Episodes

  • Lydia Cornell Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

    Lydia Cornell Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
    Apr 18 2024
    I’m filled to the brim with love, compassion, and inspiration. I so enjoyed every moment in Lydia Cornell’s most excellent company. A strong, talented, generous, capable woman, who knows who she is, where she’s been, and where she wants to be, allowing for godshots that may alter her future at any turn, AFI Best Actress nominee and People’s Choice Award winner Lydia, best known for her starring role in Too Close for Comfort, is all that and a standup comedienne, writer, director, public speaker, and activist. We went back to Lydia’s early days in El Paso Texas, her Russian father, and challenging mother… the haircut, the Barbies, the boys, oh my! Moving to Scarsdale, starring in High School plays, college in Boulder., Colorado, and Hollywood by way of the music biz, Caribou Ranch…. some great stories there… Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Dennis Wilson, Henry Diltz, dating Paul Stanley and Donnie Most, and how her naive approach to breaking into the biz, worked! On her third audition, she landed a starring role on a hit TV show and garnered the fame she sought. Loads of TV shows and films followed, including co-starring with James Earl Jones right after shooting that first pilot. We talked about drinking, drugging, dieting, and the trouble they brought… getting sober, surrender, releasing resentments, recovery, and the innumerable gifts they continue to bring. Lydia’s won acting, directing, and writing awards, as well as the Southern California Motion Picture Council's Golden Halo Lifetime Achievement Award, and the first Elizabeth Montgomery Humanitarian Award. It’s the service she does every day as a woman in recovery that perhaps makes the greatest impact. A screenplay Lydia wrote 20 years ago is finding its place now, and the book she started years ago is also readying to bloom. Lydia’s loving her life, writing, and loving with Larry––acting and looking perfect seeming less and less important. I’m loving this Lydia more than ever if that’s even possible. Lydia Cornell Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wednesday, April 17, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3vNhZTr
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Rick Vito Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

    Rick Vito Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
    Apr 10 2024
    Rick Vito Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson What a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon. Grammy-nominated guitarist, singer, and producer, Rick Vito, probably best known as a member of Fleetwood Mac, was a sunny delight, hisself. Coming to us Live from Franklin TN, following the release of his recently dropped latest album, Cadillac Man, we wiled away the hour talking his tastes… The Stones, Duane Eddy, BB King, his passions, Jimi Hendrix, Peter Green, his custom guitars, and his history… a 41-year marriage, two great kids, starting out with Delaney and Bonnie and Eric Clapton, what a story there! Moving to LA, crashing with Todd Rundgren, Something/Anything? Could I have played that album more freshman year? John Prine’s Common Sense… oh please! An all-time favorite! Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, with our friends Russ Kunkel and Kootch, Bob Seger, and that idea of Rick’s to play slide on Like a Rock, a tasty choice that would become an iconic anthem for Chevrolet and a generation. A great story about meeting John Fogerty, playing with Leon Russell, touring with Tina Turner, picking it up with Mick in the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band with Rick Vito, and getting nominated for a Grammy, and the last great show before the pandemic alongside Christine McVie (in her final performance), Billy Gibbons, Pete Townsend, David Gilmour, Bill Wyman, John Mayall, and a host of other musical luminaries in Mick Fleetwood & Friends Celebrate the Music of Peter Green concert filmed in London in 2020. We were treated to a glimpse of one of Rick Vito’s Soul Agent Signature Custom Designed Art Deco Guitars which is available from Reverend Guitars. This pink beauty with black and white piping, Rick designed to have attributes of a Gibson, a Fender, and a Gretch. Rick’s new album, Cadillac Man, is available now and has been on heavy rotation in the Snicki Mobile. I’m just loving it. A lotta rock n roll, heavy on the R & B. You can get yours here: https://www.rickvito.com It’s easy to see why Rick’s been in demand by so many diverse and stellar artists. He’s a stunning talent, who plays from his soul, leaving space between the notes, and warmth within his smile. I can’t wait to hear and see more! Rick Vito Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wednesday, April 10th * SPECIAL TIME1 PM PT, 4 PM ET* Streamed Live on my Facebook Reply here: https://bit.ly/3vMHQuv
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    56 mins
  • Hal Linden Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

    Hal Linden Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
    Apr 4 2024
    Hal Linden Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Does it get better than this? Someone’s gonna have to prove it to me. Wow, what a time with Hal Linden! As nice, charming, handsome, and tall (well, I’m guessing on the last), as his Barney Miller, Hal was all that and a hefty bag of Cheetos. Absolutely age-defying - I want to see his birth certificate. It’s unfathomable that he’s 93. Still dashing, his voice strong, mind sharp, wit crackling, and his talent will be on display next weekend in Flat Rock, co-starring with Marilu Henner in Ed Weinberger’s, The Journals of Adam and Eve. I wanna go! Road trip? Hal took us through his early days, one of six cousins, all professional musicians, he a clarinetist first, classically trained, in the musicians union at 15, then the sax called, a hysterical story there, the army, and then the theatre… to hear Hal tell it, it all makes sense. From summer stock to Broadway as an understudy in Bells Are Ringing with Judy Holliday. I won’t dare ruin that story. It was 8 years of understudying, and standing in, which led to his Tony-winning starring role in The Rothschilds. Please do yourself a favor and watch Hal sing “Sons,” as seen on the Ed Sullivan Show, his clear ticket to Tony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnztP3vCRko Breathtaking. And then we got to the meat. Barney Miller. How he got it, what he gave up. The gamble he took. The payoff. We talked the original cast in the first failed pilot and the magical one that replaced it. We talked characters, chemistry, and process. How much Hal was in Barney, how much Barney in Hal. And, the part he turned down afterward, without even looking. We had two degrees of Kevin Bacon without the Kevin and without the Bacon, all over the place… from our Bronx beginnings to raising our kids on the UWS of Manhattan and then LA, to Marilu and Ed, but most of all, the Catskills and the crooner. Hal started out in the Borscht Belt with his band at the Paramount Hotel. My father started out at the same hotel as an MC. Years later, after Hal’s Broadway and TV fame, my dad lived a dream, introducing Hal, one of his heroes, and opening for him at the Yiddish Theatre in New York. It was one of the highlights and great joys of his career. They were both handsome as heck, charming as can be, and smooth as silk singers. Hal still is. My dad is up there smiling this eve. Larry Katz, this one’s for you. Thank you, Hal. This will go down as one of the highlights and great joys of my career, and I’ll forever be grateful. But why on a bad hair day?!? Hal Linden Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wednesday, April 3, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/43IJ6eE
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    57 mins
  • Warren Ham Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

    Warren Ham Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
    Mar 28 2024
    Warren Ham Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson What an absolutely delightful sit down with multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Warren Ham. As much as I was blown away seeing him do his thing (s) Live with Ringo and his All Starr Band, singing lead, background vocals, playing flute, sax, harmonica, keyboards, and percussion, I’m exhausted just typing it, let alone watching him work the entire multi-level stage, I was equally impressed chatting with him. What an engaging, fun, open, self-effacing, lovely, ridiculously talented, accessible, human. Warren started us with his family’s gospel group, recording his first album at 5. What a slacker! Country music and mandolin with his guitar-playing older brother Bill followed. While Warren sang and played harmonica with every garage band in Fort Worth, Bill was playing on TV on The Sonny & Cher Show, paving the way for things to come. Bloodrock and three albums followed and then dueting with Cher for three years in Vegas and meeting… well, pretty much everyone. From Vegas to Kansas- the band not the place, great story there, and a whole lot more instruments added to Warren’s repertoire, plus stadiums…Donna Summer, on and off for years, Amy Grant, Toto, another great story there, Olivia Newton-John, lots of great stories there, including a couple about a guy named Travolta. Always professional, there were years of consumption, and then 15 years ago, sobriety, when Warren claims, his life shifted for the better in all ways. A fortuitous Facebook message led to a Beatle, he’s spent ten years with Ringo, his greatest gig of all, doing double duty with Luke on Toto, too. There’s a 42-year marriage, in rock years beyond miraculous, and two amazing kids, check out son Robert’s wonderful short film on Warren, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muxaj-HOGBE, daughter Rachel Talbot has over a million followers on YouTube - the apples don’t fall far… It’s stunning to consider not only all that Warren can do, and does, but also that he does it all, brilliantly. And, he can dance. And act. Is there anything this man can’t do? Odds are crap on that. Warren Ham Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wednesday, March 27, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/4cKTmYa
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Butch Patrick Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

