Things Are Going Great For Me with J. Claude Deering

J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) spoke with actor Joe Tippett (Mare of Easttown). Joe is an actor who starred as John Ross in the multiple Emmy Award winning HBO hit series Mare of Easttown. Joe was also in the original cast of Waitress on Broadway, and he also recurs as Hal Jackson on The Morning Show for AppleTV+. Joe talks about craft and process while working on a complicated whodunit, and finding what’s universal in the specifics of small town Pennsylvania. He also shares insights about working with multiple celebrated leading ladies such as Kate Winslet, Jean Smart, and Julianne Nicholson. And he chats sobriety, the difference between performance in TV/Film vs Theater, and booking jobs in Zoom rooms. 

Followed by a very special interview with celebrity barber Jonathan Castellanos (LLANOS.LA). Jonathan has been featured in Nylon, and Valet Magazine. Before opening his own studio he worked as the brand ambassador for Baxter Finley. Jonathan is not only an artist, crafting hairstyles with thoughtfulness and unparalleled skill, he’s also a pop culture connoisseur. He’s both an excellent listener and a master conversationalist. During the pandemic, barbershops became particularly hard hit. When the lockdown happened, Jonathan had to retool his studio. By the time the lockdown started to lift, Jonathan had moved his business into the garage of his new home. Listen as Claude and Jonathan catch up after a year and a half, while Claude sits for an actual haircut.

Plus, Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) and Claude chat about comedy schools and the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

If you like any of what you hear today, do us a BIG kindness - subscribe to the show. Leave us a nice comment. Tell your aunt about us! Give us those five stars wherever you’re getting your podcasts from today. And subscribe to our Patreon for all our extras! We’ve got just THREE more episodes in Season 2, premiering every Thursday! Featuring interviews with Alyshia Ochse, Pej Vahdat, Noah Maxwell Clarke, Stefanie Black, Mapuana Makia, Shelly Bhalla, and more!

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Schitt's Creek fans! Here’s a “Surprise-Me-Smoothie” you’re sure to love. J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) spoke with actor Sarah Levy (Schitt's Creek). Sarah is a SAG Award-winning actor for her role playing Twyla Sands in the record breaking Emmy-winning smash streaming hit, Schitt’s Creek. Sarah talks about the success of Schitt’s Creek, her beginnings auditioning in LA, and her new comedy horror series SurrealEstate on the SyFy network. She also talks about her dad’s famous Toronto production of Godspell back in 1972, and the experience of growing up as part of Hollywood and Canadian comedy royalty. 

Followed by a second interview with comedian, writer, and actor Madison Shepard (Single Drunk Female). Madison is a comedian, writer, and actor who plays Gail on the Jenni Konner exec produced FreeForm comedy series, Single Drunk Female. She talks podcasting, her old side gig as a LYFT driver, writing for the 72nd Primetime Emmys, and her hilarious debut Comedy EP “Goodnight Silverlake Lounge”. 

Also, Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) and Claude chat British culture.  

If you like any of what you hear today, do us a BIG kindness - subscribe to the show. Leave us a nice comment. Tell your aunt about us! Give us those five stars wherever you’re getting your podcasts from today. And subscribe to our Patreon for all our extras! We’ve got NEW episodes premiering every Thursday! Featuring interviews with Joe Tippett, Alyshia Ochse, Pej Vahdat, Noah Maxwell Clarke, Stefanie Black, Mapuana Makia, Shelly Bhalla, and more!

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J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) spoke with actor Jim O'Heir (Parks and Recreation). Jim is an Emmy-winning actor and comedian, known to everyone as the beloved Jerry Gergich from Parks and Recreation. Also known to superfans of the show as Larry, Terry, and Garry. He talks about his come up in his Chicago days doing theater and comedy, including his theater cult hit Stumpy’s Gang, which subsequently brought him out to LA. He talks about the audition process for Parks and Rec, and some fun gossip from the Parks and Rec cast family group chat. He also talks about playing against type, and his recent Emmy win for his work on The Bold and the Beautiful.

