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Tom Scharpling
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Tom Scharpling
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Thomas John Giuliano II[1] (born February 9, 1969), known professionally as Tom Scharpling, is an American comedian, television writer, producer, music video director, voice actor, and radio host. He is best known for hosting the weekly Internet radio call-in comedy program The Best Show with Tom Scharpling (formerly The Best Show on WFMU), the voice of Greg Universe in the animated series Steven Universe and its sequel series Steven Universe Future, and for acting as a writer/executive producer for the TV show Monk.

Key Information

Scharpling was also a writer on Tom Goes to the Mayor. Beginning in 1999, he released six albums with comedy partner Jon Wurster under the moniker Scharpling & Wurster.

As a writer, Scharpling has had work published in GQ, New York Magazine, and Harp. Since 2010, Scharpling has directed music videos for MGMT, The New Pornographers,[2] Ted Leo, Titus Andronicus, Wild Flag, Aimee Mann, Real Estate, Frankie Cosmos, and The Ettes.

In 2017, Rolling Stone named Scharpling one of the "50 Funniest People Right Now,"[3] and in 2019, Vulture named The Best Show one of the "10 Essential Comedy Podcasts That Shaped The Genre."[4]

Early life

[edit]

Scharpling was born in New Jersey. He grew up in Dunellen, New Jersey.[5] He was a fan of Saturday Night Live and SCTV from a young age.[6] He attended Middlesex High School, Middlesex Community College, and Trenton State College.[5] He graduated with a degree in English.[6] Scharpling worked at a sheet music shop called World of Music in Summit, New Jersey, from 1979 through 1999.[5][6]

He has cited his major comedy influences as Chris Elliott's Get a Life, SCTV, Saturday Night Live, and the 1994 absurdist comedy Clifford starring Martin Short. Scharpling later purchased the suit worn by Short in Clifford via an eBay auction.[citation needed]

In his late teens, Scharpling had a mental breakdown that led him to be checked in to a mental hospital; his condition was cured with electroconvulsive therapy, which led to some memory loss.[7]

Scharpling became an avid cassette tape collector, and began to use the name "Mel Sharples" (the name of a character on the sitcom Alice) for himself when ordering tapes, to distinguish himself from his father, who had the same name (Scharpling was then still known as Tom Giuliano). He found that he enjoyed having a pseudonym, because the new name had no "baggage", including no association to his previous mental illness. He decided to "tweak" the name Mel Sharples and went with "Tom Scharpling"; the surname was based on a combination of the surnames of activist Al Sharpton and comedian Garry Shandling, with a "c" added in for "panache".[1]

Career

[edit]

Early music-based radio shows and writing

[edit]

In the early 1990s, Scharpling was the publisher of 18 Wheeler fanzine, and ran an independent record label of the same name. The first 7-inch single by Portastatic was released by Scharpling's label in 1992. He also contributed the liner notes for The Electrifying Conclusion, Guided by Voices's DVD documentary of their "final" live show in Chicago released in 2005.

Scharpling began volunteering at the New Jersey–based freeform station WFMU in the early 1990s.[6] He started hosting a music-oriented program on the station in the mid-1990s.[6] He briefly left the station in the late 1990s because he "had some personal things to take care of with family and stuff."[6] Scharpling has told interviewers that he prefers the medium of radio due to the anxiety he gets from being onstage.[6]

The Best Show with Tom Scharpling

[edit]
Main article: The Best Show on WFMU

The Best Show on WFMU

[edit]

Scharpling hosted the first episode of The Best Show on WFMU on October 10, 2000. The program was a three-hour comedy, music, call-in and talk radio program that aired Tuesday nights; the program featured a roster of genuine callers as well as calls in-character from Jon Wurster (with occasional in-character calls from H. Jon Benjamin, Jon Glaser, Peyton Reed and others). The show began incorporating more celebrity guests, including regular appearances from Patton Oswalt, Ted Leo, Paul F. Tompkins and other names from film, music and comedy.

Scharpling is considered by some as the "Godfather of Podcasting".[8] Episodes of The Best Show were archived from the shows beginning, as were most of the programs on WFMU, in the RealPlayer format. It began podcasting in early 2006 with the music removed from the latest shows and offered as downloadable files on the internet through the rest of its run on the station, helping it reach an even wider audience than it had already developed.

