This show was bedrock for me, 2005-2020, but the change in format in the LA phase has made it more of a variety show with interviews and live music doesn’t always work. There are way more people involved than in the Jersey days, and Tom can seem a bit tyrannical when transitions don’t go smoothly. (Also, the “Semi-weekly” shows seems to mean “quasi-weekly,” as there can be LONG gaps between Tues shows.)

Anyone who gives this show a negative review is just another chump for the steamroller.

Tom Scharpling describes himself as a “comedian” but all I’ve ever heard him do is say annoying opinions in a whiny, unlistenable voice. Unfunny and boring. Jon Wurster should start his own podcast and let that hack just disappear further up his own a**.

The Best Show with Tom Scharpling is a radio program/podcast with topics to call into as well as hilarious characters from Jon Wurster. Also, there’s a crew of folks who work for Tom to produce the show. The Best Show lives up to its name. Mirth, Music, and Mayhem is what you get.

Is the best show. The quality that we should all strive for. If this doesn’t make you feel better, just go to bed.

S&W GOAT! #FOTBS4L Not only the best show out there, it’s also the greatest show out there. I’ve done my research, now you do yours.

Tom is in the vanguard of “The League of Creators,” [Bow] a self-important cadre of aging punks with swizzle-stick arms and braying harridans who plan to bring down Capitalism and the Patriarchy once and for all. His economic plan: To make all ATMs have the same PIN of “0000.” He will greatly enjoy traveling to re-education camps to berate the white males [ptooey!] for hours on end. All he expects in return is that a statue of him be built to rival the Lantau Buddha. Instead of the benevolent gaze of the Enlightened One, Tom’s haughty RBF glowers over what was Jersey City. Once Civilization collapses, remnants of The League will huddle around a fire as Tom puts on tepid, repetitive “comedy” skits, a pot of lentils but only three spoons. Their forced, hollow laughter would chill you to the bone. This little-known podcast is like that.

Any one who says this show is bad is stupid.

Thanks for the Nick Kroll remastered show! Best Show ROCKS!!

Been listening pretty much since the show went online. Tom and the team have really hit their stride in LA! Looking forward to 2024. If you don’t appreciate the show I have only one thing to say…. Cracked a book on quality podcasts lately? It don’t look like you have.

The greatest.

Best show bests are now jarringly split up with ads killing all flow of the calls & latest one started playing outro while call was still going on. The folks from Newbridge are treasures, treat them as such.

If you listen to 3 episodes of The Best Show you will be a fan for life. 3 episodes. Yes that’s 9 hours. But it will unlock thousands of hours of entertainment.

You either get it, or you don’t. There’s a good reason this show has existed in some form or another since the late 90s. It helps if you have a deep knowledge of rock/prog/alternative/punk/indie music, but certainly not a requirement.

how is this popular?

It’s been the Best Show on the airwaves since Tom’s days at WFMU way back in the 1900’s. From his slightly awkward and humble beginnings, Sharpling has risen to an A-list entertainer and G.O.A.T. Podcast legend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Have enjoyed this podcast for the past 4 years, even though the show in different iterations has been around for decades. Very funny and just an entertaining show to listen to. Tom Scharpling and his gang have perfected this format; recommend that you give it a try.

It’s the best show!

tom invented podcasts

My dad loves Tom and I wanted to see what it was and your the best of the best shows I have ever seen thank you for doing this podcast😀😀😀 you are amazing

We get it. They don’t.

Why try the rest?

This show is amazing. You never really know what to expect and there are so many different things to get excited for! It is an amazing show and the number 1 show. I am so glad I listen!!!!!!!!!!!😄😄😄#GaryTheSquirrelRules🐿🐿🐿

Best show is dah best!! Been listening since 2005!!

I’m glad Tom is getting paid and things seem really professional and polished, but that’s not what I listening for. 18 years of entertainment is incredible, so no hard feelings, but bourbon ads and polish wasn’t what made me, at least, love the show for nearly 20 years. …… Long, long, long time listener (2004) here. Tom just seems tired and a little bored lately. It’s hard to fault him too much, because he’s been doing this for so long at such a high level, and for free. Still a five star show, but it just feels flat and sort of forced lately. There are very few calls; they are almost all dudes.

I’d been a listener since 2014. Tom’s schtick of being the most put-upon person was a fun goof, but the show has spiraled into this weird, Twitter clout-chasing nonsense where that has since stopped being a goof and is a stock-and-trade sad white dude grievance. Welcoming Chapo hosts, a show literally built on being mean-spirited bigots was the final straw for me. Have fun in LA, Tom, you lost the plot.