Followed by a second interview with comedian and writer Joan Haley Ford (ThunderCats Roar). Joan is an Emmy-nominated writer for her work on Funny or Die’s hilarious recap series, Gay of Thrones. She talks about her work at the UCB theater, including her long running sketch show Seinfeld: The Purge. She talks about the early days of Funny of Die, her writing for the animated series Thundercats Roar, and her upcoming HBO Max series, Tiny Toons Looniversity. She also talks about film school at Emerson College, inclusivity at the big comedy schools, and her all trans sketch team “Red and Yellow”, her hilarious sketches on the Twitch platform, and the virtues of the Gremlins movies.

Also, Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) and Claude talk the impending IATSE Union strike.

If you like any of what you hear today, do us a BIG kindness - subscribe to the show. Leave us a nice comment. Tell your aunt about us! Give us those five stars wherever you’re getting your podcasts from today. And subscribe to our Patreon for all our extras! We’ve got NEW episodes premiering every Thursday! Featuring interviews with Sarah Levy, Joe Tippett, Alyshia Ochse, Pej Vahdat, Madison Shepard, Mapuana Makia, Shelly Bhalla, and more!

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thingsaregoinggreatforme/support

J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) spoke with actor Corbin Reid (Run The World/Starz). Corbin plays Sondi Hill on the new Starz comedy series, Run The World, which recently got picked up for a second season! Corbin talks about shooting a season of a show during a pandemic, in the pre-vaccine world. Her easy chemistry with her co-stars. The unique character of Harlem in New York City. Growing up in Minneapolis, and going to U Michigan for college. Her work in RENT Off-Broadway. The demands of being a swing performer in a Broadway show. And starring in reboot of Blair Witch. Followed by a second interview with actor Erin Pineda (Physical/AppleTV+). Erin is a writer, actor, and comedian, who’s currently starring in the AppleTV+ dark comedy, Physical. Erin talks about doing theater and comedy in LA, including her celebrated performance as Gilda Radner in Alan Zweibel’s production of “Bunny Bunny”. She also talks about her role as Helen in Jamie Denbo’s ren faire comedy, American Princess. Plus network showcases, audition technique, working with agents and managers, and giving yourself writing deadlines. Also, Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) and Claude chat their experiences seeing the first Blair Witch movie. If you like any of what you hear today, do us a BIG kindness - subscribe to the show. Leave us a nice comment. Tell your aunt about us! Give us those five stars wherever you’re getting your podcasts from today. And subscribe to our Patreon for all our extras! We’ve got NEW episodes premiering every Thursday! Featuring interviews with Sarah Levy, Jim O’Heir, Joe Tippett, Alyshia Ochse, Pej Vahdat, Joan Ford, Madison Shepard, Shelly Bhalla, and more! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thingsaregoinggreatforme/support

J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) spoke with comedian and Emmy winning television writer, Kevin Avery (Last Week Tonight with John Oliver). Kevin served as head writer for the TV series, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Kevin and Kamau also had a popular podcast on Earwolf, called Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor Of All Time Period. Kevin currently writes for the FOX animated series, The Great North. He chats day jobs, stand up, being part of the Emmy winning team at Last Week Tonight, and running a writers room.

Followed by a second interview with comedian Hanna Dickinson (Get Money/Comedy Central). Hanna is a comedian and a breakout star of Comedy Central’s Inaugural Creators Program. Where she was creating sketch videos, doing stand up spots, and hosting The Comedy Central Roast red carpets. Comedy Central also produced her Snapchat series, Get Money, a satire of a gig economy worker. Hanna’s debut half hour comedy special is on Epix’s Unexpected Sets series. Hanna chats about her stand up, strict parents, sobriety, and being on the team at Comedy Central.

Also, Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) and Claude chat the 20th anniversary of September 11th.

If you like any of what you hear today, do us a BIG kindness - subscribe to the show. Leave us a nice comment. Tell your aunt about us! Give us those five stars wherever you’re getting your podcasts from today. And subscribe to our Patreon for all our extras! We’ve got NEW episodes premiering every Thursday! Featuring interviews with Sarah Levy, Jim O’Heir, Corbin Reid, Joe Tippett, Alyshia Ochse, Pej Vahdat, Joan Ford, Madison Shepard, and Shelly Bhalla.

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thingsaregoinggreatforme/support

It’s podcasters day on Things Are Going Great For Me! J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) spoke with screenwriter, culture critic, and podcast host Ira Madison III (Keep It!/Crooked Media). Nylon Magazine has called him “one of the most reliably hilarious and incisive cultural critics writing today”. Ira is the creator and one of the hosts of the hugely popular Keep It! podcast on Crooked Media. Claude and Ira talk the intersection of pop culture and politics, Ira’s graduate studies at NYU Tisch School’s Dramatic Writing Program, and his latest movie project for Jennifer Hudson.

Followed by a second interview with podcast producer Brendan McDonald (WTF with Marc Maron Podcast). Brendan is the producer of one of the biggest and most beloved podcasts in the world, the WTF Pod with Marc Maron. Brendan chats about his work as a senior producer on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes. The origins of the WTF pod in the offices of the old Air America liberal radio network. The history of podcasting, and the roots of a lot of its success in the LA comedy scene. Some of the more famous guests of WTF, and the historic interview they landed with then President Barack Obama.

Also, Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) and Claude chat pop culture, and debate cable vs streaming services.

If you like any of what you hear today, do us a BIG kindness - subscribe to the show. Leave us a nice comment. Tell your aunt about us! Give us those five stars wherever you’re getting your podcasts from today. And subscribe to our Patreon for all our extras! We’ve got new episodes premiering every Thursday! Featuring interviews with Sarah Levy, Jim O’Heir, Kevin Avery, Corbin Reid, Joe Tippett, Alyshia Ochse, Pej Vahdat, Shelly Bhalla, and more!

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thingsaregoinggreatforme/support

It’s podcasters day on Things Are Going Great For Me! J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) spoke with screenwriter, culture critic, and podcast host Ira Madison III (Keep It!/Crooked Media). Nylon Magazine has called him “one of the most reliably hilarious and incisive cultural critics writing today”. Ira is the creator and one of the hosts of the hugely popular Keep It! podcast on Crooked Media. Claude and Ira talk the intersection of pop culture and politics, Ira’s graduate studies at NYU Tisch School’s Dramatic Writing Program, and his latest movie project for Jennifer Hudson.

Followed by a second interview with podcast producer Brendan McDonald (WTF with Marc Maron Podcast). Brendan is the producer of one of the biggest and most beloved podcasts in the world, the WTF Pod with Marc Maron. Brendan chats about his work as a senior producer on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes. The origins of the WTF pod in the offices of the old Air America liberal radio network. The history of podcasting, and the roots of a lot of its success in the LA comedy scene. Some of the more famous guests of WTF, and the historic interview they landed with then President Barack Obama.

Also, Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) and Claude chat pop culture, and debate cable vs streaming services.

If you like any of what you hear today, do us a BIG kindness - subscribe to the show. Leave us a nice comment. Tell your aunt about us! Give us those five stars wherever you’re getting your podcasts from today. And subscribe to our Patreon for all our extras! We’ve got new episodes premiering every Thursday! Featuring interviews with Sarah Levy, Jim O’Heir, Kevin Avery, Corbin Reid, Joe Tippett, Alyshia Ochse, Pej Vahdat, Shelly Bhalla, and more!

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thingsaregoinggreatforme/support

Welcome back! To a BRAND NEW season of Things Are Going Great For Me: The Podcast. In our first episode of the season J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with actor Patrick J. Adams (Suits/The Right Stuff). They talk about his work on Suits, and his latest Nat Geo series, The Right Stuff, in which he plays astronaut John Glenn. Getting his first movie role while in college, in Will Ferrell’s, Old School. And almost losing the job because of his Canadian citizenship - he had 24 hours to create an internship at USC in order to appear in the film. They talk Burning Man, flying airplanes, it’s a wide ranging and interesting chat.

