I’m looking up to my left in a thoughtful pose, my right index finger gently tapping against my lower lip. Outwardly, I’m introducing my guests, a.k.a., "Christopher Turk"—and Dave Franco. Inwardly, I’m daydreaming, trying to imagine what their co-star, Zach Braff would be thinking about if he were me How would Braff—who plays “J.D.”... Continue Reading →
Hank Rosenfeld’s Wicked Wit of the West is Groucho-filled! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Hank Rosenfeld, author The Wicked Wit of the West Hank Rosenfeld found the kind of book writing job that guys like me salivate over. He met Irving Brecher, a brilliant and funny writer from the Golden Age of Hollywood comedy, and spent hours recording stories from Irv about everyone from Groucho Marx... Continue Reading →
Actress Alison Brie melts hearts and Mad Men! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Alison Brie, actress, "Mad Men," "Community," "G.L.O.W." Alison Brie is a supporting actress on two hit series—“Community” on NBC and “Mad Men” on AMC. Not bad for a young woman whose previous acting resume is still thin enough as to include performances in community theatre shows at a Jewish Community Center in... Continue Reading →
Today’s Lesson? Get Rich Cheating, taught by Jeff Kreisler! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Jeff Kreisler, author, Get Rich Cheating I’m not a big advocate of cheating to get ahead in life. But let’s face it, these are not normal times. So I’m willing to consider options that were previously anathema to a goody two-shoes like myself. Enter Jeff Kreisler, an old friend of the Mr.... Continue Reading →
Community star Yvette Nicole Brown is a charmer! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Yvette Nicole Brown has been on TV shows opposite Hugh Laurie, William Shatner and Larry David, and in movies opposite Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and Gerald Butler. Heck, she started her career by signing a contract as a Motown recording artist. YVETTE NICOLE BROWN podcast excerpt: "I knew... Continue Reading →
Bob Byington’s Harmony and Me indie is one sad sacker story! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Harmony and Me, Bob Byington’s new film about a young man struggling to make sense of being dumped by his girlfriend, is being promoted as a slacker comedy. But the term that struck me—and it may be seriously dated—is “sad sacker.” The character of “Harmony”—which is a man, not a woman—is played by Justin... Continue Reading →
Mike Sacks gets The Kicker from great comedy writers! PODCAST INTERVIEW
I wouldn’t mind spending a day or two in the shoes of Mike Sacks. During the day—and probably quite a few nights—he is a mild-mannered writer for Vanity Fair magazine. When he’s not doing that, he’s been interviewing some of the smartest, funniest writers around for his new book, And Here’s the Kicker: Conversations... Continue Reading →
Comedian Christian Finnegan begs to differ! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Some how, some way, Christian Finnegan has managed to scrape out a unique identity for himself as a stand-up comedian. He’s the guy who, on first glance, you think maybe he’s gay. But he’s not. Ask him about his father-in-law, if you have any doubt. CHRISTIAN FINNEGAN podcast excerpt: "I tried to hold off... Continue Reading →
A gay TV three-fer: Janina Gavankar, Darryl Stephens and ANT! PODCAST INTERVIEWS
It’s 9 p.m. on the east coast, 6 p.m. on the west. Do you know where your favorite gay TV actor, straight actress who plays a pay-cable lesbian, or gay comedian is? Well, for the next 60 minutes, they’re going to be right here with me, parading through the show one after the other... Continue Reading →
Making It to the Middle with gay comedian Jason Stuart! PODCAST INTERVIEW
Today's Guest: Jason Stuart, comedian, actor I’m not one to put labels on a person, but I guess if the cover of Jason Stuart’s latest DVD can describe him as “America’s top gay stand-up comic,” then it’s okay for me to repeat it. But that leads to a question: Does “gay” mean homosexual men... Continue Reading →