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Artwork for Industry Standard w/ Barry Katz
Comedy

Industry Standard w/ Barry Katz

Barry Katz

A one-of-a-kind insiders look at Hollywood from a totally different perspective. This inspirational weekly series provides an “all access pass” to the entertainment business through the eyes of comedy manager/producer Barry Katz and the industry's biggest "behind the scenes" players who candidly reveal the risky decisions they made that led to the most groundbreaking internet, television, radio, music, and film content in the world. Combining humor, insight, and motivation; Katz provides the blueprint for the audience to take their careers to the next tier, while showcasing each guests’ extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to the highest levels in their field.

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  • 20 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 1 hr 7 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • Saturday · 1 hr 35 min

    Rick Messina: Life as a Comedy Manager

    Rick Messina has spent decades behind the scenes of the comedy business as a producer, manager, and talent representative, helping guide the careers of some of comedy’s most talented performers, including Tim Allen. In this episode, Rick takes us inside his career and the world of comedy management, from discovering and developing talent to navigating relationships, the business side of the industry, and the realities of working alongside comedians as they build their careers. He shares stories from his years in the business, the lessons he learned working with different talent, and what really happens behind the scenes of a comedian’s career.

  • September 5 · 1 hr 3 min

    Eddie Lfft: Managers, Comics & the Business of Comedy

    In this episode Industry Standard, Eddie takes us behind the scenes of the comedy business, from the complicated relationship between managers and clients to how he sees the industry as a whole. He opens up about his own Achilles heel, what he would change about his life, and the moments in his career that make him most proud. We also get a behind the scenes look at Eddie’s creative process, including the story behind his track/alter boy bit, Barry’s perspective on Eddie, and a deeper dive into his connections throughout the comedy world.

  • August 27 · 1 hr 9 min

    Yakov Smirnoff: The Story Behind "What A Country!"

    Yakov Smirnoff came to America from the Soviet Union in 1977 with little money and limited English, determined to build a new life. He started out working as a bartender before finding his way into stand up comedy, where he turned the culture shock of being an immigrant into his greatest source of material. His career took him from comedy clubs to The Tonight Show, Night Court, and his own sitcom "What a Country!" making him one of the most recognizable comedians of the 1980s. Behind the catchphrase is a remarkable story of an immigrant who used comedy to understand America and ultimately found his place in it.

  • August 19 · 30 min

    Ask Me Anything #22: Stage Time, Managers, Creating a Comedy Scene & How to Actually Level Up

    Questions on this week's episode of Ask Me Anything #22 How should a new comic in 2026 be thinking about building stage time, clubs, festivals, podcast or something else entirely? How long do you have to pound the pavement as a comic before you start making it? What's a fair deal structure today between comics and managers, and where do you see comics get taken advantage of? How do you level up from a self-built regional comedy career without just being told to "do more content" or "network more"? How do you protect creative momentum when life gets busy and full of other important things? When you read a comedy script or watch a comedy movie, what matters more to you: the jokes or the overall story and characters? In such a competitive industry, how can an editor stand out for a better chance of getting hired for a job?

  • August 12 · 1 hr 11 min

    Josh Adam Meyers: Music with Comedy, Authenticity, Jamming with Burr, and Addiction

    Josh Adam Meyers is a comedian with the energy of a rock star and the instincts of a stand up. His comedy is loud, unpredictable, personal, and built around a fearless stage presence. He’s spent years carving out his own lane in comedy, bringing together storytelling, absurdity, music, and an unapologetic point of view. He’s also the creator of The Goddamn Comedy Jam, proving that for Josh, comedy has never really needed to stay in one box.

  • August 6 · 1 hr 9 min

    Zoe Friedman: Intern to Discovering New Talent & How Comedians Got on Letterman

    Zoe Friedman has spent decades helping shape the comedy industry from behind the scenes. From discovering and developing stand up talent to booking for The Late Show with David Letterman, leading talent development at Comedy Central, and working with Jimmy Kimmel Live! Her influence has reached every level of comedy. Today, as the co-founder and CEO of Comedy Gives Back, she continues to advocate for comedians by providing resources, support, and a stronger foundation for the comedy community.

  • July 23 · 36 min

    Ask Me Anything #21: Tapes, Club Residencies, Auditions, and Egos

    Questions answered in this episode of Ask Me Anything: What are the tells in a tape or video link that immediately signal real comic maturity to you? When a comedian earns a one-month residency by getting passed, booking an audition, or winning a contest, what does that mean for their career? I'll be doing my first comedy club audition this summer — what key advice do you have? Do you think you need a big ego to survive in the entertainment industry? How do I practice comedy? (I tried saying my jokes into the mirror, but that doesn't give me any insight on what needs to be improved. Who do you think today in the mainstream is pushing boundaries?

  • July 23 · 56 min

    Adam Conover: Built a Comedy Career Without Being a Club Comic

    Adam Conover started out doing sketch comedy and stand-up before landing at CollegeHumor, where his sharp, curious style quickly stood out. That eventually led to Adam Ruins Everything, the show that put him on the map and helped carve out his unique voice, mixing comedy with a love of asking questions and challenging conventional wisdom.

  • July 8 · 1 hr 8 min

    Earthquake: From Serving His Country to Making the World Laugh

    Earthquake, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and radio personality known for his commanding stage presence, booming voice, and sharp observations on everyday life. Before comedy, he served in the U.S. Air Force and worked various jobs while developing his act.He built his career by touring relentlessly, becoming one of the most respected comedians on the road long before mainstream fame. His stand-up specials, television appearances, and roles in films and sitcoms earned him a devoted following, and he remains a major influence on generations of comedians. Earthquake is widely admired for his authenticity, impeccable timing, and ability to connect with audiences through relatable, real-life storytelling.

  • July 1 · 1 hr 57 min

    Yohay Sponder: The Story Behind The Stand Up

    Yohay Sponder is an Israeli stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer who has become one of the most recognizable English-language comedians to emerge from Israel. Sponder began performing stand-up after his military service and quickly established himself at clubs throughout Tel Aviv. His performances have earned him a worldwide audience, making him one of the leading voices in contemporary Israeli stand-up comedy.

  • June 16 · 1 hr 18 min

    Faizon Love: Acting, The Apollo & Starting Comedy at 15

    In this episode, Faizon Love reflects on starting stand up comedy at just 15 years old, pursuing a career before his family even knew he was performing. He shares stories from his early days at the legendary Apollo Theater with Steve Harvey, the lessons he learned coming up in the business, and what it was like working alongside Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart on film sets.It’s a conversation about taking chances early, learning through experience, and building a career in entertainment one opportunity at a time.

  • June 2 · 54 min

    Erica Rhodes: A Natural Performer, Comic Timing & Career Growth

    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.

  • May 27 · 28 min

    Ask Me Anything #19 Produced Shows, Creating Opportunities, & International Comics

    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.

  • May 27 · 1 hr 10 min

    Lahna Turner: Comedy Journey, Family, & Co-Directing "Come What May"

    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.

  • May 13 · 1 hr 42 min

    Little Miss Sunshine Producer David Friendly on Trusting Your Instincts | ISP

    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.

  • March 31 · 1 hr 44 min

    Bob Saget on Comedy, Loss, and Life at 60 | ISP

    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

  • March 25 · 1 hr 11 min

    Charles Fleischer: The Man Behind the Voices

    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

  • March 17 · 1 hr 11 min

    Every Part Of The Industry With Harry Basil!

    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

  • March 10 · 1 hr 6 min

    Why Most Scripts Aren’t Good Enough | Michael Jamin

    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

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