The JV Club with Janet Varney

It’s a foamy almond milk latte of an episode with the delightful Alicia Witt, who talks Nashville, Bill Shakes, and the simple elegance of a tv show title when it’s as self-explanatory as “That’s Incredible!”

Direct download: JVC_303.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

<a href="https://twitter.com/janetvarney">Janet Varney</a> indulges her most recent lady crush with this week’s guest, the immensely talented <a href="https://twitter.com/breedawool">Breeda Wool</a>. She's known for her role in the Audience Network TV series <a href="https://start.att.net/exclusive/audience/mr-mercedes"><i>Mr. Mercedes</i></a>.

Breeda tells Janet about how her precociousness combined with life in a sleepy college town created a perfect storm of pre-teen wildness. Plus! Homemade clothes, campfire witches, and breast-exposing ballgowns!

Direct download: JVC302_181219.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Semper ubi sub ubi, everyone! This former New Jersey native and Latin Club superstar Grace Helbig joins Janet Varney for a stroll down their mutual in-state scholarship experiences, a Halloween costume quid pro quo, and camping out in your teacher’s backyard.

Direct download: JVC301_181213.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:07pm PDT

To celebrate the 300th episode of The JV Club, JV is joined by Say Hi’s Eric Elbogen! Eric, of course, is the reason for the very existence of The JV Club’s theme song, “Back Before We Were Brittle!” Before some excessive mutual fawning (don’t worry- it’s at the VERY END), Eric and JV talk living rooms, first guitars, and the indignities of class team presentations in this special 300th Episode Non-Boy-of-Summer!

 

Direct download: JVClub_300Episode_181206.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:50am PDT

Great news, janitors! The JV Club will have a brand new home on Maximum Fun. Listen to find out when our 300th episode will debut on Maximum Fun. 

Direct download: JVClub_NewLaunch.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:21pm PDT

Originally Aired 3/2/2012

It’s the first episode of The JV Club with Janet Varney! Throw on your tunic and Birkenstocks for a chat about small towns, the fierce passion of Celine Dion, and the importance of special effects in high school stage productions of Agnes of God.

Direct download: jv_christina_hendricks_re.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:24am PDT

Special Post-Labor Day Boy of Summer Cedric Yarbrough talks JV through the adventures of faking a bath, using a wall for your flattop, and having a secret college theatre identity. Oh, and it’s SEE-Dric.

Direct download: jv299_cedric_yarbrough.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Put on your rollerblades and stay OFF your bike while this week’s Boy of Summer Justin Willman (Netflix’s "Magic for Humans") indulges JV’s endless questions that somehow combine teen era trivia with magic-centric interrogation for this deep-dive into broken arms, sleights of hand, and an eco-burial cameo. 

Direct download: jv298_justin_willman.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

The wonderful, self-effacing yet let’s-face-it-multi-award-nominated Jonathan Coulton joins JV as the latest Boy of Summer with a cross-continental chat covering parties and guitars, the fierce competition of flavored chips, and what it takes to cultivate a Professor X / Magneto friendship, Old Chum.

Direct download: jv297_jonathan_coulton1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:36am PDT

The most important takeaway of this special episode with musician and Boy of Summer Mondo Cozmo/Josh Ostrander is that HE HURT HIS HAND PUNCHING A SHARK IN THE NOSE (self defense)! But you’ll also hear about basement-band-eavesdropping, math-class-stressing, and what can happen to a baseball player when he hears the music that changes his path. 

Direct download: jv296_mondo_cozmo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

This week’s Boy of Summer is the extremely cool Michael Irby, star of the upcoming highly anticipated “Sons of Anarchy” spinoff, “Mayans,” and he brings with him tales of growing up Palm Springs-adjacent, the necessary amnesia of a good soccer player, and the satisfaction of a good karaoke jam. But remember… don’t name your fish! Or turtles!

Direct download: jv295_michael_irby.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Originally aired 7/16/2015

It’s the badass creator of You’re the Worst, Stephen Falk! Episode 162 lets you straddle the disparate high school worlds of theatre, jazz band, and sports, and then fall in love with the new girl in school, who naturally drives a stick-shift pick-up truck. Swoon!

Direct download: jv_stephen_falk_re.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47am PDT

Boy of Summer and author/screenwriter Jonathan Ames (“You Were Never Really Here,” “Blunt Talk”) joins JV for some satisfying deep-dives into mind, ego, body, aging and, of course, the appeal of a really cool mime. 

