CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS: THE PODCAST Podcast
CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS is an ongoing series of live and filmed performances which pretend to be real acting classes. This companion podcast features professional actor/comedian CONNOR RATLIFF talking about the show and about acting in general. As the creator as one of the most acclaimed podcasts of the past decade -- Dead Eyes, cited by TIME Magazine & Left Of Dial Media's lists of the "best 100 podcasts of all time" and featured in the book The Podcast Pantheon, published by Chronicle Books in 2025 -- it should be clear that this podcast will not attempt to achieve the same level of quality or acclaim as that one. This podcast is going to be a sloppy mess. It was conceived in desperation, as a way to attract attention to an ongoing series of live shows and online videos while struggling to maintain a consistent level of employment as a working actor in desperate times. It is possible that almost no one will listen to this podcast, or that a small number of people might sample it once and never listen again. Minus the celebrity hook of Dead Eyes, it may be that the appeal of this endeavor will be as low as double or single digit listenership. Which is fine. It's 2025 and time is marching on, and life is rapidly slipping away from all of us. Thank you for engaging with CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS: THE PODCAST in any way. We realize that you have an overwhelming amount of options for entertainment, education and simply passing the time. You could be listening to the works of the greatest composers or musicians of all time, enjoying the finest works of cinema or literature, or even listening to a better class of podcast. Every second that you waste listening to this one is an unfathomable choice and greatly appreciated. I will try to be interesting and apologize if I am not.
Ep 136: An Update!
I've been remiss about recording new episodes. I have been busy, and distracted! Here is an update on WHAT'S GOIN ON
Ep 135: An Announcement regarding Ben Shapiro's movie
I'm currently on set filming a movie, and I have an announcement to make
Ep 134: Reigniting One's Creative Drive
A question about the funk I am in. I'm not sure I give an adequate answer to this question!
Ep 132: Post-L.A. Reflections
After a long week spent doing shows in Los Angeles, a few thoughts -- and one CELEBRITY ENCOUNTER!
Ep 131: The Lucas Museum Of Narrative Art
At long last, the Lucas Museum is about to open! Some thoughts about the museum and what I am looking forward to in L.A. next week.
GAME in improv
A question about "game" in long-form improv, something I've been doing for 15+ years now and which I rarely ever think about.
Ep 129: Good Feelings After Shows [plus and air travel tangent]
A question about the feeling one gets after a good show, with a long tangent about airline travel.
Ep 128: Planning Out Loud
Making some plans for the show -- maybe returning to Chicago? Maybe elsewhere?
Ep 127: Upcoming shows! And THOUGHTS!
I am about to do a bunch of shows in a bunch of different places! And I have some thoughts...
Ep 126: Some Odyssey Ramblings
Just some odds & ends, ramblings about The Odyssey, etc
Ep 125: The End of Raaaatscraps
After 5 years, the lower east side improv show, Raaaatscraps, has come to an end! Built from the ashes of ASSSSCAT (which died with the 2020 lockdown but has since been reborn at the new UCB), this show was created by Shannon O'Neill and gathered together a crew of some of the world's best improvisers to do shows every Sunday night. And now, as of last night, it's over. Which has left me in a rambling, melancholy mood. I turn 51 this month and each chapter that comes to and end now feels like I am inching towards that final big ending. Here's 30 minutes of NYC improv talk which may contain things I've said previously on this very podcast.
Ep 124: Getting "Yes, And..." WRONG
I've noticed a teeny-tiny trend where people are fundamentally misunderstanding the concept of "Yes, And..." in improv, and then confidently wading into the comments section to give notes on online clips from improv shows. A minor annoyance, which I rant about for nearly 20 minutes. Hello!
Ep 123: The "George Lucas" Character
Retired filmmaker George Lucas has opinions about A.I. that have recently been a source of controversy -- I answer a question about those views and about how new information about George Lucas affects the way I approach my "Retired filmmaker George Lucas" character...
Ep 122: Writing Disney Comics with James III
A question about the writing process for the Disney comics I've been writing with my friend James III
Ep 121: Deputy Kent on Widow's Bay
A question about the unknown future of Deputy Kent on the smash hit, Emmy-nominated Widow's Bay, which you should watch on Apple TV if you haven't already!
Ep 120: What is the least "Tom Hanks" role Tom Hanks has played?
Just some light musings on the film performances of Tom Hanks
Ep 199: Special Editions
A question about "Special Editions" (i.e. when artists revisit their old works and change them)
Ep 118: Happy 70th to Tom Hanks
Today is Tom Hanks' 70th birthday, and a listener has a birthday-timed pair of questions
Ep 117: Another CB!B! Character Process Question
A specific question about my character process when doing Comedy Bang! Bang! live shows
Ep 116: Singer/Songwriter Jukebox Musical
A question about which singer/songwriter I would select to create a jukebox musical based on my life (I give a detailed but disappointingly evasive answer)
