Bad Reception

By: Justin Michael, Eric Martin

Narrated by: Paul F. Tompkins, Lauren Lapkus, Kyle Mooney, D'Arcy Carden, Nicole Byer, Betsy Sodaro, Kirby, Justin Michael, Eric Martin, Jessica McKenna

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

[Contains explicit content] Get ready for a completely improvised and unscripted Audible Original that invites you to listen in on the funniest phone calls from the world’s weirdest town.

“Welcome to South Grampers! Please enjoy our world-famous movie theater butter, and kindly stay away from the glowing toxic waste.”

Ever been on a terrible conference call where nothing gets solved? 

Stuck on hold trying to cancel your cable service? 

Lonely and needed to talk to a friend? (Even if they’re a cat?) 

Bad Reception is an entirely improvised comedy, set entirely on the phone. A cast of over 40 top comedians and improvisers brings to life (and completely makes up) the story of South Grampers, Northern California - the Movie Theater Butter Capital of the World. 

The town is in dire straits and must launch their own film festival to raise some desperately needed cash. But an unexpected sequence of events ultimately leads to an event known as...The Incident. Only one person can solve the mystery and expose the terrible truth. He just doesn’t know it yet. 

Now featuring a special bonus chapter! Enjoy a live performance and prequel episode of Bad Reception, performed by a full cast of improvisers. Tune in to Chapter 14 for the live show from SF Sketchfest!

Created and directed by Justin Michael and Eric Martin 

Story by Justin Michael and Eric Martin 

Full cast Includes (in alphabetical order): Alex Berg, Alex Fernie, Alexa Loftus, Ally Beardsley, Anthony Gioe, Ben Greene, Betsy Sodaro, Carl Tart, Casey Trela, D’Arcy Carden, Dan Gregor, Dan Lippert, Dhruv Singh, Drew Tarver, Echo Kellum, Ego Nwodim, Eric Martin, Gilli Nissim, Haley Hepworth, Harry Chaskin, Jace Armstrong, Jessica McKenna, Jon Mackey, Julie Brister, Justin Michael, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Kyle Mooney, Lauren Lapkus, Lou Wilson, Madeline Walter, Mano Agapion, Marissa Strickland, Mary Holland, Mary Sasson, Matthew Brian Cohen, Nic Michaels, Nicole Byer, Oscar Montoya, Paul F. Tompkins, Peter Banifaz, Rene Gube, Ronnie Adrian, Ryan Rosenberg, Veronica Osorio, Zac Oyama, Zach Reino 

Editing and sound design by Nic Michaels, Jake Young, Grant Martz, and Emma Erdbrink 

Recorded by Emma Erdbrink, Brendan Lynch-Salamon, and Matt Brousseau 

Logo by Roxy Radulescu and Rustam Hasanov 

Executive producer Morgan Jones 

Presented by Audible Originals and Audible Comedy  

©2018 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC

Critic reviews

“Yes, the scenes and characters are improvised, but hours of playing is cut down and edited into digestible chapters that are part of a very well-shaped—albeit ridiculous and supernatural and off-the-rails—story. One device that serves the narrative well is the use of telephone calls to introduce characters and reveal important details (much of what listeners hear are voicemails). Even as the story takes shape, the improvised elements keep things absolutely unpredictable. Each of the 13 chapters ends with either a cliffhanger or something so absurd that it’s impossible to stop listening.” (The A.V. Club)

Truly Astounding

Improv comedy has never been so well done! Over 6 hours of coherent story through short scenes that if no one had told me I would have guessed were carefully scripted. Each and every performer was both amazing and hilarious. I didn’t know what would happen next, but I knew it would be fun!

Love it.

This is by far the funniest book I have listened too. All characters were comical and kept me entertained. Perfect book for roadtrips and to diffuse road rage lol.

Keep a second pair of pants nearby

Have no clue how I was lucky enough to find this, but I couldn't be happier. I was already madly in love with half of these comedians and follow their podcasts and various other works. This is basically a wonderful way to hear them all in the same place, telling a ridiculous story, with a ton of great characters and insane plot lines. It keeps the hilarity and intrigue going until the very end. Please do more of these. And bring in an even larger cast...

OMG

This was very funny and I rarely listen , read or watch comedy. perfect for a break from my usual serious listening.

Not sure what people like about this

I’m a huge fan but of improv but this was painful. I can only guess that the 5 star reviews came from people involved with the production.

I was expecting and old school radio show type improvisational skit. This, however, sounded rehearsed, or at least significantly directed. Sure, the actual dialogue may have been unscripted but this was obviously following a detailed outline.

I can’t say that I found it funny, entertaining or even remotely interesting.

I count stand more than about 30 minutes...despite trying to hold on until it got funny. It didn’t. Time to hit "Return"

Best comedy/improv podcast that exists!

Extremely enjoyable. I'm constantly rewinding to hear parts multiple times because the jokes are so funny and the performances are so good. This structure lends itself to really natural delivery and timing and the editing makes each sketch very snappy and polished while keeping the naturalness in tact. The voice actors/improvisers are incredible. Some really original ideas and conceits. Some of these sketches are instant classics!

FUNNY podcast-style comedy!!

DON'T BE FOOLED. this isn't an audiobook. It's something EVEN BETTER. I think people expecting a straight up narrative might go in with the wrong expectations, but if you're into all the comedy podcasts out there on Earwolf and like Adult Swim or The Good Place, you're gonna love this crazy show. Seriously it's 6 hours and I'm already done with it and want more!! Part 2??

Rollicking With Fun

This truly was like comfort food to feel good. This audible book was hilarious!!! Every chapter was a riot. Definitely my type of humor. At times, bizarre and crazy. The way I like it!

Didn't stop laughing the whole time!

This was so great! Loved getting to know the different personalities of South Grampers better! Love Justin Michael's vibe and the improvised performances from people like Lauren Lapkus, Paul F. Tompkins, Jessica McKenna, and Mary Sasson had me laughing so hard in my car!

This was horrible

Worst thing I have ever tried to listen to. Without merit. Not sure why anyone would publish it.