Direct download: jv294_jonathan_ames.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:58am PDT

This week, SNL and Groundlings alum (and creator of The Black Version!) Jordan Black graces Boys of Summer with tales of Kankakee, Illinois in all its small-town glory… inspiring such topics as the perfect Bruce Springsteen song, a badass mom with an impressive approach to raising 4 boys, and the right way to wear a fringe vest.

Direct download: jv293_jordan_black.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

This week JV geeks out over the latest Boy of Summer: Undisclosed’s Colin Miller! From debate club to huevos rancheros; from long-distance running to a film club with a name that sounds like a funny-yet-unpleasant diagnosis (sorry Colin!), this law professor and true crime/legal podcast dynamo does not disappoint!

Direct download: jv292_colin_miller.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

This week’s Boy of Summer is the delightful, uke-strumming, movie-riffing, dog-paw-admiring, nose-fluting Kevin Murphy ("Mystery Science Theatre 3000"; Rifftrax), who regales JV with tales of abruptly-ending football “careers,” sibling album-borrowing, and how a certain summer song can accidentally transition into a “Flashdance" favorite. 

Direct download: jv290_kevin_murphy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:48am PDT

Originally aired 6/26/14

 

This week with the always wonderful Paul F. Tompkins: build a snow tunnel, sing a few piano tunes, or recite Edgar Allen Poe in the place where his macabre work truly shines, a brightly lit classroom. Boys of Summer continues!

Direct download: jv292_pft_rerelease.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:06am PDT

From a shared mutual love of the “Miss Chevious” detective novels to the perennial -- if scary -- appeal of an old diving suit, JV and this week’s Boy of Summer Jordan Morris (Jordan Jesse, Go!) cover a lot of ground in both the real and thoroughly made-up worlds of Earth, Earth 2, veiny comic book characters, and maybe the best name ever for a turn-of-the-century baseball team.

Direct download: jv291_jordan_morris.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Originally Aired 6/11/2015

Hey, everybody — it’s the sublime Marc Evan Jackson! The latest Boys of Summer episode will reveal some compelling and charming new things about the man you may also know as Sparks Nevada from Thrilling Adventure Hour. Addendum: you will not be asked to sign a pledge to abstain from drinking, smoking, sex, or dancing during the consumption of this episode. We are not the boss of you.

Direct download: jv290_marc_evan_jackson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:03am PDT

This year’s first Boy of Summer and longtime JV pal Tony Hale ("Veep”) relives the fond and not-so-fond memories of his youth... but for goodness’ sake DO NOT ASK HIM ABOUT ANYTHING pre-7th grade! Plus: Asthma, cigarettes, and unfortunately artfully dodging being the Artful Dodger. 

Direct download: jv289_tony_hale.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:21pm PDT

Calling all witches! Head up to a wild and lovely mountain outside of Santa Barbara for this magical yet utterly grounded visit with “Unreal” creator Sarah Gertrude Shapiro, who completely inspires JV with her honesty, humor, and particular and surprising fierceness that comes along with skiing to Enya!

Direct download: jv288_sarah_gertrude.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

A chance airport encounter finally yields this episode with the charming Marla Sokoloff (“Fuller House”) who patiently indulges Janet’s love of “The Practice” and pontificates with JV on relativity, dry mouth sounds, music-making and the clown in A Christmas Carol(!).

Direct download: jv287_marla_sokoloff.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Put in your nose ring and pull on your long skirt for a meander through the delightful misadventures of teenaged Gaby Dunn (Bad With Money Pod). Plus, Gaby and JV bask in some mutual crime/murder/justice television and podcasting love, and discuss the phenomenon of listening to other people listen to Phish.

Direct download: jv286_gaby_dunn.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Tidy up your closet fort and put a new coat of wax on your race car bed for this Seattle-centric chat with Eddie-Veddered-hair Tarin Anderson (Take My Wife). See you in the darkroom, shutterbugs!

Direct download: jv285_tarin_anderson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

The stars aligned this week and very fortuitously brought us the stars of the new film Duck Butter, Alia Shawkat (who also co-wrote and co-produced) and Laia Costa (who co-produced) for a chat about basketball, double lives, and the discovery of maybe the most charming pronunciation of an American cartoon ever. 

Direct download: jv284_alia_laia.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

The fabulous Bree Essrig talks boarding school magic, construction-site hook-ups, and the times in your life when wearing your bra on the outside of your shirt just feels right. Strap on your aviator hat and all hands on deck for Commander Crazy!

