In 1966, an 18-year-old Ann Moses landed a position as the editor of Tiger Beat Magazine where she worked until ’72!

Ann remembers serving Walt Disney a refreshing orange juice, at the Sunkist booth where she worked at Disneyland and telling him she had written two articles for the employee newsletter. His sage words? “You never know where that will take you.”

Armed with a pad, a pen, a tape recorder, a camera and relentless curiosity, she began chasing stories and opportunities. 

Ann shares how she talked her way into an interview with the Dave Clark Five when they performed at Melodyland Theater in Anaheim. She asked their road manager for just five minutes with the band. They gave her 35 minutes and her career was in gear.

Joining Tiger Beat as an intern when it was just five issues deep with a staff of just four, Ann made herself indispensable. Her bosses sent her to clubs, sets, recording studios, and concert halls. She returned with loads of great photos and interviews and got to work writing, editing and creating contests, experiences and content that took readers right along with her. 

While covering Dino, Desi and Billy, Ann was offered a drink by Dean Martin. She requested a coke. She then sat down with Lucille Ball, for several hours, to talk about her son, Desi Jr. The interview spilled into a lunch where Lucy said, “Enough about me and Desi. Tell me about you.”

Tiger Beat’s exclusive access to The Monkees and The Partridge Family found Ann regularly visiting their sets for hours of personal time that led to fascinating stories. Spoiler: Monkee Talk was not actually written by The Monkees and Mike Nesmith spent an entire year avoiding Ann who was more than happy to talk, instead, with his wife, Phyllis. Bobby Sherman could not have been more friendly and amenable. While David Cassidy was also difficult to pin down until a note went home to his dad, Jack Cassidy.

Ann opens up about her whirlwind romance with The Bee Gees’ Maurice Gibb, including a European adventure and a shocking revelation at the end of their time together. What’s the last thing you want to hear a man tell you in bed? She heard it!

She also reflects on the Tiger Beat vs. 16 Magazine rivalry and she recalls the first time she saw the Osmonds open for Nancy Sinatra and the full-circle moment when she reconnected with Donny last year in Vegas! 

It’s a joyful, fascinating conversation about a time when fame was more personal, access was real, and one young reporter armed with a camera and a tape recorder, could find herself at the center of it all.

In current media, Weezy is ’recommending the documentary Paul McCartney: Man on the Run on Prime.

Path Points of Interest:

Ann Moses

Ann Moses on Instagram

Ann Moses on Facebook

Ann Moses/Donny Osmond Reunion

Meow! My Groovy Life With Tiger Beat's Teen Idols

Ann Moses on Youtube

Man On The Run

We sit down with artist manager and producer Ray de la Garza, original Exposé member Laurie Miller, and former Arista Director of Dance Music Promotion David Jurman to discuss Point of No Return: X-posed, the new documentary on Tubi that revisits the rise of the iconic ‘80s vocal group.

Formed and popularized in Miami, Exposé’s original lineup (Laurie, Sandée, and Alé) helped bring the freestyle sound to national attention alongside writer/producers Lewis Martineé and Frank Diaz. 

We dive deep into the breakout single “Point of No Return.” We reveal the ingredients that blend to create its unique flavor and we explore the vibrant club scenes in Miami and New York that fueled the rise of freestyle, often described as Latin hip hop, during a moment when dance music was built by DJs and performed by real musicians.

Laurie and Ray take us inside Exposé’s whirlwind launch: flying city to city for radio, press, and club appearances, as Laurie created and shaped the group’s style and choreography. 

Our guests also open up about the shocking transition that revealed a completely new Exposé lineup at the brink of the group’s first album release. Laurie shares how it felt to watch three new girls ride the momentum they had built.

David Jurman offers a fascinating look at the industry side of the music business, explaining the role of a “Billboard-reporting Club DJ” and how hits were made before the internet, guided by one-on-one simple but powerful questions: Can you hum it? Can you remember the name of it? Will you buy it?

The conversation expands beyond nostalgia into a thoughtful comparison between then and now: from the decline of club culture and the changing role of live performances, to the challenges artists face today in an era where music lives forever on streaming platforms but attention is harder than ever to capture.

