Funny In Failure

Episode 250! AJ Cook is an actor and director who is best known for her role as "Special Agent Jennifer 'JJ' Jareau" in the CBS long running series CRIMINAL MINDS. She can currently be seen reprising her role on CRIMINAL MINDS: EVOLUTION for Paramount+, which will be going into a second season soon. AJ has also directed an episode of CRIMINAL MINDS: EVOLUTION this season and did so in season 14 of CRIMINAL MINDS, as well. AJ's film credits include THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, OUT COLD, BACK FORK and FINAL DESTINATION 2. Her voiceover work can be heard as the narrator for the audio book ONE OF OUR OWN by Lucinda Berry.

We chat about the power of the beach, leaving and coming back to Criminal Minds, directing, letting go, moving to LA from Canada, self-authenticity & being true to yourself, perfectionism, mindset shifts, being partially blind, hustle + more!

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check AJ out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajcook/ Walter Sky: https://waltersky.com/ Innocent Lives: https://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/donate/ One of our own (Audible): https://www.audible.com.au/pd/One-of-Our-Own-Audiobook/B0CM57983N

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Taylor Gray is an actor & writer. You might recognize him as Jedi Ezra Bridger from the incredibly popular Disney animated series STAR WARS: REBELS. He is starring in Sony Pictures' film SNL 1975, playing the role of Al Franken alongside Willem Dafoe, Dylan O'Brien and J.K. Simmons. The film is being directed by Jason Reitman and is based on real-life behind- the-scenes accounts of the opening night of Saturday Night Live.

Taylor recently wrapped the indie film, ANY DAY NOW, written and directed by Eric Aronson. He stars as the lead of the upcoming film, HIGH EXPECTATIONS, opposite Kelsey Grammer. Prior to that, Taylor starred in the series, IN THE VAULT, and recurred on Jenji Kohan's comedy, AMERICAN PRINCESS. He also starred opposite Amber Midthunder in Steve Pink's 2021 Tiff selection, THE WHEEL and received his MA from The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

We chat about being a jedi, working with Kevin Durant, why he travels so much, filling his cup, acting in his teens, exploration of the journey, Dave Filoni & Star Wars, mindset shifts, being an artist, writing and asking deep hard questions.

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Taylor out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorgray3 Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/eltigrerabioso/

X / Twitter: https://x.com/iamtaylorgray

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Brent Forrester is an award-winning writer, producer and director, who has written for 6 Emmy Award-winning television comedies. He's written on some of the biggest sitcoms ever such as the Office, The Simpsons, The Ben Stiller Show, Space Force, King of the Hill, Love, and Super Fun Night.

Brent won his first Comedy Writing Emmy at age 25 for his work on "The Ben Stiller Show." He went on to write for "The Simpsons," helped launch "King of The Hill," and was a writer, producer and director at NBC's "The Office" for seven seasons where he later became the co showrunner/ co head writer. He's also written for "Late Night with Conan," "Mr. Show with Bob and Dave," and "The Larry Sanders Show,". He has also worked as a Head Writer on Netflix shows like Judd Apatow's "Love" and Steve Carrell's "Space Force," along with Amazon shows like Greg Daniel's "Upload" and "People of Earth."

Brent has a new writing course which is now out! (Link below). It doesn't matter if you missed the first one, you can still join and catch up on previous weeks.

Here's the blurb for the course- "This is the latest and greatest version of my FIVE WEEK class: five 90-minute webinars, Sundays at 2pm PST. If you can't be there live, don't worry, there's a link to watch later. In Class One I encourage everyone to take THE PLEDGE: "I will finish a draft of my script!" Over the following weeks, I lead you through my own 6-part writing process, which I developed over 30 seasons in writers rooms, sharing all my most valuable writing secrets, in the most entertaining way I can. We analyze scenes together, I bring you on screen to discuss your work, and do everything I can to motivate your writing process!"

