Radio Retropolis

Join JR with commentary and exclusive interviews that highlight the revealing secrets behind this amazing television phenomenon! Angelique herself, Lara Parker, is interviewed in part 1 of this sixth installment.

*  Why she dropped her southern roots in favor of a New York state of  mind.

*  Why she thought they made a mistake casting her as Angelique.

*  How  Jonathan Frid helped her win the role.

*  Angelique or Josette?  Who was the real true love of Barnabas?

*  On working closely with Jonathan Frid.

*  Overly zealous fans and death threats.

*  Why s...

In this podcast, Jerry Lacy, the Reverend Trask/Gregory Trask!

Jim is in an uproar when he learns  Margaret has thrown away his lucky grey hat that he always wears at conventions.  JR reviews the episode.

In this podcast, David Selby, Quentin Collins, shares his fond memories of the show and career.

Kathryn Leigh Scott discusses the behind the scenes drama on Dark Shadows as well as going from the ingenue to the leading lady!

An old man robs a liquor store and shows remorse for doing so.  Commentary on REAL Magazine for Men in which Dragnet was honored. Plus, a sound effect that didn't work and why Arnold's views on wasting one's life is something we all understand.

2026 marks the 60th anniversary of DARK SHADOWS! Series commentary and exclusive interviews highlight the revealing secrets behind this amazing television phenomenon!

Episode 2 BACK TO COLLINSPORT re-issued from the 50th anniversary in 2016 is an hour long highlight from the cast. The actors speaks very candidly about their roles and the show itself. Some answers will surprise you. Most answers you never heard in this great of detail until now.

Stars featured in EXCLUSIVE NEW INTERVIEWS:
* Kathryn Leigh Scott
* David Selby
* Jerry Lacy
* Lara Parker
* John Karlen
*Plus one SPECIAL STAR...

Part 2 our in-depth look from concept to cancellation of the original series Dark Shadows (1966-71) with Jim Pierson, creator Dan Curtis' right hand man. He's been associated with Dan Curtis Productions for over twenty years as promotional director and producer.  Topics discussed include:

* How Jonathan Frid's nervousness helped Barnabas Collins be a success.

* How ABC almost cancelled the series after 6 months.

* Why Joan Bennett decided to do the show.

* Why certain actors were fired and replaced.

* How this soap changed daytime television. 

* How a phenomenon gets cancelled.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the cult classic DARK SHADOWS with this re-issue of this 50th anniversary podcast from 2016!  Series commentary and exclusive interviews with answers to questions you have always wanted to know highlight the revealing secrets behind this amazing television phenomenon! 

Episode 1 is a two-part in-depth look from concept to cancellation with Jim Pierson, creator Dan Curtis' right hand man. He's been associated with Dan Curtis Productions for over twenty years as promotional director and producer.  Topics discussed include:

* How Jonathan Frid's nervousness helped Barnabas Collins be a success.

* How ABC almost...

Lattimer discovers Batman and Robin are following him in their pursuit to rescue the weakened Superman and decides to throw them off track.  JR speaks on the various Batmobile designes through the eras.

The chilling story of a US army major comes across an escaped refugee from a Chinese detention camp who refuses to go back as it will mean death for him and many others.  Commentary on how the Scripture fits into this story.  Plus, our star Stefan Schnabel.

Our twelfth and final installment is with Desi Arnaz Jr.  In this interview, Desi talks about what the show really meant to his mom and dad, how their real lives played into Lucy and Ricky, and why audiences related to them as much as they do to this day.

Our eleventh installment is a short, candid interview with Bob Schiller who last appeared in our fifth installment with his writing partner Bob Weiskopf. In these never-before heard interviews, we get deep behind the scenes of I Love Lucy from the people who were actually there.  This short re-visit with Mr. Schiller was quite introspective about his experience with I Love Lucy

In an art gallery, the statues are impressive and extremely lifelike.  Cranston investigates when his good friend goes missing after modeling for the artist.  Commentary on the extreme horror of this death process and why the villains may not really be all that bad.

Tonight's tenth installment brings forth an exclusive, never before heard interview from the vaults with the creators of the Lucy persona who Lucille Ball herself attributes all her success- Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Pugh davis.  The dynamic duo first wrote for Lucille Ball's "My Favorite Husband" radio show before moving to television with "I Love Lucy," 

Today's ninth installment features exclusive twofold interviews with Lucy hair stylist Irma Kusely and I Love Lucy casting director Mercedes Manzaneres. Two very important women who were in-the-know both with the show and its star. 

A wealthy London bookshop owner's life gets pulled into a chain of "coincidences" that could lead to his ultimate demise.  JR speaks on the psychological twists involved.  Plus, the extortion of star Ronald Colman by his first wife and the lengths she would go to torture him emotionally and financially.

In part eight we discuss producer Jess Oppenheimer, the brains behind My Favorite Husband and I Love Lucy, who helped create the persona of "Lucy", wasd instrumental in the idea to shoot on film before a studio audience, and was the one who drove the show.  Friction between Jess and Desi Arnaz led to his leaving the show after its fifth seasom.  Tonight, his son Gregg Oppenheimer shares all the behind the scenes drama.

Our seventh installment is an exclusive interview with head editor of I Love Lucy Dann Cohn who talks about the new way of editing for television as well as remembering that horrendous night when the first episode aired. having Lucy as a guest on her show. Plus, he shares  his views on cast members and shooting on location during the infamous Hollywood episodes

Batman and Robin are hot on the trail of Lattimer as they search for a weakened Superman whom they believe is under Lattimer's control.  JR speaks on the Batmobile "design" of the 1940s.

Our sixth installment is an exclusive interview with Lucy friend and star of The Danny Thomas Show Marjorie Lord who talks working on the Lucy-Desi Comedy hour as well as having Lucy as a guest on her show. Plus, she shares how Vivian Vance tried to work through her stresses and disappointments. She also discusses issues on The Danny Thomas Show being the replacement for original star Jean Hagen. 

Part five of our exclusive never before heard interviews continues with the writing team of two Bobs- Schiller and Weiskopf- who were brought on to Lucy starting in season five to assist with head writers Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Pugh. They talk about the Hollywood and Europe episodes including the infamous Grape Stomping scene.  But working with Desi and Lucy in these later episodes when marriage tensions were high made things difficult at times.

When a Hollywood talent agent comes to her play, Betty believes he is there to give her a screen test.  JR reviews the episode.

Our fourth installment of the Inside Television's Greatest I Love Lucy podcast. In these never-before heard interviews, we get deep behind the scenes of I Love Lucy from the people who were actually there.  And today's exclusive interview is with the very last surviving adult member of the supporting cast Doris Singleton.  She shares what it was really like working on those episodes, favorite guest stars from Harpo Marx to George Reeves,  her relationship with Lucy and why she thought Vivian Vance was depressed most f the time during the series' run.

Producer/director William Asher, who is probably better known as the producer/director behind Bewitched,  ended up directing 110 of the series' 179 episodes by the time the show ended in 1957. He shares what it was really like being on that set, his initial tensions with Lucy, and directing William Frawley and Vivian Vance who did not like each other.  He also discusses directing Lucy and Desi in the later episodes when tensions were quite high.  But he also talks about how in awe he was of the magic of these four stars together and especially of the talent of Lucille Bal...

For the past two months a gang of safe burglars have been operating in the city. In that time they've hit a dozen places with no leads. Commentary on the polio crisis that was peaking around the time of this broadcast and the Red Cross call to action for blood at the end of the episode.

Keith Thibodeaux, who played Little Ricky, shares memories of working on the series, his relationship with Desi and Lucy, meeting Superman, and life after the series ended.

I Love Lucy is the greatest television sitcom in history.  In this series of podcasts, we hear for the first time exclusive interviews conducted back in 2000 ands 2001 that have never been heard until now. 

The first- STEVE ALLEN shares his view on the success of Lucille Ball.  The interview was recorded just two months before his death in 2000 and heard here for the first time.

Lattimer plays coy when confronted about the disappearance of Superman to Batman, Robin and Inspector Henderson.  JR speaks on why supporting radio actors were rarely, if ever, credited in shows where they appeared.  Plus, why Superman actor Bud Collyer was not allowed to claim his role for seven years into the series run.

A young man in love has a big problem. it seems that his dreams of death and killing come true.  Commentary on the horror of this episode as it reflects the horror within each of us.

A killer set to die in the electric chair vows to come back to seek revenge on all those who killed him. Commentary on two African-American women that were connected by this episode; one in the typical derogatory manner of the times and one who broke the glass ceiling all in February, 1940.

A simple milkman is mistakenly yet officially declared dead from a car accident and his wife is set to receive a hefty insurance payment that would set them both for life. JR speaks on star Edward G. Robinson who in just a few short months would face the House Un-American Committee and the one director who saved his career.

Robin's blunder at the Lattimer estate sets off a chain reaction of hurdles, each of which threatens to end the Dynamic Duo.  JR speaks on Robin's portrayer Ronald Liss.

Father gets a major back injury right before a big golf match, while his family simultaneously pesters him for money and favors.  JR reviews after the episode.

A hold up man has been hitting large supermarkets in the city despite having an excellent alibi. He is hospitalized and cannot leave his bed! Commentary on the real Jack Webb before Dragnet.

Batman and Robin take over for Superman by infiltrating Lattimer's house to retrieve the Kryptonite.  JR speaks on the need for Batman and Robin in this story.  Plus, a critique on Robin's overall personality flaw.

The desperate plight of a loner- a quiet and seemingly harmless little man- who falls in love with a manikin in a store window. But he wants a real girl so he tries to make her come to life and finds he has to kill her first.  Commentary on stars Karl Swensen and, playing his first victim, Joan Banks.

A friend of Lamont's is alarmed when a strange man breaks in and attempts to strangle a servant, leaving behind a note that possibly refers to his shady past.  Commentary on an inconsistency with the Commissioner Weston character and how this episode was save by its final scene.

A man suffering from a medical condition that causes him to lapse into a coma simulating actual death is involved in a car accident and presumed dead and the race is on to save him from the embalmers. JR speaks on the real condition of catalepsy as well as giving a revised review of this third release of the story from his original take several seasons ago.  Also, star Pat O'Brien and thoughts on Method acting.

Superman makes his quick getaway and Batman and Robin were left to deal with the unruly crowd.  JR speaks on how this episode reflects on its own history through Superman's confession to Robin.  Plus, Matt Crowley as Batman and why Hollywood discriminated against New York radio actors.