Media Path Podcast

Carol Leifer entered comedy when a woman stand-up was considered a novelty or a niche, but even then she knew "things would eventually change." And change has come, due in no small part to Carol's own stelar show biz contributions.  Carol joins us this week to talk about her formative years, her early standup, giving voice to iconic characters like Elaine Benes and Deborah Vance, and her new book, How to Write a Funny Speech! Carol's relationship with her father, an optometrist with an ear for comedy and a quick wit that delighted both patients and family, laid the foundation for her career trajectory. Her supportive parents encouraged her to pursue stand-up when the opportunity struck, and very soon, she was right at home at The Improv and on The Tonight Show. Even within the male-dominated comedy space, Carol found herself buoyed by peers and colleagues, in the clubs and on the sets of seminal sitcoms such as Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Carol’s Seinfeld contributions tapped into women’s lived experiences and brought us the skinny mirror, the marble rye and the nail salon, but she reveals which of Elaine's iconic storylines was not her brainchild - 'sponge-worthy' was actually coined by male writer, Peter Mehlman! Enjoy an exciting spin on your favorite podcast showbiz trivia game as we invite Carol to play IMDB Roulette: Writer's Edition, where she dives into the intricacies of writing for: Seinfeld, Curb, Hacks, SNL and Ellen, plus traveling the globe with Henry Winkler, George Foreman, Terry Bradshaw and William Shatner! (She now calls him Bill.) Carol also shares her SNL writing regrets. (If she could only have gotten in better with Lorne.) We talk about her latest runaway hit book How To Write a Funny Speech and close the show with Fritz's favorite new Carol Leifer joke! In recommendations --  Weezy: The HBO original, My Mom Jayne: A Film By Mariska Hargitay Fritz: Netflix documentary, Trainwreck: The Cult Of American Apparel Carol Leifer [https://carolleifer.com] How To Write A Funny Speech: for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn't Want to Go to in the First Place by Carol Leifer and Rick Mitchell [https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Funny-Speech-Graduation-ebook/dp/B0DFMYVW17] Carol Leifer on Wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Leifer] Carol Leifer on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/carolleifer/] Carol Leifer on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/CarolLeiferPage/] Carol Leifer Amazon Author Page [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Carol-Leifer/author/B001PYU3KW?] My Mom Jayne from Mariska Hargitay [https://www.max.com/movies/my-mom-jayne-a-film-by-mariska-hargitay/2286880c-d686-47ee-96c5-0241e8c8a3b3] Trainwreck: The Cult Of American Apparel [https://www.netflix.com/title/81763680] Media Path Podcast [https://mediapathpodcast.com] Media Path on Buy Me a Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/mediapathpodcast]

Our guests exemplify the power of passion, mastery and skill blending in creating a lasting legacy. We begin with the co-authors of The Creative Leader: What Every Leader Should Know About The Art & Science of Creative Intelligence. Bob Boden and Dr. Robert Carpenter share how we can all better merge and apply our left and right brain thinking. We then welcome a 70s sensation who walks into the studio with the show-and-tell masterpiece that is his authentic Nudie Suit, Bo Donaldson!  For their book, The Creative Leader, Bob Boden and Dr. Rob Carpenter interviewed top entertainment industry figures who impart critical insight on how to seamlessly and effectively combine imagination with management, while motivating a team to reach its fullest potential. Bob and Dr. Rob share the wisdom of producers, Jonathan Murray, Stephanie Drachkovitch, Lloyd Schwartz and more, learning that whatever your field, curiosity, innovation, and optimism are keys to success. Cincinnati’s own Bo Donaldson began his music career, mastering the trumpet in fourth grade. He formed The Heywoods at 14, and they were opening for The Rascals, Paul Revere & The Raiders and The Osmonds by the time he was in college. Bo's career was managed by his business-savvy mom, who ran her own record label and was the driving force behind the band's biggest hit Billy-Don't Be a Hero. Bo tells us how that chart-topping single carved a path to stardom for his band and he shares his '70s teen idol memories, including lessons learned from Mark Lindsey, Donny Osmond and Dick Clark. Brace yourself for shady music industry lore as Bo recalls how the VP of his record label threatened his Mom and him with a mob hit, inspiring Bo to heed the lyrics of his own song and keep his head low.  Bo shares news about The Heywood’s latest recordings and explains how he shapes his band’s sound. We also learn how to set sea with The Heywoods and a boat full of your favorite artists on a 70s Rock and Romance Cruise! Plus, how well does Bo remember what he confessed to the Teen Magazines!? We play a round of Fan Mag Grab Bag! In recommendations-- Fritz: Netflix Series, Department Q Weezy, Apple TV+ Series, The Buccaneers Path Points of Interest: The Creative Leader by Bob Boden and Dr. Robert Carpenter [https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Leader-Should-Science-Intelligence/dp/B0DYJPVBJC/] Bob Boden [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Boden] Bob Boden on IG [https://www.instagram.com/tvbobme/] Dr. Rob Carpenter Amazon Author Page [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dr.-Rob-Carpenter/author/B0BY3LCTCC?] Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods [https://bodonaldsonandtheheywoods.com] Bo Donaldson on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Donaldson_and_The_Heywoods] Bo Donaldson on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bowdonaldson/?hl=en] Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods Fan Site [https://heywoodsfans.fortunecity.ws/bdhmain.html] Bo Donaldson on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bo.donaldson.5/] Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/113343842731] Rock and Romance cruise 2026 [https://rockandromancecruise.com/] Magic by Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KAL0LuEzNo] Bubble Gum Mania at Riviera Theatre [https://rivieratheatre.org/event/bubblegum-mania/] Department Q on Netflix [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27995114/] The Buccaneers on Apple TV+ [https://tv.apple.com/us/show/the-buccaneers/umc.cmc.g28hcpusm23xbs9zwvnwn9re]