Scharpling made no money from the station,[5] and regularly encouraged fans to donate to the non-profit station by offering elaborate pledge drive gifts.

Citing his tenure on The Best Show on WFMU as proof, the August 2010 issue of GQ magazine listed Scharpling No. 11 on its list of 37 "Never Not Funny" comedians, dubbing him one of "the funniest men you haven't heard of yet."[9]

On October 29, 2013, Scharpling announced that the final Best Show on WFMU was to air on December 17, 2013. On October 10, 2014, 14 years to the day after The Best Show first aired, Scharpling announced via his Twitter page that The Best Show would return in November 2014.[10]

The Best Show with Tom Scharpling

[edit]

On December 17, 2014, the first episode of The Best Show in its new format, a web-cast and podcast, aired via thebestshow.net from an independent studio in Jersey City. The live webcast of the show follows a similar format as it did on WFMU, with callers, skits performed by Scharpling & Wurster, and a three-hour run-time.[11]

In 2014, the show spawned an Adult Swim special, titled The Newbridge Tourism Board Presents: We're Newbridge We're Comin' to Get Ya!, featuring Wurster, Julie Klausner and Gilbert Gottfried,[12] as well as many Scharpling & Wurster characters from the show.

The show currently takes place in Los Angeles from the Forever Dog studios in North Hollywood. This new iteration of the show includes a live video stream on Twitch, musical performances and two 24-hour episodes,[13] which have featured the likes of Bill Hader, Conan O'Brien, Jarvis Cocker, Bob Odenkirk, Nathan Fielder, and Sarah Squirm.

Scharpling & Wurster

[edit]

Nearly every episode of The Best Show features an on-air collaboration with Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster. The pair met at a concert in the early 1990s, and bonded over their mutual love of Chris Elliott's short-lived sitcom Get a Life.[6]

Their partnership began with a call aired on Scharpling's music program titled Rock, Rot & Rule, where Wurster portrayed a snobby rock critic, answering questions from incredulous callers that didn't realize it was an act.[14]

As Scharpling and Wurster, they have released six albums of comedy segments from The Best Show on their Stereolaffs record label. In 2013, they released a live set on Third Man Records.[15]

In 2015, Numero Group released a retrospective box set of their calls from The Best Show on WFMU.[16] That same year, the duo made an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.[17] The pair voiced characters on an episode of The Simpsons in 2016.[18]

Television

[edit]

Tom Scharpling was the first writer to be hired for the series Monk.[19] He was hired to the show by Saturday Night Live writer and fellow WFMU DJ Andy Breckman.[20] Scharpling acted as Monk's executive producer during the last four of the show's eight seasons.

He appeared on an episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force ("The Shaving") as the voice of "Willie Nelson", an awkward, unassertive onion–spider monster hybrid who lives in the attic of the house. He also appears on the special features portion of the Aqua Teen Hunger Force Volume 3 DVD. In addition, Scharpling occasionally wrote for Tom Goes to the Mayor. He voices Greg Universe in the animated series Steven Universe. He also voiced Jermaine in the animated series Adventure Time. Scharpling was a head writer/co-executive producer for season one of HBO's show Divorce.

Music videos

[edit]

Starting in August 2010, Scharpling has directed a number of music videos, typically for groups that he is friends with, and mostly on an extremely limited budget. The shorts usually contain a number of celebrity cameos, and are often met with positive reviews.[21]

Scharpling's music video for Ted Leo and the Pharmacists's "Bottled in Cork" shows the band agreeing to star in a Broadway musical, in a spoof of Green Day's musical American Idiot.[22] The video features Paul F. Tompkins as a theater promoter, Julie Klausner as a dance instructor and John Hodgman as a theatre critic.[21] The video obtained "Immortal" status on Funny or Die shortly after it was released online.[22]

With the video for The New Pornographers' "Moves", Scharpling was presented with the issue of the band being on tour, rendering them unable to appear in the short.[2] As a solution, Scharpling chose to create a trailer for a fake biographical film about The New Pornographers, with a number of comedy celebrities portraying the various members of the band. The video features Wyatt Cenac, Horatio Sanz, Gary Dell'Abate, Todd Barry, Julie Klausner, John Hodgman, Bill Hader, Paul Rudd, Donald Glover, John Oliver, and Jon Wurster.[2]

In 2012, Scharpling directed the video for Aimee Mann's song "Labrador", which is a shot-by-shot remake of the video for the 1985 'Til Tuesday song "Voices Carry", with Mann in the lead role, Jon Wurster playing the abusive yuppie boyfriend, and Ted Leo as the guitarist in Mann's band. The video begins with a brief "making of" clip featuring Jon Hamm as "Tom Scharpling", discussing the video concept, and Mann stating that she was tricked into doing the video.[23]

Scharpling has also directed music videos for Titus Andronicus, Wild Flag, The Ettes, Real Estate, The Stepkids, and MGMT.[24]

Web

[edit]

Scharpling directed and co-wrote the web "trailer" for John Hodgman's 2011 book That Is All.[citation needed]

Scharpling wrote and directed the web "trailer" aired on Funny or Die for The Postal Service band's 10-year anniversary reissue of their album Give Up.[citation needed]

Scharpling guest starred as the bailiff in the episode "A Room with a Feud" of John Hodgman's comedy/court show podcast Judge John Hodgman.[25]

Scharpling has appeared as a guest multiple times on The George Lucas Talk Show, and is a frequent contributor to the live chatroom conversation.

Print

[edit]

Scharpling is a regular columnist for and co-founder of the sports website The Classical. He has worked as a headline contributor for The Onion, as well as the writer of Harp Magazine's "(Not So) Great Moments in Rock" column. He has also contributed basketball-themed writing to GQ[26] and SLAM Magazine. In 2011, Scharpling was commissioned by New York Magazine to write multi-page recaps for every episode of the fourth season of NBC's Celebrity Apprentice.[27]

On July 6, 2021, Abrams Press released Scharpling's memoir, It Never Ends: A Memoir with Nice Memories![28][29][non-primary source needed]

Personal life

[edit]

Until 2020, Scharpling lived in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey with his former wife, fellow WFMU DJ Terre T.[5][30] As of December 2024, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife Julia Vickerman.[31] He has been a pescatarian since approximately 1994,[32] and almost never consumes alcohol.[33]

Filmography

[edit]

As actor

[edit]
Year Title Role Note
1998 Upright Citizens Brigade Man in Audience Episode: "Saigon Suicide Show"
2003 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Willie Nelson (voice) Episode: "The Shaving"
2013–2019 Steven Universe Greg Universe / Yellowtail (voice) Recurring cast
2014 The Newbridge Tourism Board Presents: We're Newbridge, We're Comin' to Get Ya! Name Redacted TV special
2015 Ant-Man Cashier Scene deleted[34]
2015–2018 Adventure Time Jermaine (voice) 4 episodes
2016 The Simpsons Paul (voice) Episode: "The Marge-ian Chronicles"
2017 Fortnite Plankerton DJ / Additional voices Video game
2017 Steven Universe: Save the Light Greg Universe (voice)
2018 Ant-Man and the Wasp Burch's SUV Driver
2019 Steven Universe: The Movie Greg Universe (voice) Television film
2019–2020 Steven Universe Future Recurring cast
2020 The George Lucas Talk Show Self Episode: "A New Coping Mechanism",

"The Hey Nong Mandalorian"; multiple marathon fundraiser appearances

2022 Steven Universe: Unleash the Light Greg Universe (voice) Video game
2022 Tuca & Bertie Dr. Mole (voice) Episode: "The Mole"
2023 Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania N'brij
2023 Kiff Rob Sadly (voice) Episode: "Lost and Found"
2023 I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson Coworker Episode 5

As writer

[edit]
Year Title Note
2002–2009 Monk Also executive producer and story editor
2006 Tom Goes to the Mayor
2016 Divorce Also co-executive producer
2017 Difficult People Also consulting producer
2019 What We Do in the Shadows Also co-executive producer
2021 Kevin Can F*** Himself
2023–2024 Krapopolis

Discography

[edit]
  • Rock, Rot and Rule (Stereolaffs, 1999, re-issue in 2004; Light in the Attic, 2014 [vinyl release])
  • Chain Fights, Beer Busts and Service with a Grin (Stereolaffs, 2002)
  • New Hope for the Ape-Eared (Stereolaffs, 2004)
  • Hippy Justice (Stereolaffs, 2005)
  • The Art of the Slap (Stereolaffs, 2007)
  • A Vampire or a Dogman (Merge, 2009; from SCORE! Twenty Years Of Merge Records)
  • The Best of The Best Show (Numero Group, 2015; retrospective box set)

WFMU Marathon Premiums

[edit]
  • The Best of the Best of The Best Show on WFMU Vol. 1 (2003)
  • The Best of the Best of The Best Show on WFMU Vol. 2 (2005)
  • The Best You Can Do Is Be Worse Than The Best Show on WFMU (2007)
  • At The Speed Of Sound (2009)
  • TOM – A Best Show On WFMU Tribute to Ram (2009)
  • Best Show Uncovered Vol. 1 (2010, from the WFMU 24-Hour Emergency Marathon) (MP3 CD)

DVD

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tom Scharpling

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Tom Scharpling (born February 9, 1969) is an American comedian, radio host, television writer, producer, music video director, and voice actor, best known for creating and hosting the long-running call-in comedy program and The Best Show. Raised in , Scharpling endured a traumatic childhood marked by struggles, including hospitalization and , which he later chronicled in his 2021 memoir : A Memoir with Nice Memories!. Early in his career, he spent two decades working at a store in , while volunteering unpaid at the freeform radio station , where he honed his comedic skills. He launched The Best Show in 2000 on , blending music discussions, celebrity interviews, and absurd listener calls with collaborator , building a over its initial 13-year run until funding issues led to its 2013 conclusion. Scharpling revived The Best Show in 2014 through fan support via a campaign, airing it on platforms including SiriusXM from 2014 to 2016 before transitioning to live streams on TheBestShow.net and YouTube archives, where it continues to air weekly, marking its 25th anniversary in 2025 with live events. In television, he served as a writer and executive producer on the Emmy-winning series from 2002 to 2009, and contributed to shows like What We Do in the Shadows and HBO's . As a voice actor, he is recognized for portraying Greg Universe in (2013–2019) and roles in , while his collaborations with Wurster have produced six and . His work often draws on personal experiences with mental illness, using humor as a lens to explore resilience and creativity.

Biography

Early life

Thomas John Giuliano II, known professionally as Tom Scharpling, was born on February 9, 1969, in New Jersey. He grew up in the suburb of Dunellen, New Jersey, in a blue-collar family. From a young age, Scharpling showed an interest in comedy, influenced by television programs such as Saturday Night Live and SCTV. In high school, he developed a passion for radio by listening to personalities like Howard Stern and Bob Grant, while his enthusiasm for music drew him to the punk rock and alternative scenes of the 1980s, including bands like Hüsker Dü. After graduating from Middlesex High School, Scharpling attended Middlesex County College before transferring to Trenton State College (now ), where he earned a degree in English in 1995. During his college years, he began exploring radio production and writing, immersing himself in local music scenes and zine culture by launching his own , Eighteen Wheeler. These experiences fostered his early creative interests and paved the way for his entry into professional radio.

Personal life

Tom Scharpling was previously married to DJ Terre T until 2020. He resides in , , where he has lived since relocating from in the mid-2010s. He married artist and animator Julia Vickerman on October 5, 2024, in a ceremony described by attendees as a collaborative creative project involving friends and family. The couple shares their home with three dogs named Nancy, Barbarella, and Lulu. Scharpling has been open about his lifelong struggles with mental illness, including experiences with (ECT) during childhood and ongoing battles with depression and anxiety, which he detailed in his 2021 It Never Ends. These challenges have shaped his perspective, though he maintains a private approach to his personal affairs outside of select public disclosures. As of 2025, Scharpling continues to engage with and enthusiast communities through informal interactions and events, reflecting his longstanding passion for live and creative expression beyond professional commitments.

Career

Early radio shows and writing

Scharpling's entry into writing began in the early 1990s during his college years, when he launched the 18 Wheeler from . The publication focused on the punk and indie scenes, offering reviews, interviews, and commentary on underground artists, reflecting his passion for the era's DIY ethos. He also operated an under the same name, releasing approximately 20 titles from indie acts, which strengthened his ties to the New Jersey indie community. Additionally, Scharpling contributed pieces to other zines, including the Boston-based Popwatch, where his early writing appeared alongside contributors like and , covering New Zealand imports and American indie outliers in sharp, authentic reviews. After graduating from (formerly Trenton State College) in 1995 with a degree in English, Scharpling transitioned into radio while continuing his involvement in music writing. In the mid-1990s, he volunteered at , the influential station in , renowned for its eclectic, listener-driven programming that eschewed commercial constraints. Drawing on his background in indie music, he produced a demo tape that earned him his own time slot, hosting a music-focused show that incorporated comedy sketches and bits to engage listeners. These early radio efforts were shaped by WFMU's permissive freeform style, which allowed for experimental blending of music, humor, and , as well as Scharpling's established connections to the indie scene through his and label. From 1995 to 2000, he continued contributing small comedy pieces and music commentary to local publications and zines, honing a voice that merged irreverent humor with insightful takes on punk and alternative culture.

The Best Show

The Best Show debuted on October 10, 2000, on WFMU in Jersey City, New Jersey, as a three-hour music and comedy call-in program hosted by Tom Scharpling. Initially drawing from Scharpling's earlier radio sketches, the show quickly established a unique rhythm combining curated rock and indie music selections with live listener interactions and improvised humor. Over its early years, it built a cult following through weekly Tuesday broadcasts, raising nearly $1 million for WFMU during station marathons and attracting guests like Martin Short and Chris Elliott. The format evolved into a seamless blend of music curation—featuring Scharpling's personal picks from genres like and alternative—caller-driven discussions on pop culture and personal anecdotes, and absurd long-form comedy sketches often centered on the fictional New Jersey town of Newbridge. Recurring elements included hang-ups on rambling callers for comedic effect, listener-submitted audio clips, and puppet-assisted bits with characters like Vance the puppet. The show frequently incorporated collaborations with comedian , who portrayed iconic Newbridge residents in extended phone calls. After airing its final WFMU episode on December 17, 2013—amid Scharpling's growing commitments to writing—the program was revived later in 2013 through fan support, airing on platforms including SiriusXM from 2014 to 2016 before transitioning to independent distribution starting in late 2014, with live streams on TheBestShow.net and archives, where it continues to air weekly. It joined the Forever Dog network around 2017. Key recurring segments like the "Trunk of Fun Scripts"—absurd, pre-written readings pulled from a metaphorical "trunk" of material—and in-studio live music performances became staples, showcasing artists such as Frankie Cosmos, clipping., and in the Forever Dog Theater. Milestones underscore the show's longevity and adaptability, including its 25th anniversary in 2025 marked by a national tour with live performances in cities like , , , and , featuring Scharpling, Wurster, and special guests. Annual 24-hour livestream marathons allow for extended caller engagement, music sets, and surprises, testing the limits of the format while raising funds for production. Patreon-exclusive content, available to subscribers starting at $1 per month, provides ad-free video replays, bonus audio episodes like "Best Show Bests" and Q&A sessions, and behind-the-scenes material, enhancing accessibility for fans. The Best Show's dedicated listener community, often referred to as the "Newbridge" faithful, has cultivated a tight-knit online ecosystem through forums, , and annual gatherings, contributing and sustaining the show's mythology. This grassroots engagement has influenced the broader podcasting landscape by pioneering a hybrid radio-podcast model that prioritizes live interactivity and serialized , inspiring shows to blend , calls, and sketches in unscripted environments. Over 25 years and more than 1,300 episodes, it has amassed millions of downloads while maintaining an intimate, irreverent tone that resonates with enthusiasts.

