I am off having babies and not as they say "camera ready". HOWEVER, i found this lovely interview I did in 2021 with Sean Donnelly that still holds up and is long overdue for a posting. You know him from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central and basically every late night show, here's our 12 minute chat on 1 liners, crowd work, and what crowds really want. Thanks for the chat Sean, and please forgive me for taking 2 friggin years. Enjoy!
"Hi Anxiety," with Joe List!
I chat with comedian and fellow traveler in the pothole-filled road of anxiety Joe List (Netflix, The Tonight Show, Letterman, Conan) about his late night debut back in 2014 on Letterman, his new special "This Year's Material," (out April 29 on YouTube), and the best advice he received to calm green room jitters. Catch him on "Tuesdays with Stories" his weekly podcast with Mark Normand, his 2020 special "I Hate Myself" on YouTube, "Joe and Raanan Talk Movies" with Raanan Hershberg, the Comedy Cellar, and many other places that aren't McDonald's (you'll get it once you watch). Please give our interview a watch, like, and subscribe, and thank you Joe for the chat!
Apres Apres Ski with Andy Haynes!
We’re back baby! You my have caught one of comedian Andy Haynes’ (Fallon, Conan, Corden, Comedy Central, JFL) many late night sets over the years, like this one:
In the season 3 premiere of my little show, Andy was nice enough to take time out of his Apres Ski tour to sit down with me all the way from Salt Lake City, home of this great country’s tamest Mormons and wildest Real Housewives (I’m looking at you, Jen Shah).
I ask all my guests to walk me through the flop sweat and Fiji bottles of a pivotal gig in their career, a first TV set, premiering their first film at Sundance, or moving out of their parent's’ homes at 35 (I’m looking at you, Italian people).
Andy and I chat about his first Late Night set (aptly on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where I may or may not have fetched him a greenroom Fiji), how writing for animation differs from writing stand-up, married life with SNL writer (and last season's guest) Rosebud Baker, and the secret motto of France. Treat yourself to his JASH show "After Sheldon" which parodies "The Talking Dead" and "After Bad" and had me cracking up alone ay my computer more than I have in a very long time.
His writing credits range from animation to sitcoms, and his inky black dark sense of humor can only be matched by that of his wife, “Find Your Beach” podcast co-host, and last season’s guest Rosebud Baker, who was announced as one of SNL’s newest staff writers just before this recording and is already making a splash with sketches like this one:
We ramp up to discussing his marriage advice and brand spanking new (and very funny) album "The Coward of Gramercy" – which is available on Spotify, and as a special on YouTube – how long it takes to build a special, and how to determine which jokes to use (the ones bitter, jaded, dead inside New Yorkers like or the ones smiling happy but probably actually just as dead inside weirdos do). Check it out here:
And now…..the first episode of Episode 3 of Laurel’s Little Show:
Watch! Like! Subscribe! You’re great!
**LC NOTE: Please excuse the editing glitches; I know. sigh. boy do I know. This was my first time braving a big kid editing program, and I promise they’ll get better and less “Breathless”-y. Or maybe, its jump-cut art? Only my heart and Premiere Pro trial subscription know for sure. And please note that the red and blue flannel joke is a reference to a throwback Sarah Cooper bit about diversity in tech that I’ve always really liked and didn’t even realize was lodged in my subconscious.**
Thanks for supporting, watching, and giving us so many dollars and awards (**LC Note: we have not yet received any dollars or rewards). Stay tuned in the coming weeks as Season 3 continues with EMMY and GLAAD winning producer Tony Morrison, and comedian Joe List!
Making Magic with Harrison Greenbaum!
You know him from America's Got Talent, Conan, Last Comic Standing, and This Week at the Comedy Cellar, but do you know he got into Harvard with magic? (I still want my money back, Rick Singer) On the premiere of Season 2, I learn about the dark and not so dark arts of the magic community from comedian, magician, Harvard alum, Harrison Greenbaum.
Sweet Talk with Seth Herzog!
Seth Herzog (The Tonight Show, NY Times , Sweet, Stella) tells me about the time he accidentally went to Kuwait to perform for the troops, the time John Mayer crashed his Christmas show, how he first met a young Jimmy Fallon , and what his twin baby girls have learned in quarantine (like the “BV” on his Broadway Video shirts, which is paramount).
Magic and Music with Isabel Hagen!
I chat with comedian and musician Isabel Hagen about her TV debut on The Tonight Show, the audition process for The Tonight Show, performing for industry and normies at Just For Laughs, and the art of getting energy from unexpected sources (like Leo, but with less private planes).
