Advertise on podcast: Going Hollywood - Movies and Television from the Golden Age to Today

Think you know Lucy? You don't know Lucy.  In this episode of "Going Hollywood" we dive into "Lucy in London" (1966), the most unconventional hour Lucille Ball ever made, and unpack how a TV icon tried to outrun her own legend at the height of the British Invasion. Today, Tony is joined by "Lucy" insider Thomas J. Watson, and we retrace the bold creative choices that stripped away the laugh track, left the studio behind, and embraced single-camera street shooting, speed-ramping, and still photography. Why did Lucy say yes to a one-day sprint across London with Anthony Newley as her mercurial guide? How did producer (and Lucy's cousin) Cleo Smith, cinematographer Fouad Said, and director Steve Binder use portable gear and editorial tricks to capture a star in motion—years before MTV made that language mainstream? We break down the three-act structure: Act One’s mod fashion blast on Carnaby Street with Phil Spector’s “Lucy in London,” Act Two’s controversial detour to Madame Tussauds, and Act Three’s luminous turn at Great Fosters, where Shakespeare rehearsals pivot into a surreal empty-theater mini-concert as Lucy morphs into multiple audience characters. The paradox lands hard: the broadcast topped ratings but baffled critics and fans who wanted Lucy Ricardo comforts. Plans for follow-up specials faded, yet the creative shockwaves pushed into "The Lucy Show's" later seasons, seeding stranger plots, musical set pieces, and location flavor. Along the way, we talk legacy, restoration, and why "Lucy in London" plays like a lost bridge between studio sitcoms and pop-forward variety television. If you love classic TV history, Lucille Ball’s fearless side, and the craft behind on-location filmmaking in the 60s, this one’s for you. Listen, share with a fellow Lucy fan, and tell us: was Lucy in London ahead of its time? And if you haven’t already, follow the show, leave a review, and help more listeners find Going Hollywood. To purchase Season Five of "The Lucy Show" featuring "Lucy in London" and "Lucy in London: Revisited" go to https://a.co/d/86c1CTf "Lucy in London" (CBS. 1966) Directed by Steve Binder,  Produced by Cleo Smith, Steve Binder and David Winters, Written by Ron Friedman and Pat McCormick, Music by Billy Goldenberg, Irwin Kostal and Phil Spector.                                                   Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

All women, all claws. Jungle Red! Call it “The Real Housewives of New York- 1939 Edition”. For our season two finale, we tackle MGM’s 1939 classic satire “The Women”.  From savage one-liners to that wild Technicolor fashion show, we trace how Claire Boothe Luce’s play survived the Production Code, why Anita Loos’ screenplay still stings, and where the movie trades social ambition for a romance-first ending. We are joined by very special guest (and Brad’s husband) Maurice Chevalier and get his singular take on the proceedings. We also  get granular on the craft: George Cukor’s propulsive staging and mirror shots, Adrian’s jaw-dropping costumes, Rosalind Russell’s star-turn as the feline Sylvia Fowler, and Joan Crawford’s scene (and husband) stealing performance as Crystal Allen. And of course, there’s the Queen herself—Norma Shearer— at her noblesse-obligiest as the oh-so wronged, ever suffering but pride-fool  housewife, Mary.   Call it a proto–Real Housewives of 1939 or a couture cage match; either way, it’s irresistible, infuriating, and endlessly quotable. Ah, l’amour l’amour! If classic Hollywood, screwball rhythms, and sharp social autopsies are your thing, you’ll have plenty to love and plenty to argue with. Follow the show, share this episode with a movie lover, and leave a review to help others find us. What’s your verdict: team Mary, Sylvia, or Crystal? Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

