Downtown: The Podcast

Guests: David Roth, Jay Jaffe David Roth of Defector talked with us about the MLB lockout, the NBA season, and more. Jay Jaffe of Fangraphs, author of "The Cooperstown Casebook", discussed this year's candidates for the Baseball Hall of Fame and those who were overlooked by the Era Committees.  

Guest: Carmine Appice, Colin Fleming Writer Colin Fleming discusses GET BACK, the Peter Jackson documentary of The Beatles as well as the Christmas writings of Washington Irving. Legendary drummer Carmine Appice talks about his new release, the boxed set GUITAR ZEUS.

Guest: Tom Dreesen Comedian, actor, and motivational speaker Tom Dreesen shared stories from his memoir, STILL STANDING: MY JOURNEY FROM STREETS AND SALOONS TO THE STAGE AND SINATRA.  

Guests: Mark Cartier, Colin Fleming Actor and Beatles blogger Mark S. Cartier discusses the new Peter Jackson documentary, GET BACK. Writer Colin Fleming talks about a Beatles rehearsal version of CRY BABY CRY, a Green Day session at the BBC from 1994, and Orson Welles interpreting John Donne.      

Guests: Paula Poundstone, Cindy Williams Comedian and Downtown Madness champion Paula Poundstone talks about her upcoming Maine performances, the return to live shows, her podcast, and more. Visit her website at:  https://paulapoundstone.com/ Actress Cindy Williams discusses her one-woman show, ME, MYSELF, and SHIRLEY, which hits the road starting in January. More information is available at: http...

Guests: Artie Barnes, Michael Gray   Artie Barnes (Robert Haimer) returns to discuss the great new Barnes & Barnes album, PANCAKE DREAM. Actor Michael Gray looks back on his work on Shazam!, shows like Room 222 and The Brady Bunch, and how he ended up in several episodes of Archer.  

Guests: Drew Magary, Gina Schock Drew Magary of Defector discusses his new book, THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, about his recovery from a traumatic brain injury. Gina Schock of The Go Go’s talks about her book, MADE IN HOLLYWOOD, and the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  

Guests: Mike Farrell, Bob Keyes Actor and activist Mike Farrell returns to the podcast this week and author Bob Keyes discusses his book on Robert Indiana, “The Isolation Artist”.    

Guests: Kate Clifford Larson. Tony Castro   Kate Clifford Larson discusses her book on civil rights pioneer Fannie Lou Hamer, WALK WITH ME and author Tony Castro looks back at the memorable run at Babe Ruth's home run record in 1961 in his book, MARIS AND MANTLE: TWO YANKEES, BASEBALL IMMORTALITY, AND THE AGE OF CAMELOT.  

Guests: Joe Posnanski, Jake Kring-Schreifels   Joe Posnanski discusses his new book, THE BASEBALL 100, a great collection of essays on some of the game's very best. Jake Kring-Schreifels of The Ringer talks about his oral history of the film, THAT THING YOU DO, which premiered 25 years ago this month.

Guests: Lynda Day-George, Bill Mumy, Angela Cartwright Bill Mumy and Angela Cartwright share stories from their book, LOST AND FOUND IN SPACE 2: BLAST OFF INTO THe EXPANDED EDITION and actress Lynda Day George looks back at her time on “Mission: Impossible”, working with John Wayne and more.      

Guests: Stephen Tobolowsky, Steven Van Zandt Actor and author Stephen Tobolowsky shares stories of returning to work under COVID protocols and explains why being a grandparent is better than owning a Camaro. Steve Van Zandt talked about Springsteen, walking away from the E Street Band, and working with James Gandolfini on The Sopranos, all chronicled in his new memoir, UNREQUITED INFATUATIONS.

