Game show host/actor/author JIM MacKRELL discusses his years in radio, his new novel, and his hosting duties on "The Game Game" (1969) and "Celebrity Sweepstakes" (1974-78). (Running time: 160 minutes)
TV animation producers JOE RUBY and KEN SPEARS return to discuss the formation of their own company and creating such series as "Fangface", "Rickety Rocket", "Goldie Gold" and many others. Also - animation writer MARK EVANIER talks about working on "Thundarr" and "Plastic Man" for the team. (Running time: 128 minutes)
Actress/author JULIE NEWMAR ("The Conscious Catwoman") talks about her long career, including starring in "My Living Doll", and of course as Catwoman on the "Batman" TV series, in addition to her Broadway work (and Tony-winning performance in "Marriage Go Round") and other guest appearances on television series. (Running time: 129 minutes)
Celebrating the life and career of the legendary Danny Kaye with author DAVID KOENIG ("King of Jesters") and actress/producer VICTORIA PAIGE MEYERINK, who became a national sensation at four years old on Kaye's weekly variety series in the 1960s. (Running time: 145 minutes)
Remembering the lives and careers of Ernie Kovacs ("Television's Original Genius") and Edie Adams with Edie's son JOSH MILLS and film historian ERIC GRAYSON. (Running time: 172 minutes)
Looking back at the final years of The Three Stooges' career with Moe's daughter JOAN HOWARD MAURER and animation artist/Stooges historian SCOTT SHAW! Included is a special tribute to Joan's husband Norman Maurer, who managed the Stooges, was a gifted comic book artist, and produced and directed many of their later films and TV cartoons. (Running time: 153 minutes)
Actor/young performer advocate PAUL PETERSEN returns and weighs in with his views of current reality TV series including "Honey Boo Boo" and "Dance Moms", and shares his opinions on gun control with respect to recent mass shootings always involving young men between 16 and 24 as catalysts, pedophilia in the Catholic church, and the ongoing political agendas of both Dems and the GOP. (Running time: 158 minutes)
Emmy-winning comedy writer/producer/director KEN LEVINE returns to talk more about his long career, specifically "AfterMASH" and the 1985 Mary Tyler Moore sitcom that he and his writing partner David Isaacs created. He also talks about this year's Academy Awards broadcast, and the sorry state of terrestrial radio today. (Running time: 140 minutes)
TV critics/historians STEVE BEVERLY and WESLEY HYATT weigh in on the latest news in syndication (talk shows cancelled) to CNN (Jeff Zucker taking over), daytime TV (CBS renewing their entire lineup), prime time, and a new Wesley NBC rant that targets the replacement - again - of Jay Leno (with comments by bonus guest MARK EVANIER) and the network's fifth place finish in the sweeps. (Running time: 193 minutes)
Author HERBIE J PILATO ("Twitch Upon a Star") discusses the life and career of "Bewitched" star Elizabeth Montgomery. Topics include the relationship between Elizabeth and her father, her four marriages, and behind-the-scenes at filmings of "Bewitched". Plus...Herbie J shares his own recordings of interviews he did with Elizabeth. (Running time 144 minutes)
Animation author/historian JERRY BECK returns with the latest cartoon news in feature films, TV, print media, and DVD releases. Included: a discussion on why WB pulled two cartoons from its upcoming Tom and Jerry release. (Running time: 142 minutes)
Actress/singer TINA COLE and actors STAN and BARRY LIVINGSTON talk about their years together on "My Three Sons", and how Tina fit in as the first regular female cast member of the series. Tina also speaks openly about her relationship with Don Grady on screen and off, and discusses growing up in the King Family and becoming a King Cousin. (Running time: 158 minutes)
Singer/actress DONNA LOREN reflects on her career which she ended at age 21 - before that, she was best known as the "Dr. Pepper Girl" in TV commercials during the 1960s, as well as the lead female vocalist on "Shindig", and appeared in all five of the AIP beach movies. She also speaks candidly about her parents' influence on her childhood. (Running time: 169 minutes)
Lucille Ball's former personal assistants FRANK GOREY and WANDA CLARK return for more wonderful memories of working for the First Lady of Television. Topics this time out include Lucy's pets, her celebrity neighbors, working on location, giving and receiving gifts, and her marriage to Gary Morton. (Running time: 127 minutes)
Actor JIMMY GARRETT (Jerry Carmichael on "The Lucy Show") recounts his years working with Lucille Ball, Vivian Vance, Gale Gordon, and the rest of the regular cast from 1962-1965. Also - tributes to Jonathan Winters and Frank Bank, who passed away the previous week. (Running time: 209 minutes)
The prolific and prestigious writer/producer EARL HAMNER JR. discusses creating "The Waltons", his eight classic scripts for the original "Twilight Zone", and growing up in Schyler, Virginia. Author/TV historian VINCE WALDRON co-hosts. (Running time: 131 minutes)
