Character actor Sam McMurray's media path winds through connections, coincidences and many, MANY contacts with industry legends (and assorted relations.) Sam carves a path through the backroads of Friends, The Golden Girls, Freaks & Geeks, Raising Arizona, The King Of Queens and beyond while we scramble to keep up!

Raised in New York by actor parents, his dad was on The Edge Of Night. His mom graced Broadway and Off Broadway stages and Sam, an athlete, nursed a high school broken heart by running straight for what felt like home, the school theater. He’s been an actor ever since.

His Hollywood career began when he and his wife headed west in 1986. He was quickly cast in The Jeffersons, The Ropers and Hill Street Blues. He was on his way to becoming one of the most recognizable faces on the screen.

Sam shares insights from inside a career defined by a wide range of memorable appearances. He tells the story of meeting a 17 year old Matthew Perry while working on The Tracey Ullman Show. It would not be until ten years later that Sam’s stage directions, on Friends, instructed him to smack Matt in the butt.

Sam shares his thoughts and concerns about the migration of Hollywood production to other states and countries and how the audition process has become so much less personal via Zoom calls and self-tapes.

We discuss the McCarthy era as Sam’s parents were both under fire and even skipped town for Florida when they got wind that a subpoena for his mom to appear before HUAC was heading their way. The red scare and its impact on creative voices has informed the course of his life.

We also explore the wide variety of mediums in which he has worked. From television and film to web series, like Then We Got Help! Sam also returned to the stage after many years away. How did he salvage the night when he went up on his lines playing a gravedigger in the 2019 play, Buzz, about groundbreaking British theater director Buzz Goodbody? His story will delight you.

He also shares personal anecdotes about legends Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Kevin James, Steve Martin, and Tom Hanks.

And, with refreshing honesty, Sam admits that not every role, in a long career, receives the same level of focus. Some projects demand everything an actor has to breathe life into the part, and he’ll wonder if there was more he could have given. While others, like The Sopranos, are so brilliantly written that embodying the character is a joy.

By the time we made our way to IMDB Roulette we knew that this was an interview to be studied and interpreted by future entertainment historians, as Sam guides us through the threads and relationships which become the fabric of our entertainment.

In current recommendations --

Lisa: Author & Content Creator Derrick Downey Jr. on Instagram

Weezy: The Traitors on Peacock

Path Points of Interest:

Sam McMurray.com

Sam McMurray on Wikipedia

Sam MacMurray on IMDB

Sam McMurray on Cameo

Derrick Downey Jr. on Instagram

The Traitors

On My Three Sons, Stanley Livingston grew up, with the boomer generation and with television itself. By the time we came to know Stan as Chip Douglas he had logged over ten credits, performing with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Doris Day, Ozzie & Harriet Nelson, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Debbie Reynolds and Gregory Peck!

Stan takes us back to his first gig, as a stunt double for Jon Provost on Lassie. Jon couldn’t swim yet. Stan got stuck in a muddy pond and turned in a tremendously vivid performance as a kid attempting not to drown.

His parents met in Baltimore, where his father ran a burlesque theater and his mom put some vahs in her dance voom. In search of reinvention, they moved to California where Stan and his brother Barry were born and raised. With an ample dose of show biz in his blood, Stan felt at home from the first moment he stepped onto a set.

He shares the story of his big break at just six years old on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Stan was working as a neighborhood kid extra when Ozzie threw him a line and he delivered. Stan appeared on ten episodes of the show, until he landed My Three Sons and his brother Barry took over. (Then following him to MTS!)

At age 13, Stan was cast in the epic, star-studded adventure, How the West Was Won under the legendary (and notoriously hot-tempered) direction of Henry Hathaway. He recounts Hathaway’s explosive on-set tirades (and how Debbie Reynolds was the only cast member bold enough to take him on and yell back!) The experience taught him an invaluable lesson: never take what happens on set personally.

Stan speaks warmly of William Frawley, who played Bub on My Three Sons. Stan never knew his grandfathers and Bill did not have kids. They adopted each other and truly cherished their bond, on and off screen.

And so, it was difficult for Stan to accept William Demarest who came in as Uncle Charley when William Frawley’s faltering health made it impossible to get him insured. But Stan did eventually warm to the new Bill who came with his own set of charms.

We hear behind-the-scenes stories from the MTS set, including a memorable location shoot aboard a jet at LAX, and how producers enticed movie star Fred MacMurray to television by structuring a schedule that allowed him to shoot all of his scenes for the season in just a few months.

We enjoy a warm, insightful look at growing up in classic television and celebrate the mentors who helped shape one of America’s most beloved sitcom families. Plus IMDB Roulette spins us back to Old Hollywood and a 'My Three Sons Guest Star Roulette' lightning round!

In recommendations --

Lisa: The Chair Company on HBO

Weezy: Neighbors on HBO

Path Points of Interest:

Stanley Livingston

Stanley Livingston on Wikipedia

Stanley Livingston on IMDB

Stanley Livingston on Facebook

Golden Age Hollywood Show March 28, 2026

The Chair Company on HBO

Neighbors on HBO

Co-Host Lisa Arch joins us with our guest, Stan Zimmerman.

From a supportive teacher who first recognized his talent to writing some of television’s most beloved episodes, Stan Zimmerman’s journey is a testament to passion, persistence, and perfect timing.

He sets it all out in his new book 'The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore,’ which draws from journals he has kept religiously since college, offering a deeply personal look at a life lived inside television history.

In a conversation both heartfelt and hilarious, Stan reflects on how he took school theater as seriously as if it were big time show biz, because to him, it was. Theater kids were his tribe, and storytelling was already his calling.

That destiny led him to Hollywood, where in his early 20s, at meeting that had not gone well, on his way out the door, he pitched a Hail Mary Golden Girls story idea that launched his career. The episode he co-wrote with his writing partner, Jim Berg is titled “Blanche and the Younger Man.” It earned the team a Writers Guild nomination and carved the trailhead for a groundbreaking career path.

Working in the 1980s during the height of the AIDS crisis, Stan recalls how even in Hollywood many people were still in the closet, and that while building career relationships, on a show that would become a gay obsession, he felt pressure to hide his personal life.

We also hear stories that could only happen in show business: hanging out with Sandra Bernhard when an answering machine message from Madonna sparked the beginning of their friendship; witnessing Estelle Getty struggle with early-onset dementia on set, and later realizing that Betty White’s jokes to the studio audience, which he thought were at Estelle’s expense, may have been acts of quiet kindness, allowing Estelle space to recover her lines.

Stan reflects on the enduring legacy of The Golden Girls, a show whose cultural impact he couldn’t have imagined while he was in the writers’ room. He talks about passing on season one of Roseanne because of a five-year contract commitment, only to later campaign to join the writing staff. (The story behind the “13” on his shirt traces back to that turbulent chapter of his career.)

He explains how Roseanne was never about chasing laughs, a lesson that became clear when he later helped develop a Russian adaptation where producers kept asking why it wasn’t funnier.

Stan also discusses his longtime friendship with Dan and Amy Sherman-Palladino and how creative circles overlap in surprising ways that found him on the team creating episodes of The Gilmore Girls. And he shares a moving story about working on a Dreamgirls benefit show which almost derailed over stewing conflicts until Stan suggested that Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine and Jennifer Holiday just talk, on stage, about their shared history… Suddenly, they were singing. Stan’s stories will inspire you to problem solve, dream and achieve.

In recommendations --

Lisa: The Later Daters on Netlflix

Weezy: Take That miniseries on Netflix

Path Points of Interest

Stan Zimmerman

The Girls: From Golden To Gilmore by Stan Zimmerman

Stan Zimmerman on IMDB

Stan Zimmerman on Wikipedia

Stan Zimmerman on Facebook

Stan Zimmerman on Instagram

Golden Girls: The Ultimate Fan Experience

Media Path Interview with Michael Fishman

Later Daters

Take That Documentary Series

From her first job right out of high school on a USO tour through Asia during the Vietnam War to Maude to screen queen classics, Adrienne Barbeau has costarred with snakes, rats, bugs, Swamp Things, a man-eating ape and Batman!

