Strip Mall Think Tank

Strip Mall Think Tank episodes:

• 02.28.2024

  #5 - Brian Regan

  Brian’s Dry Cleaner Dossier gets a thorough going over, and he and I give Jake a clear path to sever ties with “Dr. Nick.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 01.31.2024

  #4 - Jake, Jeff and Gary

  We tackle Jake’s Wooden Shoe Dilemma (the Dutch take it on the chin) and then solve Gary’s Evil Hair Dryer issue. I’m exhausted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 01.10.2024

  #3 - Brad Williams

  The hilarious Brad Williams joins Jake and Jeff to figure out why bank tellers can get Nate Bargatze and Matt Rife confused and think it’s okay, why Jake may carry tennis balls when he crosses the street, and why there...

  
• 11.29.2023

  #2 - Alonzo Bodden

  Some entitled jerk letting his dog off the leash is ruining Alonzo’s day, and we decide an Army of Karens is the best solution. Plus a fun tangent into Jake's password hell! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 11.03.2023

  #1 - Greg Fitzsimmons

  The first-ever STRIP MALL THINK TANK - hosted by Jake Johannsen and Jeff Cesario w/guest Greg Fitzsimmons. Nothing better than amateurs solving problems. This ep: Jake’s vacation goes sideways and Greg can’t take 20-year-old ‘philosophers.’ Learn more about your ad choices....

  
• 10.19.2023

  Vent Day!

  Special Writers’ Room. Jeff vents on Wisconsin football, Gary vents on the Chargers. It had to be done or someone was gonna get hurt. This is actually what goes on in a lot of writers’ rooms when you’re waiting for...

  
• 09.27.2023

  two-for-one: Josh AND Ben Mankiewicz Pt. 2!

  From “Dateline” it’s Josh Mankiewicz and from TCM it’s Ben Mankiewicz, both talking weak Yom Kippur knowledge, Sam Donaldson, being yourself, and as a bonus, a couple of Josh’s Chet Waterhouse sponsors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 09.20.2023

  two-for-one: Josh AND Ben Mankiewicz Pt. 1!

  From “Dateline” it’s Josh Mankiewicz and from TCM it’s Ben Mankiewicz, both talking writing approach, family dynamics, scary early gigs, and so much more. Killer stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 09.13.2023

  THE GREAT GREG PROOPS PT.2

  Comedian Greg Proops (“Who’s Line Is It Anyway?”) has a new album out called “French Drug Deal,” and in Pt. 2 he describes his fortuitous road to “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” the importance of the back brain, and the best...

  
• 09.06.2023

  THE GREAT GREG PROOPS PT.1

  Comedian Greg Proops (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) has a new album out called “French Drug Deal,” and he talks gettin’ high in high school, Bay Area music, the closeness between jazz and standup and of course how he writes...

  
• 08.30.2023

  MST3K’S Frank Conniff Pt. 2

  Droll and hilarious Frank Conniff talks about moving from MST3K to major network sitcoms and on to a string of awesome and eclectic projects that let him grow his own demographic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 08.24.2023

  MST3K’S Frank Conniff Pt.1

  The great Frank Conniff (MST3K, Sabrina, Drew Carey) discusses the tough but serendipitous route that led him to Minneapolis and ultimately, the gig on Mystery Science Theatre 3000. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 08.16.2023

  From intern to show runner: Mat Harawitz Pt.2

  Mat Harawitz takes us on the wild journey through what seems like a dozen sitcom gigs, at times literally swinging vine to vine to the next gig. Must listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 08.09.2023

  From intern to show runner: Mat Harawitz Pt.1

  Mat Harawitz dives headfirst into his early days, long before his success as a television producer/writer, when he was a student driving from Ithaca College back into NYC to write for and watch standups like Jeff Ross and Dave Chappelle....

