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Regular listeners to this podcast will remember that Roger testified in the first trial of the infamous Menendez brothers who were convicted of murdering their parents José and Kitty Menendez. Now there’s a Netflix series based on the case and there’s even the possibility Lyle and Erik may have their sentences shortened. Roger knew the family and worked with José at Live Entertainment. We thought it was time to get his take everything. It was a defining event in Roger’s life and it makes for a fascinating podcast.
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For his final episode Roger takes us all to the ultimate wrap party at his favorite haunt - Elaine's. The legendary restaurant hosted by its equally legendary namesake, Elaine Kaufman, from 1963 to 2011 and attracted luminaries such as Woody Allen, Tome Wolfe, Leonard Bernstein, Mick Jagger and many, many others. Those are just the raw facts. But Roger makes us feel like we're in the room with him amidst all the glitz, glamor and gossip of a long ago New York. It's our last ride with Roger and he makes it a memorable one.
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Roger's talked a lot about movies; what he thinks of them and what it was like being in the movie business. But here he tells us how how he fell in love with the medium in the first place. From being taken to theaters by his mother to going to Boston's famous art-houses while at Harvard. And there's a lot more including the film Disney has kept hidden, the movie Warner Bros honcho Steve always wanted to remake and the film he predicted would be a smash that an old industry hand thought would fail. And Roger tells us how he thinks we'll watch movies in the future - in theaters? streaming? Listen in.
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As you well know by now, Roger has met some amazing people. Some famous, some not. But there is one woman who stands above the rest. You'll hear tales of Cuban exiles, dancing, operas, glamorous apartments in several countries and a lost diamond earring miraculously recovered.
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In one of our most popular podcasts (season 1 episode 4) Roger told us how he came to testify at the Menendez Brothers murder trial. He had a unique perspective on one of the most famous trials on the 20th Century. Now Netflix has announced it will dramatize the events in a film produced by Ryan Murphy. Naturally we wanted to get Roger's take on all this and who he wants to play him in the movie!
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Here's a quick take on a present day conundrum. Is today's "woke" culture eliminating unflattering depictions of certain cultures and groups? Is our history in danger of being erased? Roger has his own take on it all. He remembers how some very old photographs got him in a spot of trouble way back in the 1980s.
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There's nothing like having to make a decision. In life and in business, making the right choice can mean everything. Here Roger tells us about some of his decisions as well as those made by savvy businessmen. But first he tells us how his own decision to impress someone by picking up the check at dinner almost went awry. You'll learn how his father decided what brand of car to buy and how someone as successful as George Soros picked what sort of businesses to invest in. There's lots to learn here, not to mention - why some Jews have Christmas trees!
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Roger takes us back to the days when cable TV and stations like MTV and Nickelodeon were the cutting edge of the entertainment business. Those were the days when Roger worked with and became fast friends with legendary Warner Brothers head Steve Ross. Roger tells us how Ross was not only business savvy but generous and gracious as well. Rare traits in big corporations these days. Roger also tells us his days selling encyclopedias and how it led to a friendship with Quincy Jones.
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No, Roger doesn't play the violin, but he does know a lot about the music business. Here he tells us about buying a chain of record stores back when that was how most people bought their music. It's a very colorful tale involving a mobster and such arcane terms as "rack jobbing." He also explains how something Danny DeVito said turned out to be good business advice. You'll also hear about his wise sister the talent agent and how he and his sister wound up watching Sigfried & Roy and George Burns in one night.
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If you follow the business end of show business you've no doubt heard about the film libraries own by various companies. Here Roger takes us behind the scenes of acquiring these valuable properties and how they can be leveraged. And although today you can get your entertainment via cable companies, streaming sites and even DVDs, Roger explains how no matter what the technology is, the basics of business remain the same.
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As you've no doubt already realized, Roger knows his way around the spoken word. But he's had some success with the written word as well. In fact, Roger's been published by some pretty famous magazines such as Esquire, Playboy and the showbiz staple,Variety. But not always under his own name. He'll explain why a nom de plume may come in handy at times as well as some of the things he wanted to educate his readers about.
