Industry Standard W/ Barry Katz

BYRON ALLEN is a multiple Emmy winning 35-year entertainment veteran, who began his career as a stand-up. At 14 years old, he got his first break when stand-up Jimmie Walker saw his stand-up act and was so impressed that he invited him to join his comedy writing team alongside promising young comedians Jay Leno and David Letterman. By the age of 18, Allen made his television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson--after originally turning it down a year earlier so he could finish high school and attend USC—and was the youngest comedian ever to have performed on the show. His first job hosting a TV show was that same year on Real People, which he co-hosted for 5 years on NBC, after the producers saw him on Carson.  Presently, he is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Entertainment Studios, which he started from his dining room table in 1993, with no capital and no investors, while working to launch his first television show, Entertainers with Byron Allen.  20 years later, he now oversees production of o

Cheri Oteri was born in Philadelphia and later moved to LA where she worked in promotions for A&M Records. She joined the Groundlings, and in 1995 the producers of “Saturday Night Live” saw one of her monologues, which led to an audition and eventually being hired as a cast member. She has also appeared in several films, including “Scary Movie,” “Inspector Gadget,” “Liar Liar,” “Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd,” “Shrek the Third,” “Southland Tales,” and “Grown Ups 2” (with Adam Sandler). In 2009, Oteri became a regular voice in Fox networks'  animated comedy series “Sit Down, Shut Up” (which later moved to Comedy Central). Additionally, Cheri has made multiple guest appearances on TV shows such as “Just Shoot Me!” (in which she was nominated for an Emmy), “Strangers with Candy, Jessie,” “The New Normal,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and as an emotionally unstable nanny on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-n

MONTY HALL is best known as the host and creator of arguably the most successful game show of our generation—“Let’s Make a Deal,” which launched 50 years ago and is still going strong today with its new host, Wayne Brady.  He was a radio star in the 50’s and became a go-to host in the 60’s and future decades with a plethora of shows he created and others that he was aligned with like CBS’s “Video Village,” NBC’s “Your First Impression,” and the syndicated show “Split Second.”  He has headlined the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, hosted his own variety show specials for ABC, and starred in the musical comedy feature film “High Button Shoes.”  additionally, he has appeared as a guest star on “Love American Style,” “The Flip Wilson Show,” “The Dean Martin Show,” “The Love Boat,” “Providence,” and several network situation comedies (including an acclaimed episode of “The Odd Couple”), as well as the TV movie “The Courage and the Passion.” His charitable and philanthropic activities and contributions have brought him o

GREG FITZSIMMONS is a 4-TIME Emmy Award Winner who is the host of “The Greg Fitzsimmons Show” on Sirius-XM’s Howard 101 and twice a week puts out the hugely popular “FitzDog Radio” podcast.  A regular on “Letterman,” “Conan,” “Kimmel,” “Leno,” Greg has also made more than 50 visits to “The Howard Stern Show.”  As a writer, Greg worked several years on ”The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Lucky Louie,” and  “Politically Incorrect.”  Additionally, he has created and executive produced pilots for VH1 and FX and served as head writer on “The Chelsea Handler Show,” “Tiny Tonight,” and “The Man Show.”  A few years ago he released his book, “Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons: Tales of Redemption from an Irish Mailbox” and in 2013 he released his debut album “Life on Stage.” Greg is the winner of “The Jury Award for Best Comedian” from The HBO Comedy Arts Festival and a Cable Ace Award winner For the MTV game show he hosted called “Idiot Savants.” Later this year Greg will star in a new Comedy Central one-hour stand-up special,  star in

GENE BLYTHE was the executive vice president of casting at ABC Entertainment Television Group for over two decades. In his unprecedented tenure, he was known and universally respected for having served under 8 different studio presidents in almost 20 years at the network—with a career that is impressive for both its length and impact on the studio. Gene started in show business as theater actor, working on Broadway for two years, eventually switching into theater casting in new york. He quickly gained notoriety for his work. Eventually being offered to come out to Los Angeles to work at the prestigious mark taper forum. His television casting career took off at MTM Productions where he supervised casting on the huge hit tv series "st.Elsewhere" and the debut season of "Newhart." Disney tapped Blythe to be one of four executives to head its television department at touchstone in 1988. While serving as senior vice president and head of casting for touchstone, he oversaw all network television projects and was i

SUSANNE DANIELS is presently the president of the MTV network. An award winning entertainment executive, Daniels has developed and produced some of the most memorable series on television. She started her career as Lorne Michaels’ assistant at “SNL” and was promoted to manager of development for Michaels’ Broadwayentertainment, where she helped develop the “the kids in the hall” comedy series and the box office smash “Wayne’s World.” she then went on to work at ABC and later served as vice president of comedy for fox television where she shepherded their successful Thursday night comedies “Martin” and “Living Single.”  Daniels then became the president of the WB Network (now the CW)…where she embarked on an incredible run of culture-defining hits including “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “felicity,” “angel,” “Smallville” “Gilmore Girls,” “7th Heaven” and “Charmed.” from there Daniels went on to serve as president of lifetime and their movie network, which became the 2 highest-rated women’s cable

GAVIN POLONE began his career as an assistant at ICM IN 1985. after becoming an agent, he joined Bauer/Benedek which BECAME United Talent Agency, where gavin made partner at age 29.  in 1996 he BECAME A MANAGER/PRODUCER WHEN he partnered with Judy Hofflund to form Hofflund/Polone which led to being an executive producer on the Emmy-nominated HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm” AND THE CW’s “Gilmore Girls.” In 2001, HE formed PRODUCTION COMPANY, Pariah, where he produced numerous tv shows including NBC’S “Revelations,” HBO’S “Tell Me You Love Me,” and TBS’S “My Boys.” In feature films, he produced HBO’S “When Trumpets Fade,” NEW LINE’S “Drop Dead GorgeouS,” ARTISAN’S “Stir of Echoes,” Columbia’S “Premium Rush,” “Panic Room,” “Secret Window” and “Zombieland,” as well as the indy features “Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop,” “Seeing Other People,” “Little Manhattan,” “My Super Ex-Girlfriend” for New Regency and 20th Century Fox; ALONG WITH disney’s “Primeval” and dreamworks’ “Ghost Town.” ADDITIONALLY, Polone has directed

CAROL LEIFER is a four-time Emmy nominee for her writing on such shows as “Seinfeld,” “Modern Family,” “Saturday Night Live,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” and seven “Academy Awards” telecasts. She has starred in five of her own comedy specials, which have aired on Showtime, HBO, and Comedy Central. Throughout her career she has worked very closely with several of the greatest comedy minds of our generation…including Steve Martin, Gary Shandling, Lorne Michaels, Jerry Seinfeld, and Larry David. Her first book was the national best seller “When You Lie about Your Age, the Terrorists Win.”  Carol’s most recent book, “How to Succeed in Business without Really Crying,” is part memoir, part guide to life, featuring a wonderfully funny collection of essays chronicling her three-decade journey through show business, offering valuable lessons for women and men in any profession. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. --- Support

TRACY CHRISTIAN started her agency career at PSA, a bi-coastal boutique talent agency with a focus on classically trained character actors like William H. Macy & Joe Mantegna.  At PSA, she began to packaging features for music clients like Busta Rhymes, Nelly and Fat Joe, in addition to supporting the agency’s roster of actors. Christian then moved to Don Buchwald and Associates where she represented future Oscar winners Octavia Spencer, Melissa Leo and Mo’Nique, Emmy nominee Elizabeth Moss, music mogul and producer Mona Scott Young, super producer Swizz Beatz, celebrity hair stylist Ted Gibson, reality star Omarosa, Kandi Burruss, Roger Guenveur Smith, Paz de la Huerta and Jamie Hector to the long list of celebrities whose careers she has guided. At Buchwald Tracy added representing reality show producers and participants to her book of business.In December of 2011 Christian opened TCA Jed Root with business partner Jed Root. The agency can boast of putting more than fifteen shows on air in a two year pe

