Opportunity LOL's Spotlight Interview: The Hosts of "Professor Blastoff"

Do you remember hanging out in dorm rooms talking about philosophy, science, and life? If you miss it, Earwolf's Professor Blastoff is a much funnier and more intelligent analysis of the same topics we all are curious about. The show is hosted by three comedians: Tig Notaro, Kyle Dunnigan, and David Huntsberger plus researcher (and comedian) Aaron Burrell - who put together a great weekly podcast every Sunday. We've thrown a ton of questions at the foursome and they were very kind in answering them. Learn their thoughts on the future of the show, how it's affected their individual careers, and their influences. Enjoy!

What is your assessment of bringing on comedians vs "experts" as guests? Which group do you think you'll have on Professor Blastoff more in the long run?

Tig Notaro: "I think having both provides a nice balance and keeps the show a little less predictable."

Kyle Dunnigan: "I love having comedians on, but I prefer experts. I like the idea of people really learning something new every episode."

David Huntsberger: "I like having anyone who is passionate or knowledgable about a topic. Im not opposed to having a hobo on, just be passionate or knowledgable."

Your show has an interesting premise of being in the basement of a man named "Professor Blastoff" and analyzing statements that he's sending from outer space. Do you think that helps you approach topics in a more structured manner? Does it restrict any conversation?

Tig Notaro: "well, first of all, it's Kyle's basement, not the professors. And, I dont think it restricts us in any way at all. Regardless of what's being discussed, we can always wedge in an on the spot made up riddle or sing the worst rendition of a credence Clearwater revival song."

Kyle Dunnigan: "The original idea was to add structure but somehow it makes everything more confusing. But I still like it for some reason."

David Huntsberger: "It gives a nice starting out point. Our lack of knowledge is really all that would ever restrict us."

What ideas or elements did you have in mind for the show that Earwolf talked you out of? What did they convince you to add or change?

Tig Notaro: "mostly I remember them up front trying to talk us into being better at podcasting, but that comes with time. In all honesty, I feel very proud of the groove we are in. Its silly and somewhat informative. no room to take yourself too seriously as a host or guest."

Kyle Dunnigan: "pyrotechnics."

David Huntsberger: "They have been totally supportive so far. We wanted to record some episodes on Kyle’s computer in the beginning, and luckily they talked us out of that."

How has Professor Blastoff helped your individual careers?

Tig Notaro: "not in the slightest way, I've noticed more of a downward spiral."

Kyle Dunnigan: "I have received tens of twitter followers."

David Huntsberger: "I see more listeners at shows. That’s cool."

You each bring up stories from your personal lives to illustrate concepts or opinions - how much information is too personal and have any stories come up that you didn't want to talk about but felt compelled to?

Tig Notaro: "I like to lay low and just let Kyle divulge everything. Which he seems to have zero problem doing. It's amazing. I love it. He needs to write a book. Someone out there, give him a book deal."

Kyle Dunnigan: "I seem to always say too much. I try not to think of the consequences."

David Huntsberger: "We tend to have a good idea of what is appropriate, and we can always edit stuff out if we do disclose too much."

Given how unique your podcast is, what have been and are your influences? Podcasts, Movies, Books, Television, etc.

Tig Notaro: "little house on the prairie, but during the later seasons when it wasn't good anymore. When everyone was blind and in a bonnet. That pretty much nails what's going on. We're blind and in bonnets down in that hatch."

Kyle Dunnigan: "David's CD "Humanitis". I think it's now available on itunes. Oh...yes...it is."

David Huntsberger: "I’d like to think it’s somewhere between Richard Dawkins, Carl Sagan, The Pixies, and The Mighty Boosh."

I believe everyone involved is a stand-up comedian. How has touring affected recording? Do you perform many shows together?

Tig Notaro: "I pretty much tour alone and use local openers. In the past, I've brought David or Aaron with me to open, which is fun. Kyle and I do a lot of local shows together in la to force earch other to work out new material. After rereading your question, I'm not entirely sure I answered your question correctly."

Kyle Dunnigan: "It's not easy. I've tried very hard to become less successful for the podcast. Our first show together is at "Flappers" comedy club in Burbank, Ca. March 17th. Come on down!"

David Huntsberger: "We’ve had to do some call-ins, but we’ve been able to work around our schedules so far."

Can Professor Blastoff run out of topics? If so, would it continue in another form?

Tig Notaro: "no chance. There's always questions, curiosity and science. I will be a great great grandmother doing this stupid show."

Kyle Dunnigan: "We'll probably just rename old ones to trick people. Like we did one on "love". Maybe in the future we'll do another one on "liking a whole bunch"."

David Huntsberger: "As soon as everyone collectively runs out of things they find interesting or inexplicable, we’ll be done."

Tig - How well has your album "Good One" performed and has it met your expectations?

Tig Notaro: "It's doing very well, thank you. It ended up on many best of 2011 lists and I know my label secretly Canadian is happy with how it's selling. If you are reading this, go buy it now."

David - Do you have aspirations to build upon your illustration skills and have a solo gallery show?

David Huntsberger: "I’ve never really considered it. Maybe though. That would be cool."

David - On Opportunity LOL, we post tons of custom toys. Have you considered sculpting and painting a Kidrobot Munny or other DIY figure?

David Huntsberger: "Are you asking me to do one? I would love to."

Kyle - Your last big role on TV was Craig on Reno 911!, which was extremely popular. After your character was executed by the state, did you pursue other acting roles or fully embrace stand-up and now Professor Blastoff full-time?

Kyle Dunnigan: "I don't want to say I've been pursuing other acting roles because clearly I haven't booked anything big. so no...no I have't been pursing any acting roles."

Aaron - What is the purpose of Professor Blastoff Afterthoughts? Was this to develop a blog audience, raise issues you're actually passionate about, or copy creation for SEO purposes?

Aaron Burrell: "There were multiple purposes for starting Professor Blastoff Afterthoughts. For each topic I spend several hours watching documentaries, reading wikis, and ultimately finding YouTube clips that would hopefully add something fun or funny to the podcast. What I look for is 5 or 6 main points that seem to reoccur throughout the internet on the given topic. By the end of this process I usually end up feeling charged up about something within the topic. Usually with each episode there is some research that goes untouched so I like to take a little of that and mesh that with some of the highlights of the episode and create the blog.

I do hope to develop a healthy blog audience, as well as refine my skills as a writer and researcher. I also figured that having a blog would be a good way to add Professor Blastoff related content to the web, search engine optimization was more of an afterthought."

What are your favorite comedy podcasts?

Tig Notaro: "this American life, professor blastoff and of course, little house on the prairie"

Kyle Dunnigan: "The Todd Glass Show. Marc Maron."

David Huntsberger: "Doug Loves Movies, Comedy Film Nerds, Pod F. Tompkast"

Aaron Burrell: "My favorite comedy podcasts are Nerdist, How Did This Get Made, and This American life, but I haven't listened to a lot of what is out there."

Many of the Opportunity LOL readers are art and toy collectors. Do any of you collect something? If so, could we see shots?

Tig Notaro: "I have 2 vintage motorcycles. Seems like after one, it becomes a collection- especially if there's intent to buy more. Which there isn't."

Kyle Dunnigan: "I collect plastic animals that poop jelly beans. People keep buying me them as a joke so I have an accidental collection."

David Huntsberger: "My aunt has been giving me old fashioned beer trays for years. I have a cool collection, but no pictures. Sorry."

What can the Opportunity LOL readers look forward to from Professor Blastoff and each of you in 2012?

Tig Notaro: "really really really hoping to do a pb tour. The 3 of us and Aaron too! Stand up and live podcast episodes! That would be dreamy. The more listeners we get the more likely a tour, so please subscribe to our ridiculous podcast and spread the word so we can come visit your town.

And for me personally, I plan to take a year or so off from solo touring to continue working on new material and wrap up some exciting top secret projects. For updates on my shows and projects, go to Tignotaro.com and become my pal on Facebook. I love you."

Kyle Dunnigan: "I would like us to tour as well."

David Huntsberger: "Maybe a Professor Blastoff tour? I have a new CD “Explosion Land” coming out this summer."

The Best Comedy Podcasts	Interview with Writer and Comedian Streeter Seidell	Interview with Kevin "Dot Com" Brown of "30 Rock"	Comedian and Podcast Host Jeff Rubin

©2010-2012 Opportunity LOL
Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: This website may contain views, opinions and statements of various third party individuals and organizations. Opportunity LOL neither endorses nor makes any representation or warranty whatsoever regarding the views, opinions or statements provided by any third party or any user of this website. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any information, opinion or contents available through the website and to seek appropriate advice of professionals, as appropriate.