Collaborations with Jon Wurster

Tom Scharpling and 's creative partnership began in 1997, when Wurster made his first prank phone call to Scharpling's radio show on , portraying the pompous music critic Ronald Thomas Clontle promoting his fictional album Open Your Window. The duo met earlier in the early at a performance by the band , where Wurster drummed, but their comedic collaboration solidified through these on-air bits. Within Scharpling's radio program The Best Show, their dynamic featured Wurster voicing a variety of eccentric characters in extended prank calls, with Scharpling reacting as the exasperated host. Key sketches included absurd impersonations, such as Wurster as the boastful native Philly Boy Roy, who regaled listeners with over-the-top tales of local pride and misfortune starting in 2002, and the delusional coworker from Work, obsessed with rock star fantasies in calls from the mid-2000s. These phone bits evolved into intricate narratives blending celebrity parody and surreal humor, like Wurster's portrayal of a tiny racist genetic experiment named Timmy von Trimble in 2005. The pair released several comedy albums under the name Scharpling & Wurster through their Stereolaffs label, compiling highlights from their radio sketches in the and , including Rock, Rot and Rule (1999), Chain Fights, Beer Busts and Service with a Grin (2002), New Hope for the Ape-Eared (2004), Hippy Justice (2006), and The Art of the Slap (2007). Later releases like The Best of the Best Show (2015) and a live recording Live at (2016) captured their evolving material. Following the end of The Best Show's WFMU run in 2013, Scharpling and Wurster transitioned to standalone live performances, including a 2015 West Coast tour featuring improvised sketches and character revivals. Their collaboration continued into the 2020s with the 25th anniversary tour in 2025, reprising classic characters alongside music and guest appearances across cities like , , , and . This duo's long-form and character-driven comedy has influenced the era, pioneering serialized audio sketches that inspired shows emphasizing absurd, ongoing narratives over punchlines. Examples from episodes include revivals of characters like Philly Boy Roy in The Best Show streams, maintaining their impact on interactive comedy formats.

Television writing and production

Scharpling began his television career as a writer on the series , where he was the first writer hired by creator , a fellow contributor. He contributed writing credits to 17 episodes across the show's eight seasons from 2002 to 2009, focusing on comedic elements within the mystery-drama format, and also served as a co-producer and executive producer. His involvement helped shape the series' blend of humor and procedural storytelling, earning the show multiple Emmy nominations during his tenure. In the mid-2000s, Scharpling expanded his television writing to projects, including Tom Goes to the Mayor (2004–2006), where he wrote several episodes of the surreal comedy series created by and , and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! (2007–2010), contributing scripts that amplified its absurd, sketch-based style. Later, he wrote two episodes of What We Do in the Shadows (2019–2024) and served as co-executive producer for nine episodes, enhancing the mockumentary's vampire comedy with his signature witty dialogue. Additional production roles include consulting producer on (2015–2017) and co-executive producer for the first season of HBO's (2016), where he oversaw comedic scripting for ensemble-driven narratives. In 2025, Scharpling co-created the six-part action-adventure comedy series for , alongside and , who star as an unlikely duo of art expert/thief Thomas Force and mercenary Jennifer Majeure on a global heist adventure infused with sharp humor. The series, also written by Scharpling with Iain Morris and Cirocco Dunlap, is set to begin filming in early 2026, marking his return to leading a new television project. As of November 2025, no episodes have aired, but production is advancing under Objective Fiction.

