We welcome Cam Clarke for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most successful musical dynasties in American entertainment: The King Family. Cam takes us behind the scenes with the legendary singing group, and then Cam, a talented voice actor goes is and out of famous roles as we 'interview' some of his most beloved V.O. characters!
Cam is the son of Alyce King, one of the original King Sisters, whose harmonies launched in the early 1930s and eventually grew into a multi-generational act that included children, grandchildren, cousins, and extended family, all uniting in song and populating iconic ABC series and specials throughout the 1960s.
Cam walks us through the group’s vaudeville roots, and their early days singing on the radio, all beginning on a Christmas morning where Cam’s Mom, Aunts and Uncles each received a musical instrument and instructions from their music teacher Dad. His goal was to build a family band. He created a dynasty.
We explore how The King Family evolved and rebranded across decades: From a Big Band vocal group in the 40’s to jazz harmonies and the 50’s blonde Hollywood glam look, to the TV friendly family ensemble of the 60s and 70s.
Cam shares inside stories about how costumes were passed down from one child to the next and how King Sisters, King Kiddies, and King Cousins all fit into the ever-growing and evolving act.
We also discuss Now They’re All Here, Cam’s large and glorious coffee table book on the King Family, inspired by George Plimpton’s oral biography of Truman Capote, and written in the first person voices of King Family members over the past 100 years.
And Cam speaks candidly about his own sexual orientation, sharing how he came out to his entire family at a typical family meal, as the conversation and the timing felt right. His truth was completely accepted.
Plus, Jamie Alcroft, who will hold a position of honor on the non profit One Legacy Tournament of Roses Parade float on New Year’s Day, joins us to talk about his important work with the LAFF4LIFE program and his experience as an organ transplant recipient!
In current media --
Weezy: Simon Cowell: The Next Act on Netflix
Fritz: The movie F1, streaming on Apple TV+
Path Points of Interest:
Now They're All Here: The King Family by Cam Clarke
Cam Clarke on Wikipedia
Cam Clarke on IMDB
We are honored to welcome Kevin Tighe, the actor who brought Roy DeSoto to life on the groundbreaking series Emergency! and whose career has spanned stage, screen, and service.
Kevin takes us back to his beginnings at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he first stepped into the world of acting at just 10 years old. From there, he trained with legendary teachers Stella Adler and Bobby Lewis, absorbing the craft that would later shape his most memorable roles.
He reflects on his early film work, including Yours, Mine and Ours, and shares a warm, behind-the-scenes moment with Lucille Ball.
Kevin then recounts the unexpected and nerve-wracking audition process that led to Emergency! and how a chance encounter with actor David Janssen calmed his nerves and helped him nail the screen test that changed his life.
Kevin discusses the legacy of Emergency! notable for the realism brought by on-set medical advisors. The show inspired a surge of interest in first responder careers, and it raised awareness of lifesaving pre-hospitalization, EMS opportunities that inspired paramedic programs throughout the country.
Kevin talks candidly about the challenges he faced following Emergency!, including his struggle with fame and his move to Washington State. There, he dedicated himself to community work and played a key role in establishing Hospice of the Northwest.
After decades of appearances on big and small screens with memorable roles in Roadhouse, Newsies, Law And Order SUV, Freaks and Geeks, and the list goes on, you can now see Kevin in the new Paul Thomas Anderson movie, One Battle After Another, and he shares a touching moment between himself and P.T. Anderson which allowed Kevin to create a menacing screen moment that will live in infamy.
Kevin also looks back on earning his master’s degree at USC and the students he taught who went on to thrive in their field. And IMDB Roulette this week is full of close calls, career achievements and reflections on the early promise of today's biggest stars. All that PLUS, Emergency! Guest Star Roulette!
Also, filmmaker Susie Singer Carter is with us to discuss her movie, No Country For Old People, streaming on Amazon Prime.
In current media--
Fritz: The book Injustice by Carol Leonnig and Aaron Davis
Weezy: The documentary Paul Anka: His Way on HBO Max
Path Points of Interest:
We welcome actress Erin Murphy, who spent her first eight years of life charming TV watchers as young Tabitha Stephens on Bewitched. Erin takes us behind the scenes at one of television’s most beloved classics, sharing vivid memories from a childhood spent witnessing the creation of Hollywood magic.
Erin and her fraternal twin sister Diane were originally cast together to share the role of Tabitha, following child labor laws which severely limit the number of hours a toddler can spend working. But, as Erin reveals with a laugh, in the 1960s, rules were “suggestions.” Erin was the twin who took to the craft of acting and she was often brought right back to the set while producers pretended to swap her out. Soon, Erin became the show’s singular Tabitha.
