The Nikki & Brie Show
Dan Bucatinsky: What if Everything Works Out?
Dan Bucatinsky joins the Nikki and Brie Show for a wide-ranging conversation about his remarkable career and personal journey. The Emmy-winning actor, producer, and author discusses his upbringing as the son of Argentinian immigrants in 1970s Manhattan, his struggles with coming out during the AIDS crisis, and how sports inadequacy drove him to find his tribe in theater. His candid reflections on growing up gay in the 1980s—when there were no visible role models or out celebrities—provide powerful context for the importance of allyship and year-round pride.
The conversation explores Bucatinsky's prolific career in Hollywood, including his long-standing creative partnership with Lisa Kudrow through their production company Is or Isn't Entertainment. Together they produced acclaimed shows like The Comeback, Web Therapy, and Who Do You Think You Are? over their 15-year partnership. Bucatinsky shares fascinating insights into the creative process behind The Comeback's three-season run spanning 22 years, explaining how the show evolved into an unintentional trilogy examining changes in the entertainment industry. He also discusses his recent Celebrity Wheel of Fortune appearance with the hosts and reflects on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in entertainment, advocating for maintaining human authenticity while navigating technological advances.
34 min•LGBTQ+ identity · television production
