Vicki Abelson's Broadcast: The Road Taken

Oh.My.God! Maggie Wheeler brought the smart, the empathetic, the funny, great inside stories, and even a song. A very inspiring one. Spectacular all. How has Maggie spent her COVID staycation? In service, as she has been for 17 years as the creator/director of Golden Bridge Choir, and now, since the start of the pandemic, Together In Song, a worldwide choir of voices, where everyone is encouraged to create community and sing. We got the scoop on her break in Lorne Michaels’ The New Show, her hysterical audition to win the slot, Johnny Carson, her mom’s memorable note, Henry Jaglom building her first starring film role, casting her ex, an unknown David Duchovny, who, as a result, soon after shot to stardom, Ellen, a love fest, and what went south there, Suddenly Susan, also going south, damn those vivacious redheads, but which led to her being available for Friends, her one-off as Janice turning into a ten-year run–– where the voice came from, the Oh. My. God. and that laugh! Matthew Perry, his brilliance,

Wow. Just wow! As great as it was to sit down with my old pal, renowned drummer, Sandy Gennaro, in August, today may be a game changer for me. Sure, we talked career… Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Bo Didley, Johnny Winter, Pat Travers, but this time we dug deep into his personal relationships with each of them, their style of banding or bonding as it were. Fascinating. Great stories, all. The highlights for me were talking about Sandy’s 38-year marriage and what makes it still thrive, joyfully. Lessons learned there. He said exactly what I needed to hear. Likewise, when discussing what prompted his latest career shift, much like the seemingly simple random act of kindness that prompted his life-changing gig with Cyndi, a more recent momentary act of thoughtful, attentive, generosity, led to a whole new beginning as a speaker and author, which is exploding with rewards. I paid Sandy’s example forward, immediately following the Live, whilst speaking at a meeting of entrepreneurs. Not seeking any return or reward

Sitting down with Thaao Penghlis is like feasting on 12-courses––each extraordinary, unique, flavorful, and delicious. I was delighted, entertained, and schooled… on history, health, healing, art, travel, cuisine, culture, manners, and sophistication. Thaao took us through his latest odyssey to discover the truth about Homer’s, his latest commissioned piece of art, and the dinner party to celebrate, Enrique Senis-Oliver, the world-renowned artist who created it, which I did not attend due to COVID fear… crabmeat, filet mignon & rack of lamb, oh my! Thaao spoke of his many world travels, the lands, people, and cultures that pull him, and why… reincarnation, perhaps a partial explanation of some of his passions, his upcoming podcast, and his new book, daily disciplines––habits which enrich and inspire, family, thoughts for his future, and the not so surprising binge or two he’s indulged during the pandemic. I’d learn a lot more in life if all of my teachers were as easy on the ears, eyes, mind, heart, and s

Marcus Eaton Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Live from Florence Italy, singer/songwriter, easy on the eyes and ears, Marcus Eaton, treated us to a mini concert and great conversation. When David Crosby describes you as, "one of the best young singer-songwriters in America - maybe even the world, brilliant musically, brilliant lyrically, and he just plays guitar like God on a good day,” then invites you to tour, record, and co-write with him, and plays on your album… well, it doesn’t get much better than that. And yet, it does. Add to that composing the soundtrack of David Crosby: Remember My Name, and, opening for Bob Dylan, and Dave Matthews, to name two, his own, Versions of The Truth (https://www.marcuseaton.com/music), which Crosby joined him on for some, Invisible Lines, and his new album tentatively titled 'What Is Real' set for release this year. Marcus started us off with my request of his Better Way, reminiscent of Sting, but oh, so Marcus. We talked about his first trip to Italy, accomp

It’s always a warm delicious treat to sit down with James Lee Stanley. There’s a reason he’s opened for everyone from Bonnie Raitt, Art Garfunkle, Bill Cosby (before we knew), Robin Williams, Dionne Warwick, Robin Trower, and Steven Wright for 3 years. His 50+ years of friendship and musical partnership with Peter Tork were covered from start till two days before Peter’s passing when he was felled by rare cancer under his tongue. Shockingly, James survived his own bout of tongue cancer months later, when his beloved wife Evelina suggested an endoscopy, without cause. James was back performing mere months later. Last September, days after sitting down with us here, James fell off his roof, for the first time not under the watchful eye of his Evelina, broke his back, was airlifted for surgery, took no pain meds, and did a concert two weeks after surgery. This is a substance- sans substances. James treated us to a solo rendition of All I Ever Wanted, one of the many songs he and Peter recorded together. Just

