Fanacek

Fanacek explores all things film and television. We start with a theme and plunge down the IMDB rabbit hole of acting credits, far out locations, crazy posters, interesting guest stars, and obscure and often absurd taglines. Forget about six degrees of Kevin Bacon. There’s six degrees of everything! Joined by a guest each week, we’ll learn, poke fun, try to teach, and ultimately honor the people who have graced our screens over the years. So, stay tuned for another exciting episode of...Fanacek!

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Episodes

S3 E6 Talkin’ Movies

Wednesday Mar 22, 2023

Wednesday Mar 22, 2023

This episode is a little break from the norm.  Instead of diving deep into the career of a TV legend, I thought I'd invite a guest into the studio and just yap about movies.  The rules are simple.  We each have a movie title written down, we reveal them, and then we talk about them....brilliantly.  We start with As Good As It Gets and then we transition to Catch Me If You Can.  Along the way we'll explore my connections to The Real World and Road Rules, disrespect for the movie Swingers, Heather Graham's acting skills, Connie Britton doin' shrooms, and Steve Zahn's balls.  This episode belongs in the Smithsonian.  And so do Steve Zahn's balls.

S3 E5 Stephen J. Cannell

Wednesday Mar 15, 2023

Wednesday Mar 15, 2023

Stephen J. Cannell is a TV Gawd.  His vanity card at the end of his programs feels like home to me.  Many of us grew up on Mr. Cannell's awesome shows.  The Rockford Files, Baretta, The A-Team, and 21 Jumpstreet are among his many contributions to the boob tube.  As we discuss his life and career, we'll also make sure to talk about the first time I saw porn, my obsession with Robert Culp, getting hit on by a famous casting director, Ben Vereen in a rap song, and my possible involvement in the death of Robert Blake.  

S3 E4 Chuck Lorre

Wednesday Mar 08, 2023

Wednesday Mar 08, 2023

If you've watched TV at ALL in the past 25 years, you know Chuck Lorre's work and contribution to sitcom culture.  Dharma & Greg, Two and a Half Men, Big Bang Theory, etc.  He's a comedy gangsta and we're gonna honor him with his own Fanacek episode.  Whilst talking about Mr. Lorre, I will also broach the following topics: my day on the Warner Brothers lot, my horrible childhood and obsession with The Way Way Back, my very real love of Allison Janney, Go Bots vs Transformers, and my disdain of a child I know who thinks Temple of Doom is the best of the Indiana Jones movies.  It's a real think piece.

S3 E3 Donald P. Bellisario

Wednesday Feb 22, 2023

Wednesday Feb 22, 2023

Donald P. Bellisario is one bad mutha.  He created Magnum PI, JAG, and NCIS.  He also gave us Airwolf, which was loosely based on Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice*.  We're gonna hold our breathe and take a deep dive on this fella's career.  However,  y commitment o you is that I will also discuss the musical stylings of one Telly Savalas, my time on the set of JAG, dogs & cops, the (almost) death of Thomas Magnum, super helicopters, and Quantum Leap references during improv shows.
*That was a joke.

S3 E2 Steven Bochco

Wednesday Feb 15, 2023

Wednesday Feb 15, 2023

Let's discuss Mr. Steven Bochco.  For some of you this will be a review.  For others, an education in television awesomeness.  This guy gave us Hill Street Blues, Doogie Howser MD, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue among others.  He also wrote 7 episodes of a little known detective series starring Peter Falk.  Steven Bochco is a man amongst men.  I shall discuss his life and work.  I shall also touch on such topics as the chimpanzee on The Today Show, laughing at Tourette Syndrome, and David Caruso's naked ass.  You'll "crack" up.  Get it?  Crack.  Because of the David Caruso ass comment?  Anyway, enjoy the episode.

S3 E1 Aaron Spelling

Wednesday Feb 08, 2023

Wednesday Feb 08, 2023

Welcome to Fanacek Island....Season 3 is here!!!  And it does not disappoint.  We're gonna take a deep dive on the most prolific producer in television history, Mr. Aaron Spelling.  We're gonna explore his successes and the cultural impact of such shows as Mod Squad, Love Boat, Fantasy Island, 90210, and Melrose Place.  We'll also look at the shows that were very short lived and the pilots that never got picked up.  We'll also touch on such topics as his bag ass house, Quentin Tarantino's podcast, Justine Bateman's failed attempt at movie stardom, me almost buying an Emergency! lunchbox, and Lisa Kudrow's rise to fame.  I'm very proud of myself.

Season 3 Introduction

Monday Feb 06, 2023

Monday Feb 06, 2023

Season 3 is coming, folks!  Here's a sneak peak.

Wednesday Feb 01, 2023

We've come to the end of the road for Season 2.  Along the way, we've laughed, we've cried, and I've talked too much.  It was a blissful journey of movies that became failed TV shows.  So, alas, I am saying goodnight and God bless to Season 2...but not before I finish what I started on this damn 9 to 5 fiasco.  I'm also gonna educate you on watching ALF in the 21st century, the kinda racist marketing for the show True Colors, Jon Lovitz whooping Andy Dick's ass, the sleazy marriage of Jason Hervey, and the sad fate of Lisa Loring.  
Don't be sad, friends.  Fanacek shall return for Season 3.

Season 2 Finale (Part 1) - 9 to 5

Wednesday Jan 25, 2023

Wednesday Jan 25, 2023

That's right.  1980's classic film 9 to 5 became a TV show.  And I'm gonna force you to learn about it.  I'm also going to address Facebook hate regarding Hec Ramsey, explain the ins and outs of syndication, get all mushy about Barry Levinson and Mike Nichols, offer insight into early live television, educate you on Howard Stern's Wack Pack, mention blackface, and share the classic children's tune, "Molly Lick a Lolli".  I'm all givin'.  I aint about takin'.
 

S2 E9 Starman & Alien Nation

Wednesday Jan 18, 2023

Wednesday Jan 18, 2023

An exciting action packed Sci Fi episode of Fanacek!  First, we'll explore the TV version of John Carpenter's 1984 film Starman.  Then we'll dive into the short lived TV version of 1988's Alien Nation.  Lots of aliens and space things.  A real Nerd's paradise.  But be warned.  I will also discuss such topics as Tina Yothers auditioning for the Laker Girls, the early days of the Fox Network, my love of Paul Schrader, Tom's Cruise and his inability to appear normal, why I think Ally McBeal will make a comeback, my connections with the casts of Dexter and Workaholics, and the battle for Queen of 80s Porn.  Life will never be the same.

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