Podcast Summary: The Commercial Break – TCB Infomercial: Tim Baltz (04/01/25)
Episode Overview
In this Tuesday “TCB Infomercial” installment, Bryan Green and Krissy Hoadley welcome Tim Baltz, comedian and actor known for his roles in “The Righteous Gemstones,” “Shrink,” and “Deli Boys.” The episode focuses on Tim’s journey through TV comedy, the dynamics and ensemble magic of McBride’s HBO universe, the rollercoaster world of streaming TV, behind-the-scenes stories from his projects, and his improv roots. The hosts and Tim dig into industry changes, the joys of being part of a comedy family, and the emotional quirks of being a Chicagoan and a lifelong Cubs fan.
1. Guest Introduction & Quick Banter
Timestamps: 00:01-03:25
- The episode kicks off with dog chat, telepathic dog communication (Tim: “You’re a good boy and I’m a good boy. We’re both good boys” – 00:23), and quick rapport among the hosts and guest.
- Bryan and Krissy introduce Tim’s TV resume: “Righteous Gemstones” (HBO), a guest spot on “Better Call Saul,” “Shrink” (now on Peacock), and “Deli Boys” (Hulu).
Notable Quotes:
- Tim, on dogs: “I like to, when I see a dog, I try to communicate telepathically and let it know that I’m okay. In my head, I just say, you’re a good boy and I’m a good boy.” (00:15)
- Bryan on the industry: “Little appearance, big impact. Yeah, Better Call Saul!” (02:18)
2. TV Talk: Tim Baltz's Recent Work
Timestamps: 03:25–11:20
- “Deli Boys”: Overview of the premise and Tim’s role as an investigator.
- “Righteous Gemstones”: Bryan compares the McBride shows to the 80s/90s Christopher Guest improvisational ensemble movies, lauding their unpredictability and scene-stealing cast.
- “Shrink” and web comedy “Bajillion Dollar Properties” get nods for their satire and industry relevance.
Quotes:
- Bryan on “Righteous Gemstones”: “It’s so funny and so well done it reminds me of the gut-busting movies. It’s so prescient!” (04:31)
- Krissy: “We’ve done so many of those preachers. The preacher features.” (04:38)
- Tim, on the ensemble: “They took on that ensemble style and gave everyone ownership over their parts. They trusted everyone. If the syntax feels weird, change it.” (00:55, restated at 20:41)
3. Chicago Roots & Comedy
Timestamps: 05:22–09:22
- Discussion on Chicago’s unique mix of big city energy, “midwestern niceness,” diversity, and brutal winters.
- The importance of Chicago as a comedy and improv launchpad for Tim and the hosts.
- Anecdotes about early radio days: “You were ahead of your time!” Krissy tells Bryan (09:41).
Memorable Moment:
- Bryan on Chicago identity: “When you’re a Chicago kid…you’ll always be a Chicago kid…If you’ve ever been to Chicago, it’s just one of the coolest fucking places on earth.” (06:03)
4. “Righteous Gemstones” and the Power of Ensemble Comedy
Timestamps: 11:53–21:40
4a. Inside the Set Experience
- Tim describes the magic of being cast in the McBride-verse: “I was a huge fan…what makes McBride’s and their team’s comedy so enduring…is that they cast…where the ensembles always feel perfect.” (14:59)
- Bryan highlights: all the cast members are “scene stealers,” which makes the show electric and sharp.
4b. Location and Camaraderie
- Charleston’s foodie culture and how location affects ensemble chemistry; living like “summer camp” with Edie Patterson and Cassidy Freeman (18:29).
- “It was like a beach mansion…riding our bikes to dinner…not what I’m used to at an Airbnb in Wilmington.” (18:30)
4c. The Ensemble Approach
- Tim: They gave all actors “ownership” and encouraged improvisation for authentic, razor-sharp performances.
- “They trusted everyone…if the syntax feels weird…change it. Say it how you think the character would say it.” (20:41)
Quotes:
- Tim: “I think anybody would…where you show up and they’re like, ‘what do you got?’...then you feel like your decision making is part of the process.” (24:48)
- Bryan on direction: “You hear the stories…people like James Cameron…‘my way or the highway’…and then there’s very collaborative directors and writers…” (25:10)
5. The Streaming TV Rollercoaster
Timestamps: 33:46–42:15
- Tim shares the origin of “Shrink” as a web series, the long journey through multiple platforms, and the frustration with shows being “orphaned” as streaming services come and go.
- Bryan and Tim discuss the disruptive streaming era: beloved shows vanish, rise of short-lived series, and challenges in discovering new content.
- “Disruption is just the shell game…they sold it as an improvement, but it made access worse.” (39:11, Tim)
- Reflection on streamers returning to cable-style bundling and advertising: “It’s so funny…now they’re going back to dropping episodes week after week, just like cable.” (40:38, Bryan)
6. Show-by-Show Spotlight
6a. “Deli Boys”
Timestamps: 26:49–31:48
- Tim: “It’s like Guy Ritchie meets Succession…family drama driving the story, heart, comedy, violence, intrigue.” (28:33)
- Highlights importance of South Asian leads, representation, and a welcoming, grateful vibe on set.
6b. “Shrink”
Timestamps: 33:46–37:48
- Based on a true story: A med graduate starting his therapy hours in his parents’ garage, while half a million in debt.
