BIT Improv Comedy Network | MAIN STAGE

Welcome to SEASON TWO of rabbitHOLE!!!

Please resolve to listen and share every episode (please, please, pretty please)!

Today's Holes:

• Stuff Astronauts Like
• Accentuating the Positive
• Faking Your Religion

BIT Founder/Director/Leader BILLY MERRITT takes the helm by painting a vivid and endlessly hilarious picture of Florida's "SPACE COAST." Please help us answer the age-old question, "How many TIKI BARS are too many?"

Jason shares "letters from Gramps" about stick-to-it-iveness. Brett reminisces about accidentally reciting a sexist passage from an H.R. Hubbard book his Mom gave him.

Deema confesses to faking his way through religious rituals to keep peace in the family until he can't take it anymore. Once he declares his authentic belief (or disbelief in his case), his father accuses him of being a communist, and everything goes back to normal. Thea confesses to participating in a religious rite of passage only for the money gifts. DO NOT judge her!

APOLOGIES: NASA, Tang, Scatting, the planets Mars, Venus, and Penis, the Astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Matt, the professions of bartender, doctor, and lawyer, Elon Musk, mermaids, all organized religions, women, tigers, Bing Crosby, the GRAMMYs, and the entire Hubbard family.

As always, rabbitHOLE is unscripted and inspired by the CREW's real-life rabbit hole adventures.

If you enjoy rabbitHOLE, follow, rate, and share it with your friends!

DIRECTOR/CREATOR: Billy Merritt EDITOR/PRODUCER: Hil Kane CAST:

• Konrad Andrew
• Amber Bellsdale
• Luke Bovard
• Hill Kane
• Brent Kohler
• Deema Lazar
• Laura Powell
• Don Slovin
• Jason Spiro
• Thea Marie Thorkildsen
• Katya Vasilaky
• Flannery Wilson

"rabbitHOLE" Improv is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Hill Kane of Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

MUSIC: "Shark Bait" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller ©

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT" and "The BIT Comedy Network" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt ©2025 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]

Welcome to rabbitHOLE's Season One Finale/New Year's Eve Bonus Episode. The last rabbit holes of 2024 include:

• Archaic Japanese Crime Families
• Theater Hopping + Line Cutting
• Pickleball Gangs
• Bee Keeping Age

Konrad visits Kobe, Japan, and delves into the very expensive (and ultra-marbled) beef for which it is known. He discovers the "real Kobe's" criminal underbelly with its aging membership and inevitable demise. Laura admits to working at a movie theater and infers that if you are cool about it, hopping from theater to theater MIGHT be tolerated. Hill may disagree, but we can all agree that Jason's dad was a line hopper and that's NOT okay! Is "Bee Keeping Age" a new colloquialism for "person of a certain age?"

The answers you seek lie within this episode.

APOLOGIES: The Yakuza "Social Network," Shakshuka, World History (specifically the Greek and Roman Empiracal eras, Hill's Dad + Jason's Dad, Movie Theaters, the United Nations (again), Pickleball, Pickling, Beekeeping, Circuses, Lions, Tigers, Ligers, Sovereign Citizens, and a few others we probably forgot to mention.

As always, rabbitHOLE is unscripted and inspired by the CREW's real-life rabbit hole adventures.

If you enjoy rabbitHOLE, follow, rate, and share it with your friends!

DIRECTOR/CREATOR: Billy Merritt EDITOR/PRODUCER: Hill Kane CAST:

• Konrad Andrew
• Amber Bellsdale
• Luke Bovard
• Hill Kane
• Brent Kohler
• Deema Lazar
• Laura Powell
• Don Slovin
• Jason Spiro
• Thea Marie Thorkildsen
• Katya Vasilaky
• Flannery Wilson

"rabbitHOLE" Improv is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Production Assistance, Audio Production & Graphics/Art by Hill Kane of Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Additional Editing Support: KID Adam

MUSIC: "Shark Bait" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller ©

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT" and "The BIT Comedy Network" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt © 2024/2025 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]

Welcome to Pennan, Scotland!

Pennan became famous in the 1980s for being used as one of the main locations for the film Local Hero. Film enthusiasts have come from all over the world to make a phone call in the red telephone box in the village.

Lesser known, perhaps, is Pennan's Seagull Competition. Sources vary on the purpose, rules, and outcomes of the annual event. There is a whisper campaign that Dr. Who will be in attendance this year.

