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Danielle Fishel
This is an iHeart podcast. Let's be honest, giving your kid a smartphone too early feels like handing them the keys to the Internet. Instead, give them Samsung Galaxy Watch for kids. It lets them call, text and explore right from their wrist. Like a tiny spy with parental controls, you stay in charge of who they talk to. And with location sharing, you will always know if they're at school or accidentally at the snack bar again. Get Galaxy Watch 7 on T mobile Now Kid ready with a new paired line? Visit t mobile.com to order yours today. T mobile terms via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a qualifying Paired Watch line. See additional Offer terms on T mobile.com parent and child must have a Samsung account and Google account with Family link requires initial pairing with a compatible Samsung smartphone and qualifying wireless plan with LTE service activated. Please check with your carrier for more information. Trusted contact applies to compatible apps. It does not restrict communication through third party or other communication apps. Emergency services and contacts remain accessible. Location sharing is dependent on network connectivity and device being recently active.
Will Friedle
Is your team still running on yesterday's tech? Time for an upgrade. The ThinkPad X1 carbon is ultralight, ultra powerful and powered by Intel Core Ultra processors so you can work, create and boost productivity all in one device. Need security? Lenovo's ThinkShield helps protect your business from modern threats. Need smarter performance built in AI features keep things running fast and efficiently. And if you're looking for perks, Lenovo Pro gives you exclusive business benefits, extra savings and access to essential tools. Stop hitting snooze on new tech. Win the tech search for business PCs@lenovo.com.
Danielle Fishel
Ya Girl loves Hirsam jewelry and for the record, I'm Ya Girl. So imagine my excitement when I found out I get to talk to you about Pandora Jewelry. Every piece from Pandora is crafted with meaning, love and exquisite artistry. Whether it's sparkling lab grown diamonds or vibrant enamels, engravings and iconic charms, there's no better place than Pandora to express what's in your heart. Pandora makes sure your jewelry is a celebration of you, with hand finished designs and playful cuts that make everything unique like it should be. Shop Pandora today in store or online@pandora.net every day is a chance to be loved. Let Pandora Jewelry remind you that love starts with you. As a parent whose nearly four and six year olds can't be stopped. They can only be contained. I need more than a stroller. Which is why Wonderfold is an absolute game changer. It combines the convenience of a stroller with the freedom of a wagon Creating a brand new hybrid every mom or dad has been hoping for. It gives kids the independence they need while still maintaining safety and making parents lives easier. They've got a two seater, a four seater like I have and a six seater. So every family has an option. I know you'll be seeing me with a Wonderfold at the mall or the zoo, but probably the mall because we go there nearly every 12 hours. Join me in this stroller revolution with Wonderfold. You can visit wonderfold.com that's www.wonderfold.com. look, if multitasking were an Olympic sport, I would have a gold medal. And then I probably misplace it while making lunch for my two hungry boys. But lucky for me, I have a Target Circle360 membership and, and I can get same day delivery with no price markups at Target and lots of other local stores with Shipt excluding select alcohol retailers and items. Terms apply.
Will Friedle
This is exclusive to target Circle360 members and honestly it's a lifesaver. Shipt is the first same day delivery marketplace to offer no markup pricing and.
Danielle Fishel
$0 delivery fee on $35 plus orders. Exclusive Member discounts. And if you've got a Target Circle MasterCard, you're getting 5% off Target orders too.
Will Friedle
Order now@shipt.com 360. That's S-IPT.com 360. Terms apply.
Ryder Strong
I went to a soccer game yesterday.
Danielle Fishel
What? Sports ball.
Will Friedle
Like a professional. A professional like mls.
Ryder Strong
Get, get this. My third LAFC game.
Danielle Fishel
Wow.
Ryder Strong
I've been to three soccer games. Yeah, it was, it was super fun. Like soccer is the only sport that I, I really enjoy watching. I don't keep up with it but I do enjoy watching it. And I guess it's maybe because I played it as a kid. You know, up until I was like up until Boy meets World, like 12 or 13, I played soccer every year. My parents actually coached my team and, and stuff. So I was really into it. But yeah, so I about like two years ago a friend invited me to an LAFC game and it was so much fun. They have like a whole cheering section which is basically like a permanent dance party going on. Like they never stop moving and they're drumming and they're chanting. They never stop moving the whole game. And it keeps the audience's energy up so high. And the stadium where LAFC plays is, it's very small like compared to most stadiums. So you can see, no matter where you're sitting you can see their players faces. Like it's you're, like, in the game. Yeah, so. So, yeah, so a friend took me a couple years ago, and then I took some friends after that. And then, yeah, I had friends in from out of town, and their kids love soccer and they play all the time. So we were like, let's go to LAFC.
Will Friedle
What does LAFC stand for?
Ryder Strong
Sorry, LA Football Club. Los Angeles Football Club. So it's a team. It's an MLS team. And they're great. They're really good. They're, like, probably one of the best in the ML, I think I'm told. But anyway, it was so. It was. Yeah, it was super fun. Indy was not into it. Still. Still not into sports. Yeah. So I was like, maybe. Maybe you'll get into soccer now. No, but, you know, I guess he just takes after me. But, yeah, it was. It was super fun. So I went to a sport, a sports ball event. Wow, that's really good. Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
Do you stand in the cheering section? Are you part of the cheering section? No.
Steve Young
You're not driving.
Ryder Strong
How you get in there? I mean, they're like, practice. All wearing, like. Yeah, no, they. They, like, know these chants. They have all these rituals, and they're, like, so into it, and. But, God, I would be exhausted. They're like. For 90 minutes, they're dancing the entire time. Like, you know, everybody. It was. It's really fun. It's a great one. It was a draw.
Will Friedle
That's why I don't.
Ryder Strong
It was a really exciting game.
Will Friedle
Like, play for 90 minutes to go and nothing happened. And nothing happened in 90 minutes. It's like, what the hell was the point of that? It should be like Quidditch. Just play until somebody scores. If it takes a month, it takes a month.
Danielle Fishel
It looks like that LAFC might be in the eighth team, like, out of nine. No.
Ryder Strong
What does that mean?
Danielle Fishel
Like. Means their average ratings. Yeah, like, where they fall in the ratings. Yeah. Okay. No, it looks like. It looks like Vancouver is in first place, Portland second, third is Austin fourth, Minnesota fifth, Colorado sixth. FC Dallas is sixth, San Diego, seventh, LAFC eighth, ninth, Seattle 10, Salt Lake 11, San Jose, 12, St. Louis, 13, Houston 14, Sporting KC and 15, the LA Galaxy.
Will Friedle
So no east coast teams?
Danielle Fishel
Well, those. That's the Western Conference in the Eastern Conference.
Will Friedle
Okay, so there are East Coast.
Danielle Fishel
There's. Yeah. And I guess I don't know about, like, how, like, the.
Ryder Strong
See, this is when my eyes start glazing over and I go, I don't have time for sports because now I would have to, like, invest in keeping track of the stats and who's traded for what. And I'm like, nope. Too much time. Too much mental energy. No.
Will Friedle
Yeah.
Ryder Strong
But going to a game, showing up and watching them kick a ball around, super fun. I had a good time.
Will Friedle
They're also incredible athletes. I mean, I joke that nothing happens in 90 minutes, but they run essentially, for an hour and a half.
Ryder Strong
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah.
Will Friedle
It's crazy to watch. It really is crazy to watch.
Danielle Fishel
We went to a Kings playoff game. Kings hockey game. I got to. I got to bang the drum. So at the end of every period.
Ryder Strong
Wait a minute.
Steve Young
Wait.
Ryder Strong
Like, what do you mean? What is banging the drum at the.
Danielle Fishel
End of every period or at the. So I think they do it before the game, too. So before the game and after every period, there's a big drum, and somebody gets to bang the drum going, go, Kings, go. And to get the whole crowd fired up.
Ryder Strong
And you got selected because you're Topanga?
Will Friedle
Of course.
Steve Young
Of course.
Will Friedle
Of course.
Ryder Strong
Ever go to anything and have a normal experience?
Steve Young
No.
Ryder Strong
Just, like, throwing pitches. She goes to concerts. She's on stage within 30 seconds.
Will Friedle
Exactly. I was playing drums for Rolling Stone this weekend. No big deal.
Ryder Strong
Just picked up the guitar and jammed the dancing code, you know, went to the Sphere, and.
Danielle Fishel
It was. It was a lot of fun. Mostly it was fun because Adler was very excited about going with me to bang the drum. And my kids then were like, why do you get to be on the big TV? Why can't we be on the big TV?
Will Friedle
It's a question I've been asking since 2000.
Ryder Strong
Quiet seat for Sue.
Danielle Fishel
My kids had so much fun. Adler is such an athlete and such a jock. He doesn't care what the sport is. He's just in it. And he wants to know all about it. What are they doing now and why are they doing that? And so what's that? What's a power play? And why is he in there? Like, we taught him about timeout. The timeout and the penalty box, and he just sits there the whole time, watching the entire entire thing. It got to be pretty late, and I was like, you know, we have to go. And he was really bummed. He didn't want to go. But it's a school night, and I'm like, you can't be out until 11. You're not even 6.
Will Friedle
It's such a change, though, from when he used to bring him places and he. Like, even sporting events where he was like, it's 7:30. We gotta go, we gotta go.
Danielle Fishel
Is it getting dark? I need to Go home. No, now. Now he thinks he's like, real Mr. Independent and he didn't want to leave. But we got home, the game still wasn't over, and I woke him up the next morning for school, and he went, did the Kings win? Just immediately. Needed to know. It was so much fun.
