Shows
Ian Talks ComedyJon Beckerman (Late Night / Show with David Letterman; Dinner with the Parents)
Jon Beckerman joins me to discuss watching the UK "Friday Night Dinner" and adapting it for the US; Three's Company; writing farce; Michael Watkins; casting Carol Kane; Dayenu scene; playing full contact Jeopardy; Julia Louis Dreyfus gives helpful note on the DL; growing up near Mr. Rogers; writing for the Harvard Lampoon; getting on as an artist; writing on a pilot called Dirty Laundry; writing Harvard Education in a Book; Michael Ian Black; being Paul Sims guest for the Late Night 10th Anniversary special and writing there in less than six months; getting his packet to Steve O'Donnell; being...2024-10-261h 06Ian Talks ComedyDave Hackel (creator, Becker; Dear John, Wings)Dave Hackel joined me to discuss growing up in Delaware, Ohio; being kept busy by TV; working in radio at 14; doing everything for a cable channel in Columbus for three years; moving to LA and getting a job that supplied prizes for game shows; Turtle wax; writing in the same building as game show writers; getting first break, on Fish; working with Abe Vigoda; getting staff jobs on Shirley, a Shirley Jones sitcom; writing the made-for-TV movie, The Great American Traffic Jam; writing a Love Boat; Harper Valley PTA; 9 to 5 and meeting with April Kelley; doing Webster and working...2024-06-151h 14Ian Talks ComedyIan Gurvitz (Wings, Becker, author Dumbf*ckistan)Ian Gurvitz joined me to discuss the derivation of his name; growing up in Plainview; TV he watched including Laugh-In and Batman; William Daniels; going to Ithaca College; moving to NYC and writing for comics; getting hired to write for short lived sitcom A Fine Romance; selling a Wonder Years; writing The Great TV and Movie Quizbook; creating Normal Life with Moon Unit and Dweezil Zappa; writing a Get a Life; creating Charlie Hoover; paying "Where's Sam?"; inspired by a Married with Children episode; joining Wings for a a six week tryout and lasting 6 years; how The Contest episode...2024-06-0148 minIan Talks ComedyAlexa Fermaglich, 3 Years LaterWhen I started this podcast in 2020, my then eight year old daughter joined me to talk about her life. Now three years later, she rejoins me to discuss favorite TV shows, music, Youtube, school subjects, her dog, boys and more. Plus she performs Beethoven's Ode to Joy.2023-05-1332 minIan Talks ComedyBengoraphobia Pilotwritten by Ian Fermaglich
cast: Ben Rosenfeld / waiter..........................Dylan Gottesman www.backstage.com/tal/dylan-gottesman dylangottesman@gmail.com Ashley Martinez / Sophie / Mary ......... Phoenix Loudermilk www.backstage.com/tal/phoenix-ever ever Gary Rosenfeld / Todd..........................Randall Lakefish Stage Directions...................................Ian Fermaglich
Special Thanks to Kevin Kelton, Stu Kreisman, Tom Ruprecht, and Sam Sandora2022-09-1226 min
Ian Talks ComedyLowell GanzLowell Ganz joined me to discuss how watching classic sitcoms was his "college"; his parents reaction to his constant TV watching; meeting Mark Rothman; Mark Rothman's dad giving a script they wrote to Jack Klugman and Tony Randall who gave it to Garry Marshall; getting hired, fired and rehired by The Odd Couple; "The Ides of April" and "Fear of Flying"; moving to Happy Days; writing the experimental three camera episode "Fonzie Gets Married"; going to # 1; introducing Laverne & Shirley; not realizing these characters could be spun off; test pilot scene; favorite episodes; meeting Michael McKean and David L. Lander...2021-12-112h 05Ian Talks ComedyArnold MargolinArnold Margolin joined me to discuss his upbringing; favorite radio shows; first time watching TV; working as an office boy on Broadway; being an understudy in a William Saroyan play and going on; Garson Kanin offering him a role in the original Diary of Anne Frank; moving to LA; Garry Marshall offers him a job and a partner; My Mother the Car; Hey Landlord; Andy Griffith Show; He & She; writing Disney movies; Love, American Style; Star Spangled Girl; writing an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show which was a backdoor pilot for Bill Dailey; a pilot with Don...2021-12-031h 09Ian Talks ComedyJohn RoarkeJohn Roarke and I discussed early impressionists; Vaughn Meader; audio taping impressions off TV; his stand up act; old vs. young Groucho; getting Fridays; playing Woody Allen in his first sketch; how voices stay in your head and supplant your voice; "Diner of the Living Dead"; "Brotherhood of Men Who Hum Between Words"; his Reagan; Johnny Carson wants his wig when Fridays is cancelled; Three Stooges on Drugs; "A Night in Teheran"; "Road to El Salvador"; "Star Wars Memories"; musical guests; Peter Fonda; Ruth Buzzi; guest hosts; having enough material to withstand the 1981 writer's strike; Dick Ebersol tries to...2021-11-251h 00Ian Talks ComedyBruce Kirschbaum Part IIBruce talks about working with Bob Odenkirk; the agony of writing (and getting credit for) Back to the Beach; Frankie Avalon; pitching for Seinfeld and Larry David; working at Seinfeld; coming up with the idea that George Costanza would work for the Yankees; and connecting the dots that lead to Curb Your Enthusiasm`2021-11-191h 13Ian Talks ComedyShelly ZellmanShelly Zellman joined me to talk about being influenced by The Mary Tyler Moore Show; writing for Donny & Marie; James at 16; Baby I'm Back; Barney Miller; the episode "The Harris Incident"; Jack Soo; When the Whistle Blows; Semi-Tough; It's a Living; Three's Company; John Ritter; Don Knotts; Nichols, Ross, & West; Jeffrey Tambor; Charles in Charge; Eisenhower & Lutz; FM' Allan Burns; Newhart; Ann Jillian Show; Dear John; William Sanderson's good luck charm; Bob Newhart & John Ritter; Don Rickles2021-11-1233 minIan Talks ComedyBob Tischler - Saturday Night Live (producer / head writer 1981 - 1985); Boy Meets World (show runner 1997 - 2000)must edit2021-11-051h 08Ian Talks ComedyFred Fox, Jr.Fred Fox Jr. joined me to discuss his father, comedy writer Fred S. Fox; Bob Hope; working for Hertz; writing a spec All in the Family with Garry Shandling; working as a writer's apprentice on Laverne & Shirley; leaving for Happy Days; specific episodes: "A Shot in the Dark", "Hollywood Part III (The Jump the Shark episode)", "Potsie Gets Pinned", "Kid Stuff", "Mechanic", acting in "Stolen Melodies", "Hot Stuff"; Henry Winkler growing a beard over the summer; "RC & LB Forever", "A Little Case of Revenge" (Tom Hanks v. Fonz); "Welcome Home", and "Passages, Part II" (final episode); writing for Presenting...2021-10-2948 minIan Talks ComedyEd ScharlachEd Scharlach joined me to talk about his sixty plus years in show business telling stories about his stepfather Harry Crane; being Jerry Lewis' assistant, writing a spec Honeymooners at 14; Please Don't Eat the Daisies; That Girl; Hey, Landlord; Captain Nice; Good Morning, World; The Ghost & Mrs. Muir; The Dean Martin Show; Odd Couple; Love, American Style; Happy Days; Chico & The Man; 3 Girls 3; Bob Hope; Mork & Mindy "Mork's Mixed Emotions", "The Night They Raided Minski's"' Tom Poston; Tom Sullivan; Lewis & Clark; George Burns Comedy Week; meeting his wife; Robert Mitchum; Duckman; Scooby Doo; his memoir; Starring!