Music videos and other media

Scharpling began directing music videos in the late 2000s, often collaborating with artists and infusing his work with comedic, narrative-driven concepts that parodied pop culture tropes. His debut as a director was for ' "Bottled in Cork" in 2010, a satirical take on a punk band attempting a Broadway musical adaptation, reminiscent of Green Day's . This video featured cameos from musicians and comedians, establishing Scharpling's signature style of blending music with visual humor. Throughout the 2010s, Scharpling directed videos for acts including ("Crash Years," 2010), ("Labrador," 2012), and ("Crime," 2014), earning acclaim for their witty storytelling and low-budget charm. The video, in particular, was ranked the second-best of 2012 by TIME magazine, highlighting Scharpling's ability to craft engaging narratives around themes of suburban ennui. In 2012, SPIN named him Music Video Director of the Year for his contributions to the indie scene. Scharpling continued directing into the 2020s, helming MGMT's "Bubblegum Dog" in 2023, co-directed with Julia Vickerman, which featured surreal animation and tied to the band's psychedelic aesthetic. Beyond , he has contributed to web and through in . He voiced Greg Universe, the laid-back father figure, in from 2013 to 2019, bringing a dry, relatable humor to the role. Additional voice work includes Jermaine in episodes like "Jermaine" (2016) and Willie Nelson in an segment (2007). In web media, Scharpling co-produced an infomercial parody with and around 2017, showcasing his penchant for absurd, character-driven sketches. His involvement in digital content often extends his radio persona into short-form videos on platforms like , including promotional bits for The Best Show that incorporate music curation with comedic interludes. In the early 1990s, Scharpling contributed writing to the Boston-based zine Popwatch, where he covered indie underground music alongside contributors like Lou Barlow and James McNew, focusing on artists and records from the era's alternative scene. His pieces reflected a sharp critique of the music industry while highlighting overlooked indie acts, establishing his voice in print during the pre-internet punk and alternative rock boom. Transitioning to web outlets in the 2010s, Scharpling penned a series of humorous recaps for covering the reality TV show Celebrity Apprentice during its 2011 season, blending satirical commentary on with his signature witty, observational style. These online essays showcased his ability to infuse personal humor into critiques of media and entertainment, distinct from his radio work. Scharpling's print contributions extended to and radio compilations, including notes on the evolution and inspiration of key bits for the 2015 box set The Best of the Best Show, co-written with to provide context on their long-form sketches. In 2021, he published the It Never Ends: A Memoir with Nice Memories!, a candid exploration of his struggles with mental illness interwoven with humorous anecdotes from his career and encounters in the music world. More recently, in 2023, Scharpling authored an essay accompanying MGMT's album , praising the band's evolution and warmth while offering insights into their place in contemporary , underscoring his ongoing engagement with .

Works

Acting Roles

Tom Scharpling has made several appearances in film and television, often in supporting or capacities.
  • Ant-Man (2015) – Cashier
  • Maron (2013) – Himself (episode: "The Life" S1E10)
  • Comedy Bang! Bang! (2012–2016) – Various guest roles across multiple episodes, including improv sketches
  • The Simpsons (2016) – Paul (voice, episode: "Bart's New Friend" S28E3)
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) – Burch's SUV Driver
  • Steven Universe (2013–2019) – Greg Universe (voice, 52 episodes)
  • Steven Universe Future (2019–2020) – Greg Universe (voice, 8 episodes)
  • Adventure Time (2010–2018) – Jermaine (voice, 3 episodes)
  • Steven Universe: The Movie (2019) – Greg Universe (voice)
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) – N'Brij (voice)
  • I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (2023) – Supporting actor (season 3)
  • Kiff (2023–) – Rob Sadly / Additional Voices (recurring)

Writing Credits

Scharpling began his television writing career on Monk, where he served as a staff writer and producer, contributing to over 25 episodes across its run. Representative episodes he wrote or co-wrote include:
  • Monk (2002–2009):
    • "Mr. Monk and the Very, Very Old Man" (S2E11, 2004)
    • "Mr. Monk and the Girl Who Cried Wolf" (S3E4, 2005)
    • "Mr. Monk and the Big Reward" (S4E13, 2006)
    • "Mr. Monk Goes to the Dentist" (S4E15, 2006)
    • "Mr. Monk and the Daredevil" (S6E8, 2008)
He later wrote for animated and series, often combining writing with producing duties.
  • Tom Goes to the Mayor (2004–2006) – Writer (17 episodes)
  • What We Do in the Shadows (2019–2024) – Writer (3 episodes: "Manhattan Night Club" (S1E4), "Ancestry" (S1E10), "" (S2E3)); Co-executive producer (multiple seasons)
  • (2021) – Writer (staff)
  • Krapopolis (2023–) – Writer (staff)
No major new completed film or television writing credits for Scharpling were reported through mid-2025, though in September 2025 he co-created and co-wrote the upcoming series for , starring and (filming to begin in 2026). He continued producing on What We Do in the Shadows through its 2024 final season.

Combined Credits

Scharpling's projects occasionally overlap roles, such as in What We Do in the Shadows, where he focused on writing and producing without on-screen appearances.

Discography

Tom Scharpling's discography encompasses comedy albums produced in partnership with under the duo Scharpling & Wurster, along with limited-edition audio releases offered as premiums during fundraisers for The Best Show. These works feature scripted sketches, character-driven narratives, and improvised segments often originating from radio call-ins.

