The writer-producers of Law and Order SVU describe the pains and pleasures of shooting in New York – mostly pleasures… no, pains… no, pleasures derives from pains – and make this astute observation: it’s not just that an actor shapes a character but that playing a character transforms the actor herself. In this case it … Continue reading »
Category Archives: Television
Episode 100: Gerard Mulligan & Steve Young
As we enter the post-Letterman era, two of his long-time writers reflect on their decades with the show. Gerry started writing for him in 1978 when Dave guest-hosted the Tonight Show. Steve started on the NBC show in 1990 and soldiered on through the final broadcast at CBS. I worked with – and admire – … Continue reading »
Episode 98: Hank Azaria
The voice of every Simpsons character – OK, many Simpsons characters: Moe, Apu, Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy, Carl Carlson and more – he is admired as an actor in movies (Night at the Museum), television (Mad About You) and theater (Spamalot). PERSON: Roy London PLACE: the NICU THING: his first TV RANDY’S PLACE: concert hall, … Continue reading »
Episode 84: Jonathan Ames
He is the author of nine books including Wake Up, Sir and The Extra Man, and the creator of the HBO series Bored to Death. We spoke on stage at the Brooklyn Historical Society, joined by the delightful musician Walter Hawkes. Crowded? Not at all. Cozy. PERSON: his great aunt, Doris Klein PLACE: … Continue reading »
Episode 81: Terence & Rachel Winter
He is the creator of Boardwalk Empire, who this year was nominated for an Oscar for writing Wolf of Wall Street. She was Oscar-nominated for producing Dallas Buyers Club, and she won. Pretty impressive couple. Pretty good year. We spoke on Shakespeare’s birthday on stage at the JCC in Manhattan. PERSON:Barry Manilow PLACE: Mammoth, CA … Continue reading »
Episode 78: Sean & Chris Kelly
Two generations of humor writers. Sean was a founding editor of the National Lampoon; His son Chris was the head writer on Bill Maher’s first series. Plus a bonus segment from Daniel Radosh and Tim Carvell, recorded when they wrote for Jon Stewart. PERSON: musician Steve Goodman PLACE: the Grave of Wilfred H. Hell (not here) … Continue reading »
Episode 69: Griffin Dunne
He is the son of the the writer Dominick Dunne and the nephew of two more writers, John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion. That’s not really an accomplishment; it’s an accident of birth, like being French, only better, but it would have seemed coy, somehow, not to mention it. I first became aware of him … Continue reading »
Episode 47: Daily Show Writers Tim Carvell and Daniel Radosh
It is fascinating to hear skilled practitioners explain just how they practice skillfully. When we recorded this conversation, Tim Carvell and Daniel Radosh wrote for the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and they describe how they bring the comedy from the farm to your family’s table. Daniel is now a senior writer for the Trevor Noah version; Tim … Continue reading »
Episode 31: Melissa Harris-Perry
A columnist for The Nation and a professor of political science at Tulane University, Melissa Harris-Perry is particularly astute about gender, race and politics, which she explores in her recent book, Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America. In addition to writing, teaching, and raising her daughter, in her copious free time she … Continue reading »
Comedy / Movies / Television
Episode 26: Rachel Dratch
Rachel Dratch isn’t just from Massachusetts, she is the voice of Massachusetts, at least for fans of Saturday Night Live from 1999 to 2006. These days, she appears often on Inside Amy Schumer and Broad City. This episode, recorded in 2013, was posted as a podcast but never broadcasted. Here it is, recut and … Continue reading »
Episode 16: Ed Asner
Born to an Orthodox Jewish family in Kansas City, where Orthodox Jews were thin on the ground, Ed Asner is an Army veteran, athlete, political progressive and much admired actor. Best known to people Randy’s age as Lou Grant, a new generation discovered him as the voice of Carl Frederickson in the animated feature Up. … Continue reading »
Episode 13: John Hodgman
Known for his work as the bumbling PC in Apple Computer commercials and as the “resident expert” on The Daily Show with John Stewart, John Hodgman is also the author of That Is All. He joins Randy Cohen for a conversation about one person, one place, and one thing that have significance to him. This … Continue reading »