2021-10-2257 minIan Talks ComedyBarry Rubinowitz (Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Taxi)Barry Rubinowitz joined me to discuss his comedy influences; writing a sketch for a competition with Lowell Ganz and Mark Rothman; being brought out by them to Hollywood; his first Happy Days; how the change from one to three camera affected the show; his episode "Tall Story"; writing for Laverne & Shirley; his favorite episode "Bachelor Mothers"; change of the Laverne & Shirley characters when they got their spinoff; Busting Loose; The Ted Knight Show; difference in professionalism between Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley; "Ah Wilderness" (HD episode); his Taxi episode "The Apartment"; Down to Earth; creating the Sanchez rule for...2021-10-1558 minIan Talks ComedyEva AlmosEva Almos joined me to discuss TV she watched growing up; starting voice over in Canadian radio; Rick Moranis; loving voice acting the best; re-writing a line on an audition; moving to L.A. for voice overs; studying writing with Ed Scharlach and becoming his partner; Night Heat; Tony Roasto; ALF; creating a voice; Donita Donata; Swamp Thing; Larry Sanders Show; Duckman - Jason Alexander; Secret Service Guy; Michael McKean; An American in Canada; The Blobheads; Howard Busgang; What's New Scooby Doo; Uncle Joe's Cartoon Show; mentoring future animated writers and actors; taping animated programs is better in a...2021-10-1149 minIan Talks ComedyFred GraverFred Graver joined me to talk about tricking his parents into watching more TV; The Dick Van Dyke Show; going to Notre Dame; getting a job as a typist at National Lampoon; getting hired on Late Night with David Letterman; Merrill Markoe; William Wegman; 360 degree show; writing the Top 10 List; Chris Elliot; remotes; Arnie Barnes; Airplane Anniversary Show; meeting Pete Townshend; best guests; Harvey Pekar; Crispin Glover; Sonny & Cher; working for Norman Lear on Sunday Dinner; getting hired for In Living Color; writing a Hey Mon!; writing Men on Film; Jim Carrey; writing and shooting the episodes; Super Bowl H...2021-10-0850 minIan Talks ComedyMert Rich (SCTV, Cheers)Mert Rich joined me to talk about his Emmys; growing up in Detroit; Soupy Sales; Bill Kennedy; Milton Berle; Jackie Gleason; Carl Reiner; being in one of the last Bob Newhart Shows and meeting Mary Tyler Moore at the wrap-up party; Wayne State; going into advertising; joining Second City; doing industrial films with Steven Kampmann; 1/2 Hour Comedy Hour; side jobs; auditioned for Taxi; doing a Quincy; joining SCTV Network 90; being a Juul Haalamayer Dancer; Jake LaMotta's Raging Bull BBQ; Dr. Tongue's 3D House of Beef; meeting partner Brian Pollack at the Hollywood Square - Match Game Hour; writing a...2021-10-011h 25Ian Talks ComedyRon JamesCanadian treasure Ron James talked to me about coming to L.A.; becoming a stand up comedian; Second City cast mates; My Talk Show; Bob Tischler; Texas; George Carlin; Richard Pryor; John Cleese; having funny friends; getting advice from Lorne Michaels; Americas influence in his Canadian childhood; Nova Scotia; opening for the Martin Scorcese SCTV reunion; corporate gigs; tough crowds in Alberta; guns; January 6th; Justin Trudeau; clean water on Canadian Native American reservations; Robin Duke; knowing a show is not going well by caterer and guest stars; Chubby Checker; a bad gig in Cancun; The Bear Pit in Ed...2021-09-251h 02Ian Talks ComedyRon OsbornRon Osborn joined me to discuss his childhood as a horror fan; Art Center College of Design; giving blood for a living; meeting Jeff Reno; getting the job on Mork & Mindy and throwing up every morning; pitching stories; writing 12 Angry Appliances; 17 writers in the writers room but Robin gets credit for ad-libbing series; Robin never forgetting a joke; a typical week at Mork; Tom Poston; Too Close for Comfort; youngest writers on a staff of 6; Ted Knight; my favorite episode of Too Close; ABC tries to hip it up; Jm J. Bullock; Audrey Meadows; freelancing a Silver Spoons; Goodnight B...2021-09-241h 42Ian Talks ComedyMarc SotkinMarc Sotkin and I discuss his books The Comatose Adventures of Lenny Rose and With Time Off for Bad Behavior; the final season of Laverne & Shirley; Larry Breeding; coming to LA and joining the Off the Wall comedy troupe; getting hired for Sirota's Court and moving to Laverne & Shirley; Phil Foster; Blansky's Beauties; Working Stiffs; I'm A Big Girl Now; working with Danny Thomas; having a bit part on Laverne & Shirley; writing two specials with Garry Shandling; It's A Living; Ann Jillian; Crystal Bernard; Sheryl Lee Ralph; how not gelling with Bill Maher on a pilot script led to get...2021-09-171h 26Ian Talks ComedyEllen FoleyEllen Foley discusses her early career; The National Lampoon Show; Jim Steinman; Paradise by the Dashboard Light; 3 Girls 3; Hair; Night Out; Kenny Everrett Video Show; Spirit of St. Louis; Tootsie; Night Court; Married to the Mob; teaching in the School of Rock; and her new album, Fighting Words.
