Let's Talk Ten

There are few people qualified to discuss some of the all-time great child actors…than Moosie Drier.  In the 1970s, little Moosie seemed to be on every channel of the television, all at one time – with regular appearances on Laugh-In and The Bob Newhart Show, guest spots on everything from Lassie to CHiPS, and about a gazillion commercials.  This kid was on movie screens too,  in Up the Sandbox wi...

Los Angeles-based Assistant Director SIMONE FARBER (“Boyz N Da Hood”, “Crash”) joins Dan (a New York-area Prop Master) as they choose and discuss ten of their all-time favorite movies to represent their respective area codes.  If theirs is a rivalry at all, it’s a very friendly one, as Simone is, like Dan, a certified movie fanatic who loves sharing behind-the-scenes stories.  As they examine mast...

“Once upon a time, if you wanted to know if a movie was worth seeing, you didn’t check out Rotten Tomatoes or IMDB.  You asked whether Siskel & Ebert had given it Two Thumbs Up.” MATT SINGER, the editor and critic at ScreenCrush and author of the bestselling “OPPOSABLE THUMBS: HOW SISKEL & EBERT CHANGED MOVIES FOREVER” joins Dan to discuss the lives of, arguably, the two most influential f...

Singer and songwriter KATHLEEN FISHER hangs out on her big brother’s show to talk about their all-time favorite VOCALISTS in popular music. To add a twist to the discussion, Kathleen’s list will include only male singers, while Dan’s list will include only women. Besides some surprising choices and a lot of great music, this episode is filled with lots of fun, laughter, and banter that only close...

On the previous episode, Dan and his guest, film critic DANNY PEARY, had such a terrific time discussing favorite movies from their respective youths, that they managed to get through only half of their lists before their time ran out. So -- they’re back for more!  Ten more classics films, from the 1940’s through the 1970’s, each holding special significance within its young viewer's little h...

One of Dan’s all-time favorite film critics, DANNY PEARY (“Cult Movies”) joins him to talk about a subject dear to both of their hearts: the movies they first watched – and loved – while in their respective youths. The conversation spans eras, nations, and genres – from classic westerns to goofball comedies -- with fond recollections of Saturday afternoons spent at the local movie houses and late...

HO! HO! HO! Pour yourself some eggnog, pull on your favorite ugly sweater – it’s the time of year for our SECOND ANNUAL HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR! In the spirit of those classic old variety specials once hosted by Bing Crosby or Andy Williams, this episode offers something for everyone -- as Dan welcomes his special guests:  * Actress HEATHER THOMAS drops by to talk about her favorite Christmas stuff –...

Norman Lear died just a year ago, at age 101, but his legacy of shows – All in the Family, Maude, Sanford and Son, Good Times, Mary Hartman Marty Hartman, One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons – will endure for as long as reruns exist, and viewers wish to laugh, while thinking at the same time.  Entertainment journalist, adjunct professor of media studies, and bestselling author TRIPP WHETSELL visits...

Thanksgiving is almost here -- which, for many, is an occasion to spend some quality time with family from all over: the feisty grandparents, the precocious kids, the weird cousins, the crazy uncle. Dan and his guest, visual artist and podcaster (“Off the Easel”) CATHERINE MOORE, decided to spend some time with the Bluths, the Munsters, the Evanses, plus many more of their favorite TV FAMILIES. Yo...

Property Master, film fanatic, and album collector KEVIN LADSON returns to the show -- hanging out with Dan to talk about their favorite SOUNDTRACKS. From massive epics to indie gems...goofy comedies to international cinema... scored by symphony orchestras, synthesizers, electric guitars, and every sound in between -- these two friends look back on the stone-cold classics they've watched on t...

For a special Halloween treat, llustrator/cartoonist ("The Batman Strikes", "Rex Morgan, M.D.") TERRY BEATTY returns for a super-sized episode -- talking  MONSTERS with Dan. These two grown-up "monster kids" enthusiastically discuss the classic Universal creatures portrayed by Karloff, Lugosi, and Chaney Jr., the stop-motion wizardry of Ray Harryhausen, the vivid bloo...

That WASN'T all, folks! With too much fans and too many great stories to contain within a single episode, Dan and his guest BOB BERGEN are back to talk about who's left on their Top Ten lists of their all-time favorite VOICE ARTISTS. Bob's not only been the vocal talent behind Tweety Bird and Porky Pig, he's been friends with many of the legends of the business.  Add to the con...

Dan and professional voice actor BOB BERGEN talk about their favorite VOICE-OVER ARTISTS: from legends like Mel Blanc, Casey Kasem, and June Foray – to some of the current crop of vocal talent, with more than a few surprise choices. Having been the voice of Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, and Marvin the Martian for over thirty years – not to mention his appearances in Gremlins, Spirited Away, Fraggle Rock...

