Things Are Going Great For Me with J. Claude Deering

J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with actor Sara Paxton (Blonde). Sara is an Emmy-nominated actor and movie star who starred in the fan favorite tween fantasy romance comedy, Aquamarine. She talks about her audition process for Aquamarine. And what it was like shooting half a movie in the water, in a mermaid tail. She also talks about her great working experience with Hugh Jackman in the Jason Reitman film, The Front Runner. Her episode of MTV’s Cribs. Losing a Daytime Emmy to Elmo. And her work on Andrew Dominik's upcoming Marilyn Monroe biopic, Blonde.

Followed by a second interview with comedian Dalia Malek (SF Sketchfest). Dalia's an internationally celebrated comic whose comedy has appeared in USA Today, BuzzFeed, The Huffington Post, Paste, WhoHaha, and Funny or Die. She’s appeared at SF Sketchfest, in consecutive years, 2018, 2019, and 2020. And multiple Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Festivals. She also performed at the inaugural Cairo Comedy Festival, in 2019. The first ever comedy festival in Egypt. She’s also a human rights legal advocate, and international human rights, and refugee law expert. She talks about starting her comedy career, while simultaneously finishing her PhD. Living in the UK. Doing comedy in a pandemic. And playing comedy shows in the Middle East.

Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to talk favorite horror films.

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 are more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me premiering every Thursday. Featuring interviews with Rightor Doyle, Tembi Locke, Vinny Chhibber, and Elna Baker!

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J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with actor Christine Woods (Hello Ladies). Christine played Jessica on HBO’s Emmy-nominated Hello Ladies, starring Stephen Merchant. She also played Lucretia Colder on USA’s Briarpatch. She talks about her audition process for Hello Ladies, including reading for one of the best casting directors in the business, Allison Jones. She talks about the nerve-wracking process of booking a TV pilot - she's booked a whopping thirteen pilots in her busy career. And she talks honestly about the pressures she’s encountered while navigating the business, including her experiences being an actor with a film at Sundance. 

Followed by a second interview with actor and comedian Royce Johnson (The Pack Theater). Royce is one of the sharpest culture critics around. He currently plays on a house team at the beloved upstart punk rock comedy school, The Pack Theater, in Los Angeles. He talks about the differences between some of the notable comedy schools. Homophobia in Hollywood. He also talks about taking part in Studio U a long-form focus group run by infamous political consultant, Frank Luntz, that was instrumental in the development of Hulu.

Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to talk myths about the glamorous Hollywood life.

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 are more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me premiering every Thursday. Featuring interviews with Sara Paxton, Rightor Doyle, Tembi Locke, Dalia Malek, Vinny Chhibber, and Elna Baker!

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J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with actor Melissa Fumero (Brooklyn Nine-Nine). Melissa plays Amy Santiago on NBC’s Brooklyn-Nine Nine. She’s a TV comedy icon, nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series. She talks about her early soap career. The highly anticipated Season 8 of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She also shares the origin story of her sibling-like friendship with Lin-Manuel Miranda. Shooting two different seasons of network TV, while pregnant. And her first outings as a director.

Followed by a second interview with actor David Lengel (WandaVision). David is a busy working actor, in both LA and Atlanta. He talks going to high school at the renowned Fiorello H. LaGuardia school in New York, featured in Alan Parker’s classic film, Fame. And what it was like going to high school with Nicki Minaj. He also talks about his experience working on films with luminaries such as Clint Eastwood, The Rock, and Eddie Murphy. It’s also a wonderful conversation about craft, and the differences of acting for theater, and acting for television and film.

Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to talk about cop shows. 

Here we are, episode six! We’re just over halfway through our limited series. Or it could be halfway through Season One. Demand more and we’ll make more. So 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 are more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me premiering every Thursday. Featuring interviews with Sara Paxton, Rightor Doyle, Christine Woods, Tembi Locke, Vinny Chhibber, Elna Baker...and more!

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

J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with actor Chantal Thuy (Magnum P.I.). Chantal previously played Grace Choi on the CW’s Black Lightning. She also played the role of Minnie in Pulitzer-Prize-winner Tracy Letts’ new Broadway play, Linda Vista. Chantal talks about her extraordinary past year shooting Black Lightning, while simultaneously starring on Broadway. Representation in Hollywood, and her activism with the organization Build Power. And the process of optioning a book for a film adaptation. 

Followed by a second interview with actor Jordan Barbour (The Inheritance Play / Broadway). Jordan was nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play on Broadway, as part of the inaugural Antonyo Awards for Black Theater Artists, for his performance as Tristan, in The Inheritance Play. A show that TIME Magazine called "the most important play of the century". The show was closed down prematurely because of COVID. So Jordan talks about what happens in a business where “the show must go on”, and suddenly…it doesn’t.

Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to talk about all things theater. 

Here we are, episode five! We’re halfway through our limited series. Or it could be halfway through Season One. It’s entirely up to you. Demand more and we’ll make more. So 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 are more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me premiering every Thursday. Featuring interviews with Melissa Fumero, Rightor Doyle, Sara Paxton, Christine Woods, Tembi Locke, Vinny Chhibber, Elna Baker...and more!

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

J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with actor Chantal Thuy (Magnum P.I.). Chantal previously played Grace Choi on the CW’s Black Lightning. She also played the role of Minnie in Pulitzer-Prize-winner Tracy Letts’ new Broadway play, Linda Vista. Chantal talks about her extraordinary past year shooting Black Lightning, while simultaneously starring on Broadway. Representation in Hollywood, and her activism with the organization Build Power. And the process of optioning a book for a film adaptation. 

Followed by a second interview with actor Jordan Barbour (The Inheritance Play / Broadway). Jordan was nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play on Broadway, as part of the inaugural Antonyo Awards for Black Theater Artists, for his performance as Tristan, in The Inheritance Play. A show that TIME Magazine called "the most important play of the century". The show was closed down prematurely because of COVID. So Jordan talks about what happens in a business where “the show must go on”, and suddenly…it doesn’t.

Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to talk about all things theater. 

Here we are, episode five! We’re halfway through our limited series. Or it could be halfway through Season One. It’s entirely up to you. Demand more and we’ll make more. So 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 are more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me premiering every Thursday. Featuring interviews with Melissa Fumero, Rightor Doyle, Sara Paxton, Christine Woods, Tembi Locke, Vinny Chhibber, Elna Baker...and more!

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

J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with actor and college friend, Brandon Scott (Dead to Me / 13 Reasons Why). Brandon plays Officer Nick Prager on Netflix’s Dead to Me. He also plays Coach J. J. Kerba on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why. Claude and Brandon talk about their shared theater education. An NBC comedy pilot they both tested for. Brandon's longtime practice of martial arts. He also tells an absolutely hilarious and terrifying story about his early career studio test for Denzel Washington, for a role in the film The Great Debaters. 

Followed by a second interview with actor Jess Nurse (Scandal / War Games). Jess recurred on ABC’s Scandal, and she stars in the VR reboot of MGM’s War Games. She’s an alum of the prestigious Stella Adler Studios, in New York. Jess talks about acting in a VR project that features a complicated interactive decision tree. Her own wonderful original series Roof Access. And the day she received the felicitous news from her reps that her character was going from a co-star to a recurring role on a network tv show. 

Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to talk about the difficulties of making a living as an actor. And to support @beanartshero – an organization that’s advocating for the DAWN Act, a comprehensive bill to provide arts worker relief.

Please rate, subscribe and comment. There are more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me premiering every Thursday. Featuring interviews with Melissa Fumero, Chantal Thuy, Rightor Doyle, Sara Paxton, Christine Woods, Tembi Locke, Vinny Chhibber, Elna Baker...and more!

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

J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with actor and college friend, Brandon Scott (Dead to Me / 13 Reasons Why). Brandon plays Officer Nick Prager on Netflix’s Dead to Me. He also plays Coach J. J. Kerba on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why. Claude and Brandon talk about their shared theater education. An NBC comedy pilot they both tested for. Brandon's longtime practice of martial arts. He also tells an absolutely hilarious and terrifying story about his early career studio test for Denzel Washington, for a role in the film The Great Debaters. 

