Improv Nerd With Jimmy Carrane
288 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 152 ratingsWell-known improv teacher and former Studio 312 host Jimmy Carrane explores the creative processes used to make great comedy.
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Episodes
The Reckoning
May 05, 2014 15:06 - 1 hourThe Reckoning are one iO Chicago's most legendary Harold teams. In this episode, Charlie McCrackin, Beau Golwitzer, Jake Schneider and Eddie Pina join Jimmy and discuss the secrets of their success and evolution as artists. Then Jimmy joins them for a bit of Reckoning style improv. Don't miss it!
David Koechner
April 29, 2014 15:53 - 1 hourDavid Koechner returns for a special episode of Improv Nerd recorded live at Columbia College in Chicago. Dave opens up about his approaches to scene work, including his methods for never going into a scene empty handed. He also talks about working on Anchor Man 2 and developing his stand-up act. Please enjoy!
Maribeth Monroe
April 21, 2014 14:08 - 1 hourMaribeth Monroe plays Alice on ComedyCentral's Workaholics, is a veteran of The Second City, and will appear in the upcoming HBO series Brink. Maribeth discusses her time at Second City, getting hired on Workaholics, and how she has worked to become a confident, grounded performer. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do!
Barry Hite
April 15, 2014 15:55 - 1 hourBarry Hite is one of the creators of the popular "I'm A Fan" webseries of NFL fan videos on The Second City Network, performed with the legendary Bullet Lounge at iO Chicago, and is a revered improv teacher. In this episode, he sits down with Jimmy to discuss how he has learned to keep his career fun, learning from Tiina Fey, and why Jimmy should stop using Facebook. Please enjoy!
Jeff Garlin
April 09, 2014 16:10 - 1 hourActor and comedian Jeff Garlin returns to Improv Nerd for a really fun interview and improv set. Jeff tells Jimmy about how he turns setbacks into comedy, his relationship with Julia Roberts, and how he manages to stay grounded despite his success. We hope you enjoy this show!
The Denver Improv Scene (Justin Franzen, Kerstin Caldwell, and Eric Farone)
March 31, 2014 14:26 - 1 hourDenver Colorado has a thriving improv scene with multiple theaters providing training and performance opportunities for aspiring improvisers. Jimmy sat down with some of the leaders of that community, Justin Franzen of Comedy Voodoo Playhouse, Kerstin Caldwell of YES! Lab, and Eric Farone of Bovine Metropolis Theater. Listen in as they discuss how the Denver scene came to be and the different perspectives a performer can gain from their respective theaters. Then they join forces to improvise...
Whirled News Tonight (Brook Breit, Padraic Connelly, and Megan O'Neill)
March 26, 2014 01:26 - 54 minutesWhirled News Tonight is a smart and topical improv show that is a mainstay of iO Chicago, gracing the main stage on Saturday nights for the past 11 years. In this episode, cast members Brook Breit, Padraic Connelly, and Megan O'Neill join Jimmy for a look at how they've been able to keep it hip and fresh for so long. We hope you enjoy this show!
Rebecca Sohn & Ted Tremper
March 17, 2014 13:57 - 1 hourRebecca Sohn is among the great improvisers and improv teachers in Chicago, having performed legendary shows at both iO and The Annoyance Theater. Ted Tremper is best known for his two award winning web series Shrink and Break-ups. Rebecca and Ted were part of a dramatic improv show called Almost Atlanta that enjoyed successful runs across Chicago, including at The Annoyance Theater and The Steppenwolf Garage. Rebecca and Ted sat down with Jimmy at The Second City to talk about their process...
Brian Posen
March 10, 2014 14:20 - 1 hourBrian Posen is a beloved figure in the world of Chicago comedy. He is a wildly popular improv teacher for The Secondy City, is the founder and artistic director of the musical sketch troupe The Cupid Players, and is the artistic director of Stage 773 - one of Chicago's hottest new comedy venues. Brian is also the founder of the wildly successful Chicago Sketch Fest, where he sat down with Jimmy to talk about his fears, his triumphs and how improvisation changes lives. We hope you'll love thi...
Dan Bakkedahl
March 03, 2014 17:19 - 1 hourDan Bakkedahl is one of the stars of FX's Legit and HBO's Veep, spent two years as correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and is a veteran of The Second City Chicago. Dan joins Jimmy for a frank discussion of his own securities and how they have effected his career, overcoming those securities, and what it takes to be a great improviser. Improv nerds, this is an episode you won't want to miss!