Will Friedle
So you guys had fun at sporting events? I had, like, the best sandwich. That was great.
Danielle Fishel
Where from?
Will Friedle
Oh, I made it.
Danielle Fishel
Okay. Okay.
Will Friedle
I wasn't gonna leave.
Danielle Fishel
What was in it?
Ryder Strong
Peanut butter and jelly.
Will Friedle
No. Complicated ham. A little bit of turkey, some mayo.
Danielle Fishel
Ham from the delicate.
Will Friedle
On that new hot honey sourdough. We got it. We got it. We got it.
Danielle Fishel
Is it not the best?
Will Friedle
It's the greatest. It's. It's incredible.
Danielle Fishel
The hot honey sourdough.
Will Friedle
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
Ooh.
Will Friedle
That was my night. So.
Danielle Fishel
Okay.
Will Friedle
Pretty happy.
Danielle Fishel
Good for you.
Will Friedle
Pretty happy.
Danielle Fishel
Welcome to Pod Meats World. I'm Danielle Fischl.
Ryder Strong
I'm Ryder Strong.
Will Friedle
And I'm Will Friedle.
Danielle Fishel
Hi, it's Danielle Fishel from Pod Meets World, and I have a confession to make. I am officially tech jealous of my children. We just got the Samsung Galaxy Watch Watch for Kids, and now they are the one giving me tips on how to use smart devices. Honestly, it's the perfect first tech option for your kid if you're not ready to hand them a smartphone. And really, who is? I still know adults who shouldn't have one. Galaxy Watch for Kids is smart, safe, and super easy to use. They can call and text yes from their wrist like a mini secret agent. And the best part? I get to decide who they talk to, which means their BFF from preschool who once ate glue is not on the list. And let's talk about location sharing. I can open my phone and know if my kid's at soccer practice or if they've wandered off to stare at vending machines in the hallway again. Plus, I get alerts if they leave a zone I set. It's like having eyes in the back of my app. They could even track their activities with a few taps, whether they're dancing, hula hooping, or doing that thing where they run in circles just to burn off post snack energy. And yes, the watch supports age appropriate content on Google Play, which means games and apps that don't make me want to throw the tablet out a window. Best of all, and this is clutch, I can turn on do not disturb mode from my phone. So when it's time for homework or school, boom, distraction's gone. It's like parenting with a remote control. Get Galaxy Watch 7 on T mobile now kid ready with a new paired line? Visit t mobile.com to order yours today. Parent and child must have a Samsung account and Google account with Family Link requires initial pairing with a compatible Samsung smartphone and qualifying wireless plan with LTV service activated. Please check with your carrier for more information. Trusted contact applies to compatible apps. It does not restrict communication through third party or other communication apps. Emergency services and contacts remain accessible. Location sharing is dependent on network connectivity and device being recently active supervised Google account required. Kids can still access limited features like calling and texting emergency contacts. T mobile terms via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a qualifying paired watch line. See additional Offer terms on t mobile.com.
Will Friedle
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Danielle Fishel
Summer is right around the corner and you know what that means.
Ryder Strong
Barbecues.
Will Friedle
Sunny days by the pool with my shirt on.
Danielle Fishel
No unwanted hair. No one wants that. So we're here to remind you about Nair, the number one hair removal brand. The gold standard in the field.
Will Friedle
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Ryder Strong
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Danielle Fishel
But we're focusing on my favorite the wax strips. It makes for the easiest wax ever and it lasts up to four weeks, all while minimizing hair regrowth and most importantly, saving me time. I have a podcast to record, a Little League practice to watch and a bedtime of 8.30pm Nair is an actual lifesaver.
Will Friedle
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Ryder Strong
Call it, the triple S. You heard the man. Get ready for summer. Buy Nair Wax strips at Walmart, Walgreens or CVS.
Danielle Fishel
Big things are happening at your local CVS Extra Big.
Will Friedle
So hurry on over because extra big deals are here.
Ryder Strong
These are deals so extra that they absolutely cannot be missed. And every two weeks, there's gonna be more.
Danielle Fishel
So you've gotta keep coming back so you can keep saving on all the brands and products you and your family use every day.
Will Friedle
And speaking of saving, extra care is the way to save at cvs. So use your extra care card to unlock savings every time you shop.
Ryder Strong
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Danielle Fishel
And the best part, it's completely free. Just sign up online or in store and you'll start saving instantly.
Will Friedle
And always be sure to check the CVS Health app for deals and savings.
Ryder Strong
Visit your local CVS store or cvs.com extra big deals to shop this week's deals and stock up on your favorite products.
Danielle Fishel
You ever find a dusty old VHS tape labeled Spring Break 98 and think, wow, do I even own something that plays this anymore? Because last time I tried, I put it in a toaster. Don't recommend it. Look, our family spent years recording everything. Birthdays, dance recitals, that one Thanksgiving where Uncle Jerry deep fried his eyebrows. But now it's all just sitting in boxes forever sent to memory jail. That's why I use Legacy Box. I just ship them a bunch of my old tapes, film reels, and even photos. It is super easy. You get a box, you toss everything in it, and their team hand digitizes it right here in the US it's like magic. Now I've got my family memories on a thumb drive and in the cloud so I can text my friends footage of their embarrassing 1994 bangs whenever I want. And don't forget about my interpretive dance to Mambo Number five Five. You're welcome. Group chat. Over a million families have used Legacy Box, and honestly, it feels good to finally preserve your precious memories. Don't let your family's story fade away on outdated formats. Preserve it, share it, pass it on. Go to legacybox.com meets world to get 50% off today. That's legacy box.com meets world. Oh, welcome to today's episode. We are very excited about our guest today. One of the more confusing parts for us while recapping the show so intensely week after week has been the surprising string of additions and subtractions from the writer's room in the later seasons, a musical chairs of sorts. And because of this, we've heard a bunch of names we don't remember, forcing even Will to admit, nope, can't place him. Which is very hard to do. Before the podcast, we would have thought we knew everyone who wrote an episode. But now we know we are wrong, which happens a lot. Like when we didn't remember that episode that Love is blind guy stole his quote from. We got your many, many emails.
Will Friedle
So we have seen it.
Danielle Fishel
We have already recapped that episode back in season three.
Ryder Strong
So we gotta do a rewatch of the podcast. We gotta start the podcast every. Every week will just be listening, listening. So this week of the podcast, Ryder talk to Indy and then.
Will Friedle
God. So wait, is it.
Danielle Fishel
I think it was season three, episode one and I.
Will Friedle
Okay, so Trini, episode movie theater, I'm exploding your head part five. That's. That's season three, episode one.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah. Wow.
Ryder Strong
Okay, Jeez.
Danielle Fishel
There we go.
Will Friedle
Get the big brain on Brad. If you know, you know.
Danielle Fishel
Okay, well, enough of that. This week we are introduced, or maybe reintroduced to a writer with two very important scripts to his name. Season two's I am Not a Crook and season four's Uncle Daddy. He started his career in the world of stand up comedy, surrounded by some of the biggest names in the field, and then transitioned into TV writing not only for Boy Meets World, but Sybil, Smart Guy and Michael Jacobs less known title. Maybe this time he'd also end Jay Leno's Tonight show writers room, a gig suited for his on stage experience. All as he was still also performing stand up and even owning his own legendary club in Philadelphia where he booked some of the biggest legends to ever tell a joke. The former professor and radio host also now finds time to be an author, releasing a handful of books, including his newest, a meta novel about Larry David, with a main character apparently different than the Larry David we all know. Okay, that's just one of the things we need him to explain. The other. Why do we only kind of remember you? He may not have ever won a Super bowl, but today he's our POD meets world mvp. It's time to talk to Steve Young.
Will Friedle
I can't wait to talk to him about the Super Bowl.
Danielle Fishel
I know he's gonna love that.
Will Friedle
Be amazing. Number eight. Number eight.
Danielle Fishel
I did hear that he. There's another writer named Steve Young and their checks used to get crossed.
Ryder Strong
Oh, my God.
Will Friedle
Kind of.
Steve Young
Great.
Danielle Fishel
I want to ask him about that. I want to know, did you ever. You know, wouldn't it be great to get your checks mixed up with Steve Young.
Will Friedle
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
The quarterback.
Steve Young
Yeah. Well, it wasn't Steve Young the quarterback.
Danielle Fishel
I know. You said it was the Steve. I listened to another podcast you did and I heard that story and I thought, man, if only it could have gotten mixed up with the quarterback, huh?
Steve Young
Yeah, it was. It was Steve Young who wrote for Letterman and I wrote for Leno, and so it got switched a lot and, and believe me, I would rather have his checks.
Danielle Fishel
Oh, how are you?
Steve Young
Oh, I'm, I, I'm wonderful. I just took my mother to breakfast and I couldn't get back to my place fast enough. So I'm now at my lovely daughter's house doing this. And by the way, by the way, you would know the name of my daughter if you watched any of the shows I wrote, because anytime you brought on a character who was not a regular cast character, I named them after my kids.
Danielle Fishel
Tell us your kids names.
Steve Young
Kelly and Casey. Until Bob Young, the executive producer at the time, said, stop. You cannot name any characters after your kids.
Will Friedle
That's so funny. That's right, Uncle Daddy wasn't her name. Her name was Kelly, wasn't it?
Steve Young
Yeah. And Kelly is here today.
Danielle Fishel
Oh, that's great.
Will Friedle
Okay, cool.
Danielle Fishel
That's so cool.
Steve Young
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
Okay, well, thank you so much for joining us. We are collecting Boy Meets World writers like Pokemon, so you gotta catch them all first. Let's get a little into your origin story. How did you find yourself doing stand up?
