Josh Gondelman
LightNews LightNews
banner
joshgondelman.bsky.social
Josh Gondelman
@joshgondelman.bsky.social
87K followers 1.1K following 10K posts
Comedian and writer, year-round iced coffee drinker.
Posts Replies Media Videos
joshgondelman.bsky.social
From this week’s newsletter, some words on the concept of a “heat check.” Read it all: www.thatsmarvelousnewsletter.com/157-jennifer...
Does everybody know about the concept of a "heat check?" It's a basketball term referring to a player who has hit a a few shots in a row and decides to test the strength of their momentum by launching another shot from exceptional distance, or while off-balance, or in the face of smothering defense. It's a useful framework for extra-basketball behavior as well. Damien Chazelle following up Whiplash and La La Land with the chaotic and far-ranging Babylon was a heat check. Meghan Markle launching a line of jams was a heat check. Any athlete who puts out a rap song...heat check. I bring this up because on Tuesday night I witnessed possibly the greatest heat check of my life. It was well after midnight, and an exuberant lingered crowd on the sidewalk outside of the Paramount in Brooklyn, the site of Zohran Mamdani's official post-election party. A DJ with a powerful bluetooth speaker was buoying the already effervescent mood with a wide range of songs. He caused a borderline frenzy by throwing on "All I Do Is Win" by DJ Khaled featuring a bunch of actual artists. He followed up the 21st century's preeminent Jock Jam (unofficial) with the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" which is a song made for bar mitzvahs and movie montages of friends having a great night out that doesn't include club drugs. It was a little corny, sure, but it kept a sense of millennial optimism going. The crowd, who had previously been turning up to some Middle Eastern dance music I didn't recognize was now shouting: "Mazel tov!"
November 11, 2025 at 3:42 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
Doing a show tonight in Greenpoint! Fun lineup! Excited for this!
Comedy show at Lighthouse in Greenpoint with Jay Jurden, Kenice Mobley, and Brittany Carney
November 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
This month marks the three year anniversary of That's Marvelous! Here's a little excerpt from this week's installment. Read the whole thing here: www.thatsmarvelousnewsletter.com/156-pep-talk...
Time doesn't heal all wounds (and it takes care of even fewer injuries without intervention). It's like saying "heat cooks all food." Yeah, but how much heat? And also you still have to like...assemble the ingredients and put the food in the oven. But you've got effort and ability, and those things plus time do tend to square away most tasks. Not doing this task will for sure not help. Even with time. But you've got this...because nobody else does.
November 4, 2025 at 5:47 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
Me on the street wearing an I voted sticker.
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
If you dress as Oasis for a Halloween party in Bed-Stuy there is an enormous chance that people will assume you’re doing racially uncomfortable Run-D.M.C. cosplay. You live and you learn!
Me and Maris in adidas and bucket hats as oasis. Maris has a tambourine on her head like Liam Gallagher.
November 2, 2025 at 2:31 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
On this week’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, I ask Julia Fox if her butt derailed the Tour de France.
November 1, 2025 at 3:35 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
No costume tonight but I am wearing the Adidas x Simpsons Kang and Kodos “Treehouse of Horror” Forums.
Green adidas sneakers with alien eyes.
October 31, 2025 at 10:42 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
Added to tonight’s already excellent Sup, Bro? lineup at Union Hall in Brooklyn is the great Padma Lakshmi!!! This is how @alisonleiby.bsky.social and I will feel if you don’t make it there!!! Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/sup-boo-ti...
Me and Alison giving big ass thumbs downs. Alison is holding a drink. I’m wearing a really cool sweater.
October 31, 2025 at 2:56 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
Is the mob consumed by millennial nostalgia? It's more likely than you think! (Read this week's That's Marvelous newsletter and subscribe/share if you enjoy it, please!) www.thatsmarvelousnewsletter.com/155-the-mob-...
I'm kind of dazzled by the idea that these whales (which are not the same as fish, biologically, I understand) were supposedly lured in by an NBA coach who has (to put it gently) never succeeded at that job and whose playing career inarguably peaked in 2004. That means that the mob (SHOULD THESE ALLEGATIONS PROVE TRUE) was ahead of the curve on identifying the allure of millennial early-century nostalgia. I would have loved to hear a low ranking mafia associate say to an acquaintance/accomplice: "This guy thinks he's going to come in here and take our money? Well call him Zooey Deschanel because that's just adorkable."
October 29, 2025 at 2:38 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
I’m so excited to be a part of this great Bullseye Live 25th Anniversary show on 11/15 at The PIT in NYC! Get your tickets here: maximumfun.org/events/live-...
Flyer for the Bullseye show also featuring Tony Shaloub, H. Jon Benjamin, Jad Aymara, and Robert Lopez/Kristen Anderson Lopez
October 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
Two more shows tonight at @sprtsdrnk.bsky.social in New Orleans! I drank this non-alcoholic Bloody Mary to make sure I am awake and alert for you!
A Bloody Mary.
October 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
New Orleans: Four shows tonight and tomorrow at @sprtsdrnk.bsky.social!!! Come enjoy some comedy! Tickets: www.sportsdrink.org
Sign for frozen espresso martinis at Sports Drink!!
October 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
This movie is out now and it’s fun as hell! Erin Judge, who co-wrote it, is one of my oldest and best friends in comedy!!! I’m so psyched for people to see Queens of the Dead!!!
Queens of the Dead poster!
October 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
Boston: Peter Grosz and John Lutz are doing improv for you this Friday!!!
Flyer for lutz and grosz at the Rockwell in Somerville on Friday 10/24 at 9pm
October 24, 2025 at 1:46 AM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
I look humiliated to be caught eating a sandwich this decadent.
Screenshot of me eating a North Shore Beef at Londi's in Peabody, looking BUSTED. From Comedian Josh Gondelman's tour of Boston's "Roast Beef Riviera"
October 23, 2025 at 3:44 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
People of Seattle!!! I am sorry for your recent baseball loss, but I am very excited to come to your city on 12/28 for one show!!! It’s the biggest Seattle venue I’ve ever played, and I’d love to see you there!!! Ticket link: www.ticketweb.com/event/josh-g...
Semi-obscured headshot of my chin and torso advertising my show on 12/28 at The Crocodile in Seattle!
October 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
I wrote a about D'Angelo for my newsletter this week, including this story that's a little funny and also a little sad!!! Read the whole thing here: www.thatsmarvelousnewsletter.com/154-dangelo-...
n 2014, I was working at Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, a dream job that I eventually left for another dream job. As part of a bit written by Will Tracy if I remember correctly, the show was looking to book a famous r&b singer. Someone in the office (I think it was me?) suggested reaching out to D'Angelo. John (Oliver) replied immediately: "Perfect! He lives in Philly and he's STILL GOT IT!" D'Angelo's team politely declined our show's offer. He was gearing up to tour (!!!) and didn't feel like he was in shape for public appearances.
October 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
This week's newsletter contains a pep talk for people doing creative work in the age of AI boosterism, and I was once again a generative AI hater. Read the whole thing here: www.thatsmarvelousnewsletter.com/154-dangelo-...
While we are waiting for the bubble to burst, there is no shame in doing other work than the kind of things you've rightfully felt a lot of pride in making a living from. It is painful to have to reevaluate your career path because every boss thinks you can be replaced by three spellchecks in a trench coat, but it is not embarrassing. The dignity doesn't come from the money. It comes from cultivating skills and having insights and offering something meaningful to other human beings (and sometimes animals too, but they're less dedicated readers/viewers, I imagine).
October 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
This weekend I’ll be telling jokes in New Orleans if that’s the kind of thing that’s interesting to you! Tickets: www.sportsdrink.org
Flyer for my shows 10/24 and 10/25 at Sports Drink in New Orleans. Photo credit: Mindy Tucker
October 20, 2025 at 5:05 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
This is so exciting! I love being a part of this little team of co-hosts (along with the producers and engineers) at The Nightly!
Signal Award Winner graphic for the best cohosts of The Nightly!
October 16, 2025 at 8:31 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
I wrote a little bit about the inflatable frog suit protests against ICE, which feel platonic yet furry-adjacent. Read the whole thing here: www.thatsmarvelousnewsletter.com/153-frogs-ag...
There have been many kinds of opposition to ICE's assault on cities across the United States. I get choked up every time I see a video of concerned bystanders intervening to help someone safely escape an unjust arrest/abduction. But nothing has quite underscored the asymmetry between the "war" that Donald Trump has claimed is breaking out in urban areas and the reality of those regions (imperfect but largely peaceful). Nothing illustrates public safety more effectively than someone dressing like a dumbass and not getting beat up. And by that standard, Portland may statistically be the safest place in the history of the world.
October 14, 2025 at 1:54 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
The heat finally broke so I can dress normally now.
October 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
Here's maybe my favorite part of this week's That's Marvelous newsletter. It's from a pep talk for someone nervous about being sedated for a colonoscopy. Read the whole thing here: www.thatsmarvelousnewsletter.com/152-time-sen...
However, until we further ensmallen medical technology, this is the best we've got. The ass, as they say, is the window to the hole. Capable teams of doctors do this all the time with reliable and positive results. You are not, as far as I know, getting some kind of back alley colonoscopy where a med school dropout smothers you with a chloroform-soaked rag and then shoves a Kodak digital camera up your butt. You're in good hands! This is a weird thing for you to experience because it's new, but it's completely normal for the people performing the procedure! You've got this because they've got this!
October 7, 2025 at 2:50 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
I mean...
[Verse 2] Girls, I don't need to catch the bouquet, mm To know a hard rock is on the way
October 4, 2025 at 8:21 PM
joshgondelman.bsky.social
This isn’t scary to me at all. A skeleton is the only way I’ve ever seen a dinosaur look.
Dinosaur skeleton decoration with pumpkins on a Brooklyn stoop.
October 2, 2025 at 1:09 PM