Damon Mcknight
The Dollop is an American comedy history podcast hosted by comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds. The premise of the show involves Anthony reading stories from American history to Reynolds, who usually has no knowledge of the topic, and the two react and comment on the stories. The Dollop has been in the top 20 downloaded comedy podcasts in the US, Canada, and Australia. The show's popularity in Australia can be attributed to several factors, including the dynamic between the hosts, the brutally honest and quick-witted humour, and the focus on bizarre aspects of American history, which Australians find entertaining and relatable. The Dollop has also featured live episodes in Australia, covering Australian history and including local guest comedians, further contributing to its popularity in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The combination of hosts | Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds |
| The format of the show | Brutally honest, quick comedy |
| The content of the show | Crazy, fucked-up US history |
| The relatability | Mocking American history and its ridiculousness |
| The Australian sense of humour | Dry, self-deprecating |
| The guest appearances | Wil Anderson, Patton Oswalt, My Favorite Murder hosts |
| The live episodes | Topics from the respective countries |
| The listener engagement | Fans send in stories, making research easier |
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What You'll Learn
The comedic duo of Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds
The Dollop is an American comedy history podcast co-hosted by the comedic duo of Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds. Each episode centres on an event or person from history, usually American, chosen for its humour or peculiarity. The premise involves Anthony reading a story from history to Reynolds, who usually has no knowledge of the topic, and the two then comment on and react to the story, often improvising comical scenarios.
The podcast was created by Anthony, who is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter and podcaster. He often frames stories from the point of view of labourers, enslaved people, women and the poor. He has also co-hosted other podcasts, including The West Wing Thing and The Audit.
Reynolds is also an American comedian, podcaster, producer and writer. He has performed sketch comedy and co-written a book based on The Dollop podcast with Anthony, entitled The United States of Absurdity: Untold Stories from American History. He has also acted in various TV shows and films, including Hoops and A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas.
The duo first collaborated when Anthony appeared as a guest on The Naughty Show, which Reynolds was co-hosting at the time. Their comedic chemistry was evident, and Anthony invited Reynolds to fill in on his other podcast, Walking the Room. The Dollop was originally supposed to feature a new guest each episode, but Reynolds became the show's permanent co-host.
The Dollop has toured across the United States, Europe and Australia, where live podcast performances have repeatedly sold out theatres. The show's format adapts to the location, with stories chosen from the respective country when touring outside the US. For example, topics covered in Australia included the Emu War and Arthur Phillip.
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The brutally honest content
The Dollop's episodes centre around historical events or figures that are chosen specifically for their humour and peculiarity, and the hosts' dynamic and unfiltered reactions to these stories are a significant part of the show's appeal. Gareth's genuine surprise and incredulity, coupled with Dave's dry cynicism, create a dynamic and engaging listening experience. The hosts' willingness to tackle sensitive topics with a no-holds-barred approach adds to the sense of brutal honesty that resonates with Australian audiences.
One of the key draws of The Dollop is its ability to present American history in a comedic light. Australians, saturated with American content, find it refreshing to have a different perspective on the well-documented and often insane events of American history. The show's ability to find humour in the absurdities of the past, whether it be racist attitudes or bizarre occurrences, resonates with the Australian sense of humour, which often involves laughing at the horribly unacceptable.
The Dollop also gained popularity in Australia due to its connection with other popular podcasts. Walking The Room, hosted by Dave Anthony and Greg Behrendt, ended, leaving fans heartbroken. However, many of them migrated to The Dollop, as Dave Anthony was a familiar name, having been a frequent guest on Wil Anderson's FOFOP podcast, which is popular in Australia. The Dollop's ability to provide a unique and comedic take on history, coupled with its hosts' dynamic rapport, created a show that filled the void left by Walking The Room.
Additionally, The Dollop's live shows and special episodes, such as the "Reverse Dollops" and "Smollops", contribute to its popularity. These live shows often feature Australian stories, such as the Emu War and Arthur Phillip, allowing Australian audiences to connect more personally with the content. The inclusion of guest comedians in these live performances adds to the appeal, creating a sense of community and engagement that enhances the overall experience.
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The dynamic between the hosts
The Dollop is an American comedy history podcast hosted by comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds. The dynamic between the two hosts is one of the main reasons for the podcast's popularity in Australia. Dave Anthony, who is also a writer, actor, and podcaster, reads stories from American history to Gareth Reynolds, who usually has no prior knowledge of the topic. The two then comment on and react to the stories, often improvising comical scenarios.
Dave Anthony's dry cynicism and Gareth Reynolds' quick wit and incredulous attitude create an "awesome combination" that has resonated with Australian audiences. The hosts' ability to find humour in the darker aspects of history, such as racism, in a non-condoning way, aligns with the Australian sense of humour.
The friendship and rapport between the hosts are evident in their interactions, with Dave stating that Gareth "makes me laugh like no other person can". The duo's chemistry and comedic timing have helped to create a massive following for The Dollop, with fans actively engaging with the show by sending in stories and research materials.