Followed by a second interview with another actor/astronaut Michael Benz (For All Mankind). Claude and Michael went to high school together. They talk about his new AppleTV+ series For All Mankind, his work as a child actor for the BBC, his training at RADA, starring as Hamlet for Shakespeare’s Globe, doing The Tempest with Ralph Fiennes, being shot to death by Joaquin Phoenix’s, Joker (he plays one of “Wall Street Three”), his work on Broadway with Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon in Little Foxes, goofing around with Paul Giamatti on the set of Downton Abbey and getting shushed by Maggie Smith, and if that’s not enough, getting discovered by Tom Hanks. Twice.

J. Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to talk the differences between the US and UK when it comes to underage drinking.

If you like any of what you hear today, do us a BIG kindness - subscribe to the show. Leave us a nice comment. Tell your aunt about us! Give us those five stars wherever you’re getting your podcasts from today. And subscribe to our Patreon for all our extras! We’ve got NEW episodes premiering every Thursday! Featuring interviews with Sarah Levy, Jim O’Heir, Kevin Avery, Ira Madison III, Corbin Reid, Brendan McDonald, Joe Tippett, Alyshia Ochse, Pej Vahdat, and Shelly Bhalla.

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thingsaregoinggreatforme/support

Here it is, our final episode of Season 1! J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with actor and author Tembi Locke (From Scratch). Tembi is a succesful actor, and New York Times bestseller for her memoir, “From Scratch”. Soon to be a Netflix series, starring Zoe Saldana. It’s a heartbreaking and beautiful story about the loss of her first husband, a wonderful Italian chef named Saro, to Cancer. The book was also featured in Reese Witherspoon’s, Reese’s Book Club. Claude and Tembi worked together on the Blumhouse YouTube Original comedy horror series, 12 Deadly Days. Just one of 52 TV series she’s worked on in her very busy career. She talks about the changes to actor pensions and residuals over the years. She also talks about her parents' activism and being targeted by the FBI’s notorious COINTELPRO program. And she talks about the historic nomination of Kamala Harris for Vice President of the United States.

Followed by a second interview with actor, producer, and activist Vinny Chhibber (Big Sky). Vinny is a fast rising actor and producer, and a strong activist for better representation in Hollywood, both in front of and behind the camera. He recently starred as Liam Bhatt in the Ava DuVernay and Greg Berlanti exec produced CBS series, The Red Line. Vinny talks about the importance of voting and civic engagement. His work as a co-founder of The Salon, a forum whose mission is to accelerate the creative development of South Asian American television and film through community organizing and empowerment. He also talks losing the lead in a new tv series due to the shutdown.

Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to talk Things Are Going Great For Me Season 2.

If you like any of what you hear, do us a BIG kindness - subscribe to the show. Leave us a nice comment. Tell your aunt about us! Give us those five stars wherever you’re getting your podcasts from today. And stay tuned for more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me. Coming soon!

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This is a really good one, folks... J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with actor and writer Rightor Doyle (Barry). Rightor is a SAG-Nominated actor for best comedy ensemble, for his role as Nick Nicholby on the Peabody and Emmy-winning HBO comedy, Barry. He’s also the creator and director of Netflix’s dark comedy series, Bonding. Rightor talks about making his Broadway debut. His audition for Barry. He also talks about the process of selling two different TV series. Claude and Rightor also chat about their work together at the renowned Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Followed by a second interview with producer and author Elna Baker (This American Life). Elna is a celebrated comedian, author, and long time producer of the Pulitzer Prize-winning landmark radio series, This American Life. She talks about her producing and storytelling work on This American Life. And what she looks for in a story. Her upbringing in the Mormon Faith, and her first memoir, The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance. Her long journey with body shame and self-love. She’s also the first person on the podcast who is a survivor of COVID-19.

Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to talk Barry and celebrity sightings.

If you like any of what you hear today, do us a BIG kindness - subscribe to the show. Leave us a nice comment. Tell your aunt about us! Give us those five stars wherever you’re getting your podcasts from today. There is one more fantastic episode of Things Are Going Great For Me in Season 1, premiering next Thursday! Featuring interviews with Tembi Locke and Vinny Chhibber!

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thingsaregoinggreatforme/support