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UCB Theatre NY Podcast

The UCB Theatre NY Podcast is your official source for news, information, and conversations about New York City's best alternative comedy theatre. Hosts John Frusciante (UCBTNY's Artistic Associate) and Will Hines (UCBTNY's Academic Supervisor), both longtime performers at the theatre, bring their lovely dulcet tones and an insight honed by many years of obsessive comedy geekery to their interviews with the best improvisers, sketch comedy performers, and stand-up comics working at the UCB Theatre. Each episode also features a review of the weeks' shows you need to see and lively discussions by Will and John that give insight into the lives and thoughts of improvisers and comics at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. There also might be a fistfight. There hasn't been one yet, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.

For a show schedule and more info about the UCB Theatre, visit http://www.ucbtheatre.com/

Episodes Subscribe Subscribe via iTunes

  • Matt Besser

    Our guest is Matt Besser, one of the UCB and co-founders of the theatre that gave birth to this very podcast.

    97:16 Released at 5:15pm on Sunday, 14 August, 2011
  • John Gemberling

    We interview John Gemberling from Death by Roo Roo! We interview him in a classroom! Then in a kitchenette!

    77:33 Released at 2:43pm on Tuesday, 2 August, 2011
  • Fran Gillespie

    We interview Fran Gillespie, member of The Law Firm, Stone Cold Fox, ASSSCAT regular, and every other group that has ever been at the theatre.

    52:50 Released at 10:02am on Monday, 18 July, 2011
  • Mike Still

    We interview Mike Still of Death by Roo Roo. He brought sandwiches.

    52:38 Released at 1:19pm on Friday, 8 July, 2011
  • Anthony Atamanuik

    We talk to Anthony Atamanuik of Death by Roo Roo!

    80:6 Released at 3:44pm on Friday, 11 March, 2011
  • Jordan Klepper

    We talk to recent Chicago transplant Jordan Klepper about his comedy past, the differences between Chicago and New York and his intense love of 9/11 humor. That last part is not true.

    72:16 Released at 3:54pm on Friday, 4 March, 2011
  • Ian Roberts

    We interview Ian Roberts, one of the UCB4 and founders of this theater. We had some technical hiccups with recording a phone conversation so a few sections sound murky but the interview is great and interesting and worth straining your ears through those sections! Enjoy.

    67:49 Released at 11:26am on Tuesday, 22 February, 2011
  • Neil Casey

    We interview Neil Casey, member of Death by Roo Roo, Krompfh, The Two Man Movie and much more.

    75:21 Released at 4:02pm on Monday, 7 February, 2011
  • Leslie Meisel

    John interviews Leslie Meisel, one of the best actresses you ever gonna see, son!

    71:17 Released at 1:20pm on Thursday, 20 January, 2011
  • Michael Delaney

    We interview longtime UCBT performer and teacher Michael Delaney. We talk forever because Delaney is interesting. Enjoy.

    98:56 Released at 4:44pm on Monday, 10 January, 2011
  • This Show Will Get You High

    We interview two of the writers from Matt Besser's new Comedy Central show "This Show Will Get You High."

    26:59 Released at 4:41pm on Monday, 25 October, 2010
  • Dyna Moe

    We interview Dyna Moe, comedian/illustrator who recently published "Mad Men: The Illustrated World." We talk about, and her work the improvised Movie form as well as what it's like to have been doing improv at UCBT since the 1920s.

    48:43 Released at 3:50pm on Tuesday, 19 October, 2010
  • Pretty Good Sports Show

    John interviews the creators of espn.com's Pretty Good Sports show (UCBT people).

    51:23 Released at 3:14pm on Tuesday, 12 October, 2010
  • Doppelganger

    We interview the new improv power trio Doppelganger! Nicole Byer, Sasheer Zamata and Keisha Zollar talk about Cagematch, organic edits, and how race affects improv scenes.

    67:16 Released at 3:51pm on Friday, 27 August, 2010
  • Matt Walsh and Kevin Mullaney

    A live podcast, with special guests Matt Walsh and Kevin Mullaney.

    Because of a technical error, the last 10 minutes of this podcast were not recorded! You miss some cool questions from audience members, and for that you have our apologies!

    37:58 Released at 2:37pm on Monday, 23 August, 2010
  • Chelsea Clarke

    Interview with Chelsea Clarke! Recorded a week before the 2010 Del Close Marathon and released hilariously late!

    55:27 Released at 5:22pm on Tuesday, 10 August, 2010
  • John and Will Walk To The Theatre

    John and Will did not have time to record a full podcast. Instead they promote a few shows then record themselves walking from the training center to the theatre and talk about whether or not people should point to the back line to indicate who they want in the scene with them. That's what they talk about!

    15:21 Released at 2:22pm on Monday, 5 July, 2010
  • Chris Gethard

    We talk to Chris Gethard about being bored at Rutgers, the Joe Ross Tribe, Arsenal, Optimist International, teaching, coaching and a bunch of other stuff!

    60:52 Released at 8:40pm on Tuesday, 22 June, 2010
  • BP Coffee Spill Team

    We talk with some of the writers and actors from the recent web video hit BP Spills Coffee.

    50:23 Released at 2:48pm on Tuesday, 15 June, 2010
  • John Lutz

    We interview John Lutz - member of 4 Square, featured actor on 30 Rock and writer for Saturday Night Live.

    59:30 Released at 2:36am on Wednesday, 9 June, 2010
  • Anthony King

    This week's guest Anthony King, artistic director of the UCB Threatre in New York, discusses improv and theatre and a bunch of other stuff!

    51:33 Released at 4:50pm on Thursday, 3 June, 2010
  • Jon Gabrus

    We talk to Jon Gabrus of The Law Firm about that group's new weekend show. And a bunch of other nonsense!

    50:25 Released at 3:45pm on Monday, 17 May, 2010
  • Zach Woods

    We interview Zach Woods, member of The Stepfathers, The Shoves, Dillinger -- fresh off his stint on NBC's The Office. Though like good improv nerds we talk more about Harolds.

    And shows!

    53:47 Released at 11:26pm on Sunday, 9 May, 2010
  • Billy Merritt

    Billy Merritt joins us to talk about the earliest days of UCB in NYC, the creation and evolution of The Swarm, making a million shows and forms all while believing himself to be live on a radio show.

    Plus John and Will ramble about this week's shows.

    58:22 Released at 10:06pm on Sunday, 2 May, 2010
  • James and Jessica Allen

    James and Jessica Allen discuss their new sketch show, what it's like for a married couple to collaborate on improv and sketch, and then talk about the history of their respective improv groups Mother and Neutrino. Another unapologetic walk down old-school UCBT-NY history.

    59:50 Released at 2:34pm on Tuesday, 27 April, 2010
  • Kevin Mullaney

    An interview with former UCBT-NY School Director / Artistic Director Kevin Mullaney.

    This is our first podcast conducted over Skype! Audio quality is mostly great and occasionally hilarious.

    Check out Kevin's podcast at http://podcast.improvresourcecenter.com/ and his improv blog at http://www.kevinmullaney.com/

    60:58 Released at 5:13pm on Tuesday, 20 April, 2010
  • Todd Bieber and UCBComedy.com

    A lost podcast! John and Erik recorded this a few weeks ago but Will, angry at being left out, put off editing it until just this second. They interview Todd Bieber and talk about the re-lanuch of ucbcomedy.com.

    52:41 Released at 3:38pm on Thursday, 15 April, 2010
  • Charlie Todd Interview

    We interview Charlie Todd from Improv Everywhere / Reuben Williams! Will's mike was lame so he sounds like he was in a bathtub but everything else about this is great!

    42:18 Released at 10:58am on Friday, 9 April, 2010
  • Harold Audition Discussion

    A group of Harold Team members discuss what their auditions were like.

    48:33 Released at 9:02pm on Sunday, 14 March, 2010
  • Dave Hill of Big in Japan

    We interview Dave Hill from Big in Japan and then discuss what we like in sketch shows! Plus shows at the theater this week!

    60:30 Released at 9:28am on Sunday, 28 February, 2010
  • John Flynn and Michael Hartney - Same-Sextacular

    Shows!

    John Flynn and Michael Hartney of Same Sextacular!

    Then John and Will ramble forever about openings in improv shows!

    48:23 Released at 12:55am on Monday, 22 February, 2010
  • Todd Bieber of UCBComedy.com

    This one is 56 minutes long! Sheesh!

    56:26 Released at 5:58pm on Sunday, 14 February, 2010
  • Shannon O'Neill of Prison Freaks

    Shows this week at 0:00,

    Shannon O'Neill interview at 5:04,

    Shameless Reminiscing about 161 West 22nd street at 28:38

    52:36 Released at 1:11am on Monday, 8 February, 2010
  • Andy Rocco of the Hipster Show

    0:00 - shows this week

    9:45 - Interview with Andy Rocco

    44:44 Released at 1:01am on Monday, 1 February, 2010
  • Guy Patton of the Salvador Dali Show

    Show length: 44:24.

    Shows this week at 0:00.

    Interview with Guy Patton starts at 12:53.

    Discussion of improv code of conduct 25:03.

    44:24 Released at 12:52am on Monday, 25 January, 2010
  • Tupac the Musical Interview

    We talk about shows! (at the beginning)

    We interview two of the creators of Tupac: The Musical - Evan Greenspoon and Corey Johnson! (at 9:45)

    And we ramble about how demanding non-improv careers affect improvisers! Even though we do not HAVE demanding non-improv careers, we talk about it anyway. (at 22:25)

    43:51 Released at 9:28am on Monday, 18 January, 2010
  • Andree Vermeulen and Jim Santangeli

    Shows this week at 0:00

    Interview with Andree Vermeulen and Jim Santangeli at 11:27

    Discussion: Talent vs. Passion at 26:26

    51:46 Released at 9:03am on Monday, 11 January, 2010
  • Gavin Speiller of Beneath Gristedes

    Interview with Gavin Speiller of Beneath Gristedes

    41:21 Released at 1:45pm on Monday, 4 January, 2010
  • Nick Ross of Highly Evolved Human

    An interview with Nick Ross

    49:54 Released at 6:46pm on Monday, 23 November, 2009
  • Justin Tyler of Sidecar

    An interview with Justin Tyler of the sketch group Sidecar.

    27:11 Released at 10:55pm on Monday, 16 November, 2009