Marc Shaiman, the legendary composer and lyricist behind Hairspray, Mary Poppins Returns, When Harry Met Sally…, Sister Act, and countless other cultural touchstones, gets deeply muddy about the whiplash of success, the grief that shaped his artistry, and why even a dream career does not protect you from disappointment. From Marie’s Crisis to the AIDS crisis, from Bette Midler to Broadway, this conversation is raw, hilarious, and profoundly moving. The episode features unforgettable snippets and wild stories pulled straight from Marc’s new memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, available everywhere January 27, but to hear the full stories, you'll just have to read the book.

Bio: Marc Shaiman is a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy-winning American composer, lyricist, arranger, and music producer known for his vast body of work in film, television, and theater. He began his career as a musical director and arranger for Bette Midler before rising to prominence with scores for iconic films such as When Harry Met Sally…, The Addams Family, Sister Act, City Slickers, Sleepless in Seattle, The American President, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, and Mary Poppins Returns. On Broadway, he co-wrote the music and lyrics for Hairspray and collaborated with Scott Wittman on Catch Me If You Can, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Some Like It Hot, and the stage adaptation of Smash. Shaiman has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and has won a Tony, two Emmys, and two Grammys for his prolific and emotionally resonant work.

His career also spans celebrated television work and creative partnerships with some of entertainment’s biggest names. In television he has contributed to Saturday Night Live, multiple Academy Awards broadcasts, and shows like Only Murders in the Building, and he has produced and arranged for artists including Harry Connick Jr., Mariah Carey, and more. Born in New Jersey, Shaiman continues to shape the sound of American entertainment with a blend of musical theater sensibility and cinematic storytelling.

Marc's Social Media: @Marc_Shaiman

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Your Hosts: Alex Kumin (@Alex.Kumin) and Drew King (@DrewKingNYC). Audio mixed by Sarah Webb (@SWAudioPost) and Drew King. Filmed and recorded in the Barrow Lounge at @TheMalin West Village.

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