Whaddya get when you put 5 rock icons and a rockstar filmmaker together on a Zoom screen… besides a ridiculously hip Brady Brunch, Hollywood totally not Squares scene? Nirvana - sans Kurt. Sitting down with The Immediate Family, Danny Kortchmar (Kootch), Leland Sklar, Waddy Wachtel, Russell Kunkel, and Steve Postell, plus documentarian, Denny Tedesco, could have been a chaotic mess, instead. like the brilliance that pervades their music and art, the time flew like smooth jazz, only more like great rock ’n roll… cause that’s way more fun. We talked current events, their upcoming album, tentatively titled, The Best Record Ever Made, the one cover they’ve covered, to be the first single, their hitting the festivals now documentary, Immediate Family, featuring James Taylor, Keith Richards, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, and Stevie Nicks, to name some, touring in real-time, with Lyle Lovett and Stevie Nicks, and the toll COVID is taking, upcoming shows in Los Angeles at all the Canyon Clubs in Nov

Peter Riegert Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Stories, stories, and more stories, one better than the next, all fantastical! Peter Riegert exceeded my high expectations and that’s an exceedingly tall order. Somehow 2 hrs and 45 min flew by in an instant, yet at the same time, we got to know so much about Peter, his life, his work, his thoughts, his heart, and his art. From the Bronx boy playing stickball to marching with Martin, who had a dream, to an underachieving student, teacher, and waiter, Bella Abzug, to improv, War Babies to Peter’s first resume and headshot––hysterical story! From Off-Broadway, a Marx Brother, to Mamet, aligning lives and love with Bette Midler, Mash, Coma, to the game changer, Animal House, how he got it, so many stories from there to here… Bette, F. Murray Abraham, Tom Matheson, John Belushi, Karen Allen, Mark Metcalf, Chilly Scenes of Winter, John Heard, an Academy Award nomination, Crossing Delancey, Amy Irving, the pickle man––a chick magnet, Local Hero, how that c

Sandy Gennaro Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson I feel like I went “home.” Sitting down with Sandy Gennaro after a 30-year abyss was a walk down the wild side of memory lane and just crazy fun. Having a bunch of our old cohorts from back in the day along for the ride made it that much funner. Sandy took us from Staten Island, getting ignited by The Beatles, local giggin’ and day jobs to LA, meeting an idol, erring’ at a major audition, helping said idol get that gig, Michael Boloton - not a misspelling, before he was Bolton, Pat Travers, playing arenas, to playing with an unknown Cyndi Lauper, who exploded on their first tour, getting that gig thanks to Sandy’s kindness to a stranger. A recurring theme in his story. Great stories along the way, opening for Queen for months at the height of it all, The Monkees, Davy, and Micky, solo as well, Joan Jett… we got stopped there, the time flew and Sandy had another show to do. We talked family, his marriage which has thrived for 30+ years, his daughter l

Liberty DeVitto Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson I can’t stop smiling. How I adore Liberty DeVitto, and would even if he wasn’t one of the greatest drummers of all time––Billy Joel's, iconic partner in music for 30 years. I’ve known Lib for 30-something years and every time I see him it’s better than the last. Like fine wine, except neither of us is having any––unlike how it was when we met. We talk about that - his climb to stadium rock, the magnums of red, throwing up on his shoes––before Billy, Mitch Ryder, Vanilla Fudge, meeting Billy, Stevie Nicks, Only the Good Die Young, what Lib brought to it, love and their marriages, and marriages, and marriages, Richie Cannata, Russell Javors, Doug Stegmeyer, The Billy Joel Band, how Billy gave up an enormous opportunity out of love, loyalty and respect for them, and how it fell apart after 30 years of stellar music, fame & friendship. Sobriety, perhaps contributing to Lib’s demise. We talked about the silence between them in the years that followed, Li

Loren Gold Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Sitting down with Loren Gold, keyboardist for The Who, and Chicago, both, currently (WHAT!), not to mention a close treasured friend, was win, win, win. Such easy fun. In the coming days, Loren will be out with both bands. Talk about a bounty of riches. Deserved. We talked about how this craziness came to be, from auditioning for Roger Daltry in 2009, and then, after 3 years of touring with him, being invited to join The Who. Great stories here. Seeing Loren with them at The Hollywood Bowl at the end of 2019, was arguably the best, or at the very least, one of the greatest concerts I’ve ever been lucky enough to see made better still because of Loren. COVID wreaked havoc with both those gigs, only to find it created an opening with Chicago. That whole journey was great to hear. From 6 yr old Loren, forced to take piano lessons, to 15 yr old Loren, knowing that was all he wanted to do, high school bands and day jobs to touring with Tiffany, Hilary Duff at t

Can you top this? Yes, we can. How the hell is it possible that this sitdown with The Sopranos Richie Aprile aka David Proval, will go down as one of the most entertaining shows yet? It shall. WOW. What fun. Great stories. Crazy coincidences. More great stories. As if it wasn’t enough that David’s mother and I share the same family name, and she has the same country of origin as my grandma with the same name, we’re both New Yorkers, David went to Yeshiva, my father taught Yeshiva, our paths crossing about a decade ago while filming Henry Jaglom’s The M Word with Michael Imperioli, post their work in The Sopranos, pre ours at Women Who Write and Game Changers. Thanks to the suggestion of my new good friend, Mark Metcalf, who also middled last week’s stupendous sitdown with Tim Matheson, I know David’s extensive body of stellar work, Mark added technicolor. I jumped at his suggestion to invite David. My gratitude to both of them is boundless. What fun! I know I said it before, but it bears repeating. Fro

If you look up “fun,” it’ll take you right to this thing right here. Exceeding my high expectations, Tim Matheson is even more gorgeous, charming, intelligent, animated, accessible, and fabulous than I could’ve imagined. Don’t think I’ve ever had more fun at 11 in the morning. Squeezing us in on a busy day of meetings, and a table read for Netflix’s #1 smash, Virgin River, which Tim both stars in, and oft directs, he was relaxed, gave us his full attention, energy, passion, and focus, and, what a treat it was after all these years of adoring him. We jumped into Animal House, how it went down, how he got it, what almost was, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Peter Reigert, Karen Allen, Mark Metcalf, who, thanks to his extreme kindness, introduced me to Tim, making today possible. We circled back through this Burbank boys’ start, My Three Sons, Leave it to Beaver, voicing Jonny Quest, the Western years, Bonanza, The Virginian, co-starring with Kurt Russell in The Quest, opposite Henry Fonda, and Lucille Ball in Y

50 years ago yesterday, Ray Parker Jr. and I were in the same room… well, it was Madison Square Garden, he was 18, playing with Little Stevie Wonder, who was opening for The Stones, and, it was Mick’s birthday. That’s some cool shared history… I, a mere speck in the story am claiming my seat. Today was not quite so historic, yet any time in Ray’s company is a huge treat. Add IIFC Award-Winning Filmmaker, Fran Strine to the mix, whose documentary, Who You Gonna Call, about Ray, just dropped, and well, it gets even more special. We talked about how they met on Fran’s previous doc, Hired Gun, which also featured Ray, and where the idea for WYGC was borne. Ray’s story was just too big to not tell. Known internationally, cross-generation for Ghostbusters, there’s so much more to the story. Growing up in Detroit, police brutality firsthand, playing the clarinet and the sax, how he got his first guitar, and his 10,000 hours before he hit 13 when he had his first big gig with The Spinners. Crazy. Barry White, Marv

I’ve had the great good fortune to sit down with innumerable heroes. Not sure anyone is more beloved by… everyone… than Ed Begley Jr. Notes and messages flooded in before, during, and after the Live. Besides being a gifted actor in all genres, 7x Emmy Award Nominee, Ed’s a spectacular human who walks the talk like no one I’ve ever known. We addressed the Covid, how it impacted his life, and career––not much it turns out, the man who never stops working, didn’t! Even getting the virus recently barely slowed him down. Ed’s miraculous one-hour post-Paxlovid cocktail “cure” is hopeful and inspiring. Currently, on the air in Better Call Saul, and Young Sheldon, Ed’s got an exciting film in the can he couldn’t yet talk about, a memoir in the works with a hinted-at story alone worth the price of admission, a film he’s about to say, “yes” to, and, a promised Part 2 here with us. We went back to Ed’s youth, his Academy Award Winning brilliant father, Ed Begley, a conservationist of a somewhat different variety who

