John Levenstein's Retirement Party

John Levenstein and Mary Kobayashi hit the picket line to find out what writers remember about the 1988 strike. Spoiler: not much. So, we fill in the blanks with interviews with Brian Walton, the executive director of the Writers’ Guild in 1988, and Ken Ziffren, the lawyer who helped broker the settlement.

Featuring Mary Kobayashi, Tim Heidecker, Jon Daly, Sara Watkins, Lauren Lapkus, Jon Gabrus, Steve Dildarian, Jay Kogen, and an interview with HBO & Annapurna Pictures’ Sue Naegle. Recorded live at UCB Franklin in Los Angeles, 1/24/19.

Join writer, actor, and producer John Levenstein ("Arrested Development," "Silicon Valley") as he reflects on his career in show business. He'll share personal stories from the writers' room, offer advice, rehash old decisions, settle feuds, and tell friends he loves them. John and his co-host -- actress and writer Mary Kobayashi -- reconnect with friends like Karen Kilgariff ("My Favorite Murder"), Nick Kroll ("Kroll Show") and Jill Soloway ("Transparent"). John Levenstein's Retirement Party premieres everywhere November 5th

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As the party winds to a close, John meets up with his first boss Michael Nesmith to talk about the Monkees, Television Parts, and the afterlife--and to find out if Nesmith tinkered with a video game to gain an unfair edge in a competition with John in 1985. Jack Handey refuses to take sides even though he was there, while Nick Kroll shares an old Deep Thoughts-related injustice. Sara Watkins talks about the invitation from her that led to Nesmith playing music again after a long hiatus. And John gets sloppy as he and editor and co-host Mary Kobayashi reminisce about the season...and take a risk.

Guests share their most star-studded anecdotes. With Abraham Higginbotham, Paul F. Tompkins, Karen Kilgariff, Joe Wengert, Jonathan Krisel, Eva Anderson, Courtney Lilly, Tim Heidecker, Pam Brady and Michael Nesmith.

John and Joe Wengert execute their dream of writing an episode of "Franklin & Bash" in real time, leading two rooms of all-star writers who've never seen the show. Neither have John and Joe. Featuring Eva Anderson, Brad Copeland, Noah Garfinkel, Gabe Liedman, Brad Morris, Theresa Mulligan, Monica Padrick, Marisa Pinson and Gareth Reynolds. With co-host Mary Kobayashi.

Mark Brazil (That 70s Show) and Ron Zimmerman (Action) discuss show business feuds. Richard Day (It's Garry Shandling's Show, Larry Sanders) finds himself in need of an agent; John and Mary take the party to The Simpsons to enlist Matt Selman's help. And Jay Kogen (The Simpsons, Frasier) returns, finally giving John and Mary a chance to resolve a feud.

Craig Bierko talks about starring in the Mitch Hurwitz pilot that wasn't Arrested Development. Connor Ratliff reveals himself as Middleman on the early Arrested Development message boards. Barbie Adler, Brad Copeland, Abraham Higginbotham and Courtney Lilly reunite to reminisce about season one in the writers' room, and get a surprise call from Will Arnett.

Kate Berlant and John Early do dramatic readings of network notes from the 90s. John’s mother and her best friend recount the old-school sexism they endured as a screenwriter and actress in the 60s and 70s. And we begin our quest to find a TV writing job for Megan Koester.