Little House on the Prairie takes us back to a time when modern distractions were stripped away and life was pared down to the values which define us: kindness, community, compassion and collaboration. Without the miracle of time travel, we do get to huddle together and gather ‘round the warmth of a streaming episode of Little House. Dean Butler played the man who put the “Wilder” in Laura Ingalls Wilder. He was the Prairie heartthrob who lit up the heart of Half-Pint and Little House fans the world over.

Dean joins us to celebrate the release of his new book, Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond, as well as the 50th Anniversary of of Little House which will be heralded at events throughout the summer.

Dean shares the joys and challenges of fulfilling Michael Landon’s exacting vision of Almanzo. He talks about his controversial age gap with co-star Melissa Gilbert (adhering to Little House history) her mother’s anguished cries over their first kiss, his close, co-star bonds and how they all work together to honor and sustain the Little House legacy.

Dean tells us about his tremendous admiration for Michael Landon and for fellow cast-mates who served as mentors like Katherine MacGregor and Victor French. He gives us some history on how Ed Friendly developed the books into the series but then diverged with Michael Landon over their TV adaptation. Dean also reveals some of the parallels he discovered in his relationships with both his father and with Michael Landon.

And big news for Little House fans, the LHOTP reunion weekend at Big Sky Movie Ranch in Simi Valley was such a smash, tours of the sets will be continuing throughout the summer, some of which will be led by Dean! All that plus a round of LIttle House Trivia!

In recommendations, Weezy enjoyed the Acorn series Kiri, and Fritz jumps into the Baby Reindeer conversation.

Path Points of Interest:

Dean Butler

Prairie Man: My Little House Life & Beyond

Dean Butler on Wiki

Little House: 50 for Fifty Podcast

Dean Butler on Instagram

Dean Butler on TikTok

Dean Butler on Facebook

LHOTP 50th Anniversary on Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Website

Gift of Democracy

Kiri on Acorn

Baby Reindeer on Netflix

George Schlatter is living a life full of legendary firsts and remarkable adventures because he embraces innovation. George’s captivating career path is documented in his book, Still Laughing: A Life In Comedy. It’s a hilarious page-turner that serves as a showbiz primer and history lesson. It’s also self-improvement manual for anyone in search of creative inspiration. One of George’s key mottos is: When all hope is fading, make them laugh. George has brazenly cracked up Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Cary Grant. Now it’s your turn.

George takes us backstage with Lucille Ball, Judy and Liza, Sammy Davis Jr. Stevie Wonder, Cher and the cast of Laugh-In. He tells us how he talked Lucy into riding an elephant with Steve Lawrence through Shubert Alley. He shares his secret network executive management technique: Get them drunk at lunch. And he offers astutely passionate observations about the current state of television and how it’s changed since the turbulently transformative sixties.

George believes that rules are guidelines that should be courageously challenged. On a bet from Jack Lemmon, George sneaked a naughty phrase into an episode of Laugh-In, winning Jack as a guest star on the show. He pioneered the airing of bloopers and outtakes. He invented the Las Vegas lounge act and created reality TV with Real People which shared the true stories of the Navajo Code Talkers, The Tuskegee Airmen and the Viet Nam War’s missing in action.

We also challenge George to a round of People You've Worked With Roulette, talk about his once-lost show, Turn-On, which was cancelled 20 minutes into its first hour. You can find that and so much more on George’s new Youtube Channel, Clown Jewels!

In recommendations, Weezy loves Conan O'Brien Must Go on Max, and Fritz and Weezy are both obsessed with Stax: Soulsville USA, also on Max.

Path Points of Interest:

George Schlatter

George Schlatter on Wiki

George Schlatter on IMDB

Still Laughing: A Life in Comedy - Now out in paperback.

Clown Jewels YouTube Page

The George and Jolene Brand Schlatter Theater at the National Comedy Center

Rowan And Martin's Laugh-In

Fritz Coleman - Unassisted Residency

Conan O'Brien Must Go - Max

Stax: Soulsville USA - Max

Gift Of Democracy

Her films populate the most notable entries in underground and mainstream 20th century youth culture. Trailblazing filmmaker Penelope Spheeris joins us to share her cheeky Hollywood outsider perspective which allowed her to break legendary ground, with Suburbia and the Decline of Western Civilization trilogy and make significant dents in mainstream film land with Wayne’s World, Black Sheep and Little Rascals. Brace for Penelope’s snidely self-effacing perspective on movies, music, and Hollywood’s club and movie cultures.