Steve Postell Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Singer/Songwriter/Producer, Steve Postell and I go way back to Bleecker Street in the heady daze of the New York club scene. He's played every club I've booked and guested on every show I've hosted and produced. Whenever we see each other we pick up right where we left off, as comfortable as a pair of favorite faded jeans, and yet, still exciting and new. Incredible songwriter, amazing guitarist, with the voice of an angel, Steve treated us to a mini-concert sprinkled throughout, from his latest pearls to his golden gems. A first long-awaited music lesson at 8 with his first guitar, which he outgrew the first week, to his first gig for $25 when he was 13, how an art class with Bob Dylan may have changed his life, to solo gigs, Broadway touring companies, to Broadway itself, with Patti Lapone’s Evita, jingles, record deals, Pure Prairie League, his own bands, recording, engineering, producing, New York to LA, The Night Train Music Club, first meets wi

Martha Bolton was Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Now that’s edutainment! Emmy-nominated comedy writer Martha Bolton was only Bob Hope’s first female staff writer, has only written 13 musicals, 88 books, including her latest, Dear Bob… Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with The GIs of WWII, co-written with Linda Hope, only has 13 musicals out there, a few running right now, wrote for Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller, has won a Golden Scroll Merit Award for Fiction, and has been nominated for a Dove Award, and a WGA Award… what a slacker! How this woman does it… ‘splained here. Self-taught, disciplined beyond fault, up at 3 am, writes most hours of every day, and loves what she does. We got the skinny on Bob, as a boss, a comedian, an American, and a human… George Burns, Johnny Carson, Milton Berle, Danny Thomas, Sonny & Cher, Joan, and Phyllis. Simply fabulous! Talking to a comedy writer is fun. Can’t wait to read the book. https://amzn.to/3HMoHuv Talking to a comedy writer is fun. Martha Bolt

Tom Bergeron Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson There’s nothing like sitting down with an adored friend who’s made his mark being in the moment, Live, without a net. Emmy-winner, Tom Bergeron, is my kinda guest. Whip-smart, emotionally intelligent and evolved, hysterically funny, a generous to a fault humanitarian, and oh, so laid back, and easy (don’t tell Lois). This isn’t our first rodeo - it just keeps getting funner. We got the Tom’s eye view of Dancing With The Stars, from his hiring to his firing (of his own creation- scooped to us on a past Game Changers), the judges, his co-hosts, the pros, the celebs––the joys and the not-so-much ones, dramatic moments, inside dish, to the current state of streaming affairs… could a return be in his future? I hope sure hope they’re smart enough to do so, if he wants it. We talked The Masked Singer, behind the scenes with his crooning Taco, America’s Funniest Home Videos, Bob Saget, Hollywood Squares, Whoopi, Henry Winkler, meditation, and his tome, I’m Hos

Stuart Pankin on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson There are no accidents and no mistakes. A cancellation led to a speedy opportunity, that I’m so grateful to have had. Five-time nominated and CableAce Award winner for HBO’s, Not Necessarily The News, Stuart Pankin, originally scheduled for August, jumped in tonight, and what an absolute joy! We talked about the early days, how this constantly working actor never had to have a day job, with one short exception, funny story here. From Columbia University to theatre from off off off, to repertory, Shakespeare in the Park, how fellow sword carrier, Kevin Kline changed his stars, to Lincoln Center… landing in the land of LA with a bit of TV work, some unemployment, and then a handful of years later, the game-changer, anchor and player on the award-winning, Not Necessarily The News. Over 300 television appearances and loads of movies followed. We talked his co-starring role in Fatal Attraction opposite Michael Douglas, Hollywood Knights with Robert Wuh, Stri

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What to do when in the midst of unfathomable national tragedy, and your guest is 5 x Emmy Winner, Alan Zweibel, one of the funniest humans on the planet? Face the elephant in the room head-on. We discussed how comics and monologists deliver on a day like this, and what is verboten? From there we moved into personal, current COVID crisis, where listener Julie Warner, Billy Crystal’s co-star in the film, Mr. Saturday Night, informed us we were depressing (she was playing… Alan is never is anything less than hysterical), and then we segued into his latest co-creation with Billy, Here Today, about an aging comedy writer whose memory is fading due to dementia. Har har har dee har har. Well, the story that inspired the film is crazy funny, as is Alan’s telling of it. It was all comedy gold from there, covering Alan’s many of Alan’s most memorable collaborations, more on Billy from the early 70s standup days to their Tony-winning Broadway smash, 700 Sundays. The first sold joke to Morty Gunty (still a winner toda