Episodes
Published 10/19/21
Skylar Astin had a lot of jobs in high school. First of all, he was already acting professionally. But he also worked as a telemarketer, which he used as an opportunity to practice his dialects, and at Hollister, where he had to ask grown men, "Do you support our flops?" This is the last episode of Season 3, so thanks for listening and don't forget to share with a celebrity-obsessed friend!
Published 10/19/21
Noah Wyle of "ER" fame went to a boarding school, where, in addition to his schoolwork, he had to care for a horse. But in between mucking out the stall and riding practice, he still found time to get in plenty of trouble and discover his passion for acting.
Published 10/12/21
Megan Mullally, AKA Karen from "Will and Grace," knew she wanted to be a performer from day one. She entered high school focused on ballet, but one fateful cabaret-style singing performance gave her the bug.
Published 10/05/21
When Ryan O'Connell, the creator of "Special," came out of the closet, he threw a sexuality reveal party that was the talk of his high school. Plus, growing up with cerebral palsy, wanting his life to be like the movie "Thirteen," and how a medical malpractice lawsuit changed his life.
Published 09/28/21
Comedian Joel Kim Booster left home at the age of 17 after his super-Christian parents learned he was gay. On this episode, he explains how he navigated that alongside the regular trials and tribulations of high school.
Published 09/21/21
Comedian Sydnee Washington's high school experience was the opposite of boring. Going to prom with her godbrother? Check. Setting her house on fire? Check again. Plus, hear about the case of toxic shock syndrome so memorable it "made her who she is today."
Published 09/14/21
If you're familiar with comedian and "Search Party" actor John Early, you will not be surprised to learn that, in high school, he made friends with his female teachers, was so funny people were scared of him, and took it upon himself to whip the drama department into shape. Don't worry, though—there's plenty you will be surprised by, too.
Published 09/07/21
Before SNL's Ana Gasteyer was an actor, singer, and sketch comedian, she was a violinist. In fact, she once spent her precious summer months at a chamber music camp she describes as a "living hell." Plus, hear all about her devastating senior year musical casting and the rats that haunted her childhood home.
Published 08/31/21
Drag queen Nina West went to a Catholic high school, which made coming to terms with his sexuality...interesting. But he managed to dodge the girls who had crushes on him and see his first drag show at the local gay bar.
Published 08/24/21
If you're looking for wild high school stories, you've come to the right place. Camryn Manheim's teenage years included an arrest, suing her own father, and something called an "orgy tent." This is our last episode of the season; we'll see you in the new year!
Published 12/08/20
Comedian and actress Caroline Rhea went to a tiny, all-girls high school in Canada. Here, she describes her extremely innocent upbringing, including how she made money by sewing and selling stuffed mice in Elizabethan costumes.
Published 12/01/20
Growing up, comedian Judy Gold was teased relentlessly for being tall. She finally found her place—and sense of humor—among the band kids. Plus, she had a secret girlfriend long before she ever came out.
Published 11/24/20
Marilu Henner has no problem remembering high school. She has highly superior autobiographical memory, which means that she remembers virtually every day of her life in vivid detail. On this week's episode, she talks about growing up in a house that was also a dance studio and performing in the original company of "Greece."
Published 11/17/20
On this episode, Mario Cantone (AKA Anthony from "Sex and the City") talks about the teacher who made him feel comfortable coming out in the '70s and his mother's many insurance scams.
Published 11/10/20
Colleen Ballinger, AKA Miranda Sings, was raised super-Christian. She was homeschooled through the eighth grade and had, in her words, "hair down to her butt." Then, she went to a public high school. Hear all about her rude awakening on this week's episode.
Published 10/27/20
"Desperate Housewives" actress Dana Delany went to four different high schools in four years. On this episode, she opens up about boarding school, heartbreak, and why she always celebrates the anniversary of the day she lost her virginity.
Published 10/20/20
Bowen Yang is a cast member on Saturday Night Live. But in high school, he was fighting for stage time against a drama teacher who was determined to keep him in the ensemble. Plus, he describes the fateful AOL chat window that outed him to his parents. Catch Bowen on SNL or check out his podcast, Las Culturistas.
Published 10/13/20
These days, BD Wong is a seasoned and acclaimed actor. But in high school, he once entered a scene seven minutes late because he couldn't find the prop. Plus, he talks about his adventures at San Francisco gay bars in the '70s.
Published 10/06/20
You may think someone as handsome and talented as Patrick Wilson would have an easy time in high school. And you would be *mostly* right. But he did have his fair share of heartbreak, injury, and getting in trouble. Hear all about it on this week's episode.
Published 09/29/20
Maureen McCormick, AKA Marcia Brady, was already a famous working actress when she was a teenager. But it turns out, she also went to regular public school when she wasn't filming! Here, she talks about making out at the movies and riding to prom in the back of a pickup truck.
Published 09/22/20
Growing up, Rosie Perez lived in a Catholic convent home in Dutchess County. So when she finally moved in with her aunt and started attending high school in Queens, it was a major culture shock. In this episode, she talks about the kid from her block who gave her kissing lessons and defending herself when four girls attacked her in the park with a switchblade.
Published 09/15/20
When Wayne Brady entered high school, he joined the ROTC program, thinking he would go into the military like his dad. But now he realizes that what he really liked about it was getting to wear a costume. On this episode, he talks about being a poor kid at a rich school and how theater made him feel at home.
Published 09/08/20
On the first episode of Season 2, Seth catches up with comedy legend Martin Short. Growing up, Martin hosted an imaginary variety show in his parents' attic and was funny enough to get himself out of trouble. He also talks about losing his brother and parents at a young age and how it brought him closer to his siblings.
Published 09/01/20
You may know Bebe Neuwirth as Lilith from “Cheers,” but she’s been performing basically her entire life. And performing was all she wanted to do—which is why she spent most of her high school years smoking weed and longing for Broadway. This is the final episode of the first season of Seth Rudetsky’s Back to School. We’ll be back soon with Season 2!
Published 05/18/20