Went to listen to the latest episode and was bombarded by the same inane commercials that pollute every crappy corporate podcast. It’s an absolute shame. Tommy Tinseltown has SOLD OUT!

Having those dicks from crappo house on makes me want to puke

Honestly, SO annoyed by the 15-20 min long intros. Man. Best Show is fine, I guess.

There is simply no other show in any medium quite like The Best Show, so any attempts at comparison would fall short. I don’t laugh as hard or as often during any TV show, movie, or podcast as I do The Best Show thanks to Tom’s unique command over the wide-ranging atmosphere they have curated. For the full experience, listen live on Tuesday nights, but listening later via the podcast is never a disappointment. This show has been on since the Clinton administration, so there’s a lot of history here, and while you don’t need to dig too deep to have a good time, the more immersed you get, the more you’ll enjoy it! *** That was my review YEARS BEFORE the 24 hour Best Show. The events that occurred on air during that timespan proved that Tom & the crew are the absolute best team of broadcasters of our era, possibly ever. I was (and remain) floored by what they have accomplished and they are only moving forward. The new studio configuration complete with a performance stage for musicians is a massive upgrade, proving that The Best Show not only lives up to its name, but that it is legitimately THE BEST SHOW EVER.

Why can’t you give zero stars

Boring. Self indulgent. And worst of all: pretentious.

Not many shows can boast being the best, but this is truly an ongoing masterpiece in audio art. This week (June 7 2022) has an incredible sound collage that I am more than just mildly obsessed with. Tom Scharpling is truly the master, and Jon Wurster’s calls are ALWAYS total perfection. The recent run of “Mike in Baybridge” calls has been a real pant wetter. This is a good thing. Hearing Tom break out the “Bad Companying” again made me cackle so loud I guarantee I woke the neighbor’s next door. I only wish I could listen to it live all the way through but: my job forbids it. I absolutely love this show!

Tom Scharpling is my hero. This show pulls me out of the funkiest of funks and I’m eternally thankful for Tom, Jon, and the whole crew.

So so so so good. My wish list for returned features: - alternate universes - dank best buy / cinema candy stall stories - arbitrary points / dudio sitting on a big fat goose egg - nodudevember / dogcember

Best Show

I first got into podcasts listening to harmontown. When it ended I came back to an old classic. It never ends

This podcast will forever be The Best, but ever since the show went bicoastal there’s been something missing. Calls worked better when Tom ran the soundboard, and doing the show over zoom has shifted the staff to cohost status. Mike’s trollish delight in smut and contrarian opinions as well as the on-mic laughter makes me feel like I’m listening to a morning zoo. I’d much rather Tom take a break to focus on his other projects than do the show out of obligation to the listeners.

It was a one-of-a-kind classic when I first stumbled across the show in the early 2000s. It is a one-of-a-kind classic now. It will be a one-of-a-kinda years from now. You’ve heard the rest now hear the best. Thank you Tom and crew for the years of mirth, music, and mayhem.

Can’t believe I hadn’t listened to this before 2020. I discovered it through Double Threat, another Scharpling masterpiece. Tom’s a Rat Bastid and I love the Best Show universe!

Tom puts the Best in the Best Show. A+ every time he shows up. Mike is the perfect foil for Tom. And Pat Byrne brings excellent energy to the new independent iteration of the show.

Is what it is

Tom’s the best that ever did this

All time greatest podcast. None other better.

Tom Scharpling doesn’t fit the sensibility or format of the show. There’s plenty of other stuff that fits him out there, just not here please.

The Best Show is worth being patient for. It's a grow-er. If you're looking for a show-er, download a Rogan. Hats off to Tom & Jon & Mike & Jason & Pat!

Jason Gore doesn’t fit the sensibility or format of the show. There’s plenty of other stuff that fits him out there, just not here please.

It’s just the funniest thing ever. The old version. The new version. The Best and 24/7 feeds. It’s just the funniest thing. Listen to just a little of it and then you’ll understand.

The original and still best show out there. All these fancy millionaire celebrities stumbling through podcasts that are 70% ads and not trying are kids rec league compared to the NBA. The high watermark of what an audio based show can be. Also the book is jaw dropping. Not hyperbole. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Admittedly lost touch with the show when he left WFMU but started listening again in lockdown. One of the funniest and most rewarding things you will hear and it’s live. Feels so good to hear Tom hang up on callers again - the world is right every Tuesday night!