- “A character like that…decides to defer his student loans by starting to do clinical therapy…but you have to do 2000 hours of free therapy.” (34:53)
- Tim’s pride in indie TV’s early web festivals and the battle to find a streaming home.
7. Navigating the Industry: Frustrations and Joys
Timestamps: 38:20–45:50
- Conversation about the uneasy future of streaming, lack of long-running show stability, and Bryan’s complaint: “Some of these television shows that are fan favorites…they never get a chance to wrap up storylines, they just go away.” (38:20)
- Tim reflects on setbacks post-“Shrink,” being “heartbroken,” and finding fulfillment joining “Righteous Gemstones” (44:19).
8. Behind the Scenes & Acting Challenges
Timestamps: 45:50–51:41
- Tim describes the physical challenges of “Gemstones”: “Season one I get hit in the face with a steak, tased, beat up, fall off a fence, season two baptized, get shot, season three ninja star in my head, fight a naked guy, this season: pole dance.” (45:50)
- Hilarious pole dancing training anecdotes: “Your body is built for pole!” (46:43, Tanya Crisper via Tim); Tim’s quick upside-down progress and injury (“I went too hard on the pole...” 47:33). Krissy commiserates: “They are so hard, seriously.” (46:07)
9. Working With Comedy Legends & Improv Roots
Timestamps: 47:41–54:34
- Edie Patterson: “...the two of you, just the back and forth... it makes me slick.” (47:57, Krissy)
- John Goodman’s professionalism: “It’s like watching a marble statue starting to move... every take was flawless.” (49:38, Tim)
- On improv background: Tim’s recurring characters, the benefit of improv in TV (“flexible and versatile”), and loving every cast member on the show.
10. Tim’s Podcast & Ongoing Projects
Timestamps: 52:54–54:34
- Tim plugs his podcast: “Hey Randy” on the Comedy Bang Bang Patreon, an advice/call-in show based on his CBB character Randy Snuts; “small but mighty fan base.”
- Tim’s excitement to discuss his hometown (“Joliet”), Chicago sports, and everyday life.
11. Wrap-Up: Chicago, Cubs, and Emotional Superstitions
Timestamps: 54:49–57:16
- Bryan tells Tim’s Cubs superstition story: He stood at the same table all night in an LA bar during Game 7 of the World Series, because moving could jinx the Cubs (as demanded by superstitious fans): “I can’t move. I gotta stand at this bar table for four and a half hours while the Cubs win the World Series. And they did, and we all cried.” (56:18)
12. Closing Thoughts
Timestamps: 57:17–End
- The hosts express admiration for Tim, wish for another season of Gemstones, and praise the comfort of great, rewatch-worthy TV.
- Bryan promises links to Tim’s work: “Righteous Gemstones” (Max), “Deli Boys” (Hulu), “Shrink” (Peacock), “Hey Randy” podcast (Patreon).
- Light closing banter: “Best to you out there in the podcast universe. Thanks Tim for showing up today. Until next time…goodbye.” (59:46)
Notable Quotes & Standout Moments
-
On Ensemble Comedy:
“You show up and they’re like, ‘what do you got?’…your decision making is part of the process.” – Tim (24:48) -
On the Streaming Era: “Disruption is just the shell game…they sold it as if it was this thing that was going to improve upon a product and it didn’t; it actually made access to the product worse.” – Tim (39:11)
-
On John Goodman:
“It’s like watching a marble statue starting to move…everything is perfect. Every take was flawless.” – Tim (49:38) -
On “Deli Boys”:
“It’s Guy Ritchie meets Succession…It has a lot of heart, along with the comedy and the violence and the gore…” – Tim (28:33) -
On Pole Dancing:
“With all due respect, your body is built for pole.” (46:43, Tanya Crisper via Tim) -
On Improv & Chicago:
“Comedy Bang Bang is my flavor of hot sauce.” – Bryan (51:42)
“When you’re a Chicago kid…you’ll always be a Chicago kid.” – Bryan (06:03)
Key Timestamps (for content reference)
- 00:15 Tim’s telepathic dog communication
- 04:31 Bryan compares “Gemstones” to Christopher Guest movies
- 14:59 Tim on the casting magic of McBride & co.
- 18:29 Tim on the “beach mansion” living w/ Edie & Cassidy
- 20:41 Tim on ensemble ownership/creative freedom
- 28:33 Tim summarizes “Deli Boys”
- 34:53 Tim on the premise of “Shrink”
- 39:11 Tim on streaming disruption
- 45:50 Tim lists his physical comedy challenges in “Gemstones”
- 46:43 Tanya Crisper: “Your body is built for pole.”
- 49:38 Tim on John Goodman
- 51:42 Bryan, on improv and “Comedy Bang Bang”
- 56:18 Tim’s Cubs superstition & World Series win
Tone: Chaotic, self-deprecating, irreverent yet warm; casual banter with thoughtful industry insight; full of detours and laughter.
For New Listeners:
This episode is a candid, funny, and insightful look at comedy on-screen and behind-the-scenes, seen through the eyes of a multi-talented improv actor whose career zigzags through some of TV’s sharpest new shows. Expect heartfelt laughs, honest industry talk, and a deep love of Chicago and comfort TV.