Michael Gottwald, an Oscar nominated producer on such films as BEASTS of the SOUTHERN WILD and the upcoming PING PONG SUMMER, joined for a live taping of Employee of the Month. Funny, passionate, and unpretentious, Michael distills the myths of what it takes to raise money, stump for political campaigns, and discover the youngest Oscar nominated actress in Oscar history, Ms. Quevenzhane Wallis.
NEAL MEDLYN is a performance artist which means he sings, dances, tells jokes, does improv, sketch, storytelling and stand up. Sometimes he even wears clothes. He is mischievously funny, smart, and embodies his characters in a way which makes it difficult for those he's impersonating to look in the mirror. After Medlyn's shows, Beyonce, Lionel Richie and Prince have had to ask themselves, "Am I really that pale?" www.nealmedlyn.com EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and...
MIKE WHITE is an ingenious writer who also acts and directs. His films include Chuck and Book, Year of the Dog, and School of Rock with Jack Black. He also created Enlightened, the critically acclaimed series which just wrapped on HBO. While White is primarily a writer, he has appeared in Zombieland, Star Maps, Pushing Daisies, Undeclared, and Enlightened. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I, Catie Lazarus, wanted to hear from folks with some of the best job...
ANDREA SYRTASH is an expert on dating, romance and love. I can safely say I am not. I am also skeptical about people who describe themselves as expert. We spoke about the ethics of being an expert, therapist, brand ambassadors, and product placement. http://www.andreasyrtash.com EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about the best jobs ever. That said, even if you love your job, you may not be eligible for the prestigious EMPLOYEE of the MONTH award. For example, dictators, most politician...
GINA GERSHON is an actress, singer and writer. We spoke about her acting career, the pain of writing and expertise at procrastinating, as well as her delightful memoir In Search of Cleo: How I Found My Pussy and Lost My Mind. To find out more about Gina, please visit www.ginagershon.com but only after you listen to our conversation. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about the best jobs ever. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. That said, even if you love your job...
NEAL MEDLYN is downtown theater darling. His performance work is often built around music, some of it good, most of it pop. If you didn't see him in THE NEAL MEDLYN EXPERIENCE LIVE! a re-enactment of Beyonce's 2007 concert DVD OR Neal Medlyn, the Paris Hilton of Performance Art OR Neal Medlyn's Lionel Richie Opera; you can still catch him as Champagne Jerry. Mr. Medlyn was also named Mr. Lower East Side. www.nealmedlyn.com EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I...
SAMANTHA HAHN is an illustrator who designs everything from wallpaper to stationary to portraits to paintings to pillows. You may recognize her light, airy, feminine designs of J.Crew models in New York Magazine or the pamphlet describing make up application stuffed in your (or my) overpriced lipstick. Her latest book is WELL READ WOMEN. http://samanthahahn.com EMPLOYEE of the MONTH is a talk show all about dreamy careers. The EmployeeS of the Month may inspire to to finish your novel, start a f...
W. Kamau Bell is quietly revolutionizing TV and I hope his show TOTALLY BIASED on FX continues to thrive. Bell's understanding of social stratification isn't (more) nuanced than your typical policy wonk or doctoral student. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. Listening to these interviews may inspire you to finish that novel, quit your day job, and/or self-medicate. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com...
DAVID CARR who may be best known for his reporting on media for The New York Times should be recognized for reinventing D.C.'s Washington City Paper. His signature mischievous wit, accessible voice, and sound reporting has made him a star reporter. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. Listening to these interviews may inspire you to finish that novel, quit your day job, and/or self-medicate. www.e...
Adam Rapp is critically acclaimed playwright, novelist, and, now, actor. He will make his Broadway debut in Cliff Odets The Big Knife at The Roundabout Theater in the spring of 2013. Rapp's plays include Through the Yellow Hour, Hallway Trilogy, The Metal Children, Nocturne, and Red Light Winter. He has also novels like Punkzilla, 33 Snowfish and The Buffallo Tree. On occasion, he writes for TV, on shows like In Treatment and the L Word, and directs his own feature films, such as Winter Passing ...
