Industry Standard w/ Barry Katz

Earthquake, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and radio personality known for his commanding stage presence, booming voice, and sharp observations on everyday life. Before comedy, he served in the U.S. Air Force and worked various jobs while developing his act. He built his career by touring relentlessly, becoming one of the most respected comedians on the road long before mainstream fame....

Yohay Sponder is an Israeli stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer who has become one of the most recognizable English-language comedians to emerge from Israel. Sponder began performing stand-up after his military service and quickly established himself at clubs throughout Tel Aviv. His performances have earned him a worldwide audience, making him one of the leading voices in contemporary...

In this episode, we talk about the challenges of producing complex shows, the difference between who comedians are onstage and offstage, and what it’s like working with agents from a manager’s perspective.

In this episode, Faizon Love reflects on starting stand up comedy at just 15 years old, pursuing a career before his family even knew he was performing. He shares stories from his early days at the legendary Apollo Theater with Steve Harvey, the lessons he learned coming up in the business, and what it was like working alongside Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart on film sets. It’s a conversation about t...

In this episode, we sit down with Erica Rhodes to discuss the experiences that led her into comedy, including how a failed audition unexpectedly pushed her toward performing at her first open mic. She shares how she displayed natural comic timing from a young age and how those early experiences helped shape her path as a comedian. We talk about the impact of her popular Don’t Tell Comedy sets and...

A highlight of this week's episode covers years of producing comedy shows and how carefully building a lineup can shape the entire energy of a night. Producing your own show isn’t just booking funny people , it’s understanding rhythm, momentum, tone, and audience psychology. Creating a lineup is almost like arranging scenes in a movie or album. Overall vibe of the episode explains how comedy is bo...

Lahna Turner is a stand up comedian, writer, musician, and filmmaker whose career has been deeply shaped by the balance between comedy, motherhood, and life on the road. Known for blending personal storytelling with music and sharp observational humor, Turner built a career while also raising a family alongside her late husband, comedian Ralphie May. Their relationship, both onstage and off, becam...

Academy Award-nominated producer David Friendly ( Little Miss Sunshine , Big Mama's House ) sits down with Barry to talk about his journey from concert promoter to Hollywood heavyweight. He opens up about the decisions that made him, the ones that didn't, and what it really takes to survive a 25+ year career in the film business. If you want to know how the best producers think, this is th...

Bob Saget sits down with legendary comedy manager Barry Katz for a raw, wide-ranging conversation covering Bob's new stand-up special 0 to 60, his early days performing at the Improv and Catch a Rising Star, managing Louis C.K. and landing him opening spots for Jerry Seinfeld, the Larry David guitar act story, losing both sisters to illness, raising $46 million for scleroderma research, direct...

In this wide-ranging podcast interview, comedian, actor, and entertainer Charles Fleischer — best known as the voice of Roger Rabbit — opens up about his career in stand-up comedy, character work, vocal dynamics, and multi-character performance. Fleischer discusses his comedic inspirations, including Jonathan Winters and Groucho Marx, his comedic triangle philosophy, early stand-up experiences at...

In this episode, legendary comedian and entertainer Harry Basil shares his incredible journey from a tough childhood in New Jersey to becoming a standout act at the iconic Comedy Store and beyond. He dives into his early inspirations, the hustle of breaking into Hollywood, and the unconventional, high-energy style that set him apart—eventually earning him standing ovations and recognition from com...

In this episode of the Industry Standard with Barry Katz, Barry Katz sits down with veteran TV writer and showrunner Michael Jamin to discuss screenwriting, comedy writing, television writing, and breaking into the Hollywood entertainment industry. Michael shares the truth about writing great scripts, developing strong writing skills, working in writers’ rooms, building a career in television, and...

In this AMA episode, Barry answers real questions from comics around the world — covering female comics navigating a boys’ club, international comedians breaking into the U.S. market, door guy vs. agency strategy, social media growth, ego vs. confidence, AI in comedy, and the biggest misconceptions about success. This isn’t about fame — it’s about being undeniable. Knockout sets. Work ethic. Strat...

Host and veteran comedy manager Barry Katz sits down with the legendary Gallagher — one of stand-up comedy's most iconic and inventive performers — for a wide-ranging, no-holds-barred conversation. From his early days road-managing Jim Stafford to becoming the top-earning comic of the '80s and '90s, Gallagher reflects on his singular career, his philosophy of comedy, his famous prop bi...

In this episode, Brandon T. Jackson talks about navigating Hollywood, the shift to self-tape auditions , and why artists today have to think like entrepreneurs. From big studio films to building his own projects, he breaks down what it takes to stay relevant, provide for a family, and keep evolving in a business where everyone’s their own studio. Blueprint for Successhttps://barrykatz.com/blueprin...

In this Industry Standard episode, Barry Katz sits down with legendary television executive Paul Telegdy for a rare, inside look at leadership, legacy, and decision-making at the highest levels of entertainment. Paul reflects on stepping into major roles at NBC, what it means to inherit massive franchises like America’s Got Talent, and why leadership is less about control and more about stewardshi...

In this Ask Me Anything episode, Barry Katz answers real questions from artists and creatives navigating the entertainment business. Drawing on four decades of experience, Barry speaks candidly about resilience, rejection, growth, and what it really takes to build a lasting career—turning setbacks into momentum and surviving, then thriving, in a brutal industry. Blueprint for Success ⁠https://barr...

Originally recorded in 2018, this classic Industry Standard episode features Barry Katz in conversation with legendary comedian and Las Vegas headliner Carrot Top. In this throwback interview, Carrot Top opens up about his decades-long career, building one of the most successful residencies in comedy history, and the discipline required to stay relevant year after year. From touring to television...

In this Industry Standard episode, Barry Katz sits down with comedian, actor, and writer TJ Miller to talk about comedy, career longevity, and the deeper responsibility of making people laugh. Known for his breakout role on Silicon Valley, scene-stealing performances in blockbuster films like Deadpool and Transformers, and years of stand-up touring, TJ reflects on how his career across television,...

<p>In this Industry Standard episode, Barry Katz sits down with stand-up comedian Andy Huggins for a candid conversation about comedy careers, creative momentum, and the moments that unexpectedly change everything. Andy breaks down how a simple Facebook thought turned into a full comedy special, the power of decisive collaborators, and why he’s never chased success the “traditional” way. The...

In this Ask Me Anything episode, Barry answers real questions submitted by artists and creatives navigating the entertainment business. Drawing on four decades of experience representing legends like Dave Chappelle, Wanda Sykes, and Bill Burr, Barry speaks candidly about resilience, rejection, growth, and what it really takes to build a lasting career. From getting “crushed like a bug” to turning...

<p>In this Industry Standard classic episode, filmed in 2019, Barry sits with comedian and actor Andrew Santino (Dave, I’m Dying Up Here, Mixology, This Is Us) Santino traces his path from working on Punk’d with Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg to establishing himself as a stand-up and actor.<br><BR>They cover his early days at The Comedy Store, the rise of podcasts, and how Joe...

In this episode of Industry Standard with Barry Katz, comedian and actor Dustin Ybarra opens up about his career journey — from getting discovered through Stand Up for Diversity to landing roles in We Bought a Zoo, 21 & Over, Kevin Probably Saves the World, and Ghosts. Dustin reflects on the ups and downs of show business, his experiences on The Tonight Show, and what it takes to stand out in...

In this episode of Industry Standard, Barry Katz sits down with comedian and actor Craig Shoemaker for a wide-ranging, hilarious, and deeply personal conversation. Known for his unforgettable “Love Master” character, Craig talks about how that voice and persona grew out of his own awkward teenage years and became a crowd favorite alongside his sharp stand-up and impressions. He and Barry swap stor...

Danny Robinson is a talent agent who got his start in the mail room. Before that, he was on the road with his parents as a part of their closing act. Growing up on the road, Danny learned a lot about the entertainment industry. Danny got his start at Ashley Famous, and after several summers and mergers, Danny landed a desk at ICM in the Rock and Roll Department for Chuck Ramsey. Danny has worked w...