Penelope traces her fascination with punk and street life back to her turbulently nomadic life as a carnival kid. In the late 70s, she and her film crew stage dove deep into L.A.’s punk infused club scene and emerged with Decline of Western Civilization I… A film which was quickly banned by the LAPD before capturing a devoted midnight screening audience and ascending into cult status. Decline I was followed, seven years later by Decline II which captured The Hollywood metal scene and then by Decline III, Penelope’s homage to Hollywood’s homeless, punk street kids, one of whom became her long-term boyfriend.

Between Declines II and III, Penelope directed Wayne’s World. She fills us in on capturing Mike Myers and Dana Carvey’s big screen vision, how funny they were on the set and whether or not Freddy Mercury saw the famous head banging, Bohemian Rhapsody car scene???

Disappointments cloud anyone’s horizon but Penelope has come to terms with losing Wayne’s World II and she’s still hopeful that her unreleased doc about Ozzfest ’99 will receive the necessary music clearances for wide release. (We’re counting on you, Sharon Osborne!)

Plus, Fritz is recommending The Beach Boys doc on Disney+ and Weezy shares her nuanced take on Spacey Unmasked on Max.

Path Points of Interest:

Penelope Spheeris

Penelope Spheeris on Wikipedia

Penelope Spheeris on imdb

Decline of Western Civilization Movies

We Sold Our Souls for Rock 'n' Roll

Beach Boys - Disney+

Spacey Unmasked

“Arf! Arf!”

“What’s that, Girl?

Timmy’s in the well!!?”

We speak fluent Collie and Timmy got into plenty of trouble but he never fell into a well. What Lassie is trying to tell you there is that “Timmy,” Jon Provost, is doing very well. He’s an animal rights activist who has just launched a CBD spray to help calm pets and, along with his wife, Laurie Jacobson, he’s written a book chronicling his phenomenal show-biz history, including films with Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Jane Wyman, Robert Redford, Natalie Wood, William Holden, Clinton Eastwood and Kurt Russell. Jon spent seven years working on Lassie and June Lockhart before graduating as a bona fide teen idol and exploring all of the iconic haunts along the Sunset Strip with Davy Jones, David Cassidy and Sajid Kahn!

The book is, naturally, titled Timmy’s In The Well and along with Jon’s acting history, it also explores what happens to a family when one kid becomes world famous. Jon’s wife Laurie joins us with insights into exactly that as well as intrigue on Hollywood’s hidden history and a peek into her next book about The Sunset Strip.

We leave no stone unturned and no well un-excavated as we trace Jon's start back to his mother's love for Jane Wyman which compelled her to bring her 3-year-old son to a cattle-call audition for the role of Sterling Hayden and Jane Wyman’s little boy in 1953's So Big. Out of a sea of hundreds, Jon won the part.

From there, we go behind the Lassie scenes with Jon as he warmly remembers his relationship with the world’s most beloved dog and her trainer, Rudd Weatherwax. (Actually, his trainer. Lassie was always played by a male dog.) Jon and Lassie travelled the country on promotional tours and along the way, they grand marshaled parades, hosted charity events and visited children’s hospital, inspiring Jon towards a lifetime of charity work and public service.

Jon also reflects on his personal struggles with dyslexia, school bullies, finding himself as he came of age and how a conversation with Kurt Russell on the set of 'The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes' convinced him it was time to take a much-needed break from the business.

Plus, Laurie and Jon share their “How Did You Meet” story. It happened at an autograph show where Laurie came over to his booth to chat with Stanley Livingston. Lassie having taught Jon well in the art of non-verbal communication, Jon kicked Stan under the table which is code for, “What the heck, Stan!? Introduce me to this lovely woman!”

All that plus Weezy and Fritz are recommending Hollywood Con Queen and Sugar, both on Apple TV+.

Path Points of Interest:

Jon Provost

Timmy's In The Well by Jon Provost & Laurie Jacobson

Jon Provost on Wikipedia

Jon Provost on Facebook

Laurie Jacobson

Laurie Jacobson's Amazon Author Page

Laurie Jacobson on Instagram

Provost Pet Spray

Muttville

Hollywood Con Queen on Apple +

Sugar on Apple +

It’s a Premiere Radio Networks Reunion as we are joined by two broadcasting legends who worked with Weezy in the '80s and '90s and are now industry heavyweights: voice talent and king of the promo, Joe Cipriano and radio exec and DJ for LA's legendary KEARTH 101, Larry Morgan! We're chatting about legacy media and our collective memories of radio's heyday and processing how we are all evolving within our fields as technology continues its march towards confounding boomers with seven factor authentication.

Also with us is new-school content creator, author, actor, and podcaster Travis Richey who shares his utilization of digital tools as he journeys from boy with a dream to working industry professional.

We look fondly back on our analog childhoods where we put on a show with our cassette tape recorders and wired our bedrooms for two block radius radio transmission! Joe and Larry each scored radio station jobs as teenagers and Travis was feverishly writing Star Trek spec scripts before traveling to Hollywood to join the Acme Comedy group based on advice he found on Wil Wheaton’s blog.

We examine how radio has changed both culturally and operationally, as we recall the days of big name DJ personalities, air checks, meter readings, FCC licenses, and stacks of carts. Joe remembers his first voice over home studio and his pioneering ISDN line efforts for remote recording and he previews his unique opportunity promo Masterclass! Learn from Joe how to be like Joe! Larry shares how Covid inspired radio stations to evolve quickly into broadcasting with just a laptop and some wifi, and Fritz shares his experience as a radio station music director. Then we dip into the future, as AI steers us in exciting and terrifying directions!

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Franklin on Apple + and The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling Podcast.

Path Points of Interest:

Joe Cipriano

Promo Mojo Masterclass

Joe Cipriano Promo Demo

Living On Air by Joe Cipriano

Joe Cipriano on Facebook

Joe Cipriano on Instagram

Joe Cipriano on X/Twitter

Larry Morgan

Larry Morgan's Snark Monkey Podcast

Larry Morgan on Facebook

Larry Morgan on Instagram

Travis Richey on IMDB

Robot, Ninja & Gay Guy

2 Hot Guys in the Shower

The Vampires' Curse: (Decimus Book 1) by Travis Richey

Exposing Ourselves Podcast

Travis Richey on Facebook

Travis Richey on Instagram

Franklin on Apple +

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling Podcast

Cultural icon Annie Potts is beloved by fans of every age, and for excellent reason. Her bright on-screen light emanates from deep within her own actual warm soul and big heart! The length and breadth of her philanthropic work rivals her IMDB credits and she’s hovering at 114 of those. Most recognizable now as Young Sheldon’s Meemaw, you may also know her for Corvette Summer, Pretty In Pink, and the Ghostbusters and Toy Story franchises.

Annie shares with us her deep affection for her Young Sheldon co-stars and the joy and honor it has been to help and watch them grow up.

Annie’s first long-running sit-com was Designing Women where she played Mary Jo Shively, alongside Jean Smart, Dixie Carter and Delta Burke. Together, in an age before internet harassment they weathered the storm of co-star Delta falling victim to the tabloid bully that was the National Enquirer. Cast camaraderie has always been key for Annie.

Consider yourself warned, Phantasms. In Ghostbusters Frozen Empire (now in theaters) Annie is finally suiting up and busting some ghost! Also, her sultry Bo Peep has a star turn in Toy Story 5 which will hit theaters next year.

Annie also shares some backstage stories, tells us which of her shows she wishes had enjoyed a longer run and gives us a peek into the Young Sheldon finale and a spinoff that will feature Young Georgie. Then, Annie takes on a round of IMDB Roulette.

All that, plus Fritz and Weezy are recommending A Man In Full and Baby Reindeer, both on Netflix. Annie’s pick for you is Alice and Jack on PBS!

Path Points of Interest:

Annie Potts

Ghostbusters

Young Sheldon

Annie Potts on Wikipedia

Annie Potts on IMDB

Annie Potts on Instagram

Annie Potts on Twitter

Annie Potts on Facebook

Any Day Now

The Heart Channels

White Pony Express

Kemarley of Anguilla

Baby Reindeer

A Man In Full

Alice & Jack

The Gong Show was a spicy blend of talent, shock and zany, sprinkled heavily with the special sauce that was Producer/Host Chuck Barris. 70s TV was all about The Gong Gang and Game Show Guru Adam Nedeff’s newest offering, Gong This Book chronicles the weirdly hypnotic cultural touchstone that was The Gong Show.

Adam joins us with returning guest, author and Game Show Writer Shelley Herman. She appeared on The Gong Show and The Dating Game and her book is called My Peacock Tale: Secrets of an NBC Page. Together, we’re celebrating game show history and delving deeply into The Gong Show, The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game. We take a look at Adam’s all-time favorite hosts, Bill Cullen, Dennis James, Alan Ludden, Gene Rayburn, Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest. Adam shares The Gong Show’s origin story which includes original hosts Gary Owens and John Barbour before the NBC head of daytime let Chuck Barris know that he was the only person who could host such a specifically strange show. He did and it worked, but it consumed him.

Was Chuck Barris really a CIA spy???! We CAN tell you without having to kill you. Did The Gong show usher in the phenomenon that would become reality TV? Probably. What happened on those Dating Game dates!? Shelley is telling all. Fritz almost hosted two game shows but his tenacious weather job kept pulling him back in and Weezy’s very first Hollywood show biz experience was her appearance on the game show, Face The Music!

Adam and Shelley also discuss the fascinating intricacies of game show question writing and researching. And, they share the heartwarming story of Adam's book about Alan Ludden appearing dog eared and well loved in the very last photo taken of Betty White. Adam is now the proud owner of Betty’s copy of his book.

And in recommendations, Fritz has been loving Palm Royale on Apple Plus and Weezy went book to screen with We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter. It is now a series on Hulu.

Path Points of Interest:

Adam Nedeff Amazon Author Page

Gong This Book by Adam Nedeff

Books by Adam Nedeff

The Gong Show Playlist

Adam Nedeff on Facebook

Adam Nedeff on Youtube

Adam Nedeff on Instagram

Adam Gives Conan Tour of Madame Tussaud's

Adam's Bill Cullen website

Shelley Herman

My Peacock Tale by Shelley Herman

Shelley Herman on Facebook

Shelley Herman on Instagram

Quiz Show Expo

Palm Royale on Apple Plus

We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

We Were The Lucky Ones on Hulu

Georgia Hunter's Blog

We are attaining excellence and saving democracy. High bars easily cleared by our guests, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and TV Host/Motivational Speaker Michael Burger.

Jasmine Crockett proudly represents Texas’ 30th District. She is a Freshman Leadership Representative, fighting hard for reproductive and voting rights and her viral moments in committee are legend. She is coming in hard for MAGA Republicans and sharing her insights and strategies on energizing our Democratic base, reclaiming our human rights and standing united with Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

When showbiz veteran Michael Burger lost The Price Is Right hosting gig to Drew Carey, he realized that he had a skill set that transcended the studio set. He takes us on a hilariously, uplifting journey from the high seas (where he began as a cruise ship comic) to Southern California where he has worked on and off camera on a slew of sitcoms, game and talk shows, (He's hosted 4000 hours of TV!) to corporate conference rooms across the land where he inspires and motivates today's most powerful business leaders.

Michael shares stories about his iconic colleagues, like Home & Family co-host Christina Ferrare, Betty White, and the cast of Hot in Cleveland (he was the warm up guy), Johnny Carson and Gregory Peck plus we learn his pick for the greatest game show host of all time and we hear how Pat Sajak tanked Fritz’s budding game show hosting career!

In recommendations, Weezy is picking the documentary series Synanon Fix on HBO and Fritz is a fan of A Gentleman in Moscow on Amazon Prime.

Path Points Of Interest:

Jasmine Crockett's Campaign Site

Jasmine Crockett's House Site

Jasmine Crockett on X/Twitter

Jasmine Crockett on Wikipedia

Jasmine Crockett on Instagram

Michael Burger

Michael Burger's Hosting Reel

Absolutely Necessary by Ross Shafer and Michael Burger

Coloring Your Way to Success by Michael Burger

Michael Burger on Wikipedia

Michael Burger on Facebook

Synanon Fix on HBO

A Gentleman in Moscow on Paramount and Amazon Prime

A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles