MICHAEL McKEAN may be best known as Lenny, Squiggy's best friend, played by David Lander, on the beloved sitcom LAVERNE & SHIRLEY, but he has acted in over 225 roles and, once you hear our interview, you’ll know why everyone from Christopher Guest to Vince Gilligan clamors to work with him. 
Most actors get so good and comfortable at reprising their shtick or are pushed to do so by agents and network executives, but McKean shrewdly and bravely keeps expanding his repertoire. He said no to Saturday Night Live when the timing wasn’t right. He also takes risks, which is no easy feat when your paycheck rests on you delivering. It could be nerve wracking to build on brilliant performances, from THIS IS SPINAL TAP to the X-FILES, but McKean clearly enjoys the thrill of trying to do so. He makes it seem effortless. Today, you can catch him on the cult favorite AMC’s BETTER CALL SAUL, where he quietly steals scenes. 
A consummate actor, audiences may not even know they’re watching this chameleon, as McKean truly...

MICHAEL McKEAN sings live and talks Better Call Saul, Spinal Tap & Laverne & Shirley

We spend most of our time working, so what does it take to (mainly) love what you do? How do even the most gifted, talented, intelligent, ambitious, disciplined, imaginative, inventive, and lucky people develop their point of view, find meaning, serve a greater good, deal with work place politics, rejection, finances, boredom, red tape, logistics, and creative roadblocks? What are the perks or enjoyable about forging your own path? Catie Lazarus and her guests delve into beauty, banality and absurdity of work, jobs, and labor.

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In this episode Catie Lazarus talks to Obama’s former Deputy Chief of Staff  of Operations Alyssa Mastromonaco and comedy writer Peter Grosz.

Alyssa Mastromonaco and Peter Grosz on what makes President Obama, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers great bosses

In this episode Catie Lazarus talks to acclaimed actor, writer, and director Tim Blake Nelson and singer songwriter Jill Sobule.

Tim Blake Nelson and Jill Sobule

Adam Gopnik has held many dream jobs, all in the same office. After almost forty years (and counting) at The New Yorker, Gopnik has served as a food, art, and music critic, and he’s written his own novels, children’s books, musicals, and solo shows. His latest (and first) political book A Thousand Small Sanities delves into how liberals can save Democracy. In this interview Gopnik talks to Catie Lazarus about the infighting between liberals and progressives, his upcoming solo show at The Red Bull Theater, and the incalculable torment of sibling rivalry.                                                                                                Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Theme song by Lady Rizo.

Adam Gopnik on Sibling Rivalry, Stand Up, and Liberalism

After making her stand-up debut in Washington, D.C., Aparna Nancherla quickly became a comedy darling in Los Angeles and New York, writing for FX’s Totally Biased with Kamau Bell and Late Night with Seth Meyers. She also became a welcome fixture in New York’s competitive stand-up scene thanks to her smart and self-aware one-liners. When she opened up about her own anxiety and depression, more fans flocked. As a writer and actor, she has worked on HBO’s Crashing, Comedy’s Central’s Corporate, and Netflix’s Bo-Jack Horseman. Now she’s eager to explore new terrain in her next stand-up special but worries what fans and Hollywood will think. In her conversation with Catie Lazarus, Nancherla talks about the solitary nature of stand up and writing, the toll it takes to regularly joke about anxiety, and how to say no to too much work.

Aparna Nancherla On Learning to Saying No and Avoiding Brain Trolls

Adrienne Truscott reveals what comedians mean by “funny is funny.” Her debut solo show transformed #MeToo, #TimesUp and still manages to be hilarious, as she proves just how funny feminsists can be. Plus, Pamela Adlon’s Better Things on FX starts up again, while Orange is the New Black reaches its final season. What do they share in common? Actor Alysia Reiner. The actor speaks about the two hit series and her film EGG, which co-stars Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks, and cracks into motherhood and work from a fresh, fun, and smart angle.

MICHAEL McKEAN sings live and talks Better Call Saul, Spinal Tap & Laverne & Shirley

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