Baby Wants Candy
February 24, 2014 15:15 - 1 hourBaby Wants Candy is the legendary musical improv troupe that began in Chicago and has toured the world, featuring notable alumni Seth Meyers, Aidy Bryant, and Jack McBrayer, just to name a few. In this episode, cast members Tim Sniffen and Erica Elam, and band member Kevin Florian, help Jimmy overcome his fear of musical improv. It was a ton of fun and we hope you enjoy listening!
Jamie Campbell
February 17, 2014 14:43 - 1 hourJamie Campbell was named the best stand-up comic in Chicago by the Chicago Reader in 2013. He's also a gifted improviser who performs regularly at ComedySportz. In this powerful episode, Jamie shares the story of his traumatic childhood and explains how he's been able to mine his experiences for comedy. Listen to Jamie tell his compelling story in this episode of Improv Nerd.
Tawny Newsome
February 10, 2014 19:03 - 50 minutesTawny Newsome is a veteran of The Second City mainstage in Chicago. In 2013, Rolling Stone magazine named her one of ten performers that should be hired by SNL. She's an accomplished actress. She's a talented musician. She's the guest on this week's episode of Improv Nerd!
Rick Bayless
January 31, 2014 15:54 - 1 hourRick Bayless is a world renowned chef, winner of the popular competitive cooking show Top Chef, and host of his own show on PBS, Mexico: One Plate At A Time. Rick joins Jimmy in this episode to discuss his love of improvisation, how he first caught the improv bug, and how he uses improv in the kitchen. And this episode features the only opportunity in which Bayless fans will experience him working in (an improvised) kitchen at McDonald's. Thanks for listening!
Jill Bernard
January 24, 2014 15:13 - 1 hourJill Bernard is a nationally recognized improv performer and teacher and is one of the founders of HUGE Improv Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jimmy paid a visit to Minneapolis and sat down with Jill and discussed how she brings joy to the classroom and her performances. Listen in if you'd like to add a little more of that necessary joy to your work.
Michael Palascak
January 17, 2014 14:43 - 1 hourMichael Palascak is a stand-up comedian who has made multiple television appearances including performances on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Comedy Central's The Half Hour. Michael is also a Chicago trained improviser who still performs in the city. Michael took a break from his busy schedule to sit down with Jimmy to discuss touring with Jimmy Fallon, his stand-up persona and becoming a better actor. Don't miss this episode.
Lyndsay Hailey
January 10, 2014 19:31 - 1 hourLyndsay Hailey is a multi-talented actress and comedian who recently located from Chicago to Los Angeles. In Chicago, she performed with The Deltones and Chaos Theory at the legendary iO Chicago where she was also a beloved improv teacher. She also worked for The Second City and performs her own show, The Lyndsay Hailey Variety Hour. In this episode she sits down with Jimmy for a moving discussion about her personal evolution as a performer.
Year In Review - The Most Memorable Moments of 2013
December 31, 2013 16:09 - 1 hourIn this year-end episode, Jimmy, Producer Ben Capraro, and Head of Interns Lauren Carrane sit down to discuss their favorite moments of the show in 2013. Listen in as we review moments with Rossy Bryant, Matt Besser, Andy St. Clair, Chris Witaske, John Hartman, Frank Caeti, Edgar Blackmon, Brian Holden and Brett Lyons. We also debut a new segment - Lauren Carrane, Starfucker! Please enjoy and Happy New Year!
Mike Descoteaux
December 23, 2013 15:24 - 1 hourMike Descoteaux is the Chicago-trained Artistic Director of Improv Boston and is a guru of musical improv. In this episode, he and Jimmy discuss the process of improvising on piano and creating an improvised musical. Then they create with one with the amazing cast of Improv Boston. This show is a clinic in musical improv that you won't want to miss.
Brett Lyons
December 17, 2013 17:40 - 1 hourBrett Lyons is a hometown favorite in Chicago where he performs with the legendary iO team, Deep Schwa. He also tours for The Second City. He sits down with Jimmy to discuss improvising as a full time job and how he learned that his father was in prison. Thanks for listening!
Tom Purcell
December 10, 2013 15:14 - 59 minutesTom Purcell is the executive producer of The Colbert Report and hebegan his career as a Chicago improviser. Tom sits down with Jimmy and discusses how he developed his love for comedy at a young age, his collaboration with Stephen Colbert, and his tips for aspiring writers who are submitting to shows. Jimmy also shares his experience working with Stephen. If you aspire to write for TV, listen in!
Chris Witaske
November 29, 2013 15:24 - 1 hourThe Second City's Chris Witaske joins Jimmy for a frank discussion about auditioning for SNL, having drinks with Lorne Michaels, and working for the The Second City. In this episode, Jimmy also wishes farewell to a friend and improv legend, the great Jay Leggett. Thanks for listening!
John Hartman
November 21, 2013 14:58 - 1 hourJohn Hartman was just cast as a member of the ensemble for The Second City Chicago's upcoming 102nd Revue (Jimmy predicted this would happen at the end of this episode!). John has also performed in Chicago in shows including Baby Wants Candy and The Improvised Shakespeare Company. John opens up to Jimmy about overcoming loneliness and keeping a positive perspective as a performer. Listen in for a preview before John hits the main stage at Second City in January.
Kevin Dorff
November 18, 2013 22:45 - 1 hourKevin Dorff was a writer for Conan O'Brien for many seasons, has appeared on shows including 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation, and is a veteran of the main stage at The Second City in Chicago. Kevin joins Jimmy for a discussion of his career, his thoughts about improvisation and of course some improv. Thanks for listening.
Horatio Sanz
November 08, 2013 16:11 - 1 hourHoratio Sanz is an SNL alum, an alum of The Second City, and one of the founding members of the Upright Citizens Brigade. Horatio joins Jimmy at Columbia College in Chicago and discusses what drives his comedy, his time on SNL and his time making a name for himself as a young comedian in Chicago.
Rich Talarico
October 23, 2013 17:42 - 1 hourRich Talarico is a writer for Comedy Central's Key & Peele and has also written for Saturday Night Live, Mad Tv, and The Tonight Show. He is also a gifted improviser and improv teacher. Rich sat down with Jimmy and talked about his career as a performer and writer, his time studying at Second City and at iO with Del Close, and the first improv teacher he ever had - Stephen Colbert. Don't miss this episode!
Bill Arnett
October 16, 2013 17:08 - 1 hourBill Arnett is pillar of Chicago improv; he's a beloved teacher and performer with legendary groups People of Earth, 3033 and the Armando. Bill sat down with Jimmy and discussed his approach to scenework, sketch writing, and his very popular improv blog. Listen in!
Adal Rifai
October 04, 2013 15:09 - 1 hourAdal Rifai is a cast member of Revolver and Whirled news tonight at iO Chicago where he's also a beloved improv teacher. Adal sits down with Jimmy and discusses being a part of the Harold Committee, dealing with bad shows, and his thoughts about good scene work. Thanks for listening.
Katy Colloton
September 27, 2013 14:26 - 1 hourKaty Colloton from the popular web series Teachers is an LA based actress and improviser (and recent Chicago ex-pat). Katy sat down with Jimmy before her move and they talked about Teachers and her comedy group The Katydids. Don't miss this episode.
Improv Allstars (Rachael Mason & Ryan Archibald)
September 20, 2013 13:59 - 55 minutesThe Second City's Improv Allstars is a short form improv show a running in the UP Theater at The Second City Chicago. Rachael Mason and Ryan Archibald - two of Chicago's finest improvisers - are both part of the cast. They sat down with Jimmy and helped him overcome his fear and judgment about short form improv. You can hear his transformation take place on stage. Thanks for listening!
Susan Messing
September 19, 2013 16:58 - 55 minutesSusan Messing is an icon of improv comedy and was the guest on the very first episode of Improv Nerd. In this classic episode, we hear the tale of Susan's audition for SNL and about her unconventional path to the main-stage at The Second City. This episode was lost when we made the move to feralaudio.com but is resurrected here for the second anniversary of the show. Enjoy!
BeerSharkMice
September 09, 2013 13:35 - 1 hourNeil Flynn, Pat Finn, Paul Vaillancourt, Pete Hulne, and Mike Coleman are members of legendary improv group BeerSharkMice (member David Koechner was away shooting Anchorman 2). They sat down with Jimmy at iO West to discuss the BeerkSharkMice form, improvising in Chicago and LA, and working with Chris Farley. Then Jimmy sits in with BeerSharkMice for a really fun improv set.
Timmy Mayse
September 05, 2013 12:27 - 1 hourTimmy Mayse is an actor and renowned Chicago improviser. He sat down with Jimmy and discussed his own path to becoming a recognized improviser, benefitting from failure, and doing commercial work. Don't miss this great episode.
Greg Hess
August 26, 2013 14:17 - 47 minutesGreg Hess joins Jimmy in this episode of Improv Nerd and talks about his recent audition for Saturday Night Live, a pilot he just shot for Comedy Central called Schlub Life, and of course his legendary improv group Cook County Social Club.
Brian Holden
August 19, 2013 13:54 - 1 hourTeam StarKid has taken the internet by storm with its staged parodies of Harry Potter and our guest Brian Holden is a founding member of the group. In this episode, Brian sits down with Jimmy to discuss Team StarKid's process, how he got involved in improv, and what it's like to instantly have a massive fan base.
Frank Caeti
August 12, 2013 13:57 - 1 hourFrank Caeti is an alum of Mad TV and The Second City ETC and is known for his acclaimed sketch work with Matt Craig as FrankenMatt. Frank chats with Jimmy about his near brush with SNL, working on Mad TV and why he continues to love to improvise. Of course, there's some great improv too. Thanks for listening!
Ross Bryant
August 05, 2013 21:30 - 1 hourRolling Stone magazine named him one of 10 performers who might end up on SNL this coming season. He performed with Sir Patrick Stewart with both The Second City and The Improvised Shakespeare Company. In this episode of Improv Nerd, he sits down with Jimmy and describes his experiences auditioning for SNL, improvising with Patrick Stewart, and joining the main stage at Second City Chicago. Ladies and gentlemen, Ross Bryant.
Craig Cackowski
July 30, 2013 15:18 - 1 hourCraig Cackowski is an actor, Second City veteran and teacher of improvisation in LA. Craig and Jimmy have an in depth conversation about the both the artform and business of improv. Craig is a master of improvisation who has worked with just about every other master of improvisation. And of course, they discuss it all. What a fun way to celebrate Improv Nerd's 50th episode. Ladies and gentlemen, Craig Cackowski.
Michael McCarthy
July 23, 2013 04:15 - 1 hourMichael McCarthy is a veteran comedy writer, having written for SNL, The Drew Carey Show, According to Jim, Sesame Street, and more and teaches writing at iO Chicago. Michael joins Jimmy for some improv and discussion and shines some light on writing for television. If writing for television is your goal, you won't want to miss this episode.
David Razowsky
July 15, 2013 17:00 - 1 hourDavid Razowsky is a film and television actor, host of the wonderful ADD Comedy podcast, and veteran of The Second City's mainstage in Chicago. David sits down with Jimmy to discuss his time as a Chicago improviser, his take on improv as an improv instructor, and of course his work with fellow Second City cast members Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert.
Beth Melewski
June 24, 2013 09:06 - 1 hourBeth Melewski is a beloved Chicago improviser. She sat down with Jimmy to discuss her time on The Second City's E.T.C. stage, starring on Cash Cab, and how she's learned to trust her instincts. It's a great interview followed by some great improv.
Andy Miara
June 17, 2013 15:33 - 1 hourThe Onion's Andy Miara sits down with Jimmy to discuss his time interning at SNL, touring for Second City with future SNL featured player Tim Robinson, and creating sketches for The Onion News Network. Then Jimmy picks a sketch written by audience members to be workshopped by Andy. Don't miss this great episode.
Andy St. Clair
June 09, 2013 15:31 - 1 hourAndy St. Clair, a longtime favorite of the Chicago improv community, sits down with Jimmy and talks about coming up at iO Chicago, his time on The Second City's main stage and his television and commercial work.
Edgar Blackmon
June 03, 2013 15:17 - 56 minutesEdgar Blackmon, star of The Second City Chicago's main stage, joins Jimmy for a lively discussion of race and comedy, overcoming personal tragedies, and why an actor can shit on someone's face as long as it's funny. Then Edgar joins Jimmy for some very therapeutic improv.
Lucas Neff
May 27, 2013 13:36 - 1 hourLucas Neff, one of the stars of FOX's Raising Hope, sits down with Jimmy to discuss his rambunctious youth, becoming an actor by mistake, and discovering his passion for improvisation. Enjoy!
Holly Laurent
May 16, 2013 18:47 - 1 hourHolly Laurent, veteran of the main stage at The Second City Chicago, sits down with Jimmy and discusses her religious upbringing, coming into her own as an improviser and her time at The Second City. Don't miss this great episode.
John Lutz
April 15, 2013 13:48 - 1 hourJohn Lutz, former actor on 30 Rock and SNL writer, joins Jimmy for a personal conversation about his upbringing, getting started in improv, and why Donald Trump was the worst SNL host.
John Lutz
April 15, 2013 13:39 - 1 hourJohn Lutz, former actor on 30 Rock and SNL writer, joins Jimmy for a personal conversation about his upbringing, getting started in improv, and why Donald Trump was the worst SNL host.
Dan Harmon
April 05, 2013 12:23 - 1 hourDan Harmon, creator of NBC's Community and host of the podcast Harmontown, sits down with Jimmy in this radically honest interview to discuss his start at ComedySportz in Milwaukee, the frustrations of the creative process of producing a network sitcom, and how he personally deals with self sabotage.
Andy Richter
March 29, 2013 14:06 - 1 hourAndy Richter, longtime sidekick to Conan O'Brien, joins Jimmy at iO West for a completely candid interview and a wonderful improv set. Don't miss Andy explain how he came to be hired by Late Night, his evolution as an actor, and the true identity of Paul Swanson. Enjoy