DAVID KISSINGER is the President of Conaco Productions, (Conan O'Brien’S PRODUCTION COMPANY) and has produced a plethora of shows for them "Andy Barker P.I.," "Outlaw" ON NBC, "Eagleheart" on Adult Swim, "Super Fun Night" for ABC, as well as "the Pete Holmes Show" and “Deon’s Black Box” for TBS.  Prior to joining Conaco, he was the President of NBC Universal Television/Studio USA where he developed some of the most acclaimed Emmy nominated and winning shows on TV including "House," "the Office," "Monk," "Battlestar Galactica," "Law & Order: Special Victims' Unit," and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."  Previously, Kissinger was a senior VP for Touchstone TV where he oversaw the development and production of "Ellen," “Boy Meets World,” and "Home Improvement." Prior to his TV career, Kissinger worked as a journalist, writing for Rolling Stone, the New York Observer, and Esquire. He is the son of Former Secretary of State and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Henry Kissinger. See Privacy Policy at http

TOM HERTZ is an Emmy Award winning writer and show runners, and one of the most respected executive producers in the entertainment business. He has worked with some of the most groundbreaking artists of our generation—making his mark with Jon Stewart (“The Jon Stewart Show”), Kevin James (“King of Queens”), Gary Shandling (The Larry Sanders Show), Dennis Miller (Dennis Miller Live),  Charlie Sheen, and Michael J. Fox (“Spin City”) …and created the hit CBS show RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, starring David Spade, which reached the rare 100 episode status in 2012. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/industry-standard-w-barry-katz/support

DAN PASTERNACK is a veteran TV producer and high level creative executive who recently joined the prestigious independent production company big beach films (“Little Miss Sunshine,” “Our Idiot Brother,” “Sunshine Cleaning”) to set up and head a new television division, Big Beach TV. Pasternack left his position as vice president of development and production for IFC after four and a half years to join Big Beach, and during his tenure at IFC, he shepherded the break-out critically acclaimed hit series “Portlandia” from web-series to Emmy, peabody and writer’s guild award winning television sensation. Additionally, he also oversaw the development of “Comedy Bang! Bang!” starring Scott Aukerman and Reggie Watts, “The Birthday Boys” from executive producer Bob Odenkirk, and “The Spoils of Babylon” starring Tobey Maguire, Krristen Wiig and Tim Robbins. Prior to his tenure at IFC, Pasternack held a variety of creative executive positions, including roles at Turner Broadcasting, Carsey-Werner, Studios USA (now NBC/U

KENT ALTERMAN is the president of content development & original programming at Comedy Central and, in his second stint at the network, oversees the development and production of all original content produced by the # 1 brand in comedy, where he is responsible for incubating new voices and concepts across all the network screens. Since taking over in 2010, Alterman and his development team have more than doubled the amount of original series on the air than at any time in the history of the network…creating bona fide franchises for comedy central, including groundbreaking series like “Workaholics,” “Key & Peele,”“Inside Amy Schumer,” “Kroll Show,” “Brickleberry,” “Nathan for You,”“Drunk History,” and “@Midnight.”  Additionally he overseas specials like “Night of Too Many Stars” and the Emmy nominated “Comedy Central Roasts.” prior to his present job, he started with Michael Moore’s “TV Nation” and then became the executive vice president at new line overseeing a diverse slate of films including the pe

SUZANNA MAKKOS is Executive Vice President, Comedy Programming & Development for the Fox Broadcasting Company. As head of comedy development at FOX, Makkos is responsible for overseeing all of the network’s half-hour current programming and comedy development initiatives in both live action and animation.  In this role Makkos has cultivated many live action and animated comedies for the network, including “NEW GIRL,” “RAISING HOPE,” “BOB’S BURGERS,” and “THE MINDY PROJECT.” She developed last year’s Seth MacFarlane-produced sitcom “DADS” and THE criticalLY ACCLAIMED “BROOKLYN NINE-NINE,” which won a Golden Globe AWARD for Best Comedy Series. Her development has been lauded for presenting some of the funniest and most diverse voices both in front of, and behind, the camera. Makkos launched two new series this spring: ENLISTED and SURVIVING JACK, and her current development slate includes the likes of Tina Fey, Will Forte, and producer/directors Phil Lord & Chris Miller.  Prior to her role in developmen

