Media Path Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis
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🇨🇦 Canada - books
21/04/2026#88🇨🇦 Canada - books
11/04/2026#81🇨🇦 Canada - books
03/03/2026#69🇨🇦 Canada - books
27/02/2026#97🇨🇦 Canada - books
26/02/2026#53🇨🇦 Canada - books
24/02/2026#68
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See allScore global : 79%
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Writing TV's Iconic Women & A Front Seat In The Inner Circle with Stan Zimmerman
Episode 252
jeudi 12 février 2026 • Duration 01:09:34
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
The Girls: From Golden To Gilmore by Stan Zimmerman
Stan Zimmerman on IMDB
Stan Zimmerman on Wikipedia
Golden Girls: The Ultimate Fan Experience
Media Path Interview with Michael Fishman
Cultural Touchstones & Cult Classics with Adrienne Barbeau
Episode 251
jeudi 5 février 2026 • Duration 01:15:46
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:
There Are Worse Things I Could Do by Adrienne Barbeau
Stories With Universal Themes & The Relatability Of A Gay Marine with Greg Cope White
Episode 242
jeudi 6 novembre 2025 • Duration 01:02:46
We’re joined by two authors whose stories illustrate courage, creativity, and the unpredictable tides of adversity and accomplishment, while also uniting us through humanity’s common threads.
Greg Cope White is the Marine whose true story inspired Boots on Netflix. His book is called The Pink Marine and Greg takes us behind the scenes on its screen adaptation with the cast going through actual bootcamp to emerge as actors who could realistically portray Marine recruits.
In serving as a writer and Executive Producer on the show, Greg had the opportunity to flesh out stories beyond those of himself and his best friend, Dale. Greg’s character is called Cam and he joins The Marines before “Don’t Ask. Don’t Tell,” when it was completely illegal to be gay in The Marine Corps. We quickly learn that every recruit is hiding or trying to prove something. Dale became Ray in the series and he is running from an abusive father, attempting to build pride in himself.
We also meet characters who struggle with their weight or have had brushes with the law or have never fit in. Pressure makes diamonds and Marines. Bonds form and Greg reports that the actors in the show are as tight as any fighting unit.
Michael Gregg Michaud introduces us to Christopher Jones: Wild in the Streets, his new book chronicling the meteoric rise, and mysterious disappearance, of one of Hollywood’s most compelling shooting stars. From 1960s heartthrob to sudden recluse, Chris’s story is one of talent, turmoil, mental illness and cultural transformation.
We hear about Greg's solidarity buzzcut and we learn about the Christopher Jones - Sharon Tate connection, it's an episode brimming with mystery, tragedy and triumph!
And in current media--
Weezy: Season 3 of The Diplomat on Netflix
Fritz: Mr. Scorcese - A documentary series on Apple TV+
Path Points of Interest:
Greg Cope White
The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White on Amazon
Christopher Jones: Wild in the Streets by Michael Gregg Michaud
Michael Gregg Michaud on Amazon
Christopher Jones on Wikipedia
Michael Gregg Michaud on Facebook
Michael Gregg Michaud on Instagram
Tender Memories From The Stage & A Midwest Mindset In Show Biz
Episode 152
jeudi 12 octobre 2023 • Duration 01:20:43
Concetta Tomei's richly recognizable presence has warmed screens for 40 years. Her Italian roots, the American dreams of her parents and grandparents and her midwestern upbringing, plus four years as a seventh and eighth grade teacher prepared and sustained her as she faced show biz rigors and rejections.
Her acting chops were masterfully honed on the New York stage where she performed off-Broadway and on, in the New York Shakespeare Festival, in Cyrano with Kevin Kline and in The Elephant Man with David Bowie.
Concetta shares her fierce heart and dynamic spirit as she regales us with story after story of her uniquely thrilling life as a character actor. She talks about her love for her co-stars: David Bowie’s kindness and intensity, Brian Dennehy’s thoughtful mentorship, Dick Van Dyke’s fun and curiosity, and Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau’s propensity to crack each other up on the set of Out To Sea while Concetta got to dance with Donald O’Connor!