Steve Young
Oh, stand up. I can't. I couldn't do anything else. Really? Yeah, that was it. I. I started actually when I was 20, 21, standing in line at the Troubadour. That was the only place you could do comedy at that time. And later on when I. There was no comedy club. I came back to Philadelphia and there were no comedy clubs, but there was a group of people who were doing comedy, me included. And I was the only one that could wear a three piece suit and talk. And so I opened up a club where actually I met Bob Young and Bob Meyer, and I ended up managing them at the time. And we all did stand up for years at that club.
Will Friedle
What was the name of the club? I'm curious.
Danielle Fishel
Tell us, tell us about the club.
Steve Young
The Comedy Works. It ran from about 80 to 93. And we were fortunate enough we came up at a time where I could book on a weekly basis. Leno, Jim Carrey, Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, I mean, everybody who they were, the young guns. And at the time, although I will tell you that Bob and Bob. Bob Meyer and Bob Young were as good or better than any of them. I don't know. Mostly your familiarity is with them on, you know, just on a set. But actually, if. If you look on the wall or the outer wall of the Comedy Store, there's Bob Meyer, Bob Young. Wow.
Danielle Fishel
So you. You did you own the club or you were just running the club?
Steve Young
I owned it.
Danielle Fishel
Okay, so you owned a club and then you were also a manager.
Steve Young
I was also a manager and I couldn't. See, the thing is, I couldn't do anything well, so what I tried to do is little of everything.
Danielle Fishel
Right. And you were also a comedian. So you owned a club, you managed other comedians, and you yourself then performed at your club, I'm assuming.
Steve Young
Yes. Yes. Yeah. They wouldn't allow me to perform. There's a restraining order at other clubs.
Danielle Fishel
You're not allowed there.
Will Friedle
My favorite thing in the world is going through the list of the big comedy clubs, what they're called. They're always like Chortle and the Haha House and all the like. So just to hear comedy works is great. Yeah. So it's.
Steve Young
Well, let me. Let me back story. When I. When about a week before we were going to open up, a number of people, we were at a restaurant trying to decide on the name of the club. And we had had a few extra. We were loaded.
Ryder Strong
Dollars.
Danielle Fishel
There you go.
Steve Young
And we were. We were. We were sitting around and I came up with. I thought the best name would be Comedy Shmomedy. And the reason would be if people would call information for the name, you know, to the club, what's the name? And the person would say, the operator, when they had operators would say, what's it? What's the name? And the person would have to say Comedy Shmomedy. And it would be pretty hard not to laugh.
Danielle Fishel
Right.
Steve Young
Just saying the radio person who was at that dinner, who was gonna promote for us, thought we stuck with that name. But we did get sober. And when we got sober, I actually had to get sober because I. This is a true story. I walked into an Olive Garden restaurant. I thought it was an Italian restaurant.
Danielle Fishel
Well, I guess we could say goodbye to Olive Garden as a sponsor.
Will Friedle
Endless breadsticks and laughs. That's what I'm telling you.
Danielle Fishel
So out of everyone who came by Comedy Works, who do you think had the funniest set? I know you said Bob Young's pretty great. Who. Who had the funniest set?
Steve Young
There were a number. First of all, Leno was. You have to see Leno in a Club Not. Not on tv, Leno. There was a comedian named Bob Nelson who's still around and just was a killer act. Mac and Jamie were a comedy team and, and, and wonderful. But I could go down. Oh, Jim Carrey. The microphone went out and we. It was sat 350 people. The microphone went out. He ended up doing the set where he would tell the joke and then the audience would roar and then shut up immediately because they knew they had to shut up to hear the next joke. He would tell the next joke and roar and then shut up immediately. It was. It was a brilliant night. Jim Carrey as no one is better. There might be people the same, but no one was better in terms of the guys that came through in the last 40 so years. Wow, man. Except for Buddy Hackett. Because I just saw that Buddy Hackett.
Danielle Fishel
Was one another Boy Meets World alone.
Will Friedle
He was.
Steve Young
Exactly. That's what I was known for. Yeah. Because he could not get Sandy. And the thing is. The thing is I didn't know that. I mean, I love Buddy Hackett. I saw that. Oh, my God. I was writing on the show. The Buddy Hackett actually appeared. Okay.
Will Friedle
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
So as a manager and then club owner. Did other comedians start to see you as a suit? Was it hard to stay like one of the boys?
Steve Young
Yeah, actually, when I went out to Los Angeles and I auditioned for Mitzi Shore at the Comedy Star.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah.
Steve Young
Yeah. My friend and comedian who started our club, Judy Toll. I don't know if you remember, I.
Will Friedle
Love Judy so much. Rest in peace. Judy, she was the best.
Steve Young
So, I mean, Judy was the best. And I, you know, from. From Philly. And I still think of her all the time. So Judy sat with Mitzi and kept Mitzi's head pointing towards the audience because Mitzi could care less about what's on stage. I mean, she was looking at the stage with her help, Judy's help. And it was a night that I actually. I just blew the audience away. And Mitzi said to Judy, how come I don't know about him and all? And she would not tell him that I was a club owner because her. And over at the Improv, Bud Friedman, it was bad to say you were a club owner because in fact, Marjorie Gross, who was a brilliant comedy writer and a comedian.
Will Friedle
Yeah.
Steve Young
She sat. Was sitting on the balcony of my club one night during the show and she turns to me and she said, you don't seem like a club owner. And it was the nicest thing anybody ever said to me. I really took that as quite a compliment.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, you're like thank you. Hi, it's Danielle Fishel from Pod Meets World and I have a confession to make. I am officially tech jealous of my children. We just got the Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids and now they are the one giving me tips on how to use smart devices. Honestly, it's the perfect first tech option for your kid if you're not ready to hand them a smartphone. And really, who is? I still know adults who shouldn't have one. Galaxy Watch for Kids is smart, safe and super easy to use. They can call and text yes from their wrist like a mini secret agent. And the best part? I get to decide who they talk to. Which means their BFF from preschool who once ate glue is not on the list. And let's talk about location sharing. I can open my phone and know if my kids at soccer practice or if they've wandered off to stare at vending machines in the hallway again. Plus I get alerts if they leave a zone I set. It's like having eyes in the back of my app. They can even track their activities with a few taps, whether they're dancing, hula hooping or doing that thing where they run in circles just to burn off post snack energy. And yes, the watch supports age appropriate content on Google Play, which means games and apps that don't make me want to throw the tablet out a window. Best of all, and this is clutch, I can turn on Do Not Disturb mode from my phone so when it's time for homework or school, boom. Distractions gone. It's like parenting with a remote control. Get Galaxy Watch 7 on T mobile now. Kid ready with a new paired line? Visit t mobile.com to order yours today. Parent and child must have a Samsung account and Google account with family link Requires initial pairing with a compatible Samsung smartphone and qualifying wireless plan with LTV service activated. Please check with your carrier for more information. Trusted contact applies to compatible apps. It does not restrict communication through third party or other communication apps. Emergency services and contacts remain accessible. Location sharing is dependent on network connectivity and device being recently active supervised Google account required. Kids can still access limited features like calling and texting emergency contacts T Mobile terms via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a qualifying paired watch line. See additional Offer terms on T mobile.com.
Will Friedle
Still running your business on yesterday's tech? It's time for an upgrade. Meet the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12, Lenovo's ultralight, ultra powerful laptop. Built to keep up with your work, your team and your non stop schedule. It's sleek, weighs just over a Kilo and packs serious power. With Intel Core Ultra processors, you can unlock new AI experiences and you can also work, create and keep productivity flowing all in one. Device security covered. Lenovo's ThinkShield protects your device, your data and your identity so you can focus on what actually getting things done. And with built in AI features, everything runs smoothly and efficiently so you're not stuck watching loading bars all day. Need crystal clear visuals? The 14 inch OLED display makes spreadsheets sharper, presentations pop and video calls feel like face to face meetings. And if you're looking for extra perks, Lenovo Pro hooks you up with exclusive business benefits and savings. Stop hitting snooze on new tech. Win the tech. Search for business PCs@lenovo.com and upgrade to the ThinkPad X1 carbon and experience next level performance. That's lenovo.com.
Danielle Fishel
Summer is right around the corner and you know what that means.
Ryder Strong
Barbecues.
Will Friedle
Sunny days by the pool with my shirt on.
Danielle Fishel
No unwanted hair. No one wants that. So we're here to remind you about Nair, the number one hair removal brand. The gold standard in the field.
Will Friedle
You can't go wrong with any of their products. They have the new luxe Wax for Less. Wait time in between waxes or the.
Ryder Strong
Dermatologist tested body and shower creams free of dyes, parabens, phthalates and sulfates.
Danielle Fishel
But we're focusing on my favorite the wax strips. It makes for the easiest wax ever and it lasts up to four weeks, all while minimizing hair regrowth and most importantly, saving me time. I have a podcast to record, a little League practice to watch, and a bedtime of 8.30pm Nair is an actual lifesaver.
Will Friedle
You can achieve salon quality results at home, leaving you with stress free, soft, silky skin. Or as I like to call it.
Ryder Strong
The Triple S. You heard the man. Get ready for summer. Buy Nair wax strips at Walmart, Walgreens or cvs.
Danielle Fishel
Big things are happening at your local cvs. Extra big.
Will Friedle
So hurry on over because extra big deals are here.
Ryder Strong
These are deals so extra that they absolutely cannot be missed. And every two weeks there's gonna be more.
Danielle Fishel
So you've gotta keep coming back so you can keep saving on all the brands and products you and your family use every day.
