Vicki Abelson's Broadcast: The Road Taken

Bruce Vilanch Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson We were Live with 6x Emmy Winner, Bruce Vilanch, even though he only stakes genuine claim to 2 of them, he’s got 6. Well, he was awarded 6, he gave one to his mother, one to his manager, one to his business manager, and he’s got 2 in his possession. They all still count, Bruce. And they’re all deserved. This human has brought so much joy, and so much laughter to audiences around the globe for decades. Bruce has written for 24 Oscar broadcasts, was head writer for 14 of them, and collaborated with hosts such as Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, and Billy Crystal, we talked about all of those: fun with Whoopi, outsider Dave, magic with Billy, and the infamous Rob Lowe/ Snow White monologue, difficult Ellen, no surprise there, wildness with Jack Palance, apologies from James Franco, great stories, all! We talked the Hollywood Squares, which brought Bruce front and center - put him on camera, made him a celebrity, helped him land Hairspray and his star

Foreigner guitarist Bruce Watson was having a better hair day, finished his crisp white shirt with a black jacket (I’d intended to do in kind with mine, but I was rushing and couldn’t get my cuffs through my sleeves), and surrounded himself with cool guitars and warm lights. Rockstar! I dig the cut of his jib. Almost as much as I appreciate how accessible, down-to-earth, humble, and lovely he is. Not a likely combination, but oh, so charming. And entertaining! What a great storyteller! Bruce took us through his extraordinary ancestry. The Watsons have been Valley Boys since the 1600s. Not! But they have been in America since then, in LA since the 1890s or so… likewise, his mother’s people, from Cork. Great story there - how and why they got here. We got the skinny on where the passion started - The Monkees - Hey Micky - and Creedance- the dream - to be a rockstar - his first band, Eragon, that no one, including me, could say correctly, covering The Eagles and Zeppelin - hysterical day jobs, great stories

It turns out it’s not all about the bass when talking with my hero, iconic legend, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Jack Casady, of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna. We did a deep dive into Jack’s family history, which is documented back to 1600s America on one side. There’s Irish, there’s Jewish, smoked whitefish on Sunday mornings whilst being raised Protestant. There are stories aplenty of Jack’s father with whom he shared a passion for music and a complicated relationship. Jack found a banjo and a guitar in their attic, where his musical journey began. Jack shares the details, suffice it to say, his solid work ethic, intelligence, talent, and perhaps his penchant for alcohol took root here. Unlike his father, Jack got to live his passion, and got sober 34 years ago. Bravo, sir! He tells a most poignant tale with a prop of losing his father thisclose to a lovely milestone. One of many very moving moments shared today. Jack took us through his early musical influences and experiences, and a couple of non

Post-election 2024 started out somber, weepy, and kind of hopeless for many of us. Thank goodness for my old pal, singer/songwriter/producer, Steve Postell. A long-time news junkie, he determined this day he was through. He pulled me and the rest of us out of the muck––back into the music, art, and the land of the living. We processed together a bit first and then shifted gears with Steve singing his My Parade, which perfectly spoke to his altered focus with an invitation for us to join him in acceptance, awareness, and gratitude of sorts. 
He segued into great stories––his relationship with David Crosby and how Our House came to be, The Immediate Family, awaiting a possible Grammy nom this week for their amazing Denny Tedesco doc, how they came to be, and where they are now––when Steve first became aware of the section backing James Taylor, the moment that opened the door to the full circle back around with all of them––being compared to Jackson Browne to befriending and working with hiim––teen art class

Dan Navarro Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson They say you can never go home- they didn’t have their old pal Dan Navarro on their show––took me right back to shared memories with Chloris Leachman in the living room, the Mets winning a 2015 playoff game at Dodger Stadium (unlike today), seeing Lori Lieberman at The Grammy Museum, Mike Finnegan at The Levitt Pavilion, NAMM hangs, my book launch, a 12 Step meeting, good food, a few of these here shows before and during the pandemic… It’s always warm and comfy as if no time has passed. We touched on Dan’s early days, his creative parents, his famous cousin, Dave, a horrific family tragedy, starting out on horns, finding his voice, literally, writing songs, being a singing waiter at The Great American Food & Beverage Company, with a host of others who found success, including Eric Lowen, who would become his partner, and begin their relationship co-writing the iconic, We Belong, and selling it to Pat Benetar, before it came to have a life of its own,

