Filmmaker Alan Zweig to make The Worst Podcast

Following the success of its recent chart topping hits Pretendians and A Field Guide to Gay Animals (Official Selection Tribeca), Canadaland is set to release the second podcast under its new DoubleDouble banner and its first ever celebrity interview podcast.

After more than three decades behind the camera, iconoclastic Award Winning filmmaker and notorious curmudgeon Alan Zweig (Vinyl, When Jews Were Funny, Hurt) gets in front of a microphone and brings his honesty and humor to The Worst Podcast where notable celebrities and cultural icons are invited for a conversation. The only catch is Alan doesn’t know who he is about to interview and frankly doesn’t care. He has no interest in press junket talking points or canned anecdotes. He wants to talk about the worst things in life - nagging fears, annoyances, and failures.

Over the course of his career, Alan has sat down for memorable interviews with everybody from Fran Lebowitz, convicted felons, obsessive vinyl collectors, and Shecky Greene. Using his life as a canvas and his own faults and hangups to disarm his interviewees, he has managed to make films that have explored obsession, regret, loneliness, mortality while also being relentlessly funny. For The Worst Podcast, Alan brings his signature style, tone, wit, and unique point of view to turn the celebrity interview podcast on its head.

“Despite his protests, Alan is a born podcaster. His ability to connect with people is uncanny. Within minutes, he gets his guests telling stories they’ve never told and sharing secrets they never dreamed they’d divulge. Most interview shows cycle through the same guests and serve the same stale, triumphant stories, but that gets tiresome. The Worst Podcast proves it can be more revealing (and satisfying) to hear about failures than successes and Alan knows just how to get to the heart of the worst stuff.” Julie Shapiro, Executive Producer of The Worst Podcast

Over the course of the first season, Alan sits down with a diverse group of comedians, broadcasters, authors, and influencers. Of the many highlights, comedian and podcaster Paul F. Tompkins (Mr. Show with Bob and David, BoJack Horseman) talks about his worst job and the letdown of a limp handshake. Celebrated podcaster Anna Sale (Death, Sex & Money) confesses to Alan that her children drive her crazy. Pop Star, influencer, and entertainer Queen Priyanka (Winner Canada’s Drag Race, Host of HBO’s We’re Here) tells Alan why she is suspicious of new friends and lets him in on some of the worst things family and boyfriends have said about her drag career. Broadcast legend Ron MacLean breaks character and paints a vivid portrait of the worst day of his career.

“The thing that will make listeners feel the best, I truly believe this, is when you talk about your failures. When I come to talk to you about something bad that happened to you you are doing a public service. I think this is a good concept, I don’t know if it will work.” Alan Zweig, Host of the Worst Podcast