Podcast
CONNOR RATLIFF presents THE ACTING CLASS: THE 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.
- Episodes
- 101
- Releases
- Twice a week
- Typical length
- 12 min
- On air since
- 2026
- Latest episode
- 5 days ago
Episodes
101 episodes, newest first
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20 min
Ep 136: An Update!
Episode 136
Show notes
I've been remiss about recording new episodes. I have been busy, and distracted! Here is an update on WHAT'S GOIN ON
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9 min
Ep 135: An Announcement regarding Ben Shapiro's movie
Episode 135
Show notes
I'm currently on set filming a movie, and I have an announcement to make
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10 min
Ep 134: Reigniting One's Creative Drive
Episode 134
Show notes
A question about the funk I am in. I'm not sure I give an adequate answer to this question!
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7 min
Ep 133: The Beginning Of The End? A feeling of malaise...
Episode 133
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14 min
Ep 132: Post-L.A. Reflections
Episode 132
Show notes
After a long week spent doing shows in Los Angeles, a few thoughts -- and one CELEBRITY ENCOUNTER!
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11 min
Ep 131: The Lucas Museum Of Narrative Art
Episode 131
Show notes
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.
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15 min
GAME in improv
Episode 130
Show notes
A question about "game" in long-form improv, something I've been doing for 15+ years now and which I rarely ever think about.
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12 min
Ep 129: Good Feelings After Shows [plus and air travel tangent]
Episode 129
Show notes
A question about the feeling one gets after a good show, with a long tangent about airline travel.
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16 min
Ep 128: Planning Out Loud
Episode 128
Show notes
Making some plans for the show -- maybe returning to Chicago? Maybe elsewhere?
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14 min
Ep 127: Upcoming shows! And THOUGHTS!
Episode 127
Show notes
I am about to do a bunch of shows in a bunch of different places! And I have some thoughts...
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24 min
Ep 126: Some Odyssey Ramblings
Episode 126
Show notes
Just some odds & ends, ramblings about The Odyssey, etc
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31 min
Ep 125: The End of Raaaatscraps
Episode 125
Show notes
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.
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19 min
Ep 124: Getting "Yes, And..." WRONG
Episode 124
Show notes
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!
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9 min
Ep 123: The "George Lucas" Character
Episode 123
Show notes
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...
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17 min
Ep 122: Writing Disney Comics with James III
Episode 122
Show notes
A question about the writing process for the Disney comics I've been writing with my friend James III
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10 min
Ep 121: Deputy Kent on Widow's Bay
Episode 121
Show notes
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!
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6 min
Ep 120: What is the least "Tom Hanks" role Tom Hanks has played?
Episode 120
Show notes
Just some light musings on the film performances of Tom Hanks
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16 min
Ep 199: Special Editions
Episode 119
Show notes
A question about "Special Editions" (i.e. when artists revisit their old works and change them)
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8 min
Ep 118: Happy 70th to Tom Hanks
Episode 118
Show notes
Today is Tom Hanks' 70th birthday, and a listener has a birthday-timed pair of questions
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13 min
Ep 117: Another CB!B! Character Process Question
Episode 117
Show notes
A specific question about my character process when doing Comedy Bang! Bang! live shows
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