Podcast appearances and mentions of Alan Zweibel

Obamacare is in jeopardy at the moment due to the government shutdown and a potential vote. Does the Trump administration have a plan to put more money in Americans' pockets by redoing the healthcare system? Mark interviews writer Alan Zweibel. How will streaming change the landscape of viewers watching live TV in the future? Alan is working on a Broadway show highlighting the life of comedian Rodney Dangerfield! John F Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, has launched a bid for a U.S. House seat. Mark has some special news to tell you regarding the hit TV show Everybody Loves Raymond! Mark interviews author Ann Coulter. Is there a security issue, depending on which political party you belong to, that determines the amount of protection you receive when speaking at college campuses? Ann believes MSNBC will be ok after it rebrands itself this weekend to "MSNOW" because the network fuels Democrats to act crazy against Republicans.

Comedian Richie Gold called Mark to praise Mark's 10:40 am guest today, Alan Zweibel! Richie is working on a similar project to Alan's. Film actor Gideon Fountain calls Mark to mention a talk he had with Billionaire John Catsimatidis, whom he recently ran into. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How will streaming change the landscape of viewers watching live TV in the future? Alan is working on a Broadway show highlighting the life of comedian Rodney Dangerfield!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Obamacare is in jeopardy at the moment due to the government shutdown and a potential vote. Does the Trump administration have a plan to put more money in Americans' pockets by redoing the healthcare system? Mark takes your calls! Mark interviews writer Alan Zweibel. How will streaming change the landscape of viewers watching live TV in the future? Alan is working on a Broadway show highlighting the life of comedian Rodney Dangerfield! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Obamacare is in jeopardy at the moment due to the government shutdown and a potential vote. Does the Trump administration have a plan to put more money in Americans' pockets by redoing the healthcare system? Mark interviews writer Alan Zweibel. How will streaming change the landscape of viewers watching live TV in the future? Alan is working on a Broadway show highlighting the life of comedian Rodney Dangerfield! John F Kennedy's grandson, Jack Schlossberg, has launched a bid for a U.S. House seat. Mark has some special news to tell you regarding the hit TV show Everybody Loves Raymond! Mark interviews author Ann Coulter. Is there a security issue, depending on which political party you belong to, that determines the amount of protection you receive when speaking at college campuses? Ann believes MSNBC will be ok after it rebrands itself this weekend to "MSNOW" because the network fuels Democrats to act crazy against Republicans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Richie Gold called Mark to praise Mark's 10:40 am guest today, Alan Zweibel! Richie is working on a similar project to Alan's. Film actor Gideon Fountain calls Mark to mention a talk he had with Billionaire John Catsimatidis, whom he recently ran into.

How will streaming change the landscape of viewers watching live TV in the future? Alan is working on a Broadway show highlighting the life of comedian Rodney Dangerfield!

Obamacare is in jeopardy at the moment due to the government shutdown and a potential vote. Does the Trump administration have a plan to put more money in Americans' pockets by redoing the healthcare system? Mark takes your calls! Mark interviews writer Alan Zweibel. How will streaming change the landscape of viewers watching live TV in the future? Alan is working on a Broadway show highlighting the life of comedian Rodney Dangerfield!

Shelley Herman joined me to talk about about Bess Meyerson and Our Miss Brooks; going to see Elvis with a friend who's mother knew someone at NBC; getting the page job; working on The Tonight Show; giving away prizes on Stump the Band; getting people tickets; being on the Dating Game three times; going to the Rocky Horror Picture Show; Tim Curry; working on the $!.98 Beauty Show;; doing a sting operation for Chuck Barris; Battle of the Network Stars; the tragic life of Freddie Prinze; Jack & Mabel Albertson; Rickles / Carson cigarette box incident; getting harassed by McLean Stevenson'; knowing Jack Klugman from Philly; working on Van Dyke & Company; her friendship with Andy Kaufman; not watching Taxi b/c Andy says it was crap and then marrying one of the stars; Alan Zweibel hellps her clear Gilda Radner material for her book; meeting Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, Jamie Farr; being friends with Susan Stafford; getting a meeting with Dick Ebersol; Andy Kaufman on Fridays; being a cast member on Off the Wall; Cynthia Stevenson & Squire Rushnell; hanging out with Richard Dawson; working on The Liar's Club; Alex Trebek and Ruta Lee; working on Love Connection; her love of game shows, especially Jeopardy; the original Wheel of Fortune; secrets of Supermarket Sweep; how she got her book title; introducing me to her husband, actor Randall Carver

Mike Rowe talks about not being the “dirty jobs” Mike Rowe, planning for the future, being funny in high school, becoming an electrical engineer and giving it up for comedy, performing in NY comedy clubs, Alan Zweibel moving him to LA, roasts, jokes, his book “It's a Funny Thing”, Rodney Dangerfield giving him hope, comedy cliques, and why he's moving to Connecticut.  Bio: Michael Rowe is an Emmy Award-winning writer and producer who has worked on many highly regarded comedy and animated shows on television. While still a teenager, Michael began his comedy career as a stand-up comic at such notable New York City clubs as The Improv, The Comedy Cellar and Caroline's. From there, he landed a job writing jokes for SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE's Weekend Update, as well as sketches for shows on MTV, A&E and Comedy Central. Hollywood called, bringing Michael out west to work with Martin Short on his syndicated sketch-comedy show. This soon led to opportunities as a sitcom writer/producer on shows starring George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Ted Danson, and with Eddie Murphy on his groundbreaking animated series, THE PJs. Michael's affinity for the comedic heart and artistic freedom of animation led to a seven-season run as a writer and Co-Executive Producer of the highly acclaimed series, FUTURAMA. From there, Michael joined FAMILY GUY as a writer/producer and soon after, he became the showrunner for Comedy Central's animated series, BRICKLEBERRY. Along the way Michael was awarded 6 Emmy nominations (with 1 win), 2 Annie Awards (with 2 wins), and a WGA Award for his FUTURAMA episode, Game of Tones. He was also nominated for a Canadian Emmy for his work as Executive Producer and Director on Netflix's animated series, THE TRAILER PARK BOYS. In recent live-action endeavors, Michael was a Co-Executive Producer on the hit TV series, 2 BROKE GIRLS for CBS. Michael is currently in development with Supercell creating an adult animated series from their megahit game franchises CLASH OF CLANS and CLASH ROYALE. He is also in development on an animated series with the incredible David Cross, and a separate animated series with Bob Odenkirk. He is also a long-standing, frequent contributor to the ongoing Comedy Central Roasts, featuring such celebrities as James Franco, Donald Trump, Justin Bieber and Roseanne, just to name a few.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly making false statements to Congress. Mark takes your calls! Mark interviews writer/producer Alan Zweibel. It's the 51st season of Saturday Night Live, with many memories of how the show has evolved. Alan has stories of when he was part of SNL.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly making false statements to Congress. Mark interviews writer/producer Alan Zweibel. It's the 51st season of Saturday Night Live, with many memories of how the show has evolved. Alan has stories of when he was part of SNL. Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill are tied in the polls in the NJ governor's race. Charlie Kirk's organization "Turning Point" has been gaining more popularity since his death. Mark Interviews Fox Business analyst Charlie Gasparino. Charlie breaks down the actions media companies can take if affiliates don't renew contracts of shows which they think could cause a drop in viewership due to political opinions. TV hosts may have to be more careful discussing politics on their shows. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly making false statements to Congress. Mark interviews writer/producer Alan Zweibel. It's the 51st season of Saturday Night Live, with many memories of how the show has evolved. Alan has stories of when he was part of SNL. Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill are tied in the polls in the NJ governor's race. Charlie Kirk's organization "Turning Point" has been gaining more popularity since his death. Mark Interviews Fox Business analyst Charlie Gasparino. Charlie breaks down the actions media companies can take if affiliates don't renew contracts of shows which they think could cause a drop in viewership due to political opinions. TV hosts may have to be more careful discussing politics on their shows.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly making false statements to Congress. Mark takes your calls! Mark interviews writer/producer Alan Zweibel. It's the 51st season of Saturday Night Live, with many memories of how the show has evolved. Alan has stories of when he was part of SNL.

Alan is working on a Broadway special highlighting comedian and actor Rodney Dangerfield's life. Comedian and actor Alan King is also a special person to Alan. Mark reminisces with him about his work.

Alan is working on a Broadway special highlighting comedian and actor Rodney Dangerfield's life. Comedian and actor Alan King is also a special person to Alan. Mark reminisces with him about his work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the premiere episode of Fun for All Ages with Frank Santopadre, Frank kicks off this new adventure with a heartfelt and hilarious tribute to "Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast!" Joining Frank for an hour of stories, memories and laughs are GGACP producing partner Dara Gottfried, entertainment reporter Gino Salomone, and comedy legend Alan Zweibel. Also in this episode: Bob Costas almost tanks his career, Gino runs afoul of Robert Wagner, Dara shares a priceless voicemail from Bill Macy, and everyone recalls their favorite Gilbert moments. PLUS: Dick Cavett saves the day! Gino remembers Ruth Buzzi! Alan reports from SNL's 50th! And Frank lays out his next chapter in podcasting! Be sure to subscribe now on  Apple ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fun-for-all-ages-with-frank-santopadre/id1824012922⁠ Spotify ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/18EQJNDwlYMUSh2uXD6Mu6?si=97966f6f8c474bc9⁠ Amazon ⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/13b5ed88-d28d-4f0c-a65e-8b32eecd80f6/fun-for-all-ages-with-frank-santopadre⁠ YouTube ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgvlbF41NLLPvsrcZ9XIsYKkH_HvUXHSG⁠ iHeart ⁠https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-fun-for-all-ages-with-fran-283612643/⁠ TuneIn ⁠http://tun.in/pxOWO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan tells Mark how in show business sometimes you have to break up two colleagues from going at each other, like the Trump and Musk fight. Everyone has a podcast or a new book out nowadays, what does Alan think of that?

Alan tells Mark how in show business sometimes you have to break up two colleagues from going at each other, like the Trump and Musk fight. Everyone has a podcast or a new book out nowadays, what does Alan think of that? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Comedy writers learn early on that we have a high degree of anonymity," writes podcast guest Alan Zweibel in his memoir Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier. "Our words are spoken publicly by others who often have famous faces. Or by unknown people on their way to having famous faces." As one of the founding writers on Saturday Night Live, Alan's words were given voice by a cast of virtual unknowns, all on their way to becoming famous faces, eventually earning worldwide acclaim as some of the most iconic comic performers of their generation. Over the course of his 50-year career, he has penned jokes for dozens of Borscht Belt comedians and written for some of SNL's most memorable characters (such as Gilda Radner's "Roseanne Rosannadanna," John Belushi's "Samurai," and Garrett Morris's "Chico Escuela"), and helped to craft SNL producer Lorne Michaels's now-legendary appeal to invite the Beatles to appear on the show for the standard artist fee of $3,000.  Alan is the recipient of five Emmy Awards for his work in television, which in addition to SNL also includes "It's Garry Shandling's Show" (which he co-created and produced), "The Late Show with David Letterman," and "Curb Your Enthusiasm." He is the author of 11 books, including the 2006 Thurber Prize-winning novel The Other Shulman, and Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner—A Sort of Romantic Comedy, and six off-Broadway plays. He also collaborated with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award-winning play "700 Sundays," and with Martin Short on his Broadway hit "Fame Becomes Me," and co-wrote the screenplays for the films "Dragnet," "North," "The Story of Us," and "Here Today." He joins us on the podcast to reflect on a singular career as one of our leading comedy writers and humorists—and a wickedly funny body of work that has earned him an honorary Ph.D. from the State University of New York, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Writers Guild of America, East.  Learn more about Alan Zweibel: Website Facebook Instagram Bluesky Please support the sponsors who support our show: John Kasich's Heaven Help Us (now available for pre-order) Ritani Jewelers Daniel Paisner's Balloon Dog Daniel Paisner's SHOW: The Making and Unmaking of a Network Television Pilot Heaven Help Us by John Kasich Unforgiving: Lessons from the Fall by Lindsey Jacobellis Film Movement Plus (PODCAST) | 30% discount Libro.fm (ASTOLDTO) | 2 audiobooks for the price of 1 when you start your membership Film Freaks Forever! podcast, hosted by Mark Jordan Legan and Phoef Sutton Everyday Shakespeare podcast A Mighty Blaze podcast The Writer's Bone Podcast Network Misfits Market (WRITERSBONE) | $15 off your first order  Film Movement Plus (PODCAST) | 30% discount Wizard Pins (WRITERSBONE) | 20% discount

