The Great TV Podcast

Marc Cushman joins us to discuss his series of books on Star Trek and the latest that covers Star Trek during the 70s. These Are the Voyages: Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek in the 1970s, Volume 1 (1970-75) Thanks Marc! --- Note from Jim: I love this podcast so much and had a chance to do a show on Star Trek so I thought I'd throw it into the feed...enjoy and who knows what other shows may show up!

NBC's Land of the Lost was a Saturday morning favorite for kids of the 70s. Today, we interview none other than Holly...Kathy Coleman. We talk about Kathy's journey. What a great lady. I think you'll enjoy this edition of The Great TV Podcast! You can find her book at Amazon.com: Run, Holly, Run!: A Memoir by Holly from 1970s TV Classic "Land of the Lost" Thanks Kathy!

Author Scott Ryan talks to us about the classic TV series Thirtysomething as it celebrates its 30th Anniversary. You can find his five-star reviewed book on the show at Amazon.com: thirtysomething at thirty: an oral history Thanks Scott!

TV legend Corbin Bernsen and his wife, accomplish actress Amanda Pays are also superstars of making great living spaces. They talk about their book on the subject and their 30 year marriage. Open House: Reinventing Space for Simple Living Thanks Corbin and Amanda!

She played Olivia Walton on The Waltons. Michael talks about her career and being a part of one of the most beloved TV series of all time. It was lovely to speak with her. Thanks Michael!

Loretta Swit portrayed Margaret "Hotlips" Houlihan on the iconic TV series MASH. We talk to Loretta about MASH, her other acting work and the good work she is doing on behalf of animals today. You can find her recent book at Amazon.com: SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit Thanks Loretta!

He is perhaps best known as the voice of KITT from Knight Rider but William Daniels is so much more. An Emmy for his work on St. Elsewhere, a movie career including The Graduate, and his stellar work on Broadway. We are so glad to talk to this living legend and his wife actress Bonnie Bartlett! You can find William's recent autobiography on Amazon.com: There I Go Again –SCOTTeVEST– I am a gadget guy, the only problem is where do you carry them all? That’s not a problem once you are introduced to SCOTTeVEST products. You’ll love the power of pockets. CLICK HERE AND use my special discount code JIMHAROLD to get 20% off of your SCOTTeVEST purchase. You’ll love it!

Scott Ryan and John Thorne join us to talk all about Twin Peaks, both the 90s version and the new version that will air this month on Showtime. Excuse me, I suddenly have a hankering for a damned fine cup of coffee!

This week's show is all about Seinfeld. Our guest is author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong. You can find her book on the "show about nothing" at Amazon.com: Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything Thanks!

The legendary Ed Asner join us this week. We talk about his iconic role as Lou Grant, working with Mary Tyler Moore, his long career and why he has been so active in the political arena. Jim's note: It was an awesome honor to spend some time with Mr. Asner, I hope you enjoy our talk. You can find information on Ed's production of A Man and His Prostate at amanandhisprostate.com Thanks Mr. Asner!

You may know him as the iconic villain Victor Newman from The Young and the Restless, but you probably don't know the amazing journey Eric Braeden took to become a soap opera legend. He shares some of that journey with us on this edition of TV You Grew Up With. You can find his book at Amazon.com: I'll Be Damned: How My Young and Restless Life Led Me to America's #1 Daytime Drama Thanks Eric! P.S. Eric is one of those guests I could have talked with for hours...an amazing man!

Jim Henson was a legend and a one of a kind. We talk to his biographer, Brian Jay Jones, about the man and his amazing work. You can find Brian's book at Amazon.com: Jim Henson: The Biography Thanks Brian!

Twilight Zone expert Martin Grams joins us to discuss the classic series. You can find his book at Amazon.com: The Twilight Zone: Unlocking the Door to a Television Classic Here is a link to the Blu Ray of the complete series, now released, that we discussed: The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series Blu-ray Thanks Martin!

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was groundbreaking in so many ways plus it was just plain great television. We talk to author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong about the classic TV series and it's star, the late great Mary Tyler Moore. You can find Jennifer's book at Amazon.com: Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted: And all the Brilliant Minds Who Made The Mary Tyler Moore Show a Classic Thanks Jennifer!

Charlotte Stewart was Miss Beadle on Little House On The Prarie, Betty Briggs on Twin Peaks and has many stories of rubbing elbows with Hollywood legends. We had a great talk on this episode of TV You Grew Up With. You can find her autobiography at Amazon.com: Little House in the Hollywood Hills: A Bad Girl’s Guide to Becoming Miss Beadle, Mary X, and Me Thanks Charlotte!

He played "The Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld! Larry Thomas joins us and talks about playing New York's meanest restaurateur, his career beyond the iconic role and his own lifelong fascination with cooking. And, by the way. If you don't listen to this episode, "no soup for you!" You can find Larry's book at Amazon.com: Confessions of a Soup Nazi: An Adventure in Acting and Cooking Thanks Larry!

Stephen Tropiano and Holly Van Buren join us to discuss the endings of classic TV shows. You can find their book at Amazon.com: TV Finales FAQ Thanks Stephen & Holly!

We talk to Home Improvement’s Taran Noah Smith and his Mom Candy Bennici about the rewards and challenges of child stardom. You can find their book on the subject at Amazon.com: Stardom Happens: Nurturing Your Child in the Entertainment Business Thanks Taran & Cindy!

Gene Rayburn is remembered today for his work as the hilarious emcee of Match Game, the classic 70’s game show, but he was much more. Author and game show expert Adam Nedeff join us to talk about one of our favorite classic TV personalities and his many successes. You can find Adam’s book on Gene at Amazon.com: The Matchless Gene Rayburn Thanks Adam!

We talk with Mike Pipher who is in charge of the Rod Serling Archive at the Bundy Museum in Binghamton, NY (Serling’s hometown). We discuss the master of mystery, and his career before, during and after The Twilight Zone. Submitted for your consideration on TV You Grew Up With… Serling’s most celebrated TV series at Amazon.com: The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] The Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Collection (DVD) Night Gallery: Season 1 Night Gallery: Season 2 Night Gallery: Season 3 This program was recorded in October 2015. Thanks Mike!