TV Guidance Counselor Episode 207: Frank "Dr. Frank" Portman

Fall Preview! September 18-24, 1976

In this episode recorded live at Piano Fight in San Francisco during SF Sketchfest Ken welcomes musician and author Frank Portman to the show.

Ken and Frank discuss growing up in the Bay area, being banned from television, Mike's two Grandmothers Edna and Jean, The Chesterfield vs. The Davenport, agricultural game shows, The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, being terrified of hippies, the Zodiac Killer, The Spirit of '76, Ken's odd childhood habit of making political jokes at his neighbors house, Richard Nixon, Watergate, Streets of San Francisco, anti-hippies, the literary status of TV Guide's writing, Holmes and Yoyo, Mr. T and Tina, the secret origins of The Mr. T Experience, ethnic comedies, tone shifts, All in the Family, Maude, Norman Lear, beating up the Gooch, Mr. T's angry comic book years, punk rock scare TV, Quincy M.D., Fantasy Island, being treated like a monkey only to be replaced by Christopher Hewitt, Filmmation's Saturday Morning Shows, Kroft, Elektra Woman and Dynagirl, Speed Racer, having your life saved by the theme from Spider-Man, Love American Style, Charles in Charge, songwriting lessons from Gilligan's Island, The Greatest American Hero, Mr. Smith, trying to figure out the dumbest show ever on TV, the Flying Nun, Six Million Dollar Chico and the Man, the importance of correct lunch box decisions, the secrets of Furniture Care, Say Yes to the Dress, Ellery Queen, Angel Heart, The Muppets, Jan Brady accent, Baretta, The Love Boat, writing misunderstood Murder Ballads, and how Bob Newhart is eternal.