Episodes

391: The 2017 All-Icebreaker Episode

Photo Credit: myshkovsky / iStock / Getty Images Plus

It’s time for a cavalcade of icebreaker jokes! We’ve gathered a year’s worth of our show-starting jokes into one convenient listening experience. Brace yourselves for awesomely lame one-liners, knock-knock jokes, and more, courtesy of guests like Jordan Peele, Gillian Jacobs, Ava DuVernay, Danny Boyle, Rachel Bloom, Jane Lynch, Barry Jenkins, Norm Macdonald, and Tituss Burgess. Some are funny… most are not. But there are definitely a lot of them. Cheers!


Tituss Burgess - 'Moon Rock'

Icebreaker

The "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" star gives us an intergalactic icebreaker before answering listeners' etiquette questions.


Barry Jenkins - 'A Mushroom Walks Into A Bar...'

Icebreaker

The Oscar-winning writer-director of "Moonlight" tells us a classic joke before telling us about the iconic cinematography in his latest film.


Mackenzie Davis - 'Crusty Bus Station'

Icebreaker

Actor Mackenzie Davis gives us a nautical joke before telling us why she does not want to be the next manic pixie dream girl.


Samantha Irby - 'The Butcher Backed Into the Meat Grinder...'

Icebreaker

Writer Samantha Irby helps us break the ice with a joke before telling us about how she faked her way into a pregnant yoga class.


Kale Walch - 'Vegan Meat'

Icebreaker

Kale Walch, a vegan butcher from The Herbivorous Butcher in Minneapolis, gives us an aptly-themed vegan meat joke before sharing the secret to making vegan meat indistinguishable from the real thing.


Norm Macdonald - 'Roses Are Gray'

Icebreaker

Comedian Norm Macdonald gives us a monochromatic joke before giving our listeners etiquette advice.


Greta Johnsen - 'Hippo Zippo'

Icebreaker

Greta Johnsen, co-host of the podcast "Nerdette," gives us a joke that rhymes before discussing why Virginia is not for lovers.


Kyle Mooney - 'Banana Banana'

Icebreaker

Comedian Kyle Mooney shares a knock knock joke before giving advice on how to handle your friend who keeps stealing the AUX cord.


Jane Lynch - 'I'll Take the Soup'

Icebreaker

Actor Jane Lynch gives us a saucy soup joke before giving our listeners some much needed advice.


Kathryn Hahn - 'The Blind Man'

Icebreaker

Actor Kathryn Hahn gives us something to break the ice with before discussing her fearless character in "I Love Dick"


Steve Jones - 'No Idea'

Icebreaker

Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones shares a multi-part knee slapper before sharing some of his adventures in the 70s punk scene.


Rachel Bloom - 'Interrupting Cow Psychiatrist'

Icebreaker

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend co-creator and star, Rachel Bloom, shares an interjecting joke before telling our listeners how to handle seeing your ex at a wedding.


Jonathan Goldstein - 'Interrupting Feral Pig'

Icebreaker

Author and host of public radio show “Wire Tap.”


John Early and Kate Berlant - 'Too Many Chairs'

Icebreaker

Comedians John Early and Kate Berlant make up a knock-knock joke before sharing a list of their favorite tales of Hollywood desperation.


Pete Holmes - 'Two Old Ladies Go Through A Stop Sign...'

Icebreaker

Comedian Pete Holmes shares his favorite joke from computer camp before telling our listeners how to confront a joke thief. 


Jade Chang - 'Mad Cow Disease'

Icebreaker

Author Jade Chang gives us a bovine-themed joke before reading an excerpt from her novel, "The Wangs Vs. the World."


Charlamagne Tha God - 'Fo' Drizzle'

Icebreaker

Radio host Charlamagne Tha God shares some wordplay in his icebreaker joke before discussing his book "Black Privilege" and giving listeners some helpful advice.


Rick Astley - 'Drummer's Stool'

Icebreaker

Musician Rick Astley shares a joke aimed at drummers before sharing a list of alternatives to the infamous rickroll.


How to Dress Well's Tom Krell - 'Two Drums and A Cymbal'

Icebreaker

How To Dress Well frontman Tom Krell shares a cringe-inducing icebreaker before sharing his dinner party soundtrack.


Kurt Wagner - 'A Violin and A Fiddle'

Icebreaker

Musician Kurt Wagner shares some instrument humor before spinning a sweet dinner party soundtrack.


