THE PLUG W/ JUSTIN JAY

Larry Charles Oct 03, 2025

Step inside the mind of legendary writer and director Larry Charles, best known for Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and for directing films like Borat, Bruno, and The Dictator.

In this episode of The Plug w/ Justin Jay, Larry shares raw, unfiltered stories about Hollywood, comedy, and the creative process. From working alongside Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld to directing groundbreaking films with Sacha Baron Cohen, Larry reflects on risk-taking, failure, and why comedy still matters in a divided world.

If you’re curious about the behind-the-scenes of classic TV, the challenges of making bold, politically charged films, or the evolving role of comedy in culture, this conversation is essential listening.

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 – Larry Charles joins The Plug

03:15 – Breaking into comedy writing

07:40 – Behind the scenes of Seinfeld

12:20 – Risk and innovation in comedy

16:45 – Curb Your Enthusiasm and improv freedom

21:30 – Directing Borat and its impact

27:10 – Working with Sacha Baron Cohen

32:00 – Hollywood vs independent voices

37:50 – Comedy as social commentary

42:30 – Lessons from failure

48:15 – The future of comedy

53:00 – Closing thoughts & takeaways

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

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Mark Ronson Sep 18, 2025

Mark Ronson is one of the most influential music producers of the past two decades. Starting out as one of New York’s most in-demand DJs in the 1990s, he went on to produce for Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Adele, Dua Lipa, Jay-Z, Paul McCartney, and more. He also co-wrote Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”—one of the defining hits of the 21st century, and most recently curated The Barbie soundtrack.

In his new book Night People, Ronson reflects on the unpredictable rhythm of his career—from early acclaim as downtown New York’s “It DJ” to post-hype setbacks and creative reinvention. The book also serves as a love letter to a city that no longer exists: a grittier, unpolished New York during hip-hop’s golden age.

In this episode, we dive into the unwritten rules of DJing, why you should never play a hit to an empty room, and the thrill of turning a skeptical crowd into a sweaty, euphoric mess. Ronson reflects on the rise of bottle service, Giuliani-era crackdowns, and how NYC nightlife shifted from chaotic melting pot to velvet-rope exclusivity.

Don’t miss this candid, wide-ranging conversation with a man who has shaped the sound of modern music—both from behind the decks and inside the studio.

Subscribe and watch full the conversation on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/hETfegCOi5U

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

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MC Serch Sep 04, 2025

MC Serch made his mark as one-half of the legendary rap duo 3rd Bass. With classics like The Gas Face, Brooklyn Queens, and Pop Goes the Weasel, the group left an unmistakable stamp on hip-hop. In ’94, Serch went on to executive produce Nas’s groundbreaking debut, Illmatic, cementing his place in rap history. But that’s only part of the story. In this encore episode, Serch takes us inside his wild early days — from battle rapping in Far Rockaway, to a life-threatening clash with MC Hammer in LA, to the lessons in growth, learning, and positivity that continue to drive his entrepreneurial success. Don’t miss this conversation with one of hip-hop’s most enduring figures.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Andersen Aug 15, 2025

Lisa Andersen is a Surfing Hall of Fame inductee and a 4 time consecutive world champion. As a teenager, she left behind a troubled home life in Florida to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional surfer. By 25, she was ranked the best female surfer on the planet. With her aggressive yet elegant style, she helped transform the entire perception of female competitive surfing. This episode we sit down to discuss the emotional challenges of being the subject of a documentary film about your life, we hear some hilarious behind the scenes stories from her years on the professional surf tour, and we learn how opening the door for an entire generation of female surfers didn't necessary translate to massive economic success. Tune in for a compelling story of perseverance and determination from this true icon of the sport.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

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Leo Fitzpatrick Aug 01, 2025

Leo Fitzpatrick is a New York-based actor best known for his breakout role in the groundbreaking 1995 film KIDS. To mark the 30th anniversary of this controversial classic, we’re bringing back our conversation for an encore release.

Leo’s debut in KIDS—a raw, unfiltered look at the downtown NYC skate scene—was as jarring as it was unforgettable. With its explicit portrayal of sex, drugs, and youth culture, the film felt disturbingly real, and the aftermath for Leo was intense. In the years since, he’s built a diverse career in TV and film, but today his focus has shifted to his longtime passion: fine art.

In the middle of the 2020 pandemic, Leo opened Public Access Gallery on the Lower East Side, aiming to recreate the sense of community he once found among skaters—only now through art.

This week on The Plug w/ Justin Jay, Leo reflects on the legacy of KIDS, his transition into the art world, and why you should never feel intimidated walking into a high-end gallery.

Tune in for some authentic stories from the gritty heart of '90s New York.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ione Skye Jul 18, 2025

Ione Skye is an actress best known for her standout performances in the classic films Say Anything, River’s Edge, Gas Food Lodging, and many others.

But behind her breakout success was a far more complicated coming-of-age story — shaped by a turbulent teenage relationship with an older man battling addiction, estrangement from her famous musician father, and periods of self-destructive behavior.

In her new memoir Say Everything, she pulls back the curtain — recounting everything from her on-screen crush on Keanu Reeves, to raw, revealing stories involving cultural icons like Madonna, River Phoenix, Matthew Perry, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

So what was it really like growing up as the daughter of ’60s pop legend Donovan, the wife of a Beastie Boy, and the romantic lead in some of the most beloved films of the ’80s and ’90s?

In this episode, we sit down with Ione for a conversation about her immersion in the creative chaos and cultural energy of the late 20th century — from dating Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis to her marriage to Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

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Alex Corporan Jul 04, 2025

Alex Corporan is the director of the new documentary Empire Skate, which chronicles the rise of Supreme and the evolution of downtown New York skate culture. It was a movement that reshaped streetwear, art, and youth identity around the world. Alex wasn’t just there to witness it — he helped build it.

To celebrate the release of the film on ESPN, we’re bringing back this special encore episode, originally recorded before the documentary’s debut.

From 1996 to 2004, Alex was the store manager of the original Supreme on Lafayette Street — a space that became ground zero for a cultural revolution. In this conversation, he shares wild behind-the-scenes stories from the shop’s legendary back room, and gives a firsthand account of Supreme’s early days, its community, and its unexpected rise to global icon status.

We also dive into his close friendship with the late, great Jake Burton — founder of Burton Snowboards — and talk about the 10th anniversary edition of FULL BLEED, Alex’s iconic photography book celebrating NYC skateboarding.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

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Devendra Banhart Jun 20, 2025

Devendra Banhart is a prolific artist and musician who has earned a reputation for his genre-defying sound. Drawing from an incredibly diverse range of influences, he’s released 11 studio albums and cultivated a loyal fanbase spanning from Santiago to Silverlake.

In this episode we sit down for a chat with this Texas-born, Venezuela-raised, and San Francisco educated singer about psilocybin mushroom trips, sneaking backstage at a Guns and Roses show in South America as a teenager, and how skateboarding videos from the 80’s influenced his musical tastes.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Selema Masekela Jun 06, 2025

Selema Masekela is a uniquely versatile sports commentator whose career spans everything from surfing and skateboarding to the NBA, soccer, and Formula One.

As a teenager growing up in a predominantly white beach town in Southern California, he was one of the few Black surfers in the water. That meant navigating everything from subtle bias to outright racism. While he refused to let that stop him from pursuing the sport he loved, the absence of others who looked like him left a lasting impression.

In this episode, we discuss his essay in the new book Surfer Stories, where he reflects on South African surfer Mikey February’s historic qualification for the professional tour. For Selema, the moment wasn’t just significant—it was deeply personal. His father, legendary jazz musician Hugh Masekela, was exiled from South Africa during apartheid. So seeing a Black South African competing on surfing’s biggest stage brought decades of struggle and resilience full circle.

We also discuss how someone goes from the surf break to the broadcast booth to build one of the most diverse résumés in sports media, and why curiosity has been one of his greatest strengths. Selema also shares some of his biggest on-air blunders—and what they taught him.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Clinch May 23, 2025

Danny Clinch is one of the most in-demand music photographers working today. From Tupac and Springsteen to Eddie Vedder and Johnny Cash, he’s captured some of the most iconic images in modern music history.

In this episode, we dive into what it takes to consistently get compelling shots of world-famous artists. Danny shares stories from behind the lens—including what Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard were up to on the back of their tour bus, and what went down when he accidentally left a $2,000 lens behind at San Quentin prison.

Don’t miss this candid, behind-the-scenes conversation with the man responsible for some of the most unforgettable rock photos of our time.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠

⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Ament May 08, 2025

This week on The Plug w/ Justin Jay, we sit down with Jeff Ament—bassist and founding member of Pearl Jam. Beyond the stage, Jeff has been a dedicated skateboarder since his teens and he’s personally funded the construction of over 27 skateparks across his home state of Montana. For Jeff, it’s more than a passion project: he visits these parks regularly to sweep the concrete, skate alongside local kids, and see the positive impact firsthand.

In this episode, we talk about his new band, Deaf Charlie, how touring with a side project compares to life on the road with Pearl Jam, and what inspired him to embark on a 1,200-mile skateboarding journey with kids he met through his parks.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠

⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii’s North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gerry Lopez Apr 25, 2025

Few names in surfing carry the weight and reverence of Gerry Lopez. Known for his effortless style and grace at the Banzai Pipeline, Lopez redefined what it meant to surf one of the world’s most dangerous waves—with poise and poetry. He's a two-time Pipe Masters winner, but his legacy doesn’t end in the barrel.

In this episode, we sit down with the man they call Mr. Pipeline to talk about his unique dual role in the newly released book Surfer Stories—as both a subject and a storyteller. Alongside guest Claudia Lebenthal, the book’s editor and creative force, they reflect on Gerry’s enduring influence and the intimate portrait he paints in his essay on fellow legend Garrett McNamara.

Lopez also shares what five decades of yoga have taught him about flow—on waves and in life—and how staying grounded, along with his mantra of “keep paddling,” has helped him navigate challenges far beyond the lineup.

And finally, we dig into the decision that raised eyebrows in surf circles: Gerry’s partnership with Costco to release an affordable line of signature Wavestorm soft-top surfboards.

Don’t miss this conversation with one of the most respected and compelling figures in the history of surfing.

You can find Surfer Stories, edited by Claudia Lebenthal, wherever you get your books.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

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