Episodes
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Harry Shearer has been delivering groundbreaking comedy that's the stuff of legend for decades, starting off strong as a child actor on The Jack Benny Program, then cutting off every edge in The Credibility Gap, pioneering the mockumentary with This Is Spinal Tap, bringing us over 20 voices in the most culturally relevant animated series of all time, The Simpsons and continuing to revolutionize radio since 1983 with Le Show.
Harry joins us to delve into the magnificent lore which permeates his storied career. We dive deep on Burns, Smithers, Skinner, Flanders, Spinal Tap, SNL and Nixon. Plus, today’s cutting edge motion capture technology is bringing us, from Trump Anti-Social, A Message For Kamboola, with Harry as Trump, now on Youtube.
Harry shares Spinal Tap 2 updates, details about the night he, Christopher Guest and Michael McKean opened for themselves as The Folksmen to the din of the angry chant, “TAP! TAP! TAP!” along with news about Derek's solo masterwork, Smalls Change.
We hear about what makes voiceover work for The Simpsons unique within the animation world, the audio breakthroughs which led to his stunning series which reenacts the actual Nixon tapes, Nixon’s The One, and his unpleasant experiences with Lorne Michaels on SNL.
Harry also tells us about the recent digital archiving of his extensive Le Show catalogue which is now all publicly accessable, dating back to 1983. All this, and a round of IMDB Roulette. With almost 200 credits in play, where will the big wheel stop!?
Plus, Weezy tells us about her personal and professional connection to The Comeback on Netflix and Fritz gives us his passionate take on Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen And The E-Street Band on Hulu.
Path Points of Interest:
Harry Shearer
Trump Anti-Social Presents A Message For Kamboola
Harry Shearer on Wikipedia
Harry Shearer on IMDB
Harry Shearer on Simpson Wiki
Harry Shearer on Facebook
Harry Shearer on Twitter
Harry Shearer on Instagram
Spinal Tap II
Le Show
The Comeback - Netflix
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen And The E-Street Band - Hulu
Nixon’s The One on Youtube
Mark Felt and Roy Cohn on Firing Line
Gift of Democracy
Media Path Podcast
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John Paizis is the creative force behind Performing Arts Studio West whose focus is elevating the talents of performers with intellectual and physical disabilities. Together with friends of the studio, Mindy Sterling and Debra Wilson, John joins us to talk about their latest project, a storybook which puts a dark, new twist on age old fairytales, Mother Goose Reanimated.
John shares his extensive experience in the non-profit space and how the seeds for this project were planted decades ago when he began working with autistic adults and fostering their potential.
John, a performer and musician, founded PASW 26 years ago, providing hands-on individualized training, career management, and on-location support for performers with disabilities working in film, television and commercials. They’ve conquered most media but this is their first book!
John shares the themes and inspirations behind the reimagined stories, how the creative team came together, and the collaborative process of writing, casting, costuming, set designing, and shooting a picture book.
We also hear about Mindy's personal journey with her autistic son and the challenges that he has encountered. Debra shares how she got her big break and talks about her successful voice acting career (she's the current voice of Daisy Duck AND Ursula!), John tells us about working with Frank Oz and Jim Henson and everyone gushes about their recent experience launching the book at Los Angeles Comic Con!
Plus, Fritz is recommending the doc, Maestra on Netflix, Weezy read and loved The Women by Kristin Hannah. And, tasked with sampling and recommending content from our generation, our Gen Z tech, Mason is binging and loving Cheers!
Path Points of Interest:
Mother Goose Reanimated
Performing Arts Studio West
PASW on Facebook
PASW on YouTube
Mother Goose Reanimated Website
Mindy Sterling on IMDB
Mindy Sterling on Wikipedia
Mindy Sterling on X/Twitter
Debra Wilson on IMDB
Debra Wilson on Wikipedia
John Paizis on IMDB
John Paizis on Facebook
The Women by Kristin Hannah
Maestra - Netflix
Gift of Democracy
Media Path Podcast
Youtube
https://youtu.be/4xp9xEoFQN8
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Missing episodes?
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The Walton family saga so deeply moved us that scores of devoted fans are now sharing the show with their children and grandchildren.
Set in Depression era Virginia, The Waltons invited audiences to watch a family overcome adversity through their love, perseverance and the opening of their minds and hearts.
During its nine year run, we watched the Walton kids grow up right along with us. Between the ages of seven and sixteen, Kami Cotler portrayed the youngest Walton, Elizabeth and while doing show she gained the additional families of her Walton co-stars and fans.
Kami joins us to talk about a childhood spent on the set of an iconic historical drama, her illustrious and inspiring career as an educator and the ongoing events and celebrations which continue to unite The Waltons and their audience.