He's baackkk!!! Brad makes his return to "Going Hollywood" and we celebrate by actually letting him pick a film!  And what a delightful film it is, too...from 1948 it's  "Miranda." Join us as we dive into the whimsy and wonder of this lesser-known British comedy starring the late great Glynis Johns as Miranda, a beautiful mermaid with a devastating fin and effect on males that come into her wake.  What can we say? The fish can't help it.  Johns, perhaps best recognized for her role as Winifred Banks in "Mary Poppins", holds special significance for Brad—who recounts personal stories about their friendship and why “Miranda” has always been close to his heart, despite never having seen it before this episode. We discuss why the charm of "Miranda" endures: It's unique British style, rapid scene changes, and the playful performances by Johns and a fabulous supporting cast. Glynis Johns commands every frame with that unmistakable voice and mischievous ease. Along the way we explore how British censorship allowed a cheeky boldness America’s Production Code would’ve nixed, why the quick-cut structure works despite its choppiness, and how a competing Hollywood mermaid picture pushed this production to move fast and think light. We guarantee you'll be unable to resist the siren song of this delightful comedy and the singular charms of its leading lady, Glynis Johns and "Miranda". Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

We're on the top of the world today at "Going Hollywood" as we have a truly special guest to discuss a truly special artist...Randy L. Schmidt is here to discuss the one and only Karen Carpenter!  A drummer first, a once‑in‑a‑century voice second, and a reluctant star always—the Karen Carpenter Story is as riveting as the records she left behind. We sit down with the author of the bestselling book Little Girl Blue and director of "Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection" (2024), to unpack how a 1989 TV movie created a tidal wave of new fans and why his documentary brings the real Karen back to the mic. Randy takes us behind the scenes of the seminal TV movie from 1989, "The Karen Carpenter Story". We talk about the beyond-meta nature of the filming in the Carpenter home, wearing Karen’s actual wardrobe, and the surreal moment when the same local paramedics from 1983 appeared on set. Then we pivot to the documentary’s heartbeat—rare, uncut interview tapes and birthday call‑ins that reveal Karen’s wit, warmth, and resilience. Voices like Olivia Newton‑John, Carol Burnett, Kristin Chenoweth, Belinda Carlisle, and Cherry Boone add piercing insight into the art, the illness, and the person. We dig into the questions that still echo: how a perfectionist culture and a misunderstood eating disorder collided, why that infamous UK ambush interview still shocks, and what might have changed if Karen’s solo album had been released instead of shelved. Along the way, we celebrate the music—"Superstar", "I Need To Be In Love", "We've Only Just Begun"—and the arranging magic that made the Carpenters timeless. The takeaway is clear: honor the legacy, tell the truth with care, and let the songs keep doing what they’ve always done—find new hearts to live in. If this conversation moved you, follow and share the show, leave a quick review, and send it to someone who needs a reminder of how powerful a single voice can be. And don't forget to visit the "Going Hollywood" Spotify playlist to listen to the exquisite voice of the century, Karen Carpenter.  It's Yesterday once more.... To watch "Karen Carpenter: Starving for Perfection" go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0D6ZW9N6M/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To read "Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter" go to https://a.co/d/0blvCi2 Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

A housing crunch, a missing wall, and one of the sexiest stoop scenes ever filmed. Join us today as we break one of Tony's favorite movies, and one of the true classics of romantic comedy, from 1943, George Steven's "The More The Merrier." Guest host Brandon Davis, of NPR's "Front Row Classics" joins Tony for the second week in a row as they dive into this comedic jewel and discuss the genius of director George Stevens, the criminally underrated leading man, Joel McRae, the delightful  Charles Coburn (in an Oscar-winning performance) and the incandescent star Jean Arthur, a true gem of Classic Hollywood, in one of her final film appearances.  We unpack the film’s best moments—the meticulous “morning schedule” sequence, the rooftop sunbathing that captures the communal spirit of a city in wartime,  and that legendary stoop scene where push-and-pull becomes flirtation, consent, and release.  Underneath the laughs sits the knowledge of a nation at war, and romance lands because the war makes time precious. We also trace Stevens’ career pivot, from comedies with serious undertones to postwar dramas like "A Place in the Sun" and "Shane", and argue why Jean Arthur deserves to be named alongside Davis, Hepburn, and Crawford as one of the greatest stars of the studio era.   Most of all, this is a love letter to performers who make it look effortless and a director who knew how to frame human truth. If you’ve never seen "The More the Merrier", this conversation is your nudge to press play—and if you have, we think you’ll notice something new. Enjoyed the episode? Follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a classic-film friend. What Golden Age romance still feels modern to you? For more information on Brandon's podcast, go to: https://classics136634685.wordpress.com/ Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