PS: Sorry for the interference on Ms. Foley's IPhone.2021-09-1631 minIan Talks ComedyPatrick Hasbrugh (creator of Hardcastle and McCormick and 21 Jump Street)Patrick Harburgh talks about his upbringing in Buffalo' being a ski instructor in Aspen; learn how to write a script; getting hired on Greatest American Hero; creating the character name BA Baracus for the A-Team; creating Hardcastle and McCormick, Destination America; 21 Jump Street (tv and movies); working with young Johnny Depp, George Clooney and Brad Pitt; Aspen Extreme; Sea Quest; The Net; his two books Aspen Pulp and Pirata; not knowing who Steven J. Cannell was when he hired him; 2021-09-1058 minIan Talks ComedyDean FriedmanDean Friedman joined me to discuss his musical influences; "Ariel"; "Company"; "Lucky Stars"; "S & M"; "McDonald's Girl"; "Hey Larry"; Complete Guide to Synthesizers, Sequencers, and Drum Machines; virtual reality; creating the game Eat-A-Bug and 12 others for Nick Arcade; doing the scores for the UK TV show Boon, I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle, and Eerie Indiana; "Son of Abraham"; crowd-sourcing albums; making money in the music industry; "The Bastard Son of Dean Friedman" and "A Baker's Tale; playing music with your children; All request Zoom concerts; 2021-09-0348 minIan Talks ComedyDennis Danziger ("Taxi", "Kate & Allie", "A Short History of the Tall Jew")Dennis Danziger discusses when he went one on one against Kobe Bryant; studying play writing in the University of Texas at Austin; moving to NY; being a sports junkie; writing an episode of The White Shadow; not remembering Open All Night; how a one act play with Rhea Perlman led to a job on Taxi; writing a pilot After George for Susan St. James; writing an episode of Empire; Kate & Allie; Homeland; and Foley Square; writing a Melba; the unorthodox story of "Daddy, Diary of an Expectant Father"; writing for My Sister Sam and the People Next Door; Antonio Sac...2021-08-2755 minIan Talks ComedyChris Butler of the WaitressesChris Butler joined me to talk about Devil's Glitch, the world's longest song; seeing The Who on Shindig changing his life; how Broadway showtunes showed him how to write a song; being in an integrated band in the 1960's; going to Kent State; The Kent State Massacre; playing college clubs; 3 one hour sets anight; being friends with Devo, Joe Walsh, and Terry & Chrissy Hynde; writing "I Know What Boys Like" as a member of Tin Huey; recording "I Know What Boys Like"; touring; "Christmas Wrapping" and its surprise success; reacting to reaction videos of "I Know What Boys Like" a...2021-08-201h 34Ian Talks ComedyJay KogenJay Kogen joined me to discuss his father comedy writer Arnie Kogen; making his TV debut on the Dean Martin Show; apearances on The Bob Newhart Show & Newhart; being a recurring character on The Bronx Zoo; being a production assistant on It's Garry Shandling Show with writing partner Wallace Woolodarsky; pitching sketches for The Tracey Ullman Show; he and Wally get hired for The Simpsons; writing "Homer's Odyssey"; how "Krusty Gets Busted" had to have a good mystery; the first "Treehouse of Horror"; watching the Simpsons now; George Meyers; Audrey Meadows; writing "Like Father, Like Clown" for Jackie Mason; crea...2021-08-131h 03Ian Talks ComedyShelly Clark White of Honey ConeShelly Clark White joined me to talk about her musical parents; being on Broadway at 7; touring with Cab Calloway; studying opera; being an Ikette; working for Little Richard; singing backup on "MacArthur Park" and with Dusty Springfield; the origins of Honey Cone; hedging her bet by joining the Jim Nabors Show; "Want Ads" goes to #1; Ray Parker Jr.; performing on the first episode of Soul Train; singing with George Burns on The Tonight Show; performing on Sonny & Cher; Hot City; meeting and eventually marrying her husband Verdine White of Earth, Wind and Fire; working for Eddie Murphy Productions of t...2021-08-0652 minIan Talks ComedyBruce Kirschbaum Part IBruce joins me to talk about the beginning of his career writing for "Donny & Marie" and "Fridays" as well as being head writer for "The Ben Stiller Show"2021-07-302h 49Ian Talks ComedyBobby RydellBobby Rydell joined me to talk about being from Philadelphia; Kissin' Time; Wild One; reaction videos; Perry Como; his and the other Golden Boys of Bandstands affect on women; The Ed Sullivan Show; A World without Love; Bye, Bye, Birdie; Australia; impressions; George Burns; Sammy Davis Jr.; Michael Buble; My Way; The Great American Songbook; Buddy Rich; Dick Clark; touring after COVID; his near death experience; and singing Happy Mothers Day to You to my mom.
Note - Unfortunately, Mr. Rydell's mike cut in and out during the beginning and end of the interview.
For his...2021-07-2345 minIan Talks ComedyHoward GewirtzHoward Gewirtz joined me to talk about his name; Oliver Beene; growing up in Rego Park, NY; working for the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's television station; writing a spec script for a George Carlin sitcom; writing for Busting Loose; We're on Our Own; Co-Ed Fever; writing a spec script for Taxi and getting hired; Taxi episode "Shut it Down Part I & II"; writing a Three's Company; writing for Latka; Mr. Personalities; using a UCLA psychologist for research and getting Dr. Joyce Brothers to play the psychologist; casting his and Ian Praiser's mothers in "Sceneskees from a Marriage"; his favorite Latka epi...2021-07-171h 40Ian Talks ComedyAl JeanSimpsons legend Al Jean joined me to talk about Get Smart; his submission for the Harvard Lampoon; getting hired to the National Lampoon; Airplane II; Not Necessarily the News; writing for The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; Carnac jokes; bitch McNuggets; Charles in Charge; the dangers of being on Alf; Sledge Hammer; It's Garry Shandling's Show; getting hired on The Simpsons; the "classic" writers room; becoming show runner in season 3; episodes: The Way We Was; Uncut Femmes; Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington; Tell-Tale Head; Lisa's Sax; hot water heaters; being renewed for season 33 & 34; Daddicus Finch; Homer;'s Barbershop Quarter; the...2021-07-0941 minIan Talks ComedyStacey NelkinStacey Nelkin joined me to talk about her upbringing; Stuyvesant High School; being cut from Annie Hall, Celebrity, and Deconstructing Harry; Bullets Over Broadway; CHiPS; Like Mom, Like Me; Triangle Factory Fire Scandal; The Chisholms; California Dreaming; The Last Convertible; Serial; Martin Mull & Bill Macy; Up the Academy; Children