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Artwork for Troubled Waters

Troubled Waters

MaximumFun.org
Thanksgiving
Taylor Swift
Youtube
Pop Culture Trivia
International Waters
Sweet Potatoes
Apple Crisp
Maxfundrive
Hollywood Strikes
Christmas Movies
Steamboat Willie
Comedy Special: Wallpaper
Baldur's Gate 3
Ozempic
Oscars
Dungeons and Daddies
Spiraling
Chateau Marmont
Disney
Serendipity

Troubled Waters is the pop culture quiz show where comedians disagree to disagree. Twice a month, Dave will stoke pointless arguments between two teams of comedians and make them compete against each other in order to settle their meaningless debates once and for all. Winner takes home the right to be right.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes315Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedySociety & CultureImprov

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Troubled Waters

Latest Episodes

Yes you read that right, we are bringing back International Waters! We'll have a full episode ready for you soon, but for now enjoy this sneak peek at a future episode with Jordan Adika and Allan McLeod!

Well hello! We are still hard at work on Troubled Waters but in the meantime we thought it'd be fun to share one of our old faves from way back in the International Waters days. Take a trip down memory lane with Helen Hong, Nick Rutherford, Jameela J... more

It's finally here. For MaxFunDrive 2025, we promised to make the Troubled Waters North Hollywood Special. Did we know what it was when we said that? Not at all! We're Walkin' About North Hollywood and talking about our favorite landmarks, architectur... more

We are unlocking an episode from the BoCo archives this week! If you want to hear even more bonus content, go and head on over to maximumfun.org/join

Our friends and former writers for International Waters, Jordan Morris and Sarah Morgan join Dave f... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jameela Jamil
Guest on the episode, referenced in intro and rounds
BBC / media
Episode: ENCORE - More Than an Uncle
Romesh Ranganathan
Guest on the episode, noted for his perspectives and humor
BBC / UK comedy
Episode: ENCORE - More Than an Uncle
Helen Hong
Guest on the episode, described as a participant on the Joe/US team
American comedian
Episode: ENCORE - More Than an Uncle
Nick Rutherford
Guest on the episode, noted as part of Team US
American comedian
Episode: ENCORE - More Than an Uncle
Noah Friedman
Co-founder and co-host of the podcast No Such Thing
No Such Thing
Episode: Camera vs T Shirt
Devon Joseph
Co-founder and co-host of the podcast No Such Thing
No Such Thing
Episode: Camera vs T Shirt
Bobby Dolan
Host of the podcast Could Be The Move by Almost Friday Media
Almost Friday Media
Episode: Alaska vs Martha
Denise Winkelman
Comedian with a special called Bougie on a Budget
Comedy Dynamics
Episode: Alaska vs Martha
Christian Duguay
Host of Valley Heat
Maximum Fun
Episode: Wild Ol' Woman vs World Ol' Games

Host

Dave Holmes
Host and creator known for his engaging personality and witty commentary, often steering debates and adding humor to the discussions.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 970 ratings
  • Happy June 10th

    I started this six months ago and for some reason decided it was really important to listen from start to finish. In the last episode I listened to there was a song about June 10th and today is June 10th so I have decided this is a sign to write a review about how much Ive enjoyed listening to pop culture news from ten years ago. Funny funny show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    j.sherr
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Love to Play Along!

    I love this show and it’s various pre Covid variations! I love how no matter the amount of “contestants” playing there’s still enough time to play along and try to guess the wild answers. So much fun to play on speakers when friends are over great conversation starters and lots of easy laughs!!! Please keep up the amazing work!!!! We love you Dave!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dust Bunny Mama
    United States3 years ago
  • Fun show!

    Really fun show! Dave is a great host.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gumbo111
    United States3 years ago
  • Delightful

    Just wanted to write a review to say I love this show and Dave Holmes is delightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    likeacactustree
    United States4 years ago
  • Better when it was troubled waters

    The show was much better when it was more of a trivia type game. Now it’s just weird and not as funny. I used to listen regularly when it was uk vs us comedians doing trivia. Now I only listen if I’ve listened to everything else.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    startswithaj
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some previous fans express disappointment with format changes, preferring the original trivia-based competitions over the more recent adaptations.
The host's charisma and comedic timing are frequently praised, making each episode enjoyable to listen to.
Listeners appreciate the lighthearted banter and competitive format, often finding it a fun way to engage with pop culture.
The humor is well received, with many finding the episodes both entertaining and informative.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#99
United States/Comedy/Improv
Apple Podcasts
#111
United Kingdom/Comedy/Improv
Apple Podcasts
#118
Canada/Comedy/Improv
Apple Podcasts
#90
Australia/Comedy/Improv
Apple Podcasts
#31
Finland/Comedy/Improv
Apple Podcasts
#43
South Africa/Comedy/Improv

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ENCORE - More Than an Uncle
Q: What was the controversy around Greggs' advent calendar
It replaced the baby Jesus in a nativity scene with a sausage roll, which drew criticism from Christian groups.
Dicey Waters: A Troubled Waters Special
Q: John-Luke, you have played a little bit before, correct?
I played on podcasts. I am a podcast-only Dungeons and Dragons player.
Dicey Waters: A Troubled Waters Special
Q: Christian, do you have any experience with D&D?
I saw the movie and besides that, honestly becoming more of a Warhammer 40K guy.
King vs Rebels
Q: What are you working on currently?
Mike Drucker promotes his book, "Good Game No Rematch," and shares details about an event in New York.
King vs Rebels
Q: How are you feeling about the Eurovision Song Contest 2025?
Oscar mentions he is still buzzing from a recent post about a song he recommended, indicating excitement and anticipation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Troubled Waters

What is Troubled Waters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show offers an engaging and comedic take on pop culture through lively debates and quiz competitions among teams of comedians. Listeners can expect humorous discussions on a range of topics, from nostalgic media references to current events and cultural phenomena. The format is characterized by friendly banter and absurd arguments, with hosts encouraging playful rivalry while showcasing their comedic skills. Unique elements include special episodes centered around themed trivia, holiday festivities, and occasional forays into the world of Dungeons & Dragons, adding a whimsical twist to the standard quiz format. Overall, it creates a fun atmosphere where humor, pop culture, and camaraderie flourish, making it appealing to fans of comedy... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Troubled Waters?

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How many listeners does Troubled Waters get?

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How many subscribers and views does Troubled Waters have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Troubled Waters has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Troubled Waters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Troubled Waters:

1. Judge John Hodgman
2. The Flop House
3. My Brother, My Brother And Me
4. Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
5. Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast

How many episodes of Troubled Waters are there?

Troubled Waters launched 14 years ago and published 315 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Troubled Waters?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Troubled Waters?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Troubled Waters from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Troubled Waters?

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What guests have appeared on Troubled Waters?

Recent guests on Troubled Waters include:

1. Jameela Jamil
2. Romesh Ranganathan
3. Helen Hong
4. Nick Rutherford
5. Noah Friedman
6. Devon Joseph
7. Bobby Dolan
8. Denise Winkelman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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