Alan Zweibel Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Live from the Zoom Room, it's Alan Zweibel! It was so great to jump back in with the fabulous, funny, and fun Emmy Winner. Alan took us back to his earliest days in the biz, how he made his way in, the first joke he sold, still funny! The Catskill Mountains, Morty Gunty, Freddie Roman, Rodney Dangerfield, maybe his first collaborator… with whom Alan comes full circle, presently. Doing standup with Billy Crystal, leading to years of collaboration, being discovered by Lorne Michaels… SNL, Alan's game changer. Gilda, a partnership made in heaven - how Roseannne Roseannadanna and Emily Latella came to be, Belushi, Ackroyd, the current film, Saturday Night, where it felt right, where liberties were taken, how it felt to have someone play him. Co-creating It's The Garry Shandling Show with Gary, how they worked together. Writing Lunatics with Dave Barry, long distance, For This We left Egypt with Dave and Adam Mansbach, and a great story about how that friendship and collaboration began. Broadway with Billy and with Martin Short, and the cute, sweet note after their encounter at the SNL 50th reunion. Alan's current collab with Barry Levinson, how that started and where it is today, that full circle Rodney story coming to fruition currently… and through it all, Robin. Alan's love and wife since the early SNL days… and his most fruitful collaborator. Alan's devotion to his family is what stories are made of, as is his work ethic, resiliency, tenacity, and talent. His storytelling is what good conversations are made of, served up with laughs, lots of them. What an inspiration! Loved every minute of this. And I sure did need the eggs. Alan Zweibel Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wednesday, 5/14/23, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET Streamed Live Links in the comments Replay on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1uvKClTYdY

Mark asks Alan how come the streaming shows move so slow nowadays? Alan explains the behind-the-scenes action of writing, for upcoming scenes and lines for a show. Alan has something new he is working on, what could it be?

Mark asks Alan how come the streaming shows move so slow nowadays? Alan explains the behind-the-scenes action of writing, for upcoming scenes and lines for a show. Alan has something new he is working on, what could it be?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writer, director, producer, comedian and actor Alan Zweibel joins Frank Mackay on this episode of The Frank Mackay Show!

Writer, director, producer, comedian and actor Alan Zweibel joins Frank Mackay on this episode of The Frank Mackay Show!

Mark and Alan talk about all the moments from the SNL 50th show this past weekend. SNL's demographic is the same as it's always been.

