Thaao Penghlis On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Unmasked! Post-apocalyptic pandemic blues in Eb may have started and ended the show (with Tristan Cappel), but it was joy, joy, joy, with bass boy, Leland Sklar, my first face-to-face guest since a year ago February. What a great segue back to a semblance of normalcy. It felt so right, so dyn-o-mite. Sorry. 

We jumped into the book, Everybody Loves Me, an idea without a plan a mere 15 months ago, now seen pretty much 'round the world, in spite of the shutdowns. My copy now adorns my coffee table, almost in its entirety. It's a massive collection of Lee's signature, people flipping him off––celebrities, musicians, sports heroes, and regular folk like me. Lee showed and told a passel of fab stories surrounding some of the pics, from The Highwaymen (Willie, Merle - another great story on him, and Kris), to Steven Tyler, Sean Penn, Art Garfunkel, Jay Leno, Allee Willis ❤️, his parents, a nun, three winos, Kevin Bacon, on and on, oh yeah, Stephen Bishop... to one pic which didn't make the cut, but there's another great story there.

We talked career... from start to present, from small clubs as a kid to James Taylor, before he was a thing, who coined the name, The Section, of Lee, Kootch, and Kunkel, Carole King, from band keyboardist to superstar, Linda Ronstadt, Phil Collins, Bernie Williams, Lyle Lovette, The Tonight Show more times than he can count, Jim Nabors, Lawrence Welk, Paul Williams, Peter Asher, Leave it to Beaver, The Wrecking Crew, and The immediate Family... how it began, where it is and where it's going.   Danny Tenesco's upcoming doc, a new video about to drop, the album in the fall, new music being recorded at Jackson Browne's Studio, tours being planned west and east...  and baby steps back to living. 

This live in the living room was momentous for many reasons, prime among them, eyeball to eyeball, hugs aplenty, Tristan got to jam with the master, I got a special delivery on my book (you can get yours here: LelandSklarsBeard.com), I got to hear live music being played… Live, and, I got to hang with a beloved friend and share it with Samantha and her beau. Still in the afterglow. And, what a show! 

Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, 
Wed, May 12th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on The Facebook
Replay link:
https://bit.ly/3vX4PNO

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

Thanks to Rick Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com

Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio   Beauty and Products​, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/

Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt

Leland Sklar Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson,

Fantastically fabulous time with two-time Emmy Award Winner (for those amazing Billy Crystal Academy Award shows which he talks about), Robert Wuhl, actor, writer, producer, director,  perhaps best known as the creator and star of HBO's long-running series, Arli$$, talked about the creative freedom the show afforded him to delve into topics which intrigued him, way before their time, why he cast Sandra Oh, how he came to sing Volare as Newbomb Turkin The Hollywood Knights, starting out in stand up, coming up with Seinfeld, Larry David, Paul Reiser, selling jokes to Dangerfield right outta the gate, Madonna, Flashdance, and what a difference one line can make, Good Morning Vietnam, Robin Williams, Bull Durham, Kevin Costner, great stories about how Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, not first choices got their parts, how his iconic line at the mound was borne, Tim Burton's Batman, Michael Keaton, Nicholson, more great stories, Paul Newman, Blaze, Paul's favorite joke, working with DeNiro, opening for Estelle Reiner... stories, stories stories, one better than the next. It was an absolute delight, as it always is in Robert's good company. From dogs, Paris, to food in the pandemic... I loved every moment, so enjoyed the laughs. I needed the eggs. 

Robert Wuhl Live Game Changers with Vicki Abelson
Wed, 6/1/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3fKKC91

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes

Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com

Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio   Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/

Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt

Robert Wuhl Live Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Steve Conte is a jumbo slice of Rock 'n Roll Heaven.  We got treated to his latest single, Recovery Doll, a recent Coolest Song in the World on Little Steven's Underground Garage, the B side, Rock And Rye Queen, and, Gimme Rockaway, which was not only another Coolest Song in the World, it also placed in the top 5 for Coolest Song of the Year, on the heels of Ian Hunter, and The Monkees. He's in my top rock voices of all time. 

Steve was chicken soup for the crazies soul, one of us, he shared how the Conte's have been faring these past 16 months- with creativity, caution, and grace, it appears. 

We heard stories, his classic Chuck Berry, Tiny Tim, thanks, Postell, Paul Simon, Prince, David Clayton Thomas, Michael Monroe, David Johansen... starting out on drums, thanks to Ringo, with his brother John, on guitar, swapping to that, taking front and center, John on bass, backing their jazz singer mother, Rosemary... his first road gig, in Blood, Sweat & Tears, his own, Company of Wolves, Willy DeVille, The New York Dolls, to present tense with his upcoming videos, singles, and album, on Little Steven's Wicked Cool Records. 

Always a treat to be in the company of this talented friend with lots of shared history. Such great fun! 

Steve's music is available here:
https://steveconte.bandcamp.com/music

And for all things Conte:
http://stevecontenyc.com/site/

Steve Conte Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson
Wed, 6/23/21, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here: 
https://bit.ly/3wSt80q

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes

Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com

Nicole Venables,of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products, for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular people, like me. I love my hair, and I love Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/

Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt

Steve Conte Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Fred Melamed On Game Changers With Vicki

Are you kidding me! I suspected from the first email from Mark Metcalf that we were gonna have fun, but wow! This time with Mark exceeded all my high hoped-for expectations.

The Maestro, The Master, yes, but for me, Mark has always been Neidermeyer. Even when he’s appearing in Ally McBeal, Hill Street Blues, One Life to Live, Oscar, Jag, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Seinfeld, Star Trek Voyager, Mad Men, that smug bad boy always shines through and makes me smile. Now, having met him, engaged with him, he's all of the above and so much more. 

I must see him do Shakespeare. On stage. And watch, once again, his brilliant, Chilly Scenes of Winter. As well as the doc about him: The Appeal of Being Typecast by Hollywood | The New Yorker Documentary  https://bit.ly/3xwSvbr 

We talked Animal House, of course, lots on John Landis, Belushi, a great story about Donald Sutherland, how he got there, what he did once there, and the fun, the fun, the fun. Mark told great stories about Mike Nichols, Herbert Bergdorf, Uta Hagen, Jack Nicholson… I want more! We barely scratched the surface, not even touching Twisted Sister, Buffy, his restauranteur days… I honored my promise to cease after an hour, but have him back, we shall. He assured. I trust he is a gentleman of his word. What a lovely, fun, intelligent, thoughtful, accessible man. More soon. Promise. 

Loved him before, adore him now more.

Mark Metcalf on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 4/13/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here: https://bit.ly/3uE49ix

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes

Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com

Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio   Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/

Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt

Mark Metcalf On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

What to do when in the midst of unfathomable national tragedy, and your guest is 5 x Emmy Winner, Alan Zweibel, one of the funniest humans on the planet? Face the elephant in the room head-on.  We discussed how comics and monologists deliver on a day like this, and what is verboten?  From there we moved into personal, current COVID crisis, where listener Julie Warner, Billy Crystal’s co-star in the film, Mr. Saturday Night, informed us we were depressing (she was playing… Alan is never is anything less than hysterical), and then we segued into his latest co-creation with Billy, Here Today, about an aging comedy writer whose memory is fading due to dementia. Har har har dee har har.  Well, the story that inspired the film is crazy funny, as is Alan’s telling of it. It was all comedy gold from there, covering Alan’s many of Alan’s most memorable collaborations, more on Billy from the early 70s standup days to their Tony-winning Broadway smash, 700 Sundays. The first sold joke to Morty Gunty (still a winner today), and other Borscht Belt favorites, to Larry David bombing at The Improv, Lorne Michaels recognizing his gift and hiring him in the very first wave of Saturday Night Live, where Alan’s collaboration and friendship with Gilda Radner yielded iconic characters and moments, week after week, year after year, the trajectory of their relationship thru till her untimely end, where he wrote for her, yet again… his collab with Garry Shandling and their multiple Ace Award-Winning co-creation, It’s The Garry Shandling Show, and the evolution of them… to writing Lunatics with Dave Barry and then For This We Left Egypt with Dave and Ada Mansbach, the definitive Haggadah in my house, to Alan’s Bunny Bunny, his love letter to Gilda from page to stage, and his latest, Laugh Lines, My life Helping Funny People Be Funnier, which spans 50 years of fab stories, one after another… my favorite tonight, and it’s such a Sophie’s Choice with the wealth presented, is Alan’s college poetry “recital.” I was crying. In the good way. 

This time with Alan was chicken soup with noodles, matzah balls, and latkes, for the pandemic, crazy-world weary soul. Warm, flavorful, sizzling, and delicious… with a side of hysterically funny. Perfection! 

Alan Zweibel on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 5/124/22, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3GhWz1v

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fla
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

Also on iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Voox, OwlTail, Backtracks, PlayerFM, Himalaya, Podchaser, and Listen Notes

Thanks to Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com

Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio   Beauty and Products for the best tressed. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/

Blue Microphones and Kevin Walt

Alan Zweibel On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Friends who used to be 30 Something, Wingnuts, and Field of Dreamers, lend me your ear (s), and your eyeballs. Emmy-winner Timothy Busfield is a scream! His Burt Lancaster alone is worth the watch. Hysterical, and right on point. 

Tim’s amazing bride, Melissa Gilbert joined us for a sec, she’ll be back! But she was a big part of the conversation––how they met, and where––great story. I love how he loves her, and her, him. Their togetherness is epic. We talked how they do it, handle challenges, and resolve them, so quickly. Merging their families - both married for the thrice time… co-parenting and grandparenting, building a home, and a life. Ain’t love grand. 

We talked Tim’s early years in Michigan, his mother, her challenges, his father, and his. Tim getting the bug after seeing Burt Lancaster on the big screen, and going full circle co-starring with him in Field of Dreams so many years later––the challenges of that film. First, theatre out the wazoo… Actors Theater of Louisville to Circle Rep… being Matthew Broderick’s understudy on Broadway in Brighton Beach Memoirs and never getting on - Trapper John, getting an actors education, Nerds, Stripes, thirtysomething, his first gig with a guy named Snuffy, turns out there are 10 so far, 12 with Melissa’s… starring on Broadway for Sorkin, Sports Night, The West Wing, Studio 60 on The Sunset Strip, his two theatre companies intended to serve the young - the guppies did he call them? Being of service a major theme throughout. Turning down hosting SNL, thrice, auditioning for it without knowing, giving up the drink two weeks ago, how and why… his latest, The Cleaning Lady, and more importantly, his next binge with Melissa and their morning flight to Florida. 

We talked for almost two hours, from LA to Michigan to Upstate NY and the UWS…. and I could have talked all night. Ridiculous fun. Down to earth, open, warm, thoughtful, helpful, funny, loving, fun, fun, fun. Do they come more likable than Tim? You’ll have to prove it. 

Timothy Busfield Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wed, May 17th, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on The Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3IjV5WJ

Timothy Busfield Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Cheri Oteri Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
 
Fun, fun, fun, and more fun. A long-time huge fan of Cheri Oteri’s work -  I’m now a huge fan of the human. I loved every second in this Emmy nominees’ great company. As animated as Cheri is on screen, she’s all that and a truck full of fun in conversation. From early days in Philly imitating soap actors, her nana, and Laura Ingall’s, aspiring to rock stardom, landing at A& M Records in publishing and promotion, moonlighting studying at The Groundlings, eventually making the company, until her manager insisted she quit her day job and focus on auditions. Her first gig… Saturday Night Live! Getting there with fellow Groundling, Will Ferrell, soon to be joined by Chris Kattan, Cheri tells the tale of the journey in all his magnificence. From her audition (Jennifer Coolidge was also part of their Groundlings entourage), her callback, the character she brought with, Rita! And how she worked Joy Lipton in, writing her own sketches, writing with Will, how the cheerleader came to be, Morning Latte, how in her first season a number of A&M artists appeared on SNL––Sting, and Blues Traveler for two, hysterical there, how this non-impressionist to hear her tell it, started doing them, beginning with Barbara Walters. Great story and insights there. Judge Judy, more fun there.  Moving on after five years to that Emmy nod on Just Shoot Me! Cheri’s delight with that process, we jumped to her current passion project, which she wrote and is set to roll in September with our friend Mark Maxey producing––potential actor strike permitting. 

My takeaway… Cheri’s fantastical! I have added appreciation for her craft and the laughs. She’s crazy talented and downright delightful. I can’t wait to see all that comes next. And. I wanna be her best friend. 

Cheri Ann Oteri Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wed, June 21st 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on The Facebook
https://bit.ly/42UUoL0

Cheri Ann Oteri Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Jason Scheff Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Rock Star! Jason Scheff’s got the chops, the voice, the lineage, the career, and the hair! And I’m not sure he could be a more lovely, gracious, humble guy. As if thirty years with Chicago weren’t enough, Jason takes us through that experience from the rumors, the auditions, the close race, getting it, the faux pax, righting it big time, the glories of it, the joys, to why he left three decades later. 

We started with his dad, the iconic bassist, Jerry Scheff, who’s played with countless legends and is one himself. Jason told amazing stories about Jerry and the Fifth Dimension, Elvis, and The Doors. Mind-blowing, and fantastic! 

He spoke of some of his other champions and heroes, his mother, a singer, who made him a pro at 16, Elton John, Bobby Caldwell, Robert Lamm, getting sober, Bill Champlin, David Foster, Tamara Champlin, the all-stars Todd Rundgren, Christopher Cross, Micky Dolenz, and Joey Molland with whom he performed The Beatles White Album, my lord, do I want to see the replay of that! Generation Radio (I butchered that) the supergroup Jason put together with Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, with Deen Castronovo of Journey, who returned there, now replaced by superstar drummer Steve Ferrone. 

Jason spoke of his love and devotion to his beloved Tracy and their kids, the hardships and losses they’ve endured and weathered together, and they’re great like for each other. Having just had the great good fortune to see Jason perform at Summerfest and then meet his bride, I got to witness this rockstar in action and then bear witness to what a fabulous couple they are. 

Jason and I talked for well over two hours and it felt like a minute. What a great, great, time, and… he sang… just a little, but still! I loved every moment and can’t wait to hear about the next chapters, and hear and see them performed, as well. 

