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 how opportunities like those can help comedians reach new audiences and grow their careers. Erica also shares insights into the evolving challenge of stand-up, explaining how “killing” on stage can feel inconsistent as your standards and expectations rise over time.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of being a comedian and staying true to your voice while building a lasting career in comedy.

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 both an art form and a survival skill. Where originality, adaptability, and persistence matter just as much as getting laughs.

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, became a major part of her creative life, as she supported May through the height of his comedy career while continuing to develop her own voice in stand up.

Through both her comedy and filmmaking, Lahna Turner’s work reflects resilience, honesty, and the reality of trying to hold together family, creativity, and life in entertainment, even when the spotlight becomes difficult to carry.

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 the one.

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, directing dark comedy films, Full House, working with Rodney Dangerfield, Garry Shandling, and his advice to young comedians on originality, craft, and doing the work. A must-watch for comedy fans, aspiring stand-ups, and anyone who's ever been through adversity and come out swinging.Blueprint for Successhttps://barrykatz.com/blueprintAre you a comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, manager, host, podcaster or agent? Would you like personalized help to reach all of your goals in the entertainment business? Click the link to learn more & join our FREE industry networking group full of decades of experience!Barry Katz Entertainmenthttps://barrykatz.comConnect with Barryhttps://www.instagram.com/barrykatz/https://www.facebook.com/BarryKatzOfficialPage/https://www.tiktok.com/@barry_katzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykatzbkehttps://x.com/BarryKatz

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 folk clubs and comedy clubs, performing alongside Robin Williams and Richard Pryor, his approach to improv and character voices, representation in Hollywood, his book Out of My Mind, presenting at the Academy Awards, and his enduring passion for entertaining, inspiring, and connecting with audiences through comedy, storytelling, and creative performance.Blueprint for Successhttps://barrykatz.com/blueprintAre you a comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, manager, host, podcaster or agent? Would you like personalized help to reach all of your goals in the entertainment business? Click the link to learn more & join our FREE industry networking group full of decades of experience!Barry Katz Entertainmenthttps://barrykatz.comConnect with Barryhttps://www.instagram.com/barrykatz/https://www.facebook.com/BarryKatzOfficialPage/https://www.tiktok.com/@barry_katzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykatzbkehttps://x.com/BarryKatz

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 comedy legends like Rodney Dangerfield and Robin Williams. Along the way, Harry reveals behind-the-scenes stories of the comedy boom era, his rise through stand-up, acting, and directing, and the key lessons that helped him turn raw ambition into a lasting career in entertainment.Blueprint for Successhttps://barrykatz.com/blueprintAre you a comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, manager, host, podcaster or agent? Would you like personalized help to reach all of your goals in the entertainment business? Click the link to learn more & join our FREE industry networking group full of decades of experience!The Social Media Blueprint:https://www.theindustryblueprint.com/social-media-blueprintBarry Katz Entertainmenthttps://barrykatz.comConnect with Barryhttps://www.instagram.com/barrykatz/https://www.facebook.com/BarryKatzOfficialPage/https://www.tiktok.com/@barry_katzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykatzbkehttps://x.com/BarryKatz

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 why most writers focus on getting their script seen instead of improving their craft. From his experience writing and producing major TV shows to lessons on storytelling, creativity, and navigating Hollywood as a professional writer, this episode offers valuable insight for screenwriters, comedians, content creators, and anyone trying to succeed in film, television, or the comedy business.

Blueprint for Success:https://barrykatz.com/blueprint

Are you a comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, manager, host, podcaster or agent? Would you like personalized help to reach all of your goals in the entertainment business? Click the link to learn more & join our FREE industry networking group full of decades of experience!

The Social Media Blueprint: https://www.theindustryblueprint.com/social-media-blueprintBarry Katz Entertainmenthttps://barrykatz.comConnect with Barryhttps://www.instagram.com/barrykatz/https://www.facebook.com/BarryKatzOfficialPage/https://www.tiktok.com/@barry_katzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykatzbkehttps://x.com/BarryKatz

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. Strategy. Late night. Specials. Viral content. Comedy club politics. The grind behind the spotlight.Blueprint for Successhttps://barrykatz.com/blueprintAre you a comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, manager, host, podcaster or agent? Would you like personalized help to reach all of your goals in the entertainment business? Click the link to learn more & join our FREE industry networking group full of decades of experience!The Social Media Blueprint:https://www.theindustryblueprint.com/social-media-blueprintBarry Katz Entertainmenthttps://barrykatz.comConnect with Barryhttps://www.instagram.com/barrykatz/https://www.facebook.com/BarryKatzOfficialPage/https://www.tiktok.com/@barry_katzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykatzbkehttps://x.com/BarryKatz

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 bits, his run for Governor of California, and much more. Unpredictable, unfiltered, and endlessly entertaining, this episode is a rare glimpse into the mind of a true original.

Blueprint for Successhttps://barrykatz.com/blueprintAre you a comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, manager, host, podcaster or agent? Would you like personalized help to reach all of your goals in the entertainment business? Click the link to learn more & join our FREE industry networking group full of decades of experience!The Social Media Blueprint:https://www.theindustryblueprint.com/social-media-blueprintBarry Katz Entertainmenthttps://barrykatz.comConnect with Barryhttps://www.instagram.com/barrykatz/https://www.facebook.com/BarryKatzOfficialPage/https://www.tiktok.com/@barry_katzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykatzbkehttps://x.com/BarryKatz

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/blueprintAre you a comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, manager, host, podcaster or agent? Would you like personalized help to reach all of your goals in the entertainment business? Click the link to learn more & join our FREE industry networking group full of decades of experience!Barry Katz Entertainmenthttps://barrykatz.comConnect with Barryhttps://www.instagram.com/barrykatz/https://www.facebook.com/BarryKatzOfficialPage/https://www.tiktok.com/@barry_katzhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykatzbkehttps://x.com/BarryKatz