable timing, and engaging storytelling. Her ability to find humor in everyday situations, coup...

Boy Meets Girl - comprised of George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, stands as a musical duo renowned for their exceptional songwriting skills and contributions to the music industry. Their global hits, including their own chart-topper (a personal favorite) “Waiting For A Star To Fall” and Whitney Houston’s iconic tracks like “How Will I Know” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” have solidified their...

George Schlatter: The visionary maestro who shook up television with "Laugh-In," crafting a kaleidoscope of laughter, counterculture charm, and unapologetic satire, forever imprinting his comedic genius on the annals of entertainment history joins us on Dystopia Tonight for an unforgettable interview.  A masterful director, George Schlatter's creative genius has imprinted an indelible mark on both...

Julie Seabaugh, the celebrated comedy journalist renowned for her captivating writing style, deep comprehension of the comedy world, and infectious passion for humor, joins us on the latest episode of Dystopia Tonight! With years of immersive industry experience, Julie has amassed a treasure trove of stories and conducted interviews with the brightest minds in comedy, establishing herself as a tru...

Ariel Elias was crushing the comedy club scene long before an incident at a dingy hole-in-the-wall comedy club in New Jersey propelled her to a house hold name. Poor management from the club’s chef lead to an unruly Trump supporter deciding it was a bright idea to hurl a can of alcohol towards her, narrowly missing her head. Ariel didn’t miss a beat, picked up the can and chugged it to raucous app...

Robert Wuhl, the renowned actor, comedian, and writer known for his roles in "Good Morning Vietnam," "Bull Durham," and "Batman," brings his incisive wit and captivating anecdotes to Dystopia Tonight. In this episode, we explore Wuhl's multifaceted career, spanning stand-up comedy, acting, writing, and producing. He shares insights into the creation of his groundbreaking HBO show, "Arli$$," which...

Hailing from an envious background in Improv from Second City, Cavanagh’s journey in the entertainment industry has been nothing short of extraordinary, leaving an indelible mark on the big screen. From her unforgettable portrayal of the talented baseball player Marla Hooch in “A League of Their Own” to her uproarious performance as Broomhilde in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.” She has also made a be...

Keith Roberts, the charismatic frontman of Celtic rock band the Young Dubliners , is a force to be reckoned with. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Roberts brings an unparalleled authenticity to his music that has captivated audiences across the globe. With his band, he has crafted a unique sound that merges traditional Irish melodies with modern rock sensibilities, earning them a devoted following an...

On this episode of Dystopia Tonight I had the great pleasure of hosting the legendary Jorge Calderón on the show! Calderón is a highly accomplished musician, songwriter, and producer known for his work in the rock, pop, and Americana music scenes. He has collaborated with some of the most iconic artists of our time, including Jackson Browne, and the Eagles, and has contributed to countless hit rec...

ATTN Fellow Dystopians! On this episode of Dystopia Tonight I had the great pleasure of speaking with, two of the most vital voices in the world of graphic novels today, Alan Jenkins and Gan Golan! Their new graphic novel, “1/6” is centered around one of the most controversial political events in recent history: the storming of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on January 6th, 2021. The grap...

The king of DEVOlution is back on Dystopia Tonight with John Poveromo! Jerry Casale, one of the founding members of the iconic new wave band Devo, returns for a lively and thought-provoking discussion. Jerry is a musician, artist, and filmmaker who has been a driving force in the world of music for over four decades. He co-founded Devo in the early 1970s with his bandmates Mark Mothersbaugh and Bo...

Start your Monday morning off with Ken Block , lead singer, and songwriter of the band Sister Hazel !   Throughout the episode, Ken’s love for music and performing shines through, and listeners are treated to a glimpse of the hard work and dedication that goes into being a successful musician. Fans of Sister Hazel, affectionately known as the “Hazelnuts,” have been drawn to the band’s unique sound...

On today’s episode of Dystopia Tonight we welcome the triumphant return of Glen Phillips ! With a career spanning over three decades as the lead singer and songwriter of the legendary alt rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket , Glen has solidified his status as an icon to generations of fans both old and new.   Coming off his newest solo album “There Is So Much Here” Glen effortlessly breaks down the wa...

Julia Scotti is a seasoned comedian, actress, and writer who has been performing on stage for over three decades. Born in New Jersey in 1952, Julia began her career as a comedian in the 1980s under the name Rick Scotti. She quickly gained popularity and became a regular performer at renowned comedy clubs such as The original Improv. In 2000, Julia decided to retire from comedy and focus on her fam...

In this episode of Dystopia Tonight with John Poveromo, we have the pleasure of welcoming legendary television writer, director, and producer Bill Persky back to the show. With a career spanning over five decades, Bill has worked on some of the most beloved television shows of all time, including "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and "Kate & Allie." In our conversation, Bill s...

Rachel Ana Dobken is a multi Instrumentalist, singer, songwriter who puts her heart and soul into every word she sings and every note she plays. We dive deep into everything it takes to be a working artist today, trying to balance a career and social life, what got her started down this path, what keeps her motivated, outside passions, her upcoming album, collaborating with other amazing artists,...

Sue Kolinsky is an Emmy nominated producer, writer, comedian, podcaster and all around great human being. We cover her early days in standup comedy coming up with Carol Leifer, Paul Reiser, Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Carole Montgomery, Kevin Nealon and more, writing for the Ellen Show, producing The Osbornes, writing on Sex and The City, producing The Newlyweds, her MTV family, opening for Rosem...

I really couldn't ask for better guests than the guys from Retrofile. Had some great conversations about the music and comedy industry and the joys and struggles of being an artist. Great guys and amazing music. Enjoy this one and check out their stuff below: https://www.retrofilemusic.com/    

Leighann Lord is one of the funniest comedians working today, and someone I’ve admired as a comic and a friend since we met when I was only a few years into my career in comedy.   We cover our mutual nerdiness for all things sci-fi and tech, comedy hell gigs, covering her humble beginning as a standup, her influences, type A personalities, social media, pop culture, politics and more! Enjoy!