Jason Scheff Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wed, July 5, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on The Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3D2hmp2

Jason Scheff Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

David Jackson Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

What a delight music legend David Jackson is. No surprise. I was warned by his legions of loyal fans, most of whom are his brilliantly talented contemporaries. This was fabulous fun, topped perhaps by pre-fed stories with lots of misinformation which paved the way for the truths, which proved to make it all even more fun. So what if David wasn’t actually at Columbia Studios when George Harrison hid the pot from the cops, he told great story! Who cares if David was with Cher in DC, not the Chateau Marmont when she got a call from Jimmy (President Carter), not Henry Kissinger, or when he was offered his own show after being a regular on The Andy Williams Show he didn’t turn it down, it just… well… he tells it... and then some… and then some more. Great stories, all. We hear about Hoyt Axton and how they wrote Ringo’s No No Song, and Three Dog Night’s Joy To The World, and what happened to David in both, there’s the Chambers Brothers, Bo Diddley, Jackson Browne, John Denver, Sonny, and Sonny and Cher, Glen Frey, Jimmy Buffett, a GREAT story about Roger Miller and Glen Campbell, The Bohemian Grove, what that gentleman’s club is really all about,  and his upcoming trip to Marrakesh to play and… play. What a life. Well lived, still living to the max. This man is damn delight. Top to bottom, start to finish. I can’t wait for his return to the States and his Friday nights at The Write Off Room with The Deductions. Till then I’ll be hitting his Bandcamp
https://davidpjackson1.bandcamp.com/album/first-waltz?fbclid=IwAR1FNNSEtyXUFWpxRjACYgs2844fFTyteIwhZUcxmpW0YxaBvfMngJfS_nk.

David Jackson has a new huge fan. *raises hand*

David Jackson Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, Sept 27th, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET 
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/45ZpZ0l

David Jackson Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

James Morrison Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

How fortuitous that my first show back after an 8-week hiatus was with the stunningly soulful James Morrison––actor, writer, filmmaker, musician, husband, father, fellow, and stellar human. James was Chicken soup for my post-COVID soul. Discovering just before we went on the air that my treasured friend, Christinna Guzman had passed from cancer opened the door to an emotionally charged conversation about relationships…parent/child, James’ son, Seamus, is a brain cancer survivor… love partnerships, how James and Riad have thrived through their 35 years together, including through their son’s illness… art, which Christinna championed, and shared with me and oft shot for me, including my Women Who Write Literary Salons, and these Game Changers talk shows, where James has read and sung numerous times and Christinna and I bore witness. To honor her and James’ talents, James gifted us with a reading from his show, Leave Your Fears Here, sang, at my fervent request, his brilliant, Selfish Man, about a certain someone who continues to refuse to not grab the headlines, and then read from his brand new show, Satan’s Wild Animal Circus of Agony: A Five Ring Memoir, a most meaningful piece about his father’s end of life. Powerful, moving, important. 

We talked about sobriety and recovery, a passion James and I share, about adapting, growing, changing, and allowing space to be wrong. We talked about his and Riad’s documentary, Showing Up, an unprecedented look at the audition, with some of our most accomplished working actors reflecting on the process and how it affects them. Nathan Lane, Sam Rockwell, Eli Wallach, and Kristin Chenoweth are a few of those interviewed. I just watched it again and I’m rethinking this whole return to acting thing. It’s a wonderful film, raw and moving, and so damn honest. Like James himself. 

I adore this man and every moment in his exceptional company. I’ve said before, sitting down with 24's Bill Buchanan, AKA, James Morrison, is like wrapping myself up in my softest, warmest, coolest, comfiest, cutest, silkiest pajamas, and settling in for an easy, breezy, fun, loving, memorable night. This one had the added bonus of being a bear hug of support, comfort, and grace. I’m forever grateful for his friendship. 

For all things James: jpmorrison.com

James Morrison Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, January 31, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET 
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/42kBBKq

James Morrison Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Josh Sussman on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

What fun, as I expected! What edutainment, that I couldn’t have anticipated! We got the inside scoop on the differences of the pre and post-pandemic biz scene from SAG Award Winner, Josh Sussman. Fascinating, insightful, delightful! Booking his first audition for My Crazy Life, playing Tom Green’s best friend, Derek, who ironically, my wasband worked with on The New Tom Green Show back in those days, and for the past 20+ years has been one of Tom’s best in the reals… Josh took us from his last in-person audition, for Mr. Mayor, with Ted Danson, which he also booked, and which was delayed due to the COVID craziness, resuming at the height of the pandemic with full protocols in place, and how different that experience was from Glee, where freedom reigned supreme. How once the show dropped and fame hit, watching some of the actors change, perhaps not for the better. From the Suite Life of Zach and Cody, Drake and Josh (different Josh), Wizards of Waverly Place, Warren the Ape, Josh was scoring so many shows, he had to turn down commercials, a luxury most actors no longer seem to be facing. Post-pandemic and strike, there’s less work, and what there is seems to be harder to score. Who’s getting the gigs and how? Josh’s booking odds were crazy high, he’s still doing pretty well considering the rumblings of others I’ve heard lately who’ve yet to score from a self-tape. Josh is currently filming a role he garnered from one. Not to say it came easy. The auditions have been way fewer and farther apart and the bookings have been as well. Josh’s pre-pandemic audition discipline which served him so well, doesn’t quite translate completely to this virtual new world. But, he’s working on that and finding his way. Josh took us from receiving his sides to delivering them, and the steps he takes to stand out. As a self-tape newcomer, I ate his wisdom up. 

Josh had early COVID and lost his smeller, no lasting effects there… he found love… lasting effects there… he’s thoughtful, kind, hard-working, and very, very funny. I so enjoyed every moment of this and will cherish the take-aways. JB Self-Tapes, you’ve been plugged. Be like Josh. Memorize. Turn it around quicker than quick. Find a way to be different. And stay positive, even when you don’t much like it. Can’t wait to see this film he’s working on, whatever it is. And may this year see him co-starring with Muppets... in something... anything! Come on!

Josh Sussman on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 8/14/24, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/4dLOLnZ

Josh Sussman On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Jim Beaver Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson Part 1

Astrologer Zoe Moon warned it was gonna be a crazy day. I read that first thing this morning but forgot about it until 4:45 pm when things started going sideways. What could have been a non-show disappointment, turned into a delayed, technical bit of a mess, but ultimately delightful chat with the incomparable Rosemary Butler. Just the appetizer for what is sure to be a delightful feast when next we meet, Wednesday, March 26th, promptly Live @5! 

Instead of what I thought would be a quick hello, sorry, see you next time, Rosemary delighted with some choice stories about where she came from, her two all-girl bands, The Ladybirds and Birtha, opening for The Stones, great stuff there from the Beatles fan who eventually did get to sing with her hero, Paul, who inspired her to be a lefthanded singing bassist, through sheer Moxie, thanks to Kenny Loggins and Peter Asher, a funny Three Dog Night/Chuck Negron tale, a wonderful Ray Charles invitation, Bonnie Raitt, who she credits with changing her life, but we barely scratched the surface there as we did with Jackson Browne. 

Rosemary has sung, toured, and recorded with everyone who's anyone... Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor,  Carole King, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, to name a few more - those stories and lots more when Rosemary comes back, under more ideal conditions, feather in hand, with her adorable exuberance to amuse and delight us! 

