Media Path Podcast

If you’ve wandered around Los Angeles and you swear you’ve spotted Frau Farbissina from Austin Powers or Miss Francine Briggs from iCarly or Linda Schwartz from The Goldbergs then you may have experienced a genuine Mindy Sterling encounter!Mindy’s IMDB is vast and deep and it includes The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, A.N.T. Farm, Desperate Housewives, Captain Underpants, 2 Broke Girls and That’s So Raven. Many millennials have accidentally called her Mom.Mindy shares her experiences growing up as a showbiz baby with a comedian dad and a showgirl mom, how she made her mark on the industry and how she then poured herself into raising a son on the Autism spectrum.Mindy is Groundlings royalty and she elaborates on the history, discipline and legacy of improv comedy. Plus, she has worked extensively in children’s TV, including alongside Jennette McCurdy from iCarly whose best selling book, I’m Glad My Mom Died is a cautionary tale on the dangers of mixing kids with show business. Mindy shares her experiences working with Jennette and her fellow child actors.All this plus anticipation on the Austin Powers front. Will there be another sequel…? Mindy has clues.We're also joined by Journalist/Mental Health Advocate/Author Janeane Bernstein, EDd. Her books 'GET THE FUNK OUT! $%^& Happens, What to Do Next!' and the upcoming 'Better Humans: What The Mental Health Pandemic Teaches Us About Humanity' are changing the ways in which we look at mental and emotional health.Janeane joins us to talk about the inspiration behind her talk show and books which explore how setbacks can become successes and how we can all better handle the inevitable challenges we face in life. All this plus we are recommending Hollywood on Netflix and Fire of Love on Hulu and Disney.Path Points of Interest:Mindy Sterling - Groundlings Alumni PageGroundlings COOKIN' WITH GAS 30th ANNIVERSARYMindy Sterling on IMDBMindy Sterling on WikipediaJaneane Bernstein Get The Funk Out! $%^& Happens, What to Do Next!Better Humans: What The Mental Health Pandemic Teaches Us About HumanityGet The Funk Out on KUCIOutside The Box: Mental Health Initiative Hollywood series on NetflixFull Service: My Adventures In Hollywood And The Secret Sex Lives Of The Stars by Scotty BowersScotty and the Secret History of Hollywood on Hulu Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood on PrimeFire of Love on Hulu Fire of Love on Disney Fire of Love on Prime

Michael Learned is remarkable in her entirety. Growing up in Vienna, Austria, she despised her masculine name, developed nervous shakes and discovered that her “diplomat” father was a CIA spy. Her mother swore her to secrecy and sent her to a British boarding school where she developed a love and talent for acting.Theater work led to an invitation to audition for a part as the mom to a brood of depression era children in a show that was not given much hope of lasting beyond half a season. She drove down from San Francisco and landed the iconic role of Olivia Walton which earned her three Emmys. The Waltons premiered in 1972 and quickly became a piece of our American cultural fabric.And in an impressive demonstration of range, Michael recently won much acclaim for her portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer’s grandmother in the Netflix original series, Monster. With much to discuss, Michael joins us to talk about juggling her real-life kids with her TV family, she takes on a round of Waltons Trivia, shares her favorite Waltons episode, and divulges her authentic love for TV husband, Ralph Waite.We also welcome Charity Buzz winner Susie Mains who talks about her experiences as a child actor talent rep. In recommendations: Weezy's pick is Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano, now an Apple+ series and Fritz suggests the Hulu doc series, Stolen Youth.Path Points of Interest:Michael Learned on WikipediaMichael Learned on IMDBMichael Learned on FacebookThe WaltonsThe Waltons on PrimeMonster Netflix SeriesDear Edward novel by Ann NapolitanoDear Edward Series on Apple +Dear Edward TrailerStolen Youth - Hulu

DO pay some attention to the man behind the curtain - in Wicked, he’s played by Richard Kline and he’s brimming with  hilarious anecdotes and intriguing stories, spanning six show biz decades, and going strong!Richard Kline played Jack Tripper’s pal, Larry Dallas in Three’s Company. And he’s the only cast member besides John Ritter to appear on the show and both of its spin-offs. Richie fills us in on the backstage skinny, the controversies, the antics, the friendships, the female co-stars’ struggles, the roughhousing with Ritter, the trip to Vegas with Don Knots and he tops it off with a spot on Norman Fell impression.Richie goes on to talk about his first love, theater, including his Broadway moments with Wicked and Waitress, his life on the road in touring companies and his acting workshops.Richard Kline is Media Path family, having directed the Fritz Coleman one-man shows that Weezy produced, It’s Me, Dad and The Reception so fair warning: reminiscing does ensue.We round things out with some Three’s Company Trivia and a discussion on the disturbing nature of this year’s Oscar frontrunners!Plus, Fritz recommends Women Talking (2022) in theaters and Weezy's pick is Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over, the documentary currently streaming on HBO Max and Amazon Prime.Path Points of Interest:Richard Kline on WikipediaRichard Kline on IMDBRichard Kline - Acting WorkshopsWomen Talking Don't Make Me Over on PrimeDon't Make Me Over on HBOShelter PartnershipBroadway RisingBroadway HD