In current media --

Weezy and Lisa discuss the Netflix documentary,  Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere

Path Points of Interest:

Point Of No Return -X-Posed
Ray De La Garza

Laurie Miller

Exposé on Wikipedia

Lewis Marinée

XICA Productions (shee-ka)

Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere 

This month she turns 93 (or is it 39?) and in honor of the occasion, she is gifting us with a performance of her extraordinary one-woman show, My Life on a Diet, on March 18th in Palm Springs. Renée joins us to talk about her remarkable career, her devoted marriage to Joe Bologna and her resolution to no longer measure her worth by way of her dress size.

Renée traces her sense of humor back to her childhood, where by the age of four she knew she would grow up to write about the outrageously nutty character that was her mother. And she has!

She tells us how her mother’s belief in destiny shaped her path. Named after silent screen star, Renée Adorée (the poor child had to learn how to type to two acute accents into her name!) She was also, strategically conceived to be astrologically positioned to become an actress!

Family would become creative fuel throughout her career. Renée and her late husband and writing partner Joe Bologna drew constant inspiration from their colorful Jewish and Italian families, weaving their relatives into scripts, characters, and stories. 

Their collaboration produced beloved and award-winning works, including Lovers and Other Strangers and Made For Each Other. Renée speaks movingly about her romantic and artistic bond with Joe, which is ongoing, beyond his passing. She does hear from him and she has honored him in a play which tells their unique story called, Dying Is No Excuse.

Renée also reflects on being among the first wave of women writers who broke into the business, and she tells us about her formative friendship with Elaine May, who encouraged her early efforts (even when her first ideas arrived as scribbled thoughts on scraps of paper bags.) Elaine’s advice? “You’re a writer, get some pens and a notebook.”

From stage to screen, her stories span entertainment history: She recalls Barbra Streisand opening for her during her early stand-up days and she shares how she landed the role of Eva Braun in The Producers. Mel Brooks says she was an audition standout because she delivered her German lines with a Bronx accent.

Of course, we dive into her unforgettable role on The Nanny, where she based her character partly on her own aunt while borrowing nuance from Fran Drescher’s real mother. 

Renée shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, including how a costume designer’s insistence on a girdle helped shape her character’s physicality, what it was like working with Steve Lawrence as her husband Morty and with her own husband Joe as her secret paramour, and why Elizabeth Taylor charged her for a photo together.

We also talk about her book and now solo show, My Life on a Diet, as Renée reflects on body image, Hollywood and humor in the face of heartache, and a round of IMDB Roulette that takes us from Black and White cinema to Bob's Burgers!

In current recommendations --

Lisa: Netflix documentary, Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model

Weezy: Movie Eleanor the Great, now streaming

Path Points of Interest

Renee Taylor on Wikipedia

Renee Taylor on IMDB

Renee Taylor on Facebook

Renee Taylor on Instagram

Renee Taylor on TikTok

My Life On A Diet 

Renée's March 18th Show at The Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, CA

Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model

Eleanor The Great

Raised in New York by actor parents, his dad was on The Edge Of Night. His mom graced Broadway and Off Broadway stages and Sam, an athlete, nursed a high school broken heart by running straight for what felt like home, the school theater. He’s been an actor ever since.

His Hollywood career began when he and his wife headed west in 1986. He was quickly cast in The Jeffersons, The Ropers and Hill Street Blues. He was on his way to becoming one of the most recognizable faces on the screen.

Sam shares insights from inside a career defined by a wide range of memorable appearances. He tells the  story of meeting a 17 year old Matthew Perry while working on The Tracey Ullman Show. It would not be until ten years later that Sam’s stage directions, on Friends, instructed him to smack Matt in the butt. 

Sam shares his thoughts and concerns about the migration of Hollywood production to other states and countries and how the audition process has become so much less personal via Zoom calls and self-tapes. 

We discuss the McCarthy era as Sam’s parents were both under fire and even skipped town for Florida when they got wind that a subpoena for his mom to appear before HUAC was heading their way. The red scare and its impact on creative voices has informed the course of his life.

We also explore the wide variety of mediums in which he has worked. From television and film to web series, like Then We Got Help! Sam also returned to the stage after many years away. How did he salvage the night when he went up on his lines playing a gravedigger in the 2019 play, Buzz, about groundbreaking British theater director Buzz Goodbody? His story will delight you.

He also shares personal anecdotes about legends Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Kevin James, Steve Martin, and Tom Hanks.  

And, with refreshing honesty, Sam admits that not every role, in a long career, receives the same level of focus. Some projects demand everything an actor has to breathe life into the part, and he’ll wonder if there was more he could have given. While others, like The Sopranos, are so brilliantly written that embodying the character is a joy.