Dee Wallace Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Dee Wallace has been a literal life changer for me, let alone a game changer in the business of show and as a self-creation healer. We signed up for a session as soon as I got off the interweb tonight. I’ve been employing Dee’s techniques since first we met at Women Who Write in 2011. I got refresher courses every time she came back to the living room and the numerous times she’s guested on this show in its various incarnations. I realized today, looking back and listening to a couple of our past shows, that I’ve manifested almost everything I was working on with her guidance. A couple of desires remain, so tomorrow I’ll resume in earnest the practice I’ve been somewhat lax with since I got happy. With close to 300 screen credits to her name, including The Howling, Cujo, 10, and most notably, her starring role in E.T. (I can’t NOT watch it when I see it’s on), Dee was more recently featured in the remake of Rob Zombie's Halloween, has made recurring ap

My crush on William Katt began decades ago with the tumbling blonde spirals of Tommy Ross in Carrie, the close-cropped Sundance, to the shorter golden curls of Pippin… it wasn’t just the hair, of course… that face, the smile, his voice… the whole damn package. Like millions of other baby boomers, he had us swooning for years. How lovely to sit down with Bill, these almost 50 years later, to discover he’s still got that boyhood charm, mischievous sense of fun, with just a teeny touch of bad boy (note him playfully admonishing his wife when she sneaks into the “set.” And, the au courant platinum do, and facial hair he’s currently sporting still make him a handsome standout. That’s the trivial superficialities - but, what do you expect when you’re talking about a movie star heartthrob? Well, there is the laid-back, easy-going, real as-beans, straight-shooter, who was crazy fun to chat with and get his inside perspective on his parents, actors, Bill Williams (Kit Carson) and Barbara Hale - loved to learn that sh

Narada Michael Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Wow! I’ve seen hundreds of photos, loads of videos - I’ve never seen Narada Michael Walden in an orange bowler. When was the last time I wore orange? InSync! From the first moment to the last, what a glorious, grateful, exuberant lovefest. Narada is as passionate, fun, inviting, and accessible as his music. We talked about his first paper drumkit at 5, how he watched, listened, and learned from his heroes. How the soul sounds of Detroit shaped him, how it’s all soul sounds. From his first band at 11 to the Mahavishnu Orchestra, which would change his life in all ways… adding prayer. mediation, service, and Narada to his name, gifted by his guru, Sri Chinmoy, thanks to John McLaughlin, and of course, the music, following in Billy Cobham’s big footsteps, touring with Jeff Beck, then recording Wired with him, writing “material” for the album, the full circle back to Beck a decade ago and the story behind their masterpiece version of Little Wing.

Jorma Kaukonen Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Let your fingers do the running to the play button. Please! One of the greatest, funnest, most illuminating conversations I’ve had the privilege to share, Jorma Kaukonen, iconic legend, musical hero, rock god, (I mean, come on!) exceeded all expectations and then some. From early days in Pakistan with one pop 45 to Ricky Nelson, and Buddy Holly, 15-year-old returning expat Jorma, took up guitar and soon was in his first band, The Triumphs, with bandmate, Jack Casady, still his bandmate and best friend today, 65+ years later. Beyond amazing. And the fact that they were rehearsing moments before Jorma and I went Live blows my mind. A testament to their ongoing greatness. We talked about Antioch, and not exactly being encouraged to return. Janis, and The Typewriter Tape, San Francisco, Monterey, Hendrix, Jerry, Marty, Paul, Grace, and Jorma’s nickname that became Jefferson Airplane - his invite to Jack Casady. Psychedelia, Surrealistic Pillow, the mak

Rumer Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson It had been too long, too many years, since I’d last seen Rumer, whom I first heard about through our mutual friend, the late, J Marshall Craig a decade ago. As soon as I had my first taste I became obsessed with her and made it my quest to have her sing in my living room. I saw her perform at a benefit concert for Jeff Jones about 10 yrs ago and vowed to make it happen. A great friend and collaborator of the late, beloved PF Sloan, Rumer oft lived across the country and abroad, I met her at last at PF’s memorial 9 yrs ago, just after he’d performed in the living room. Rumer and I became fast friends and I’ve listened to her in heavy rotation almost non-stop since. We came thisclose to her appearing at Women Who Write in 2016, and it’s taken all this time to get her on Game Changers… good things come to those who wait. We went deep today, fittingly on 9/11. First, into Rumer’s past. Her humble beginnings, at the time, one of seven siblings. A secret reveale

