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PODCAST

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight

The SPOTLIGHT Podcast is The BIT Comedy Network"s educational and experimental stage. Veteran ensemble members create and produce shows outside BIT"s three established formats. These new producers are encouraged to explore forms, characters, themes, etc.

comedy improv

All Episodes

10:57

Shut Up Gail - Margot Escott | Ep 10

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2026/01/08

🎧 SHUT UP GAIL – Episode 11 Play Is Not Optional (with Margo Escott) Play is not a reward. It's not a break. It's not something you "get back to" when life calms down. According to Margo Escott, play is essential — and she's been proving it since the 1970s. In this Season 2 premiere of Shut Up Gail, Gail sits down with Margo Escott: psychotherapist, New Games referee, improv teacher, and lifelong champion of joy. What unfolds is a grounded, hilarious, deeply human conversation about laughter,

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34:22

SHUT UP GAIL w Jay Sukow - Bonus Double...

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/12/08

🎙️ Shut Up, Gail – Season Finale: "Yes, And Your Way to World Domination" Guest: Jay Sukow Host: Gail Shepherd (Not Like Cher, but kinda like Cher) Improv legend Jay Sukow drops into Gail's virtual lair to talk shop, shout affirmations, mispronounce "spatula," and accidentally invent the word "fyrk." If you've ever wondered whether failure is your superpower, or if you should microwave fish at work (spoiler: don't), this episode is your new religion. Get ready for: 🎭 The Renaissance of Improv: Jay

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41:29

Back Stage at The Regency - Season Finale

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/11/22

In this tenth and season finale episode, Andrew, the technical director of the Regency Theatre is joined by the Regency's resident scenery performer Steckman, fresh off her return from the Great White Way. They are joined again by British actor Kristian Night Lewis to discuss bidets and racing cars, and local lucky actor Jenny Blessed to talk about winning lotteries and stopping wars. Backstage at the Regency will be dark for a few months before returning for Season 2 with all new episodes

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14:00

SHUT UP GAIL – Ep. 9 Paul from OSLO

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/11/08

🎙️ SHUT UP GAIL – Ep. 9: "From Cult to Carnival" with Paul Omar Lervåg This is the ninth installment of Bit Behind the Scenes (a.k.a. Shut Up Gail). Listen, follow, rate, and share... PLEASE and THANK YOU! This month, Gail heads to Oslo for a deeply human (and surprisingly funny) conversation with Paul — a Norwegian comedian, scholar, and improv performer whose journey from cult survivor to carnival-level creative proves that humor and healing can share the same stage. From growing up in a strict

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36:46

Backstage at the Regency - Ep 9

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/10/22

In this ninth episode, Andrew, the technical director of the Regency Theatre, is distracted and accidentally leaves the podcast recording equipment on, and the ghosts of the theatre decide to host an episode. CAST Andrew/Bartholomew - Luke Bovard Lindsey - Thea Marie Thorkildsen Tommy - Hillary Kane Constance - Terry Armstrong Have a question for the fine theatre folks at the Regency Theatre? E-mail us at backstageattheregency@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram at @backstageregency Follow BIT

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14:43

Shut Up Gail - Ep 8 - Thea Marie Thorkildsen

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/10/08

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15:16

Shut Up Gail - BIT Babe Amber

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/09/08

Gail is going to interview as many BIT lady improvisers as she can this summer! Gail forgot to mention she was globe-trotting in August, so... WHOOPSIE!!! No August episode. This month, it's the third installment of the Women of Bit! Gail interviewed the incredible, DC-dwelling, hilarious, and kind ... AMBER BELLSDALE. Caps locked,baby! Listen, follow, rate, and share... PLEASE and THANK YOU! Be sure to come back on the 8th of each month for a new "snack-sized" episode of SHUT UP GAIL. Coming up

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36:02

Backstage at the Regency - Ep 8

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/08/22

In the eighth episode, Andrew, the technical director of the Regency Theatre, ditches his usual format and invites benefactor extraordinaire, Auntie Midge. The theatre is dark during this part of the summer and no one was around. But of course, Aunti Midge insists on dropping off her check in person. CAST: Andrew - Luke Bovard Auntie Midge - Hill Kane Have a question for the fine theatre folks at the Regency Theatre? E-mail us at backstageattheregency@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram at

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35:27

Backstage at the Regency - Ep 7

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/07/22

In this seventh episode, Andrew, the technical director of the Regency Theatre, is joined by co-host and legendary lighting designer, Olivier Olivero, where they interview volunteer Janay Littleton about toothbrushes and barista Jake Americano about being a real authentic American. CAST: Andrew - Luke Bovard Olivier Olivero - Laura Janay Littleton - Amber Jake Americano - Thea Have a question for the fine theatre folks at the Regency Theatre? E-mail us at backstageattheregency@gmail.com Follow

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14:32

Shut Up Gail - BIT Babes Peg & Terry

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/07/08

Gail is going to interview as many BIT lady improvisers as she can this summer! To kick things off, Gail puts Peg Davis and Terry Armstrong in the hot seat(s). Both girls are experienced performers who have lived many lives. BOTH women seemed to enjoy yelling at Gail - Terry maybe too much!? BION, Gail, and today's guests are all over 50. For extra credit, read Billy Merritt's Substack article on "Aging Out of Comedy!" Gail admits the ego boost she gets from being confused for a 49-year-old. We

