Paul Linke (CHiPs, Motel Hell)

Paul Linke (CHiPs, Motel Hell)

Author: Ian Fermaglich September 13, 2025 Duration: 49:42

Paul Linke and I discuss his one man shows; how his eulogy for his first wife turned into a one man play on HBO; how his second wife inspired his second show and his friendship with Charles Nelson Reilly his third; his new show, The Summer I Got Old; watching Kate Smith and Howdy Doody on an early TV; his love of the Doors turns into a performance piece based on "The End" at USC; appearing in The Baby Makers with Barbara Hershey; hosting, acting in and promoting The Golden Theater Festival; hosting the 1974 Christmas Seals Telethon; being a good eulogist working with Jackie Gleason & Lucille Ball; going to the Last Waltz; 60's music; his recurring role on Happy Days; Henry Winkler and Johnny Depp having the same aura; appearing with Alan Alda in a scene on MASH; Alda's technique and Michael Richards; slam dancing on CHiPS; the MAIT Team episode; seeing Timothy Leary's ashes; Keith Richards; being on The Mike Douglas Show; his role in Motel Hell; Elaine Joyce and JD Salinger; appearing on Supertrain and Just Men with Betty White; his 25 year friendship with John Ritter; and how his shows require a lot of adrenaline and make him crash afterwards


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
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…