Concetta goes into tender detail about her wonderful, supportive parents, who immigrated to Kenosha from Italy and who she credits with much of her success. She also pays grateful homage to her education, studying drama at what became DePaul University, and the deep lessons provided by the works of Shakespeare and her treasured opportunities to perform key roles.
Her paths of learning, and preparing led her to starring roles in China Beach and Providence and opened the gates of Star Trek fandom with an appearance as Minister Odala on Star Trek: Voyager.
We play a few rounds of IMDB Roulette with a spicy story from the set of Dynasty. (Lesson Learned: Do not incur the wrath of Joan Collins).
Concetta is also an animal rights activist and she would love for you to look into the work of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
In recommendations, Fritz got into the Netflix docu-series Beckham, and Weezy is living for ABC's The Golden Bachelor.
Path Points of Interest:
Upper Crust Comedy & The Secrets To Sublime Living
Episode 151
jeudi 5 octobre 2023 • Duration 01:00:48
Craig Kilborn has indelibly and stylishly stamped his unique, hosty brand across the worlds of Sports and Late Night Comedy.
Mixing a patrician personality, with a razor sharp wit and folding in a pinch of irreverent snark, Lord Kilby has now taken up residency at manner houses in the lands of Instagram and podcasting.
A star high school athlete, Craig excelled at basketball, knowing that his future lay in comedy. He blended his strengths as a smart aleck sportscaster in Monterey, California where he acquired his taste for the fancy which he now celebrates on Instagram and on his podcast, The Life Gorgeous.
Craig joins us with action items for those who aspire to live their lives more gorgeously. (You may need a boat.) And despite the adversity of no adversity, he tells us how a tall, handsome, high school jock was able to acquire so sharp a wit. His SportsCenter stint forever changed the tone of sportscasting and, on a personal note, led to a surprise phone call from new fan, Bill Murray!
We discuss Craig’s background as The Daily Show's inaugural host, taking over for Tom Snyder on The Late, Late Show, and why he eventually lost his passion for the politics of it all and stepped away.
Plus, Weezy shares highlights from the performance of Unforgettable Sunrise, a symphony written by non-verbal autistic teen, Jacob Rock.
Fritz is recommending A Haunting in Venice, now in theaters and Weezy strongly advises you to watch the documentary, Torn on Hulu.
Path Points of Interest:
The Craig Kilborn Podcast: The Life Gorgeous
Unforgettable Sunrise Highlights
The Healing Power of Humor & Laughing Towards Enlightenment
Episode 150
jeudi 28 septembre 2023 • Duration 01:21:33
Craig Shoemaker believes in the power of laughter and he's experienced its transformational force firsthand. The showbiz vet with decades of experience in writing, producing, acting and stand up comedy is fully invested in helping others, through humor with his organization, Laughter Heals. To this end, he speaks frankly, lives courageously and is persistently seeking the higher self that will ensure a reach towards his potential.
Craig speaks with raw courage about his painful past, the obstacles he has faced and conquered and those that are currently vexing and challenging him. Undaunted, he understands that laughter is a force more powerful than anger and that positive energy creates a pathway towards healing the wounds of trauma, neglect and abuse.
Craig joins us to share his unique and effective blend of levity and love and how his coaching program, Winning With Humor is helping folks from all of life’s walks achieve goals and more fully align with their true selves.
We get Craig’s unfiltered take on parenting, marriage, divorce, dating and his unconventional childhood with a “fun mom” and an absent dad. An industrious young Craig found himself looking for dads in all the wrong places, writing earnest “Please Marry My Mom” sales pitches to Paul Lynne and Tim McCarver. It was a hard pass from both.