In recent years, seagulls have become increasingly aggressive and have chased off the once-thriving mackerel (pronounced Mack-Ah-Rell) population to the more habitable coastal waters of Norway (home to Charlie Chaplin).

If you hang out at the phone booth or one of Pennan's many golf courses, you may bump into local bachelor Jake (or is it Jack)? For 2 euro, you can take a selfie with him in the phone box.

Please enjoy three of the Pennan Podcast Network's delightful podcasts.

• How's That Work?: Hosted by Marcie Bonnet and Seafarin' Sequoia. They think they have cracked the code to how the local telephones work without lines.
• Where's Nessie? Nessie believer/host Dean welcomes Nessie Hunter/skeptic Don to determine whether Nessie inhabits the local bodies of water.
• Where Are They (Those Fish)? Janine and Patty host the show. Something or someone is scaring Pennan's mackerel off, and they aren't returning. Janine has enlisted Patty to shepherd them back to Pennan if she has to swim in the sea to do so.

Sponsors include The BBC, Sam's Seagulls, Jody (Dr. Who's Companion), Jake's Fantasy Dates, and George, the forgetful and perpetually lost garbage guy!

DIRECTOR/CREATOR: Billy Merritt Editor/Producer: Hill Kane

CAST:

• Dean Aisles (Himself)
• Konrad Andrew (Sam of Sam's Seagulls)
• Terry Armstrong (Support Player)
• Amber Bellsdale (Patty)
• Luke Bovard (Seafarin' Sequoia)
• Don Slovin (Himself)
• Jason Spiro (Jody, Dr. Who's trusted companion)
• Lisa Steckman (Marcie Bonnet)
• Thea Marie Thorkildsen (Jake/Jack)
• Katya Vasilaky (Janine)
• Flannery Wilson (George)

Special appearance by BILLY MERRITT as Shamus.

"Podcast Town" Improv is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

MUSIC: "Memfish" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © Production Assistance from Jason Spiro (thank you)!

Audio Production & Graphics/Art by Hill Kane of Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT" and "The BIT Comedy Network" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. © 2024 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]

Merry Christmas from Billy and the BIT CREW

The BIT elves worked overtime to deliver this BONUS Christmas day episode.

Captains' Cove is a seaside town with a lighthouse and a shipwreck that is absolutely obsessed with sandwiches. As 2024 winds down and the residents prepare for the Annual Turkey Cutting Competition, love is in the air, and mayo is in their bags (IYKYK).

Documentarian Winston Hartsdale is filming a historical documentary, SHIPWRECKED AT SEA...OR DEAD?, about the WW II shipwreck visible from the town's beachfront. The town, which is not interested in history, has other ideas for Harstdale's subject matter.

As romance blooms between sandwich enthusiasts Hannah Hoy and Thad Justin, most of the town is focused on the upcoming competition. Thad is back in town after a long absence to investigate the new sandwich shop but keeps bumping into the lovely Hannah. Will he choose love or expose the town's scandal?

Local soap shop owner April Sprinkles and her bestie May Flour take their job as contest judges very seriously. There are unconfirmed rumors that May lost her left pinky finger in a booby-trapped turkey in the 2021 competition. There are also rumors that these two have had mutual crushes since high school.

Former cobblers Lucente and Guiseppe now serve hoagies and subs with mysterious (but tasty) ingredients. Their newly remodeled shop has attracted the attention of Thad and Jason Meatcutter, the Meat Code Enforcement Officer.

You'll also meet Olive Sharpe, the town's official Mustard Supplier. She won her position in a previous competition and is a condiment curator with some interesting theories about mayo and mustard.

The town ghost is likely that of Walter Hartsdale I, our documentarian's grandfather. His efforts to connect with his heir are frustrated by WH III's non-belief in ghosts.

The lighthouse keeper is also a landscape painter who embellishes his works with murderous and cannibalistic elements. He does not like being upstaged by the brewing romance.

As always, this podcast is 100% unscripted. Music and sound effects were added in post.

If you enjoy MOVIE! MOVIE! follow, rate, and share it with your friends! Tell them it's a Holiday present from Billy Merritt.

DIRECTOR/CREATOR: Billy Merritt EDITOR/PRODUCER: Hill Kane

CAST:

• Konrad Andrew
• Amber Bellsdale
• Luke Bovard
• Hill Kane
• Brent Kohler
• Deema Lazar
• Laura Powell
• Jason Spiro
• Don Slovin
• Thea Marie Thorkildsen
• Flannery Wilson

Production Engineer: Hill Kane

"Movie! Movie!" Improv is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Production Assistance, Audio Production & Graphics/Art by Hill Kane of Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT" and "The BIT Comedy Network" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt © 2024 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved

Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]

Mistletoe Mishaps is an instant Holiday Classic!