Kami's career as a teacher and administrator was rooted in her own education, a unique hybrid of inventive and creative on-set tutors and public schools.
On-set learning did harken back to the one room schoolhouse where Kami learned alongside her older casemates and could easily audit some of their fascinating lessons which were way ahead of her grade level.
Additionally, The Waltons’ set doubled as a constantly evolving, hands-on classroom. Post-Waltons, Kami’s first teaching job was in rural Virginia, which provided a real life emersion into the fictional setting she had inhabited for nearly a decade, and it's where she developed her style and approach as an educator.
We talk to Kami about her Youtube channel where she reacts to beloved episodes and interviews her wonderful Mom. She tells us what she wishes she’d asked Will Geer and Ellen Corby about working with Woody Guthrie and Laurel and Hardy and she shares how fans are consistently helping her better remember specific events and episodes!
Today, Kami organizes Waltons themed gatherings around the country that are proving to be an enormously rewarding experience for both cast and fans. And, Kami pretty much aces a round of Waltons Trivia!
Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Social Studies on FX and Hulu and Score on Prime.
Path Points of Interest:
Kami Cotler on Wiki
Kami Cotler on IMDB
Kami Cotler on Facebook
Kami Cotler on Instagram
Kami Cotler on Youtube
Gift of Democracy
Social Studies
Score - Amazon Prime
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Happy Days is the iconically classic 70s TV sensation about the 50s. Its legacy is unparalleled, its popularity ongoing. The show launched a character who remains the embodiment of cool, Fonzie, and it cemented its cast into icon status in perpetuity. That cast includes Donny Most, who played wise-cracking Ralph Malph, who, complete with his own catchphrase, “I still got it!” took a minor role and turned it into the stuff of legend.
Don joins us this week to look back on his decades in Hollywood, the magic formula that brought Happy Days to fruition, and created a lasting legacy, and his tireless pursuit of creative expression that continues to keep his schedule full and fulfilling.
Don shares stories about his first foray into show business, as a Catskills performing teen, his early guest starring roles on Emergency and Room 222, how he dropped out of college to maintain his acting momentum and landed a small role on Happy Days which he initially turned down until a fateful basketball playing encounter between his manager and Garry Marshall upped the incentives and sealed the deal. Donny and his cast-mates developed a strong, life-long bond which he credits to the collaborative set atmosphere, the genius of Garry Marshall and the strong example set by Ron Howard, which helped anchor egos aboard the Happy Days rocket ride.
Type-casting came with the Happy Days territory and it took years or hard work on stage for new opportunities to present themselves. Don has since gone into directing and producing and his most recent roles are the most compelling and diverse of his career.
Potsie took most of the lead vocals in the Happy Days band but Donny has been a singer since childhood and his most recent big-band, American Songbook recording, New York High has a BBC reviewer calling him, “The new Sinatra.”
All this plus the truth behind the lawsuit against CBS, Happy Days trivia and Don’s dramatic Baywatch rescue!
And, in recommendations, Fritz and Weezy are discussing Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval and Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, both on Netflix.
Path Points of Interest:
Donny Most
Donny Most on Wiki
Donny Most on IMDB
Donny Most on Twitter
New York High on Apple Music
Far Haven
Harsen's Island Revenge
Unsung Hero
Gallatin Comic Con Appearance
Ellen DeGeneres: or Your Approval on Netflix
Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story on Netflix
Gift of Democracy
Media Path Podcast
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You may know William Atherton from Day Of The Locust, The Hindenburg, Looking For Mr. Goodbar, and Real Genius or you may better remember him for vigorously questioning the environmental safety of ghost busting or for receiving a blow to the face which rings in a very Merry Christmas in Die Hard.
Bill began his career on the stage, performing in Broadway plays by David Rabe, John Guare and Arthur Miller. The Ghostbuster and Die Hard franchises brought him to Hollywood and he joins us to discuss his fascinating history, his heroes and influences and his range of experiences with such performers as Anne Bancroft, George C. Scott, Donald Sutherland, Karen Black, and Diane Keaton.
Did you know that Bill sings What’ll I Do in Nelson Riddle’s Great Gatsby score!? He tells us all about it and talks about recognizing the greatness of Stephen Spielberg even as a baby director when Bill stared in Sugarland Express. He remembers how Anne Bancroft would not stop talking about Mel Brooks on the set of The Hindenburg, he shares what he learned from the casts of Lost and Desperate Housewives and he addresses the internet’s most time-honored question, is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Will & Harper and Nobody Wants This on Netflix.