Craig shares how his comedy has saved lives and how his patented “love master” techniques have created them. We learn how cults, coincidences and the call and response of the universe have followed him throughout his life. Laughter being the enduring soundtrack.
Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Never Let Him Go on Hulu, The Morning Show on Apple TV+ and John Mills with Orchids in Zoom, live at The Write-Off Room in Studio City on October 9th!
Path Points of Interest:
The Seminal Sit-Com Neighbor & NBC TV's Golden Age
Episode 149
jeudi 21 septembre 2023 • Duration 59:52
In the late 1980's and early '90s, the TV sitcom landscape was dominated by an unstoppable force known as Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions. It’s the creative juggernaut that brought us Soap and Benson in the late 70s, evolving into the force field behind The Golden Girls. A series so iconic, it launched the spin-offs, Nurses, The Golden Palace and Empty Nest, co-starring our guest, David Leisure.
This Saturday night lineup featured casts of characters who occupied the same imagined universe and often popped into each other’s shows. David was Empty Nest’s wacky neighbor and he also appeared as Charley Dietz on The Golden Girls, Nurses and another Witt/Thomas/Harris creation, Blossom.
Empty Nest, starred Richard Mulligan as Dr. Harry Weston, a widowed pediatrician, much sought after by all the Miami single ladies while riding the emotional waves of his grownup daughters who have refilled his Empty Nest.
David gives us an exclusive peek behind the scenes of this memorable time in broadcast television history. Was Bea Arthur really the only Earth human who hated Betty White? What did Bea Arthur hate even more than Betty White? How did David’s show attempt to fill the space left behind in their nest by Kristy McNichol? How did the cast and crew react to her emotional return?
David shares his origin story and how he landed two key roles. 1) “First Krishna” in Airplane. (He was willing to shave his head.) And 2) The Joe Isuzu commercials. (He’s an obsequious liar.)
We also learn why St. Jude’s hospital is so important to David, how he overcame childhood obesity and the truth about his secret, backstage divorce group therapy sessions with Loni Anderson and Richard Mulligan.
All that plus IMDB Roulette and Empty Nest Trivia!
And Fritz shares his own personal run-in with Golden Girls Producer Susan Harris. (She’s probably still pissed.)
Plus, in recommendations, we’ve got two great books: Blowback - A Warning To Save Democracy From The Next Trump by Miles Taylor and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.
Path Points of Interest:
Joe Isuzu Commercials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJMq_7alQpU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_1ASmweXYs
Blowback - A Warning To Save Democracy From The Next Trump by Miles Taylor
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
The Making of a Super Group & The Music Scene of the 60s and 70s
Episode 148
jeudi 14 septembre 2023 • Duration 01:00:27
Listening to Radio Luxembourg on his family's transistor as a teen in the British countryside, Simon Kirke heard the siren song of The Beatles and was instantly hooked. Determined to make music his career, he spent two years in London before a fateful meeting with guitarist Paul Kossoff put him on a course to make his rock 'n' roll fantasy a reality. Along with Andy Fraser and Paul Rodgers, they formed the band Free which led to the mega hit/classic song All Right Now and Free becoming one of England's hottest bands.
Then, in 1973, Simon, along with Free-mate Paul Rodgers, co-founded legendary hard rock supergroup Bad Company, a monster band that sold out record bins and stadiums worldwide. Their anthemic hits, Shooting Star, Feel Like Making Love, Can’t Get Enough and Rock and Roll Fantasy remain among the most played songs in radio history.
Simon joins us to share (mostly PG!) rock n’ roll stories featuring his iconic bandmates and management and the music venues, record companies and recording studios where so much of his classic rock history played out. Simon tells us the story of Free and how All Right Now was written in desperation, to get the crowd dancing. Simon also details their legendary performance at the Isle of Wight Festival, and how Free stood up to the label that wanted to rebrand them the Heavy Metal Kids.
He shares the backstage/pre-show moment when Bad Company's manager gifted them with platinum albums and we discuss the personality types drawn to each instrument. And, a quarter century sober, Simon considers whether productivity and creation may be the greatest high off all.
