About the Show


On this week's episode, comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani tells us what happens when you Google a smell, singer/songwriter Valerie June explains how she's able to smile when she sings the blues, and the premiere installment of Wikihow Theater teaches how to behave around Grandpa and how to befriend a squirrel (the key is not to kiss it).

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Valerie June performs ‘Workin’ Woman Blues’

WikiHow Theater

Photos

This episode of Wits is sponsored by Nilan Johnson Lewis.

The Guests


Kumail Nanjiani

@kumailn

Kumail Nanjiani is a tireless L.A.-based writer, actor, and comedian. He has performed stand-up on Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. His 2013 comedy special Beta Male was on the "best of 2013" lists for Vulture, Village Voice, the AV Club, and Entertainment Weekly. He is a recurring cast member on shows like Portlandia, Adventure Time, and HBO’s Silicon Valley. The Meltdown, a live stand-up show Kumail co-hosts in L.A., is coming to Comedy Central as a series later this year.

Valerie June

@TheValerieJunevaleriejune.com

The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist got started singing in the church in her hometown of Humboldt, TN. At age 19, June took on the music scene in Memphis, performing and recording like she’d always dreamed. The determined June not only taught herself guitar, but also banjo and ukulele, developing a distinctive style inspired by her heroes from a century before. Produced by Kevin Augunas and Dan Auerbach, Valerie June’s debut album Pushin’ Against A Stone, showcases June’s astonishing songwriting and singular sound, a blend of rural roots and country, bridging Alan Lomax inspired acoustic field recordings with biting, electric indie-blues.