Direct download: jv283_bree_essrig.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Attention Dillards shoppers: Episode 282 with Rachael O’Brien (Be Here For A While podcast) brings lots of embarrassing tidbits about both Rachael and JV’s earlier years, though Rachael arguably walks away with more dignity overall! This episode could aptly be enjoyed on a long walk through Los Angeles, if you’re in the neighborhood.

Direct download: jv282_rachael_obrien.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:03pm PDT

Put on your grown-up glasses and fire up your self-walking dog for this visit with comedian and author Laurie Kilmartin (Dead People Suck: A Guide for Survivors of the Newly Departed) as she and JV talk swimming breakthroughs, sadistic teachers, and chewing-not-swallowing in Episode 281 of the podcast!

Direct download: jv281_laurie_kilmartin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Throw on your best speakeasy togs or your plaid school uniform for this chat with the brilliant delight that is musician Jill Sobule, who meanders with JV along topics like mountains vs. ocean views, metaphorical circuitry-exploding friend crushes, and the wonders of the short-lived Viva magazine.
Direct download: jv280_jill_sobule.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

Actress Nicki Micheaux (Lowlife, Animal Kingdom) blows JV away with an immediate name-drop of Prescott, Arizona, and what follows is a spirited chat ranging from the criminal justice system to the super-heroism of parenting to the appeal of a good vampire. 

Direct download: jv279_nicki_micheaux.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

The delightful Maria Blasucci (Drunk History, The Big Ones podcast) comes by for a heart-to-heart with JV that includes both birds and bees, but maybe not how you’d think. Plus, a lot of love for Manor House and its sister shows… and some fantastic ideas for new ones, if we do say so ourselves, PBS!

Direct download: jv278_maria_blasucci.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

Janet gets swept up by the ethereal Kimmy Robertson (Twin Peaks) and a pondering of mango yogurt, serendipitous events, curling toes and the new envy theme of the podcast (not actually the new theme).

Direct download: jv277_kimmy_robertson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00pm PDT

Nerdist worlds collide with this week’s delightful guest, Alicia Lutes (Fangirling). After JV appeared on Alicia’s show yesterday (Wed. 2/28), Alicia stopped by to dig into lots of juicy high school-era stuff and the perils of feeling so much! Otherwise known as so many feels.

Direct download: JVC276_Alica_Lutes.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00am PDT

Crack open your Nancy Drew mysteries and take it easy on that white wine— it’s the marvelous Mo Collins on this week’s episode of the podcast! JV and Mo talk oil painting, a bit of light dorm-defacing, and throw a big salute to some of the “first ladies of rock" (We’re looking at YOU, Pat Benatar!). 

Direct download: JVC275_Mo_Collins.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am PDT

This week on the Episode 274 of The JV Club, Baskets’ Martha Kelly and JV talk about getting punched by kids, what happens when your dog may or may not be drugging you, and the appeal of a good old fashioned general store. 

Direct download: JVC274_Martha_Kelly.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am PDT

The marvelous Nyima Funk (The Black Version) comes over for a chat with JV about the offstage wonders of improv, musical Skype ringtones, and looking back to look forward. Turkey sausage all round!

Direct download: JVC273_Nyima_Funk.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am PDT

Episode 272 is a break from tradition! Janet, freshly home from SF Sketchfest, welcomes back guest Eliza Skinner for a conversation about - gasp- current events! Seriously everybody- there isn’t even a M.A.S.H. game. But there IS a lot of honest chewing on various confusing and important issues if we do say so ourselves. Enjoy!

Direct download: JVC272_Eliza_Skinner.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am PDT

SF Sketchfest staple Irene Tu sits down with JV for a debrief on having smarts, breaking hearts, basketballs, and pink walls in this episode that definitely does not rhyme the way parts of this description for some reason did. Happy Sketchfest everyone!

Direct download: JVC271_Irene_Tu.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am PDT

It’s a JV Club re-release with comedian Cameron Esposito (Put Your Hands Together) and SHE! IS! GREAT! There’s nothing like a story about a medical semi-crisis in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language to get the old podcast blood flowing. But it doesn’t stop there… because who doesn’t love talking to their parents about sex? NOTE: The prior two references are NOT RELATED.

Direct download: JVC170.5_Cameron_Esposito_Re-Release.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am PDT

Get your doughnut craving ready for the pink pastry box of podcast episodes with Lili Mirojnick (SyFy’s “Happy”), whose soccer cleats got hung up for a career in theatre after many a post-game glazed binge. Plus, M.A.S.H. brings about reflections on 90’s era Leo and JV startles herself remembering last night’s dream about a certain teen idol of her own!

Direct download: JVC270_Lili_Mirojnick.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am PDT

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