Go for Donny! Audio Podcast with Mike Duffy

Go For Donny!

Get ready for an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes ride through the wild world of reality TV and unscripted entertainment! In this episode of *Go for Donny!*, host Donny McGuire reconnects with longtime friend and Emmy-winning unscripted television powerhouse, Mike Duffy (Ugly Brother Studios, YumCrunch). With over 20 years of rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, and Hollywood experience between them, Donny and Mike share outrageous stories from set, including jaw-dropping moments with icons like Coolio and DMX.
Mike dives into his early career beginnings at Painless Productions and dishes on what it takes to thrive in the ever-changing reality TV industry. From awkward MTV2 pilots about “getting virgins laid” to run-ins with hip-hop legends and wild on-set antics, nothing is off-limits.
Hear Mike reveal what it was *really* like wrangling talent for notorious projects like “Coolio & The Gang” (and how a certain scandalous website almost derailed the show), and find out how a prayer circle (and a giant named Spank) saved an epic Comedy Central performance with DMX and Jay Pharoah.
Whether you’re an entertainment insider, behind-the-scenes buff, or just love a crazy true story, this episode is jam-packed with laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of WTF moments.
00:00 "Jack of All Trades in Unscripted"

06:32 Behind-the-Scenes Show Insights

08:47 "Weird Reality Show Experience"

13:32 Hip Hop Reality TV Evolution

14:26 "Running 'Coolio and the Gang'"

18:17 "Coolio's Online Image Mix-up"

22:54 "Storytelling Beyond Entertainment"

24:01 "Comedians Demand Fees for Appearances"

27:20 Booking DMX: A Costly Proposal

32:12 "Star Wagon Smoke Scene"

34:29 "Hennessy Dare and Stage Drama"

39:09 "Overcoming Impossible Challenges in Production"

42:51 Comedian to Producer Transition

43:34 "Uncomfortable Performances and Producing"

49:33 "Memorization: Key Acting Skill"

51:36 Tribute & Interview Announcement

**Don’t miss the bonus round:** Stick around for “Switch Channel 2” for personal questions with Mike Duffy!
**Subscribe now and join the Go for Donny! crew as they get gritty, real, and just a little bit insane.**
Find merch, video episodes, and more at [gofordonny.com](https://gofordonny.com) and join the conversation! #GoForDonny #RealityTV #UglyBrotherStudios #MikeDuffy #Coolio #DMX

Don’t forget to check out Go for Donny! Switch to Channel 2 where we get to ask our guests some more in depth questions that you the listener want answers too.
“Go for Donny!” & “Switch to Channel 2” can be found on all available podcast platforms.
#gofordonny!
#switchtochannel2
#maxs_motorminute
#topgear
#topgearusa
#carreviews
#gofordonny