PAUL DINELLO and AMY SEDARIS stopped by Employee of the Month's live show at UCB. I hope to have them back on because this interview is brief and nutty, but wanted to share it nonetheless for die hard fans. PAUL DINELLO is an actor, writer, director and performer. He is an alumnus of Second City in Chicago. Since then he continues to collaborate with Amy Sedaris and Stephen Colbert. Together, they spawned Strangers with Candy, which Dinello later directed the film version, as well as Wigfield an...
We promise to share with you a clip from David Wain's film ONCE it is ready but, for now, you can get to know David Wain a little bet better. He is the director and co-writer of Wet Hot American Summer, The Ten, Role Models, Wanderlust and coming this year, They Came Together, starring Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler. He also serves as executive producer, writer, director and occasional guest star of Childrens Hospital. He also co-created and co-starred in The State on MTV and Stella on Comedy Central...
RACHEL MADDOW the host of the Emmy award winning political talk show THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW on MSNBC. She is also author of the Grammy nominated, critically acclaimed book DRIFT about the US's national security. She is also, as policy wonk's go, a rockstar. CATIE LAZARUS is a writer and host of THE EMPLOYEE of the MONTH SHOW and you can follow Lazarus on Twitter @catielazarus and www.employeeofthemonthshow.com.
HARI KUNZRU is a critically acclaimed prolific novelist and journalist. GODS WITHOUT MEN is his most recent novel, but you can also check out his other books, including TRANSMISSION, MY REVOLUTIONS and THE IMPRESSIONIST. To learn more about Hari, visit his website www.harikunzru.com and his Twitter @harikunzru, which he updates every 37th minute. Luckily for us, his posts are, like his literature, compelling, thoughtful, and fun. CATIE LAZARUS is a writer and host of THE EMPLOYEE of the MONTH SH...
Gloria Steinem is a writer and activist. She has written 8 books and speaks all over the globe on human rights, including sex and race caste systems, child abuse, non-violent conflict resolution, sexism, feminism, and community organization. She lives in New York and, when we spoke, she was working on Road to the Heart: America As if Everyone Mattered, a book about her more than thirty years on the road as a feminist organizer. You'll also hear how funny she is and, if you can't see it, she just...
LAUREN IUNGERICH is the creator of MTV's critically acclaimed and Teen Choice Award winning series AWKWARD and HOT MESS as well as the web series MY TWO FANS. She has written for television shows, like TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, and developed and written films, such as DUMB GIRLS. We talk about Iungerich managed to break into the biz and makes accessible, acclaimed work without selling her soul.
CHRIS HENCHY is a co-founder of Gary Sanchez Productions and the interweb sensation Funny or Die. He is also the co-executive producer of HBO's critically acclaimed series Entourage, Funny or Die Presents, and Eastbound & Down. In addition to producing, he is also a scribe for the screens. He created TV shows like Battery Park and I'm With Her, which is loosely inspired by his marriage to super model Brooke Shields. Henchy has written for numerous television shows and films, including The Ca...
Gregory García created the critically acclaimed Fox series RAISING HOPE, the Emmy Award-winning NBC series MY NAME IS EARL, and CBS's long-running YES DEAR. Before becoming a major show runner, he also worked on Family Matters and Family Guy. If you ever want to break into creating shows for network television, Garcia has set the bar. So if you can top him, MAZEL TOV. Seriously, he is a mensch. It's not a prerequisite for the job, but probably a perk for those who work with him. (I was not paid ...
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. That said, even if you love your job, you may not be eligible for the prestigious EMPLOYEE of the MONTH award. For example, dictators, most politicians, and parking ticket officers are ineligible. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com AJ Jacobs is an Editor at Esquire and has written numerous critically ac...
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. That said, even if you love your job, you may not be eligible for the prestigious EMPLOYEE of the MONTH award. For example, dictators, most politicians, and parking ticket officers are ineligible. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com CARMEN RUBIN is a wonderful children's book author, singer, and publishe...
Myq Kaplan is a stand up comedian, writer, lover and all around hunk. It was lovely to interview him as his career takes off and he has just released his latest comedy album and podcast HANG OUT WITH ME! So let's hang out.... And THANK YOU to DAVE STEFFEY who recorded this piece. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. That said, even if ...
Kurt Andersen is a writer, whose most recent novel is TRUE BELIEVERS. He is also the host of the Peabody-winning public radio program Studio 360, a co-production between Public Radio International and WNYC, and KINGS COUNTY, a comedy show. www.kurtandersen.com
At our live taping at UCB, I sat down with Robby Baitz, the prolific, Pulitzer Prize and Drama Desk nominated, Tony award winning playwright. He has also written for TV and Film, including Alias and The West Wing and he also co-created the TV show Brothers and Sisters, and has a new show in the works. He also acts. You will get hear one his latest works read aloud. It is a 10 minute play for a benefit for Playwright Horizons. It is clearly the beginning and end of my stage career, but try not to...
EMPLOYEE of the MONTH is hosted by Catie Lazarus. Subscribe to the podcast for more interviews with phenomenal folks as they discuss their work, jobs, and labor. We spend most of our lives at work, might as well enjoy (much of) it. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com It was a joy to have on REGGIE WATTS. His solo performances consist of utterly unique improvised musical sets made possible by his voice, a looping machine, and on point, hilarious, pithy, poetic words. No two songs are ever the same. Cu...
Dan Curry is a writer and just released his first novel KUNG-FU LESBIAN. He also writes on Adult Swim's new hit show The Eric Andre Show. We caught up as the comic writer's career is taking off, so we'll have to check in when his career is taking on. Wait what? Shouldn't the phrase be "taking on" when things are on the up and up? However you say it, Dan shared his insights about writing for print, appearing on This American Life, winning a game show with his wife, comedian Margot Leitman, and wr...
ALEX BORSTEIN is a writer and actor. She is best known for playing Lois Griffin on FAMILY GUY and as a series regular on MADTV. She has also written for Family Guy, Casper, Pinky and the Brain, Shameless, and now starring in her own show on HBO. She has also appeared in TED, CAT WOMAN, MADTV, and you can see more of Ms. Borstein at www.alexborstein.com. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about dreamy jobs. That said, not everyone who is living their dream qualifies for the prestigious E...
JODI KANTOR is the author of THE OBAMAS (Little Brown), which coincidentally is the same name of the First Family of the Unites States of America. In addition to writing a best-selling, critically acclaimed book which delves into the family life of the President, she is also The New York Times Washington Correspondent. Kantor was the youngest person to ever edit a section of The New York Times. She spoke about her experience and work with CATIE LAZARUS on Employee of the Month. www.jodikantor.ne...
Ever wanted to know what it means to have one of the best jobs in the world? Me too! (We have so much in common.) It’s why I – aka CATIE LAZARUS - host EMPLOYEE of the MONTH, a talk show about dreamy jobs. It was dreamy to have on (and honor) Dave Hill. Yes, the rumors are true. Dave Hill is the latest winner of the Employee of the Month award. The brilliant comedian, author, and musician, just wrote the book Tasteful Nudes (Harper Collins). Don't let the title of his book fool you, Mr. Hill is ...
Journalists who actually value journalism aren't a dime a dozen these days (although cliches, like the one I just wrote, are for better or worse.) Sorry, I will cut it out, but please don't hold my terrible jokes against the journalist, author, and, most recently, recipient of Employee of the Month award Ms. Anya Kamenetz. You can find out more about Anya at www.anyakamenetz.com and by listening to our interview. You knew this! Mazel tov. If you enjoy listening to this episode of EMPLOYEE of the...
Kambri Crews has taught me that nobody comes from nothing. Please run don't walk to your nearest keyboard (oh! wait, you're probably already there!) Now buy BURN DOWN THE GROUND on AMAZON! I bought 3 copies and if you listen to our interview you will know why. We met when I hosted Fresh Meat at Comix, a then new club (and now defunct one). It was their first show for up and comers. I created a show about comedy across genres (New Yorker cartoonists, stand ups et al) and there was a panel where I...
