Media Path Podcast

In the late 1980's and early '90s, the TV sitcom landscape was dominated by an unstoppable force known as Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. It’s the creative juggernaut that brought us Soap and Benson in the late 70s, evolving into the force field behind The Golden Girls. A series so iconic, it launched the spin-offs, Nurses, The Golden Palace and Empty Nest, co-starring our guest, David Leisure.

This Saturday night lineup featured casts of characters who occupied the same imagined universe and often popped into each other’s shows. David was Empty Nest’s wacky neighbor and he also appeared as Charley Dietz on The Golden Girls, Nurses and another Witt/Thomas/Harris creation, Blossom.

Empty Nest, starred Richard Mulligan as Dr. Harry Weston, a widowed pediatrician, much sought after by all the Miami single ladies while riding the emotional waves of his grownup daughters who have refilled his Empty Nest.

David gives us an exclusive peek behind the scenes of this memorable time in broadcast television history. Was Bea Arthur really the only Earth human who hated Betty White? What did Bea Arthur hate even more than Betty White? How did David’s show attempt to fill the space left behind in their nest by Kristy McNichol? How did the cast and crew react to her emotional return?

David shares his origin story and how he landed two key roles. 1) “First Krishna” in Airplane. (He was willing to shave his head.) And 2) The Joe Isuzu commercials. (He’s an obsequious liar.)

We also learn why St. Jude’s hospital is so important to David, how he overcame childhood obesity and the truth about his secret, backstage divorce group therapy sessions with Loni Anderson and Richard Mulligan.

All that plus IMDB Roulette and Empty Nest Trivia! 

And Fritz shares his own personal run-in with Golden Girls Producer Susan Harris. (She’s probably still pissed.) 

Plus, in recommendations, we’ve got two great books: Blowback - A Warning To Save Democracy From The Next Trump by Miles Taylor and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.

Path Points of Interest:

David Leisure on Wikipedia

David Leisure on IMDB

Joe Isuzu Commercials:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJMq_7alQpU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_1ASmweXYs

David Leisure on Facebook

Empty Nest on IMDB

St. Jude's Hospital

Blowback - A Warning To Save Democracy From The Next Trump by Miles Taylor

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Listening to Radio Luxembourg on his family's transistor as a teen in the British countryside, Simon Kirke  heard the siren song of The Beatles and was instantly hooked. Determined to make music his career, he spent two years in London before a fateful meeting with guitarist Paul Kossoff put him on a course to make his rock 'n' roll fantasy a reality. Along with Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers, they formed the band Free which led to the mega hit/classic song All Right Now and Free becoming one of England's hottest bands. 

Then, in 1973, Simon, along with Free-mate Paul Rodgers, co-founded legendary hard rock supergroup Bad Company, a monster band that sold out record bins and stadiums worldwide. Their anthemic hits, Shooting Star, Feel Like Making Love, Can’t Get Enough and Rock and Roll Fantasy remain among the most played songs in radio history.

Simon joins us to share (mostly PG!) rock n’ roll stories featuring his iconic bandmates and management and the music venues, record companies and recording studios where so much of his classic rock history played out. Simon tells us the story of Free and how All Right Now was written in desperation, to get the crowd dancing. Simon also details their legendary performance at the Isle of Wight Festival, and how Free stood up to the label that wanted to rebrand them the Heavy Metal Kids.

He shares the backstage/pre-show moment when Bad Company's manager gifted them with platinum albums and we discuss the personality types drawn to each instrument. And, a quarter century sober, Simon considers whether productivity and creation may be the greatest high off all.

Simon has written a possibly too spicy memoir. He is now scoring films and his pathway to sobriety has inspired an upcoming musical called Rock Bottom.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the Max doc series, Smartless: On The Road and The Untold Story of the Investigation Into January 6th by Denver Riggleman and Hunter Walker.

Path Points of Interest:

Simon Kirke

Simon Kirke on Wikipedia

Bad Company on Wikipedia

Simon Kirke Facebook

Bad Company Instagram

Road Recovery

The Breach - The Untold Story of the Investigation Into January 6th by Denver Riggleman and Hunter Walker

Smartless On The Road

Smartless Podcast

eff Melvoin has written an inspiring and comprehensive guide to the art & science of what may be the most momentous, yet mysterious title in Hollywood: Showrunner. At its core, the job is described as a writer/producer hybrid. But it encompasses so much more than just that.

Jeff joins us to talk about Running The Show: Television From the Inside, and he shares his unique perspective on what it takes to make it in the TV industry (spoiler: talent will take you only so far!) 

Coming to his author role with decades of television experience from broadcast to basic cable to the realm of Bezos (whom he refers to as “the Stalin of Streaming”), Jeff’s enthusiasm for mentoring and educating compliment his acumen as an accomplished show runner on Killing Eve, Army Wives, Designated Survivor, Picket Fences, and Northern Exposure. They also serve him well as the writer of a wise, funny, instructive and inside view of his field of expertise.

Jeff brings us incredible insight and wisdom on the specific set of skills and personality traits required to succeed at showrunning and leadership in general. We hear his Six Rules, The Twelve P's, His One career-making line (which he wrote for an episode of Remington Steele) and much more. 

Plus, he’s got stories from the many shows he's worked on, including Remington Steele, NYPD Blue and Alias and he’s bringing the intel on the differences between American and British Productions as learned via Killing Eve. He’s also sharing his views on streaming’s landscape overhaul, the existential nature of the current writers' strike and the need-to-know phrase for responding to a studio exec's notes.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Beanie Bubble on Apple TV+ and San Francisco Sounds: A Place In Time.

Path Points of Interest:

Running the Show

Jeff Melvoin on Instagram

Jeff Melvoin on Wikipedia

Jeff Melvoin on imdb

The Beanie Bubble

You're Wrong About... with Sarah Marshall and Jamie Loftus Beanie Babies Episode 

San Francisco Sounds: A Place In Time

On the Autism Spectrum, there are some people who are never able to speak more than a few words. The inability to verbally communicate indicates no lack of intelligence and it can be incredibly frustrating for those who have much to offer but whose thoughts and ideas are locked inside their own minds.

Among these shrouded geniuses is 19-year-old Jacob Rock, son of Wild Honey Foundation Founder and Director, Paul Rock. Jacob’s two lone spoken words are “yes,” and “eat,” but during the pandemic he was able to focus on his one finger iPad typing and his inner dialogue began to blossom into multi-syllable, complex thoughts, views and poetry. Jacob also typed that he was composing a symphony.

To manifest this vision, Paul solicited the help of Wild Honey Musical Director Rob Laufer. Rob and Jacob began collaborating, composing and mind-melding and the result is a 71 minute symphonic piece called Unforgettable Sunrise which will be performed on September 30th, 2023 with a full orchestra from the USC Thornton School of Music at The Alex Theater in Los Angeles.

Jacob’s piece is autobiographical and it chronicles his struggles with distress, discomfort, stomach pain, self harm, frustration and ultimately, peace, finding his voice and the joy of creation.

Paul and Rob join us to share their process in facilitating Jacob’s self-expression. Paul brings his fullest heart to a reading of Jacob’s poetry and together, our guests illuminate how we may all be able to learn the most from those who say the least. 

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Golda (2023), in theaters and Silo on Apple TV+. And Weezy recaps the Adam Schiff fundraiser she hosted mid hurriquake!

Path Points of Interest:

Wild Honey Foundation on Facebook

Unforgettable Sunrise at the Alex Theater

Unforgettable Sunrise on Soundcloud

Music Connection Article

L.A. Beat Article

Paul Rock on Youtube

Paul Rock on Instagram

Rob Laufer

Rob Laufer on Instagram

Adam Schiff Event Photos

Adam Schiff's Conversation with Holocaust Survivors

Silo - Apple TV

Golda - In Theaters

The Sunshine Boy/A Mother's Courage Documentary

Robby Benson is living proof that character is destiny, guided by his values, integrity, talent and curiosity, Robby has overcome much to achieve more. He is an actor, writer, producer, director, author, musician, photographer, professor, songwriter, novelist, activist and former teen idol! 

Robby’s early screen stardom was just scratching his creative surface and Robby’s immense devotion to his wife and family only deepen his appreciation of life and its gifts. 

Robby joins us to talk about his strong family bonds, his collaborations with his fiercely talented wife Karla DeVito, his extraordinary parents, including his Mom who is Fritz’s upstairs neighbor. We eagerly await that sit-com. 

For hardcore Robby Benson heartthrob film fans, we do get into Ode to Billy Joe, Ice Castles, Lucky Lady and One on One. 

Robby also offers a master class in heart health care, sharing his personal journey through four open heart surgeries to correct a congenital defect. In true Robby fashion, he carved his struggle into art, writing the book, “I’m Not Dead…Yet,” which he then adapted into the musical Open Heart.

Robby has directed over 100 episodes of network sitcoms and his first novel, “Who Stole the Funny,” is a fictionalized account of one disturbingly harrowing week he spent on the set of a “make-believe” show.

Robby also joins us for a spirited round of Media Path's favorite pretend game show, “IMDB Roulette” 

Robby is currently working on paying tribute to his late father and co-writer, Jerry Segal with a play which will feature their music. Additionally, it’s still top secret but Robby is starring in the second season of Sevarance.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Hollies: Look Through Any Window on FreeVee, Painkiller on Netflix and the Barbie movie.

Path Points of Interest:

Robby Benson

Robby Benson in Wikipedia

Robby Benson on IMDB

Modern Love (1990)

Robby Benson on YouTube

The More I Think About It All

BROKEN by Robby Benson with Karla DeVito

Books by Robby Benson

I'm Not Dead...Yet!

Who Stole The Funny

The Hollies: Look Through Any Window

Painkiller - Netflix

The Barbie Movie

A new documentary about actress Vernée Watson is very aptly titled: You Look Familiar, and she does. But only to anyone who’s watched TV in the past five decades! Vernée has been in so many important and iconic series over the years that a journey through her IMDB page requires a packed lunch. And remember to hydrate.

Vernee’s resume includes the boomer classics, Welcome Back Kotter, The Jeffersons and Good Times. In the 90’s she earned millennial cred in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (She played Will's mom) and Sister, Sister.

Vernée joins us with showbiz stories that star Will Smith, John Travolta, Denzel Washington and beyond! Her Harlem childhood trained her to be prepared and professional and to do the work! Plus, Vernée stood her ground way pre-#MeToo and she has advice for women in any industry. 

Check out Vernée’s non-profit, Heartfelt Education through the Arts, where she and co-founder Eartha Robinson nurture young talent in a multicultural space. That talent includes Vernée’s son, Josh Johnson who became an Alvin Ailey dancer at the age of 15! 

Plus, we play IMDB Roulette to hear tasty morsels of showbiz magic from behind the scenes of shows like The West Wing, Big Bang Theory, and The Jeffersons!

Also, Weezy is recommending the book, Solito by Javier Zamora and her new reality TV passion, Claim to Fame while Fritz is obsessed with Oppenheimer.

Path Points of Interest:

You Look Familiar Documentary about Vernée Watson

Heartfelt Education through the Arts

The H.E.Art on Facebook

The H.E.Art on Instagram

Vernée  Watson on IMDB

Vernée Watson on Instagram

Solito by Javier Zamora

Claim to Fame on Hulu

Claim to Fame on ABC

Oppenheimer - In Theaters

Jerry Mathers may be the most iconic performer in TV child-star history, shouldering the title role in Leave it to Beaver for six groundbreaking seasons. Jerry brought so much heart and relatable innocence to his performance that he has well earned his place in our hearts and in television history.

You can partially credit Ward and June for raising such a fine boy but his real-life Mom, Marilyn gets most of the credit and she joins us with Jerry to share the memories of how they managed to blend Jerry’s remarkable show-biz life with his close and grounded family of seven at home.

Together, we get into Leave it to Beaver Trivia, a Beaver vocabulary pop quiz, closing credit true facts, backstage secrets and favorite episodes. Also, what color were Beaver’s hat, June’s dresses and Walley’s letter sweater? We have answers!

Jerry also tells you how to become a proud owner of your own Beaver hats with his authentic embroidered signature, personalized autographed photos, baseballs, tee shirts and the new Beaver for President hats which will be available soon!

Plus, Fritz is recommending Only in Theaters about the Laemmle Theater family. And Weezy found path parallels about the pressures of high performing young people in The Break Point tennis series and Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now, both on Netflix.

Path Points of Interest:

Beaver Merch Website

Jerry Mathers

Jerry Mathers on Youtube

Jerry Mathers on Facebook

Jerry Mathers on Twitter

Jerry Mathers on Instagram

Jerry Mathers on IMDB

Leave it to Beaver on IMDB

Where to Watch Leave it to Beaver

Roku

Peacock

MeTV

Amazon

Rose Hills Industrial Film with Hugh Beaumont and Jerry Mathers

Leave it To Beaver Group on Facebook

Only In Theatres

Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now

Break Point

The nightclub scene was magical in Chicago’s South and West sides in the late 1950s and during that time, white kids from the suburbs were finding The Blues at the end of their radio dials, buying the records, studying the music and traveling down to the clubs to meet and play with their idols!

That story is told in the new Bob Sarles film, Born in Chicago. We are joined by musician/bandleader Jimmy Vivino and Blues legend Barry Goldberg who, along with Mike Bloomfield and Paul Butterfield, learned his craft at the feet of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King and Buddy Guy. 

Barry and Jimmy created the film’s soundtrack and they are steeped in the history of Chicago Blues and loaded with stories and wisdom about class, race, inter-generational guidance and the joy of sharing and celebrating an art form that contains the power to transform us for the better.

Barry and Jimmy give us a full account of the evolution of blues and blues rock from the '50s through today. Barry tells us about sitting in with Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf as a teenager and his frenemy relationship with the British invasion acts like The Stones and Eric Clapton who also idolized the Blues greats. He talks about playing in one of our nation’s first racially integrated bands, Electric Flag and his experience on stage with Dylan when he “went electric” at the Newport Folk Festival.

Jimmy and Barry describe composing the documentary's soundtrack & more and the blues standards that informed their musical choices.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Shiny Happy People: Dugger Family Secrets on Prime and Fair Play on Hulu and Prime.

Path Points of Interest:

Born in Chicago

Born in Chicago - IMDB

Q&A with Directors in Chicago Reader

Born in Chicago on Facebook

Jimmy Vivino

Jimmy Vivino on Wikipedia

Jimmy Vivino on Instagram

Jimmy Vivino on Facebook

Barry Goldberg

Barry Goldberg on Wikipedia

Barry Goldberg on imdb

Shiny Happy People: Dugger Family Secrets

Fair Play - Prime/Hulu

Ken Levine’s captivating career is a buffet of boyhood wish fulfillment. Ken became a disc jockey, a sitcom writer, a Major League Baseball announcer, a cartoonist, an author and a playwright. He’s not done. New adventures include podcasting and standup comedy.

Ken’s book, The Me Generation by Me: Growing Up in the Sixties chronicles his journey through a Southern California childhood with adventures that include friendships with child stars, radio nerd penpals, appearances on The Dating Game, and a crush on Laura Petrie that inspired him to believe that comedy writing was the route to landing a hot wife. (Mission accomplished.) 

By age 19, Ken was a UCLA sophomore, interning at KMPC when Gary Owens sent his writing samples to George Schlatter who offered him a job on Laugh In! But Ken had to turn it down. Leaving college would have invited an immediate draft notice. 

Ultimately, ROTC and the National Guard prepared Ken and his partner David Isaacs to write a MASH spec script which led to jobs at The Jeffersons, The Tony Randall Show, MASH, Cheers, Frasier, The Simpsons and beyond.

Ken shares with us his stories about all of these legendary shows, plus his foray into the world of MLB announcing, his cartooning, and his current podcast, Hollywood and Levine. 

And Ken comes to us straight from the WGA picket line so he is here to explain the standoff and help us all stand up for writers’ rights and the future of writing.

And Fritz and Weezy are recommending the filmReality, about Reality Winner on HBO Max and Jury Duty on Freevee.

Path Points of Interest:

The Me Generation by Me: Growing Up in the 60s Ken Levine

Hollywood and Levine Podcast

Ken Levine Blog

Ken Levin Author Page on Amazon

Ken Levine on Facebook

Ken Levine on Instagram

Reality on Max

Jury Duty on Freevee

We are witnessing exponentially rapid changes in technological advancement which  recall the dawn of the industrial age when newly harnessed electricity first lit up our houses and the assembly line sent Model Ts motoring down your street and out into the countryside to points heretofore unseen.

During this period, the two men most responsible for these wonders drove off together with our nation’s foremost naturalist to seek adventure and wrestle with the practical and theoretical challenges faced when agrarian societies broke way to usher in the marvels of innovation.

The road trips were winding and intricate and they wove through New York State, New England, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and points beyond. And when Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and John Burroughs rolled into your town in 1918 it must have felt like you were suddenly in the presence of The Beatles and Thor God of Thunder.

These extensive camping treks were among the first American road trips, during a time when diners, motels and roadside assistance were not yet in existance. Good thing 

Tom and Henry were so handy with a wrench and a cylinder head.

These epic trips are chronicled in Wes Davis’s new book, American Journey: On The Road With Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and John Burroughs.

Wes tells us how Ford began his career working for Edison’s company, why Ford sent John Burroughs a free car and how the threesome first decided to take their conversations on the road. He also describes how their travel, conversations and friendship informed and influenced each of their world views and trajectories.

We talk about their obsession with studying plant life, appreciating the power of moving water and stopping at abandoned mills to better understand how to find the tools and ingredients of invention within our natural world. 

We also address the gordian knot of Ford’s altruism and antisemitism. Did his hateful published words encourage the fascism which led to the Holocaust? Wes says that the dark side of Ford’s personality almost pulled him away from the project but that he approached the problem from Burroughs’ point of view which was to push back and study the complexities of human nature.

Plus, comedian Dylan Brody joins us to talk about his unique brand of smart, delibertate  comedy, how story-telling can lead to social change and his new solo show opening at The Hollywood Improv Lab, 'Thinking Allowed', over a decade in the making.

Path Points of Interest:

Wes Davis

American Journey: On The Road With Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and John Burroughs by Wes Davis

Wes Davis on Amazon

Dylan Brody

Thinking Allowed at The Lab on 6/20

Dylan Brody on IMDB

Dylan Brody on YouTube

Dylan Brody on Twitter

Dylan Brody Linktree