Erin recalls the delight of working with fantastical props, whimsical effects, and a cast she adored. A natural performer, she memorized not only her own lines but everyone else’s, and she truly cherishes her time on the set. Erin and Diane were treated with kindness and respect and were even given Donna Reed’s former dressing room where the amenities of home gave them space for play and nap time. Erin’s success on Bewitched soon led to appearances on other iconic shows, including Lassie.
Erin is coming with “two Darrins” insights. She worked with Dick York and Dick Sargent for three years each and she shares a touching story about reconnecting with the original Darrin, Dick York, years later through the Kevin and Bean morning radio show. She weighs in on whether Bewitched can be read as a metaphor for being different or even being closeted and she opines on why the show still resonates today as a fun, campy, nostalgic, yet surprisingly modern-feeling classic.
Erin also recalls the many rising stars who made early Bewitched appearances and she shares thoughts on why she never truly connected with Paul Lynde.
She reflects on a groundbreaking episode, written by high-school students, that confronted racism. The story involves Tabitha and her best friend Lisa who is black. When told by an adult that they could never be sisters, Tabitha uses witchcraft to turn them both polka dotted. Erin identifies this as Elizabeth Montgomery’s favorite episode.
After her early TV career, Erin enjoyed a normal childhood in Orange County before returning to the entertainment world as a host and reality-show participant in projects like Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Wrestling and RuPaul’s Drag U.
She went on to raise six children, including a son with autism, and has devoted herself to community service and volunteerism. Erin even launched her own alpaca farm, and turned it into a thriving business selling knit goods! This TV icon is as endearing as she is inspiring and Erin’s Hollywood and beyond journey is a testament to her grace, charm and character.
In current media --
Weezy: One Shot With Ed Sheeran on Netflix
Fritz: The American Revolution from Ken Burns
Path Points of Interest:
We are taking a heartwarming ride back to Walnut Grove with three beloved Little House On The Prairie cast members: Alison Arngrim, Dean Butler, and Karen Grassle, as they reunite to celebrate the show’s enduring magic and to preview a new documentary and a Simi Valley cast reunion event in December, 2025.
We explore why Little House continues to resonate across generations, drawing parallels to Star Trek and its devoted fan culture. Audiences still crave the sense of simplicity, community, and frontier resilience the series embodies.
Karen Grassle shares the story of landing her very first series regular role as Caroline Ingalls after eight lean years as a struggling New York actor. The cast reflects on the unexpected typecasting that followed their time on the prairie, and Alison recalls the heady moment when, at age 12, she recognized the deliciously devious nature of her role, Prairie Bitch, Nellie Oleson.
We delve into the legacy of Michael Landon, his uncanny eye for casting, his individualized directing style, and why guest stars adored working with him, while Karen offers a candid look at her complicated relationship with Michael and the challenges she faced as a women on that set.
Alison and Dean walk us through the phenomenon of the Little House passport book, that allows Laura fans to mark every museum that celebrates the Ingalls family’s history in their town. And the cast previews what will make the Simi Valley reunion truly special for enthusiasts, including meet-and-greets, photo-ops, breakfast with the cast, a screening of the 'Little House Homecoming' documentary and a tote bag!
We also discuss the real, sometimes harsh conditions the actors faced on set, including rain, snow, fire and Victor French leaping into a freezing creek. And we get into the new Netflix limited series currently in production (though the original cast isn’t officially involved, they share their openness to making appearances).
And of course we make time for game time. How well does the cast know what takes place in the Books vs. the Series? And we play the IMDB Roulette Sub-Genre, Were You In it? This is a conversation that celebrates the past, embraces the future and shares the community of Little House.
In current media --
Fritz: The documentary Being Eddie on Netflix
Weezy: Netflix movie, Train Dreams
Path Points of Interest:
LHOP Holiday cast reunion Dec 12 - 14th, 2025
Little House Homecoming Documentary
Laura Ingalls Wilder Tour Passport
Confessions Of A Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim
We welcome actor John Kapelos, whose unforgettable turns in The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles enshrine him as a John Hughes Universe fixture. From Second City to Shermer High, John weighs in on comedy, character & The Hughes legacy.
John takes us back to his youth in London, Ontario, Canada, and his first big leap into show business as a member of Second City Chicago, from where he toured for over three years and studied under the mentorship of John Candy: John Kapelos shares his thoughts on the recent Candy documentary and the warmth and sensitivity of the icon who showed him the way.
He shares the magic of an electric comedy scene which included Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Dave Thomas and Catherine O'Hara, and how the Chicago and Toronto improv cultures differed. We also get his perspective on the sexism which permeated the comedy scene.
We dive into John’s transition from stage to screen, his admiration for John Hughes’ ability to capture the voices of teenagers, and we get Breakfast Club behind-the-scenes intrigue. How did John manage to enrage Emilio Estevez? And how did he ultimately receive absolution from Martin Sheen on the set of The West Wing? It’s all here.
