Andy Richter is best known for his work on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show, and CONAN on TBS. Andy also starred and created the acclaimed TV shows Andy Richter Controls the Universe, and Andy Barker P.I. He has also appeared in movies like Cabin Boy, Talladega Nights, and Madagascar. Andy came up in the Chicago improv scene, performing at The Annoyance Theater, as well as Improv Olympic, where he studied with Del Close.

Andy and Will talk about working together at CONAN, and on Andy's podcast The Three Questions with Andy Richter. They discuss the Chicago Improv Scene, and how it influenced both Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Andy also tells Will about his approach to the CONAN rehearsal process, and the "zen art of not giving a shit."

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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Jimmy Pardo is a stand-up comedian, actor, and host of the podcast Never Not Funny. Jimmy grew up in Chicago, where he performed at Second City, and worked in the music business. He was encouraged to first try standup by a young Bob Odenkirk, and came up in the Chicago comedy scene. Jimmy then moved to Los Angeles, where he became a regular at The Improv, as well as the original Largo location with fellow "alt" comics like Paul F. Tompkins, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, David Cross, and Mary Lynn Rajskub. He later became the warm-up comic for the short-lived Conan O'Brien version of The Tonight Show, and CONAN on TBS.

Jimmy and Will talk about their time together at CONAN, finding one's voice as a comic, and his incredible run as the host of Never Not Funny. He and cohost Matt Belknap started the podcast in 2006, and at one point it was the #1 podcast in the world. Will shares what it was like engineering Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend during the early days of the podcast, and the two discuss the current state of podcasting at a pivotable time for the industry.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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Jackie Clarke is a prolific comedy writer, producer, and director. Her credits include much beloved shows like Happy Endings and Superstore. Jackie was also a fixture at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in NYC, where she performed on house teams Respecto Montalban, and Death by Roo Roo.

Jackie and Will talk about the 22nd Street days of UCB, and how she was able to persevere to become a successful TV writer, and show runner. They also discuss how Jackie introduced Will to his wife Amber, and the different paths improvisors take as they navigate the entertainment industry.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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David Pasquesi is a legendary improvisor, and accomplished actor. A Chicago native, he studied with Del Close, and performed at Improv Olympic and Second City, as well as the Annoyance Theater. He has acted in films like Groundhog Day, and TV shows like Strangers with Candy and Veep. He and fellow Second City alum T.J. Jagodowski currently perform together as TJ and Dave, which is widely considered one of the premiere long-form improv shows on the planet.

David and Will talk about the creation of the Harold with mentor Del Close, the TJ and Dave book Improvisation at the Speed of Life, and the Alex Karpovski documentary Trust Us, This Is All Made Up. They also discuss the rules of improvisation, and the staying power of the Harold.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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The Sklar Brothers started doing stand-up together as adolescent twins in St. Louis. A fortuitous encounter with Andy Kindler during college encouraged them they were on the right track. They came up in New York during the rise of the alt comedy scene, and performed at Eating It at Luna Lounge, and other venues like Surf Reality and Collective Unconscious on the Lower East Side. They have been stalwarts of the standup world ever since.

Jason and Randy talk to Will about the differences between standup and improv, their experience making Held Up together (Crackle), and TAG IT!, the show they currently host at Largo and the Comedy Store.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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Michael Delaney is one of the most accomplished improvisers to come out of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York. He was a member of The Swarm, the legendary Harold Team formed by Amy Poehler, as well as The Stepfathers. He also directed the Naked Babies, and performed in seminal shows like Delaney & Dave, Pile Driver, and Nailed Down.

Michael and Will talk about the early days of UCB, meeting Del Close, and his deep knowledge of SCTV. They also discuss some of the rules of improv, including the concept of group mind.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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The SCTV Podcast with Michael Delaney

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Madeleine Smithberg is best know as co-creator and executive producer of The Daily Show, which she ran for seven years, spanning the Craig Kilborn and Jon Stewart eras. The list of people Madeleine hired during her tenure includes Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, and Ed Helms. She spent six years as a talent coordinator and producer on Late Night with David Letterman, after beginning her career as a field producer for RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana (Italian national television).

Madeleine and Will talk about her amazing life and career, including her online cooking show Mad In The Kitchen, and the time they worked together on Yappy Broads, a failed Adult Swim pilot. Madeleine also opens up about her recent bout with cancer, and the rollercoaster nature of her career.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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MAD IN THE KITCHEN

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Seth Morris is one of the most prolific performers to come out of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. His sketch group Naked Babies (with John Ross Bowie, Rob Corddry, and Brian Huskey) was a juggernaut. Seth also performed in classic long-running improvised shows like Feature Feature and Facebook. He was the first Artistic Director at UCB Franklin, worked at Funny or Die, and has acted on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, and Big Mouth. Will talked to Seth about the insane amount of talent at UCB in the early days, and the different paths those people have taken since.

Seth and Will also talk about their relationships with improv, and the importance of the hang in a creative community.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios.

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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