The sleepy ski town of Snowman Slopes teeters on financial ruin. If its perpetual fundraising goal isn't met by the end of the year, the 2024 ski champion (aka "Snowman") will be its last. Hence, the town's 350 occupants will be forced to power down the gondolas and ski lifts and head west.

World-renowned filmmaker Susan Redding is on hand to document Snowman Slopes' plight and encounters a little more than she bargained for. Her hard-hitting, no-nonsense style softens as she gets to know the town's inhabitants. We are sure she is secretly rooting for the town even though she is maintaining her signature objectivity.

As romance blooms between Sandy (a former Snowman Slopes pageant queen who is in town for the annual event) and Jonathan (her previously vertically challenged high school pal who never moved away), the townsfolk rally to raise money to save the town.

Holiday magic and miracles abound. You'll meet Frosty the dancing snowman, Santa himself, and a little bird who happily flies about sharing mistletoe and a song.

As always, this podcast is 100% unscripted. Music and sound effects were added in post.

If you enjoy MOVIE! MOVIE! follow, rate, and share it with your friends! Tell them it's a Holiday present from Billy Merritt.

DIRECTOR/CREATOR: Billy Merritt EDITOR/PRODUCSER: Hill Kane

CAST:

• Konrad Andrew
• Terry Armstrong
• Amber Bellsdale
• Luke Bovard
• Hill Kane
• Sabrina Kim Banes
• Brent Kohler
• Jason Spiro
• Lisa Steckman
• Don Slovin
• Flannery Wilson

Production Engineer: Hill Kane

"Movie! Movie!" Improv is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Production Assistance, Audio Production & Graphics/Art by Hill Kane of Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT" and "The BIT Comedy Network" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt © 2024 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved

Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]

In rabbitHOLE's eighth episode, the BIT CREW heads down some interesting holes, including:

• Charlie Chaplin
• Fabric Power Rankings
• Mascot Abuse
• The Great Muppet Caper

Luke starts us off with a twisty tale beginning with the 1089 albums you must listen to before you die, (Anyone else a fan of Ogden Nuts Gone Flake? What about Stanley Unwin? Nope? Maybe?) a visit to the GOON SHOW, and then some forgotten facts about the Little Tramp. We also learned that Jason may or may not have a fabric fetish. Multiple cast members suffered physical abuse from mean kids when wearing mascot costumes. Flannery attempts to get ANIMAL (the Muppet) the recognition he deserves. Brent reveals his favorite movie is indeed the Great Muppet Caper and proceeds to BIT-splain Dr. Teeth and the Mayhem.

It's a wild ride - we're glad you're on it with us.

APOLOGIES: Sweeden (once again), non-angry poets, Burlap to Cashmere (a real band), Banana Republic (sponsor us?), the colors purple and bone, Hanes, cotton, suede, WhiteCastle, Poutine, Canada, beat poets, the Easter Bunny, cheese sandwiches, and whoever should have been on this list but was inadvertently omitted.

As always, rabbitHOLE is unscripted and inspired by the CREW's real-life rabbit hole adventures.

If you enjoy rabbitHOLE, follow, rate, and share it with your friends!

DIRECTOR/CREATOR: Billy Merritt EDITOR/PRODUCER: Hill Kane

CAST:

• Konrad Andrew
• Terry Armstrong
• Sabrina Kim Banes
• Amber Bellsdale
• Luke Bovard
• Hill Kane
• Brent Kohler
• Don Slovin
• Jason Spiro
• Lisa Steckman
• Thea Marie Thorkildsen
• Flannery Wilson

"rabbitHOLE" Improv is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Production Assistance, Audio Production & Graphics/Art by Hill Kane of Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

MUSIC: "Shark Bait" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller ©

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT" and "The BIT Comedy Network" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt © 2024 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]

Welcome to Stockton Heath in jolly old England.

Stockton Heath boasts the most gin distilleries per capita in the UK. Its second claim to fame is having the largest number of podcasts per capita in the tri-county area.

The upcoming "Spring Barrel Fling" creates a palpable atmosphere of excitement, trepidation, and competitiveness as the townsfolk prepare their bodies and barrels for this annual spectacle. The Fling consists of inserting oneself (or two selves) into a spent gin barrel and hurling it down the hill, over a ramp, and into the landing zone. The fastest time in each division wins possession of the "GOLDEN BARREL" or the "DOUBLE BARREL" trophy and bragging rights.

Spoiler ALERT: Chauncey Stovepipe is miraculously alive and well. He is currently living with his mum, his iguana Spencer, and his broom collection in Dorchester. His new podcast, The Dorchester Chowder Report, has gone viral, and he is quite the man about town.

Please enjoy three of Stockton Heath's most charming and relevant podcast offerings (courtesy of the Stockton Heath Podcast Network).

• The Great Personality Pod: Hosted by Sabrina and Konrad. They have never met IRL Until today...
• The Barstool (#BarLife): Hosted by Lina and Clumsy Cassie. The show's slogan is Mix Drinks | Drink Drinks | Spill Drinks | Repeat. Special Appearance by Bob in the corner.
• Healthy Home: Hosted by Laura Richardson and her real-life Cousin Jen. These Cousinprenuers own the local gym and Cousins' Botanicals.

Sponsors include SpeedFriending.com, Blinkers Coffee (ONLY) Shop, Chauncey's Chimneys, Connor's Coopers Cornucopia Fine Barrels, Konrad's Life Insurance, Stockon Heath City Hall, Cousins' Botanicals, the SH Gin Collective, and "WHAMO."

DIRECTOR/CREATOR: Billy Merritt EDITOR/PRODUCER: Hill Kane

CAST:

• Konrad Andrew
• Sabrina Kim Banes
• Amber Bellsdale
• Luke Bovard
• Hill Kane
• Lisa Steckman
• Thea Marie Thorkildsen

Special appearance by BILLY MERRITT as Chauncey Stovepipe.

"Podcast Town" Improv is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

MUSIC: "Memfish" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © "In Slow Motion (Inspiring Ambient Lounge)" | by Soundbay via Pixabay

Production Assistance, Audio Production & Graphics/Art by Hill Kane of Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT" and "The BIT Comedy Network" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. © 2024 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]

In rabbitHOLE's seventh episode, the BIT CREW heads down some interesting holes, including:

• Freddie Mercury + Queen
• Skinny Jeans
• Dancing Raisins Recitals

Katya explains how she grew up in a pop culture void and only recently educated herself on the band Queen and its frontman. The troupe has a lively discussion on who should and should NOT wear skinny jeans. (I was today years old when I learned that women's pockets are smaller than men's pockets.) Amber relives a minor childhood trauma of performing in a dance recital at a county fair dressed as a raisin - except the homemade costumes didn't really look like raisins - and being stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel.

So funny!

APOLOGIES: Madonna, Michael Jackson, NASA, History Teachers, Queen Elizabeth II, the California Dancing Raisins, Bank Robbers, Carnies, Carberators (aka corroborators), Buckingham Palace, the poop emoji, and anyone with extremely long testicles.

Sorry, not sorry: Skinny Jeans and Serial Killers

As always, rabbitHOLE is unscripted and inspired by the CREW's real-life rabbit hole adventures.

If you enjoy rabbitHOLE, follow, rate, and share rabbitHOLE with your friends!

DIRECTOR/CREATOR: Billy Merritt EDITOR/PRODUCER: Hill Kane

CAST:

• Dean Aisles
• Konrad Andrew
• Sabrina Kim Banes
• Amber Bellsdale
• Luke Bovard
• Hill Kane
• Deema Lazar
• Thea Marie Thorkildsen
• Katya Vasilaky
• Flannery Wilson

"rabbitHOLE" Improv is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Production Assistance, Audio Production & Graphics/Art by Hill Kane of Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

MUSIC: "Shark Bait" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller ©

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT" and "The BIT Comedy Network" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt © 2024 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]

Welcome to Pompei, Indiana

As the first anniversary of a life-changing event in Pompei quickly approaches, our town folks are adjusting and carrying on their daily lives as best they can. One constant in their changing world is their passion for podcasts. Three of Pompei's many podcast offerings are featured in episode five of Podcast Town:

• Pompei Film Corner: Hosted by Kyle Dean and Andrew Zimmerman
• Pearls of Pompei (A Knitting Show): Hosted by Katya & Dean
• THE JUICE (Pompei's Community Affairs show that also overs town gossip): Hosted by Amber (Pompei's Vice-Mayor) and Flannery, CGO (Chief Gossip Officer)

The Pompei, Indiana Podcast Network Sponsors Include the First Annual Real Spirit Halloween Festival, Sylvia - of Vesuvius Bakery and Chamber of Commerce member, Sketchy Ink (Total Transparency), Pete's Training Center, Bonnie's Barbershop, the Pompei Police Department and its chief Tony Wilkerson, Sally's Spiritual Training, Dr. Professor Jeeshzch - Metaphysical Machinery, Bobby's Dungeons & Dragons MeetUp, Bob's Spirits/Gin, and APPLE of Pompei/Tim Cook.

We can't tell you anything else without spoiling the main plot twist!

Please enjoy, rate, follow, and share!

I love the Kid's Nat Geo article about Pompei/Vesuvius.

DIRECTOR/CREATOR: Billy Merritt EDITOR/PRODUCER: Hill Kane

CAST:

• Dean Aisles
• Konrad Andrew
• Sabrina Kim Banes
• Amber Bellsdale
• Luke Bovard
• Hill Kane
• Deema Lazar
• Don Slovin
• Thea Marie Thorkildsen
• Katya Vasilaky
• Flannery Wilson

Special appearance by BILLY MERRITT.

"Podcast Town" Improv is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

MUSIC: "Memfish" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller © "In Slow Motion (Inspiring Ambient Lounge)" | by Soundbay via Pixabay

Production Assistance, Audio Production & Graphics/Art by Hill Kane of Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT" and "The BIT Comedy Network" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt. © 2024 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]

This is a BONUS Spooky Season episode of rabbitHOLE.

It's only fitting to start with a cast member's haunting story*. Of course, in proper rabbitHOLE form, the BIT CREW A-Zs it to dead animal furniture.

In episode six, you'll hear about hauntings, signs from beyond the grave, random appearances in rap videos, ironic award show categories, daytime dance clubs, over-caffeinated dates, New Ikea, talking furniture, and approval seeking.

TLDR Version: Always confirm muffin ingredients. IYKYK

As always, rabbitHOLE is unscripted and inspired by the CREW's real-life rabbit hole adventures.

If you enjoy rabbitHOLE, follow, rate, and share rabbitHOLE with your friends!

APOLOGIES: Ikea (yet again), the OSCARS®, the GRAMMYS®, Insane Clown Posse, caffeine, Heinz Ketchup, Belle & Sebastian, IMDb, Sally Field, Basements, Pharrell Williams, Tufted Titmice, Dead Pets, Hill's Dad, Fear Factor, and the Williamsburg Co-op (if there is such a thing).

BONUS NOTE! About Aleister Crowley - by Sabrina Kim Banes

Aleister Crowley was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, writer, and mountaineer who lived from 1875 to 1947. He led the international magical society Ordo Templi Orientis, and his grasp of occult knowledge was second to none. He created his own religion, Thelema, whose teachings are contained in The Book Of the Law — and yes, the Gnostic Mass really does involve consuming trace amounts of bodily fluids.

Crowley's Tarot deck, the Thoth deck, which he co-created with Lady Frieda Harris, is known to this day as one of the most powerful and beautiful in existence.

Nowadays, people remember Crowley as a sort of early 20th-century edgelord who wrote inflammatory poetry and encouraged people to do drugs and have lots of sex. Some say he drove all his partners mad. But his greatest esoteric teaching, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law," continues to endure within occult circles.

If you want to read more about him you should check out Perdurabo: The Life of Aleister Crowley by Richard Kaczynski. Not a reader? You can learn a little about some of the wild hijinks of the OTO's Agape Lodge (and the life of Jack Parsons) from the television series Strange Angel.

All errors included here are the sole responsibility of Sabrina Kim Banes! Thanks for reading, and happy spooky season!

DIRECTOR/CREATOR: Billy MerrittEDITOR/PRODUCER: Hill Kane

CAST:

• Konrad Andrew
• Sabrina Kim Banes
• Amber Bellsdale
• Luke Bovard
• Hill Kane
• Lisa Steckman
• Thea Marie Thorkildsen

"rabbitHOLE" Improv is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Production Assistance, Audio Production & Graphics/Art by Hill Kane of Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

MUSIC: "Shark Bait" performed by Little Kahunas | Produced by Peter Miller ©

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

Legal Notices:

"The BIT" and "The BIT Comedy Network" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt © 2024 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved Inquiries + Notices + Requests: [email protected]