Joel Church-Cooper | Home Runs & Dutch Treats

Joel Church-Cooper | Home Runs & Dutch Treats

Author: Marc Preston Productions, LLC March 16, 2026 Duration: 1:25:39

On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, Marc Preston goes behind the curtain with producer/writer Joel Church-Cooper (“Going Dutch”, “Brockmire”, “Future Man”, “Undateable”) to talk about how TV comedy really gets made and how the business has changed. Joel shares his Northern California upbringing, film-nerd roots in the video store era, and the comedy influences that shaped him (“Kids in the Hall”, “Mr. Show”). They dig into big studio comedies, as well as how algorithms and “second-screen” viewing are reshaping storytelling. Joel breaks down the origins of “Going Dutch” (including the real Army base that inspired it), the evolution of “Brockmire”, working with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. It’s an engaging chat about what it takes to create great TV!

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

03:29 Film Nerd Origins

04:56 Video Store Era Stories

13:21 Comedy Influences and Sketch Classics

17:24 Public Access and Media Power

26:02 Going Dutch and Algorithm Notes

28:54 What He Watches Now

33:15 Kids Movies and YouTube Brain Rot

41:57 Chasing Authenticity

42:33 Brockmeyer Origins

49:05 Baseball as Existential Comedy

51:07 Future Man Writers Room

57:39 Why “Going Dutch” was set in The Netherlands

01:01:36 Culture Clash Comedy

01:03:13 The Seven Questions


For over thirty years, Marc Preston has worked from both sides of the microphone, building a career as an actor and a nationally syndicated radio host. That unique perspective informs every conversation on Story and Craft with Marc Preston. This isn't a standard interview podcast; it's a series of deep, meandering, and genuinely connective dialogues. Marc's endless curiosity drives him to explore not just what his guests have done, but how and why they do it. He sits down with a compelling roster of creative minds-actors from film and television, voiceover artists, writers, musicians, and cultural influencers-to unpack the fascinating, often unseen work behind their public personas. Listeners are brought directly into a discussion that feels like eavesdropping on a great chat between old friends, one that naturally veers from technical craft to personal philosophy. The result is consistently entertaining and offers unexpected insights into the worlds of comedy, culture, and storytelling. Each episode of this podcast reveals the nuanced decisions, the years of practice, and the personal stories that shape art and performance. You'll hear about the awkward auditions, the breakthrough moments, and the simple love for the work that sustains a creative life. It’s that blend of professional insight and human experience that defines the podcast, making it a rewarding listen for anyone interested in the intersection of art, society, and the discipline required to excel.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Story and Craft with Marc Preston
Podcast Episodes
David Berry | Stories from Starz's "Outlander" | Presto & Bezza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:00
Marc Preston sits down with Actor David Berry from "Starz"'s "Outlander" to discuss his new project, career, and personal stories.David shares the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye to a character he has inhabited for…
Meaghan Rath | Un voyage de La Métropole à l'Audace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:38
On this episode of Story & Craft, Marc sits down with actor Meaghan Rath. We take a moment to discuss the Zen of all things Hawaii, as Meaghan looks back on living on Oahu for “Hawaii Five-0,” sharing favorite beaches, i…
Johnny Ray Gill | Tale of a Prospective Gent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:20
On this episode of “Story and Craft”, Marc sits down with actor and writer Johnny Ray Gill (“Cross” Season 2 on Prime Video) for a wide-ranging conversation about Gill’s Portland roots in an all-Black Northeast community…
Rob Corddry | Normal From Across the Street [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:51
On this episode of “Story and Craft,” Marc sits down with actor, producer and comedian, Rob Corddry to talk about his new AMC show “The Audacity”. We explore a career that spans projects such as “The Daily Show,” “Childr…