MARK BRESLIN is the CEO and founder of Yuk Yuk's, with 15 comedy clubs across Canada, making him the most dominant comedy entrepreneur in the country. He is also the founder and artistic director for the Humber College comedy program and a founding member of the Canadian Comedy Awards.  He has acted as an executive producer, producer, and story consultant for numerous television programs such as “Late Night with Joan rivers,” “Friday Night with Ralph Benmergui,” and “Kenny vs Spenny” among others and is an author and columnist who has also worked in radio as the program director for “Laugh Attack” on XM Canada.  Additionally, Breslin is also a much sought-after public speaker, who has spoken for the American Comedy Institute in New York City, the Big Bear comedy workshop in Los Angeles, the association for campus entrepreneurs, and the Toronto keynote address…just to name a few.  In 2014, Breslin was named one of the 180 most influential people ever to be born and raised in Toronto. See Privacy Policy at htt

NICKY WEINSTOCK cut his teeth writing speeches for the president of Newscorp (Rupert Murdoch), running development for the chairman of FOX (Peter Chernin), and running Judd Apatow’s company while developing “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Pineapple Express,” “Step Brothers,” “Get Him To The Greek,” and “Bridesmaids.”  presently, he is the president of invention studios, a film and TV production company currently developing more than a dozen movies at 20th Century FOX, New Regency, CBS films, Lionsgate, and Debmar Mercury’s 10/90 TV division. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/industry-standard-w-barry-katz/support

JIM NORTON has emerged as one of the most versatile, unique voices in comedy, and is a 2-time NY Times best selling author, sells out theaters nationwide as a standup comedian, and was a regular contributor on Tonight Show with Jay Leno & guest on The Late Show W/ David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Chelsea Lately, Inside Amy Schumer, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, On the radio, Jim is one of the stars of the popular Opie & Anthony show, does a nightly music show, Obsessed, on Ozzy’s Boneyard, and hosts his own weekly advice show, The Jim Norton Show. He has also appeared as an actor in numerous TV series andfeature films, has had three hour comedy specials, four albums, and created the anti-social comedy tour franchise, which brings together Jim’s headliner comedian friends on the same stage for stand-up shows.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/industry-sta

ANDREW PANAY of Panay Films is a highly accredited producer who was formerly one of three partners at Tapestry Films, a Beverly Hills-based motion picture finance and production company known for producing hit movies. He is responsible for developing Miramax's "She's All That," co-producing “Serendipity" starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, and producing the monster box office smash "Wedding Crashers" starring Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn, which has grossed over 200 million dollars domestically. Other films Andrew has produced in some capacity are "National Lampoon's Van Wilder" and "Pay It Forward" starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, and Haley Joel Osment at Warner Brothers. His latest venture is the groundbreaking and innovative "Earth to Echo.” this is the first “Industry Standard” podcast ever recorded in two parts and feels like a double album with one of Hollywoods most prominent, inspirational, and comedic producers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at

1st Anniversary Show (Industry Standard with Barry Katz with special guest Barry Katz) with Jay Mohr…and featuring Bert Kreischer, Brad Williams, Ben Gleib, John Dimaggio, and Neal Brennan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/industry-standard-w-barry-katz/support

DAVID JANOLLARI has had a career that has spanned almost 3 decades, and has been a high level studio executive, a network president, and a co-founder of a successful production company. he started his career at Fox, moved on to be hired by Les Moonves at Lorimar/Warner Brothers, became president of the WB network, co-ceo of his own company Greenblatt-Janollari, and most recently was the head of programming at MTV. now working in an overall deal with NBC productions with his former partner Bob Greenblatt, David is best known for developing and launching some of the biggest hits on television like “Hanging with Mr. Cooper,” “The Hughleys,” “The Jamie Fox Show,” “Living Single,” “Six Feet Under,” “Awkward,” Supernatural,” and “Friends.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/industry-standard-w-barry-katz/support