Life In Comedy explores the triumphs and struggles of the working comedian. Host Will Becton has been around a lot of funny people. He was the original engineer of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, and worked at Team Coco for the entire run on CONAN on TBS. Prior to Team Coco he performed improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre with house teams The Syndicate and Team Brooklyn.
Will has always wondered why comedians end up being comedians, as it seems like more of a calling than a choice. In this show he attempts to find that out by talking to stand-ups, improvisers, comedy writers, sketch performers, and humorists.
Life In Comedy is recorded at Jett Road Studios.
LIFE IN COMEDY
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JETT ROAD STUDIOS
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios
Mark Malkoff on Johnny Carson, Robert Smigel, and Inside Late Night
Mark Malkoff is a comedian, writer, and podcaster. As a teenager growing up in Hershey, PA, Mark would regularly make the drive into New York City, where he would attend tapings of Late Night with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He befriended SNL cast members, and developed close relationships with people like Robert Smigel. Mark is also a life-long fan of Johnny Carson, and as host of the The Carson Podcast conducted close to 400 interviews with luminaries such as Carl Reiner, Dick Cavett, and Carol Burnett. Mark's recent book, Love Johnny Carson was named a Vulture Best Comedy Book of 2025.
Mark stopped by the studio to talk to Will about his new book, and what makes his Carson biography different from previous books about the late night legend. They also discuss the early days of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, the heartbreaking story of Johnny Carson's falling out with Joan Rivers, and Mark's new podcast Inside Late Night from Latenighter.com.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios
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LIFE IN COMEDY
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifeincomedy_podcast/)
JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
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YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@jettroadstudios)
MARK MALKOFF
Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/714761/love-johnny-carson-by-mark-malkoff-with-david-ritz/9780593472552)
Inside Late Night (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/latenighter-podcast-network/id1745253634)
14 Jul 2025
Andy Richter on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Real Live Brady Bunch, and Truth In Comedy
Andy Richter is best known for his work on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show, and CONAN on TBS. Andy also starred and created the acclaimed TV shows Andy Richter Controls the Universe, and Andy Barker P.I. He has also appeared in movies like Cabin Boy, Talladega Nights, and Madagascar. Andy came up in the Chicago improv scene, performing at The Annoyance Theater, as well as Improv Olympic, where he studied with Del Close.
Andy and Will talk about working together at CONAN, and on Andy's podcast The Three Questions with Andy Richter. They discuss the Chicago Improv Scene, and how it influenced both Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Andy also tells Will about his approach to the CONAN rehearsal process, and the "zen art of not giving a shit."
Recorded at Jett Road Studios
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LIFE IN COMEDY
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JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios/)
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7 May 2025
Jimmy Pardo on CONAN, Largo, and Never Not Funny
Jimmy Pardo is a stand-up comedian, actor, and host of the podcast Never Not Funny. Jimmy grew up in Chicago, where he performed at Second City, and worked in the music business. He was encouraged to first try standup by a young Bob Odenkirk, and came up in the Chicago comedy scene. Jimmy then moved to Los Angeles, where he became a regular at The Improv, as well as the original Largo location with fellow "alt" comics like Paul F. Tompkins, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, David Cross, and Mary Lynn Rajskub. He later became the warm-up comic for the short-lived Conan O'Brien version of The Tonight Show, and CONAN on TBS.
Jimmy and Will talk about their time together at CONAN, finding one's voice as a comic, and his incredible run as the host of Never Not Funny. He and cohost Matt Belknap started the podcast in 2006, and at one point it was the #1 podcast in the world. Will shares what it was like engineering Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend during the early days of the podcast, and the two discuss the current state of podcasting at a pivotable time for the industry.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios
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LIFE IN COMEDY
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifeincomedy_podcast)
JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios/)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios)
4 Oct 2024
Jackie Clarke on Respecto Montalban, Superstore, and Happy Endings
Jackie Clarke is a prolific comedy writer, producer, and director. Her credits include much beloved shows like Happy Endings and Superstore. Jackie was also a fixture at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in NYC, where she performed on house teams Respecto Montalban, and Death by Roo Roo.
Jackie and Will talk about the 22nd Street days of UCB, and how she was able to persevere to become a successful TV writer, and show runner. They also discuss how Jackie introduced Will to his wife Amber, and the different paths improvisors take as they navigate the entertainment industry.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios
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LIFE IN COMEDY
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifeincomedy_podcast)
JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios/)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios)
21 Aug 2024
David Pasquesi on Del Close, TJ and Dave, and Strangers with Candy
David Pasquesi is a legendary improvisor, and accomplished actor. A Chicago native, he studied with Del Close, and performed at Improv Olympic and Second City, as well as the Annoyance Theater. He has acted in films like Groundhog Day, and TV shows like Strangers with Candy and Veep. He and fellow Second City alum T.J. Jagodowski currently perform together as TJ and Dave, which is widely considered one of the premiere long-form improv shows on the planet.
David and Will talk about the creation of the Harold with mentor Del Close, the TJ and Dave book Improvisation at the Speed of Life, and the Alex Karpovski documentary Trust Us, This Is All Made Up. They also discuss the rules of improvisation, and the staying power of the Harold.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios
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LIFE IN COMEDY
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifeincomedy_podcast)
JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios/)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios)
12 Jul 2024
The Sklar Bros on Eating It, Held Up, and TAG IT!
The Sklar Brothers started doing stand-up together as adolescent twins in St. Louis. A fortuitous encounter with Andy Kindler during college encouraged them they were on the right track. They came up in New York during the rise of the alt comedy scene, and performed at Eating It at Luna Lounge, and other venues like Surf Reality and Collective Unconscious on the Lower East Side. They have been stalwarts of the standup world ever since.
Jason and Randy talk to Will about the differences between standup and improv, their experience making Held Up together (Crackle), and TAG IT!, the show they currently host at Largo and the Comedy Store.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios
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LIFE IN COMEDY
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifeincomedy_podcast)
JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios/)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios)
7 Jun 2024
Michael Delaney on The Swarm, Pile Driver, and Del Close
Michael Delaney is one of the most accomplished improvisers to come out of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York. He was a member of The Swarm, the legendary Harold Team formed by Amy Poehler, as well as The Stepfathers. He also directed the Naked Babies, and performed in seminal shows like Delaney & Dave, Pile Driver, and Nailed Down.
Michael and Will talk about the early days of UCB, meeting Del Close, and his deep knowledge of SCTV. They also discuss some of the rules of improv, including the concept of group mind.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios
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LIFE IN COMEDY
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifeincomedy_podcast)
JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios/)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios)
The SCTV Podcast with Michael Delaney
Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sctv-podcast-with-michael-delaney/id1536916138)
22 Apr 2024
Madeleine Smithberg on The Daily Show, Letterman, and Yappy Broads
Madeleine Smithberg is best know as co-creator and executive producer of The Daily Show, which she ran for seven years, spanning the Craig Kilborn and Jon Stewart eras. The list of people Madeleine hired during her tenure includes Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, and Ed Helms. She spent six years as a talent coordinator and producer on Late Night with David Letterman, after beginning her career as a field producer for RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana (Italian national television).
Madeleine and Will talk about her amazing life and career, including her online cooking show Mad In The Kitchen, and the time they worked together on Yappy Broads, a failed Adult Swim pilot. Madeleine also opens up about her recent bout with cancer, and the rollercoaster nature of her career.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios
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LIFE IN COMEDY
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JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
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YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios)
MAD IN THE KITCHEN
Website (https://www.madinthekitchen.com)
23 Mar 2024
Seth Morris on Naked Babies, Veep, and Bob Ducca
Seth Morris is one of the most prolific performers to come out of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. His sketch group Naked Babies (with John Ross Bowie, Rob Corddry, and Brian Huskey) was a juggernaut. Seth also performed in classic long-running improvised shows like Feature Feature and Facebook. He was the first Artistic Director at UCB Franklin, worked at Funny or Die, and has acted on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Veep, and Big Mouth. Will talked to Seth about the insane amount of talent at UCB in the early days, and the different paths those people have taken since.
Seth and Will also talk about their relationships with improv, and the importance of the hang in a creative community.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios.
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LIFE IN COMEDY
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifeincomedy_podcast)
JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios/)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios)
22 Feb 2024
Bobby Moynihan on Sideways Dracula, SNL, and Loafy
Many people know Bobby Moynihan from his nine seasons on Saturday Night Live, but his formative years as a comedian were improvising at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York, where he was a member of house teams Police Chief Rumble and The Stepfathers. Will talked to Bobby about the old UCB days, as well as his time on Saturday Night Live, Human Giant, and Derrick Comedy. Bobby also discusses his love for animation and the making of Loafy, his cartoon about a weed-dealing Manatee.
Moynihan and Will also talk about life post-SNL, and the importance of maintaining relationships with the people you came up with.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios.
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LIFE IN COMEDY
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifeincomedy_podcast)
JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios/)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios)
16 Jan 2024
Colton Dunn on discovering UCB, performing at Boom Chicago, and writing on Key & Peele
Colton Dunn has been a stalwart of the improv and sketch comedy scene since the late 90s. Will first met Colton when they were in the same Level 1 class at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in its early days in New York. Since then Colton has performed at Boom Chicago in Amsterdam, been a writer on madTV and Key & Peele, and played the much-loved character Garrett on Superstore (NBC). Colton currently plays a principal role on the Netflix series The Recruit.
Colton and Will also talk about performing improv comedy, and how that has affected the way they think, as well as their interactions with others.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios.
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LIFE IN COMEDY
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifeincomedy_podcast)
JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios/)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios)
15 Jan 2024
Life In Comedy - Teaser
Introducing Life In Comedy, a podcast about comedians hosted by Will Becton (former engineer of Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend). In this clip, Will talks to Colton Dunn (Key & Peele, Superstore) about discovering the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York.
Recorded at Jett Road Studios.
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LIFE IN COMEDY
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lifeincomedy_podcast)
JETT ROAD STUDIOS
Website (https://www.jettroadstudios.com/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/jettroadstudios/)
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@JettRoadStudios)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
3,121
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
26 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
33
Social presence
91
YouTube
68
Engagement
77
Contact Life In Comedy
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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