Lemonada Media’s stated mission “to make life suck less” has tackled some pretty weighty topics in its time, from the opioid crisis to the high cost of health care. But its latest release could fall under the laughter is the best medicine adage as it teams with Powderkeg Media to launch the comedy series Funny Cuz it’s True.
In this new weekly series, comedian Elyse Myers interviews fellow comedians and pop culture icons to explore a personal story of theirs centered around the awkwardness of everyday life. These one-of-a-kind stories are accompanied by a voiceover from the host, giving the audience a direct glimpse into Myers’ brain -- complete with what Lemonada says is her trademark humor and vulnerability.
“I had never been more excited or scared to conquer a new creative project like I was with Funny Cuz It’s True,” says Myers. “This podcast feels like an extended play of the stories I love sharing online, just even more beautiful and put together. Every creative decision made along the way has been incredibly intentional, and I'm so excited to finally be able to share this show with the world.”
The podcast debuts today (Oct. 5) with new episodes released every Wednesday. Lemonada has reason to be optimistic for how the series will perform. When the trailer for Funny Cuz It’s True was released on Sept. 21, it jumped to No. 1in Comedy and No. 3 in Overall Podcasts on Apple Podcasts.
“We are pinching ourselves at how lucky we are to be able to create this series,” said Lemonada CEO Jessica Cordova Kramer. “When we first had the chance to meet Elyse and the team to talk about the show, we knew it was a perfect fit.”
Lemonada’s Chief Creative Officer, Stephanie Wittels Wachs, has been working with the team to translate Myers’ unique worldview into an audio format.
“The magic that Elyse brings to her millions of viewers daily – that comforting mix of raw vulnerability and side-splitting humor – makes her an incredibly compelling podcast host,” Wittels Wachs said. “You feel like you are going on the journey of the interview with her and really getting inside her head. The show will be like nothing you’ve heard before.”
Powderkeg Media, the studio created by filmmaker Paul Feig and producer Laura Fischer in 2018, has slowly been expanding into podcasting. Earlier this year it teamed with Echoverse to sign actress Alison Pill to star in their forthcoming scripted podcast series The Doctor Is In. Its show with Lemonada is, however, a much different format.
“Laura, Kesila, and I are so thrilled to bring Elyse’s unique voice and perspective to life in podcast form with the team at Lemonada,” said Feig in a statement. “She brings such entertaining and authentic insight to everything she does. Elyse is the perfect host to confront life’s anxieties with laughter.”
Myers gained notoriety in late-2021 as she began sharing her hilarious and relatable tales of mental health and awkward encounters with the internet, building more than eight million followers to her social media channels.
The first two episodes of Funny Cuz It’s True were released at launch. Episode one hears from actor, director and filmmaker Paul Feig (Freaks and Geeks, Bridesmaids, The School for Good and Evil) on the story behind his first kiss. Episode two features singer and actor Lance Bass to discuss his experience being in a boy band and his journey with IVF.