Adrienne joins us to talk about iconic roles, larger than life co-stars (like Rodney and Reynolds) and how at 80, she's doing everything BUT riding into the sunset.

At 19, she moved to New York City with a clear promise to herself: She would give theater her absolute all and settle for her backup plan, if need be, only at age 25. By then she was starring on Broadway as Hodel in Fiddler On The Roof with costar Bette Midler as Tzeitel.

Adrienne shares firsthand stories from the birth of Grease (MUCH edgier at its inception), where she originated the role of Rizzo. She recalls the electric audience response during previews, and how, fueled by that enthusiasm, producers pushed forward despite harsh critical reviews.

From there, Adrienne was discovered by Norman Lear and offered the part of Maude’s daughter Carol in the first All In The Family Spinoff. She found Bea Arthur to be an artist who exemplified collaborative grace, always putting the show ahead of any individual performance.

Adrienne opens up about her curious relationship with Burt Reynolds… in fact, a psychic saw her dating a man who was laying on a bearskin, even before she had met him or he had done that! She then shares stories from the chaotic set of Cannonball Run, where she was trying to take the work seriously while many cast-mates were mostly taking alcohol.

We talk about her collaborations with John Carpenter and George A. Romero. We delve into Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (which turns out to have surprising literary roots in Heart of Darkness). We play a sizzling round of IMDB Roulette and hear about Adrienne's latest project, the short film Oddities.

The episode closes on a meaningful note as we say goodbye to Fritz in his final episode as co-host, and welcome Lisa Arch, who will be joining Weezy for our next episode.

In current media--

Weezy: Song Sung Blue, in theaters and streaming

Fritz: Marty Supreme, in theaters and streaming

Path Points of Interest:

Adrienne Barbeau

There Are Worse Things I Could Do by Adrienne Barbeau

Adrienne Barbeau on Wikipedia

Adrienne Barbeau on IMDB

Adrienne Barbeau on Instagram

Adrienne Barbeau on Facebook

Oddities

Adrienne Barbeau Amazon Author Page

Song Sung Blue

Marty Supreme

Even before he was “DJ Conner,” Michael Fishman was a working-class kid raised by, as he puts it, 'a farm girl from Virginia and an immigrant father'. That blue-collar pride still defines and inspires him today in the important work he's doing within the mental health space.

In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Michael takes us back to the moment his life changed forever: the Roseanne audition. While dozens of kids were asked to tell a joke, he was the only one who actually did, and that single moment opened the door to one of television’s most iconic families.

Michael reflects on his relationship with Roseanne Barr as one rooted in mutual support, advocacy, and honesty.

He opens up about the infamous National Anthem moment and the dark turning point that followed, when he (along with the entire cast) began receiving death threats, which unfortunately continue to this day.

With tactical training and a sober understanding of celebrity risk, Michael explains why public life can feel like living under a magnifying glass and how quickly admiration can escalate into rage and danger.

Michael describes himself as a “young witness” on a highly volatile set, inconspicuous because of his age, yet uniquely positioned to observe the power of a woman who was unafraid to say the hard thing, be a lightning rod, and push conversations forward long before it was fashionable to do so (stay ’til the end for a round of Roseanne 'Guest Star Roulette' where Michael fondly recalls a memorable appearances, by before-they-were-famous stars!)

Today, Michael calls himself a “kindness assassin.” His brand is authenticity, no filters, no fake persona, no algorithm-chasing, and he has intentionally built online spaces where people can breathe, be vulnerable, share and heal in community away from the constant churn of politics and vitriol.

He speaks candidly about navigating relationships with people whose views differ from his own, including Roseanne, and why he believes compassion does not require agreement.

His message is simple but urgent: find commonality, keep loving the person, and remember that meaningful change often comes from those willing to absorb the lightning.

From his child actor start to his director turn on the Roseanne reboot, to his life philosophies on trauma, mental health, and resilience, Michael leaves us with one powerful truth: You are not your scars. You get to define you.

In current media --

Fritz: Danny Collins, recently added to Netflix library

Weezy: Netflix original film, Jay Kelly

Path Points of Interest:

Michael Fishman Wikipedia

Michael Fishman IMDB

Michael Fishman Tiktok

Michael Fishman on Instagram

Michael Fishman on Facebook

The Safe Space Collective

Mclusive Media Production Company

Danny Collins

Jay Kelly

We welcome actress/singer Tina Cole for a candid and captivating conversation that traces a remarkable life in show business, filled with achievements, close calls, and shocking Hollywood stories.

Tina shares her deep entertainment roots that run through The King Family and Big Band history. Her mom is King Sister Yvonne and her dad is keyboard icon Buddy Cole. She and her cousins absorbed their craft playing under the piano as their parents rehearsed. She performed with The King Family on all of their TV shows and specials and she is one of the Four King Cousins.

At just fourteen years old, Tina was asked to screen test opposite Gary Cooper. By age 19, she was co-starring in Hawaiian Eye with Troy Donahue and Robert Conrad!

Tina speaks frankly about the perils of navigating Hollywood as a young woman. She was hit on by studio heads, co-stars, The Beatles, Troy Donahue and her Bill Cosby near-miss is truly unsettling. Her safety secret? She doesn’t drink.

Does the previous paragraph really mention The Beatles!? Yes, Tina was hand picked by them to attend an exclusive Bel-Air “party.” Population: Hundreds of pretty girls and The Beatles. Tina laughed off advances from John, Ringo and George as a security guard who knew her family stuck by her side. Parades of women went in and out of rooms, often emerging in tears when their encounter did not appear to be leading to love and marriage. Paul had eyes only for his one date. Perhaps it was Linda.

Did you know that Tina had previously guest starred on My Three Sons three times before landing the role of Katie Miller Douglas. The producers auditioned almost every young actress in Hollywood without finding that perfect girl. Desperate, they started looking through previous seasons, found Tina, called her in and as soon as Free MacMurray and his wife signed off on her, she had the role.

And we learn that when it comes to winning the heart of Tina Cole, Don Grady has more game than The Beatles. Yes, Robbie and Katie were a real-life couple! Although, for various reasons, star-crossed, their forever together remains in their hearts.

Of course we bring you an IMDB Roulette that turns into a thrill ride through classic Hollywood, plus My Three Sons trivia, Tina's spooky ghost story from a house in Sherman Oaks, which has a warm ending, and, as a perfect full-circle moment, she closes by describing the distinct, individual personalities of the legendary King Sisters.

In current media --

Weezy: HBO series, Heated Rivalry

Fritz: Netflix documentary film, Cover-Up

Path Points of Interest:

My Three Lives by Tina Cole

Tina Cole on Wikipedia

Tina Cole on IMDB

Tina Cole on Facebook

Heated Rivalry

Cover-Up - Netflix

We’re joined by Stefanie Powers for a layered conversation that spans Hollywood’s golden-era traditions, cultural change, and a life shaped by both stardom and purpose.

For those in the Los Angeles area, Stefanie, with co-star Patrick Wayne, will be performing 'Love Letters' at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood as a benefit for the William Holden Wildlife Foundation on January 11, 2026!

Stefanie reflects on growing up alongside future screen legends at Hollywood High School, and how her lifelong love of animals began at home, thanks to a stepfather who raised thoroughbreds and kept exotic animals.

Her first professional job came at age 15 when she was cast in the film West Side Story, where the young cast prepared by listening to recordings of real New York street kids to capture authentic rhythms and speech patterns. However, Stefanie’s tender age required too many work time restrictions as the production’s intensity ramped up and her part was re-cast.