Tony sits down with Brandon Davis, from NPR Illinois for the first of two episodes with the host of "Front Row Classics" podcast! In this first, we trace Brandon's path from grandma’s Rodgers and Hammerstein VHS tapes to a 350+ episode archive of interviews with film historians, authors, TCM personalities, and even cast members of "The Love Boat".  What starts as a get-to-know-you quickly turns into a golden age tour of "what-ifs"—Bette Davis and James Mason in "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf", Claudette Colbert as Margo Channing, Lucy as the Manchurian mastermind—and why the versions we got endure. Then it’s Hitchcock vs Wilder,  "Double Indemnity" to "The Apartment" and the darkness lurking under the romantic classic , "Sabrina". Love classic cinema? Hit play, subscribe, and tell us your boldest old-Hollywood what-if. Then share this episode with a fellow film fan and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. For more information on Brandon's podcast, go to: https://classics136634685.wordpress.com/ Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

Get ready to "Sparkle, Neely, Sparkle" for Part Two of our special "Dollapalooza" tribute to the "Citizen Kane" of camp, 1967's "Valley of the Dolls."   We start with the music. Andre and Dory Previn’s title theme? Gorgeous, melancholy, timeless. The rest? A tour of mid-century TV-variety vibes that never quite match the film’s ambition. From Patty Duke’s surprise dubbing and the myth of the star-making number to Judy Garland’s earlier pass at “I’ll Plant My Own Tree,” we map out how direction, staging, and label politics turned strong talent into strange cinema. Then we speed-run the plot to spotlight the beats everyone quotes: sparkle-fueled success, pills as propulsion, Malibu heartbreak, and the alleyway prayer that seals Neely O’Hara in pop memory. The crown jewel is the powder-room showdown: Neely versus Helen, a wig in flight, and a reveal that undercuts its own insult with better hair. We explore on-set tensions, shortened fights, and how one choice can mute an intended humiliation.  Beyond the memes, we honor the people behind the spectacle—Barbara Parkins stepping away from Hollywood, Patty Duke confronting bipolar disorder and later embracing the film’s queer fandom, and the lasting sorrow that frames Sharon Tate’s luminous performance. Flop or classic? The box office said hit; time crowned it the "Citizen Kane" of camp. Hit play, share your spiciest Valley take, and if this dive made you laugh, wince, or queue the soundtrack, follow the show, drop a rating, and send us your scene of scenes. Your reviews are how we keep the lights—and the mobiles—spinning. Episode artwork by the incomparable Glen Hanson  @instaglenhanson  https://share.google/VDg6borRTn0f4cYxq To listen to Judy Garland's version of "I'll Plant My Own Tree" go to https://youtu.be/v_QuWLm-LOs?si=HmkOvf28DKSDVJD9 To watch "It's Impossible" with Patty Duke's vocals go to: https://youtu.be/_SH7Q-TNpp4?si=Okf-TAXHG5IHeWXZ Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

Dolls! Dolls! Dolls! We're climbing Mount Everest today...the Mount Everest of Camp, that is...to reach our ultimate destination, the "Valley of the Dolls" (1967).   In Part One of our two-part "Doll-apalooza", we dive headfirst into "Valley of the Dolls" to explore how a record-shattering novel morphed into a glossy, chaotic cult classic that refuses to fade. From Travilla’s couture and 60s hair architecture to the film’s stubborn 1940s morality, we map the exact fault lines where glamour cracks into melodrama—and why that crack is what keeps fans coming back. We pull apart the legendary casting carousel, a virtual murderous row of "wanna-bes", "what-ifs" and "if-onlys", to land on the our final triumvirate: Barbara Parkins, Sharon Tate and Patty Duke. Then there’s the ultimate Hollywood what-if: Judy Garland as Helen Lawson, acting opposite a character inspired by herself, before being dismissed and replaced by Susan Hayward. Layer in the book’s real-world inspirations—Judy, Ethel Merman, Marilyn Monroe, Carol Landis—and the film becomes a hall of mirrors where gossip, myth, and performance blur. We also examine the structural problems that make the movie so watchable: a two-decade story squeezed into a breathless sprint, montages standing in for struggle, and addiction rendered as instant meltdown. Yet the music rescues memory; André and Dory Previn’s title theme, immortalized by Dionne Warwick, laces through pop culture and keeps the film’s ache alive.  The men are mannequins, the women are meteors, and somewhere between pills and punchlines the film finds accidental truth about fame, control, and the cost of being marketable. So, press play to hear why this "beloved piece of…” well, you know—continues to be relevant to this day, over 50 years after its debut.  And please you enjoy the show, follow, share with a movie-loving friend, and leave a quick review telling us your favorite "Valley of the Dolls" moment. Episode Artwork by the incomparable Glen Hanson @instaglenhanson Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