of Divorce; Wonderful World of Disney; John Putch; her talent with dialects and languages; Going Ape!; Jessica Walter (who passed away the day before); Halloween III: Season of the Witch; Yellowbeard; dating Peter Cook; getting propositioned by David Bowie; Sunset Limousine; hanging out with John Ritter, Paul Reiser, and Martin Shor...2021-07-0257 minIan Talks ComedyCarmen Finestra"Cosby Show" producer and "Home Improvement" creator Carmen Finestra joined me to talk about his comedy upbringing; his first job filling in for Herve Villechaize; Joe Cates; making funny fire warnings; Johnny Cash & Friends; his first sketch is ruined when Johnny reads the cue cards wrong; meeting Steve Martin & Jim Varney; Sha Na Na; Chico & The Man; The Harvey Korman Show; Joe & Valerie; Mel & Susan Together; The King of Kensington; The Love Boat residuals; working with Johnny Cash & Andy Kaufman; Good Times; Highcliffe Manor; writing with Steve Martin & Jack Handy; Angie; Hank Aaron; Ladies Man; Harvey Miller; Twilight Theater; Pa...2021-06-251h 56Ian Talks ComedyMark BrazillMark joined me to discuss Al Franken; growing up in Buffalo; moving to LA; quitting his day job; his stand up material; meeting Dennis Miller; how finding your voice is difficult when you're writing for someone else; getting The Dennis Miller Show; Bob Odenkirk; Mum & Shanz; Herb Sargent; being brought on to The Chevy Chase Show; Chevy farts on FOX execs; performing in front of 12 people including Richard Lewis & Albert Brooks;his SNL showcase; his parents take on his material; screwing with Adam Sandler right before he was to go on; helping Will Forte out of his contract to...2021-06-181h 50Ian Talks ComedyRich Halke & William Lucas WalkerRich Halke and William Lucas Walker joined me to talk about their influences (William - Dick Van Dyke & Gilligan's Island and Rich HBO Comedy Hours); family members and friends who are funnier than you; Rich Rosenstock; David Lloyd & Jay Sandrich; how writing for The Jackie Thomas Show got William a job on Roseanne; Norm MacDonald; the Gilligans Island - Roseanne mash up; starting Sundays at 7; Rich meets Carmen Finestra; Eddie Maxwell; Fred Fox Sr,; George Balzer; Sidney Resnick and the importance of family; bringing a baby to the Friars Club; Leonard Stern; Carl Reiner tells many stories, one about...2021-06-112h 35Ian Talks ComedyVic KaplanVic Kaplan joined me to talk about going to NYU, working at World News Tonight, Three's Company pilot; Dick Clark Live Wednesday; Fridays; producing stand up specials for Billy Crystal, Garry Shandling, and Robin Williams; It's Garry Shandling Show; Out of this World; doing comedy specials with Harry Anderson, Dennis Miller, Richard Lewis & Penn & Teller; Lookwell; Roc; Get Smart '95; joining Ellen for the Puppy Episode, working with Mary Tyler Moore, Ron White, and Louis CK; KC Undercover2021-06-0457 minIan Talks ComedySNL writers David Mandel, Lew Morton, and Steve KorenSNL writers David Mandel, Lew Morton, and Steve Koren joined SNL archivist James Stephens and myself to discuss being the SNL era wrote about least; Al Franken mentoring Dave; learning how much politics to put in a sketch; Ross Perot; Steve Koren's progression to writer; Morwenna Banks; being in a sketch with Bill Murray; Honker meets Canteen Boy; Farley writes a sketch; Lunch Lady Land; being an extra in a monologue; NBA sketch with Martin Lawrence; Red Hooded Sweatshirt; Joe Dicso; February 1993 star-studded lineups; sneaking into Paul McCartney's rehearsal; Herb Sargent; Weekend Update writing breakfast; Norm MacDonald; Jim Downey; S...2021-05-282h 19Ian Talks ComedyCarl GottliebCarl Gottlieb spoke to me about childhood radio and TV memories; growing up in post WWII Manhattan; going to Syracuse University with Larry Hankin and Frank Langella; joining the Committee; making A Session with the Committee; writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour; winning the Emmy for a great sketch involving David Frye and Liberace; Music Scene with Groucho Marx; The Ken Berry WOW show; Flip Wilson specials; writing commercial parodies for the first three SNL's; Sammy & Company; The Absent Minded Waiter gets Carl an Oscar nomination; The Jerk; Mork & Mindy; Dr. Detroit; working with Dan Aykroyd and Howard H...2021-05-221h 01Ian Talks ComedyMichael EliasActor, writer, producer, comedian Michael Elias joined me to discuss his new book, You Can Go Now; his fifty year friendship with Steve Martin; collaborating on Steve's stand up act and The Jerk; how Mike Nichols was supposed to direct The Jerk; how Carl Reiner changed The Jerk; Steves ad libs; Bernadette Peters; Bill Macy; a cut scene; childhood watching TV through a shop window; working as a busboy in the Catskills in the summer; forming a comedy team with Frank Shaw; appearing with The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; how that shot got him a writing job; appearing o...2021-05-141h 18Ian Talks ComedySean KellySean Kelly talked with me about Between the Lions; comic books; radio comedy; being on early TV in Canada and making him jaded to TV; being on Saturday Night Live for two weeks; Jean Doumanian; Michel Choquette getting him on the Lampoon; Bruce McCall; Canada: The Re&$2!&! Neighbor on Your Doorstep; Beaverton: Canada's humor magazine; Canadian jokes; Son O'God Comix; Zimmerman; his son, writer Chris Kelly; Matty Simmons believing tits sell magazines; National Lampoon Radio Hour; John Belushi, Brian McConnachie, George Trow, and Christopher Guest join the Radio Hour; Well Intentioned Blues; writing Lemmings with Tony Hendra; hiring Chevy C...2021-05-071h 21Ian Talks ComedyAndy BreckmanAndy Breckman joined me to guess whether I was a vaginal of Casearean birth; his early childhood; only being allowed to watch one show a week on TV; realizing re never had to go to school again and leaving BU; going to LA and becoming a funny folk singer; transitioning into writing; Kevin Kelton;writing Hot Hero Sandwich; being turned down by SNL in 1980; how the SNL audition packet got him the attention of Merrill Markoe; pulling an all-nighter for his Letterman packet; going through his 13 week cycle without getting anything on the air; first joke that got on L...2021-04-301h 20Ian Talks ComedyDenny JohnstonDenny Johnston joined me to talk about starting out as a folk singer; writing his first act; early insights on Letterman, Robin Williams, and Michael Keaton; The Merv Griffin Show; him doing the funniest thing I ever saw on panel on The Jim Nabors Show; getting on The Tonight Show but not with