Mark's Best Friend (with Yul Vazquez)

Simpsons fans —THE VAULT IS OPEN!  I’m Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson for 35+ years, and I’m finally taking you inside Springfield. Simpsons Declassified is your all-access pass to the world’s most iconic, animated  series.   Each week, we crack open wild predictions, eerie coincidences and fan conspiracies and stories  from 36 seasons (that’s 800+ episodes!) behind-the-scenes with writers, directors, the cast and  celebrity superfans, PLUS…Simpsons-themed games— play along and test your Springfield IQ.   Hear exclusive stories from our guests who were there! Perhaps some scenes that almost never  aired, the jokes that died, the ones that lived and the moments that still shock me at the mic.  Produced and showrun by Monica Gil-Rodriguez. From Audacy Podcasts and CRE84U  Entertainment. Follow now to get new episodes first — and drop your wildest Simpsons’ theory in a review for  a chance to be featured on our uniquely unique podcast, Simpsons Declassified. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's a bittersweet day, because it's Ben and Adam's final podcast episode for awhile! For this special episode, Adam talks to Yul Vazquez, who plays Petey, Mark's best friend (but Mark is just Petey's very good friend). They talk about shooting the very first scene of the show and the joy of playing two guys who just really like each other. Then, Ben and Adam answer more fan hotline questions to close out the season. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the penultimate episode of the podcast, Ben and Adam are joined by their penultimate podcast guest: Alia Shawkat, who plays Gwendolyn Y from Branch 5X. They talk about Alia's early career as a child actor on Arrested Development, why she doesn't own a TV, and being type cast as an angry teenager. Plus, they discuss what it was like to be the first ones back on set for season 2 of Severance. Then, they answer some fan hotline questions and open up about high school. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the podcast turns its focus to one of Severance's biggest influences: the science of the brain. First, Ben and Adam talk to one of their favorite fictional scientists, Karen Aldridge, who plays Dr. Asal Reghabi, about working with their science consultant on set and what it's like pretending to perform brain surgery. Then, they are joined by a real scientist, Carleton neuroscience professor and host of the Minding The Brain podcast, Dr. Kim Hellemans. They ask Dr. Hellemans all about the brain, how memories are formed, and what "real life severance" looks like. Finally, Ben and Adam talk to Mike "The Mailman" Lang — a military veteran, mailman, and Severance superfan — about how Severance resonates with him as someone with PTSD. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Ben and Adam welcome two incredible actors to the podcast to break down the craft of performing. First, they talk to Emmy-winning actress, Merritt Wever, about joining the cast as Gretchen in season 2, the dangers of over preparing for a role, and whether Gretchen had an affair with Dylan’s Innie. Then, the guys are joined by Ramy Youssef, a great comedian, actor, writer, director, AND Severance superfan. Together, they answer some fan questions and discuss what resonates with Ramy about Severance and, more importantly, about New Jersey. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On August 16, 2025, Ben Stiller and Adam Scott convened Severance's Emmy-nominated cast and creators for a live taping of the podcast. They welcome the great actor and comedian Patton Oswalt to step in as the host of the first-ever Tournament of Fripperies, a Severance-themed game show that tests contestants' knowledge of Severance and of each other. The all-star lineup includes Britt Lower, John Turturro, Zach Cherry, Patricia Arquette, Tramell Tillman, and Severance creator Dan Erickson as the Tournament Judge. Only one can be crowned the Frippery Champion and be named a true child of Kier. Who will it be? “Main Titles” performed live on the theremin by Randy George To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Adam are back! And this week, they are joined by Severance's Emmy-nominated production designer Jeremy Hindle – aka The Man with All The Handles, because he's got a handle on everything. Together, they dive deep into the original lookbook for the show, how Jeremy expanded the world in season 2, and the importance of designing with emotion. Plus, Jeremy helps answer some of your burning fan questions about furniture and color theory. If you've thought to yourself, "what is up with those birthing cabin statues?" then this episode is for you. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today is the Lost / Severance crossover we've all been waiting for. Adam sits down with Damon Lindelof, the co-creator of Lost, and Dan Erickson, the big brain who created Severance, for a wide-ranging conversation about fandom, how Lost inspired Severance, the origins of the "mystery box" show, and why Dan keeps getting sent 27 Dresses memes. Then, Ben and Adam answer some fan hotline questions, including: are Mark's fishes okay?! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Ben and Adam welcome actor, musician, and world-builder Janelle Monáe to the podcast to talk about their creative process and how sci-fi influences their work. They share what inspires them to build futuristic worlds like the one in Dirty Computer, why they are drawn to the concept of duality, and how family parties can be a surprising source for material. Then, Ben and Adam sit down with Severance costume designer Sarah Edwards to break down the Lumon dress code and answer some hotline questions. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben and Adam are joined today by Mike Schur, who has created or produced many of the best TV shows of the last 20 years, including Parks & Recreation, The Office, The Good Place, and, most recently, the Netflix series A Man on the Inside. They talk about the sticky philosophical questions that influence both Severance and Mike’s work, and the challenges of creating and defining a distinct tone for a show. Plus, Mike reveals the super secret password to enter this podcast (hint: it’s also the password in Eyes Wide Shut). Then, Ben and Adam talk to the great Sandra Bernhard, who plays Nurse Cecily in Severance, to talk about her work in Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy and Cecily’s most iconic moments on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices