Vicki Abelson's Broadcast: The Road Taken

We were Live for the first successful COVID edition of Game Changers with a guest. And what a guest she was. Birthday Person, Writer, Producer, Cindy Begel​, whose credits include: Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Joanie Loves Chachi, The Jeffersons, Head of The Class, Alice, Married With Children, Mama's Family, The New Leave It To Beaver, The Days & Nights of Molly Dodd, The Martin Short Show and most recently the Muppet Babies on Disney Channel, and, Ed McMahon to my Johnny... was sensational. The birthday part was unknown bonus! If you've been watching the daily LIve you know how funny Cindy is, and boy did she live up to my hype. We got stories about Lucy, Carol Burnett, Robin Williams, Garry Marshall, Penny Marshall. Cindy Williams, Linda Lavin, and Bill Cosby, pre #METoo but #MeTooish. Talked Cindy into opening her BF's birthday gift on the air, gloves, fear, and all. And, of course, we talked the days COVID news and had a visit with her fab mom, Roberta. Spectacular fun in the time of cor

My guest tonight was COVID-19. Game changer, if ever there was one. We talked about whether we think we'll forever be changed. Will we ever shake hands again, good question on the thread. Will we be cooking more moving forward? When will we feel safe to mingle? Gather? Go to a Live event? Kiss? Have... sex? When will we be in the mood? How's your mojo through this? Non-existent, or oddly stimulated? COVID-19 wasn't in the living room with me (spots through fingers), but we talked about the conflicting advice? What do we believe? Heed? What are we doing differently? What's caution and what's crazy? IS there crazy in this time of corona? We compared notes and made some sense of it together. Loved the conversation, your thoughts... and your good company. Thanks for shooting the shit with me. Game Changers Live with Vicki Abelson AKA Shooting the Shit With Vicki Wed, 3/25/20, 7 pm PT. 10 pm ET Live on the Facebook Replay here https://bit.ly/2UA2WWA All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on iTunes

I was Live, shooting the shit. Stop! #ToiletPaperCrisis ~ Had a lovely time connecting and chatting (Ms. TalkAlot) with y'all about how we're navigating the new normal... which it turns out is no longer 98.6 for many of us. Shared strategies... Zoom meetings for recovery of all kinds, workshops, business, support- in fact, join us on Zoom every Tuesday at 11 am PT for the Women Who Write Support Group... you don't have to be a writer, and maybe not even a woman... checking with the consensus...hit me up for deets... what I know for sure is that Facebook, Facetime, Zoom, calls, texts, and emails are saving me, gracing me, and giving me a strong sense of love, support, connection, and community, whilst I sit alone in my pajamas. Shared some stories, y'all did too, through the thread... please continue to add additional ideas and suggestions. The Facebook isn't enabling me to throw Watch Parties anymore to continue these... guess I'll just keep doing 'em. Leaving the home studio set, so I'll see you the next tim

Went Live with this week’s guest. Me. Went solo, exercised social distancing. Shared info, not spit... what I’m doing, thinking, trying, for mind body and soul… and got loads of great feedback from y’all- please add to this thread anything you’re doing, reading, or hearing. THIS IS NOT an endorsement of anything - take what you like and leave the rest… I am not telling anyone what to do, just saying what I’m doing, not saying anything is fact, or true, just what I’m hearing and reading. And, there’s some great stuff added on the thread that I’m going to add to my deal. Thanks to all who shared the time, it meant the world to connect and ease the isolation of living alone. It’s heart, mind and soul-filling connecting. So very grateful for youes. If you weren’t with us Live, there’s some worthy sharing of information. Again, take what you like and what makes sense, and leave the rest. This was pure joy in the midst of the unfathomable. I have so much love for y’all. Thank you for blessing my life. I pray we all

Tommy Chong LIve On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson by Vicki Abelson

We went Live with Pamela Des Barres, legendary groupie/author/journalist and got groupie schooled––I’m With The Band, The GTOs, Groupie Therapy… unabashed and unapologetic, Pamela started out as a "normal," good girl––there was Elvis, Dion and then The Beatles, she eventually met all of them. What's a groupie? Pamela defines, and then explains how she gained access and, her code. There's great love, affection, and stories for days about Captain Beefheart, Zappa, Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Jim Morrison, Bob Dylan, Elvis, The Byrds, Waylon Jennings, Paul Reubens, Don Johnson, Woody Allen, Michael Richards, Robert Plant, Allee Willis, her husband, the Marquis, Michael Des Barres, being a mom, writing books, her dolls, her rock tours, her workshops, her podcast, the book she can't discuss in the works, and a book about her spiritual path to follow. You can find all things Pamela https://pameladesbarres.com/ Read her, listen to her, love her. It's easy. Pamela Des Barres Live on Game Changers with Vi

Oh please! It doesn't get funner than this! Screenwriter, bestselling author, Gigi Levangie Grazer dishes like no plater I know. We talked wasbands (Brian Grazer), Fred Silverman, Julie Roberts, Susan Sarandon, Debra Messing, Tinder, a sexy Frenchman, third time being the charm, Stephen King, finishing, optioning, moving on, success, having a "normal" life, kids, cooking, living life to the full. I'll have what she's having, or just keep inviting me over to bask in it, please. I LOVE HER. What fun. My blowdryer blew up before the show, and the Mophi overheated the camera during the show... but here's the meat. NO carbs, plenty of phat. None on Gigi. Gigi Levangie Grazer Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 1/19/20, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET With Pete George Live on The Facebook Show replay : http://bit.ly/2HGTB96 All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj YouTube http://bit.ly/2OaSvWK This wee

We were Live with RIchard TBear. As his friend Mike FInnigan might say, what a life! We talked Belushi, his Joe Cocker, The Blues Brothers, SNL, getting blasted, Wired, Woodward, that fatal night, getting blacklisted... RIchie Havens starting him off, Allee Willis (*weeps*) and writing for Cher, getting sober, John Prine, Steve Goodman, oh hell yeah! Opening for The J Geils Band and getting balled, not in the good way, turning it around, The Doobie Brothers, Edgar Winter, the Fillmore East, Stephen Stills, Loren Gold, Alvino Bennett, Snuffy Walden, producer Tony Braunagel, who stopped by and shared a story about TBear's upcoming album, Fresh Bear Tracks, soon to be released, Baron Marx, of RCA, also on hand, related to the Marx Brothers, with the eyebrows to prove it, RIchard's beloved Nina and all she inspired... TBear played us in with his hit, Sunshine Hotel, and took us out with I'm betting another (I haven't stopped singing it), from his upcoming LP, Love to be Lonely, written with loving guidance from

We were Live with Australian pop sensation, Daniel Aranda. I'm so moved by his forthright, kind, moxie, his music, and his activism. He played, a lot, his music, and some Beach Boys, which he loves. He's played with a few and credits the Facebook. Such an impressive artist and person. Daniel's the first Westerner to perform in a slum in Uganda to raise money to house the homeless. He’s sweet, cute, and 23. 23! Say what? He's going places. Back to Australia tomorrow, no doubt everywhere else soon. Daniel Aranda Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson With Pete George Live on The Facebook Full show replay link http://bit.ly/2GZEY0k All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresse

We were Live with 6x Emmy Winner, Bruce Vilanch. Oscars, Tonys, Grammys, Emmys! He's written for all of them. EGOT adjacent! We talked Bette, Barry, and Billy, to peoples who don’t have B names... Jane Fonda, Sidney Lumet, Kay Ballard (ooo, that's a B) who gave him his first break, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Johnnie Carson, Robert Wuhl, Paul Lynde, Neil Simon, Ann-Margret, Jack Palance, Whoopi, Harvey Fierstein, Carol Channing, Carol Lynley, Keanu Reeves,. Johnny Depp, John Hughes... from sleep-away camp to Broadway... girls to men... straight-up gay sidestepping the war; journalist, comedy writer, to inhabiting a square, a Hollywood Square, which landed Bruce upfront and off-center. Bruce tells loads of fabulous stories and was fearlessly honest and thoughtful. And, at the eleventh hour, we got a joke-joke. Bruce has written for just about everyone and every show. He makes Hollywood and Game Changers, funnier and funner. Bruce Vilanch Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 1/29/20, 7 pm PT,