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As you know by now, Roger's had some amazing experiences in show business, the arts and theater. But this is the first time he talks about sports. He remembers watching the great Sugar Ray Robinson box as well as what eventually turned him off about the sport. Roger also explains why even though he lives in New York, he's not a Mets or Yankees fan. He also tells how he helped bring soccer legend Pele to the Big Apple and Roger goes on to explain his father's rules for betting on horses
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Once known primarily for potato farms and fishing, the area on the east part of Long Island known as "The Hamptons" is now considered one of the most exclusive areas in the country. It's the kind of real estate where if you have to ask the price you can't afford it. Roger knows it well and here he tells us what it was like there years ago and what celebrities now call it home as well as where they like to eat. He even tells about the time he was hitchhiking and was picked up by a very famous author. It's a fascinating look at a very posh zip code.
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Roger is no stranger to the pleasures of the grape. In this episode he tells us about some of the very interesting people he's imbibed with. Plus he tells us several pieces of advice he's received while drinking wine as well as advice about ordering wine. And then there's the time he he almost had to pay for a super expensive bottle of the vintage stuff. As they say:"In Vino Veritas."
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We're taking a break from our usual format with this episode in which Roger speaks with an old pal - John Berendt. The author of the best-selling non-fiction book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" tells Roger what it's like to deal with editors and publishers, when he knew he had a hit on his hand and what it was like to travel the country doing publicity. John Berendt also acknowledges the role luck had in his success. Roger asks him about future novels and finds out what book of Berendt's only took an hour to write. It's a fascinating discussion and you'll only hear it here.
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Here Roger fills us in on actress Merisa Berenson, who he first met when she was in prep school, just before she starred in "Barry Lyndon." One of the most beautiful women of her time, Roger became her protector of sorts, keeping the likes of Ginacarlo Giananni at a respectful distance. And speaking of "Barry Lyndon," Roger explains how its famously idiosyncratic director Stanley Kubrick grew to trust his advice. No easy trick. Then it's on to another Hollywood legend - Warren Beatty. Despite Beatty's reputation as a womanizer, Roger found out he's quite the family man.
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During Roger's days at Warner Brothers there was no one more important in the company's roster of talent than Clint Eastwood. He was easy to work with and his pictures made money. Roger tells us how Warners' efforts to show its appreciation could be a little awkward at times. Then Roger tells us about his dealings with the "mad genius" Dennis Hopper. The "Easy Rider" star had his wild side to be sure, but he also had a keen eye for fine art. And wait until you hear the story about Dennis' daughter...
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If you thought that Roger had run out of stories about the celebrities he's met in the previous episode, fear not. Here he tells us about giving valuable financial advice to Candace Bergen and the time he tried to get financing for a Robert Altman movie. He also fills us in on Robert Altman's wife and the wheeling and dealing that goes on at the Cannes Film Festival. Turns out there's more going on there than red-carpets and fancy parties.
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Many of us have had at least one random encounter with a celebrity we'll remember forever, even if the celebrity won't. Roger's certainly had his share and here he tells us about two in particular. First there's the time Harrison Ford went out of his way to introduce Roger to the a capella group known as The Persuasions which then led to Roger meeting the group in New York. Then Roger tells us about the time Richard Gere needed some financial help while in Paris. We'll let Roger tell you the rest of the story.
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Roger told us a few episodes ago about some of his dealings with the theater and here he goes into greater detail, starting with how he became enamored of stage productions as a boy. Both his parents were active in regional theater. He remembers when shows had out-of-town tryouts before opening on Broadway and he also remembers legends such as Elaine May, Peter Flak and even Maggie Smith perform. And as head of Warner Theater Production he got to fund shows and deal with the likes of Mike Nichols, Jules Pfeiffer and Hal Prince. He even tells us of his idea to keep the theater alive and going. If only someone would take him up on it.
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