Larry Charles | Comedy Samurai

Larry Charles | Comedy Samurai

Author: Marc Preston Productions, LLC August 11, 2025 Duration: 1:17:29
On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with author, writer, producer and director,Larry Charles , who has a new memoir out called “Comedy Samurai: Forty Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter”.  He’s known for a constellation of projects, such as Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, Mad About You, Borat, The Dictator and The Comedians.  We dive into Larry's journey from Brooklyn to Hollywood, discussing his work on iconic shows, as well as collaborations with the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Sacha Baron Cohen, Bob Dylan and Bill Maher.  We cover Larry's inspirations, his experiences in the industry, and his new memoir.  This is a great bit of insight into the crafts of comedy and storytelling from one of the best in the business.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS02:43 Larry Charles' Personal Story02:58 Impact of Losing a Home07:34 Comedy in Tragedy08:37 The Influence of George Carlin13:32 Creating Content in the Digital Age18:50 Larry Charles' Early Life and Family29:08 Jewish Influence in Comedy34:15 Comedy Inspirations and Influences40:17 Exploring Comedy Preferences42:24 The Pressure of Producing Sitcoms43:42 The Evolution of Comedy44:37 Behind the Scenes of Entourage49:32 Directing Borat52:05 The Joys and Challenges of Directing55:58 The Seven Questions58:50 Dream Dinner Guests01:01:07 Religulous and Satirizing Religion01:05:08 Celebrity Crushes and Desert Island Picks01:12:10 Advice to My Younger SelfListen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app.  Also, check out the show and sign up for the newsletter at  www.storyandcraftpod.com...#podcast #LarryCharles #Seinfeld #CurbYourEnthusiam #Borat #Comedy #JerrySeinfeld #SachaBaronCohen #LarryDavid #BillyCrystal #PaulReiser #BillMaher #BobDylan #MelBrooks #Author #Writer #Producer #Director #ComedySamurai #storyandcraft #HBO #Author #Bruno #TheDictator #Jewish #Religulous 

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: 93

Story and Craft with Marc Preston
Podcast Episodes
LaMonica Garrett | Soldiering Across Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:57
On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with LaMonica Garrett. Though he was originally on track to be a professional football player, he transitioned to making a name for himself by tackling a wide ran…
Neil deGrasse Tyson | Your Personal Astrophysicist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:28
On this episode of The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson from the Hayden Planetarium. It was a great chat where we discussed his new book, “Welcome to The Universe in 3D: A Visual…
Tiffany Lonsdale | Cowboy Boots & Crumpets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:22
This week on The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with Tiffany Lonsdale. Growing up in both England and Dallas, she has a unique background and perspective. She’s an intriguing actor that has been gradually making a na…
Billy Magnussen | The Zen of The Nomadic Actor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:21
This week on The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with the epic talented and versatile actor, Billy Magnussen. He’s been working for years in film, TV and is a Tony nominated stage actor. We chat about his new HBO film…
Beulah Koale | Run It Straight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:33
This week on The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with Beulah Koale. He made a name for himself as an actor in his native New Zealand before becoming familiar to a wider audience in the movie Thank You For Your Service…
Chris Baker | Creating Your Own Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:56
This week on The Story & Craft Podcast, we sit down with actor and writer, Chris Baker. He has made a name for himself on YouTube. Now, he’s beginning to break out with his first feature length film, The Estate. He wrote…
Allegra Edwards | Downloading the Upload [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:29
This week on Story & Craft, we sit down with the exceptionally talented actor, Allegra Edwards. If you’re not already familiar with Allegra, I assure you that you will be very soon. She’s one of the stars of Amazon Prime…
Ariel Vromen | Maestro of Stories & Beats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:17
This week on Story & Craft, I sit down with movie director, Ariel Vromen. Ariel is an intriguing guy with a great story. He has directed movies such as Criminal, The Iceman and The Angel. He has directed some of Hollywoo…
Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:17
This week on Story & Craft, we sit down with Academy Award and Golden Globe winner, Billy Bob Thornton. Billy needs no introduction, as he’s been on the scene for quite a while. His body of work is extensive, and include…
Billy Burke | Guitars & Vampires [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:26
This week on Story & Craft, we welcome Billy Burke. Billy is a busy working actor who has been on the scene for quite a while. He’s had an eclectic mix of TV roles, from 24, to Revolution and Zoo. Billy has shared the bi…