Shows / Comical Start
Comical Start
We misunderstand humor and ruin jokes. Send feedback to comicalstart@gmail.com.
Episodes
- Comical Start
Branded Personality
Sometimes all you want at Costco is one of their loss-leader products. Sometimes you’re just getting by. And sometimes an email doesn’t do the trick. Mark…
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Apricot Leibniz
Mark is both embarrassed by and jubilant about his most recent culinary epiphany. Those drawers won’t organize themselves. Grant brings Eek! There’s a bit of a…
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Urban Nuisance Birds
Advertisements are inevitable, but they don’t have to be… whatever that is. Mark wavers a bit on standing firm against any version of the panopticon. Mark…
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All Your Eggs in One Pumpkin
Some weekends are meant for staying inside while a storm “rages”, causing you to mess up your sleep schedule while binging a dystopian television show. Or is…
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Real Authentic Lava
Mark is channeling Grant’s culinary stylings, though he wasn’t quite as daring. He brags a little bit, then Grant shares something objectionable yet oddly…
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Nominally Objectified
Grant makes Mark do an oopsie, all because of his archaic desire for tactile electronics. I mean, really. Grant brings Real Life Adventures. Somehow this…
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The Water Police?
Mark has a technical question that amounts to spending money on a hobby. Long weekends are fruitful for activities, or sometimes non-activities. Mark brings…
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What Did We Really Accomplish?
Mark has a tangible problem on multiple fronts. Grant thinks it’s actually quite calming, and Mark doesn’t intend to be this dour. Grant brings Crankshaft…
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He Has Website
Mark’s put himself in quite a bind, and Grant isn’t buying this whole retro tech movement. Shapes are pretty cool, though. Mark brings Haircut Practice…
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A "Good Idea"
Mark won a game, but Grant’s seen it done better. Flight times are weird, but mild airport paranoia solves most issues. Grant brings xkcd. Enjoy the brief…
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Modern Bells and Whistles
Kick the tires on this old podcast, but not on Mark’s new wheels! These puppies are hot. They weren’t acquired without some mild inconvenience, though. Mark…
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Are You Aware of Ken Jennings?
We’re here to talk about the big cheese. And a little bit of little cheese. Who knew the upper Midwest was such a hotbed of processed dairy activity? Grant…
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Erector?
Can one ever truly reseal a manufacturer’s container? Is it simply a lost art, with consumers left in the lurch? What would it take to hire effective people to…
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Cost per Kaboonk
There’s something in the air… Particulate matter, mostly. And discussion of grapes. And also the weather. Normal stuff, no need for concern. Mark brings Bacon…
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A Big Target® on My Back
We’re talking things that are put into other things. Some of those are feet. Some of them are bags. Some of them are right on time. Some of them aren’t even in…
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Uncomfortable Dog on Hot Pavement
Did you hear the good news about the World Cup? Somehow your hosts recorded this episode weeks in advance, and it is somehow still vaguely relevant, insofar as…
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I Was Perturbed. Severely!
Grant may have a horrible muscular issue, or just something a bit weird. Mark had some trouble himself, but was saved twice. Besides, who needs sound? Grant…
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I'm an Accountant
Let’s not worry too much about who caught what. Mark briefly displays poor internet literacy, and your hosts come up with novel white-hat sports hacking…
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Hipster of the Senses
Grant is having none of Mark’s funny idea he saw online. But, your hosts are all in on an olfactory-heavy introductory section. Grant brings Win, Lose, Drew…
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Before We Get Controversial
Mark has an important update prior to a general survey of processed carbohydrate options. Mark brings Bo Nanas. Grant gets a bit fussy, and also surprisingly…
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Advocating On Behalf of Mucus Membranes
Mark recounts his excellent time spent in West Philadelphia. Most notably, a messy cheesesteak. Grant brings Calvin and Hobbes. Mark is immune to…
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Hard to Fork Over
Strap in, folks. There’s some high drama that’s been a long time coming. Grant’s here to lay it out straight for you. It’s juicy! And plasticky! Mark brings…
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Notoriously Extra Bad
Is it just us, or have tearaway cardboard packages become way worse? Maybe it’s just the freezer. Maybe it’s the world’s interminable slide into mediocrity…
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The Big Light
Mark did just fine in a fun event. Grant shares something kind of gross and kind of funny. Mark brings Real Life Adventures. Grant makes correct assumptions…
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Offense Intended
Mark’s on his last legs, but has just enough energy to recommend a book. Grant bought some bread. Grant brings Gasoline Alley. He unwittingly corners Mark into…
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Legally Distinct Space Station
Pretending like they’re a real podcast, your hosts follow up on the previous episode. Then, Grant prompts Mark to share some sordid details about local sports…
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Always a Banana Button
Mark’s attempt at a fun topic turns slightly grim, but luckily a pivot to baseball picks up the spirit. Grant brings Non Sequitur. Even a chemist can be…
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Load-Bearing Grime
New! New! New! Your hosts are full-up on new-to-them goodies for two very different reasons. Revel in the newness of it all. Mark brings Wallace the Brave…
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I’m Going to Describe Them as “Weird Things”
Let’s all be safe with our compromised dairy. Then, revel in quality vegetarian protein alternatives. Grant brings Amanda the Great. He’s curious how his…
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We Both Took Psychic Damage
Grant has a minor upgrade that punches above its weight. Mark helps with minor home improvement, Grant said goodbye, and your hosts enjoy a short history…
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"Hello" and "How Are You?"
