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We welcome the Man of a Thousand Voices for the 21st Century, Jeff Bergman to Celebrity Salute to talk about his role as the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the upcoming Disney Pixar release, “Toy Story 5.” Randy and Jeff discuss what it's like replacing the voice of the late Don Rickles, his upbringing, Mel Blanc, and much, much more. Check out Jeff and John Ratzenberger's work in theaters for “Toy Story 5!”
Welcome to PTBN Pop's Movie Review of The Day! Every weekday we will be reviewing a movie whether it be currently in theaters, featured on streaming or just a film that we hold near and dear to us. This week with Toy Story 5 coming out on June 19th, we are going back to look at all of the previous movies in this great franchise. On today's episode, Mirandia Berthold is reviewing “Toy Story” from 1995 starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney & Wallace Shawn.
This week, we bring in our sports guy Jeff Grayson along with professional opera singer Mark Schowalter to celebrate the "Voice of the Century," Mr. Frank Sinatra. We start by hearing the moving story of how Jeff first truly discovered Sinatra's music through a stack of cassettes during his father's final days. Mark provides a professional's perspective on what made Sinatra a singular talent, focusing on his incredible storytelling ability, his vocal technique, and his mastery of the microphone. The conversation dives deep into the legendary stories that defined the man, including his generosity with blank checks, his infamous temper, and his rumored mafia ties. We also explore his complicated relationship with the Kennedys, his high praise for Tony Bennett, and the hilarious dynamic he shared with Don Rickles. Along the way, we discuss his career longevity, his work with greats like Nelson Riddle and Tommy Dorsey, and much, much more! Enjoy!
WHAT WOULD'VE BEEN THE PERFECT ENDING...As We Head Into Toy Story 5! Toy Story 3 (2010) Full Movie Reaction & Review with Greg Alba and Paige Kimsey! Toy Story 3 Full Movie Uncut Watch Along: / thereelrejects #Sponsored Go to https://snhu.edu/reelrejects to explore over 200 degree programs and find your path forward. Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ In this highly anticipated movie review and reaction, Greg and Paige face an incredibly emotional, nostalgia-fueled rewatch that explores the absolute beauty of growing up, moving on, and the power of childhood imagination. We dissect the brilliant vocal performances of this legendary stellar main cast, starring Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan) delivering his definitive, deeply moving portrayal of the fiercely loyal Sheriff Woody, Tim Allen (The Santa Clause, Home Improvement) bringing unmatched charisma as the space ranger Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack (School of Rock, In & Out) as the high-energy, empathetic cowgirl Jessie. We also unpack the phenomenal work from Ned Beatty (Deliverance, Network) as the strawberry-scented cult leader Lotso, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, Estelle Harris as Mrs. Potato Head, Wallace Shawn (The Princess Bride) as the neurotic dinosaur Rex, John Ratzenberger as Ham, and Michael Keaton (Batman, Birdman) delivering absolute comedy gold as the shallow, fashion-obsessed Ken alongside Joni Benson as Barbie. Our hosts react to every pulse-pounding escape plan, hilarious visual gag, and tear-jerking milestone this film has to offer. We break down the absolute scale of the spectacular Western opening train sequence, the heartbreak of Andy's remaining toys accidentally getting tossed to the curb on garbage day, and their initial jaw-dropping arrival at Sunnyside Daycare. We unpack the sheer terror of the chaotic caterpillar room playtime, the hilarious prison breakout sequence featuring a brainwashed Buzz Lightyear stuck in Spanish mode, and Mr. Potato Head's desperate transformation into Mr. Tortilla Head. From the terrifyingly suspenseful security monkey watching the cameras to the raw, agonizing intensity of the furnace incinerator sequence where the toys choose to hold hands and face the end together, Greg and Paige break down why this specific entry hits like an absolute freight truck of emotion. Finally, we analyze the absolute perfection of the ending where Andy sits down on the grass to play with Bonnie one last time before saying a heartbreaking goodbye to his childhood pals. Drop your thoughts on this perfect animated trilogy in the comments below! #reaction #review #react #ToyStory3 #ToyStory5 #ToyStory #ToyStoryReaction #Pixar #TomHanks #TimAllen #LotsoBear #KenAndBarbie #IncineratorScene #SoLongPartner #SunnysideDaycare #ReelRejects #GregAlba #PaigeKimsey #MovieReaction #WatchAlong #firsttimewatchingmoviereaction TOY STORY MOVIE REACTION: • TOY STORY (1995) MOVIE REACTION - WOODY IS... TOY STORY 2 MOVIE REACTION: • TOY STORY 2 (1999) MOVIE REACTION - One Of... SOUL MOVIE REACTION: • SOUL (2020) MOVIE REACTION - PIXAR REALLY ... Follow Greg Alba: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ Twitter: https://x.com/thegregalba Follow Paige Kimsey https://www.instagram.com/paige.popcorn?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Follow Us On Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en Twitter: https://x.com/reelrejects Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad: Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM: FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Susan Silver joined me to discuss being a Sagittarius; watching Your Show of Shows; being born in Milwaukee and moving to Whitefish Bay; being rocked by her mother; Northwestern; UCLA with professor Francis Ford Coppola; working on Laugh In; writing for Love, American Style and Room 222; writing the Mary Tyler Moore episodes "A Friend in Need" & "Room 223"; writing the pilot to Maude; wearing hot pants and being in a TV guide article; The Couple Takes a Wife and similar Seinfeld episode; Bob Newhart show; her favorite TV movie that didn't go; her political affair; helping Bill Clinton; offered a job writing for NASA; working for the ADL; my grandmothers WWII story; being a UN observer for the Simon Wiesenthal Center; Bob Woodruff a funny person; Square Pegs; saying she's in the age bracket 50 to dead; dating past 50; no longer dyeing her hair; choking stories; Dr. Heimlich & Anson Williams; her "adopted" grandchildren; working with the FIDF; future of Israel; antisemitism; Hitlers Ascent and Trump; being afraid to walk in NYC with the Star of David; NY vs. LA; Donald Trump; Buddy Hackett vs. Don Rickles; her parents
For decades Scott Michaels has been leading people around Los Angeles to see some of the death sites of the famous and infamous. And now he's taken the tour on-line and is sharing items in his collection (Jayne Mansfield's car, Don Rickles' fan, etc.) and so much more on YouTube.For more information, check out Scott's website or on YouTube.
Actor, dancer and singer Ken Berry grew up in a small Midwestern town, admiring the musicals of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. After winning several local talent contests, he found his way into show business and was soon pulling down an impressive (for the time) $90 a week! Gilbert and Frank caught up with Ken at his Hollywood home to ask about his “two years of recess” on the classic sitcom “F-Troop” and his memories of working alongside comedy greats George Burns, Don Rickles, Carol Burnett and a then (mostly) unknown Steve Martin. Also, Ken reminisces about life as a “day player” and tells us why he had the worst stage act in the history of Vegas. PLUS: “My Mother the Car”! “The Ken Berry ‘Wow' Show”! Helen Hayes eats a cheeseburger! Richard Dreyfuss serenades a goldfish! And Leonard Nimoy covers Harry Belafonte! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Grab a hi-ball and cue the rimshot, Jack E. Leonard is in the house. From Friars' Club roasts to tv variety shows to nightclub appearances Jack's routine never varied. He offered up a stream of comedy insults no doubt inspiring a young Don Rickles. Jack's insults were equal opportunity -- and he included himself in the mix frequently poking fun as his weight (who else makes a movie called "The Fat Spy"). One liners abounded in Jack's comedy storehouse but it was hard to convince younger audiences to give him a chance. Maybe that's why in 1968 he went on the Smothers Brothers comedy hour and guess what, he unloaded both barrels on Tom and Dick (who were pretty good a slinging barb as well). It didn't lead to a new and younger audience, but no matter, Jack remained an honored member of the Hollywood comedy scene where they knew his gibes were never meant to hurt. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Jack E. Leonard? The Friars Club is known for their roasts, especially those in the 1950s and 60s that were uncensored. Here Jack lays waste to Ed Sullivan. https://youtu.be/rxjP6evUJp4?si=p-jUm79ATyfBO8v5 In 1968 in search of a younger audience Jack went on the Smothers Brothers Comedy and had a little old school fun with Tom and Dick. https://youtu.be/nZT356f84HU?si=e_6bDlT_ETTWX2u3 Jack's quick wit and sharp style made him a natural for the talk show circuit. Here he is on Merv Griffin in 1966.https://youtu.be/xrK1nWwOIjg?si=QPO5JlNsrvxdsDD7
To honor a promise to “keep his name alive,” WGN Radio's Dave Plier celebrates the legacy of the late Don Rickles on what would have been his 100th birthday, sharing a memorable backstage Las Vegas interview with the comedy legend. The special also features bonus conversations with Rickles' longtime best friend, the late Bob Newhart; […]
Sal from Patsy's restaurant in NYC called in to tell a cool story about Don Rickles, whose birthday is today! Joe in Nutley, NJ, called Mark to mention a cool story of singer Mick Jagger. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sal from Patsy's restaurant in NYC called in to tell a cool story about Don Rickles, whose birthday is today! Joe in Nutley, NJ, called Mark to mention a cool story of singer Mick Jagger.
National Coconut Cream Pie Day. Entertainment from 1975, 1st roller coaster with a loop, 16 year old takes NYC subway train for a ride, Little Caesars Pizza founded, Coca Cola went on sale. Today birthdays - Harry S. Truman, Don Rickles, Ricky Nelson, Toni Tennille, Phillip Bailey, Alex Van Halen, Stephen Furst, Melissa Gilbert, Enrique Iglesias. Eddy Arnold died. (Best of 2024)Intro - Pour some sugar on me - Def Leppard defleppard.comCoconut cream pie song - Galt MacDermotHe don't love you - Tony Orlando & DawnShe's acting single - Gary StewardBirthdyas - In da club - 50Cent 50cent.comTravlin' man - Ricky NelsonLove will keep us together - Captian & TennileSeptember - Earth Wind & FireRunning with the devil - Van HalenHero - Enrique IglesiasI wanna play house with you - Eddy ArnoldExit - Its not love - Dokken - dokken.netHistory & Factoids about today Playlist on SpotifyHistory & Factoids about today webpagecooolmedia.comcountryundergroundradio.com
Michigan alum Rich weighs in on Dusty May choosing to remain in Ann Arbor instead of taking the UNC job which then went to former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. Rich voices his displeasure with the pre-game mini concert that delayed the scheduled tip off between Michigan and Arizona. Comedian Jeff Ross joins Rich in-studio to plug his new ‘Take a Banana for the Ride' Netflix special, and revisits his Emmy-nominated Tom Brady roast, teases what he has in store for Kevin Hart's upcoming roast, and shares his favorite Don Rickles stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Chris flies solo today, without Mitzi on this Monday, but still manages to keep it (mostly) on the sunny side! Today, on National Tartan Day, and the year’s 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, we explore the fascinating history and linkage between our Declaration, and the Scottish Declaration of Arbroath, along with a special bonus surprise anniversary connection of the “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus Christ on Apr 6, 32 AD (10th of Nisan) spoken of in all four Gospels! If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. – John 8:36 KJV Triumphal Entry – in all four Gospels! Mat 21:1–11 Mar 11:1–10 Luk 19:28–40 Jhn 12:12–19 From the National Tartan Day Time and Date page: The Scottish Declaration of Independence was signed on April 6, 1320. The American Declaration of Independence was, in fact, modeled on this particular document. Almost half of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent. The US Senate Resolution on National Tartan Day was passed on March 20, 1998. From that point onward, National Tartan Day was designated as a day for all Americans, particularly those of Scottish descent, on April 6 each year. From the summary of John King Bellassai’s Two Declarations with a Common Purpose: The Link between 1320 and 1776: Tartan Day in the United States is April 6th, which is also the anniversary of the signing of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath. The significance of this date is the striking similarities in phrasing and intent between the Declaration of Arbroath and the Declaration of Independence. A key to understanding this link is the fact that the American Revolution came right on the heels of the Scottish Enlightenment. While Scottish immigrants were a small part of the general colonial population, their influence on the worldview held by the educated segment of the colonial population, most notably Thomas Jefferson was very influential. Several other key events including the fact that Jefferson's mother's family were of Scottish decent of one of the signers of the Declaration of Arbroath and his Scottish William & Mary professor William Small, whom Jefferson described as his mentor, most notably also played a role in the creation of the Declaration of Independence. Links Videos / Clips [x] = Played [x] Braveheart Theme with Highland Bagpipes (the way it should have been) [x] @josephtawadros “Thank you for replacing the Ayatollah…” [x] @cheesyandthebears and @troycaylak “America vs. Europe 2” [x] Braveheart – Motivational Speech – Inspirational Speech – William Wallace – HD Quality [x] Declaration of Arbroath [x] The 1320 Scottish Declaration of Arbroath Explained… [x] Braveheart: Scotland is Free (HD CLIP) NAR – The Series An Unholy Alliance With Israel – NAR the Series S01E02 [x] 0:00--7:04 Scottish Guy reads The DECLARATION OF ARBROATH for the first time Scotland's Origin Story – What You Never Realised about The Declaration of Arbroath Walter Williams: Why the Founders Did Not Want a Democracy – YouTube The Rest [x] = Mentioned / Discussed [x] Braveheart – Wikipedia Wars of Scottish Independence – Wikipedia First War of Scottish Independence – Wikipedia [x] Battle of Falkirk – Wikipedia [x] United States Declaration of Independence – Wikipedia [x] Declaration of Arbroath – Wikipedia Magna Carta – Wikipedia S.RES. 155 | Congressional Chronicle | C-SPAN.org Text – S.Res.155 – 105th Congress (1997-1998): A resolution designating April 6 of each year as “National Tartan Day” to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States. | Congress.gov | Library of Congress H.RES. 109 | Congressional Chronicle | C-SPAN.org Text – H.Res.109 – 107th Congress (2001-2002): Recognizing the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath and supporting the establishment of a National Tartan Day to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States. | Congress.gov | Library of Congress H.RES. 514 | Congressional Chronicle | C-SPAN.org Text – H.Res.514 – 108th Congress (2003-2004): Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a day should be established as “National Tartan Day” to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States. | Congress.gov | Library of Congress [x] John Adams, letter to William Tudor, Quincy (Jun 1, 1818) When general counsels and deliberations commenced, the objects could be no other than the mutual defence and security of every individual for his life, his liberty, and his property. To suppose them to have surrendered these in any other way than by equal rules and general consent was to suppose them idiots or madmen, whose acts were never binding. To suppose them surprised by fraud, or compelled by force, into any other compact, such fraud and such force could confer no obligation. Every man had a right to trample it under foot whenever he pleased. In short, he asserted these rights to be derived only from nature and the author of nature; that they were inherent, inalienable, and indefeasible by any laws, pacts, contracts, covenants, or stipulations, which man could devise. [x] John