Dirk Benedict (The A-Team)

Dirk Benedict (The A-Team)

Author: Ian Fermaglich February 14, 2026 Duration: 1:31:47

Dirk Benedict joined me to discuss Montana v. Montauk; not having a TV in Montana until 1956 and not watching one until college; lived out in ranch houses; now only watches old movies and English football; Steven Spielberg could not believe the number of movies he hadn't seen; movies are just pictures, not like early dialogue based films; having same acting teacher as Sir Anthony Hopkins; Whitman College; not having a plan; not having a phone in Montana during Battlestar Galactica, agent had to call a bar six miles away to get him; Kate Jackson; wanting to make the film version of A River Runs Through It; house-sitting for Anthony Hopkins in 1971; Aaron Spelling offered him guest spots on Charlies Angels; Diana Rigg wanted all male heterosexual Broadway cast; met friend Keith Michelle, who taught him about macrobiotics; playing Gloria Swanson's blind son in Butterflies are Free; living with her and having dinner with Greta Garbo; learning dirt on Joe Kennedy; befriending Maya Angelou on a set in Sweden; co-starring with Strother Martin in SSSSSST; getting job because of death of Brandon deWilde and producer Richard Zanuck seeing him in a Hawaii 5-O; Jim MacArthur; wore most makeup ever up to that point in SSSSSST; Robert Blake hangs out with him and Strother; Strother and him listen to Mozart; befriending George Roy Hill; playing George's piano; palm reader accurately predicts his life; befriending Fred Astaire; co-starring with Twiggy in W; Chopper One; dating Lucie Arnaz while costarring in Lil Abner; being a conservative in liberal Hollywood; never wanting to be an actor; being dared to try out for school play and getting the lead; stage acting is sex and camera acting in masturbation; his Kamikaze Cowboy Kitchen; his twin granddaughters; living in Europe for 4 years; his macrobiotic book saved lives but were burned on orders from AMA; Marie Osmond's parents put a stop to a potential romance because he wasn't Mormon; diet drugs; impotence; was considered funny after he got out of his house; Markie Post; cast of A-Team were considered misogynists but every female guest stars loved them; NBC hated A-Team; dedicating his book to people who died of cancer; being fat is worse than smoking; people who think others who are successful are just lucky; trying to help Gilda Radner & Jill Ireland beat cancer; no for sugar takes 8 years; Merv Griffin loved him for his honesty


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
Kres Mersky (playwright, actress Taxi / Barney Miller ) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:53
Kres Mersky and I discussed her name; starting acting at a local park at 14 and getting the bug; going to Beverly Hills High with Rob Reiner, Richard Dreyfus, and Julie Kavner; TV debut on Virginian; doing three episodes…
Rick Mitchell (Ellen, TMZ, author How to Write a Funny Speech) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:33
Rick Mitchell joined me to discuss Carol recognizing him from TMZ; writing a performing speeches in his past ; it really not being that hard to write a good speech; giving a good speech requires you know your audience; t…
Trace Baeulieu (Mystery Science Theater 3000) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:13
Trace Baeulieu joined me to discuss his last name; riffing on teachers and film strips; his quick stint at Univ. at Minnesota; stand up; having a day job; being an opener; meeting Frank and Joel; joining for the second e…
Andy Goldberg & Wendy Cutler (Off the Wall's 50th Anniversary) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:58
Andy Goldberg & Wendy Cutler of the improv group Off the Wall joined me to discuss the founder, Dee Marcus; how they met her; the original members, Chris Thompson, Judy Pioli, and Joie Madigow; having four women and two…
Gone but Not Forgotten: SNL's Dan Vitale (1956 - 2023) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:06
Dan Vitale joined me and discussed social media presence; attention he got from Marc Maron's podcast; Lorne Michaels seeing him; his audition for The New Show; his fluctuating weight from 1986 - 1991; Cobra Kai; streamin…
Andy Hoglund (EW's SNL Recapper, Major League 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:08
Andy Hoglund joined me to discuss finding out about SNL through Wayne's World and Comedy Central reruns; my getting tapes mailed from Canada by Bronwyn Douwsma; going to Boston University; studying film; doing a term pap…
Chris Regan (The Daily Show / Family Guy) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:48
Chris Regan joined me to discuss growing up in Central NY; 70's TV; enjoying black & white comedy movies; loving Monty Python; SNL; UK comedy; auditioning for David Frost; comedy aging poorly; Michael Davis; going to Ith…
Elaine Aronson (Night Court, It's Garry Shandling Show) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:23
Elaine Aronson joined me to discuss 60's TV; growing up in Newton, Mass; going to college for dance; graduating from UCSB with a degree in dramatic arts w/o talking a drama class; teaching dance; being a secretary at Emp…
Michael Curtis (Friends / Jonas) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:48
Michael Curtis joined me to talk Saturday Morning cartoons; going to SDSU Film Corps; having a local Emmy nominated public access sketch show; working on Return of the Killer Tomatoes; being a PA for many films, then an…