And in a thrilling round of IMDB Roulette, we learn why Desperate Housewives was a piece of (cup)cake and how John sustained an injury on the set of Seinfeld, attempting to not crack up at Kramer!
In current media--
Weezy: Netflix Limited Series, Death By Lightning
Fritz: Netflix Movie, A House Of Dynamite
Path Points of Interest:
We’re joined by two authors whose stories illustrate courage, creativity, and the unpredictable tides of adversity and accomplishment, while also uniting us through humanity’s common threads.
Greg Cope White is the Marine whose true story inspired Boots on Netflix. His book is called The Pink Marine and Greg takes us behind the scenes on its screen adaptation with the cast going through actual bootcamp to emerge as actors who could realistically portray Marine recruits.
In serving as a writer and Executive Producer on the show, Greg had the opportunity to flesh out stories beyond those of himself and his best friend, Dale. Greg’s character is called Cam and he joins The Marines before “Don’t Ask. Don’t Tell,” when it was completely illegal to be gay in The Marine Corps. We quickly learn that every recruit is hiding or trying to prove something. Dale became Ray in the series and he is running from an abusive father, attempting to build pride in himself.
We also meet characters who struggle with their weight or have had brushes with the law or have never fit in. Pressure makes diamonds and Marines. Bonds form and Greg reports that the actors in the show are as tight as any fighting unit.
Michael Gregg Michaud introduces us to Christopher Jones: Wild in the Streets, his new book chronicling the meteoric rise, and mysterious disappearance, of one of Hollywood’s most compelling shooting stars. From 1960s heartthrob to sudden recluse, Chris’s story is one of talent, turmoil, mental illness and cultural transformation.
We hear about Greg's solidarity buzzcut and we learn about the Christopher Jones - Sharon Tate connection, it's an episode brimming with mystery, tragedy and triumph!
And in current media--
Weezy: Season 3 of The Diplomat on Netflix
Fritz: Mr. Scorcese - A documentary series on Apple TV+
Path Points of Interest:
Greg Cope White
The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White on Amazon
Christopher Jones: Wild in the Streets by Michael Gregg Michaud
Michael Gregg Michaud on Amazon
Christopher Jones on Wikipedia
Michael Gregg Michaud on Facebook
Michael Gregg Michaud on Instagram
We’re pulling back The Tonight Show curtain, not only to reveal Johnny Carson, but to explore the lore and the legend that were Johnny’s Tonight Show reign.
Joining us are Love Johnny Carson author and The Carson Podcast host, Mark Malkoff, along with Carson Tonight Show guest and Leno Tonight Show writer, Jimmy Brogan.
Mark’s new Carson book offers a decade-by-decade deep look at the King of Late Night. Through his multitude of podcast interviews with Carson insiders, Mark peels away the stony myth to reveal that the real Johnny was more like the brilliantly charming, funny man you saw on TV and less like the icy, ramrod figure, of legend, stealing himself from social intimacy. In actual fact, in order to get from points A to B, Johnny had to hold his gaze on the horizon and keep moving or he would attract a crowd.
Mark and Jimmy share what made Johnny so important to them and to comedy itself. Jimmy recalls turning down his initial invitation to guest on the show because although his crowd work was extraordinary, you can’t do that with a studio audience and he knew he wasn’t ready.
Fritz, a standup comedian who became an NBC weatherman worked upstairs from The Tonight Show. He was groomed by talent coordinator Jim McCawley to appear on Carson and then easily fill in when a guest fell out.
Mark’s deep research reveals a Johnny few have seen: the private man behind the poise. We learn about his secret yearning to be a singer. (he took three weeks of lessons to duet with Julio Iglesias as Willie Nelson ), his need for strong boundaries with fans, and his quiet interest in humanism and social justice.
Mark also debunks myths about famous feuds with Wayne Newton and Joan Rivers, while Jimmy shares his own Joan Rivers talk show audition story and memories of the bumpy Carson into Leno transition.
From Kermit the Frog guest-hosting The Tonight Show to Johnny’s competitive streak, sensitivity and complex charm, this episode dives into the brilliance, insecurity, and humanity of a television legend.
Plus, Mark tells us about his own outrageous social experiments, including overcoming his fear of flying by living on an airplane for 30 days, visiting every Starbucks in Manhattan in one day and collecting keys to cities from Mayors across America!
In current media --
Weezy: Netflix Documentary, The Perfect Neighbor
Fritz: Apple TV+ documentary, Stiller and Meara: Nothing Is Lost
Path Points of Interest
Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey To Find The Genius Behind The Legend by Mark Malkoff
We welcome Rhonda Shear, an intrepid entrepreneurial trailblazing woman in the fields of comedy, 90s late night TV, and online intimate apparel sales. Rhonda has so much to tell us!
Her iconic USA weekend movie show, Up All Night is coming to Youtube! Her cheeky, late-night, movie marathon antics pulled in big ad dollars and turned B-movies into must-see-TV.
