Media Path Podcast

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

Veronica Cartwright is the queen of classic era genre film and TV. Every role iconic. Every story spine-tingling. Veronica joins us for a deep dive into her decades of action packed history making roles beginning with child actor turns on The Twilight Zone, The Birds, Daniel Boone and The Children’s Hour. Her early screen scream training prepared her for legendary grownup parts in Alien, Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Witches of Eastwick. We get a front row seat for all of the movie-making magic secrets and shocking behind-the-scenes revelations.

Veronica shares charming Donald Sutherland stories, explains how to fortify your body against the perils of snatching, where to shelter in the event of a bird attack and audition techniques for a role that requires throwing up cherries. Did you know that Veronica brought sex and violence to the set of Leave it to Beaver? This minx of Mayfield both kissed and punched Beaver. 

How did Veronica befriend Quentin Tarantino on a plane? Why did her Daniel Boone TV Mom get her fired!?  What’s her favorite role? Why did Alfred Hitchcock attempt to impress her with his wine collection when she was 12? All will be revealed. 

Plus, with 157 IMDB credits, a round of IMDB Roulette brings stories of The Rat Pack, Inside The Osmonds and Will and Grace (She’s Jack’s Mom!)

Her next credits include a new Netflix series with Ted Danson and more!

Plus, Weezy is back from Ireland with tales of her journey, enriched by a Frank Delaney book, Ireland: A Novel. And Fritz is recommending the new Amy Winehouse biopic, Back To Black.

Path Points of Interest:

Veronica Cartwright

Veronica Cartwright on Wikipedia

Veronica Cartwright on IMDB

Veronica Cartwright on Instagram

A Classic Spy

Ireland: A Novel by Frank Delaney

Back To Black - In Theaters

Gift of Democracy

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 Butler

Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond

Dean Butler on Wiki

Little House: 50 for Fifty Podcast

Dean Butler on Instagram

Dean Butler on TikTok

Dean Butler on Facebook

LHOTP 50th Anniversary on Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Website

Gift of Democracy

Kiri on Acorn

Baby 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 Schlatter

George Schlatter on Wiki

George Schlatter on IMDB

Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy - Now out in paperback.  

Clown Jewels YouTube Page 

The George and Jolene Brand Schlatter Theater at the National Comedy Center

Rowan And Martin's Laugh-In

Fritz Coleman - Unassisted Residency

Conan O'Brien Must Go - Max

Stax: Soulsville USA - Max

Gift 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 Spheeris

Penelope Spheeris on Wikipedia

Penelope Spheeris on imdb

Decline of Western Civilization Movies

We Sold Our Souls for Rock 'n' Roll

Beach Boys - Disney+

Spacey Unmasked

“Arf! Arf!” 

“What’s that, Girl? 

Timmy’s in the well!!?” 

We speak fluent Collie and Timmy got into plenty of trouble but he never fell into a well. What Lassie is trying to tell you there is that “Timmy,” Jon Provost, is doing very well. He’s an animal rights activist who has just launched a CBD spray to help calm pets and, along with his wife, Laurie Jacobson, he’s written a book chronicling his phenomenal show-biz history, including films with Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Jane Wyman, Robert Redford, Natalie Wood, William Holden, Clinton Eastwood and Kurt Russell. Jon spent seven years working on Lassie and June Lockhart before graduating as a bona fide teen idol and exploring all of the iconic haunts along the Sunset Strip with Davy Jones, David Cassidy and Sajid Kahn!

The book is, naturally, titled Timmy’s In The Well and along with Jon’s acting history, it also explores what happens to a family when one kid becomes world famous. Jon’s wife Laurie joins us with insights into exactly that as well as intrigue on Hollywood’s hidden history and a peek into her next book about The Sunset Strip.

We leave no stone unturned and no well un-excavated as we trace Jon's start back to his mother's love for Jane Wyman which compelled her to bring her 3-year-old son to a cattle-call audition for the role of Sterling Hayden and Jane Wyman’s little boy in 1953's So Big. Out of a sea of hundreds, Jon won the part.

From there, we go behind the Lassie scenes with Jon as he warmly remembers his relationship with the world’s most beloved dog and her trainer, Rudd Weatherwax. (Actually, his trainer. Lassie was always played by a male dog.) Jon and Lassie travelled the country on promotional tours and along the way, they grand marshaled parades, hosted charity events and visited children’s hospital, inspiring Jon towards a lifetime of charity work and public service.

Jon also reflects on his personal struggles with dyslexia, school bullies, finding himself as he came of age and how a conversation with Kurt Russell on the set of 'The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes' convinced him it was time to take a much-needed break from the business.

Plus, Laurie and Jon share their “How Did You Meet” story. It happened at an autograph show where Laurie came over to his booth to chat with Stanley Livingston. Lassie having taught Jon well in the art of non-verbal communication, Jon kicked Stan under the table which is code for, “What the heck, Stan!? Introduce me to this lovely woman!”  

All that plus Weezy and Fritz are recommending Hollywood Con Queen and Sugar, both on Apple TV+.

Path Points of Interest:

Jon Provost

Timmy's In The Well by Jon Provost & Laurie Jacobson

Jon Provost on Wikipedia

Jon Provost on Facebook

Laurie Jacobson

Laurie Jacobson's Amazon Author Page

Laurie Jacobson on Instagram

Provost Pet Spray

Muttville

Hollywood Con Queen on Apple +

Sugar on Apple +

It’s a Premiere Radio Networks Reunion as we are joined by two broadcasting legends who worked with Weezy in the '80s and '90s and are now industry heavyweights: voice talent and king of the promo, Joe Cipriano and radio exec and DJ for LA's legendary KEARTH 101, Larry Morgan! We're chatting about legacy media and our collective memories of radio's heyday and processing how we are all evolving within our fields as technology continues its march towards confounding boomers with seven factor authentication.

Also with us is new-school content creator, author, actor, and podcaster Travis Richey who shares his utilization of digital tools as he journeys from boy with a dream to working industry professional.

We look fondly back on our analog childhoods where we put on a show with our cassette tape recorders and wired our bedrooms for two block radius radio transmission! Joe and Larry each scored radio station jobs as teenagers and Travis was feverishly writing Star Trek spec scripts before traveling to Hollywood to join the Acme Comedy group based on advice he found on Wil Wheaton’s blog.

We examine how radio has changed both culturally and operationally, as we recall the days of big name DJ personalities, air checks, meter readings, FCC licenses, and stacks of carts.   Joe remembers his first voice over home studio and his pioneering ISDN line efforts for remote recording and he previews his unique opportunity promo Masterclass! Learn from Joe how to be like Joe! Larry shares how Covid inspired radio stations to evolve quickly into broadcasting with just a laptop and some wifi, and Fritz shares his experience as a radio station music director. Then we dip into the future, as AI steers us in exciting and terrifying directions!

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Franklin on Apple + and The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling Podcast.

Path Points of Interest:

Joe Cipriano

Promo Mojo Masterclass

Joe Cipriano Promo Demo

Living On Air by Joe Cipriano

Joe Cipriano on Facebook

Joe Cipriano on Instagram

Joe Cipriano on X/Twitter

Larry Morgan

Larry Morgan's Snark Monkey Podcast

Larry Morgan on Facebook

Larry Morgan on Instagram

Travis Richey on IMDB

Robot, Ninja & Gay Guy

2 Hot Guys in the Shower

The Vampires' Curse: (Decimus Book 1) by Travis Richey

Exposing Ourselves Podcast

Travis Richey on Facebook

Travis Richey on Instagram 

Franklin on Apple +

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling Podcast