In their season finale, Ben talks to Jon about the person who gave him his first break as a comedy writer: Jay Leno. Jon Rineman is the former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," and a professor

Thank You Wayne (How Jon Got Hired)

Apr 21st, 2021 33m 13s

This week, Jon and Ben throw it back to their very first episode, and how Jon got hired to write for "Late Night" in 2009. Dedicated to our friend and frequent podcast character, Wayne Federman - who's still alive! - and whose book, "The Histor

Jon's Favorite Jokes: Tonight Show

Apr 15th, 2021 1h 10m

Jon shares his favorite joke from each writer during his time at "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," then analyzes them with Ben. Jon Rineman is the former Head Monologue Writer for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and a professor

WWE on Fallon

Apr 6th, 2021 1h 22m

It's WrestleMania Week, pal(s)! And neither Earthquake nor Typhoon (Jon wrote that) can keep Ben from Zooming in from his LA bunker to Talk About WWE's many appearances on "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show." Jon Rineman is the former Head Mono

Who's Who: Tonight Show 2018

Apr 1st, 2021 1h 51m

We drop a lot of names - but who are these people?? Jon tells Ben about various writers and producers he last worked with at "The Tonight Show." (Listener Request) Jon Rineman is the former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonigh

The Comedy Cellar

Mar 24th, 2021 1h 35m

With clubs getting back in business, Ben asks Jon about trying out and performing at the world-famous Comedy Cellar. Also: Jon does a terrible Tracy Morgan impression, but makes up for it with a good Chuck Todd joke. Jon Rineman is a professor

The Roots

Mar 17th, 2021 1h 39m

From "Fresh Prince" cameos to a Don Rickles misfire, Jon and Ben discuss The Roots and their role as the house band on "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show." Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late

Joke Packets

Mar 11th, 2021 1h 26m

What's with all this packet racket? And what should you keep in mind when submitting a monologue sample? Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Year Jon Ran Things: Part 2

Mar 3rd, 2021 1h 10m

The mono was better, the ratings were better, and Jimmy was thrilled with Jon's work. So what happened? Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The Year Jon Ran Things: Part 1

Feb 26th, 2021 1h 21m

Did things get better or worse during Jon's year as a substitute Head Writer at "The Tonight Show"? Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Be

The First "Tonight Show"

Feb 18th, 2021 1h 25m

On the seventh anniversary, Ben and Jon discuss the debut and events leading up to "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College and former Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show S

The Beach Boys on "Late Night"

Feb 11th, 2021 1h 18m

What brought the coolest host in late night and his lamest writer together? The Beach Boys, of course. Here's the story (and backstory) of the band's 2012 appearance on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." (And the time Jon got drunk with Jimmy.) Jo

The Hair Tussle

Feb 4th, 2021 1h 54m

Ben asks Jon: who's responsible for the infamous Trump hair tussle? (And the show booked WHO to do standup??)

Anthony Jeselnik

Jan 28th, 2021 1h 37m

Writer Jon Rineman discusses his time working in late night with his former student, Ben Zieper. Jon Rineman was Head Monologue Writer for "Late Night" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," is co-creator of the adult party card game Ant

Here's What People Are Talking About

Jan 21st, 2021 51m 47s

In their debut episode, Ben asks Jon: how did the least-cool person in New Hampshire get hired to write for "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon"? Jon Rineman is a professor at Emerson College, co-creator of the adult party card game "Anti-Social Skil

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