The Most Versatile Man In Show Business & Embracing The Unknown with Michael Kostroff!

The Most Versatile Man In Show Business & Embracing The Unknown with Michael Kostroff!

How do you go from voicing a beaver in a sleep med commercial to portraying TV’s most amoral attorney on its most iconic crime drama?!  For actor, author, and teacher Michael Kostroff, the answer is: embrace the unexpected. Best known as cunning defense lawyer Maurice Levy on HBO's The Wire, Michael joins Weezy this week to reflect on a career that has taken him from television dramas and Broadway musicals to films, teen comedies, sitcoms and commercials. You will currently find him on the MGM+/Prime Marvel superhero series (available in both color and black & white!) Spider-Noir with Nicolas Cage, as New York City's mayor and he's also just wrapped up his first Broadway run as the bank manager in Dog Day Afternoon. Along the way, he shares behind-the-scenes stories from the national tour of The Producers (where lightning-fast costume changes and a grueling schedule collided with back and forth flights to film The Wire). Michael’s career then took him to The Plot Against America, The Wizard of Lies (with Robert De Niro!) and The Blacklist. Michael shares his thoughts on The Wire’s rarified role as a television landmark, why its richly layered characters continue to resonate, and whether he minds being typecast. He also talks about his four books, including Letters from Backstage, which grew out of emails that unexpectedly found a massive audience, and The Stage Actor's Handbook, born from his desire to provide aspiring actors with the practical guidance missing from their theater education.  Michael opens up about the life-saving community he found in theater and the salve it offered for his unhappy childhood. We peek at his viral apartment tour video, revealing the unglamorous truth behind the doors of a working actor. We get schooled on the perils of backstage "showmances," and we learn why, after decades of surprising turns, he's still excited to see where the next one leads. This is a warm, funny, and inspiring conversation with an actor whose career proves that the most rewarding paths are often the least predictable. In current media--  Weezy: The American Experiment and Little House on the Prairie on Netflix Producer Dina: AMC/AMC+ Series Dark Winds, streaming on Netflix Path Points of Interest: Michael Kostroff [https://www.michaelkostroff.com/] Michael Kostroff on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Kostroff] Michael Kostroff on IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0467512/] Michael Kostroff on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/michael_kostroff/?hl=en] Michael Kostroff on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/therealkostroff] Michael Kostroff on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@ShowWagon] Apartment Tour [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQRDQ08w-Uw] Books by Michael Kostroff [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michael-Kostroff/author/B001K8CCUM?] The Stage Actor's Handbook: Traditions, Protocols, and Etiquette for the Working and Aspiring Professional [https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Actors-Handbook-Traditions-Professional-ebook/dp/B0B3R3CSQ7/] By Michael Kostroff and Julie Garnyé [https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Actors-Handbook-Traditions-Professional-ebook/dp/B0B3R3CSQ7/] Letters From Backstage [https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Backstage-Adventures-Touring-Stage-ebook/dp/B0074Q1XH2/] The American Experiment [https://www.netflix.com/title/81930567] Little House On The Prairie [https://www.netflix.com/title/81748089] Dark Winds [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15017118/]

Mentorship At Today's SAG-AFTRA & Lessons From A Guest Spot Queen

If you had nearly 300 screen credits, would you spend your free time mentoring new SAG-AFTRA members and helping fellow performers navigate a rapidly changing industry?? If your hand went up, you may be this week’s guest, Lee Garlington! Lee joins Weezy and Lisa to discuss the unique, "hired gun" craft of popping into iconic shows with scene stealing roles and becoming what she calls "a director's actor."  You had yet to learn her name when you saw her as Joey’s father’s mistress in Friends, as Bobby Cannavale’s mother in Will & Grace, as Betty White’s daughter on The Golden Girls and as Darlene’s friend on Roseanne. You will know it now! Lee takes us behind the scenes on Psycho II and III, The West Wing, Sneakers, Six Feet Under and Seinfeld and shares harrowing axe-related stories from A Killing in a Small Town. She offers candid advice for aspiring actors, tells us about her work with the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory and discusses the realities of longevity in Hollywood, and her work with the Ruskin Group Theatre. Plus, an entertaining round of IMDb Roulette uncovers the horrors of sitting for a death mask fitting, why she ever so gently adjusted the placement of Robert Redford and how her performance went next level when Amy Madigan called her a nazi! This is a fascinating conversation about resilience, professionalism, and a lifelong love of the craft. And in current media, Weezy and Lisa talk about Is This Thing On and additional films that explore the standup comedy experience. Path Points of Interest: Lee Garlington [https://leegarlingtontheactress.com/] Lee Garlington on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Garlington] Lee Garlington on IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0307600/] Lee Garlington on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/imleegarlington/?hl=en] SAG-AFTRA L.A. Conservatory [https://www.sagaftra.org/los-angeles/local-programs/los-angeles-conservatory] Ruskin Group Theatre [https://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com/] Great Movies About Stand-Up [https://www.imdb.com/list/ls074381035/] Is This Thing On? [https://www.hulu.com/movie/is-this-thing-on-1e446703-7e1a-4771-a9c1-29522039eb54]