Will Friedle
And speaking of saving, extra care is the way to save at cvs. So use your extra care card to unlock savings every time you shop.
Ryder Strong
And if you're not a member yet, now is the time to join.
Danielle Fishel
And the best part, it's completely free. Just sign up online or in store and you'll start saving instantly.
Will Friedle
And always be sure to check the CVS Health app for deals and savings.
Ryder Strong
Visit your local CVS store or cvs.com extra big deals to shop this week's deals and stock up on your favorite products.
Danielle Fishel
Ya girl loves her some jewelry. And for the record, I'm your girl. So imagine my excitement when I found out I get to talk to you about Pandora Jewelry. Every piece from Pandora is crafted with meaning, love and except exquisite artistry. Whether it's sparkling lab grown diamonds or vibrant enamels, engravings and iconic charms, there's no better place than Pandora to express what's in your heart. Pandora makes sure your jewelry is a celebration of you with hand finished designs and playful cuts that make everything unique like it should be. Shop Pandora today in store or online@pandora.net every day is a chance to be loved. Let Pandora jewelry remind you that love starts with you. So when does the idea of TV writing cross your mind? How does, how does that enter your world?
Steve Young
Oh, I guess we all, we all wanted to be writers like on SNL or Mad tv. Not Mad tv. Well, yeah, Mad TV or the Second City, you know, you know, the great sketch shows. And I mean, I love, I watch Johnny Carson every night. I fell asleep to Johnny, you know, and the first person on the show was always a comedian at the beginning. And I lived and died with every comedian that went on there. If he did good or bad, it was, I mean, my mother had a stack of comedy albums that I would listen to, the ones I was allowed to listen to.
Will Friedle
Right?
Danielle Fishel
Yes.
Steve Young
Back then you weren't allowed to listen to until they went out and my sister and I would listen to them.
Will Friedle
So wait, so wasn't it true there was an entire like system on Johnny Carson? If you were a comedian of how you were treated by Johnny would dictate how your career would go or how you did that night where it was like if he invited you over to the couch, you were made right after yourself.
Steve Young
Absolutely. That was a different time. If you did Carson, it was a big deal, number one. But if he called you over to the couch or he gave you a wink and did this. Yeah, you were, you were made Stephen Wright his first, his first set there. He wanted him back within the week. In fact, we booked Steve Wright that week because his agent called me up and said, he just said Carson. And he just killed. We have no place to put him. So I ended up putting them on for 10 minutes in Philly. I paid him $250 for four shows after he killed on, on Carson and I couldn't. I had already professor and Corey Wayne Carter, the legendary Wid another. The show was full of people who killed to have him come on. But I digress because the point is like Paul Provenza blew my way.
Will Friedle
Freddie Prince, Freddie Prinze when he went made his whole life. Yeah, I mean that was incredible.
Steve Young
If you, if you had a good set there, everybody in the industry knew about you.
Will Friedle
Stephen Wright has one of my favorite jokes of all time where he just says I have a decaffeinated coffee table. You can't tell by looking at it.
Steve Young
Actually, actually did one the other day I met. I, I actually gave him credit. But it was. You can't have everything. Where would you put it?
Danielle Fishel
So what are a few of the major differences between the LA and the Philly comedy scene?
Steve Young
Well, back then the Philadelphia comedy scene was great. I mean those people who were right Tom Wilson they, they were amateurs basically when we started and they were good when we started and Myron Young and Mike Egan and Dwayne Cotter and these people, when New York comics or LA comics came in, accustomed to be the headliner and just blow everybody away, had to work really hard because when you're working every night at the 350 night seat theater, you had to be good. And it was quite a mixed audience. So you can't just walk in like Dennis Miller. I had the middle Eddie Murphy. I middle because the Philadelphia acts were better than the head headliners were good, really good. But, but just the, the laughter would bounce off the walls and just sound like a roar every night. That's what the Philly comics expected. And yeah, pretty much that's what they did.
Will Friedle
And so did you discover anybody? Did you. I mean in your, in your club, was there anybody from Philly that you were like this is the guy or the woman that then became somebody huge?
Steve Young
Oh, I guess the closest to that is Tom Wilson. Yeah, you know, but, but I mean Tom did it on his own, but Tom, he worked my steps. We were on the third floor and he, his big job was say stay to the right, stay to the right, stay. That was it. That was his opening act. And then when he wanted to go on stage, I said okay, five minutes, five minutes, I'll give you. And he went on stage early. Five minutes kill. Then within, I'd say a month and a half he was headlining. You couldn't help but headline. He was so charming, so funny and, and a good looking guy and obviously a very good actor.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, I got to direct him. I got to be his director. Yeah, he's.
Steve Young
He was unbelievable and a really nice guy. And. Are you familiar with Ralph Harris?
Danielle Fishel
No.
Steve Young
Ralph actually had a show on one of the primetime networks and he played every character, most every character he could do that was part of his act. And Ralph worked on the steps for me too, and then got his own TV show. And I'm not sure what network, but it was one of the three primary networks. So there were a lot of guys who came through who aren't. Weren't necessary that next day they became a star. But I. I would say most anybody who came through, if you would ask a comedian that played back there, they will say they love the club. It was, it was just. The audience was great. The shows were always great. The number of acts that were on there and, and we were. We always were inmates running the asylum. We never felt like we were the corporate part of it. We always felt that we were. We were. We were all comedians too. And in effect, we were all comedians.
Danielle Fishel
So your first TV writing credit is on a show called Me and the Boys, which was an ABC sitcom starring Madge Sincl and Steve Harvey. Did you. Did you know what to do in the writer's room or did you just slide in and learn as you go?
Steve Young
Well, this. This is funny. I. Yeah, so I. I pitched and as an outsider. And back then you had. I don't still. You had to hire at least two freelancers a year. Yeah, and I wrote the script and I thought it was pretty good. And in the room, writer's room, where I sat, but I really was not part of the writers room here because I was an outsider bringing the script. And. Excuse me. I came to the reading and I didn't hear a word that was mine. And I actually, at the end, you know, I. And nobody laughed, Nobody left. And I was sitting. You know, the network heads were thanking me for writing the script, and I was thinking, I'll never. I'll never work again. It was. It was so bad. And it's not anybody particular fault. This is what, what it ended up being. And the. I. The next time I came into a writer's room or a reading, I would always sit down and say, please take a look at page 25, third line down. The. The second conjunction and is mine.
Danielle Fishel
Right, That's.
Steve Young
Yeah. So it happens.
Will Friedle
Unfortunately.
Steve Young
Yep. It was. It was tough, but the opportunity. Excuse me. To do it was wonderful.
Danielle Fishel
Okay, so I want to get to. Eventually. You are in 1995. You are now A part of Boy Meets. But you also have credits on another Michael Jacobs show, maybe this time with Marie Osmond and Betty White. How did you end up in the Michael Jacobs orbit?
Steve Young
I really didn't end up in the Michael Jacobs. He was great. But it wasn't the Michael Jacobs. It was the Bob Young.
Danielle Fishel
Bob Young.
Will Friedle
Yeah. We keep hearing that more and more.
Steve Young
Yeah. And Bob, first of all, he still is. I mean, he's a wonderful guy. He's been a friend for years, and, you know, we all started together and just a sweet guy. He really did not belong in tv. He was too nice.
Danielle Fishel
Too kind. Yeah.
Steve Young
Yes. Always too kind. And every time I get a residual check, especially from Boy Meets World, I always hold it up. Say, thank you, Bob.
Danielle Fishel
Oh, did you know what Boy Meets World was before you wrote your first script? How did it work out that you. So, okay, I have to know. Were you also a freelance writer for Boy Meets World?
Steve Young
Yeah. And. And, yeah, I think. No, I knew about Boy Meets World. Boy was great. You guys were terrific. I always tell people the reason Boy Meets World was great. Well, they had good writers and Michael Jacobs and all, but this was a perfect cast. This. The cast makes the show. And you guys were easy to write for because I remember the first script I ever wrote was a Cheers, and I said, I can't write Cheers. It's. It's way too good. How can I write it? When I started writing, it was easy because the characters were so well defined.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah.
Steve Young
That if I put the character's name down, it said. That character said.
Danielle Fishel
Right.
Steve Young
What kind of wrote it, that character would say. And I just. My fingers just followed the characters. I. You know, I didn't feel it was me. Boy Meets World, same thing. Although there was a particular point where I felt really bad because I'm not going to use your name, Danielle. Topanga started crying on the set because you couldn't get the line the way Michael Jacobs wanted the line.
Danielle Fishel
This is what. This is exactly.
Will Friedle
This is what I was telling you about. Yes.
Danielle Fishel
Will remembered this when we did the recap of the episode. He was like, danielle, don't you remember this? And I was like. Like, what are you talking about? And he was like, you cried in front of everybody.
Will Friedle
You burst into tears.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah.
Steve Young
I felt so bad. Like, you know. You know, it's like I killed her. I.
Danielle Fishel
They may have been your words, but I don't think you were the one insisting I say it exactly the way you wanted it. Right.
Steve Young
I think it was Michael pushing it at that time. I don't know if he wasn't directing.
Danielle Fishel
But there's a fine line between the director and Michael Jacobs.
Steve Young
Yeah, yeah.
Will Friedle
Just ask the dga.
Steve Young
You still. You're a writer. As a writer, you stay back. You don't participate. I remember when I did maybe this time, and Marie Osmond, sweetest person in the world. Betty White was just the consummate pro. I remember standing on set, I would always write in lines for myself that I could do off screen, like a radio broadcast or something like that, because I could get scale, you know, for just doing it. And Bob Yacht also told me, stop doing that.