Dan Vitale joined me and discussed social media presence; attention he got from Marc Maron's podcast; Lorne Michaels seeing him; his audition for The New Show; his fluctuating weight from 1986 - 1991; Cobra Kai; streaming services give more content; Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Bill Burr & Louis CK; being Lorne Michaels protege; being funnier now than when he was "hot" in the '80's because he's off alcohol and drugs and older; being listed above Norm MacDonald as a SNL cast member in Rolling Stone; growing up in Island Park, Long Island; other famous Island Park residents including Al D'Amato and the basis for Tony Soprano; where he did stand up pre Covid; living through Covid and protests; going back to college and feeling like Johnny Lawrence from Cobra Kai; IPhones; Dave Attell, memories of Don Novello and Randy Quaid; wanting to know who from his cast was invited to the 40th anniversary; Joan Cusack; Anthony Michael Hall; Damon Wayans; Jon Lovitz; Nora Dunn; Dennis Miller; Danitra Vance; Terry Sweeney;  A Whitney Brown; Jim Downey; Franken & Davis; remembering the Madonna episode and the horrible week working with Chevy Chase; being with world's largest man Michael Hebrank (1100 lbs.) at the Brookhaven Rehabilitation Center; intermittent fasting; coming back for the Ron Reagan Jr. episode; residuals; current SNL; Baldwin's Trump vs. Carrey's Biden; Taran Killam; Darrell Hammond making SNL a civil service job; Alan Zweibel; and John Murray

There's a new book coming out about Saturday Night Live. Mark and Alan talk about the aspects of the Super bowl that make it great. Alan explains what he has been working on recently.

President Trump is working on 80 20 issues first which one of them includes reworking the federal aid. Each week the democrats lies on MSNBC get bigger. Mark interviews writer Alan Zweibel. There's a new book coming out about Saturday Night Live. Mark and Alan talk about the aspects of the Super bowl that make it great. Alan explains what he has been working on recently.

Once DOGE gets a good grip on the USAID, your taxes may go down. President Trump is working on 80 20 issues first which one of them includes reworking the federal aid. Each week the democrats lies on MSNBC get bigger. Mark interviews writer Alan Zweibel. There's a new book coming out about Saturday Night Live. Mark and Alan talk about the aspects of the Super bowl that make it great. Alan explains what he has been working on recently. It costs about 8 million dollars for a 30 second ad to air during the Super bowl. President Trump will be creating a brand-new commission on religious liberty. Trump believes he is more religious more than ever now because of his assassination attack on July 13th , 2025, in Butler Pa. Mark interviews Restaurant Critic Steve Cuozzo. Steve and Mark talk about what's happening with restaurants and office space in NYC. Steve lets us know which restaurants have the best food. Some restaurants in NYC are making their way to the west coast. 

Mark and Allan talk about how Saturday Night Live and TV shows are performing today. Alan tells Mark about his memories, highlighting his career thru his writing and more. 

GGACP celebrates 2025's Year of the Snake by revisiting a memorable Milton Berle anecdote, as told by Emmy-winning comedy writer and Thurber Prize-winning author Alan Zweibel. In this episode, Alan discusses (among other topics) the evolution of “Saturday Night Live,” the genius of Larry Gelbart and Neil Simon and the 2018 documentaries about longtime friends and collaborators Gilda Radner and Garry Shandling. Also, Desi Arnaz invents the sitcom, Jay Leno offers sage advice, Buck Henry makes a bad investment and Gilbert makes like Willy Loman. PLUS: Praising Kate McKinnon! Remembering Bruno Kirby (and Herb Sargent)! Mel Brooks comes to dinner! And Alan writes the Paul “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Simon Special! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Larry is joined by Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Alan Zweibel to discuss his time during the first few years of ‘Saturday Night Live'. Alan begins the conversation by sharing his feelings about the 50th anniversary of ‘SNL' and detailing the anatomy of a good joke. Larry and Alan then talk about Lorne Michaels' original concepts for the show and detail the inspiration for some of Zweibel's favorite sketches (15:34). Next, they examine some of the iconic performers and hosts who made those first shows so special, including Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Andy Kaufman (24:36). After the break they talk about the lasting influence of ‘SNL's early commercial parodies and pay tribute to the great Gilda Radner (38:11). Alan ends the show by remembering some of the lessons he learned as one of the original writers at ‘SNL' and some of the projects he has lined up for the future (49:17). Host: Larry Wilmore Guest: Alan Zweibel Producer: Chris Sutton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Homan is ready to clean up the migrant issue here in NYC. Mark interviewed Alan Zweibel, Writer and Producer interview: Mark and Alan discussed the changes happening at SNL. There aren't many recurring characters on SNL. Alan will be the subject of a documentary.

GGACP looks back on its 6th anniversary -- and the release of Episode #300 -- by revisiting PART TWO of a live evening of story and song from New York City's Cutting Room, featuring Mario Cantone, Marilu Henner, Richard Kind, Paul Shaffer and surprise guest performer David Yazbek (as well as special guests Susie Essman, Barbara Feldon, Tom Leopold, Jackie Martling, Jeff Ross and Alan Zweibel). Also in this episode: Gilbert and Jeff star in “CSI,” David and Paul pay tribute to Ed McMahon, Tony Curtis puts the moves on Bette Davis and Richard and Mario (finally!) debate the merits of “Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol.” PLUS: Mason Reese! “Wait Until Dark”! The Island of Misfit Toys! The musical stylings of the Gilbert Gottfried Orchestra! And a Broadway icon drops by to join the fun! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Zweibel is an original Saturday Night Live writer, has won five Emmy Awards and two Writers Guild of America Awards for his work in television, which includes It's Garry Shandling's Show (co-creator and producer) and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Among his eclectic body of work, Zweibel collaborated with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award-winning production of 700 Sundays, and most recently co-wrote and produced the feature film, Here Today with Crystal. He has written 11 books—his latest, a cultural memoir Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier was published by Abrams Books in 2020. Other books include The Other Shulman: A Novel, which won the 2006 Thurber Prize for American Humor and Lunatics with Dave Barry.

Book a Free Consultation with Peter About Risa: For the past 4 decades Risa has worked consistently as a director, producer, casting director, writer, and teacher. She's had the great fortune to have collaborated with some of the most talented, passionate, and groundbreaking artists in the world. She's continued to move successfully from one arena to another – from theatre to film to television and back. With two feature films in her directorial body of work – the cult classic, 200 CIGARETTES, and more recently, THE CON ARTIST, made in Canada, Risa's also directed in television, including multiple episodes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE for the WB, and several shows for HBO, Lifetime, and Comedy Central. Risa's directed dozens of plays in New York (The Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club) and in Los Angeles. She calls The Ensemble Studio Theatre her original artistic home, where she's been a member in NY for over 40 years, producing and directing several years of the flagship festival MARATHON OF ONE-ACT PLAYS. And she founded EST-LA, a thriving Los Angeles theatre company. Some of her favorite director-playwright collaborations have been with Edward Allan Baker, John Shanley, Richard Greenberg, Bill Bozzone, Alan Zweibel, and Neil Cuthbert. In L.A. Risa founded and produced ACT ONE, a successful two-year festival of one-acts, in conjunction with Showtime Networks. As a founding Artistic Director of EST-LA, Risa worked with HBO, producing and directing a series of acclaimed one-acts for The Aspen Comedy Arts Festival. In her long association with HBO, starting in the early 80's as a talent scout for comedians, Risa co-produced two years of THE YOUNG COMEDIANS SHOW for the network. She was also a TV producer with The Carsey Werner Company.

Mark and Alan talked about the 50th anniversary of SNL. There's a new SNL movie coming out. When SNL started, it was must-see TV. People our age are not in the SNL demo. Steve Martin turned down SNL's request to play VP Candidate Tim Walz.

It's a huge fall for SNL! Saturday Night Live will be back for its 50th season on September 23rd and Jason Reitman's movie 'Saturday Night', (about the first ever SNL episode in 1975) premieres in October. Christina is honored to have Alan Zweibel on the show. Alan is an original SNL writer and a 5 time Emmy awards winner. (Josh Brener plays Zweibel in 'Saturday Night) Alan talks about seeing a movie about his first episode of SNL and takes us behind the scenes of the American institution that is Saturday Night Live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark and Alan talk about how network TV has been slowly fading away, due to lower viewership numbers. Mark and Alan also go down memory lane discussing the classic oldies but goodies shows, that are still on the air to this day.

GGACP marks the 30th anniversary of the 1994 feature film "North" (released July 22, 1994) with this ENCORE of an interview with the much-maligned movie's writer, Emmy-winner and Thurber Prize winner Alan Zweibel. In this episode, Alan discusses (among other topics) the evolution of “Saturday Night Live,” the genius of Larry Gelbart and Neil Simon and the 2018 documentaries about his longtime friends and collaborators, Gilda Radner and Garry Shandling. Also, Jay Leno offers advice, Buck Henry makes a bad investment, Gilbert makes like Willy Loman and Lorne Michaels locks horns with Uncle Miltie. PLUS: Praising Kate McKinnon! Remembering Bruno Kirby (and Herb Sargent)! Mel Brooks comes to dinner! Desi Arnaz invents the sitcom! And Alan writes the Paul “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Simon Special! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark and Alan discussed developing and writing a hit show. The best results come when the star has a great relationship with their writers. SNL worked because the show's cast members were also great writers.

Jeff and Susie chat with Alan Zweibel about Curb Your Enthusiasm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode originally aired July 08, 2020.Alan Zweibel is one of the original writers of Saturday Night Live, the co-creator and producer of It's Garry Shandling's Show, and a consulting producer on Curb Your Enthusiasm among many other credits. Alan is also a playwright whose theatrical works include his collaboration with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award-winning 700 Sundays and Bunny, Bunny: Gilda Radner, A Sort of Love Story. He is the author of numerous books including Lunatics (co-authored with Dave Barry), and The Other Shulman (for which he won the Thurber Prize for American Humor). His new book Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier is available as an audio book later this month. Alan's next film project is a screenplay he co-authored with Billy Crystal, Here Today, which Crystal is directing and will star Tiffany Haddish. During this podcast, Alan discusses his career as a writer and reveals what it was like to work on SNL in the show's first years including with Gilda Radner with whom he was in love. He talks about why he and Garry Shandling stopped speaking for years after the end of their collaboration, and he also takes us inside his longtime friendship and collaboration with Billy Crystal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

By 1975, Alan Zweibel had decided on a career in comedy writing. He'd written jokes for older borscht belt comics and become friendly with young comics like Billy Crystal. But then he faced a difficult career decision between a relatively sure thing and a leap into the unknown. The decision changed the rest of his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Shakespeare forgot about this one: “some are nudged by the rejection of numerous law schools.” Alan Zweibel has written so many words that have made us laugh, through the voices of Gilda Radner, Billy Crystal, Garry Shandling and his own. He was one of the original writers and creators of Saturday Night Live. The legal world's loss was clearly comedy's gain. Our's too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GGACP celebrates the birthday of Emmy award-winning writer and friend of the podcast Alan Zweibel (b. May 20) by presenting this ENCORE of an interview from 2015. In this episode, Alan talks about penning jokes for Catskills comics, contributing to the glory days of “Saturday Night Live," co-creating the groundbreaking “It's Garry Shandling's Show” and collaborating with everyone from Gilda Radner to Rob Reiner to Billy Crystal. Also: Alan heckles Larry David, “borrows from” Paul Simon, turns down “Hollywood Squares” and inspires a classic “Seinfeld” episode. PLUS: Totie Fields! Christopher Lee! The subversiveness of “Duck Soup”! Uncle Miltie gets banned! And Gilbert tries (unsuccessfully) to follow The Beatles! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark and Alan talked about steaming sites giving performers more money and freedom. Alan believes this is the last year CURB.

Mark and Alan talked about how Streaming Services have helped writers, producers, and actors stay employed.

A love of writing, the original cast, and a crippling movie review with Alan Zweibel. *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices