John DeBellis (author Stand Up Guys, writer SNL '80 - '81)

John joins me to talk about his book Stand Up Guys and making it like the book the Last Laugh; how comedians "learned" their craft; Elaine Boosler; his mentor comedy mentors; Ronnie Shakes; Larry David; Richard Lewis; auditioning for the Improv; Bill Maher; crowd work; dealing with hecklers; Rita Rudner; Gilbert Gottfried; Andy Kaufman; not watching Man in the Moon; Richard Belzer; his Strat 'O' Magic Srand Up League; Bob Costas; Drew Carey; Max Alexander; Dennis Wolfberg; having strangers give Gilbert Gottfried a dollar; Saturday Night Live - Joe Piscopo, Gilbert Gottfried, Eddie Murphy & Hal Wilner; writing Weekend Update; The SNL/Fridays rivalry tries to hurt John and Larry David's friendship; Billy Crystal Comedy Hour; Into the Night starring Rick Dees; DC Follies; John Roarke; Steve Barker; The Good Life with John Mendoza; writing a dark take on The Flintstones for Billy that was nixed by censors;  Make Me Laugh; comedy today; Jackie Martling; his travel schedule; Joe Piscopo