Employee of the Month

TITUSS BURGESS talks Tina Fey, Patti LuPone & reveals new Pinot Noirs


Listen Later

Peeno Noir is Expanding! Actor Tituss Burgess’s real wine company Pinot Noir, inspired by his Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’s character viral music video, will unveil a new wine for Pride Week and a rosé. Whether your celebrating the LGBTQ or can’t get enough of the nimble actor and deliriously delightful singer, you’ll feel better about splurging on Pinot Noir after seeing how Burgess does in a blind taste test. Catie Lazarus, host of Employee of the Month, wanted to see if the 37 years old, Georgia native really knows his wine. A consummate performer, Burgess was game. His honesty and humility, as much as his humor, makes their interview a must listen.

“Sometimes on Broadway, you have an inflated budget to do what is essentially a community theater production,” Burgess explains with refreshing candor. Without missing a beat, he flashes a mischievous grin. As he acknowledges the bad and the ugly about working in theater, he never forgets the good. Burgess points out how intoxicating Broadway and television, at their best, can be as he tips his proverbial hat to the legendary Patti LuPone and fellow actor Jon Hamm, who are seated in the audience at Joe’s Pub, and will also be individually interviewed and honored on Employee of the Month’s season finale. Their interviews were recorded live at Joe’s Pub and will roll out over the next three weeks on Employee of the Month’s podcast.
A performer herself, Lazarus talks to Burgess about the nitty-gritty of auditioning, and the two confess to being late for their 30 Rock Auditions. For Burgess, tardiness, he says, worked in his favor, but it’s really his talent which led Tina Fey took a risk in casting a relatively unknown bit player in a recurring role as D’Fwan in 30 Rock. Burgess batted it out of the park, but she may have developed a role for him in the break out comedy hit on Netflix because he is clearly also a joy to be around. He also displayed depth, as he spoke openly about the role faith and spirituality play and the challenges of homophobia growing up as a gay, black, devout Christian.
It’s not just Lazarus and the audience who are having fun, as Burgess thanks Lazarus and says, “this is one the greatest night of my life.” Check out her upcoming interviews with Jon Hamm and Patti LuPone, the latter of which features Burgess and LuPone singing impromptu Meadowlark, composed by Stephen Schwartz, to hear why.
Can't get enough? Follow @CatieLazarus and @TitussBurgess, you can check out Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix, to enjoy his many wines, got to www.pbtbwine.com, and to find out more about Employee of the Month, check out www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Employee of the MonthBy Slate Podcasts

  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4
  • 4.4

4.4

130 ratings


More shows like Employee of the Month

View all
Political Gabfest by Slate Podcasts

Political Gabfest

8,506 Listeners

Slate Money by Slate Podcasts

Slate Money

1,014 Listeners

Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts by Slate Podcasts

Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts

3,529 Listeners

Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia by Slate Podcasts

Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia

2,057 Listeners

Slow Burn by Slate Podcasts

Slow Burn

23,925 Listeners

Decoder Ring by Slate Podcasts

Decoder Ring

2,082 Listeners

What Next | Daily News and Analysis by Slate Podcasts

What Next | Daily News and Analysis

2,413 Listeners

How To! by Slate Podcasts

How To!

1,943 Listeners

Culture Gabfest by Slate Podcasts

Culture Gabfest

410 Listeners

ICYMI by Slate Podcasts

ICYMI

700 Listeners