Beginnings episode 35: Tom Scharpling

Tom Scharpling is the host of the critically-acclaimed weekly-call in program The Best Show on WFMU. Grounded by Tom’s sardonic glee, the show features phone calls, comedians and a weekly call between Tom and his comedy partner Jon Wurster, where Wurster plays numerous characters, usually from the made-up town of Newbridge, NJ. Tom was also a writer and executive producer on USA’s Monk, and most recently, he has been directing a number of well-received videos for everyone from The New Pornographers to John Hodgeman. A few weeks ago, we sat down with Tom in Studio C of WFMU hours before The Best Show. On this episode: we spend ten minutes accidentally depressing Tom! Tom becomes Andy's impromptu therapist! Andy downgrades his crippling fears! We maybe learn the origins of soda! And Tom challenges us to a game of Make Me Laugh!