By the time we made our way to IMDB Roulette we knew that this was an interview to be studied and interpreted by future entertainment historians, as Sam guides us through the threads and relationships which become the fabric of our entertainment. 

In current recommendations --

Lisa: Author & Content Creator Derrick Downey Jr. on Instagram

Weezy: The Traitors on Peacock

Path Points of Interest:

Sam McMurray.com

Sam McMurray on Wikipedia

Sam MacMurray on IMDB

Sam McMurray on Cameo

Derrick Downey Jr. on Instagram

The Traitors

Stan takes us back to his first gig, as a stunt double for Jon Provost on Lassie. Jon couldn’t swim yet. Stan got stuck in a muddy pond and turned in a tremendously vivid performance as a kid attempting not to drown.

His parents met in Baltimore, where his father ran a burlesque theater and his mom put some vahs in her dance voom. In search of reinvention, they moved to California where Stan and his brother Barry were born and raised. With an ample dose of show biz in his blood, Stan felt at home from the first moment he stepped onto a set.

He shares the story of his big break at just six years old on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Stan was working as a neighborhood kid extra when Ozzie threw him a line and he delivered. Stan appeared on ten episodes of the show, until he landed My Three Sons and his brother Barry took over. (Then following him to MTS!)

At age 13, Stan was cast in the epic, star-studded adventure, How the West Was Won under the legendary (and notoriously hot-tempered) direction of Henry Hathaway. He recounts Hathaway’s explosive on-set tirades (and how Debbie Reynolds was the only cast member bold enough to take him on and yell back!)  The experience taught him an invaluable lesson: never take what happens on set personally.

Stan speaks warmly of William Frawley, who played Bub on My Three Sons. Stan never knew his grandfathers and Bill did not have kids. They adopted each other and truly cherished their bond, on and off screen.

And so, it was difficult for Stan to accept William Demarest who came in as Uncle Charley when William Frawley’s faltering health made it impossible to get him insured. But Stan did eventually warm to the new Bill who came with his own set of charms.

We hear behind-the-scenes stories from the MTS set, including a memorable location shoot aboard a jet at LAX, and how producers enticed movie star Fred MacMurray to television by structuring a schedule that allowed him to shoot all of his scenes for the season in just a few months.

We enjoy a warm, insightful look at growing up in classic television and celebrate the mentors who helped shape one of America’s most beloved sitcom families. Plus IMDB Roulette spins us back to Old Hollywood and a 'My Three Sons Guest Star Roulette' lightning round! 

In recommendations --

Lisa: The Chair Company on HBO

Weezy: Neighbors on HBO

Path Points of Interest:

Stanley Livingston

Stanley Livingston on Wikipedia

Stanley Livingston on IMDB

Stanley Livingston on Facebook

Golden Age Hollywood Show March 28, 2026

The Chair Company on HBO

Neighbors on HBO

He sets it all out in his new book 'The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore,’ which draws from journals he has kept religiously since college, offering a deeply personal look at a life lived inside television history. 

In a conversation both heartfelt and hilarious, Stan reflects on how he took school theater as seriously as if it were big time show biz, because to him, it was. Theater kids were his tribe, and storytelling was already his calling.

That destiny led him to Hollywood, where in his early 20s, at meeting that had not gone well, on his way out the door, he pitched a Hail Mary Golden Girls story idea that launched his career. The episode he co-wrote with his writing partner, Jim Berg is titled “Blanche and the Younger Man.” It earned the team a Writers Guild nomination and carved the trailhead for a groundbreaking career path.  

Working in the 1980s during the height of the AIDS crisis, Stan recalls how even in Hollywood many people were still in the closet, and that while building career relationships, on a show that would become a gay obsession, he felt pressure to hide his personal life. 

We also hear stories that could only happen in show business: hanging out with Sandra Bernhard when an answering machine message from Madonna sparked the beginning of their friendship; witnessing Estelle Getty struggle with early-onset dementia on set, and later realizing that Betty White’s jokes to the studio audience, which he thought were at Estelle’s expense, may have been acts of quiet kindness, allowing Estelle space to recover her lines.

Stan reflects on the enduring legacy of The Golden Girls, a show whose cultural impact he couldn’t have imagined while he was in the writers’ room. He talks about passing on season one of Roseanne because of a five-year contract commitment, only to later campaign to join the writing staff. (The story behind the “13” on his shirt traces back to that turbulent chapter of his career.) 

He explains how Roseanne was never about chasing laughs, a lesson that became clear when he later helped develop a Russian adaptation where producers kept asking why it wasn’t funnier.

Stan also discusses his longtime friendship with Dan and Amy Sherman-Palladino and how creative circles overlap in surprising ways that found him on the team creating episodes of The Gilmore Girls. And he shares a moving story about working on a Dreamgirls benefit show which almost derailed over stewing conflicts until Stan suggested that Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine and Jennifer Holiday just talk, on stage, about their shared history… Suddenly, they were singing. Stan’s stories will inspire you to problem solve, dream and achieve. 

In recommendations --

Lisa: The Later Daters on Netlflix

Weezy: Take That miniseries on Netflix

Path Points of Interest

Stan Zimmerman

The Girls: From Golden To Gilmore by Stan Zimmerman

Stan Zimmerman on IMDB

Stan Zimmerman on Wikipedia

Stan Zimmerman on Facebook

Stan Zimmerman on Instagram

Golden Girls: The Ultimate Fan Experience

Media Path Interview with Michael Fishman

Later Daters

Take That  Documentary Series

Adrienne joins us to talk about iconic roles, larger than life co-stars (like Rodney and Reynolds) and how at 80, she's doing everything BUT riding into the sunset.

At 19, she moved to New York City with a clear promise to herself: She would give theater her absolute all and settle for her backup plan, if need be, only at age 25. By then she was starring on Broadway as Hodel in Fiddler On The Roof with costar Bette Midler as Tzeitel.

Adrienne shares firsthand stories from the birth of Grease (MUCH edgier at its inception), where she originated the role of Rizzo. She recalls the electric audience response during previews, and how, fueled by that enthusiasm, producers pushed forward despite harsh critical reviews. 

From there, Adrienne was discovered by Norman Lear and offered the part of Maude’s daughter Carol in the first All In The Family Spinoff.  She found Bea Arthur to be an artist who exemplified collaborative grace,  always putting the show ahead of any individual performance.

Adrienne opens up about her curious relationship with Burt Reynolds… in fact, a psychic saw her dating a man who was laying on a bearskin, even before she had met him or he had done that! She then shares stories from the chaotic set of  Cannonball Run, where she was trying to take the work seriously while many cast-mates were mostly taking alcohol. 

We talk about her collaborations with John Carpenter and George A. Romero. We delve into Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (which turns out to have surprising literary roots in Heart of Darkness). We play a sizzling round of IMDB Roulette and hear about Adrienne's latest project, the short film Oddities.

The episode closes on a meaningful note as we say goodbye to Fritz in his final episode as co-host, and welcome Lisa Arch, who will be joining Weezy for our next episode.

In current media--

Weezy: Song Sung Blue, in theaters and streaming

Fritz: Marty Supreme, in theaters and streaming

Path Points of Interest:

Adrienne Barbeau

There Are Worse Things I Could Do by Adrienne Barbeau

Adrienne Barbeau on Wikipedia

Adrienne Barbeau on IMDB

Adrienne Barbeau on Instagram

Adrienne Barbeau on Facebook

Oddities

Adrienne Barbeau Amazon Author Page

Song Sung Blue

Marty Supreme

In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Michael takes us back to the moment his life changed forever: the Roseanne audition. While dozens of kids were asked to tell a joke, he was the only one who actually did, and that single moment opened the door to one of television’s most iconic families.

Michael reflects on his relationship with Roseanne Barr as one rooted in mutual support, advocacy, and honesty. 

He opens up about the infamous National Anthem moment and the dark turning point that followed, when he (along with the entire cast) began receiving death threats, which unfortunately continue to this day. 

With tactical training and a sober understanding of celebrity risk, Michael explains why public life can feel like living under a magnifying glass and how quickly admiration can escalate into rage and danger.

Michael describes himself as a “young witness” on a highly volatile set, inconspicuous because of his age, yet uniquely positioned to observe the power of a woman who was unafraid to say the hard thing, be a lightning rod, and push conversations forward long before it was fashionable to do so (stay ’til the end for a round of Roseanne 'Guest Star Roulette' where Michael fondly recalls a memorable appearances, by before-they-were-famous stars!)

Today, Michael calls himself a “kindness assassin.” His brand is authenticity, no filters, no fake persona, no algorithm-chasing, and he has intentionally built online spaces where people can breathe, be vulnerable, share and heal in community away from the constant churn of politics and vitriol.

