Skip to content
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • PodBean
  • Subscribe To My Pal Sammy Newsletter
  • ABOUT
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

My Summer Lair

Think NPR's Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: My Summer Lair with host Sammy Younan: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

  • Home
  • Podcast
    • My Summer Lair
    • Space Station Oddity
  • Set The VCR
  • New Book Alert
  • True Sammy Stories
  • Toggle search form
Heather Ross (For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close) My Summer Lair

209 | Heather Ross (For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close)

Posted on July 13, 2021March 21, 2024 By Sammy Younan No Comments on 209 | Heather Ross (For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close)

My Summer Lair Chapter #209: Have You Heard About The One About Del Close?

Yo! For this episode I’ll need a location…I heard My Summer Lair…which makes sense. Villains need a break from their typical lairs. People have summer homes, right? And I’ll need an occupation: I heard podcast host. Ok let’s put this together: Yo Welcome to My Summer Lair I’m your host Sammy “Yes And” Younan.

I actually performed improv in a group…we did it for about 2 or 3 years. It’s a challenging medium because it forces you to be decisive. Instead of saying car which is bland it’s better to be specific say Ford Pinto. Your castmates benefit; the audience benefits…and you can build on that. That is…if you have it. Because with improv some nights you just don’t have it.

Though with improv it’s best to avoid the negative and focus on the positive. So tell me this: what do John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows, Shelley Long and Bob Odenkirk plus many more funny folks all have in common?

Del Close: an actor, writer, and improv teacher who coached many of the best-known comedians and comic actors…I mean that list I just recited, right?

Chances are you know Bill Murray and Tina Fey and Bob Odenkirk; they’re old pop culture friends yet Del Close is a cultural stranger.

So thankfully we now have Heather Ross’ For Madmen Only a Del Close documentary. A “madman” who freely operated from the total belief that improvisational comedy was an art form. He taught his witty students to be present…to make unlikely choices. Which sounds obvious but was indeed revolutionary. In this documentary it’s a treat to hear Adam McKay and Tim Meadows talk about comedy and celebrate the freedom of improv comedy.

And even though the focus of this documentary is comedy it’s not a “funny movie.” Unfortunately there is a persistent darkness that overshadows a lot of the mirth. Laughter may be the best medicine but for Del Close it wasn’t enough to dull his pain…his unresolved hurt.

If you’re a comedy nerd or a performer this documentary For Madmen Only is a must watch (now on Hulu!). Director Heather Ross has found a creative way to present Del Close’s literal words and his life while avoiding long periods of talking heads. I’m so grateful for the wonderful contributions Del made to comedy in general and in specific in my life.

For Madmen Only @ W • T • F

Host Sammy Younan

Recorded: Wednesday August 10, 2021 at 4:00 pm

Stress free pop culture tastefully harvested for your divine delight. Once a week a carefully curated edition of My Pal Sammy goes directly to your inbox. Sign up for my newsletter so we can have some fun…doing improv!

My Summer Lair, Podcast Tags:Bill Murray, Bob Odenkirk, Del Close, Directors, Documentaries, Heather Ross, Hot Docs, Hot Docs 2021

Post navigation

Previous Post: 208 | Andrew Farago (The Legend of Wonder Woman)
Next Post: 210 | Virginia Abramovich (Between Waves)

More Related Articles

057 | Jesse David Fox (Good One Podcast) My Summer Lair
Elizabeth Semmelhack (Sneakers x Culture: Collab) 137 | Elizabeth Semmelhack (Sneakers x Culture: Collab) My Summer Lair
311 | Michael Benson (Planetfall) My Summer Lair
Fred Peabody (The Corporate Coup D'Etat) 116 | Fred Peabody (The Corporate Coup D’Etat) My Summer Lair
My Pal Sammy Episode 1: Popular or Relevant Podcast
Andy Palmer (The Re-Education of Molly Singer) My Summer Lair 261 | Andy Palmer (The Re-Education of Molly Singer) My Summer Lair