    Butch Patrick Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
    Mar 21 2024
    Butch Patrick Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson What a fun chat with Butch Patrick, aka Eddie Munster, who’s warm, easy and so comfortable in his skin that it’s impossible to not feel like an old friend coming home. Butch makes everyone in his path feel seen, heard, and important. What a gift. We talked about current events… living in Arkansas, his Munster Mobiles, getting out and meeting his fans, his girlfriend, how they met, and how they keep it going. And we went back… how a 7 yr old got his start in film, had a career in TV, and at the age of 10, a starring role on one of the most iconic and endearing television shows of all time. Thank goodness Bill Mumy took a pass. There are no accidents. This was Butch’s path. We talked Fred Gwynne, Al Lewis, Yvonne De Carlo, The Cowsills, and The Monkees, and his amazing episode and time shooting with them at the height of all of their fame. There were crazy days and trouble. Pot, booze, and drugs, and then, 13 years ago, getting sober. Butch’s ease and commitment to his sobriety, and helping others. It’s a beautiful thing. The upside of the pandemic is that it led the way to interview celebrity gems who live far away. I hope one day to meet Butch in the reals and feel his great energy sans a screen between us, but I’m grateful as hell for these opportunities to spend time getting to know this once boy who gave this girl so much childhood joy, and as a man, moves through the world with so much kindness and grace. Butch Patrick Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wednesday, March 20, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Reply here: https://bit.ly/43rAjh4
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

    Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
    Mar 14 2024
    Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson I got to sit down again with bassist extraordinaire, Rudy Sarzo... Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, The Guess Who, Blue Oyster Cult - who's also a modern-day humanist, animal rights activist, author, mentor, CG artist, and an evolved, spiritual, gentle soul. And what a time it was! Originally from Cuba, we talked Rudy's early days, his family's struggle to get here, and the struggles they continued to face when they arrived. Barely speaking the language, work shortages, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Kennedy Assassination, to the shining light of the Beatles, which shifted almost everything. Rudy's foray into music... Kevin Dubrow, the original Quiet Riot, a partial cover band at the time doing some originals, Ozzy Osbourne, the fame, booze, and the crazy, Randy Rhoads, who opened the doors, filled the world with magic and then took the joy when he left way too soon, Frankie Banali, more Quiet Riot, Metal Health, Whitesnake, the girls, more fame, Blue Oyster Cult, The Guess Who, now joyfully back with Quiet Riot with bandmates handpicked by the originals. We talked Rudy's marriage, it'll be 40 years this June, a herculean accomplishment for anyone, for a rocker on the road, stunningly amazing! This is a man who honors his commitments. All of them. Sober 26 years, he found program and solutions during the pandemic and finds himself a changed man in so many ways. And this, a changed world. Rudy is deep and we went deep about music, healing, the communal experience... I feel richer, calmer, saner, and more centered having spent time in his grounded and assured presence. He's not only a monster bass player of the highest caliber, he's also a highly evolved human of a most admirable order. I feel like I just spent an hour plus with a Zen master and I'm somehow better for it. What a gift he is. Rudy Sarzo Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wednesday, March 13, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/43db1Dv
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • George Schlatter Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

    George Schlatter Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
    Mar 7 2024
    OMG, where has George Schlatter been my whole life? I could've been a contenda! George Schlatter relishes the accidents and has made a career and created a legacy spinning them into comedy gold. Sock it to me! Here comes the judge! Look that up in your Funk and Wagnells! It’s not everyone who creates language that becomes part of the lexicon. 25x Emmy Nominee, 3x Emmy Winner, Golden Globe WInner, Producers Guild Winner, and Directore’s Guild Man of the Year, George Schlatter is all that and so much more. A television icon, I’m beyond thrilled to have had this opportunity to chat and get to know him with y’all. Creator and producer of Laugh-In, for that alone he should be canonized, George changed the face of television. He also created and produced Real People, produced the first 5 years of the Grammy Awards plus series and specials starring Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Eddie Murphy, Cher, Elton John, Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, Liza Minnelli, Michael Jackson, Doris Day, Jonathan Winters, Richard Pryor, Shirley MacLaine, Bill Cosby, Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Dinah Shore, Nat King Cole, Placido Domingo and scores of others. George Schlatter created and for 15 years produced the American Comedy Awards. Most recently, George produced a comedy collection for Sirius Radio and Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate for Netflix. Besides his work in television, George has been honored for his showmanship and involvement in many charitable causes. To further his support of comedy and the people who perform it, George has become an active supporter and Board Member of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York. He's donated much of his material to them and they've named their theater, The George and Jolene Brand Schlatter Theater, in his honor. George’s book, Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy, which dropped in July, is a feast for show biz and comedy lovers. I devoured it. And he shares so many gems from it with us here, from the creation of Laugh-In, finding Goldie, Lily, Artie, Judy, Henry, Ruth, Dan, and Dick, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Robin Williams, Lucy, Steve Lawrence, Judy Garland, Cher, Diana Ross, more, more, more! https://www.amazon.com/Still-Laughing-Comedy-Creator-Laugh/dp/1951213793 We had a near-miss encounter 37 years ago when he was producing Comedy Club and I was visiting my Laughter Company Improv cohort, Bob Nelson. I didn't let him get away from me this time! Where has George Schlatter been my whole life? No matter, he's here now. And that's no accident! George Schlatter Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wednesday, March 6, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/49LIQ0L
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    57 mins
  • Federico Castelluccio Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

    Federico Castelluccio Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
    Feb 29 2024
    Federico Castelluccio of The Sopranos Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson I knew Federico Castelluccio, Furio Giunta, on the Sopranos, is a crazy talented artist on screen and canvas, is charming, easy on the eyes and ears, but damn! I was unprepared for one of the most fascinating, spectacular conversations I’ve had to date. I know little to nothing of the art world beyond what I like. Federico made it all sound so straightforward and accessible. He demystified his process of collecting, making so much sense, and almost making it sound… simple! Alas, I’m well aware it’s so not. Federico’s decades of study, his photographic memory, and his passion paved the way for finds, well, one so extraordinary… sweet dreams are made of these. What joy to ask if it would be possible to view a piece of his work only to discover that the photograph behind him was not a photograph at ‘tol, but rather a charcoal Federico had done. The beauty of the library behind him, from the rich orange wall, gold frames, and perfectly weathered green bookcase, to when Federico swung the camera ‘round so we could glimpse the fine art that surrounds him, and his studio in the distance filled with eye candy worthy of a Florentine museum. And that was before we even touched on The Sopranos. Federico jumped into that, from his audition, taking a bold risk, despite the odds, the waiting, his callback, reaping the payoff, and most unusual words from David Chase, more waiting, to discovering he’d gotten the three-episode part, which swiftly grew to three seasons. He talked James Gandolfini, Vincent Curatola, Michael Imperioli, Vincent Pastore, Joey Pants, Aida Turturro, Larraine Bracco, Eddie Falco, the whole musbucha! There were fabulous stories of all, including beloved Burt Young. We talked about Federico’s segue to directing, from award-winning shorts, where he also starred and produced, to his feature film debut, The Brooklyn Banker, which starred David Proval another Soprano pal, and Paul Sorvino. Every single word was infused with enthusiasm, passion, and delight. It’s hours later and I still haven’t stopped smiling. This is edutainment of the highest order. Federico Castelluccio, a true Renaissance Man, has a new #1 Fan. Federico Castelluccio Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson Wednesday, February 28, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET Streamed Live on my Facebook Replay here: https://bit.ly/3Ifp2GW
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    1 hr and 29 mins