Ritch Shydner Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson - Part Deux Ritch Shydner could come back every week and we’d never run out of things to discuss, it would always be entertaining, and he’d always be funny. Co-host! There are no accidents. Losing his signal last week on the road in Georgia was a blessing. We got a Shydner double dip. This conversation with the standup comedian who holds the distinction of making a dozen appearances on Carson’s Tonight Show, as well as numerous appearances on Letterman and Leno, had fabulous stories about the former and the latter, Sam Kinison, their 80s NY road trip before Sam’s superstardom, and how their debauchery almost cost Ritch big time, Roseanne, who handed Ritch his segue from front of the camera to writer, Jeff Foxworthy, a natural after only a few weeks of standup, who created a new joke form, Bill Maher, and True Story, Mike Binder, and Miind of The Married Man, and Robert Klein who shared a most unlikely kinship… there were gems aplenty. But, it was Ritc

Ritch Shydner Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Well, that was a first! On the road with Ronna and Ritch Shydner as they traveled from Florida back home to North Carolina. Literally, in the car, in the fading light, in rural Georgia, with intermittent signal. It was as much a surprise to me as to you! Kinda like doing an interview in a disco with strobe lights. Trooper Ritch didn’t want to cancel even though he was in the midst of family tragedy, having very recently lost his dad, and was out of state with his mom to help. I knew all that, the driving adventure, not so much. Please forgive the challenges and appreciate the funny that Ritch is even in the midst of this! We talked the swing states as they drove through one, the DNC, new hope, sugar addiction, intermittent dieting, the no-matter-what club for drinking and drugging that just doesn’t work with salt and sweets. Ritch’s very early standup days, whilst in law school, getting the degree but opting out, what joy for his parents! Trying LA, ch

Will Lee Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Head to head with the DNC, two news junkies didn’t walk into a bar but did get lost in conversation and fun. It’s easy when one of them is Grammy Winner, crazy talented, lovely, humble human, Will Lee. It’s been a few years and a world of changes since last we spoke, this time focusing on the road to sobriety, many moons ago, what led there, the price of using, meeting Paul Schaffer, a relationship that changed his life, the two of them holding the distinction of being on Late Show With David Letterman from day one with The World’s Most Dangerous Band, until the final days with the CBS Orchestra, also giving Will the world’s record for the longest-running bassist on late-night television. Will talked about the original band of 4, Hiram Bullock, Steve Jordan, how and why it morphed, some standout moments… Warren Zevon’s last show, Will’s MacArthur Park with Jimmy Webb… his hero, Ringo, making an appearance… Beatlemania, period. Where it all started for Will,

Josh Sussman on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson What fun, as I expected! What edutainment, that I couldn’t have anticipated! We got the inside scoop on the differences of the pre and post-pandemic biz scene from SAG Award Winner, Josh Sussman. Fascinating, insightful, delightful! Booking his first audition for My Crazy Life, playing Tom Green’s best friend, Derek, who ironically, my wasband worked with on The New Tom Green Show back in those days, and for the past 20+ years has been one of Tom’s best in the reals… Josh took us from his last in-person audition, for Mr. Mayor, with Ted Danson, which he also booked, and which was delayed due to the COVID craziness, resuming at the height of the pandemic with full protocols in place, and how different that experience was from Glee, where freedom reigned supreme. How once the show dropped and fame hit, watching some of the actors change, perhaps not for the better. From the Suite Life of Zach and Cody, Drake and Josh (different Josh), Wizards of Waverly Place, W

Cathy Moriarty Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Girl Crush! I’ve had one for years on Academy Award Nominee, Cathy Moriarty, now after spending a virtual hour with her, forgetaboutit! I always knew she was an incredible actress, whether making me laugh or cry, but, what an amazing woman… mother, daughter, loyal friend, and pet rescuer. We talked the Bronx, where we both come from, Alexanders, our mothers, gratefully still with us, Cathy’s pre-Pesci discovery acting days… high school drama, plays, dinner theatre, no agent, no professional training, but grabbing stage time wherever she could, auditioning and then a bathing suit contest to win a coveted pair of shoes that would change her stars. The trifecta at 17, the beforementioned Pesci, DeNiro, and Scorcese––Raging Bull. Her first film which led to that Oscar nod, on-the-job master classes, and a friendship with her character’s namesake that would last the rest of Vikki LaMotta’s lifetime. Neighbors. Belushi’s last film. Ackroyd’s kindness. All

