Industry Standard w/ Barry Katz

Eric Tannenbaum is one of the most successful television executives in history, holding titles of President of Columbia Tristar Television, President of Michael Ovitz' ATG, Co-President of the Tannenbaum Company at CBS with his wife Kim, and Executive Producer of one of the longest running sitcoms in history (Two and 1/2 Men).

Eric Tannenbaum is one of the most successful television executives in history, holding titles of President of Columbia Tristar Television, President of Michael Ovitz' ATG, Co-President of the Tannenbaum Company at CBS with his wife Kim, and Executive Producer of one of the longest running sitcoms in history (Two and 1/2 Men).

This summer we lost one of the most respected artists I’ve ever known in this industry—Kevin Rooney. He was a really special person to all of us fortunate enough to know him. He worked with the best, hung with the best, and his sense of humor was the best. The way he spent time with all the comedians and was able to navigate through any situation, made him one of the most original people in our business. I hope you enjoy Part 2 of this classic episode where you get to hear his insight on our business from the man himself. I’ll miss him dearly.

This summer we lost one of the most respected artists I’ve ever known in this industry—Kevin Rooney. He was a really special person to all of us fortunate enough to know him. He worked with the best, hung with the best, and his sense of humor was the best. The way he spent time with all the comedians and was able to navigate through any situation, made him one of the most original people in our business. I hope you enjoy Part 1 of this classic episode where you get to hear his insight on our business from the man himself. I’ll miss him dearly.

Michael Jamin is a writer and showrunner who has been writing since 1996. In 1997 Michael was hired to work on NBC’s Just Shoot Me as a story editor. He would then serve as co-producer on the show for 36 episodes. From 2001 to 2006 Michael worked on King of the Hill, where he was co-executive producer for 52 episodes. His first stint as an executive producer and showrunner was from 2009 to 2011 on Glenn Martin, DDS, a stop-motion animated series airing on Nick at Nite and starred Kevin Nelson, Judy Greer, and Catherine O’Hara. From 2013 to 2016 Michael served as executive producer and showrunner on IFC’s Maron, starring the one and only Marc Maron. Michael’s work also includes Beavis and Butthead, Wilfred, Brickleberry, Rules of Engagement, Out of Practice, Lopez, Rhett and Link’s Buddy System, and so much more. Currently, Michael is a co-executive producer on Tacoma F.D. where he and his longtime writing partner, Sivert Glarum, have just finished writing season 4. Michael hosts Screenwriters Need to Hear This, a podcast to help aspiring writers, actors, and directors understand the business from the perspective of an experienced television writer like himself. After working as a sitcom writer for the past 26 years, Michael wanted to try something new and grew his social media following by posting daily screenwriting tips on his Instagram and TikTok where he has amassed nearly 250k followers in the past 8 months. He’s currently working on his new one-man show, a stage reading of his forthcoming collection of personal essays entitled A Paper Orchestra which opens in Los Angeles this summer.

Michael Jamin is a writer and showrunner who has been writing since 1996. In 1997 Michael was hired to work on NBC’s Just Shoot Me as a story editor. He would then serve as co-producer on the show for 36 episodes. From 2001 to 2006 Michael worked on King of the Hill, where he was co-executive producer for 52 episodes. His first stint as an executive producer and showrunner was from 2009 to 2011 on Glenn Martin, DDS, a stop-motion animated series airing on Nick at Nite and starred Kevin Nelson, Judy Greer, and Catherine O’Hara. From 2013 to 2016 Michael served as executive producer and showrunner on IFC’s Maron, starring the one and only Marc Maron. Michael’s work also includes Beavis and Butthead, Wilfred, Brickleberry, Rules of Engagement, Out of Practice, Lopez, Rhett and Link’s Buddy System, and so much more. Currently, Michael is a co-executive producer on Tacoma F.D. where he and his longtime writing partner, Sivert Glarum, have just finished writing season 4. Michael hosts Screenwriters Need to Hear This, a podcast to help aspiring writers, actors, and directors understand the business from the perspective of an experienced television writer like himself. After working as a sitcom writer for the past 26 years, Michael wanted to try something new and grew his social media following by posting daily screenwriting tips on his Instagram and TikTok where he has amassed nearly 250k followers in the past 8 months. He’s currently working on his new one-man show, a stage reading of his forthcoming collection of personal essays entitled A Paper Orchestra which opens in Los Angeles this summer.

On May 26, 2022, one of the greatest managers in the history of the comedy business passed away, George Shapiro. He had a legendary career that included managing three geniuses—Jerry Seinfeld, Carl Reiner, and Andy Kaufman. I am re-releasing this episode from 2015 so that you can learn more about the man and what made him so extraordinary. His words of wisdom helped me tremendously throughout my career to help me become a better manager, producer, and person.  Those of us who were fortunate enough to know him, and be touched by his unwavering positive spirit, will miss him greatly.

On May 26, 2022, one of the greatest managers in the history of the comedy business passed away, George Shapiro. He had a legendary career that included managing three geniuses—Jerry Seinfeld, Carl Reiner, and Andy Kaufman. I am re-releasing this episode from 2015 so that you can learn more about the man and what made him so extraordinary. His words of wisdom helped me tremendously throughout my career to help me become a better manager, producer, and person.  Those of us who were fortunate enough to know him, and be touched by his unwavering positive spirit, will miss him greatly.

Beginning her career as a Broadway dancer, comedian RITA RUDNER has flourished for over three decades selling millions of tickets all over the world. She rose to fame due to a variety of HBO Specials and countless late night appearances on shows like Late Night with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, which established Rudner as one of the premiere female comics to emerge from the comedy boom of the 1980s. Rudner has filled Carnegie Hall times, and holds the Las Vegas Record for the longest running solo act, where she performed over 2,000 shows over the course of 12 years. Rudner was nominated for a Writer's Guild Award for best screenplay for "Peter's Friends" which she co-wrote with her longtime writing partner and husband, Martin Bergman, and has also written for two Academy Awards with host Steve Martin. Rudner recently performed for former President Obama, and recorded her latest special, "Rita Rudner: Live from Las Vegas" for PBS as well as BBC Radio. Rudner has also written five books, including two fiction novels, "Tickled Pink", and "Turning the Tables." In 2018 she released a new special, “A Tale of Two Dresses.”

Beginning her career as a Broadway dancer, comedian RITA RUDNER has flourished for over three decades selling millions of tickets all over the world. She rose to fame due to a variety of HBO Specials and countless late night appearances on shows like Late Night with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, which established Rudner as one of the premiere female comics to emerge from the comedy boom of the 1980s. Rudner has filled Carnegie Hall times, and holds the Las Vegas Record for the longest running solo act, where she performed over 2,000 shows over the course of 12 years. Rudner was nominated for a Writer's Guild Award for best screenplay for "Peter's Friends" which she co-wrote with her longtime writing partner and husband, Martin Bergman, and has also written for two Academy Awards with host Steve Martin. Rudner recently performed for former President Obama, and recorded her latest special, "Rita Rudner: Live from Las Vegas" for PBS as well as BBC Radio. Rudner has also written five books, including two fiction novels, "Tickled Pink", and "Turning the Tables." In 2018 she release a new special, “A Tale of Two Dresses.”