Digest

This podcast features a lively discussion among hosts and guests, delving into their experiences in Hollywood, including anecdotes about Seth MacFarlane, Bill Maher, and various film and TV projects like "The Orville" and "Family Guy." They touch upon early theater experiences, the challenges of directing, the nuances of acting, and the music industry, highlighting collaborations with notable figures like Mandy Patinkin, Diane Weist, and Patrick Stewart. The conversation also explores the creative process behind iconic shows, the evolution of production, and personal aspirations, including Broadway ambitions and the legacy of composers like Jerry Goldsmith. Humorous segments include discussions on "senior moments," name-dropping, and memorable party guests, all contributing to a rich tapestry of entertainment industry insights.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction, Feedback, and Aging Humor

The hosts begin by discussing their communication and how they engage with fan feedback, including negative comments. They humorously acknowledge experiencing "senior moments," such as forgetting names and repeating stories, recognizing this as a shared and ongoing aspect of their dynamic.

00:02:38

Documentaries, Theater, and Hollywood Connections

The conversation shifts to Ken Burns' documentary on the American Revolution, praising its quality and Mandy Patinkin's narration. This leads to reminiscing about early theater experiences, including collaborations with Mandy Patinkin and Diane Weist. The hosts clarify their podcast's premise of discussing movies and joking around, highlighting their ability to "drop names" due to their industry connections.

00:05:37

Anecdotes: Cool Whip, Bill Maher, and Star Trek

A humorous tangent about a Cool Whip myth evolves into a discussion about drinking habits and a funny mix-up involving Bill Maher and a drink. The conversation also touches upon Nana Visitor and her connection to Star Trek, with a brief detour into pronunciation. Encounters with Graham Norton and another Bill Maher anecdote about a drink mix-up are shared. Bill Maher's podcast and his habit of smoking marijuana during recordings are also discussed.

00:09:01

Creative Pursuits and Seth MacFarlane's Talents

One host shares struggles with insomnia and anxiety. The discussion then highlights Seth MacFarlane's diverse career, from singing to animation, and his various talents. Comparisons are made between the podcast's dynamic and "The View," and a story about Jackson's high praise for the character Roger from Family Guy is shared. Jackson's childhood fear of the Borg from "First Contact" is recounted. The recurring "bell" sound effect and editing challenges are mentioned.

00:13:28

Family Legacies and Olympic History

The conversation delves into Seth MacFarlane's maternal grandfather's athletic career in the 1928 Olympics and his subsequent transition to public speaking. A story about a woman whose father competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics alongside Jesse Owens is shared. Johnny Weissmuller's Olympic achievements and the legendary runner Paavo Nurmi are also discussed.

00:16:11

Directing, Acting, and "The Orville"

A humorous anecdote about an actor struggling with "Tarzan" pronunciation leads to a discussion on directing challenges. The experience of working on "The Orville" is detailed, focusing on Seth MacFarlane's directorial involvement and set rules. Questions arise about rotation changes in directing "The Orville," leading to a discussion about creative control. Charlize Theron's guest appearance and voice work are mentioned, along with the possibility of inviting her onto the podcast.

00:20:31

Seth MacFarlane's Parties and Celebrity Encounters

The hosts discuss Seth MacFarlane's legendary and extravagant Christmas parties. Surprising guests at these parties, including Sasha Baron Cohen and RFK Jr., are recalled. The hosts inquire about Seth MacFarlane's own "fanboy" moments when meeting people, given his extensive network. Seth MacFarlane recounts meeting Patrick Stewart and discusses the show "Blunt Talk," praising Stewart's performance and comedic talent.

00:24:14

On-Air Personas and Personal Anecdotes

The hosts acknowledge their on-air personas, "Brett and Johnny," and how they are addressed. They share personal anecdotes about nicknames and common mispronunciations of their names. A lighthearted segment involving hypothetical scenarios and song lyrics is shared, referencing the show "Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction."

00:25:32

Music, Musicians, and Performance Venues

Inquiries are made about Seth MacFarlane's downtime and drinking habits. The conversation turns to Jack Sheldon, a musician and actor involved with "The Orville," highlighting his multifaceted career, including "Schoolhouse Rock" and his trumpet playing. A humorous story about Sean Connery on the Star Trek set is shared. Jack Sheldon's talents as a jazz musician, singer, and comedian are praised, and Seth MacFarlane is commended for supporting live musicians. A reflection on studio musicians outperforming famous artists is offered. Brent Spiner recounts an experience at the jazz club Vibrato and discusses his musical performances, including singing standards and performing at the Hollywood Bowl. He explains rewriting lyrics for "The Music Man" and discusses his album "Dreamland."

00:31:40

Aspirations, Composing, and Stage Performances

Comments are made on Seth MacFarlane's appearance and childhood dream of being a spaceship captain. Jack Sheldon's sitcom career before "Schoolhouse Rock" is revealed. Brent Spiner shares the thrill of singing at the Hollywood Bowl with John Williams. Jerry Goldsmith's genius as a film composer is praised, highlighting his innovative approach to blending orchestral and technological sounds. The hosts discuss performing at Carnegie Hall for a "Family Guy Live" event. A lighthearted discussion about the word "oeuvre" leads to a conversation about Scrabble. Seth MacFarlane expresses his desire to create a film musical and discusses performing on Broadway, with "Carousel" being a specific interest.

00:40:01

Broadway Realities and On-Stage Mishaps

The hosts discuss the demanding schedule and potential for forgetting lines in Broadway performances. Personal stories of mishaps and emergencies during live stage performances are shared, including an anecdote about Jackie Gleason having a heart attack on stage and his humorous aside to advertise cigarettes. The typical Broadway performance schedule is discussed.

00:45:34

Work Ethic, Series Milestones, and Streaming Releases

Seth MacFarlane explains his all-or-nothing work approach, contrasting his commitment to "The Orville" with his distance from "Family Guy." The milestone of "Family Guy" reaching its 450th episode is discussed. The premiere date for the second season of the "Ted" series on Peacock is confirmed, along with the premiere of "The Burbs." Humorous conversation about the prevalence of podcasts and abbreviated celebrity names is shared. Peacock's streaming presence and the under-awareness of "Ted" season 1 are reflected upon.

00:50:41

Creative Projects and Shakespearean Comedy

The focus shifts to promoting "Dreamland" and discussing name pronunciation. Cast connections between "The Orville" and "American Dad" are explored. A debate ensues regarding the comedic elements of Shakespearean plays and appropriate audience reactions, with a focus on "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The musical "Kiss Me, Kate" and the suitability of a role are discussed, connecting it to Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" and the challenges of comedic acting. An anecdote about Tommy Smothers playing a shepherd in a Shakespeare play is shared. "Kiss Me, Kate" is recommended again, discussing layered acting.

00:56:43

Production Evolution and Mel Brooks

"Brigadoon" is mentioned, and an update is provided on "The Orville" season 4, which is written and ready to film. The significant changes in film and TV production over the past decade are discussed. A brief mention of a Mel Brooks documentary and a witty line from Brooks concludes the discussion.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the significance of "senior moments" in the context of the podcast?

  The hosts humorously discuss "senior moments" as a recurring theme, referring to instances of forgetting names and repeating stories, acknowledging that this is a shared experience between them.

• Who narrated Ken Burns' documentary on the American Revolution?

  Mandy Patinkin is mentioned as the narrator for Ken Burns' documentary on the American Revolution, with the hosts praising his performance.

• What is the premise of the podcast discussed?

  The podcast's premise involves discussing movies and engaging in humorous banter, with a particular emphasis on "dropping names" due to the hosts' extensive connections in the entertainment industry.

• Can you share an anecdote about Bill Maher and a drink mix-up?

  Bill Maher once accidentally gave Seth MacFarlane's drink to politician Daryl Issa during a live interview, leading to confusion and amusement.

• What was Jackson's opinion on the character Roger from Family Guy?

  Jackson, the host's son, considers Roger the Alien to be possibly the greatest character ever created on television or in all of fiction.

• What is the significance of Jack Sheldon's involvement with "The Orville"?

  Jack Sheldon, a talented jazz musician and actor, was involved in "The Orville," contributing to the show's musical and comedic elements.

• What is Jerry Goldsmith's legacy in film scoring?

  Jerry Goldsmith is celebrated as a genius composer whose innovative scores, like the one for "First Contact," were often more deserving of awards than the films themselves.

• What are some of the challenges of performing on Broadway?

  Performing on Broadway involves a demanding schedule and the risk of forgetting lines during musical numbers, requiring actors to improvise or rely on scene partners.

• When did "Ted" season 2 premiere and on which platform?

  "Ted" season 2 premiered on March 5th on Peacock.

• What is the status of "The Orville" season 4?

  "The Orville" season 4 has been fully written and is ready for production, pending the lead actor's availability and movie schedules.

• What is the speaker's pet peeve regarding Shakespearean comedies?

  The speaker dislikes when the audience laughs out loud during Shakespearean comedies, feeling it's not genuine or for the right reasons.

Show Notes