Greg Mullavey on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson When one of my life’s heroes walks off the screen into the reals and supersedes all expectations, that’s a home run. So goes it with Mary Hartman Mary Hartman’s, Greg Mullavey. I got a taste interviewing him on the Zoom a few years ago, but this go ‘round witnessing him honoring his craft onstage at The Garry Marshall Theatre as Jules Feiffer, in The People VS Lenny Bruce, being eyeball to eyeball sans screens for the first after the show, sharing a warm hug, and culminating with this chat, a master class on auditioning, acting and keeping it real, on screen, on stage, and in life, well, wow! We talked Greg’s early days, his pro-basball playing father, a Red Sox, a White Sox, who went on to coach the Dodgers, first in Brooklyn then in LA which got Greg to Hollywood and transitioned him from stage to screen and back again. A late bloomer, first appearing onstage in the Army post his philosophy degree, 100+ shows later from Broadway to stages across the count

Peter Onorati Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson SO FUN! Spending time with Peter Onorati is like going out in the bright sunshine after a month in a dark cave. Such joy! We talked Italy and the wondrous vacation he treated his immediate family to visiting their extended family in towns I’ve never heard of and can’t begin to pronounce. But, I wanna go! Then there was Ravello, Positano, SWAT recognition, Rome, truffles, and a funny one that once made it home. There’s funny all over the place with Peter. A great story about Peter’s first son’s birth and his callback for Goodfellas - how he made the audition his - HISterical! And, a master class on how to make the audition yours… mine… ours… and some brilliant tips on acting, and reacting, in general. He disappeared for about 2 1/2 minutes when his laptop died but came back with so much more fun. Getting blacklisted by Les Moonves, the ER debacle, to Cop Rock, the best, as a non-singing actor hired to die, singing his ass off and becoming the central

Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Lemonade! That’s what you get when you take a brilliantly talented, supportive beau, and the greatest, most fun-loving, and devoted co-commiserators on the planet and mix them together on what could have been a rough one. My gratitude is boundless. What fun this was! It helps when said Beau is Emmy Award-Winning Composer, Snuffy Walden, even though we didn’t really go there. From piano to trombone, finding guitar, playing strip clubs, to living in a park with his roadie, Aphrodite in Denver to fronting Stray Dog, opening for Emerson, Lake & Palmer around the world, a near-miss with me in ’74, drinking and debauchery, recording Songs in The Key of Life with Stevie Wonder, earning a platinum record, being in the passenger seat when Stevie drove––oh yes, he did; playing with Dave Mason, Donna Summer, Chaka Khan when she was breaking I Feel For You, touring with Eric Burdon, two times, and having an epiphany, thanks to longtime friend and bandmate, Michae

Oh, what crazy fun! Melanie Taylor who’s sung with pretty much everybody who’s anybody is such an absolute blast, joy, whip-smart, street-smart, soulful, intuitive, talented, informative, unabashedly opinionated and dare I say… right… at least, right on! We started with traveling the world, and how Mel’s work, touring, has enabled her to do so, more to the point, how to pack, and what… I was schooled! A girly girl influenced by her stylin’ grandmother, Melanie’s got it all going on, even when she only takes one medium suitcase and a backpack for a month! A theatre major dancer, a twist of fate/favor changed the course of Melanie’s life. She insisted she doesn’t plan. Singing was not on the program. As they say, life’s what happens when we’re busy making other plans. And what a life she’s living. From Disney to the Righteous Brothers, a Bette Harlette, backing up her fan crush, John Mayer, gushing onstage with Elton, caroling with Barbra, backing Chaka, Donna Summers, a surprise which led to being the fir

Tom Bergeron on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson What a blast to sit down again with the just honored inaugural recipient of The Sam Rubin Award from The Critics Choice Association and Emmy-Winner, Tom Bergeron. The humble humanitarian was as funny and feisty as ever regaling us with one show biz gold story after another and commanding us to Google what he deemed unworthy of repeating (why he left the “dancing show”). He actually scooped it on this very show almost two years ago to the day. We started with Tom’s current FLiRT with COVID, other than some residual fatigue, in under two weeks, thankfully, it’s in the rear-view. His daily routine, well, most of it anyway, and how structure affords him freedom. We talked his and Lois’s favorite and current binges, Midsomer Murders and The Veil, for two, and favorite people. Carl Reiner, how they met, and how their friendship developed, likewise, Dick Van Dyke, and William Shatner… or Bill, as he calls him, with whom he has a show optioned - oh please let it get