Can your keyboard produce enough hyphens to define Hal Sparks? He is a Comedian-Actor-Musician-Magician-Podcaster-Political Commentator-TV and Radio Personality-Host-Podcast Guest, and beyond. We are hoping his mother keeps a scrapbook. Hal has brought us such memorable characters as “Zoltan” in Dude, Where’s My Car, “Elevator Passenger” in Spiderman 2, Michael in Queer as Folk and he proved too much of an improv master for Talk Soup to contain, which freed him up to host his own podcast empire, to tour with his band, Nerd Halen and with the Sexy Liberals Comedy Show and to guest with us on Media Path Podcast. Hal began sharing his wickedly sharp political observations on video platforms during the  pandemic’s early days. He had just left China and lost dozens of friends to Covid. He fully understood the impending danger and devastation. So he hunkered and bunkered and began fact-checking Trump live on Youtube and Twitch. An outlet that released tension for himself and for his politically informed and engaged audience. He calls them “Sparklers!” Hal’s show, Megaworldwide streams daily on his website infotainmentwars.com [http://infotainmentwars.com]. Here, he reacts in real time to breaking news and the current political landscape. Hal's strong belief in the power of the electorate to enact real change inspires his work and he endeavors to be a part of the conversation shaping the narrative of the Democratic party. We ask Hal to tackle today's top headlines, the targeted attacks on Iran's nuclear missile sites ordered by Trump and the schism it's causing within the MAGA movement, as exemplified by prominent figures who find themselves at odds on the issue, like Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson. We also discuss how traumatic childhoods and a lack of empathy underpin the mindset of the current administration. We follow the money that funds right wing influencers. We explore Elon Musk's technocratic family legacy. And we are front and center for the latest from Hal’s comedy cover band, Nerd Halen. Then, we take a tour through Hal's scene-stealing film and TV moments with a round of IMDB Roulette which includes Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and, of course, Dude, Where’s My Car! In recommendations--  Fritz: History Channel series, Kevin Costner's The West Weezy: HBO Max documentary, Surviving Ohio State Path Points of Interest: Hal Sparks [https://halsparks.com/] InfotainmentWars [https://www.youtube.com/c/HalSparksChannel] Hal Sparks on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/halsparks/] Hal Sparks on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheHalSparksPage] Hal Sparks on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/halsparks.com] Hal Sparks on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@Infotainmentwars/videos] Hal Sparks on Wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Sparks] Nerd Halen [https://nerdhalen.com/home] The West - History Channel [https://www.history.com/shows/kevin-costners-the-west] Surviving Ohio State [https://www.max.com/movies/surviving-ohio-state/cd882f9c-d2d5-46a8-9078-3d5027bbf661]