Will Friedle
So just doing voiceover the whole time, just saying Kelly and Casey over and over again.
Steve Young
Pretty much. Pretty much. And luckily I didn't have any more kids because, you know, I would have to stay right. The Marie asked. I was standing to the side when I would do it during rehearsal. Where I would do. I think it was a race. There was a horse race and I was doing the character of the sportscaster. And play by play, and Marie comes. Ben's talks to me on the side. She leans over and she said, how should I say this line to a writer who's working there? First of all, you'd never tell anybody to set how to say line. That's really horrible. But the director was watching her talking to me, and I got in trouble and I didn't answer. I didn't answer. I think you should ask, you know, you could talk to Bob or. Or, you know, whoever.
Danielle Fishel
Whoever was directing.
Steve Young
Yeah, yeah. But that was an interesting experience because that was a great cast too. Yeah. At that point in time, they. They really. I forget who the young girl's name was on. I love her. She did a lot, a lot of work. But the.
Danielle Fishel
Ashley. Ashley Johnson.
Ryder Strong
Ashley Johnson.
Will Friedle
I just spoke to Ashley not too long ago. She's a wonderful girl. Yeah.
Steve Young
Oh, if you ever run into her again. Sure. I love her. Her mother, her sister, I mean, just, you know, Great, great. That's the thing. When you do a show, you. And here, you know, I'm a writer. I'm not down on the set. I'm in the writers room. But there still ended up being some sort of family ness that forms with everybody. And, you know, that show that. That show had, you know, was quite the family. Even though we, you know, the first of all, the title was horrible. It was made for critics. Maybe this time, maybe not.
Danielle Fishel
Right.
Will Friedle
You know.
Danielle Fishel
Right.
Steve Young
Just it was. We tried to change it beforehand. Can we get up with a better name? But that's what we Ended up with. And, you know, I mean, the show, I mean, it was going opposite Jack. And you know, I, I, I don't know if it would have lasted anyway, but it was a really nice experience because people, friends of Betty would come in all the time. And I remember Carol Channing calling me over, oh, man, I still have the script. They all signed it. She knew that I wrote the script and she started talking to me about the script. And it was funny and all that. And all I'm thinking is, Carol Channing sounds just like herself.
Danielle Fishel
Carol Channing sounds so much like Carol Chan.
Steve Young
Yeah, I could, I mean, I was so. I never got over being in awe of the, these great people who were around. There are plenty of people I, I have disdain for, but I'm talking about just the experience, experience that, you know, the pe. When you run into these people. And Betty became the, the reason that I published my first book and.
Danielle Fishel
Which was. What's the name of your first book?
Steve Young
Great Failures of the Extremely Successful. Why? He interviewed many high profile people on the traumas they went through in their life and, and overcame them. Aaron Brockovich, Teddy Pendergrass. Wow. Tony Curtis, John Wooden, I mean, but it was her. Larry. Larry Gilbert.
Will Friedle
Mash. Mash.
Steve Young
Mash, exactly. He became a mentor of mine. He sent me over to his publisher and I'm not going to go into the long story, but it was something I wrote, wrote for, written by magazine that he thought was a book. I said, no, I've never written a book. I don't know how to, you know, I don't know anything about. He said, I'm sending you over to my publisher. And I did not have, have a, what I wrote. They said, well, we're looking for something that's a little more uplifting and, you know, hopefully some, you know, that can help people. And I said, I have an idea. And I interviewed Betty White. I said, betty, would you mind if I would interview this subject? And they bought it right on her chapter. And so I became an author, you know, basically on, you know, because of Betty White.
Will Friedle
I'm sorry, I have to. So my friends here, my fellow co hosts, know how addicted I am to mash. It's one of, it's basically the reason I became an actor. So can you just. What was it like working with Larry Gelbart?
Steve Young
Well, first of all, I wrote an article. It's written by magazines still out there. You know, it's the Writers Guild magazine.
Ryder Strong
I think so, actually.
Steve Young
Okay. I was contributing editor and I wrote a, a, I wrote a Story, you know, as I was getting older and, you know, there was ageism, so I wrote an article that I'm not a young television writer, but I play one on tv. It was all. It was a chapter from a book called you'll never write in this town again. And in it, I gave examples of how to fool executive producers into thinking that you were younger. And I would say, like, when you pitch an idea, make sure you do it laying on the floor so the loose skin from the front of your face will fall to the back of your head. And always, always be close enough to the desk that you could sit like this as you're discussing so they don't see your neck. The. The idea. The idea was it was all farce. I put nobody's name in there except one. I said, never put any award that was prior to 2000 on your resume. Oscar, Emmy, Tony, whatever, unless you're Larry Gill over. I did that because I knew Larry would read it. And he did get in contact with me. And let me just tell you, I. I teach a lot of business classes and leadership and all, and I talk a lot about mentors, so I talk a lot about Larry because I heard him speak at a WGA thing, and I went like, he's great, and I want to get to know him. He gave his time to me all the time. Time. It was such. He was such a bench, so. And the fact that he was here, I'm going to age it out here because he was part of the Sid Caesar legacy.
Will Friedle
Yeah.
Steve Young
Your show. Your show of shows. And, And. And all the brilliant writers that were on that show. Mel Brooks and. And Neil Simon and even Woody Allen was writing that one year. To me, it was like, oh, my God, you know, I'm so close to genius here. Not. Not that I was getting closer. I just meant I was physically. Proximity.
Danielle Fishel
In proximity.
Ryder Strong
Yeah, exactly.
Steve Young
So, yeah, he's a wonderful. He was a wonderful person.
Will Friedle
That's amazing.
Danielle Fishel
Hi, it's Danielle Fishel from Pod Meets World, and I have a confession to make. I am officially tech jealous of my children. We just got the Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids, and now they are the one giving me tips on how to use smart devices. Devices. Honestly, it's the perfect first tech option for your kid if you're not ready to hand them a smartphone. And really, who is? I still know adults who shouldn't have one. Galaxy Watch for Kids is smart, safe, and super easy to use. They can call and text. Yes. From their wrist like a mini secret agent. And the best part I get to decide who they talk to, which means their BFF from preschool who once ate glue is not on the list.
Ryder Strong
List.
Danielle Fishel
And let's talk about location sharing. I can open my phone and know if my kid's at soccer practice or if they've wandered off to stare at vending machines in the hallway again. Plus I get alerts if they leave a zone I set. It's like having eyes in the back of my app. They can even track their activities with a few taps, whether they're dancing, hula hooping or doing that thing where they run in circles just to burn off post snack energy. And yes, the watch supports age appropriate content on Google Play, which means games and apps that that don't make me want to throw the tablet out a window. Best of all, and this is clutch, I can turn on Do Not Disturb mode from my phone. So when it's time for homework or school, boom. Distractions gone. It's like parenting with a remote control. Get Galaxy Watch 7 on T mobile now. Kid ready with a new paired line? Visit t mobile.com to order yours today. Parent and child must have a Samsung account and Google account with family link requires initial pairing with a compatible Samsung smartphone and qualifying wireless plan with LTV service activated. Please check with your carrier for more information. Trusted contact applies to compatible apps. It does not restrict communication through third party or other communication apps. Emergency services and contacts remain accessible. Location sharing is dependent on network connectivity and device being recently active supervised Google account required. Kids can still access limited features like calling and texting emergency contacts. T mobile terms via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a qualifying paired watch line. See additional Offer terms on t mobile.com.
Will Friedle
Gaming isn't just a hobby, it's a mission. And when you drop in, your squad is counting on you. No pressure, right? That's where Lenovo comes in in Be future ready with AI. The Legion series has everything from high performance laptops to top of the line towers. Whether you're buying, pre built or configuring your own with Intel Core Ultra processors unlock better streaming and gaming performance. Offload AI tasks like background removal, audio optimization and auto framing to the NPU so you can team and game smoothly plus accelerate on device generative AI tasks from creating images to audio. With three built in AI accelerators that help keep your data private and accessible. Expect lightning fast responsiveness on a stunning 16 inch PureSight display. Stay cool under pressure with cold front thermotech and with all day battery life, the game only stops when you say so. Intel Core Ultra processors for the next era of gaming. Shop now@lenovo.com.
Danielle Fishel
Summer is right around the corner and you know what that means.
Ryder Strong
Barbecues.
Will Friedle
Sunny days by the pool with my shirt on.
Danielle Fishel
No unwanted hair. No one wants that. So we're here to remind you about Nair, the number one hair removal brand, the gold standard in the field.
Will Friedle
You can't go wrong with any of their products. They have the new Lux Wax for Less wait time in between waxes or.
Ryder Strong
The dermatologist tested body and shower creams free of dyes, parabens, phthalates and sulfates.
Danielle Fishel
But we're focusing on my favorite the wax strips. It makes for the easiest wax ever and it lasts up to four weeks.
Steve Young
Weeks.
Danielle Fishel
All while minimizing hair regrowth and most importantly, saving me time. I have a podcast to record, a little League practice to watch, and a bedtime of 8.30pm Nair is an actual lifesaver.
Will Friedle
You can achieve salon quality results at home, leaving you with stress free, soft, silky skin. Or as I like to call it.
Ryder Strong
The triple S. You heard the man. Get ready for summer. Buy Nair wax strips at Walmart, Walgreens or cvs.
Danielle Fishel
Big things are happening at your local cvs. Yes, Extra big.
Will Friedle
So hurry on over because extra big deals are here.
Ryder Strong
These are deals so extra that they absolutely cannot be missed. And every two weeks there's going to be more.
