Classic Conversations – Details, episodes & analysis

Geri Jewell shares her trailblazing career as the first actress with cerebral palsy to break into mainstream television. From her early stand-up days at The Comedy Store to her iconic roles on The Facts of Life and HBO’s Deadwood, Geri reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her journey. She opens up about her influential friendship with Carol Burnett, the unforgettable moment she was cast by Norman Lear, and the humorous yet impactful experiences that shaped her career. Her stories offer a mix of inspiration, humor, and behind-the-scenes insights into breaking barriers in Hollywood.

Episode Highlights:

• Comedy Roots: Geri recounts her journey into stand-up comedy, starting at the famous Comedy Store in 1978. From her struggles with early performances to becoming the first comedian with cerebral palsy to appear on national television, Geri’s resilience shines through. Her candid reflection on bombing her second week at the Comedy Store—and what she learned from it—provides both humor and wisdom.
• Carol Burnett’s Influence: One of the highlights of Geri’s youth was becoming pen pals with her idol, Carol Burnett. Carol’s words of encouragement inspired Geri to pursue her dreams in show business, despite the societal expectations placed on her due to her disability. Geri shares heartwarming memories of Carol’s support and how it fueled her ambition.
• Meeting Norman Lear: A pivotal moment in Geri’s career came when Norman Lear spotted her performance and immediately cast her as Cousin Geri on The Facts of Life. Geri recounts the whirlwind experience of joining the cast, humanizing the snobby Blair Warner, and the impact of being one of the first actresses with a visible disability on a major TV show.
• Decapitating Big Bird: In one of the funniest moments of the episode, Geri shares a story about her guest appearance on Sesame Street, where an unexpected accident involving roller skates and Big Bird left children screaming! Geri’s retelling of how she managed to “decapitate” Big Bird during a live taping is guaranteed to leave you laughing.
• From Stand-Up to Deadwood: Geri takes us through her transition from sitcoms to the gritty world of HBO’s Deadwood. A chance encounter with David Milch in a pharmacy led to her role as Jewel, a character created specifically for her. Geri’s reflections on working with Ian McShane and the unique challenges of performing in such a raw, historical setting are captivating.
• New Book – Geri’s Gems and Jewels: Geri discusses the inspiration behind her new book, a collection of essays and stories drawn from her life and career. The book combines humor and poignant reflections, with a special foreword from her dear friend, Norman Lear.
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Filled with laugh-out-loud moments, touching memories, and incredible career insights, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, humor, and the power of breaking barriers.

You're going to love my conversation with Geri Jewell

• Geri's Website
• IMDB
• Get an autographed book

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

• Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
• The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
• Podcast website
• Podcast on Instagram
• Join my mailing list
• Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
• Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Ways to support the show:

• Buy me a coffee (support the show)
• TeePublic Store: Classic Conversations merch and more!
• Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.

Lynne Moody, a legendary actress known for her groundbreaking roles in television, shares her extraordinary journey through Hollywood. From her iconic performances in "Roots" and "Soap" to her time on "Knots Landing," Lynne reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her career. She opens up about the limited opportunities for African American actresses during her early years and the perseverance that drove her to succeed. Lynne’s story is one of resilience, grace, and an unwavering passion for her craft, offering a powerful and inspirational message.

Episode Highlights:

• Trailblazing Roles: Lynne Moody delves into her pioneering work in television, including her unforgettable roles in the groundbreaking mini-series "Roots," the sitcom "Soap," and the dramatic series "Knots Landing."
• Breaking Barriers: A candid discussion on the challenges Lynne faced as an African American actress in an industry that offered limited roles, and how she overcame these obstacles with determination and talent.
• Behind the Scenes: Stories from her early career, including her experiences working as a Playboy Bunny and how it shaped her path in Hollywood.
• Emotional Reunion: Lynne shares the deeply personal and heartwarming story of reuniting with her daughter after 50 years, a reunion made possible through DNA testing.
• Life in Hollywood: Anecdotes about working alongside stars like Richard Pryor, Ed Asner, and Ben Vereen, and her reflections on the ups and downs of life in the spotlight.
• Words of Wisdom: Lynne offers invaluable advice to aspiring actors, drawing from her own experiences in the entertainment industry.

