Convince Me with Larry Smith

Starring Rosa Speaker, Zach Boblitt, Tom Brown, and Steve Sykes! This episode is ridiculous, hilarious, and Larry almost loses his mind.

All the way back in 2019 Craig and Jeremy (you know, the guys in charge and the ones with the wildly popular Ted Lasso show) approached Larry to do a show. Something different. Something new. Larry devised a useless debate show. So, the first episode was ready to be recorded in March of 2020…and, well,Continue reading "CONVINCE ME: THE GAME SHOW"

Larry is once again joined by Nicole and Gideon for one of their favorite horror movies, Willy’s Wonderland starring Nicolas Cage as a silent touch guy who takes on janitorial duties at a Satanic Showbiz Pizza called Willy’s Wonderland where the animatronics are hiding a dark secret. Is he locked in there with them, orContinue reading "MONSTERCAST – WILLY’S WONDERLAND"

Welcome to Convince Me’s first contribution to Monstercast 2022! Larry is joined by his wife, Nicole, and the Wednesday Addams of the family, his son Gideon. They discuss the 2021 Horror Comedy “Black Friday.” A group of disgruntled toy store employees must try to survive working the most dreaded day in retail while also fightingContinue reading "MONSTERCAST – BLACK FRIDAY"

Nick Dodson is an activist, an organizer, and seeks to make his part of the world better all of the time. He’s also a member of The Junior Varsity, a band that was gaining in popularity, had an enormous following, and then found itself just done…for a while. We discuss rugged individualism, social justice, theContinue reading "Convince Me Nick Dodson"

Look, this whole show is about celebrating differences, right? Well, Larry REALLY doesn’t like The Wizard of Oz. Like, really doesn’t like it, so he would like to find out why he’s wrong about this. Joining him on the show are the incredible Brandon Davis, host of Front Row Classics, and the incomparable Anna McFarland,Continue reading "The Wizard of Oz (Or Why Larry’s Wrong)"

Larry is joined by comedian, co-host of Running the Light Podcast, and good friend Jeremy Plumb. They discuss movies, iPODS, and standup comedy. 

Brad was the long time opener for the great Joan Rivers, is a brilliant (and generous) comedian, and is the creator and host of Zoolarious, the long running standup show at the legendary ZOO Bar in Lincoln, NE. He’s hosted incredible comics like Sam Tallent, Kyle Kinane, Adam Cayton-Holland, and Sean Patton. (OH! And LarryContinue reading "Episode 23 – Brad Stewart"

Mollie Amburgey is a playwright, a director, a standup comic and host of The Casually Mollie Podcast where she interviews comedians, musicians, & other entertainment each week. She also runs the website & social media for St. Louis Independent Comedy. She talks about her dislike of a popular television show (that some would consider blasphemous)Continue reading "Episode 22 – Mollie Amburgey"

Larry gets the pleasure of speaking with author, Rex Ogle, about his new book “Punching Bag,” a memoir about growing up the victim of abuse, but ultimately surviving and how from the depths of despair can come a message of hope. Larry and Rex also discuss his time with Marvel and DC Comics, his loveContinue reading "Rex Ogle"

Larry and special guest host Vanessa Ferguson get to chat with producer and author Ben Sheehan about his time at Funny or Die, his new book aimed toward young adults “What Does the Constitution Actually Say?”, his dislike for a certain 24 hour cycle, and his love of a classic collectible. Make sure to checkContinue reading "Episode 21 – Ben Sheehan"

Larry gets the chance to sit down with (and gush about) comedian, author, podcaster, and father Nathan Timmel. They discuss comedy (a little), Nathan's three books, his difficulty not critiquing media, and his love of the band Fishbone. Check Nathan out at https://nathantimmel.com/

“When you find people who need your help– you help them.” We are thrilled to welcome Ashley Eckstein to the show! Ashley has been widely recognized and honored as an actress, entrepreneur, author and influencer. Most known as the voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars, Ashley founded Her Universe in 2010 -the groundbreaking fangirl fashion and lifestyleContinue reading "BONUS EPISODE: Her Universe with Ashley Eckstein"

Larry gets the opportunity to speak with singer/songwriter/composer/powerhouse/and all-around purveyor of rad, Lana Love. They discuss the concept of “defaming fame,” taking your power back as an artist, normalizing love, a disdain for driving, the joy of displacement, and bright pink fish britches. Please check out the link below for Lana’s newest single American Love. 

Larry sits down with co-founder of The Front Row Network and co-host of the Beyond the Mouse podcast, Craig McFarland. They discuss, mental health, FOMO, the inability to sit around, and, of course, Disney. Larry and Craig have also co-hosted some interviews together. Enjoy!

Larry sits down with Brooklyn based comedian, Chris Calogero. Chris is hilarious, down to earth, and fun. His Twitter account shows his brilliance with all of the character work he does and his A Die Hard Christmas Carol is incredibly popular and hilarious. Chris talks about comedy, venues, a certain distaste for a specific 1980’sContinue reading "Episode 17 – Chris Calogero"

Zach is a great standup comic based in Springfield, IL who is quickly becoming a Chicago favorite, who won The Jukebox Comedy Club comedy contest, and is an all around great guy. Larry and Zach discuss difficulties with family, mental health recovery, his distaste for a certain genre of movie, his love of real life,Continue reading "Episode 16 – Zach Boblitt"

Larry gets the opportunity to talk with standup comedian, improv performer, actor, radio personality, and now TV host Bill Leff about his standup career, why coffee is just dirty water, and truly the journey is sometimes better than the destination. Also about his show on MeTV, Toon in With Me.

In this episode Larry talks to his good friend, and very funny comedian, Al Nimpson about video games, South Park, the Springfield, IL comedy scene, and how Spider-Man 3 gets a bum rap.

Jesse David Fox, Senior Editor of Vulture and host of Good One podcast was kind enough to take some time to talk to Larry about the curse of needing to be correct, comedy “booms,” and the phenomenon that is people's relationship with Saturday Night Live.

This is a great episode! Larry talks with one of his close friends, an amazing comic, and host of The First Laugh Podcast, Josh Freeman! Josh and Larry discuss their start in standup, the process of writing, the fun that is bombing, and if it’s funny when people fall down. (This episode has adult languageContinue reading "EPISODE 12 – JOSH FREEMAN"

Larry talks to Clay Foley, standup comic, host, writer, and producer of Foley Informed, about why he loves sitcom writing and how he doesn’t love a certain delicious (and popular) confection. Also, veganism, being a straight edge punk rocker, and you get to experience what it’s like “on the road” with two comics in aContinue reading "EPISODE 11 – CLAY FOLEY"

In this episode Larry talks with Chris Speyrer, standup comedian and owner of Mason City Limits Comedy Club, about his start, the comedy boom and eventual bust, what it’s like running a comedy club, comics he loves, rock music he hates, and he gives some great insight into standup and its ups and downs. Also,Continue reading "EPISODE 10 – CHRIS SPEYRER"

Dan Bublitz Jr. is a standup comedian and host of The Art of Bombing podcast. Dan has a one man show, “It Was Supposed to Be a Love Story” on Amazon Prime and a new Dry Bar comedy special coming out soon! TheY discuss online standup shows, jokes vs. storytelling, Dan’s dislike of a certainContinue reading "EPISODE 9 – DAN BUBLITZ JR."

Thanks for downloading! https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/frontrowmoviereviews/CONVINCE_ME_-_RECIPE_FOR_SEDUCTION_FINAL.mp3 Have we got a great episode for you! Larry has Adam Ziegler, his podcasting partner (Zig & Larry Ignore a Topic) and friend for over 20 years on for an interview (you guys really should know more about him), a special movie review of the new Lifetime classic A Recipe forContinue reading "Episode 8 – Adam Ziegler (and A Recipe for Seduction)"

Thank you for downloading! Larry sits down with comedian and podcaster Jeremy Nunes where they discuss Jeremy’s comedy career, improv, his transition to clean comedy, and Jeremy tries to convince Larry certain foods are of the devil and conspiracy theories can be fun! FEATURING: Larry Smith (@poundsmith2) Don't forget to follow/reach us at: Website: www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-networkTwitter: @frontrowreviewzEmail: thefrontrowmoviereviews@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrontrownetwork/Instagram: frontrownetworkYouTube: https://bit.ly/2NyawO0 PleaseContinue reading "Episode 7 – Jeremy Nunes"

Thanks for downloading! On this exclusive episode of Convince Me with Larry Smith, playwright Kevin Kautzman joins Larry to talk about his new play “Moderation,” which has just been released as a podcast (and is brilliant), why he is in loath of awards shows, and why he loves theatre. FEATURING: Larry Smith (@poundsmith2) Don't forgetContinue reading "Episode 6 – Kevin Kautzman"

Download this episode! In this episode Larry talks to the “Well Seasoned” Dr. Gonzo about coming up in San Francisco, opening for some awesome bands, and what makes him laugh. It’s rad. Listen to it twice. Website: www.nprillinois.org/programs/front-row-networkTwitter: @frontrowreviewzEmail: thefrontrowmoviereviews@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrontrownetwork/Instagram: frontrownetworkYouTube: https://bit.ly/2NyawO0 Please enjoy this episode of CONVINCE ME and as always, we’ll seeContinue reading "Episode 5 – John Means “Dr. Gonzo”"

Download the Episode On this episode, Larry talks to nationally touring headliner, author, and extraordinary photographer, Reena Calm about comedy goals in The Before Times, how that's changed in the current state of standup, shifting creative endeavors, family (yes, it's a little serious), the bane that is hack comedy, and another discussion about the brillianceContinue reading "Episode 3 – Reena Calm"

Download the Episode In this episode Scott Hinds, lead singer and songwriter of The Royal Hounds (and who also portrayed Carl Perkins in Million Dollar Quartet for several years) convinces Larry that Amy Sedaris is a genius, why a popular sitcom is trash, and they reminisce about their time spent in a hot tub andContinue reading "Episode 2 – Scott Hinds"

Download the Episode We teased it last week and now we’re proud to bring the newest show in the Front Row stable: #ConvinceMe with Larry Smith. In his first episode, Larry welcomes fellow comedian and radio personality Kyle Fields. Get ready to laugh! FEATURING: Larry Smith (@poundsmith2) & Kyle Fields (@funnymanfields) Don't forget to follow/reachContinue reading "Episode 1 – Kyle Fields"

Download the Episode We at the Network are always looking for new content and the best content creators to keep you entertained! And so we are so psyched to introduce you to our good friend Larry Smith and his brand new show for the Network and NPR Illinois called “Convince Me”. Check out this interviewContinue reading "SHOW PREVIEW – Convince Me w/ Larry Smith"