Author BURT KEARNS (“MARLON BRANDO: HOLLYWOOD REBEL”) makes his second appearance on the show, to talk about his favorite BRANDO MOVIES – from the very beginning of the "method" actor's legendary career, all the way to the sometimes strange and sad end.    Dan and Burt discuss Brando’s influence on the craft of acting, his political activism, his complicated personal life – and most...

It's THE NEW ZOO REVUE!  COMING RIGHT AT YOU! After nearly fifty years away from the public eye, Doug and Emily (Emmy Jo) Momary are back, and they’re everywhere – appearing at comic-cons and pop culture conventions, posting on social media, and now – joining Dan Fisher on  “LET’S TALK TEN”. The three of them talked about how these two crazy theater kids -- fresh out of college and with no te...

Emmy-nominated television writer TED BERGMAN ("The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour", "Sanford and Son") visits the show to talk with Dan about their favorite television shows from the 1970's. Ted handles the comedies while Dan covers the dramas as they discuss many of the expected classics ("All in the Family", "Columbo") plus more than a few surprises. ...

Songwriters JOHN DENICOLA and STACY WIDELITZ join Dan to talk about their  favorite OSCAR-WINNING SONGS. John is an Oscar-winner himself, for co-writing "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from the classic film DIRTY DANCING.   He also co-wrote "Hungry Eyes", while Stacy contributed to the 14X Platinum soundtrack with "She's Like the Wind", co-written with his...

Poet and performer JORDAN E. FRANKLIN joins Dan as they attempt to do the impossible. From the millions of released and recorded songs of the past century, they attempt to winnow down their top ten favorite SONGS they'd each take with them to that proverbial desert island.  Already, their lists have probably changed since their  conversation.  But it is what it is.  And, as always, it’s a lot...

The party’s not over yet. Dan continues to celebrate the first full year of LET'S TALK TEN episodes by sharing his favorite moments from every episode, including the minis. Here’s the guest list for PART TWO:  APRIL FISHER, PHOEBE FISHER, WILL HARRIS, RABBI DAVID KOMEROFSKY, TERRY BEATTY, MIMI POND, ADAM NEDEFF, CHRIS MCGINN, HELENE FISHER, ANDY SKUROW, JEFF ABRAHAM, BURT KEARNS, THOM SHUBILL...

Dan Fisher celebrates the first full year of LET'S TALK TEN episodes by compiling his favorite moments from every episode, including the minis. This one's so big that it'll take two episodes to contain it.  (PART TWO will drop this WEDNESDAY, JULY 10.) For PART ONE, please join Dan and his guests H.E. FISHER, ROBYN KINCAID, MICHELE MANTYNEN, KEVIN LADSON, MICHAEL MARONNA, MAT LEFFLE...

Screenwriter J.D. ZEIK ("Ronin", "Witchblade") joins Dan to talk about their favorite ACTION MOVIES. Cars, guns, explosions, sword fights, martial arts – they cover the gamut of movies that go boom, crunch, and pow: from the silent era, through the kung fu -70s, to the Sly/Arnold ‘80’s, to what's at the multiplex right now.   Support the show

In celebration of PRIDE MONTH, Dan welcomes an old friend, writer/producer/director and film critic GLENN GAYLORD -- to talk about the LGBTQ-centered films that had an impact, historically and personally.  You don't have to identify as LGBTQ to enjoy this episode.  You just have to love movies.  The conversation is wide-ranging, covering everything from Midnight Cowboy to Cruising to Moonligh...

If you were to be stranded on a desert island, away from all contact with civilization, forever and ever – which ten albums would you bring?  Certifiable music maniac JANINE WHITE DUFFY joins host Dan Fisher to discuss just that – their TOP TEN DESERT ISLAND ALBUMS.  Listeners are encouraged to “play along”, by considering which ten albums they would each bring to that proverbial desert island.  O...

Dan fulfilled a bucket-list item by spending time with one of childhood heroes, the truly legendary DICK DEBARTOLO, “MAD’s Maddest Writer” and one of MAD magazine’s original “Usual Gang of Idiots”.   Besides going through their lists, Dan and Dick talked a LOT about MAD and its founder William M. Gaines, as well as Dick’s memories of the fantastic artists and writers who worked for MAD -- Al Jaffe...

Stand-up comedian and stage performer CAROLYN CASTIGLIA joins Dan to talk about some of their favorite comedic actresses in movies and TV -- as well as some of the most brilliant women working in stand-up today.  Contrary to what Jerry Lewis once said, women can be very, very funny. PLUS: Dan tells Jerry Lewis to f--- off. Support the show