Fanacek

Burt Kearns has written an incredible book about actor Lawrence Tierney.  I read the book.  You should too.  Lawrence Tierney was a film noir actor whose career spanned almost 60 years.  He rose to fame in the 1945 classic Dillinger.  You probably know him best as Joe Cabot in Reservoir Dogs or as Elaine's dad on Seinfeld.  The book meticulously chronicles the life, love, passion, and intensity of...

Yes, folks.  You probably know him best as Eugene in the 1978 classic Grease.  He also appeared in classic movies like 1941, WarGames, and The Polar Express.  His TV credits include The Facts of Life, Magnum P.I., and The Fall Guy.  And now his podcast credits include 'ol Fanacek!  Eddie and I have fun discussing his start in stand up comedy and the transition to acting and working with such legen...

This is special.  This is really effin' cool.  I got to speak with the legendary E. Duke Vincent.  He was Aaron Spelling's producing partner.  Together, they re-shaped the landscape of television.  Duke produced Vegas, Dynasty, 90210, Melrose Place, and dozens of other iconic television projects.  We discuss working with Carl Reiner, Shannon Doherty, Heather Locklear, and the late, great Robert Ur...

Yes, the inspiration for Dr. Evil himself, Mr. Lorne Michaels!  This man is a comedy God...and possibly the wealthiest dude in all of entertainment.  Together we will take a deep dive into his career and explore SNL, The Tonight Show, 30 Rock, Kids in the Hall, etc.  We're also going to talk about my teenage antics in an old Chrysler Cordoba, my connection to Lassie, celebrities I've seen at the B...

Yes.  Once again, I failed to do research for the podcast, so I invited a guest to come in and talk movies.  Whatever.  It doesn't make you better than me.  We start with Pretty Woman and make our way to Goodfellas.  Two 1990 classic films with whores.  We also talk about a lady I know who knows Vince Vaughn, Richard Gere's weird acting choices, John Travolta's horrible career choices, secret mess...

This episode is a little break from the norm.  Instead of diving deep into the career of a TV legend, I thought I'd invite a guest into the studio and just yap about movies.  The rules are simple.  We each have a movie title written down, we reveal them, and then we talk about them....brilliantly.  We start with As Good As It Gets and then we transition to Catch Me If You Can.  Along the way we'll...

Stephen J. Cannell is a TV Gawd.  His vanity card at the end of his programs feels like home to me.  Many of us grew up on Mr. Cannell's awesome shows.  The Rockford Files, Baretta, The A-Team, and 21 Jumpstreet are among his many contributions to the boob tube.  As we discuss his life and career, we'll also make sure to talk about the first time I saw porn, my obsession with Robert Culp, getting...

If you've watched TV at ALL in the past 25 years, you know Chuck Lorre's work and contribution to sitcom culture.  Dharma & Greg, Two and a Half Men, Big Bang Theory, etc.  He's a comedy gangsta and we're gonna honor him with his own Fanacek episode.  Whilst talking about Mr. Lorre, I will also broach the following topics: my day on the Warner Brothers lot, my horrible childhood and obsession with...

Donald P. Bellisario is one bad mutha.  He created Magnum PI, JAG, and NCIS.  He also gave us Airwolf, which was loosely based on Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice*.  We're gonna hold our breathe and take a deep dive on this fella's career.  However,  y commitment o you is that I will also discuss the musical stylings of one Telly Savalas, my time on the set of JAG, dogs & cops, the (almost) death...

Let's discuss Mr. Steven Bochco.  For some of you this will be a review.  For others, an education in television awesomeness.  This guy gave us Hill Street Blues, Doogie Howser MD, L.A. Law, and NYPD Blue among others.  He also wrote 7 episodes of a little known detective series starring Peter Falk.  Steven Bochco is a man amongst men.  I shall discuss his life and work.  I shall also touch on suc...

Welcome to Fanacek Island....Season 3 is here!!!  And it does not disappoint.  We're gonna take a deep dive on the most prolific producer in television history, Mr. Aaron Spelling.  We're gonna explore his successes and the cultural impact of such shows as Mod Squad, Love Boat, Fantasy Island, 90210, and Melrose Place.  We'll also look at the shows that were very short lived and the pilots that ne...

Season 3 is coming, folks!  Here's a sneak peak.

We've come to the end of the road for Season 2.  Along the way, we've laughed, we've cried, and I've talked too much.  It was a blissful journey of movies that became failed TV shows.  So, alas, I am saying goodnight and God bless to Season 2...but not before I finish what I started on this damn 9 to 5 fiasco.  I'm also gonna educate you on watching ALF in the 21st century, the kinda racist market...

