Media Path Podcast

Cultural icon Annie Potts is beloved by fans of every age, and for excellent reason. Her bright on-screen light emanates from deep within her own actual warm soul and big heart! The length and breadth of her philanthropic work rivals her IMDB credits and she’s hovering at 114 of those. Most recognizable now as Young Sheldon’s Meemaw, you may also know her for Corvette Summer, Pretty In Pink, and the Ghostbusters and Toy Story franchises.

Annie shares with us her deep affection for her Young Sheldon co-stars and the joy and honor it has been to help and watch them grow up.

Annie’s first long-running sit-com was Designing Women where she played Mary Jo Shively, alongside Jean Smart, Dixie Carter and Delta Burke. Together, in an age before internet harassment they weathered the storm of co-star Delta falling victim to the tabloid bully that was the National Enquirer. Cast camaraderie has always been key for Annie.

Consider yourself warned, Phantasms. In Ghostbusters Frozen Empire (now in theaters) Annie is finally suiting up and busting some ghost! Also, her sultry Bo Peep has a star turn in Toy Story 5 which will hit theaters next year.

Annie also shares some backstage stories, tells us which of her shows she wishes had enjoyed a longer run and gives us a peek into the Young Sheldon finale and a spinoff that will feature Young Georgie. Then, Annie takes on a round of IMDB Roulette.

All that, plus Fritz and Weezy are recommending A Man In Full and Baby Reindeer, both on Netflix. Annie’s pick for you is Alice and Jack on PBS!

Path Points of Interest:

Annie Potts

Ghostbusters

Young Sheldon

Annie Potts on Wikipedia

Annie Potts on IMDB

Annie Potts on Instagram

Annie Potts on Twitter

Annie Potts on Facebook

Any Day Now

The Heart Channels

White Pony Express

Kemarley of Anguilla

Baby Reindeer

A Man In Full

Alice & Jack

The Gong Show was a spicy blend of talent, shock and zany, sprinkled heavily with the special sauce that was Producer/Host Chuck Barris. 70s TV was all about The Gong Gang and Game Show Guru Adam Nedeff’s newest offering, Gong This Book chronicles the weirdly hypnotic cultural touchstone that was The Gong Show.

Adam joins us with returning guest, author and Game Show Writer Shelley Herman. She appeared on The Gong Show and The Dating Game and her book is called My Peacock Tale: Secrets of an NBC Page. Together, we’re celebrating game show history and delving deeply into The Gong Show, The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game. We take a look at Adam’s all-time favorite hosts, Bill Cullen, Dennis James, Alan Ludden, Gene Rayburn, Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest. Adam shares The Gong Show’s origin story which includes original hosts Gary Owens and John Barbour before the NBC head of daytime let Chuck Barris know that he was the only person who could host such a specifically strange show. He did and it worked, but it consumed him.

Was Chuck Barris really a CIA spy???! We CAN tell you without having to kill you. Did The Gong show usher in the phenomenon that would become reality TV? Probably. What happened on those Dating Game dates!? Shelley is telling all. Fritz almost hosted two game shows but his tenacious weather job kept pulling him back in and Weezy’s very first Hollywood show biz experience was her appearance on the game show, Face The Music!

Adam and Shelley also discuss the fascinating intricacies of game show question writing and researching. And, they share the heartwarming story of Adam's book about Alan Ludden appearing dog eared and well loved in the very last photo taken of Betty White. Adam is now the proud owner of Betty’s copy of his book.

And in recommendations, Fritz has been loving Palm Royale on Apple Plus and Weezy went book to screen with We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter. It is now a series on Hulu.

Path Points of Interest:

Adam Nedeff Amazon Author Page

Gong This Book by Adam Nedeff

Books by Adam Nedeff

The Gong Show Playlist

Adam Nedeff on Facebook

Adam Nedeff on Youtube

Adam Nedeff on Instagram

Adam Gives Conan Tour of Madame Tussaud's

Adam's Bill Cullen website

Shelley Herman

My Peacock Tale by Shelley Herman

Shelley Herman on Facebook

Shelley Herman on Instagram

Quiz Show Expo

Palm Royale on Apple Plus

We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

We Were The Lucky Ones on Hulu

Georgia Hunter's Blog

We are attaining excellence and saving democracy. High bars easily cleared by our guests, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and TV Host/Motivational Speaker Michael Burger.

Jasmine Crockett proudly represents Texas’ 30th District. She is a Freshman Leadership Representative, fighting hard for reproductive and voting rights and her viral moments in committee are legend. She is coming in hard for MAGA Republicans and sharing her insights and strategies on energizing our Democratic base, reclaiming our human rights and standing united with Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

When showbiz veteran Michael Burger lost The Price Is Right hosting gig to Drew Carey, he realized that he had a skill set that transcended the studio set. He takes us on a hilariously, uplifting journey from the high seas (where he began as a cruise ship comic) to Southern California where he has worked on and off camera on a slew of sitcoms, game and talk shows, (He's hosted 4000 hours of TV!) to corporate conference rooms across the land where he inspires and motivates today's most powerful business leaders. 

Michael shares stories about his iconic colleagues, like Home & Family co-host Christina Ferrare, Betty White, and the cast of Hot in Cleveland (he was the warm up guy), Johnny Carson and Gregory Peck plus we learn his pick for the greatest game show host of all time and we hear how Pat Sajak tanked Fritz’s budding game show hosting career!

In recommendations, Weezy is picking the documentary series Synanon Fix on HBO and Fritz is a fan of A Gentleman in Moscow on Amazon Prime.

Path Points Of Interest:

Jasmine Crockett's Campaign Site

Jasmine Crockett's House Site

Jasmine Crockett on X/Twitter

Jasmine Crockett on Wikipedia

Jasmine Crockett on Instagram

Michael Burger

Michael Burger's Hosting Reel

Absolutely Necessary by Ross Shafer and Michael Burger

Coloring Your Way to Success by Michael Burger

Michael Burger on Wikipedia

Michael Burger on Facebook

Synanon Fix on HBO

A Gentleman in Moscow on Paramount and Amazon Prime

A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles

Are you a New Zoo 70s Kid? The New Zoo Revue starred Freddy The Frog, Charlie The Owl, Henrietta Hippo and real-life couple, Doug Momary and Emily Jo Peden Momary. Together with their courtyard of critters, they taught kids the values of courtesy, cooperation, humility, patience, kindness, problem-solving, manners, and promises. Throughout the 70s and beyond, the show aired five days a week and it was packed with fun, humor, lessons and music. Each episode was a mini-musical with Doug writing the scripts and over 600 songs.

The goal was to create a warm, nurturing and entertaining environment which would fortify kids with some guidance and wisdom to take with them into life. Now, nearly 40 years later, they are sharing their memories on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram and New Zoo kids, now in their 50s and 60s are completely delighted! 

Doug and Emmy Jo join us this week to paint a picture of what it was like behind the scenes, complete with hectic production schedules, appeasing the advertisers, two White House visits and an unrelenting drive to provide quality programming to little kids on their way into facing life’s challenges. 

The Moberys met doing summer stock in Santa Maria, CA and they have been together ever since, creating quality kid content and raising their own family. The full circle moment being when their daughter Joanna opened a New Zoo Facebook page, reintroducing them to their loyal fanbase who credit them with life lessons that have sustained them. Be on the lookout. Doug, Emmy Jo, Joanna and Freddy may be heading to a Comic-Con near you.

 Until then, enjoy their completely engaging stories and go find them online!

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Scoop on Netflix and Manhunt on Apple TV+.

Path Points of Interest:

New Zoo Revue

New Zoo Revue Clips

New Zoo Revue on Wikipedia

New Zoo Revue Opening Theme 

New Zoo Review Episodes

New Zoo Review on Prime

New Zoo Revue on Facebook

New Zoo Revue Family Reunion Group

New Zoo Revue on Instagram 

New Zoo Revue on Twitter

New Zoo Revue on Youtube

New Zoo Revue Shop 

Scoop - Netflix

Manhunt on Apple TV

Get ready to rewatch some Mrs. Maisel with the man behind Moishe, Kevin Pollak! His podcast is called My Mrs. Maisel Pod and he is taking a deep dive into the show with co-stars, creators and celebrity super-fans.

Kevin joins us to talk about his podcast celebration of the writing, production and cinematic marvel that is The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel along with his old school casting of pod, The Kevin Pollak Chat Show featuring ten years of conversations with superstars like Larry David, Dick Van Dyke, Tom Hanks, Bill Burr and Elon Musk, (in Kevin's words "before he became a bond villain.”) 

We chart the full trajectory of Kevin's career, from standup to Avalon, A Few Good Men, The Usual Suspects and beyond including a round of IMDB Roulette which takes us to the lands of Wayne’s World II, L.A. Story and Drunk History.

From there, Kevin graces us with the world’s greatest Peter Falk/Alan Arkin/Johnny Carson story, and some important insight into Jack Nicholson’s iconic A Few Good Men moment… if you can handle the truth.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Girls On The Bus on HBO and Rachel Maddow’s best selling book, Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism.

Path Points of Interest:

Kevin Pollak

My Mrs. Maisel Pod

My Mrs. Maisel Pod on Apple Podcasts

Kevin Pollak on IMDB

Kevin Pollak on Wikipedia

Kevin Pollak on Twitter

Kevin Pollak on Instagram

Kevin Pollak Chat Show on Youtube

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The Girls On The Bus

Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow

When TVs entered living rooms and Cinerama lit up movie screens, teens went nuts for Troy Donahue. Born Merle Johnson Jr. he was discovered at The Golden Pheasant restaurant in Calabasas by bigwigs, William Asher and James Sheldon. Signed to Rock Hudson’s manager Henry Wilson, Troy won the role of Johnny in A Summer Place and was a teen idol by the morning after opening night. 

A screen dream, Troy’s reality was a nightmare. Author Michael Gregg Michaud has written books about Sal Mineo, Mae West, Marlene Dietrich and Diane Mcbain. Michael joins us to discuss his biography, Inventing Troy Donahue: The Making of a Movie Star.

Long intrigued by the darker reality behind Hollywood’s seemingly perfect presentation, Michael helps us understand the challenges that shaped Troy’s life. He lost his father at 14 and undiagnosed dyslexia adversely affected his grades and his sense of worth. Troy began drinking in middle school. He says he was drunk all the way through his two TV series, Surfside 6 and Hawaiian Eye and unable to master new lines because of his learning disability and his inebriation. By the time he made Paul Springs Weekend, he was downing three codeine laced aspirins with a pint of vodka, followed by four lines of cocaine just to get himself up and out the door.

This regimen was quickly followed by a career on the skids, financial ruin and four failed marriages. Troy’s charm, humor, wisdom and gratitude pulled him through recovery and bonded him for life with ex-wives, girlfriends and screen partners, Suzanne Pleshette, Sandra Dee, Connie Stevens, Diane McBain and Angie Dickinson.

We also learn from Michael about his other books, including a brand new one on Mae West’s nightclub act. It’s called Mae West and Her Adonises.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the new doc series on Paramount +, Willie Nelson & Family and Loudermilk on Amazon.

Path Points of Interest:

Michael Gregg Michaud on Amazon

Inventing Troy Donahue: The Making of a Movie Star

Troy Donahue on Wikipedia

Michael Gregg Michaud on Facebook

Michael Gregg Michaud on Instagram

Willie Nelson & Family

Loudermilk - Amazon Prime

Ivan Decker’s standup comedy is sharp, relatable, polished and laugh-out-loud-by-yourself-on-your-couch-or-in-your-bed hilarious! 100% Canadian Content, Ivan is 12% funnier than a comparable American and he has brought his funny to the world square that is Youtube. Ivan’s newest special is called Popcorn and much like its taste-treat namesake, the show is irresistible.

Ivan joins Fritz and Weezy to talk about his roots, his influences, his writing and performing techniques and the joys and challenges he’s encountered along his path. He was named Comic To Watch at the TBS New York Comedy Festival. He was featured in the Netflix special, Comedians of the World. He’s been a regular on CBC’s The Debaters. He’s appeared on Conan and he is a Juno Award winner for his comedy album, I Wanted To Be A Dinosaur. (Juno is Canadian for Grammy.)

Ivan is coming soon to a city near you, but first, he’s here with us on Media Path.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the book to media experience that is Apples Never Fall and the Paul Simon doc series, In Restless Dreams.

Path Points of Interest:

Ivan Decker

Ivan Decker's Special - PopCorn

Comedians of the World on Netflix

Ivan Decker on Instagram

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

Apples Never Fall on Peacock

Paul Simon's In Restless Dreams

Weezy's Paul Simon Interview

Director Denny Tedesco has followed up his smash hit documentary, The Wrecking Crew with an enlightening look at the next generation of session musicians who worked closely with  70s’ singer/songwriters in creating the soundtrack which continues to enrich and lift our lives. They are Waddy Wachtel, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar and Steve Postell. The band and the film are called Immediate Family.

Denny joins us, along with Waddy and Leland to get into the making of the film and their incredible journey through the history of rock, pop, folk, jazz, country and beyond. Waddy shares career highlights with David Crosby, The Everly Brothers, Warren Zevon, Steve Perry, Jackson Browne, Kim Carnes, and Stevie Nicks. Leland has stories about Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Neil Young, and Phil Collins. These guys hand crafted our playlists!

When Crosby asked Waddy if he should team up with Stills and Nash, Waddy gave him a solid thumbs up. When Don Henley asked Leland what he thought of “The Eagles” as a band name, Lee said, “Sure. Why not?” #Trendsetters

It took Denny 18 years to complete The Wrecking Crew, a love song to his father, Wrecking Crew guitar man, Tommy Tedesco. The fruits of that effort continue to blossom with the credentials and lessons that made Immediate Family possible and now, Denny’s next film about Wolfman Jack.

Weezy and Waddy have a Cowsills history in common. Waddy appears in her film, Family Band: The Cowsills Story and they share thoughts on the moment in the movie where Billy Cowsill finally stands up to his father, Bud when Bud makes a derogatory remark about Billy’s mentor, Waddy. It’s a fierce and loving act that gets Billy kicked out of his own band.

Fritz and Denny both share impossibly beautiful Linda Ronstadt memories and Leland tells us how a friend of a friend of a friend led to his lifelong relationship with James Taylor.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the doc, Filling in the Blanks on Prime and Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher.

Path Points of Interest:

Immediate Family

Denny Tedesco

Denny Tedesco on IMDB

Leland Sklar on Youtube

The Wrecking Crew

Sound Explosion: Inside L.A.'s Studio Factory With The Wrecking Crew by Ken Sharp

Family Band: The Cowsills Story

Filling In The Blanks

Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher

Patrick Labyorteaux’s career crosses generations, giving him unique access to experiences, co-stars, genres and fans who are currently finding his array of fascinating inside stories on TikTok. 

Boomers know Patrick as Andy Garvey from Little House on the Prairie. Gen Xers loved him in teen classics and cult favorites like Heathers and Summer School. Millennials know him from 3 Ninjas and you and your dad or grandpa may love watching him together in JAG and NCIS.

Patrick is using his decades of working wisdom to coach actors and entertain fans. His acting program and his TikTok channel are called Working Actors School. Patrick shares his backstage stories with us, beginning with his early work in commercials, and his first film, Blazing Saddles, and on to his scene sharing experiences with Lucille Ball, Sean Penn, Michael Landon, the two Coreys and Ray Bolger who dusted off a corner of an MGM soundstage to show the LHOTP kids the actual yellow brick road! Yes, you are following your Media Path to where it intersects with the Yellow Brick Road.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Horse by Geraldine Brooks and American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders on Netflix.

Path Points of Interest:

Patrick Labyorteaux

Working Actors School

Patrick Labyorteaux on Tiktok

Patrick Labyorteaux on IMDB

Patrick Labyorteaux on Instagram

Patrick Labyorteaux on Wikipedia

Patrick Labyorteaux on Twitter

Horse - By Geraldine Brooks

American Conspiracy - The Octopus Murders

Our Media Path takes us to the influential and iconic 70s when Paul McCartney & Wings flew over Europe, The UK, and The World, lifted by the guitar mastery of Laurence Juber and when studio pages roamed the NBC hallways, collecting memorable celebrity encounters and handing gift cards to Johnny Carson.

Former page, Shelley Herman is an Emmy-Nominated TV writer who has penned a delicious tell-all about her page years called, My Peacock Tale: Secrets of An NBC Page. It’s stuffed with dishy stories about Robin Williams, Andy Kaufman, Ringo Starr, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Stewart, Harry Chapin, and Lucille Ball. As a page, Shelley pulled from her arsenal of wit, charm, courage and grit to navigate moody celebs, exacting execs and the occasional #MeToo, brutish assault. All in a polyester skirt and close toed shoes. Her book will enrich, amuse and inspire you!

Then Laurence and Hope Juber fill our studio with their love for each other and for their talented daughters, Ilsey and Nico Juber. Their “How We Met” story is a bright light of fate, destiny, spiritual intervention and Beatles! Your jaw will plummet. Stretch first. The Jubers are a show biz dynasty. Hope’s dad, Sherwood Schwartz is the celebrated mind behind Gilligan’s Island and The Brady Bunch. She played Greg Brady’s girlfriend, she heads up a band called The Nasty Housewives, and she produced Laurence’s latest album, recorded at Abbey Road Studios, A Day In My Life.

Laurence is a Grammy winning guitarist, recording artist, composer and arranger. AND, he was Fritz’s bandleader on his late night comedy show, It’s Fritz. So, these two are diving into some catching up.  And then, Laurence serenades us with a little Blackbird.

Also, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Frontline’s The Harvest: Integrating Mississippi’s Schools on PBS and Feud: Capote VS. The Swans, available on several platforms, including Hulu, and YouTube.

Path Points of Interest:

Laurence Juber 

Laurence Juber on Spotify

A Day in My Life  (Recorded at Abbey Road)

A Day In My Life Vinyl

The Evolution of Fingerstyle Guitar by Laurence Juber

Guitar With Wings by Laurence Juber

Laurence Juber on Facebook

Laurence Juber on Instagram

Hope Juber

Ilsey Juber

Nico Juber

Shelley Herman

My Peacock Tale by Shelley Herman

Shelley Herman on Facebook

Shelley Herman on Instagram

American Experience - The Harvest: Integrating Mississippi's Schools

Feud: Capote VS. The Swans