Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries Unveils Comedy Podcasts ‘Tiny Dinos,’ ‘Walkin’ About’
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EXCLUSIVE: Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries will soon debut two new comedy podcasts: Tiny Dinos, from Connor Ratliff and James III, and Allan McLeod’s Walkin’ About.
Tiny Dinos premieres May 7, with episodes dropping weekly on Tuesdays, while Walkin’ About debuts on May 15, with episodes released weekly on Wednesdays. Both series will be available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. A trailer for Tiny Dinos can be found above.
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“Connor, James and Allan are all very talented comedians, and Lord knows we all can use some laughter these days,” said McKay in a statement to Deadline. “But they’re also asking questions that boldly challenge the international corporate power structure like ‘What happens if I start taking regular walks?’ And ‘What would happen if we brought dinosaurs back but they were super tiny?'”
In Tiny Dinos, Ratliff takes improv to the next level as he and co-host James III pose as brilliant scientists and best friends who revive dinosaurs in miniature form. As they proceed to sidestep a Jurassic Park situation, they invite special guests for a unique blend of interviews and improv. Guests will include Lauren Lapkus, who discusses the intricacies of keeping a dino-secret, as well as such other comedians as Jason Mantzoukas, Adam Conover, John Hodgman and McKay.
“James and I have been wanting to make a ‘people running from dinosaurs’ movie for ages, but giant movie dinosaurs are expensive. We came up with the idea to make the dinos really, really small instead,” Ratliff explained. “When Hyperobject offered us the chance to make a comedy podcast, our problems were solved — we could do it all with music & sound effects! We didn’t think to return to full-sized dinosaurs, because by then we had fallen in love with the idea that we were two scientists who created tiny dinos.”
Walkin’ About sees McLeod mosey through the streets, parks, and public spaces that shape our cities. The series is a deep dive into the world of walking, from tranquil nature hikes to the drunk wander home from the bar, which is informed by McLeod’s obsessive love for strolling. Joined by guests including Emmy-nominated comedians Janet Varney, Andy Richter and Ed Begley Jr., as well as Eva Anderson, McLeod shares observations about local historical insights and ways of life, as well as the health benefits of walking to the tune of passionate and humorous narration.
Said McLeod, “I love walking. I love exploring and learning about the natural and built environments around me, so I wanted to create an audio diary; a portrait of a person, place, and time with a bit of history and an interesting soundscape. We’ve been brought up to believe the only way to get around is by car, and other ways of mobility like bicycles, public transit, and walking are unsafe and slow. I think it’s important to remind folks, ‘Hey, slow down, buster. Take a walk and look around!'”
Both podcasts are exec produced by McKay, as well as Hyperobject Industries’ Clare Slaughter and Harry Nelson.
A New York-based actor and comedian who previously created the critically acclaimed podcast, Dead Eyes, Ratliff has been seen in films and TV series including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Search Party, Orange Is the New Black, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Daily Show, Don’t Think Twice, Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game, and the Mean Girls movie musical. Additionally, you may have heard him on This American Life, Comedy Bang! Bang!, or the audiobook edition of Tom Hanks’ NYT bestselling debut novel, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece.
Perhaps best known for co-creating and co-starring in Netflix’s sketch series Astronomy Club, James III was a consulting producer on Nickelodeon’s Young Dylan and served as a staff writer on the network’s reboot of All That. Additionally, he’s been seen on I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Adam Ruins Everything and other series.
An L.A.-based actor, writer, director, and comedian, McLeod will next be seen recurring on Hulu’s upcoming Interior Chinatown, and in the upcoming film The Threesome. Formerly a staff writer-director at Funny or Die, he’s also been seen on You’re the Worst, Parks and Recreation, Drunk History and other series.
Behind films like McKay’s Oscar-nominated Don’t Look Up, as well as such acclaimed series as Winning Time and Succession, Hyperobject Industries’ other original podcasts include Jockular, Without, Death at the Wing, Réunion: Shark Attacks in Paradise, Broken: Seeking Justice, and Staying In with Emily and Kumail.
Ratliff is repped by CESD, Forte Artist Management and Peikoff Mahan; James III by UTA, Mosaic, and Schreck Rose Dapello; McLeod by SMS Talent, Calliope West Artist Management, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; and McKay by WME.
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