Episode 1599 - Andy Blitz
WTF with Marc Maron Podcast
Deep Dive
Why did Andy Blitz think show business was magical when he first got involved?
He grew up in the rough East Village of the 1970s and found himself dealing with depression and panic attacks in college, which made the idea of show business seem like an escape and a source of magic.
Why did Andy Blitz's first comedy writing job pave the way for his future in television?
His days at Luna Lounge led to a job as a writer and sketch performer on Conan, which then opened doors for him to write for other shows like Human Giant, Review, and Master of None.
Why did Andy Blitz struggle with depression in college?
He felt depressed and struggled with a lack of direction in his comedy career, which he had been able to pursue in high school but found challenging to continue at Columbia.
Why did Andy Blitz feel intimidated by the transition from alt-comedy to regular clubs?
He felt the audience at regular clubs was different and less forgiving, and he was more comfortable with the smart and forgiving crowd at Luna Lounge and other alt-comedy venues.
Why did Andy Blitz turn down a Comedy Central offer to do a special as Peanut Butter?
He insisted on doing the entire show as Peanut Butter, a deeply mentally ill comedian character, and when Comedy Central refused, he declined the offer.
Why did Andy Blitz's parents have trouble parting with their possessions?
His father, a hoarder, had an extreme attachment to items, and they were reluctant to throw anything away, leading to extensive storage and moving efforts.
Why is Andy Blitz considering pitching a show to compete with the Trump inauguration?
He wants to provide an alternative for people who do not want to watch the inauguration, offering a live stand-up comedy show at the same time.
Why did Andy Blitz's family move from New York to New Jersey?
They moved when Andy was six years old, settling in Bergen County. His family had roots in Jersey, and his parents eventually moved to Pompton Lakes.
Why did Andy Blitz's mother and father meet in New York?
They met in the 1960s on Roosevelt Island where his father was a research psychologist and his mother was a doctor doing a fellowship.
Why did Andy Blitz audition for Conan with his character Peanut Butter?
He wanted to sneak onto the lineup and have Conan figure out it was him while performing, but the idea was vetoed by his managers.
Shownotes Transcript