Danielle Fishel
So you've got to keep coming back so you can keep saving on all the brands and products you and your family use every day.
Will Friedle
And speaking of saving, extra care is the way to save at cvs. So use your extra care card to unlock savings every time you shop.
Ryder Strong
And if you're not a member yet, now is the time to join.
Steve Young
Join.
Danielle Fishel
And the best part, it's completely free. Just sign up online or in store and you'll start saving instantly.
Will Friedle
And always be sure to check the CVS Health app for deals and savings.
Ryder Strong
Visit your local CVS store or cvs.com extra big deals to shop this week's deals and stock up on your favorite products.
Danielle Fishel
Your girl loves her some jewelry. And for the record, I'm your girl. So imagine my excitement when I found out I get to talk to you about Pandora Jewelry. Every piece from Pandora is crafted with meaning, love and exquisite artistry. Whether it's sparkling lab grown diamonds or vibrant enamels, engravings and iconic charms, there's no better place than Pandora to express what's in your heart. Pandora makes sure your jewelry is a celebration of you with hand finished designs and playful cuts that make everything unique. Like it should be shop Pandora today in store or online@pandora.net Every day is a chance to be love. Let Pandora jewelry remind you that love starts with you getting back to your time on Boy Meets World. You were on set for the tape night where I burst into tears in front of everybody. Did you get to spend the entire week in the writers room? Because we've. We've interviewed some other writers that were freelance writers, and they. They never even made it to set at all. Did your relationship with Bob give you the opportunity to be inside the writers room?
Steve Young
Yeah, I got to be in the writer's room. I got to pitch during the show. I cheated, and Bob cheated and letting me be part of it and down for the table read and the. And going up for the rewrites. And, you know, even. You know, even you guys did a show that I w. Wasn't part of, and I was on. I. I came in and I just, you know, was on the stage, and there was one discussion, and I mentioned the line to Bob. I said, why don't you try this? And he actually put it in the show. And I, you know, and so I didn't get paid for that.
Danielle Fishel
I think, yeah, you should go retroactive, but.
Ryder Strong
Yeah, remember what the line was?
Steve Young
Oh, no, I. I can't remember what the line was, but, oh, I was going back to. If you're talking about Line, the book that I wrote about learning from failure and mistakes, etc. Etc. And. And if you want to do something, if you have the passion to do it, you should do it. No matter what parents say, no matter what coaches say. And all this is a true story. When. When Beethoven was just a young child, he was told that he could never play music because he was deaf. But did he listen? Okay, I feel like. I feel like I'm on your couch. I don't know if he listened. It was a long time ago.
Danielle Fishel
Did writing for a family sitcom hold any weight among your comedy peers, or did you try to hide that job?
Steve Young
You know, it. It seems like I'm kissing up here constantly, but you guys had such a. You had such a great show and. And a wonderful cast. And by the way, I thought Ben Savage was going to become the next Albert Brooks. That was. Yeah, I really thought his delivery and all a lot of deadpan and all that stuff. He seemed to have that sense. Albert Brooks was one of my. Is one of my idols.
Danielle Fishel
Yes.
Steve Young
So, you know that it didn't feel like a family show. It felt like a classic show. So, I mean, what. What Did I watch. I had to watch a lot of shows because I was going to end up writing because I wrote a lot of family shows and. And that would happen, but my. My thing was satire and political humor and. And, you know, really things like that. You. I wrote. I wrote. Was it me and the boys? Oh, no, it was the smart guy. I wrote Smart Guy. And every time I would come into a show, I would pitch. Usually that the. One of the kids got drunk or one of the kids was found with a gun, or one of the kids. I always, always pitched. Pitched.
Danielle Fishel
Basically, you wanted to write a very special episode.
Steve Young
Exactly. And I. I pitched this one where Taj. Yeah, Taj got drunk at a party.
Danielle Fishel
I mean, here's the episode. Never too young.
Steve Young
Yes. He was either 12 or 13 years old and all that stuff. And everybody went, no, no, no, we're not gonna put Taj in that situation. Then I get a phone call at the beginning of the next season that says, remember that pitch that you made? Come in. We're going to do it. And it was. It was because the. I don't know if it was a Biden administration, but whatever. They wanted anti drinking, anti gun type messages, and they would pay the networks for it. And so I got called in to write this script and an actual edgy script, and I won the. Not the amount I was nominated for. Humanitarian. Humanitarian.
Danielle Fishel
Humanitas.
Steve Young
You didn't pronounce it right.
Danielle Fishel
Okay, sorry.
Steve Young
But you said. But you used all the letters.
Danielle Fishel
I used all the letters. They're in there.
Steve Young
Exactly. So I don't know. Humanitarian. Something like that. I was nominated for that. And I. And I. I won another award for writing that because it was, you know, real life stuff. So I got to write, you know, other things than just. And I wrote for Sybil, and I don't think that was a family show. Yeah, that was more of an. You know, adults get to watch the shows, too.
Will Friedle
Can I. When you were doing Boy Meets World, how old were your kids? Were they of. Of TGIF watching age?
Steve Young
No, they were younger than that. That's why I could. You know, I once put them and my. My whole family on ebay to sell the family.
Danielle Fishel
All right, good.
Steve Young
Yeah. And I took them, by the way. I pitched that as a show, too. But we actually.
Danielle Fishel
The dad who sells his family on ebay.
Steve Young
Yes, I did that, too. And. And it was back when people weren't doing that, and they were like 4 and 5 at the time, so.
Danielle Fishel
Okay.
Steve Young
They couldn't really figure. And that's about this time.
Danielle Fishel
Okay.
Steve Young
They didn't know. Except today it's like, there's a picture of my daughter when she was an infant in Betty White's arms and she never thought anything about it. She said when she went to college and she showed it, everybody went crazy. It was a great conversation starter because I think Betty was. Ended up doing SNL and they did that commercial where she changed into another person by eating a certain candy bar. But anyway, so they, they were younger, but believe me, she can't wait to tell all her friends I'm doing this.
Danielle Fishel
Oh, cool.
Will Friedle
That's awesome.
Danielle Fishel
So as a big comedy nerd growing up, you watched Carson's Tonight show religiously, and then you end up writing the Tonight show with Jay Leno. That must have been. Been quite a moment for you.
Steve Young
It was kind of cool. First of all, Jay worked for me for a number of years, so I guess there was a little bit of, you know, payback.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah. A little full circle switch around.
Steve Young
Exactly. And the thing is, you. It was monologue writing, so it was really what, what happened that day or whatever. And it, you know, you give about, you pitch about, about 500 jokes and they go, oh, that one's good. You know, so it wasn't exactly where you sit there and go, hey, this is just a wonderful environment where my creativity is looked on as broken. It was. And, and as I said before, what you had to write for Jay is nowhere near as funny as he was.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah.
Steve Young
In the clubs, person, you would be be doubled over for an hour and a half. Such a mechanic. He just knew he still knows how to make it work. On the Tonight show, he was working to a very watered down audience. And that's what you're supposed to do.
Will Friedle
But you're still doing, man, you're starting just. I'm thinking comedically, every single night is a new five minute bit. So much for the monologue. I mean, that's crazy. When you're thinking about it from a comic standpoint, that. That's just nuts.
Steve Young
It's.
Ryder Strong
And how big would the writing staff be? How many, how many writers would be sitting around writing?
Steve Young
Well, there are a lot of inside, outside writers. When, when I was writing, I was an outside writer and I would, you know, every day be sending the stuff in and he would go over his house with a bunch of people and go through all the material and see what they would use. So, you know, There were about 12 writers. 12 writers at any time. I mean, with you guys, There are about 10 writers.
Will Friedle
Yeah.
Steve Young
You know, and still you figure all Those writers and all those rewrites, you would figure something good would come out of it.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, yeah. Such a shame.
Steve Young
By the way I looked. I did a little cheating, so I went back and looked at shows and then I looked where somebody had put. I think you guys did 156 shows, something like that.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, yeah.
Steve Young
And I think uncle daddy was like 12 or something like that rated, so I felt really good about that.
Will Friedle
Yeah, people loved it.
Danielle Fishel
People love that episode. It's a great one.
Steve Young
It was so real. And it was based on thing, you know, in part about my life. You know, you date somebody with kids and, you know, you have to. Hey, so how you doing there, buddy pal? You know.
Will Friedle
Right, right.
Steve Young
Yeah. And so you tried to. In this case, you tried to write it the way it should be, not the way, because it was wonderful right up to the last second that the kid could have been murdered. But, you know, everything up to that was just so sweet, just so. Right. Exactly what you should do. And I really did, you know, I did get along. I. I like the kids better than I like, like the girl. You know, I mean, when you meet them, it's kind of. It's kind of fun to. To play with the young kids and all that. And. Yeah, Yeah, I made a lot of. A lot of. Had a lot of experiences with. With children as part of a, you know, A. A family that wasn't your family.
Danielle Fishel
Interesting.
Steve Young
Wow.
Danielle Fishel
Did you end up. Also, did that relationship end and you decided that it wasn't for you to have. Have kids at that time?
Steve Young
Oh, at that time? Oh, yeah. I mean, I. I was not taking Zoloft. I. I was stressed over everything. I've been sober for 35 years. Not that I was a, you know, this horrible drunk or anything like that, but I drank and. And it wasn't doing me any good. And so at that time, I was not making commitments to. To anybody I could be charming, or at least I thought I was.
Danielle Fishel
Right.
Steve Young
You know, when you're drinking, you don't exactly know if you're charming.
Danielle Fishel
Right.
Steve Young
You think you are.
Danielle Fishel
Right.
Steve Young
But at the same time, later on, I stopped drinking, you know, and everything. And that's when I ended up getting married and. And reversing the vasectomy.
Danielle Fishel
And then you had children or you.
Will Friedle
Just bought your family on ebay.
Steve Young
Yeah, well, I would have done that if I would have known that it would save a lot of money.
Danielle Fishel
So when did you decide start writing books?
Steve Young
Well, it was when. When our show, maybe this time was. We got the word that it Was, you know, going up there and, and I said to somebody, somebody said, you should write a book. And I said, I. I don't know how to write a book. They said, you should write what you know. And I said, well, I'm really good at failure. I, I've practiced it for years. I not. And, and that became, you know, that.
Danielle Fishel
Became your first book.
Steve Young
Yeah, Betty. Then there were a couple children's shows I pitched and did not sell. Oh, one I sold to the Disney Channel and they gave it back to me after they ruined it by giving it to an executive producer who didn't get it. It was about a boy who could go back in time, but only 15 seconds. That's all he could do. And sometimes he would go back in time. The watch he was wearing would do it without him. No, 15 minutes. I'm sorry, 15 minutes he could go back in time. And I wrote it as a book, sold it to HarperCollins because we weren't able to make it there. Then I wrote another book for HarperCollins, and then I had a thing with Larry David.
Danielle Fishel
A show?
Steve Young
No, it was a conversation with Larry David that we were. I was going to do an article on him and, and it's too long a story to tell, but I ended up writing it into a book and it's called. Called the Larry David Code. And it's How Larry Saves the World. But I mean.
Danielle Fishel
And that's the Larry David we all know and love. Or is this a different version of Larry David?
Steve Young
That's interesting because if you would read the preface of the book, it does explain that there is a Larry David David who is very successful, very popular, very attractive man. This is not this Larry. This Larry David is very similar to that Larry David, but is not that Larry David. And I have written notes to all of my attorneys to let them know.
Danielle Fishel
Let them know it's a totally different.
Steve Young
And I didn't, I didn't. I. I put it in my drawer for years and I showed it to Richard Lewis, who was a friend, and he said, you gotta, you gotta publish it. I said, well, Larry might get upset. He said, screw Larry, you know, and.
Will Friedle
Wasn'T he Larry's best friend, too?
Steve Young
Yeah.
Ryder Strong
Well, this is a different Richard Lewis. I don't know if you.
Steve Young
Oh, yeah, it was a different Richard Lewis too.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah. Another very good looking, very successful. Yes.
Steve Young
Yeah, yeah, there are, there are, there are plenty of them in the book. And coincidentally, all with similar names to some very famous.
Danielle Fishel
I mean, we've named three Steve Youngs on this Podcast.
Steve Young
Yeah. And there are other states. My son represented Steve Young, a country singer.
Will Friedle
Oh.
Steve Young
And I got a check of his at one time, too, so.
Danielle Fishel
And did you want to be you, or did you want to be him?
Steve Young
He was better than me. Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
Okay. You wanted to be him.
Ryder Strong
They're all, they're all better than me.
Steve Young
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
So you have also taught writing at temple. You were a political radio host. You are a bit of a renaissance man.
Steve Young
Like, I was a political. On Air America. And keep in mind how well Air America did. So I'm sure that both of my listeners were devastated when, when we, when we ended. But when you stopped. Yeah, I, I did that. I was political editor of National Lampoon for a while. That was fun. That was fun to do because National Lampoon was a big deal for I was, When I was a kid. But, yeah, I told you I did as much as I could because I couldn't do anything well. And it was really, you know, as it came in front of me because, like, I flunked out of four different colleges without ever getting a credit. So that was a lot.
Danielle Fishel
How does one do that?
Steve Young
Well, it's interesting. I flunked out the first year, and then I went. They said, you have to go back to night school school to, to get back into the day school. And people said, you can't flunk night school. That's like a possibility. So I took it as a challenge, and I ended up flunking out of night school.
Will Friedle
Were you just not going? I mean, that's the only way to flunk out of night school.
Steve Young
No, I went and I took a public speaking course and I flunked it. I, I, I found out later that I, I have a learning disability, and so I couldn't retain any information.
Will Friedle
Gotcha.
Steve Young
And that that was it. Then I went in the army and I, and I flunked out of the Army. They said, I think we would be better if you would, you would stay.
Will Friedle
Home, not be here anymore. Okay.
Steve Young
And so I went back to college.
Ryder Strong
Served your country by getting out of the army.
Steve Young
Yeah. So I, by the way, that's why the book learning, you know, great failures. That's what popped up my mind, because there are so many times that things didn't work. And then it led to something else. I mean, even that I wrote a movie that some very heavyweight producers took around town, did not sell. But my agent called me up and said, there's a scene in there that I think would make a great sitcom for kids.
Danielle Fishel
Kids.
Steve Young
And we sold it to the Disney Channel. So there it is. The movie didn't work, but we sold a TV show. TV show then didn't work. They gave it to me. I wrote it as a book. The book, the actually book work. And somebody bought it as a play. You know, I mean, this is what happens if you just keep doing and doing. You end up running into something that you would have never expected if you didn't take the action. Oh, look, I, I'm lecturing now. It.
Will Friedle
And I already flunked out. I already flunked out of your class.
Ryder Strong
I didn't retain any of that.
Steve Young
I'm going to send a magnet to put on your refrigerator. That was very good.
Danielle Fishel
Our last question for you. You have had a very long, fulfilling career in so many different fields. Is there still anything out there left that you want to do?
Steve Young
Oh, let me tell you, I discovered a stand up approach after all these years about eight or nine years ago. Nobody, the club owners tell me nobody has ever done it. I've never seen it done. Many other comedians have told me. But it's something that I do now and I'm better than I ever was. So I, I'm in my 70s and yet I now can get on stage as a headliner and literally kill because they're not. What I do is I watch every other comic and then I do their material again. Because I say, I say at the beginning, I wrote material for tonight, but there's this. So much better than mine. I'm just going to do theirs again. And, and what I've done during the night is watch them and change their, the jokes. I change them. I make them really absurd and just totally off the wall. But I use them as the starting point. And I've only gotten, I've only gotten beaten up a couple times.
Will Friedle
Yeah, I was gonna say that. Said that. I bet comedians love that. That's what they're known for, is like, you know, my favorite thing is when I tell a joke and then another comedian tells the same one.
Danielle Fishel
It's my favorite and a little bit better and different than me.
Steve Young
You know, what I like to do is tell it before they go on. That's. There is only a couple comedians who have ever said no. I, it's, it's because I think it's a fun thing and it's because I'm not making a lot of money on their material. And I tell them, if you like what I did with it, you take that, that's yours. So, you know, it's just so, so fun to do and I sit there and I sit there every night. That. And I'm writing, and I. You know, at the beginning, it's like, it's not gonna work. It's not gonna work. And then all of a sudden. But I spend most of the time turning to my girlfriend and saying, what do you say?
Danielle Fishel
I can't hear.
Ryder Strong
No, I think this is really. That's really cool.
Danielle Fishel
It's.
Ryder Strong
It makes it that it has to be live. That's what I like about it. It's like, that's why the audience. The audience must love it, because they are. You clearly couldn't have written this ahead of time. And so getting back to what standup should be, which is a live experience, we do this with our live shows, too. The less we plan, the more we just walk out on stage and engage with our audience, the better a night it is. So that's such a cool. It's like a cool tightrope walk that you're doing. I really appreciate it, and thank you.
Steve Young
And isn't it when you do things live, when the audience is with you, don't your minds move faster? And that's why we're all doing this.
Ryder Strong
That's why you go out. That's what we want from comedy. In today's world, everything is, you know, online or, you know, we're all isolated in our own little. We're doing meetings like this, you know, so the idea of, like, getting out into a room and listening and being a part of a group is just getting lost on us.
Steve Young
At the same time, I cannot send out a tape of mine, and anybody would know what I was doing.
Ryder Strong
Right, right, right.
Steve Young
I have my own material, too, and that's fine, too. But the thing that makes me different is doing the other people material. And unfortunately, that puts me in a hole. But you know what? I'm. I'm at a. At a point in my life where I'm not sitting there and going, oh, let me get on failing. That'll be.
Will Friedle
Right, right, right.
Ryder Strong
Get invited to the couch.
Will Friedle
That's the best. Well, when you. When you Also, when you. When you write your book about failing part two, I hope you start with us.
Steve Young
The show that Danielle, it. And yes, you got through the tears. I wish I could remember. I know you were making a speech.
Danielle Fishel
At the very end. It's the tag.
Ryder Strong
She's running for class president or something. Yeah. No, it's like Corey's running for president. You end up taking over the debate or something. I forget what.
Steve Young
Everybody was running for president.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah. It's the tag. It's the very last scene of the show. So if you go back and watch it and will even. I mean, I. I said I wanted to rewatch it because Wilk said he could even see it in my eyes. Eyes.
Steve Young
I can.
Will Friedle
I can see them covering.
Danielle Fishel
My husband said he could see it too.
Steve Young
Ah, that's great. That's. It's not so great, but I mean.
Danielle Fishel
No, it's great. I love it. Steve, thank you so much for coming and spending your time with us. Thank your daughter Kelly for letting us use her house and her name. And Casey, really have enjoyed spending a bit of time with you. It makes sense now that we didn't really get to know you because you were only on our set for two weeks. So it's been a pleasure to get to know you a little bit now.
Steve Young
Yeah, well, I'm glad, you know, I'm so pleased that I was part of it because when people talk about what. Are you sure? I wrote something for HBO I was very proud of for little kids. But your show is the one that I always think when I get introduced, it is a writer for Boy Meets World. That's the first. Oh, man, that's cool that they give. And now a lot of the audience is. I don't remember that show.