That's right.  1980's classic film 9 to 5 became a TV show.  And I'm gonna force you to learn about it.  I'm also going to address Facebook hate regarding Hec Ramsey, explain the ins and outs of syndication, get all mushy about Barry Levinson and Mike Nichols, offer insight into early live television, educate you on Howard Stern's Wack Pack, mention blackface, and share the classic children's tune...

An exciting action packed Sci Fi episode of Fanacek!  First, we'll explore the TV version of John Carpenter's 1984 film Starman.  Then we'll dive into the short lived TV version of 1988's Alien Nation.  Lots of aliens and space things.  A real Nerd's paradise.  But be warned.  I will also discuss such topics as Tina Yothers auditioning for the Laker Girls, the early days of the Fox Network, my lov...

Yep.  Parenthood was made into a 2010 hit TV show with Craig T. Nelson.  But, why discuss a good show when you can dive into a crappy one?  That's right, folks.  We're gonna explore the short lived 1990 TV version of the 1989 Ron Howard classic movie Parenthood.  But fear not, for I shall also discuss brain matter in rental cars, a back tattoo on a chubby George Clooney, stalking Philip Seymour Ho...

Jenna Terranova-Frisby is passionate about actor William Windom.  And now I am too.  Mr. Windom's career spanned over 60 years.  He did Broadway, Off-Broadway, One Man Shows, Summer Stock, Film, and Television.  He is likely most known for The Farmer's Daughter, My World and Welcome To It, and Murder She Wrote.  His autobiography, "Journeyman Actor" can be found on Amazon, and a documentary is cur...

Yes, folks.  Two for the price of one.  First, I explore the 1981 short lived TV version of Foul Play, based on the 1978 Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn almost classic.  Then, I will play dueling Uncle Bucks by comparing the 1990 version to the 2016 version, both of whom fall short of the original 1989 John Candy masterpiece.  And, as if that weren't enough, I'll explore 70s revenge flicks, meeting Va...

'Tis the season for Fanacek to ramble on about one of his favorite holiday movies, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and it wouldn't be Fanacek without stopping along the way to discuss such topics as the history of TV's TGIF in the 90s, meeting Rhoda and Corey Feldman, the lazy grandpa from Willy Wonka possibly committing social security fraud, and Courtney Cox's Alabama roots.  Also, Chevy C...

I loved this movie, I loved this book, and I loved this show.  Goodbye TV version of the Outsiders.  We hardly knew ye.  In this action packed "Solocek" episode, we discuss the gone too soon 1990 TV Show "The Outsiders".  But be warned, things get spicy as I also discuss young versions of Jennifer Love Hewitt, Nicole Eggert, Justine Bateman, Alyssa Milano, Drew Barrymore, and Jaime Pressly.  I als...

This is a very special episode of the show.  I was so honored to have the opportunity to speak with Ron Defore, author of the book "Growing Up in Disneyland".  Ron is the son of Hollywood royalty.  His father, Don Defore, is a star of broadway, film and television.  He is most recognized for his roles in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Hazel, and It Happened On 5th Avenue.  He worked with suc...

In 1978, the Lord gave us National Lampoon's Animal House.  Not to be outdone, in 1979 Satan smited us with ABC's TV version, Delta House.  I had to take a closer look at this show.  I also take a few detours and talk about sharing a toilet with Meatloaf, Bob Saget's acts of kindness, silent rage and silent farts, making out with Valerie Bertinelli, and seeing Laurie Metcalf at a bookstore.  I may...

This a special episode featuring Solocek.  Yes folks, this is my first episode without a guest and why not?  I do most of the yapping anyway.  I wanted to squeeze in two mini episodes before Thanksgiving, so this is my gift to you: Two classic 1973 films that were turned into disastrous TV Shows. Along the way, we'll also mention Angela Lansbury's heart of gold, the Thighmaster, IMDB recommending...

Aloha, listeners.  Fanacek is back and taking a cold, hard look at the ill fated TV version of the 1982 classic, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High".  Whilst on this journey, we will also touch on ABC Afterschool Specials, Charlie Sheen maybe abusing Corey Haim, shaking hands with Richard Lewis, BibleMan, Wilford Brimley's ability to always look 90 yrs old, my run in with Dan Castellaneta, Patrick Demp...

Baby Houseman.  Baby Kellerman.  Two Babies enter, only one will be left standing.  Yes, folks, Dirty Dancing became a short lived 1988 TV Show.  And, of course, I had to do a typical Fanacek deep dive.  Along the way, we'll explore my family's decision to purchase  BetaMax over VHS, the nudity in Friday the 13 Part 4, Tim Robbins and duck sex, actors in blackface, M.A.S.H. and its relationship wi...