Followed by a second interview with actor Jess Nurse (Scandal / War Games). Jess recurred on ABC’s Scandal, and she stars in the VR reboot of MGM’s War Games. She’s an alum of the prestigious Stella Adler Studios, in New York. Jess talks about acting in a VR project that features a complicated interactive decision tree. Her own wonderful original series Roof Access. And the day she received the felicitous news from her reps that her character was going from a co-star to a recurring role on a network tv show. 

Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to talk about the difficulties of making a living as an actor. And to support @beanartshero – an organization that’s advocating for the DAWN Act, a comprehensive bill to provide arts worker relief.

Please rate, subscribe and comment. There are more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me premiering every Thursday. Featuring interviews with Melissa Fumero, Chantal Thuy, Rightor Doyle, Sara Paxton, Christine Woods, Tembi Locke, Vinny Chhibber, Elna Baker...and more!

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

It’s a comedian heavy episode of Things Are Going Great For Me. J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) chats with comedian and actor Baron Vaughn (Grace and Frankie / Comedy Central's Corporate). They talk about some personal shared experience seeking out and connecting with a birth parent. The American education system. The way in which fear and anxiety can be a necessary part of the artistic process. Breaking out of the boxes of Hollywood’s racial stereotypes. And putting a tape together for Saturday Night Live.

Followed by a second interview with comedian Liz Glazer. Liz talks about doing comedy during a pandemic. Her engagement to a rabbi. Her panic inducing bat mizvah. And her magical story of being a magnet for tossed away fortune cookie fortunes. 

Claude is also joined by his producer and co-host Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to chat about all things comedy.

Please rate, subscribe and comment. There are more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me premiering every Thursday. Featuring interviews with Melissa Fumero, Chantal Thuy, Rightor Doyle, Sara Paxton, Brandon Scott, Christine Woods, Tembi Locke, Vinny Chhibber...and more!

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J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) spoke with actor Clarke Peters (Da 5 Bloods) back in June, 2020. They talk about Da 5 Bloods, and how Clarke met Spike Lee. Mr. Peters' multiple Tony and Olivier-Award nominations and wins. Anti-black racism in the UK. Historically not getting paid the same as his white actor counterparts. And his theory on why The Wire is a better show than The Sopranos. 

Followed by a second interview with actor Della Saba (Physical). An Actors' Gang company member. And star of the Apple TV+ show Physical. She also voiced "Young Judy Hopps" in Disney's Zootopia. It’s a wonderful conversation about theater and craft. Claude and Della talk about voiceover work, theater styles, actor training, and identity.  

Also, Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) and Claude have a conversation about the tragic passing of movie star and icon, Chadwick Boseman. 

Please rate, subscribe and comment. There are more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me premiering every Thursday. Featuring interviews with Melissa Fumero, Baron Vaughn, Chantal Thuy, Rightor Doyle, Sara Paxton, Brandon Scott, Christine Woods, Tembi Locke, Vinny Chhibber...and more!

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

J. Claude Deering (Twitter/Instagram) spoke with actor Chris Pine (Wonder Woman 1984) back in April, 2020. In this exclusive podcast interview, movie star Chris Pine talks about Wonder Woman, Quentin Tarantino, superhero roles, roles he's passed on, flip phones, and the possibility of collaborating with Bill Hader.

Followed by a second interview with screenwriter G.O. Parsons (Willy's Wonderland). A 15 year overnight success story, playwright and actor G.O. Parsons, managed to get his script into the hands of one of the most bankable movie stars on earth. The movie follows a drifter played by Nicolas Cage who takes a job as a janitor at a family entertainment center. Unknowingly he’s walking into a trap where he’s meant to be sacrificed to the venues demonic animatronic mascots.

Claude's also joined by his producer and co-host, Winston Carter (Twitter/Instagram) to chat about the development of the show.

Please rate, subscribe and comment. There are more fantastic episodes of Things Are Going Great For Me premiering every Thursday. Featuring interviews with Melissa Fumero, Baron Vaughn, Chantal Thuy, Rightor Doyle, Clarke Peters, Sara Paxton, Brandon Scott, Christine Woods, Tembi Locke, Vinny Chhibber...and more!

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