In addition to being an iconic backup singer whose memorable riffs have scored my life, Rosemary is a renowned vocal coach and gigs regularly. For all things Rose rosemarybutler.com

She's beautiful, adorable, has lived a life dreams are made of, with a voice that'll deservedly live forever. Can't wait for more. 

Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson  Part 1 
Wednesday, 2/26/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook
 Replay here:
https://bit.ly/3XmsoQp

Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Benny Harrison Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

What fun to sit down and catch up with keyboardist, singer, songwriter, producer, Benny Harrison, who I’ve known for 5 decades. There was so much I didn’t know. Benny gave us the back story––growing up mixed race from hard-working parents who may or may not have been on the wrong side of the law, but who taught him strong work ethics and appreciated immediately and encouraged his musical gifts.

When his brother sold his piano, Benny turned lemons into lemonade, practicing at a local school which garnered him his first professional gig with Henry Gross, which led him to sing onstage with Michael McDonald. When I met up with him, he was sitting in with Mason Reese, and then Phoebe Snow sat in with Benny and The Spydrs. A kickass player and entertainer, Benny was in regular rotation at all the clubs I booked back in the day. 

Benny tells a great story about a night at Spo-Dee-O-Dee’s and a couple of huge surprise special guests. 

Benny has played with Vernon Reid; Corey Glover; Joe Walsh; Elvis Costello; Simon Kirke; and Charlie Drayton, among many others and for four years his Spydrs were the house band at The China Club’s famed Monday nights where Bruce Willis, Rick James, Steve Stevens, Linda Perry, Eddie Vedder, Billy Idol, and whoever was in town, would sit in with the band. We talked with mutual zeal of our love for the place, those nights, that time. 

Benny has been active with Veterans who are either suffering from PTSD, alcohol, drug abuse, or homelessness, in a program called Voices of Valor. It's a 9-week process to write a song with the Vets who have served our country. He produces and creates the musical/harmonic part of the process, and then takes the Vets into a recording studio, where they can experience the process. He shared a most moving sweet story of a silent woman’s transformation. 

Working on an upcoming Documentary, Back Up Front, it tells the story of players including him who started out in front, worked the backline and are once again stepping out front.

Benny’s upcoming album, Pages, drops April 14th. He had planned to perform a couple of the tunes with his producer, Mike Ciro, but that didn’t pan out. He treated us to a few little tastes with an unmiked guitar. A few tech challenges, but as with all things Benny went with it, eventually singing a capella. He’s a pro!  To get the album, be at The Bitter End for the album release, and for all things Benny go to BennyHarrison.com. I got an advance listen- it’s fab! 

I adore my dear friend. It was such a treat to get lost in time and tales with this talented, resilient, fun, and passionate, pal. 

Benny Harrison Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 3/5/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streamed Live on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtfBeq7CsGg&t=3s

Benny Harrison Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Jim Vallely Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

Sitting down with Emmy and WGA award winner, Jim Vallely was a cozy, comfortable, fun, and funny hang. He even told us a joke joke, on request. It’s one he’s been “testing” as part of a sociological experiment of sorts. Win/win, we got a laugh with a lesson.

Who knew that having a seizure in 6th grade would lead to a career as a TV comedy writer. Jim takes us through and it makes perfect sense. This accountant studying student just happened to sit next to the right guy at an NYU audition, ask his mother the right question on the right day, marry the right girl, move into the right apartment, partner with the right actor/comedian, Jonathan Schmock, become 1/2 of The Funny Boys comedy team, appear on Johnny Carson, co-star on the sitcom, Double Trouble, and then write on The Golden Girls, one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. Brotherly Love, Ladies Man, Action, Two and a Half Men, My Wife and Kids, The John Larriquette Show, Till Death,  Extended Family, as well as Arrested Development, for which he garnered 4 Emmy nominations, and the aforementioned awards, followed.  Jim was an executive producer and co-creator with Will Arnett and Michael Hurwitz of Running Wilde on Fox. There’s more.

Jim tells a great Carl Reiner/Alan Brady story, tells us how the real Kramer, Larry David, Bill Maher, Callie Khouri, Chris Thompson, Don Reo, Mitchell Hurwitz, Will Arnett, and Jay Mohr factor into his story, gives us the before, during, and after of his career milestones, and speaks with great pride and tenderness about the great loves and joys of his life, his talented wife, Maggie, and his successful daughter, Tannis.

We talked about our friends, Taylor Negron and Ron Zimmerman. There is no friend like Jim. His love, devotion, and care for Ron, was a gift he gave all of us who loved him. Jim’s a tender-hearted, special man. And boy, is he funny. A very funny boy, indeed! 

Jim Vallely Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 3/12/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook & YouTube 
Replay here:
https://bit.ly/4iCKgPq 
YouTube
https://www.facebook.com/vickiabelson/videos/937526015211102

Jim Vallely Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson & Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

What do you get when you Zoom with three amigos from Texas who go back over 50 years? A whole lot of fun, rock stories galore, and a ton of love. The Grammy, Emmy, BMI, and Blues Award Winning trio of Snuffy Walden, Tony Braunagel, and Terry Wilson took us back to the 60s in Houston, playing at the Cellar, a strip club in Houston, Tony and Terry off with Johnny Nash and Snuffy off with Stray Dog to open for Emerson, Lake and Palmer. They all ended up in London, there was Rabbit, Paul Kossoff, Free, Back Street Crawler, Pete Townshend, and Eric Burdon for all of them, at least twice. Some great war stories along the way… there was Michael Ruff, some crashed cars and trashed hotel rooms. 

Tony took us through his time with Rickie Lee Jones, Bonnie Raitt, and The Blues Brothers backup band, leading to be an actor and musician on According to Jim. Snuffy getting Chaka Khan, Donna Summers and then segueing to TV, Thirty Something and The Wonder Years, his first foray in––both Emmy-winning shows that year, leading to the West Wing and his own Emmy. Terry partnering with Teresa James in music and in life, their Grammy nod, his song-writing, producing through his latest for Back Street Crawler’s Terry Slesser which reunited him with Tony and Terry. 

They’ve shared many stages and sessions over the years, but it’s their rock-solid friendship borne in decades-long history that sweetens their song. What a joy to be in their joy. A great time was had by all. Lucky me and you to be a fly on that wall. 

Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson & Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 3/19/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streaming Live on my YouTube & my Facebook 
Replay YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ArHgeUrToc&t=194s
Replay FB here:
https://bit.ly/4bNq8b2

Tony Braunagel, Terry Wilson & Snuffy Walden Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Nile Rogers of Chic Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

This sit-down with my old friend, multiple Grammy Winner, Rock & Roll Hall Inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist, Nile Rogers, is SOLID GOLD… more like triple platinum. Even though we never exchanged more than a few words in the handful of times he graced my jams back in the day, there was always DHM (deep hidden meaning), as there always is with Nile. This day, we got to that and so much more. STORIES! Oh my lord, No one tells ‘em like Nile. Case in point, his tome, Le Freak, may be the greatest memoir I’ve read. I could not put the thing down. When was the last time I read a book cover to cover in less than 24 hours? A rare score on Amazon these days, Nile’s assured he’ll be updating and republishing. It’s a MUST-read for music fans, flower children, and anyone who loves to sink their teeth into a great story, well-told. 