We interrupt our scheduled programs for a special milestone: one million views on Tony's "Wired" interview on YouTube!  This occasion opened the door for a bigger conversation, so we pulled up a chair and dug in.   Brad asks some questions that blew past the YouTube cut: what we actually know about Natalie Wood’s final night, why rumor loves tidy villains, and how to honor a legacy without letting tragedy swallow it whole.  From there, we build a clear, no-filler Elizabeth Taylor film watch list, take a deeper dive into Hollywood's gay history, and we revisit the story of Loretta Young and Clark Gable's secret love child and the lengths she took to protect her image, showing what the Production Code demanded—and what it broke.  We also take the opportunity to give much overdue shout-outs to some of the kind people who took the time to rate and review us, and give us their thoughts on which classic we should tackle next.  So, hit play for a candid, story-driven tour through Old Hollywood facts, modern myths, and the business decisions that still shape what we see. If you learned something or built a new watchlist, share this episode with a friend, follow the show, and leave a review.  And don't forget to drop a quarter in the "swear jar"!! (If you know, you know.) To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT To listen to "Origins: Sex and the City"  hosted by James Andrew Miller got to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/origins-with-james-andrew-miller/id1266445999?i=1000423827162 Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

The residents of 1313 Mockingbird Lane get ready for their close-up, as we wrap up our spirited “Addams v. Munsters” debate with a nostalgic deep dive into the classic sitcom “The Munsters”.  We explore what sets it apart from “The Addams Family”—not just visually, but culturally—and reminisce about the show’s offbeat charm, its subtle social commentary, and the chemistry between cast members, highlighting icons like Fred Gwynne, Yvonne DeCarlo, and Al Lewis. Join us as we break down two memorable episodes. Along the way, we reflect on why "The Addams Family" and "The Munsters" shot to the top of the ratings and quickly ended and their continued legacy through spin-offs, reboots, and pop culture references. We share our personal preferences and we declare our victors in the sitcom showdown. Do we agree? Which did each of us choose? Watch "The Munsters" unaired pilot Herman teaches Eddie about acceptance.  Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

Are you a Morticia, or are you a Lily? That's a question that has plagued TV views since a single autumn week in 1964 that featured two seismic TV debuts—"The Addams Family" and one week later, "The Munsters".  In this two-part episode, we answer  it for ourselves.  We also zoom in on why audiences were ready for supernatural comfort, how the networks raced to premiere first, and what made these two “normal” families feel so different once the front door swung open. Think urbane eccentricity versus blue-collar sweetness, mat paintings versus the Universal backlot, and a pair of theme songs that still cue instant nostalgia. In this episode, we spend real time with The Addams Family: John Astin and Carolyn Jones crafting a playful, startlingly sensual marriage; Ted Cassidy’s Lurch turning a single “You rang?” into an entire mood; and Jackie Coogan’s Uncle Fester. Across the hour, we trace how cultural context and craft shaped legacy. "The Munsters" won early ratings, but "The Addams Family" thrives in color and in reimaginings—from the 90s films to a Broadway musical to Netflix's "Wednesday"—because its tone flexes without breaking the core: a loving family that refuses to apologize for being different. So, if you’ve ever argued Morticia vs Lily, snapped along to Vic Mizzy’s theme, or wondered how 1313 Mockingbird Lane stacks up to 0001 Cemetery Lane, you’ll feel right at home here. So join us as we take a nostalgic visit to two iconic addresses and visit our friends, The Addams and The Munsters.  Oh, snap!  Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

