Media Path Podcast Big Heads Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ivan Decker on Instagram
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

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

Director Denny Tedesco has followed up his smash hit documentary, The Wrecking Crew with an enlightening look at the next generation of session musicians who worked closely with  70s’ singer/songwriters in creating the soundtrack which continues to enrich and lift our lives. They are Waddy Wachtel, Leland Sklar, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar and Steve Postell. The band and the film are called Immediate Family.

Denny joins us, along with Waddy and Leland to get into the making of the film and their incredible journey through the history of rock, pop, folk, jazz, country and beyond. Waddy shares career highlights with David Crosby, The Everly Brothers, Warren Zevon, Steve Perry, Jackson Browne, Kim Carnes, and Stevie Nicks. Leland has stories about Carole King, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Neil Young, and Phil Collins. These guys hand crafted our playlists!

When Crosby asked Waddy if he should team up with Stills and Nash, Waddy gave him a solid thumbs up. When Don Henley asked Leland what he thought of “The Eagles” as a band name, Lee said, “Sure. Why not?” #Trendsetters

It took Denny 18 years to complete The Wrecking Crew, a love song to his father, Wrecking Crew guitar man, Tommy Tedesco. The fruits of that effort continue to blossom with the credentials and lessons that made Immediate Family possible and now, Denny’s next film about Wolfman Jack.

Weezy and Waddy have a Cowsills history in common. Waddy appears in her film, Family Band: The Cowsills Story and they share thoughts on the moment in the movie where Billy Cowsill finally stands up to his father, Bud when Bud makes a derogatory remark about Billy’s mentor, Waddy. It’s a fierce and loving act that gets Billy kicked out of his own band.

Fritz and Denny both share impossibly beautiful Linda Ronstadt memories and Leland tells us how a friend of a friend of a friend led to his lifelong relationship with James Taylor.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending the doc, Filling in the Blanks on Prime and Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher.
Path Points of Interest:
Immediate Family
Denny Tedesco

Denny Tedesco on IMDB
Leland Sklar on Youtube
The Wrecking Crew
Sound Explosion: Inside L.A.'s Studio Factory With The Wrecking Crew by Ken Sharp
Family Band: The Cowsills Story
Filling In The Blanks
Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher

Patrick Labyorteaux’s career crosses generations, giving him unique access to experiences, co-stars, genres and fans who are currently finding his array of fascinating inside stories on TikTok. 

Boomers know Patrick as Andy Garvey from Little House on the Prairie. Gen Xers loved him in teen classics and cult favorites like Heathers and Summer School. Millennials know him from 3 Ninjas and you and your dad or grandpa may love watching him together in JAG and NCIS.

Patrick is using his decades of working wisdom to coach actors and entertain fans. His acting program and his TikTok channel are called Working Actors School. Patrick shares his backstage stories with us, beginning with his early work in commercials, and his first film, Blazing Saddles, and on to his scene sharing experiences with Lucille Ball, Sean Penn, Michael Landon, the two Coreys and Ray Bolger who dusted off a corner of an MGM soundstage to show the LHOTP kids the actual yellow brick road! Yes, you are following your Media Path to where it intersects with the Yellow Brick Road.

Plus, Fritz and Weezy are recommending Horse by Geraldine Brooks and American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders on Netflix.
Path Points of Interest:
Patrick Labyorteaux
Working Actors School
Patrick Labyorteaux on Tiktok
Patrick Labyorteaux on IMDBPatrick Labyorteaux on Instagram
Patrick Labyorteaux on Wikipedia
Patrick Labyorteaux on Twitter
Horse - By Geraldine Brooks
American Conspiracy - The Octopus Murders