Surprisingly Awesome

Last updated
Surprisingly Awesome
Surprisingly Awesome (podcast) album art.png
Presentation
Hosted by Adam Davidson, Adam McKay, and Rachel Ward
GenreHumor, Human Interest
UpdatesOccasionally
Publication
Original releaseNovember 3, 2015 
January 19, 2017
Provider Gimlet Media
Related
Website Official website

Surprisingly Awesome was an American podcast formerly hosted by Adam Davidson and Adam McKay and subsequently hosted by Rachel Ward and frequently guest hosted by John Hodgman. In each episode, one of the hosts would take a seemingly boring topic, and try to make the other believe that it is interesting. These topics have varied from mold to interest rates. The podcast was hosted by Gimlet Media.

Contents

The idea for the podcast came from the friendship that developed when McKay and Davidson worked together on The Big Short . McKay and Davidson would have long conversations when they would try to "out-fascinate" each other and make dull subjects seem interesting. [1]

After searching for a new host for the show, Gimlet chose former Science Friday correspondent Flora Lichtman to take over, but decided to rebrand the show under a new name. On April 12, 2017, Gimlet CEO Alex Blumberg announced that Surprisingly Awesome was cancelled and would be replaced by Lichtman's new show, Every Little Thing. [2]

Episodes

Episode #TitleDescriptionOriginal Release Date
1Mold Adam Davidson tries to convince his co-host that mold is awesome.November 3, 2015
2Free Throws Adam McKay tries to make free throws interestingNovember 5, 2015
3ConcreteThe two try to drum up interest in concrete
Guest: La La Anthony
November 17, 2015
4TubthumpingThey dig deeper into the 1990s hit "Tubthumping"December 1, 2015
5Interest RatesThe hosts try to convince Adam McKay's daughter that interest rates are awesomeDecember 15, 2015
6BroccoliAdam and Rachel investigate the many forms of broccoli January 12, 2016
7AdhesiveAdam and Rachel investigate perfect adhesive, including a look at gecko feet January 26, 2016
8Frequent Flyer MilesGuest host John Hodgman discusses frequent flyer miles.March 8, 2016
9PigeonsTopic: Pigeons March 22, 2016
10Circle of FifthsTopic: Circle of fifths April 5, 2016
11BoredomTopic: Boredom April 19, 2016
12MattressesDavidson and McKay investigate if the cost and quality of mattresses make a difference in sleep comfort.May 3, 2016
13Insults Adam McKay and Rachel M Ward discuss insults such as Yo Mamma
Guest: E. Patrick Johnson
May 17, 2016
14I Told You SosAdam Davidson and Adam McKay discuss psychology and implications of saying I Told You So
Guest: Janeane Garofalo
May 23, 2016
15Extinct Hockey John Hodgman learns that extinct hockey is not the only awesome form of sport. With Rachel Ward.June 14, 2016
16Follow ups Alex Blumberg, Adam Davidson and Rachel Ward follow up some of the stories covered earlier such as concrete, free throws, mattresses.June 29, 2016
17FlossingRachel Ward and Maeve Higgins discuss flossing with a dentist.July 27, 2016
18YogaAdam Davidson and Rachel Ward examine merits of Yoga.
Guest: Wendy Doniger, Michelle Goldberg
August 10, 2016
19CardboardTopic: Cardboard August 24, 2016
20CryingSeptember 7, 2016
21Postal AddressesSeptember 21, 2016
22Wedding PlanningOctober 5, 2016
23UpdateRachel Ward announces that she is moving on from Surprisingly Awesome to another Gimlet Media project. The search for a new host is on. This episode is also a preview for Twice Removed.January 19, 2017
24A Message from Gimlet CEO Alex BlumbergAlex Blumberg announces that Surprisingly Awesome has been cancelled and gives a preview of a new show called Every Little Thing.April 12, 2017

Reception

The Guardian reviewed the show positively saying, "Three episodes in, Surprisingly Awesome has managed to live up to its name and its mission." [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 Melissa Locker (22 November 2015). "Surprisingly Awesome: the podcast that blends Anchorman with Planet Money". TheGuardian.com .
  2. Quah, Nicholas (February 28, 2017). "Is Spotify's move into original podcasts a pure platform play or something more open?". Nieman Lab. Retrieved 29 November 2018. Surprisingly Awesome, which will return on April 17 and will feature a new host: Flora Lichtman, formerly of Science Friday and Bill Nye Saves The World. This new season is being described as a "relaunch."