Johnny; Chevy Chase & Friends; All Commercials . . .A Steve Martin Special; Dirty Dirty Jokes; retiring from stand up and the Moderna vaccine2021-04-2339 minIan Talks ComedySNL Unit Manager Patty MacDougall (1978 - 1990)must edit2021-04-1643 minIan Talks ComedyBob UnderwoodBob joined me to talk about his favorite TV shows growing up; not being a TV addict; USF leading to a job in news, The Guiding Light, working at Radio City Music Hall; writing a telenovela in Mexico; Night Court: writing the episodes "Death of A Bailiff" and "Hart of Stone", writing for Roz, Dan Fielding, John Astin (Buddy) and Will Utay; writing the episode "Crossroads"; writing of Good & Evil; how thirteen episodes were written and only 11 filmed; how Mark Blankfield's character angered the sightless; how comedy can hit close to home; working with Don Rickles on Daddy Dearest...2021-04-091h 01Ian Talks ComedyDan VitaleDan Vitale joined me and discussed social media presence; attention he got from Marc Maron's podcast; Lorne Michaels seeing him; his audition for The New Show; his fluctuating weight from 1986 - 1991; Cobra Kai; streaming services give more content; Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Bill Burr & Louis CK; being Lorne Michaels protege; being funnier now than when he was "hot" in the '80's because he's off alcohol and drugs and older; being listed above Norm MacDonald as a SNL cast member in Rolling Stone; growing up in Island Park, Long Island; other famous Island Park residents including Al D'Amato and the...2021-04-022h 13Ian Talks ComedyEntertainer and host of the Carson Podcast, Mark MalkoffEntertainer, comedian, and podcaster Mark Malkoff joined me to talk his early influences; Norm Macdonald; Andy Kaufman; our fanaticism for Saturday Night Live; being in the audience for Letterman and Conan; Don Novello; Carl Reiner; Mel Brooks; Biff Henderson; working for the Late Show with David Letterman; Donick Cary; the trials of being head writer; Rich Hall; guests he's still working on; Dyan Cannon and Angie Dickinson; how he does a family friendly podcast; the work that goes into his show; being ghosted by a guest; how you never know why a guest can't make it, the "Will Ferrell c...2021-03-261h 13Ian Talks ComedyComedy publicist , author, and archivist Jeff AbrahamJeff Abraham talked to me about the clients he had as a comedy publicist including The Amazing Jonathan, Pam Stone, Jeff Foxworthy, George Carlin, David Brenner, Andrew "Dice" Clay, Bill Maher and George Lopez; His book The Show Won't Go On - which chronicles the deaths of performers onstage including J.I. Rodale, Dick Shawn, and Parkyakarkus, The National Comedy Center, and his upcoming book on the Ritz Brothers.2021-03-191h 21Ian Talks ComedyCrossover with Where Nobody Knows Your Name, a Cheers PodcastWe discuss Cheers using the perspective of two guys from the UK who were just born when it went of the air and me, a guy who watched it from when he was eight until it ended when he was fifteen.2021-03-1541 minIan Talks ComedyActor, Playwright, and star of "Say Goodnight Gracie" Alan SafierAlan Safier joined me and we discussed the things we have in common; his first exposure to theater in kindergarten ; his 4th grade play; a summer camp play; Ohio University; his performance in the 30th anniversary of New Faces of 1952; working with Eartha Kitt; starring in Stop the World, I Want to Get Off with 10 year old Rob Lowe; playing John Adams in 1776; performing in Merchant of Venice and Romeo & Juliet; playing Charles Guitenau in Assassins; doing West Side Story with Tony Dow and Barrie Youngfellow; tying James Whitmore for most consecutive one man shows with three: Say Goodnight G...2021-03-121h 09Ian Talks ComedyDennis Perrin, author of Mr. MikeDennis joined me to talk about books he didn't write, the first time he watched SNL, Dan Aykroyd and the Blog Diet sketch; his sketch group Kamikaze Radio; seeing Mr. Mike and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; the Brer Rabbit Mr. Mike sketch; Michael O'Donoghue's third season; Attack of the Atomic Lobsters; Mr. Mike's Mondo Video; Hugh Fink; Mr. Mike returns for SNL's 7th season; Dennis has Michael O'Donoghue's files; At Home with the Psychos; Fridays and how hard it is to find cast members; Rich Hall; The New Show2021-03-051h 11Ian Talks ComedyDennis BlairDennis Blair joined me to talk about originally being a musician; his love for Steve Martin; the first time he got laughs at a gig; auditioning at Dangerfield's; opening for Rodney; writing two specials with him; helping to write Easy Money; his fallout with Rodney; starting to open for Joan Rivers; working with Garry Shandling; getting back in Rodney's graces to be in Rover Dangerfield; what to do if an audience member picks an obscure singer; what to do if a "crap" song is picked; bombing; improvising a whole show; his month long slump while opening for Carlin; Carlin...2021-02-261h 00Ian Talks ComedyDonick CaryDonick Cary joined me to talk about interning and then writing (and head writing) Late Night / The Late Show with David Letterman, his character A Guy in a Bear Suit, working with Mujibur and Sirajul and Rupert Jee; The Simpsons, writing D'ohing in the Wind, The Last Temptation of Krust; producing and writing The New Girl, Parks and Rec, and A.P. Bio2021-02-1953 minIan Talks ComedyAllan HaveyAllan Havey joined me to talk about early comedy influence; studying drama in college; coming to New York as part of a comedy team; doing stand up in New York at the time of the comedy boom; The New Show; Young Comedians; doing David Letterman; Night after Night; HBO's One Night Stand; the success of Jerry Seinfeld & Larry David; Louie; Mad Men, and Billions2021-02-1234 minIan Talks ComedySNL Superfan William HamWilliam Ham joined me to talk about Mad magazine; his 1st SNL; Chevy Chase; George Carlin; our SNL streaks; Fridays is the Cracked to SNL's Mad; SCTV; favorite SNL writers Michael O'Donoghue, Marilyn Suzanne Miller and Tom Schiller; Dan & Peter Aykroyd; Bill Murray; Phil Hartman; Dana Carvey; Eddie Murphy; Bill Hader; Will Ferrell; Jane Curtin; Gilda Radner; Joulia Louis-Dreyfus; Jan Hooks; Ana Gasteyer; Harry Shearer; Richard Belzer; Christine Ebersole; favorite episodes; least favorite episodes; favorite and least favorite characters; musical guests2021-02-121h 32Ian Talks ComedyRobin DukeRobin Duke joins me to discuss how her friendship with Catherine O'Hara led to her career in comedy; getting into Second City; SCTV - her characters Edna Hydecker, Mollie Earle and Shelley