Chicken soup for the COVID soul. Seventy minutes in heaven with impressionist, comedian, actor, icon, John Byner. A hero of mine for as long as I can remember, he exceeded all my hopes, as a talent and a human. What a lovely, lovely man. I suspect his fabulous attitude had much to do with his wonderful career and the spectacular life he lives. He appreciates and cherishes it all. John's a power of example.
We talked his early days at The Vanguard in the Village, getting his first TV break on a Merv Griffith talent show and then, Ed Sullivan, for John, a life changer. He treated us to his iconic Sullivan impression with Topo Gigio, including my favorite, "Kiss me goodnight, Eddie." Swoon. Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Georgie Jessel, Walter Brennan, John Wayne, Johnny Mathis, Mel Torme... a comic feast. John talked about Get Smart, The Carol Burnett Show, Hollywood Squares, Soap, hosting Something Else, The John Byner Comedy Hour, Bizarre, Super Dave writing his memoir, Five Minutes, Mr. Byner! https://amzn.to/2PMQdO2 which just dropped. Filled with great showbiz and real life stories, it's a wonderfully entertaining, well-written read by a master storyteller.
I loved every second in John's good company and will cherish this time with him, always. It's the antidote to the corona blues.
John Byner on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wed, 8/12/20, Live @5pm PT
Live on The Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/2XXxvb1
YouTube https://bit.ly/2ClTfFW
All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3
Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com
Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/
And, Blue Microphones. Thanks, Blue and Kevin Walt