Since 2009, standup comic Marc Maron has built his "WTF" podcast into the place comedians come to talk seriously.
Conan O'Brien, Louis C.K., and Robin Williams have talked not just about making people laugh, but how they live. They've talked about how painful it is to be funny – or worse, unfunny. Not everyone can handle the introspection. Gallagher, the famed melon-crusher, once cracked and walked out.
On Maron's new IFC series, "Maron," debuting tonight, the host gets to cut free and just make us laugh. And he does. But Maron has argued on "WTF" that the best comedy comes from the truth, no matter how harsh, and "Maron" makes a strong case that he's right.