But, before finding her voice, Rhonda’s early days in Hollywood were fun but bumpy as she fought to prove that a gorgeous and sexy woman could also be smart and funny. Rhonda’s bold approach was to tear down doors, almost literally. She and her improv partner crashed soundstages to break into their act on the sets of Steve Allen, Merv Griffin and The Smothers Brothers!
Rhonda’s adventurous path ultimately brought her back to her junior high school sweetheart, Van Fagan who is now her husband and business partner. Together, they have forged an empire that includes lingerie, loungewear and the celebrated “Ahh Bra. “
And like any lingerie mogul who began her career in comedy, Rhonda is thrilled to be returning to her roots with an Up All Night reboot. It’s a collaboration with the Kings of Horror Youtube Channel, combining her production know-how and facilities with their massive 14,000-title B-movie library. The first installment drops on October 25th.
Rhonda reflects on a life lived boldly, the lessons she’s learned, and why she proudly calls herself an “accidental feminist.”
Plus, IMDB Roulette takes us through Rhonda's bombshell guest spots and a we play a round of Do You Know More Than Google? People Also Ask What? About Rhonda Shear and does she have the answers?
In current media recommendations --
Weezy: The series Boots on Netflix, based on The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White
Fritz: The John Candy Documentary on Prime, I Like Me
Path Points of Interest:
John Candy: I Like Me - Documentary on Prime
The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White
The Off The Wall Improv Comedy Group has been entertaining audiences for 50 years! Blossoming, in 1975 out of a dance studio next to a West Hollywood hamburger stand, the group has worked with Robin Williams, John Ritter, George Wendt, Chevy Chase, Garry Shandling, and Jim Belushi, with Michael Feinstein at the piano!
Original members, Andy Goldberg, Wendy Cutler, and Paul Willson join us to share their unique history and regale us with backstage lore and intrigue. These three became go-to Hollywood players, appearing on Laverne and Shirley, Mork and Mindy, The Golden Girls, Cheers, Hill Street Blues, The Larry Sanders Show, Columbo and so many more!
Their improv gifts also suit them perfectly for looping sessions where they fill in the background voices in TV and movie scenes. Listen carefully and you will hear them in Meet The Parents, Monster’s Ball, The X Files, Justice League, and How To Train Your Dragon.
Paul, Wendy and Andy take us through the proud history of improv comedy which was born out of theater games taught to children, and has gone on to train and launch countless stellar careers.
Plus, Andrew Jameson joins us to talk about his doc series, Faces Of The City which is now streaming on Roku.
And in current media --
Weezy: The Runarounds on Prime
Fritz: Task on HBO
Path Points of Interest:
We welcome Moosie Drier, one of the most familiar young faces of 70s and 80s TV and film! Moosie takes us back to a time when child actors were a tight crew who worked and auditioned for roles together, forging friendships, supportive rivalries and shared memories.
Alongside fellow child actors like Lance Kerwin, Brad Savage, Ike Eisenmann, and Matthew Layborteaux, Moosie carved out a place in show biz history, beginning with his very first job at age five: dubbing the voice of a tiny actor who was not quite nailing the line in an ice cream commercial.
Armed with that professional gravitas, Moosie went on to play Jack Lemmon’s step-son in The War Between Men and Women and John Denver’s kid in Oh, God! starring George Burns. He then delivered the Kid News For Kids on Laugh-In (as young staff writer Lorne Michaels tucked away the whole fake news idea for what would become Weekend Update!)
Moosie spills tea on working with Henry Fonda (Hank liked the View-Master. Hated the kids.) Moosie shares how Barbra Streisand hand picked him for a bit part in Up The Sandbox, and evidently, Moosie is gifted with a face you’d want to serenade. Both John Denver and Reba McEntire picked up guitars and sang to him between scenes.
Plus we get some Drier family lore. How his family struck out from Chicago for California in search of industry opportunities. About the tax hole that welcomed Moosie into adulting. And the strange baby name saga that resulted in a boy named “Moosie.”
Today, Moosie continues to connect with his peers through his podcast Pop Culture Retro, where conversations are a blend of interviews, fellow child-actor therapy and catching up over lunch.
All that, plus a round of IMDB Roulette which takes us from Kids Incorporated to Family Ties to Judy Garland to The Bob Newhart Show to American Hot Wax! It’s a life and career chock full of charm, challenges, and timeless Hollywood moments.
And in current media --
Weezy: Sullivan's Crossing on Netflix
Fritz: The Mark Twain book by Ron Chernow
Path Points of Interest:
Pop Culture Retro on Apple Podcasts
Pop Culture Retro on Instagram
What happens when a big time movie star gets popped for speeding while rolling through Mayberry? He just may learn the value of connection and community, that’s what!
