Play is not a reward.
It's not a break.
It's not something you "get back to" when life calms down.

According to Margo Escott, play is essential — and she's been proving it since the 1970s.

In this Season 2 premiere of Shut Up Gail, Gail sits down with Margo Escott: psychotherapist, New Games referee, improv teacher, and lifelong champion of joy. What unfolds is a grounded, hilarious, deeply human conversation about laughter, resilience, Parkinson's, anxiety, failure, and why yelling "TA‑DA!" at your mistakes might actually change your life.

• Why play isn't optional, for kids or adults

• How improv became a powerful therapeutic tool

• Using play with people living with Parkinson's (and their care partners)

• Why CBT + mindfulness + improv is a secret weapon for anxiety

• The radical idea that there are no mistakes

• Pain vs. suffering — and how presence loosens suffering's grip

• Gibberish dinnertime (yes, really)

"There are no mistakes. Everything you do is meant to happen."
"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."
"Play helps us get out of our heads — and back into being human."

Margo delivers not one, not two, but multiple heartfelt, joyful, and slightly mischievous renditions of:

"Shut up, Gail."
Because professionals commit to the bit.

This isn't just an interview — it's permission.
Permission to play.
Permission to fail loudly.
Permission to laugh in the middle of hard things.

And permission to tell Gail to shut up.

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at TheBITComedyNetwork@gmail.com

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network.
Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST
Gail: Hill Kane
Herself: Margot Escott

"The BIT Spotlight" and "Shut Up Gail" are part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Host, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane
Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt
Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," "Billy Merritt's Improv Spotlight," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt.

©2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved
Send inquiries + notices + requests: TheBitComedyNetwork@gmail.com

🎙️ Shut Up, Gail – Season Finale: "Yes, And Your Way to World Domination"
Guest: Jay Sukow
Host: Gail Shepherd (Not Like Cher, but kinda like Cher)

Improv legend Jay Sukow drops into Gail's virtual lair to talk shop, shout affirmations, mispronounce "spatula," and accidentally invent the word "fyrk." If you've ever wondered whether failure is your superpower, or if you should microwave fish at work (spoiler: don't), this episode is your new religion.

Get ready for:

🎭 The Renaissance of Improv: Jay reflects on the early days of doing scenes with 12 nerds in a rec center and how improv went from "misfit hobby" to "mandatory corporate training."

📉 Failing Spectacularly: Why bombing is beautiful, and how to embrace every weird moment like you meant to do it all along.

🧠 Tools Not Rules: The improv mantra that might save your life—or at least your next Zoom meeting.

🔥 Rapid-Fire Madness: Gail grills Jay on late-night shows, Beastie Boys, Brave Spaces, and… boardroom jams vs. Chicago dive bars.

💥 Plus:

-Improv for four-year-olds and vintage performers
-Side-mouth Cher impression
-A surprise Shakespeare reference (because Gail has a degree)
-"Shut Up, Gail" yelled with emotionally intelligent rage
-Winslow the British assistant (who definitely ghosted Jay)

🎧 Best Lines:

• "You're in control of your character. Stop acting like your character owns you."

• "We don't need rules. We need a fyrk."

• "Failure is the gift. The comedy is in the mess."

🛑 WARNING: This episode contains high-level improv geekery, joy, and at least two sincere metaphors involving bunting.

Be sure to come back on Janaury 8th for the Season Two kick off.

If you want to yell at Gail, please email us at TheBITComedyNetwork@gmail.com

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network.
Visit www.BITComedyNetwork.com to listen to our other podcasts or apply to join the ensemble.

CAST
Gail: Hill Kane
Himself: Jay Sukow

"The BIT Spotlight" and "Shut Up Gail" are part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Host, Producer, Director, Editor, Art, Co-Creator: Hill Kane
Show Runner, Co-Creator: Billy Merritt
Co-Creator: Paul Vato

Production Assistance, Audio Production, & Graphic Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing.

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," and "Shut Up Gail" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt.

©2025 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved
Send inquiries + notices + requests: TheBitComedyNetwork@gmail.com

Have a question for the fine theatre folks at the Regency Theatre?
Please e-mail us at backstageattheregency@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram at @backstageregency
Follow BIT Comedy Network on Instagram at @bitcomedynetwork and Facebook @BITComedyNetwork.

"The BIT Spotlight" is part of The BIT Comedy Network.

Created, produced, and edited by Luke Bovard
Graphics/Art by Raising Kane Media + Marketing

Special Thanks: Billy Merritt

MUSIC:
* Showtime - Cabaret - Revue by Julius H.
* It's Showtime by VictorvanTast
Music provided by PixaBay (a Royalty Free Platform)

Hosting Platform: Libsyn.com

"The BIT," "The BIT Comedy Network," "The BIT Spotlight," and "Backstage at The Regency" are Trademarks owned by Billy Merritt.

© 2025-2026 Billy Merritt - All Rights Reserved

Inquiries + Notices + Requests: TheBitComedyNetwork@gmail.com