Media Path Podcast

The fall of the Soviet wall and the opening of the iron curtain presented ample space for hope, optimism and opportunity for westerners eager to share culture, creativity, business and democracy concepts with the citizens of the former Soviet Union. David Junk leapt at the chance to work for Polygram/Universal Records in a country hungry for music and freedom. David’s 15 years in Russia were a unique window of time between Gorbachov’s Glasnost and Putin’s re-consolidation of power. 

David stepped into a landscape that he called “the wild, wild, east,” teaming with gangsters and corruption and also talented, enterprising Russians, eager to explore new possibilities. David’s journey is documented in his book, Rockin’ The Kremlin which gives readers an inside look at boots-on-the-ground life and work in Russia from the perspective of a Russian speaking, idealistic American. 

David and his co-writer Fred Bronson join us for a fascinating dive into David’s adventures… Contract negations with Polygram which included kidnapping insurance, Russian kids’ obsession with hip hop, discovering and exporting Russian talent including two young girls called t.A.T.u. who kissed on The Tonight Show, wearing “F*** War” tee-shirts which they got past everyone because the words were written in Russian. David says that those tee-shirts are now being worn by kids in Ukraine. 

This window in time introduced a generation to a complex intersection of culture and politics which was ultimately snuffed by Putin’s coalition with the Russian Orthodox Church and a renewed, vehement opposition to LGBTQ rights and individual expression. Ultimately, it was David’s deep disappointment in colleagues’ support for the invasion of Ukraine and concerns for his family’s safety which brought him back to the states. But still, so much was learned and exchanged.

All this, plus Fritz and Weezy are recommending The English Teacher on FX (streaming on Hulu) and the making of The Sopranos doc, Wiseguy on HBO Max.

Path Points of Interest:

Rocking The Kremlin: My Incredible, True Story Of Gangsters, Oligarchs, And Pop Stars In Putin's Russia by David Junk with Fred Bronson

David Junk on Facebook

David Junk on Instagram

Fred Bronson on Twitter

Art During Wartime Podcast

Gift of Democracy

The English Teacher FX and Hulu

https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/english-teacher

Wiseguy - HBO

https://www.hbo.com/movies/wise-guy-david-chase-and-the-sopranos

Golden Globe-nominated actor, action movie star, martial artist, helicopter pilot, heartthrob, thrill seeker and  Hollywood royalty, Lorenzo Lamas joins us for an exhilarating ride through decades of entertainment history, from the Golden Age through the non-stop 1990's and beyond! Lorenzo is the son of classic era movie-making duo Arlene Dahl and Fernando Lamas. Lorenzo came into his own playing the grandson of Jane Wyman's character on the legendary prime-time soap, Falcon Crest, and then earned lifelong fans in action and martial arts TV and film, including Renegade and Snake Eater. Lorenzo joins us to talk about life lessons learned in military school, on the set and through fatherhood.

A child of Hollywood, Lorenzo’s parents divorced when he was two and he often felt like a guest in either home. His mother Arlene Dahl was a starlet in the 1940s and 50s, and a businesswoman, who married six times, disrupting Lorenzo’s childhood with moves around the world. Lorenzo later learned to appreciate his mother’s love for him and her groundbreaking achievements. As a child, he yearned deeply for the attention and validation of his father, larger-than- life film star, Fernando Lamas who married Esther Williams when Lorenzo was 11 and was often either living in another city or away on location. Summers with his dad meant everything. His father died in his sixties but lived to see his son’s success and even directed an episode of Falcon Crest!

Lorenzo gives us behind the scenes insights that he learned from Burt Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Wyman and Charlton Heston.  He fills us in on the un-aired final episode of Renegade. And on the values he has imparted to his own children of show business. Plus, Lorenzo takes on a challenging round of IMDB Roulette! 

In recommendations, Weezy is bingeingThe Perfect Couple on Netflix and Fritz enjoyed Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes on Max.

Lorenzo Lamas on Wiki

Lorenzo Lamas on IMDB

Renegade at Heart by Lorenzo Lamas

Lorenzo Lamas on Facebook

Lorenzo Lamas on Instagram

Stepmom from Hell

Prepare to Die

The Perfect Couple

Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes on Max

Geri Jewell is a Comedian/Actor/Motivational Speaker/Author and (thanks to Norman Lear) the trailblazing first person with a visible disability to appear as a TV show regular! Geri went straight from special ed to special treatment as a Facts of Life cast member, portraying Blair’s Cousin Geri and providing essential representation for kids growing up and living with Cerebral Palsy. 

Geri's life and career have always been an inspiration, as evidenced by her brand new coffee table book 'Geri's Jewels & Gems', which will provide you with a fresh, positive perspective on the inevitable hardships and struggles we all face. Brace for Geri's sunny outlook, grit and determination to shift your mood and encourage you to pursue your own dreams! 

As a child, Geri’s imagination took her to Wimbledon, standup comedy stages and Hollywood. She was soon exchanging letters with Carol Burnett, performing at the Comedy Store and playing doubles with John McEnroe and Arthur Ash! Her mother had warned her, “Be careful what you wish for.” 