Winters; getting SNL when Catherine O'Hara bowed out; her first episode before and after the writers strike; Paulette Clooney, "Be a Ho", "Mrs. T", The Girls of Saturday Night Live; the PTSD of SNL; her Christmas Bonus courtesy of Michael O'Donoghue; Hairem Scarem; JFK sketch; The Last Polka; Club Paradise; Harold Ramis; Man Seeking Woman; Schlitt's Creek2021-02-051h 19Ian Talks ComedyMary GrossThe delightful Mary Gross talks about her love for Carol Burnett; her high school history club musical with Marilu Henner; attending improv classes; getting on main stage at Second City; working with Sid Caesar; Nuns on the Beach; hosting SNL Newsbreak; Marilyn Monroe singing Downers Are a Girls Best Friend; At Home with the Psychos; the Christmas bonus that wasn't, Spitting Mad Mary Gross; Dr. Ruth; playing Mary Tyler Moore in three different sketches; The Girls of Saturday Night Live; playing Pee Wee Herman; being a guest on the Tonight Show. (Some audio was "crunched" and portions had to be...2021-01-291h 49Ian Talks ComedySpecial Crossover Edition with Jon Schneider of SNL StatsJon and I meet to discuss all things SNL on this special episode.2021-01-261h 42Ian Talks ComedyNeil LevyNeil Levy talks abut getting the job on SNL as its 1st PA; smoking extremely strong pot; the generosity of Dan Aykroyd; the first show; George Carlin's monologue; Jane Crowley, the censor; being an extra in a jury sketch; meeting President Ford; booking Miles Davis; Frank Zappa; Louise Lasser; injuring himself as an extra in a sketch; being a Killer Bee with Elliot Gould; writing the promos, coming up next and audience captions; impressing Mr. Mike with a sketch; being a writer on the third season; Funeral Magician; booking and un-booking Carroll O'Connor; Yvonne Hudson; Paul Reubens 1979 audition; finding...2021-01-221h 22Ian Talks ComedyTom LeopoldActor-comedy writer-composer Tom Leopold2021-01-151h 08Ian Talks ComedyCraig Richard NelsonCraig Richard Nelson joined me to talk about his movie debut in The Paper Chase; Blood Sport; Marty Hartman, Mary Hartman; Maude; Fernwood Tonight; Stick Around; Barney Miller; Square Pegs; working in 3 Robert Altman movies; Night Court; Get a Life; Another You, and Stark Trek2021-01-081h 09Ian Talks ComedyKen ReidKen Reid, host of the podcast TV Guidance Counselor, discusses the origin of his podcast; his theme song; childhood fears of the Incredible Hulk and Mr. Bill; meeting the original Not Ready for Prime Time players; SCTV; Fridays; New York / Massachusetts; WPIX; WSBK; Gimme A Break; and a lot more2020-12-301h 24Ian Talks ComedyHugh FinkComedy great Hugh Fink joined me to discuss his comedy act; Silent Night Deadly Night 4; being on the last Rodney Dangerfield Special; getting SNL and writing Spade in America; working with Norm Macdonald on the Larry King sketches; sketches he's proud of; working with Tracey Morgan; his Comedy Central Present special; getting heckled by David Wells; being head writer of Late Show with Craig Ferguson; his course for aspiring sketch writers; trying to get O.J. Simpson as a correspondent for The Showbiz Show with David Spade; Parental Discretion with Stefanie Wilder-Taylor; and his current endeavor, writing sketches for...2020-12-2357 minIan Talks ComedyLeonard RippsLeonard "Lenny" Rips joined me to talk about comedy as self defense; Joan Rivers giving him his first break; The Mac Davis Show; George Burns; Van Dyke & Company; Bob Einstein; Andy Kaufman; Redd Foxx; Star Wars Holiday Show; Angie; Goodtime Girls; Bosom Buddies; Rodney Dangerfield; 13 13th Avenue, Frankenweenie; What A Country; Full House; Top of the Heap; Me and the Boys; Can't Hurry Love; Blues Brothers Animated Series; Payne; Fast Food Films; The Lot; Holland Taylor; I'm With Her; the generosity of Joan Rivers2020-12-1854 minIan Talks ComedyBobby LoganBobby and I discuss his formative years; 60's TV; winning Best Actor for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; Smokey Bites the Dust; Laugh Trax; The New Battlestars; 1/2 Hour Comedy Hour; Joan Collins; Jan Hooks; Dick Clark; Real Trivial Pursuit; Ted Knight and the fart machine; Dennis the Menace and being friends with Phil Hartman; The New Truth or Consequences; Up Your Alley; The Gong Show; Murray Langston; Linda Blair; the making and killing of Repossessed; Meatballs 4 and the tragedy of Jack Nance; Count deClues Mystery Castle; Mr. Logan's current project- the biography of Rollen Fredrick Stewart, 1 Day $99 Film S...2020-12-111h 09Ian Talks ComedyKevin KeltonKevin and I discuss Face the Music; Fridays; Twilight Theater; Laugh Trax; No Soap, Radio; The Jeffersons; getting SNL; Eddie Murphy's showcase; getting stuff on his second show; Subliminal Advertising Sketch, Lie Detector Sketch; Chess Club Coach sketch; Trivial Pursuit sketch; being locked in Dick Ebersol's office to write Eddie Murphy's Christmas 1984 show; Christopher Guest Auctioneer Sketch, I Am Also the World, Prison Rape Sketch; Women in Prison tv show; Night Court and favorite episodes; Boy Meets World and the genius of Will Freidle; Townsend TV; Boogies Diner; Girlfriend Guy; BIFL; and what he's doing now.2020-12-041h 35Ian Talks ComedyPhil Proctor of Firesign TheaterPhil Proctor joined me to discuss his Amish roots; being a young actor; hanging with Brandon deWilde and Peter Fonda; reuniting with Peter Bergman; joining Radio Free Oz, Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him; Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers; , I Think We're All Bozos On This Bus; having Steve Jobs as a fan' and his friendships with Harry Anderson, Fred Willard, and Jonathan Winters.
Links
Phil's autobiography https://www.amazon.com/Wheres-Fortune-Cookie-Phil-Proctor/dp/138970503X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=phil+proctor%27&qid=1606767943&sr=8-1 His podcast https://sexyboomershow.com/ Firesign's New Album https://www.amazon.com/Dope-Humor-Seventies-Firesign-Theatre/dp/B08KPYC9SY
Email phil.proctor@mac.com Website: planetproctor.com
2020-12-041h 05Ian Talks ComedyJeff RichardsJeff Richards joined me to talk about his love and impression of David Letterman, work on Mad TV and Saturday Night Live and his briiliant deep fake podcast
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJBnwz5JYloiL9KpaPkAWgg
http://thejeffrichardsshow.com
2020-11-2759 minIan Talks ComedyMel GreenActor, writer, and improviser Mel Green joined me for a chat about his early life, meeting his comedy partner, his year (1980-1981) at Saturday Night Live, working on From Cleveland and his brilliant book Marker.
