Media Path Podcast Big Heads Media

The Gong Show was a spicy blend of talent, shock and zany, sprinkled heavily with the special sauce that was Producer/Host Chuck Barris. 70s TV was all about The Gong Gang and Game Show Guru Adam Nedeff’s newest offering, Gong This Book chronicles the weirdly hypnotic cultural touchstone that was The Gong Show.

Adam joins us with returning guest, author and Game Show Writer Shelley Herman. She appeared on The Gong Show and The Dating Game and her book is called My Peacock Tale: Secrets of an NBC Page. Together, we’re celebrating game show history and delving deeply into The Gong Show, The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game. We take a look at Adam’s all-time favorite hosts, Bill Cullen, Dennis James, Alan Ludden, Gene Rayburn, Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest. Adam shares The Gong Show’s origin story which includes original hosts Gary Owens and John Barbour before the NBC head of daytime let Chuck Barris know that he was the only person who could host such a specifically strange show. He did and it worked, but it consumed him.

Was Chuck Barris really a CIA spy???! We CAN tell you without having to kill you. Did The Gong show usher in the phenomenon that would become reality TV? Probably. What happened on those Dating Game dates!? Shelley is telling all. Fritz almost hosted two game shows but his tenacious weather job kept pulling him back in and Weezy’s very first Hollywood show biz experience was her appearance on the game show, Face The Music!

Adam and Shelley also discuss the fascinating intricacies of game show question writing and researching. And, they share the heartwarming story of Adam's book about Alan Ludden appearing dog eared and well loved in the very last photo taken of Betty White. Adam is now the proud owner of Betty’s copy of his book.

And in recommendations, Fritz has been loving Palm Royale on Apple Plus and Weezy went book to screen with We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter. It is now a series on Hulu.
Path Points of Interest:
Adam Nedeff Amazon Author Page
Gong This Book by Adam Nedeff
Books by Adam Nedeff
The Gong Show Playlist
Adam Nedeff on Facebook
Adam Nedeff on Youtube
Adam Nedeff on Instagram
Adam Gives Conan Tour of Madame Tussaud's
Adam's Bill Cullen website
Shelley Herman
My Peacock Tale by Shelley Herman
Shelley Herman on Facebook
Shelley Herman on Instagram
Quiz Show Expo
Palm Royale on Apple Plus
We Were The Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
We Were The Lucky Ones on Hulu
Georgia Hunter's Blog

We are attaining excellence and saving democracy. High bars easily cleared by our guests, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and TV Host/Motivational Speaker Michael Burger.

Jasmine Crockett proudly represents Texas’ 30th District. She is a Freshman Leadership Representative, fighting hard for reproductive and voting rights and her viral moments in committee are legend. She is coming in hard for MAGA Republicans and sharing her insights and strategies on energizing our Democratic base, reclaiming our human rights and standing united with Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

When showbiz veteran Michael Burger lost The Price Is Right hosting gig to Drew Carey, he realized that he had a skill set that transcended the studio set. He takes us on a hilariously, uplifting journey from the high seas (where he began as a cruise ship comic) to Southern California where he has worked on and off camera on a slew of sitcoms, game and talk shows, (He's hosted 4000 hours of TV!) to corporate conference rooms across the land where he inspires and motivates today's most powerful business leaders. 

Michael shares stories about his iconic colleagues, like Home & Family co-host Christina Ferrare, Betty White, and the cast of Hot in Cleveland (he was the warm up guy), Johnny Carson and Gregory Peck plus we learn his pick for the greatest game show host of all time and we hear how Pat Sajak tanked Fritz’s budding game show hosting career!

In recommendations, Weezy is picking the documentary series Synanon Fix on HBO and Fritz is a fan of A Gentleman in Moscow on Amazon Prime.
Path Points Of Interest:
Jasmine Crockett's Campaign Site
Jasmine Crockett's House Site
Jasmine Crockett on X/Twitter
Jasmine Crockett on Wikipedia
Jasmine Crockett on Instagram
Michael Burger
Michael Burger's Hosting Reel

Absolutely Necessary by Ross Shafer and Michael Burger
Coloring Your Way to Success by Michael Burger
Michael Burger on Wikipedia
Michael Burger on Facebook
Synanon Fix on HBO
A Gentleman in Moscow on Paramount and Amazon Prime
A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles

Are you a New Zoo 70s Kid? The New Zoo Revue starred Freddy The Frog, Charlie The Owl, Henrietta Hippo and real-life couple, Doug Momary and Emily Jo Peden Momary. Together with their courtyard of critters, they taught kids the values of courtesy, cooperation, humility, patience, kindness, problem-solving, manners, and promises. Throughout the 70s and beyond, the show aired five days a week and it was packed with fun, humor, lessons and music. Each episode was a mini-musical with Doug writing the scripts and over 600 songs.

The goal was to create a warm, nurturing and entertaining environment which would fortify kids with some guidance and wisdom to take with them into life. Now, nearly 40 years later, they are sharing their memories on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram and New Zoo kids, now in their 50s and 60s are completely delighted! 

Doug and Emmy Jo join us this week to paint a picture of what it was like behind the scenes, complete with hectic production schedules, appeasing the advertisers, two White House visits and an unrelenting drive to provide quality programming to little kids on their way into facing life’s challenges. 

The Moberys met doing summer stock in Santa Maria, CA and they have been together ever since, creating quality kid content and raising their own family. The full circle moment being when their daughter Joanna opened a New Zoo Facebook page, reintroducing them to their loyal fanbase who credit them with life lessons that have sustained them. Be on the lookout. Doug, Emmy Jo, Joanna and Freddy may be heading to a Comic-Con near you.
 Until then, enjoy their completely engaging stories and go find them online!

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Scoop on Netflix and Manhunt on Apple TV+.
Path Points of Interest:
New Zoo Revue
New Zoo Revue Clips
New Zoo Revue on Wikipedia
New Zoo Revue Opening Theme 
New Zoo Review Episodes
New Zoo Review on Prime
New Zoo Revue on Facebook
New Zoo Revue Family Reunion Group
New Zoo Revue on Instagram 
New Zoo Revue on Twitter
New Zoo Revue on Youtube
New Zoo Revue Shop 
Scoop - Netflix
Manhunt on Apple TV

Get ready to rewatch some Mrs. Maisel with the man behind Moishe, Kevin Pollak! His podcast is called My Mrs. Maisel Pod and he is taking a deep dive into the show with co-stars, creators and celebrity super-fans.

Kevin joins us to talk about his podcast celebration of the writing, production and cinematic marvel that is The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel along with his old school casting of pod, The Kevin Pollak Chat Show featuring ten years of conversations with superstars like Larry David, Dick Van Dyke, Tom Hanks, Bill Burr and Elon Musk, (in Kevin's words "before he became a bond villain.”) 

We chart the full trajectory of Kevin's career, from standup to Avalon, A Few Good Men, The Usual Suspects and beyond including a round of IMDB Roulette which takes us to the lands of Wayne’s World II, L.A. Story and Drunk History.

From there, Kevin graces us with the world’s greatest Peter Falk/Alan Arkin/Johnny Carson story, and some important insight into Jack Nicholson’s iconic A Few Good Men moment… if you can handle the truth.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending The Girls On The Bus on HBO and Rachel Maddow’s best selling book, Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism.
Path Points of Interest:
Kevin Pollak
My Mrs. Maisel Pod
My Mrs. Maisel Pod on Apple Podcasts
Kevin Pollak on IMDB
Kevin Pollak on Wikipedia
Kevin Pollak on Twitter
Kevin Pollak on Instagram
Kevin Pollak Chat Show on Youtube
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The Girls On The Bus
Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism by Rachel Maddow

When TVs entered living rooms and Cinerama lit up movie screens, teens went nuts for Troy Donahue. Born Merle Johnson Jr. he was discovered at The Golden Pheasant restaurant in Calabasas by bigwigs, William Asher and James Sheldon. Signed to Rock Hudson’s manager Henry Wilson, Troy won the role of Johnny in A Summer Place and was a teen idol by the morning after opening night. 

A screen dream, Troy’s reality was a nightmare. Author Michael Gregg Michaud has written books about Sal Mineo, Mae West, Marlene Dietrich and Diane Mcbain. Michael joins us to discuss his biography, Inventing Troy Donahue: The Making of a Movie Star.

Long intrigued by the darker reality behind Hollywood’s seemingly perfect presentation, Michael helps us understand the challenges that shaped Troy’s life. He lost his father at 14 and undiagnosed dyslexia adversely affected his grades and his sense of worth. Troy began drinking in middle school. He says he was drunk all the way through his two TV series, Surfside 6 and Hawaiian Eye and unable to master new lines because of his learning disability and his inebriation. By the time he made Paul Springs Weekend, he was downing three codeine laced aspirins with a pint of vodka, followed by four lines of cocaine just to get himself up and out the door.

This regimen was quickly followed by a career on the skids, financial ruin and four failed marriages. Troy’s charm, humor, wisdom and gratitude pulled him through recovery and bonded him for life with ex-wives, girlfriends and screen partners, Suzanne Pleshette, Sandra Dee, Connie Stevens, Diane McBain and Angie Dickinson.

We also learn from Michael about his other books, including a brand new one on Mae West’s nightclub act. It’s called Mae West and Her Adonises.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the new doc series on Paramount +, Willie Nelson & Family and Loudermilk on Amazon.
Path Points of Interest:
Michael Gregg Michaud on Amazon
Inventing Troy Donahue: The Making of a Movie Star
Troy Donahue on Wikipedia
Michael Gregg Michaud on Facebook
Michael Gregg Michaud on Instagram
Willie Nelson & Family
Loudermilk - Amazon Prime

Ivan Decker’s standup comedy is sharp, relatable, polished and laugh-out-loud-by-yourself-on-your-couch-or-in-your-bed hilarious! 100% Canadian Content, Ivan is 12% funnier than a comparable American and he has brought his funny to the world square that is Youtube. Ivan’s newest special is called Popcorn and much like its taste-treat namesake, the show is irresistible.

Ivan joins Fritz and Weezy to talk about his roots, his influences, his writing and performing techniques and the joys and challenges he’s encountered along his path. He was named Comic To Watch at the TBS New York Comedy Festival. He was featured in the Netflix special, Comedians of the World. He’s been a regular on CBC’s The Debaters. He’s appeared on Conan and he is a Juno Award winner for his comedy album, I Wanted To Be A Dinosaur. (Juno is Canadian for Grammy.)

Ivan is coming soon to a city near you, but first, he’s here with us on Media Path.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the book to media experience that is Apples Never Fall and the Paul Simon doc series, In Restless Dreams.
Path Points of Interest:
Ivan Decker
Ivan Decker's Special - PopCorn
Comedians of the World on Netflix

Ivan Decker on Instagram
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

Apples Never Fall on Peacock
Paul Simon's In Restless Dreams
Weezy's Paul Simon Interview