Fanacek

S4 E3 Telly Savalas Part 2

More Fanacek...and more Telly!  What's better than that?  Today we'll discuss Telly's film and TV career from 1970 and beyond, while also going into his music and commercial pitchman endeavors.  I go on a lot of tangents in this episode.  They include, but are not limited to, the following: Kojak propositioning the bottlers of Coca Cola, my lost interview with producer George Schlatter, the theme song from Sonny and Jed, Itallian Giallo films, character actors I knew at Videotronics in the Bronx, and how grossed out I was while reading Lolita.  This is the episode I'll be remembered for.

S4 E2 Telly Savalas Part 1

That's right...this is part 1 of a 2 part series on Telly Savalas.  His head is too shiny, and his medallions are too large for just one episode.  We'll discuss his background, his early acting career and some of his TV and film highlights of the 60s.  I'll also discuss my infatuation with Dianna Rigg, Telly's connection to Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, and for some weird reason, we're gonna mention Shelley Winters about 12 times.  I hope you like Shelley Winters cuz Winters is coming!

S4 E1 Jan Michael Vincent

Who was Jan Michael Vincent?  Sadly, most people would answer with things like "Airwolf", "drugs", "amputee", and other non-flattering, yet true, descriptions.  However, before all of that he was a talented, handsome actor who could command the screen and hold his own with Hollywood legends.  He was Brad Pitt before Brad Pitt, but then devolved into a "never was".  I am on a quest to remind the world of his artistry and greatness and maybe steal back some of the negative memories.  And while doing that I'll also chat about all of the famous sexy nurses movies of the 70s, The Hardy Boys books, the fates of Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth, and I make a very sloppy connection between Michael Myers and Jesus.  Yep...Michael Myers and Jesus.

Season 4 Introduction

Woo Hoo!  Season 4 is on the way.

S3 E27 The Season 3 Finale! Norman Lear Part 4.

Yes, folks.  Season 3 has come to an end, but we're ending on a high note with my fourth installment on the works of Mr. Norman Lear.  This week we take a look at 12 shows that did not make it.  Some seem interesting and edgy, others seem pretty lame, but they all have been forgotten and I feel inspired to raise them from the depths of TV's forgotten, lost cemetery and...I'm rambling.  We dive into these shows but also talk about Warren Beatty and Chris Rock, whether or not Paul Shaffer is a nice guy, my love for Boomtown, and I provide a nice recap of all of my childhood impressions. Fanacek shall return for Season 4.

S3 E26 Norman Lear Part 3

That's right.  I'm still not done yappin' about Norman Lear.  Why should I be?  At 101 years old, he's not done workin'.  In this episode, I dive into One Day At A Time, Mary Hartman Mary Hartman, Square Pegs, 227, and more.  We'll chat about incest and SJP maybe being a drug trafficker...all while grooving to the theme song to 227.  It's a whole scene.

S3 E25 Norman Lear Part 2

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July and didn't miss me too much.  I know how restless everyone can get when they don't get their dose of Fanacek.  Anyhoo, this is Part 2 of my deep dive into the career of Norman Lear.  In this episode we'll finish talking about the All in the Family lineage of shows by discussing The Jeffersons, Checking In, Archie Bunker's Place, Gloria, and 704 Hauser.  Then we knock out the Sanford and Son lineage with Sanford and Son, Grady, Sanford Arms, and Sanford.  Take notes.  There will be a quiz.

S3 E24 Norman Lear Part 1

Norman Lear is a legendary writer & producer who is responsible for writing, creating, producing, or developing over 100 TV shows.  He changed the landscape of TV comedy by creating All In The Family, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons and tons others. He made us laugh uncontrollably while also being confronted with the most important social issues of the day...racism, sexism, abortion, gay rights, infidelity and more.  He made sitcoms IMPORTANT.  So sit back, relax, and let me glide you through his career.  

S3 E23 A Conversation with Jeremy Miller

The man is an actor, author, producer, chef, and now he's also a Fanacek guest!  That's right, one of the stars of one of the greatest sitcoms ever engaged 'ol Fanacek in some pleasant conversation.  We discussed his career and what he's up to now.  We also touched upon some fun topics like working with Brad Pitt, being part of the Peanuts family, dating Danica McKellar, and working with Robin Williams.  It was a blast!  We also hit on some serious stuff like Jeremy's recovery, the murder of Rebecca Schaeffer, Jeremy's experience with  stalker,  and the death of Corey Haim.  He was very candid, a great guest and I hope you enjoy the interview.

S3 E22 Jeremy Miller gets the Fanacek treatment

Growing Pains is one of the juggernaut sitcoms of the 80s, making Jeremy Miller sitcom royalty.  (I have the power to annoint).  I grew up watching Jeremy but had never done a deep dive on his credits until now.  He's worked with some heavy hitters...Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, Stefanie Powers, Barry Bostwick, and David Spade amongst others.  I also identified 3 awesome connections to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, so I'm very proud of myself.  And proud of Jeremy. And proud of you.  Enjoy.