https://www.amazon.com/Marker-Mel-Green/dp/14528937052020-11-201h 19Ian Talks ComedyGary KroegerI had the opportunity to interview Gary Kroeger along with friend and fellow podcaster Andrew Dick of "That Week in SNL" Gary talks about his pre-SNL days, his work on SNL, and his work afterwards2020-11-131h 22Ian Talks ComedySam Sandoraedit2020-11-061h 39Ian Talks ComedyKimiko GelmanKimiko Gelman and I discuss her growing up on Long Island; Loving; getting cast on Rags to Riches; working on the pilot; becoming friends with Tisha Campbell; Joe Bologna; Baby Jessica; Freddy's Nightmares with Page Hannah; Baghdad Cafe with Whoopi Goldberg; The Pickle and working with Shelley Winters and Danny Aiello; getting cast in Mother and working with Albert Brooks and Debby Reynolds; The Pretender; The West Wing; CSI: Miami; The Hunger Games; filming lags and meeting Donald Sutherland in the laundry; working with Jennifer Lawrence; How to Get Away With Murder and 13 Reasons Why, The Glorias and working...2020-10-301h 04Ian Talks ComedyCharlie RobinsonCharlie Robinson talks about his early career in music; his stage work; early film and TV roles; Fences; Buffalo Bill and its famous (#57 all time TV show by TV Guide) Jerry Lewis episode; being added to Night Court; the concept of Mac's character; Mac's sweaters; singing and hanging out with the Rivingtons; when Richard Moll's car broke down; directing four episodes of Night Court and 1 Love & War; and working with Mary Tyler Moore.2020-10-2354 minIan Talks ComedyMargaret ObermanMargaret Oberman spoke with me about her rise to working on Saturday Night Live, writing for Eddie Murphy, Joe Piscopo and Rick Moranis; her favorite sketches; writing for Andrea Martin; writing a special that starred 21 year old Chris Rock; meeting Sammy Davis Jr.; writing Kim Kardashian's favorite movie Troop Beverly Hills; writing the original script for The Man; writing the BBC series Too Much Sun; and writing Hallmark films2020-10-1656 minIan Talks ComedyDiana CanovaDiana and I discuss The Bellinis; Lenny (Luca Brasi) Montana; Hollywood High; auditioning for Marni Nixon Feast, Ozzie's Girls; guest starring in a memorable Happy Days, Chico and the Man, Medical Story, The First Nudie Musical, Starsky & Hutch; Paul Michael Glaser; The Love Boat pilot; Soap; audition; cast becomes family; Hollywood Squares, Dinah!; Perry Como’s Early American Christmas; Barney Miller; Steve Landesburg; I’m A Big Girl Now; Danny Thomas; Martin Short; People's Choice Award; American Bandstand "Who You Foolin'?"; All Star Salute to Mother's Day; Bob Hope; Bobbie Gentry; Don Rickles; finding out her show got cancelled while On...2020-10-091h 19Ian Talks ComedyBob IllesIn a lengthy interview, Bob Illes and I discuss his early years; starting a radio comedy show at USC; Digby Wolfe; winning a contest to write for Tennesse Ernie Ford; Mike Ovitz; writing monologues for Bill Cosby; meeting Groucho Marx and Peter Sellers; writing for the Lily Tomlin special and winning an Emmy; The Super Emmy; writing the Sanford & Son episode, "Lamont, Is That You", The Smothers Brothers NBC reboot; Mickey Rose; Chevy Chase; Don Novello; Joe & Sons, One Day at a Time, getting dressed down by Norman Lear and his mea culpa; What's Happening!!, Captain and Tenille Show...2020-10-022h 49Ian Talks ComedyMeco VelezMeco and I discuss her modeling career; how the Cheetah Girls Movie inspired her; songwriting; trying out for The X Factor, The Lost Resort and the jungles of Costa Rica; the therapies that she did or did not take part in; her webseries about forming a girl group; and her website, everythingmeco.com
2020-10-0228 minIan Talks ComedySteven KampmannSteven Kampmann talks Cook & Moore; Second City; The Cisco Kid; WKRP in Cincinnati; Newhart; Back to School, Club Paradise, The Richest Cat in the World; The Couch Trip; Clifford; Stuart Saves His Family; For the Boys; Multiplicity; Analyze That; Special Delivery; Buzzkill; Maurice!; and teaches me improv.2020-09-252h 10Ian Talks ComedyThe Sought After DozenThis is a list of the performers I would most like to interview on the podcast. If any body has a lead or if they themselves are listening please email me at nycarter8@aol.com
The list: In alphabetical order:
Julie Brown (Just Say Julie) Dana Carvey Jennifer Crittenden Chris Eliot Melissa Fumero Merrill Markoe Martin Mull Bernadette Peters Martin Short Alan Spencer Charlene Tilton Henry Winkler
Also: Tiffany Haddish Gabriel Iglesisas Tim Minchin (AU) Amber Ruffin 2020-09-1905 minIan Talks ComedyBlue Lou MariniBlues Brothers2020-09-181h 27Ian Talks ComedyPaul KreppelActor-producer-director Paul Kreppel joined me to talk about growing up in Kingston, New York; early TV; going to Emerson College with Henry Winkler and Andrea Martin; being a guest at Winkler's home during "Fonziemania", The Proposition; Fred Grandy; Judy Kahan; being on David Frost and Mike Douglas, Godspell, Don Scardino, Paul Shaffer; working with Ted Danson and Danny DeVito, auditioning for SNL, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, moving to LA; Laverne & Shirley; doing a scene with Tony Curtis, It's A Living's cast and first season; retooling, second season and cancellation; Fantasy Island and Bob Denver, tuxedos; Night Court, working w...2020-09-1158 minIan Talks ComedyRich HallRich Hall talks about being a street performer; Harry Anderson; moving to NYC in 1978 and doing stand-up with Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Reiser and Gilbert Gottfried; writing for the David Letterman (Morning) Show; doing The Tonight Show with Letterman as a guest host; Fridays; writing and performing on Saturday Night Live; moving to England; QI; Otis Lee Crenshaw; BBC documentaries; Blazing Saddles2020-09-1151 minIan Talks ComedySy RosenUnfortunately, Sy Rosen was talking to me during Tropical Storm Fay and the first thirty minutes were erased, but we talked about: growing up in the Bronx, Winky Dink and You, college, going in the reserves, not working on a Joan Baez in Sing Sing special, writing a spec script for the Mary Tyler Moore Show and getting a template back from Allan Burns; selling an episode of The Bob Newhart Show about Carol, joining the writing staff and writing "Death Be My Destiny", the 50th best episode of a TV show according to TV Guide, writing a couple...2020-09-0444 minIan Talks ComedyTom SchillerMy guest tonight was an original writer for Saturday Night Live, a short film maker with over 50 to his credit and is known for directing one of the most famous movies you have never seen. He also was a protege of documentarian Robert Snyder and was befriended and mentored by Henry Miller. 2020-08-2857 minIan Talks ComedyTom KramerFridays2020-08-211h 44Ian Talks ComedyGary MurphyGary Murphy and I discuss 50's TV, The Dick Van Dyke Show, meeting his partner Larry Strawther, Butch Whacks & The Glass Packs, moving to LA, working on Merv Griffin, writing spec scripts, getting hired on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, meeting Johnny, working two weeks and going to the Anniversary party, the classic Reagan Who's on First routine, getting fired and then rehired, leaving for Thicke of the Night, the inherit problems, Gilbert Gottfried, writing a Happy Days and a Charlie & Co., Gladys Knights' comedy chops, writing "The Pope's Roadie" sketch for That Was the Week that Was...2020-08-141h 47Ian Talks ComedyLarry ArnsteinLarry Arnstein talks about growing up on Park Avenue but in an apartment in the back, going to prep school in the middle of nowhere, using the girl to boy ratio as a way to pick a college, meeting his funny and brilliant partner Matt Hurwitz, writing for the Chicken Little Show, writing a short film Purient Interest, writing for Eight is Enough and having to service all ten characters, getting recommended for SNL's 6th season, working 9 am to midnight, his forgiving wife, Peter Tauber and the Rockettes, how Gilbert Gottfried was always laugh out loud funny, Commie Hunting...2020-08-071h 25Ian Talks ComedyJim Fisher and Jim StaahlComedy writers and Second City legends Jim Fisher and Jim Staahl joined me via Zoom.
We discuss Fish's early days in a stand up comedy duo, joining Second City as David Steinberg's understudy, being groomed as the next David Steinberg, Jim Staahl's college career, being called a "funny" Hamlet, auditioning and understudying all five male performers (Fisher, David Blum, Joe Flaherty, Brian Doyle Murray and David Rasche), Fisher unionizing Second City giving the performers a week off and Staahl having to sub for all the men, Fisher passing out from mono at intermission and Staahl going from...2020-07-311h 24Ian Talks ComedyTom ReederIn a 30 year career, Tom Reeder wrote for some of the best sitcoms of his generation: Barney Miller, MASH, Cheers, and Frasier as well as my personal favorite, Night Court. His episodes are known for their quotability as well as its character explorations.
We talk about his days as an usher for the Carol Burnett Show, getting his job on Barney Miller, writing for Danny Arnold, "Hash", Fish, "Atomic Bomb", A.E.S. Hudson Street, Don Calfa, the difference between writing for Barney Miller and M*A*S*H*, the hard work of running Benson, Phyl & Mikhy, "P...2020-07-242h 06Ian Talks ComedyDarin PattersonDarin Patterson is a stand-up comedian and writer who's performed at the Boston Comedy Arts Festival and the Park Slope Comedy Festival. He is the host of the SNL Nerds podcast. We talk about: the first time he saw SNL, our all time casts, Phil Hartman v. Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jan Hooks, blue collar real life comedy, my 2010 trip to SNL, and what's next on his podcast.2020-07-171h 25Ian Talks ComedyKevin BartiniKevin Bartini is one of the most sought after audience warm-up comedians, warming up crowds for The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, The Nightly Show as well as headlining comedian across the United States. He also is the only guest to see me do stand up.
Kevin spearheaded the drive to turn West 121st street into George Carlin Way. He talks about the positives and negatives of that experience, Gilbert Gottfried's performance at the post-unveiling comedy show, Lewis Black, Rodney Dangerfield, Vaughn Meader, Jon Stewart, and Bill Cosby.
Kevin's albums can be bought here:
h...2020-07-171h 28Ian Talks ComedyWalter WilliamsMy guest today created the character with the second most appearances on Saturday Night Live with twenty-seven, Mr. Bill.. Over his more than forty-five years in entertainment, he has been a writer, producer, director, voice-over artist, and even podcaster. He has also been active in environmental causes such as the destruction of Louisiana's coastline2020-07-101h 24Ian Talks ComedyMark RothmanMark Rothman is best known for having been involved with the creation and production of Laverne and Shirley. He was also the head writer and show runner of numerous other shows including Happy Days and a writer for the Odd Couple. He created Busting Loose and The Ted Knight Show. He also composed the theme song for Busting Loose. He was also writer, theme tune composer and executive producer for The Lovebirds, which used my last name as a laugh line.
In 2013 he had his first novel, "I'm Not Garbo," published. It is a fa...2020-07-1037 minIan Talks ComedyStuart KreismanFor over 45 years, my guest has been writing comedy in all assets of the media; from National Lampoon magazine to TV specials, variety series, sitcoms highlighted by Cheers, Newhart, and as my listeners will know, my favorite sitcom “Night Court”. He wrote a book Dick Cheney’s Diary in 2008 and is a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post.
Dick Cheney's Diary https://www.amazon.com/Dick-Cheneys-Diary-Stuart-Kreisman/dp/1606933558/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=stuart+kreisman&qid=1592486298&sr=8-4
2020-07-031h 50Ian Talks ComedyAlexa FermaglichOn a special Ian Talks Comedy, I talk to my eight year old daughter, Alexa.2020-06-3025 minIan Talks ComedyMarty NadlerFor over 45 years, Marty Nadler has been making people laugh in television (Odd Couple, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley), film (Pretty Woman, Princess Diaries, Valentines Day), stand-up (in the Improv in the 1970's and today), and on my podcast today.
3 episodes of Marty's 1979-1980 CBS series Last Resort https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMj2trx1E8c&t=4197s
Look for Marty's new movie I, Mordecai starring Judd Hirsch, Carol Kane, and Sean Astin.2020-06-301h 16Ian Talks ComedyJudith KahanMy guest tonight is a real Renaissance woman. She has been an actress on stage, screen, and television. She writes, produces, improvs, acts, sings, dances, and teaches and best of all she’s here with me today.2020-06-261h 13Ian Talks ComedyLarry StrawtherLarry Strawther got into show business as a gofer for the Merv Griffin Show. He went on to write for Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, My Sister Sam, The Sinbad Show and Night Stand.
His Most Extreme Elimination Challenge is still a cult classic among 20 and 30 year olds.
But for me, he is best known as the executive producer (1989 - 1990), producer (1988-1989) and writer (1987 - 1990) for my favorite sitcom, Night Court. He also wrote my all-time favorite episode of television Night Court's "Another Day in the Life" and tries to stump me with his copy of th...2020-06-191h 23Ian Talks ComedyLane SarasohnLane Sarasohn is a pioneer in television satire. He, along with Ken Shapiro, Chevy Chase and Richard Allen launched Channel One in 1967 and released their greatest hits in the 1974 hit film the Groove Tube (which grossed $104 million in today's money), which influenced much of the comedy that followed. In this supersized episode, he discusses the genesis of the Groove Tube, working with Chevy Chase and Susan Anton on their TV specials, pilot that should of hit and those that shouldn't have, and working on Not Necessarily the News.
Links
http://lanesarasohn.com/ - Lane's personal webpage...2020-06-121h 34Ian Talks ComedySteve ZachariasSteve Zacharias has had three careers in screenwriting. First as a television writer on such shows as The Odd Couple, All in the Family (for which he won an Emmy), The Partridge Family, Happy Days, and Quark.
Then in film with screenplays for Revenge of the Nerds, The Last Resort, Johnny B. Goode, In the Army Now, and Eddie.
And for the last 15 years, teaching screenwriting at DuPaul University.
Steve talks about all of this and more on this weeks episode.2020-06-051h 10Ian Talks ComedyMatt NeumanAs my first guest, I interview "Chicken Little Comedy Hour" "SNL", and "Fridays" writer and "Not Necessarily the News" head writer on his almost 50 years of comedy writing.
Some sketches mentioned.
SNL: Dave's Variety Store, You Can't Win, Bucks Monologue 5/24/80
Fridays: Hollywood Cubes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se-eXJPu8_c&t=301s
Do yourselves a favor and visit Matt's website www.ironictimes.com, a sort of written version of Weekend Update and make sure to subscribe!2020-05-291h 15