My Roman Empire

Mike Reiss joins My Roman Empire to unpack a comedy legacy that changed television forever.As a longtime writer and producer on The Simpsons, Mike takes us inside the early days of the show, revealing how it was almost cancelled before it even aired and how it went on to become one of the most influential series of all time.He shares behind the scenes stories from the writers’ room, including the real tea on Linus and Joseph’s favourite deep cut character Shary Bobbins and what it takes to create jokes that still land decades later.But his Roman Empire goes even further back. Mike dives into Airplane!, the absurd rapid fire comedy that rewired his brain and shaped his entire approach to writing. He explains why it made such a lasting impact, how its joke density changed the game and how that influence carried through to his own career, including writing the sequel.From near cancellation to cultural domination, it is a deep dive into the mechanics of comedy, the craft of joke writing and the moments that define a career. This is one episode not to be missed!For more information on Awkward Productions and their shows please visit https://linktr.ee/awkwardprods?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=431a188c-9300-44a7-bc6a-b071efbdab7c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer on the brand new Saturday Night Live UK and breakout comedy star Lorna Rose Treen joins My Roman Empire to unpack the one obsession she can’t shake: the IKEA Monkey. Find out why Lorna (and the world) fell in love with Darwin the Japanese macaque back in 2012, and also get an exclusive update on how Darwin is doing today. Along the way, we also get inside the mind behind some of the UK’s sharpest, strangest comedy, Lorna’s hit shows ‘Skin Pidgeon’ and ‘24 Hour Diner People’, her love of statues of animals and what it's like performing for Tina Fey.To get updates from Story Book Farm, please visit:https://www.storybookmonkeys.orghttps://www.facebook.com/share/1BvTfFzYE2/?mibextid=wwXIfrFor more information on Awkward Productions and their shows please visit https://linktr.ee/awkwardprods?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=431a188c-9300-44a7-bc6a-b071efbdab7c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Golden Globe-nominated songwriter and pop powerhouse Leland joins My Roman Empire to reveal the pop culture moment that shaped him.From writing hits for artists including Troye Sivan, Selena Gomez and Kylie Minogue, to crafting iconic musical moments for RuPaul's Drag Race, Leland is the definition of modern queer pop.His personal Roman Empire takes us back to one unforgettable moment: seeing Britney Spears live on the Oops!… I Did It Again tour - the spark that turned a closeted teen with big dreams into one of pop’s most in-demand songwriters.Besides pop music, we talk about how we got to know each other at the Edinburgh Fringe, working together on Gwyneth Goes Skiing and The Fit Prince and... bowling, obviously.For more information on Awkward Productions and their shows please visit https://linktr.ee/awkwardprods?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=431a188c-9300-44a7-bc6a-b071efbdab7c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oh Mary! (Broadway) and Adults (FX) actor Julian Manjerico shares his devotion to The Grinch, unpacking how the film shaped his queer creative identity. This Christmas Eve episode is a warm, funny and heartfelt tribute to the power of festive storytelling. Julian also talks about performing with Jane Krakowski on Broadway, why Matt Damon is the nicest celebrity to be a waiter for, and how lying can get you a role opposite Tom Hanks.For more information on Awkward Productions and their shows please visit https://linktr.ee/awkwardprods?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=431a188c-9300-44a7-bc6a-b071efbdab7c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drag Race UK favourite and Celebrity Mastermind winner Kate Butch joins the hosts to celebrate her enduring obsession with the BBC’s 1988-1990 adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia. Kate explores the unforgettable costumes, camp performances and the cultural impact that made Narnia her lifelong Roman Empire. The trio also discuss RuPaul’s Drag Race, performing with the Cheeky Girls and her career defining role as Angela Merkel.For more information on Awkward Productions and their shows please visit https://linktr.ee/awkwardprods?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=431a188c-9300-44a7-bc6a-b071efbdab7c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linus and Joseph kick off the Christmas Special ‘My Roman Empire’ trilogy with a deep dive ‘how these films led to the creation of their own show ‘The Fit Prince’, whose DNA is rooted in queer Christmas storytelling.Oh, and watch out for the Number 5 bus out of New Haven on Christmas Eve…Listen to the ‘A Very Awkward Christmas’ playlist here:https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/a-very-awkward-christmas/pl.u-kEdvhW415NJhttps://open.spotify.com/playlist/0IoAgs3q3N9yWZ5BslCawa?si=aadfdc10af1743b8For more information on Awkward Productions and their shows please visit https://linktr.ee/awkwardprods?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=431a188c-9300-44a7-bc6a-b071efbdab7c Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.