Adams, A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law – Teaching American History In a word, let every sluice of knowledge be opened and set a-flowing. The encroachments upon liberty in the reigns of the first James and the first Charles, by turning the general attention of learned men to government, are said to have produced the greatest number of consummate statesmen which has ever been seen in any age or nation. The Brookes, Hampdens, Vanes, Seldens, Miltons, Nedhams, Harringtons, Nevilles, Sidneys, Lockes, are all said to have owed their eminence in political knowledge to the tyrannies of those reigns. The prospect now before us in America, ought in the same manner to engage the attention of every man of learning, to matters of power and of right, that we may be neither led nor driven blindfolded to irretrievable destruction. Nothing less than this seems to have been meditated for us, by somebody or other in Great Britain. There seems to be a direct and formal design on foot, to enslave all America. This, however, must be done by degrees. The first step that is intended, seems to be an entire subversion of the whole system of our fathers, by the introduction of the canon and feudal law into America. The canon and feudal systems, though greatly mutilated in England, are not yet destroyed. Like the temples and palaces in which the great contrivers of them once worshipped and inhabited, they exist in ruins; and much of the domineering spirit of them still remains. The designs and labors of a certain society, to introduce the former of them into America, have been well exposed to the public by a writer of great abilities; and the further attempts to the same purpose, that may be made by that society, or by the ministry or parliament, I leave to the conjectures of the thoughtful. But it seems very manifest from the Stamp Act itself, that a design is formed to strip us in a great measure of the means of knowledge, by loading the press, the colleges, and even an almanac and a newspaper, with restraints and duties; and to introduce the inequalities and dependencies of the feudal system, by taking from the poorer sort of people all their little subsistence, and conferring it on a set of stamp officers, distributors, and their deputies. But I must proceed no further at present. The sequel, whenever I shall find health and leisure to pursue it, will be a “disquisition of the policy of the stamp act.” In the mean time, however, let me add, — These are not the vapors of a melancholy mind, nor the effusions of envy, disappointed ambition, nor of a spirit of opposition to government, but the emanations of a heart that burns for its country's welfare. No one of any feeling, born and educated in this once happy country, can consider the numerous distresses, the gross indignities, the barbarous ignorance, the haughty usurpations, that we have reason to fear are meditating for ourselves, our children, our neighbors, in short, for all our countrymen and all their posterity, without the utmost agonies of heart and many tears. [x] H. L. Mencken – Wikiquote Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. – Prejudices, First Series (1919) Ch. 6, “The New Poetry Movement” Audience Contributed [x] Magnus Magnusson – Wikipedia [x] Scotland : the story of a nation : Magnusson, Magnus : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive On This Day Events April 2026 Calendar of Public Holidays | Office Holidays Holidays and Observances in the United States in 2026 What day is it today? Important events every day ad-free | United States OTD On This Day – What Happened on April 6 Today in History: April 6, United States enters World War I | AP News What Happened on April 6 – On This Day What Happened on April 6 | HISTORY April 6 – Wikipedia What Happened On April 6 In History? 06 | April | 2020 | Executed Today Holidays Easter Monday National Tartan Day12345 Sorry Charlie Day – Fun Holiday Historical Events 2017 – U.S. military launches 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at an air base in Syria. Russia describes the strikes as an “aggression”, adding they significantly damage US-Russia ties. 2016 – First baby born with DNA from three parents through mitochondrial transfer in Mexico 1994 – Rwandan genocide begins: The assassination of Rwandan President, Juvénal Habyarimana, and Burundian President, Cyprien Ntaryamira, killed when the jet they were riding in was shot down by surface-to-air missiles as it attempted to land in Kigali, Rwanda abruptly ending peace negotiations and sparking the Rwandan Genocide, triggered a mass slaughter of ethnic Tutsis with up to 1 million victims. Those responsible have never been identified. 1980 – Post-it Notes first sold: 3M begins sales of Post-it Notes. The canary yellow sticky pads quickly become one of the best-selling office supply products in history and a ubiquitous staple in schools and offices around the world. 1970 – Sam Sheppard, the inspiration for “The Fugitive,” dies: Sam Sheppard, a doctor convicted of murdering his pregnant wife in a trial that caused a media frenzy in the 1950s, dies of liver failure. After a decade in prison, Sheppard was released following a re-trial. His story is rumored to have loosely inspired the television series and movie The Fugitive. 1968 – Pierre Elliott Trudeau wins the Liberal Party leadership election, and becomes Prime Minister of Canada soon afterward. 1965 – First commercial communications satellite is launched: Intelsat I, also known as Early Bird, facilitated the first live TV broadcast of a spacecraft splashdown when Gemini 6 landed in the Atlantic Ocean. 1954 – Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy, R-Wis., responding to CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow's broadside against him on “See It Now,” claimed in remarks filmed for the program that Murrow had, in the past, “engaged in propaganda for Communist causes.” 1930 – At the end of the Salt March, Gandhi raises a lump of mud and salt and declares, “With this, I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire.” 1929 – Huey P. Long, Governor of Louisiana, is impeached by the Louisiana House of Representatives. 1924 – First successful around-the-world flight begins: A team of aviators begins the first round-the-world flight in history. Four aircraft left Seattle on a westbound route around the globe. 157 days later, two of them reached the same location. 1917 – World War I: The United States entered World War I as the House joined the Senate in approving a declaration of war against Germany that was then signed by President Woodrow Wilson. 1909 – North Pole Expedition: Robert Peary and Matthew Henson allegedly become the first people to reach the North Pole. Peary’s claim has never been verified and is widely contested. The first undisputed journey to the North Pole was the 1948 Soviet Sever-2 expedition. 1896 – First modern Olympic Games are opened in Athens, Greece: 241 athletes from 14 countries took part in the First Olympiad. The event took place over 1500 years after the last ancient Olympic Games, which originated in Olympia in south-western Greece. 1866 – The Grand Army of the Republic, an American patriotic organization composed of Union veterans of the American Civil War, is founded. It lasts until 1956. 1865 – American Civil War: [better known as the War of Eastern European banking aggression] The Battle of Sailor’s Creek: Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia fights and loses its last major battle while in retreat from Richmond, Virginia, during the Appomattox Campaign. 1862 – American Civil War: [better known as the War of Eastern European banking aggression] The Battle of Shiloh begins: In Tennessee, forces under Union General Ulysses S. Grant meet Confederate troops led by General Albert Sidney Johnston, as Confederate forces launched a surprise attack against Union troops, who beat back the Confederates the following day. 1860 – Mormon LDS cult: The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, later renamed Community of Christ, is organized by Joseph Smith III and others at Amboy, Illinois. 1841 – John Tyler inaugurated as 10th U.S. President: John Tyler is sworn in as president. Tyler was elected as William Henry Harrison's vice president earlier in 1841 and was suddenly thrust into the role of president when Harrison died one month into office. He was the first vice president to immediately assume the role of president after a sitting president's untimely exit and set the precedent for succession thereafter. 1830 – Mormon LDS cult: Joseph Smith and others met in Fayette, New York, to form the Church of Christ — now known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1812 – British forces under the command of the Duke of Wellington assault the fortress of Badajoz. This would be the turning point in the Peninsular War against Napoleon-led France. 1808 – John Jacob Astor incorporates the American Fur Company, that would eventually make him America’s first millionaire. 1800 – The Treaty of Constantinople establishes the Septinsular Republic, the first autonomous Greek state since the Fall of the Byzantine Empire. (Under the Old Style calendar then still in use in the Ottoman Empire, the treaty was signed on 21 March.) 1772 – Beard… Tax…? Empress of Russia Catherine the Great ends the tax on men with beards, enacted by Tsar Peter the Great in 1698 1652 – Cape Colony, the first European settlement in South Africa, is established by the Dutch East India Company under Jan van Riebeeck 1320 – Tartan Day:12345 The Scots reaffirm their independence by signing the Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish “Declaration of Independence”. The day is increasingly renamed Declaration Day, since 2016, and associated with events commemorating the Declaration of Arbroath and other aspects of Scottish history. Tartan Day has expanded into an entire Tartan Week in New York City and Angus, and into multi-day events in some other locations, including Washington, DC. The name Scotland Week has also been promoted in Scotland. The events typically have parades of pipe bands, Highland dancing, and other Scottish-themed activities. In 1998, the efforts of the coalition and the Caledonian Foundation (led then by JoAnne Phipps), with the legislative sponsorship of Senator Trent Lott, resulted in United States Senate Resolution No. 155 (introduced March 6, 1998) to adopt April 6 as National Tartan Day. The resolution passed March 20, 1998, “to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States”; it also referred to the predominance of Scots among the Founding Fathers of the United States and claimed that the American Declaration of Independence was “modelled on” the Scottish Declaration of Arbroath. The now quasi-official National Tartan Day was held annually thereafter; The Washington Times reported in 2000 on the event, by which time it was already growing into a three-day affair in Washington, DC. Births 1976 – Candace Cameron Bure, American actress (50) 1969 – Paul Rudd, American actor (57) 1964 – Tim Walz, American politician, Governor of Minnesota & vice presidential candidate (62) 1952 – Marilu Henner, Greek-Polish American actress and author (74) 1942 – Barry Levinson, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter (84) 1937 – Merle Haggard, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (died 2016) 1937 – Billy Dee Williams, American actor, singer, and writer (89) 1931 – Ram Dass (Richard Alpert), American theosophist, cult leader (died 2019) 1671 – Jean-Baptiste Rousseau, French poet and playwright (died 1741) 1135 – Maimonides, Jewish philosopher, Torah scholar, physician and astronomer (March 30 also proposed, died 1204) Deaths 1992 – Isaac Asimov, American science fiction writer (born 1920) 1971 – Igor Stravinsky, Russian-American pianist, composer, and conductor (born 1882) 1528 – Albrecht Dürer, German painter, engraver, and mathematician (born 1471) 1520 – Raphael, Italian painter and architect (born 1483) 1199 – Lionheart Richard, The Stranger King: Richard I of England, King of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart. Richard the Lionheart, Robin Hood's king is considered one of the great English monarchs. Yet he cost his country a fortune and barely lived there. (born 1157) 2014 – Mickey Rooney, American soldier, actor, and dancer (born 1920) 2014 – Massimo Tamburini, Italian motorcycle designer, co-founded Bimota (born 1943) 2015 – James Best, American actor, director, and screenwriter, best known as the bumbling Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the action comedy series The Dukes of Hazzard, which originally aired on CBS from 1979 to 1985. (born 1926) 2015 – Ray Charles – the other Ray Charles, American singer-songwriter and conductor (born 1918) 2017 – Don Rickles, American actor and comedian (born 1926) 2025 – Jay North, American actor best known for his role as the good-natured but mischievous Dennis Mitchell on the CBS situation comedy Dennis the Menace (1959–1963), based on the comic strip created by Hank Ketcham. (born 1951) Wikipedia Contributors. “Tartan Day.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Apr. 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartan_Day. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026. ↩↩ “National Tartan Day 2026 in the United States.” Timeanddate.com, 2026, www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/national-tartan-day. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026. ↩↩ “History of National Tartan Day”. NationalCapitalTartanDay.com. National Capital Tartan Day Committee. 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023. ↩↩ “National Tartan Day” (PDF). Congressional Record – Senate. United States Senate. March 20, 1998. p. S2373. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2023 – via Library of Congress. ↩↩ Bellassai, John. Two Declarations with a Common Purpose: The Link between 1320 and 1776. Mar. 2022. Archived at National Capital Tartan Day, Issue Papers. www.nationalcapitaltartanday.com/issue-papers/. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026. ↩↩
Old pal Bob Saget drops by the historic Friars Club to plug his New York Times bestseller “Dirty Daddy,” and to chat with Gilbert and Frank about his early days in the biz, his 8-year gig as a sitcom patriarch and his friendships with Rodney Dangerfield and Don Rickles. Also, Bob starts his own hate society, dreams about Buddy Hackett and Buddy Ebsen and grills Gilbert about his most memorable “casting couch” experiences. PLUS: Perfecto Telles! Asian Elvis! Sam Kinison as the Messiah! Gilbert as “Weezie” Jefferson! And the first joke Bob ever wrote! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Judge Jeanine Tunnel to Towers Foundation Sunday Morning Show
Get ready for a fast-paced dive into the latest political chaos with Joe Concha! In this episode, Joe dismantles the Democratic party's relentless efforts to stall the Trump agenda, from holding up DHS funding to intentionally creating agonizing airport wait times just to "show resistance". He hilariously roasts California Governor Gavin Newsom's endless political flip-flopping on everything from Israel to transgender issues, comparing the governor to the ultimate bad decision: a shot of Jägermeister.Joe also takes aim at late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's elitist mockery of working-class Americans, calls out radical anti-American protests cheering for US casualties in Philadelphia, and highlights the absurdities of modern academia and city leadership. Finally, Joe celebrates America's swift and decisive victories in the ongoing Iran War under President Trump, dismantling the mainstream media's reluctance to report the good news. Toss in classic comedy throwbacks from Don Rickles and Rodney Dangerfield, and you've got an unmissable hour of sharp conservative commentary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we pull the string on one of the most groundbreaking movies of all time — Toy Story. The 3 Guys dive into Pixar's revolutionary debut as the first feature-length computer-animated film, exploring how it changed animation forever. From Woody vs. Buzz and their unforgettable rivalry-turned-friendship to the nightmare fuel of Sid's mutant toys, the guys break down the heart, humor, and storytelling that made this film a classic. They also unpack the legendary voice cast (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles), Randy Newman's iconic music, the film's box-office domination, and the awards that cemented its legacy. It's a nostalgia-packed trip back to Andy's room as the guys decide: Does Toy Story still have that Pixar magic nearly 30 years later? So grab your favorite toy, press play, and remember… “You've got a friend in 3 Guys in a Flick.”
