Podcasts by Hey Were Back! Podcast

Episode 48 "Lucky Me" from 2016-10-24T20:43:40

This episode is about a guy who has been lucky enough to "succeed" in the restaurant business, in comedy, and to meet the late great Barry White.

Episode 47 "Miss Information 1985" from 2016-09-15T16:15:47

For most people 411 are numbers. For me, it has become a way of life.

Episode 46 “Telephony” from 2016-08-11T22:08:48

Phone sex? I like the phone part. My guests are 2 real phone sex operators, Lewis Black, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Episode 45 “The Courage to Fail” from 2016-07-01T21:30:06

This is an unedited recording of an event that took place in April at the Kelley Writers House at UPenn. There I was enjoying the hospitality of my good friend, Lew Schneider, and my new friend, Mi...

Episode 44 “Assisted Living” from 2016-05-15T17:12:05

Episode 44 is called “Assisted Living”, but is not as sexy as that sounds. In this episode you’ll hear the voices of David Cross, Bob Odenkirk and Erica Rhodes. I talk about my need for assistance ...

Episode 43 “Unrealistic Expectations” from 2016-01-29T18:57:48

In Episode 43, I make Andy Kindler an offer he can refuse, and together we discover the amateur inventor that is him.

Episode 42 “The Gifted Child” from 2015-06-24T15:21

In this episode, I talk about three ways in which I consider myself “gifted”: My ability to hear dead people, to write a catchy tune, and to invent the very thing we need to make our lives better. ...

The Hollywood For Which We Root from 2015-05-12T19:14:14

Hollywood is known for taking care of their own but they have really gone the extra mile this time.

Episode 41 “Frugal and Friendship” from 2015-03-11T21:30:13

This episode is called Frugal and Friendship. The first half deals with a really cheap way to make a voice over demo and the second half is road stories with a comic named Mark Schiff. Maybe I shou...

Epsiode 40 “Friends and Strangers” from 2014-12-19T21:04:59

In this episode I turn the tables on some guy in tech support, I ask BJ Novak and Todd Barry about geography, we hear comedian Ken Reid, the band Parks, and a lot of really stupid stuff with the au...

Willa Mamet and Paul Miller from 2014-10-22T02:12:26

A clip of musical guests Willa Mamet and Paul Miller performing their song Louisiana off their album East Hill Road. http://willamamet.bandcamp.com/album/east-hill-road Also. Here’s a teaser for th...

Hey We’re Back Live: from 2014-08-19T19:42:46

Special Guest Comedian Jenny Zigrino and Singer/Songwriter Frank Morgan. Frank Morgan, “Solid Ground”

NPR Lite from 2014-08-10T03:04:45

Episode 39 “Old Habits Die Hard” from 2014-06-03T16:30:26

I explore how some people use technology to keep other people at a distance. I take a look at the upside and downside of being placed on hold and I also return to my on-again off-again “affair” wit...

Episode 38 “Misplaced Sympathy” from 2014-04-11T15:35:29

In this episode I am talking to my good friend, comedian Paula Poundstone, and even though I am on the wrong side of this “argument” I can’t seem to stop myself.

Episode 37 “Musical Ambivalence” from 2013-11-05T18:08:26

I’ve been apologizing for my music for the last twenty years and I’m not planning to stop anytime soon.

The Real Miley Cyrus from 2013-10-01T18:57:44

My Audio Tweet 2 from 2013-09-13T12:24:34

My audio tweet from 2013-09-10T14:16:01

Tweeting aloud.

Episode 36 “Pushing Myself” from 2013-07-09T20:07:10

In this episode I try to live up to three different ways I have challenged myself. One of them includes a massage from comedian David Feldman, a truly gentle man.

“Stranger Than Fiction” Episode 35 from 2013-05-26T14:39:49

In this episode comedian, producer, and writer David Feldman takes a break from comedy. We also get to see a side of David, the loving son, that might surprise you.

“The Quiet Before the Storm” Episode 34 from 2013-04-05T18:50:51

In Episode 34 two women let me down gently and one woman not so gently.

“The Human Spirit” Episode 33 from 2013-02-15T20:05:54

In this episode I pose the question, “What would you do if you got a collect call from the Pope?” I ask whether it’s possible for a man to be too compassionate, and I talk to a woman who is … Conti...

“What’s in a name?” Episode 32 from 2012-12-28T21:15:32

In episode 32 I reveal the limitations of the web and look into refinancing our home.

“Talking out of both sides of my couch” Episode 31 from 2012-08-09T21:29:24

in episode 31 I make a live appearance courtesy of Eugene Mirman at the Paradise in Boston, I find myself, Jonathan Katz, in therapy with Dr. Katz and the episode features a special guest, Susie Es...

“Creating Problems I Don’t Really Have.” Episode 29 from 2012-05-13T04:01:43

The long anticipated 29th episode of “Hey We’re Back!” A talk about problems I don’t really have, and how they’re not really solved.

“Then and Way Back Then.” Episode 28 from 2011-01-25T02:15:45

I don’t live in the past, but if you are trying to find me, I don’t recommend the present. In this–my last audio only episode–I return to an old radio show from the ’40s that helped form me as a … ...

“When bad things happen to good ideas.” Episode 27 from 2010-11-23T02:14:45

“Worst Case Scenario” is an old radio show I loved as a kid. Tom Silver, the host, is interviewing Arthur Köeppler, a leading expert on traffic safety. “Bring Your Cousin To Work Day” is Sid Steibe...

“The Work Force.” Episode 26 from 2010-09-11T02:13:12

In this episode I deal with the subject of THE WORK FORCE from three different angles; I talk to many hardworking Americans with “thankless jobs.” I also asked my old friend Sandy Briscoe — the Bri...

“Women’s Lib and Pop Music” Episode 25 from 2010-07-28T02:12:29

Where do I start? Thanks for your patience. In this episode I have strayed from my usual format because of an interview I did with singer/feminist Helen Reddy. We met years ago in NYC and I intervi...

“Growing up Franklin (Ben Jr.) and my Jewish Roots.” Episode 24 from 2010-02-10T02:10:36

In this episode, I explore my Jewish roots, tracing all the way back to New York City in 1959. I am also proud to introduce “America’s Next Top Optician”. At least once a week, I pretend that Benja...

“Good Dreams Sidney Katz” Episode 23 from 2009-09-11T02:05:20

This episode, number 23, begins with a relapse. I fall back into my “city and listing” habit and I do it all in the name of one of the dopeyest jokes I have ever made. Then I get in the … Continue ...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 22 from 2009-06-29T02:04:24

In this episode I pay a visit to a dentist. I learn, once again, that my comedy is not for everybody. She feels the same way about my teeth, but is surprised to learn that my comedy comes with a … ...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 21 from 2009-05-27T02:03:39

The first segment of episode 21 is a conversation with Wendy Liebman—a woman who has been making me laugh for years. Wendy reminded me how much fun we have talking to each other—a lot of fun. Comed...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 20 from 2009-04-19T02:02:21

This episode was actually recorded in front of an audience in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was a group of people so willing to laugh it was depressing. They were sweet, playful and most important, ...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 19 from 2009-03-11T02:01:33

This episode was recorded live at Logan Airport in Boston — until airport security realized I wasn’t going anywhere. They suggested that I go home. I did, but I made one stop on the way: The Orpheu...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 18 from 2009-01-27T02:00:49

The first stop is my favorite cafeteria in NYC, at the Cornell medical building. I used to meet my dad there for lunch. After lunch I decided to take the day off. I walked home and caught my wife i...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 17 from 2008-12-04T02:00:18

In this episode, I explore my shortcomings as a soul singer, my success with weddings and bar mitzvahs, and some of the more subtle differences between me and James Taylor. Soon, in Episode 17, I w...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 16 from 2008-10-09T01:59:35

his episode is about scams: I get scammed by a young woman on the phone, just by dropping my guard for one second. Then I try and scam a guy who works for The Geek Squad. They gave me some … Contin...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 15 from 2008-08-13T01:59:08

TOUGH ROOM Once in a while I show up at a stand-up gig but when I get there I am clearly not who they had in mind. OLD FRIENDS About a year ago I visited an old college friend in … Continue reading ?

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 14 from 2008-07-16T01:57:23

The first piece is about moody microchips. I am not sure if it’s me or them. Then we go to San Francisco where we staged Dr. Katz live with H. Jon Benjamin, Laura Silverman, Tom Snyder (as my thera...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 13 from 2008-05-16T01:56:39

We begin the episode with a visit to the office of Nick Delicato, the overcautious detective from the old radio show Better Safe than Sorry. From there, to the inside of a rental car where I accide...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 12 from 2008-03-26T01:55:48

In Episode Twelve, I try and help out a friend trying to promote her yoga business, I lend my support to the telephone sex industry, and I also get to spend some time on Death Row for a crime I … C...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 11 from 2008-02-20T01:54:42

In this episode, I take an online test that tries to answer the question: “How Smart Are Computers?” I am lucky enough to spend some time on the phone with superstar Hannah Montana. After that, ano...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 10 from 2008-01-29T01:54:03

n Episode Ten we meet two guys who have opened a venison-only restaurant in midtown Mahattan; a real life hero of mine, two-time United States table tennis champion Marty Reisman, who tells us abou...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 9 from 2007-12-29T01:53:16

In this episode, I introduce a new segment called Housecalls. This time, I am visiting a neighbor — my neighbor. I spend some time trying to help out an old friend — Bob Saget, who has fallen on ha...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 8 from 2007-11-16T01:52:38

The first scene is a reunion I have with an old Hebrew school friend. The guy was a natural athlete and it was great hearing that he still competes. My next stop is with directory assistance. This ...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 7 from 2007-10-14T01:50:42

In Episode Seven I finally get a chance to talk to Bob Dylan about his life before music. It is a story that you will probably be hearing for the first time. But first, we meet a man, recently divo...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 6 from 2007-09-27T01:50:06

In Episode 6, I experience a rude intrusion into my otherwise sedate life. It happens while I am holding for some help from my bank. Then we hear freelance journalist Dan Snider speaking with a civ...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 5 from 2007-09-19T01:49:24

Sandy Briscoe was my room mate at Oxford. We were doing post grad work and became bosom buddies. We shared everything and then one day, we lost track…of each other. I missed him recently and decide...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 4 from 2007-09-11T01:48:30

In episode four, I continue my love/hate relationship with directory assistance, we hear about a guy who has opened a toll booth on his own block, and we get a close up look at tech support ; and I...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 3 from 2007-09-01T01:47:50

In Week Three, I have yet another run-in with directory assistance, a surprise visit from Aretha, a behind-the-scenes look at the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, and I even make a...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 2 from 2007-08-24T01:45:04

In week two I take a brief trip into my past in search of an old friend. Then I try and lend a helping hand to the medical industry working with the theory that even more difficult than getting bad...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 1 from 2007-08-03T01:43:24

For the past year or so I’ve been creating a weekly radio show called HEY WE’RE BACK. The show has featured a number of famous and not-so-famous guests, ranging from music legends like Bob Dylan an...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 1 from 2007-08-03T01:43:24

For the past year or so I’ve been creating a weekly radio show called HEY WE’RE BACK. The show has featured a number of famous and not-so-famous guests, ranging from music legends like Bob Dylan an...

“HEY WE’RE BACK!” Episode 1 from 2007-08-03T01:43:24

For the past year or so I’ve been creating a weekly radio show called HEY WE’RE BACK. The show has featured a number of famous and not-so-famous guests, ranging from music legends like Bob Dylan an...