Fitzdog Radio — Episode 1123

Guest: Jeff Garlin
Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Greg Fitzsimmons

Episode Overview

In this engaging and wide-ranging episode, Greg Fitzsimmons welcomes his longtime friend and comedic powerhouse Jeff Garlin. The conversation veers from reflections on show business and comedy culture to deeply personal stories about growing up, struggles with health, and the realities of showbiz success. Throughout, the pair share laughs, trade self-deprecating stories, and explore what it means to be a comedian in the modern era.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Awards Shows and the State of Podcasting (00:41–04:42)

• Greg riffs on the Golden Globes, noting the declining cultural relevance of awards shows and lampooning the awarding of Best Podcast as emblematic of podcasting’s "lowest form in entertainment":
  • "There's never been a more mailed-in act of entertaining other human beings than the podcast." (Greg, 01:20)
• He critiques how podcasting has been overtaken by corporate interests and big studios.
• The conversation turns to comedy’s place compared to filmmakers "sneaking cameras in North Korea" and the sometimes trivial subjects of big-budget podcasts.

2. On the Life of a President: Absurd Observations (04:10–04:42)

• Light banter about the daily logistics of being POTUS—does the president even need a wallet or keys? How could they possibly have a surprise party?
  • "If the president walks in a room and 20 people jump up behind pieces of furniture, Secret Service is going to pull out weapons and mow them down." (Greg, 04:42)

3. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Sinead O'Connor, and Social Commentary (05:53–09:49)

• Greg recounts an emotional encounter at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, describing a Sinead O’Connor performance:
  • "She’s so petite but so fucking powerful. And as I'm watching it, this girl comes over... and I just see this look in her eye like that Taylor Swift shirt did make it back [to Texas]." (Greg, 09:06)
• Reflection on Sinead’s protest against the Catholic Church, linking it to institutional abuse and giving statistics on clergy abuse.
  • "You want to talk about Epstein’s Island? I hate to say it, folks, a lot of you have been on it—it’s called Vatican City." (Greg, 09:49)

4. Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Childhood, and Family Stories (13:28–15:51; 15:51–21:42)

• Jeff discusses his bar mitzvah, reusing his dad's speech, and the awkwardness of taking endless photos.
• Stories of family changes, moving from Chicago to Florida due to financial ups and downs, and growing up "the Garland Boy" in Morton Grove.
• Both reflect on the increasing extravagance and excess of modern bar/bat mitzvahs and kids’ parties.

5. On Class, Friendship, and Adolescence (20:00–24:28)

• Candid stories about shifting from higher to lower middle class, and how Jeff's friends never judged him for not being wealthy.
• Explanation of how he started comedy at 20 after dropping out of University of Miami.
  • "If I have something to fall back on, I might fall back on it." (Jeff, 24:54)

6. Dating Age Math, Social Norms, and Personal Anecdotes (16:27–19:44; 26:44–30:16)

• The two joke about the "half your age plus seven" formula for acceptable dating ages, with Greg claiming it's from the ancient Greeks:
  • "The quotient is half your age plus seven years..." (Greg, 16:27)
• Both share stories about dating older partners, high school relationships, and shifting perspectives with age.

7. Losing Virginity: A Heckler Story (27:41–54:51)

• Jeff tells the memorable story of losing his virginity at age 20 to a woman who heckled him during a comedy set in Miami.
  • "I lost my virginity to a heckler. That's how much a comedian I am." (Jeff, 27:41)
• The tale includes details about the club, South Beach in the ‘80s, and an encounter with a homeless man while in a lifeguard chair.
  • "I'm a Jew, took [my clothes] off and folded them neatly..." (Jeff, 52:51)

8. Addiction, Health, Weight Loss, Diabetes, and Life on the Road (32:04–35:06)

• Jeff opens up about old patterns with alcohol and food addiction, AA recovery, and his current struggle managing diabetes.
• He discusses using Manjaro for diabetes, not Ozempic, and the difficulty of healthy living on the road.
  • "I bottomed out on food. That's what I bottomed out on. And I didn't drink back then." (Jeff, 35:01)

9. Comedy Camaraderie, Working with Louie CK, and Stand-Up Culture (38:05–45:14)

• Behind-the-scenes commentary about hanging out with Louie CK, Carol Leifer, and other comedians.
  • Both praise Louie as a genius:
    • "He's the best comedian of our generation." (Jeff, 40:52)
  • Comparison of Louie CK and Richard Pryor—Louie as the greatest current structural comic, Pryor as the most personal.

10. Green Room Etiquette, Before and After Shows (45:00–48:12)

• Strong opinions on how only comedians should be allowed in green rooms before shows, as that time is "sacred."
  • "Green rooms for the talent on that show." (Greg, 45:14)

11. Clubs, Awards, and the Reality behind Showbiz (63:55–77:52)

• Jeff details his aversion to clubs and groups, except for the Friars Club, and the unique fraternity among comedians.
  • "I would never want to be a member of a club that would have me as a member." (Jeff, 74:02)
• Conversation about never winning an Emmy for Curb Your Enthusiasm despite the show’s legendary status, and changing perspectives on the value of awards.
• The economics of show business: residuals, real estate, and how streaming has impacted income, with transparency about post-divorce financial realities.
  • "I haven't worked since Curb except once...on Larry David's new show." (Jeff, 76:01–76:02)

12. Apologies, Personal Growth, and Mental Health (81:00–83:52)

• Jeff’s struggles with undiagnosed bipolar disorder for decades and frequent apologies on set, particularly during The Goldbergs:
  • "When I was undiagnosed bipolar...I found myself every day apologizing to someone for being mean." (Jeff, 81:07)
• The value of making amends, ongoing self-forgiveness, and friends’ acceptance.

13. Nostalgia for Comedy’s Communal Past (83:52–85:48)

• The decline of post-show diner hangs and disappearing clubs like the Friars, replaced by a more fragmented comedy scene:
  • "We need another Friars Club." (Greg, 84:23)
• Concludes with a sentiment from The Wild Bunch:
  • "It ain’t like it used to be, but it’ll do. That’s how I look at life." (Jeff, 85:48)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On podcasting’s rise:
  "This is what podcasting is. She thanked her production company. That's what's happened now. Corporate America has wrapped their greedy fingers around the grassroots art of podcasting." (Greg Fitzsimmons, 02:20)

• On Sinead O'Connor’s power:
  "She's so petite, but so fucking powerful." (Greg, 08:40)

• On showbiz economics:
  "You take away taxes from what I made, fees of a manager, lawyer, agent, and you get divorced...not a lot left." (Jeff, 75:33)

• On age and swagger:
  "I've got swagger except at home. My girlfriend would love for me to have more swagger, more attracted to me if I had swagger in the house. But I don't. I'm very...vulnerable." (Jeff, 56:06)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Golden Globes / Podcasting Rant: 00:41–02:20
• Presidents, Wallets, and Keys: 03:30–04:42
• Sinead O’Connor at the Hall of Fame: 05:53–09:49
• Catholic Abuse & Social Critique: 09:49–12:17
• Bar Mitzvah & Childhood Stories: 13:28–22:00
• Dating Age Math Bit: 16:27–19:44
• Losing Virginity to a Heckler: 27:41–54:51
• Health, Addiction, and AA: 32:04–35:06
• Praise for Louie CK / Comedy’s GOAT: 40:42–41:04
• Green Room / Pre-show Rituals: 45:00–48:12
• Awards, Clubs, Industry Economics: 63:55–77:52
• Real Estate Realities: 77:59–80:18
• On Mental Health and Apologies: 81:00–83:52
• Nostalgic Closing & Community: 83:52–85:48

Episode Conclusion

Jeff Garlin’s appearance is a blend of comedic bravado and vulnerability. The playful banter covers everything from showbiz inside baseball to health confessions and philosophical musings on class, aging, and friendship. Both comedians express a poignant nostalgia for a more communal era in comedy while remaining clear-eyed about the challenges and rewards of their chosen life.

Jeff plugs his Netflix special "Jeff Garlin, Our Man in Chicago" and his forthcoming book, Best Seat in the House (Rizzoli Books, due September 15).

"It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do. I'm grateful to be here, grateful to be on your show, grateful for these young people." — Jeff Garlin (85:48)

For New Listeners

This episode is a master class in honest, funny conversation between two veterans who love their craft, aren’t afraid to poke fun at themselves, and can switch from hilarity to heartache in an instant. Whether you’re a comedy fan or curious about the inner workings of showbiz, Garlin and Fitzsimmons offer both wisdom and genuine laughs in equal measure.