He speaks candidly about navigating relationships with people whose views differ from his own, including Roseanne, and why he believes compassion does not require agreement. 

His message is simple but urgent: find commonality, keep loving the person, and remember that meaningful change often comes from those willing to absorb the lightning.

From his child actor start to his director turn on the Roseanne reboot, to his life philosophies on trauma, mental health, and resilience, Michael leaves us with one powerful truth: You are not your scars. You get to define you.

In current media -- 

Fritz: Danny Collins, recently added to Netflix library

Weezy: Netflix original film, Jay Kelly

Path Points of Interest:

Michael Fishman Wikipedia

Michael Fishman IMDB

Michael Fishman Tiktok

Michael Fishman on Instagram

Michael Fishman on Facebook

The Safe Space Collective

Mclusive Media Production Company

Danny Collins 

Jay Kelly

Tina shares her deep entertainment roots that run through The King Family and Big Band history. Her mom is King Sister Yvonne and her dad is keyboard icon Buddy Cole. She and her cousins absorbed their craft playing under the piano as their parents rehearsed. She performed with The King Family on all of their TV shows and specials and she is one of the Four King Cousins. 

At just fourteen years old, Tina was asked to screen test opposite Gary Cooper. By age 19, she was co-starring in Hawaiian Eye with Troy Donahue and Robert Conrad!

Tina speaks frankly about the perils of navigating Hollywood as a young woman. She was hit on by studio heads, co-stars, The Beatles, Troy Donahue and her Bill Cosby near-miss is truly unsettling. Her safety secret? She doesn’t drink.  

Does the previous paragraph really mention The Beatles!? Yes, Tina was hand picked by them to attend an exclusive Bel-Air “party.” Population: Hundreds of pretty girls and The Beatles. Tina laughed off advances from John, Ringo and George as a security guard who knew her family stuck by her side. Parades of women went in and out of rooms, often emerging in tears when their encounter did not appear to be leading to love and marriage. Paul had eyes only for his one date. Perhaps it was Linda.

Did you know that Tina had previously guest starred on My Three Sons three times before landing the role of Katie Miller Douglas. The producers auditioned almost every young actress in Hollywood without finding that perfect girl. Desperate, they started looking through previous seasons, found Tina, called her in and as soon as Free MacMurray and his wife signed off on her, she had the role. 

And we learn that when it comes to winning the heart of Tina Cole, Don Grady has more game than The Beatles. Yes, Robbie and Katie were a real-life couple! Although, for various reasons, star-crossed, their forever together remains in their hearts.

Of course we bring you an IMDB Roulette that turns into a thrill ride through classic Hollywood, plus My Three Sons trivia, Tina's spooky ghost story from a house in Sherman Oaks, which has a warm ending, and, as a perfect full-circle moment, she closes by describing the distinct, individual personalities of the legendary King Sisters.

In current media --

Weezy: HBO series, Heated Rivalry

Fritz: Netflix documentary film, Cover-Up

Path Points of Interest:

My Three Lives by Tina Cole

Tina Cole on Wikipedia

Tina Cole on IMDB

Tina Cole on Facebook

Heated Rivalry

Cover-Up - Netflix

For those in the Los Angeles area, Stefanie, with co-star Patrick Wayne, will be performing 'Love Letters' at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood as a benefit for the William Holden Wildlife Foundation on January 11, 2026!

Stefanie reflects on growing up alongside future screen legends at Hollywood High School, and how her lifelong love of animals began at home, thanks to a stepfather who raised thoroughbreds and kept exotic animals. 

Her first professional job came at age 15 when she was cast in the film West Side Story, where the young cast prepared by listening to recordings of real New York street kids to capture authentic rhythms and speech patterns. However, Stefanie’s tender age required too many work time restrictions as the production’s intensity ramped up and her part was re-cast. 

She describes old school studio system rigors, where actors “sold their lives” for a seven-year contract. Restrictive, yes, but also an entertainment education that taught singing, dancing, acting, and stage presence, alongside publicity essentials.

Still under contract with Columbia, she was loaned out to United Artists to make McLintock! and Stefanie shares memories of working with John, Michael and Patrick Wayne.

The legendary show biz tales are boundless. Did you know that Natalie Wood, Jill St. John and Stephanie were all in the same childhood dance class? All would, one way or another, be married to Robert Wagner. And, true story: During a painful divorce, Stefanie was offered solace at Roddy McDowell’s house by fellow travelers, Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner.