You're going to love my conversation with Lynne Moody

• IMDB

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

• Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
• The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
• Podcast website
• Podcast on Instagram
• Join my mailing list
• Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
• Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Ways to support the show:

• Buy me a coffee (support the show)
• TeePublic Store: Classic Conversations merch and more!
• Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.

Dan Bakkedahl, star of the new show "Dinner with the Parents" on Freevee shares insights from his eclectic career, from his beginnings in improv with Second City to his memorable roles in popular TV shows like "Veep," "Life in Pieces," and "The Daily Show." Dan reveals behind-the-scenes stories, the challenges of playing comedic jerks, and the joys of working with legends like Steve Carell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Tune in for a fun-filled conversation packed with laughter, anecdotes, and Dan's unique perspective on the entertainment industry.

Show Highlights:

• Dinner with the Parents: Dan's latest project, the dynamics of the show, and working with Mikayla Watkins and Carol Kane.
• Second City: Dan's early career in improv and his journey with Second City.
• The Daily Show: Experiences and challenges during his time on "The Daily Show."
• Veep: Behind-the-scenes stories and working with Julia Louis-Dreyfus on "Veep."
• Life in Pieces: Memorable moments and character insights from "Life in Pieces."
• Legit: Dan's experience and stories from working on "Legit" with Jim Jefferies.
• Other Notable Roles: Guest appearances and roles in shows like "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," "The Goldbergs," and "Community."
• Comedy Process: Dan's thoughts on playing comedic jerks and his creative process.

You're going to love my conversation with Dan Bakkedahl

• IMDB
• Mr. Johnson's Time Machine Podcast

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

• Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
• The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
• Podcast website
• Podcast on Instagram
• Join my mailing list
• Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
• Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Ways to support the show:

• Buy me a coffee (support the show)
• TeePublic Store: Classic Conversations merch and more!
• Love the books I talk about on the show? Here is my Amazon store to shop.

Need TV binge suggestions? You've come to the right place. We've got you covered.

In this bonus episode, we discuss a few great binge suggestions:

• Fire of Love (from live ep 100)
• Pee Wees Big Adventure(from live ep 94)
• 7 Yards: The Chris Norton Story (from live ep 64)

Special guests: Larry Roberts and Zack Wiseman

Crossing the Streams features discussions of TV shows and movies available on streaming services. It is hosted by Jeff Dwoskin and co-hosted by Howard Rosner, Ron Lippitt, Bob Philips, and Sal Demilio. Special guests also join the show on a weekly basis. Each episode features a segment in which the hosts recommend a TV show, movie, or documentary for listeners to consider binge-watching. The segments are taken from live recordings of the show.

Join us LIVE every Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM CT

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/CTSYouTubeSubscribe

Embark on a nostalgic journey through the realms of both music and television as we delve into the impactful career of Jeffrey C. Sherman. From co-directing "The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story" to his significant contributions to the hit show "Boy Meets World," Sherman's artistic prowess knows no bounds. Join us as we uncover the stories behind the songs, the struggles, and the triumphs that have shaped Sherman's path, leaving an indelible mark on both the world of music and television.

