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In
his penultimate episode on Thursday, the 62-year-old Maron said
it was his last from his home studio, but said nothing else
about who might show up for his swan song.
Maron's guests are rarely if ever announced in advance. Fans
have been fervently speculating about who they might hear
Monday. Could it be an entertainment giant making their first
appearance? ( Bob Dylan?Taylor Swift? ) A more personal choice?
(An old friend? His parents?) A reprise of a previous major
guest? ( Barack Obama? ) Maybe a combination?
On Thursday's episode, Maron chose to go it solo and talk
directly to listeners as he has for several minutes to open
every episode.
“We've had a relationship for a long time — 16 years,” he said.
“That’s the longest relationship I’ve ever had.”
He got emotional several times as he spoke.
“I'm grateful to have been part of your lives,” he said. “We've
been through a lot of stuff together. A lot of breakups. Death.
Cats. The world.”
The final episode will be No. 1,686 of the pioneering and
influential long-form interview podcast that had humble
beginnings in 2009 as a place where he worked out his issues
with other stand-up comedians in the garage of his Los Angeles
home that he dubbed “The Cat Ranch.”
For most of its years the show has opened with a fan-composed
rock ‘n’ roll theme song that opens with an audio sample of
Maron in his small role in the film “Almost Famous” shouting,
“Lock the gates!” The song is named for one of Maron's common
phrases, “Are We Doing This?” Another such phrase, “Are we
good?” was often his last question to guests and is the title of
a new documentary on him.
Eventually, “WTF” became a media institution where authors,
artists, musicians, Hollywood stars and political leaders would
give him their backstory.
Maron announced in June that he and longtime producing partner
Brendan McDonald had decided to end the show. He said there was
no particular reason, other than that he was tired and utterly
satisfied with the work they had done.
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