RISK!
{{Short description|Storytelling podcast}}
{{Other uses|Risk (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox podcast
| title = RISK!
| image = RISK! show logo.jpg
| caption =
| host = Kevin Allison
| language = English
| updates = Every Monday
| length = 30–60 minutes
| began = {{ubl|{{Start date|2009|8|6}} (Live show)|{{Start date|2009|10}} (Podcast)}}
| genre = Storytelling
| production = {{hlist | Kevin Allison | Jeff Barr | JC Cassis | John LaSala}}
| provider =
| url = {{URL|http://risk-show.com}}
| list_episodes =
}}
RISK! is a weekly podcast and live storytelling show created and hosted by writer, actor, and storyteller Kevin Allison. The show's official website describes RISK! as a place "where people tell true stories they never thought they'd dare to share in public".{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://risk-show.com/about-us/|work=Kevin Allison Presents: RISK!|accessdate=30 June 2012}} RISK! started as a weekly live storytelling series in August 2009. Chris Castiglione and Jeff Barr joined in 2010 as part of the founding team.{{cite web|title=Chris Castiglione and Jeff Barr join the RISK! team.|url=http://risk-show.com/about-us/|work=Kevin Allison Presents: RISK!|accessdate=28 Dec 2014}} JC Cassis joined the production team in 2011.{{cite web|last=Hagen|first=Paul|title=Comedian Kevin Allison Gets Storytellers to Take a RISK!|url=https://metrosource.com/risk/|work=Metrosource|date=2017-05-31|accessdate=2022-02-08}}
As of 2018, the podcast was averaging 1 million downloads a month.{{cite web|last=Gamerman|first=Ellen|title=Podcasts Hit the Books|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/podcasts-hit-the-books-1531747805|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=2018-07-16|accessdate=2022-02-08}}
Format
Each episode of the RISK! podcast starts with an introduction from Kevin Allison. In his introduction, Allison updates listeners about upcoming events that relate to the show and he also introduces that week's theme. Past themes include "Unintended," "New At This," and "Met on the Net."
The show then continues with theme-based first-person narratives,{{cite magazine|last=Everett|first=Cristina|title=Going IRL: Live podcast shows to attend this summer (and beyond)|url=https://ew.com/podcasts/2017/05/09/live-podcast-shows-this-summer/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=2017-05-09|accessdate=2022-02-08}} both humorous and serious.{{cite web|title=A Podcast for the Weirdo in All of Us|url=https://slate.com/culture/2010/08/a-podcast-for-the-weirdo-in-all-of-us.html|work=Slate|date=2010-08-30|accessdate=2022-02-08}} RISK! initially focused on stories from celebrity guests but moved to incorporate more stories from everyday people, told with behind the scenes coaching from Allison and his team. The stories from the podcast are usually a combination of material from Kevin Allison, the live show, listener submissions and work from The Story Studio, the storytelling school that the RISK! team created. These stories are often followed by interstitial music or sound collages created by the RISK! team or listeners.
RISK! is known for featuring stories that defy social taboos, such as stories about sex{{cite web|last=Kerr|first=Breena|title=The 10 Best Sex Podcasts for Whatever You're Into|url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a14676/best-sex-podcasts/|work=Esquire UK|date=2017-03-05|accessdate=2022-02-09}} and traumatic events. RISK! stories can be humorous, scary, or tear-jerking. Some stories can be explicit and come with content warnings beforehand. The show has featured many storytellers with LGBTQ or other minority identities.
