My First Sketch

Today’s guest is Jon Plester, currently the director of The Worst Generation and one half of Jon and Ian Have Something to Tell You. His first sketch is called “Gang Fight” and features Trevor Miles as Tony, Courtney Painter as Limpy, Tom Hannigan as Bottles, Sheila Master as Fingers, and myself giving the visual information. This sketch was performed during Temple Smash, Season Five, and video of the sketch is up at myfirstsketch.com.

This week, Josh talks to Tom Hannigan (Tom Hannigan’s 25) about seeing Carlin on tv as a second grader, not liking Kids in the Hall at first, and attempting standup. Check out Tom Hannigan’s 25 on September 29 and 30 at 9pm at the Philly Improv Theater with Dog Mountain. If improv is your bag, check out Metropolis every Wednesday at PHIT.

This week, Josh talks to Trevor Miles (Dog Mountain) about Daring Daulton, playing cops, and dads and homeowners. Go see Dog Mountain on September 22, 23, 29, and 30 at 9pm at the Philly Improv Theater.

This week, Josh talks to Courtney Painter (Barbara Bush and Jourtney and Colie with Courtney and Jolie) about Amy Sedaris, children writing comedy, and going one billion. See Jourtney and Colie with Courtney and Jolie this week at PHIT: September 15 and 16 at 9 PM with Pleasure Blimp opening. Tickets available at phitcomedy.com and more information about Jourtney and Colie can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/jourtneyandcolie

This week, Josh talks to Patrick Szostak (The Worst Generation) about The Simpsons, not wanting to perform, and their time together working with Kevin Allison. Check out The Worst Generation on YouTube and follow them on Twitter and Instagram at @worstgensketch. As always, head to myfirstsketch.com and facebook.com/myfirstsketch for more information on future shows.

This week, Josh talks to Caitlin Weigel (House of Solitude and ManiPedi) about how spite is a great motivation, her time with Temple Smash, and comedy for adults. Keep up with House of Solitude here: https://www.facebook.com/houseofsolitudecomedy/ and ManiPedi here: https://www.facebook.com/ManiPediSketch/ Watch Caitlin's first sketch: https://vimeo.com/9921739 (at 22:20).

In this episode, Josh talks to Dan Corkery (House of Solitude and Goat Rodeo) about college television, Alley of Nightmares, and the start of House of Solitude. Keep up with House of Solitude here: https://www.facebook.com/houseofsolitudecomedy/ See Josh in Up All Night Friday, September 2 at 730 at the Philly Improv Theater.

This week, Josh talks to Annie Paradis (The Decoy) about Napoleon Dynamite, camp with indoor kids, poetry at Pratt, and a bit about circus. See Annie perform as the new PHIT sketch team, The Decoy, continues their debut on August 25 and 26. Go to phitcomedy.com for more info. And go to goodgoodcomedy.com for more information about The Slam and Annie’s Improv 101 class.

In the last episode, the audio on the interview with Vincent DiCostanzo was a little low and a little wonky. So I tinkered a little bit more and hope it sounds better (I think it does), so I'm reuploading the interview again, mostly because I loved talking to Vincent so much. You all missed a fantastic WGRA Radio Theatre show in Motive: Murder! Check out soundcloud.com/wgra-radio-theatre and shockbrickinc.com.

This week, Josh talks to Vincent DiCostanzo (who shares his sketch, "The Parking Lot") about his history in sketch comedy and a little about soccer. Vince also says the sweetest thing that will ever be said on this podcast. Go see WGRA Radio Theater presents Motive: Murder! on August 18th at 830 pm at the Plays and Players Theater. Go to goodgoodcomedy.com for ticket information. And then go to the LIVE My First Sketch podcast with Dan Corkery and Caitlin Weigel of House of Solitude on August 19th at 830 pm at the Playground at the Adrienne. Go to phillysketchfest.com for more details.

Josh talks to Dan McClory of Codename Athena about their time together on Iron Sketch, writing shorter pieces of work, and using improv when you hit the wall. Go to phitcomedy.com to learn more about the debut of Codename Athena. But first, see Josh perform in Sports Jawn: This is Sketchcenter on August 11 and 12 at PHIT.

Josh talks to Jimi Haak about moving from New York to Philly, public transportation, and the crossover between sports and comedy. Go see Sports Jawn: This is Sketchcenter August 11 and 12 at Philly Improv Theater. Tickets available at phitcomedy.com.

Josh talks to Julia Celley (of Locked in Julia’s Basement) about falcons, clowns, and John Bobbit wrestling. Go see Locked in Julia’s Basement from Good Good Comedy at Plays and Players Theater (1714 Delancey St) on July 25th at 830. Tickets are $5 and available at goodgoodcomedy.com/juliasbasement

Josh talks to Bill Reick (of it’s the new and Darius Rucker MD) about the Muppets, joy in comedy, and the high school class where he got to watch Mr. Show. See Let’s Talk: Under the Boardwalk from Good Good Comedy at the Plays and Players Theater (1714 Delancey St.) on July 26 at 530 pm. Tickets are $5 and available at goodgoodcomedy.com/slot3.

With Your Mom joining Patric Writes Sketches at Philly Sketchfest Presents this week (http://www.ticketfly.com/event/1244751), I'm reposting my conversation with Your Mom from Episode 1 ripped straight from the live pilot. If you haven't listened to it, it's new to you.

Josh talks to Patric Ciervo (from Patric Writes Sketches) about writing alone, casting a show, and going dark at times. See Patric Writes Sketches at Philly Sketchfest Presents Friday, July 15, at the Playground at the Adrienne.

Josh talks to Jolie Darrow, of so many ways to be funny, about the accessibility of live sketch comedy, the Honeymooners and Harpo Marx, and her father and the patriarchy.

Immediately after High Dramma performed at Philly Sketchfest Presents, Josh talked with Jackie Wolfson about High Dramma being together over eight years and being wrong when asked who you loved from SNL. For more on High Dramma, go to facebook.com/highdramma

Dru Kramsack (host of Monologues and member of It's the New) talks with Josh about Mark Twain, finding old letters, and creating character pieces. Go see It's the New June 30-July 1 and Monologues and Brought to You By on July 8, both at Philly Improv Theater. Facebook.com/myfirstsketch

Ross Weisman wrote "The Quest for the New iPod Ad" at 13 and has continued pursuing sketch comedy while studying at Temple University. We talk about Smash, MadTV, and YouTube videos at Jewish day school.