Scharpling & Wurster Albums

The duo's releases, issued primarily on their Stereolaffs label, compile material from live performances, radio bits, and original recordings, emphasizing absurd humor and pop culture satire.
TitleYearLabelFormatNotes
Rock, Rot & Rule1999 (reissued 2014)Stereolaffs (Light in the Attic for vinyl reissue)CD, VinylDebut album featuring early sketches like "Philly Boy Roy."
Chain Fights, Beer Busts and Service with a Grin2002 (digital reissue 2017)StereolaffsCD (Bandcamp digital)Compilation of classic radio calls, including "Jock Squad."
New Hope for the Ape-Eared2004StereolaffsCDExplores character arcs such as "Tricia's Birthday."
Hippy Justice2005 (some sources list 2006)StereolaffsCDFocuses on environmental and counterculture parody sketches.
The Art of the Slap2007StereolaffsCDHighlights physical comedy routines and slapstick narratives.
Live at Third Man Records2013Third Man RecordsVinyl, DigitalRecording of a live performance capturing improvised interactions.
The Best of the Best Show2015Numero Group16-CD box setComprehensive anthology of WFMU-era calls and segments.

WFMU Marathon Premiums

These exclusive audio compilations were distributed to donors during WFMU's annual marathons, often containing unreleased The Best Show highlights, tributes, and original content tied to show segments.
  • The Best of the Best of the Best Show on WFMU Vol. 1 (2003): A collection of early call-in sketches and music commentary from the show's initial years.
  • The Best of the Best of the Best Show on WFMU Vol. 2 (2005): Expanded selections of fan-favorite bits, including non-archived material.
  • The Best You Can Do Is Be Worse Than the Best Show (2007): Premium CD featuring parody and experimental sketches.
  • The Best Show Uncovered, Vol. 1 (2009): MP3 CD of uncovered radio gems and rarities.
  • Tom: A Best Show on WFMU Tribute to Ram (2011): Tribute album reinterpreting Paul and Linda McCartney's Ram, available to $75+ donors.
Scharpling has also contributed voice work to collaborative tracks on soundtracks, such as songs from the Steven Universe series, including "Let Me Drive My Van into Your Heart" (2017). No major solo albums or new releases have appeared in the 2020s as of 2025, though Patreon supporters of The Best Show receive exclusive audio episodes that occasionally include musical or comedic segments.

Video releases

Scharpling's video output primarily revolves around compilations and specials derived from The Best Show, with a single notable physical release in the form of the DVD Fantasia in Best Show Minor. Issued in 2010 during the marathon fundraising drive to commemorate the show's approximate 10th anniversary, this DVD compiles eclectic visual elements from the program, including puppetry segments, animated sequences, live performance clips, and comedic sketches featuring recurring characters and guests such as , , , and . As The Best Show transitioned to digital broadcasting in the late 2010s, Scharpling oversaw the production of streaming specials and archived video content available on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. The official Best Show YouTube channel, launched to host full episodes, clips, and exclusive performances, has become a central repository for visual extensions of the radio format, often incorporating live music sets and character-driven sketches by Scharpling and Wurster. Key digital releases include the 24-hour livestream marathon recorded in July 2022 at the Forever Dog studio in Los Angeles, which captured extended improvisational segments and guest appearances in video form. In 2025, marking the show's 25th anniversary, Scharpling released several video specials tied to celebratory events, including a retrospective interview with producer Brett Davis recounting the program's from its origins, and a live special featuring guests and Frankie Cosmos performing music alongside comedic bits. These were streamed live on and Twitch, with on-demand access provided post-broadcast, emphasizing visual reenactments of classic Scharpling and Wurster characters during the accompanying tour stops in cities like , , , and . Beyond The Best Show, Scharpling's video work includes direction of that occasionally feature collaborative performances with Wurster, though no dedicated compilation DVDs or digital collections of these have been issued. Representative examples encompass the 2012 video for Aimee Mann's "," a homage to aesthetics starring Scharpling and , and the 2023 clip for MGMT's "Bubblegum Dog," which integrates surreal humor and live-action elements.

References

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