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Catching Up With Comedians

Rich Stein

Rich Stein, a long time standup comic, took a few years off the road to teach high school, get married, and have a kid. Now, retired from teaching, he is back on stages and reconnecting with old friends and trying to Catch up with Comedians. Plenty of funny stories, anecdotes and tributes to the greats both famous and infamous!

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#71
Sunday · 1 hr 3 min
Comedian Bill Kirchenbauer joins host Rich Stein
(Part One: of my podcast with Bill) My guest, Bill Kirchenbauer came of age during The Comedy Boom of the 1980's. Bill had been on the road ever since he was born in Romania, in 1953 as the son of a career military man and his wife. Once in the U.S. the army kept Bill and his family on the move, where they lived in almost all fifty states and he attended 20 different schools in 13 years; one year he attended 3 schools. As an only child, Bill loved television as it was his companion, teacher, friend and University for his future comedy career. He became quite good at puppet shows and was entertaining his friends and classmates shortly after entering public school. Before starting stand up Bill trained for three years as a mime and concurrently for three years in improvisation, which was akin to getting his masters in comedy. Many stand ups perform for the first time as a novice with little or no preparation! Bill made it to The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson by age 25 and went on to do movies, game shows, Mork and Mindy and went on to star as Coach Lubbock in ‘Growing Pains’ starring Alan Thicke and from that spun off to his very own show ‘Just The Ten Of Us’ which was a big hit on the network. For those stories and more please welcome Bill Kirchenbauer !
#70
September 27 · 58 min
Comedian John Kensil joins host Rich Stein
This is part two of my two part episode with Comedian John Kensil. I re- ran the final 90 seconds of part one to create a smoother transition to parts one and two. We were chatting about comedians when we were young and John mentioned how many of them came on to The Mike Douglas Show ( which was taped for many years in Philadelphia) and many actors came on Mike Douglas as they were acting in dinner theater so as to keep their careers afloat. Bob Crane was doing dinner theater after his tv work dried up and that became his undoing. We discuss Gilbert Gottfried, Redd Foxx, Slappy White, SCTV, Robert Klein, Woody Allen, Johnny Carson, Dean Martin, Norm Macdonald, Lenny Bruce and where John thinks comedy is going and how important it is for the young comics to know about and respect all the greats that came before them. Please welcome a great comic and Philly Legend: John Kensil
#69
September 13 · 53 min
Comedian John Kensil joins host Rich Stein
John Kensil was an absolute pleasure to chat with on my podcast. He brings over thirty years of comedy chops to our mics at C.U.W.C. and he is unbridled about the comedy business and its evolution. Unlike many comedians, however, he has a very fun and affable way of accepting what was/ is/ and always will be an ever changing and evolving business in terms of comedy tastes, comedy styles, approaches, genres and whatever else gets thrown into the stew. We ended up chatting for quite awhile and so this will be # one of what will be two episodes with the fun and funny John Kensil. John's credits include being a working stand up comic for over thirty years. He started writing comedy and performing while still a student at Temple University. He later wrote material for Jay Leno's Tonight Show as well as for Joan Rivers. He has appeared on How I Met Your Mother as well as The King Of Queens and appears regularly at Gotham Comedy Club, Stand Up New York and The Comic Strip. He is also a a local Philly favorite at The Comedy Cabaret and The Comedy Works. John hosts his own very popular podcast show"Kensil Culture" which has been streaming online since 2022. Please welcome: John Kensil
#68
August 30 · 59 min
Comedy Director Linda Mendoza joins host Rich Stein
On my second visit with Comedy Director Linda Mendoza, we cover her extensive directing of the Gershwin awards for Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Burt Bacharach, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney and her equally expansive direction of the Mark Twain Awards for American Humor, including: David Letterman, Bill, Murray, George Carlin and Tina Fey. We also discussed her directing of so many icons of comedy in both sitcoms and specials, including, but not limited to: Martin Short, Bernie Mac, Chris Rock, John Leguizamo, Nikki Glazer, Wanda Sykes, Robert Klein and Robin Williams, who besides his comedy genius, Linda says he was the kindest and most humble person and unlike any other human she had ever met. ladies and gentlemen: Linda Mendoza