We went Live with Lee Sklar one of the most storied and successful musicians to ever grace a stage or session, and holy hell! Kicking off the show with a kick ass Phil Collins tune... we launched into everything Leland... how he started... where he went, and loads of the inbetween. Meeting James Taylor, being managed by Bill Graham, The Wrecking Crew playing for him, and a few years later playing with them, weekly. Billy Cobham, playing with James, Carole King, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, forming The Section... Tapestry... meeting Paul the McCartney one, playing with Barbra, the oft misunderstood, TV with ex-manager Mike Post, lots of TV, loads of sessions, the world then, the world now, The Facebook, how it works and how it hurts, players to love, memories to cherish, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, from Wembley to pub clubs, all he wants to do is play... Jackson Browne, Phil Collins- getting goosebumps, every night...NAMM, Reba, Clint, Cocker, Ronstadt, Garfunkle, Stills, Nash and the Crosby... without rhy

Have I heard a better storyteller? I'd be hard pressed to name them. Larry Hankin took us through initial audition to shooting Breaking Bad and the follow-up film, El Camino ... from casting director, to creator/director, Vince Gilligan, to stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, with excruciating honesty. Getting Barry, working with Bill Hader whom he loves, an actor's director who just let him go... as did Woody Allen, the lessons learned doing Annie under John Houston, director's who over direct... starting in stand-up and within 6 months, a long time to Larry, opening for Woody Allen, being managed by his Jack Rollins, opening for Miles Davis, The Loving Spoonful, being on the road and running into and watching Carlin, Pryor, Lenny Bruce, and them, him. Being arrested during his set for being "dirty," auditioning for Second City with Robin Williams, forming The Committee, success growing at each turn, leaving to make a friends film, his rent unpaid in his two month absence leading to him losing everything, i

We went Live with James Gadson, one of the most recorded drummers in R&B history: Bill Withers, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Beck, B.B. King, Thelma Houston, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Joe Cocker, Paul McCartney, Donald Fagen, Kelly Clarkson, Phoebe Snow, Ray Charles, Melissa Manchester, Jose Feliciano, Aaron Neville, Rickie Lee Jones, Boz Scaggs, Natalie Cole… stories about them all. Got educated about some of my heroes— more than a few surprises about superstars––like Sir Paul, and Stevie. Of Seal, James said, he had to put his feelings in his pocket. Robert Palmer had a hit with one of his tunes much to James’ surprise. Self taught, James didn’t start playing drums till he was 21 and taught himself to read music after that. Born to a drummer father who wanted something other than music for his son. James’ done him more than proud. Live from his LA studio, with a mixing board he got from Smokey Robinson, James played a couple of originals, works in progress, soon to be released - that v

Game Changers Live With Vicki Abelson & Pete George by Vicki Abelson

We were Live with Terry Wollman, from piano lessons and the clarinet to music director/guitarist/producer/composer. Terry opens the show with his version of The Little Drummer Boy. For a couple of Jews sittin' around the table talking, he spread a lotta holiday cheer from his Christmas album, A Joyous Noise. Next up current events... I love the smell of impeachment in the evening... spider bites... ouch... Terry takes us on his journey... performing with Billy Preston, Al Jarreau, Keb’ Mo’, recording with Melissa Manchester, producing Tony Bennett and Dick Van Dyke, working with Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, Mel Brooks, and George Shapiro on If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast to George's just dropped on HBO, The Bronx USA, with their song, Da Bronx, is on the Oscar shortlist. Being of service... a career high with Stevie Wonder, to his bride, Melanie Taylor, a Bette Harlette for almost a dozen years, now singing with Barry Manilow, most recently on Broadway, did a session today with The Who's Loren Gold, wh

I listened to alternative R & B songstress & guitarist, MALIA, who's got over 4 million streams and a million fans, all day long, and I'm still listening. Fascinating woman, with wisdom and success, mostly due to her gratitude and happiness––oh yeah, there's that brilliant talent thing. Pretty much self-taught, this self-proclaimed late bloomer is breathtaking. Tough start, broken heart, hitting bottom, law school ambivalent, finding music, and bliss. Deep truths and tasty tunes filled the hour. Have a watch. Give a listen. MALIAvibes.com Fall in love––with the music and the human. She's a star. Maila on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wed, 12/11/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET With Ron Frederick Live on The Facebook Full show replay http://bit.ly/34e9WLs All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, th

Ridiculous fun chatting with Lainie Kazan at Connie Stevens house... what? I know! Lainie talked growing up in Brooklyn, Erasmaus High with Barbara, who she would soon understudy in Funny Girl, and is that a fabulous and ultimately funny story... starting out as a dancer, then singer, first acting experience was at camp, where her drama counselor was... wait for it... Anne Bancroft. Hello? A few years later, she and fellow Hofstra pal, Francis Ford Coppola would be the girls and boys drama counselors, respectively... there's lots about Francis, who remains beloved, Michelle Lee, friends since girlhood, nightclubbing... Dean Martin, Sinatra, and oh boy is that a story! Posing innocently, nightclubbing again, running her own club... the rough years... really rough... Francis coming to her rescue, my favorite movie, My Favorite Year, meeting Peter O'Toole, great story! Producer, Mel Brooks, changing her life... Joe Bologna, and Renee Taylor, lifelong friends, that unforgettable episode of the Nanny... being a m

So much fun and music with singer/songwriter/guitar man Carlos Calvo. He talked about starting to play at 3 1/2, being self-taught music reader, taking classical guitar lessons at Carnegie Hall, coming out to LA to attend the Music School... early gigs, no plan B, no non-music jobs, ever, great Stevie Wonder stories, segueing into teaching, gave Maroon 5s Adam Levine his first guitar lesson at age 10 and continued to teach him through High School and Adam's first record deal... teaching Jonah Hill, and playing a bit of one his tunes... teaching Joe Perry's son, Neil Diamond's too, spending holiday dinner with the, Pamela Adon's daughters... being called to teach guitar to actors who needed to play on film... to Californication, where he worked on set for years, teaching a passionate David Duchovny how to play and working it on to the show... all the while doing his own singer/songwriter band thing (he treats us to a few of his own), what's exciting him now... pairing music and Jack... black that is. Loved eve

I was more than a little intimidated to sit down with 6x Grammy Winning, Oscar Nominated renown jazz trumpeter and composer, Terence Blanchard. I’m jazz challenged. I’d forgotten the warm, present, enthusiastic, sans ego, great storyteller with amazing tales I heard speak last year at a BlacKkKlansman screening, In personal conversation he was all that and a can of Gaga. Did we have fun! We talked Terence’s latest film, Harriet, it’s star Cynthia Erivo, New Orleans, his opera singing dad, playing piano, jazz, Katrina, losing family photos, Wynton, Branford, Art Blakey, Lionel Hampton, trumpeting, Spike Lee, the Lakers, scoring, Shawshank Redemption, composing an opera, and another, being a first, Malcolm X, Hendrix, Hancock, Lady Gaga, work ethics, mentors and mentoring, education, preparation, professionalism, thriving kids, current projects, winning Grammys, being nominated for an Oscar, playing jazz in a stadium, how it all feels... lots of his learned wisdom and a suggestion of his own, “Don’t be the hea

Crazy fun with Robert Wuhl. We talked Newbomb Turk, Mike Binder, Fran Drescher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tony Danza, all discovered in The Hollywood Knights, alongside Robert, its star. How could we not, it's arguably still his most talked about role. We talked Good Morning Vietnam and Robin Williams, their friendship, Bill Durham, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, neither first choices... and who was... Batman, and Michael Keaton, Clean & Sober and Jack. There's only one. Robert does a great impression. We talked Tom Hanks and DeNiro and the parts they didn't get. Writing the Oscars alone with Billy Crystal and winning the Emmy... doing it again with Bruce Vilanch and Marc Shaiman, winning again. Oh, hello, Jack Palance. We talked Arli$$ and Sandra Oh, Assuming the Position and Paul Revere, our mutual close old friend, restuaranteur, DeNiro partner, Drew Nieporent, being a foodie, Paris, Italy, his much missed pal, Glenn Frey, and their project left hanging with his untimely tragic passing... the book in the works..