Iconic comedic character actor Paul Dooley carved out a role as Hollywood’s go-to movie Dad while his own children were missing. Paul played dad to Julia Roberts, Mia Farrow, Toni Collette, Dennis Christopher in Breaking Away and Molly Ringwald in Sixteen Candles, all as his ex-wife was on the run with his kids.The pandemic pause compelled Paul to chronicle his story in the new book, Movie Dad: Finding Myself and My Family, On Screen and Off. Paul joins us to share his casting secrets, his encyclopedic joke memory, his improv inspirations, his clowning history and his journey from small town West Virginia, to Greenwich Village to Broadway, to Hollywood and a proud place in movie dad history.Paul has stories about Mike Nichols, Neil Simon, Carol Burnett, Don Knotts, Alan Alda, Lin Manuel Miranda and so many more. Was Walter Matthau a scene hog? Turns out, yes!Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Poker Face on Peacock and The Bear on Hulu.

Warning: Listening may result in an overwhelming compulsion to read! First, Diane Bay finally received her birth mom’s name from the state of Illinois. She nervously typed it into Google… Her birth mom is New Hollywood darling and cult movie queen, Karen Black, who starred in Easy Rider, The Graduate, Five Easy Pieces and so much more!Diane’s journey to self discovery pulls her from elation to despair when she learns that her mom is dying. Their heart wrenching year together is chronicled beautifully in Diane’s book, Finding Karen Black. Joining us for the episode is Karen’s best friend, actor Lee Purcell who is uniquely positioned to provide us with Karen’s emotionally wrenching perspective.Then we welcome finance insider Richard E. Farley who is winning our favorite book title of the year award with: Gonzo Wall Street: Riots, Radicals, Racism and Revolution - How the Go-Go Bankers of the 1960s Crashed the Financial System and Bamboozled Washington. Richard takes a long look at Wall Street in the 1960s, and finding that the precident for the 2008 bailouts was set when the corrupt Wall Street investment banks of the 1960s held Congress over a barrel and got an outrageous taxpayer-funded bailout of what THEY owed their customers.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Jon Meacham's And Then There Was Light - Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle  and  Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.Path Points of Interest:Finding Karen Black by Diane BayDiane BayFinding Karen Black WebsiteDiane Bay on Social Mediainstagram.com/dianebaydesign/facebook.com/dianebayartistwww.FindingKarenBlack.comfacebook.com/findingkarenblackKaren Black WikipediaKaren Black on IMDBLee PurcellLee Purcell on IMDBLee Purcell on Social Mediahttps://www.facebook.com/leepurcellfanpage/https://www.instagram.com/theleepurcell/Carol of the Bell's TrailerLee Purcell & Andrea F. Friedman in Office Scene From "Carol of the Bells”  Donna Mills & Lee Purcell in scene from Joey Travolta's "Carol of the Bells” The Making Of "Carol of the Bells" PromoHollywood Radio PlayersHollywood Radio Players on YoutubeMake a tax deductible donation to Hollywood Radio PlayersRichard E. FarleyRichard E. Farley on AmazonGonzo Wall Street: Riots, Radicals, Racism and Revolution How the Go-Go Bankers of the 1960s Crashed the Financial System and Bamboozled Washington by Richard E. FarleyGonzo Wall Street ArticleLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarumsBonnie Garmus's Amazon Author PageAnd Then There Was Light - Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham

Kelly Lange began her trailblazing TV career when women in broadcasting were treated as a “novelty.” But armed with brains and ingenuity, Kelly carved out a career path which led to her becoming the first female news anchor in Los Angeles and a nightly fixture at KNBC.Kelly and our cohost, former KNBC weatherman Fritz Coleman are back together at long last, recounting story after memorable story which weave into a brilliant retrospective of broadcasting in the Los Angeles market and primetime news through the decades. Take, for example, Kelly’s plucky resolve to become the KABC traffic copter girl, “Dawn O’Day” and the only-in-Hollywood tale of how she landed her anchor spot at KNBC.Kelly and Fritz were broadcasting nightly into the homes of L.A.’s most notable citizens, prompting calls from Bette Davis and Marlon Brando and fanboys like Jimmy Stewart and Orson Wells!Did you know that Jane Fonda shadowed Kelly for a week in training for her role as a newscaster in The China syndrome?We learn how Kelly began her latest chapter as a mystery writer and we even get to hear about her boyfriend Jim's TV writing career as Kelly switches smoothly from interviewee to interviewer! Plus, our recommendations this week are the autobiography Spare by Prince Harry and the movie All Quiet On The Western Front on Netflix.Path Points of Interest:Kelly Lange on WikipediaKelly Lange on IMDBKelly Lange BooksKelly Lange Books on AmazonKelly Lange on What's My LineSpare by Prince HarryAll Quiet On The Western Front