Guests: Marshall Crenshaw, Russ Giguere Singer-songwriter Marshall Crenshaw talked with us about his new album, "The Wild, Exciting Sounds of Marshall Crenshaw: Live in the 20th and 21st Century", and singer Russ Giguere, a founding member of The Association, looks back on the making of hits like "Cherish", "Windy", "Along Comes Mary", and "Never My Love".      

Guests: Ken Burns, Morton Dean Ken Burns returns to discuss his new documentary (with Sarah Burns & David McMahon) on Muhammad Ali, which premieres Sunday, September 19 on PBS. Longtime CBS and ABC News reporter and anchor Morton Dean looks back at his remarkable career and the current state of broadcast journalism.  

Guests: Treva Silverman, Merry Clayton Emmy Award winning writer Treva Silverman remembers her friend and Mary Tyler Moore Show colleague, Ed Asner. Singer Merry Clayton talked with us about the making of her new album, BEAUTIFUL SCARS.  

Guests: Pat Alger, Jimmy Cliff The great songwriter Pat Alger talked with us about his work, which includes songs that became hits for Livingston Taylor, Nanci Griffith, Kathy Mattea, and Garth Brooks. The legendary Jimmy Cliff discussed his new single, HUMAN TOUCH, his upcoming album, BRIDGES, and next year's 50th anniversary of the film, THE HARDER THEY COME.

Guests:Ellen Foley, Richard Chizmar Singer and actress Ellen Foley talks with us about her remarkable career, including working with Meatloaf, Jim Steinman, Ian Hunter, The Clash, and Milos Forman, as well as her new album, FIGHTING WORDS. Author Richard Chizmar discusses his terrific new novel, CHASING THE BOOGEYMAN.        

Guests: Barbara Eden, Colin Hay Actress Barbara Eden discusses her first children's book, BARBARA & THE DJINN, and looks back at working with Elvis (on FLAMING STAR), and the 60s classic, I DRTEAM OF JEANNIE. Singer-songwriter Colin Hay returned to the show to talk about his new album of covers, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF, and the return to live performances.          

Guests: Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Josh Karp Screenwriter, producer, and actor Siobhan Fallon Hogan discusses her new film, RUSHED. Writer Josh Karp talks Orson Welles, Ned Beatty, and more.        

Guests: Ed Begley Jr., Dee Snider Actor and environmental activist Ed Begley, Jr. discusses his work on shows like "St. Elsewhere" and "Young Sheldon", the Christopher Guest mockumentaries, his friendship with William Daniels and Cindy Williams, and his Earth-Responsible cleaning products. Singer-Musician-Actor Dee Snider talks about his new album, "Leave A Scar", being banned in Bangor, and his a...

Guests: Leigh Montville, Aron Gaudet, Gita Pulapilly Leigh Montville discusses his new book on covering the 1969 NBA Finals between the Celtics & Lakers, TALL MEN, SHORT SHORTS. Writer-Directors Aron Gaudet & Gita Pullapilly talk with us about the making of their new film, QUEENPINS, which stars Kristen Bell and Vince Vaughn.  

Guests: Jonathan Taplin, Julia Duffy. Jonathan Taplin shares stories of working with Bob Dylan and The Band, producing Martin Scorsese's "Mean Streets", and more from his book, "The Magic Years: Scenes froma Rock & Roll Life". Julia Duffy discusses the recent virtual "Newhart" reunion, her work on "Shameless", and her recent appearance on the Showtime series, "Black Monday".      

Guests: Scott Ryan & Curtis Armstrong On this week's episode, we celebrate the series, MOONLIGHTING, with Scott Ryan, author of MOONLIGHTING: AN ORAL HISTORY, and Curtis Armstrong, who played Herbert Viola on the show.    

Guest: Chris Matthews. Journalist and political insider Chris Matthews talks with us about his latest book, “This Country: My Life In Politics and History”.    

Guests: Alec Wightman & Gary Numan. Author and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame board member Alec Wightman discuss his book, MUSIC IN MY LIFE. Singer-songwriter Gary Numan talks about his career and new album, INTRUDER.