This Is Not A Bit

Holly and Barry Tashian (music legends who have crossed paths with everyone from The Beatles to Emmylou Harris)

Holly and Barry Tashian exemplify the best in the music industry - people who truly love the live music experience, and whose love of music conveys to their audience wherever they perform. They went to high school together in New England before marrying and performing music together. Barry's band The Remains opened up for The Beatles in 1966 on their final U.S. tour. After The Remains split up, Barry recorded with Gram Parson and Emmylou Harris. Later, both Holly and Barry performed with Harris, leading to a long and fruitful collaboration. Holly and Barry now live in Nashville, and their recordings showcase their spectacular harmonies and songwriting.

Michael Lembeck (director on "Friends," "Everybody Loves Raymond," and "Mad About You")

Paul Dooley (actor in “Breaking Away,” “Sixteen Candles,” “The Runaway Bride,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” "Waiting For Guffman")

Paul Dooley is a legend of acting, improvising, and writing. He has played beloved father roles in such films as “Breaking Away,” “Sixteen Candles,” and “The Runaway Bride,” as well as Larry David’s father-in-law in “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” When Paul first moved to New York City from his home state of West Virginia, he contacted his college friend, the one and only Don Knotts, who helped Paul find acting work. From that connection, he later joined the New York City branch of “Second City” with Alan Arkin and Barbara Harris, and later starred on Broadway in “The Odd Couple” under the direction of Mike Nichols. As head writer on the PBS program “The Electric Company,” he hired such luminaries as Rita Moreno and Mel Brooks to act on the series. Paul co-wrote and acted in numerous Robert Altman films. Paul later became part of the repertory company for Christopher Guest’s string of improvised comedies, starting with “Waiting For Guffman.” In this interview, Paul discusses performing stand-up on “The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson,” acting in his first film at age 49, and working with such actors as Robin Williams, Bea Arthur, Dennis Quaid, and Elaine May.

Tribute to Television Comedy Writing Pioneer Lucille Kallen

In this episode, we pay tribute to the late, great Lucille Kallen, a true pioneer in television comedy writing. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Toronto, Lucille’s first love was piano, but she soon showed her comedy chops writing live sketches at a “borscht belt” resort in New York’s Pocono Mountains. Based on the strength of her live sketches, she was recruited in 1949 to serve as co-head writer for Sid Caesar’s “Admiral Broadway Review” (later “Your Show Of Shows”), the very first nationally televised comedy sketch program. Her fellow head writer was Mel Tolkin, and the writing staff soon included Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, Larry Gelbart, and Woody Allen. After leaving television, Lucille wrote the novel “Outside There, Somewhere!”, which is widely considered the first comic feminist novel. In this episode, Lucille’s son Paul discusses how she viewed the changing nature of television comedy throughout her life. Paul recalls meeting original Tonight Show host Steve Allen, who bemoaned having been “number 2” behind the Sid Caesar show. Lucille would tell Paul about needing to have a strong voice in Sid Caesar’s writers room, where she was the only woman. Paul recalls the time her mother appeared on The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson, her close friendship with Caesar co-star Imogene Coca, her portrayal in Neil Simon’s play “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” as well as her role as the inspiration for the Sally character on “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” created by Carl Reiner.

Mimi Pond (writer on "The Simpsons" and "Designing Women") and Wayne White (art director for videos by Peter Gabriel and Smashing Pumpkins)

Mimi Pond and Wayne White are a creative couple extraordinaire. They first met at one of Wayne’s puppet shows in New York City in the early ‘80s. Both Mimi and Wayne went on to make their mark on American culture, starting on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, where Mimi served as a writer and Wayne as a puppeteer and art director. Mimi went on to write the first full episode of “The Simpsons,” as well as writing on “Designing Women.” Wayne went on to work on the CBS series “Beakman’s World” and art directing the videos for Peter Gabriel’s “Big Time” and The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight Tonight,” for which he won an MTV Video Award. In this interview, Mimi discusses her work as a cartoonist for The Village Voice and National Lampoon, as well as her graphic novels about her time as a waitress in Oakland, and Wayne discusses his painting and print-work based on his interest in history and wordplay. They impart many lessons of living a creative life, urging creative people to follow what they really love to do, be prepared to work anywhere, and find the right boss.