Mayberry Man… first a movie, then a series… was inspired by the reverent fervor that is the annual Mayberry Days Festival which takes place annually in Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina. Producer Gregory Schell and Writer/Director Stark Howell are both second generation Mayberry progeny and their experiences at the festival inspired them to crate the Mayberry Man franchise.
Greg and Stark both have dads who made two Andy Griffith Show appearances, Hoke Howell and Ronnie Schell. Ronnie then went on to co-star with Mayberry’s own Gomer Pyle on Gomer Pyle USMC.
Greg and Stark join us in-studio to help us welcome Zoom guests, Allan Newsome who plays the Floyd the Barber re-enactor and Chris Bauman, who brings Gomer to life. They share their histories of falling in love with those characters, stepping into their shoes and clothing, meeting festival fans and now sharing their portrayals onscreen in Mayberry Man.
Stark’s Dad Hoke was besties with Rance Howard. Together, they pursued their acting and writing careers while Rance’s kids Ron and Clint played little league and created early films with the Howell boys.
Stark’s brother, producer Cort Howell, shares how he used crowdfunding, targeted marketing and fan community building to bring Mayberry Man to life.
Plus, Greg reflects on growing up in the shadow of an actor/comedian father and Stark shares his earliest screen role, co-starring with Clint Howard, in a 14-year-old Ron Howard’s third Super 8 film classic, Cards, Cads, Guns, Gore & Death.
And in current media, Weezy enlightens Fritz as to the internet outrage regarding Big Brother's Rylie and Katharine showmance and Fritz shares his enthusiasm for the new Spike Lee 'joint' Highest 2 Lowest, now in theaters
Path Points of Interest:
https://www.amazon.com/Mayberry-Man-Brett-Varvel/dp/B0B8NNSYR9
https://www.mayberryman.com/home-z
https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Mayberry-Man-The-Series/0OW0MU66B6JJM52GUUWO3CQQ8K
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24222046/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk
For 33 1/3 years, Paul Rappaport made history as a rock promotions kingpin at Columbia Records, shaping pathways for the biggest artists of the ’70s, 80s and ’90s to find their audience. Paul has penned 'Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay, and the Art of Rock Promotion', a memoir that captures the creative fun and the rich, human connection at the heart of the record business in its golden era.
Paul shares stories of big-budget, wildly innovative stunts, like painting a radio station pink for Pink Floyd, sending a terrifying “alien invasion like” laser beam across Los Angeles skies for Blue Oyster Cult and jumping through every station relationship hoop to land Mick Jagger, out of the box, at number one on the charts! Paul reports that in the records and radio world, it was friendships and reciprocity that made the engines hum.
Paul shares stories of his heart-to-hearts with Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and Mick Jagger and of his one-of-a-king thank you gift from Pink Floyd… an opportunity to join them on stage in London to shred and trade guitar licks with David Gilmour on Run Like Hell!
With a deep reverence for music and the artists who shaped his world view, Paul reflects on the chance he was given to be a part of the effort alongside his boyhood heroes and to help them share their work with the world.
Music is ever-evolving and to get radio stations on board with new sounds, Paul would often grab everyone from neighborhood radio stations and record stores and personally initiate them to the glory that is Billy Joel or Bruce Springsteen live and in concert. It worked! He arranged one-on-one interviews, including the time Philadelphia radio personality Helen Leicht looked into the eyes of Paul McCartney and broke into tears. Sir Paul jumped up and pulled her into a hug. Beatles up close are sob inducing. He gets it.
Co-host Weezy, also a radio/records veteran, talks shop with Paul, remembering warmly the kooky and collaborative crusade to celebrate and share the music. They also discuss the future of terrestrial radio. Is there one?
In our current media segment, Fritz and Weezy discuss The Law According To Lidia Poet and Titans: The Rise of Hollywood, both on Netflix.
Path Points of Interest:
The Law According To Lidia Poet on Netflix
Titans: The Rise of Hollywood on Netflix
Helen Leicht Interviews Sir Paul McCartney On WXPN - 8/29/13
We stand in gratitude to Bruce Vilanch for Peak Hollywood’s most treasured and iconic entertainment history moments. Bruce is an EGOT Award Show Writer and he’s penned warehouses and server farms full of TV Variety shows and specials with lingering legacies. As infamous Youtube gems were mined, during lockdown, by intrepid Millennial podcasters, Bruce bravely opened wounds to spill toxic details.
Yes, we are talking Star Wars Holiday & Paul Lynde Halloween Specials. The hot tea is on tap in Bruce’s new book, It Seemed Like A Bad Idea At The Time.
As a child, Bruce was not just your garden variety funny fat kid. His mother recognized his unique potential and submitted young Bruce as a Lane Bryant Charming Chub print model. His journalism career took off at summer camp where Bruce successfully avoided outdoor activities by writing a popular and dishy camp newspaper. During college he went pro as a cub reporter for The Chicago Tribune, watching the films Gene Siskel elected to skip. A review of Bette Midler’s cabaret show led to a collaborative lifelong friendship.