Path Points of Interest:
William Atherton
William Atherton on Wiki
William Atherton on IMDB
Gift of Democracy
Media Path Podcast
Nobody Wants This on Netflix
Will and Harper - Netflix -
In the '90s, a group of legendary rock and pop artists banded together, blending inspirations, genres, influences and styles to form a uniquely collaborative sound. The Bangles, The Cowsills, REM, The dBs, and Hootie And The Blowfish were all represented in The Continental Drifters.
Author and musician Sean Kelly has written the definitive Drifters tomb, White Noise & Lightning: The Continental Drifters Story and he joins us this week, along with iconic Drifter Peter Holsapple, to take us on a journey from Hollywood to New Orleans, in the late 90s, through the rich layers of alternative, folk, California pop and Americana that shaped the remarkable story of this legacy mega-group.
We kick off the show with comedian and Emmy winning comedy writer Brian Kiley, who shares his experiences in the writing trenches with Conan O’Brien and Ellen DeGeneres. Brian joins us fresh from his experiences performing overseas for the U.S. military and recording his Dry Bar Comedy special. Brian will be opening soon for Fritz at The El Portal Theater in North Hollywood!
Sean and Peter then offer a Continental Drifters deep dive into their origin story, their musical heritages and their founding members, including New Orleans legend, Carlo Nuccio who inspired the band’s move from a weekly residency at Raji’s in Hollywood to one at Howlin’ Wolf in New Orleans. The Drifters quickly ascended from a supergroup to a force of nature.
Peter talks about his time with R.E.M. and Hootie and the Blowfish, Sean and Peter give us an in depth look at the band’s inner wiring and how their on-stage chemistry met with conflicting ingredients in the studio. The beating heart of The Drifters was always the personal bonds and when the romantic energy within the group began to shift, just like within any family, the entire group was thrown off balance.
Sean and Peter relay their frustration with their record label's confusion as to how to market The Drifters, what members were seeking in contrast to their previous industry experiences, what inspired Sean to write the book, why Vermillion is Peter's favorite Drifters album and details about the brand new tribute album featuring Drifters songs performed by 25 artists including Marshall Crenshaw, Debbi Peterson and John Cowsill!
Plus, Weezy is recommending, the MSNBC doc, From Russia With Lev and Fritz is looking ahead with 'What's Next? The Future With Bill Gates' on Netflix.
Path Points of Interest:
Brian Kiley
Brian Kiley on X
Brian Kiley at Fritz Coleman's Unassisted Residency
The Continental Drifters
White Noise & Lightening by Sean Kelly on Amazon
Peter Holsapple on Wiki
Peter Holsapple on Instagram
Continental Drifters on Wikipedia
Continental Drifters on YouTube
Continental Drifters on Facebook
Continental Drifters on Instagram
From Russia With Lev
What's Next? The Future With Bill Gates
Gift of Democracy
Media Path Podcast
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The fall of the Soviet wall and the opening of the iron curtain presented ample space for hope, optimism and opportunity for westerners eager to share culture, creativity, business and democracy concepts with the citizens of the former Soviet Union. David Junk leapt at the chance to work for Polygram/Universal Records in a country hungry for music and freedom. David’s 15 years in Russia were a unique window of time between Gorbachov’s Glasnost and Putin’s re-consolidation of power.
David stepped into a landscape that he called “the wild, wild, east,” teaming with gangsters and corruption and also talented, enterprising Russians, eager to explore new possibilities. David’s journey is documented in his book, Rockin’ The Kremlin which gives readers an inside look at boots-on-the-ground life and work in Russia from the perspective of a Russian speaking, idealistic American.
David and his co-writer Fred Bronson join us for a fascinating dive into David’s adventures… Contract negations with Polygram which included kidnapping insurance, Russian kids’ obsession with hip hop, discovering and exporting Russian talent including two young girls called t.A.T.u. who kissed on The Tonight Show, wearing “F*** War” tee-shirts which they got past everyone because the words were written in Russian. David says that those tee-shirts are now being worn by kids in Ukraine.
This window in time introduced a generation to a complex intersection of culture and politics which was ultimately snuffed by Putin’s coalition with the Russian Orthodox Church and a renewed, vehement opposition to LGBTQ rights and individual expression. Ultimately, it was David’s deep disappointment in colleagues’ support for the invasion of Ukraine and concerns for his family’s safety which brought him back to the states. But still, so much was learned and exchanged.
All this, plus Fritz and Weezy are recommending The English Teacher on FX (streaming on Hulu) and the making of The Sopranos doc, Wiseguy on HBO Max.
Path Points of Interest:
Rocking The Kremlin: My Incredible, True Story Of Gangsters, Oligarchs, And Pop Stars In Putin's Russia by David Junk with Fred Bronson
David Junk on Facebook
David Junk on Instagram
Fred Bronson on Twitter
Art During Wartime Podcast
Gift of Democracy
The English Teacher FX and Hulu
https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/english-teacher
Wiseguy - HBO
https://www.hbo.com/movies/wise-guy-david-chase-and-the-sopranos
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Golden Globe-nominated actor, action movie star, martial artist, helicopter pilot, heartthrob, thrill seeker and Hollywood royalty, Lorenzo Lamas joins us for an exhilarating ride through decades of entertainment history, from the Golden Age through the non-stop 1990's and beyond! Lorenzo is the son of classic era movie-making duo Arlene Dahl and Fernando Lamas. Lorenzo came into his own playing the grandson of Jane Wyman's character on the legendary prime-time soap, Falcon Crest, and then earned lifelong fans in action and martial arts TV and film, including Renegade and Snake Eater. Lorenzo joins us to talk about life lessons learned in military school, on the set and through fatherhood.
A child of Hollywood, Lorenzo’s parents divorced when he was two and he often felt like a guest in either home. His mother Arlene Dahl was a starlet in the 1940s and 50s, and a businesswoman, who married six times, disrupting Lorenzo’s childhood with moves around the world. Lorenzo later learned to appreciate his mother’s love for him and her groundbreaking achievements. As a child, he yearned deeply for the attention and validation of his father, larger-than- life film star, Fernando Lamas who married Esther Williams when Lorenzo was 11 and was often either living in another city or away on location. Summers with his dad meant everything. His father died in his sixties but lived to see his son’s success and even directed an episode of Falcon Crest!
Lorenzo gives us behind the scenes insights that he learned from Burt Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Wyman and Charlton Heston. He fills us in on the un-aired final episode of Renegade. And on the values he has imparted to his own children of show business. Plus, Lorenzo takes on a challenging round of IMDB Roulette!
In recommendations, Weezy is bingeingThe Perfect Couple on Netflix and Fritz enjoyed Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes on Max.
Lorenzo Lamas on Wiki
Lorenzo Lamas on IMDB
Renegade at Heart by Lorenzo Lamas
Lorenzo Lamas on Facebook
Lorenzo Lamas on Instagram
Stepmom from Hell
Prepare to Die
The Perfect Couple
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes on Max
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Geri Jewell is a Comedian/Actor/Motivational Speaker/Author and (thanks to Norman Lear) the trailblazing first person with a visible disability to appear as a TV show regular! Geri went straight from special ed to special treatment as a Facts of Life cast member, portraying Blair’s Cousin Geri and providing essential representation for kids growing up and living with Cerebral Palsy.
Geri's life and career have always been an inspiration, as evidenced by her brand new coffee table book 'Geri's Jewels & Gems', which will provide you with a fresh, positive perspective on the inevitable hardships and struggles we all face. Brace for Geri's sunny outlook, grit and determination to shift your mood and encourage you to pursue your own dreams!
As a child, Geri’s imagination took her to Wimbledon, standup comedy stages and Hollywood. She was soon exchanging letters with Carol Burnett, performing at the Comedy Store and playing doubles with John McEnroe and Arthur Ash! Her mother had warned her, “Be careful what you wish for.”
Geri teaches us that kids with disabilities often grow up emotionally stunted because so much emphasis is placed on their physical development. Cast in an NBC sitcom at the age of 23, Geri was a rich target for unscrupulous managers and “friends.” She frequently lost her way while being misunderstood, underestimated and searching for the courage to live an openly gay life.
The physical beating of Cerebral Palsy can be very painful and poor balance leads to debilitating falls. Geri was recovering from back and neck surgery, waiting in line at CVS to purchase botox for her neck pain when David Milch approached her and felt inspired to cast her in Deadwood! Your next miracle could be just around the corner!
Geri talks to us about her first inspirational book called I’m Walking As Straight As I Can, her determination to defy expectations, how CP has provided her with unique insights into the human condition and her intention to help others reach their potential. Then Geri’s best friend, hearing impaired comedian Kathy Buckley joins us on the panel to share more truly adorable anecdotes and adventures.
Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending My Brilliant Friend on HBO and Daughters on Netflix.
Path Points of Interest:
Geri Jewell
Geri Jewell on Wiki
I'm Walking As Straight As I Can by Geri Jewell
Geri's Jewels and Gems by Gery Jewell
Geri Jewell on Youtube
Geri Jewell at Ability Magazine
Geri Jewell on Facebook
Kathy Buckley
Kathy Buckley on Instagram
My Brilliant Friend on HBO
Daughters - Netflix
Media Path PodcastGift Of Democracy
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Rich Little has boldly done impressions of presidents for presidents! The man of a thousand voices is a show biz legend who has been delighting audiences for decades. His new one-man show is a multi-media event that includes TV highlights, his spectacular sketches and, of course, his phenomenal impressions! Rich joins us to give voice (often not his own!) to his unique show biz history!