She describes old school studio system rigors, where actors “sold their lives” for a seven-year contract. Restrictive, yes, but also an entertainment education that taught singing, dancing, acting, and stage presence, alongside publicity essentials.

Still under contract with Columbia, she was loaned out to United Artists to make McLintock! and Stefanie shares memories of working with John, Michael and Patrick Wayne.

The legendary show biz tales are boundless. Did you know that Natalie Wood, Jill St. John and Stephanie were all in the same childhood dance class? All would, one way or another, be married to Robert Wagner. And, true story: During a painful divorce, Stefanie was offered solace at Roddy McDowell’s house by fellow travelers, Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner.

She also recounts the party at Dean Martin’s home where she danced the night away with Bobby Kennedy Sr. as he encouraged her to use her Spanish language skills to become more civically involved with Latino communities here at home.

She also speaks candidly about her complex romantic relationship with William Holden, whose influence on her life is ongoing. In his name, she has created The William Holden Wildlife Foundation in Kenya where local youth learn biodiversity, species conservation and alternatives to habitat destruction for humans and wildlife.

And of course, we talk Hart To Hart where Stefanie starred with Robert Wagner. She was actually on her way to Broadway when a newspaper strike halted her production of Cyrano, and freed her to take a pilot that would change her life!

In current media --

Fritz: (joined by his daughter Carly!) Nuremberg, in theaters and streaming

Weezy: The documentary Twas The Fight Before Christmas on Apple TV+ and Prime

Path Points of Interest:

Love Letters at the El Portal

William Holden Wildlife Foundation

Stefanie Powers

Stefanie Powers on Wikipedia

Stefanie Powers on IMDB

Stefanie Powers on Facebook

Stefanie Powers on Instagram

Nuremberg

Twas The Fight Before Christmas

We welcome Cam Clarke for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most successful musical dynasties in American entertainment: The King Family. Cam takes us behind the scenes with the legendary singing group, and then Cam, a talented voice actor goes is and out of famous roles as we 'interview' some of his most beloved V.O. characters!

Cam is the son of Alyce King, one of the original King Sisters, whose harmonies launched in the early 1930s and eventually grew into a multi-generational act that included children, grandchildren, cousins, and extended family, all uniting in song and populating iconic ABC series and specials throughout the 1960s.

Cam walks us through the group’s vaudeville roots, and their early days singing on the radio, all beginning on a Christmas morning where Cam’s Mom, Aunts and Uncles each received a musical instrument and instructions from their music teacher Dad. His goal was to build a family band. He created a dynasty.

We explore how The King Family evolved and rebranded across decades: From a Big Band vocal group in the 40’s to jazz harmonies and the 50’s blonde Hollywood glam look, to the TV friendly family ensemble of the 60s and 70s.

Cam shares inside stories about how costumes were passed down from one child to the next and how King Sisters, King Kiddies, and King Cousins all fit into the ever-growing and evolving act.

We also discuss Now They’re All Here, Cam’s large and glorious coffee table book on the King Family, inspired by George Plimpton’s oral biography of Truman Capote, and written in the first person voices of King Family members over the past 100 years.

And Cam speaks candidly about his own sexual orientation, sharing how he came out to his entire family at a typical family meal, as the conversation and the timing felt right. His truth was completely accepted.

Plus, Jamie Alcroft, who will hold a position of honor on the non profit One Legacy Tournament of Roses Parade float on New Year’s Day, joins us to talk about his important work with the LAFF4LIFE program and his experience as an organ transplant recipient!

In current media --

Weezy: Simon Cowell: The Next Act on Netflix

Fritz: The movie F1, streaming on Apple TV+

Path Points of Interest:

Cam Clarke

Now They're All Here: The King Family by Cam Clarke

Cam Clarke on Wikipedia

Cam Clarke on IMDB

Cam Clarke on Instagram

The King Family on Wikipedia

Donate Life

One Legacy

Simon Cowell: The Next Act

F1 on Apple TV