Live shows
The live version of RISK! debuted as a weekly show at Arlene's Grocery in New York City on August 6, 2009. The theme of the premiere show was "Strange Sex: Our Wildest Encounters" and featured stories from Marc Maron, Jessi Klein, Margot Leitman, Jonathan Kesselman, and was hosted by Kevin Allison.{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Sean L.|title=Kevin Allison: Not afraid to take a comedy RISK!|url=http://thecomicscomic.typepad.com/thecomicscomic/2009/08/kevin-allison-not-afraid-to-take-a-comedy-risk.html|work=the comic's comic|accessdate=29 June 2012}} The weekly show moved to Joe's Pub in October 2009. Featured performers at the Joe's Pub performances include Margaret Cho, Rachel Dratch, Andy Borowitz and Janeane Garofalo.{{cite web|title=Kevin Allison of "The State" presents RISK!|url=http://www.joespub.com/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,40/id,4729|work=Joe's Pub|accessdate=29 June 2012}}{{cite web|last=Mancusco|first=Anne|title=Spare Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/arts/09spare.html|work=The New York Times|date=2009-10-08|accessdate=2022-02-08}}
In 2010, RISK! began monthly live shows in both New York City and Los Angeles. The New York shows are hosted by Kevin Allison, and the shows in Los Angeles are hosted by David Crabb. Currently, live shows can be seen at Caveat in New York City or at various venues in Los Angeles.{{cite web |title=Tour - RISK! podcast |url=https://www.risk-show.com/tour/ |website=Tour - RISK! podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}}
Other notable live guests have included
Kurt Metzger, {{cite web|title=Kurt Metzger Performs at the RISK! Live Show on 2016-06-16}}https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7057838/fullcredits?ref_=ext_shr_lnk Trevor Noah, Samantha Bee,{{cite web |title=Stories About Samantha Bee |url=https://www.risk-show.com/tag/samantha-bee/ |website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}} Bowen Yang,{{cite web |title=Stories by Bowen Yang |url=https://www.risk-show.com/storytellers/bowen-yang/ |website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}} Julio Torres,{{cite web |title=Stories About Julio Torres |url=https://www.risk-show.com/tag/julio-torres/ |website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}} Ilana Glazer,{{cite web |title=Stories by Ilana Glazer |url=https://www.risk-show.com/storytellers/ilana-glazer/ |website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}} Dan Savage,{{cite web |title=Stories About Dan Savage |url=https://www.risk-show.com/tag/dan-savage/ |website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}} Sasheer Zamata,{{cite web |title=Stories About Sasheer Zamata |url=https://www.risk-show.com/tag/sasheer-zamata/ |website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}} Joe Lo Truglio,{{cite web |title=Stories About Joe Lo Truglio |url=https://www.risk-show.com/tag/joe-lo-truglio/ |website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}} Kumail Nanjiani,{{cite web|title=The 500th Episode|url=https://www.risk-show.com/podcast/the-500th-episode/|accessdate=2022-02-09}} John Hodgman,{{cite web |title=Shake-Ups - RISK! podcast |url=https://www.risk-show.com/podcast/shake-ups/|website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}} Jenny Slate,{{cite web |title=Stories by: Jenny Slate |url=https://www.risk-show.com/storytellers/jenny-slate/ |website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}} Maria Bamford{{cite web |title=Stories by: Maria Bamford |url=https://www.risk-show.com/storytellers/maria-bamford/ |website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}} and Eric Andre.{{cite web |title=Stories by: Eric Andre |url=https://www.risk-show.com/storytellers/eric-andre/ |website=RISK! Podcast |access-date=2022-02-24}}
= On tour =