Simon has written a possibly too spicy memoir. He is now scoring films and his pathway to sobriety has inspired an upcoming musical called Rock Bottom.
Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the Max doc series, Smartless: On The Road and The Untold Story of the Investigation Into January 6th by Denver Riggleman and Hunter Walker.
Path Points of Interest:
The Rules of Showrunning & an Insider's Guide To How TV Is Made
Episode 147
jeudi 7 septembre 2023 • Duration 01:15:21
eff Melvoin has written an inspiring and comprehensive guide to the art & science of what may be the most momentous, yet mysterious title in Hollywood: Showrunner. At its core, the job is described as a writer/producer hybrid. But it encompasses so much more than just that.
Jeff joins us to talk about Running The Show: Television From the Inside, and he shares his unique perspective on what it takes to make it in the TV industry (spoiler: talent will take you only so far!)
Coming to his author role with decades of television experience from broadcast to basic cable to the realm of Bezos (whom he refers to as “the Stalin of Streaming”), Jeff’s enthusiasm for mentoring and educating compliment his acumen as an accomplished show runner on Killing Eve, Army Wives, Designated Survivor, Picket Fences, and Northern Exposure. They also serve him well as the writer of a wise, funny, instructive and inside view of his field of expertise.
Jeff brings us incredible insight and wisdom on the specific set of skills and personality traits required to succeed at showrunning and leadership in general. We hear his Six Rules, The Twelve P's, His One career-making line (which he wrote for an episode of Remington Steele) and much more.
Plus, he’s got stories from the many shows he's worked on, including Remington Steele, NYPD Blue and Alias and he’s bringing the intel on the differences between American and British Productions as learned via Killing Eve. He’s also sharing his views on streaming’s landscape overhaul, the existential nature of the current writers' strike and the need-to-know phrase for responding to a studio exec's notes.
Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Beanie Bubble on Apple TV+ and San Francisco Sounds: A Place In Time.
Path Points of Interest:
You're Wrong About... with Sarah Marshall and Jamie Loftus Beanie Babies Episode
The Gift of Self Expression & Parenting A Non-Verbal Human
Episode 146
jeudi 31 août 2023 • Duration 51:59
On the Autism Spectrum, there are some people who are never able to speak more than a few words. The inability to verbally communicate indicates no lack of intelligence and it can be incredibly frustrating for those who have much to offer but whose thoughts and ideas are locked inside their own minds.
Among these shrouded geniuses is 19-year-old Jacob Rock, son of Wild Honey Foundation Founder and Director, Paul Rock. Jacob’s two lone spoken words are “yes,” and “eat,” but during the pandemic he was able to focus on his one finger iPad typing and his inner dialogue began to blossom into multi-syllable, complex thoughts, views and poetry. Jacob also typed that he was composing a symphony.
To manifest this vision, Paul solicited the help of Wild Honey Musical Director Rob Laufer. Rob and Jacob began collaborating, composing and mind-melding and the result is a 71 minute symphonic piece called Unforgettable Sunrise which will be performed on September 30th, 2023 with a full orchestra from the USC Thornton School of Music at The Alex Theater in Los Angeles.
Jacob’s piece is autobiographical and it chronicles his struggles with distress, discomfort, stomach pain, self harm, frustration and ultimately, peace, finding his voice and the joy of creation.
Paul and Rob join us to share their process in facilitating Jacob’s self-expression. Paul brings his fullest heart to a reading of Jacob’s poetry and together, our guests illuminate how we may all be able to learn the most from those who say the least.
Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Golda (2023), in theaters and Silo on Apple TV+. And Weezy recaps the Adam Schiff fundraiser she hosted mid hurriquake!
Path Points of Interest:
Wild Honey Foundation on Facebook
Unforgettable Sunrise at the Alex Theater
Unforgettable Sunrise on Soundcloud
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