Geri teaches us that kids with disabilities often grow up emotionally stunted because so much emphasis is placed on their physical development. Cast in an NBC sitcom at the age of 23, Geri was a rich target for unscrupulous managers and “friends.” She frequently lost her way while being misunderstood, underestimated and searching for the courage to live an openly gay life. 

The physical beating of Cerebral Palsy can be very painful and poor balance leads to debilitating falls. Geri was recovering from back and neck surgery, waiting in line at CVS to purchase botox for her neck pain when David Milch approached her and felt inspired to cast her in Deadwood! Your next miracle could be just around the corner! 

Geri talks to us about her first inspirational book called I’m Walking As Straight As I Can, her determination to defy expectations, how CP has provided her with unique insights into the human condition and her intention to help others reach their potential. Then Geri’s best friend, hearing impaired comedian Kathy Buckley joins us on the panel  to share more truly adorable anecdotes and adventures. 

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending My Brilliant Friend on HBO and Daughters on Netflix.

Path Points of Interest:

Geri Jewell

Geri Jewell on Wiki

I'm Walking As Straight As I Can by Geri Jewell

Geri's Jewels and Gems by Gery Jewell

Geri Jewell on Youtube

Geri Jewell at Ability Magazine

Geri Jewell on Facebook

Kathy Buckley

Kathy Buckley on Instagram

My Brilliant Friend on HBO

Daughters - Netflix

Media Path Podcast

Gift Of Democracy

Rich Little has boldly done impressions of presidents for presidents! The man of a thousand voices is a show biz legend who has been delighting audiences for decades. His new one-man show is a multi-media event that includes TV highlights, his spectacular sketches and, of course, his phenomenal impressions! Rich joins us to give voice (often not his own!) to his unique show biz history!

Rich Little's first impersonations were of Canadian political leaders in his home country. His buddy Mel Torme sang his praises to Judy Garland who was blown away by his take on her A Star Is Born co-star James Mason and his appearance on her show launched him into the iconic, glittering age of 60s show biz! It was a time when the impressions he mastered were instantly recognizable and are still indelibly so… Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Don Rickles, Jimmy Stewart, Jack Benny and George Burns. 

Rich’s appearances on Dean’s roasts had him doing impressions of huge stars right in front of them while the rest of show biz intently surveyed their reaction.  He has opened for Las Vegas superstars and broken the record for the longest running one man show in Vegas history.  He has made hundreds of TV appearances, nine comedy albums, and three HBO specials. He’s befriended Presidents, guest-hosted The Tonight Show and entertained The Queen! 

Rich joins us with voices and stories! Which Hollywood Squares star openly hated Rich’s impression of him? How did Rich incur the wrath of Bette Davis and tick off Johnny Carson? And the Judge who swore Rich in as an American citizen asked him to read the Pledge Of Allegiance as what movie star?

All is revealed! Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir by Griffin Dunne and Wyatt Earp and The Cowboy War on Netflix.

Path Points of Interest:

Rich Little

Rich Little at the Laugh Factory Covina on 9/8/24

Rich Little on Wikipedia

Rich Little on Facebook

Rich Little on Instagram

People I've Known and Been by Rich Little

Rich Little on the Dean Martin Roast of Jack Benny

Rich Little on Jackie Gleason

Rich Little on Judy Garland

The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir by Griffin Dunne

Wyatt Earp And The Cowboy War - Netflix

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 Amazon

Mae West and Her Adonises

Michael Gregg Michaud on Facebook

Michael Gregg Michaud on Instagram

Mae West on IMDB

Mae West Stage Show - 1957

Bad Monkey on Apple +

Wicked Little Letters on Netflix

Gift of Democracy

Media 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 Douglas

Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses To Dark Suburbia

I Blame Dennis Hopper: And Other Stories Lived From In And Out Of The Movies

Illeana Douglas on Wikipedia

Illeana Douglas on IMDB

Illeana Douglas on Instagram

Media Path Podcast

Gift of Democracy

Commit To Democracy

Commit To Democracy Facebook

Commit To Democracy Youtube

Commit 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 Wikipedia

Patrika Darbo on IMDB

Patrika Darbo on Instagram

Patrika Darbo on Facebook

Foyle's War on Acorn

Dirty Pop on Netflix

Media Path Website

Gift of Democracy

We celebrate the importance of film to entertain, fascinate and illuminate us. Our guest is filmmaker Meredith Yinger

whose 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.com

Meredith Yinger

She TV Media  

Scars Unseen

Scars Unseen Trailer

Meredith Yinger Amazon Author Page

Books

Along Came Poppy

The Game Changer

She-TV on Instagram

Scars Unseen on Instagram

Media Path Podcast

Olympic 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 Anton

Big Picture Studios

Susan Anton on Wikipedia

Susan Anton on IMDB

Photographer - Hulu and Disney Plus

I Am: Celine Dion

Gift of Democracy

Media 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 Bartlett

Bonnie Bartlett on Wikipedia

Bonnie Bartlett on IMDB

William Daniels' Book - There I Go Again

St. Elsewhere

Little House on the Prairie

Boy Meets World

She Drinks a Little

Gift of Democracy

Media Path Podcast

The Grab - Streaming

Brats