Oh, Rhoda! Before the iconic Ms. Morgenstern, there was another Rhoda...a 9-year-old psychopath that struck terror in her enemies, torment in the hearts of her loved ones, and unintended laughter from the audience watching her exploits. Yes, it's the camp classic, "The Bad Seed" from Warner Bros in 1956, starring the iconic Patty McCormack and the insufferably dramatic Nancy Kelly.  A nine-year-old with perfect penmanship and a talent for murder shouldn’t be funny—yet "The Bad Seed" somehow is. We dive into how a Broadway sensation became a Hollywood lightning rod, why Mervyn LeRoy shot it like a stage play, and how the Production Code twisted a bleak ending into a thunderbolt of “justice.” Along the way, we unpack the nature versus nurture debate that rattled 1950s audiences, the strange power of offscreen violence, and the way theatrical performances from Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormack, and the incomparable Eileen Heckart create a tone that’s equal parts chilling and camp. So, postpone your social obligations and join us as we celebrate the perverse joys of “The Bad Seed”! Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

We dive into Jesus Christ Superstar as a human story told through rock, politics, and performance, balancing reverence with critique. From a bus in the desert to tanks on the dunes, we trace how Norman Jewison’s choices turn myth into modern memory. Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

Picture it: Hollywood 2025.  Forty years after four unlikely roommates gathered around a kitchen table in Miami, “The Golden Girls”remains one of television's most beloved and groundbreaking sitcoms. In part two of our special 40th birthday celebration, we explore what made the show so revolutionary and why its legacy continues to resonate with audiences today. We’ll deep dive into the  “Golden Girls” universe, from untangling the complex web of family relationships, to the meticulous put downs, to an expose of the most notorious residents of St. Olaf. The supposed rivalry between Bea Arthur and Betty White has become something of a Hollywood legend, but was it real? We examine what happened behind the scenes, drawing on firsthand accounts and shedding light on how these two different personalities created magic despite their contrasting approaches to acting. Our episode spotlights two standout installments from the later seasons of the show, along with the perfect series finale, "One Flew Out of the Cuckoo's Nest," analyzing how Dorothy's departure managed to be both hilarious and heartbreaking – ending not with a whimper but with three emotional goodbyes. What made Golden Girls truly special wasn't just the laughter but its willingness to tackle issues other shows wouldn't touch – from aging and sexuality to HIV/AIDS and chosen family. Join us as we reflect on how four women in their golden years revolutionized television and created a legacy that continues to inspire new generations. Did you have a favorite Golden Girls episode or moment? We'd love to hear about it! Share your memories with us on social media or leave a review telling us which golden girl you identified with most. Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks

Picture it: Hollywood 1985 A TV show premieres about about 4 women, well over "thirty-something", sharing their hopes, their dreams, their stories, and lots of cheesecake, in the youth-obsessed TV culture of the 1980s. Does the show survive?  Get a clue, slut-puppy! It not only survived, it shot to the top of the ratings and dominated them for over 6 years. Yes, it's "The Golden Girls", and it's their 40th birthday-- so we're gonna celebrate!  From the show's groundbreaking pilot to its most memorable episodes, we are going to unpack the secret ingredients that made "The Golden Girls" a ratings powerhouse and an enduring cultural touchstone. In Part One of our special two-part episode, we'll  discuss fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, including how Betty White and Rue McClanahan swapped roles, how Estelle Getty overcame severe stage fright to create the iconic Sophia,  why Bea Arthur initially hesitated to join the cast, and what ever happened to poor Coco. (If you know, you know).  Tony shares his personal experience appearing on the show (as a mere tot!)  and even the time he snuck onto the set and wound up as a V.I.P. So, grab a slice of cheesecake (or a sparehuven krispie) and join us as we celebrate one of the most enduring sitcoms in television history, "The Golden Girls". Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT Reach us at [email protected] Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist Podcast logo by Umeworks