Hey We're Back!

In this episode I deal with the subject of THE WORK FORCE from three different angles; I talk to many hardworking Americans with “thankless jobs.” I also asked my old friend Sandy Briscoe—the British naturalist—for a letter of recommendation to Cornell Medical School where I have been offered a teaching position. And finally, I reflect on a time when I was the principal at my daughter’s high school — a truly thankless job. I also pose the following question: If someone was to offer to donate $10,000 to your campaign, would you: a) accept the money, b) point out that you are not running for office, or c) say something else.  Leave a comment below.

Featuring: Joy Behar, Julia Terry, Owen Kelly, Justin Kirkland Smith, Jonathan Wilson
(Final segment) Written by Jonathan Katz and Tom Snyder
(Final Segment) Edited by Tom Snyder
(Final Segment) Music by Black Strait
Music by: Mike Shapiro, Billy Novick, and Guy Van Duser
Produced by Katie Covett

Where do I start? Thanks for your patience. In this episode I have strayed from my usual format because of an interview I did with singer/feminist Helen Reddy. We met years ago in NYC and I interviewed her for my old radio show, “Peas in the Pod.” Listening to this latest recording, I was surprised how much and yet how little has changed.

Episode 4 (of Season 2) returns to the usual format. I’m in it for the long haul.

Featuring: Tom Leopold
Additional Music: Helen Reddy, Ray Burton, and Leo Sayer
Music by: Mike Shapiro, Billy Novick, and Guy Van Duser
Produced by Katie Covett
This episode has been underwritten by the Mighty, Mighty Winooski River

In this episode, I explore my Jewish roots, tracing all the way back to New York City in 1959. I am also proud to introduce “America’s Next Top Optician”. At least once a week, I pretend that Benjamin Franklin was my dad. Now you get to hear how that works...it works for me.

Produced by Katie Covett
Music: Mike Shapiro, Billy Novick, and Guy Van Duser
Special Thanks to Dana Friedman, Lisa Geduldig, Opticians Felix, Mike, Tom, and Julia, Park Avenue Synagogue

This episode,  begins with a relapse. I fall back into my “city and listing” habit and I do it all in the name of one of the dopiest jokes I have ever made. Then I get in the car and call my favorite local radio show with a question. It might be off-subject, but it is on my mind. Because of my sense of fair play and good manners I take my answer off the air. Then I go to one of my favorite places: the past. We hear my Dad, Sidney, talking to his friend Abe Allen in 1979. Trust me, these guys really know how to share a mic. Then I get a little groggy and drift off into a really good dream, a good Dr. Katz dream.

If there are any Little Feat fans that listen to this you may recognize a piece of their music called Old Folks Boogie.
We here at Albion Producitions like to think of this episode as the launch of a new season with a new producer, Katie Covett. We hope you like it.


Featuring: Lauren Dombrowski, Sidney Katz, Abe Allen, Mardra Egan,
H. Jon Benjamin, Laura Silverman
(Dr. Katz's Holiday Tips) Edited by Lauren Bouchard
Music: Mike Shapiro, Billy Novick, and Guy Van Duser
Additional Music by: Little Feat
Special Thanks to Lou Viola for (the CD) Jonathan Katz: Caffeinated

In this episode I pay a visit to a dentist. I learn, once again, that my comedy is not for everybody. She feels the same way about my teeth, but is surprised to learn that my comedy comes with a fee attached.

Then I try once again to heal the wound I created in the heart of my friend Sandy Briscoe. He is the British entomologist whose research I interrupted not so long ago.

Several years ago I managed a high-end audio store in New York City. Even then, people thought my hiring practices were unusual.
Better Safe Than Sorry is a radio show I created about an overcautious detective. In this episode he really rises to the occasion without putting himself in harm’s way.

Featuring: Wren Ross, Maggie Surovell, Beth Oblongato (as the saleswoman), and author Jonathan Wilson.

The first segment of this episode is a conversation with Wendy Liebman, a woman who has been making me laugh for years. Wendy reminded me how much fun we have talking to each other—a lot of fun. Comedians talking about comedy is boring; comedians trying to make each other laugh is fun. I am pro-fun.

A few years ago I made a pilot (trial first episode of a TV show) for CBS. I asked my friend David Mamet whom I should cast, and he said “America’s best character actor is David Paymer.”. So, the cast included Paymer, Marcia Gay Harden, Jane Adams, and Robert Klein. The dialogue in the scene you’ll hear is between me (reading the role of Paymer’s dad) and Paymer—a guy who, like me, is smaller-than-life as an actor. The audience was made up of studio and network executives, writers, and cast members. One of the executives was Gene Stein. He was the guy who championed this show.

And finally, you hear about my fear of overstaying my welcome in comedy. Thanks for listening, and please let me know what you think by writing to me.

Featuring: Wendy Liebman, David Paymer
Music: Mike Shapiro, Billy Novick, and Guy Van Duser