In addition to their individual comedic talents, the hosts' dynamic is strengthened by their ability to play off each other's strengths. Gareth's skill in creating lines and characters on the spot complements Dave's storytelling abilities, resulting in a unique and entertaining podcasting style.
The Dollop has also featured live episodes in Australia, where they deviated from their usual American history format to explore Australian stories, such as the Emu War and Arthur Phillip. These special episodes further showcased the hosts' dynamic and their ability to engage with Australian audiences by presenting local content.
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The focus on crazy US history
The Dollop, an American comedy history podcast, is popular in Australia due to its focus on bizarre and humorous events and personalities from American history. The dynamic between the hosts, Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, also contributes to its appeal.
The podcast's format centres on Anthony narrating a historical story to Reynolds, who usually has no prior knowledge of the topic, and their ensuing commentary and reactions. The choice of stories often involves peculiar or outrageous aspects of US history, which Australians find entertaining and fascinating. This focus on "crazy" US history provides a unique perspective that differs from traditional historical narratives, making it engaging and humorous for listeners in Australia and elsewhere.
The Dollop's popularity in Australia can also be attributed to the comedic style and chemistry between the hosts, Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds. The duo's contrasting personalities, with Anthony's dry cynicism and Reynolds' quick wit and incredulous attitude, create an entertaining dynamic that resonates with Australian audiences. Their ability to find humour in serious topics, such as racism, aligns with the Australian sense of humour, which often involves a self-deprecating and satirical tone.
Additionally, the podcast's brutal honesty and willingness to address personal struggles and societal issues have resonated with Australian listeners. It provides a relatable and engaging perspective, allowing listeners to reflect on their own experiences and the broader societal context. The Dollop's ability to blend humour with thought-provoking content has likely contributed to its popularity in Australia and beyond.
The Dollop's success in Australia also stems from the country's familiarity with American content. Australians are exposed to a significant amount of American media and culture, and The Dollop offers a unique take on American history, providing a different lens through which to view the United States. By highlighting the absurdity and ridiculousness of certain aspects of American history, the podcast presents a fresh and entertaining perspective that appeals to Australian audiences.
In conclusion, The Dollop's focus on bizarre and outrageous US history, coupled with the engaging dynamic between its hosts, has captured the interest of Australian listeners. The podcast's ability to blend humour, honesty, and thought-provoking content, along with its unique take on American history, has contributed to its widespread popularity in Australia and beyond.
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The Australian sense of humour
The Dollop, an American comedy history podcast, has gained significant popularity in Australia. The show is hosted by comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, who present peculiar stories and events from American history with comedic commentary and improvisation. The success of The Dollop in Australia can be attributed to several factors that resonate with the Australian sense of humour.
Firstly, Australians appreciate brutal honesty in comedy, and The Dollop delivers on this front. The show takes on a no-holds-barred approach to discussing the absurdities and failures of American history, which Australians find entertaining and relatable. This brand of humour, marked by self-deprecating wit and a willingness to acknowledge societal shortcomings, is well-aligned with the Australian comedic sensibility.
Secondly, Australian humour often involves a degree of dryness and sarcasm. Listeners of The Dollop appreciate the dynamic between Dave's dry cynicism and Gareth's quick wit and incredulous attitude. This interplay captures the Australian sense of humour, where sarcasm and a touch of self-deprecating humour are commonly employed.
Additionally, the lack of extensive historical baggage in Australia makes the exploration of other nations' histories intriguing. The Dollop satisfies this curiosity by delving into the crazy and batshit insane aspects of American history, providing a humorous take on events that Australians can enjoy without the weight of their own historical context.
The Dollop has also fostered a sense of community among its Australian listeners. The show's ability to blend humour with historical content has created a dedicated fanbase that actively engages with the podcast by sending in stories and research materials. This interactive aspect further enhances the show's popularity and fosters a sense of participation among Australian listeners.
Lastly, the success of The Dollop in Australia can be attributed to the rapport and chemistry between Dave and Gareth. Their contrasting comedic styles, combined with their ability to improvise and feed off each other's energy, creates a dynamic and entertaining listening experience that resonates with the Australian audience's appreciation for witty and clever comedy.
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Frequently asked questions
The Dollop is an American comedy history podcast in which comedian Dave Anthony reads stories from American history to his friend and fellow comedian Gareth Reynolds. The Dollop has been in the top 20 downloaded comedy podcasts in Australia for the past couple of years. The duo has been on The Dollop Tour in Australia, and their shows have sold well, indicating that they are beloved by Australian audiences.
Each episode of The Dollop centres on an event or person from history selected for its humour or peculiarity. The Dollop is brutally honest, and the combination of Dave's dry cynicism and Gareth's quick wit and incredulous attitude is an awesome combination.
Live episodes of The Dollop performed outside of the US have featured stories from the respective countries. Topics covered in Australia included the Emu War and Arthur Phillip.
