TVC 703.1: Part 2 of a conversation that began last week with Joseph Atkins, author of Harry Dean Stanton: Hollywood’s Zen Rebel, a deep dive into the life and times of the angular-faced character actor who became a leading man in the 1980s (most notably, with Paris, Texas and Repo Man). Topics this segment include how the success of Paris, Texas paved the way for Stanton’s singing career (even though his music background stemmed from his upbringing in Kentucky); the back story of how Stanton came to play Roman Grant in Big Love; how Sam Shepard was instrumental in director Wim Wenders casting Stanton in Paris, Texas; and how the word “Zen” came to be associated with Stanton. Harry Dean Stanton: Hollywood’s Zen Rebel is available through University Press of Kentucky as well as Amazon.com.

TVC 703.3: From August 2018: Chuck Harter joins Ed for Part 2 of our look at the era of pop music TV shows from the mid to late 1960s. Topics this segment include The Lloyd Thaxton Show, a popular weekday afternoon show featuring teenagers dancing to hit records, plus guest appearances by such top artists as The Byrds, The Turtles, Jan and Dean, and Sonny and Cher. Originally produced for local television in Los Angeles, The Lloyd Thaxton Show became nationally syndicated in 1964.

TVC 703.4: From August 2018: Chuck Harter and Ed continue their look at nationally syndicated pop music TV shows from the mid to late 1960s. In this segment, we focus on Shebang (hosted by Casey Kasem), Hollywood a Go Go (aka Ninth Street West), Shivaree, and Groovy.

TVC 703.5: Ed welcomes back award-winning producer, director, and author Joseph Wallenstein (Knots Landing, Hotel, Seventh Heaven, Flynn vs. Miranda, Nothing Dies for Film), longtime director of physical production for the USC School of Cinematic Arts (where he helped oversee more than 15,000 student film projects without a single injury), and now host of the new podcast Whatcha Know Joe? Topics this segment include how Joe first became involved with USC. Whatcha Know Joe? is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you find podcasts.

TVC 703.6: Award-winning producer, director, and author Joseph Wallenstein talks to Ed about how Knots Landing producer Michael Filerman helped him become a director. Joe’s podcast, Whatcha Know Joe?, is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you find podcasts.

We'll be back with a brand new edition of TV Confidential later this week. In the meantime, please enjoy this clip from August 2012 in which Tony, Donna, and Ed remember the life and career of Groucho Marx and the broadcast history of You Bet Your Life.

TVC 702.1: From August 2018: Chuck Harter joins Ed for Part 1 of a three-part look at Shindig, Hullabaloo, Where the Action Is and other national and syndicated pop music TV shows of the mid to late 1960s—a genre that not only showcased such popular groups as The Kinks, The Righteous Brothers, Herman’s Hermits, Darlene Love, Paul Revere and The Raiders, and Ike and Tina Turner, but which broke ground insofar as many of these shows were produced specifically for young viewers.

TVC 702.2: From August 2018: Chuck Harter and Ed continue their look at national, syndicated, and (in a few cases) locally produced pop music TV shows of the mid to late 1960s. Topics this segment include the back story of Hullabaloo, NBC’s answer to Shindig, which premiered in January 1965.

TVC 702.3: From August 2018: Chuck Harter and Ed discuss the on-air history of Where the Action Is (ABC, 1965-1967), a weekday afternoon music series, created by Dick Clark, that featured such artists as James Brown, Herman’s Hermits, and Paul Revere and The Raiders.

TVC 702.4: Part 2 of a conversation that began last week with Joseph Dougherty, author of Comfort and Joi, and Alexis Hunter, author of Joi Lansing: A Body to Die For, about the life and career of singer/actress Joi Lansing. Topics this segment include how Joi’s third husband, producer Stan Todd, not only helped Joi launch her nightclub singing career, but stepped up for both Joi and Alexis, particularly during Joi’s battle with breast cancer. Comfort and Joi is available from Tucker DS Press, while Joi Lansing: A Body to Die For is available from Bear Manor Media.