Emmy-winning comedy writers KEN LEVINE and DAVID ISAACS return to talk about the evolution of "Frasier" from its conception as a "Cheers" spinoff to its series finale. Also - Ken talks about his hosting chores on TCM and how his recent play, "A or B?" came to fruition. (Running time: 159 minutes)
Former child actor STUFFY SINGER recalls his years working on two sitcoms - "The Beulah Show", and the 1957 TV version of "Blondie", plus his many radio show appearances including "The Jack Benny Program", "The Great Gildersleeve", "Fibber McGee and Molly", and being labeled a true TV pioneer at age 6 - co-starring in a local LA TV show in 1948 called "Sandy Dreams". (Running time: 148 minutes)
Actress GLORIA McMILLAN recalls her years playing Harriet Conklin on "Our Miss Brooks" both on radio and television. She also talks about her appearances on other classic radio programs. Gloria's husband RON COCKING discusses his own career as a dancer/choreographer and as the co-owner/instructor of his and Gloria's performing arts academy. (Running time: 146 minutes)
Actor TOMMY COOK discusses his long career in movies, radio, and television, including playing Little Beaver in "The Adventures of Red Ryder", Alexander in "Blondie", and Junior in "The Life of Riley", all on radio. He also talks about working with producer Arch Obler, and both working with and his friendships with Robert Blake, Natalie Wood, Scotty Beckett, plus many others. (Running time: 167 minutes)
Collecting TV shows and features on 16mm and 35mm during the 1960s and 1970s is the topic, with a little bit of copyright law education thrown in. Film historian ERIC GRAYSON discusses how films were acquired, why it was illegal to possess them, how the FBI raids were conducted, why the studios refused to work with collectors, and how it morphed into video by the early 1980s. (Running time: 184 minutes)
Author ADAM NEDEFF ("This Day in Game Show History") returns for part 2 of an overview of his encyclopedia that features a look at more significant moments in the world of TV games. Media critics STEVE BEVERLY and WESLEY HYATT also offer their picks, as well as a discussion of Brian Williams' future as an anchorman in light of his suspension, plus other current topics in television. (Running time: 191 minutes)
A tribute to legendary broadcaster Dennis James, with Dennis' sons RANDY and BRAD, Dennis' grandson COLTON, and game show historian ADAM NEDEFF. Topics include Dennis pioneering television for Dr. DuMont in 1938, his successful game show career, his work for United Cerebral Palsy, and his natural ability for doing TV commercials. (Running time: 159 minutes)
Emmy-winning producer/director/author JOEL TATOR talks about his excellent new book, "Los Angeles Television", which contains over 250 photographs and a wonderful accompanying text that covers local broadcasting in the 1930s all the way up to the 1990s. Plus: a frank discussion on the demise of local TV news over the past 20 years. (Running time: 171 minutes)
The iconic cartoonist/artist SERGIO ARAGONÉS and comedy writer/producer MARK EVANIER help celebrate the show's 400th program. The two talk about their collaboration on the "Groo" comic book series, and Sergio discusses his life and career, including working for MAD magazine since 1962, and on such shows as "Laugh-In" and "TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes". (Running time: 166 mnutes)
Animation author/historian JERRY BECK returns with the latest animation news including reviews of "The Spongebob Movie-Sponge Out of Water", thoughts on the proposed "Dumbo" live action remake, and discussions on the latest and upcoming DVD/Blu Ray releases - "The Alvin Show", the Gene Deitch Tom and Jerry set, and new discs from Thunderbean. (Running time: 180 minutes)
Writer/Producer/Director BRIAN LEVANT returns to the program, this time to talk about his movie directing career which includes "Beethoven", "Jingle All the Way", "The Flintstones", and "Problem Child 2", as well as writing the big screen adaptation of "Leave it to Beaver". (Running time: 131 minutes)
Actor/singer/young performer advocate PAUL PETERSEN makes his yearly visit to the show. Topics include getting the California Child Labor Laws enacted nationally, hazing in college fraternities, the NCAA and their greed, and fond remembrances of Lesley Gore, Ken Weatherwax, and Lynn Borden (with an assist by "Hazel" co-star JULIA BENJAMIN). (Running time: 157 minutes)
A tribute to actor DON DeFORE, with two of Don's children, RON DeFORE and DAWN DeFORE BURDINE. Don's film career is discussed, as well as his two most famous TV roles - Thorny on "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" and George Baxter on "Hazel". Don's barbecue restaurant at Disneyland is also a topic, as well as is growing up with a famous dad. (Running time: 161 minutes)
TV critics/historians STEVE BEVERLY and WESLEY HYATT talk current television, including the over-priced NCAA tournaments, Bob Barker's April Fool return to "The Price is Right", an in-depth look at cutting the cable in favor of over-the-air channels and streaming, plus an analysis as to why NBC's news division is in shambles. (Running time: 206 minutes)
