Industry Standard w/ Barry Katz

Kirk Fox is an actor, writer, producer and award-winning stand-up comedian. Fox was the host of the syndicated daytime conflict talk show The Test and had a recurring role on NBC’s hit comedy Parks and Recreation as Sewage Joe. Other acting credits include Nickelodeon’s How to Rock , NBC’s Community , The Carmichael Show , The Mick , and as a series regular on CBS’s hour-long dramedy Rush Hour . F...

Don Reo is a producer, television writer, and author, who was an executive producer on  Two and a Half Men  and the creator of  Blossom  and  The John Larroquette Show for NBC,  My Wife and Kids  on ABC, and  Brothers  on FOX. He began his 40-year+ career writing for iconic comedians such as Slappy White, Red Fox and Jackie Gleason, and went on to write episodes for classic shows like  M*A*S*H , ...

Don Reo is a producer, television writer, and author, who was an executive producer on Two and a Half Men and the creator of Blossom and The John Larroquette Show for NBC, My Wife and Kids on ABC, and Brothers on FOX. He began his 40-year+ career writing for iconic comedians such as Slappy White, Red Fox and Jackie Gleason, and went on to write episodes for classic shows like M*A*S*H , Rhoda , Mar...

Godfrey is an American comedian and actor  While performing impressions of his college football teammates, Godfrey realized his irreverent style of comedy might be more than just a hobby and found his passion in stand up. After graduating college with a degree in psychology, he moved to New York and landed a gig warming up studio audiences for  The Cosby Show . As one of the most dominant forces i...

Godfrey is an American comedian and actor  While performing impressions of his college football teammates, Godfrey realized his irreverent style of comedy might be more than just a hobby and found his passion in stand up. After graduating college with a degree in psychology, he moved to New York and landed a gig warming up studio audiences for  The Cosby Show . As one of the most dominant forces i...

Gavin Polone began his career as an assistant at ICM IN 1985. After becoming an agent, he joined Bauer/Benedek which became United Talent Agency, where Gavin was made partner at age 29. In 1996 he became a manager and producer when he partnered with Judy Hofflund to form Hofflund/Polone which led to being an executive producer on the Emmy-nominated HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm and the CW’s Gilm...

Gavin Polone began his career as an assistant at ICM IN 1985. After becoming an agent, he joined Bauer/Benedek which became United Talent Agency, where Gavin was made partner at age 29. In 1996 he became a manager and producer when he partnered with Judy Hofflund to form Hofflund/Polone which led to being an executive producer on the Emmy-nominated HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm and the CW’s Gilm...

Steve McPherson is the former president & chairman of the ABC TV Entertainment Group, overseeing both the studio and network operations.  Under his visionary leadership, he is credited with orchestrating one of the most dramatic network turnarounds in history, transforming  ABC’s fortunes with iconic shows like Lost,Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Dancing With The Stars, and Modern Famil...

Steve McPherson is the former president & chairman of the ABC TV Entertainment Group, overseeing both the studio and network operations.  Under his visionary leadership, he is credited with orchestrating one of the most dramatic network turnarounds in history, transforming  ABC’s fortunes with iconic shows like Lost , Desperate Housewives , Grey’s Anatomy , Dancing With The Stars, an...

Illeana Douglas is an award-winning film and television actress, writer, director, and producer. Beginning her career as a stand-up in New York, she was once asked to dub screams for The Last Temptation of Christ , leading to a long collaboration with director Martin Scorsese, during which she appeared in several of his films including GoodFellas and Cape Fear . She has appeared in numerous televi...

Illeana Douglas is an award-winning film and television actress, writer, director, and producer. Beginning her career as a stand-up in New York, she was once asked to dub screams for The Last Temptation of Christ , leading to a long collaboration with director Martin Scorsese, during which she appeared in several of his films including GoodFellas and Cape Fear . She has appeared in numerous televi...

Kenya Barris is a prolific writer and director, known to many as the creator of the hit Emmy winning series Black-ish, a show loosely based on his own life. After leaving ABC he signed a 9-figure deal with Netflix to direct his first feature film, You People, starring Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy which is out now. Some of his other writing credits include the 2017 comedy Girl’s Trip, the new Disney...

Kenya Barris is a prolific writer and director, known to many as the creator of the hit Emmy winning series Black-ish, a show loosely based on his own life. After leaving ABC he signed a 9-figure deal with Netflix to direct his first feature film, You People, starring Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy which is out now. Some of his other writing credits include the 2017 comedy Girl’s Trip, the new Disney...

Rachel Watanabe-Batton is a film and television producer and founder of production company, Contradiction and Struggle. Some of her many credits include By Any Means Necessary, I Pity The Fool with Mr. T, HBO’s Cutting Edge, her debut narrative film Once You’re In, and most recently the Disney+ original film, Sneakerella, which was nominated for 11 Emmy awards, winning 4 of them.

Rachel Watanabe-Batton is a film and television producer and founder of production company, Contradiction and Struggle. Some of her many credits include By Any Means Necessary, I Pity The Fool with Mr. T, HBO’s Cutting Edge, her debut narrative film Once You’re In, and most recently the Disney+ original film, Sneakerella, which was nominated for 11 Emmy awards, winning 4 of them.

DIONNE WARWICK is a five-time GRAMMY® Award winning music legend, who has become a cornerstone of American pop music and culture. Warwick’s career, which currently celebrates over 50 years, has established her as an internationalmusic icon and concert act. Over that time, she has earned 75 charted hit songs and sold over 100 million records. She began singing professionally in 1961after being...

DIONNE WARWICK is a five-time GRAMMY® Award winning music legend, who has become a cornerstone of American pop music and culture. Warwick’s career, which currently celebrates over 50 years, has established her as an internationalmusic icon and concert act. Over that time, she has earned 75 charted hit songs and sold over 100 million records. She began singing professionally in 1961after being...

Over the close to 10 years of hosting this podcast, I’ve had the incredible honor of interviewing some truly amazing and extraordinary people, many of whom are unfortunately no longer with us. These individuals were some of the most brilliant comedians, managers, writers, and directors I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting, but even more importantly, they were my friends. Part 2 of this special 2...

Over the close to 10 years of hosting this podcast, I’ve had the incredible honor of interviewing some truly amazing and extraordinary people, many of whom are unfortunately no longer with us. These individuals were some of the most brilliant comedians, managers, writers, and directors I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting, but even more importantly, they were my friends. Part 1 of this special 2...

Henry Bushkin was only a few years into his legal career when Johnny Carson hired him as his personal lawyer/manager for a golden period that became the most productive 18 years of his career. His book Johnny Carson was a #1 New York Times Best Seller and one of the “Ten Best Books of the Year” in 2013.  Known as "Bombastic Bushkin," he was The Tonight Show host’s best friend and played a maj...

Henry Bushkin was only a few years into his legal career when Johnny Carson hired him as his personal lawyer/manager for a golden period that became the most productive 18 years of his career. His book Johnny Carson was a #1 New York Times Best Seller and one of the “Ten Best Books of the Year” in 2013.  Known as "Bombastic Bushkin," he was The Tonight Show host’s best friend and played a maj...

In November of 2022, a one of a kind comedian, Gallagher, passed away. He made a huge impact on my life and career. He was a misunderstood and brilliant man. Always saying things the way he wanted to when off stage, often getting him into trouble. But by listening to him in his final interview, you immediately notice how much insight he has to offer. Whether you agree with him or not, he was certa...

In November of 2022, a one of a kind comedian, Gallagher, passed away. He made a huge impact on my life and career. He was a misunderstood and brilliant man. Always saying things the way he wanted to when off stage, often getting him into trouble. But by listening to him in his final interview, you immediately notice how much insight he has to offer. Whether you agree with him or not, he was certa...

Stephen Glover and better known by his stage name Steve-O is an actor, stunt performer, producer, comedian, author, musician, and clown. His entertainment career is mostly centered on his performance stance on the groundbreaking and hugely successful MTV series Jackass and its related movies and spin off series, Wild boys. While performing the flea market circuit Steve-O began sending videos of hi...

Stephen Glover and better known by his stage name Steve-O is an actor, stunt performer, producer, comedian, author, musician, and clown. His entertainment career is mostly centered on his performance stance on the groundbreaking and hugely successful MTV series Jackass and its related movies and spin off series, Wild boys. While performing the flea market circuit Steve-O began sending videos of hi...