Industry Standard w/ Barry Katz

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.”

Beth Lapides is the creator, host and producer of Un-Cabaret, a live show that has become widely acknowledged as the first alt-comedy show and a critical venue for the Los Angeles "alternative comedy" movement. Un-Cabaret is known for its intimate, conversational style and has been a launching or relaunching pad for some of the most innovative voices in comedy. The Un- stands for un-homophobic, un-xenophobic, un-misogynistic, un-hacky. Un-Cabaret has produced five critically acclaimed CD's including The Un and Only. Spinoff productions from Un-Cabaret have include Say the Word, a story-telling show; The Other Network, a show featuring unaired pilots, and the UnCab Lab, a student workshop. Lapides' podcast Life and Beth is half hour conversations in which guests are asked to talk about the stories that most make them them. Beth's guest have included Lily Taylor, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Cho, Daniel Radcliffe, Ana Gasteyer and others. Her radio show, The Beth Lapides Experience, ran for a year on the short-lived Comedy World Radio. In addition she hosted Radio UnCabaret for the network. Lapides hosted two Un-Cabaret spin off shows, Say The Word and The Other Network Festival of Unaired Pilots. In the former, TV writers read stories of their lives, in which Lapides was also a featured reader. The latter toured nationally and to the Just For Laughs Festival. It featured pilots by Judd Apatow, Bob Odenkirk and others who also told the story of creating the shows and their cancellations. Lapides' inspiration for them was her own failed pilot and the process of seeing her friends hopes swell and be dashed. Lapides hosts an occasional series of conversations for the West Hollywood Lesbian Speaker Series. Her guest have included Stephanie Miller, Allee Willis, Judy Gold, Fortune Feimster and Margaret Cho. Lapides has been a creative force in the solo show arena. She began her career in the downtown NY art scene of the 1980s where she created pieces for The Kitchen, PS 122, Club 57, Danceteria, and others. She received several National Endowment for the Arts grants and toured to theaters, universities and art centers like ICA Boston, ICA London, Oberlin College, University of Iowa, Hallwalls etc. She has continued to create solo work throughout her career and she continues to develop her latest piece "100% Happy 88% of The Time" which has toured to the Improv Lab in LA, 92nd St Y Tribeca and The Triad in NY, Kripalu, The Myrna Loy Center for the Arts, Club Oberon in Boston among others.

Beth Lapides is the creator, host and producer of Un-Cabaret, a live show that has become widely acknowledged as the first alt-comedy show and a critical venue for the Los Angeles "alternative comedy" movement. Un-Cabaret is known for its intimate, conversational style and has been a launching or relaunching pad for some of the most innovative voices in comedy. The Un- stands for un-homophobic, un-xenophobic, un-misogynistic, un-hacky. Un-Cabaret has produced five critically acclaimed CD's including The Un and Only. Spinoff productions from Un-Cabaret have include Say the Word, a story-telling show; The Other Network, a show featuring unaired pilots, and the UnCab Lab, a student workshop. Lapides' podcast Life and Beth is half hour conversations in which guests are asked to talk about the stories that most make them them. Beth's guest have included Lily Taylor, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Cho, Daniel Radcliffe, Ana Gasteyer and others. Her radio show, The Beth Lapides Experience, ran for a year on the short-lived Comedy World Radio. In addition she hosted Radio UnCabaret for the network. Lapides hosted two Un-Cabaret spin off shows, Say The Word and The Other Network Festival of Unaired Pilots. In the former, TV writers read stories of their lives, in which Lapides was also a featured reader. The latter toured nationally and to the Just For Laughs Festival. It featured pilots by Judd Apatow, Bob Odenkirk and others who also told the story of creating the shows and their cancellations. Lapides' inspiration for them was her own failed pilot and the process of seeing her friends hopes swell and be dashed. Lapides hosts an occasional series of conversations for the West Hollywood Lesbian Speaker Series. Her guest have included Stephanie Miller, Allee Willis, Judy Gold, Fortune Feimster and Margaret Cho. Lapides has been a creative force in the solo show arena. She began her career in the downtown NY art scene of the 1980s where she created pieces for The Kitchen, PS 122, Club 57, Danceteria, and others. She received several National Endowment for the Arts grants and toured to theaters, universities and art centers like ICA Boston, ICA London, Oberlin College, University of Iowa, Hallwalls etc. She has continued to create solo work throughout her career and she continues to develop her latest piece "100% Happy 88% of The Time" which has toured to the Improv Lab in LA, 92nd St Y Tribeca and The Triad in NY, Kripalu, The Myrna Loy Center for the Arts, Club Oberon in Boston among others.