Rich Little's first impersonations were of Canadian political leaders in his home country. His buddy Mel Torme sang his praises to Judy Garland who was blown away by his take on her A Star Is Born co-star James Mason and his appearance on her show launched him into the iconic, glittering age of 60s show biz! It was a time when the impressions he mastered were instantly recognizable and are still indelibly so… Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Don Rickles, Jimmy Stewart, Jack Benny and George Burns.
Rich’s appearances on Dean’s roasts had him doing impressions of huge stars right in front of them while the rest of show biz intently surveyed their reaction. He has opened for Las Vegas superstars and broken the record for the longest running one man show in Vegas history. He has made hundreds of TV appearances, nine comedy albums, and three HBO specials. He’s befriended Presidents, guest-hosted The Tonight Show and entertained The Queen!
Rich joins us with voices and stories! Which Hollywood Squares star openly hated Rich’s impression of him? How did Rich incur the wrath of Bette Davis and tick off Johnny Carson? And the Judge who swore Rich in as an American citizen asked him to read the Pledge Of Allegiance as what movie star?
All is revealed! Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir by Griffin Dunne and Wyatt Earp and The Cowboy War on Netflix.
Path Points of Interest:
Rich Little
Rich Little at the Laugh Factory Covina on 9/8/24
Rich Little on Wikipedia
Rich Little on Facebook
Rich Little on Instagram
People I've Known and Been by Rich Little
Rich Little on the Dean Martin Roast of Jack Benny
Rich Little on Jackie Gleason
Rich Little on Judy Garland
The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir by Griffin Dunne
Wyatt Earp And The Cowboy War - Netflix
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Words like 'legend', 'icon' and 'star' were created to describe Mae West! Our guest, Michael Gregg Michaud has written his third Mae West book, Mae West And Her Adonises which focuses on her revolutionary 50s nightclub act featuring a chorus line of muscle men. Mae set the stage for the male revue, now a staple of Vegas bachelorette parties and girls’ nights out!
Michael’s book is packed with photos, press interviews, Mae’s wickedly quippy and saucy one-liners and details about an act that was literally stopping traffic in every town it visited. Mae’s first and only love was the stage but much like any episode of The Bachelorette, the Adonises found themselves lost in love for her and competitively pining for her attention, ultimately coming to blows when Chuck Krauser threw a punch at Mickey Hargitay. Hearts and jaws were broken and a high profile court case ensued.
Mae was the O.G. of branding, literally carving her image out of strategically erected costumes, padding, wigs, headdresses and heals. She wrote and produced her own content, walking right up to the wall of naughty and bawdy but never crossing into tasteless. She artfully tap-danced around censors and male industry leaders, knowing innately what her audience would embrace. Mae famously jabbed and feuded with Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and W.C. Fields and maintained lifelong friendships with Louise Beavers, her boxer buddies, and the animals she adored.
All this Plus Fritz and Weezy are recommending Bad Monkey on Apple + and Wicked Little Lies on Netflix.
Path Points of Interest:
Michael Gregg Michaud
Michael Gregg Michaud on Amazon
Mae West and Her Adonises
Michael Gregg Michaud on Facebook
Michael Gregg Michaud on Instagram
Mae West on IMDB
Mae West Stage Show - 1957
Bad Monkey on Apple +
Wicked Little Letters on Netflix
Gift of Democracy
Media Path Podcast
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Illeana Douglas is an avid student of the movies who grew up, stepped onto a set and entered the big screen of her childhood dreams. Her deep interest and knowledge of film legend and lore provided her with rich opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations with the stars and directors she has imagined meeting and then encountered along her way, including Robert De Niro, Robert Redford, Marlon Brando, Martin Scorsese, Roddy McDowall and so many more.
With a rare ability to manifest full circle moments, Illeana has worked with the two men who upended her childhood, Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda. Their film, Easy Rider had inspired her father to check out of suburbia and into a hippy commune, leaving the family financially destitute. That struggle is documented in her award winning book, I Blame Dennis Hopper.
As a starving actress, Illeana went to work for a publicist in the Brill Building and years later, starred in Grace of My Heart, about songwriters in the Brill Building.
Her fascination with her lost suburban childhood led her to write a new book called, Connecticut in the movies, WHILE she was restoring her own Connecticut dream home, a similar desperate effort to that of Mr. Blandings.
