Bruce Vilanch is a comedy legend. He's an awards show writing EGOT (having written for the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars AND Tonys), and also written for Better Midler, Donnie & Marie and Chewbacca. (Oh, did you miss episode 120 where we talked about the Star Wars Holiday Special with Bruce?) He's also well known for his appearances on Hollywood Squares . ("Bruce Vilanch for the block!")...
Carrie Stevens memoir "Unrated," sets a new bar for memoirs. Carrie isn't afraid to name names and tell some amazing stories about her fascinating life. Starting off in Massachusetts before heading to LA, Carrie talks all about her modeling career and her time with Eric Carr, the love of her life. Eric was the drummer for Kiss from 1981 until his untimely passing from heart cancer in 1991. We had a great time talking with Carrie about her stories, her work and what she's up to now. For more info...
No matter your age, no matter your philosophy, bouncing up and down on a pogo stick is fun. But the things the Xpogo stunt team are doing on a stick are on a different level all together. We talked with Russ Kaus from the stunt team about how he got into extreme pogo, the insane tricks that he does on a stick and the world record he held... for a hot minute. (Or 5.) For more info, check out the Xpogo website. You can also find them on YouTube for a sampling of some of their more insane tricks ....
If you're looking for a boost of encouragement this week, have we got the guest for you. Fran Capo is the world's fastest talking woman. But that's not all. She also is a stand-up comic, motivational speaker, written 22 books and holds 9 Guinness World Records. We talked with Fran about all her accomplishments, including her record for book signings at the highest point in the world and at the wreck of the Titanic. It's the perfect conversation to get up and get going on that project you've been...
We have loved the music of Matthew Sweet for decades and we were thrilled to talk with Matthew on the release of his 15th solo album. Catspaw is everything you love about Matthew's music, plus a few new colors as he played every instrument on the record, save the drums. We talks about a lot with Matthew- songwriting, his cats, Big Star and the lasting influence of his breakthrough record Girlfriend . We had a blast. Matthew's new record, Catspaw is available wherever you buy or download music. C...
It's hard to describe Mark Herschberg in one sentence. He has written a book, The Career Toolkit , to help folks by giving them the information they don't usually get in school. And Mark's life has been one of things learned outside of a traditional classroom. He's been a competitive ballroom dancer. He has over 400 cufflinks. He's helped catch terrorists. Oh, and he's taught at MIT. There's a lot you can learn from listening to Mark, either in this interview or in his book. For more information...
Let's start off 2021 with a couple of truths: Everyone loves baked goods. Everyone loves food shaped like body parts. So, why not combine the two and sell cakes shaped like breasts, penises, butts and vaginas for almost half a century? That was the question Niki Novak asked when she started Sweet-n-Nasty in Boston, MA. The store has become an institution, a go-to for bachelor & bachelorlette parties, retirements and anytime you want to have a laugh while you put something delicious in your m...
Chuck Berry was one of a kind. You can't hear any one of his songs without instantly recognizing his guitar playing. We talked with Jon Brewer, the director of the new film, "Chuck Berry- the Original King of Rock n' Roll," about Berry's life and career, and about what Jon has learned from a lifetime spent working in the music industry. "Chuck Berry- the Original King of Rock n' Roll," is now available to rent on Amazon. Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45 A travel podcast for wom...
Any Star Wars fan worth their salt knows that Life Day is an important part of any holiday celebration. We talked with writer Bruce Vilanch who, on top of writing for 14 Oscar ceremonies also contributed to the much maligned 1977 TV special, The Star Wars Holiday Special. We'll bring you the full interview with Bruce at a later day, but we couldn't let the holiday season go by without pausing to celebrate. Happy holidays from all your friends at Why. Nigel, is that you?...
You can't escape A Christmas Story every time this year and that's a good thing- it's a great movie. We talked with Scott Schwartz, one of the stars of the film (as well as star of The Toy and Kidco) about his holiday memories, and what the movie means to him and its many fans. Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45 A travel podcast for women over 45 who want to explore this big beautiful world. Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify...
You know our show- you wanted the best, you got the best. And this week, we got one of the best when it comes to Kiss. Ron Albanese has been obsessed with the classic TV movie "Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park," since it first aired in October of 1978. Ron's new book Conversations with Phantoms is a great behind-the-scenes look at the movie that has become legend among both film and Kiss fans. For more information about Ron and the book, check out his Facebook page. Untethered & Wanderwise...
We thought we knew a few things about the Walt Disney Company, their various products and the possible location of their founder's frozen remains. Well, we were wrong- or were we? We talked with Perry and Wes from the popular podcast Banter? I Hardly Know Her and they tested us with their difficult Disney quiz. Do you know which voice actor Luke has the e-mail of? Do you know which character Heidi wanted to fight? Learn all these fun facts and more. You can follow Banter? I Hardly Know Her on Fa...
Death can be a scary thing. But for Minda and Kristi, it's just another work day. They are morticians. (And, also podcasters.) They host the popular show Dead Girls Talking . We got to talk to them about how you get into this business, what makes for good embalming music and the huge responsibility they have to the decedent and their family. For more information and to listen to their show, check out their website ....
You may have seen Sarah Apgar on a recent episode of Shark Tank. And if you did, you know all about FitFighter, the program she developed to change exercise for everyone, using techniques and ideas she came up with while serving in the Army and as a volunteer firefighter. Yeah, Sarah is impressive. We talk about the FitFighter program, how she created it, and what it's like to turn on the siren on the firetruck. You know, all the important stuff. For more information on Sarah and Fitfighter, che...
You'll be seeing more of actress Shannan Wilson soon. Not only did she star in the new movie Sno Babies, (now available on Amazon,) but she also just started shooting a role in the new Ryan Murphy show about designed Halston. From her life in Philadelphia to the design of some of the most famous gowns in history, we had a lot to talk with Shannan about. For more information, you can check out Shannan's website .
What does that Beatles song say? Your mother should know? Well, she does. And so does your step-mother. We sat down with Angie McCartney, Paul's step-mother. Angie was a Beatles fan before she ever met Jim McCartney, seeing them play at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. After she met and fell in love with Jim, she was whisked up in Beatlemania. What was Paul like with his family? How crazed did Beatles fans get at the peak? Where did Paul get those bird sounds for Blackbird ? Angie tells us all. For...
Much like explorers or scientists, who venture into areas that mere mortals are intimidated by, so goes Jessica Keesling. Jessica is the owner of Heavenly Day spa in Auburn Hills, Michigan. She spends her time helping her clients look and feel their best, both upstairs and down, if you catch our drift. Jessica answered all our many questions with humor and honesty- how gnarly was business after the quarantine lifted and her regular clients returned? Does she have a look book for people who can't...
Is there anything better than a perfectly written pop song? And, when you're talking about great music, you're most definitely talking about Jules Shear. With his 14th solo album coming out on Friday, what better time to talk with Jules about his writing, his outlook on music and his new dog? (The album is titled "Slower," and, honestly, do we need to tell you if it's good or not? It's Jules Shear- the man doesn't mess around.) For more information, you can follow Jules on Facebook, or you can c...
What a country! As votes are being counted, we thought we could all use a little distraction and a little optimism as the US undergoes this most American of processes- the presidential election. Comedian Yakov Smirnoff grew up in Ukraine and found success on the comedy stages of America, performing for Johnny Carson, US Presidents and he had his own sitcom. His unique insight into the differences in cultures made him a unique voice in stand-up during its heyday in the 1980s. For more information...
Chad Belding grew up in a duck blind. Well, not literally, but close enough. As a championship duck caller, Chad has expanded his lifestyle into a business. We talked with Chad about the making of a duck call, what goes into a duck call, and how a duck answers. For more information on Chad, you can check out his website, or follow him on Twitter or Instagram.
Susan Lanier-Bramlett broke into film with the 1977 classic horror film, The Hills Have Eyes. But Suze has had quite the life, both before and after she worked with Wes Craven. We talked with Suze about her career and her life with her late husband, musician Delaney Bramlett. For more information on Suze, you can follow her on Twitter.
Leonard Pickel has spent his life scaring people. As a designer of haunted houses, he's worked around the world, creating spaces that will scare the pants off of mere mortals. (He's also a Trivial Pursuit question.) If you've been to Six Flags Great America or Universal Studios in Orlando or Madison Scare Garden in NY, you've survived Leonard's work. For more information, or to get some help building your own house of horrors, check out Leonard's website ....
The last time Tom Nabbe paid to get into a Disney theme park, it was the opening day of Disneyland. The next day, he was personally hired by Walt to play Tom Sawyer at the park. And over 60 years later, Tom still worked for the Disney parks and had been named a Disney Legend. We talked to Tom about what Walt was really like and if the parks are truly the happiest places on earth. For more information on Tom and to get a copy of his book, "Walt Hired Me", you can check out his website , or follow...
This week we talked with Dyan deNapoli, better known to all as The Penguin Lady. Dyan has devoted her life to helping save thousands of penguins. From oil spills, to potential extension, Dyan is speaking for these animals, so they can live on in their natural habitats for generations. Do they ever write her a thank you note? Dyan doesn't care, as long as the penguins are safe. For more information, check out The Penguin Lady's website , or follow her on Twitter. You can also follow her on Facebo...
Yes, she dances, yes she doesn't wear clothes and, no, she doesn't dance to Oakie From Muskogee . This week we got to talk with Gurl Haggard about her career on the stage. How did she get there? What's her favorite part of the job? What about the least favorite? For more information on Gurl, you can check out her Twitter page , or you can subscribe to her Only Fans page .
BrownMark spent years as one of the members of the amazingly talented, popular and influential band Prince and the Revolution. He's now written a memoir about his time in the band. My Life in the Purple Revolution is a honest and open book, honestly telling Mark's story and friendship with Prince. You can follow BrownMark and keep up on his new music on his Facebook page and you can buy or order the book wherever you do such things....
Where do broken hearts go? Where did your luggage go? If you ever returned from vacation down one banana hammock and a beaten up John Grisham book, it's probably with this week's guest. We talked with Matt Owens from the Unclaimed Baggage Center. They buy up lost baggage from airlines and other travel companies and resell the contents. What's the weirdest thing they've ever found in a suitcase? Have any celebrities lost their Samsonite? And are anything they've found cursed? We get to the bottom...
Collette V Smith is one of a kind. First as a professional football player for the New York Sharks where she made the team in 2011 at age 42 and then coaching for the Jets. Collette great up with a love for the game, but it was her knowledge and skills at motivating players that made her the first African American woman coach in the NFL. Collette is now a motivational speaker and, after listening to our talk, we were ready to go take the field. For more information on Collette, check out her web...
Hey! Ho! Let's Go! This week we talk with another rock great- Richie Ramone. Richie made a mark in the band by bringing in great songs (and being the first person to sing on a Ramones record besides Joey). We talked about Richie's time with the band, what other musical adventures he's been on, where he's headed next and what Joey & Johnny really were like. For more information on Richie, check out his website.
Mini golf- it's a sport one can learn in minutes, but not master until decades later. Maybe watching the PGA is fun, but can you play on the same course as those clowns? No, you can't. But you can play the Mossy Creek course in Jefferson City, TN. We talked with Kyle Cutshaw, the owner and general manager of Mossy Creek, who will be hosting the Tennesee Open, August 29th. And if that wasn't enough, we talked with professional mini golfer Danny Baddeley. Both of them gave us an inside look at the...