We welcome the new year with a rich buffet of guests, starting with husband and wife filmmaking team, Anayancy and Jess Thomas whose project, God & Salsa tells the story of a grieving therapist and a troubled teen who save each other. The film explores suicide, depression, divorce, parental alienation, narcissism, hope and healing.Next, we are joined by Dr. Logan Westbrooks a groundbreaking black music executive and industry veteran with over 50 years of experience launching careers, making history and positively changing our music and civil rights landscapes.Dr. Westbrooks joins us to talk about his newest book, 'Power 101: The Harvard Report, Soul Music, and The American Dream', which examines the controversial 1972 Harvard Report which studied and forcast how black folks would be consuming music. Dr. Westbrook’s journey took him from a childhood in Memphis to the boardrooms of major record labels. He was assigned to oversee The Harvard Report by Clive Davis and CBS Records and he helps us understand how black music and our nation’s trajectory were impacted by one another, pulling us towards a greater understanding of race and destiny in America.Plus, Fritz and Weezy recommend Babylon, now in theaters and If These Walls Could Sing on Disney+ and Hulu.Path Points of Interest:Logan WestbrooksPower 101: The Harvard Report, Soul Music, and The American Dreamby Dr. Logan H. Westbrooks and Schuyler C. TraughberGod And SalsaJess and Anayancy ThomasBabylon - In TheatersIf These Walls Could Sing Children's Burn Foundation

In 1951, 15-year-old Bruce Belland sneaked into a backstage door at Ciro’s Nightclub to get a glimpse of his idols, The Mills Brothers. That fateful night inspired Bruce to form The Four Preps and forge a vocal harmony career that brought us the hits, “26 Miles” and “Big Man.” Bruce has spent 70 years loaded with questions for his musical heroes and, at long last, he gets to pose them to John H. Mills II, the son of original Mills Brother Donald Mills. John toured with his father for 17 years and he’s got answers!We hand our fanboy the reins and these two harmony kings go deep into shop talk, discussing style, phrasing, timing, technique and arrangements. They share road stories, talk about John’s childhood with his trailblazing father and uncles and explore how each of them related to their larger-than-life fathers.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman and Avatar: The Way of Water.Path Points of Interest:The Mills BrothersThe Mills Brothers on WikipediaMills Brothers Documentary Part 1Part 2Part 3John Mills in a Tribute to Glenn Miller and the Vocal Groups - Feb. 19thBruce BellandThe Four PrepsAvatar: The Way of the Water - In TheatersMy Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman

Shawn Pelofsky and Vicki Barbolak are fellow standup comedy besties who are taking their friendship to the next level. Yes, they would like to announce their podcast.Shawn and Vicki host Trailer Park Diaries. Partly truth, mostly make believe, as if Prairie Home Companion moved into a double wide.We go behind the trailer with Shawn and Vicki to learn just how much of their diary stories are true and how much is merely aspirational. We’re also talking about the spine strength either required or acquired by women in comedy. We discuss crowd work, improv rules and knowing your audience.And Shawn confesses that she is as hooked on The Real Housewives as they appear to be on wine. Weezy’s reality drug of choice is The Bachelor. We’ve all watched Harry and Meghan and we have opinions!Plus, Fritz and Weezy recommend The Order of Myths and Descendant on Netflix, HBO's Pelosi in the House and 'Mercury Pictures Presents' by Anthony Marra.Path Points of Interest:Trailer Park DiariesTrailer Park Diaries on YoutubeShawn PelofskySocial Media MeltdownsVicki BarbolakVicki Barbolak on YoutubeThe Order of Myths - Netflix Descendant - Netflix Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony MarraPelosi in the House

John Sebastian’s rich musical catalogue reflects a life deeply steeped in craft, cultural resonance and history. John’s career has taken him from The Lovin’ Spoonful to Bob Dylan to Mama Cass to Woodstock to movie soundtracks and beyond. John joins us to share stories of his creatively colorful Greenwich Village childhood, surrounded by folk and classical luminaries, his harmonica virtuoso father, his screenwriting mother and his Godmother, Vivian Vance!His talent and experiences inspired him to write and record an ecclectic array of hits including: Summer In The City, Darlin’ Be Home Soon, Welcome Back, Nashville Cats, You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice, Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind, Do You Believe In Magic and a bunch more.And John comes to us brining word of his newest album with Arlen Roth called John and Arlen Explore The Lovin’ Spoonful Songbook.Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Harry and Meghan on Netflix and Harry Chapin: When In Doubt, Do Something, on Prime Video. Also, we introduce our first Helping Folks Help charity partner, Children's Burn Foundation.Path Points of Interest:John SebastianJohn and Arlen Revisit The Lovin' Spoonful SongbookJohn Sebastion in The Songwriters' Hall of FameJ.B.s Harmonica by John SebastianDarlin' Be Home Soon Live On The Ed Sullivan ShowHarry and Meghan - Netflix Harry Chapin: When In Doubt, Do SomethingChildren's Burn Foundation