Nile covered his very humble early days, his barely older than him mother, the drugs, the bi-coastal extended family, the moves, the schools, early influences from Coltrane to The Beatles, flute to clarinet to guitar… how Bernard Edwards got him to the Hitmaker Strat and chucking, which has become synonymous with Nile’s style. We talked the DHM, the breakdown, the Chic magic as well as the music during and since… producing the top of the top for Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Madonna, David Bowie, Duran Duran, still winning Grammys and kicking it with Daft Punk, Beyonce, and Cold Play, to name but a few, 750 MILLION albums worth. Say what? 

We got the sweetest stories about Michael Jackson… a funny with Keith Richards, a Grace Jones impression, and a scary story about Nile’s coke psychosis leading to him bottoming out and getting clean and sober. 31 years worth and counting…

That Nile was able to do all that he’s done, and it’s Herculean - aside from the massive number of hits, the films he’s scored, the shows he’s played, there’s the We Are Family Foundation, Chairing the Songwriters Hall of Fame, receiving the 2024 World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award for his extraordinary efforts to make the world a more peaceful, equal, and inclusive place… Nile is a humanist, a gentle soul with a heart of platinum like the records that line his walls. 

I’ve always admired, respected, and adored Nile. After reading Le Freak, and spending this time with him, I cherish him all the more. What a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man!   Nile Rogers of Chic Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 
Wednesday, 4/2/25, 11AM PT, 2 PM ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook and on my YouTube 
FB Replay here:
https://bit.ly/4cmPP2u

YouTube replay here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q875x2lVyLE

Nile Rogers of CHIC Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Alan Zweibel Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Live from the Zoom Room, it’s Alan Zweibel! It was so great to jump back in with the fabulous, funny, and fun Emmy Winner.

Alan took us back to his earliest days in the biz, how he made his way in, the first joke he sold, still funny! The Catskill Mountains, Morty Gunty, Freddie Roman, Rodney Dangerfield, maybe his first collaborator… with whom Alan comes full circle, presently.  Doing standup with Billy Crystal, leading to years of collaboration, being discovered by Lorne Michaels… SNL, Alan’s game changer. Gilda, a partnership made in heaven -  how Roseannne Roseannadanna and Emily Latella came to be, Belushi, Ackroyd, the current film, Saturday Night, where it felt right, where liberties were taken, how it felt to have someone play him. 

Co-creating It’s The Garry Shandling Show with Gary, how they worked together. Writing Lunatics with Dave Barry, long distance, For This We left Egypt with Dave and Adam Mansbach, and a great story about how that friendship and collaboration began.  Broadway with Billy and with Martin Short, and the cute, sweet note after their encounter at the SNL 50th reunion. Alan’s current collab with Barry Levinson, how that started and where it is today, that full circle Rodney story coming to fruition currently… and through it all, Robin. Alan’s love and wife since the early SNL days… and his most fruitful collaborator.  

Alan’s devotion to his family is what stories are made of, as is his work ethic, resiliency, tenacity, and talent. His storytelling is what good conversations are made of, served up with laughs, lots of them. What an inspiration! 

Loved every minute of this. And I sure did need the eggs. 

Alan Zweibel Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 5/14/23, 5 pm PT, 8 pm ET
Streamed Live 
Links in the comments
Replay on YouTube 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1uvKClTYdY

Alan Zweibel Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson  Part 2

Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson  Part 2

Rosemary Butler has sung with everyone on every song I love. Pretty damn close. In this, our 2nd sitdown, Rose picked up where we left off, post Paul & Ringo, The Rolling Stones, and Three Dog Night - see Part 1 for those fab stories, and took us through Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, The Section, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald (her first student, who taught her to create her own unique voice), Neil Diamond (on his Christmas album… to which Neil said, I’m Jewish, why am I doing this) Joe Cocker, Johnny Mathis, The Bish, Willie Nelson,  David Lindley (the most fun), Warren Zevon, Alan Parsons, Don Henley, Bruce Springsteen (when he was sleeping under the Jersey pier with his guitar), Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell (her idol), and Paul Simon. Rosemary’s voice intermingles magically with all of them. Stories, stories, more stories about hero after shero. Peter Asher, she credits with opening the doors. 


Teaching and sharing what she’s learned and what she knows, you too can study with the master - reach out at RosemaryButler.com. And, catch her Live with The Tribe at their 10th anniversary celebration at The Canyon Club in L.A. where it all started. 

I’m so grateful for this opportunity to traverse a career and a life brilliantly lived. The road, the buses, the food, the fun, and the hit music her iconic voice is synonymous with. Can I ever hear Running on Empty and not think of her… no way. 

Love the Rosemary Butler!

Rosemary Butler Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson  Part 2
Wednesday, 5/21/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streamed Live on my Facebook & YouTube

Replay Links:
https://bit.ly/3Fj8Syt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgO9MJHZNj4

Tracy Newman Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

We were Live with my good friend, 2x Emmy nominee, Gary Stockdale. What a joy after a long void. Pre-pandemic, it seems we saw each other everywhere, and often. COVID changed life. A lot. We talked about that and how both of us have Facebook Lives born out of necessity. You’d think with our combined expertise, it would be smooth sailing. You’d think. Tech glitches messed with Gary’s fine art… his singing/playing and songwriting, which we were challenged to present, but Gary persevered and did treat us to two songs from his new musical, Showstopper, and an a cappella treat to take us out that I won’t spoil. 

Gary took us back to his early days in Glendale, musical theatre at LA City College, his mentor Henry Mancini, Penn & Teller for whom he scored for 25 years. There was Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Aristocrats, Spongebob Square Pants, and lot of Gary music along the way to discuss. 

Even with the challenges, it was a fun, relaxed ride down Gary’s memory lane. The kind of conversation that happens between friends. Lovely. And Gary’s voice… I don’t know how it’s possible, but he sounds even more incredible than ever. What a gorgeous voice, and what an amazing songwriter! After a particularly crap day, this time with Gary truly healed my weary soul. 

Gary Stockdale Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 6/4/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streamed Live on my FB & YouTube
Links in the comments

FB Replay here:
https://bit.ly/4kV1oB1

YouTube Replay here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkMYA_Qfz7E

Gary Stockdale Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Happy Happy Joy Joy, that’s spending time conversing with our good friend, Leland Sklar, who’s made it all about the bass with everybody on everything, from Phil Collins, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, Billy Cobham, Carole King, Hall & Oates, Crosby Stills, & Nash, Barbra Streisand, Joe Cocker, Toto, Lyle Lovett, and the list goes on and on, and on, and on… over 2500 + albums worth. I’m exhausted typing this. How the hell does he do it? 

An activist, Lee’s stood up, spoken out, and paid the price innumerable times. A voice of clarity, passion, and reason, we got into it big time… the LA protests, the insanity surrounding them, the terrifying regime, our hope for Newsom, the unknowing of how to stop it, or how it will ultimately shake out… the fires, the transition back to living post the pandemic. 

Of course, we did talk music too. Respects to Brian Wilson and Sly Stone, Lee having played with the former, and influenced by the latter… how health has befallen so many heroes, Phil Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond… and the wonder of Leland, currently doing 3 hr concerts with Lyle, still standing. That boy has good genes. Levis. The ongoing and upcoming big tour with Lyle and the sad putting aside, for now, of The Immediate Family. We talked about the lads, his brothers, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, and Steve  Postel, what makes that band so rockin’ special, we talked about James Taylor, Peter Asher, who Lee holds responsible for launching his career, Phil Collins, and his amazingly talented son, Nick,  Toto, Stevie Nicks, his book, Everybody Loves Me, which I’m blessed to be in, and Lee’s marriage that has endured for 54 years and counting. 

Lee’s one of the most universally adored musicians for his playing, his humanity, his humor, and his great big heart. I adore him. Who doesn’t? Well, maybe a couple of fools on Capitol Hill. 

The man’s a marvel. 

Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streamed Live on my FB 
https://bit.ly/4dZz0Lx
And YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU7luUSTrRU&t=22s

Leland Sklar Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Decades later, as if no time had passed, bassist Kevin Jenkins came to call. I met Kevin in 1986ish, when he was playing with Cyndi Lauper at the height of her fame. He had stopped in to the Rock ’N Roll Cafe, sat in, and graced our small stage. Big man on campus, he was pop-rock royalty. Girl just wanted to have fun, so with my Cafe cohort, Steve Principe, we headed to The Stone Pony to catch Kevin with Cyndi. About a decade later, I’d meet up with Cyndi as Upper Westside mommies… but I digress. Kevin continued to come around and sit in, most notably with my beloved Phoebe Snow and Matt Sorum from Guns & Roses, at the Cafe Wha.

From Tokyo’s Budokan to London’s famous Albert Hall to NYC’s Madison Square Garden - Kevin’s played them all, with the aforementioned Cyndi Lauper, and Enrique Iglesias, Taylor Dayne, Vicki Sue Robinson, Graham Parker, Lamya, Tom Rush, Maxwell, Roberta Flack, Debbie GIbson and, most recently, Grammy® nominated blues queen Shemekia Copeland, who he’s been with 2005. We talked about them all, as well as the music that influenced him, how he got started, how one meeting led to one gig, which led to another. When imbibing started to interfere, Kevin got sober 38 years ago. We discussed that journey, too. We discussed his highlights, opening for Clapton and Michael Jackson, as well as loss, and love. 

Kevin filled us in on his solo efforts, Step Inside and True Groove, as well as his latest, She:  A Tribute to Joni Mitchell, which will be released in November. 

Humble and unpretentious to a fault, it was a delightful stroll down memory lane with loads of new info and great stories along the way. Kevin is just as I remember him, except even better. Wisdom, experience, and a clear mind have added to the mix. Adore the man, love his playing, respect his humanity. 

Kevin Jenkins Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streamed Live on my FB 

Kevin Jenkins Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 6/11/25, 5 PM PT, 8 PM ET
Streamed Live on my FB 
http://bit.ly/4kG0LeK
And YouTube 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eup_wy0SJlM&t=2985s

Kevin Jenkins Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Bradley Whitford Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

It was a sweet reunion when 3 x Emmy-winner Bradley Whitford of The West Wing was surprised and serenaded by composer Snuffy Walden, with the show’s Emmy-winning theme. They share quite a bit of history, having also done Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Last night Snuff and I binged the pilot episodes of both shows and were astounded by how timely they still are. Bradley and I discussed his storyline in that first West Wing, which could’ve been ripped out of today’s headlines. We also talked about Studio 60 and the irony of Danny Trip’s confession to Matt Albie, played by Matthew Perry, about his drug slip. Bradley’s emotional remembrance of the show, its cast, and specifically Matthew’s comedic brilliance, and the pocket of sobriety for Matt that allowed for some of his best work. 

Bradley ain’t no Hollywood fluffernutter. Of progressive Quaker stock, his father, who worked at an insurance company, was the local president of Planned Parenthood before it was political, his mother was an outspoken advocate, and his brother, a conscientious objector.  Talk about an unusual childhood, he has an 85-year-old sister. Bradley came from a loving, functional home, and still became an actor. Now that’s an anomaly right there. 

We did a deep dive into the state of the union. Thoughtful, passionate, and in solution, Bradley puts his activism where his mouth is. We talked Trump, Musk, Kennedy, gender affirming care, Biden, Kamala, Hillary, Iran, immigration, how art will not save us, only politics will. And yet much of Bradley’s art is political. We spoke about The Handmaid’s Tale from innumerable angles. For me, arguably perhaps the greatest show ever on television, and his Commander Lawrence, is probably the most layered, complex character he’s portrayed. We talked about Elisabeth and their earlier connection in The West Wing, Anne Dowd, and how her spectacular performance inspired Margaret Atwood’s writing, The Testaments, for her. 

Bradley was far more interested in talking about current affairs and how essential it is that we do more than talk than he was in talking about his work. But we did squeeze in some time to discuss For Worse, the indie feature his bride, Amy Landecker, wrote, directed, and stars in alongside Bradley. His respect, love, and admiration to Amy are adorable to behold. Making the festival circuit and winning awards along the way, I can’t wait to see the film loosely based on their romance. 

I’m a fan. A great, big avid Bradley Whitford fan. The last time we met, it was at a big Hollywood soiree. He was equally as open, personable, unaffected, opinionated, and accessible as he was this day. As much as I adore his work, I’m grateful as hell for his humanity and advocacy. I hope to consider “What would Bradley do” a whole lot more moving forward. And speaking of hope, he has it in abundance… mix that with some fun, his learned recipe’s secret sauce, and there’s good reason to trust that there are better days ahead. It’s up to us, all of us, to make it so. 

This should be essential viewing for anyone in fear and despair. 

Bradley Whitford Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wednesday, 6/25/25, 2 PM PT, 5 PM ET
Streamed Live 
FB Replay 
http://bit.ly/4lv7rfX
& YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFMXr8g9yyY&t=187s

Bradley Whitford Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

One the most delightful conversations I've ever had... Nancy Allen is as adorable to chat with as she is to behold. A fellow Bronx girl––kindred spirit, she went to the school I coveted––there's a story!

Nancy’s first film was The Last Detail with Jack Nicholson’s as his reluctant date… what a way to start a career… from there she went on to Carrie, coupled with John Travolta, who she reteamed with in Blow Out. Dressed to Kill earned her a Golden Globe Nomination. Nancy was nominated for  Saturn Best Actress Awards for The Philadelphia Experiment and Robo Cop. Another dozen-plus movies followed, plus appearances on television on The Commish, Judging Amy and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit to name a few.

Nancy serves as executive director of the weSPARK Cancer Support Center. It's now her life's work. One of our Women Who Write sisters recently found great comfort there. What an inspiration!

We had so much fun. Promise, it's contagious.

Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken
Celebrity Road Maps to Success
Produced by Louise Palanker
Sound Engineer Jon Mattox

Also available on:
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

This week's show is sponsored by Coif Salon in Studio City
www.facebook.com/CoifSalonandStudio/

BROADcast debuts 2/28/17

Nancy Allen on Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken

Guido the killer pimp. Ralphie, the killer. Period. Joe Pantoliano, aka Joey Pants, scared me. 

Joey's appeared in innumerable iconic films of varying genres. His work includes : The Idolmaker(a personal favorite), Risky Business, The Goonies, La Bamba, Midnight Run, Bad Boys I and II, Empire of the Sun, The Fugitive, The Matrix, Memento, and Daredevil, to name but some.  Most notably perhaps, his Ralphie in The Sopranos, which earned him a best-supporting actor Emmy.

A New York Times bestselling author, when I asked him to read at Women Who Write from his 2nd book, Asylum, chronicling his personal battle with depression, with each question he asked, I began to sweat. I’d hate to get whacked because of my lousy cooling system.  He ended up being one of the warmest, earnest, most real and accessible guests we’ve had. 

Now, some years later, when I emailed him to ask him to guest on TRT, he shot me his digits and picked up the phone as if we’d spoken the day before. He was cooking dinner for his daughter just before our conversation. How can a guy like that scare me?

Joey's an open book about his family, career and his battle with depression. He's worked hard at all of them to make them work. He's the founder of No Kidding Me Too ~  The Celebrity Advocacy- To eliminate the shame & obliterate the blame of brain dis-ease. Thoughtful, inspiring, and funny as hell.... the conversation digs deep and soars with levity. 

He's got a load of work in various stages of production... fan favorite Sense8, and the just dropped, Random Tropical Paradise, which hit theatres last week, to name but two. 

A lovely, albeit sometimes scary, man, I adore him. You will, too. Or, at least pretend you do... ya know... for your own good.

Vicki Abelson's BROADcast: The Road Taken
Produced by Louise Palanker
Sound edited by Justin Lebens

Also available on:
iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

This week's show is sponsored by Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing. quikimpressions.com

BROADcast debuts 6/20/17

Joe Pantoliano on Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken

My grateful Thanksgiving offering… promise it’ll make your day, even more than the stuffing. 

Just as I don't have a favorite kid, Samantha, I don't have a favorite show, this. Not. But, it sure is up there. 

Gregory Harrison, Trapper John MD, Sisters, The Middle, Logan's Run, The Harrad Experiment (you're welcome, Michael), to name very few, after going full Franken, offered up absolutely stellar conversation, filled with jaw-dropping, amazing stories. And, what a storyteller. 

Opened the show with my Parisan romance, swoon, jumped into Gregory growing up on Catalina Island, Edgar Harrison, Aimee Semple McPherson, Al Franken, the Vietnam War, being a medic, being a non-religious concientious objector, Louie CK, Battle of the Network Stars, marriage that lasts, and why it works, cocaine, Betty Ford, recovery, Trapper John, Jason Robards, political activism, Richard Chamberlain, Centennial, believing he can do anything, what’s right and what’s wrong, what’s good and what’s bad, what’s true and what’s false. Living in gratitude all day, every day. And the #1 takeaway - Gratitude is saying yes. Powerful reminders. Inspiring as hell. Hey, I can do that. Can too. So can you. 


The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success
Wed, Nov 15th, 7 pm PT/10 pm ET

Live on The Facebook
Replay here  
http://bit.ly/2zvSmId

With Louise Palanker

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. quikimpressions.com

Photo by Harry Abelson

Gregory Harrison On The Road Taken

The only answer is “Yes.” Dan Navarro’s creedo which has served him well, and, saved my ass more than once. With 24 hrs notice Dan stepped in, swung away and gave it 110%, as he always does. Opening the show with the beauty, Let it Ride, from his newly dropped solo CD, Shed My Skin, he told stories… Barry Cowsill *swoon*, Hanson, Cameron Dye, Deborah Pearl, Severin Browne, his cousin Dave, The Bangles, and, of course, his longtime collaborator, creative and performing partner, Eric Lowen who passed of complications of ALS in 2012, forever changing Dan’s life, in innumerable ways. He did a little Javier Bardem, talked Family Guy, and closed out the BROADcast with a mini-concert, two killer cuts from his new CD, not to be missed, and, his mega-hit for Pat Benatar, We Belong, currently featured in the box office smash, Deadpool 2. Nothing like Dan the creator performing his song. We laughed like hell, had a ball, but alas, no tightie whities, or whacky blackies. Next time. 

Dan Navarro on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success
Wed, 6/13/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET

With Louise Palanker

Live on The Facebook
Full show replay here:
https://bit.ly/2MqBkxX

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. 
quikimpressions.com

And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/

Dan Navarro On Vicki Abelson' The Road Taken (online - Audio - Converter.com)

Fantastic stories from AJ Benza ~ JFK Jr, Nicholson, Depp, Fallon, Joan Rivers, Winona Ryder, Tori Spelling, SNL, Seinfeld, the one I shall not name, Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade, Harvey Weinstein, Chris Cornell, Rocky Balboa, the demise of newspapers... we agree on next to nothing, but his balls to walls straight talk is always crazy fun! 

AJ Benza on The Road Taken, Celebrity Maps to Success
Wed, 7/18/18, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET

With Samantha Abelson 

Live on The Facebook
Full replay here: 
https://bit.ly/2mvW37Y

Aj's moving, coming of age memoir, '74 And Sunny 
https://amzn.to/2uxoMh5

Fame is a Bitch Podcast
https://apple.co/2zOe5f3

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. 
quikimpressions.com

And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/ Her fabulous Ruby Begonia Products can be purchased and shipped from http://www.frendsbeauty.com/

AJ Benza On Vicki Abelson's The Road Taken

I love surprises. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more thrillingly unprepared for the fabulousness that was about to unfold. Fleaxatarian (he ‘splains), actorvist,  Esai Morales, is a revelation. I knew I adored his work from Bad Boys, La Bamba, NYPD Blue, to Ozark, with so much fineness in between… but it’s the man––the human––the passionate, quite brilliant, committed, inspiring, humble, real, self-aware, loving, sensitive soul, who blew me away. For 2 hrs and 16 min, Esai was spellbindingly entertaining, informative, enlightening, and gottdamned exciting, I don’t need to mention easy on the eyes… isn’t it just a ridiculous given? For the first 30 minutes we’re mostly in a Facebook Live blur, and for another 3 minutes or so, the audio is compromised as we were firsting with our brand spanking new Blue Raspberry mic, and didn’t quite know how to set it. Sorry about that, chief. The remaining hour and 50 min are as smooth as Easi. He's so worth struggling through the first 30 for. We talked growing up in Brooklyn, the Bronx, his union activist mother setting the stage; starting out as a Mexican Jumping Bean, to The Sound of Music, The High School of Performing Arts, managing a building for free rent, scraping pennies, to co-starring with Sean Penn in Bad Boys and going to the movies with him, watching him see himself on the big screen in Fast Times at Ridgemont High; being wanted to play Ritchie Valens, but choosing to play Bob. Loving him, and all of his characters, finding the good, the humanity, their worth, even drug kingpin, Del in Ozark––a role he earned the hard way, working for it. What an inspiring story that is. We talked a little politics (go Marianne Williamson!), vaccines, Alzheimer’s, John Lennon, The Beatles, our friend Mitch Weissman, the original fake Paul in Beatlemania, who, Esai promised to come sing Beatles with at Women Who Write. There were nods to Lance Simmens, Tai Babilonia, Liberty Devitto, Candy Clark, Burt Young… we talked faith, and Esai’s proclamation: “Don’t let failure define you, let it refine you.”  How I love that. And him. When he did his 4 Hispanic Hs, and the lines which separate Chicano from Nuyorican-well, it’s a blast. I loved every second, even if he isn’t the Esai who matched with me on Tinder 4 yrs ago… that story too. I could have sat there for another 2 hrs, and still have begged for more. We still talking Game Changers? I digress.. we did quite a bit of that as well. Above all that, come for the fun, the tears, the love. So much of all of the above. 

Esai Morales on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson
Wed, 2/6/19, 7 pm PT/ 10 pm ET

With Pete George

Live on The Facebook
Full show replay here:
https://bit.ly/2RHVftW

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj

This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. 
quikimpressions.com

And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/

Esai Morales Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Crazy fun with Robert Wuhl. We talked Newbomb Turk, Mike Binder, Fran Drescher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tony Danza, all discovered in The Hollywood Knights, alongside Robert, its star. How could we not, it's arguably still his most talked about role. We talked Good Morning Vietnam and Robin Williams, their friendship, Bill Durham, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins, neither first choices... and who was... Batman, and Michael Keaton, Clean & Sober and Jack. There's only one. Robert does a great impression. We talked Tom Hanks and DeNiro and the parts they didn't get. Writing the Oscars alone with Billy Crystal and winning the Emmy... doing it again with Bruce Vilanch and Marc Shaiman, winning again. Oh, hello, Jack Palance. We talked Arli$$ and Sandra Oh, Assuming the Position and Paul Revere, our mutual close old friend, restuaranteur, DeNiro partner, Drew Nieporent, being a foodie, Paris, Italy, his much missed pal, Glenn Frey, and their project left hanging with his untimely tragic passing... the book in the works... another Assume to come... a storytellers storyteller... Robert was passionate, hysterical and informative; like his 3 voting rules for the Oscars... and where that iconic line from Bill Durham came from... come on, come in, it's fun!

Robert Wuhl Live Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 11/6/19, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET

With Pete George​

Live on The Facebook
Full show replay 
http://bit.ly/2JWQyeF

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
YouTube http://bit.ly/2NOJPV9

This week's BROADcast is brought to you by Rick Smolke​ of Quik Impressions​, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. 
quikimpressions.com

And, Nicole Venables​ of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products​or tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/

Robert Wuhl. Newbomb Turk, Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

We went Live with Lee Sklar one of the most storied and successful musicians to ever grace a stage or session, and holy hell!  Kicking off the show with a kick ass Phil Collins tune... we launched into everything Leland... how he started... where he went, and loads of the inbetween. Meeting James Taylor, being managed by Bill Graham, The Wrecking Crew playing for him, and a few years later playing with them, weekly. Billy Cobham, playing with James, Carole King, Russ Kunkel, Danny Kortchmar, forming The Section...  Tapestry... meeting Paul the McCartney one,  playing with Barbra, the oft misunderstood, TV with ex-manager Mike Post, lots of TV, loads of sessions, the world then, the world now, The Facebook, how it works and how it hurts, players to love, memories to cherish, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, from Wembley to pub clubs, all he wants to do is play... Jackson Browne, Phil Collins- getting goosebumps, every night...NAMM, Reba, Clint, Cocker, Ronstadt, Garfunkle, Stills, Nash and the Crosby... without rhyme but with plenty of reason, we talked his art, his preferences, passions, kitsch, friends lost and treasured... we were all over the place... a crazy fun ride landing us back to the bottom... it's all about his bass... a great Lyle Lovett tune, That's Right (You're Not From Texas) brought us close to home... Judith Owen... The Immediate Family (with Kunkel, Kortchmar, Wachtel and Postell) , the upcoming album, and the Denny Tedesco upcoming doc... loved every single precious second. Gifted player, beautiful person. What a treasure this time was. Grateful and thoroughly entertained. Thank you, Sklar, sir. 

Leland Sklar Live  on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson, Wed, 1/22/20, 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET

With Pete George  

Live on The Facebook
Full show replay
http://bit.ly/2TOL0Zu

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
YouTube http://bit.ly/3aEa2Ae

This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. 
quikimpressions.com

And, Nicole Venables of Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/

Leland Sklar Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Some things and people are worth waiting and bending for. Only once before in 3 1/2 yrs have we changed the time of the Live Broadcast. The first for Norman Lear. No explanation needed. The second, today with Tommy Chong. No explanation needed. Wow. Just wow. After a lifetime of adoration for his art and the funny, my affection and respect were amplified a gazillionfold by the grace of the man himself upon first meeting in the parking lot of a Chinese Restaurant a few weeks ago. He agreed without hesitation to this, came through, and will forever be cherished. Tommy was warm, generous, intelligent, spiritual, fascinating and so fun. Looking into his eyeballs for two and a half hours was a trip I may never return from. 

We talked at great length about Tommy's very humble beginnings, his mother's illness leading him and his siblings to a year plus in a children's home. Returning to his own with nary electricity, let alone a telephone, or a toy. They made their own. Thus, the imagination. 

From his early career as a guitarist, getting signed by Berry Gordy, discovering the Jackson 5, following them on the bill, writing a hit, having it covered by the Supremes, owning a club, seeing The Committee and redirecting his own to Improv... how Cheech and Chong began. Tommy takes us through those very early daze, to Dave's not here, Up in Smoke,   to today, and the film they're developing currently.

We talked about getting erroneously busted, copping a plea, and doing the time because it was something he was meant to do. Being of service, the I Ching, finding God, asking the universe, redirecting thought, seeing things through, and getting them done. We talked pot, of course... an afterthought actually. My addiction, his choice. He gifted me with sealed Tommy Chong Cannabis, which I shared with young Hayden. Mine shall remain unopened. 

Being a son, a brother, a bandmate, a comedy partner, a director, a writer, a father, and a husband. And is he that. He and Shelby have been together for 50 years, which seems insane as she looks 35. Truly. Gorgeous creature. Tommy is not only a grandfather, he's a great grandfather, thanks to Rae Dawn's son. 

This was one of the most relaxed, chill conversations I've had, let alone on camera. Loved every damn second, and Tommy, without hesitation, agreed to come back to the living room for Women Who Write. I believe him. I adore him.

Catch a taste. He's a contact high. 

Tommy Chong Live on Game Changers with Vicki Abelson
Wed, 3/4/20, ***** 1ish pm PT, 4ish pm ET *****

With Hayden George

Live on The Facebook
http://bit.ly/2y47ZCi

All BROADcasts, as podcasts, also available on

iTunes apple.co/2dj8ld3 
Soundcloud http://bit.ly/2hktWoS
Stitcher bit.ly/2h3R1fl
tunein bit.ly/2gGeItj
YouTube  http://bit.ly/2VKFYhx

This week's BROADcast is brought to by Rick Smolke of Quik Impressions, the best printers, printing, the best people people-ing. 
quikimpressions.com

Nicole Venables of the Ruby Begonia Hair Studio Beauty and Products for tresses like the stars she coifs, and regular peoples, like me. I love my hair, and I loves Nicole. http://www.rubybegoniahairstudio.com/

And Blue Microphones, we love our new Yeti X. Thanks Bue and Kevin Walt.

Tommy Chong LIve On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson

Celebrity Maps to Success... people living their dream... the paths they took to get there

Game Changers with Vicki Abelson

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