Here is a special minisode Spoony and I put together after hearing the news that David Rakoff died last night, far too young.

It's a brief introduction and the full-length interview he and I did in September. Losing David is a huge tragedy. I hope this long-form piece gives some comfort, or at least more time with him.

Note: the photo credit of David as Hotchkiss the butler from WASP COVE, the play I wrote with Rachel Shukert, is by Kent William Albin.

Goodbye, David. I already miss you so much.

xo

Julie

Ahoy! And a robust August to you. This week brings the return of the HOW WAS YOUR WEEK BOOK CLUB! Woo-hoo! YEAH! Books!!!!!!!

The one and only guest on the show is Alex Stone, the author of Fooling Houdini: Magicians, Mentalists, Math Geeks & the Hidden Powers of the Mind. Strap on your nerd helmet, fasten its padded chin-strap, and get ready to learn...

• Why people STILL play Three Card Monte
• What the term "in-attentional blindness" means and how it applies to getting your watch stolen
• The difference between magic and comedy
• And why there aren't a lot of lady magicians.

Plus, Julie posits a disturbing hypothetical about Mr. Rogers, ponders Stephen King extensively, asks after Billy Joel, discloses an embarrassing decision she made in a movie theater recently, condemns ventriloquist dummies, and recaps Puppetry of the Penis, which may or may not have been a dream we all had.

Also: why it's sometimes tougher to trick children than adults, who Julie has decided the blind Kenny Rogers of magic is, Jack Black's performance in "Robert" Linklater's BERNIE and what a "Hype" is, in the magic lingo world.There's a lot going on in this week's episode.

This is a fascinating show for your face.

Hello, friend-os! This episode of How Was Your Week is a humdinger. Returning delight GABE LIEDMAN is here to regale us with stories about working at Barney's and which celebs were jerks to him, whether hunks are more funny than sexy, the possibility that he has too many teeth, and what Primal Fear is about. Gabe is delicious. He could talk about nothing for an hour and you would be thrilled.

Then, ALISON RICH is here to have a conversation...about a show called THE CONVERSATION! Hahaha! Do you see that thing I just did? Anyway, Alison Rich, with whom Gabe and Julie recently wrote on Billy on the Street and who is in a web series called INCOGNITO, watches a show on Lifetime called The Conversation so you and I needn't. But after this chat, you might want to! It features bare-footed talks with smart and interesting ladies like Sarah Silverman, Melissa McCarthy, Glenda Bailey, and...Olivia Wilde?!?!?!

Plus, Julie recalls an experience with an unpleasant pie vendor in Brooklyn, realizes something intimate and spicy about Kenneth Branagh, ponders specific instances of "ball-bags" and "pissy pants," explains Kristen Stewart's appeal and what she expects to be Robert Pattinson's weakness, recommends a new documentary, and reassures everybody that, because that Vince Vaughn is at the wheel of a 70's reboot, everything will be okay.

A fun and fabulous show for you and your ears.

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!

Hello, Summerinos! How's your summer going?

On this week's show, the marvelous ROB SHEFFIELD is here to discuss the three Rod Stewart-based stages of a man's life, his experience seeing Neil Diamond two nights in a row, and the magnificent Dollyness of Dollywood.

Then, MICHAEL MCMILLIAN, who plays Steve Newlin on True Blood, joins Julie to talk about how E.T. changed his life, what glamoring is exactly, and shares an awesome and terrifying ghost story that will curl your toes and straighten your lashes!

Also--Julie reviews the new Fiona Apple album and discusses what it really means to eat your feelings! Britny Fox liberates women of their confining shirts! Pencil erasers are considered as substitute chocolate chips! And Julie learns something about Star Wars that she would have preferred not to know.

A spooky, heartfelt, heartening and interesting show, all at once!

Is it hot enough for ya? The podcast, that is!

Happy Summer Solstice! This week's episode of How Was Your Week begins with a review of Rock of Ages, and segues into an important realization about Hannibal Lecter. There is also talk of a ghost hunter's caffeine addiction, a gynecologist's affection for a Comedy Central show, and how to integrate a hot summer color into your life, EVEN IF YOU ARE AFRAID. 

And the guests! The guests are sublime. First, JESSI KLEIN joins Julie to talk about body image stuff, Maine, Adam Carolla, her beloved guinea pig and her fantastic idea for a Paul McCartney-ish song called "Maybe I'm Disgusting."

Then, TAVI GEVINSON (Rookie) is here to talk about young people and inspiration, John Waters, her favorite character on Girls, and the part of musicals where old ladies lift up their skirts and do a little dance!

Plus: How the name Tavi is more predictive, personality-wise than Emily, who Julianne Hough is, the excess of peach eyeshadow in the 1990s, the, when to mention attachment parenting at a party, and what "The Andy Cohen edit" of a movie entails. A fun and fancy show!

Hi everybody! Happy Father's Day, almost! And happy Bunheads Premiere Week. This week, Julie is not ready to talk about Bunheads, then talks about Bunheads. She also welcomes two fantastic guests!

First, Eric Drysdale, a comedian, friend and television writer (Colbert Report, Daily Show) joins Julie to talk about Canadian things, 3-D photography, his first job, and other things that float his boat. He also does us all the TREMENDOUS favor of recapping the Queen musical for us! This is an unmissable summary. 

Then, Adam Pally, the charming, funny and handsome gentleman best-known for playing Max on Happy Endings (the gay one), is here to pick apart his Wikipedia page and tell us what is true and what is false. He also has stories about David Duchovny and Mischa Barton, and reminiscences about improv class with Julie! And what's more, he sports a red beard and has sired an adorable infant. Are you on board yet?

Also! Julie ponders the depressing phrase that is "One for Dark Horse, please," explains who Kelly Bishop is and finds out what Supermanning can be, Diet Mountain Dew is tasted, The Belz is Belzified, and other things are considered and celebrated as well.

Enjoy this show, featuring three fine Jews, if you include Julie, which of course you must do!