Connecticut’s role in American movies has evolved over the years from that of a metaphor for healthy, country living (Holiday Inn, Christmas In Connecticut) to a representation of our post-war suburban shift, the strain the work commute placed on marriages and the racism found in planned communities, (The Man In The Gray Flannel Suit, Gentleman’s Agreement) to a depiction of dark suburbia and societal collapse (The Swimmer, The Ice Storm), to horror and dystopia. (The Stepford Wives, Let’s Scare Jessica To Death.)
Illeana, is a complete delight and she joins us for an in depth discussion about all things movie and many things Connecticut. Plus, elections are coming and Myra Page and Joan Bowman are here from Commit To Democracy to teach us how we can all do more than just vote this critical election season!
Path Points of Interest:
Illeana Douglas
Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses To Dark Suburbia
I Blame Dennis Hopper: And Other Stories Lived From In And Out Of The Movies
Illeana Douglas on WikipediaIlleana Douglas on IMDB
Illeana Douglas on Instagram
Media Path PodcastGift of Democracy
Commit To DemocracyCommit To Democracy Facebook
Commit To Democracy YoutubeCommit To Democracy Instagram
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You may know and love Patrika Darbo’s face from one or all of her 121 IMDB credits. She’s been in The Burbs, Line of Fire, Days of Our Lives, Seinfeld, Step By Step, The Bold and The Beautiful, and, if you’re doing the math 115 others. Patrika played Dan’s dream girl (Roseanne’s look-alike) so convincingly on Roseanne that she was soon cast to play Roseanne in the TV pic, Roseanne and Tom: Behind The Scenes!
Patrika joins us to share a taste of her frank, funny and fascinating style of inside Hollywood deep dish storytelling.
Days of Our Lives fans know her best as conniving-social-climbing—villianous-strategist Nancy Wesley. She’s over 500 episodes into that portrayal and Nancy will be back for more bombshell evil masterminding in October.
Patrika talks about the grueling pace of soap acting, how she conquered her nerves while working with Sidney Poitier, Clint Eastwood and Mike Nichols and her random elevator encounter with Roseanne just after portraying her in the TV movie about her life.
She's also catching us up on new acting frontiers in web series and radio drama podcasts, telling us how she knew her days were numbered on the set of Step By Step, sharing how she wrote her own dialogue in the new Homes.com commercial with Heidi Gardner and Dan Levy and filling us in on how she really feels about the recent strike resolution.
And, we, of course, are bringing you a rousing round of IMDB Roulette! Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Dirty Pop on Netflix and Foyle’s War on Acorn and various streaming platforms.
Path Points of Interest:
Patrika Darbo on Wikipedia
Patrika Darbo on IMDB
Patrika Darbo on Instagram
Patrika Darbo on Facebook
Foyle's War on Acorn
Dirty Pop on Netflix
Media Path Website
Gift of Democracy -
We celebrate the importance of film to entertain, fascinate and illuminate us. Our guest is filmmaker Meredith Yinger
whose latest work is called Scars Unseen. It takes us into the worlds of three inspiring women who have survived domestic violence and terror and are now thriving in their efforts to pave a path forward for others.
Meredith is a filmmaker, Documentarian, and the Owner of She TV Media - a female-led, full service video and virtual event production company designed to amplify women’s stories and voices. Meredith reveals the often hidden truths of domestic violence.
1) Abusers have been abused. Hurt people hurt people. 2) Leaving is a process. It often requires many attempts. 3) The stress of abuse rewires the brain. 4) Abusive energy goes either inward or outward.
Were the men who stormed our Capital abused or abusers or both? Weezy posits that theory. Plus Fritz and Weezy get their young staff’s views on Kamala Harris for President and we are recommending Trying on Apple + and Olympic Pride - American Prejudice, streaming on many platforms.
Path Points of Interest:
Gift of Democracy.com
Meredith Yinger
She TV Media
Scars Unseen
Scars Unseen Trailer
Meredith Yinger Amazon Author Page
Books
Along Came Poppy
The Game Changer
She-TV on Instagram
Scars Unseen on Instagram
Media Path Podcast
Olympic Pride - American Prejudice
Trying - Apple TV + -
Susan Anton is a small town Yucaipa, CA girl who became Miss California and conquered the 70s and 80s media landscape. A triple threat, Susan sings, dances and acts and she quickly made her way into commercials, talk and variety shows, TV series, movies, and Broadway. And she opened for Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. Tom Jones and Kenny Rogers.
Susan joins us with legendary show biz stories about Goldengirl, Cannonball Run II, The Rat Pack, Baywatch, Jonathan Winters, Garry Shandling, Mike Nichols, Ben Stiller and beyond.
Being a stunning pageant girl will open doors but will the industry seriously consider your actual talents? This has been Susan’s endeavor and she continues to surprise us.