The RISK! live show frequently tours around the US as well, with occasional international dates. Kevin Allison hosted a live show during SXSW in Austin, Texas in 2012.{{cite web|title=SXSW Comedy: RISK! True Tales, Boldly Told hosted by Kevin Allison (The State) and featuring special guests|url=http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_OE00945|work=SX Schedule|publisher=SXSW Inc|accessdate=30 June 2012}} The live show has traveled across the United States including to Chicago, Illinois,{{cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Grace |title=The three things you need to know today in Chicago: Thu, Nov 9 |url=https://www.timeout.com/chicago/blog/the-three-things-you-need-to-know-today-in-chicago-thu-nov-9-110717 |website=Time Out Chicago |date=9 November 2017 |access-date=2022-02-24}} Seattle, Washington,{{cite web |last1=Hamil |first1=Brett |title=The Mind Behind the Stories: Q&A with Kevin Allison |url=https://www.cityartsmagazine.com/mind-behind-stories-qa-kevin-allison/ |website=City Arts |access-date=2022-02-24 |date=2017-06-01}} Portland, Oregon,{{cite web|title=RISK! {{!}} Bridgetown Comedy Festival|url=http://bridgetowncomedy.com/event/risk/|work=Bridgetown Comedy Festival|accessdate=9 July 2012}} Dallas,{{cite web|last=Gaskin|first=Alex|title=Kevin Allison, Host Of The Risk! Podcast, Talks About The Power Of Telling The Truth Onstage.|url=https://www.centraltrack.com/humor-us-35/|work=Central Track|date=2017-01-12|accessdate=2022-02-08}} Houston{{cite web |title=Risk! Live Podcast |url=https://houston.culturemap.com/eventdetail/risk-live-podcast-houston/ |website=Culture Map Houston |access-date=2022-02-24}} and Austin, Texas,{{cite web |title=Risk! Live Podcast |url=https://austin.culturemap.com/eventdetail/risk-live-podcast/ |website=Culture Map Austin |access-date=2022-02-24}} Atlanta, Georgia,{{cite web |title=City Lights: Author Paula McLain; Storyteller Kevin Allison |url=https://www.wabe.org/podcasts/city-lights/city-lights-author-paula-mclain-storyteller-kevin-allison/ |website=WABE |access-date=2022-02-24 |date=2018-05-16}} Brown University{{cite web|title=RISK! Comes to Brown University!|url=http://risk-show.com/2011/04/01/risk-comes-to-brown-university/|work=Kevin Allison Presents: RISK!|accessdate=9 July 2012}} and over 40 other cities in the USA, Canada and UK.
= Online shows =
When live events were shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, RISK! moved to an online show format to continue supporting its staff of 20 including six full-time employees.{{cite web|last=Zinoman|first=Jason|title=Can You Make Money in Live Comedy Right Now? Some Producers Say Yes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/arts/television/live-comedy-economics.html|work=The New York Times|date=2020-04-20|accessdate=2022-02-08}} Storytellers broadcast from their homes and 400-600 guests tuned in for each online show.{{cite web|last=Dudley|first=Joshua|title=The 'RISK!' Show Must Go On With First-Ever Livestreaming Performance|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuadudley/2020/03/28/the-risk-show-must-go-on-with-first-ever-livestreaming-performance/?sh=7c0328ac7df3|work=Forbes|date=2020-03-28|accessdate=2022-02-08}}
''RISK!'' book
In 2018, the book RISK!: True Stories People Never Thought They’d Dare To Share was released, featuring 37 stories{{cite web|last=Gordon|first=Doug|title=Comedian Kevin Allison On How Taking Risks Leads To Authenticity (And A Hit Podcast)|url=https://www.wpr.org/comedian-kevin-allison-how-taking-risks-leads-authenticity-and-hit-podcast|work=Wisconsin Public Radio|date=2019-03-16|accessdate=2022-02-08}} of defining moments in the tellers' lives,{{cite web|title=RISK! True Stories People Never Thought They'd Dare to Share|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-316-47828-1|work=Publishers Weekly|accessdate=2022-02-08}} 31 of which are popular stories from the podcast and six are bonus stories. Storytellers in the book include Aisha Tyler, Marc Maron, Michael Ian Black, Lili Taylor, Ts Madison, Dan Savage, Jonah Ray, and Jesse Thorn.{{cite web|title=Kevin Allison Looks Back on 10 Years of RISK!|url=https://theinterrobang.com/kevin-allison-looks-back-on-10-years-of-risk/|work=The Interrobang|date=2019-10-10|accessdate=2022-02-08}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official|http://risk-show.com/}}