#67
August 15 · 1 hr 5 min
Comic, Actor Chip Chinery joins host Rich Stein
Chip Chinery‘s life and career should be a college course, a documentary or at least a footnote at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York. Chip started Comedy as an amateur at just 15 years of age. He performed stand up through high school and into college where he was active in Theater, film and video classes and he produced and starred in his own documentary at Miami University in Cincinnati titled “From Here To Fraternity’l After college Chip worked at the CBS TV affiliate in Cincinnati as a cameraman and later won an Emmy for “on air reporter” in the Midwest region. By twenty four Chip had been an amateur Comic with over 100 sets under his belt so he decided to quit his bank job and work one complete year just doing stand up to make his living. It was this experience which he would journal and compile to write his first book: Charging Mount Stand-Up. From 1989 to 1990 he started as an opening act/ MC and made it to where he could feature or middle by the end of the year. By the 90s he decided to move to Los Angeles and go full time into the business; taking acting and improv classes, and he slowly started getting commercials, sit com and film roles; Third Rock from the Sun, the Drew Carey Show and he did a very memorable Seinfeld as well as Curb, That 70’s Show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Big Bang Theory and dozens more. A pleasure to welcome a man who put all his chips on the table and through his own hard work, spirit and determination, He Made It! ladies and gentlemen welcome Chip Chinery.
#66
August 1 · 59 min
Comic, Actor, Bob Greenberg joins host Rich Stein
Bob Greenberg, conceived in the Catskills and born at New York Hospital in Manhattan was destined for the stage. Bob has done everything in this business from comedy clubs to television sitcoms, dramas, mini-series and films. A longtime member of the Friars and Lambs, Bob has Won Best Actor Awards for Jimmy Breslin: How To Read The Newspaper and The Stella in two New York Theater Festivals. A talented character Comedian and impersonator, he regularly portrays Jackie Gleason, Lou Costello, Oliver Hardy and many other notables in stage shows and comedy performances. His talents have brought him to Conan O’Brien’s show as well as The David Letterman Show and Saturday Night Live. Off Broadway plays include The Jazz Singer and films include Big Money Hu$tla$, Maid In Manhattan and Disclosure Day; a film directed by Steven Spielberg and just released within the last month. Please welcome a gentleman who is not only a great actor, comic and artist, but a patron of the arts as well: Bob Greenberg
#65
July 20 · 51 min
Comedian Jimmy Shubert joins host Rich Stein
Jimmy Shubert born and raised in Philadelphia was one of seven boys with a police detective Dad and a school teaching Mom. Jimmy attended a magnet high school for the creative and performing arts and he was a professional working magician by age 15. He especially liked taking the acting classes Jimmy started performing stand-up comedy right out of high school in the local Philadelphia area. He moved out to Los Angeles during The Comedy Boom of the eighties and after being noticed by Sam Kinison, he became one of Sam’s outlaws and performed with them in Las Vegas casinos, showrooms and at the Universal Amphitheater in front of 6500 people In 1997 JIMMY did well enough at the Montreal "Just For Laughs" festival to get a holding deal to develop a sitcom for 20th Century Fox JIMMY has performed all over the United States twice, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ireland, Mexico, and along with Drew Carey performed for the troops in the Middle East and Afghanistan for Armed Forces Entertainment. JIMMY Polkes holes and political correctness from a working man’s point of view. His latest album released on iTunes, Apple, and Amazon Music depicts that being a Comic in today’s culture is like walking through a minefield wearing clown shoes! His fifth Comedy album produced by Grammy Award nominated Dan Shlissel is entitled : "Clown Shoes!" Jimmy kicked off his very busy acting career in 1999 playing Vic Jr, the bouncer in the movie “GO” directed by Doug Lyman. That movie became a cult hit and catapulted Jimmy into many other high profile films such as Mr. and Mrs. Smith