filmmaker
Neil Berkeley us a documentary filmmaker.
PROFILE
Neil Berkeley
Guest
FROM Neil Berkeley
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Gilbert Gottfried on why it's never too soon to joke about a sensitive subject Gilbert Gottfried’s comedy is adult, offensive, over-the-line. But you probably don’t know very much about Gottfried as a person. The documentary “Gilbert” wants to change that. We hear from Gottfried, his wife Dara Kravitz-Gottfried, and “Gilbert” director Neil Berkeley.
The Business
Director Neil Berkeley on 'Gilbert' Whether he’s doing stand-up, acting in movies like Beverly Hills Cop 2, or performing as the famous parrot in Disney’s Aladdin, the screeching voice of Gilbert Gottfried is unmistakable. But a new documentary called Gilbert offers a very different perspective on the comedian, who rose to prominence doing stand-up in the 1980s and went on to rack up scores of film and TV credits. He’s also done memorable voice over work like the Aflac insurance duck. Despite his abrasive on-stage persona, Gottfried is a family man -- a devoted husband, father and brother who spends much of his time off-stage living a mundane life in New York. Gottfried and his wife Dara have been married for more than a decade. Their two young kids know their dad travels most weekends to perform, but needless to say, know nothing of Gottfried’s often very off-color routines. Neil Berkeley is the director of Gilbert, which is now available on iTunes and Amazon. This is the third documentary Berkeley has made about a creative, complicated man in show business. His previous films are Beauty Is Embarrassing about artist Wayne White and Harmontown, about showrunner Dan Harmon. He recently spoke to KCRW’s Matt Holzman about what he’s learned from following all three men, and about his long quest to make a movie about Gottfried, which included the risky strategy of not having Gottfried sign a release until the movie was finished.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Gilbert Gottfried on his over-the-line, offensive comedy The new documentary, ‘Gilbert,’ premieres Friday at Laemmle's Monica. It profiles comedian Gilbert Gottfried. He joins us to discuss why it’s never too soon to joke about a sensitive subject, and how he uses scandal in his comedy.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
A Visit to ‘Harmontown’ Dan Harmon came to fame as the creator of the quirky sitcom Community. Then, he became infamous for his very public feud with Community star Chevy Chase. After being fired from the TV show he created, Harmon decided to take his comedy podcast, Harmontown, on tour across the country. Filmmaker Neil Berkeley went along, and the result is the new documentary Harmontown.
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The Business
Industry insights and lessons learned from memorable guests We have interesting guests on The Business, and sometimes our conversations are too long to fit into one show. This week we give you stories that were too good to leave on the cutting room floor, including some sharp insights on making it in the industry from David Mandel, David Simon, Shawn Levy and Matt Reeves.
Bookworm
George Saunders: Lincoln in the Bardo (Part I) Lincoln in the Bardo dramatizes a grieving President Lincoln as he visits the grave of his beloved son Willie, who died at age eleven. In the novel, the buried dead believe they're not dead -- "they're sick and refer to their coffins as "sick boxes."
Design and Architecture
Farewell LA freeways, Peter Shire is back Angelenos don't want more freeways but we seem not to want mass transit either. Metro has killed the 710 freeway extension, and bus and train ridership is down across the region. What's the future of getting around in LA? And, Peter Shire is having a comeback. What attracts a new generation to his playful ceramics and furniture?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Previewing James Comey's blockbuster testimony Former FBI director James Comey testifies Thursday in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, but his opening statement has been released. In it, he says he felt pressured by Donald Trump to declare loyalty to him and publicly clear him of any wrongdoing in the Russia investigation.