This week on The Real Brady Bros, it's Q&A #67! Our special guest for this audience questions episode is comedian Mindy Rickles, the daughter of Don Rickles, and Ed's wife! Some of this week's topics include a discussion of the guys's Brady Bunch characters in 1st person vs. 3rd person, Barry's adventures on "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!", Ed and Mindy's visit to the Brady House, how dangerous the stairs were, and more! Join the community on our Facebook page @realbradybros To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/NOSTALGIA to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Thanks Zocdoc for sponsoring this message. With the FIFTH movie on it's way, Nostalgia Critic remembers the days when a Toy Story sequel really meant something. Let's take a look at Pixar's Toy Story 2. Come see us at Cedar Falls Comic Con - https://www.cedarfallscomiccon.com/ Come see Doug & Brad March 13th-15th - https://gameonexpo.com/ Join our YouTube Members - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiH828EtgQjTyNIMH6YiOSw/join Last weeks Nostalgia Critic - https://youtu.be/CURGUGr-iBQ Check out our store - https://channelawesome.myshopify.com/ Support this month's charity - https://solvecfs.org/ Toy Story 2 is a 1999 American animated adventure comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. It is the second installment in Pixar's Toy Story franchise and the sequel to the original 1995 film. The film was directed by John Lasseter from a screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Rita Hsiao, Doug Chamberlin, and Chris Webb. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, R. Lee Ermey, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf and Jeff Pidgeon reprise their roles from the first Toy Story film, with newcomers Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Wayne Knight, Estelle Harris, and Jodi Benson joining the cast. In the film, Woody is stolen by a greedy toy collector, prompting Buzz Lightyear and his friends to save him, but Woody is then tempted by the idea of immortality in a museum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Gangland Wire, host Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective, continues his deep dive into organized crime history with prolific Mafia author Jeffrey Sussman. Sussman, the author of eight books on organized crime, joins Jenkins for a wide-ranging conversation that spans the rise, violence, prosecutions, and survival tactics of La Cosa Nostra in America. Drawing from works like Backbeat Gangsters and his latest release Mafia Hits, Misses Wars and Prosecutions, Sussman offers sharp insight into how the Mafia enforced silence, eliminated enemies, and adapted to government pressure. The discussion opens with omertà, the Mafia's infamous code of silence, and how mob warfare enforced loyalty through fear. Sussman recounts notorious hits and mob wars that shaped organized crime, then shifts to landmark prosecutions led by Thomas Dewey, whose relentless pursuit of Murder Incorporated dismantled the mob's most feared execution squad. Jenkins and Sussman examine the disastrous Appalachian Conference, where Vito Genovese overplayed his hand, drawing national attention to the Mafia and setting the stage for informants like Joe Valachi to break decades of secrecy. The episode also explores the Mafia's darkest execution methods, including lupara bianca—murders designed to leave no body and no evidence—along with chilling stories involving Mad Sam DeStefano. The assassination attempt on Joe Colombo, and its ties to Joey Gallo, highlight how ego and publicity often proved fatal in the mob world. The episode concludes with Sussman previewing his upcoming book on the Garment District, blending personal family history with organized crime's grip on American industry. Together, Jenkins and Sussman deliver a sweeping, chronological look at how the Mafia rose, fractured, and endured—leaving a permanent mark on American culture. Get his book Mafia Hits, Misses, Wars, and Prosecutions. ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and Jeffrey Sussman's Mafia work 03:45 – Omertà and enforcing silence 07:30 – Mafia hits and internal wars 12:10 – Thomas Dewey and Murder Incorporated 18:40 – St. Valentine's Day Massacre 23:30 – Formation of the Five Families 28:50 – Italian and Jewish mob alliances 34:20 – Capone, Lansky, and Luciano 39:45 – Appalachian Conference fallout 45:10 – Vito Genovese and Joe Valachi 50:30 – Lupara blanca and body disposal 55:20 – Mad Sam DeStefano's brutality 59:40 – Joe Colombo assassination 1:05:30 – Betrayal and mob survival 1:10:50 – Sussman's upcoming Garment District book [0:00] Hey, welcome, all you Wiretipers, back here in the studio of Gangland Wire, as you can see. This is Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence Unit detective and later sergeant. I have a guest today. He is a prolific author about the mob in the United States. We have several interviews in the archives with Jeffrey Sussman. Welcome, Jeffrey. Thank you, Gary. It’s a pleasure to be with you once again. All right. How many mob books you got? Eight or nine, I think. Eight or nine. I know you’ve covered Tinseltown, the L.A. Families, the crime in L.A., the Chicago. What are some of those? I did Las Vegas, which had a number of the Chicago outfit members in it. I did Big Apple Gangsters. Oh, yeah. My last one was Backbeat Gangsters about the rock music business. Oh, yeah. And then I did also one about boxing and the mob, how the mob controlled boxing. And then my new book is Mafia Hits, Misses Wars and Prosecutions. The update is February 19th. All right. Guys, when I release this, we’re doing this, actually, we’re doing this before Christmas. But when this comes out, while you’ll be able to go to the Amazon link that I’ll have in there, get that book, we’ll have, you’ll see a picture of it as we go along. So you’ll know what the cover looks like. It sounds really interesting, especially about the Mafia Misses. But I’m sure that’s interesting. [1:29] Well, the mob, that’s their way of enforcing their rules. The omerta, somebody talks, they’re going to rub you out, supposedly. And by mob, we’re talking about primarily La Cosa Nostra, Sicilian-based organized crime in the United States. Yeah. The five families particularly have brought this up front. The five families have really perfected this as an art, killing their rivals, killing people that threaten them in any way, killing people that they even had a contract on Tom Dewey, the prosecutor, I believe, at one time. That would be a bomb miss, wouldn’t it? Yeah, actually, what happened with that is Dutch Schultz wanted the commission to take out a contract on Tom Dewey, and they said, no, we can’t do that, because if we do that, it’ll bring down too much heat on us. And so the mob wound up killing Dutch Schultz because he was too much of a threat to them in some ways. But the irony was that if they had killed him, Lucky Luciano never would have been prosecuted. He was prosecuted by Thomas Dewey. Lucky Bookhalter never would have been prosecuted and gone to the electric chair, several others as well. So, by not killing Dewey, they set themselves up to be arrested and get either very long prison terms or go to the electric chair. [2:57] Yeah, Dewey sent, I think it was four members of Murder Incorporated to the electric chair and the head of it, the Lepke book halter. And then he arrested and got a conviction against Lucky Luciano for pimping and pandering, which should have been a fairly short sentence, just a couple of years. But he had him sentenced to 50 years in prison, which is amazing, the pimping. [3:20] So if they had killed Thomas Dewey, they probably would have been better off. But that’s 2020 hindsight. Yeah, hindsight’s always 2020. And a cost-benefit analysis, if you want to apply that, why the cost of killing Tom Dooley might have been much less than the actual benefit was. That’s right. Exactly. And they came to realize that, but it was too late for them. I think they always do a cost-benefit analysis in some manner. How much heat’s going to come down from this? Can we take the heat? Because I know in Kansas City, our mob boss, Nick Savella, was in the penitentiary. He was about to get out, and he sent word out, said I want all unfinished business taken care of by the time I get out. Because when I get out, I do not want all these headlines, because murder generates headlines. And so there was like three murders in rapid succession right after that. [4:13] So they worry about the press and hits, murders generate press. So let’s go back and talk about some particular ones. One of the most famous ones was the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Do you cover that? [4:26] Yeah, I start with the assassination of Arnold Rothstein in 1928, and then I go right into the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. I go into the Castel Marari’s War, the birth of the five families. They had a famous meeting at the Franconia Hotel where the Jewish and Italian gangsters decided to form an alliance rather than fight one another. I went through the trial and conviction of Al Capone, the Bug and Meyer gang. Which evolved into Murder Incorporated, and then how Mayor LaGuardia went after the mob in New York and drove out Frank Costello, who had all the slot machines in New York, drove him down to Louisiana, where Frank Costello paid Huey Long a million dollars to let him operate slot machines all around New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana. And then there was William Dwyer, O’Dwyer, and Burton Turkus, who prosecuted the mob, other members of Murder Incorporated, and then how the federal government was using deportation to get rid of a lot of the mobsters, and how the mafia insinuated itself with entertainers and was controlling entertainers like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and others. [5:44] And then the Appalachian Conference, and what an embarrassment that was to Vito Genovese, who wanted to declare himself the boss of bosses. Instead, he became the schmuck of schmucks because the FBI invaded this. And there was a theory that this was really set up, Meyer Lansky, Carl Gambino, and Lucky Luciano, because they didn’t want Vito Genovese to become the boss of bosses because Vito Genovese was responsible for the attempted murder of Frank Costello, and they wanted to get rid of him. After they embarrassed him with Appalachian, And then they set him up for a drug buy. Which is ridiculous because you don’t have the head of a mafia family going out on the street and buying heroin from someone. But that’s what they got him for. And they sent him off to prison for 15 years where he died. But in the realm of unintended consequences, which we just heard some, he goes down to Atlanta and a guy named Joe Valacci is down there. And he thinks that Vito Genovese is given to the fisheye and maybe wants to have him killed. [6:52] If Vito Genovese is not in Atlanta, Joe Valacci does not turn and become the first big important witness against the mob in the United States that couple that with Appalachian. And embarrassment to the FBI and then this Joe Valacci coming out with all these stories explaining what all that meant, the organized crime in the United States, why we may not have the investigation that subsequently came out of all that. It’s crazy, huh? Yeah, exactly. In terms of unintended consequences, because if Vito Genovese hadn’t given the kiss of death, supposedly, to Joe Valacci, you never would have had Joe Valacci’s testimony about how the mob operates. He opened so many doors and told so many secrets. It was a real revelation to the world. [7:42] Now, what about these murders? And I understand they call them a lupara blanca, where the body is never found. Did you talk about any of those or look into that at all? [7:53] We’ve had them in Kansas City, where it’s obviously a mob murder. They even will send a message to the family. We had one where the guy disappeared. Nobody ever found his body. But somebody called the family and said, hey, go up on Gladstone Drive and check this trash can. And then they find the guy’s clothes and his driver’s license, everything in there. Now, did you go into any of those blanks? Yeah, there were a number of mob hits, especially during the murder ink era where they would dispose of the bodies and no one would ever find them. But they would leave clues around for members of the family just so they would know that their father or their son or their brother, whoever was no longer in this world. [8:39] Yeah, that was done quite a bit. And when the Westies, which was an Irish gang that operated on the west side of New York, they believed that if you never found the corpse, you could never convict them of murder. So they used to take their dead bodies out to an island in the East River and chop them into little pieces and then dump them in the river and no one would ever find them. And supposedly they did that with dozens and dozens of bodies. Yeah. Interesting. Yeah, and it is. It’s hard to prosecute without the body. It’s been done, but it’s really hard to do. You’ve got to have a really lot of circumstantial evidence to approve a murder without a body. And when Albert Anastasia and Leffy Foucault, who were running Murder Incorporated, they believed two things. One, that if you didn’t find the body, it would be hard to prosecute. And if you couldn’t show a motive, that would be the other thing that would make it difficult. So there would be absolutely no connection between the person who killed the victim and the victim. There was no connection whatsoever. So it was almost as if it was a stranger. In fact, it was a stranger who would commit the murder and then disappear and make sure that the body also disappeared. So you’d have neither motive nor body. Interesting. Pretty stiff penalty for murder. So I understand why you take some extra. Exactly. [10:08] Yeah, that tried to disassociate yourself from any motive for the body. There’s a guy in Chicago named Mad Sam DeStefano. Oh, sure. Lone shark and particularly egregious person when it came to collecting and was responsible for some murders and tortures. And they claim that he would buddy up to the person he knew he wanted to have killed and give him a watch. So then when the police came back around, he’d say, he was my friend. I gave him a present. I gave him that watch. Look and see. Ask his wife. I gave him a watch. Yeah. And I think it was Anthony Spolatro who was charged by the outfit of getting rid of Sam DiStefano because he was a friend. He had been like a protege of Crazy Sam. And so Sam didn’t suspect him as the person who would come and kill him. Yeah, that’s common clue. They say, look out. When a friend comes around and it seems a little bit funny and they want her particularly nice to you and you know you’re in trouble, anyhow, look out. Because that’s the guy that’s going to get you. Exactly. At least set you up. Maybe they have somebody else come in and pull the trigger, somebody that’ll leave town or whatever, but your friend’s going to set you up, make you comfortable. [11:24] Yeah, I think that’s exactly how it happened. We talked a little bit about the Joe Colombo murder. Did you look at that? Yes. [11:31] Tell us about that, because I’m really interested in that. I’d kind of like to do a larger story, just focusing on that, what really happened there, because that’s a mystery. Did this Jerome Johnson, this black guy, do it? Why would he do it? Nobody ever came out and connected him directly to Joey Gallo, and that’s the claim. So talk about that one. What happened is Joe Colombo formed the Italian Anti-Defamation League because he thought Italians were being blamed for too many things. And Colombo was responsible for having the producers of the movie The Godfather never use the word mafia in the movie, never use La Cosa Nostra in the movie. And he was making a big splash for himself. And this was driving a lot of people in the mafia a little crazy. They’re getting nervous because he was getting so much attention for himself, and it’s not the kind of attention they wanted. And Gambino was particularly upset about this. And Joey Gallo had been in prison, and he had been involved in the war against Profaci earlier on. And when he got out of prison, he felt that the new head of the Profaci family, who was Joe Colombo, should honor him with the amount of time that he spent in prison. And Joe Colombo offered him $1,000. [12:57] And Gallo was incensed by that. He expected $100,000. [13:02] And so he started another war with Colombo. [13:09] This would be good for Carlo Gambino because then he could use Joey Gallo to get rid of someone and his hands wouldn’t appear to be anywhere near this. And when Joey Gallo was in prison, he befriended a lot of black gangsters who were drug dealers and showed them how to succeed in the drug dealing business. And his attitude was that the mafia was very prejudiced against black people, but he thought that was stupid. He thought that we should use black criminals the same way we use any other criminals. And so he befriended a lot of blacks when he was in prison. And no one really knows how exactly he came in contact with Jerome Johnson. But anyway, Jerome Johnson was given the mission of assassinating Joe Colombo at a demonstration where Joe Colombo would be speaking about the Italian American Anti-Defamation League, which had attracted a lot of entertainers. Frank Sinatra was on the board of it. They raised a lot of money. I spoke to some Italian friends of mine at the time, and they said that people from the Italian Anti-Defamation League went around to small Italian-run stores, pizza parlors, shoe repair stores, whatever, and had them closed down for that day so that these people should attend the rally. And the rally was being held, I believe, in Columbus Circle. [14:36] And Jerome Johnson was there, and he had a press pass. So he was permitted to get very close to Joe Colombo because it appeared that he was a reporter or a photographer for a newspaper. And as soon as he got close enough, he pumped a couple of bullets into Joe Colombo’s head. Immediately, three or four gangsters descended on Jerome Johnson and killed him immediately. [15:02] And those three or four people who killed him, they disappeared into the crowd. No one ever found them again. I know. I wish we’d had cell phone footage from that. No one wouldn’t have gotten away if everybody had their cell phones out that day when they would have seen everything that happened. [15:21] Exactly. Columbo existed in a vegetative state. I think it was for about seven years before he finally died. I didn’t realize it was that long. Wow. Yeah, but he was semi-conscious. He couldn’t communicate. He was paralyzed. But the The Colombo family believed that it was Joey Gallo who was responsible for this. Joey Gallo and his new wife had been having a dinner with friends at the Copacabana nightclub in New York. They were joined at their table by Don Rickles, who had been performing that night. Comedian David Steinberg, who had been the best man at Joey Gallo’s wedding to a second wife, was there. And he suggested to them that they left the Copacabana about three o’clock in the morning. And he suggested to them that they all go down to Little Italy, go to Chinatown, and we’ll have a late dinner there. So Rick Olson and Steinberg said, it’s too late for us. You go and enjoy yourself and we’ll see you another time. Joey Gallo, his bodyguard, a Greek guy, I can’t remember his name exactly. Peter Dacopoulos. That’s it. And his wife, and Decapolis’ girlfriend and Joey Gallo’s stepdaughter. They all drove downtown. They couldn’t find anything open in Chinatown, so they drove over to Little Italy, and they went into Umberto’s Clam House. [16:49] And it was very strange, because supposedly a gangster would never do this. Joe Colombo was sitting with his back to the door. [16:58] Usually, your back is to the wall, and you’re facing the door. Oh, Joey Gallo was sitting with his back to the door. Yeah, I meant Joey Gallo. Yeah. Go ahead. And there was kind of a lonely guy sitting at the bar having a drink, and no one paid any attention to him. He was a mob wannabe, and he recognized Joey Gallo, and he went to a mob social club that was a few blocks away that was a hangout for Colombo gangsters. And when he came in and told them that joey gallo was there and the one of the guys there called a capo from the colombo family and told him who they saw and so forth and apparently he instructed them to go and get rid of him and so they took the mob wannabe guy and they got in two cars and they drove down to or around the block whatever it was to umberto’s clam house they went in and they immediately started shooting. And Colombo flipped over the table. I’m sorry, Joey Gallo flipped over the table and had his wife and girlfriend in the step door to get behind the table. And he and Peter were firing back at these guys. [18:07] Peter got shot in the ass and complained about it for many months afterwards, and Joey Gallo ran out onto the street chasing them, and he got shot in the neck, and I think it hit his carotid artery, and he bled to death on the sidewalk. And the guys from the Columbo and the Columbo wannabe guy, they quickly drove up to an apartment on the Upper East Side where the Columbo capo was. And he told them to go to a safe house in Nyack, New York, where they went. And meanwhile, the mob wannabe guy who had fingered Columbo, he’s getting very nervous. He feels that his life isn’t worth too much. He’s in over his head. [18:51] Right. So he sneaks out in the middle of the night and takes a plane to California to live with his sister. And he tries to get into the witness protection program, but they don’t believe him. They don’t believe he has enough evidence to make it worthwhile. No one knows exactly what happened to him afterwards. And the guys who supposedly killed Gallo, nothing really happened to them either. There was a huge funeral for Joey Gallo in Brooklyn. And it was like one of those old mob funerals that you see in a movie with a hundred flower cars and people lining the streets. And I think it was Joey Gallo’s mother who threw herself into the grave on top of the coffin. Oh, really? And Joey Gallo’s. [19:38] He had two brothers, one of whom had died of cancer, and the other one wound up going into another mob family. That was part of the peace deal. I can’t remember if it was the Gambino family or the Genovese family. He went into one of those two families. I think it was Gambino family, that Albert Kidd Twist gallo, I think was his name. And I think it was the Gambino family. He just kept a low profile until he died of natural causes. I think he’s dead now. He never heard from him again, basically. Exactly. [20:06] Interesting. That’s a heck of a story. A lot more stories like that in there, too. I bet. What was your favorite story out of that, or the one that shocked you or you learned something? Maybe something that you learned that you didn’t know or cut through some myth. [20:20] Probably, I’m just looking at my notes here to see what really fascinated me the most. I think the evolution of the Bug and Meyer gang. This guy, Ralph Salerno, who was a fascinating guy who headed the New York Prime Strike Force, Mafia investigators He’s been dead for about I think 10 or 15 years But I spent about Two or three hours Interviewing him A long time ago Didn’t he write a book Didn’t he write a book Called The Crime Confederation Or something like that Yes he did Yeah And it’s excellent So he knew Meyer Lansky He had met Bugsy Siegel Back once In the early 1940s He knew Frank Costello He knew all of these people And it was fascinating To, to hear his stories. And he said that during the time of the Bug and Meyer gang, they were the most vicious gang in New York. And they had a complete menu for crimes that they would commit on your behalf. Burglaries, murders, throwing people out of windows, breaking arms and legs, killing by stabbing, killing by shooting, killing by knifing. And each one had a price. And he said they actually had it printed. It was like a menu and you could check off what you wanted. [21:40] Crazy. And then he said, as they got more and more involved in prohibition, they got out of this and it evolved into Murder Incorporated, which had about 400 members, primarily Jewish and Italian gangsters. And it was run by Albert Anastasia and Lepke Bookhalter. [22:05] And when Thomas Dewey came into power, he wanted very much to convict these guys, but, Murder Incorporated had this fascinating idea that every member of Murder Incorporated would receive a monthly retainer and then it paid a special price for committing murders. And the more ambitious the member was, the more murders he would commit. So there were a couple who were really very ambitious and did a lot of murders. And each one had a specialty. So there was this one guy named Abe Hidtwist Relis, who only killed people with an ice pick in the back of the neck. And then he would leave the body in a car, talking about getting rid of bodies, and he would burn the body and leave it in the car and let other people know who were the relatives that he had been done away with. And then there was a guy named Pittsburgh Phil, who was the most ambitious of them, who supposedly committed about 100 to 150 murders because he just loved getting money for each one that he committed. [23:15] Then there was a guy named Louis Capone, who’s no relation to Al. He worked with a partner named Mendy Weiss, and the two of them went out and killed people together. They thought it was a fun event for them. It was like a boy’s night out. Who we’re going to kill today. Weren’t they two of them that got the electric chair? Yes, they did. And there’s a picture of them on the train up to Singh on their way to the electric chair. And they’re laughing. This is nothing. This is just another fun time for us. And yeah, I think there were four of them who finally went to the electric chair. And then one member of this was a guy named Charlie the Bud Workman, who finally got indicted for the murder of Dutch Schultz. He was the one who carried out the murder of Dutch Schultz for the mob. And he got, I think he was 30 years in prison. But according to his son… [24:13] Who is a PGA golfer, who is well-known in PGA circles as a very good golf competitor, said that the mob took care of his family for the entire time that Workman was in prison because he never spoke about anybody else. He really observed the rules of a murder, and they appreciated him for that. So that whole episode was like a corporation murder, which is why they called it Murder, Inc., that would go out and kill people on orders only from the mafia. They only worked for the mafia. You couldn’t hire them if you weren’t a member of the mafia. And it had to go through a mafia boss for the instructions to come down to them. A soldier couldn’t tell them what to do. Even a capo couldn’t tell them. It had to go up to a boss, the boss had to approve it, and then assign someone to do it. And they all worked out of a candy store in Brooklyn called Midnight Roses because it was open 24 hours a day. And the phone would ring there from giving whoever it was instructions about who was to be killed, where they were to be killed, how they were to do it, and so forth and so on. [25:27] So what was also interesting is even though Bugsy Siegel had left the Bug and Meyer gang, he still loved participating in murder. He liked killing people. And his partner in these murders was a guy named Frankie Carbo, who became a big deal in boxing. He controlled most of the boxing in America up until at the time of Sonny Liston. And his partner in this was a man named Blinky Palermo. [25:59] And according to Ralph Natale, who for a while had been the boss of the Philadelphia crime family, it was Frankie Carbo who was sent by the mob to kill Bugsy Siegel. Because if he was caught or Bugsy Siegel saw him around, he wouldn’t suspect that he was his killer because they were friends and they had operated as partners together. So this goes back to what we were talking about earlier. It’s your friend who comes closest to you and then arranges you to be assassinated. So I found that whole story just fascinating. Interesting. I’ll tell you what. And there’s those and a whole lot more stories in this, isn’t there, Jeff? Yes, there are. I think that the book covers pretty much the mob history, beginning with the founding of the five families, going all the way up through Sammy the Bulgurvano’s testimony against John Gotti and the commission trial, where they decapitated the heads of the five families. Not literally, folks. Not literally. Not literally. We didn’t literally decapitate. Rudy Giuliano, he tried to. He tried to. He tried to. Metaphorically, he decapitated the heads of the five families. Exactly. [27:15] You know, what was interesting, though, is in the 1930s, you had Thomas Dewey. In the 1960s, you had Robert Kennedy, who went after the mob. And then later on, you had Rudy Giuliani going after the mob. And the mob always managed to reorganize itself and figure out a new way of existing. They were very opportunistic and they always managed to find a way to keep going, even if it was very low key, which is what it is now, where they operate in the shadows and they don’t have any John Gottis or Al Capone’s out there getting a lot of attention for themselves. They’re still out there doing things. Yeah. Yeah. They finally learned something about that getting publicity. And most recently, they put together a whole scheme, and this goes way back, of cheating people. Big whales, I call them whales, of rich men that like to gamble and brush up against kind of the dark side and cheat them at cards. They’ve been doing that for years. They just do it under goes to clear black to the Friars Club scam in Los Angeles where Ronnie Roselli and some others had a spotter, would see who had what cards in what’s hands, then would tell another player. And so now there’s just more electronic, but the same game just upgraded to electronics. [28:30] That’s right. What someone I spoke to interviewed said, he said they’re very involved in electronic gambling poker machines and that kind of thing. And a lot of offshore gambling and offshore money laundering. And to some extent, even drug dealing now. And they’re still very involved in New York in the construction business. Oh, really? Yeah. Union business. They’re still in it, huh? And I know in Kansas City, there’s a couple of examples where they put money into a buy here, pay here car dealership into a title loan place because there’s a huge rate of interest on those things. And there’s a lot of scams that go down out of those places, especially the old crap cars and put them together and sell them to poor people for they’ve got $500 in the car and they sell it to them for $2,000. They charge them a 25% interest and then go repo it when the car breaks down, turn around and patch it up and sell it again. So there’s always schemes going on out there to mob will put their money into. Oh, it’s incredible. I knew of one scheme where they would They would sell trucks to people and give them a special route. And so on that route, they could make enough money to pay off the loan on the truck. But then they would take away the route from them. They couldn’t pay off the truck. So they would repossess the truck and sell it to someone else and do it all over again. [29:50] Oh, I know. They got to tell you that. And Joey Messino and the Bananos, they organized the tow main wagons, the lunch truck, the snack wagons. Right, exactly. Organize them. And then they start extorting money, formed an association. And then to get to good spots, then you had to kick money to them. And just to be part of the organization, that was kicking money to them. There’s always something. They always manage to find a place where they can make money. And it’s like whack-a-mole. You can stop them here, you can stop them there, and then they pop up in three other places. [30:24] Really all right jeffrey susman i’m so happy to talk to you again i haven’t talked to you for a while and i hope everything else is everything’s going okay for you in new york city yep i’m working on a new book uh what are you working on now oh my god you are so prolific i look on your amazon page just when i was getting ready to do this trying to think of some of those other titles Oh, my God. I’m working on a book about the Garment Center. Ah, interesting. Only because my family was involved in that business, and they had to deal with the mob in various ways, with trucking companies, unions, and so forth. And since I knew that, and I had a lot of information, a lot of contacts, I thought I would tackle that next. I remember when I had my marketing PR business back in the 1970s. [31:16] I had a client who was in the fitness business, and I had a cousin of my mother’s who was a very famous dress designer at the time, and he had a big showroom on 7th Avenue, which is in the garment center. I went to see him because I wanted to see if I could get a deal for my client to manufacture exercise clothes and brand it with her name. I made a date to have lunch with this cousin of mine, and he said, come up to my showroom. we’ll meet for lunch, And so I got to the showroom, and I called out his name when I walked in. It was empty. And this guy comes running out of the back, and he just has a shirt on, and he has a shoulder holster, .38 caliber gun in it. And he says to me, who the F are you? I said, I’m so-and-so’s cousin. I’m here to have lunch with him. He disappeared into the back. And a couple of minutes later my mother’s cousin comes out and i said who was that what was that about he says i don’t want to talk about it now i’ll tell you all for lunch so we go down to a restaurant around the corner and i asked him again and he says he said he couldn’t have his dresses delivered to any department store unless he made a deal with yeah i forgot if it was the gambinos or the lucasies that he had to take this guy on as a partner otherwise the trucks wouldn’t deliver his garments. And there was nothing he could do about it. It was either that or go out of business. [32:45] I’ll tell you what, they’re voracious. They’re greedy and voracious and don’t care. Just give me those, show me the money. That’s all it is. It’s all about money and any way to get it. And then there’s always a threat of murder behind it. If you don’t cooperate, think of the worst thing that can happen to you. And that’s what’ll happen. Yeah. I’ve had guys over the years tell I’m like, oh, you ought to throw in with one of those ex-mobsters that’s doing podcasts and try to do something with them. I say, I ain’t doing business with them. They play by their rules. I play by society’s rules. And I don’t have time to mess with that. Yeah. And that was a smart thing to do. Because also, when I had this fitness client, I met someone who was… I didn’t know what was connected to the mob, but a mutual friend, this guy said that he wanted to set up fitness centers all around the country for my clients. So I mentioned this to a mutual friend and he said, whatever you don’t go into business with this guy, I said, regret it for the rest of your life. So I advised my client not to do it. [33:49] Yeah. Cause initially before we knew that it sounded like a great opportunity. And then when you investigate, it’s not such a great opportunity. Yeah, really. Speaking of that, we tell stories for hours. I just heard a story. We had a relocated mobster, a guy that testified against Gigante, came here to Kansas City. And he was, of course, under witness protection and he’s got an assumed name. And he befriends a guy that has a fitness center. He has a franchise of Gold’s Gym or something. And he has a fitness center. And he talks this guy into taking him on, investing a little money in it, taking him on as his partner. Within the next couple of years, this mobster, he’s got two of his kids working there and neither one of them are really doing anything, but they’re drawing a salary and the money’s trickling out. And the guy, the local guy, he just walks away from it because this guy’s planned by the mob’s rules. So he just ended up walking away from it, did something else. So it’s do not go into business with these guys. No, never. Never. [34:48] Jeffrey Suspett, it’s a pleasure to have you back on the show. Thank you so much. It’s a pleasure to be with you again, Gary. It’s always a pleasure. Thank you very much.
Send a textI know what you're thinking, 1963, a man with X-ray eyes? This has to be completely ridiculous. And sure, there are a few cute scenes. But at its heart is a thought-provoking screenplay, a solid performance from Ray Milland, and a surprisingly effective dramatic turn for Don Rickles as a shady carnival barker. Do not envy X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963)!
Savannah Guthrie makes an emotional public plea for the safe return of her mother as the latest details of the investigation are revealed. Mayor Karen Bass pushes back against claims that the city’s after-action report was watered down, responding to mounting criticism and questions about transparency. A deeply personal tribute to a comedy legend: Mindy, Ed, and Don Rickles offers an intimate look at Don Rickles’ life through the eyes of his daughter Mindy Rickles and son-in-law Ed Mann. Produced by Jimmy Kimmel, the series revisits Rickles’ unforgettable late-night appearances while revealing what was happening behind the scenes, with special guest appearances along the way. Political tensions rise as Rick Caruso tells FOX LA’s Matt Seedorff he is reconsidering a run for Mayor of Los Angeles, following a Los Angeles Times report alleging the city’s response to the January 7th fires was downplayed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TVC 723.5: Actor, director, and producer Barry Pearl talks to Ed about teaching improv to special needs students at Inclusion Films (the film company, run by Joey Travolta, that teaches and employs people in the film industry who have developmental and physical disabilities); how actor and director Jerry Paris mentored Barry when Barry first came out to Los Angeles in the mid 1970s; Barry's experience working with Don Rickles on CPO Sharkey in 1976; and how being eliminated from the cast of Sharkey in the spring of 1977 turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because it set into motion the events that led Barry to be cast as Doody in Grease. Barry Pearl is getting ready to direct a new stage production of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change that will run Wednesday, Feb. 18 through Sunday, Mar. 8 at the International City Theatre (located at the Beverly O'Neill Theater at The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, 330 East Seaside Way, in Long Beach, CA 90802). For tickets and more information, call (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org.
TVC 722.4: Part 2 of a conversation that began last week with Mark Malkoff, host of the award-winning Carson Podcast and the author of Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find The Genius Behind the Legend, a deep dive into Johnny Carson's thirty-year reign as host of The Tonight Show. Topics this segment include why the act of Carson inviting young comedians to join him on the couch after performing their set had a much greater impact in Los Angeles than when the show was based in New York; how Doc Severinsen became Johnny's band leader in 1967; why Ed McMahon's relationship with Carson was "friendly, yet fearful"; and the back story behind the night in December 1976 when Carson barged onto the set of Don Rickles' NBC series C.P.O. Sharkey (which was taping next-door to The Tonight Show) after realizing that Rickles had broken the cigarette box on Carson's Tonight Show desk the night before. Love Johnny Carson is available wherever books are sold through Dutton Books.
Great interviews? Check! Superb musical guest? Check! How about Stupid Pet Tricks, Top Ten Lists, and stunts such as having the host work a McDonald's Drive Thru? If the Legend is David Letterman, check all those boxes. For decades we have welcomed David Letterman and his singular brand of comedy into our homes. And it's really no wonder, because Dave ruled a late night empire that was an authentic representation of its host -- a bit of midwestern "aw shucks" blended with a blinding quick wit and a taste for goofball stunts. Starting as a tv weatherman in his home state of Indiana, Dave caught fire after moving to Los Angeles in the late 1970s. In LA Dave became a popular standup and a favorite of Johnny Carson (who really wanted Dave to succeed him on the Tonight Show). When NBC tapped Jay Leno to succeed Johnny, Dave made the leap to CBS where he remained until 2015. But Dave would gather no moss after retiring his late night show (other than an impressive "retirement beard"), starting a Netflix interview show, popping up at awards shows, and inducting his longtime pal Warren Zevon into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As always find extended clips below and thanks for sharing our shows. Want more Dave? If you haven't seen a clip of Dave as a tv weatherman way back when, enjoy this little bit of late night host history.https://youtu.be/k66ek3AYz30?si=hs1n9b7JW8EyVQq5 It pays to have friends. In Dave's case the friend was Johnny Carson and boy did that pay off big time! Here's Dave's first appearance on The Tonight Show. https://youtu.be/TbSaBzO3tXA?si=w82sUqH5eihfo_QM Dave's late night shows spawned many great bits, none better than the Top Ten List. Here is one delivered by Don Rickles (another Legend), though Dave gets a few good shots in! https://youtu.be/jsSP0hScELo?si=WLjFnaX6yAoxbbDA Dave had a long time friend in Warren Zevon, featuring him frequently as a guest and also an occasional standing for bandleader Paul Shaffer. So when Warren was (FINALLY!) inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame it was Dave who did the honors. https://youtu.be/CYYzqt68dnE?si=MVoumj7iMUS4kzEl
One of America's foremost cultural critics steps out of the writer's cabin and into the studio to predict the future of a game that seems too big to stop: What happened to the egghead prophecy of Peak Football? Is 11 minutes actually the perfect amount of hyper-connective, violent action? And, in a Post-Winning Era, will the relentless gold-mining of fandom threaten the NFL's dominance, as soon as 2070? Plus: best laid aquarium plans, killing your fake darlings, old love letters, the meaning of nostalgia... and becoming Don Rickles for Bill Simmons. • Read "Football" by Chuck Klosterman• Take a PTFO audience survey for your chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Very happy to have my friends, Ed Mann and Mindy Rickles on ANYTHING BUT POLTICS. Mindy and Ed honor Don's legacy with their new podcast. We also talk about what it's like to be Don's daughter and his son-in-law. It's Mindy, and Ed... and Don Rickles with me.Thanks for listening.SHOW NOTESThanks to our sponsor, ABT Electronics. Get $25 off your next purchase of $150 or more by using the promo code COCHRAN2025 online or in person!Watch This Episode on our Live From My Office YouTube ChannelFollow me on Substack.With each new episode, the first three listeners thatemail me“SURVIVE 2025!” will be eligible to win a $25 ABT Giftcard as long as you include your mailing address and that phrase!Don't forget to subscribe to listen to “Live From My Office” wherever you get your podcasts, and e-mail the show with any questions, comments, or plugs for your favorite charity!
Las Vegas wasn't just a stop on Johnny Carson's itinerary — it was his second home. This week on “Talk About Las Vegas With Ira,” Ira sits down with Mark Malkoff, co-author (with David Ritz) of "Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend," for a fascinating deep dive into Carson's unique and lasting bond with Las Vegas. Drawing from hundreds of interviews and years of research, Mark reveals previously un-known stories about Carson's life and career, including who persuaded Johnny to first perform in Las Vegas and why his debut at the Sahara was an instant sensation. Mark also explores how Carson's relaxed, playful stage persona in Las Vegas differed from the carefully calibrated host audiences saw nightly on The Tonight Show. The conversation uncovers Carson's legendary friendship with Don Rickles, his love of discovering and championing new talent on Vegas stages, and the curiosity that fueled his creative life. Mark also shares how he teamed up with famed biographer David Ritz to bring this definitive portrait of Carson to life — and offers new details about Johnny's earliest shows originating from New York. For fans of classic Vegas, television history, and the entertainers who helped shape the city's golden era, this episode offers a rare and intimate look at Johnny Carson away from the desk — and under the bright lights of Las Vegas. (Also Watch Full Podcast Video)
Laughter may be one of the most powerful tools we have for navigating stress, burnout, and the weight of modern life. In this conversation, I had the pleasure of sitting down once again with Sir James Gray Robinson to explore why humor, self-awareness, and gratitude matter far more than most of us realize. James and I talk about how easily we lose the ability to laugh at ourselves, how that loss feeds stress and burnout, and why taking life too seriously often does more harm than good. Along the way, we reflect on comedy, culture, trauma, and the simple truth that being able to laugh can shift perspective faster than almost anything else. James also shares what he has learned from years of coaching high-stress professionals, especially lawyers, about how laughter resets the nervous system and opens the door to better problem solving. We talk about gratitude as a powerful antidote to fear and anger, the role artificial intelligence can play as a daily tool for perspective, and how self-reflection helps us separate reality from the stories our minds create. We even explore James's work with an ancient royal order dedicated to service and philanthropy. I believe you will find this conversation thoughtful, grounding, and surprisingly uplifting, because at its core, it reminds us that joy, humor, and connection are not luxuries. They are essential to living an unstoppable life. Highlights: 00:59 – Learn why losing the ability to laugh at yourself creates stress and emotional rigidity.04:26 – Understand the difference between witty humor and humor that harms rather than heals.11:03 – Discover how laughter resets the nervous system and interrupts burnout patterns.15:35 – Learn why gratitude is one of the strongest tools for overcoming fear and anger.16:16 – Hear how artificial intelligence can be used as a daily tool to shift perspective and invite joy.35:19 – Understand how burnout often begins with internal stories that distort reality and fuel stress. About the Guest: Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq. is an award winning third-generation trial attorney who specialized in family law and civil litigation for 27 years in his native North Carolina. Burned out, Sir James quit in 2004 and has spent the next 20 years doing extensive research and innovative training to help others facing burnout and personal crises to heal. He has taught wellness, transformation, and mindfulness internationally to thousands of private clients, businesses, and associations. As a licensed attorney, he is focused on helping lawyers, professionals, entrepreneurs, employers, and parents facing stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, exhaustion, and burnout. Sir James is a highly respected speaker, writer, TV personality, mentor, consultant, mastermind, and spiritual leader/healer who is committed to healing the planet. He possesses over 30 certifications and degrees in law, healing, and coaching, as well as hundreds of hours of post-certification training in the fields of neuroscience, neurobiology, and neuroplasticity, epigenetics, mind-body-spirit medicine, and brain/heart integration. Having experienced multiple near-death experiences has given him a deeper connection with divinity and spiritual energy. Sir James regularly trains professionals, high-level executives, and businesspeople to hack their brains to turn stress into success. He is regularly invited to speak at ABA and state bar events about mental and emotional health. His work is frequently published in legal and personal growth magazines, including the ABA Journal, Attorneys-at-Work Magazine, and the Family Law Journal. Sir James has authored 13 books on personal growth and healing, including three targeting stressed professionals as well as over 100 articles published in national magazines. He has produced several training videos for attorneys, executives, entrepreneurs and high-level professionals. Sir James has generously endowed numerous projects around the world to help children, indigenous natives, orphans and the sick, including clean water projects in the Manu Rain Forest, Orphanages, Schools and Medical Clinics/Ambulances in India, Buddhist monks in Nepal, and schools in Kenya, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico. In addition to his extensive contributions, Sir James produced and starred in three documentaries that will be released in 2024, focusing on healing, mental and emotional health. The first, "Beyond Physical Matter," is available on several streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime. The trailer can be found at www.BeyondPhysicalMatter.com. The second, “Beyond the Mastermind Secret”, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2024. The trailer can be found at https://BeyondMastermindSecrets.com/. The third, “Beyond Physical Life” is scheduled for release at the end of 2024. The trailer can be found at https://beyondphysicallife.com/. He has formed an entertainment media production company known as Beyond Entertainment Global, LLC, and is currently producing feature length films and other media. In recognition of his outstanding work and philanthropy, Sir James was recently knighted by the Royal Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen. In addition, Sir James won the prestigious International Impact Book Award for his new book “Thriving in the Legal Arena: The Ultimate Lawyer's Guide for Transforming Stress into Success”. Several of his other books have won international book awards as well. Sir James was recently awarded the President's Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden for his outstanding service to his community, country and the world. He will be awarded the prestigious International Humanitarian Award known as Men with Hearts, in London, England in the fall of 2024, as well as Man of the Year and Couple of the year with his wife, Linda Giangreco. Sir James has a wide variety of work/life experiences, including restauranteur, cattle rancher, horse trainer, substance abuse counselor, treatment center director, energy healer, bodyguard, legal counselor for several international spiritual organizations, golfer and marathon runner. He graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in 1971, Davidson College in 1975 and Wake Forest University School of Law in 1978. Ways to connect with Sir James**:** FB - https://www.facebook.com/sirjamesgrayrobinson IG - https://www.instagram.com/sirjamesgrayrobinson/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@sirjamesgrayrobinson?_t=8hOuSCTDAw4&_r=1 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@JamesGrayRobinson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gray-robinson-/ About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Michael Hingson 01:17 Well, hi everyone, and welcome to another edition of unstoppable mindset. And we're doing something today we haven't done too often, but we've done it a few times. We are having a second conversation with James Gray Robinson, actually, sir, James Gray Robinson, and we're going to talk about that part of it today we did last time, but I'm going to start actually a little bit different way. You and I were just talking about humor. We were talking about Mel Brooks, because I, when you came into the to the room, I said, What in the wide, wide world of sports is it going on here, which is a very famous line from Blazing Saddles. And you pointed out that that movie probably couldn't be made today, and I agree. But why do you think that is Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 02:10 I think that we've become so disenchanted with ourselves that everything's offensive now, I think back when we and when I grew up in the 50s and 60s, people had so many really, you know, life threatening things to think about, like atomic war and, you know, it just seems like people have shifted their consciousness away from having a good time to simply having to be right all the time. And so we've lost the ability to laugh at ourselves. I mean, one of my favorite lines is, if you think Talk is cheap, you've never talked to a lawyer. And the thing is, is that I'm a lawyer, and I find that incredibly funny, yeah, because if you can't laugh at yourself, then you really are going to struggle in life, because a lot of times, things don't work out the way that we anticipated or wanted them to. And there's a couple of different ways that we can react to that or respond to that. There's a I found that people are losing the ability to take responsibility for themselves and that they blame everything on everybody else. We're raising a nation of victims, and victims are not going to laugh at anything. So what we, I think, what we have to do is we have to start teaching our children how to have a sense of humor. If something doesn't happen the just the way we want it to, then laugh at it. It doesn't have to, you know, unless it's pain, you know, if it's physically abusive or something, then you know. But the thing is, we're trying to helicopter parent everything, and we all get so upset when somebody says something off the cuff or maybe without fully thinking through what they're saying. So it's, it's just unfortunate that there are many, many things in life I think could be avoided with just a good chuckle and go ahead. Well, I was just going to say, you know, like if somebody said to me, you're. Eyes on wrong I'd laugh because it would what difference does it make? But what my tile looks like? Yeah, and I would just laugh, and I would laugh at me, and I would laugh at them, because somebody thought that there was something wrong with that, yeah. Michael Hingson 05:21 Well, what about people like Don Rickles? You know, who, who was always known for insulting everyone and being an obnoxious character. What do you think about him? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 05:36 I you know the thing is, is that he was offensive, but he wasn't, what's the word? I would say he he wasn't profane, because he never cursed at anybody. You know, I've watched a couple of roasts. You know, they call them roast, right? They get a bunch of people together, and they make fun of somebody. And back in the day, when Don Rickles and Johnny Carson, Milton, burl, rich, little even, what couple of committee is, I can't think of, but they were extremely witty, and they were perhaps offensive, but they weren't necessarily insulting to the point where you It's not Funny. And I think we've got and we've gone to the point where we now are seeing these roasts. And I thought I saw Tom Brady's roast. Actually paid to watch it, and it was the most profane, you know, unfunny, hurtful, hour and a half I think I've ever watched, and it just I didn't smile once. I just was wincing the whole way through, wondering why people think that sort of nonsense is funny. Michael Hingson 07:19 Well, I asked about Don Rickles, because I saw an interview with him on the Donahue show, when Phil Donahue had his TV show, one of the things. And after he said this, I thought about it, and of course, never really was able to see in person, but I believed him. Don rickel said, Look, I never pick on someone if I think they're going to be offended. He said, If I see somebody in the audience and start picking on them and it looks like they're taking offense or they're getting angry about it, I won't pick on them anymore. And he said I might even go talk with them later, but he said I won't pick on them anymore. And I thought about that, he said, I will never there are lines I won't cross, which is some of what you just said. But he really was absolutely adamant about the fact that he didn't really want to insult people. He wanted people to have fun, so he always looked for people in the audience who would laugh at what he had to say and how he and how he abused them and so on. He said those are the people that he really liked to to interact with because they weren't taking offense, which I thought was a very intuitive and interesting concept on his part. And if you really want to talk about a comedian who was never profane no matter what he did or happened to him, later, think about Bill Cosby, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 08:49 yeah, and or Red Skelton, or Red Skelton, yeah, that was and always, he would always end up with God Bless. And the thing that amazes me about today's comedy is how much violence. There's a subtle undercurrent of violence under all of their humor. And it's, you know, they're kind of like laughing at somebody who is hurt or is not as intelligent as the comedian thinks he is. Or, you know, they're making fun of stuff just to be hurtful. And it's not, you know, they've lost the connection between being taken taking fun, making fun of somebody and being hurtful. And I just amazed when I see a lot of comedians today. I mean, there's lots of very witty, very intelligent, grand guffaw producing comedy out. There. And it's, there's some, they're very, very talented comedians out there, but then there are the other people that want to drag you through the Michael Hingson 10:07 mud, yeah? And it's all shock. It's all shock, yeah, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 10:12 and intentionally offend you to, I guess it's some kind of power play, but it's simple. You know, people, I think that people actually are so traumatized that they they think it's funny when somebody traumatizes somebody else. Michael Hingson 10:34 Well, I Oh, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 10:35 go on. No, go right ahead. Michael Hingson 10:38 I I never got to see Don Rickles live, although I would have loved to, and I would love to have paid the money to sit in the front row, hopefully, hoping that he would pick on me so I could jump up and say, Yeah, I saw you once on TV. I took one look at you and haven't been able to see since. What do you think about that? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 11:02 Never that would be appropriate, yeah? I mean, because he'd love it, you're making fun, yeah, you're making fun of him, and you're making fun of yourself. And that's what I call self depreciating humor. He where the jokes, yeah, the joke really is about you. It's not about him, yeah, and it's in it, so it's people probably wouldn't take offense to that. But when people sit there, you know, start poking fun at how people look or what they their educational level, or their, you know, cultural background is I, I just don't get that. I mean, it's and I grieve that we're turning into bullies. Well, you know, and it's, it's unfortunate you Michael Hingson 11:52 you've dealt a lot, especially over the last 20 years, with burnout and things like that. Do you think that what's happening in in society based on what you're talking about, with the lack of humor, without self deprecating environments and all that. Do you think that's because it's stressful, contributing to burnout? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 12:14 Yes, I think, well, we again, we take ourselves way too seriously. The one thing that I've noticed, especially with my clients, is when I can get them to laugh, they start to take a different perspective of their life. But when they think everything that they're what I call they're stuck in Warrior mode. There's, you know, we have a, don't know if we talked about this last time, but we have a nervous system that goes one or two ways. It either goes to fight or flight, called the sympathetic nervous system, where you know you're reacting to everything in a negative way, because it's a matter of survival, or we go to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the fun part of our psyche, and we can enjoy ourselves, but everybody is so scared of something there that they the body cannot stand That level of stress for years. I mean, that's what burnout is, and it it tears your body apart until it actually turns off. And that's what happens when you burn out. We used to call it nervous breakdown, but, you know now it's burnout. But the point is, is you just wear yourself out because you don't have anything that will break the constant stream of stress, and one of the best ways that you can handle stress is to laugh. Laugh at yourself, laugh at something, a joke, laugh at whatever you find stressful, because it breaks that autonomic nervous system response. And if you can reset yourself every now and then that you know, one of the ways I teach people how to deal with stress is to research jokes. Go buy a good joke book, and you can go and find enough. You know, all you need is a couple of jokes to start the day, and you're going to be in a much better frame of mind going to work or dealing with whatever you have to deal with. If you've laughed at least once before you go to work, because that that engages your parasympathetic. I call it the guru. And you can deal with adversity. You can deal with problems. You can actually problem solve. You. And but when we're stressed out because we're afraid of what's going to happen, we're afraid of making mistakes, and we're afraid of what somebody's going to think of us, then we are just going to end up in a very bad place, mentally and emotionally and physically. So it's, you know, one of the things that you can do, as if you're having to deal with stress on a daily basis, is to just remember how to be grateful. I mean, I think that of all the emotions, gratitude is probably the most powerful one there is because it will overcome fear, it will overcome anger, it will overcome shame, it will overcome guilt, it will overcome envy, all the negative emotions cannot stand up to gratitude. And so if you can learn to be grateful, and especially grateful for the struggle, then you are going to be a happy camper, and you can probably learn to laugh, until you can be grateful though you're going to struggle. And that's we're not designed to do the struggling. We're designed to have fun. I mean, that's people always say, what are my purpose, you know? And why am I doing here? And I said, you only have two purposes in life. One is to breathe, and the other one is to laugh. Everything else is just a complication. So if you just remember that, if you can be grateful and laugh once in a while, you're going to be a lot better off than somebody that takes it too seriously, Michael Hingson 16:44 yeah, well, and you, you must see a lot of it, because I know you, you do a lot of coaching and working with especially lawyers, which is a very stressful situation, especially people who are truly dedicated to the Law and who look at it in the right way, there must be a lot of stress. How do you get them to relax? I like the idea of getting a joke book. I think that's that's cute, and I think that that makes a lot of sense. But in but in general, how do you get people to laugh and to do it as a habit. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 17:24 Well, I've been doing this for 20 years, so my answer 20 years ago is probably a little different than the answer I have now. Artificial Intelligence is my friend, because I can, I can do anything with artificial intelligence. And one of the best ways I, you know, I program my artificial intelligence to to respond, to react and to know who I am. I put, I put all of my books onto artificial intelligence. Every time I write an article, I put it in there. I'm always talking to it. I'm always saying, Well, this is the way I feel about this. This is the way I feel about that. This is what this is funny to me. This something happened to me today that is was really funny. And then I tell it what was funny. And I would program this thing. So the next, when I wake up in the morning, I can just ask it tell me something that'll make me laugh, and it always has something that will make me laugh. And so because it can, not only does it know what I fed into it, it knows everything that's on the internet, right? And so you can, you can get a, you know, something funny, something to start your day, make me glad to be alive, you know, tell me something that'll make me grateful. All those things. It'll, just in a millisecond, it'll be on your screen, yeah. And so it's, that's a tool we obviously didn't have even a year ago, but 20 years ago, it was a little bit more depth, a little bit more effort to find these things. But you could, you could do that. I mean, we did have the internet 20 years ago, and so we, we could go looking and go searching for funny stuff. But it's not as easy as is artificial intelligence, so you know. And if you I'll tell you one thing, it's been a real tool that has been very useful for me, because sometimes if I'm not sure what I should say, my old my old motto was, if you don't know what to say, shut up. But now I asked, I asked, and I'm not sure what, how I should respond to this. What do you suggest? And it'll come up with some. Give me five things that I could say. Michael Hingson 19:59 Does it do? Will tell you, does it ever tell you should just shut up? Just checking yes, yes. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 20:04 Okay, good, good for you. Don't say any. Don't say anything, you fool. But the point is, is that it's got, you know, every book that's ever been written about psychology in its database, so you can find things that would make you sound wise and profound. And I use it all the time to figure out what to say, or to how a better way to say something is Yeah, and that way I've managed to stay pretty much out of trouble by and, you know, it's like having a friend who you could ask, What should I say? And they would come back with a couple of answers that you know, then you can just decide yourself which one you should use, right? Michael Hingson 20:57 And you may, and you may, in addition, tweak it which which makes sense, because AI is, is a tool, and I, I am not sure that it is going to ever develop truly to the point where it, if you will, wakes up and and becomes its own true intelligence, Skynet Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 21:24 on all the Terminator series, Michael Hingson 21:27 or or in Robert heinleins, the Moon is a Harsh Mistress. The computer woke up. It helped as a still my favorite science fiction book, and it was, if you've never read it, it's a story about the the moon in 2076 which had been colonized and was being run by the lunar authority back on Earth, it had no clue about anything. And so in 2076 the moon revolted, and the computer and the computer helped. So on July 4, 2076 it was a great movie or a great book. I'd love to see it dramatized. If somebody would do it the right way, I think it'd make a great radio series. But haven't done it yet. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 22:14 Well, Robert Highland is a genius. No doubt about that, Stranger in a Strange Land was big in my developmental years, yeah, and Michael Hingson 22:26 that was the book that came out right after the Moon is a Harsh Mistress. I still think the moon and harsh mistress is even a better book than Stranger in a Strange Land. But Stranger in a Strange Land really did catch on and and rightfully so. It was, it was very clever. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 22:42 Well, most people, I mean, you know, clean humor is a good place to start, yeah, because I think that all of the profanity that comedians rely on to shock people. And, you know, there are two ways that we have the laugh response one is, is that it shocks you in the sense that it makes you afraid, because it seems like a attack on you. It's a defensive mechanism that we have. It's not even if it's not funny, we will laugh, because that's our body's way of dealing with something that's really traumatic. The other way is when we something strikes us as funny because it's witty or clever, and that is more of a that's a less stressful response. And can we, we can laugh, and it's a more of a genuine response than one where we're basically traumatized, right? And I think that, and with everything else, is who? Who do you hang around? Who is your tribe? Who do you? Somebody was somebody said, some psychologist said, you know, show me 10 of your friends and I'll tell you exactly what your problem is, because the people you hang around will mirror what's going on in your interior landscape. And if you've got friends who are problematic, that means that there's some things on your psyche that you need to take a look at. And you know that, and it's especially people who have been traumatized early in life. Their coping mechanisms and their judgment is not so good, right? So they have to take a step back and look at well, are these people helping me? Are they hurting me? Because if you notice, a lot of traumatized people will surround themselves with traumatized people, and all they do is whip themselves in the lather. Are every day, and they get so melodramatic, and they get so upset about everything that's going on in life, they can't find any sense of humor or any sense of joy, yeah, and it's until they let go of those, those trauma responses they're they're pretty much in a hat, in a self repeating habit that is not going to be healthy. Michael Hingson 25:29 And I think you're absolutely right. It is very much about joy. And we, we should. We should find ways to be joyful and feel joy, and, of course, laugh and not take life so seriously. Unfortunately, there's so much going on today with people who clearly have no sense of humor, or at least they never exhibit it, that it tends to really be a problem. And unfortunately, I think we're all learning some really bad habits, or many of us are learning some very bad habits because of that. And I don't know what's going to break that cycle, but the cycle is going to have to break at some point. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 26:14 It will, unfortunately, a lot of times it takes a revolution, yeah, in order to replace old, unhealthy thought patterns with better thought patterns. You know, I'm reminded of the old saying that when an idiot tries to teach another idiot, you end up with two idiots. So you you have to be careful about who you're taking advice from, right? And so if, especially you know my my advice to anybody that's struggling and suffering is turn off your phone and turn off your TV, and if you know how to read, go read a book, because when you can get into a period of calm, quiet reflection, you're going to be able to make More sense out of what's going on in your life, and especially if you're reading a book that will explain to you the best way to deal with challenges, right? But just or just read a funny book, you know, something you know I find sarcasm and cleverness, extremely funny. So I love books like Forrest Gump, who who take extreme examples and turns them into funny scenarios, and they did a good Michael Hingson 28:01 job making that into a movie too. I thought, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 28:05 I mean, I tell you, I forget who the director was, but they were brilliant because they were able to spin a story that was honest. But it wasn't offensive, and you could laugh because of all of forests characteristics and everything else, but it was presented in the way that it wasn't, you know? It wasn't being mean, right? And it wasn't, being unkind, and so it was just a story of a man who ended up being a success, and it was more through Providence than anything else. You know, I love the Marx Brothers, oh, sure, because they always had a way of making fun of each other and making fun of other people and making fun of themselves that was truly humorous. And it was more sight gags. It was more, you know, one liners, and it wasn't by being mean to anybody. It was as about being very aware of what was going on. Michael Hingson 29:25 I'm trying to remember which movie it was. I think it was duck soup. Somebody fell into the water and she yelled, throw me a lifesaver. And so somebody threw her a lifesaver. That is a candy. Yeah, it's just so clever. It was clever. But, you know, one of the things that I enjoy is old radio shows, radios from the shows from the 30s, 40s and 50s, and the humor, again, was respectful of. Hmm, and they could pick on people to a degree, but it was never in a in a mean way, but just the humor was always so clever, and so I would, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 30:14 I would listen George and Gracie Allen, George, Jack Benny, Michael Hingson 30:19 Phil Harris, Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 30:21 and you was his name, Jackie Gleason, Michael Hingson 30:29 Amos and Andy. And of course, people today have decided Amos and Andy are offensive because they say it's all about blacks, and you're insulting black people. If anybody would go back and look in history, the reality is that Amos and Andy probably was one of the most well, it was one of the most popular shows on radio to the point where, if you were in a movie theater on Saturday afternoon watching a movie, they would stop it when Amos and Andy came on and play the show, and it didn't matter what the color of your skin was. In fact, I asked an Amos and Andy expert one time, when did they stop referring to themselves as black or dark? And the reason I asked that is because the first time I was exposed to Amos and Andy was actually the Amos and Andy TV shows, and I didn't know they were black, and I learned later that they were taken off the air when people started becoming offended because there were two black people. But I asked this, this lady about Amos and Andy, and when did they stop referring to themselves as black? And she said, Well, probably about the last time that she was aware of where there was a reference to it was 1937 so for many, many years, if you decided that their voices were black people, then, then you did, but they didn't talk about black or white or anything else. And and so it was. It was a very interesting show. And one guy usually was trying to con the other one and the other, well, king fish would con Andy, who usually fell for it. But gee, how many shows with white people do we see the same thing. You know? The reality is that it was a very funny show by any standard. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 32:26 Well, Sanford and sons, Sanford, same thing. I mean, that humor was, it was cutting you know, anytime you get on a cutting edge type of program, you know, it's inevitable that somebody's going to take offense. But I always laughed out loud. I watched that show, and it wasn't because they were demeaning anybody. It was just watching people trying to get by and using their wits. And a lot of times it was, it was comical because it wasn't very clever, but it was just they were doing the best they could to make a living. They were doing the best they could to live in their society. And I always admired that. I mean, they never, and they were able to, I guess, touch on the aspect of racial inequality without burning the house down. And it was like always admired them. You know, Sanford and sons, the Jeffersons, all of those shows, how about all the family? If you want to talk all in the family too well they they were just, you could switch one script with the other because it was more about human beings being human than it was about what the color of your skin was, yeah. So, you know, I would invite anybody who is offended by something to really ask yourself, what is it that offends you? Because there's always something in your consciousness that you find offensive. You would never be offended by anything if you unless you found something within yourself that's offensive, whether because and it's called the psychological term is called projection. You're projecting on what you're perceiving, and it's called bias. We all have conclusions. We all have prejudice. We all have judgments. Our brain is built that way to keep us alive, and so we're always interpreting data and perceptions to see if there's any threat out there, and if, when we start taking words as threatening, then we've got a problem. Yep, and. But because things like comedy and humor shouldn't offend anybody, but because you believe in something that makes that offensive, that's why you're offended. And so it's really as useful to people to really think about what is it that I believe that makes that offensive? Because most of the time you will find that whatever it is that you believe may not be true, and it's just something that some kind of conclusion you've drawn because of your experiences, or what you've been taught or what you've witnessed that's given you a wrong idea about something. So I invite anybody who is mad or angry that they look and see what is that belief that is making you angry? Michael Hingson 35:59 Yeah, it gets back to self analysis. It gets back to looking at yourself, which is something that most of us haven't really learned a lot about how to do. How. How did you pick up all these, these kind of nuggets of wisdom and so on. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 36:19 Well, when I burn, when I had my nervous breakdown back in 2004 I quit practicing law for a while because I couldn't bear the thought of going into my office and fighting another day of the battles that trial lawyers always fight. Now I won't say that transactional lawyers don't have battles, but Trial Lawyers end up probably picking a few fights on their own that, you know, they didn't really need to go there, but they do because, you know, Trial Lawyers have a, You know, a talent for arguing they have it's exciting to most of them, and they love to fight. And so when? But eventually, if you don't know how to manage it, it will, yes, the key wear you down. Yeah. So I got out of the law business for a while, and instead, I decided I wanted to go find out. Number one, why did I burn out? And number two, how to heal it. And so I went and studied with a number of energy healers who were very, very conscious people. They were very, very aware. You might even say they were enlightened, but it was they were always teaching me and always telling me about whatever I'm experiencing on the outside is just a reflection of what's on the inside. And so it's not so much about somebody being right or somebody being wrong. It's just the world is a mirror to whatever is going on inside between our ears. Yeah, and it's not because it's we're seeing something that's not there, or we're not seeing something that is there. It's just simply, how do we process that information that comes in through our sense organs and goes into our amygdala, then the hippocampus and then to the rest of our brain to try to figure out and but it's well documented that the brain will see whatever the brain wants to See, and a lot of times it's not what the eyes see, because there are lots of experiments you can take with graphics and other things that are illusory. Because, you know, you can see these graphs or prints that look like a spiral that's going around and is moving, but it's actually circles. But the way our brain puts things together, it makes it move. And another way is sounds. If you don't know what a sound is? Your brain is going to make up a story about that sound. And it could be either That's the sound of a frog, or it could be the sound of a somebody getting attacked. It could be the sound of whatever your brain it has to put a label on it, because that's the way the brain has been wired over our couple of hundreds of 1000s of years of evolution. That's how we manage to stay alive, because we make up a story about stuff, and if we're accurate, we live. If we're not accurate, we don't. Yeah, so the a lot of people are very good at making up stories in their head about what they're seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, whatever, because a lot of lot of smells will have psychological responses in our brain. So you know the smell of baby's milk or the smell of mown grass, or, you know smell of something rank, you always will have an instant story about what you just smell. And so when I would spend long periods of time thinking about these things, contemplating them, trying to figure out, well, what does that mean for me? I mean, how does that? How will it looking at this change my life? And basically, what I learned is is that the more objective you can be, the less you make up stories about stuff, the more successful you can be, and the more happy you'll be. Because, for example, there's a term called Mind reading, where people will be listening to somebody talking, and in the back of their mind, they're making up a story about what that person means, or they're making up a story about, well, where is this guy going with this? And it's, you know, it's, it's the opposite of listening, because when listening, you're focusing on the words you're hearing, yes, and then when it's your turn to talk, you can respond appropriately, but most people are thinking while they're hearing and it totally colors their experience, because if they think that this person doesn't like them, then they're going to interpret whatever is being said a certain way. If they think that person does like them, then they will interpret it a completely different way. So it's fascinating to me how people can get the wrong idea about things, because it just is a story that their mind made up to try to explain to them why they're experiencing what they're experiencing. Michael Hingson 42:25 That's why I like to really say that I've learned so much from dogs, because dogs don't do it that way. And as I tell people, dogs don't trust unconditionally. They love unconditionally, but they don't trust unconditionally, but dogs are open to trust, and they're looking for reasons to trust, and they also, by definition, tend to be more objective, and they react to how we react and how we behave and and I think there's so much to be learned by truly taking the time to observe a dog and how they interact with you and how you interact with them, and that's going to make a big difference in how they behave. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 43:11 Well, you could definitely see a difference in the dog's behavior if they've been traumatized. Michael Hingson 43:16 Oh, sure, that's a different story altogether. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 43:19 Yeah, I agree that dogs are extremely innocent. You know, they don't have an agenda. They just want to be loved, and they would, they want to love Michael Hingson 43:31 and they want to know the rules, and they then they're looking to us to tell them what we expect. And there are ways to communicate that too, yes. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 43:41 And you know you all have to is give as a great example of how we should treat each other. Is all you have to do is, you know, a dog will forgive you eventually. And if you're kind to a dog. A dog will just give his entire being to you. Yeah, and it because they don't have any Guile, they don't have any hidden agendas. They just want to be you know, they want to eat. They want to be warm. They want to have fun. They do want to have fun, and so if you treat them timely, you will have a friend for life. Michael Hingson 44:29 Yep, we adopted a dog. We cared for it for a while. It was a geriatric dog at Guide Dogs for the Blind who had apparently had never worked as a guide dog, and she had been mistreated and then sent back to Guide Dogs for the Blind. She was 12. The school was convinced she was totally deaf because she wouldn't react to anything. They dropped a Webster's Dictionary next to her, and she didn't react. But we took her and we started working with her, and. It took several months before she would even take a walk with Karen, and Karen in her, you know, in Karen's wheelchair, and this wonderful golden retriever walking next to her. But the more we worked with her, the more she came out of her shell. She wasn't deaf. I'm sure she was hard of hearing, but you could drop a dictionary and she'd react to it, and if you called her, she would come. But it is all about developing the relationship and showing that you care and they will react. And so she she lived with us for more than three years before she passed, but was a wonderful creature, and we were, we were blessed to have her. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 45:48 Well, go ahead. No, I was just going to comment that I've got three Pomeranians, and they run the place course. You know, it's there. It's amazing how a six pound dog can run your life, but Michael Hingson 46:03 you let them, but you still establish, but you still establish some rules and you know, but that's, that's, yeah, I have a cat who runs the place, but that's okay. Well, we have not talked about, and I do want to talk about it when I first started hearing from you, your emails were all signed, sir, James Gray Robinson, and I always was curious, and you eventually explained it to me. But why don't you tell us all about your title and and all of that? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 46:39 Well, since we last talked, I've had a promotion. Now I'm a baron, so it's Baron James Gray Robinson, Scottish, Baron of Cappadocia. But I belong to a royal order that's known as the Royal Order of Constantine, the great in st Helen, and it was established in 312, 312, 12. Ad, when Constantine, who was the emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, conquered the Western Roman Empire, who it was brother who was the emperor of the Western Roman Empire, and they can then he consolidated the eastern and the western empires. And it was that way until 14 153 when they were defeated by the Solomon Turks. So for 1100 over 1100 years Well, let me back up. The most important battle in that war between the two brothers was the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, which was in Rome and Constantine awarded, rewarded 50 knights, 50 warriors, soldiers who fought on that campaign and carried the day against much superior forces. And he rewarded them by making them knights and giving them land in Turkey, in an area that's known as Cappadocia. And this, if you know anything about Turkey, there's an area which is honeycombed with caves that have been dug out over the millennia, and it's kind of like some body was doing some renovation work, and they broke through the floor, and they went into a cave system that would have been hand dug, and it goes down 17 layers, and it could house 30,000 people. But that was, that was Cappadocia and Constantine the Great charged these warriors with the with the duty to protect the Christian church, because that's because Constantine had converted to Christianity. His mother, Helen, was one of the driving forces in the early Christian church. She's the one that decided to build a cathedral on top of the the nativity, the manger, which is actually a grotto in Bethlehem, I've been there. I spent Christmas Eve there one year. And so the Christianity was just a fledgling religion, and he charged these nights and all successive nights, with the obligation to protect the Christians and to protect the churches. And so a lot of people credit the royal order with advancing the Christian religion. So it's been around since 312 and it's the oldest peerage and a peerage. Is a group of royalty that have knights. They have royalty like Dukes and nobles and that sort of thing. But if you look at other orders that we're aware of, the Knights of Balta didn't get established until about 1200 ad the Knights of the Templar nights, similar thing. They didn't get established till about 1000 years after we did. So it's a very, very ancient, very traditional order that focuses on helping abused women and traffic children. We have, you know, we have a lot of, you know, compassion for those people in the world, and so we are actively supporting those people all over the world. And then on the other side, we have the knights, and we have the women, equivalent of that are called dames, and then we have the nobles who are like barons and other ranks that go all the way up to a prince who is actually related To the King of Spain. So it's been a interesting history, but we can try, we can directly trace our lineage all the way back to 312 and what the you know, we have a couple of reasons for existing, one being the charitable, but also to honor people who have been successful and have accomplished a lot for other people and who care about their fellow man and women, so that we accept Anyone in eight different categories, everywhere from Arts to athletics to entrepreneurship to medicine to heroics. We have a number of veterans that were credible. Have incredible stories. We have a lot of A listers, movie stars, professional athletes, that sort of thing. Also philanthropy. I got in for philanthropy because I've given a lot of money over my life to help people all over the world, and that's one reason why I was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. But we're a group of people. We just today started a Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences because we want to help people all over the world learn things like finances and you arts and crafts and trades and so that people who are oppressed cultures that are in third world countries will be able to learn a good earn a good living, raise their status in life, and then learn how to go on and help other people. So that's very exciting. We've got a lot of things going on with the royal order that are we're growing very rapidly, where somebody said we're 1700 year old startup, but it's, you know, we've gone through some regime changes where people have died and there weren't any heirs, so they've had to go laterally to find somebody to take over. And that's where we are now. You know, interestingly enough, my sons will inherit my title, so it's a true royalty kind of thing, where it passes down by inheritance. But you know, we don't, you know we're, we're hundreds of people in our thing. It's like 300 people in our order right now. We'd like that to be 100,000 times that because we do good work and we foster principles of charity, silvery and honesty, so that we're trying to change the culture around us to where people don't take offense in everything that they're in a society that supports each other and that people can feel safe knowing that there's they have a brother or sister that will support them. Michael Hingson 54:57 Definitely fascinating. I was not familiar with it at all. All until you and I check, yes. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 55:03 Well, it's amazing that me. I guess you have to be somewhat of a history buff. Yeah, and there, and there are lots of service organizations like the Masons and the Shriners and every all the animal ones, the Moose Lodge, the beavers and all these people are doing, you know, charitable work. But not not. Many of them have a royal heritage that goes back to 312 right? So, and we do dress up like knights from time to time, and ladies, and we have swords and we have robes, and we have big parties, and we have gala events, and where we induct more people into our order, and it's all great fun, and it's, you know, and we raise money for charity. So it's a win, win situation. Cool, and it doesn't hurt having Baron on your resume. Michael Hingson 56:08 No, I am sure it doesn't well. I want to thank you for explaining that, and I want to thank you for being here again. This has been a lot of fun, and I'm glad that we had a chance to really talk about humor, which, which is more important, I think, than a lot of people realize. And again, if people want to reach out to you, how do they do that? Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 56:31 My website is James Gray robinson.com Michael Hingson 56:36 There you go. Easy to spell, easy to get to. So I hope people will do that. And again, I hope that you all enjoyed today, and that you will let me know that you enjoyed it. Please feel free to email me at Michael h i at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, please give us a five star rating. Go off and read history and learn about the royal order. I think that's probably relevant and important to do as well. And again, if anyone knows anyone who ought to be a guest on the podcast, please let us know. Introduce us. Give us a rating of five stars wherever you're listening. And again, James, I just want to thank you for being here. Excuse me, sir. James. Barron, James, really appreciate you being here, and we'll have to do it again. Sir James Gray Robinson, Esq 57:24 Well, Michael, my hat's off to you. I think you're doing amazing work. I think you're helping a lot of people. You have a great podcast I've gone on your website or your YouTube, and it's a lot of fun. And I think you're doing a great service for people. Michael Hingson 57:45 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m i c h a e l h i n g s o n. While you're on the site., please use the form there to recommend people who we ought to interview in upcoming editions of the show. And also, we ask you and urge you to invite your friends to join us in the future. If you know of any one or any organization needing a speaker for an event, please email me at speaker at Michael hingson.com. I appreciate it very much. To learn more about the concept of blinded by fear, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com forward slash blinded by fear and while you're there, feel free to pick up a copy of my free eBook entitled blinded by fear. The unstoppable mindset podcast is provided by access cast an initiative of accessiBe and is sponsored by accessiBe. Please visit www.accessibe.com . AccessiBe is spelled a c c e s s i b e. There you can learn all about how you can make your website inclusive for all persons with disabilities and how you can help make the internet fully inclusive by 2025. Thanks again for Listening. Please come back and visit us again next week.
Spoiler alert: this week we're analyzing the Twilight Zone episode “Mr. Dingle, the Strong.” What happens when an wholly unremarkable individual suddenly receives the strength of 50 men? Well, that's what we're going to find out in this Twilight Zone episode, starring the great Burgess Meredith. We also have an appearance by comedic legend Don Rickles as a hot-tempered bettor, extraterrestrials, and more. On this episode of KOI: A Twilight Zone Show, we're going to be trying to see what we can learn from Luther Dingle's failure; we'll try and unravel the mystery behind why he keeps coming back to this less-than-ideal establishment; and I'll reveal my moment of awe, some updated thoughts on the fifteen minutes of fame thing. So, grab your keys, and let's open up this door to the fifth dimension. Want to support the KOI show, get extra content, and give money to two awesome charities at the same time? Consider becoming a member in one of our tiers. 50% of every dollar, after the platforms take their fees, will go to charity: 25% to the Rod Serling Memorial Foundation and 25% to the Gary Sinise Foundation. Our goal is to preserve a way of life that Rod Serling himself would be proud of. However, even by just watching the show, subscribing, commenting, giving it a thumbs up, and sharing it with friends, you are doing your part. Thank you. You can learn more about the monetization plan for this channel from this video, which I recorded live from Serlingfest 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efhcWe1dK-8&t=89sPatreon account: https://patreon.com/TheKeyofImaginationShow?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkYouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thekeyofimagination/joinWe're walking through Rod Serling's class Twilight Zone series and asking difficult questions about life. So, if you love The Twilight Zone, science fiction, or even just philosophizing about life, consider joining us on this journey. There's always room for more. Google form to rate this Twilight Zone episode: https://forms.gle/Ewa4PJvsS7bFpMPu6Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheKeyofImaginationShow?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkDiscord: discord.gg/QjNY9jcyFZX Handle: x.com/keyofishowYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thekeyofimaginationHead over to thekeyofimagination.com to learn more about me, check out my Twilight Zone trinkets and collectibles, and to to continue the conversation. 00:00 - Introduction00:44 - Plot02:41 - Episode Details03:18 - Episode Tidbits04:05 - Question 110:55 - Question 218:03 - Question 320:24 - Episode rating21:39 - Next episode and questions22:12 - Announcements and comments25:04 - How to support the showNo show did a better job than The Twilight Zone at generating awe and wonder within its audience. It just so happens that awe is exactly what we need in these difficult, divisive times. So, join me, Joe Meyer, and let's walk through the fifth dimension with Rod Serling. Along the way, we'll discuss big questions and relate them back to our Twilight Zone episodes.Background artwork by James Seehafer: https://pixels.com/profiles/j-mark?tab=artworkOpening and Ending theme: by Jacob Williams @jakeproduces on FiverrPictures not belonging to the Twilight Zone show generally come from Pixabay and are under the free use license.#twilightzone #rodserling #scifi #zone #outerlimits #sciencefiction
0:00 SEGMENT 1: Louise Sorel talks about her new book “If There Were No Dogs”. We also talk about working on Star Trek alongside William Shatner, taking on Don Rickles, being cast as Vivian Alamain on Days of Our Lives, and her favorite sitcoms!https://www.amazon.com/If-There-Were-Dogs-Mutterings/dp/B0FD2LLXV8 https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0814798/ 15:48 SEGMENT 2: 34:17 SEGMENT 3: Keep up to date with 2 Rivers Comic Con, coming back to St. Charles in April 2026 https://2riverscomiccon.com/stay-in-touch/ Check out the ‘Justice League Revisited Podcast' with Susan Eisenberg and James Enstall at https://anchor.fm/justiceleague Thanks to our sponsors Historic St. Charles, Missouri (https://www.discoverstcharles.com/), Bug's Comics and Games (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070575531223)Buy Me a Coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/3Y0D2iaZl Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/GeekToMeRadio Website - http://geektomeradio.com/ Podcast - https://anchor.fm/jamesenstall Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GeekToMeRadio/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/geektomeradio Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/geektomeradio/ Producer - Joseph Vosevich https://twitter.com/Joey_Vee
Every friendship has an origin story, and for John Stamos and Bill Maher, it starts with a near-fight in the '90s that somehow took 30 years to resolve. The two clear the air over booze, VIP access, and bruised egos before diving into Don Rickles' fearless comedy and why it wouldn't survive today. Stamos shares a moving story about seeing Sinatra perform with his father, bonds with Maher over MacArthur Park, Jimmy Webb lyrics, and their shared obsession with classic music, and trades wild stories about the Beach Boys, Springsteen, Broadway, and the challenge of staying relevant without losing yourself. Somewhere along the way, Uncle Jesse shows up — just long enough to remind everyone this is, in fact, a very full house. Support our Advertisers: -Try Claude for free at https://www.claude.ai/clubrandom -Go to https://www.radioactivemedia.com or text RANDOM to 511511 Subscribe to the Club Random YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/clubrandompodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Watch episodes ad-free – subscribe to Bill Maher's Substack: https://billmaher.substack.com Subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you listen: https://bit.ly/ClubRandom Buy Club Random Merch: https://clubrandom.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices ABOUT CLUB RANDOM Bill Maher rewrites the rules of podcasting the way he did in television in this series of one on one, hour long conversations with a wide variety of unexpected guests in the undisclosed location called Club Random. There's a whole big world out there that isn't about politics and Bill and his guests—from Bill Burr and Jerry Seinfeld to Jordan Peterson, Quentin Tarantino and Neil DeGrasse Tyson—talk about all of it. For advertising opportunities please email: PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com ABOUT BILL MAHER Bill Maher was the host of “Politically Incorrect” (Comedy Central, ABC) from 1993-2002, and for the last fourteen years on HBO's “Real Time,” Maher's combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 40 Emmy nominations. Maher won his first Emmy in 2014 as executive producer for the HBO series, “VICE.” In October of 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher's uproarious and unprecedented swipe at organized religion, “Religulous.” Maher has written five bestsellers: “True Story,” “Does Anybody Have a Problem with That? Politically Incorrect's Greatest Hits,” “When You Ride Alone, You Ride with Bin Laden,” “New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer,” and most recently, “The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody But Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass.” FOLLOW CLUB RANDOM https://www.clubrandom.com https://www.facebook.com/Club-Random-101776489118185 https://twitter.com/clubrandom_ https://www.instagram.com/clubrandompodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@clubrandompodcast FOLLOW BILL MAHER https://www.billmaher.com https://twitter.com/billmaher https://www.instagram.com/billmaher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Pod Crashing episode 424 with Mindy Rickles host of the podcast Mindy Ed and Don Rickles. Mindy Rickles and Ed Mann, daughter and son-in-law of comedy icon Don Rickles, will host a weekly podcast featuring a chat between the long-time radio host and standup comic, and commentary on clips of Don, with perspective on what Ed, and particularly Mindy was doing at the time of the original broadcast, what was happening with Don's career, and what he and Mindy's mom Barbara and her late, Emmy Award winning brother Larry were up to then. Season one of Mindy, Ed and Don Rickles will highlight the Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearances as well as never before heard clips of his live shows, as well as stories of Don's career and family life that have yet to be told. Don's audience encompassed one of the widest demographics of any comic, and his appearances with Jimmy helped ensure that exposure to a younger crowd of comedy fans. He sold out shows until his passing in 2017, never stopped working and never lost a step. All of his fans are invited to enjoy these special podcasts. Ed Mann was a radio host in Los Angeles for 19 years and was founder of Premiere Radio Networks, now the largest radio syndicator in the country. Mindy was a standup comic for 10 years and toured the country with her act, opening for the likes of Tim Allen, the late Bob Saget, and others. Wynnefield Productions is podcast producer having wrapped up 117 episodic recaps of the Brady Bunch hosted by The Real Brady Bros, Christopher Knight and Barry Williams, and continues with Q&As, interviews and other exclusive material.
Ever wondered how a classic tale like "A Christmas Carol" would unfold in today's world? Meet Mr. Magoo, our 21st-century Scrooge, who transforms from a miserly businessman into a benevolent mentor. This modern twist on Dickens' timeless story is a journey of renewal, hope, and the enduring spirit of giving. Join us as we explore the lessons of the past, embrace the present, and envision a future filled with change. #Transformation, #Leadership, #ModernScrooge,The Journey of Transformation: In this unique rendition, Scrooge's journey is set against the backdrop of a glowing, modern cityscape. The narrative unfolds with the familiar ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, each bringing their own lessons and insights. As Scrooge navigates through his memory palace, he encounters figures like Don Rickles, Buddha, and Rumi, who guide him towards a path of renewal and hope.Lessons from the Past: The ghost of Christmas past, portrayed by Don Rickles, takes Scrooge on a journey through his youthful mistakes. Through playful tapping and light laughter, Scrooge learns the importance of kindness and the impact of small acts of generosity.Embracing the Present: Buddha, the ghost of Christmas present, reveals the life Scrooge touches today. With serene and radiant presence, Buddha shows Scrooge the power of mentorship and the joy of helping others. The scene is alive with soft chimes and children's laughter, symbolizing the beauty of living in the moment.A Vision for the Future: Rumi, the ghost of Christmas future, whispers what lies ahead for Scrooge. Through illuminated manuscripts and glowing PAO cards, Scrooge envisions a future where his legacy of knowledge and kindness continues to inspire others.Conclusion: This modern take on "A Christmas Carol" is a heartwarming reminder of the power of transformation and the spirit of giving. As we celebrate the holiday season, let us embrace the lessons of the past, live fully in the present, and look forward to a future filled with hope and change. Subscribe now to join us on this inspiring journey.Here are insights from my episode:Transformation is possible at any stage of life, as demonstrated by Scrooge's journey from a miserly businessman to a benevolent mentor.The power of kindness and small acts of generosity can have a profound impact on both the giver and the receiver.Living in the present and embracing the joy of helping others can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.Reflecting on past mistakes with humor and grace can provide valuable lessons for personal growth.Envisioning a future filled with hope and change can inspire others and create a lasting legacy of knowledge and kindness.#ModernChristmasCarol, #TransformationStory,#21stCenturyScrooge, #HolidayInspiration,
Pod Crashing episode 424 with Mindy Rickles host of the podcast Mindy Ed and Don Rickles. Mindy Rickles and Ed Mann, daughter and son-in-law of comedy icon Don Rickles, will host a weekly podcast featuring a chat between the long-time radio host and standup comic, and commentary on clips of Don, with perspective on what Ed, and particularly Mindy was doing at the time of the original broadcast, what was happening with Don's career, and what he and Mindy's mom Barbara and her late, Emmy Award winning brother Larry were up to then. Season one of Mindy, Ed and Don Rickles will highlight the Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearances as well as never before heard clips of his live shows, as well as stories of Don's career and family life that have yet to be told. Don's audience encompassed one of the widest demographics of any comic, and his appearances with Jimmy helped ensure that exposure to a younger crowd of comedy fans. He sold out shows until his passing in 2017, never stopped working and never lost a step. All of his fans are invited to enjoy these special podcasts. Ed Mann was a radio host in Los Angeles for 19 years and was founder of Premiere Radio Networks, now the largest radio syndicator in the country. Mindy was a standup comic for 10 years and toured the country with her act, opening for the likes of Tim Allen, the late Bob Saget, and others. Wynnefield Productions is podcast producer having wrapped up 117 episodic recaps of the Brady Bunch hosted by The Real Brady Bros, Christopher Knight and Barry Williams, and continues with Q&As, interviews and other exclusive material. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.
That Show Hasn't Been Funny In Years: an SNL podcast on Radio Misfits
Nick takes a deep dive into one of the most chaotic stretches in Saturday Night Live history as he revisits the odd, uneven, and often baffling ninth season. The show spent that year juggling strange host selections, shaky writing, and a rotating cast of Weekend Update anchors while drama swirled behind the scenes. Eddie Murphy was technically still part of the cast, yet he appeared live in fewer than half the shows, with the rest of his material coming from pre-taped sketches recorded before he left to make movies. With Eddie mostly absent, the show scrambled to fill the gaps and made some truly head-scratching choices. Hosts ranged from NBC President Brandon Tartikoff to newsman Edwin Newman and even former senator George McGovern. The season also brought in old-school television favorites like Jerry Lewis, The Smothers Brothers, Flip Wilson, and the legendary Don Rickles, mixed in with performers who were popular at the time. The result was a season packed with misfires, surprises, and unforgettable production chaos. Nick walks through the wild highlights and the stories behind them, capturing what made Season 9 such a strange and fascinating chapter in SNL's legacy. [Ep 153]
Oscar-Winning legend Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon, Taxi Driver, The Departed) directs this epic tale about The Rise and Fall of the Mob in Las Vegas, based on true events. It's the story of how mafia handicapper Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert DeNiro) took over the Tangiers casino on The Strip and helped bring it to unprecendented sucess, helped by mafia enforcer Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci). He falls in love with a local hustler named Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone) and over time, their relationship deteriorates as does his handle on many crazy things being done by Nicky....and eventually the Mob no longer had power in Las Vegas. Nominated for one Oscar (Sharon Stone, Best Actress), this was initially met with some disappointment upon release as many compared it to Scorsese's similarly themed classic mob epic Goodfellas from five years prior. Over time, its reputation has grown thanks to several memorable scenes and performances - the stacked cast also includes James Woods, Don Rickles, Kevin Pollak, Alan King, and Frank Vincent.Host: Geoff GershonEdited By Ella GershonProducer: Marlene Gershon Send us a textSupport the showhttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
TVC 713.5: Ed welcomes back actress and author Louise Sorel (Days of Our Lives, Santa Barbara). Louise's new book, If There Were No Dogs: Musings and Mutterings, is a collection of prose pieces and poems drawn from her life, childhood, and career that not only shares memories of her working with Art Carney, Charles Boyer, George C. Scott, Walter Pidgeon, Rita Moreno, Dame Judith Anderson, Don Rickles, and many others, but reveals how Louise navigated a sometimes difficult childhood with emotionally distant parents by discovering the theatre at a young age and through her lifelong love of animals. Topics this segment include the unlikely assist that Louise received from her father, film producer Albert Cohen, shortly after she had moved to New York at age twenty to study acting at the venerable Neighborhood Playhouse. If There Were No Dogs is available wherever books are sold online through Book Baby and Amazon.com. Louise Sorel is scheduled to appear at United Solo, the world's largest solo theatre festival, in New York City on Saturday, Nov. 15 beginning at 2pm. She'll read passages from If There Were No Dogs, followed by a Q&A session. Click here for tickets and more details.
Comedians Meka Mo and Jared Waters get real about juggling comedy, day jobs, and sanity in NYC. It's funny, messy, and a little too relatable. Grab a sneak peak inside the life of two of NYC's best comedians!Are you ready to be done here? Grab your headphones, hit play, and get ready to laugh, cry, and learn. This is “We're Done Here”, and we're done talking. Now it's your turn to listen.
Mindy Rickles and her husband Ed Mann host a weekly podcast mixing laughs, stories, and classic clips - called "Mindy and Ed and Don Rickles"-Don on the Tonight show-Mindy Rickles on her fearless dad Don “No he didn't. And Sinatra, they were very close. My dad loved him because Frank Sinatra was the one who would come to the shows and bring his friends.” -Don's best friend Bob Newhart -Did she embrace being Don Rickles daughter-Working on the movie 'Casino' with Deniro and Scorsese-Hundreds of appearance on The Tonight Show and his relationship with Johnny To subscribe to The Pete McMurray Show Podcast just click here
John Landis's Innocent Blood There are times when you have to take what you can get from a project. This week Mr. Chavez & I look at John Landis's 1992 Horror/Mob/Vampire/Comedy, Innocent Blood. With a talent such as Landis, the strokes are broad and without nuance. Innocent Blood is no exception. There are definitely the seeds for an exceptional Horror/Comedy hybrid, however this film is serving far too many masters. Some of the Horror works. Some of the Comedy works. The problem is there's simply not enough dedication to either. You can't serve two masters. The Pros . . . Robert Loggia - The man is having a great time spoofing himself, the Mob genre, and Horror movies. With an exceptional supporting cast including the great Don Rickles and a "who's who" of 90s Mob faces, Innocent Blood is a miss but a curious, interesting, and - somewhat - charming film. Take a listen and let us know what you think - gondoramos@yahoo.com - Many, Many Thanks. For those of you who would like to donate to this undying labor of love, you can do so with a contribution at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/watchrickramos - Anything and Everything is appreciated, You Cheap Bastards.
For this "ReScreen" episode, Michael does a rewatch of the 1995 animated film "Toy Story" featuring the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, and Jim Varney. What are some of his memories of seeing this film previously and thoughts after seeing the film again? Check it out and see!Be a part of the conversation!E-mail the show at screennerdspodcast@gmail.comFollow the show on Twitter @screennerdspodLike the show on Facebook (Search for Screen Nerds Podcast and find the page there)Follow the show on Instagram and Threads just search screennerdspodcastCheck out the show on Bluesky just search screennerdspodcastBe sure to check out the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Goodpods, Overcast, Amazon Music or your podcast catcher of choice! (and please share rate and review!)Want to be share your thoughts on the podcast? Send me an e-mail!Thanks to Frankie Creel for the artwork
Lionel starts the third hour talking about government procurement of ammunition. He also discusses comedian Druski's whiteface stunt and the loss of humor over the years as the comedy of Don Rickles, segments of The Little Rascals and cartoon characters like Speedy Gonzales could not be accepted today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On The Other Side of Midnight, Lionel starts the show talking about Trump authorizing the Department of Defense to have the secondary title of Department of War. He also talks about misunderstandings of the Epstein case and the potential for transgenderism being classified as a mental illness. Lionel later talks about the importance of the Second Amendment while progressives continue to call for the right to be stripped from Americans. Lionel starts the third hour talking about government procurement of ammunition. He also discusses comedian Druski's whiteface stunt and the loss of humor over the years as the comedy of Don Rickles, segments of The Little Rascals and cartoon characters like Speedy Gonzales could not be accepted today. Lionel wraps up the show talking about COVID madness, the innocence of The Little Rascals and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In part 2 we discuss Connie's ascent into pop music stardom, her date with Don Rickles, and more!patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our two new books... STORY QUESTIONS is currently 10% off! - https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9 and 17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character - https://payhip.com/b/kCZGd Billy Van Zandt and his writing partner, the late Jane Milmore, are two of the most often produced playwrights in the world. Billy and Jane met at a high school acting competition in their home state of New Jersey. Together for 46 years, they wrote and starred in 25 plays together. Billy's solo play "The Property Known as Garland" starring his ex-wife Adrienne Barbeau broke box office records at Off-Broadway's Actors Playhouse. The plays have been produced in thousands of theaters worldwide, including two productions directed by Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis ("Billy and Jane are funny, outrageous, off-the chart writers/performers") and one by film legend Burt Reynolds. For television, these award-winning writers have produced over three hundred hours of television comedy, including "Newhart;" "Martin," which won them a People's Choice Award; "The Hughley's," which won them a Prism Award;" "Suddenly Susan" for Brooke Shields; "Daddy Dearest" for Don Rickles and Richard Lewis; "Anything But Love" for Jamie Lee Curtis and Richard Lewis; "The Wayans Bros."; and "I Love Lucy: The Very First Show" which won them an Emmy nomination. As an actor, Billy made his film debut in "Jaws 2"; Billy lives in Los Angeles, when he's not touring the world in the last Van Zandt/Milmore musical, "The Boomer Boys Musical." BUY THE BOOK - BECAUSE IT'S FUNNY!: The Plays of Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore https://amzn.to/3AaPam6 BUY THE BOOK - GET IN THE CAR, JANE!: Adventures in the TV Wasteland https://amzn.to/3AfFSFn CONNECT WITH BILLY VAN ZANDT https://vanzandtmilmore.com https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0888345 https://www.facebook.com/VanZandtMilmoreProductions https://x.com/billyvzandt MORE FILM COURAGE VIDEOS LIKE THIS Why Aren't People Watching Comedies Any More? - https://youtu.be/guATSXnE3g8 Hidden Tools For Writing A Comedy Screenplay - https://youtu.be/X5G0INWwQe4 Unbelievable Secret Behind 99% Of All Comedy - https://youtu.be/0FEmuUpeHrc The Formula For Writing A Great Comedy Script - https://youtu.be/A5iGXzZN0iM The Art and Craft Of Writing Comedy - https://youtu.be/XkqueJePFuw CONNECT WITH FILM COURAGE http://www.FilmCourage.com http://twitter.com/#!/FilmCourage SUBSCRIBE TO THE FILM COURAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL http://bit.ly/18DPN37 PERSONALLY SPONSOR FILM COURAGE https://ko-fi.com/filmcourage SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A MEMBER https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs8o1mdWAfefJkdBg632_tg/join SUPPORT FILM COURAGE BY BECOMING A PATRON https://www.patreon.com/filmcourage LISTEN TO THE FILM COURAGE PODCAST https://soundcloud.com/filmcourage-com (Affiliates) ►BOOKS WE RECOMMEND: THE NUTSHELL TECHNIQUE: Crack the Secret of Successful Screenwriting https://amzn.to/2X3Vx5F THE STORY SOLUTION: 23 Actions All Great Heroes Must Take http://amzn.to/2gYsuMf SAVE THE CAT! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need https://amzn.to/3dNg2HQ THE ANATOMY OF STORY: 22 Steps To Becoming A Master Storyteller http://amzn.to/2h6W3va THE ART OF DRAMATIC WRITING - Lajos Egri https://amzn.to/3jh3b5f ON WRITING: A Memoir of the Craft https://amzn.to/3XgPtCN ►FILMMAKER STARTER KIT BLACKMAGIC Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - https://amzn.to/4gDU0s9 ZOOM H4essential 4-Track Handy Recorder - https://amzn.to/3TIon6X SENNHEISER Professional Shotgun Microphone - https://amzn.to/3TEnLiE NEEWER CB300B 320W LED Video Light - https://amzn.to/3XEMK6F AUDIO Rode VideoMic Pro - The Rode mic helps us capture our backup audio. It also helps us sync up our audio in post https://amzn.to/425k5rG *Disclaimer: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we'll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!
The boys are back talking questions, and this one is a hoot! When Greg is sleeping why does he always have a grin on his face? What is the family's obsession with shining shoes? Who performed the incidental music/score for the show? Guest stars the Bros realized were huge stars later in life, motorcycles, crying on cue, stunt doubles, Don Rickles, and more! Get your questions for the next Q&A submitted to Ed on our Facebook page @realbradybros To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com
Send us a textBruce Baum is a dynamic stand-up comic, filmmaker, and musician celebrated for his high-energy performances and distinctive comedic material. Known for creating the memorable character Babyman and achieving success with projects like "Marty Feldman Eyes" and appearances on The Simpsons, Bruce has cemented his place as a versatile entertainer. Reflecting on his illustrious career, which has included collaborations with comedy legends like George Carlin and Don Rickles, Bruce is now contemplating a one-man multimedia show to encapsulate his unique comedic experiences. By testing this show in clubs or schools with the potential of taking it off-Broadway, Baum aims to adapt and share his humor with changing audience dynamics while continuing to innovate within the comedy landscape. I added a short comedy set by Bruce as well.(00:00:32) Baum's Entertainment Journey Unveiled by Edwards(00:07:04) Comedic Collaborations with Legends and The Simpsons(00:10:21) Short Form Comedy Mastery: Bruce Baum's Success(00:18:36) Comedy Career Evolution Through Multimedia Performance(00:22:32) "Quirky Humor and Unexpected Responses: Bruce Baum"Support the show www.StandupComedyPodcastNetwork.com Website....check it out, podcast, jokes, blogs, and More!"NEW" Video Podcast: Tag Team Talent Podcast on Spotify & YouTube Podcast Quality List: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/heritage-podcasts/ Please Write a Review: in-depth walk-through for leaving a review.Interested in Standup Comedy? Check out my books on Amazon..."20 Questions Answered about Being a Standup Comic""Be a Standup Comic...or just look like one"
In this series, Jeff and Andy look at historical events that took place on this day.Today in history, the 3rd American to go to space is born, Don Rickles right hand man passes away, and $4 changes the music industry forever.This series is brought to you by the great Boss Shot Shells.
Send us a textJoin former child actor Moosie Drier, and author Jonathan Rosen, as they chat with Barry Pearl from Grease!Barry discusses the making of the iconic musical, his work on CPO Sharkey with Don Rickles, appearing on Broadway in Bye Bye Birdie and Oliver!, and much more!Support the show