Live From the Big Apple is the unofficial oral history of Big Apple Live, everyone’s favorite TV sketch show (that is definitely not SNL). Former cast members Billy Rockwell (Ben Cassil) and TJ Hunterscap (July Diaz) interview cast members, hosts, and musical guests from Big Apple Live’s 50-year history to hear stories about how sketches were made, Tinseltown gossip, and how much popcorn Bjorn Nigel can actually eat!
If you still don’t get what this is, it’s a fully-improvised comedy interview show where comedians play characters and make you laugh, okay?
Luke Benson (Tadgh “Sully” O’Sullivan, 3x Cast Member)
Tadgh “Sully” O’Sullivan (Luke Benson) has good reason to say the third time’s the charm, as he was fired three times as a cast member on Big Apple Live, and the third time it finally stuck. Billy and TJ chat with Sully about some of his catchphrases, such as “Check Please” and “Please Don’t Eat the Santa Sub,” and decide whether or not they will be friends with him after the podcast.
Check out comedian Luke Benson on Instagram @lukeimprov!
Live from the Big Apple is improvised live in front of a studio audience by July Diaz as “TJ Hunterscap” and Ben Cassil as “Billy Rockwell.” You can follow us on instagram @bigapplelive (https://www.instagram.com/bigapplelive/) or email us for advice at livefromthebigapple@gmail.com, and check out full video of our episodes on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@LFTBApodcast). Rate and review us wherever you listen, please!
18 Aug 2025
Ross McCarney (Ciaran Dwyer, Cast Member)
Ciaran Dwyer (Ross McCarney) came to the show all the way from Ireland with dreams of making a big splash, but despite being fired and rehired twice from Big Apple Live, he never quite found his footing as a performer. Billy and TJ talk about old sketches with Ciaran and try to figure out why he’s had such an unlikely turn as a luxury condo developer, and if buying old orphanages is really as good for the orphans as he claims.
Check out comedian Ross McCarney on instagram @RossMcCarney (https://www.instagram.com/rossmccarney/) where he posts about upcoming shows and watch his hilarious videos!
Live from the Big Apple is improvised live in front of a studio audience by July Diaz as “TJ Hunterscap” and Ben Cassil as “Billy Rockwell.” You can follow us on instagram @bigapplelive (https://www.instagram.com/bigapplelive/) or email us for advice at livefromthebigapple@gmail.com, and check out full video of our episodes on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@LFTBApodcast). Rate and review us wherever you listen, please!
30 Jul 2025
Janine Hogan (Jazzy the Backup Musician)
Jazzy (Janine Hogan) has been with Big Apple Live since the very first episode in the 70’s, but she has never been on camera…intentionally. Jazzy is an understudy for the BAL band, and has had the wild misfortune of never breaking into the actual band, despite several "accidents" happening to other band members. Billy and TJ have fun reminiscing with Jazzy about the old days, how she wants so badly to be on BAL in any capacity, and how her butt ended up accidentally on screen so many times. Along the way, Jazzy improvises theme songs for our segments, cool!
Check out comedian Janine Hogan on instagram @j9_Hogan (https://www.instagram.com/j9_hogan/) where you can find her upcoming shows, including live looping shows and with the stage show “Mortified.”
Live from the Big Apple is improvised live in front of a studio audience by July Diaz as “TJ Hunterscap” and Ben Cassil as “Billy Rockwell.” You can follow us on instagram @bigapplelive (https://www.instagram.com/bigapplelive/) or email us for advice at livefromthebigapple@gmail.com, and check out full video of our episodes on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@LFTBApodcast). Rate and review us wherever you listen, please!
30 Jun 2025
Dave Theune (Rayclon the Centaur, Cast Member)
Comedian Dave Theune discusses his experiences as Rayclon the Centaur on Big Apple Live, sharing anecdotes about adjusting to New York and stories about his father Zeus in this interview with TJ Hunterscap and Billy Rockwell.
23 Jun 2025
Tyler Scnhupp (Tommy Tri-Polar, Musician)
Musician Tyler Schnupp discusses his punk band SCHMEAR's infamous performance and ban from Big Apple Live with hosts July Diaz and Ben Cassil, revealing surprising political views and a connection to Dashboard Confessional in this interview.
13 Jun 2025
Matt Apodaca (Cobrin Drench, Former Cast Member/Writer)
Matt Apodaca discusses his time as a cast member and writer for Big Apple Live, including his characters and sketches, in an interview with TJ Hunterscap and Billy Rockwell.
4 Jun 2025
Isabella Roland (Tanya Burke, Former Cast Member)
Actress Tanya Burke, interviewed by hosts July Diaz and Ben Cassil, recounts her blockbuster movie success and Chase Bank Sketch program beginnings, sharing her philosophy on ignoring audience opinions.
23 May 2025
Zach Olsen & Charlie Mihelich (Ricky Tarper & Jay Vulken, Former Writers/Cast Members)
Former cast members Ricky Tarper (Zach Olsen) and Jay Vulken (Charlie Mihelich) discuss their standup, problematic activism, and favorite sketches with hosts July Diaz and Ben Cassil in this interview.
14 May 2025
Isabella Escalante (Randy Upmost, Former Cast Member)
Former Big Apple Live cast member Randy Upmost (Isabella Escalante) joins Billy and TJ to chat about his time on the show, his experiences with Marc Maron and Jerry Seinfeld, his thoughts on the news, and his signature catchphrase “crap!”
Check out Isabella Escalante’s podcast “Anna and Isabella Do Improv” with Anna Bezhaler, and follow her on instagram @isabellaesc.
Live from the Big Apple is improvised live in front of a studio audience by July Diaz as “TJ” and Ben Cassil as “Billy.” You can follow us on instagram @bigapplelive or email us for advice at livefromthebigapple@gmail.com. Rate and review us wherever you listen, please!
4 May 2025
Billy and TJ's First Episode (with Ben Cassil & July Diaz)
In this very first episode of Live from the Big Apple, hosts Billy Rockwell (Ben Cassil) and TJ Hunterscap (July Diaz) introduce themselves and tell how they ended up on the Big Apple Live sketch show. They also talk a bit about current events and catch up on the funny pages. And finally they give a bit of insight into what they hope this podcast will accomplish and whether or not they like being close to a keyboard.
Thanks for checking out LFTBA! You can follow us on instagram @bigapplelive or email us for advice at livefromthebigapple@gmail.com. Rate and review us wherever you listen, please!
Who has been a guest on Live from the Big Apple
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dave Theune
Tyler Schnupp
Matt Apodaca
Tanya Burke
Zach Olsen
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
1,721
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
23
Social presence
91
YouTube
65
Engagement
32
Contact Live from the Big Apple
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Live from the Big Apple?
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