Channel Frederator Blog

Jonathan Katz, star of Comedy Central’s Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist and host of “Hey, We’re Back” took a moment to answer a few of Cartoon Hangover’s questions about his career and his animated short “Death Row Diet.”

Cartoon Hangover: What drew you to comedy initially?

Jonathan Katz: I had no other skills. I tried to tune pianos and I was a flop. I had a band and we were moderately successful. On a good night we made 600 dollars. We never had a good night.

CH: Who was good to you and gave you a lot of encouragement when you first started as a stand up comedian?

JK: Dom Irrera, his ex-wife, Lisa Mende, in her own odd way. Silver Friedman, the owner of the NY Improv. My wife. My wife again. Carol Siskind, a comedian who taught me the trick where you right something down. Carol Leifer, a wonderful comedian, Rita Rudner, Paula Poundstone, but mostly it was the love and support of the late Leonard Bernstein that really pulled me through the tough times.

CH: What did you enjoy most about Dr. Katz?

JK: Plotting with Tom Snyder and riffing with H. Jon Benjamin and Laura Silverman. I also got a kick out of working with old comedian friends, like Ray Romano and making new friends like Lisa Kudrow.

CH: “Death Row Diet” is an animated audio clip from episode 12 of your podcast,”Hey, We’re Back”. What gave you the idea for the sketch, and why did you decide to have it animated?

JK: The idea probably grew up in the head of Tom Leopold. It was recorded as a short lived series on public radio called INSPIRED, a show dedicated to exploring the creative mind. Mike Salva is the guy who asked to animate the audio. I was thrilled because the audio all by itself makes me giggle.

CH: Is there existing audio of your former band Katz and Jammers?

JK: There are no commercial recordings available but there is an extensive archive of our work. Feel free to start a grass roots movement demanding the release of a Katz and Jammers album.

CH: Any plans for another animated comedy series?

JK: Yes. I have two shows in development.

CH: Last meal?

JK: A rare roast beef sandwich with Russian dressing on rye bread, a Dr. Brown’s cream soda and a side order of sauerkraut. Yuck.

CH: Thanks for the interview, Jonathan!

You can watch “Death Row Diet” right here on Channel Frederator!

-Bailee DesRocher