The pattern has continued with Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Crystal, Dolly Parton and beyond. Bruce’s comedic charms are so potent, he can take stinkers like Can’t Stop The Music and Ice Pirates (featuring Bruce as a court jesting body-less head) and churn hilarity. Wherever the comedy leaned towards tragedy, Bruce mined the gold that is his new book.
Bruce also tells us how Donny Osmond’s pull with Mormon elders got a Utah affiliate to broadcast Bette Midler’s HBO special. Bruce then boldly addresses the Jo Koy Golden Globes fiasco. He imparts the famous legend of Beethoven (the dog’s) Oscar movement, and tells of his daring journey in search of a look at Milton Berle’s alleged equipment.
But, Bruce’s glories will not be outshined by his duds because we are ringing in a round of IMDB Roulette in which we celebrate: Ray Charles, Dolly Parton Elizabeth Taylor and The Constitution! Plus, Bruce hints at an upcoming special with Whoopi Goldberg!
In recommendations --
Weezy: Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War on Prime
Fritz: The Documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes on HBO Max
Path Points of Interest:
Brady Bunch Variety Hour - First Episode
Shiny Happy People - Season 2 - Teenage Holy War
We’re joined by actress/singer/dancer Ann Jillian who takes us on an extraordinary journey which begins as her parents escape Soviet-Occupied Lithuania and continues into the Hollywood soundstages that launch Ann’s career as a child star in Gypsy and Babes in Toyland and then winds towards her adult career as a beloved Hollywood icon.
Ann shares the powerful story of her family's flight across war-torn Europe on bicycles, aided by her mother’s multilingual savvy, which helped them dodge bullets and bombs and navigate a perilous path to safety.
Settling in America was more than a fresh start, it was a dream realized. Ann recalls the deep pride her parents felt the day they became U.S. citizens and she reflects on her show biz beginnings, first in commercials (she was a Chevrolet girl!), then, playing Bo Peep in Babes in Toyland, leading to the stage name bestowed upon her by Mr. Walt Disney! and landing the role of Dainty June in Gypsy, where she gained an even deeper appreciation of her own mother who was NOT a Mama Rose.
Ann tells us how education was valued for Disney child stars, she shares her mother’s wisdom on dealing with jealousies and she tells us about the treasured momento she received from her dear friend in Natalie Wood.
She also discusses her battle with breast cancer, her triumphant return to work, the joy in becoming a mother and the fabulously funny and romantic 'how we met story' featuring herself and her husband of 50 years, Andy.
And IMDB Roulette this week takes us on a journey around Mayfield, into the Twilight Zone and through a time when TV movies tackled important social issues.
In recommendations --
Fritz: Britbox Mini Series, Outrageous
Weezy: Netflix Series, Son of a Critch
Path Points of Interest:
Media Path Podcast
We’re joined by award-winning Actor/Producer Blair Underwood and Director/Producer/Author Joe McClean to talk about their new novel, Sins of Survivors, written by Joe and presented by Blair.
The book brings Black Bottom back to beautiful and sweeping life through the story of The Carter family. Fictional brothers Jasper and Ben whose heart wrenching journey brings them north to Detroit during the Great Migration. The Carters take root, raise families and bloom into neighborhood kingpins in a once vibrant, but redlined area that was bulldozed in the 1950s to put in a freeway.
Joe unpacks how his deep research and a love of overlooked history shaped the Carter dynasty story in which two very different but fiercely loyal brothers face a shifting landscape and the rippling impact of their shared trauma on the next generation.
Black Bottom, once a hub of Black resilience and ingenuity under strict and brutal segregation becomes the perfect backdrop for a sweeping saga of survival and criminal enterprise.
Blair shares how he chooses which projects to champion, he reflects on his own remarkable career (L.A. Law, Gattaca, Deep Impact, Sex and the City), and shares his Obama related history!
Joe ponders his personal approach when writing screenplays vs. novels and shares a powerful story connecting the haunting legacy of “Strange Fruit” to our current political moment.
We also explore the hidden history of Detroit’s underworld, from its prohibition-era bootlegging routes to the layered decades of Black Bottom’s rise and fall under so-called “urban renewal.”
Crime, family bonds and cultural touchstones coalesce in this tightly written work of fiction that reflects the real struggles of black experiences, painting a vivid portrait of a unique time and place in our shared American history.
In recommendations--
Weezy: Stick, Apple TV+ Series
Fritz: Movie, Sunday Best on Netflix
Path Points of Interest:
Sins of Survivors by Joe McClean and Blair Underwood
Sins of Survivors Audiobook Preview
Improv is so much more than hilarious. It’s a comedy writing tool, a key to unlocking our truest selves and a valuable collection of life lessons. Whose Line’s Colin Mochrie is here to enlighten and entertain!