We chat about his drive to improve and move forward, writing, The Office, The Simpsons, being fired, his mentor Susan Harris, "not having talent", rejection, writers room approach, his new epic course (which is now out) plus plenty more!

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Brent out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrestercomedycourse/ Course/ website: https://www.brentforrester.com/webinar Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brentforrestercomedy

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Monty Franklin is an Australian born stand-up comedian, actor, writer & director now based in LA.

He tours all over the world headlining some of the biggest comedy clubs and also opens for Rob Schneider, Joe Rogan and Jim Breuer.

In the acting space, Monty has appeared on 'Real Rob' on NETFLIX, season 1&2, had roles on 'New Girl', 'Becoming Bond' and is the creator and star of 'The Manny' - TV Pilot.

Monty's numerous television stand-up performances include AXS TV's Live At Gotham, Channel 10s The Circle, Foxtel's Stand Up Australia, and as part of The Comedy Channel's special – The Best Of Stand Up and Comedy Gold. Performing sold out shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, with his shows The Full Monty and Monty McFly. He has also performed at the Carols By Candlelight in Australia to a crowd of 15,000 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Monty has produced, written and starred in two TV Pilots of sketch-comedy show No Monkeys on Bikes for Channel 7, co-hosted a weekly radio show on Fox FM and produced a number of short films featured in festivals around the world. He was the host of the pilot Tv Show 'Australia UpLate' and filmed a forth pilot with Channel 7 for a comedy travel show.

Monty is now based in Los Angeles where he performs all over the country, headlining some of the most sort after comedy clubs in the world including The Improv Comedy Clubs, The Laugh Factory and Monty's name was recently added to the world-famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, the first Australian on the wall, a great honor.

In 2020 Monty raised $280,00Aud for the Wildlife Warriors Foundation putting a stand up show on at Novo Theatre in LA with Joe Rogan, Jim Jefferies and Whitney Cummings.

He is also in post-production on his film 'Great Emu War' which he wrote, starred and directed in.

He will be back in November for a number of shows across Australia, so check them out!

We chat about his 20 year mindset, rejection, Performing stand up when someone has been stabbed, leaving Aus and starting again in LA, his beautiful analogy about running, the importance of time, positive mentorship Rob Schneider, checking your ego, his new movie plus plenty more!

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Monty out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montyfranklin

Website & AUS tour dates: https://www.montyfranklin.com/gigs-1 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@montyfranklinofficial

X / Twitter: https://x.com/montyfranklin?lang=en

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Phil LaMarr is an actor, improviser and writer and is perhaps best known as one of the original cast members of MAD TV, the voice of SAMURAI JACK, "Hermes" on FUTURAMA, "Static" on STATIC SHOCK, "Green Lantern" on JUSTICE LEAGUE and as "Marvin" in PULP FICTION.

For over 30 years, Phil has thrilled audiences with his work on camera and behind the mic on tv shows such as Family Guy, Young Justice, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Trek: Lower Decks, The Flash, Supergirl, Get Shorty, Lucifer, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Veep; feature films like Madagascar 2, Incredibles 2, and The Lion King (2019) and video games including Jak & Daxter, Fortnite, Shadow of Mordor, and The Metal Gear Solid, Injustice and Mortal Kombat series.

His stage work includes productions with the actor's gang, south coast repertory, sacred fools theatre, and Phil also portrayed "Cowboy Curtis" in "The Pee-wee Herman show" both on at the Stephen Sondheim theatre on Broadway and in the Emmy-nominated HBO special. Currently, in addition to writing and producing the animated series "Goblins," (goblinsanimated.com), Phil is performing monthly onstage with "the black version" (theblackversion.com), performing onscreen in Hamster & Gretel, The Craig of the Creek Movie, Invincible, Mulligan, AMC's Cooper's bar, a new season of Futurama on HULU and performing the role of "Sherlock Holmes" in Audible's series Moriarty.

We chat about the courage to walk ones path, old school thinking, Futurama, Mad TV, Improv, his many voices, when shows come back, gratitude towards the fans, rejection, value of your art, Pulp Fiction and paving the way.

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Phil out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillamarr Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@phillamarr X / Twitter: https://x.com/phillamarr Cameo: https://www.cameo.com/phillamarr Website: https://www.phillamarr.com/ The Black Version: https://www.theblackversion.com/

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Martin Urbano is comedian, actor, writer and quiz master.

As a standup, he has been seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Comedy Central's Featured, the CW's Howie Mandel Gala, and Chris Gethard Presents and Late Night With Seth Meyers. He has also performed at Just For Laughs (New Faces), the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (where he was nominated for Best Newcomer), and even in international waters on the Impractical Jokers Cruise and The Friendship Cruise, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, New York Comedy Festival, and the Boston Calling Music Festival.

Martin has written for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Chris Gethard Show, Danny Brown's show on Viceland and National Lampoon's Radio Hour. He also has hosted such projects as "Comedy Amateurclass" for Chris Gethard Presents, and his own brands of game shows, "Who Wants $2.69?" and "Why Would You Ask Me That?" He also played a featured role in This Fool on Hulu as the other Julio.

His show "Apology Comeback Tour," where he somehow manages to cancel and redeem himself onstage within the same hour of jokes.

We chat about mindset shifts, crazy story of how he got on Jimmy Fallon, highs and lows of Edinburgh, standup, Who wants $2.69?, rising above the lows, agents that ghost, fear, collaboration and letting go of material.

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Martin out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinurbanojr/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@martinurbanojr X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/martinurbano

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Ivan Decker is an award-winning stand-up comedian and writer known for his sharp, polished, and multi-layered observational comedy. He is originally from Vancouver but is now based in Los Angeles.

His first comedy special, "Underwater Scissors," is a part of the "Comedians of the World" collection on Netflix. Ivan has had numerous television performances filmed at the Just for Laughs Montreal festival, the Winnipeg and Halifax Comedy festivals for CBC Television, and can be heard across North America on Sirius XM radio. Ivan can also be seen and heard on the popular CBC radio program "The Debaters." In 2017, Ivan was named a "Comic To Watch" by TBS at the New York Comedy Festival, and subsequently made his U.S. television debut on "Conan." Ivan's debut comedy album "I Wanted to be a Dinosaur" was the recipient of the 2018 JUNO award for "Comedy Album of the Year" which can be heard on all major streaming platforms, including iTunes.

His new comedy special, "Popcorn!" is available on YouTube now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsF_7e6rukY&t=1s

Ivan shares his hilarious and very personal experiences about being married and a first-time father while trying to balance touring around the world. His material is relatable and filled with stories we can all identify with and can laugh at ourselves about -- especially his passion for 'popcorn' and how to make it 'last in your mouth to postpone it's delicious good feeling for later on – he swears popcorn gives you a 'rush of serotonin and dopamine that is better than any drugs' hence, the ultimate inspiration for title of his upcoming special.

We chat about being on a Jet, "fitting in", imposter syndrome, his latest comedy special, discomfort, clowning, moving above quitting and always wanting to get better.

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Ivan out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivanwdecker/ Standup Special (Popcorn): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsF_7e6rukY&t=1s Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ivanwdecker?lang=en X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/ivandecker Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivandeckercomedian/ Spotfy: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0B07Djm1S0HJ2LSJwWhh0V?si=7gD8GkDESvej70ZcvHM3XQ&nd=1&dlsi=cc9cee8f3f4d4fc2 Website: https://ivan-decker.squarespace.com/

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Ernie Hudson is an actor, author, speaker and executive producer. He is perhaps one of this generation's most well-versed actors. He is currently back as Winston in "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, one of the original OG's from the classic films.

He currently stars opposite Raymond Lee and Caitlin Bassett in the reboot of "Quantum Leap" on NBC and streaming on Peacock, which just finished season two. Ernie also stars and executive produces the television series "The Family Business," now in its fifth season on BET Plus and streaming on Netflix. He previously starred in the acclaimed Netflix's drama series "Grace and Frankie," starring opposite Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. He won the Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Series for his performance in HBO's acclaimed prison series "OZ." Other television credits include, Modern Family, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Law & Order, LA's Finest with Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba, Twin Peaks," Scandle, Blue Bloods, Grey's Anatomy, and Ballers, with Duane Johnson, the Rock.

His film credits include all five "Ghostbusters movies, "The Crow," with Brandon Lee, "Miss Congeniality 1 and 2," with Sandra Bullock, "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle," opposite Julianne Moore and Rebecca DeMornay, "Congo," with Laura Linney. More recent film releases include, "Champions," with Woody Harrelson, "Retirement Plan," with Nicolas Cage, and "Prisoner's Daughter," with Brian Cox.

We chat about life changing fights, the crazy story behind how he got Ghostbusters, moving beyond adversity, horrible agents, fork in the road moments, happiness, beautiful story of how he got his acting scholarship, his grandmother and plenty more!

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Ernie out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erniehudsonofficial/ Cameo: https://www.cameo.com/kirbyzook X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ernie_Hudson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErnieHudsonOfficial/ -------------------------------------------

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Francois Chau is an actor with an extensive resume spanning over 4 decades in television, film and theatre. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Dr. Pierre Chang in Lost, Quick Kick on G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Dr. Chang in the film 21 & Over, Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, Jules-Pierre Mao in The Expanse, Walter on The Tick and Zane in KC Undercover.

He has also appeared as a guest star in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Barry, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., The Unit, NUMB3RS, ER, Baywatch, Alias, Shark, Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy, JAG, Medium, The Good Doctor, The X-Files, Bones, Stargate SG-1, The Mentalist, Childrens Hospital, Castle, Chuck, Last Man Standing, and NCIS. Francois also portrayed mob-boss Mr. Keo in Cathy Yan's live action DC adaptation of Birds of Prey and was in Rescue Dawn.

We chat about why he loves conventions, rejection & auditions, martial arts, his love of acting, Lost, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, ego, being dubbed without being told and his favourite role that was cut too early.

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Francois out on: Instagram: Francois Chau Cameo: https://www.cameo.com/fchau X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/francoischau?lang=en Facebook: Francois Chau -------------------------------------------

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Xander Berkeley can do it all, he is an actor, writer, producer, director as well as a photographer, sculptor, painter and makeup artist. Over long-standing career in Hollywood, he has over 280+ credits on IMDB which is unheard of. Here are just a few of the many…

He has starred in blockbusters such as Terminator 2, Apollo 13, A few Good Men, Heat, Air Force One, Gattaca and Shanghai Noon. He has also starred in hit series such as 24, The Walking Dead, Nikita, Salem, The Mentalist, The Booth at the End and Truth Be Told.

Plus, you may have seen him in Mommie Dearest, Candyman, Taken, The X Files, 12 Monkeys, The Rookie, Amistad, Kick-Ass, Son of Batman, Sid and Nancy, The Mandalorian and Transcendence to name a few.

He has also won best actor awards in a variety of domestic and international film festivals and at the Streamies as well as well as the coveted Art Carney Award for lifetime excellence as a film character actor, a Lifetime Achievement in film from The Garden State Film Festival and a Screen Actor's Guild Award for best ensemble cast.

He has next set his sights on directing and producing projects in his new home state of Maine where he lives with his wife and actress Sarah Clarke (who's also been on the podcast).

We chat about being a painter, sculptor and make-up artist, view of fame, sacrificing vanity, The Walking Dead, being honest about the industry, why he thrives as a villain (on screen), success, and his new chapter in Maine.

The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Xander out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xanderoriginal/ Website: https://xanderoriginal.com/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xanderoriginal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xanderberkeleyoriginal/ -------------------------------------------

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