Actress/filmmaker SARA BALLANTINE talks about her father Carl's career from playing parts in "Car 54, Where are You?" and "McHale's Navy" to appearing on stage as the world's worst magician. Sara also discusses her documentary, "Troupers", a film which features beloved actors in their 80s and 90s sharing memories of their lives. (Running time: 142 minutes)
The legendary DICK VAN DYKE and his beautiful bride ARLENE SILVER VAN DYKE share stories of their lives together, and Dick talks about his career pre-Rob Petrie, including hosting kid shows, game shows, and appearing on "The Phil Silvers Show", then getting discovered by Carl Reiner and Sheldon Leonard while appearing in "Bye Bye Birdie". Also - live songs from Dick's group, The Vantastix. (Running time: 144 minutes)
Game show host/radio personality GEOFF EDWARDS returns to discuss his adventures traveling around the world on a cruise ship, which is documented in his new e-book, "Going All the Way". He also discusses the many game show pilots he did that didn't sell, and why current network executives aren't interested in traditional game shows. (Running time: 169 minutes)
Father and son TV comedy writers ARNIE and JAY KOGEN discuss their careers, including collectively "Newhart", "The Carol Burnett Show", "The Tracy Ullman Show", "It's Garry Shandling's Show", "Empty Nest", and..."Thicke of the Night". Jay also discusses his current sitcom for Nick at Nite, "Wendell and Vinnie". (Running time: 139 minutes)
Authors BILL BIRNES and RICK LERTZMAN discuss their book, "Dr. Feelgood", the story of Max Jacobson, who injected methamphetamine into celebrities like Bob Cummings and Marilyn Monroe as well as JFK, among others, and who might have changed history as a result. Also...Bill talks about growing up with George Burns and Gracie Allen as his godparents. (Running time: 179 minutes)
Actor/comedian/beloved kid show host CHUCK McCANN discusses his book, "The Let's Have Fun Scrapbook", as well as friendship with Stan Laurel, founding "The Sons of The Desert", his movie "The Projectionist", and some of the hilarious moments from his years at WPIX and WNEW in New York. (Running time: 209 minutes)
Actress/voiceover artist MARGARET KERRY talks about her years working in Our Gang shorts, appearing in live TV as Charlie Ruggles daughter on ABC's "The Ruggles", playing both Spinner and Paddlefoot in the "Clutch Cargo" cartoon series, working with the Three Stooges in their 1965 cartoons, and being the live action model for Tinkerbell in Disney's "Peter Pan". Animation author/historian JERRY BECK co-hosts. (Running time: 189 minutes)
A detailed overview of the history of Walt Disney TV, beginning with the specials in the early 50s, through the anthology series' premiere in 1954 as well as its demise in the 1990s. Also discussed are "The Mickey Mouse Club" and "Zorro", as well as the Disney Channel's beginnings with author BILL COTTER ("The Wonderful World of Disney Television") and co-host GREG EHRBAR ("Mouse Tales"). (Running time: 172 minutes)
Author DAVID KOENIG ("Mouse Tales: A Behind the Ears Look at Disneyland") discusses the history of the park (Walt's supervision vs. now), as well as the inner workings, cast member pranks, secrets, scandals, and lawsuits the place has endured in nearly 60 years of operation. (Running time: 180 minutes)
"Memories of Metromedia Square", the TV production facility in Hollywood that was home to the Norman Lear sitcoms in the 1970s. Behind the scenes stories are told by camera operators BOB ERBECK and VITO GIAMBALVO, associate director SELIG "PINKY" FRANK, and production assistant JERRY JACOBIUS. (Running time: 194 minutes)
Producer/Writer/Director BRIAN LEVANT talks about his years on "Happy Days", "Mork and Mindy", and his long, bumpy road getting "Leave it to Beaver" back as a regular series during the 1980s. Actor TONY DOW (Wally Cleaver) makes a guest appearance. (Running time: 183 minutes)
Actress/Politician SHEILA JAMES KUEHL talks about her years on "The Stu Erwin Show" and playing Zelda on "Dobie Gillis", as well as her very successful career on the California State Assembly and as a state senator. (Running time: 137 minutes)
Remembering the hilarious singer Allan Sherman with author MARK COHEN ("Overweight Sensation: The Life and Comedy of Allan Sherman"). We take a close look at Sherman's entire show business career, which included producing game shows and specials before becoming a major recording star and winning fans of all ages the world over. (Running time: 190 minutes)
Emmy-winning comedy writers/producers KEN LEVINE and DAVID ISAACS discuss the origin and history of "Cheers", the landmark NBC sitcom of the 1980s in which the pair wrote over 40 scripts and contributed to the development of the characters. An in-depth look at the first five seasons is covered. (Running time: 156 minutes)
Animation author/historian JERRY BECK returns with the latest news in cartoon feature films, television, print media, and home video. Topics this time out include whether streaming services such as Netflix are replacing the purchasing of DVDs, and why Warner Bros. laid off several thousand employees worldwide. (Running time: 185 minutes)
TV critics/historians STEVE BEVERLY and WESLEY HYATT discuss the latest news in game shows ("The Chase"/"Hollywood Game Night"/a bad ruling on "Jeopardy!"), late night (Leno leaving "The Tonight Show"), daytime, and syndication. Plus...a surprise appearance by the legendary ROSE MARIE, who celebrates her 90th birthday! (Running time: 219 minutes)
100-year-old actress CONNIE SAWYER discusses her career in vaudeville, on the Broadway stage, in movies, and in television. She shares her memories of working with Eddie Cantor, the Marx Brothers, Phil Silvers, John Wayne, and Frank Sinatra, among many others. "Troupers" filmmaker SARA BALLANTINE co-hosts, and Connie's daughter Lisa also comments on her mom's longevity. (Running time: 165 minutes)
8TH SEASON PREMIERE! Voiceover artist/actor DAN CASTELLANETA (Homer Simpson) talks all about "The Simpsons" - the genesis, the production schedule, the writing, the recording sessions, his favorite guest stars, plus everything else in his career including improv, TV guest appearances, and other voiceover work. Author/TV historian VINCE WALDRON co-hosts. (Running time: 184 minutes)
Actress JULIA BENJAMIN talks about working with Shirley Booth on "Hazel" (as well as her friendship with co-star Bobby Buntrock). She also discusses some of her other acting roles, and her horrific life-changing experience in the 1990s. (Running time: 180 minutes)
A tribute to game show mogul MARK GOODSON with guests ROGER DOBKOWITZ (former "Price is Right" showrunner) and game show announcer RANDY WEST. Goodson's history as a producer is traced from his early days in Sacramento to meeting and forming a partnership with Bill Todman and creating some of the best game shows on TV. Roger also talks extensively on what it was like to work with Goodson both in the studio and in the production office. (Running time: 199 minutes)
Actor/comedian LARRY STORCH discusses his career, including doing standup comedy in his teens - and perfecting dialects and impressions as part of his act, his voiceover work in cartoons (Mr. Whoopee on "Tennessee Tuxedo" and many others), and of course, his most famous role - as Cpl. Agarn on "F-Troop". Actor/comedian HANK GARRETT co-hosts. (Running time: 134 minutes)
TV director and former ABC-TV staffer SELIG "PINKY" FRANK shares memories of his years at the number three network from 1956-1974, including working on everything from "The Lawrence Welk Show" to the Ernie Kovacs specials, "The Hollywood Palace", "Let's Make a Deal", "Shindig!", and more. Singer DONNA LOREN (a surprise guest) shares her own stories of working with Pinky on "Shindig!" (Running time: 171 minutes)
8mm film collecting - which includes Super 8 sound and a little bit of 16mm thrown in - is the topic of this program as animation author/historian JERRY BECK, Laurel and Hardy historian RANDY SKRETVEDT, film historian and preservationist ERIC GRAYSON, and your genial host all discuss their buying, trading, and selling of cartoons, shorts, and features during the 1960s and 1970s. (Running time: 219 minutes)
The legendary CARL REINER talks about his book "I Remember Me", as well as his years on "Your Show of Shows", producing, writing, and occasionally starring on "The Dick Van Dyke Show", his 65-year marriage, his family, and his long friendship with Mel Brooks. Author/TV historian VINCE WALDRON co-hosts. (Running time: 132 minutes)
Remembering the life and career of Edie Adams (after Ernie Kovacs' death) with Edie's son JOSH MILLS. Topics include Edie's movies "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" and "Call Me Bwana", her new marriage to agent/photographer Marty Mills (Josh's dad), and her ABC-TV series, "Here's Edie", which has just been released on DVD. (Running time: 141 minutes)
Comedy writers/producers KEN LEVINE and DAVID ISAACS return for part two of a look back at the complete history of "Cheers", featuring the creation of the Rebecca Howe character and memorable episodes including an appearance by Johnny Carson. Also - Ken talks about his new novel, "Must Kill TV". (Running time: 139 minutes)
TV critics/historians STEVE BEVERLY and WESLEY HYATT discuss the impact the Kennedy assassination had on television, as well as the latest news in daytime, late night, prime time, and syndication...plus another Wesley Hyatt NBC Rant. (Running time: 180 minutes)
The life and career of horror film icon Boris Karloff is recalled by Boris' daughter SARA KARLOFF and film historian/preservationist ERIC GRAYSON. Included are discussions of his most famous movies and some of his very rare television series and appearances. (Running time: 172 minutes)
It's the annual Christmas gift-giving show. Guests: Authors HERBIE J PILATO ("The Essential Elizabeth Montgomery") and ADAM NEDEFF ("Quizmaster - The Life and Times and Fun and Games of Bill Cullen"), and the Giz Wiz - DICK DE BARTOLO - with the latest gadgets and gizmos for baby boomers. (Running time: 163 minutes)
Animation author/historian JERRY BECK returns with the latest news in print media, feature films, TV Christmas specials, DVD and Blu Ray reviews, and new home video releases. Also: producer/director MICHAEL SCHLESINGER discusses his 3-reel comedy that pays homage to the classic comedy teams of the 1930s, "It's a Frame Up". (Running time: 160 minutes)