starring Bran-gelina, Jerry Bruckheimer‘s Coyote Ugly, One Hour Photo starring Robin Williams and The Italian Job starring Charlize Theron. On television Jimmy did fifteen King of Queens over five years, several appearances on Entourage and guest starring roles on Monk, E.R., Two Broke Girls and Disney’s hit show Zeke and Luther. Jimmy has been in all the big Documentaries about Comedy from 'Dying Laughing' to 'I am Sam Kinison' to the three part masterpiece by Mike Binder, which shows the entire history of comedy from the early 1970s until present time simply entitled "The Comedy Store!" Please Welcome a man who has truly been through every phase of show business from television, movies, stand up, magic and he is still going strong: Jimmy Shubert
#64
July 5 · 48 min
Director Linda Mendoza joins host Rich Stein
Linda Mendoza is an award-winning Director, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She was a Sociology Major before falling into the television industry. Linda got her start in the multi- camera/variety genre as a production assistant. She worked her way up on hit shows such as 'In Living Color' and ''Saturday Night Live." Linda’s love of stand-up started at an early age. Later her opportunities working with artists like Robin Williams, on 'Robin Williams at the Met', Billy Crystal’s 'Midnight Train to Moscow' and Martin Short's "I Martin Short, Goes Hollywood" allowed her to learn the art of Stand-Up from the best. The 'Chris Rock Show' for HBO would help her transition to full-time directing and the 'Bernie Mac Show' would be her break into narrative, episodic television. Since then, Linda’s gone on to direct over 130 episodes of comedy including, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Black-ish, Grown-ish, 30 Rock and Scrubs. She has directed two features. Chasing Papi for Fox 2000 and Relationship Goals, which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. She is so thankful to her family for all the love and support. Her husband, Tim, for being the perfect life partner. The beautiful young men she was blessed with, her son, John, and her nephew, Marccus. And of course, her best friend and sister through it all, Dora. She is so grateful to God, for guiding her and helping her succeed. Despite herself! Linda is proud to be a working member of the Director's Guild of America for over 35 years. Please help me welcome my very special guest today, Director of comedy from sit coms to specials and the coveted Mark Twain Prize for American Humor: Linda Mendoza.
#63
June 19 · 1 hr 3 min
Comedian Tom Ryan joins host Rich Stein
Tom Ryan has been a full-time standup comedian for over thirty years. He made two appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman and recently performed at Carnegie Hall. Since he was about 10 years old, Tom wanted to be a standup comedian. The first standup comedy he ever heard was from David Brenner and George Carlin. At 26, he left an insurance job in his hometown of Philadelphia to move to Florida where he landed a job at a local golf course. The job lasted only 3 weeks. Ryan says, “Losing that job was the best thing that ever happened to me because it forced me to confront exactly what I wanted to do with my life.” He took a job as a doorman at the newly opened Comedy Corner in West Palm Beach. It was the lowest paying but most valuable job he ever had. It provided him with a complete comedy education watching acts such as Jerry Seinfeld, Dennis Miller and Bill Hicks. It was not long before Tom made his stage debut. Within two years he was working full time as a comedian. Since then, Tom Ryan has worked steadily at comedy clubs, concert venues and corporate functions across the U.S. In addition to his Letterman appearances, he has also been featured on Showtime, A&E, Comedy Central and NBC. He has performed as the opening act in concert for B.B. King, Natalie Cole, Jeff Beck, Earth, Wind and Fire, Aretha Franklin, Tim Allen, Steven Wright, Brian Regan, Gary Gulman, Jerry Seinfeld, and Dennis Miller just to name a few. Tom’s comedy can be heard regularly on Sirius XM radio. His original style makes it easy for him to write for special events. He regularly headlines corporate events including Citigroup, HP, Morgan Stanley and Church and Dwight. Tom believes that the best comedy comes from the most unlikely sources. Here is an example from his act: “I was driving around the other day and my oil light came on. But that little symbol looks nothing like an oil can. When it first came on, I thought well, apparently my car is low on gravy.” BOOK NOW (https://tomryan.com/contact) Please welcome: Tom Ryan...