F*ckboi Support with Mary Beth Barone!
When she's not making delightful short film sendups to Sofia Coppola (see: "The Bird House" on her YouTube), comedian Mary Beth Barone is doing the Lord's Work with her Drag His Ass show aimed at connecting and supporting anyone who's ever been burned by an emotional unavailable fling (see: everyone). Take a look then check out her succint and supremely funny deadpan standup.
Check Yourself with Jacob Williams
On the now infamous Election Day 2002 Part 1, I talk to comedian Jacob Williams about his time on America's Got Talent, 9 seasons on MTV's Wild 'N' Out, and his high school chess team (hey, "Queens Gambit" fans). Just 2 more episodes left of season 1. Thanks for watching, subscriping on Spotify, iTunes, I Heart Radio, and generally being great!
Control Issues with Evan Williams!
When he's not making moves at Just For Laughs or staring in FX's The American's alongside Keri Russell, comedian Evan Williams is talking to me about those pivotal gigs, filmmaking, and his new album "It's All Embarrassing," available now on iTunes. EDITOR'S NOTE: This interview was recorded in June 2020.
Rosebud Baker on Building an Act!
We're back from summer vacay and ready to get back to it! Star of Amazon's "Inside Jokes," and hilariously acerbic comic Rosebud Baker chats with me about being a Covid Bride and crafting her act.
Wild 'N' In with Maddy Smith!
Rising MTV darling Maddy Smith tells me about her early days on the gritty underground roast circuit, her high-energy stand-up style, and how exactly an episode Wild 'N Out gets made. Have a listen, then YouTube the Comedy Central Roast of Alec Baldwin for which she penned jokes, and her hilariously savage Ariana Grande impression. EDITOR'S NOTE: This episode was recorded in June 2020 prior to Nick Cannon’s firing and contains strong language.
Dance Like You Don't Need The Money with Carmen Lynch!
Delightfully deadpan comic Carmen Lynch and Laurel talk trolls, crafting one's on-stage persona, and answer the age old question: do you need to have been bullied as a child to do comedy, or can well-adjusted people do it too (whoever they are)? Check out at the Comedy Cellar or on her very funny albums "Dance Like You Don't Need The Money," and "Vertically Obsese," which just dropped on Spotify!
How To Get Fired with Matthew Broussard!
Comic and pun enthusiast Matthew Broussard explains the calculus of comedic self-deprecation and the Monday Punday origin story as he and Laurel bond over a shared knack for getting fired.
Sex Dungeon Secrets with Katharyn Henson! Part 2
Fringe star Katharyn Henson opens up about her former day job in sex dungeon MGMT, the scariest part about London, and the Truth about Ketamine.
Philly's Finest with Chanel Ali! Parts 1 & 2
Part One
Part 1 of my interview with Chanel Ali, who talks to me about opening for Michael Che and helping lovelorn OKCupid users. Chanel shares her unique perspective not just on being a rising voice in modern comedy, but on being a cop's daughter. Check back soon for Part 2, in which she concludes the story of a mentally ill child whom a police officer shot for having scissors.
Part 2
Part 2 of my interview with comedian Chanel Ali who is as articulate as she is funny. Nothing is off limits as we get into sex ed (and lack thereof), what it means to be New Black, and shitty comments in Atlantic City.
Cash Cab Secrets with Usama Siddiquee!
I talk with the very funny Usama Siddiquee (who just moved up on America's Got Talent!). Usama cracks me up and tells me the secrets of his "Cash Cab" episode. Watch me trying not to be look jealous and don’t miss his cameo in Netflix’s “Inventing Anna”!
Sex Work and Smiles with Jeff Arcuri!
Jeff Arcuri is living proof that the stereotype of comedians as depressive angry weirdos isn't (necessarily) true. He's all smiles as we talk about his late night debut on Colbert, Big Sky Comedy Festival, and the truth behind his very funny sugar baby joke.
Marriage, Moving, and Meth with Katharyn Henson! Part 1
Marriage, moving, and meth. Part 1 of my chat with Fringe Festival star Katharyn Henson coves the classic "3 M's of Interviewing". OK, I just made up the "3 M's" thing but we had a great talk, so take a look and check back next week for Part 2 when we get into drugs (figuratively) and her day job as a sex dungeon manager!
...with Radio Courting Expert Courtney Davis!
Comedian-turned-mom-turned-rapper Courtney Davis tells me about her new single and answers the age old question: who's harder to take care of, Jared Kushner or a baby?
The 5 Stages of Grief!
I walk you through the 5 painful stages of grieving the loss of a follower.