‘One Man’s Trash’ is another man’s favorite episode of The Chris Gethard Show
How a simple idea for a television episode can yield childlike joy & laughter.
The Chris Gethard Show is madness, happiness, honesty, and offbeat humor all rolled up into one TV show. It’s had a long history going from UCB stages to Public Access TV to Fusion (and now on TruTV, in its 3rd Season). I am aware that TCGS is rather odd and may not be for everyone, but hands down, without a doubt, the best episode is S2E9 ‘One Man’s Trash.’
It takes a lot for me to show a piece of television to literally everyone I know, but that’s exactly what I did after witnessing this incredible episode. The premise is simple — there is a dumpster on set and now the television viewing audience has 40 minutes to guess what’s inside it. If you have not watched the episode yet, I highly suggest you do so before reading this article. Yet, if you don’t mind spoilers and wish to watch the episode after, feel free to do that as well. Either way, you can watch it here in its entirety, on YouTube, for free.
Chris Gethard wears his heart on his sleeve, which is something I very much admire (similar to the likes of Pete Holmes, Mike Birbiglia, Judd Apatow). He’s like our loving older brother who somehow was able to transform all his childlike wonder and high school angst into the show you see before you. It’s why we look up to him; he may be the host and creator but he never declares himself to be better than us. He’s actually always trying to get us to talk more.
In fact, we usually watch him get bullied on the show by sidekick Shannon O’Neill, who acts like his older sister. However, on this particular epsiode Shannon is absent and thus the bullying comes from Paul Scheer and Jason Mantzoukas, who also act like older siblings. I grew up having two older brothers and so I understand the helpless feeling. Like family, these two men have known Chris a long time; since the early days of UCB. Thus, they feel no guilt interrupting him and derailing the show repeatedly. At one point Jason asks, “Who’s running this show Gerhard?” to which Chris defensively shouts “I am!” Yet, 8 minutes into the episode, the two of them have already rebranded the show calling it ‘Cash or Trash’ with special guest Chris Gethard. They’re busting chops, but always with a smile — like true siblings do.
Chris is legitimtely scared of losing control of the show, in fact one caller gueses if the item in the dumpster is “Chris’s lack of control on the show.” This is how most of the first guesses go — jokes and bad attempts such as ‘a seedless watermelon’ which Paul and Jason assure Chris is “not a great guess.” But eventually we begin getting closer when someone guesses if it’s a cardboard standee of Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, which Chris claims is the closest. Soon after, someone on Skype guesses that it’s “a spoiled Spider-Man costume full body” which Paul mishears and declares as “a spoiled Spider-Man costume from Paul Giamatti.” Now what Paul doesn’t understand is how close he is.
Even though Chris has been berated on the show many times now, by his two guests/friends, who he credits with “saving his life,” he wishes to offer an olive branch. He figures they’ll both take this task more seriously (and be on his side) if he lets them each see what’s inside the dumpster. It’s a good tactic to keep the show from getting stale, and so first up is Paul. He peeks in, gives a big smile, assures us it’s a “game-changer,” and that “there’s so many levels why it blows my mind.” Jason is getting eager now to also know, asking Chris where they are in the show. Chris shouts back “I don’t know, you steamrolled the shit out of me!” Classic little bro. Chris is mostly keeping the show together but now having Paul on his side it’ll all go a little more smoothly.
We come back from another commercial break and the time has come for Jason to finally peek into the dumpster. He does so and somehow has an even bigger smile than Paul, repeating “Got it… got it got it got it got it.” He’s so pleased to finally be on the team of knowing. He even gives a hint saying, “If it’s not one, it’s the other.” Vague and yet, as you’ll learn later on, a solid hint. You see, this episode is beginning to weigh on us; we, the viewing public, need to know what is in this damn dumpster and time is running out! Even internet liaison, Bethany Hall, breaks her kind character and tells people to stop calling in with joke guesses because she also really wants to know what’s in there. Needless to say, things are heating up.
Yet, things quickly turn to hilarious chaos again when a caller asks if it’s bigger than a bread box. Paul and Jason begin riffing about all types of bread when they suddenly declare TCGS to be ANOTHER new show entitled ‘Talkin’ Bread.’ Chris can’t believe that they now have a show within a show within a show. But finally, about 30 minutes into the episode, a woman named Katie calls in and asks if the item in the dumpster is alive, which Chris confirms. She then guesses if it’s actual Paul Rudd. She is incorrect, sadly, but so damn close. Jason then pleads with the audience to please remember his hint!
We’re in the last minutes of the show and tensions are high. Through a few more calls we find out that it is indeed a person in the dumpster and that they’re in the entertainment industry. Paul Scheer goes one step further asking for the person in the dumpster to hit the dumpster if they are a part of the Marvel universe (which he believes they’re not). We suddenly hear a loud THUD and everyone on the set loses their minds. Even though it’s been confirmed that there’s a person inside, having them interact with us now is blowing all of our minds! Even just watching at home on my laptop, I felt my heart begin to pound. Finally, Eric from Chicago calls in and goes through all the facts and hints (thinking he’s got it) and guesses Tobey Maguire. He is incorrect… and that’s when Paul Giamatti finally emerges from the dumpster!
The pure joy on everyone’s faces when Giamatti comes out is infectious. I always find myself smiling and looking at all the shocked faces of my friends who I’ve forced to watch this with me. Like any good twist, it’s amazing to watch the first time but just as good with every subsequent viewing. If Chris is the young child, Jason & Paul his older bros, then Paul Giamatti is most definitely a special guest apperance from their father. And that’s the epitome of The Chris Gethard Show — it’s one big happy odd-loving family. A safe haven for anyone who has felt that they don’t belong. They’ll embrace you.
We find out that Paul Giamatti has been a longtime friend, fan, and supporter of the show and they’ve been trying to find a good way to get him on the program. I think we can all agree, this is quite possibly the best way to do it. It’s like a telethon but instead of raising money we get Giamatti to rise from a green dumpster to a roaring crowd. Giamatti says he would do this every week because “nobody’s ever been this excited to maybe see me.” Giamatti is an Oscar-nominated actor with multiple noteworthy movies under his belt and yet, like Chris, he feels just as much of an outsider weirdo as the rest of us.
The Chris Gethard Show is like a class outside of the classroom. Regardless of what you think of the show, it’s a program about not following the rules and being open and honest about everything. It’s a show by outcasts, made for outcasts (and whoever else that’s felt different or alone). Need a shoulder to cry on? Need a good laugh? Let this show be your medicine and if you only have enough time in the day for one episode — I say, make it this one.
The Chris Gethard Show airs Live, Thursdays 11/10c on TruTV
