David Pasquesi is a legendary improvisor, and accomplished actor. A Chicago native, he studied with Del Close, and performed at Improv Olympic and Second City, as well as the Annoyance Theater. He has acted in films like Groundhog Day, and TV shows like Strangers with Candy and Veep. He and fellow Second City alum T.J. Jagodowski currently perform together as TJ and Dave, which is widely considered one of the premiere long-form improv shows on the planet.

David and Will talk about the creation of the Harold with mentor Del Close, the TJ and Dave book Improvisation at the Speed of Life, and the Alex Karpovski documentary Trust Us, This Is All Made Up. They also discuss the rules of improvisation, and the staying power of the Harold.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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The Sklar Brothers started doing stand-up together as adolescent twins in St. Louis. A fortuitous encounter with Andy Kindler during college encouraged them they were on the right track. They came up in New York during the rise of the alt comedy scene, and performed at Eating It at Luna Lounge, and other venues like Surf Reality and Collective Unconscious on the Lower East Side. They have been stalwarts of the standup world ever since.

Jason and Randy talk to Will about the differences between standup and improv, their experience making Held Up together (Crackle), and TAG IT!, the show they currently host at Largo and the Comedy Store.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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Michael Delaney is one of the most accomplished improvisers to come out of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York. He was a member of The Swarm, the legendary Harold Team formed by Amy Poehler, as well as The Stepfathers. He also directed the Naked Babies, and performed in seminal shows like Delaney & Dave, Pile Driver, and Nailed Down.

Michael and Will talk about the early days of UCB, meeting Del Close, and his deep knowledge of SCTV. They also discuss some of the rules of improv, including the concept of group mind.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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The SCTV Podcast with Michael Delaney

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Madeleine Smithberg is best know as co-creator and executive producer of The Daily Show, which she ran for seven years, spanning the Craig Kilborn and Jon Stewart eras. The list of people Madeleine hired during her tenure includes Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, and Ed Helms. She spent six years as a talent coordinator and producer on Late Night with David Letterman, after beginning her career as a field producer for RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana (Italian national television).

Madeleine and Will talk about her amazing life and career, including her online cooking show Mad In The Kitchen, and the time they worked together on Yappy Broads, a failed Adult Swim pilot. Madeleine also opens up about her recent bout with cancer, and the rollercoaster nature of her career.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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MAD IN THE KITCHEN

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Seth Morris is one of the most prolific performers to come out of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. His sketch group Naked Babies (with John Ross Bowie, Rob Corddry, and Brian Huskey) was a juggernaut. Seth also performed in classic long-running improvised shows like Feature Feature and Facebook. He was the first Artistic Director at UCB Franklin, worked at Funny or Die, and has acted on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, and Big Mouth. Will talked to Seth about the insane amount of talent at UCB in the early days, and the different paths those people have taken since.

Seth and Will also talk about their relationships with improv, and the importance of the hang in a creative community.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios.

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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Many people know Bobby Moynihan from his nine seasons on Saturday Night Live, but his formative years as a comedian were improvising at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York, where he was a member of house teams Police Chief Rumble and The Stepfathers. Will talked to Bobby about the old UCB days, as well as his time on Saturday Night Live, Human Giant, and Derrick Comedy. Bobby also discusses his love for animation and the making of Loafy, his cartoon about a weed-dealing Manatee.

Moynihan and Will also talk about life post-SNL, and the importance of maintaining relationships with the people you came up with.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios.

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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Colton Dunn has been a stalwart of the improv and sketch comedy scene since the late 90s. Will first met Colton when they were in the same Level 1 class at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in its early days in New York. Since then Colton has performed at Boom Chicago in Amsterdam, been a writer on madTV and Key & Peele, and played the much-loved character Garrett on Superstore (NBC). Colton currently plays a principal role on the Netflix series The Recruit.

Colton and Will also talk about performing improv comedy, and how that has affected the way they think, as well as their interactions with others.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios.

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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Introducing Life In Comedy, a podcast about comedians hosted by Will Becton (former engineer of Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend). In this clip, Will talks to Colton Dunn (Key & Peele, Superstore) about discovering the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York.

Recorded at Jett Road Studios.

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LIFE IN COMEDY

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