#62
June 8 · 28 min
Filmmaker and Animator Gene Hamm joins host Rich Stein
This is Gene Hamm‘s third visit to my show. He brings a lifetime of art and animation to his third feature film Entitled: "Don’t Call Us, We’ll Kill You!" It will be on the Roku channel. In addition to his work for Disney, Hanna Barbera, and many others, he has also taught animation for over 25 years at the Art Institute in Marin County. He is also promoting his new online course where he will teach animation from conception to completion. In this class, Gene will take you through all the components of animation, voices, special effects, storyboards and you will be able to learn by the end of this course everything that it takes to complete your animated film. The course will be available very soon on Animation A2Z.com Please welcome the always busy and very animated Gene Hamm.
#61
May 21 · 40 min
Comedian Andy Huggins joins host Rich Stein
Andy Huggins: Andy Huggins always loved Comedy and has a vivid memory of the sound the audience made laughing hysterically in a huge movie theater, when he first watched the Marx Brothers in Duck Soup. After graduating from high school in Virginia, he started doing Open Mic nights and telling jokes between the musical acts. He moved to Los Angeles after Johnny Carson kept mentioning that all the wave of new comedians came from The Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard. After working in LA for a couple of years, some comics he made friends with told him he should move to Houston,Texas to get way more stage time than in Los Angeles. He took their advice. Andy's story is different than most, even Rodney Dangerfield, who broke into Comedy in his 40s! Andy literally made it at age 68 when he brought over 40 years of doing one- liners in front of an international stage. His look and voice along with his integrity, work ethic and love for the craft of Comedy, ensures his third act to be a real barn burner! Ladies and Gents, Andy Huggins
#60
May 10 · 58 min
Comedian, Prop Master and Show Runner Joe Dalo joins host Rich Stein
My guest Joe Dalo was born in Philly and raised in South Jersey. He started out like most comics working open mics and progressed to the real comedy clubs like The Comedy works and The Comedy Factory Outlet. He also wanted to be an actor and he was in the road company of Toni and Tina‘s wedding. Joe had a building and construction background which gave him another side hustle; He started getting hired on prank and hidden video shows as a builder and prop-master. Due to his positive demeanor and leadership he worked his way quickly up the crew ladder because he was a guy who had the ability to hire the right people and get things done. He worked for years on Ashton Kutscher‘s show Punk’d and went from PA to Show Runner and appeared on many episodes. He has also worked on all of the Jackass films in every capacity and personally built the “BIG HAND” Which famously slapped everyone big and small. He can also be seen in the upcoming Jackass Five! He is also on a show currently running on Netflix called FOUL PLAY, with Anthony Davis; I saw it on my queue as I was scrolling last night. After all that, his love and desire to do standup comedy still prevails and he is still out there hitting the stages; ladies and gentlemen, please Welcome Comedian, Joe Dalo.
#59
April 24 · 57 min
Comic, Producer, Entrepreneur Rhonda Shear joins host Rich Stein
Rhonda Shear grew up as the youngest of four kids in New Orleans. Her Mom Supported her dancing and modeling while Dad instilled in her the Mind of the Business Model. She left Louisiana with a College Degree from Loyola University, and the Title of Miss Louisiana USA/World/International She headed west to Los Angeles where she studied acting and started paying her dues. She graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena and studied with Harvey Lembeck. She eventually started getting small roles on television shows such as Chips and Dallas. Her natural ebullience and funny demeanor opened doors for her on comedies like Married with Children, Cheers, Three’s Company and the Dukes of Hazzard. She was even cast in SPACEBALLS by the legendary Mel Brooks Many agents and producers tried to discourage such a pretty and voluptuous young