Ian Gurvitz (Wings, Becker, author Dumbf*ckistan)

Ian Gurvitz (Wings, Becker, author Dumbf*ckistan)

Author: Ian Fermaglich June 1, 2024 Duration: 48:32

Ian Gurvitz joined me to discuss the derivation of his name; growing up in Plainview; TV he watched including Laugh-In and Batman; William Daniels; going to Ithaca College; moving to NYC and writing for comics; getting hired to write for short lived sitcom A Fine Romance; selling a Wonder Years; writing The Great TV and Movie Quizbook; creating Normal Life with Moon Unit and Dweezil Zappa; writing a Get a Life; creating Charlie Hoover; paying "Where's Sam?"; inspired by a Married with Children episode; joining Wings for a a six week tryout and lasting 6 years; how The Contest episode of Seinfeld deflated the writers room; hiring Amy Yasbeck; writing an episode while his mother is dying in the next room; writing his 1st episode with Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe; music rights; Tony Danza Show; watching Ted Danson become Becker; episode he wrote "Crosstalk"; the genesis of Becker; his film LA Blues; working on The Exes; keeping a journal while in development and publishing it as "Hello, Lied the Agent"; why is TV better; business model of TV has changed with streaming; The Bear; Only Murders in the Building; We Were the Lucky Ones; The Day the Crown Cried; his first book, Deconstructing God about religion; his second Dumbf*ckistan, about Sarah Palin's rise to power; anti-college stance of people who went to Ivy League schools; intelligence of other countries; Trump's crowd size; Nixon; Democrats can't brand or fight; Roger Stone; Roy Cohn; Democrats are pushing people away; don't be a dick



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
Don McEnery (comedian / writer, Seinfeld "The Tape") [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:07
Don McEnery joined me to discuss knowing how to ask where the library is in Spanish; It's a Wonderful Life; attempting to be a singer-songwriter; a panic attack makes him decide to pursue standup; starting Long Island; o…
Eddie Feldmann (comedian / writer Dennis Miller, Norm MacDonald) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:09
Eddie Feldmann joined me to discuss growing up in Saugerties, NY; comedy albums and cartoons being his entree into comedy; a 3rd grade Catholic school essay gone awry; working in his families deli; getting a criminal jus…
Dawna Kaufmann (SNL / MADTV writer, true crime expert) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:37
Dawna Kaufmann joined me to discuss writing jokes for JFK, Khruschev, and Phyllis Diller as a child; JFK assassination; working for Don Kirschner's Rock Concert; her stage roles in the late 60's / early 70's; working on…
Dan O'Keefe (Seinfeld / Drew Carey Show) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:58
Dan O'Keefe joined me to discuss growing up in Chappaqua: writing for the Harvard Lampoon; joining the National Lampoon; writing letters from the editors; favorite pieces; writing for MTV and Comedy Central; writing for…
Mike Teverbaugh (Drew Carey Show / Last Man Standing) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:59
Mike Teverbaugh joins me and discusses his names pronunciation; his new play, The Mostly True Story of a Common Scold; his other play, The Dugout; watching Captain Kangaroo as a child; Batman 66; going to UCLA to become…
T. Sean Shannon (comedian. SNL writer 1998 - 2006) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:10
T. Sean Shannon joined me to discuss his YouTube series "Baseball Card Theatre"; his favorite cards; going to the Astrodome with his six brothers and sisters for a whole day in the '70's; O-Pee Chee; his idol, his brothe…
Rob Ulin (Dinosaurs / Roseanne / Norm Show / Ramy) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:15
Rob Ulin joins me to discuss watching Gilligan's Island and Dick Van Dyke Show as a kid; wanting to be an actor; going to Harvard and being on Lampoon with Conan; writing a letter to Norman Lear who mentored him; writing…
Bruce Handy (Spy Magazine writer / editor, SNL writer 1993) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:15
Bruce Handy joined me to discuss how to write picture books; children's literature; his book on the subject Wild Things; Goodnight Moon, Judy Blume, Willy Wonka; his first TV memories of the JFK assassination and Romper…
Mary Jenifer Mitchell (National Lampoons Lemmings / Foreplay) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:58
Mary Jenifer Mitchell and I discussed her early Tv favorites Liberace and Oral Roberts; going to NY after high school graduation; spending the summer of '66 in NYC; going to college in Colorado and dropping out; moving t…