The Last Laugh

For the past 30 years or so, Bruce Eric Kaplan has toiled away as a staff writer on some of the best television series ever produced, including ‘Seinfeld,’ ‘Six Feet Under,’ and ‘Girls.’ But as he writes in his new book ‘They Went Another Way: A Hollywood Memoir’—and discusses in this bonus episode—Kaplan has never managed to get his own show past the pilot stage. And it’s not for lack of trying. Kaplan has written more unproduced pilots than anyone else he knows, and tells the story of how the Hollywood system has slowly beaten him down in hilarious fashion in the new book. He also reveals some details about his new gig as co-showrunner for Season 2 of the Netflix hit rom-com ‘Nobody Wants This,’ shares what it was like to join ‘Seinfeld’ in its final season, and so much more. Buy Bruce Eric Kaplan’s ‘They Went Another Way: A Hollywood Memoir’ Follow Bruce Eric Kaplan on Instagram @bruceerickaplan Follow Matt Wilstein on Threads @mattwilsteinFollow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpod and Threads @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast

“I’m glad to be here. We have a lot to laugh about,” Kathy Griffin says at the top of her triumphant return to the podcast after a very eventful five years since her last appearance. In this episode, Griffin breaks down how she turned some of the most traumatic experiences of her life into jokes for her new “My Life on the PTSD-List” tour, which hits Carnegie Hall this week. The legendary comedian, who finally has her voice back after a botched lung cancer surgery, is still climbing out the “cancellation” that followed her infamous 2017 photo in which she posed holding up a Trump mask covered in fake blood. And since Hollywood may have left her behind—for now—she has no qualms sharing her unfiltered thoughts on everyone from Elon Musk and Donald Trump to Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld to Cheryl Hines and Ellen DeGeneres. Get tickets to see Kathy Griffin liveFollow Kathy Griffin on Twitter @kathygriffin and Instagram @kathygriffin Follow Matt Wilstein on Threads @mattwilsteinFollow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpod and Threads @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast

The Last Laugh listeners, please enjoy this excerpt from the latest episode of The Daily Beast's new podcast! This week, guest John Oliver and co-host Samantha Bee take a trip down late-night TV memory lane, sharing fun times and lessons learned from their time as correspondents on ‘The Daily Show.’ Joanna Coles and Sam dive deep into the Beast’s exclusive story of the consultant making serious bank on Trump’s campaign payroll, and obsess over Kanye West’s sexploits as well as other, unrelated sex toys. Subscribe now to The Daily Beast Podcast

Fresh off his surprise Emmy Award win for Season 5 of ‘Fargo,’ actor and comedian Lamorne Morris joins this week’s episode of The Last Laugh to break down his scene-stealing performance as the “elder statesman” of the original SNL cast in Jason Reitman’s new film ‘Saturday Night.’ Morris, who portrays Garrett Morris (no relation) in the movie, discusses what it was like to enter the fictionalized world of SNL more than a decade after he auditioned for the show (and didn’t get it). He also reveals how his ‘New Girl’ character Winston’s “kind eyes” helped land him his Emmy-winning role on ‘Fargo,’ tells the full story about how he almost missed out on the sitcom that has defined his career to date, and explains his running joke with ‘New Girl’ cast mate Jake Johnson about a potential reunion. Follow Lamorne Morris on Twitter @lamornemorris and Instagram @lamorne Follow Matt Wilstein on Threads @mattwilsteinFollow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpod and Threads @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast

The Last Laugh listeners, please enjoy this excerpt from the third episode of The Daily Beast's new podcast! This week, Joanna Coles and Samantha Bee talk all things Melania and share the latest scoop on Silicon Valley with Jessica Lessin, CEO of The Information. Sam shares her experiences with menopause and Joanna talks celeb sightings at opening night of the new Robert Downey Jr. play on Broadway.Subscribe now to The Daily Beast Podcast

In the handful of years since she broke through in a big way with her ‘Quarter-Life Crisis’ special on Netflix—and first appeared on this podcast—Taylor Tomlinson has become a bona fide comedy star. The 30-year-old comedian put out two more hours on Netflix, became the host of her own late-night show with CBS’ ‘After Midnight,’ and is currently touring her newest hour nationwide. In her second sit-down with The Last Laugh podcast, Tomlinson opens up about how fame has impacted her material, why she’s focusing on religion for her Save Me tour, and how ‘After Midnight’ is starting to look more like a traditional late-night talk show—even though that’s not what she signed up for.  Get tickets for Taylor Tomlinson’s Save Me tourFollow Taylor Tomlinson on Instagram @taylortomlinson and TikTok @taylortomlinsoncomedyFollow Matt Wilstein on Threads @mattwilsteinFollow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpod and Threads @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast

The Last Laugh listeners, please enjoy this excerpt from the second episode of The Daily Beast's new podcast! The Daily Beast Podcast is as wildly exciting, energizing, and entertaining as the topics it covers. Bringing their sharp wit and insights to each episode, co-hosts Joanna Coles (Chief Creative & Content Officer of The Daily Beast) and celebrated comedian and political commentator Samantha Bee will navigate the latest in politics, pop culture, and everything in between. Subscribe now to The Daily Beast Podcast

Lauren Lapkus grew up with one goal in mind: someday joining the cast of ‘Saturday Night Live.’ Now, nearly 20 years into a comedy career that has included scene-stealing roles in everything from ‘Orange Is the New Black’ to ‘Jurassic World,’ she has finally been able to “let go” of the way she thought things would go and fully embrace her unique place in the comedy world. It helps, Lapkus explains in this episode, that she has now landed lead roles in both broad comedies like 2020’s ‘The Wrong Missy’ (opposite David Spade on Netflix) and her latest, the darkly comedic postpartum depression dramedy ‘Another Happy Day.’ Lapkus also discusses how the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast opened new doors for her and what it was like to go up against Kate McKinnon for that coveted spot on SNL. Rent or buy ‘Another Happy Day’Follow Lauren Lapkus on Instagram @laurenlapkusFollow Matt Wilstein on Threads @mattwilsteinFollow The Last Laugh on Instagram @lastlaughpod and Threads @lastlaughpodHighlights from this episode and others at The Daily Beast