Oz Pearlman is one of the most sought after mentalists in the world. He developed an interest in magic at a young age and what started as a hobby ended up becoming a lifelong passion. After a couple of years spent working on Wall Street, Oz decided to pursue his dream and become a full time entertainer. He has now been dazzling audiences with his mind reading ability for over two decades! Oz amazed the country on TV’s #1 rated show, America’s Got Talent. Week after week, he performed mind blowing mentalism routines never seen before and quickly became a fan favorite, winning third place out of thousands of acts. His client list reads like a who's who of politicians, professional athletes, A-list celebrities, and Fortune 500 companies. Oz’s other television appearances have aired on both national and international networks, including dozens of appearances on the TODAY Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Harry Connick Jr. Show, Rachael Ray, Dr. Oz, CNBC Squawk Box, ABC World News, ESPN, CNBC, NFL Network, Bravo, Fox Business and many more. In 2018, he joined an elite few, including David Blaine and David Copperfield, to have their own TV special on a major national network. Oz Knows aired on NBC multiples times to rave reviews. The following year he won an Emmy Award for that special. When he isn’t blowing the minds of audiences around the world, Oz is an avid marathon and ultra-marathon runner, having completed such grueling races as the Badwater 135 Miler, Hawaii Ironman World Championships, Western States 100 and Spartathlon. He takes great pride in his marathon PR of 2:23:52 and has won dozens of races throughout the country.

Oz Pearlman is one of the most sought after mentalists in the world. He developed an interest in magic at a young age and what started as a hobby ended up becoming a lifelong passion. After a couple of years spent working on Wall Street, Oz decided to pursue his dream and become a full time entertainer. He has now been dazzling audiences with his mind reading ability for over two decades! Oz amazed the country on TV’s #1 rated show, America’s Got Talent. Week after week, he performed mind blowing mentalism routines never seen before and quickly became a fan favorite, winning third place out of thousands of acts. His client list reads like a who's who of politicians, professional athletes, A-list celebrities, and Fortune 500 companies. Oz’s other television appearances have aired on both national and international networks, including dozens of appearances on the TODAY Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Harry Connick Jr. Show, Rachael Ray, Dr. Oz, CNBC Squawk Box, ABC World News, ESPN, CNBC, NFL Network, Bravo, Fox Business and many more. In 2018, he joined an elite few, including David Blaine and David Copperfield, to have their own TV special on a major national network. Oz Knows aired on NBC multiples times to rave reviews. The following year he won an Emmy Award for that special. When he isn’t blowing the minds of audiences around the world, Oz is an avid marathon and ultra-marathon runner, having completed such grueling races as the Badwater 135 Miler, Hawaii Ironman World Championships, Western States 100 and Spartathlon. He takes great pride in his marathon PR of 2:23:52 and has won dozens of races throughout the country.

Josh Simons is the CEO and co-founder of Vampr, the world’s largest and most active social-professional network for musicians (often dubbed the “LinkedIn for creatives”). With over half a million users, and active in every country on the planet, the music startup has helped fledgling musicians broker over 5 million connections worldwide. Vampr offers a free solution for young musicians, built by a sympathetic founding team of established musicians with Josh’s co-founder, Baz Palmer, best known as the lead guitarist for seminal hall-of-fame rock band, Hunters & Collectors. Simons has grown Vampr into a multi-award winning platform, including a most prestigious nod from Apple with an inclusion in their Best of the Year list. Prior to running Vampr, Josh Simons spent the better part of a decade as a successful artist, songwriter & producer. His artist project Buchanan enjoyed multi-million streams & chart impressions worldwide. They retired from the live circuit following a sold-out arena tour opening for Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood. As a producer and songwriter, Simons has shared credits with Travis Scott, Troye Sivan, and Kanye West to name a few. In April 2020 Simons was named in The Music Network’s 30 Under 30 List in addition to being voted Reader’s Choice. Simons holds a Bachelor of Business from Swinburne University.