You may know Kathy Garver from Family Affair but her career before and since “Cissy” is expansive! She is still extraordinarily prolific with a calendar full of film dates, audio book recordings, and event appearances! Kathy began’ singing and dancing at age three and had already racked up 12 screen credits when she was cast as an extra in The Ten Commandments. From high atop his director crane, Cecile B. DeMille spotted her carrying a lamb and jumped down to write her a larger role as “Rachel the Slave Girl,” a part that brought her face to face with Charlton Heston as he parted The Red Sea!   At age 20, she was whisked from her UCLA sorority house to a sitcom set when she landed the role of big-sister “Cissy Davis” in one of CBS’s first color shows, Family Affair! Kathy tells us how her mother employed Streaks N' Tips to match her dark locks to those of her TV siblings. The resulting greenish hue did not detract Ed Hartmann  from casting the perfect sibling for Buffy and Jody. Kathy shares her thoughts on why her younger co-stars struggled to adjust into their adult lives. She credits her smooth transition to her supportive family and spending her high school years in San Bernardino, away from the judgement of Hollywood. In IMDB Roulette, Kathy talks about sharing credits with Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Kurt Russell, Chuck Connors, Patty Duke, Julie Andrews and Andy Griffith. Kathy has amassed an impressive body of voice work, which includes playing Firestar in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. She has also mastered the craft of audio-book narration with her most recent work being, Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story, coming in July. We hear about Kathy’s, many books, her slew of upcoming projects and appearances, her unrelenting optimism and her belief in the 'divine threads' of people and events which are creating the fabric of her life. In recommendations-- Weezy: HBO Max Documentary, Pee Wee As Himself Fritz:  Netflix Series, American Manhunt - Osama Bin Laden Path Points of Interest: Kathy Garver [https://www.kathygarver.com/] Kathy Garver - Wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Garver] Kathy Garver - IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0308744/] Kathy Garver - Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kgcissy/] Kathy Garver on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/kathygarvertv] Kathy Garver Facebook Fan Page [https://www.facebook.com/kathygarverfanpage/] Kathy Garver's Photos and Books [https://www.kathygarver.com/buy] Kathy's Jun/July 2025 Newsletter [https://www.kathygarver.com/newsletter-junejuly-2025] Whittier Comic Con on June 22 [https://www.instagram.com/whittiercomicfest/?hl=en] Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story Audiobook [https://www.amazon.com/Elvis-Rocky-Me-Carol-Connors/dp/B0FBHGN327/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0] Gus [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11523320/] Pee Wee As Himself [https://www.hbo.com/pee-wee-as-himself] American Manhunt - Osama Bin Laden [https://www.netflix.com/title/81700898]

You may know him best as the voice of Salem The Cat or Norbert from Sabrina The Teenage Witch and Angry Beavers but Nick Bakay is also the Writer/Producer who brought you Mom, King Of Queens, Paul Blart Mall Cop and Bookie.  What does it take to sustain a multi-decade entertainment industry career? Versatility.  Nick takes us deep into Sabrina lore with tales of the old-school imagineering of Salem Saberhagen, brought to us via several cats, puppeteers, animatronics, trainers and cat treats.  A Buffalo, NY native, Nick’s facility at performing, writing, and producing allowed him to create opportunities for himself that were both entertaining and rewarding. He’s heard from a generation of young women who felt empowered by Sabrina to take on adult life, even without the benefit of witchcraft.  Along with his pal Keven James, Nick went from writing on King Of Queens to creating Paul Blart: Mall Cops One and Two, and Zookeeper. And it was his writing chops that forged a connection with Chuck Lorre, providing Nick with an opportunity to write for Two And A Half Men and go on to helm nine seasons of Mom, HBO’s Bookie and an upcoming Netflix sitcom, Leanne.  Nick is also a household name to sports fan who see his work on ESPN. He was recently inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall Of Fame and, a Quick Buffalo Indulgence Warning: Nick and Weezy do get a little carried away waxing sentimental about their shared Buffalo roots.  Fritz is using one of his sick days and his seat is kept warm by Weezy’s radio buddies, Tom Murphy and Scott Paton. (They did occupy separate chairs, but you get the idea.)  In recommendations-- Weezy: Sirens on Netflix Nick Bakay: Mr. Inbetween on FX and Hulu Path Points of Interest: Sirens [https://www.netflix.com/title/81589551] Mr. Inbetween [https://www.hulu.com/series/mr-inbetween-0c198187-f948-4ccd-b2b4-f5930ca4ac2f] Nick Bakay - Wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Bakay] Nick Bakay - IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0048169/] Sabrina The Teenage Witch [https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/sabrina-the-teenage-witch/] The Angry Beavers [https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/the-angry-beavers/] Bookie [https://www.max.com/shows/bookie/31b46c23-4785-4410-90d0-4ed0b6bceb10] Mom [https://www.hulu.com/series/mom-5ef1115f-7836-4fa8-9ee2-72d45d3a8861] Paul Blart: Mall Cop 1 [https://www.hulu.com/movie/paul-blart-mall-cop-4e6c0520-642f-4e9d-8a91-93395c57afec] Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 [https://www.hulu.com/movie/paul-blart-mall-cop-2-3ebb25ca-26aa-48ab-8009-06fea91b6923] Salem Saberhagen [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_Saberhagen] World Famous Tom Murphy [https://www.qzvx.com/2021/10/20/reminiscences-of-a-world-famous-disc-jockey-the-kisn-years-part-1/]