OUR RATING:
Meet the McElroys: three brothers who have spent over a decade turning bad Yahoo Answers advice into comedy gold. “My Brother, My Brother and Me” (or MBMBaM, for those in the know) features Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy as they attempt to solve listeners’ problems with a combination of dubious wisdom and unhinged tangents that somehow work perfectly.
The show’s format is deceptively simple. The brothers take questions from listeners and defunct Yahoo Answers posts, then proceed to give the worst possible advice while building increasingly elaborate scenarios that often involve ghosts, horses, or their eternal nemesis: Jimmy Buffett. What sets MBMBaM apart isn’t just the comedy – it’s the genuine warmth and chemistry between the brothers that makes listeners feel like they’re part of a particularly weird family gathering.
Justin, the oldest, brings a deadpan delivery and dad-joke energy that grounds some of the show’s wilder moments. Travis, the middle brother, combines earnest enthusiasm with chaotic energy, often serving as both instigator and voice of reason (sometimes in the same sentence). Griffin, the youngest, has mastered the art of the escalating bit, taking mundane observations and building them into absurdist masterpieces.
One of the show’s greatest strengths is its ability to create recurring bits that become part of the show’s mythology. From “Haunted Doll Watch” to “Munch Squad” (Justin’s segment dedicated to weird fast-food press releases), these recurring features have developed their own rich lore that rewards long-time listeners while remaining accessible to newcomers.
The brothers have also mastered the art of language creation, spawning terms that have become part of many listeners’ everyday vocabulary. “Unless…” has become a shorthand for introducing increasingly terrible ideas, while “cronch” has somehow become the only acceptable way to describe certain eating sounds. Their influence on internet language is undeniable, even if some of their creations should probably stay contained within the show.
What’s particularly impressive about MBMBaM is how it’s evolved over its run. The early episodes’ rough edges and occasionally problematic jokes have given way to a more inclusive, thoughtful approach to comedy that never sacrifices laughs for consciousness. The McElroys are open about their growth and learning, making it feel less like a pivot and more like natural maturation.
The production quality has remained consistently high, with crisp audio and well-timed editing that enhances rather than interrupts the natural flow of conversation. The show’s theme song by Montaigne perfectly captures its essence: fun, slightly weird, and impossible not to bob your head to.
The only real criticism I might level at MBMBaM is that its style of humor isn’t for everyone. The show’s tendency to spiral into extended bits about ridiculous premises might test the patience of listeners who prefer more structured comedy. However, for those who enjoy watching three deeply funny people riff off each other while occasionally dispensing life advice that ranges from surprisingly insightful to hilariously terrible, it’s hard to find a better podcast.
For new listeners, jumping into any recent episode will give you a good sense of what the show’s about, though you might miss some inside jokes. The McElroys have created something special with MBMBaM – a comedy podcast that manages to be consistently funny while fostering a genuine sense of community among its listeners. It’s less about the advice and more about the journey of three brothers making each other (and us) laugh along the way.
Where to listen to My Brother, My Brother & Me
Episodes.fm | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast | Pocket Casts | Castro
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