Aimee Mann - 'A Trombone Player and a Frog'

Icebreaker

Singer-songwriter Aimee Mann shares a joke about a frog musician before giving our listeners etiquette advice.


Maureen Dowd - 'I Don't Want Them With Tacks'

Icebreaker

New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd shares a joke about a drugstore misunderstanding before sharing some helpful etiquette tips.


Alison Brie - 'What Color Is It Now?'

Icebreaker

Actor Alison Brie shares a joke about an unfortunate doctor's visit before discussing her new Netflix series, "GLOW."


Elena Passarello - 'Best Time To Go To the Dentist'

Icebreaker

Author Elena Passarello shares her favorite dad joke before reading an excerpt of her book, "Animals Strike Curious Poses."


Danny Boyle - 'Faraway Woman'

Icebreaker

Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle gives us some wordplay in his icebreaker before discussing making the "Trainspotting" sequel 20 years after the original.


Dave Barry - 'Elephant and Rhino'

Icebreaker

Best-selling author Dave Barry shares a joke to break the ice before telling listeners the appropriate time to use mace.


Samin Nosrat - 'A Horse From the Valley'

Icebreaker

Celebrated chef Samin Nosrat shares some regional horse humor before advising listeners to go to therapy


Frankie Cosmos - 'Olympic Gymnast'

Icebreaker

Singer-songwriter Greta Kline, aka Frankie Cosmos, shares a joke she made up before sharing the perfect playlist for a slumber party.


Hank Azaria - 'Jewish Husband'

Icebreaker

Actor Hank Azaria tells a joke to break the ice before discussing some of his most iconic characters.


Sam Richardson - 'Never Judge A Man...'

Icebreaker

Comedian and actor Sam Richardson shares a philosophical joke before sharing how he gained confidence at summer camp. 


Ava DuVernay - 'The Prettiest Bees'

Icebreaker

The Oscar-nominated director of "Selma" tells an icebreaker she learned on the set of "A Wrinkle in Time" from a 6-year-old. Hear here talk to Rico about her criminal justice documentary, "The 13th," here.


Eric Schulze - 'No Charge'

Icebreaker

Eric Schulze, a science writer and Senior Scientist at Memphis Meats in the Bay Area, shares a joke that would probably kill at a chemistry convention. Listen as he shares a few tips for cooking with salt.


Gillian Jacobs - 'Koalas'

Icebreaker

The "Love" tells us a punny joke to use at your next dinner party. Check out her conversation with Brendan, in which she shares the one place you should visit on our next trip to Pittsburgh.


Damion Searls - 'Peck, Peck, Bang'

Icebreaker

Author Damion Searls shares a chicken icebreaker that's not about why it crossed the road. Hear his chat with Rico about what made Hermann Rorschach's blots so effective and unique.


Lucy Dacus - 'Two Muffins'

Icebreaker

Singer-songwriter Lucy Dacus shares the perfect joke to tell your foodie friends. She mixed up a party playlist for us that features inviting tracks to bring together a family or a family of friends.


George Saunders - 'Cut the Turkey'

Icebreaker

The author shares a joke/story Abraham Lincoln reportedly told to demonstrate what he meant by "audacity." George stopped by our studios earlier this year to chat about his debut novel, "Lincoln in the Bardo," and to solve our listeners' etiquette woes.


Brit Marling - 'Circus Fire'

Blog, Icebreaker

The co-creator and star of the Netflix drama 'The OA,' shares a punny joke to use on your next trip to the circus. Listen to her chat with Brendan about her series, cosmic questions in her art... and coral reefs.


Kyle Mooney - 'Buccaneer'

Icebreaker

The "Saturday Night Live" star shares an icebreaker to use at your next pirate-themed party. He stopped by our studios to talk about his film, "Brigsby Bear" and to help our listeners deal with sneaky party DJs.


Whitney - 'Namaste'

Icebreaker

Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek of the band Whitney share an icebreaker to make your hippie friends laugh. Listen as they build a party soundtrack for your next retro rooftop party.


Chris Thile - 'Pope Chauffeur'

Icebreaker

The host of "A Prairie Home Companion" shares a joke/story involving the Pope, a car... and a clueless cop. Hear him create an eclectic playlist of tunes he considers required listening.


Jordan Peele - 'Dozens'

Icebreaker

The comedian shares a variety of Yo' Mama jokes. Listen as he chats with Rico about his social thriller 'Get Out' and his deep love of Disney films.