Podcast

Wayne Brady's What If?! with Jonathan Mangum

Comedy, Improv

Wayne Brady and Jonathan Mangum are improv nerds! They’ve made stuff up for shows like “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and “Let’s Make A Deal”, and now they’re bringing that same energy to the podcast world with WHAT IF?!

On the podcast, Wayne and Jonathan invite smart, funny, and engaging guests from the worlds of comedy, science, & pop culture to have a conversation. The results are spontaneous scenes, songs, and riffs that explore the WHAT IFs of life, the multiverse, and everything!

Watch this episode on Youtube!

Improvisation is a conversation baby! No script, no net, just WHAT IF?!

This is an All Things Comedy podcast. Follow ATC on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Improv chart
#64
Episodes
30
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
1 hr
On air since
2025
Latest episode
1 week ago

Episodes

30 episodes, newest first

  1. JOEL KIM BOOSTER TEACHES US ABOUT THE BIRDS AND THE BEES

    Show notes

    Joel Kim Booster (Loot, Fire Island, KPop Demon Hunters) joins Wayne and Jonathan in the studio to talk about the birds and the bees, growing up gay in a religious household, and whether or not we’re currently living in a simulation. Whether it’s improvising a christian hip-hop song about the sex talk with your kids, being afraid of Gen Z, or playing a game of Superhero or Sex Act, Joel, Wayne and Jonathan spend a laugh filled hour making sure we all leave thinking we may or may not all be living in a simulation…wait…did we already say that?

    FOLLOW Joel Kim Booster on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/ihatejoelkim/

    FOLLOW Joel Kim Booster on TikTok:

    https://www.tiktok.com/@joelkimbooster?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

    FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en

    FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    SUBSCRIBE to All Things Comedy:

    Instagram/https://www.instagram.com/allthingscomedy/?hl=en

    TikTok/https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingscomedy

    YouTube/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe71uKL96wbG-OZbDrQU2Q

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    1 hr 13 min
  2. ELIOT GLAZER WANTS TO DO GAY HIS WAY

    Show notes

    Eliot Glazer (Broad City, New Girl, Younger) spends some time with Wayne and Jonathan discussing the right and wrong ways on how to be a “proper” gay guy. From his book, The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Gay, Eliot guides our hosts through the places every gay guy seems to vacation, how he navigated his first year out of the closet, and improvises a dating game show with three very questionable bachelors.

    FOLLOW Eliot Glazer on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/eliotglazer/

    CHECK OUT Eliot Glazer’s book THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD GAY:

    https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Terrible-Horrible-No-Good-Very-Bad-Gay/Eliot-Glazer/9781668085424

    FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en

    FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    SUBSCRIBE to All Things Comedy:

    Instagram/https://www.instagram.com/allthingscomedy/?hl=en

    TikTok/https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingscomedy

    YouTube/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe71uKL96wbG-OZbDrQU2Q

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    1 hr 21 min
  3. TIM BALTZ TELLS US THE SECRET TO AUDITIONING

    Show notes

    Tim Baltz (The Righteous Gemstones, Deli Boys, Widow’s Bay) drops by the studio to talk all things improv with the improv legends themselves, Wayne and Jonathan. Growing up in Joliet, IL, Tim spent all his free time taking the train into the city to catch an improv or sketch show at the Second City, only to find himself performing on the Second City’s Main Stage a decade or so later. From traveling back and forth from Chicago to LA for auditions, to landing his iconic role as BJ Barnes on The Righteous Gemstones, and becoming a brand new parent this year; Tim spends an hour laughing, reminiscing, and reliving some unforgettable childhood memories…through song.

    FOLLOW Tim Baltz on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/tim.baltz/

    FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en

    FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    SUBSCRIBE to All Things Comedy:

    Instagram/https://www.instagram.com/allthingscomedy/?hl=en

    TikTok/https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingscomedy

    YouTube/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe71uKL96wbG-OZbDrQU2Q

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    1 hr 4 min
  4. DAN POVENMIRE GETS ANIMATED

    Show notes

    Dan Povenmire (Phineas and Ferb, Hamster & Gretel, Family Guy) spent some time in the studio with Wayne and Jonathan talking about all things animation! Since the age of 12, Dan always knew he wanted to draw. From his start on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Simpsons, to his writing and animating days at Rocko’s Modern Life and Family Guy, all the way to creating his own hit show Phineas and Ferb and Hamster & Gretel. Together, they discuss his early days of unknowingly meeting George R.R. Martin, losing his southern accent from Mobile, Alabama and transitioning from “Y’all” to “You all,” and improvising a brand new animated show with Wayne and Jonathan that will surely be greenlit at Disney Channel anytime now (with some minor adjustments).

    FOLLOW Dan Povenmire on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/dan.povenmire/

    FOLLOW Dan Povenmire on TikTok:

    https://www.tiktok.com/@danpovenmire?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

    FOLLOW Dan Povenmire on YouTube:

    https://youtube.com/@dantible?si=HV7npViinQWct0um

    FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en

    FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    SUBSCRIBE to All Things Comedy:

    Instagram/https://www.instagram.com/allthingscomedy/?hl=en

    TikTok/https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingscomedy

    YouTube/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe71uKL96wbG-OZbDrQU2Q

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    1 hr 9 min
  5. PERSONAL TIME WITH WAYNE AND JONATHAN

    Show notes

    This week, Wayne and Jonathan spend some one-on-one time talking about friendship, betrayal, and everything in between. With the help of their audience, they improvise through a first date at the Griffith Observatory, sing about a heartbreak in middle school, and play wiki-roulette, where a random wikipedia page is chosen for Wayne and Jonathan to improvise songs based on that page (what exactly is Knutsford Terrace?) Learn about Wayne and Jonathan’s friendship origin story and sit back with this special intimate episode between Wayne, Jonathan and their audience.

    FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en

    FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    SUBSCRIBE to All Things Comedy:

    Instagram/https://www.instagram.com/allthingscomedy/?hl=en

    TikTok/https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingscomedy

    YouTube/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe71uKL96wbG-OZbDrQU2Q

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    57 min
  6. BEN SCHWARTZ WILL NEVER STOP IMPROVISING

    Show notes

    Ben Schwartz (Sonic the Hedgehog, Parks and Recreation, DuckTales) joins Wayne and Jonathan in the greatest short-form, long-form improv set in What If?!’s history. Ben is no stranger to the improv world, traveling the country with his show Ben Schwartz & Friends where he, a couple of friends, and four chairs are all it takes to entertain a room full of people for two hours straight. Whether he’s performing for two thousand people or ten people, Ben walks us through the fundamentals of Improv, living by Yes, And…, and reminiscing about his early days doing improv shows in yoga studios, unwanted concert venues and anywhere else that would have him. You won’t want to miss this masterclass of improv with three of the greatest improvisers around.

    FOLLOW Ben Schwartz on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/rejectedjokes/

    FOLLOW Middleditch & Schwartz, Ben’s completely improvised two man show:

    https://www.middleditchandschwartz.com/

    FOLLOW Ben Schwartz website to see when he comes to a city near you:

    https://www.rejectedjokes.com/tour

    FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en

    FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    SUBSCRIBE to All Things Comedy:

    Instagram/https://www.instagram.com/allthingscomedy/?hl=en

    TikTok/https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingscomedy

    YouTube/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe71uKL96wbG-OZbDrQU2Q

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    1 hr 21 min
  7. CARTER VAIL WANTS YOU TO TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY...SOMETIMES

    Show notes

    Carter Vail (100 Cowboys, Dirtman) joins Wayne and Jonathan in the studio for a music filled episode you won’t want to miss. From Connecticut to college in Miami, to the musical streets of Nashville and Los Angeles, Carter takes us through his musician’s journey from going to school to become an audio engineer to discovering his love for comedic (and serious) songwriting. Join them as Carter teaches Wayne and Jonathan about the nickname of people from Connecticut, what really goes into the mechanics of a microphone (spoiler alert: it’s a whole lotta love), and how he writes a song based off of a suggestion from the audience.

    FOLLOW Carter Vail on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/cartervailmusic/

    FOLLOW Carter Vail on TikTok:

    https://www.tiktok.com/@cartervailmusic?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

    FOLLOW Carter Vail on YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/@cartervailmusic

    FOLLOW Carter Vail on Spotify:

    https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Bu9DnBZ12oX7MiiaJy9hK?si=4uXwGigUS9-yFd4hjOLREg

    FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en

    FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    SUBSCRIBE to All Things Comedy:

    Instagram/https://www.instagram.com/allthingscomedy/?hl=en

    TikTok/https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingscomedy

    YouTube/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe71uKL96wbG-OZbDrQU2Q

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    55 min
  8. ANGELA GIARRATANA TEACHES US HOW TO RESOLVE CONFLICT

    Show notes

    Angela Giarratana (Smosh, Dropout, Starkid) drops in on Wayne and Jonathan for an episode filled with music, laughter, and a whole lot of conflict resolutions. Join them as Wayne talks about a real life street fighter moment that ended in handcuffs (but was it him or the other guy??), Angela recaps her most memorable “Am I the a**hole” scenario on Dropout, and how she prefers to handle conflict (that wraps up with a song so catchy it’ll be stuck in your head for days).

    FOLLOW Angela Giarratana on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/angelagiovanagiarratana/

    FOLLOW Angela Giarratana on TikTok:

    https://www.tiktok.com/@angelagiarratanameatball?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

    FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en

    FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    SUBSCRIBE to All Things Comedy:

    Instagram/https://www.instagram.com/allthingscomedy/?hl=en

    TikTok/https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingscomedy

    YouTube/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe71uKL96wbG-OZbDrQU2Q

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 hr 1 min
  9. ZACH ZUCKER AND VIGGO VENN WANT TO CLOWN AROUND

    Show notes

    Zach Zucker (Stamptown) and Viggo Venn (Britain’s Got Talent) spend an afternoon clowning around with Wayne and Jonathan. After meeting at a clown school in France, Zach and Viggo quickly became good friends, venturing into comedy together. Sit down and get intimate as they talk about their journey through the comedy scene, their love for the stupid and dumb, how clowning changed their lives, and an improvised song about fingers in your bottle (you’ll just have to listen to find out what that really means).

    You can catch ZACH ZUCKER’S comedy special STAMPTOWN (with Viggo Venn) out on Netflix now!

    FOLLOW Zach Zucker on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/zach_zucker/

    FOLLOW Stamptown on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/stamptown/

    FOLLOW Viggo Venn on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/viggovenn/

    FOLLOW Zach and Viggo together on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/zachandviggo/

    FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en

    FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    SUBSCRIBE to All Things Comedy:

    Instagram/https://www.instagram.com/allthingscomedy/?hl=en

    TikTok/https://www.tiktok.com/@allthingscomedy

    YouTube/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXe71uKL96wbG-OZbDrQU2Q

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    57 min
  10. EDI PATTERSON PROVES LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE | What If?! with Wayne and Jonathan

    Show notes

    Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones, Vice Principals) joins Wayne and Jonathan in a laugh-out-loud interview as she reminisces about a British school teacher she once had in rural Texas, a surprise visit from her popular character Beandip, some improvised infomercials, and an in depth conversation about her iconic and beloved character Judy Gemstone and her time on the Righteous Gemstones. FOLLOW Edi Patterson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edipattersonhi/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 hr 2 min
  11. MORGAN JAY TEACHES US HOW TO PROPOSE | What If?! with Wayne and Jonathan

    Show notes

    Morgan Jay (Hulu, NBC, and Comedy Central) joins Wayne and Jonathan in a hilarious and very musical interview as he sings to us about his “chill proposal” to his girlfriend, an improvised song about how to make a proper pretzel, a story about Prince and an intimate after party, and a proper rizz-off with a musically talented audience member. What If?! will be LIVE at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles on August 26th. (Ticket Link: https://calendar.dynastytypewriter.com/shows/wayne-brady-s-what-if-w-jonathan-mangum-and-special-guest-joel-kim-booster-26-aug#tickets) FOLLOW Morgan Jay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganjay/?hl=en and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@morganjay?lang=en FOLLOW Wayne Brady on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrbradybaby/?hl=en FOLLOW Jonathan Mangum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanmangum/?hl=en

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    49 min
  12. What If Doug Benson Was Our Guest?!

    Episode 18

    Show notes

    Doug Benson (Doug Loves Movies, Super High Me) joins Wayne and Jonathan for a hilarious What If?! sesh! Doug talks about getting stoned with his fans after shows, doing prop comedy with Judd Apatow in the Valley back in the day, how he almost became an entertainment journalist, and more! <3

    Watch this episode on Youtube!

    Follow Doug Benson on Instagram

    Follow Wayne Brady on Instagram and TikTok

    Follow Jonathan Mangum on Instagram and TikTok

    This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on What If?! via http://gumball.fm/

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 hr 1 min
  13. What If Brennan Lee Mulligan Was Our Guest?!

    Episode 17

    Show notes

    Brennan Lee Mulligan is one of the world's most beloved dungeon masters, and he joins Wayne and Jonathan to roleplay a prison escape, talk about how his players love to sneak in Austin Powers and Kendrick Lamar references into their games, and how D&D prepared him for his eventual career... in D&D!

    Watch this episode on Youtube!

    Follow Brennan Lee Mulligan on Instagram

    Follow Wayne Brady on Instagram and TikTok

    Follow Jonathan Mangum on Instagram and TikTok

    This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on What If?! via http://gumball.fm/

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    54 min
  14. What If Utkarsh Ambudkar Was Our Guest?!

    Episode 16

    Show notes

    The incredible Utkarsh Ambudkar, aka UTK (Ghosts, Pitch Perfect, Free Guy) joins Wayne and Jonathan on the Headgum couches to talk and spit rhymes about being "kinda rich", start (and end) beef with Kevin Hart and Kevin James, and dish about "Ghosts." Plus, an Andre 3000 fist bump story to remember!

    Watch this episode on Youtube!

    Follow Utkarsh Ambudkar on Instagram

    Follow Wayne Brady on Instagram and TikTok

    Follow Jonathan Mangum on Instagram and TikTok

    This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on What If?! via http://gumball.fm/

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    54 min
  15. What If James Adomian Was Our Guest?!

    Episode 15

    Show notes

    James Adomian (Harley Quinn, Krapopolis, Jimmy Kimmel Live!) joins Wayne and Jonathan to perform an incredible medley of improvised impressions, including a scene where Bane and Blade meet in a laundromat. Plus Jonathan's surprise character cameo, Saturday morning cartoons, an Elon Musk rap, and more!

    Watch this episode on Youtube!

    Follow James Adomian on Instagram

    Follow Wayne Brady on Instagram and TikTok

    Follow Jonathan Mangum on Instagram and TikTok

    This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on What If?! via http://gumball.fm/

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    59 min
  16. What If Drew Carey Was Our Guest?!

    Episode 14

    Show notes

    Drew Carey is a TV legend for hosting shows like "The Price Is Right" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway," but he's in the guest seat today! Wayne and Jonathan talk to Drew about seeing Phish live in Vegas, what people yell at Drew on the street, feeling your feelings as a man, and more!

    Watch this episode on Youtube!

    Follow Drew Carey on Instagram

    Follow Wayne Brady on Instagram and TikTok

    Follow Jonathan Mangum on Instagram and TikTok

    This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on What If?! via http://gumball.fm/

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 hr 5 min
  17. What If Amir Blumenfeld Was Our Guest?!

    Episode 13

    Show notes

    Amir Blumenfeld (CollegeHumor, Headgum co-founder) inspires Wayne and Jonathan to write a song about NBA Jam, plus Shaq eating a twinkie, haunted hotels, and the secret room at Headgum studios dedicated entirely to liquor!

    Watch this episode on Youtube!

    Follow Amir Blumenfeld on Instagram

    Follow Wayne Brady on Instagram and TikTok

    Follow Jonathan Mangum on Instagram and TikTok

    This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on What If?! via http://gumball.fm/

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    50 min
  18. What If Sam Sanders Was Our Guest?!

    Episode 12

    Show notes

    Sam Sanders (Vibe Check, The Sam Sanders Show) joins Wayne and Jonathan to talk about craving Moo-Deng, shake-that-ass music, dating "I can fix you" type folks and more on a pop culture-recapping, freestyle-rapping, toe-tapping episode of What If?!

    Follow Sam Sanders on Instagram

    Follow Wayne Brady on Instagram and TikTok

    Follow Jonathan Mangum on Instagram and TikTok

    This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on What If?! via http://gumball.fm/

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    55 min
  19. What If LeVar Burton Was Our Guest!? (LIVE at Dynasty Typewriter)

    Episode 11

    Show notes

    The legendary LeVar Burton (Star Trek, Reading Rainbow, Roots) joins Wayne and Jonathan LIVE onstage in LA for the first-ever What If?! in front of an audience! From rap battles to sci-fi adventures to a hilariously off-the-rails game of trivia, this episode boldly goes where no episode of What If?! has gone before!

    Watch this episode on Youtube!

    Follow LeVar Burton on Instagram

    Follow Wayne Brady on Instagram and TikTok

    Follow Jonathan Mangum on Instagram and TikTok

    This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on What If?! via http://gumball.fm/

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 hr 10 min
  20. What If Mary Holland Was Our Guest?!

    Episode 10

    Show notes

    Mary Holland (Ghosts, Nightbitch, The Big Door Prize) joins Wayne and Jonathan for a hilarious episode that includes hot tubbin', Mary flouting her flute-playing, the one word at a time game, Blumhouse horror parodies, Wayne gifting Jonathan his 40 acres, and a very touching story about a piece of toast who dreams of becoming a registered nurse!

    What If?! is LIVE at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood May 21! Tickets: https://tixr.com/e/137173

    Watch this episode on Youtube!

    Follow Mary Holland on Instagram

    Follow Wayne Brady on Instagram and TikTok

    Follow Jonathan Mangum on Instagram and TikTok

    This is a Headgum podcast. Follow Headgum on Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok. Advertise on What If?! via http://gumball.fm/

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 hr