Danielle Fishel
I'm too old for that.
Steve Young
Yeah. Oh, yes. My parents told me.
Will Friedle
Yeah, that's where we are. Yeah, but that's.
Steve Young
I give you as the credit. I'm thrilled that I could have been part of it.
Danielle Fishel
Where can people find you so they know where to go see you in a city near them?
Steve Young
The Larry David code dot com.
Danielle Fishel
Great. The Larry David code dot com to.
Steve Young
Find where Steve David code. Yes.
Will Friedle
Different Larry David, by the way.
Steve Young
I do not. I'm really bad on upkeep, so a lot of my appearances in 2015 and 16 may still be on there. So I don't know, you know.
Danielle Fishel
Okay.
Steve Young
Check the date.
Danielle Fishel
Check the date.
Ryder Strong
Fair enough.
Danielle Fishel
Okay. Before you buy tickets, check the date at the Larry David code dot com. Thank you, Steve, for being with us today.
Steve Young
Thanks, guys.
Will Friedle
Appreciate it.
Ryder Strong
Good to see you.
Steve Young
Bye.
Danielle Fishel
It's so great that he, for doing when he did the two episodes, actually got to spend the entire week on set, unlike a lot of other freelance artists.
Ryder Strong
It's funny because he actually has more memories than some people who are on.
Danielle Fishel
Our show for multiple years.
Will Friedle
That's what I'm saying. How about some confirmation for you? Bursting into tears.
Danielle Fishel
I didn't need it. I knew for sure if Will remembered it, it happened. And writer remembered it vaguely writer was.
Ryder Strong
Like, yeah, once you point out. Pointed out.
Steve Young
I was like, that's right.
Ryder Strong
And I can tell because I remember the fact that we changed the credit and all of that.
Steve Young
It was.
Ryder Strong
In a way, yeah.
Will Friedle
He's also the guy, the people that he's worked with, I mean just the names that he's spouting out there. I would also officially like to ask that we try. It'll never happen, but we try to get Jim Carrey to come on the podcast.
Danielle Fishel
Why would Jim Carrey come on our podcast?
Will Friedle
Let's find out. Why would. My dad always says the worst thing people can say is no. You might as well just ask then find him.
Danielle Fishel
Well, find him.
Will Friedle
I don't know how to find Jim.
Danielle Fishel
Reach out to me, please.
Will Friedle
Come on our podcast.
Danielle Fishel
Reach out to the Jim Carrey dot com. Reach out to the Jim Carrey.
Ryder Strong
Jim Carrey's been going through a very interesting moment the last couple years.
Steve Young
I don't know.
Will Friedle
Well, then let's find out. If you. Maybe it's interesting.
Ryder Strong
This sort of like Buddhist, present tense constant. He's like a very interesting guy lately. I know.
Will Friedle
Let's try to get him on.
Danielle Fishel
My favorite recent Jim Carrey quote was they asked him why he was coming back for Sonic and he was like, I spend a lot of money.
Will Friedle
Yeah, we can get him. I'm telling you, we can get him.
Ryder Strong
I just love how hard so many of our writers had to work. Like these stories. It's just the constant hustle. It's like. And like you have to. You have to manage the club or own the club even to just get your own five minutes and then you have to just hang out. Like, I mean, the way that he must have spent every night of his life backstage with a group of comedians trying to make each other laugh. Trying to maintain enough of an impression to get paid to get hired to the next. It's like such a hustle.
Steve Young
It's so much work.
Will Friedle
He's also running a business. He's also then owns the club, so it's got that whole thing too.
Ryder Strong
So much work. I just. You just have to have that. Like I'm always going to be making people laugh and I can't stop. Like I just always, you know, like what an engine to always have inside of you. I just, it's crazy. Oh, my God. So cool.
Danielle Fishel
Well, thank you all for joining us for this episode of POD Meets World. As always, you can follow us on Instagram Pod Meets World Show. You can send us your emails. Pod meets worldshowmail.com and we have merch.
Will Friedle
We here at Pod Mes World would like to personally apologize to the Olive Garden Merch.
Danielle Fishel
Also a reminder. We the kids still want to jump. We are on tour. You can go to podmeatsworldshow.com for merch and tickets and to see the calendar of all the dates. So we hope to see you out there. We love you all. Pod Dismissed. Pod Meets World is an iHeart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle and Ryder Strong, executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman, executive in charge of production Danielle Romo, producer and editor Tara Suedbaksh, producer Maddie Moore, engineer and Boy Meets World super fan Easton Allen. Our theme song is by Kyle Morton of Typhoon. Follow us on Instagram at Pod Meets World show show or email us@podmeetsworldshowmail.com look, if multitasking were an Olympic sport, I would have a gold medal and then I'd probably misplace it while making lunch for my two hungry boys. But lucky for me, I have a Target Circle360 membership and I can get same day delivery with no price markups at Target and lots of other local stores with Shipt excluding select alcohol retailers and items. Terms apply.
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Pod Meets World: "Steve Young Meets World" – Episode Summary
Release Date: June 16, 2025
In this engaging episode of Pod Meets World, hosts Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and Ryder Strong welcome Steve Young, a multifaceted writer known for his contributions to the beloved series Boy Meets World. The hosts delve into Steve's extensive career, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at his journey from stand-up comedy to television writing, and his ventures into authorship.
Steve Young is introduced as a seasoned writer with notable credits, including Boy Meets World, Sybil, Smart Guy, and Michael Jacobs’ lesser-known projects. With a background in stand-up comedy and ownership of the legendary Comedy Works club in Philadelphia, Steve brings a wealth of experience to the table. He’s also an author, having penned a meta novel about Larry David, among other works.
Steve Young [20:02]: "I'm now at my lovely daughter's house doing this. And by the way, you would know the name of my daughter if you watched any of the shows I wrote, because anytime you brought on a character who was not a regular cast character, I named them after my kids."
Steve recounts his early days in stand-up comedy, starting at the Troubadour and eventually founding Comedy Works in Philadelphia, which operated from 1980 to 1993. The club became a hotspot, hosting rising stars like Jay Leno, Jim Carrey, and Buddy Hackett.
Steve Young [23:13]: "The Comedy Works…I owned it from about '80 to '93. We were fortunate enough to book weekly with legends like Leno, Jim Carrey, Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy…"
He highlights memorable performances, including Jim Carrey’s innovative stage presence despite technical issues, and Buddy Hackett’s enduring charm.
Steve details his shift from stand-up to television writing. His first TV credit was an episode for "Me and the Boys", where he faced initial setbacks, including a notably poorly received script that left him doubting his writing career.
Steve Young [42:12]: "Nobody laughed, nobody left. I was sitting, thinking, I'll never work again."
However, perseverance paid off as he transitioned to writing for Boy Meets World and other Michael Jacobs’ projects. Steve emphasizes the collaborative nature of the writers' room and the ease of writing for the well-defined characters.
Steve Young [43:23]: "I think... I wrote for Boy Meets World. The characters were so well defined that my fingers just followed them."
Steve shares heartfelt memories from the Boy Meets World set, including moments like Danielle Fishel’s emotional scene where her character Topanga cries, leading to real tears that added authenticity to the performance.
Danielle Fishel [44:38]: "You burst into tears."
Steve reflects on the supportive and family-like atmosphere among the cast and crew, highlighting interactions with stars like Betty White and Ashley Johnson.
Steve Young [48:54]: "Ashley Johnson... her mother, her sister. Just great, great... a wonderful family."
He also discusses his writing for other shows like "Smart Guy", where he pushed boundaries by pitching edgier storylines that eventually were incorporated into the series, earning him accolades like a Humanitas nomination.
Steve Young [63:34]: "I was nominated for that. And I won another award for writing that because it was, you know, real life stuff."
Steve delves into his foray into writing books, inspired by his experiences and mentors like Larry David. His book, "The Larry David Code," presents a fictional take on the renowned comedian, distinguishing it from the real Larry David.
Steve Young [71:49]: "That's interesting because if you would read the preface of the book, it does explain that there is a Larry David who is very successful… but is not that Larry David."
He also touches on his challenges with academia, highlighting his struggles with a learning disability that led him to flunk out of multiple colleges and the Army, shaping his resilience and creative pursuits.
Steve Young [74:10]: "I flunked out of night school... found out I have a learning disability…"
In his 70s, Steve revitalizes his stand-up career with a unique approach: performing and reimagining other comedians’ material. This method not only showcases his adaptability but also keeps his performances fresh and engaging.
Steve Young [76:26]: "I watch every other comic and then I do their material again… making them really absurd and totally off the wall."
The episode concludes with heartfelt reflections on the importance of live performances in comedy, the camaraderie among writers and performers, and Steve’s ongoing passion for creating and sharing humor.
Steve Young [79:00]: "When you do things live, when the audience is with you, don't your minds move faster? And that's why we're all doing this."
The hosts express their gratitude to Steve for sharing his rich career insights and memorable anecdotes from Boy Meets World. They encourage listeners to check out Steve’s work and upcoming projects, particularly his book "The Larry David Code."
Danielle Fishel [81:53]: "Let me know where people can find you so they know where to go see you in a city near them… The Larry David Code dot com."
This episode of Pod Meets World offers a comprehensive look into Steve Young’s influential role in shaping Boy Meets World, his diverse career across comedy and writing, and his enduring passion for performance. Listeners gain valuable insights into the dynamics of a successful writers' room, the challenges of transitioning between entertainment mediums, and the importance of resilience and creativity in the arts.
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