He starred in the British and American versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway for over 30 years while also making hundreds of TV, film and stage appearances. Colin is an author, an actor, a touring performer and an activist.
His stage shows include Asking For Trouble with fellow Whose Liner Brad Sherwood, and Hyprov… a unique blend of hypnosis and improv with noted hypnotist, Asad Mecci.
Joining us on the panel to learn from Colin is Chicago’s 13-year-old Lane Tech Improv Team Member Rowan Keel. His first question? “What do you do when you get a bad audience suggestion?” Colin is not stumped.
We did, however, him a curve when we requested too much intel about his appearance in the first American Girl Doll movie, Kitt Kittredge in a rousing round of IMDB Roulette.
But Colin was able to provide details about his time spent on the sets of: The Paul Anka Show, Goosebumps, The Drew Carey Show, The Tonight Show, Ted Lasso and his newest film, Magnetosphere!
Plus, Colin shares improv wisdom as it applies to real life, his intriguing connection to Animutation and the powerful lessons he is learning from his trans daughter, Kinley.
In recommendations--
Weezy: Building The Band on Netflix
Fritz: Apple TV+ Documentary Series: The Long Way Home
Path Points of Interest:
Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood - Asking For Trouble
Not Quite The Classics by Colin Mochrie
Can disinformation really take down a democracy from the inside? This week’s guest, Barbara McQuade, thinks so — and she’s here to show us exactly how it’s happening and what we can do about it.
Barbara is a former U.S. Attorney, a law professor, an MSNBC legal analyst and the author of Attack From Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America, now out in paperback.
We begin with breaking news that could directly affect our political landscape. A big chunk of the MAGA faithful are suddenly side-eyeing Trump over his failure to drop the long-promised Epstein file (does the public have a right to see it? Barbara has thoughts). She breaks down how our American system relies on the good faith of three branches — and what happens when any one of them stops playing by the rules.
Barbara explains the Squid Strategy: imagine a squid firing ink at a predator to obfuscate and slip away: that’s Trump making wild statements to change the subject when the heat is on. We talk about the liar’s dividend, that neat trick where so much fake news is swirling that important facts get waved away.
She pulls back the curtain on how Trump built the coalition that resulted in the Big Harmful Bill. It consists of: a working-class MAGA base, the evangelical right, and billionaires. Trump does the bidding of big business while kissing up to Christian Extremists and feeding his base conspiracy theories that keep them eating their rage right out of his hand.
Barbara does find hope in history: other countries have seen strongmen rise and fall when the promises ran dry and the citizens remained vigilant. She gives us her best advice for cracking Trump’s hold on friends and family (it involves empathetic listening, not doomscrolling).
We also get into Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act — mend it, don’t end it — and why unregulated social media is the Wild West. We talk spon-con, paywalls, knowledge gaps, and how your news feed might be failing you.
A cautionary tale, a civics lesson, and a pep talk all rolled into one, strap in, there’s still time to fight the ink cloud!
In recommendations--
Weezy: The series Outrageous on Britbox
Fritz: Apple TV+ Documentary, Bono: Stories of Surrender
Path Points of Interest:
Attack From Within by Barbara McQuade
Sisters-In-Law Podcast
with Barbara McQuade, Jill Wine Banks, Joyce Vance and Kimberly Atkins Stohr
Bono: Stories of Surrender on Apple TV+
Carol Leifer entered comedy when a woman stand-up was considered a novelty or a niche, but even then she knew "things would eventually change." And change has come, due in no small part to Carol's own stelar show biz contributions.
Carol joins us this week to talk about her formative years, her early standup, giving voice to iconic characters like Elaine Benes and Deborah Vance, and her new book, How to Write a Funny Speech!
Carol's relationship with her father, an optometrist with an ear for comedy and a quick wit that delighted both patients and family, laid the foundation for her career trajectory. Her supportive parents encouraged her to pursue stand-up when the opportunity struck, and very soon, she was right at home at The Improv and on The Tonight Show.
Even within the male-dominated comedy space, Carol found herself buoyed by peers and colleagues, in the clubs and on the sets of seminal sitcoms such as Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Carol’s Seinfeld contributions tapped into women’s lived experiences and brought us the skinny mirror, the marble rye and the nail salon, but she reveals which of Elaine's iconic storylines was not her brainchild - 'sponge-worthy' was actually coined by male writer, Peter Mehlman!
Enjoy an exciting spin on your favorite podcast showbiz trivia game as we invite Carol to play IMDB Roulette: Writer's Edition, where she dives into the intricacies of writing for: Seinfeld, Curb, Hacks, SNL and Ellen, plus traveling the globe with Henry Winkler, George Foreman, Terry Bradshaw and William Shatner! (She now calls him Bill.)