My guest, Jeffrey C. Sherman, and I discuss:

• The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story - Discover the captivating documentary film by Jeffrey C. Sherman, delving into the lives of his legendary father and uncle, Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman. (Available to watch on Disney+)
• Unveiling Jeff's Garage Band with Shaun Cassidy and Jamie Lee Curtis - Get insights into the musical journey of Jeffrey C. Sherman as he recounts his experiences with this notable garage band and his 4 amazing solo albums
• Inspiring "Spoonful of Sugar" - Uncover the intriguing story of Jeff's inspiration behind the timeless song "Spoonful of Sugar," which gained viral popularity during the pandemic.
• Enchanted Musical Playhouse - Explore Jeff's collaboration with the Disney Channel, where he seamlessly melded fairy tales and music by The Sherman Brothers. Notably, Jeff worked closely with Donny Osmond on this enchanting show.
• Witnessing the Creative Friction - Gain firsthand insights into Jeff's unique perspective of working directly with the Sherman Brothers. Experience the real-life friction that fueled the creation of thousands of iconic songs.
• The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang London Stage Debut and a Memorable Encounter - Learn about Jeff's meeting with his cousin Gregory, which took place during the debut of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang play in London. This encounter later led to their co-direction of The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story.
• Al Sherman's Impact - Delve into the life of Al Sherman, Richard and Robert's father, as he takes center stage in the documentary. Discover his captivating story, including having a song covered by Cyndi Lauper.
• The Origin of the Sherman Brothers - Journey back to the beginnings of the iconic Sherman Brothers as a dynamic writing team. Uncover the key moments and inspirations that shaped their legendary partnership.
• Jeffrey C. Sherman's Encounter with Walt Disney - Immerse yourself in Jeff Sherman's cherished memories of spending time with Walt Disney and receiving a personal tour of the enchanting Mary Poppins movie sets.
• Jeffrey C. Sherman's Impactful Writing for Boy Meets World - Explore Jeff Sherman's influential contributions as a writer for Boy Meets World. Discover the importance of addressing serious topics such as child abuse and school vandalism on the show.
• Producing "Taller on TV" - Experience the laughter-inducing one-hour comedy special, "Taller on TV," starring Jeff's hilarious wife, Wendy Liebman. Discover how John Landis played a pivotal role in bringing this iconic comedy special to life.

You're going to love my conversation with Jeffrey C. Sherman

• IMDB
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Jeffrey C. Sherman on SPOTIFY
• Wendy Liebman, Taller on TV

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

• Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
• The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
• Podcast website
• Podcast on Instagram
• Join my mailing list
• Buy me a coffee (support the show)
• Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
• Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

From her iconic role as Cissy in the beloved TV show Family Affair to her extensive career in Hollywood and voice-over work, Kathy Garver has left a lasting mark on the entertainment industry. In this interview, Kathy shares her memories of co-stars, discusses the lasting appeal of Family Affair, and talks about her latest projects.

My guest, Kathy Garver, and I discuss:

• "Surviving Cissy: My Family Affair Of Life In Hollywood" - Kathy Garver's memoir about her life in Hollywood and her iconic role as Cissy in the popular TV show, Family Affair.
• Keeping the Memory of Family Affair Alive - Kathy Garver's dedication to preserving the legacy of Family Affair through appearances and her books, including "The Family Affair Cookbook" and "Family Affair Scrapbook".
• Family Affair Reboot - A discussion of the reboot of Family Affair, including Kathy's thoughts on why the original magic wasn't captured in the Tim Curry reboot.
• Aunt Cissy - Kathy's sequel pilot to Family Affair, where she once again plays the beloved character of Cissy as an aunt.
• JL Hudson Detroit Thanksgiving Parade - A look at Kathy Garver's co-hosting duties with Sebastian Cabot in this iconic parade.
• "Lem The Orphan Reindeer" - Kathy's classic spoken word album written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart.
• Balancing College and an Acting Career - How Kathy Garver managed to maintain normalcy on campus while pursuing an acting career, thanks to great advice from her mom and therapist.
• Rachel in "The 10 Commandments" - A discussion of Kathy Garver's role as Rachel the slave girl in this iconic film, working with Cecil B. DeMille, and her lasting friendship with Charlton Heston.
• Auditioning for Cissy - Kathy's experience auditioning for the role of Cissy on Family Affair.
• The Lasting Appeal of Family Affair - Why Family Affair remains a beloved show to this day.
• Episode Highlights - A discussion of two memorable episodes of Family Affair: "Waltz to Remember" and "Member of the Family".
• Memories of Co-Stars - Kathy Garver shares her fond memories of working with Brian Keith, Sebastian Cabot, Anissa Jones, Johnny Whitaker, and Nancy Walker.
• Unique Filming Approach - How Family Affair was filmed to work around Brian Keith's movie star schedule.
• To Tell The Truth - Kathy's time on the new version of this popular game show, and the question of whether she is Dolly Parton's sister.
• Voice Over Career - Kathy Garver's extensive voice-over career, including narrating over 80 audiobooks and voicing Marvel's Firestar for "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends".
• Latest Projects - A look at Kathy Garver's latest projects, including "Yellowbird" and "Old Man Jackson".
• and much more!

You're going to love my conversation with Kathy Garver

• Kathy's website
• Facebook Fan Page
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Kathy's merchandise
• Listen to Lem the Orphan Reindeer

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

• Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
• The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
• Podcast website
• Podcast on Instagram
• Join my mailing list
• Buy me a coffee (support the show)
• Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
• Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Fritz Coleman and Louise "Weezy" Palanker, hosts of the Media Path Podcast, discuss their fascinating journeys in the world of entertainment and media. From stand-up comedy to directing and drumming, their experiences will leave you spellbound.

• Meet Fritz Coleman, NBC Weekday Weathercaster for 39 years and 6-time Emmy winner, and Louise "Weezy" Palanker, director, drummer, and filmmaker. They are also the hosts of the Media Path Podcast, where they take you on a scenic tour of iconic entertainment and the current media landscape.
• Learn how Weezy and Fritz first met and formed a lasting relationship that led to the creation of their amazing podcast.
• Discover Weezy's background with the Premier Radio Networks, where she interviewed some of the biggest names in entertainment, including The Bee Gees, George Carlin, Bill Cosby, Bill Murray, and Whitney Houston. We'll even share a creepy story about Bill Cosby that you won't want to miss!
• Dive into Weezy's incredible documentary, "Family Band: The Cowsills Story," and learn about the fascinating history of this iconic family band.
• Find out about Fritz's role as the honorary mayor of Tuluka Lake and his career as a stand-up comic. He has appeared on The Tonight Show eight times with legendary hosts like Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Joan Rivers, and Garry Shandling.
• Both Weezy and Fritz share their experiences testifying as character witnesses in the Michael Jackson Criminal Trial and the impact it had on them personally and professionally.
• Weezy also talks about her love of drumming and her album, "Drummer Girl," while Fritz shares his connection to the movie Anchorman and how he got a shout-out in the credits from Judd Apatow and Adam McCay.
• and much more!

You're going to love my conversation with Fritz Coleman and Louise "Weezy" Palanker

• Media Path Podcast
• MPP Twitter
• MPP IG
• MPP Facebook
• MPP YouTube
• Louise Palanker on YouTube
• Louise's website
• Fritz's website
• Listen to Drummer Girl

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

• Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
• The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
• Podcast website
• Podcast on Instagram
• Join my mailing list
• Buy me a coffee (support the show)
• Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
• Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Courtney Cronin Dold is a veteran stand-up comic and comedy writer who shares her early years in comedy, advice from the late Ralphie May, and turning her college roommate horror story into comedy.

My guest, Courtney Cronin Dold, and I discuss:

• Courtney Cronin Dold, a veteran stand-up comic and comedy writer, talks about her early years in comedy and the downside of moving up the chain too quickly as a newcomer.
• Courtney shares the advice she received from the late great Ralphie May and discusses turning her college roommate horror story experience into comedy.
• Working for MohrSports with Jay Mohr  
• Creating song parodies on The Wayne Brady Show and working for the amazing Wayne Brady on The Wayne Brady Show.
• Courtney shares a behind-the-scenes nightmare story while working on The Wayne Brady Show and the backstabbing nature of co-workers that want your job and how one of them got the karma that was owed.
• Courtney's love for KISS and her story of battling Hal Sparks in a KISS roast battle.
• Courtney and I share our love for The Monkees and Courtney shares her experience watching Michael Nesmith perform his last show two weeks before he died.
• Punchlines and Backlines is Courtney's show where rock star musicians perform their first stand-up comedy set.
• Currently, Courtney is working as a writer for a new comedy food and travel show for A&E.
• Courtney's comedy consultation company - hire Courtney to help make you funny!
• and much more!

You're going to love my conversation with Courtney Cronin Dold

• Courtney's website
• Facebook
• Instagram

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

• Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
• The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
• Podcast website
• Podcast on Instagram
• Join my mailing list
• Buy me a coffee (support the show)
• Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
• Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Join Jim O'Heir for a behind-the-scenes journey through the world of Parks and Recreation. With candid insights into his fellow cast members, his audition process for the show, and much more

My guest, Jim O'Heir, and I discuss:

• Jim O'Heir's iconic portrayal of Jerry Gergich has made him a household name. We dive into the magic that the writers brought to every script of Parks and Recreation, and Jim talks about the importance of writers in bringing a show to life.
• Jim's journey in the entertainment industry started as a DJ and then led him to broadcast school and improv at Second City in Chicago.
• Jim's improv group, White Noise, and their cult hit Stumpy's Gang, which brought him to LA where he became a full-time working actor.
• We discuss Jim's role as Santa on both Ally McBeal and Boston Legal, as well as his role on Tim Allen's The Santa Clauses TV show.
• Jim shares some great stories about his fellow Parks and Recreation cast members, including Nick Offerman, and Aubrey Plaza.
• Jim discusses the audition process that led to his casting as Jerry Gergich on the show, and we wonder where Chris Pratt, who played Andy Dwyer, is now.
• Jim shares stories of the cast of Parks and Recreation going to see Chris Pratt as Starlord at the premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy
• Jim talks about his Emmy win for his role on The Bold and the Beautiful, as well as his time on Friends with Anna Faris prior to Parks and Recreation.
• Jim shares the news of his new gig as co-host of Parks and Recollection, the official Parks and Recreation podcast.
• Jim's first series regular job on Comedy Central was on Strip Mall with Julie Brown, and he also talks about his time on Curb Your Enthusiasm and their unique approach to creating the show through improv.
• We even touch on the rumors that Jim was going to be in the latest season of The Mandalorian.
• Jim shares the upsides to being Jerry Gergich, which include being married to Christie Brinkley and having a large ******.
• And much more!

You're going to love my conversation with Jim O'Heir

• IMDB
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Parks and Recollection (podcast)

Follow Jeff Dwoskin (host):

• Jeff Dwoskin on Twitter
• The Jeff Dwoskin Show podcast on Twitter
• Podcast website
• Podcast on Instagram
• Join my mailing list
• Buy me a coffee (support the show)
• Subscribe to my Youtube channel (watch Crossing the Streams!)
• Yes, the show used to be called Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show

Need TV binge suggestions? You've come to the right place. We've got you covered.

In this bonus episode, we discuss a few great binge suggestions:

• Facing Nolan (from live ep 90)
• Avatar: Way of the Water (from live ep 100)
• Cold Feet (from live ep 75)

Special guests: Fredd Carroll, Bryan Green, and Zack Wiseman

Crossing the Streams features discussions of TV shows and movies available on streaming services. It is hosted by Jeff Dwoskin and co-hosted by Howard Rosner, Ron Lippitt, Bob Philips, and Sal Demilio. Special guests also join the show on a weekly basis. Each episode features a segment in which the hosts recommend a TV show, movie, or documentary for listeners to consider binge-watching. The segments are taken from live recordings of the show.

Join us LIVE every Wednesday at 9:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM CT

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/CTSYouTubeSubscribe