Really now, really, really.

Really now, really, really.

Now, really hello, and welcome to Really Know Really Jess, Alexander and Peter Tilden, who remind you onequivocally that subscribing to the podcast is a truly stand up thing to do. And speaking of stand up, actor Paul Reiser began his illustrious career back in the seventies as one of the hottest young stand up comedians of his generation. What quickly followed was breakout acting roles in films like Diner, Beverly Hills, Cop and Aliens. That was followed by television stardom and series like My Two Dads, Stranger Things, The Kaminsky Method, The Boys, and his highly acclaimed series Mad About You, which he also produced and wrote. But then last year, after a thirty two year hiatus from stand up comedy, Riser returned to his comedy roots with his special Life Death and Rice Pudding, and suddenly he was a stand up again.

Now, really hello, and welcome to Really Know Really Jess, Alexander and Peter Tilden, who remind you onequivocally that subscribing to the podcast is a truly stand up thing to do. And speaking of stand up, actor Paul Reiser began his illustrious career back in the seventies as one of the hottest young stand up comedians of his generation. What quickly followed was breakout acting roles in films like Diner, Beverly Hills, Cop and Aliens. That was followed by television stardom and series like My Two Dads, Stranger Things, The Kaminsky Method, The Boys, and his highly acclaimed series Mad About You, which he also produced and wrote. But then last year, after a thirty two year hiatus from stand up comedy, Riser returned to his comedy roots with his special Life Death and Rice Pudding, and suddenly he was a stand up again.

Really no really, Today.

Really no really, Today.

The guys will chat with him about the twists and turns of his amazing career and what called him back to take up the microphone and comedy clubs once again.

The guys will chat with him about the twists and turns of his amazing career and what called him back to take up the microphone and comedy clubs once again.

Here's Jason and Peter.

Here's Jason and Peter.

All right, let's say.

All right, let's say.

Should we actually begin, but.

Should we actually begin, but.

Rolling why I just want to I want to go.

Rolling why I just want to I want to go.

What is so important that I had to race over to this side of town? What is how?

What is so important that I had to race over to this side of town? What is how?

He's interrupting? Apparently we're trying to start a show and roll in and do introductions and the.

He's interrupting? Apparently we're trying to start a show and roll in and do introductions and the.

Guests I thought i'd come in aggressive.

Guests I thought i'd come in aggressive.

Has decided to come in like you know, like it's like it's his show.

Has decided to come in like you know, like it's like it's his show.

You know what that means. He's a little bit nervous, he's uncomfortable. He wants to try and get in and feel the.

You know what that means. He's a little bit nervous, he's uncomfortable. He wants to try and get in and feel the.

Yeah you put me in my place nicely. Good for you for you know who did that?

Yeah you put me in my place nicely. Good for you for you know who did that?

Remember who did that? Same thing? Same thing?

Remember who did that? Same thing? Same thing?

He's gone.

He's gone.

No, he's still with us.

No, he's still with us.

You know what comes? I love you, Remember I love obscure things. I was gonna say, Lance Wrens, No, just to see.

You know what comes? I love you, Remember I love obscure things. I was gonna say, Lance Wrens, No, just to see.

If Shatner started the interview, started interviewing, what's the show? Why?

If Shatner started the interview, started interviewing, what's the show? Why?

No?

No?

Now I'm doing sign But yeah, Shatner started the.

Now I'm doing sign But yeah, Shatner started the.

Same always takes over. You go to lunch with him and we say we're not going to have desert, and he goes everything and then you gotta get it. Yeah, so.

Same always takes over. You go to lunch with him and we say we're not going to have desert, and he goes everything and then you gotta get it. Yeah, so.

We'll pretend that we had not been interrupted. Are you excited about our guest today.

We'll pretend that we had not been interrupted. Are you excited about our guest today.

I am really excited to because oh, this is like a nine and a half ten, and he's gonna say why not?

I am really excited to because oh, this is like a nine and a half ten, and he's gonna say why not?

Why not immediately?

Why not immediately?

All right, that's it because the Orson Walf is dead. I'm a huge How are you not a huge man? I mean you grew up watching him? And also he's taking jobs away from me, nomadic actresses your way from me.

All right, that's it because the Orson Walf is dead. I'm a huge How are you not a huge man? I mean you grew up watching him? And also he's taking jobs away from me, nomadic actresses your way from me.

I still like them.

I still like them.

It's dramatic, it's action adventure, it's the boys, it's stranger things, it's it's met about you. Reduct you know, comes back.

It's dramatic, it's action adventure, it's the boys, it's stranger things, it's it's met about you. Reduct you know, comes back.

For a guy with an every man's face and a really you know, I'm not saying he doesn't have talent. I'm saying it's not a to Z you know what I'm saying. He's not Brando, but.

For a guy with an every man's face and a really you know, I'm not saying he doesn't have talent. I'm saying it's not a to Z you know what I'm saying. He's not Brando, but.

He llow he's done up singing comedy with the thing he did with that monitor lizard. Oh my god.

He llow he's done up singing comedy with the thing he did with that monitor lizard. Oh my god.

Yeah, but no, Paulie, Paulie is he's done at all?

Yeah, but no, Paulie, Paulie is he's done at all?

And what the really no really is thirty two years he waited to do stand up the thing?

And what the really no really is thirty two years he waited to do stand up the thing?

Now here's the thing because I haven't done the deep dive. I know paul primarily as an actor because I first remember the first time I remember remember seeing Paul's work was in diner, right, you're with me? So I didn't know him as a stand up prior to that, and I kept here on a stand up standing stand up. And so for me, I go, it's even more of a really no, really, because I go, you never did stand up? Why we Why now you're going to do stand up? But it's a return to the roots. What balls would it take? Yeah, drove all the way here from wherever? Yeah, and we never we just did this, We just do this what he did? Just talk about him in front of him. Yeah, and speculate what his answers might be.

Now here's the thing because I haven't done the deep dive. I know paul primarily as an actor because I first remember the first time I remember remember seeing Paul's work was in diner, right, you're with me? So I didn't know him as a stand up prior to that, and I kept here on a stand up standing stand up. And so for me, I go, it's even more of a really no, really, because I go, you never did stand up? Why we Why now you're going to do stand up? But it's a return to the roots. What balls would it take? Yeah, drove all the way here from wherever? Yeah, and we never we just did this, We just do this what he did? Just talk about him in front of him. Yeah, and speculate what his answers might be.

They'll be fine with me to watch two people talk about.

They'll be fine with me to watch two people talk about.

Please welcome to really no, really the great and I do mean that one of thank you gentle men out there, and and a lovely human being. Nobody by the fact that he's willing to come down to the van Night's airport.

Please welcome to really no, really the great and I do mean that one of thank you gentle men out there, and and a lovely human being. Nobody by the fact that he's willing to come down to the van Night's airport.

And by the way, not knowing from comedy anybody or under what thirty probably thinks you're dramatic from aliens on, thanks, you're a dramatic act my favorite thing.

And by the way, not knowing from comedy anybody or under what thirty probably thinks you're dramatic from aliens on, thanks, you're a dramatic act my favorite thing.

And I hear this a lot. His friends will say that their kids their teenage kids will go, what the guy, the doctor from Stranger Things is going to try to be funny and I go, okay, first of all, tell him I'm not a doctor, right, really, and I'm actually a stand up but you know, and I did take twenty years off doing stand up, not intentionally but just as it turns out, so it's understandable. But you know, I think of myself as a stand up for But as you were talking, we were in an acting class together for a brief with Larry. Yes, that's right, that's where I first met you, and it would be it was way before you would be probably eighty. I remember just two three big locks of hair. Yeah, that would have been a while ago.

And I hear this a lot. His friends will say that their kids their teenage kids will go, what the guy, the doctor from Stranger Things is going to try to be funny and I go, okay, first of all, tell him I'm not a doctor, right, really, and I'm actually a stand up but you know, and I did take twenty years off doing stand up, not intentionally but just as it turns out, so it's understandable. But you know, I think of myself as a stand up for But as you were talking, we were in an acting class together for a brief with Larry. Yes, that's right, that's where I first met you, and it would be it was way before you would be probably eighty. I remember just two three big locks of hair. Yeah, that would have been a while ago.

You're confusing us. It happens all the time. But seriously, because I never asked you this, because how often have we chatted about this stuff? So when you were a kid, you weren't thinking actor. You were thinking come yeah, yeah, you know they were sort of meshed. I don't think that you're in fourth grade thinking I want to do a fellow but performing. So it was like the blanket performing.

You're confusing us. It happens all the time. But seriously, because I never asked you this, because how often have we chatted about this stuff? So when you were a kid, you weren't thinking actor. You were thinking come yeah, yeah, you know they were sort of meshed. I don't think that you're in fourth grade thinking I want to do a fellow but performing. So it was like the blanket performing.

So in elementary school, you'd write an essay, a composition, a story and my recollection is you could read it aloud if you'd like, and I would go and I would volunteer because I wanted the laughs of the eighteen twenty kids. And even then, this is how dumb and ill advised. I would put in subtle jokes that only one guy would get and the rest of the class would go. But like, I was always working the back of the room, which is death is silly, but it made me happy. So it was always performing and getting laughs was the thought. But you know, you'd be in a school play. I remember in college I did Guys and Dolls and I was not in the theater department. It was like the dorms putting on a silly thing. And I even fell into that by accident because some guy dropped out. And I loved getting the laugh. I was like, and I love the excitement, and I loved getting ready, Well we got a show. It's only nine more hours to a showtime, you know that. But I knew there were four solid laughs that I would get. That made me realize, yeah, that's what I like, and we'll get through the dancing and singing and stuff.

So in elementary school, you'd write an essay, a composition, a story and my recollection is you could read it aloud if you'd like, and I would go and I would volunteer because I wanted the laughs of the eighteen twenty kids. And even then, this is how dumb and ill advised. I would put in subtle jokes that only one guy would get and the rest of the class would go. But like, I was always working the back of the room, which is death is silly, but it made me happy. So it was always performing and getting laughs was the thought. But you know, you'd be in a school play. I remember in college I did Guys and Dolls and I was not in the theater department. It was like the dorms putting on a silly thing. And I even fell into that by accident because some guy dropped out. And I loved getting the laugh. I was like, and I love the excitement, and I loved getting ready, Well we got a show. It's only nine more hours to a showtime, you know that. But I knew there were four solid laughs that I would get. That made me realize, yeah, that's what I like, and we'll get through the dancing and singing and stuff.

But the reason I find it interesting because I talked to Jerry about this too. Jerry said, I assume it's still true that his preference, by a landslide is stand up because he loves the thrill or the challenge of working in one. Yeah, And I find like I talked to Kevin Pollock about that too, and he likes that too. He likes the he likes working in one. I went into acting because I spent my life in one and I wanted to have a community, and so it was always the communal aspect of being in a show or being in a film that drew me to it. I find that a lot of comedians I talked to are very intimidated by the community work of being an actor, or vice versa. My actors won't go near.

But the reason I find it interesting because I talked to Jerry about this too. Jerry said, I assume it's still true that his preference, by a landslide is stand up because he loves the thrill or the challenge of working in one. Yeah, And I find like I talked to Kevin Pollock about that too, and he likes that too. He likes the he likes working in one. I went into acting because I spent my life in one and I wanted to have a community, and so it was always the communal aspect of being in a show or being in a film that drew me to it. I find that a lot of comedians I talked to are very intimidated by the community work of being an actor, or vice versa. My actors won't go near.

It's ironic because one of the things, yes, you're working in one, but one of the things that I loved when I did my little you know, theater experiences, but I also love in stand up is in fact the community. So, yes, you're working in one, but you're all hanging around that, you're all chiming in with hey, you know, it would be a great line after that, and you're with the other it's you know, like, oh, these you know, the brothers and sisters. So I think there really is a strong community. And it's interesting. I never felt comedians were really competitive professionally. I mean you might say, oh, you know, jump on the line. You're an actor. There's eleven guys go into the audition. One of you will get it, the other ten will not. Just stand up. There's a great gig, you'll do it this week, you'll do it next week. So it's not a zero sum game. So to that effect, there really was a community. There is a community and stand up which I still love. Well.

It's ironic because one of the things, yes, you're working in one, but one of the things that I loved when I did my little you know, theater experiences, but I also love in stand up is in fact the community. So, yes, you're working in one, but you're all hanging around that, you're all chiming in with hey, you know, it would be a great line after that, and you're with the other it's you know, like, oh, these you know, the brothers and sisters. So I think there really is a strong community. And it's interesting. I never felt comedians were really competitive professionally. I mean you might say, oh, you know, jump on the line. You're an actor. There's eleven guys go into the audition. One of you will get it, the other ten will not. Just stand up. There's a great gig, you'll do it this week, you'll do it next week. So it's not a zero sum game. So to that effect, there really was a community. There is a community and stand up which I still love. Well.

You also, you were that part of the Best Buddies thing with Cherry Too, right, did you Mark Schiff, Larry Millwer didn't you do the New Year's.

You also, you were that part of the Best Buddies thing with Cherry Too, right, did you Mark Schiff, Larry Millwer didn't you do the New Year's.

Michael Lampton Ky? Yeah, yeah, we were, you know, five idiots who said it's New Year's Day, we got nothing to do, nobody has a girlfriend, let's go eat lunch. And then that became a tradition, you know, we'll get through the New Year's Day thing. I did it for like twenty five years or something.

Michael Lampton Ky? Yeah, yeah, we were, you know, five idiots who said it's New Year's Day, we got nothing to do, nobody has a girlfriend, let's go eat lunch. And then that became a tradition, you know, we'll get through the New Year's Day thing. I did it for like twenty five years or something.

And did you guys compare notes? Did you guys always fell comedy for like a mont grow.

And did you guys compare notes? Did you guys always fell comedy for like a mont grow.

We wouldn't talk. No, in fact, almost not at all, but but it would just be sprinting and having ridiculous laughs. You know, we were the guys that everybody else is going to led Zepplendon, We're going to see Robert Klein. So when you find that community, you know, and and I remember one time in fact, that group was Larry Jerry and myself and Mark Shift and we were eating out in a restaurant and wait, just said something silly and there was an opening and almost like we all went around instantly and did the same joke but a little different went Wow, that's that was your take. That was your take and uh, and we just laughed at that, the fact that we had the same idea and we all went a little bit different way.

We wouldn't talk. No, in fact, almost not at all, but but it would just be sprinting and having ridiculous laughs. You know, we were the guys that everybody else is going to led Zepplendon, We're going to see Robert Klein. So when you find that community, you know, and and I remember one time in fact, that group was Larry Jerry and myself and Mark Shift and we were eating out in a restaurant and wait, just said something silly and there was an opening and almost like we all went around instantly and did the same joke but a little different went Wow, that's that was your take. That was your take and uh, and we just laughed at that, the fact that we had the same idea and we all went a little bit different way.

So may I bring up so I watch a comedy special not before you were even booked.

So may I bring up so I watch a comedy special not before you were even booked.

That is really appreciated.

That is really appreciated.

And the thing that I single out one thing, not that everything else wasn't brilliant, one thing that was got broken. I'm a lot more healthy than so the thing that got me though, that was so broken. And you get to that point when you're logging in and says, are you a robot?

And the thing that I single out one thing, not that everything else wasn't brilliant, one thing that was got broken. I'm a lot more healthy than so the thing that got me though, that was so broken. And you get to that point when you're logging in and says, are you a robot?

I love those tests because there's so few things that I'm good at and those one I I crush them. I go, I know I'm already in, but give me another one.

I love those tests because there's so few things that I'm good at and those one I I crush them. I go, I know I'm already in, but give me another one.

I know, because there's always like a piece of one in the corner of a blank.

I know, because there's always like a piece of one in the corner of a blank.

Yeah, And I go, do I click on that cross one?

Yeah, And I go, do I click on that cross one?

Yeah? Yeah, you're either a robot or Jason Alexander.

Yeah? Yeah, you're either a robot or Jason Alexander.

That's right. Yeah, but you're not getting it.

That's right. Yeah, but you're not getting it.

There was when I go someone that I try to trick you up, palm tree.

There was when I go someone that I try to trick you up, palm tree.

Palm Well it could be a focus, right, hey, not so fast that yes, yes, but it's it's it's interesting with the technology that advance, the one thing that stops a robot, we cannot attemptify a chimney.

Palm Well it could be a focus, right, hey, not so fast that yes, yes, but it's it's it's interesting with the technology that advance, the one thing that stops a robot, we cannot attemptify a chimney.

You put a chimney in with debt.

You put a chimney in with debt.

Now, you say you took a twenty year break, but were you and you were writing and running some of the other things as well, But were you keeping sort of a here's a.

Now, you say you took a twenty year break, but were you and you were writing and running some of the other things as well, But were you keeping sort of a here's a.

Little journal note I should make no real No, I wasn't. I think the brain's always putting doing that anyway, like that's funny. But I wasn't keeping it because I I had never intended. There were a lot of comics who say, you know who just actually got into stand up because they want to get discovered and then they'll get a sitcom. And then they advanded it my our group of guys, we just loved stand up.

Little journal note I should make no real No, I wasn't. I think the brain's always putting doing that anyway, like that's funny. But I wasn't keeping it because I I had never intended. There were a lot of comics who say, you know who just actually got into stand up because they want to get discovered and then they'll get a sitcom. And then they advanded it my our group of guys, we just loved stand up.

That was the goal.

That was the goal.

So I never wanted to get out of it. And I only got out of it because I like, when Mad About You started, I was I don't know Jerry managed to do it, others did it. I was like, that's a full time job and my brain is dead, and if I have a month off, I'm going to sleep. So and then I got really comfortable, and then we you know, the show was over, and I said, I'm going to take a year off, and and I didn't always wanted to get back, but I didn't want to just dig dust off the old act. So I just kept waiting and waiting. I said it's time, and I just started really from scratch. I had three minutes of stuff in's you say, what's relevant? I'm not smart enough to make anything up and I can only I'm going to tell you what happened in my house. See if this is funny, and most people go, oh, that happened to my house, and lot George Colin used to call it, oh yeah comedy, like oh yeah yeah. So but you know, you find out that what you're going through is really universal. What was nice about coming back after all those years and now this is post mad about you, so audiences now they know you and they feel comfortable. It really felt like getting together with old friends. It's like, we know what's happening. Those babies that we had, they're growing up now, right, Well, they's funny. So it was was it was way overdue. I wish I had I don't know wish, but I wanted to and I only was procrastinating because I wanted to do it well. And what I found was it was exactly going back when I was sixty or whatever, felt exactly the same as when I was eighteen. I went on audition night. It's like just as excited, just as nervous. It's just as challenging, and there's no shortcut, like you can't you're not automatically better. Lo, you got to go up every night. And then a year I felt it was a year before I said I can maybe try to sell a ticket. No, even the first club date I wait to the I would just go to eight club and do fifteen minutes or four minutes, and then eight minutes, ten minutes, I think I can do it. At the first club date manager booked it was like two shows with two shows in one night. No, I'm in pajamas at eight thirty. That's not gonna I can't do that. And to my surprise, so we negotiated down to one and then of course when it was over, I went give me another show. I realized I missed this. Wow, well it was great.

So I never wanted to get out of it. And I only got out of it because I like, when Mad About You started, I was I don't know Jerry managed to do it, others did it. I was like, that's a full time job and my brain is dead, and if I have a month off, I'm going to sleep. So and then I got really comfortable, and then we you know, the show was over, and I said, I'm going to take a year off, and and I didn't always wanted to get back, but I didn't want to just dig dust off the old act. So I just kept waiting and waiting. I said it's time, and I just started really from scratch. I had three minutes of stuff in's you say, what's relevant? I'm not smart enough to make anything up and I can only I'm going to tell you what happened in my house. See if this is funny, and most people go, oh, that happened to my house, and lot George Colin used to call it, oh yeah comedy, like oh yeah yeah. So but you know, you find out that what you're going through is really universal. What was nice about coming back after all those years and now this is post mad about you, so audiences now they know you and they feel comfortable. It really felt like getting together with old friends. It's like, we know what's happening. Those babies that we had, they're growing up now, right, Well, they's funny. So it was was it was way overdue. I wish I had I don't know wish, but I wanted to and I only was procrastinating because I wanted to do it well. And what I found was it was exactly going back when I was sixty or whatever, felt exactly the same as when I was eighteen. I went on audition night. It's like just as excited, just as nervous. It's just as challenging, and there's no shortcut, like you can't you're not automatically better. Lo, you got to go up every night. And then a year I felt it was a year before I said I can maybe try to sell a ticket. No, even the first club date I wait to the I would just go to eight club and do fifteen minutes or four minutes, and then eight minutes, ten minutes, I think I can do it. At the first club date manager booked it was like two shows with two shows in one night. No, I'm in pajamas at eight thirty. That's not gonna I can't do that. And to my surprise, so we negotiated down to one and then of course when it was over, I went give me another show. I realized I missed this. Wow, well it was great.

Can I ask you that dumb question that I've never just came to my mind? Thought, Jason's gonna call me for asking Spust, how do you decide what to wear? Whenever I watch a comedy special, I go, if you're wearing the wrong thing for now and your stomach and your thing, and it's going to be bad. How do you test out what you wear? Because you were a very nice outfit that worked. The shoes, worked the pants.

Can I ask you that dumb question that I've never just came to my mind? Thought, Jason's gonna call me for asking Spust, how do you decide what to wear? Whenever I watch a comedy special, I go, if you're wearing the wrong thing for now and your stomach and your thing, and it's going to be bad. How do you test out what you wear? Because you were a very nice outfit that worked. The shoes, worked the pants.

But it's not a dumb question because it took me while to realize.

But it's not a dumb question because it took me while to realize.

You test out what you wear because you were a very nice outfit that worked, the shoes, worked the pants.

You test out what you wear because you were a very nice outfit that worked, the shoes, worked the pants.

It's not a dumb question because it took me while to realize, I only feel comfortable with these shoes, and I like to gee I don't like to wear a suit. It looks nice, but I don't feel comfortable in a suit. And and so I found a shirt. I went, let me give me a lot of these shirts. And I got a dozen of the same shirt. And then was the special. I actually had a meeting with a wardrobe person. I said, well, this is not just me chilling it chuckles, I have to and they go, but you want to be comfortable, I said, I'm just gonna wear exactly what I wear. And uh, and if you need those shirts, by the way, we'll watch the shirts.

It's not a dumb question because it took me while to realize, I only feel comfortable with these shoes, and I like to gee I don't like to wear a suit. It looks nice, but I don't feel comfortable in a suit. And and so I found a shirt. I went, let me give me a lot of these shirts. And I got a dozen of the same shirt. And then was the special. I actually had a meeting with a wardrobe person. I said, well, this is not just me chilling it chuckles, I have to and they go, but you want to be comfortable, I said, I'm just gonna wear exactly what I wear. And uh, and if you need those shirts, by the way, we'll watch the shirts.

I like the blue monitor. I'd like the things good.

I like the blue monitor. I'd like the things good.

But there is there is a thing.

But there is there is a thing.

As we've all gotten older, and I would imagine you found this too. You find a uniform, whether it's for home or for work. I was like, let me do this. A. It's comfortable. B. I don't want to think. I remember Obama talking about that that one of the things like when he got busy, is like, I'm going to cut out all wardrobe decisions except one day I'm gonna wear a cream colored suit. But that he stepped out of the zone and then he got he got in trouble. But it's like, yeah, you know, just gonna here's what I wear, Here's what I do. So is this it is this the ni No? This is my Jason Alexander put on a sweater. No, but yeah, yeah. Basically I'm always wearing jeans in the sweater and if I step out, it's wrong.

As we've all gotten older, and I would imagine you found this too. You find a uniform, whether it's for home or for work. I was like, let me do this. A. It's comfortable. B. I don't want to think. I remember Obama talking about that that one of the things like when he got busy, is like, I'm going to cut out all wardrobe decisions except one day I'm gonna wear a cream colored suit. But that he stepped out of the zone and then he got he got in trouble. But it's like, yeah, you know, just gonna here's what I wear, Here's what I do. So is this it is this the ni No? This is my Jason Alexander put on a sweater. No, but yeah, yeah. Basically I'm always wearing jeans in the sweater and if I step out, it's wrong.

If you still have clothing you wear from Matt about your for God's sake, because I'll tell you what you want him. He's wearing two items right now from Cipher and we just talked about.

If you still have clothing you wear from Matt about your for God's sake, because I'll tell you what you want him. He's wearing two items right now from Cipher and we just talked about.

By the way, if you're a constant listener, we talked about this in the last episode as well. So when the show went down, what do you take? I don't know what to take, so I took all my wardrobe.

By the way, if you're a constant listener, we talked about this in the last episode as well. So when the show went down, what do you take? I don't know what to take, so I took all my wardrobe.

I remember, Yeah, but us thirty years now.

I remember, Yeah, but us thirty years now.

Look at his shirt.

Look at his shirt.

It's a classic. It's like a hemingway.

It's a classic. It's like a hemingway.

You don't throw.

You don't throw.

I remember the when you're doing a show and we're lucky, we're privileged to be working on a show, and they dress and slowly you start dressing just like your character is you. Let's just close that gap. And then while you're doing a show, Well, I got to do it tonight show. I need a suit, get your suit. You doing a thing? I have a wedding can give me cut to afterwards, I went, I haven't been in a store now it's nine years. I don't know how to do that, and so I got to get a show so somebody can buy their pants and somebody go take those.

I remember the when you're doing a show and we're lucky, we're privileged to be working on a show, and they dress and slowly you start dressing just like your character is you. Let's just close that gap. And then while you're doing a show, Well, I got to do it tonight show. I need a suit, get your suit. You doing a thing? I have a wedding can give me cut to afterwards, I went, I haven't been in a store now it's nine years. I don't know how to do that, and so I got to get a show so somebody can buy their pants and somebody go take those.

In when I shoot something. That's when I got closed. I have an insane foot. I have a five and a half d so it's five five and a half. I wear a six shoe, but five and a half.

In when I shoot something. That's when I got closed. I have an insane foot. I have a five and a half d so it's five five and a half. I wear a six shoe, but five and a half.

It was like those those little boxing dummies with the little plastic feet that correct. So really, yes, shocked that you can support your body weight.

It was like those those little boxing dummies with the little plastic feet that correct. So really, yes, shocked that you can support your body weight.

If you're listening the first time, this is my foot, and my foot ends here. My foot ends here.

If you're listening the first time, this is my foot, and my foot ends here. My foot ends here.

Your parents and they felt to see if there was room in the shoe.

Your parents and they felt to see if there was room in the shoe.

One hundred and four episodes of the Sign Felt program right there, these shoes still looking good brush suede.

One hundred and four episodes of the Sign Felt program right there, these shoes still looking good brush suede.

I always, I always. I always found it a bit sad, little melancholy that you grow when you're growing as a kid. You you hit your final shoe size, but you don't know it. And if I knew it on that day, I would have liked to celebrate. I'm a six, I'm an.

I always, I always. I always found it a bit sad, little melancholy that you grow when you're growing as a kid. You you hit your final shoe size, but you don't know it. And if I knew it on that day, I would have liked to celebrate. I'm a six, I'm an.

Eight, I'm a nine.

Eight, I'm a nine.

Oh no, it's staying then, but you don't know it till you're twenty four.

Oh no, it's staying then, but you don't know it till you're twenty four.

So that was it.

So that was it.

I'm a nine and a half.

I'm a nine and a half.

The other the other observation this is this is, oh, come on, I'm having a senior moment. Everybody loves Raymond ray it's raised joke. But his joke is I didn't know the first time I slept with my wife that I was choosing my side.

The other the other observation this is this is, oh, come on, I'm having a senior moment. Everybody loves Raymond ray it's raised joke. But his joke is I didn't know the first time I slept with my wife that I was choosing my side.

For the rest of our time. To get that, which is so true. It's these decisions you never realize is the decision. Here's a phenomenon that I and my wife cannot figure out. We have our sides, and if we move to another house, it's the same. But when we go to a hotel, we switch it and not delivered it. Not like, hey, let's freshen things up.

For the rest of our time. To get that, which is so true. It's these decisions you never realize is the decision. Here's a phenomenon that I and my wife cannot figure out. We have our sides, and if we move to another house, it's the same. But when we go to a hotel, we switch it and not delivered it. Not like, hey, let's freshen things up.

My wife gets the side closest to the bathroom.

My wife gets the side closest to the bathroom.

That's why there is a slight element of macho. I'll have the closest to the door so I can protect you. Yeah, so as first to go out, she's the first.

That's why there is a slight element of macho. I'll have the closest to the door so I can protect you. Yeah, so as first to go out, she's the first.

Yeah, yeah, I just feel feel I never say it that way, but the really hotels do change up.

Yeah, yeah, I just feel feel I never say it that way, but the really hotels do change up.

And we'll go interesting. We switched we didn't know why.

And we'll go interesting. We switched we didn't know why.

Yeah, but you're some of your biggest I mean really some of your home runs are in really serious stuff like does that surprise you or did you go nope, I got this, no problem.

Yeah, but you're some of your biggest I mean really some of your home runs are in really serious stuff like does that surprise you or did you go nope, I got this, no problem.

I know it surprised me. I didn't really think too much about it. I remember, I mean it was really Aliens was the first thing. And it wasn't that it was dramatic so much.

I know it surprised me. I didn't really think too much about it. I remember, I mean it was really Aliens was the first thing. And it wasn't that it was dramatic so much.

It was.

It was.

It was certainly non comedic, but I looked at it more as like this is gonna be a huge this is like oh absolutely, yeah, well Alien. The first one was Jim Cameron had done, Done, terminated. I wrote, well, that's my home run right there, and then I read the script and go wow yeah. And so I remember reading it thinking, hey, I have no business being in this movie. But it was I've never had this experience since I was out of breath reading it goes oh really yeah. It was just and it was written sort of like haiku, you know, bam slam metal on Metal Dog, and it was it's just visual. You could see it and hear it. And to my mission statement for myself was just be do whatever you have to do so that when you're on screen the film doesn't come to a grinding halt.

It was certainly non comedic, but I looked at it more as like this is gonna be a huge this is like oh absolutely, yeah, well Alien. The first one was Jim Cameron had done, Done, terminated. I wrote, well, that's my home run right there, and then I read the script and go wow yeah. And so I remember reading it thinking, hey, I have no business being in this movie. But it was I've never had this experience since I was out of breath reading it goes oh really yeah. It was just and it was written sort of like haiku, you know, bam slam metal on Metal Dog, and it was it's just visual. You could see it and hear it. And to my mission statement for myself was just be do whatever you have to do so that when you're on screen the film doesn't come to a grinding halt.

That was the bar.

That was the bar.

I said, just if people just go all right, he's in a movie, you know, so what does that mean?

I said, just if people just go all right, he's in a movie, you know, so what does that mean?

Okay, coach?

Okay, coach?

But did you have to go get it or was it an offer?

But did you have to go get it or was it an offer?

No, it wasn't an offer. No, Im I met with Jim Cameron. I don't know that I read. Maybe I did. And then it was a long period of months because they had to they had to look at every actor in the UK. They shot it in London and apparently there is no one on the continent there the can do what I did. So they came back and so what I had kind of forgotten about it is like you're usually here in a week. This is months. And then I was shooting some the thing and my manager shows up, you got it? What alien?

No, it wasn't an offer. No, Im I met with Jim Cameron. I don't know that I read. Maybe I did. And then it was a long period of months because they had to they had to look at every actor in the UK. They shot it in London and apparently there is no one on the continent there the can do what I did. So they came back and so what I had kind of forgotten about it is like you're usually here in a week. This is months. And then I was shooting some the thing and my manager shows up, you got it? What alien?

So?

So?

Really so I knew it was. I mean, I was anxious.

Really so I knew it was. I mean, I was anxious.

I was.

I was.

I was nervous. I want them to do well an interesting thing that you will certainly appreciate as an act. As it turns out, the first week or two of my shooting of the schedule, I was in scenes, but I had no lines. So as a comic, as a performing you know, what do I do? But it made me think deeper. For the first I was what are you doing? What do you and you don't want to telegraph on you know, but so how do you be so that anytime that they get you, you're And by the way, maybe absolutely nothing is the right choice. But I never had to think at that level because like, usually you can skate on your performance, on your lines, it's like.

I was nervous. I want them to do well an interesting thing that you will certainly appreciate as an act. As it turns out, the first week or two of my shooting of the schedule, I was in scenes, but I had no lines. So as a comic, as a performing you know, what do I do? But it made me think deeper. For the first I was what are you doing? What do you and you don't want to telegraph on you know, but so how do you be so that anytime that they get you, you're And by the way, maybe absolutely nothing is the right choice. But I never had to think at that level because like, usually you can skate on your performance, on your lines, it's like.

Right performance, but you show up and you sell likable and trustworthy, and then when you reveal that you're not, Yeah, that's fast. I mean Stranger Things is kind of the same mae.

Right performance, but you show up and you sell likable and trustworthy, and then when you reveal that you're not, Yeah, that's fast. I mean Stranger Things is kind of the same mae.

Of the things that I think they were trying to ride off of that image of like, we don't trust this guy and he's replacing Matthew Modin and he was terrible. You know, his character was evil. So who turns out maybe not so much evil, But it's funny. I remember Jim Cameron saying that he wanted someone who the audience didn't really know, you know, wasn't gonna be a big star, but it was also somebody that would be amiable and you'd like him, and you wouldn't you wouldn't be suspicious. My recollection is that people in the minute I showed one that's wrong. Something's not right with this guy. Because also the people were so trained to not like corporate people, the corporate weasel. And it's sort of like the guest star on Star Trek Ugly he's gonna be dead, yes, right, shirt guy. Yeah, one of these things is not like the other.

Of the things that I think they were trying to ride off of that image of like, we don't trust this guy and he's replacing Matthew Modin and he was terrible. You know, his character was evil. So who turns out maybe not so much evil, But it's funny. I remember Jim Cameron saying that he wanted someone who the audience didn't really know, you know, wasn't gonna be a big star, but it was also somebody that would be amiable and you'd like him, and you wouldn't you wouldn't be suspicious. My recollection is that people in the minute I showed one that's wrong. Something's not right with this guy. Because also the people were so trained to not like corporate people, the corporate weasel. And it's sort of like the guest star on Star Trek Ugly he's gonna be dead, yes, right, shirt guy. Yeah, one of these things is not like the other.

But you do sell it. I mean you do sell it like you and in a big way. And obviously they looked at eight billion people Games Town could have a casting list that forever forever to decide, Yeah, you're the right thing. It's pretty amazing, right it was.

But you do sell it. I mean you do sell it like you and in a big way. And obviously they looked at eight billion people Games Town could have a casting list that forever forever to decide, Yeah, you're the right thing. It's pretty amazing, right it was.

It's you know, there is a life to that movie that I never I mean, it was a big hit and people would often remember recognize. But there are conventions that are you know sci fis and comic cons and that I've been to and I'll meet people. Go, I watched that movie every Saturday for the last thirty six years. Get out of the house, do something, get a job, don't tap.

It's you know, there is a life to that movie that I never I mean, it was a big hit and people would often remember recognize. But there are conventions that are you know sci fis and comic cons and that I've been to and I'll meet people. Go, I watched that movie every Saturday for the last thirty six years. Get out of the house, do something, get a job, don't tap.

Paper by the way, somebody does, Well, who shows up? Do they have someone? Did people dress up as the yes?

Paper by the way, somebody does, Well, who shows up? Do they have someone? Did people dress up as the yes?

Oh yeah, they dress up in aliens, they dress up on the full stuff and they bring in props that I'm going is that from the actual movie. Its like some of them they are, Yeah, it's and it's I mean it speaks to the success of that of what a good movie it was, and it still holds if you you know, I'll catch up. Wow, it's and so many movies after that sort of stood on the show.

Oh yeah, they dress up in aliens, they dress up on the full stuff and they bring in props that I'm going is that from the actual movie. Its like some of them they are, Yeah, it's and it's I mean it speaks to the success of that of what a good movie it was, and it still holds if you you know, I'll catch up. Wow, it's and so many movies after that sort of stood on the show.

It's amazing being something that's that iconic. And I'm wondering. So you're you're at home writing stuff and you're doing stand up and then you do Mad About You. There's no guarantee it's going to be a hit. How many episodes in and you went, whoa, this thing is got some heat. Was it immediate or would it take a while?

It's amazing being something that's that iconic. And I'm wondering. So you're you're at home writing stuff and you're doing stand up and then you do Mad About You. There's no guarantee it's going to be a hit. How many episodes in and you went, whoa, this thing is got some heat. Was it immediate or would it take a while?

Well, there's a there's two different ways to look at it. I knew immediately it was going to be good, and I knew the minute. I just Helen Hunt came over to my house and we read it in my house before she even agreed to audition, and I just went, ah, this feels special. And then we did the pilot. Well everybody and the audience are like, yeah, this is working. Is it going to be a hit that you don't know? And because we didn't, you know it was actually initially we were paired and the timing was it was we oh, Jerry's show was just beginning to take off, so like, oh New York Jewish comic in New York, and what happened, And but we weren't guaranteed anything like a second season. They go, you should have a baby, went no, no, no, that's no good to get. And I think it wasn't really till the end of the second season when they go, Okay, we're gonna go but the first season, like you know, you do twelve and then we'll pick up the back nine and second season they was still trying to but by the third season they would take their hands off and say, you guys obviously know what you're doing.

Well, there's a there's two different ways to look at it. I knew immediately it was going to be good, and I knew the minute. I just Helen Hunt came over to my house and we read it in my house before she even agreed to audition, and I just went, ah, this feels special. And then we did the pilot. Well everybody and the audience are like, yeah, this is working. Is it going to be a hit that you don't know? And because we didn't, you know it was actually initially we were paired and the timing was it was we oh, Jerry's show was just beginning to take off, so like, oh New York Jewish comic in New York, and what happened, And but we weren't guaranteed anything like a second season. They go, you should have a baby, went no, no, no, that's no good to get. And I think it wasn't really till the end of the second season when they go, Okay, we're gonna go but the first season, like you know, you do twelve and then we'll pick up the back nine and second season they was still trying to but by the third season they would take their hands off and say, you guys obviously know what you're doing.

And did you have to take notes from network or did you do much like Larry where you said I'm quitting if you try and give me a note.

And did you have to take notes from network or did you do much like Larry where you said I'm quitting if you try and give me a note.

Oh, I just I just had lunch with Helen Hunt and were laughing. She said, you have a real allergy to notes, like, yeah, I can't. Can't so much so that when we did the the revisit five years ago, Helen and Peter Tolan itself and we were like it was really a well oiled trio. But it was like you guys do the meeting. I can't.

Oh, I just I just had lunch with Helen Hunt and were laughing. She said, you have a real allergy to notes, like, yeah, I can't. Can't so much so that when we did the the revisit five years ago, Helen and Peter Tolan itself and we were like it was really a well oiled trio. But it was like you guys do the meeting. I can't.

I can't.

I can't.

I'll soil myself. I said, they'll give you twenty things. If three of them makes sense to you, let's talk about the three, but don't I can't hear the other ones. Yeah, I just it's just how was it in the initial run though?

I'll soil myself. I said, they'll give you twenty things. If three of them makes sense to you, let's talk about the three, but don't I can't hear the other ones. Yeah, I just it's just how was it in the initial run though?

How do you could you push back against it or did you have to?

How do you could you push back against it or did you have to?

It was? You know, I had a partner, Danny Jacobson and Danny Danes, and often he would, you know, vet them and so here's a good one. And sometimes they were good and sometimes often they're just execs who feel like they have to, yeah, put their fingerprints on it, Like what if you do remember one it was a network guy?

It was? You know, I had a partner, Danny Jacobson and Danny Danes, and often he would, you know, vet them and so here's a good one. And sometimes they were good and sometimes often they're just execs who feel like they have to, yeah, put their fingerprints on it, Like what if you do remember one it was a network guy?

What if?

What if?

What if Paul? What if what if your character was chewing gum? He could what if he had toast? How does that help you? Is that a better show? Is there a Toast demo that you're trying to get? But they also you know, but we knew early on. I think it was this. Certainly in the first season we did. We knew that the success of the show. We wanted jokes, we wanted laughs, we wanted you know, fun, but it was the small stuff that people would tuning into and and we did. And I've often talked about this is that we did a the highest concept show. You always saw a siphoned it's a show about nothing, and we always say wow. Show was about the small things, the little things, a little thing. And then we had the biggest concept ever. It was I invested in a virtual reality thing. But the issue was I invested our money and I didn't speak to her, didn't check it with the wife. And we come back when in bed and we're just it's just a two shot, the two idiots sitting up in bed, and I said, you're not trying to talk them into I said, you can do anything. You could. You could you could ski, you could you could climb a mountain, you could water, you could go in the ocean. And she's warming up, she does, what did you pick? I said, I got a massage from Christy Brinkley, and Helen just cocked her head ever so slightly, and I got a huge laugh and went yes, because the show is about not what you did, it's like what the other person feels about. When she cocked her head, I went, hm, hmm, this is gonna work.