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25:15

Samples of Sin - The Darkness

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/07/01

In this sixth and final episode of Samples of Sin, Rev. Justice Smythe invites his personal trainer, Pete Michelson, to help him review the album Permission to Land by British glam rock band The Darkness. Pete revels in the screamed vulgarities of the album, while Justice recounts that songs like "Stuck in a Rut" encouraged him to confess something to his wife. Pete compliments Justice on his well-developed quads and rainbow-colored leggings, while Justice finally admits he just needs his rear pew

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35:44

Back Stage at the Regency - Ep 6

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/06/22

In this sixth episode, Andrew, the technical director of the Regency Theatre, is joined by co-host, father and twitch stream watcher, Rodney, where they interview theatrical director Bertrand Fluffernutter about how living in a cave can help create plays. CAST: Andrew - Luke Bovard Andrew's Dad (Rodney) - Konrad Andrew Bertrand Fluffernutter - Don Slovin Have a question for the fine theatre folks at the Regency Theatre? E-mail us at backstageattheregency@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram at

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15:09

Shut Up Gail - Luke Bovard

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/06/08

FACT: Only 10% of Podcasts make to episode 3. This is Gail's 4th episode! Gail interviews Dr. Luke Bovard, one of the most intelligent and yet playful improvisers on the planet. Luke was the first BIT Player to launch a Spotlight show on the BIT Comedy Network. Be sure to check out "Backstage at The Regency" if you haven't already. Anywhoodles, Luke's knowledge of Shakespeare, neuron star mergers, and r-process nucleosynthesis will impress and entertain you. Find out: What made Luke fall in love

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33:17

Samples of Sin - Velvet Underground

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/06/01

The fifth episode warns listeners not to listen to Velvet Underground's White Light White Heat. Gary Griswold, from River Creek Gas & Charcoal, joins Rev. Justice Smythe to recall that unlike most people who listened to White Light White Heat, Gary did not start a band -- but he did start a gas grill dealership. Gary and Justice review all six of the album's very sinful tracks, emphasizing the importance of listeners devotedly not listening to any of them, and Justice casually mentions that he likes

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33:46

Backstage at The Regency - Episode 5

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/05/22

In this fifth episode, Andrew, the technical director of the Regency Theatre, is joined by co-host, janitor (and fist bumper) Kjell Inge Ericsson, where they interview potential teenager theatre tech intern Topher Doyle about A-frames and Regency's resident theatre-ghost Constance on knowing Slimer from Ghostbusters. CAST: Kjell Inge Ericsson - Thea Marie Thorkildsen Topher Doyle - Brent Kohler Constance - Terry Armstrong Have a question for the fine theatre folks at the Regency Theatre? E-mail us

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15:46

Shut up Gail - Paul Vato

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/05/08

Sheeeeeeeee's Baaaaaa-aaaack! This month, Gail interviews one of the two comedians responsible for creating Gail and making her "Podfest" famous. As the story goes, during an improvised podcast set at the late-night Podfest '25 Comedy Showcase, Billy Merritt (Episode 1) and Paul Vato kept yelling at their producer Gail to stop interrupting them and to "shut up." All in character, of course, they are lovely guys who would never treat their producer that way. Anywhoodles, "Gail" produces and edits the

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30:53

Samples of Sin - Scissor Sisters

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/05/01

For the fourth episode, local soccer hero Graham Truman joins Reverend Smythe to review the Scissor Sisters. Graham lived in the UK, where the Scissor Sisters found fame among the nation's arts and crafts enthusiasts. Bringing personal experiences to bear on the album, Justice recalls feeling filthy but not exactly gorgeous, while Graham fondly recalls taking his mama out. Exegesis of the gospel of Roger Waters is followed by an inquiry into which one's Pink, and an homage to the joys of

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36:14

Back Stage at The Regency - Episode 4

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/04/22

In this fourth episode, Andrew, the technical director of the Regency Theatre, is joined by co-host, intern and inanimate object performer extraordinaire, Steckman. They interview parking lot valet Geraldine James about what cars tell you about a person and local miscreant Johnny Martini about doing donuts on lawns. CAST Andrew - Luke Bovard Steckman - Lisa Steckman Geradline James - Laura Powell Johnny Martini - Jason Spiro Have a question for the fine theatre folks at the Regency Theatre

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15:16

Shut Up Gail - Music Man Peter Miller

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/04/08

Meet Gail! Gail became "Podfest" famous when comedians Billy Merritt and Paul Vato kept yelling at her to stop interrupting them and to "shut up." All in character, of course, they are lovely guys who would never treat their producer that way. Anywhoodles, "Gail" produces and edits the BIT's podcasts but steps out of the sound booth and onto the mic to bring listeners a behind-the-scenes look at BIT. In episode two, Gail interviews Peter Miller, the guy responsible for BIT's fantasmic theme music

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30:45

Samples of Sin - Liz Phair

Billy Merritt"s (Improv) Spotlight ·

2025/04/01

In Episode 3, Justice Smythe invites his old friend Blakeford O. Donovan to review Liz Phair’s Exile in Guyville. Justice and Blakeford first met thirty-some years ago, at a Liz Phair show in a basement bar in Chicago. Justice was only there because he thought there was a religious service. Despite its “canine language,” Exile in Guyville finds emotional resonance with Justice, who knows the feeling of being an outsider, and Blakeford, who recalls his own libertine days. Justice mixes up the

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27 results

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