Media Path Podcast

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 AmazonMae West and Her AdonisesMichael Gregg Michaud on FacebookMichael Gregg Michaud on InstagramMae West on IMDBMae West Stage Show - 1957Bad Monkey on Apple +Wicked Little Letters on NetflixGift of DemocracyMedia Path Podcast

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 DouglasConnecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses To Dark SuburbiaI Blame Dennis Hopper: And Other Stories Lived From In And Out Of The MoviesIlleana Douglas on WikipediaIlleana Douglas on IMDBIlleana Douglas on InstagramMedia Path PodcastGift of DemocracyCommit To DemocracyCommit To Democracy FacebookCommit To Democracy YoutubeCommit To Democracy Instagram

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 WikipediaPatrika Darbo on IMDBPatrika Darbo on InstagramPatrika Darbo on FacebookFoyle's War on AcornDirty Pop on NetflixMedia Path WebsiteGift of Democracy

We celebrate the importance of film to entertain, fascinate and illuminate us. Our guest is filmmaker Meredith Yingerwhose 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.comMeredith YingerShe TV Media  Scars UnseenScars Unseen TrailerMeredith Yinger Amazon Author PageBooksAlong Came PoppyThe Game ChangerShe-TV on InstagramScars Unseen on InstagramMedia Path PodcastOlympic 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 AntonBig Picture StudiosSusan Anton on WikipediaSusan Anton on IMDBPhotographer - Hulu and Disney PlusI Am: Celine DionGift of DemocracyMedia Path Podcast

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 BartlettBonnie Bartlett on WikipediaBonnie Bartlett on IMDBWilliam Daniels' Book - There I Go AgainSt. ElsewhereLittle House on the PrairieBoy Meets WorldShe Drinks a LittleGift of DemocracyMedia Path PodcastThe Grab - StreamingBrats

Veronica Cartwright, an iconic actress known for her roles in *Alien* and *Invasion of the Body Snatchers*, shares her thrilling journey through six decades in showbiz. She reveals behind-the-scenes secrets, discusses auditioning techniques—including a hilarious cherry scene—and recounts amusing tales about Donald Sutherland and Alfred Hitchcock. Veronica even recalls her cheeky role in *Leave it to Beaver*, where she brought unexpected drama to Mayfield. Plus, get insights into her friendship with Quentin Tarantino and what's next for this legendary actress!

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 ButlerPrairie Man: My Little House Life & BeyondDean Butler on WikiLittle House: 50 for Fifty PodcastDean Butler on InstagramDean Butler on TikTokDean Butler on FacebookLHOTP 50th Anniversary on Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce WebsiteGift of DemocracyKiri on AcornBaby 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 SchlatterGeorge Schlatter on WikiGeorge Schlatter on IMDBStill Laughing: A Life in Comedy - Now out in paperback.  Clown Jewels YouTube Page The George and Jolene Brand Schlatter Theater at the National Comedy CenterRowan And Martin's Laugh-InFritz Coleman - Unassisted ResidencyConan O'Brien Must Go - MaxStax: Soulsville USA - MaxGift 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 SpheerisPenelope Spheeris on Wikipedia Penelope Spheeris on imdbDecline of Western Civilization MoviesWe Sold Our Souls for Rock 'n' RollBeach Boys - Disney+Spacey Unmasked