What if Paul? What if what if your character was chewing gum? He could what if he had toast? How does that help you? Is that a better show? Is there a Toast demo that you're trying to get? But they also you know, but we knew early on. I think it was this. Certainly in the first season we did. We knew that the success of the show. We wanted jokes, we wanted laughs, we wanted you know, fun, but it was the small stuff that people would tuning into and and we did. And I've often talked about this is that we did a the highest concept show. You always saw a siphoned it's a show about nothing, and we always say wow. Show was about the small things, the little things, a little thing. And then we had the biggest concept ever. It was I invested in a virtual reality thing. But the issue was I invested our money and I didn't speak to her, didn't check it with the wife. And we come back when in bed and we're just it's just a two shot, the two idiots sitting up in bed, and I said, you're not trying to talk them into I said, you can do anything. You could. You could you could ski, you could you could climb a mountain, you could water, you could go in the ocean. And she's warming up, she does, what did you pick? I said, I got a massage from Christy Brinkley, and Helen just cocked her head ever so slightly, and I got a huge laugh and went yes, because the show is about not what you did, it's like what the other person feels about. When she cocked her head, I went, hm, hmm, this is gonna work.

But can I if I'm the man, I think I may have delivered Helen Hunter, because as she was considering the show, I think she had already. I think she had the offer on it. I found myself doing a short film that she was producing, and she was in and we were having lunch, and she said, I think I may have delivered Helen Hunt here because as she was considering the show, I think she had already. I think she had the offer on it. I found myself doing a short film that she was producing, and she was in and we were having lunch, and she said, would I like doing the sitcom? I said, well, what's the sitcom? She said, well, it's Paul Riserd.

But can I if I'm the man, I think I may have delivered Helen Hunter, because as she was considering the show, I think she had already. I think she had the offer on it. I found myself doing a short film that she was producing, and she was in and we were having lunch, and she said, I think I may have delivered Helen Hunt here because as she was considering the show, I think she had already. I think she had the offer on it. I found myself doing a short film that she was producing, and she was in and we were having lunch, and she said, would I like doing the sitcom? I said, well, what's the sitcom? She said, well, it's Paul Riserd.

Yeah.

Yeah.

What what I mean? What is it an audience?

What what I mean? What is it an audience?

She's yeah.

She's yeah.

I said, it's the best job you're ever going to have. Are you on the writing team? She said, I don't know. No, it's the best job you're ever gonna have. Why wouldn't you do it?

I said, it's the best job you're ever going to have. Are you on the writing team? She said, I don't know. No, it's the best job you're ever gonna have. Why wouldn't you do it?

Are you?

Are you?

Is it ensemble? She said? What's two hands with Paul?

Is it ensemble? She said? What's two hands with Paul?

Of course?

Of course?

Well, of course, Joe, thanks.

Well, of course, Joe, thanks.

Well, you know her.

Well, you know her.

She was starting at that It was ninety two and she was starting to get some heat in movies. She worked as a teenager and done a lot of teen movies, and she was really on a roll. And I met her because my wife and they had a mutual friend. And we met at a little dinner party and I went, while I was writing it, I'm going, and she didn't. It wasn't at all. Doesn't look like my wife was not at all what I was picturing. But I left home. She's really intriguing. She's funny, she's lovely. She's just the right amount of goofy and neurotic, just the perfect amount. And I remember I turned to Paula and I said, what do you think of her? As you she want it'll be good. But Helen's fear was that it was, you know, going to be the wife in Gabe Cott and Welcome Back. Got her Yeah, like you know that you ever hear the one about the money. But but we were so saying. She came to my house, he had read the script and then we I said, well let's read it together. And then at that very first meeting, before she had even said yes, we talked about I said, I want to do a show.

She was starting at that It was ninety two and she was starting to get some heat in movies. She worked as a teenager and done a lot of teen movies, and she was really on a roll. And I met her because my wife and they had a mutual friend. And we met at a little dinner party and I went, while I was writing it, I'm going, and she didn't. It wasn't at all. Doesn't look like my wife was not at all what I was picturing. But I left home. She's really intriguing. She's funny, she's lovely. She's just the right amount of goofy and neurotic, just the perfect amount. And I remember I turned to Paula and I said, what do you think of her? As you she want it'll be good. But Helen's fear was that it was, you know, going to be the wife in Gabe Cott and Welcome Back. Got her Yeah, like you know that you ever hear the one about the money. But but we were so saying. She came to my house, he had read the script and then we I said, well let's read it together. And then at that very first meeting, before she had even said yes, we talked about I said, I want to do a show.

We have to do.

We have to do.

You know, we had somewhere in this relationship story, one of them has to have an affair or the threat of an affair, and I said, and I figured who said it first, But we each had the same idea, like we have to do one shot, how about a one whole episode of one shot? And we're like yes, and we tried and it wasn't until year five we found a story that could do that. But we had the same show in mind. So thanks for pushing her over the fence. Now it was it was just kismet. I got to do a guest on the reboot. You did us an honor.

You know, we had somewhere in this relationship story, one of them has to have an affair or the threat of an affair, and I said, and I figured who said it first, But we each had the same idea, like we have to do one shot, how about a one whole episode of one shot? And we're like yes, and we tried and it wasn't until year five we found a story that could do that. But we had the same show in mind. So thanks for pushing her over the fence. Now it was it was just kismet. I got to do a guest on the reboot. You did us an honor.

I had a great time and Michael And that's the thing, because we were going to say Mike, Mike was shore, right, Mike Richards.

I had a great time and Michael And that's the thing, because we were going to say Mike, Mike was shore, right, Mike Richards.

Mike Richards did an episode. Yeah, yeah, it's always Jerry did an episode two?

Mike Richards did an episode. Yeah, yeah, it's always Jerry did an episode two?

Did he really?

Did he really?

We shot for a summer Yeah, we did.

We shot for a summer Yeah, we did.

Uh.

Uh.

We did a shot in New York and it was literally a cameo.

We did a shot in New York and it was literally a cameo.

We walked by and.

We walked by and.

My character had taken a viagara and it was very pronounced and you never shot below here, but you could tell something something wrong. And I said, hey, Jarry, walk on the street.

My character had taken a viagara and it was very pronounced and you never shot below here, but you could tell something something wrong. And I said, hey, Jarry, walk on the street.

How you doing.

How you doing.

He's like, basically there was that.

He's like, basically there was that.

And then you lead the weird but big fan. The weird and interesting thing I remember in launching it was Lisa Cooper being on two shows. Yeah, which was fascinating that how did that happen that she could stay on your.

And then you lead the weird but big fan. The weird and interesting thing I remember in launching it was Lisa Cooper being on two shows. Yeah, which was fascinating that how did that happen that she could stay on your.

It's like how did Michael McDonald be on The Dobie and the Doobie Brothers and Steely Days.

It's like how did Michael McDonald be on The Dobie and the Doobie Brothers and Steely Days.

We're gonna talk about.

We're gonna talk about.

But Lisa Kudrou Somewhere in the first season we did a flashback, like you know, to before I met Jamie. I was having I hated blind dates and I had the worst blind date. It was with Lisa Kudro and we just cast on. It wasn't that much on the page. She was so funny. She as we know, but I mean her line readings. We were just having this stilted conversation on a first date and blind date and.

But Lisa Kudrou Somewhere in the first season we did a flashback, like you know, to before I met Jamie. I was having I hated blind dates and I had the worst blind date. It was with Lisa Kudro and we just cast on. It wasn't that much on the page. She was so funny. She as we know, but I mean her line readings. We were just having this stilted conversation on a first date and blind date and.

What do you what do you do?

What do you what do you do?

Oh, I'm a documentary filmmaker. She goes, Oh, that's so funny. I'm a banker. I'm like, why why did you hit that so hard? That doesn't make sense? She was, and we said we have to get her back, and so we made her not that character, but we brought her a back as she was the waitress in the place and I remember the day she said she's going to audition for another show because we only had it for like a few episodes. It was no, we didn't have her, And I said, what's the other show? It's like six friends and they all live in New York in the same building with that's not going anywhere. And then they embraced it. So they made her twin sisters. That yeah, but she she had such an odd, delicious delivery.

Oh, I'm a documentary filmmaker. She goes, Oh, that's so funny. I'm a banker. I'm like, why why did you hit that so hard? That doesn't make sense? She was, and we said we have to get her back, and so we made her not that character, but we brought her a back as she was the waitress in the place and I remember the day she said she's going to audition for another show because we only had it for like a few episodes. It was no, we didn't have her, And I said, what's the other show? It's like six friends and they all live in New York in the same building with that's not going anywhere. And then they embraced it. So they made her twin sisters. That yeah, but she she had such an odd, delicious delivery.

So you mentioned Michael McDonald, You right, it's one of those things that go to Michael McDonald has done my book with Paul Righter. Okay, how does that? How does that happen?

So you mentioned Michael McDonald, You right, it's one of those things that go to Michael McDonald has done my book with Paul Righter. Okay, how does that? How does that happen?

That's the most natural thing in the world, Peter, you know it's it's not the first comedian a musician uh to write a book. Luciana Patti and carrat Top.

That's the most natural thing in the world, Peter, you know it's it's not the first comedian a musician uh to write a book. Luciana Patti and carrat Top.

Did I love that? That was which was the musician He was going to prop opera at that time, and Carrot Top said, I can help you, okay, all right, all right, by the way a book.

Did I love that? That was which was the musician He was going to prop opera at that time, and Carrot Top said, I can help you, okay, all right, all right, by the way a book.

Yeah, Leonard Burnsneine and Emo Phillips. So I was a huge fan of Michael McDonald and we met at a silly a party that I was invited to he was performing. It was in somebody's house, and we walked into this Michael like, this guy's doing well, he's got Michael McDonald. Is that his house guest musician? And I just went over to him and started chatting, and we became friends. And I would always ask him these things like exactly that, like I don't understand what you could be in two bands? Don't don't they want to hold on you? And so I would ask him these questions over the years, and then I'd forget the answers, and I said, you should write a book so I don't have to bother you every time I have a question. And he said, you know, I've been approached. I don't know if I even have a story. And I go, you have a story, because I don't know how to write a book. I said, I've written books. I'll help you. So it was it was literally March twenty twenty COVID lockdown. We had nothing to do and we had no jobs, and we both had to figure out how to work zoom.

Yeah, Leonard Burnsneine and Emo Phillips. So I was a huge fan of Michael McDonald and we met at a silly a party that I was invited to he was performing. It was in somebody's house, and we walked into this Michael like, this guy's doing well, he's got Michael McDonald. Is that his house guest musician? And I just went over to him and started chatting, and we became friends. And I would always ask him these things like exactly that, like I don't understand what you could be in two bands? Don't don't they want to hold on you? And so I would ask him these questions over the years, and then I'd forget the answers, and I said, you should write a book so I don't have to bother you every time I have a question. And he said, you know, I've been approached. I don't know if I even have a story. And I go, you have a story, because I don't know how to write a book. I said, I've written books. I'll help you. So it was it was literally March twenty twenty COVID lockdown. We had nothing to do and we had no jobs, and we both had to figure out how to work zoom.

It was like then is you can see each other technology?

It was like then is you can see each other technology?

And we just we didn't even meet for three years. We just would He spent about a month talking like this, and I'd take the tape, I'd record it and type it up. So it's his story and I just helped him. But it was interesting because he would go, I don't think that's interesting. I go, trust me, that's really interesting. And then other times he goes, this is so fun I go, it is funny. Does not in the book.

And we just we didn't even meet for three years. We just would He spent about a month talking like this, and I'd take the tape, I'd record it and type it up. So it's his story and I just helped him. But it was interesting because he would go, I don't think that's interesting. I go, trust me, that's really interesting. And then other times he goes, this is so fun I go, it is funny. Does not in the book.

It's fascinating when telling your story, I guess, did you have revelations as you've written books, you've written best sellers, the stuff happened when you're writing a book. It's like when you're writing a script for the first time, and it's like an out of body experience. Something gets written and you go, I didn't know I had that in me.

It's fascinating when telling your story, I guess, did you have revelations as you've written books, you've written best sellers, the stuff happened when you're writing a book. It's like when you're writing a script for the first time, and it's like an out of body experience. Something gets written and you go, I didn't know I had that in me.

I didn't.

I didn't.

I didn't know.

I didn't know.

I fired that. Yeah, well in this, in his case, you know, there was new. We were just doing it on spec Let's see IF and I and the safety net. I said, I said a minute, you don't enjoy this, Well stop, I said, doesn't have to.

I fired that. Yeah, well in this, in his case, you know, there was new. We were just doing it on spec Let's see IF and I and the safety net. I said, I said a minute, you don't enjoy this, Well stop, I said, doesn't have to.

You know this.

You know this.

It costs us nothing to sit and have a coffee on zoom. But what he discovered is that by the end of it, he said, oh, I do have a story tell Because he is very humble, and he he felt that his greatest stories were having worked with all these different people. I go that in itself is you know who else can say that? I worked with Ray Charles and Quincy Jones and you know everyone else. But suddenly, as the more he talked, these through lines come up where he It was sort of an exercise for him of realizing how did he get here? You know? Seventy two? And he started working professionally at fourteen in a band, in like eighteen piece band. He's fourteen and I said, tell me there's a tape I want to hear fourteen year old who? He said, now sadly deadly? The tapes were in a jacket that was martinized. You know what that's wrong?