Classic Conversations: Pop culture Interviews with Jeff Dwoskin

Jeff Bergman tells the story of the night he knocked on Mel Blanc's hotel room door as a University of Pittsburgh student, the meeting that put him on the road to becoming Bugs Bunny.

Four decades of voices around it, from Tiny Toon Adventures and Fred Flintstone to Don Rickles' Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story 5, and now Bugs, Elmer Fudd, Yosemite Sam and Porky Pig in Daffy Season, the Looney Tunes short playing before The Cat in the Hat in theaters November 6.

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Doug McIntyre tells how Jack Klugman brought him from a New York ad agency to Hollywood, and the one move that finally got The Odd Couple star to say yes.

From Full House and Married with Children to 25 years on KABC radio, it all leads to his novel Frank's Shadow, out now in hardcover, paperback and audiobook at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with signed copies at dougmcintyre.com.

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Phil Morris tells the story of how he ended up cast as his own father's character, Barney Collier, in the 1988 Mission: Impossible revival, with his uncle Peter Graves back as Jim Phelps.

Four decades of TV orbit that story, from Jackie Chiles on Seinfeld to Martian Manhunter on Smallville, and it all lands on his current work on CBS's Fire Country and Netflix's The Upshaws.

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The Dick Van Dyke Show turns 65, and historian David Van Deusen celebrates with stories from three decades inside the Petrie living room, from the pilot that aired the day before he was born to Carl Reiner's reunion set.

His new interactive book, From Fandom to Friendships: My Adventures with The Dick Van Dyke Show Cast, puts never-heard cast interviews one QR code away.

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Ari Lehman, the first Jason Voorhees, tells the story behind the Friday the 13th ending that almost never existed, and what Sean S. Cunningham whispered to a 14 year old kid right before he went under the water at Camp Crystal Lake.

From a soccer movie audition to Tom Savini's makeup chair to the brotherhood of actors who followed him in the role, it all leads to Into the Fray, the new First Jason horror metal album on CDN Records featuring Harry Manfredini, streaming now on Spotify and YouTube.

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Dylan Brody tells the story of the phone call he got from George Carlin, the one he performed at Kelly Carlin's tribute to her father at the New York Public Library.

Four decades of comedy around it, from a 1989 Fox debut to his award winning solo special, Dylan Brody's Driving Hollywood, streaming now on Amazon Prime and NextUp Comedy.

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Comedian, podcaster and actor Jackie Kashian has been doing stand up since 1984, when she got thrown out of a Madison, Wisconsin comedy club for heckling Sam Kinison and came back three weeks later for the open mic.

She talks about featuring for Brian Regan and Maria Bamford, playing an airport cop on the final season of Murphy Brown, the year Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle told her she was too much like Kathleen Madigan to book, and why watching Jay Leno do two word perfect sets in 1987 rewired how she thought about the job. She also digs into...

Rhonda Shear hosted more than 400 episodes of Up All Night on USA Network from 1991 to 1998, and she is one of the only hosts from that era who still owns the name.

She talks about the Happy Days incident with Henry Winkler that got her blackballed from every Paramount sitcom at 23, the one line in Spaceballs that Mel Brooks cast her in himself, opening for Robin Williams at the Holy City Zoo, and how a Playboy pictorial where she kept all her clothes on cost her a pageant crown and made headlines around the world. She also explains...

Rebeca Arthur was hired for one week on Perfect Strangers and stayed eight years.

Before that she was a working private investigator in New York, and one of her agency's cases was Robert Durst. She talks about playing Mary Anne Spencer opposite Bronson Pinchot's Balki Bartokomous, photocopying her own backside for Scrooged, improvising with Bill Murray, getting career advice from Bob Newhart at a table read, and the dog who got a SAG paycheck out of Match Game. Forty years after Perfect Strangers premiered, she is still working, still funny, and still friends with almost everyone she...

Thirty years after the last shot was fired, the bank robber and the FBI agent who chased him are sitting down together.

Steve Meyers helped Scott Scurlock pull off the Hollywood Bandit crime spree that hit 19 Seattle banks and took roughly $2.3 million between 1992 and 1996. Shawn Johnson was the FBI case agent who spent four and a half years hunting them. Both appear in the Netflix documentary How to Rob a Bank, and both say the film left out the story that actually matters, which is why they reconnected, why they are now friends, and what really happened...

Douglas M. Wilson has been in the room for some of the strangest and most memorable television of the last thirty years.

A four time Emmy nominee, he went from being an assistant at MTV to the Comedy Channel, then spent the better part of a decade on Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, rising from associate producer to showrunner. From there he built an entire second career in unscripted television with LA Ink, The Pickup Artist, American Inventor, Best Week Ever and Paris Hilton's My New BFF. He breaks down how the Politically Incorrect panel was engineered...

Bob Gunton has spent five decades building one of the most quietly essential careers in American acting, from originating Juan Perón in the first Broadway production of Evita to becoming the face of institutional evil as Warden Norton in The Shawshank Redemption.

He talks about how a pseudo Spanish accent almost got cut from Evita until Hal Prince intervened, what it took to make Sweeney Todd his own after watching Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury do it upstairs, and the wig audition that landed him Shawshank. He also shares his Vietnam service, the Bronze Star at F...

John O'Hurley has spent forty years in television as J. Peterman on Seinfeld, the host of Family Feud and To Tell the Truth, a season one finalist and eventual champion on Dancing with the Stars, and for more than two decades the voice of the National Dog Show every Thanksgiving morning.

He talks about landing the Peterman role one day after his own sitcom was canceled, the ten years he spent as a daytime soap opera star on Young and the Restless and All My Children, voicing Mayor Doofenshmirtz on Phineas and Ferb and King Neptune on...

Jack Pesin, co-host of Dark Passengers (the deep-dive Dexter podcast he runs with his wife Diana), joins for a wide-ranging conversation on the Dexter universe, from the original series' peak seasons to the making of Original Sin and Resurrection.

Pesin shares how a chance connection with Original Sin producer Robert Lloyd Lewis led to set visits and conversations with creator Clyde Phillips, and digs into the show's most debated question: is Dexter a sociopath, or a product of trauma? The conversation ranges across Harry's Code, the original series finale, New Blood, and a rapid-fire round covering the...

Some careers you can trace on a shelf of movie posters, and Michael Pressman has one of the great ones.

Across forty years he moved from a scrappy Roger Corman debut to a beloved studio sequel he made at twenty-six, then into the Richard Pryor dramas, the Dan Aykroyd comedies, the turtle movie a generation grew up quoting, and a decade of prestige television. Underneath all of it runs a family story about the blacklist, resilience, and learning to make the film you actually want to make. This is a warm, funny, wonderfully candid walk back through...

Chris Hummel packed up his life, loaded a trailer, and drove his band from Mississauga, Ontario to Palm Springs on the bet that the world still needed rock and roll.

As the co-founder and frontman of the Dreamboats, the ultimate 50s and 60s band experience, he has taken a for-fun open mic project and turned it into a touring act that has played the Cavern Club in Liverpool, opening parties for major festivals, and stages all across Europe and North America. This conversation gets into how the band came together, why leaning into one clear identity changed...

Marta Kristen spent three seasons drifting through the stars as Judy Robinson on Lost in Space, but her real story started years earlier in a hidden wartime orphanage in Norway.

In this conversation, she traces her adoption into a Michigan family, the chance encounter in a Santa Monica deli that launched her Hollywood career, and the wild shift her most famous show took once a certain caped crusader hit the airwaves. She also opens up about a devastating wildfire that took her home and her nearly finished memoir, and the unexpected new chapter of love she's found...

Before there were influencers, before comment sections, before anyone thought to scroll through customer letters for content, there was Wendy Kaufman, doing it all from a desk at a small drinks company in New York.

The woman who became the face of one of the most beloved ad campaigns of the 90s as The Snapple Lady shares what it really took to get there, and what nobody knew about her at the time.

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Jim Meskimen is one of those rare performers who can disappear into a thousand different voices while somehow remaining completely himself.

In this return visit to Classic Conversations, Jim breaks down his current wave of on-screen work, from trading blows with Billy Bob Thornton on Landman to surviving a hippo attack in the upcoming thriller Hungry. He also opens up about the craft of impression, what it really takes to hear a voice the way he does, and what it was like spending a week working alongside the legendary William Shatner.

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Author Samuel Garza Bernstein returns to dig into his new book, Roddy McDowall: An Actor's Life, How Green Was My Valley to Lassie to Planet of the Apes, the first full biography of the legendary actor.

Drawing on newly opened archives at Boston University, Samuel traces Roddy's path from child star to Hollywood institution, and unpacks the work that made him a household name across generations of film and television.

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Clay Aiken is back. After 18 years away from recording, the American Idol Season 2 fan favorite has released "Rewind," a high-energy comeback single that proves every year of the wait was worth it.

In this conversation, Clay pulls back the curtain on what it was really like to be on Idol before anyone knew how massive it was going to become, shares the behind-the-scenes stories behind his most iconic performances, and talks about navigating a music industry that has changed completely since he last released an album. From Broadway to Sharknado to SNL, this is a career that...

Kathy Garver has spent 60 years as one of television's most beloved figures, and she shows no signs of slowing down.

Best known as Sissy Davis on Family Affair, Kathy reflects on why the show has never truly left the cultural conversation, what it was like to nearly lose the role to The Brady Bunch, and how she went from child actress to Grammy-nominated audiobook narrator. She also reveals the details on her upcoming hosting gig, a new book about Hollywood love stories, and a Pollyanna film she is producing in Australia.

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Jennifer Elise Cox didn't just play Jan Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie, she became her.

From landing the role on her very first film audition to sharing a wig with RuPaul, Jennifer brings the same infectious energy and razor-sharp comedic timing to this conversation that made her an icon. She talks about being directed by Betty Thomas, keeping a straight face across from Christine Taylor, guest starring on Will and Grace with a retainer in her mouth, and improvising alongside Lisa Kudrow on Web Therapy.

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Rich Little has done impressions of presidents, Rat Pack legends, and Hollywood royalty for decades, but the stories behind those performances are even more entertaining than the impressions themselves.

The man of a thousand voices sits down to share what it was really like performing in front of the very people he was imitating, the moments that went sideways, and what keeps him performing in Las Vegas to this day.

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From a gapped-tooth kid who dreamed of Hollywood to the woman who gave Kim Kardashian her first TV appearance and generated over a million dollars a day on home shopping, Dr. Forbes Riley has built one of the most extraordinary careers in entertainment and sales history.

In this conversation, Forbes opens up about the acting career that took her from Splatter University to Broadway opposite Christopher Reeve, the pitching philosophy that turned her into a $2.5 billion force in infomercial history, and why her brand new book, Pitch Secrets A to Z, is really a life skills manual...

Marc Sotkin has written and produced some of the most beloved sitcoms in television history, and the stories behind those shows are even better than the episodes themselves.

From selling underwear in Houston to running the writers room on Golden Girls, Sotkin's career is a masterclass in persistence, instinct, and surviving chaos with a sense of humor.

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Greg Evigan has lived one of the most colorful careers in Hollywood, and this conversation brings all of it rushing back.

From the stages of Broadway to the cab of a big rig, from a home recording studio he built himself to Abbey Road in London, Greg sits down to revisit the stories, the shows, and the music that have defined his remarkable life. Along the way, he reveals that he has never stopped chasing the thing that started it all: the music.

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A deep dive with Lindsay Denninger into the cultural phenomenon of Gossip Girl reveals just how powerful storytelling can shape generations.

From downloading episodes overseas to becoming fully immersed in the fashion, music, and drama, Lindsay Denninger shares how Gossip Girl became more than just a show, it became a defining force in pop culture. Through her new book, she explores the lasting influence of the series, from its groundbreaking pilot to its commentary on fame, identity, and the rise of digital surveillance. This conversation unpacks the nostalgia of early 2000s television while examining why certain storylines...

Lahna Turner opens up about a journey shaped by creativity, loss, resilience, and reinvention.

From a shy photographer hiding behind the lens to commanding stages as a comedian, her path was anything but predictable. A life-altering car accident pushed her to confront fear head-on, ultimately leading her into stand-up comedy and a deeply transformative relationship with Ralphie May.

Her latest project, Come What May, is more than a documentary—it’s a decade-long labor of love capturing Ralphie May’s life, struggles, and legacy. Through raw storytelling, unseen footage, and personal reflection, Lahna reveals the comple...

Jeff Altman dives into the unpredictable reality of building a career in comedy, television, and entertainment, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from stand-up, acting, and life in Hollywood.

From early days at iconic comedy clubs to landing television appearances and working alongside legendary comedians, this conversation reveals what it really takes to survive—and evolve—in the entertainment industry. With humor and honesty, he breaks down career highs, brutal lows, and the unexpected pivots that kept him in the game.

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Charlene’s journey is a powerful reminder that timing, talent, and truth don’t always align the way we expect—but when they do, the impact can last forever.

From humble beginnings singing at home to being discovered by Motown, her story unfolds through moments of raw emotion, unexpected opportunity, and industry heartbreak. The creation of her global hit reveals just how deeply personal music can be—and how the right song at the right time can change everything. Despite setbacks, missed opportunities, and financial injustice, her voice and legacy continue to resonate across generations, proving that timeless...

Marisa Coughlan reflects on her career in Hollywood, from landing roles in cult classics like Super Troopers and Freddy Got Fingered to navigating the unpredictable reality of the entertainment industry.

She shares stories of near-breakthrough moments, including almost being cast in Anchorman, and what those experiences reveal about timing and opportunity.

Through a nostalgic lens, Marisa opens up about evolving from actress to writer and director, ultimately creating her own projects to gain creative control. She discusses the inspiration behind Blue Eyed Girl, a deeply personal film shaped by grief, growth, and midlife reflection, and...

Morgan Fairchild shares an entertaining and candid look at her journey from a painfully shy child who couldn’t speak in class to becoming one of television’s most recognizable and enduring stars.

She opens up about how early stage fright led her into acting, the lessons she learned from working alongside legends like Robin Williams, and how improvisation helped shape some of her most memorable performances.

The conversation dives into defining career moments—including the role she didn’t want that ultimately made her famous—and how she learned to embrace strong, bold characters and make t...

Chris McGuire shares the unpredictable path from working in technology to becoming a stand-up comedian and eventually a veteran television comedy writer.

The conversation dives into the highs and brutal lows of early stand-up, the reality of bombing on stage, and the lessons learned from grinding through open mics. It also pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like writing for major television shows and legendary Comedy Central roasts, revealing how jokes are crafted, refined, and delivered in high-pressure comedic environments.

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Jim J. Bullock shares a nostalgic and hilarious look back at a career that spans sitcoms, stand-up comedy, cult films, and iconic TV appearances.

From growing up in a small West Texas town to finding his comedic voice in college theater, Bullock recounts how a production of Godspell changed the trajectory of his life. After moving to Hollywood and reluctantly trying stand-up comedy at the urging of an agent, he quickly found himself performing at legendary clubs like The Improv and The Comedy Store alongside future comedy giants.

The conversation dives into the whirlwind path...

John Eimen's career is woven into the golden fabric of television history. From Leave It to Beaver and The Twilight Zone to Wagon Train, Ozzie and Harriet, and more, his journey as a child actor in the 1950s and 60s captured the spirit of an era.

Recorded in 2020 and replayed in honor of his passing on November 21, 2025, this conversation celebrates a life filled with creativity, resilience, humor, and gratitude.

From sharing a bench with Rod Serling to working alongside Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Soupy Sales, and The Three Stooges, John reflects on a career shaped...

Legendary writer and director Nicholas Meyer reflects on a career that reshaped pop culture.

From reinventing Sherlock Holmes with The 7% Solution to revitalizing Star Trek with The Wrath of Khan, and directing The Day After—the most-watched TV movie in history—Meyer shares the philosophy, luck, and relentless curiosity behind his work.

He dives into creativity (Mozart vs. Beethoven), forgery and art, studio battles, and the surprising political impact of storytelling—including how one film influenced President Reagan's stance on nuclear war.

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Julie Kidd's career proves that comedy is not just about punchlines. It is about survival, reinvention, and saying yes to every strange talent you accidentally master along the way.

From stand-up comedy and tap dancing to palm reading, parody songs, and television appearances, Julie shares how humor carried her through grief, career pivots, and unexpected opportunities. With honesty and sharp wit, she reflects on decades in entertainment, producing sold-out shows, navigating Hollywood, and building a creative life that keeps evolving. Her stories are funny, raw, and deeply human, and they show how laughter can become the thing...

From The Mickey Mouse Club to Motown Live, from Happy Days reunions to Hocus Pocus celebrations, Michael Levitt's fingerprints are on some of television's most iconic moments.

In this heartwarming conversation, the acclaimed TV producer looks back on decades of stories that shaped pop culture and the people who brought it to life.

Michael opens up about his journey from a TV-obsessed kid sneaking onto Hollywood sets to a producer trusted by legends like Britney Spears, Henry Winkler, and Ken Ehrlich. With laughter, honesty, and heart, he shares the lessons learned from producing emotional memorials...

From child actor to one of television's most prolific directors, Rich Correll's career reads like a guided tour through Hollywood history.

Growing up surrounded by legends like Walt Disney, Judy Garland, and Alan Ladd, he transitioned from acting on Leave It to Beaver to directing sitcom staples like Happy Days, Full House, and Step by Step. With warmth and humor, Rich shares the rare, behind-the-scenes stories that shaped his decades in entertainment — from being one of the first to set foot in Disneyland to collaborating with icons across generations of film and television.

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