A calculator gets your hosts a bit riled up, or at least morbidly fascinated. Mark treats himself to some nice paper. Grant brings Freshly Squeezed. He takes…
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About Craig
The day of the big move calls for a big pizza. Or two. And they better be cheap! But that’s not all there is to meal planning. Here, read this newsletter about…
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What's Your Next Sauerkraut?
Mark may have ESP or some other form of prognosticatory abilities given how well he pins down Grant. Luckily, Grant is game for what Mark springs upon him for…
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Flying Saucer Variety
Mark regales Grant with tales from his jetsetting lifestyle. Wine, watches, music, books. There’s something for everybody. Grant brings Rose is Rose. Enjoy a…
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Check Out That Chatoyance
Grant admires some more wood and tells a story about a watch. Mark is fascinated by a hobbyist’s attempt to quantify. Mark brings Lucky Cow. He’s too afraid to…
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What Killed the Dinosaurs?
Grant is thoroughly impressed by Mark’s show-and-tell. Nice objects are nice, and Grant can’t expect more without more tools. Grant brings Dick Tracy. Mark is…
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We've Got Words at Home
Mark is finally recovered from a tremendous trip bookended by minimal sleep. Mark brings Street Scene. Even more sleep deprivation is caused by what we will…
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Bonkers
The episode starts on low heat, but eventually your hosts start cooking. Grant brings Fred Basset. Sleep can be a tricky business. Mark brings Prickly City…
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Phlegmatic Issues
Time comes for us all, and a horrifying bout of a lost voice came for Grant. After a bit of a weird story, Mark explains why he is where he shouldn’t be. Mark…
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Wiggle Lines On the Ladder
Commend Grant for his long run ability to hold back a cough, then laugh at his frost-ridden facial hair. Mark has completed his desk metamorphosis and talked…
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Fascinated By Bright Lights
Your two jock cohosts talk about their athletic achievements and, more notably, the minor gear that supports it. Mark was this close to greatness. Mark brings…
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Road Kill Terminology
Look, it could happen to anyone. Nobody reads anymore. Ohio and Missouri really aren’t that different. It was an honest mistake. But meal planning—oh, yeah!…
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Three Eggs and Ham
Mark is savoring the comfort of a bad recording setup. Grant is a calm, cool, and collected cold-weather driver. Mark brings Looks Good on Paper. He had a…
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How Much Pretend is Involved
Your hosts aren’t known for their assertiveness, but sometimes enough is enough. Other times, you hope a man who is almost thirty years old still has effective…
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Santa Will Blow Your Eyes Out
In the first Comical Start Christmas Extravaganza, your hosts spend some time discussing the holiday. It's more of a sideshow in this case, really. Mark brings…
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We're Going Dracula Now
That’s right, folks: this is a real podcast now. Put on your britches and get ready for a healthy dose of follow-up. Grant brings Wizard of Id. Mark dances…
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I'm Never Gonna Get Got
Deals at Target are like wizards, inasmuch as they arrive precisely when one needs them and all that. Mark brings Speed Bump. Some people are a bit naive and…
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Smooth As a Dew Drop
Grant is finally able to tell his tale of avian woe. Mark has a similar, though canine-oriented, story. Grant brings Calvin and Hobbes. Some imaginary home…
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Saving My Knees For Marriage
Your hosts revisit some old tropes. Grant has improved, and Mark is shocked. Mark brings Fur Babies. A house needs many little bits and bobs to make it a home…
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The Most Safe Death Cable
Grant finally bought something new, but had a terrifically terrible time receiving it. Chopsticks are underutilized, and the apartment got a facelift. Grant…
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Anything That’s Good is Actually Bad
Mark seeks sage advice from a seasoned veteran. Grant is a fellow proponent of shorts right up until it gets dangerous. Mark brings Pearls Before Swine. Grant…
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The Opposite and Slightly Sadder
Your hosts inadvertently dive into their internet pasts, featuring a touchstone listicle channel. Grant is ready to call out hooey when he sees it. Grant…
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I’m Going to Ask It
There’s a new keyboard in the house and boy is it cla… Wait. Let me fix that noise suppression. Yeah, got it. CLACKY! Also, Boston is wicked. Mark brings…
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People Like Stealing
Grant’s getting into short-form content and Mark’s phone battery is an absolute tank. Baseball! Grant brings Working Daze. Look, it’s tough out there being a…
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Blame It On the Burger Construction
Grant is entering his space politics era. Mark drove north. Mark brings Four Eyes. He has an issue with a kid's "game" while Grant doesn't read that guy. Grant…
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As Defined By Gravity
Constructing a good breakfast is no small feat. And don't even get us started on layered cake. Grant brings Freshly Squeezed. A quick issue is followed by a…
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Competing Against Dad Strength
Imbalanced softball and baseball with good vibes. Take all that, mix it up, and we're making salad baby. Mark brings C'est La Vie. After an abbreviated path to…
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How to Fridge Door Properly
A run-in with a rogue muscular spasm has Mark changing his desk setup. Cable management is in vogue and your hosts are inspired but unambitious. Grant brings…
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Where Them Boys At?
Large food? Big food? Many food? We’re a fan. Mark brings NEUROTICA. Grant doesn’t have an opinion, nor does he have a blender. Your hosts consider employing…
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I'm Pretty Professional-Looking
Mark's neighborhood has a unique art installation and/or egregious oversight. Grant brings Ginger Meggs. Mark provides an epiphany about the comic design, and…