Actor ROBERT CLARY and his nephew, singer/songwriter BRIAN GARI (Eddie Cantor's grandson) discuss their careers. Robert also talks about his internment in concentration camps during the Holocaust and then playing Cpl. LeBeau on "Hogan's Heroes" 20 years later. Brian shares memories of his legendary grandfather and some of the 900 songs he himself has written and performed. (Running time: 141 minutes)
Actress TERRY MOORE discusses her long career in movies ("Mighty Joe Young"/"Come Back, Little Sheba"), on radio ("The Red Skelton Show"/"Adventures of Red Ryder"), and TV ("Playhouse 90"/"Batman"), plus her secret marriage to billionaire Howard Hughes. Also - actor TOMMY COOK shares his memories of knowing and working with Terry. (Running time: 138 minutes)
"The Art of the TV Audience Warm-Up" is the topic of this program. Guests RANDY WEST and BOB ILLES discuss their experiences working on various game shows, variety shows, and sitcoms...and your genial host shares his own experiences working for Bob on "Silver Spoons", "Amen", and others. (Running time: 176 minutes)
Prolific television, animation, and feature film writer RON FRIEDMAN talks about writing stand-up comedy, working on "The Danny Kaye Show", and doing scripts for "Bewitched", "Get Smart!", "Gilligan's Island", and the CBS special, "Lucy in London". Plus - a salute to Ron's former close friend and writing partner Pat McCormick. (Running time: 150 minutes)
Former "The Price is Right" showrunner ROGER DOBKOWITZ returns for an in-depth discussion on many of the iconic show's classic pricing games - the concepts, the pitches, the office run thrus, their construction, the playing...and the ultimate hits and flops. Plus Roger shares his own picks for the hardest and easiest to win. (Running time: 179 minutes)
Actor/Director/Stand-Up Comic HOWARD STORM talks about his three seasons directing "Mork and Mindy" and his friendship with Robin Williams, working with Lucille Ball in her Desilu Workshop, and his years working mob-controlled nightclubs as a comedian. (Running time: 134 minutes)
"The History of Music in Cartoons" is the subject. Animation historian JERRY BECK and children's records historian GREG EHRBAR recall the careers and play samples of Stalling (WB), Bradley (MGM), Timberg and Sharples (Fleischer/Famous), Scheib (Terrytoons), Seely and Loose (Capitol Hi-Q), Bagdasarian ("The Alvin Show"), Laws (Rankin/Bass), and Curtin (Hanna-Barbera). (Running time: 204 minutes)
Former child actor PAT CARDI returns to the program to discuss the latter part of his career, which includes roles in the cult films "Let's Kill Uncle" and "Horror High", as well as "Battle for the Planet of the Apes". He also talks about creating the innovative Moviefone...and getting pushed out of it by his partners. (Running time: 163 minutes)
Author ANNE SERLING discusses her excellent book, "As I Knew Him: My Dad, Rod Serling", which talks about growing up as the daughter of one of the most prolific and beloved writers in television, as well as how to cope when a loved one is lost at such a young age - Rod passed at 50, when Anne was only 20. (Running time: 133 minutes)
Actor/producer/director PETER ISACKSEN recalls his years working with Don Rickles on "CPO Sharkey" as well as his many appearances on game shows and talk shows, guest roles on other TV series, and working with Ron Howard on "Eat My Dust" and "Grand Theft Auto". He also talks about exec-producing his current project, "The 4 to 9ers". (Running time: 153 minutes)
Part 1 on the history of late night television in the US, starting with "Broadway Open House" to Johnny Carson's years during the 1960s, as well as an overview of David Letterman's last days as host of "The Late Show". Comments are provided by comedy writer/blogger MARK EVANIER and TV critics/historians STEVE BEVERLY and WESLEY HYATT, (Running time: 211 minutes)
Remembering "Perry Mason" with its producer/director ARTHUR MARKS and author JIM DAVIDSON ("Perry Mason: A Comprehensive Guide to America's Favorite Defender of Justice"). A detailed look at how the series got on the air, how it was cast, written, directed, and how it became one of the greatest hour-long programs in the history of television. (Running time: 169 minutes)
Actor TOMMY COOK returns to talk more about his fantastic career in old time radio, classic TV, and feature films. Topics include his starring role in the cult classic, "Teenage Crime Wave", and his appearances on many series including "Perry Mason", "Wyatt Earp", "Marcus Welby", and "The Untouchables" (Running time: 138 minutes)
Actress/author KATHY COLEMAN ("Land of the Lost") and author STEVEN THOMPSON discuss their new book, "Lost Girl: The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth So Help Me, Kathleen", which recalls Kathy's years on the Saturday morning TV series, appearing in TV commercials, and the horrendous life experiences she has survived as an adult. (Running time: 206 minutes)
Author DAVID KOENIG discusses his new book, "The People v. Disneyland: How Lawsuits and Lawyers Transformed the Magic". Anything is fair legal game when someone visits the Magic Kingdom - the ride injuries, the slips, scrapes and falls, the bodily assault by beloved characters, and the guest harassment...but how many cases have actually been won? (Running time: 168 minutes)
Musician/author BRIAN GARI returns and talks more about the legacy of his grandfather, the legendary Eddie Cantor. He also discusses his own amazing career, in which he has written and performed over 900 songs, as well as his brushes with greatness including George Carlin and Glen Campbell. (Running time: 126 minutes)
Animation author/historian JERRY BECK returns for his take on the latest news in features, print media, TV, streaming, and home video. Jerry provides reviews of "Minions" and "Shaun the Sheep". Producer/director MICHAEL SCHLESINGER ("The Adventures of Biffle and Shooster") talks about his feature film and joins Jerry for a discussion on the restoration of the Columbia Pictures cartoons. (Running time: 187 minutes)
TV critics/historians STEVE BEVERLY and WESLEY HYATT discuss the latest television news including Antenna TV acquiring complete episodes of Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show", the ratings success of ABC's "Celebrity Family Feud", cord-cutting, and the new Buzzr and Decades diginetworks; plus a new NBC Rant from Wesley. (Running time: 230 minutes)
The iconic, Emmy-winning BOB BARKER is the guest as Season Ten begins. Bob talks about his hard work fighting for animal rights, his long friendship with former "Price is Right" producer Roger Dobkowitz, and mostly about his early radio and TV careers, with an in-depth look at his first national series, "Truth or Consequences". (Running time: 122 minutes)
Actress/author KATHY GARVER returns to discuss her excellent new book, "Surviving Cissy: My Family Affair of Life in Hollywood". Topics include her guest roles on sitcoms, dramas, and in movies prior to her role as Cissy, her social life while on the set of "Family Affair" (which included two disastrous appearances on "The Dating Game"), and her successful marriage to businessman David Travis. (Running time: 129 minutes)
Prolific character actor ALAN OPPENHEIMER discusses his long career, which includes guest appearances on "Get Smart!", "That Girl", "Medical Center", "Hogan's Heroes", "Here's Lucy", "The Mod Squad", and hundreds of others. He also talks about his extensive animation voiceover career - playing Skeletor on "He Man", Vanity Smurf, and various villains in Hanna Barbera cartoons. (Running time: 148 minutes)
TV critics/historians STEVE BEVERLY and WESLEY HYATT and comedy writer MARK EVANIER return for part 2 of The History of Late Night TV. Topics include the 3-way contest in the late 1960s between Johnny Carson, Joey Bishop, and Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett entering the competition, Bishop becoming Carson's permanent guest host in the 70s, and the start of the Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder. (Running time: 209 minutes)
Former Mouseketeer and author LONNIE BURR ("The Accidental Mouseketeer") returns to talk about his amazing life as an adult actor/singer, and how his former co-stars have excluded him from all of the Mickey Mouse Club reunions and appearances over the last several years. (Running time: 163 minutes)
"Archiving the Legends" is the subject of this program that features STEVE STOLIAR (who worked for Groucho Marx), GARY KASKEL (Milton's Berle's archivist), and CHRISTOPHER BAY (Shelley Berman). Your genial host also shares memories of being Lucille Ball's personal film archivist. (Running time: 182 minutes)
The amazingly talented actress/author ANGELA CARTWRIGHT talks about her years on "The Danny Thomas Show" and "Lost In Space" and co-starring in "The Sound of Music". She also discusses her new books and her art/photography. (Running time: 137 minutes)
Film historian/preservationist ERIC GRAYSON returns for a discussion on the video revolution - the transition film collectors made from swapping their reels for Beta and VHS tape cassette cartridges, how the movie industry reacted to the new technology, and how the copyright laws factored into the mix. (Running Time: 181 minutes)
TV critics/historians STEVE BEVERLY and WESLEY HYATT return for their annual Thanksgiving Eve gabfest with the latest news in prime time, late night, daytime, syndication, and game shows. Topics include the passing of host Jim Perry, CBS' decision to put its new "Star Trek" franchise online, and a new NBC Rant from Wesley. (Running time: 204 minutes)
Animation author/historian JERRY BECK returns for his reviews of "The Peanuts Movie" and "The Good Dinosaur", his picks for the best new animation books, upcoming holiday TV specials, and the latest in home video and streaming. (Running time: 195 Minutes)
National radio talk show host PAUL HARRIS discusses his long career, including how he got into radio, his segue from being a DJ to the talk format, the stations he's worked at over the years, and the many celebrities he's interviewed...plus a frank discussion on the state of the media today vs. 30 years ago. (Running time: 176 minutes)
The annual Christmas gift-giving show. Guests include authors TIM HOLLIS ("Toons in Toyland") and ADAM-MICHAEL JAMES ("The Bewitched Continuum"), filmmaker GEORGE PAPPY ("The Green Girl"), TV historian VINCE WALDRON (with props from "The Dick Van Dyke Show"), and another visit from the Giz Wiz - DICK DE BARTOLO, with the best and worst gadgets of 2015. (Running time: 180 minutes)