The new episode of How Was Your Week begins with gratitude and progresses, ideally, with generosity! Consider it a gift, because we are so appreciative that the #TipSpoony campaign was such a success. Thank you, seriously, so much.

First on the show is British comedian and star of Grandma's House SIMON AMSTELL, who's in New York doing his one-person show, Numb, and has things to tell us about cats, Peru, apples, thoughts and feelings. Also, he went on The View this week and has stories about what that was like! Simon is brilliant and you must see his show if you can.

Our second guest is BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT, who is simply wonderful. He has lots to say about his new film, God Bless America, what his mom used to say about homely people in church, what it was like having a dad who did magic tricks, what the Merchant Ivory guys had to say about making a film look more expensive, whether Save the Cat's theory of making characters suffer is a bit much, and how he would rewrite Shakes the Clown if he were to make it today.

Also: how to turn into a cat, why hookers have to work harder now, how Hoop Dreams could have been better, whether I'm more like a tomato or the stuff in a oven that can only be cleaned with dangerous poisons, how money matters can be like surprise obesity, and the difference between Ruby and Rudy, both of which are, apparently, movies.

This is a great show, and we made it just for you. 

Oh, hi! How are you doing? Okay!

This week's episode of How Was Your Week features two fascinating and intelligent guests, plus a long ramble from Julie at the top of the show about the tautological and downright Jeff Foxworthian lyrics of the opening number from CATS: The Musical. Where are you going? There's more!

First, Steve Kandell, the Editor-in-Chief of SPIN Magazine is here to tell a great story about the time Bono blessed his unborn child. Then, Tig Notaro joins Julie to talk about her recent terrifying hospital visit, Butterflies and whether they bite, and the extreme highs and lows she's experienced in the last few months alone.

Also--Jason Alexander's impassioned pleas, a warning to take pro-biotics all the damn time. what C-Diff is, the last line of "Beasts of the Southern Wild," why bacon needs to pack it in, what pretension really means, dogs wearing bandannas, and a sad story about Tig's loss and resilience.

And finally, in a bid to stay economically viable and (as of now) ad and network-free, we're asking for PayPal donations to klausnerama (at) gmail (dot) com, if you are so inclined. It's called "Tip Spoony," and all the cash will go to me and Chris Spooner, so we can continue to give you Class-A entertainment week to week. Plea over! Anyway.

This is an important and thought/feeling-provoking show! I hope you love it.

This week's episode was recorded live on June 27th at The Bell House in beautiful New York City! Isn't that exciting? It is very exciting.

Join Julie as she interviews MARTHA PLIMPTON, JIM GAFFIGAN and KATIE NOTOPOULOS live on stage, while TED LEO & THE PHARMACISTS watch! Enjoy a special, unannounced guest appearance by MIKE DAISEY, who joined us for a mid-show recap and consequent retraction! Regret not being there live to see the dance stylings of VIDS, who were incredible! And marvel in cherished, quintessential HWYW Live moments, like when Martha couldn't concentrate because she was distracted by the man in the giant cat mascot costume sitting to her left! When Ted Leo had to defend his affinity for the son on SMASH! When Jim Gaffigan disclosed the reason for his affinity for sea mammals! And when Katie Notopoulous introduced us all to her good pal, Mr. Eggs.

Plus--S. Epatha Merkerson has some interesting ways to use the hashtag feature on Twitter, Martha explains why she can not longer pull off the catowner look, Jim and Julie ponder dolphins and sunscreen, Katie and Ted dive into their mutual fascination about the furry community, and songs from RENT are sung, as is a balls-out medley that featured accordant choreography and a gigantic dancing cat. Oh, would you were there. Here are photos!

What a show! What a memory-maker!

The Guests:

Jim Gaffigan
Martha Plimpton
Katie Notopolous
Mike Daisey
Varsity Interpretive Dance Squad

The Band:

Teddy Leo
Danny Leo
Chris Wilson
James Canty

VIDS:

Dickie DiBella
Daiva Deupree
Phillip Taratula
Joanna Simmons

Jimmy Jazz:

Chris Sullivan

The Dream Team:

Alex Scordelis (Writer)
Marianne Ways (Live Show Producer)
Chris Spooner (Podcast Producer, Graphic Designer)
Jack Fagan (Consultant; Muse)
Rob Hatch Miller & Puloma Basu (Filmmakers)
Alex Gaylon (Sound Recording)
Mindy Tucker (Photos)

Thanks to the Bell House for hosting us!

Happy Belated Independence Day! The new How Was Your Week is blazing with freedom, fireworks and perfectly-cooked weiners. 

First off, we're delighted to host the third Real Housewife of New York City on the show and the first Princess! CAROLE RADZIWILL is here to discuss what it was like meeting her late husband's aunt, Jackie O, for the first time, how she ended up as a Real Housewife, and why the term "open relationship" doesn't apply to her and Russ from Aerosmith.

And then, KEVIN ALLISON is here to talk about his evolution from sketch performer with The State to storyteller, shares a disturbing story from his Cincinnati kindergarten days, reveals his Sun-In addiction, and tells us in detail about the time he almost prostituted himself.

Also, Julie has a story about going to a male strip club with Katie Notopoulos, how things tend to generally be all about the people who say them out loud, The God Particle and the Period Rock, and the tale of a sexy Cat Ophthalmologist with legs for days.

A show that will make you swell with patriotism and rock back and forth with general delight!