Comedian Helaine Witt

Comedian Helaine Witt

Author: Ian Fermaglich July 5, 2025 Duration: 50:00

Helaine Witt joined me me to discuss watching Bonanza in color; Ed Sullivan Show; her mom not liking Jack Benny; going to Elmont High School; John Mulaney; seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and earlier on Jack Paar; Ringo not playing live at Shea; Elton John; teaching in 1970's NY; bad neighborhoods; being laid off by NYC; going to a stand up club in SF and taking classes; selling jokes to Joan Rivers; coming back to NY in 1991; working with Gladys Simon; working with Vanessa Hollingshead as a coach; going to the Actors Temple with Rabbi Jill; Simpsons "stealing" her jokes; Tom Padovano; my ending joke; Carrie Snow; her writing process; wanting to write for Gutfeld; being able to submit for Leno; more time for stand up after retiring from teaching in 2011; Governors Comedy Cub; Jewish Comedy Contest becomes a documentary called Still Standing; working with Jo Firestone on doc Good Timing; appearing on MSNBC and Wendy Williams; Joan Rivers didn't want a roast; Next Door app; Seinfeld; appearing in short film Singles Retreat and its premiere


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone who's been on both sides of the microphone gets to ask the questions. Ian Talks Comedy is exactly that: a series of relaxed, insightful dialogues hosted by Ian Fermaglich, who brings his own perspective as a former stand-up comedian and a current New York City teacher into every chat. Instead of standard interviews, these feel more like catching up backstage with a friend who happens to have incredible stories. Each episode features Ian in conversation with some of the most skilled and interesting voices from across the comedy world. You'll hear about the craft behind the laughs, the unexpected lessons from life on stage, and the personal journeys that shape a comedic voice. The tone is warm, curious, and devoid of pretension, focusing on the human experience within the performing arts. For anyone who appreciates the artistry behind a great joke or the real-life observations that fuel humor, this podcast offers a genuine and engaging listen. It’s about the process, the missteps, and the moments of connection that make comedy such a vital part of our culture.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Ian Talks Comedy
Podcast Episodes
Michael S. Baser (Good Times / Three's Company) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:39
Michael S. Baser joined me to discuss watching Sky King as a kid; using comedy as a deterrent to bullies; starting a stand-up duo as a teenager; meeting Kim Weiskopf; his father not helping them; A Year at the Top; writi…
Ricky Blitt (writer, The Ringer / Family Guy) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:44
Ricky Blitt joined me to discuss sports; Monty Python; pitching The Ringer about fixing the Special Olympics; weed helping him know who his friends are and work harder; his last 32 years being better than first 32; colle…
Jameel Saleem (South Park / Disenchantment / Bob's Burgers) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:47
Jameel Saleem and I discussed his watching Cheers and MASH as a kid; Jimmy Stewart; going to Hampton College with DJ Envy; wanting to be an FBI agent, then realizing he wants to be playing an FBI agent; getting small rol…
Rob Kutner (Dennis Miller Live / Daily Show / Conan) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:31
Rob Kutner joined me to discuss Lost in Space; Letterman; writing; the Far Side; writing for the Princeton Tiger; applying to write for MAD; writing spec scripts; getting hired as an intern on Dennis Miller Live; the sho…
Allan Katz (Laugh In / M*A*S*H* / Rhoda / Blossom) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:50
Allan Katz joined me to discuss Kukla, Fran & Ollie; joining the National Guard; becoming a copywriter; Screaming Yellow Zonkers; George Schlatter calls him; staying in a hotel and writing writing on legal pads; teaming…
Rose Abdoo (Josephina on Hacks / Gypsy on Gilmore Girls) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:03
Rose Abdoo joined me to discuss us being birthday buddies; The Flintstones; staying up to watch The Tonight Show; going to Michigan State; moving to Chicago to join Second City; ETC with Stephen Colbert & Amy Sedaris; se…
Steve Bleustein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:46
Legendary comedian Steve Bleustein joined me and discussed his autobiography Memoir of a Nobody; watching Howdy Doody & Peter Pan; going to Emerson College w/ Henry Winkler; Dave Madden & Albert Hammond taking him to try…
5 Favorite Sketches from The Credibility Gap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:48
Included: 10 minutes of my conversation with Harry Shearer, the sketches: "Where's Johnny", "Tom Snyder", "Who's on First",, "Senator Kennedy's Next Speech", "The Night the Nights Stayed on in Pittsburgh"