Carol also shares her SNL writing regrets. (If she could only have gotten in better with Lorne.) We talk about her latest runaway hit book How To Write a Funny Speech and close the show with Fritz's favorite new Carol Leifer joke!
In recommendations --
Weezy: The HBO original, My Mom Jayne: A Film By Mariska Hargitay
Fritz: Netflix documentary, Trainwreck: The Cult Of American Apparel
Carol Leifer Amazon Author Page
My Mom Jayne from Mariska Hargitay
Trainwreck: The Cult Of American Apparel
Our guests exemplify the power of passion, mastery and skill blending in creating a lasting legacy. We begin with the co-authors of The Creative Leader: What Every Leader Should Know About The Art & Science of Creative Intelligence. Bob Boden and Dr. Robert Carpenter share how we can all better merge and apply our left and right brain thinking. We then welcome a 70s sensation who walks into the studio with the show-and-tell masterpiece that is his authentic Nudie Suit, Bo Donaldson!
For their book, The Creative Leader, Bob Boden and Dr. Rob Carpenter interviewed top entertainment industry figures who impart critical insight on how to seamlessly and effectively combine imagination with management, while motivating a team to reach its fullest potential.
Bob and Dr. Rob share the wisdom of producers, Jonathan Murray, Stephanie Drachkovitch, Lloyd Schwartz and more, learning that whatever your field, curiosity, innovation, and optimism are keys to success.
Cincinnati’s own Bo Donaldson began his music career, mastering the trumpet in fourth grade. He formed The Heywoods at 14, and they were opening for The Rascals, Paul Revere & The Raiders and The Osmonds by the time he was in college.
Bo's career was managed by his business-savvy mom, who ran her own record label and was the driving force behind the band's biggest hit Billy-Don't Be a Hero. Bo tells us how that chart-topping single carved a path to stardom for his band and he shares his '70s teen idol memories, including lessons learned from Mark Lindsey, Donny Osmond and Dick Clark.
Brace yourself for shady music industry lore as Bo recalls how the VP of his record label threatened his Mom and him with a mob hit, inspiring Bo to heed the lyrics of his own song and keep his head low.
Bo shares news about The Heywood’s latest recordings and explains how he shapes his band’s sound. We also learn how to set sea with The Heywoods and a boat full of your favorite artists on a 70s Rock and Romance Cruise! Plus, how well does Bo remember what he confessed to the Teen Magazines!? We play a round of Fan Mag Grab Bag!
In recommendations--
Fritz: Netflix Series, Department Q
Weezy, Apple TV+ Series, The Buccaneers
Path Points of Interest:
The Creative Leader by Bob Boden and Dr. Robert Carpenter
Dr. Rob Carpenter Amazon Author Page
Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods Fan Site
Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods Facebook Group
Magic by Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods
Bubble Gum Mania at Riviera Theatre
Can your keyboard produce enough hyphens to define Hal Sparks? He is a Comedian-Actor-Musician-Magician-Podcaster-Political Commentator-TV and Radio Personality-Host-Podcast Guest, and beyond. We are hoping his mother keeps a scrapbook.
Hal has brought us such memorable characters as “Zoltan” in Dude, Where’s My Car, “Elevator Passenger” in Spiderman 2, Michael in Queer as Folk and he proved too much of an improv master for Talk Soup to contain, which freed him up to host his own podcast empire, to tour with his band, Nerd Halen and with the Sexy Liberals Comedy Show and to guest with us on Media Path Podcast.
Hal began sharing his wickedly sharp political observations on video platforms during the pandemic’s early days. He had just left China and lost dozens of friends to Covid. He fully understood the impending danger and devastation. So he hunkered and bunkered and began fact-checking Trump live on Youtube and Twitch. An outlet that released tension for himself and for his politically informed and engaged audience. He calls them “Sparklers!”
Hal’s show, Megaworldwide streams daily on his website infotainmentwars.com. Here, he reacts in real time to breaking news and the current political landscape. Hal's strong belief in the power of the electorate to enact real change inspires his work and he endeavors to be a part of the conversation shaping the narrative of the Democratic party.
We ask Hal to tackle today's top headlines, the targeted attacks on Iran's nuclear missile sites ordered by Trump and the schism it's causing within the MAGA movement, as exemplified by prominent figures who find themselves at odds on the issue, like Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson.
We also discuss how traumatic childhoods and a lack of empathy underpin the mindset of the current administration. We follow the money that funds right wing influencers. We explore Elon Musk's technocratic family legacy. And we are front and center for the latest from Hal’s comedy cover band, Nerd Halen. Then, we take a tour through Hal's scene-stealing film and TV moments with a round of IMDB Roulette which includes Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and, of course, Dude, Where’s My Car!
In recommendations--
Fritz: History Channel series, Kevin Costner's The West
Weezy: HBO Max documentary, Surviving Ohio State
Path Points of Interest: