Our special highlighting the best comedy of the year, including Kyle Kinane, Paul F. Tompkins, Karen Kilgariff, Kasper Hauser, Hannibal Burress, The State, Nick Thune, Aziz Ansari, Mike Phirman and more.

A holiday extravaganza! In addition to some of our favorite holiday songs, interviews from Ronnie Spector of legendary 60s girl group The Ronettes, Fred Schneider of The B-52s and The Superions, and The AV Club Holiday Gift Guide with Tasha Robinson and Kyle Ryan.

Greg Fitzsimmons is a standup comedian. His memoir is Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons.

Web guru Alex Blagg of ABajillionHits.biz jacks your strat with a powerblast of social media marketing know-how and online insight.

Jordan Morris ranks America from the bottom to the top.

John Brandon is a novelist who was raised on the Gulf Coast of Florida.  Citrus County is set in his home state and is his second novel, focusing on a teacher and two middle-schoolers who have their loneliness and status as outsiders in common.  The book is part crime novel and part exploration of the adolescent pysche.

Keith Phipps and Nathan Rabin of The AV Club stop by to sift through pop culture and present their picks, which include a box set from Apple Records, a new cut of the classic film Metropolis, a book from The Onion columnist Jean Teasdale, and the documentary Best Worst Movie.

Zach Miller and Scott McMicken are members of the Philadelphia band Dr. Dog.  Their music synthesizes the sounds of the 1960s and 70s with contemporary influeces, and they've built a major following over the past ten years.  Their latest album is Shame, Shame.

Matt Berninger is the frontman of the Brooklyn indie rock band The National.  The band's latest album is High Violet.

Judd Apatow is a comedy writer, director and producer.  He has become one of the largest comedic forces in Hollywood with films like Knocked Up and the 40 Year Old Virgin. Apatow's new book, I Found this Funny, is a compilation of work by some of his favorite authors.

A special set of songs from Brooklyn art-rock band Les Savy Fav, featuring Tim Harrington and Seth Jabour.  Les Savy Fav's newest album is "Root for Ruin".

Amy Sedaris is an actress, comedian and author.  She's known for her role in the creation of the bizarre TV comedy Strangers With Candy and its main character, Jerri Blank, as well as her bestselling book on entertaining, I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence.  Her new book, Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People, is out now. 

Friend of the show John Hodgman reads a piece written specially for our live show in New York City, entitled "16 Things to Do in Connecticut Before the Coming Total Collapse of Civilization".  One of his newest ventures is the Judge John Hodgman podcast, available on iTunes.

Judah Friedlander is a regular on NBC's 30 Rock and the author of How To Beat Up Anybody.  He is the World Champion.

Lee Unkrich is the director of Toy Story 3.  He's worked at Pixar for more than 15 years, and co-directed Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc. and Toy Story 2. 

Chris Morris is a comedy writer, director and performer.  He was voted one of the all-time top 12 "comedians' comedians" in a BBC poll, and his past work includes the news satires Brass Eye and The Day Today.  His new film is a farce about a group of would-be suicide bombers called Four Lions.

William Gibson is a science fiction writer whose works, increasingly, take place in a realistic present.  His latest book, Zero History, is about fashion, authenticity and identity.

Jordan Ranks America for October of 2010.

Dave Tompkins is an acclaimed music journalist.  His new book, How To Wreck A Nice Beach, is a history of the vocoder from its military applications to its musical ones.

Duo God's Pottery offer very, very serious advice on battling some common vices. 

The AV Club join us from North America's largest film festival with some tips on upcoming films worth watching out for (and avoiding).

Kristen Schaal is a comedian, actress, and author.  She's best known for her role as Mel, the devoted, stalkerish fan of the band on HBO's "The Flight of the Conchords".  She's recently co-authored a book, "The Sexy Book of Sexy Sex", with Rich Blomquist.

Greg Behrendt talks about meeting one of his heroes, David Lee Roth.  Recorded live at The Sound of Young America's "Laugh Night" at ArtShare in Los Angeles.

Bill Burr is a standup comic.  His ferocious style is leavened by the fact that he often trains the ferociousness on himself.  His latest special, now on DVD, is called Let It Go.

Bilal is a jazz and soul singer based in New York.  His second album, Airtight's Revenge, was just released.  He's worked with artists from Jay-Z and Dr. Dre to Common and DJ Premier.

Flying Lotus is a Los Angeles-based musician.  His critically-acclaimed music blends electronica with progressive hip-hop.

John Waters has a new book out called Role Models that packs a few surprises -- chief among them the influence of Johnny Mathis. 

Jonathan Ames is a novelist, non-fiction and television writer.  He created and writes the HBO series Bored to Death, which returns with its second season this month.

Are you capable of looking past your own prejudices? Simon Rich has prepared a set of brain teasers to answer that question. Featuring Rob Huebel. Simon Rich's new novel is Elliot Allagash.

He's best known for his role as "The Fonz" on Happy Days, but Henry Winkler's added a number of other acting, producing, and directing credits to his name over the years. He's also co-written a series of children's books. You can catch him right now as Dr. Sy Mittleman on Childrens' Hospital on Cartoon Network's [adult swim].

Actor Donal Logue stars in the new FX series Terriers.  He won best actor at the Sundance Film Festival for his role in The Tao of Steve, and he created the iconic MTV character Jimmy the Cab Driver.

Rob McElhenney is the creator of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as well as a writer, director and star of the show ("Mac").  Glenn Howerton plays Dennis on the show, and is also involved in writing, directing and production.

Tasha Robinson and Genevieve Koski join Jesse for September's pop culture picks.  Tasha chooses the Australian modern noir The Square and the upcoming season of the TV show Glee.  Genevieve's picks are Mavis Staples' new album You Are Not Alone and a new stand-up comedy album from past Sound of Young America guest Hannibal Buress.

Elijah Wood has worked as a professional actor since he was seven years old.  His credits include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the upcoming release The Romantics.

Mary Roach is the author of several best-selling books of science journalism, the most recent of which is Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void.

Simon Rich imagines the conversation at Mount Sinai.  Featuring Seth Morris and Paul Scheer.

Jon Glaser is a comedy writer and performer.  His show on Cartoon Network's [adult swim], Delocated, is entering its second season.

Standup comic Chelsea Peretti recorded this set at our live show in Washington, DC.  She was recently selected one of Variety Magazine's Ten Comics to Watch for 2010.

Annie Clark, the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, performs under the moniker St. Vincent. She got her start playing guitar for The Polyphonic Spree and in Sufjan Stevens' touring band, then struck out on her own, playing almost every instrument on her debut album, Marry Me. Clark's most recent album, Actor, is a striking blend of beautiful vocals, orchestration, and distorted guitar.

Roberta Flack is a singer, songwriter and pianist. She won back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year for her songs "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly With His Song." We spoke to her for a new feature, "The Song That Changed My Life."

Corb Lund is a musician and third-generation rancher from Alberta, Canada. He played for over ten years as part of punk band The Smalls, and now brings some of that irreverence to writing roots-country music about his own experiences and those of his ancestors on the Canadian prairies.

Andrew Noz is the blogger behind Cocaine Blunts & Hip-Hop Tapes, one of the internet's most successful hip-hop blogs.  He's also a contributor to NPR, Complex and The Washington City Paper, among other outlets.

Nathan Rabin and Josh Modell join Jesse to recommend the best of popular culture.  Nathan chooses Louis CK's Louie and the new film The Kids Are All Right.  Josh Modell chooses Inception and Children's Hospital.

Stadup comic Nick Adams is the author of How To Make Friends With Black People and a writer for the upcoming NBC series Perfect Couples. 

Samantha Bee is The Daily Show's longest-tenured correspondent, with seven years on the air.  She's just released a memoir, entitled I Know I Am, But What Are You?

Jordan Morris tells us what's hot and what's not.

Colson Whitehead is one of America's most acclaimed novelists.  He was the recepient of a MacArthur "genius" grant for his fiction, which includes Apex Hides the Hurt and John Henry Days.  His latest novel is Sag Harbor, about the African American beach enclave.

Jose James is an acclaimed jazz and soul singer.  He has two new albums - a forward-looking, genre-hopping record called Blackmagic and a collection of piano-and-vocals standards called For All We Know

Los Angeles comedy group Superego contribute this sponsorship message from My Baby Dreamer.

Dan Clowes is the creator of numerous comics and graphic novels, including Ghost World and Art School Confidential.  His latest is Wilson.​

Mark Frauenfelder is the founder of BoingBoing, the editor of Make Magazine, and the author of the new book Made By Hand, about the pleasure of making things yourself.​

Comedian Matt Braunger has been seen on Comedy Central, The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.  He was also a cast member of Mad TV.​

Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh are founding members of the art-rock band Devo.  They had remarkable chart success in the early 1980s, including the hit Whip It.  Their philosophy of devolution, compelling videos and bold aesthetic presentation were as big a part of the band as their danceable rock music.  Their latest record, Something For Everybody, is their first since 1990.​

The band Hanson hit it big as teenagers in the late 1990s with the megahit ​MmBop.  More than a decade later, they're still making acclaimed R&B-infused pop rock.  Their latest album is Shout It Out.

W. Kamau Bell is a San Francisco-based comedian who soaks up politics and pop culture and filters it through a racial lens, using his irreverent thoughts and critiques as fodder for his comedy. He recently ended a run of his critically-acclaimed one-man show, "The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour".  His television appearances include performances on Comics Unleashed and Comedy Central, and he is a co-founder of The Solo Performance Workshop.​

Kyle Kinane is an emerging stand up comedian who mixes a honest, self-deprecating delivery with his natural story-telling ability. He's recently toured with Patton Oswalt and Brian Posehn. Kyle has also been a guest on several comedy podcasts, including Doug Benson's "Doug Loves Movies", Marc Maron's WTF, Comedy and Everything Else, and The Adam Carolla podcast.

Nick Thune is a stand up comedian, actor, guitarist and writer. His observational humor often interlaces storytelling with music. He's made the late night rounds doing stand up on The Tonight Show and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and as a correspondent on The Jay Leno Show. He's also had his own Comedy Central special and created the web series "Nick's Big Show". He recently released his debut album, Thick Noon, on Comedy Central Records.​

Standup comic Holly Mills is a regular in clubs in the Los Angeles area.  Her set was recorded at The Sound of Young America Presents: Laugh Night, a benefit for Art Share Los Angeles.​

In this touching and hilarious song, Karen Kilgariff (Mr. Show, Ellen, Girls Guitar Club) gives us a behind the scenes look at the life of a successful comedy writer and standup comic.​

Adam Carolla is a radio and television personality, writer and actor.  He hosted or co-hosted The Man Show, The Adam Carolla Show, Too Late with Adam Carolla, and Loveline.  He now hosts The Adam Carolla Podcast, one of the internet's most popular.  He also co-wrote and starred in the feature film The Hammer.

Batman takes on The Riddler, who takes on himself in this sketch from ImprovOlympic regular Sarah Gee.

Walter Mosley is the author of more than 30 books.  He's best known for his acclaimed mysteries, including the Easy Rawlins series, which began with Mosley's first novel, Devil in a Blue Dress.  His latest is Known to Evil.

Jim Lehrer is the anchor and executive editor of The PBS Newshour.  He's also the author of 20 novels, the most recent of which is the train mystery The Super.

Donald Glover is a standup comic, writer and actor.  He is one of the stars of NBC's Community and a member of Derrick Comedy, whose first film, Mystery Team, is available on DVD May 25th.

Julie Klausner has written for Saturday Night Live and Best Week Ever with Paul F. Tompkins.  Her new book is a dating memoir called I Don't Care About Your Band.

Mark Oppenheimer is the author of Wisenheimer, a memoir about growing up verball precocious and finding himself in organized debate.  He's also religion columnist for the New York Times and professor of English and Political Science at Yale.

Jordan Morris tells us what's up, down and all around in these United States.

Editor in Chief Josh Modell and Film Editor Scott Tobias of The AV Club join Jesse to proffer some gems in the world of arts and entertainment.

The XX are a three-member band from London, England.  Their self-titled debut album was one of the most acclaimed releases of 2009.

Stephen Moffat is the head writer of the lastest series of Doctor Who.  Matt Smith plays The Doctor, and Karen Gillan plays his companion.  The new version of the beloved sci-fi adventure series is entering its fifth season on the BBC in the UK, and on BBC America in the States.

The Christian folk music duo God's Pottery teach an important lesson about keeping your stuff in your pants.

Andy Richter is best known as sidekick to Conan O'Brien, on both Late Night and The Tonight Show.  He's also a succesful comic writer and actor.

Lemmy is the legendary frontman of the band Motorhead.  We talk with him, and with Greg Olliver and Wes Orshoski, the directors of a documentary called Lemmy which premiered at South by Southwest in Austin.

Matt Harlock is one of the directors of American: The Bill Hicks Story, about the legendary rebel comic.  We talk with Harlock and Bill's brother Steve.

David Gordon Green is a director.  His films have ranged from the touching indie drama George Washington (his debut) to his most recent, the stoner action-comedy Pineapple Express.  He's also worked with college friends Jody Hill, Danny McBride and Ben Best on the HBO series Eastbound and Down, and on the upcoming fantasy comedy Your Highness.

Malcolm Ingram is the director of Bear Nation, a documentary about gay bear culture that premiered at South by Southwest in Austin.  He previously directed Small Town Gay Bar.

Standup comedy from Karen Kilgariff.  Kilgariff was head writer of Ellen, and a castmember on Mr. Show.

Christian folk music duo God's Pottery teach us an important lesson about adoption through the medium of song.

Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh are two of the founders of the Upright Citizens Brigade.  They also have a new semi-improvised sitcom on Spike TV called "Players."

Keith Phipps and Tasha Robinson from The AV Club join us again to recommend some of the best in overlooked pop culture.

Luis Guzman is one of America's most succesful character actors.  He's appeared in dozens of films and television series, from Short Eyes in the 1970s to Miami Vice in the 1980s to Carlito's Way, Boogie Nights and The Limey in the 1990s.  Now he's featured on the new HBO show How To Make It In America.

Jordan Morris tells you what's what once again.

Jeffrey Blitz and Sean Welch were nominated for an Oscar for their first documentary feature, Spellbound.  Blitz went on to direct the fictional feature Rocket Science, as well as episodes of The Office.  Now, Blitz and Welch have a new documentary, called Lucky, about lottery winners.

Trevor Groth is the director of programming at the Sundance Film Festival.  He started at the festival as a teenaged volunteer, and has been charged with reinvigorating its rebellious spirit.

Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner are the creator and director of Drunk History, a series of shorts in which comedians get very, very drunk, then re-tell their favorite stories from history.  The stories are re-enacted, with drunken narration and dialogue, by actors like Don Cheadle and Jack Black.  It won the short film prize at Sundance.

Biker Fox is a cycling enthusiast and local legend in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Jeremy Lamberton is the director of a documentary feature about Biker and his eccentric lifestyle.  The film premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City.

Drake Doremus' second feature, Douchebag, premiered at Sundance 2010.  It's about two brothers who hit the road before one's wedding.  It was inspired by Doremus relationship with the editor of his first feature, who makes his acting debut in Douchebag.

Taika Waititi is the writer, director and star of "Boy," which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.  James Rolleston is his pre-teen co-star.  The film, based on Waititi's Oscar-nominated short, is a funny and affecting coming-of-age story set in a rural New Zealand village.  Waititi previously directed "Eagle vs. Shark."

Kevin Kline is one of America's greatest actors.  He's one of the few to have won an Oscar for a comic role (his amazing turn in "A Fish Called Wanda"), and he's been acclaimed for his work in everything from contemporary drama to Shakespeare to light opera.  We spoke with him at Sundance after the release of "

Salvador Santana is a keyboard player and singer-songwriter.  His father is guitar legend Carlos Santana.  He's just released a new LP, Keyboard City.

Loudon Wainwright III is an accomplished singer-songwriter, an occaisional actor, and the scion of a musical family.  Three of his children - Martha Wainwright, Rufus Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche are professional musicians.

Tasha Robinson and Nathan Rabin of The AV Club join Jesse to recommend a few great films which are new to DVD.

Gahan Wilson is perhaps America's most legendary cartoonist.  For more than 50 years, his distinctively twisted single-panel cartoons have appeared in magazines like Playboy and The New Yorker. 

TV writer Jane Espenson is executive producer of Caprica, a new series based in the Battlestar Galactica universe.  She's also written for Ellen, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Gilmore Girls and more.

Elna Baker is a comedian and writer.  Her memoir is "The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance."

Aziz Ansari is an actor and comedian.  He's a regular on Parks and Recreation, and a member of the comedy group Human Giant.  He's also been in films like Observe & Report and Funny People.

Standup comedy from Hugh Moore, recorded live at the Bentzen Ball in Washington, D.C.