"Ike Barinholtz"

The episode features an extended conversation with actor and comedian Ike Barinholtz. After opening segments with ads and banter about couch positioning and TV watching habits, Ike becomes the featured guest. He recounts growing up in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood near Wrigley Field in what was historically a gay neighborhood. Ike explains that he initially studied political science at Boston University but struggled with the freedom, engaging in excessive drug use and watching films repeatedly before being expelled mid-semester. His parents discovered his academic dismissal through a letter while he was returning from a vacation his father had planned as a reward. Rather than pursue a traditional path, Ike became involved in Chicago's improv scene, studying at Improv Olympic with Del Close and eventually working at Second City as a busboy while watching future stars like Tina Fey and Scott Adsit perform. He moved to Los Angeles with Seth Meyers, Josh Meyers, and others, working as a busboy before being cast on MADtv where he spent five years alongside Jordan Peele and others. He notes that SNL's cast during 2002-2008 was incredibly strong and that MADtv struggled with comparison, leading him to pursue sitcom work after leaving the show. After a three-and-a-half-year dry spell without work, Ike was cast by Danny McBride on Eastbound & Down, which he describes as his first experience working on a show he was a devoted fan of. This led to a long run on The Mindy Project with Mindy Kaling, doing six seasons with 22 episodes yearly. He's since created Running Point with Mindy Kaling and writing partner Dave Stasson, and currently stars in The Studio with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, which filmed in Venice with Madonna. Ike has three daughters (ages 8, 10, and soon 13) and discusses the challenges of work-life balance while away filming. He reveals he recently started a trivia podcast called "Funny You Ask" where he writes custom trivia questions for comedy and entertainment guests, then answers questions written by his producer Annabelle. Ike won Celebrity Jeopardy and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. The hosts quiz him on trivia covering historical events, American car companies, Marx Brothers, Canadian geography, U.S. presidents, Emmy winners, London landmarks, NHL records, and insect terminology. He mentions he slows down through yoga and watching quality television shows like Beef Season 2 with his wife. Throughout the conversation, the hosts express genuine affection for Ike, with Will noting that Ike is always happy to see, consistently shows up on time, is respectful, and is fundamentally a good person—qualities they argue matter more than pure talent in hiring.