  
• 08.02.2023

  Inside the new cockpit: Camille Corbett Pt. 2

  Actor/comic/writer/director Camille Corbett shares her experiences in the New Hollywood and how she strives to have all her creative instincts feed off each other.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 07.26.2023

  Inside the new cockpit: Camille Corbett Pt. 1

  Actor/comic/writer/director Camille Corbett shares her experiences surviving and thriving in the business model of the New Hollywood. Strap in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 07.19.2023

  Bill Scheft Pt. 2

  The hilarious Bill Scheft regales Jeff with some killer moments from his two-decade stint as Letterman’s trusted consigliere, and how he was able to take writers’ room energy and put it on some book-writin’. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

  
• 07.12.2023

  The Great Bill Scheft Pt. 1

  Comic, author and longtime Letterman Whisperer Bill Scheft live from the WGA picket line in NY/NJ! We talk all things strike, including the changing landscape for writers moving forward. And yet, laughs! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 06.28.2023

  Suli McCullough Part 2

  The great and funny Suli McCullough gives us details from inside the thrilling/hilarious/shocking roller coaster that was the “Will Smith Slap” Oscars. this half-hour FLIES by! Must listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 06.21.2023

  Suli McCullough Part 1

  Versatile and hilarious, standup/writer/producer Suli McCullough shares funny stories and killer insights on his path to writing for TV and his relationships with both Garry Shandling and Jamie Foxx. AWESOME ep, and he did his own tease for Pt 2...

  
• 06.14.2023

  The Best Guest Guy, Adam Spiegelman Pt 2

  On the Writers’ Room this week - One of the absolute best guest segment producers in the business, Adam Spiegelman describes how to wring laughs out of even the most unengaging talk show guests and shares some wild moments from...

  
• 06.07.2023

  The Best Guest Guy, Adam Spiegelman Pt 1

  On the Writers’ Room this week - One of the absolute best guest segment producers in the business, Adam Spiegelman describes how to wring laughs out of even the most unengaging talk show guests and shares some wild moments from...

  
• 05.31.2023

  “Last Man Standing”s Ed Yeager, Pt 2

  Part 2 with the great Ed Yeager (Roseanne, Gary Unmarried, Last Man Standing) sharing anecdotes from deep inside the bowels of some great sitcoms. Funny and informative, listen up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 05.24.2023

  “Last Man Standing”s Ed Yeager, Pt 1

  Part 1 with the great Ed Yeager (Roseanne, Gary Unmarried, Last Man Standing) as he shares funny stories of how he transitioned from standup comedy to writing to show runner. And there’s a good drinking story in there too

  
• 05.17.2023

  “Family Guy’s” Alec Sulkin Pt.2

  The hilarious Alec Sulkin (Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, the Ted 1 & 2) dives headfirst into his Family Guy experience and his special connection with Seth McFarlane. Big laughs, good tips! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 05.10.2023

  “Family Guy’s” Alec Sulkin Pt.1

  The hilarious Alec Sulkin (Family Guy, The Cleveland Shoe, Ted and Ted2) shares how he got into writing, his first digs in LA, and the amazing wonderful weirdness of his first gig in LA, the great Late Late Show w/Craig...

  
• 05.03.2023

  “The Goldbergs” Lew Schneider Pt.2

  Laughs and insights from showrunner/writer/director Lew Schneider (“Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Men of A Certain Age,” “The Goldbergs.”)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 04.26.2023

  “The Goldbergs” Lew Schneider Pt.1

  Spend time with the hilarious Lew Schneider (Everybody Loves Raymond, Men Of A Certain Age, The Goldbergs) as he shares laughs and insights in a wildly diverse batch of writers’ rooms! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 04.19.2023

  Mike Rowe Pt.2

  The hilarious Mike Rowe (Family Guy, Futurama, Comedy Central Roasts) shares great stories from the animation rooms and from his own past. Absolutely great stuff for any young writers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 04.12.2023

  Family Guy’s Michael Rowe Pt.1

  Michael’s written on everything from sitcoms (Becker) to Roasts (w/Jeff Ross) to animation (Futurama and Family Guy) and shares funny anecdotes and valuable insights for any writer at any level! Check out his great new book, “It’s A Funny Thing.” Learn...

  
• 04.05.2023

  "Rolling Stone’s" David Wild Pt.2

  Part 2 from the amazing and very funny David Wild (Rolling Stone, The Grammys) which includes great stories featuring Steven Tyler and Paul & Linda McCartney and a bittersweet memory from when LL Cool J hosted the Grammys the very...

  
• 03.29.2023

  Rolling Stone’s David Wild, Pt.#1

  David Wild has written everything from award-winning cover stories for Rolling Stone to unbearable presenter patter at awards shows. He shares his unlikely path from print into TV, the way to survive a roomful of comedy writers, the serendipity that...

  
• 03.22.2023

  Joe Furey Pt. 2

  Hilarious writer/performer Joe Furey (Letterman, Newsradio, Demetri Martin) shares stories from the Spike Feresten writers’ room and more great anecdotes from his many gigs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 03.15.2023

  Newsradio’s Joe Furey, Pt.1

  The hilarious Joe Furey (Letterman, Newsradio, etc) shares great stories about how he got Letterman (his sister called the show about an intern opening!) and the joy he gets from writing and performing idiotic sketches. Learn more about your ad choices....

  
• 03.09.2023

  Matt Goldman: Comedy to Crime

  Classic ep with the funny and talented Matt Goldman, who pivoted from a career in the sitcom world to a New York Times best-selling crime author! Find out how he did it without pulling a muscle. Learn more about your ad...

  
• 03.01.2023

  Gina Grad & Bald Bryan

  Adam Carolla podcast veterans Gina Grad and Bryan Bishop discuss how they made the delicate fit into that hit show and how each switched gears to write very personal books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 02.22.2023

  The Writers Room with Jon Macks and Jeff Stilson

  With the Oscars looming I talk to two guys who’ve spent a large portion of their lives in awards show writers’ rooms - Jon Macks and Jeff Stilson. We cover everything from Faye Dunaway reading the wrong Best Picture winner...

  
• 02.15.2023

  Super Bowl wrap-up with Norman Chad

  Sports columnist and the voice of the World Series of Poker Norman Chad joins me to critique my Super Bowl bets, break down the psyche of Philly fans, and share an Andy Reid anecdote. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

  
• 02.08.2023

  Super Bowl bets with my own damn money

  I came into some cash already deposited in an online gaming account and I decided with Gary’s help to bet it on this Sunday’s Super Bowl - everything from score prediction to Anthem time! C’mon Chris Stapleton, don’t be messing around...

  
• 02.01.2023

  Music & Hoops with Claire de Lune

  Singer/songwriter and NBA columnist Claire de Lune talks the current state of the music biz AND her pick for the NBA Finals. I know, it’s wild! Great listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 01.25.2023

  The Writers’ Room w/Josh Weinstein and Joel Madison

  A funny/useful glimpse inside all kinds of writers’ room with guests Josh Weinstein (Later, AFV, etc) and Joel Madison (Roseanne, Malcolm & Eddie, etc) plus my own checkered past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 01.18.2023

  The Vikings/Chargers Vortex of Doom

  Fantasy Football maven and Vikings fan Paul Charchian joins my superb producer and Chargers fan Gary Smith as I try to save them both from any more NFL-inflicted pain! Damn funny conclusions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 01.11.2023

  Austin Huff in a huff!

  Sports radio host and founder of KorkedBats.com Austin Huff shares some Jim Rome and Steve Gorman stories plus gives us his Super Bowl dark horse! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 01.04.2023

  Tales of Taylor Williamson

  Hilarious standup Taylor Williamson joins the show and immediately takes us on a tangent and we never get back, and thank God for that! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 12.28.2022

  MST3K’s Joel Hodgson, Pt. 2!

  This episode Joel deep dives into the origins of Mystery Science Theatre and adds one of the best Worst Gig stories ever (it involves dental analysis) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 12.21.2022

  MST3K’S Joel Hodgson, Pt. #1!

  Awesome two-parter with the incredible Joel Hodgson, creator of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. In Pt. 1 we talk Minneapolis Comedy, Louie Anderson’s passing, and we find out we kinda meant a little something to each other! Pt. 2 next week - Hollywood and...

  
• 12.14.2022

  Chet previews all 41 Bowl Games!

  A Play With Pain holiday tradition! - sportscasting legend Chet Waterhouse (voice of International Speedfishing) makes his way through every. Single. Bowl Game. All 41 of them - predictions, anecdotes, sponsors, beefs - and all in 15 minutes. Learn more about your ad choices....

  
• 12.07.2022

  PWP Exclusive: The Santa Interview

  Major coup: we got the Santa Claus himself to join us for a no-holds-barred discussion of everything from his prior career (musician) to his love life (“There are a lot of Mrs. Clauses”) to his next vacation home (“something on stilts”). You’re not...

  
• 11.30.2022

  Jeff Problem-solves, kind of

  Our beloved host is done with the World Cup. And cool headphones. Gary keeps him from walking off a ledge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  
• 11.23.2022

  Give Thanks for Bill Scheft!

  Comic/Author/Letterman writer Bill Scheft and I take an immediate tangent off sports into some truly funny behind-the-scenes showbiz and writers’ room anecdotes and it’s the most fun I’ve had in awhile, so much so we doubled are usual episode time...