Susan and her husband Jeff Lester opened Big Picture Studios in Las Vegas where they produce movies and are busy working to make Vegas an attractive film production hub.
Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending I am Celine Dion on Prime and Photographer from Nat Geo, on Hulu and
Disney +.
Path Points of Interest:
Susan Anton
Big Picture Studios
Susan Anton on Wikipedia
Susan Anton on IMDB
Photographer - Hulu and Disney PlusI Am: Celine Dion
Gift of Democracy
Media Path Podcast
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Bonnie Bartlett’s impressive career spans half a century beginning with three starring years on the 50s soap, Love of Life and building towards guest starring parts in Gunsmoke, The Waltons, Kojak, The Rockford Files, Home Improvement, and starring turns in St. Elsewhere, Little House on The Prairie and Boy Meets World. Additionally, she played the infamous Barbara Thorndyke on The Golden Girls.
Bonnie and William Daniels have been married for over 73 years, often playing husband and wife and even winning Emmys together for St. Elsewhere!
Bonnie’s bold and honest new book is called Middle of the Rainbow. In it, she describes her journey to pull life lessons from her troubled childhood, build a career, sustain a loving relationship, raise her kids and cherish her life’s many gifts.
In an era long before #MeToo, Bonnie used therapy and Lee Strasberg acting classes to process her tangled emotions, heal her scars and find her best path forward. Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Grab, now streaming and Andrew McCarthy’s Brat Pack doc, Brats, on Hulu.
Path Points of Interest:
Middle of the Rainbow by Bonnie Bartlett
Bonnie Bartlett on Wikipedia
Bonnie Bartlett on IMDB
William Daniels' Book - There I Go Again
St. Elsewhere
Little House on the Prairie
Boy Meets World
She Drinks a Little
Gift of Democracy
Media Path Podcast
The Grab - Streaming
Brats
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Veronica Cartwright is the queen of classic era genre film and TV. Every role iconic. Every story spine-tingling. Veronica joins us for a deep dive into her decades of action packed history making roles beginning with child actor turns on The Twilight Zone, The Birds, Daniel Boone and The Children’s Hour. Her early screen scream training prepared her for legendary grownup parts in Alien, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Witches of Eastwick. We get a front row seat for all of the movie-making magic secrets and shocking behind-the-scenes revelations.
Veronica shares charming Donald Sutherland stories, explains how to fortify your body against the perils of snatching, where to shelter in the event of a bird attack and audition techniques for a role that requires throwing up cherries. Did you know that Veronica brought sex and violence to the set of Leave it to Beaver? This minx of Mayfield both kissed and punched Beaver.
How did Veronica befriend Quentin Tarantino on a plane? Why did her Daniel Boone TV Mom get her fired!? What’s her favorite role? Why did Alfred Hitchcock attempt to impress her with his wine collection when she was 12? All will be revealed.
Plus, with 157 IMDB credits, a round of IMDB Roulette brings stories of The Rat Pack, Inside The Osmonds and Will and Grace (She’s Jack’s Mom!)
Her next credits include a new Netflix series with Ted Danson and more!
Plus, Weezy is back from Ireland with tales of her journey, enriched by a Frank Delaney book, Ireland: A Novel. And Fritz is recommending the new Amy Winehouse biopic, Back To Black.
Path Points of Interest:
Veronica Cartwright
Veronica Cartwright on Wikipedia
Veronica Cartwright on IMDB
Veronica Cartwright on InstagramA Classic Spy
Ireland: A Novel by Frank Delaney
Back To Black - In Theaters
Gift of Democracy
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Little House on the Prairie takes us back to a time when modern distractions were stripped away and life was pared down to the values which define us: kindness, community, compassion and collaboration. Without the miracle of time travel, we do get to huddle together and gather ‘round the warmth of a streaming episode of Little House. Dean Butler played the man who put the “Wilder” in Laura Ingalls Wilder. He was the Prairie heartthrob who lit up the heart of Half-Pint and Little House fans the world over.
Dean joins us to celebrate the release of his new book, Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond, as well as the 50th Anniversary of of Little House which will be heralded at events throughout the summer.
Dean shares the joys and challenges of fulfilling Michael Landon’s exacting vision of Almanzo. He talks about his controversial age gap with co-star Melissa Gilbert (adhering to Little House history) her mother’s anguished cries over their first kiss, his close, co-star bonds and how they all work together to honor and sustain the Little House legacy.
Dean tells us about his tremendous admiration for Michael Landon and for fellow cast-mates who served as mentors like Katherine MacGregor and Victor French. He gives us some history on how Ed Friendly developed the books into the series but then diverged with Michael Landon over their TV adaptation. Dean also reveals some of the parallels he discovered in his relationships with both his father and with Michael Landon.
And big news for Little House fans, the LHOTP reunion weekend at Big Sky Movie Ranch in Simi Valley was such a smash, tours of the sets will be continuing throughout the summer, some of which will be led by Dean! All that plus a round of LIttle House Trivia!
In recommendations, Weezy enjoyed the Acorn series Kiri, and Fritz jumps into the Baby Reindeer conversation.
Path Points of Interest:
Dean Butler
Prairie Man: My Little House Life & BeyondDean Butler on Wiki
Little House: 50 for Fifty Podcast
Dean Butler on InstagramDean Butler on TikTok
Dean Butler on Facebook
LHOTP 50th Anniversary on Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Website
Gift of Democracy
Kiri on Acorn
Baby Reindeer on Netflix -
George Schlatter is living a life full of legendary firsts and remarkable adventures because he embraces innovation. George’s captivating career path is documented in his book, Still Laughing: A Life In Comedy. It’s a hilarious page-turner that serves as a showbiz primer and history lesson. It’s also self-improvement manual for anyone in search of creative inspiration. One of George’s key mottos is: When all hope is fading, make them laugh. George has brazenly cracked up Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Cary Grant. Now it’s your turn.
George takes us backstage with Lucille Ball, Judy and Liza, Sammy Davis Jr. Stevie Wonder, Cher and the cast of Laugh-In. He tells us how he talked Lucy into riding an elephant with Steve Lawrence through Shubert Alley. He shares his secret network executive management technique: Get them drunk at lunch. And he offers astutely passionate observations about the current state of television and how it’s changed since the turbulently transformative sixties.
George believes that rules are guidelines that should be courageously challenged. On a bet from Jack Lemmon, George sneaked a naughty phrase into an episode of Laugh-In, winning Jack as a guest star on the show. He pioneered the airing of bloopers and outtakes. He invented the Las Vegas lounge act and created reality TV with Real People which shared the true stories of the Navajo Code Talkers, The Tuskegee Airmen and the Viet Nam War’s missing in action.
We also challenge George to a round of People You've Worked With Roulette, talk about his once-lost show, Turn-On, which was cancelled 20 minutes into its first hour. You can find that and so much more on George’s new Youtube Channel, Clown Jewels!
In recommendations, Weezy loves Conan O'Brien Must Go on Max, and Fritz and Weezy are both obsessed with Stax: Soulsville USA, also on Max.
Path Points of Interest:
George Schlatter
George Schlatter on WikiGeorge Schlatter on IMDB
Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy - Now out in paperback.
Clown Jewels YouTube Page
The George and Jolene Brand Schlatter Theater at the National Comedy Center
Rowan And Martin's Laugh-In
Fritz Coleman - Unassisted ResidencyConan O'Brien Must Go - Max
Stax: Soulsville USA - Max
Gift Of Democracy -
Her films populate the most notable entries in underground and mainstream 20th century youth culture. Trailblazing filmmaker Penelope Spheeris joins us to share her cheeky Hollywood outsider perspective which allowed her to break legendary ground, with Suburbia and the Decline of Western Civilization trilogy and make significant dents in mainstream film land with Wayne’s World, Black Sheep and Little Rascals. Brace for Penelope’s snidely self-effacing perspective on movies, music, and Hollywood’s club and movie cultures.
Penelope traces her fascination with punk and street life back to her turbulently nomadic life as a carnival kid. In the late 70s, she and her film crew stage dove deep into L.A.’s punk infused club scene and emerged with Decline of Western Civilization I… A film which was quickly banned by the LAPD before capturing a devoted midnight screening audience and ascending into cult status. Decline I was followed, seven years later by Decline II which captured The Hollywood metal scene and then by Decline III, Penelope’s homage to Hollywood’s homeless, punk street kids, one of whom became her long-term boyfriend.
Between Declines II and III, Penelope directed Wayne’s World. She fills us in on capturing Mike Myers and Dana Carvey’s big screen vision, how funny they were on the set and whether or not Freddy Mercury saw the famous head banging, Bohemian Rhapsody car scene???
Disappointments cloud anyone’s horizon but Penelope has come to terms with losing Wayne’s World II and she’s still hopeful that her unreleased doc about Ozzfest ’99 will receive the necessary music clearances for wide release. (We’re counting on you, Sharon Osborne!)Plus, Fritz is recommending The Beach Boys doc on Disney+ and Weezy shares her nuanced take on Spacey Unmasked on Max.
Path Points of Interest:
Penelope Spheeris
Penelope Spheeris on Wikipedia
Penelope Spheeris on imdb
Decline of Western Civilization Movies
We Sold Our Souls for Rock 'n' Roll
Beach Boys - Disney+
Spacey Unmasked
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