EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Michael Gottwald, an Oscar nominated producer on such films as BEASTS of the SOUTHERN WILD and the upcoming PING PONG SUMMER, joined for a live taping of Employee of the Month. Funny, passionate, and unpretentious, Michael distills the myths of what it takes to raise money, stump for political campaigns, and discover the youngest Oscar nominated actress in Oscar history, Ms. Quevenzhane Wallis.

NEAL MEDLYN is a performance artist which means he sings, dances, tells jokes, does improv, sketch, storytelling and stand up. Sometimes he even wears clothes. He is mischievously funny, smart, and embodies his characters in a way which makes it difficult for those he's impersonating to look in the mirror. After Medlyn's shows, Beyonce, Lionel Richie and Prince have had to ask themselves, "Am I really that pale?" www.nealmedlyn.com EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. That said, even if you love your job, you may not be eligible for the prestigious EMPLOYEE of the MONTH award. For example, dictators, most politicians, and parking ticket officers and anyone working at a towing company are ineligible. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

MIKE WHITE is an ingenious writer who also acts and directs. His films include Chuck and Book, Year of the Dog, and School of Rock with Jack Black. He also created Enlightened, the critically acclaimed series which just wrapped on HBO. While White is primarily a writer, he has appeared in Zombieland, Star Maps, Pushing Daisies, Undeclared, and Enlightened. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I, Catie Lazarus, wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. That said, even if you love your job, you may not be eligible for the prestigious EMPLOYEE of the MONTH award. For example, dictators, most politicians, and parking ticket officers are ineligible. For more info or to donate please go to: www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

ANDREA SYRTASH is an expert on dating, romance and love. I can safely say I am not. I am also skeptical about people who describe themselves as expert. We spoke about the ethics of being an expert, therapist, brand ambassadors, and product placement. In Andrea's case, she is exactly what she purports to be: insightful, wise, modest, funny, and a great listener. She's a catch! Hey, I can become a yenta when I grow up? Really appreciated our candid conversation. http://www.andreasyrtash.com EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. That said, even if you love your job, you may not be eligible for the prestigious EMPLOYEE of the MONTH award. For example, dictators, most politicians, and parking ticket officers are ineligible. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

GINA GERSHON is an actress, singer and writer. We spoke about her acting career, the pain of writing and expertise at procrastinating, as well as her delightful memoir In Search of Cleo: How I Found My Pussy and Lost My Mind. To find out more about Gina, please visit www.ginagershon.com but only after you listen to our conversation. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. That said, even if you love your job, you may not be eligible for the prestigious EMPLOYEE of the MONTH award. For example, dictators, most politicians, and parking ticket officers and anyone working at a towing company are ineligible. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

NEAL MEDLYN is downtown theater darling. His performance work is often built around music, some of it good, most of it pop. If you didn't see him in THE NEAL MEDLYN EXPERIENCE LIVE! a re-enactment of Beyonce's 2007 concert DVD OR Neal Medlyn, the Paris Hilton of Performance Art OR Neal Medlyn's Lionel Richie Opera; you can still catch him as Champagne Jerry. Mr. Medlyn was also named Mr. Lower East Side. www.nealmedlyn.com EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. That said, even if you love your job, you may not be eligible for the prestigious EMPLOYEE of the MONTH award. For example, dictators, most politicians, and parking ticket officers and anyone working at a towing company are ineligible. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

SAMANTHA HAHN is an illustrator who designs everything from wallpaper to stationary to portraits to paintings to pillows. You may recognize her light, airy, feminine designs of J.Crew models in New York Magazine or the pamphlet describing make up application stuffed in your (or my) overpriced lipstick. http://samanthahahn.com EMPLOYEE of the MONTH is a talk show all about work, jobs, and labor. How do you make a living at what you do? How did you break in? Have you been fired? How much do you get paid? I ask folks with dreamy careers their stories. The Employees of the Month may inspire to to finish your novel, start a fashion line and/or self medicate. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

W. Kamau Bell is quietly revolutionizing TV and I hope his show TOTALLY BIASED on FX continues to thrive. Bell's understanding of social stratification isn't (more) nuanced than your typical policy wonk or doctoral student. There are plenty of other comedians (I will include myself in this category because I am modest) who think politics are bananas and unwittingly amusing. But Bell's particular point of view is all his own. Hoping this is just part one of our interview! It was taped live at UCB in New York at one of the live tapings for Employee of the Month Show. I was grateful to give Bell a duly deserved award (granted he deserves a bigger award) and learn how to put a condom on a cucumber, from the former employee of a Condom Shop. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. Listening to these interviews may inspire you to finish that novel, quit your day job, and/or self-medicate. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

DAVID CARR who may be best known for his reporting on media for The New York Times should be recognized for reinventing D.C.'s Washington City Paper. His signature mischievous wit, accessible voice, and sound reporting has made him a star reporter. If The New York Times ever collapses (which it won't and nor do I wish for it to do so), but Carr can always leap frog into a second career. I hope he chooses one in comedy. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. Listening to these interviews may inspire you to finish that novel, quit your day job, and/or self-medicate. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

Adam Rapp is critically acclaimed playwright, novelist, and, now, actor. He will make his Broadway debut in Cliff Odets The Big Knife at The Roundabout Theater in the spring of 2013. Rapp's plays include Through the Yellow Hour, Hallway Trilogy, The Metal Children, Nocturne, and Red Light Winter. He has also novels like Punkzilla, 33 Snowfish and The Buffallo Tree. On occasion, he writes for TV, on shows like In Treatment and the L Word, and directs his own feature films, such as Winter Passing and Blackbird. While Adam has won an Obie award and been nominated for Drama Desk, Lucile Lortel and the Pulitzer Prize, winning the Employee of the Month Award may be his greatest achievement today. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. Listening to these interviews may inspire you to finish that novel, quit your day job, and/or self-medicate. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com

PAUL DINELLO and AMY SEDARIS stopped by Employee of the Month's live show at UCB. I hope to have them back on because this interview is brief and nutty, but wanted to share it nonetheless for die hard fans. PAUL DINELLO is an actor, writer, director and performer. He is an alumnus of Second City in Chicago. Since then he continues to collaborate with Amy Sedaris and Stephen Colbert. Together, they spawned Strangers with Candy, which Dinello later directed the film version, as well as Wigfield and Exit 57. Most recently, Dinello has been a writer and producer on The Colbert Report, where he also makes appearances as Tad, the building manager, and Stephen's Gay Accountability Partner. We spoke a little about his career in comedy.

We promise to share with you a clip from David Wain's film ONCE it is ready but, for now, you can get to know David Wain a little bet better. He is the director and co-writer of Wet Hot American Summer, The Ten, Role Models, Wanderlust and coming this year, They Came Together, starring Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler. He also serves as executive producer, writer, director and occasional guest star of Childrens Hospital. He also co-created and co-starred in The State on MTV and Stella on Comedy Central. His newest series Newsreaders is premiering on Adult Swim this season. www.davidwain.com CATIE LAZARUS is a writer and host of THE EMPLOYEE of the MONTH SHOW, a critically acclaimed and objectively fun talk show about jobs, work and labor. Please subscribe on iTunes and SoundCloud or come to a live taping at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York or Los Angeles or follow Lazarus on Twitter @catielazarus and www.employeeofthemonthshow.com.

RACHEL MADDOW the host of the Emmy award winning political talk show THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW on MSNBC. She is also author of the Grammy nominated, critically acclaimed book DRIFT about the US's national security. She is also, as policy wonk's go, a rockstar. CATIE LAZARUS is a writer and host of THE EMPLOYEE of the MONTH SHOW, a critically acclaimed and objectively fun talk show about jobs, work and labor. Please subscribe on iTunes and SoundCloud or come to a live taping at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York or Los Angeles or follow Lazarus on Twitter @catielazarus and www.employeeofthemonthshow.com.

HARI KUNZRU is a critically acclaimed prolific novelist and journalist. GODS WITHOUT MEN is his most recent novel, but you can also check out his other books, including TRANSMISSION, MY REVOLUTIONS and THE IMPRESSIONIST. To learn more about Hari, visit his website www.harikunzru.com and his Twitter @harikunzru, which he updates every 37th minute. Luckily for us, his posts are, like his literature, compelling, thoughtful, and fun. CATIE LAZARUS is a writer and host of THE EMPLOYEE of the MONTH SHOW, a critically acclaimed and objectively fun talk show about jobs, work and labor. Please subscribe on iTunes and SoundCloud or come to a live taping at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York or Los Angeles or follow Lazarus on Twitter @catielazarus and www.employeeofthemonthshow.com.

Gloria Steinem is a writer and activist. She speaks often on issues including, sex and race caste systems, child abuse, non-violent conflict resolution, and community organization. She lives in New York and is currently at work on Road to the Heart: America As if Everyone Mattered, a book about her more than thirty years on the road as a feminist organizer. www.gloriasteinem.com EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (EOTM) is a talk show about work, jobs and labor. I wanted to hear from folks with some of the best jobs in the world. It’s why I interview (and award) these special snowflakes. That said, even if you love your job, you may not be eligible for the prestigious EMPLOYEE of the MONTH award. For example, dictators, most politicians, and parking ticket officers are ineligible. www.employeeofthemonthshow.com