Let's Talk Ten

Dan is joined by some auld acquaintances --  Terry Beatty, Michele Mantynen, Mat Lefler-Schulman, Robyn Kincaid, Kevin Ladson, Adam Long, Phoebe Fisher, Josh Chambers, David Komerofsky, H.E. Fisher,  Sam Pancake, and George Schlatter -- to reminisce about our pop cultural FIRSTS --

First movie in a theater?
First records purchased with our own money?
First Saturday morning cartoons?  
First movie that scared the shit out of us?
First songs we remember hearing on the radio?
First TV commercials that made a big impression?
First news events we remember from television?  
First live concert?
First movies, shows, or performers that made us laugh?

These candid recollections of childhood experiences will touch you, make you laugh, make you think -- and will bring back all kinds of stuff you hadn't thought about in a long, long time.  

Check it out -- after all, you deserve a break today......

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For this "mini" dropping on Christmas morning -- though suitable for year-round listening -- Dan talks about the history of "TOYS!" and toy commercials...plus the toys he grew up loving and the ones his kids loved -- as well as the importance of playing. 

It's a sweet, fun little episode, crammed with lots of trivia, fond memories, and interesting clips from all eras.  It may not be a Red Ryder B.B. gun with a compass in the stock, but you'll certainly enjoy it more than pink bunny pajamas.  

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Just in time for Christmas!

It’s the “LET’S TALK TEN HOLIDAY SPECIAL!”, with special guest WILL HARRIS – pop culture journalist (AVClub, Entertainment Weekly) and interviewer for the current best-seller “Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True Story of ‘Airplane!’”.

All they want for Christmas is you…to listen to them talk about their Top Ten Christmas-centered movies, TV show and specials, songs, commercials….  They'll  cover many of everybody’s long-time favorites, of course -- with a few deep-dives and some surprises, too.

ALSO:

* Enough with the “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” debate, already.  A much more urgent matter: how about Gremlins?
* Did the Star Wars Holiday Special make either of our lists?
* How many Beatles has Will met?
* What’s the deal with Dan's  love of depressing Christmas songs? Is he okay?
* What will be their Number One picks?

PLUS: End-of-the-year shout-outs!  And a special "Christmassy" version of the theme song!

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RABBI DAVID KOMEROFSKY (from Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Podcast) is Dan's special guest for a celebration and discussion of HANUKKAH, the Festival of Lights -- from a pop cultural as well as rabbinical perspective.  

Topics include:  Adam Sandler’s perennial “Hanukkah Song”, Neil Diamond’s flop film version of The Jazz Singer, very special episodes of “The Golden Girls” and “Friends”, the Rabbi’s fondness for Christmas movies…and which grocery chain carries the best frozen latkes.

Plus, did you know that the best Christmas songs were written by Jews?  It’s true!

You don’t have to be Jewish to listen to this one – Dan isn't, for example.  But all are invited for a little laughter, a little learning, and a lotta fun.  L'Chaim!

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Dan welcomes two very special guests -- his twenty-something children APRIL FISHER and PHOEBE FISHER to compare musical notes on SONGS THAT MAKE ME WANNA DANCE.

Though there are some inevitable Boomer/Gen X versus Gen Z/Millenial comparisons, 
many of their choices just might surprise you.  Let's just say that Dan wasn't the one who picked a Kool and the Gang song.  He went with Bruno Mars, instead.

This is an episode jam-packed with "bops" -- as the kids say -- and more than a few laughs.  Consider this your invitation to the dance.

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Show-business legend GEORGE SCHLATTER – multiple-Emmy-winning creator of “Laugh-In” and “Real People” -- and producer of memorable TV shows and specials for everybody from Judy Garland to Smokey Robinson to Muhammad Ali to Frank, Dean, and Sammy… 

…Joined Dan for an exclusive and absolutely delightful conversation about some of the stories from George’s newly-published memoirs, “STILL LAUGHING: A LIFE IN COMEDY.”  

You should not miss this one.  And be prepared to laugh.

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JOSH CHAMBERS is not only a key member of the social media team for Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast and a full-time high school English and Communications teacher -- he's also something of a car fanatic.  

He joined Dan to talk about their favorite motor vehicles from motion pictures and television shows.  Cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles -- anything with wheels and a motor qualified.  And since Dan grew up in the 70's while Josh was a total 80's kid, thee weren't many overlaps in their choices.

Buckle up -- the pop culture references (and laughs) come fast and furious in this one.

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It's second part of our mini-episode on THE MUPPETS!

Muppets historian and author CRAIG SHEMIN, with pop culture fanatic/huge Muppets fan ANDREW LAPOSHA, join Dan Fisher for a panel discussion on the history and enduring legacy of Jim Henson’s innovative and revolutionary little creations.

For PART TWO, we go in-depth and behind-the-scenes with THE MUPPET SHOW -- including memorable moments from Elton John, Linda Rondstadt, and Steve Martin -- leading into the Muppet movies...then on to Henson's unexpected passing and what would come next for Kermit and the whole Muppets family.

 It's the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational “LET’S TALK TEN” ever -- and we'd love for you to join us.

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 The first of a TWO-PART mini-episode on THE MUPPETS!

Muppets historian and author CRAIG SHEMIN plus pop culture fanatic/huge Muppets fan ANDREW LAPOSHA join Dan Fisher for a panel discussion on the history and legacy of Jim Henson’s fuzzy ping-pong-eyed creations and why love ‘em.  

PART ONE starts from the very beginning -- from the five-minute local “Sam and Friends” spots through the guest spots on 1960's variety shows, to the phenomenon of Sesame Street, one of the greatest and most influential television shows of all time.

All the big names are here – Kermit, Miss Piggy,  Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Rowlf, Fozzie Bear, Ernie and Bert, Statler and Waldorf….  

PLUS: great moments from all the shows, including stuff that you might not have even known existed. 

 It's the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational “LET’S TALK TEN” ever!

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Writer FELICE NEALS joins Dan to talk about their favorite spooky cinematic fare.  From old black-and-white classics to some of the current "art-house horror", from gory slasher flicks to tense thrillers, Dan and Felice can't help but ponder:

* Why are we compelled to watch stuff that's probably going to scare the crap out of us?
* Why does Felice love The Blair Witch Project while Dan is decidedly not a fan?
* Does Dan relate everything he watches back to his West Virginia childhood?
* Midsommar versus Hereditary -- discuss amongst yourself.
* What's the deal with terrifying, blood-thirsty hillbillies?

Plus the special "Halloween version" of the "Let's Talk Ten" theme song!  And more!
 
BOO!

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