She also recounts the party at Dean Martin’s home where she danced the night away with Bobby Kennedy Sr. as he encouraged her to use her Spanish language skills to become more civically involved with Latino communities here at home.

She also speaks candidly about her complex romantic relationship with William Holden, whose influence on her life is ongoing. In his name, she has created The William Holden Wildlife Foundation in Kenya where local youth learn biodiversity, species conservation and alternatives to habitat destruction for humans and wildlife.

And of course, we talk Hart To Hart where Stefanie starred with Robert Wagner. She was actually on her way to Broadway when a newspaper strike halted her production of Cyrano, and freed her to take a pilot that would change her life!

In current media --

Fritz: (joined by his daughter Carly!) Nuremberg, in theaters and streaming

Weezy: The documentary Twas The Fight Before Christmas on Apple TV+ and Prime

Path Points of Interest:

Love Letters at the El Portal

William Holden Wildlife Foundation

Stefanie Powers

Stefanie Powers on Wikipedia

Stefanie Powers on IMDB

Stefanie Powers on Facebook

Stefanie Powers on Instagram

Nuremberg

Twas The Fight Before Christmas

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:

Cam Clarke

Now They're All Here: The King Family by Cam Clarke

Cam Clarke on Wikipedia

Cam Clarke on IMDB

Cam Clarke on Instagram

The King Family on Wikipedia

Donate Life

One Legacy

Simon Cowell: The Next Act

F1 on Apple TV 

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:

Kevin Tighe on Wikipedia

One Battle After Another

Kevin Tighe on IMDB

Hospice of the North West

No Country for Old People

Injustice  by Carol Leonnig and Aaron Davis

Paul Anka: His Way

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:

Erin Murphy on Facebook

Erin Murphy on Instagram

Erin Murphy on Wikipedia

Erin Murphy on IMDB

One Shot With Ed Sheeran on Netflix

The American Revolution - PBS

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

Dean Butler

Dean Butler on Instagram

Dean Butler on Facebook

Alison Arngrim 

Alison Arngrim on Instagram

Alison Arngrim on Facebook

Karen Grassle

Karen Grassle on Instagram

Laura Ingalls Wilder Tour Passport

Confessions Of A Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim

Prairie Man by Dean Butler

Bright Lights, Prairie Dust by Karen Grassle

Being Eddie 

Train Dreams 

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:

John Kapelos on Wikipedia

John Kapelos on IMDB

John Kapelos on Instagram

John Kapelos on Facebook

Too Hip for the Room

Death By Lightning

A House Of Dynamite

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:

Boots on Netflix

Greg Cope White

The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White on Amazon

The Pink Marine on TikTok

Greg Cope White on X

Greg Cope White on Instagram

Greg Cope White on Facebook

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

The Diplomat on Netflix

Mr. Scorcese on Apple TV+

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

Mark Malkoff

Mark Malkoff on Wikipedia

The Carson Podcast

Mark Malkoff on Instagram

Jimmy Brogan

Jimmy Brogan on Wikipedia

Jimmy Brogan on Instagram

Jimmy Brogan on Mark's Podcast

The Perfect Neighbor

Stiller and Meara: Nothing Is Lost

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:

Rhonda Shear

Rhonda Shear - Wikipedia

Rhonda Shear - Instagram

Rhonda Shear - Facebook

Rhonda Shear - Youtube

Kings of Horror - YouTube

Up All Night: From Hollywood Bombshell To Lingerie Mogul, Life Lessons From An Accidental Feminist by Rhonda Shear

John Candy: I Like Me - Documentary on Prime

Boots - Netflix

The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White

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:

The Runarounds Trailer

Task - HBO

Faces of the City

Off The Wall

Off The Wall on Youtube

Improv Comedy by Andy Goldberg  

Off The Wall on Facebook

Fanatic Salon Theater

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:

Moosie Drier on Wikipedia

Moosie Drier on IMDB

Moosie Drier on Instagram

Pop Culture Retro on Apple Podcasts

Pop Culture Retro on Instagram

Pop Culture Retro on X

Pop Culture Retro on YouTube

Sullivan's Crossing

Mark Twain by Ron Chernow

Media Path

Media Path on Facebook

Media Path on Instagram

Media Path on X

Media Path on Bluesky

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:

Mayberry Man

https://www.amazon.com/Mayberry-Man-Brett-Varvel/dp/B0B8NNSYR9
https://www.mayberryman.com/home-z

Mayberry Man The Series

https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Mayberry-Man-The-Series/0OW0MU66B6JJM52GUUWO3CQQ8K
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24222046/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk

Gregory Schell on Instagram

Stark Howell on IMDB

Cort Howell

Allan Newsome

Two Chairs No Waiting Podcast

Chris Bauman 

Big Brother

Highest 2 Lowest

Media Path Podcast

Media Path on Facebook

Media Path on Instagram

Media Path on X

Media Path on Bluesky

Louise Palanker on Tiktok

Fritz Coleman on Tiktok

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:

Gliders Over Hollywood

Paul Rappaport on Facebook

The Law According To Lidia Poet on Netflix

Titans: The Rise of Hollywood on Netflix

Media Path

Media Path on Facebook

Media Path on Instagram

Media Path on X

Media Path on Bluesky

Helen Leicht Interviews Sir Paul McCartney On WXPN - 8/29/13

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:

It Seemed Like A Bad Idea At The Time: The Worst TV Shows In History And Other Things I Wrote by Bruce Vilanch

Bruce Vilanch on Wikipedia

Bruce Vilanch on IMDB

Bruce Vilanch on Facebook

We Got Bruce - Fan Site

Star Wars Holiday Special

Paul Lynde Halloween Special

Brady Bunch Variety Hour - First Episode

Shiny Happy People - Season 2 - Teenage Holy War

Billy Joel And So It Goes

Media Path

Media Path on Facebook

Media Path on Instagram

Media Path on X

Media Path on Bluesky

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:

Ann Jillian on Wikipedia

Ann Jillian on IMDB

Ann Jillian on Amazon 

Outrageous

Son of a Critch

Media Path Podcast

Media Path on Facebook

Media Path on Instagram

Media Path on X

Media Path on Bluesky

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

Joe McClean on Wikipedia

Joe McClean on Instagram

Blair Underwood on Wikipedia

Blair Underwood on IMDB

Blair Underwood on Instagram

Stick

Sunday Best - Netflix

Media Path Podcast

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:

The Long Way Home - Apple +

Building The Band

Colin Mochrie on Wikipedia

Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood - Asking For Trouble

Hyprov: Comedy Under Hypnosis

Colin Mochrie on Facebook

Colin Mochrie on Instagram

Not Quite The Classics by Colin Mochrie

Magnetosphere

Magnetosphere Trailer

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:

Barbara McQuade

Attack From Within by Barbara McQuade

Sisters-In-Law Podcast
with Barbara McQuade, Jill Wine Banks, Joyce Vance and Kimberly Atkins Stohr

Barbara McQuade on Wikipedia

Barbara McQuade on Instagram

Barbara McQuade on X

Outrageous on Britbox

Bono: Stories of Surrender on Apple TV+

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

How To Write A Funny Speech: for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn't Want to Go to in the First Place by Carol Leifer and Rick Mitchell

Carol Leifer on Wiki

Carol Leifer on Instagram

Carol Leifer on Facebook

Carol Leifer Amazon Author Page

My Mom Jayne from Mariska Hargitay

Trainwreck: The Cult Of American Apparel

Media Path Podcast

Media Path on Buy Me a Coffee

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

Bob Boden

Bob Boden on IG

Dr. Rob Carpenter Amazon Author Page

Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods

Bo Donaldson on Wikipedia

Bo Donaldson on Instagram

Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods Fan Site

Bo Donaldson on Facebook

Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods Facebook Group

Rock and Romance cruise 2026

Magic by Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods

Bubble Gum Mania at Riviera Theatre

Department Q on Netflix

The Buccaneers on Apple TV+

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:

Hal Sparks

InfotainmentWars

Hal Sparks on Instagram

Hal Sparks on Facebook

Hal Sparks on Bluesky

Hal Sparks on Youtube

Hal Sparks on Wiki

Nerd Halen

The West - History Channel

Surviving Ohio State

Kathy began’ singing and dancing at age three and had already racked up 12 screen credits when she was cast as an extra in The Ten Commandments. From high atop his director crane, Cecile B. DeMille spotted her carrying a lamb and jumped down to write her a larger role as “Rachel the Slave Girl,” a part that brought her face to face with Charlton Heston as he parted The Red Sea!