Reflections On The Blue Lagoon & The 80s Male Cultural Moment with Christopher Atkins

From overnight heartthrob to enduring pop culture icon, Christopher Atkins joins us for a funny, revealing conversation that delves into Hollywood, celebrity, and changing cultural mores… all while cooking a Peruvian dinner for his girlfriend! #multitasker  Chris looks back at the Blue Lagoon phenomenon, reflecting on why the film remains  such a lasting pop culture touchstone as a coming-of-age love story that explores the roots of desire and societal expectations.  He shares behind-the-scenes memories from filming on a remote island at the age of  18. (his first time away from home). Production erected a tent village that served as home, for cast and crew, for four and a half months. Exactly why did producers place a Brooke Shields poster above Chris’s cot? They were hoping to inspire sparks that looked real on camera! And it worked. Our conversation explores Chris's unique position in time and space where LGBTQ+ people were beginning to live more openly just as he was becoming a male sex symbol. How did all of this impact a teenager, coming of age himself and quickly recognizing just how recognizable he had become after making just one movie? Chris says his step-dad kept him grounded, reminding him that when the movie star at the table is getting the most attention, it’s time for him to ask other people how their day is going.  He looks back on being sexualized as a young man, and reflects on how dramatically attitudes towards nudity, consent, and gender dynamics on film sets have evolved since he entered the business. Through it all, Christopher maintains that true beauty always comes from within. Chris fondly recalls his friendship with Brooke Shields, explaining that while he often felt protective of her, she was already the seasoned pro and he was the newbie, learning the ropes from her.  While Chris honestly owns his marginal singing and dancing capacities, The Pirate Movies gold album soundtrack he earned hangs proudly in his home and he loves attending fan events with co-star Kristy McNichol and meeting folks who claim they watch this movie on loop, stopping only briefly to snag some face time and an autograph. At the cusp of his stardom, Chris attended the legendary Night of 100 Stars celebration, where he and Brooke enjoyed memorable encounters with James Cagney, Paul Newman and Princess Grace. Plus, do you know what Linda Gray did to Chris during their kissing scene on Dallas? We’ll let Chris tell you!  And we just had to put Chris through rounds of Blue Lagoon Trivia AND, IMDB Roulette, where we learn that Chris has co-starred with Lesley-Ann Warren, Cloris Leachman! And Diff’rent Strokes’ Mr. Drummond!? In current media-- Weezy: Netflix Film, Voicemails for Isabelle Lisa: HBO original Series, DTF St. Louis Path Points of Interest: Christopher Atkins on Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Atkins] Christopher Atkins on IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000803/] Christopher Atkins on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/christopheratkins1/?hl=en] Christopher Atkins on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/christopher.atkins.509/] 2025 Playgirl Interview [https://playgirl.com/features/christopher-atkins-the-blue-lagoon-turns-45/] Fanboy Expo June 10-12, 2026 [https://fanboyexpo.com/knoxville/celebrity-guests/] DTF St. Louis  [https://www.hbomax.com/shows/dtf-st-louis/26657073-264a-4f77-842e-378d11b2775e] Voicemails for Isabelle [https://www.netflix.com/title/81716219] Media Path Podcast [https://www.mediapathpodcast.com/] Media Path Podcast on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MediaPathPodcast] Media Path Podcast on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mediapathpod/]

A Creative's Cosmic Connections & Hollywood's Go-To Screen Pro with Stephen Tobolowsky

Stephen Tobolowsky has gifted us with indelible character performances while living an extraordinary life that spans from Texas roots to show biz lore to telepathy and beyond. Stephen reflects on his earliest pull toward Hollywood, when even as a child playing cowboys, he imagined the action as if it were being filmed. That instinct would carry him from Texas to Broadway to Los Angeles, constantly seeking opportunities to create.  And his capabilities stretch beyond acting and music to include a Universe connection that has invited intriguing insights, unexplained knowing and“coincidences.” In fact, Stephen’s abilities inspired David Byrne to write a song called Radiohead which led the band Radiohead to become exactly that. Best known by many as Groundhog Day’s painfully persistent Ned Ryerson, Stephen comes loaded with behind-the-scenes intel on the film’s famously complex shoot, during which he and Bill Murray (portraying a weatherman!) were kept on constant standby to shoot the scene in every possible weather condition for director Harold Ramis.  The conversation winds from Stephen’s participation in Thelma & Louise’s iconic final moment to Brad Pitt’s instant star quality to a chilling moment, on location for  Mississippi Burning, were Stephen, playing a KKK grand wizard, was pulled aside by a Klansman and told, “We will be watching you.”  Stephen opens up about his collaborations and creative relationships, including his connection to playwright Beth Henley and how he helped shape her Pulitzer Prize-winning Crimes of the Heart and his enduring love story and best-friendship with his wife, Actress/Director Ann Hearn. From Memento to Silicon Valley, Stephen reflects on the wide range of roles he’s brought to life, offering insight into Christopher Nolan’s storytelling brilliance, Norman Lear’s landmark contributions and the stark terror of performing Live In Front Of A Studio Audience.  He also speaks candidly about being entirely recognizable and shares what folks tend to run over and say when they become HIS Ned Ryerson! And Stephen brings his masterful storytelling to IMDB Roulette, covering One Day At A Time, The Goldbergs, Spaceballs, Glee and Nobody Wants This while weaving Hollywood history with personal perspectives and navigating the curious intersection of art and life. In current media-- Weezy: Outlast The Jungle on Netflix Lisa: Book, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans Path Points of Interest: Stephen Tobolowsky Books [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephen-Tobolowsky/author/B006UJWID2?] Stephen Tobolowsky - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Tobolowsky] The Tobolowsky Files Podcast [https://www.tobolowskyfiles.com] Stephen Tobolowsky on IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0864997/] Stephen Tobolowsky on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/stephen.tobolowsky.7] Outlast The Jungle [https://www.netflix.com/title/82131768] The Correspondent by Virginia Evans [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593798430?r]

From Disney To Star Trek & Surviving Child Abuse And Child Stardom with Ike Eisenmann!

As a small child, Ike Eisenmann manifested his dream of being a Disney performer when he landed the lead in Escape To Witch Mountain and became the top child star of the ‘70s.  But the joy and pride of appearing in Gunsmoke, Kung Fu, Mannix, Emergency, and Little House On The Prairie was shadowed by the abusively cruel insults hurled at him by his jealous and mentally ill actor father. Ike titled his new book after his father’s mantra: “You’ll Never Be A Star.” Ironically, Ike had no interest in being a star. He wanted to take part. And that he did, working with Eddie Albert, Bette Davis, George C. Scott, William Shatner, Roddy McDowall, Beau Bridges, Kim Richards and so many more gifted artists.  Ike prided himself on being a one-take-wonder, often doing his own stunts, leaping through the sky, attached to wires, to snag a home run in Escape From Witch Mountain, sword fighting in The Bastard and horseback riding in Kit Carson And The Mountain Men.  Ike’s fantastic stories invite so many questions. Was Shatner method acting when he would strut around the set like a newly promoted Rear Admiral giving line readings to Ike? How did Ike, as a teenager, recognize the early promise of Kirstie Alley, Sam Kinison and Alfre Woodard and why was Kim Richards secretly kicking and jabbing Ike right in the middle of takes on Witch Mountain!? We cover so much, you’ll listen twice! Current Media Recommendations:  Lisa - Hello, My Name Is Doris - Free on Tubi  Weezy - Every Year After on Prime Path Points of Interest: Hello, My Name is Doris Trailer [https://tubitv.com/movies/100034026/hello-my-name-is-doris?start=true&tracking=google-feed&utm_source] Every Year After on Prime [https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0H54EQHZIV8TEJOVYJBDCTFLF1] Every Summer After by Carley Fortune [https://www.amazon.com/Every-Summer-After-Carley-Fortune-ebook/dp/B09CD83VVG/r] You'll Never Be A Star by Ike Eisenmann [https://www.amazon.com/Fantastic-Challenging-Journey-Disney-Beyond-ebook/dp/B0GX37BS3G/] Ike Eisenmann on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/IkeEisenmann/] Ike Eisenmann on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ike_eisenmann/?hl=en]