Overview
- The final show was released Oct. 13 as episode No. 1,686, recorded at Obama’s Washington office after Maron kept the guest’s identity secret until the drop.
- Obama said recent months have “blown through” norms, rules and laws meant to ensure accountability, calling for individuals to stand up and give others courage.
- He criticized the National Guard deployment to Chicago as a potential end run around the Posse Comitatus Act and a genuine weakening of democratic practice.
- Maron asked for guidance on leaving a defining role, and Obama advised him to pause, reflect on the body of work, and not rush the next chapter.
- Maron’s penultimate Oct. 9 episode served as his emotional goodbye; the show began in 2009 in his Los Angeles garage and was ended by Maron and producer Brendan McDonald after announcing in June they were burnt out but satisfied.