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • #SetTheVCR: July 21-27, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    OPEN Happy Gilmore 2 is the TV Pick. TEXT This week’s TV Recommendations range from a Holy War to a Code of Silence. And Happy Gilmore is back…with a (golf) range like that it can only be #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: July 14-20, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Welcome To The Summer I Turned on The TV enjoying an Apocalypse and many Home Runs. With these recommendations #SetTheVCR is for TV Rif Raf and Amateurs.
  • #SetTheVCR: July 7-13, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    #SetTheVCR is your Institute for TV Recommendations: from Trainwrecks to Jaws I drop it like it's hot!
  • #SetTheVCR: June 30 – July 6, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    New Sandman means new TV dreams for this week to let your Old Guard down and enjoy TV Recommendations just like Sinners. It’s #SetTheVCR so let’s get Lost Together.
  • #SetTheVCR: June 23-29, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Here's a Countdown of TV Recommendations. For those who're Young Werther or those with an Ironheart this is #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: June 16-22, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    TV Recommendations for a Magic Lover you can watch week down by The Waterfront just watch out for Sharks. I'm not a Liar...look it's #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: June 09-15, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Without a TV Guide TV Recommendations can quickly go FUBAR quickly like checking into a Hell Motel. To avoid that Trainwreck #SetTheVCR is your TV Revival.
  • #SetTheVCR June 2–8, 2025 TV recommendations image from My Summer Lair, featuring a retro-style television graphic promoting a weekly pop culture column by podcast host Sammy Younan.
    #SetTheVCR: June 02-08, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Your Presence is required for these TV Recommendations which range from Power Moves to a Resident Alien. #SetTheVCR for Good Night, and Good Luck.
  • #SetTheVCR TV recommendations cover for May 26 – June 1, 2025, from My Summer Lair podcast, highlighting curated weekly streaming and television picks by Sammy Younan.
    #SetTheVCR: May 26 – June 01, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Here stories from Birbiglia to Bono: it’s a Brave New World filled with TV Recommendations. Wanna Live The Good Life? Enjoy this week’s #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR cover for May 19–25, 2025 from My Summer Lair podcast, featuring weekly streaming and TV recommendations curated by host Sammy Younan.
    #SetTheVCR: May 19-25, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    From Pee-wee Herman to Sherlock Holmes this week’s TV Recommendations are loaded with comedy, angst and drama. Plus for this week’s #SetTheVCR you get to shake it like a Polaroid picture.
  • Morning Tea: Happy UFO Day 2025!July 2, 2025
    What's popping in popular culture? My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan steeps some seriously serious tea which prompts reflections.
  • Trial By Trailer: The Running Man (A Remake…)July 1, 2025
    Trail By Trailer is judging a book by its cover or in this case...a movie by its trailer. Are you 100% IN or is it a Hard Pass?
  • #CouchWorthy: Barbara Walters: Tell Me EverythingJune 22, 2025
    Exploring the pioneering career of Barbara Walters. Delving into her influential role in broadcast journalism and the challenges women face in achieving success.
  • #CouchWorthy: Bono: Stories of SurrenderMay 29, 2025
    Bono: Stories of Surrender is a vivid reimagining of his one-man stage show Stories of Surrender now streaming on Apple TV.
  • #CouchWorthy: Super Team CanadaMay 16, 2025
    Super Team Canada follows six lesser known and underrated Canadian superheroes, tasked with saving the world.
  • #CouchWorthy: Murderbot: Season 1 May 15, 2025
    Murderbot a private security cyborg hides its acquired autonomy, while completing dangerous assignments is simultaneously drawn to humans.

  • Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1: Gotham Nocturne: Overture
    Under-Review: Detective Comics: Gotham Nocturne: Overture
    by Sammy Younan
    My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan reviews Batman - Detective Comics: Gotham Nocturne: OvertureL Volume 1,
  • New Book Alert: California Bear
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: The Music Was Just Getting Good
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: The Ascent
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: Fantastic Four by Ryan North Volume 2
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?

Copyright © 2025 My Summer Lair.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme