Media Path Podcast

An iconic TV character is immortal. That truth has become increasingly official in today’s digital age where every episode is but a click away. And as Alison Arngrim has well learned, if you played the villain, folks are still pissed. Alison’s portrayal of frontier hellion Nellie Oleson struck such a resonate chord with fans that Alison has learned to embrace the Nellie energy and use it for good. Her book is called, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated.

Raised in a bohemian show-biz family, Alison has been acting since early childhood. Her role as Nellie allowed her to vent the anger she carried due to suffering repeated sexual abuse at the hands of her brother. The power of Nellie gave her a voice to testify before the California State Senate and help create new law that criminalizes incest.

Nellie also provided Alison with a platform to advocate for AIDS research, education and outreach when her TV husband and beloved friend Steve Tracy died of the disease. Her traumatic childhood caught up with her after the wonderful distraction of Little House was over and with a compass that points to “Happy,” she walked into a therapist’s office at the age of 21 and said, “Here’s what happened to me. Let’s get to work.”

Alison shares loads of backstage Little House stories and talks about her relationships, then and now, with her cast mates and she is definitely up for a round of LHOP Trivia!

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the Barack Obama series, Working: What We Do All Day, on Netflix and Shrinking on Apple +, and we shout out the new album on Band Camp from Media Path friend, Melanie, The Magic Bus.

Path Points of Interest:

Alison Arngrim

Confessions of a Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim

Alison Arngrim on Wikipedia

Alison Arngrim on Twitter

Alison Arngrim on Instagram

Alison Arngrim on Facebook

Livin' on a Prairie

Shrinking - Apple +

Working: What We Do All Day on Netflix

The Magic Bus by Melanie

In the 1950's, an extraordinary young woman lived, worked and performed her original music in New York City. Frustrated by a lack of commercial success, she left Manhattan and in 1974, disappeared entirely, never to be heard from again. In the 2000's, her astounding music was re-discovered and her legacy re-written. 

The story of Elizabeth Eaton Converse, known professionally as Connie Converse, is so bewitchingly intriguing that musician and writer Howard Fishman devoted 13 years of his life researching and chronicling it. The product of this nearly decade-and-a-half labor of love is his new book: To Anyone Who Ever Asks: The Life, Music, and Mystery of Connie Converse.

Howard joins us to highlight the deep genius of Connie Converse… possibly our first recorded singer/songwriter and additionally, an artist, poet, writer, classical composer, scholar and activist.

What were the factors that inspired her brilliance and muffled her notoriety within her own time?  Howard poured through Connie’s creations, files, journals, and letters. He spoke to those who knew her best and he carefully studied, analyzed and theorized about Connie’s work, her vision and her trajectory.

Upon first hearing Connie’s voice, Howard found her to be both unique and familiar. He needed to learn more.

Howard’s research brought him to small New England towns, suburban Michigan, Greenwich Village, Prague and beyond to better understand Connie’s path and to piece together the enigmatic life and ultimate mysterious fate of a woman who was so far ahead of her time, we are only now coming to hear and understand her.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Air on Prime and Comedy Central’s Drunk History on Hulu, Prime and many streaming platforms. 

Path Points of Interest:

To Anyone Who Ever Asks by Howard Fishman

Howard Fishman

Howard Fishman on Facebook

Howard Fishman on Twitter

Connie Converse on Wikipedia

Connie Converse Spotify Playlist

Connie Converse Article in Rolling Stone by Howard Fishman

Connie Converse article in New York Times by Howard Fishman

Drunk History

Air - Prime

Daphne Maxwell Reid is a trailblazing pioneer with many media firsts to her credit. She was the first black woman on the cover of Glamor Magazine. She and her husband Tim Reid owned the first full service movie studio in Virginia and she is probably best known for her role as Aunt Viv 2.0, alongside Will Smith, the first hip hop artist to star in a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. 

Ms. Maxwell Reid joins us to talk about her magical childhood in New York City, her full page photo modeling debut in Seventeen Magazine that landed her a Ford modeling contract and her move to Hollywood where Robert Conrad cast her in The Duke and A Man Called Sloan. She turned down the role of Aunt Viv when it was first offered to her and finally took it three years later when the part was being recast.

Daphne Maxwell Reid is a photographer, a fashion designer, an HBCU education advocate and she has recently appeared in Harriet, A Jazzman’s Blues and the modern, dramedy reboot of The Fresh Prince on Peacock called Bel Air.

We’ve also got The Fresh Prince of Bel Air Trivia and priceless life advice about the importance of finding your tribe and being ready when opportunity shines.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Diplomat on Netflix, Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed on Peacock and Menudo: Forever Young on HBO.

Path Points of Interest:

Daphne Maxwell Reid

Daphne Maxwell Reid on Wikipedia

Daphne Maxwell Reid on Instagram

Daphne Maxwell Reid in Soul Vision

Harriet

A Jazzman's Blues

Bel Air

The Diplomat on Netflix

Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed on Peacock

Menudo: Forever Young on HBO

We are exploring the infinite feedback loop between television and society with pop culture historian/author Herbie J Pilato and Eric Scott, who played Ben on The Waltons. Herbie’s newest book is called Retro Active Television: An In-Depth Perspective on Classic TV’s Social Circuitry which includes a forward written by Eric!

We hear about Eric's childhood adventures with his fellow Walton kids on the studio lot, how his relationship with his own parents ensured that his experience as a child actor was a positive one and why our social atmosphere in the 70s was open to positively receiving a warm and cozy show about a family weathering the Great Depression of 1930s. 

Herbie then gives us his extensively researched and passion-fueled perspective on the life-affirming TV shows of the past as he encourages us to avoid today’s darker content while embracing and revisitng the charm and magic of Golden Era TV which is so readily available to us now, across many platforms.

We talk about Kung Fu, TV Westerns, sit-coms then and now, the dawn of the miniseries event, After School Specials (some of which featured Eric!) and TV as an educational and inspiring resource. We address the urban/rural divide, the changing late night landscape, and Eric takes on a round of Waltons trivia!

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Little Richard: I am Everything on Apple and Amazon Prime and Judy Blume’s Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret, now in theaters.

Path Points of Interest:

Herbie J Pilato

Retro Active Television

Herbie's Amazon Author Page

Eric Scott on IMDB

Eric Scott on Wikipedia

Eric Scott on Facebook

Herbie + Eric Book Signings

At Barnes & Noble in Burbank on May 11:

And Book Soup in Los Angeles on June 12:

Little Richard: I am Everything on Apple and Amazon Prime

Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret - Film

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret - Book by Judy Blume

Judy Blume Forever Documentary on Prime

They were the King and Queen of TV westerns but this week’s guest called them, Grandma and Grandpa.

Julie Rogers Pomilia’s father Tom was Dale Evans’ son. Roy and Dale were warm and attentive grandparents and Julie had the run of the Double R Bar Ranch as her backyard.

In her book, Your Heroes, My Grandparents: A Granddaughter's Love, Julie details cherished memories spent with Roy, Dale, a gaggle of sisters and cousins and Trigger. Her idilic, special scrapbook moments are filled with birthdays, Christmases and recitals and they are seasoned with Hollywood events, backstage explorations, movie sets and TV appearances. Then there’s the time her second grade teacher asked her if she could identify the cowboy on the cover of her Weekly Reader. Julie said, “That’s my grandpa,” and went home to ask her mom why Grandpa is famous.

Julie grew up singing with her sisters and parents, sometimes backing up her grandparents at shows, parades and rodeos. Iconic show biz figures were in and out of the ranch but mostly, Grandpa hung with Clark Gable because they shared hobbies and Nudie Cohn because he designed Grandma and Grandpa’s cosutmes.

Julie shares her most precious memories of riding on the back of Grandpa’s motorcycle and gunning it back and forth across an empty air strip, pheasant hunting… not because she likes it but because she loved making memories with Grandpa, traveling to Scotland with Grandma who made every adventure an event and the true story of Dale Evans’ heartbreaking journey towards stardom which required her to keep her son Tom a secret.

Also, whatever did happen to Trigger? Is he stuffed or mounted and/or living forever in our hearts? How did Roy and Dale jump start the merchandising industry? And so much more.

 Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Under the Banner of Heaven on Hulu and Great Expectations… pick an adaptation and read the Dickens classic.

And, Fritz’s newest special, Unassisted Living is streaming now on Tubi!

Path Points of Interest:

Your Heroes, My Grandparents: A Granddaughter's Love

The Roy Rogers Show on Tubi

Unassisted Living Starring Fritz Coleman

Under The Banner of Heaven

Great Expectations - 2023

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (It's Free!)

We are serving up a film fan's dream discussion, as we plunge deep into the techniques, processes, challenges and craft of documentary filmmaking with two talented creators, Brandon Ogborn and Reed Harkness. Both are captivating storytellers whose productions are based on personal experiences and relationships, exploring the themes of family, community, ethics and society’s expectations.

Brandon's film, 'Damn, Dana' is a character study as well as a snapshot of an unprecedented time in our recent past, focusing on restaurateur Dana Tanner, whose refusal to close the doors of her Long Beach eatery during COVID-19 lockdowns sparked national interest and turned her into the poster child for one the pandemic's most controversial issues, the effect of government mandates on the service industry. 

Reed's feature 'Sam Now' is an examination of how individual family members processed the disappearance of his step-mother. Reed facilitated and filmed his brother Sam’s journey to find his mom which led to Sam ultimately finding himself. 25 years in the making, Reed’s brother bonding project inspired his entire family to better understand their own emotions and unique connections.

Brandon and Reed discuss the catalysts for each of their documentaries, the roles played by  family and friends, their storytelling approaches and directing styles, their subjects’ receptions of their films and what they learned from their respective themes… boys and men grappling with difficult emotions and how we all responded to the frightening early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Waco: The Aftermath on Showtime, the podcast series, Long Shadow and American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bombing on Netflix.

Path Points of Interest:

Sam Now

Sam Now On Instagram

Sam Now on Twitter

Sam Now on Facebook

Sam Now on PBS

Damn, Dana on Youtube

Damn, Dana on Film Freeway

Brandon Ogborn on Instagram

Waco: The Aftermath on Showtime

The Long Shadow Podcast

American Manhunt - The Boston Marathon Bombing - Netflix

Telephone Stories: The Trials of Michael Jackson

Strap in for the show biz chat sesh of a lifetime: Legendary comedian Tom Dreesen and 80s TV icon Larry Manetti join us for story after story about Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. Smokey Robinson, Tom Selleck, Robert Wagner, Mike Connors, Robert Conrad, David Letterman, Johnny Carson and more!

As epic as the stories are the story-tellers. Tom Dreesen’s mind-blowing C.V. traces his career path from shoe shine boy in Harvey, Illinois to sharing a jet and a stage with Frank Sinatra. Along the way he pioneered the first integrated comedy team, Tim and Tom with Tim Reid, graced the tonight show stage 60 times, frequently guested and guest hosted for and with David Letterman and toured with Smokey Robinson and Sammy Davis Jr. 

Tom spent 15 years on the road with Sinatra, forming a friendship that informed and nourished both of them. 

Tom offers insights into forging a career in comedy, he shares revelations about his Chicago childhood and Tom and Fritz swap Tonight show baptismal stories. 

Larry Manetti tells us that he was discoverd in the Universal commissary and cast soon thereafter in Baa Baa Black Sheep thanks to the fervent support of Robert Conrad. Larry fills us in on his What’s Cooking With Larry Manetti pilot which featured the handsomest guest cast in cooking show history: Tom Selleck, Robert Wagner and Mike Connors! And Larry ’s lifelong friendship with Tom Selleck welcomes a new chapter this week as they star together in an upcoming episode of Blue Bloods.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Any Given Tuesday by Lis Smith and The Pale Blue Eye novel by Louis Bayard which has become a Netflix film starring Christian Bale and Harry Melling. 

Path Points of Interest:

Tom Dreesen

Still Standing by Tom Dreesen

Tom Dreesen on Wikipedia

Tom Dreesen on Twitter

Tom Dreesen on Instagram

Larry Minetti on IMDB

Larry Minetti on Wikipedia

Article about Larry's upcoming Blue Bloods episode/Magnum reunion

What's Cookin' With Larry Manetti & Tom Selleck

Aloha Magnum by Larry Manetti

Any Given Tuesday by Lis Smith

The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard

Article on The Pale Blue Eye on Tudum

The Pale Blue Eye on Netflix

Jazz/Rock Fusion greats Blood, Sweat & Tears were on top of their game in 1970, winning grammies, headlining Woodstock and racking up hit after hit with Spinning Wheel, And When I Die, and You’ve Made Me So Very Happy. And then they ventured behind the Iron Curtain.

It was not their idea. Nixon was President. The Viet Nam War raged on and BS & T were blackmailed into acting as emissaries on behalf of the U.S. State Department, touring the Soviet Bloc countries of Yugoslavia, Romania and Poland.

This precarious adventure and the ensuing stateside fallout are chronicled in the new doc, What The Hell Happened To Blood, Sweat and Tears? 

Director John Scheinfeld and BS&T Drummer Bobby Colomby join us to discuss this remarkable film, the newly unearthed tour footage, The State Departments’ and the Soviet Bloc countries’ respective agendas, and how America’s response in 1970 reflects a nation as fractured and polarized as the one we see today. 

Plus, we learn about the jazz and soul origins of BS&T, Bobby’s foggy Woodstock memories, John’s story-telling principles and how the making of this documentary allowed Bobby, at long last, to recognize his own skill as a drummer!

All that and Fritz and Weezy are recommending Sin Eater: The Crimes of Anthony Pellicano on Hulu & HBO’s doc series, The Anarchists.

Path Points of Interest:

What The Hell Happened To Blood Sweat and Tears

Director John Scheinfeld 

John Scheinfeld on Instagram

Bobby Colomby 

Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon

L.A. Times Article on the Film

Rolling Stone Article on the Film

New York Times Article on the Film

Sin Eater: The Crimes of Anthony Pellicano

The Anarchists 

At the dawn of the singer/songwriter era, there was a time when the genre was dominated by men. Then, along came Melanie. With but one minor hit charting at one radio station, she took the stage at Woodstock. Just Melanie. Her guitar and 500,000 peace loving new friends, holding candles in the rain. The experience inspired Melanie’s anthem, Lay Down, landing her new album in the collection of every aspiring hippy girl the world over.

The hits kept coming. Ruby Tuesday, What Have They Done To My Song, Ma? And Brand New Key. Melanie was everywhere. Writing, touring and creating a soundtrack that inspired young girls to grow into women who went after their dreams.

Melanie Safka has raised a family but she’s never stopped making music. Her story-telling is as epic as her songs. She shares how she defied her parents’ debutant dreams for her and followed her passions, how she quite accidentally met her producer/manager/husband, Peter Schekeryk, her out of body Woodstock experience, featuring a pot of tea sent over by Joan Baez, her spiritual collaboration with The Edwin Hawkins Singers,  how fasting, hallucinating and McDonald’s inspired the roller skate song, Brand New Key and her recent backyard duet with super fan, Miley Cyrus.

Plus Fritz and Weezy recommend I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy and A Spy Among Friends.

Path Points of Interest:

A Spy Among Friends - Amazon

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

iCarly on Netflix

iCarly on Nickelodeon

Melanie Safka

Melanie on Youtube

Melanie on Wikipedia

Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) with the Edwin Hawkins singers

Melanie on Patreon

Melanie on Facebook

Melanie on Twitter

Melanie with Miley Cyrus

Surprise Duet with Todd Rundgren at Darryl's House

Melanie's son Beau Jarred Schekeryk 

Melanie's daughter Leilah Hayman

Melanie's daughter Jeordie Schekeryk

Upcoming Signing at Chiller Theatre in Parsippany, NJ

Filmmaker David Millbern’s award winning and Emmy-nominated documentary TV Special called 100 Years of Men in Love: The Accidental Collection tells 100 love stories that were almost lost forever to history. 

Based on a collection of vintage photos found at antique stores and flea markets, dating from 1850 into the 1950s and curated by Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell in their book, Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, this moving and masterful documentary shines a light on the joy, romance and tenderness shared between male couples, in a time when their love was forbidden. 

David joins us to talk about how the collection, and the film, came together, the possible origins of the photos and stories of their subjects, what they tell us about the century and the particular generations they represent, how audiences have been receiving the film and what he most hopes the viewer will take away from watching it. Plus David shares insight into his additional LGBTQ-themed work at Here TV.

We open as always with recommendations, Weezy's is Shrinking on Apple TV+ and Fritz's is the PBS Frontline documentary Country Boys now streaming on Prime.

Path Points of Interest:

David Millbern

100 Years of Men in Love on Roku

100 Years of Men in Love on Here TV through Prime

100 Years of Men in Love Trailer

Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love 1850s-1950s by Hugh Nini & Neal Treadwell

Here TV

Shrinking - Apple TV

Country Boys - Amazon Prime