woman from pursuing the historically alpha- male world of stand up comedy however she followed her own intuition and before long she was working the Comedy Store/ Improv/ Laugh Factory circuit as well as going on the road and working steadily in the Las Vegas Casinos as a stand up comic. Her big break came when she was hired as the hostess of a show produced by USA Network titled “UP ALL NIGHT!” The show had been running for two years with the female hostess doing the Friday night ( Campy comedy movies) and Gilbert Gottfried hosting the Saturday night ( scary monster movies) Rhonda was a big hit and she went on to host alongside the great Gilbert for the next eight years ( 8 years on tv and over 450 episodes ) On my podcast Rhonda talks about the 2025-26 Reboot of the Up All Night show and all things in the RHONDAVERSE ; including her own line of Intimate Apparel which she started out selling on QVC / Home Shopping Network; including her signature “AHH BRA Rhonda is one of those rare humans who evokes inspiration just through her voice and spirit and her laugh which even having a slight cold during our interview she laughed and carried on like the true pro that she is. Ladies and Gentleman I am So proud to introduce Comedian, Writer, Producer, Entrepreneur and all around Neat Lady: Rhonda Shear ✌️💕🎙️🎙️🎬
#58
April 9 · 1 hr 10 min
Comic, Actor, Writer, Director Ted Lange joins host Rich Stein
My guest today Ted Lange was born and raised in Oakland California. While most people would recognize Ted from his 10 seasons starring as Isaac the Bartender on THE LOVE BOAT; before that show he had already appeared in 4 to 5 films, was a regular in a sitcom that ran for 39 episodes and he had already appeared in the Broadway production of the musical HAIR! TED Lange is a GRADUATE from LONDON’S ROYAL ACADEMY and is also a MEMBER of the AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE! Ted went on to write and direct a dozen episodes of THE LOVE BOAT and once that hit show wrapped, he has gone on to act in hundreds of different roles in television, film and the stage. While Ted has remained active and very visible on film and television over the years, his real passion is writing and directing for the live stage. He has penned at least a dozen plays for theater and has become a much sought after producer and director as well. Currently he is producing his passion project he wrote entitled: "Shakespeare Over My Shoulder;" where he spent years researching, interviewing and lecturing about his theory that Othello was not written by Shakespeare but by someone else. So keep your eyes out for his new play and other projects Ted is involved in such as The Love Boat podcast and many charitable endeavors in which Ted participates. Ladies and Gents: I am proud to introduce Comic, Actor, Writer, Director: Ted Lange
#57
March 28 · 1 hr
Comedian Vince Harper joins host Rich Stein
My guest today is Comedian Vince Harper. Vince was dancing a lot as a teenager and inspired by his older brother, he started pursuing it full time. From a young man, he had joined a dance group that performed on the stages at Disneyland and eventually they were good enough to perform on TV shows, American Bandstand, Dance Fever, The Midnight Special as well as the Merv Griffin Show. His group known as "Dancin Machine" eventually was performing for the Stardust Casino in Las Vegas and soon after the group got a gig at the Chicago Playboy Club before Vince was legally old enough to drink. VINCE was drafted by some old friends to start a Chippendale style version of male stripping and he was doing that around the time he started seeing more and more stand-up comedy legends like Richard Pryor, Sam Kinison, and Bill Hicks inspire him to start trying to add a little Comedy to his stripping routine. Once he started doing Comedy guest spots at all the new comedy clubs that were exploding in the eighties, he had been bitten by the bug. He happily traded shedding his clothes for slinging his jokes. He quickly took his years of experience as a dancer and started doing stand up all across the country and he has never stopped doing it and that puts him in the 40 plus year Comedy Club. Please welcome my guest who is still telling jokes for paying crowds: Vince Harper.
