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Golden Girls, Laverne & Shirley, Gary Shandling and the Stories Nobody Tells

  1. Golden Girls, Laverne & Shirley, Gary Shandling and the Stories Nobody Tells 45:08

Marc Sotkin has written and produced some of the most beloved sitcoms in television history, and the stories behind those shows are even better than the episodes themselves.

From selling underwear in Houston to running the writers room on Golden Girls, Sotkin’s career is a masterclass in persistence, instinct, and surviving chaos with a sense of humor.

Show Highlights:

  • How an underwear salesman from Texas talked his wife into moving to Hollywood and somehow made it work.
  • The $15 quiz show question that was rewritten before it ever aired, and why it still bothers him.
  • The secret comedy duo Marc Sotkin formed with a young Gary Shandling before either of them were famous.
  • The Laverne & Shirley season that included a star quitting, a cast member Dying the night before a shoot, and Jim Belushi saving the day.
  • Why the showrunner of Golden Girls eventually ran the show from Boulder, Colorado, flying in twice a week.

You’re going to love my conversation with Greg Evigan

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

Ways to support the show:

SPONSOR: STAMPEDE SOCIAL Drive engagement from your social channels and podcast with Stampede Social’s Instagram and Facebook DM automation! Visit https://stampede.social Also check out: Why Instagram + Stampede Social Is the Growth Strategy Podcasters Need in 2025 (and Beyond)

Thanks for checking out Classic Conversations! Dive into pop culture nostalgia with comedian Jeff Dwoskin as he hosts the best TV and film interviews. Hear inspiring stories from actors, comedians, musicians, and pop culture icons about the road to success. Part comedy, part drama—always entertaining.

 

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I'm a tech entrepreneur, podcaster, and professional stand-up comedian. I started my journey in the tech industry back in 1997 when I founded my own website development company, which was one of the pioneering companies in the country at the time. While working in technology, my comedic talents couldn't be contained, and I eventually took to the stage as a stand-up comedian.

My passion for comedy led me to create Hashtag Roundup (@hashtagroundup on Twitter), a platform that has contributed to over 8000 top 10 USA trends on Twitter. With the growth of social media, particularly Instagram, I founded Stampede Social, a company aimed at helping creators drive traffic to their content without relying solely on a link in their bio.