#56
March 13 · 53 min
Comedian Jay London joins host Rich Stein
My guest on the podcast this week is Mr. Jay London. Raised in the Bronx, Jay’s two passions in life have both served him well: stand-up comedy and boxing. In both enterprises you are fighting for your life and in both you can kill or bomb out and die. Jay fought his way through the Bronx neighborhoods and school yards and later through the local comedy clubs and “Live at the Apollo!” He fought his way into the house on season two of “Last Comic Standing” where he first came to national attention. He became a fan favorite where in an unprecedented move the producers brought him back for a wildcard shot on season three. To say Last Comic Standing was a big deal in Comedy would be an understatement; there have always been Star Search type shows, but on L.C.S. stood the best and the brightest of club comedians as well as stars, young and old, who came on the show to be mentors, celebrity talent scouts and judges, as well as hosts of which there were numerous over the nine season run of the series. In addition to appearing on the “King Of Queens” as well as several other films and television series we will talk about what Jay is doing now as he proclaims He is Still in the Fight because it Ain’t Over Yet! Please Welcome: JAY LONDON
#55
February 27 · 1 hr 8 min
Comedian George Hamaty joins host Rich Stein
George Hamaty started as a stand up comedian at Penn State and continued for twelve years developing an act while also studying acting. After college, he decided to head west to Los Angeles, which is where I first ran into George. He was only in LA for the years 1985 through 1991, but he rose up the ladder from opening act to feature act and met many people and definitely made his mark. George is proud to say that as an Arab American, he relied heavily on his ethnicity. Personal drama forced him to leave the business but currently he is writing a book on his experiences which is part cathartic, part humorous and ALL TRUE; Entitled: “I Could Have Been A Great Comedian, But Took Myself Too Seriously.” Please welcome my guest and old friend, George Hamaty
#54
February 14 · 32 min
Stand up Comic / Producer Linda Marcus Smith joins host Rich Stein
Linda Marcus Smith joins me this week for her second appearance on the podcast. Linda gained much notoriety during the pandemic when she interviewed not less than 1000 comedians for her podcast "The Comics Spot." Since the end of the pandemic, Linda has worked tirelessly rising up the ranks in the Las Vegas Comedy Clubs and Casinos. Just over a year ago she decided to make the move back to her native homeland, New York City. Linda has worked very hard over the past year to build up her Comedy Chops in the many Comedy Clubs of the New York "Tri-State Area." Linda, as a proud army veteran is very passionate about raising awareness for all military personnel as well as veterans who may be in need of helping out or lifting up. To this point, as part of her Comedy Journey, she is very passionate about booking her own shows for military audiences as well as booking Comedy Shows where Military veterans and their families may benefit from the money raised from these shows. We also draw attention to the shows, dates and places that Linda will be performing at and producing over the next year. We will announce those locations and dates at the beginning and the end of this podcast. Thank you for listening and please welcome my special guest: Linda Marcus Smith.
#53
February 1 · 1 hr 6 min
Comedian Dan Rosenberg joins host Rich Stein
Welcome Dan Rosenberg to the podcast . In 1992, Dan moved to Los Angeles to start a stand-up career at age 22. He sold cars in the daytime and did stand up at night. When the Northridge earthquake hit in 1994, he took that as a sign to leave LA while he could still catch a plane that had an accessible runway. He moved back to Pennsylvania to coach basketball and after that he ended up teaching Comedy traffic school in Orlando, Florida, which basically jump started his return to stand-up comedy . A born salesman, and entrepreneur, Dan started his own company, called “humor vision” where he went to, and performed at The “Just For Laughs” premiere comedy showcase in Montreal for seven years in a row. In 2001 he saw Rick Springfield at the Universal Amphitheater and thought,( he’d be perfect for my sitcom!) This is a story of how dogged determination, hard work and seeking out the right people can actually lead to dreams coming true. Not only did he get Rick Springfield to star in his movie , but it has now won awards at multiple film festivals and Dan is now a full-time standup and working on his third hour long special for streaming on television Welcome Dan Rosenberg
#52
January 18 · 1 hr
Comedian, Producer David Uhlfelder joins host Rich Stein
My guest today is David Uhlfelder who was raised in Colorado and started his comedy career when he was barely 20 years of age and pursuing an engineering degree at Cal State University, San Luis Obispo. He earned his degree and has been working as a comedian for eight years now and without the assistance of a day job. To understand how you could visit: https://www.daviduhlfelder.com/ as well as https://www.cal comedy underground.com/ Not only can you see his credits and comedy history but you can also peruse the locations where he produces comedy shows at myriad locations from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. David goes on the road as much as possible where he works as a Feature act and has been starting to Headline shows as well. Please welcome to my podcast this up and coming Comedian, Producer and Showrunner; David Uhlfelder!

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