Richard Edlund - Part 1 (Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor on original "Star Wars" trilogy" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark"))

Richard Edlund - Part 2 (Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor on original "Star Wars" trilogy" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark")

Shel Talmy (producer of The Who's "My Generation," The Kinks' "You Really Got Me," David Bowie's debut single)

Shel Talmy produced records that set the templates for hard rock and punk rock. After growing up in Chicago and learning the art of sound engineering in Los Angeles, he began his career as a producer in London in the early ‘60s. The list of the records he produced is staggering - singles by The Kinks (“You Really Got Me”, “All Day And All Of The Night,” “Sunny Afternoon”), by The Who (“My Generation”, “The Kids Are Alright”, “I Can’t Explain”), and even David Bowie’s debut single. He also produced the great “Friday On My Mind” by the Easybeats, and he worked with Manfred Mann, Pentangle, The Creation, and The Damned. In this interview, Talmy discusses his unique approach to music production, how he helped the Kinks get the guitar distortion on “You Really Got Me,” and the advice he gave The Who’s Keith Moon about playing drums in the studio. (Note: Many apologies for the poor sound quality - the interview took place by phone, and unfortunately the recording software left much to be desired. However, close listening will be rewarded, as Shel knows the history of rock music as few others have.)

Tamra Davis (director of "Billy Madison," "Half-Baked", countless classic music videos)

James Ward Byrkit (director of "Coherence," co-writer of Oscar-winning film "Rango")

James Ward Byrkit is an innovative filmmaker whose projects range from blockbuster, big-budget tentpoles to low-budget, personal films. Raised in Flagstaff, Arizona, Jim was first inspired by Star Wars, the Twilight Zone television series, and musicals like West Side Story. These classics influenced his work as a story-board artist and conceptual consultant on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy, including his suggestion to director Gore Verbinski that the first film have a musical number. Jim also co-wrote the Oscar-winning hit film “Rango.” Between big-budget projects, he directed and co-wrote the mind-blowing 2014 sci-fi film “Coherence,” currently streaming on Amazon, Hulu and iTunes. In this interview, Jim discusses these projects, as well as a would-be flash mob version of “Lord Of The Rings” in a mall, and the importance for upcoming filmmakers to form a creative community. He also discusses the importance of structure in screenwriting, and getting a call from “Dark Knight Trilogy” co-writer David Goyer to collaborate.

Jonathan Taplin (producer of "Mean Streets" and "The Last Waltz," former road manager for Bob Dylan and The Band)

Jonathan Taplin has found a unique and historic niche in the arts, in academia and in the public sphere. As a folk and blues fan in the early ‘60s, he watched performances by singers like Doc Watson, Muddy Waters, Mississippi John Hurt, Skip James, and Son House. Shortly after graduating from Princeton, Taplin became the road manager for Bob Dylan and the Band, touring the world with a perspective few others have had. Taplin had the rare opportunity to witness Dylan and The Band jam after hours with The Beatles, Neil Young, and many others. He later began his film production career with Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets,” and has since produced such documentaries as Scorsese and The Band’s “The Last Waltz.” Taplin later became a professor at USC’s Annenberg School of Communication, and is the Annenberg Innovation Lab Director Emeritus. He has also been a vice president of media mergers and acquisitions at Merrill Lynch, and founded the pioneering video-on-demand company Intertainer. In this interview, Taplin talks about his friendship with The Band’s Levon Helm as a jumping-off point for discussing the challenges that musicians face in making money in the age of YouTube. He also discusses his recent book “Move Fast and Break Things: How Facebook, Google, and Amazon Cornered Culture and Undermined Democracy,” in which he argues that mega-companies are crushing the music business and narrowing the number of news sources available to people. He also talks about how average citizens are having more effect on how online corporations self-regulate through demanding advertisement boycotts - the “power of consumer communications”. His memoir, “The Magic Years: Scenes From a Rock-and-Roll Life,” was released in March of 2021.

Jon Wilkman (documentarian and author)

Jon Wilkman is an author and award-winning filmmaker whose work has appeared on the major networks, PBS, HBO and A&E. His seven-part Turner Classic Movies series, “Moguls and Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood,” was nominated for three Emmys. A founding member and three-term president of the International Documentary Association, Jon’s most recent book is “Screening Reality, How Documentary Filmmakers Reimagined America.” His previous book, “Floodpath,” was an Amazon Nonfiction Book of the Year. In this interview, Jon talks about the fragility of the public’s perception of “truth” and how documentary filmmakers have contributed to that perception over the entire history of film. He discusses the relationship of trust between journalists and their audiences, which he saw up close in one of his first jobs working as a researcher for Walter Cronkite. Jon notes the change in audience’s acceptance of manipulation by programs claiming to be “reality television,” culminating in “The Apprentice” which hid the fact that Donald Trump was actually a failed businessman who was deeply in debt. With cellphone cameras allowing people to see more of the everyday world than ever before, and technology like deep fake with the capacity to fool viewers, Jon talks about the need to encourage viewers to be critical of what they see, and to encourage documentary filmmakers to only use technology to enhance the truth and not distort it, in order to lead a reexamination of who we are as a country and who we want to be as a culture.

Judy Rothman Rofé (Emmy-winning writer and producer of "Julie's Greenroom" with Julie Andrews)

Judy Rothman Rofé is an Emmy-winning writer, producer, and lyricist behind some of the most popular children’s television programs in recent memory. Growing up a fan of musical theater, as well as rock and folk music, Judy’s songs have appeared on such programs as “Sesame Street” (sung by the late “Big Bird” puppeteer Caroll Spinney). Judy wrote and developed such series as “Madeline,” “Angelina Ballerina,” “Camp Candy” (with the late John Candy), and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures.” Judy co-created the Netflix series “Julie’s Greenroom” with Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma. Judy’s current series is “Norman Picklestripes” on Universal Kids. In this interview, Judy discusses the creative process of collaborative songwriting, the joys of having Julie Andrews sing her lyrics, and the time she informally interpreted for Fidel Castro and Gabriel García Márquez at a Sundance Film workshop in Cuba. She also discusses writing the “Neurotic Parent” blog and the offshoot book, “The Neurotic Parent’s Guide to College Admissions.”

K Callan (actor in "Knives Out," “All In The Family,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Nip/Tuck,” “One Day At A Time,” “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” and “Veep”)

Acting in a critical and commercial hit like Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” is nothing new for actress K Callan. Throughout her storied career, she has appeared in numerous hit projects, including “All In The Family,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Nip/Tuck,” “One Day At A Time,” “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” and “Veep.” K even appeared in commercials with former podcast guest Paul Dooley. She is once again delighting audiences with her portrayal of the mysterious and hilarious Greatnana Wanetta, the matriarch of the dysfunctional Drysdale family in the Oscar- and Golden Globe-nominated “Knives Out”. In this interview, K recalls staking out an acting career in New York City as a single mother, and discusses what it takes to become a successful actor. She also talks about having a ground-breaking role on an Emmy-winning episode of “All In The Family,” getting the call that Rian Johnson wanted her in his all-star follow-up to “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” and her book “How To Sell Yourself As An Actor,” which is available on Amazon.

Laura Davis-Chanin and Michael Alago (co-writers of “I Am Michael Alago: Breathing Music. Signing Metallica. Beating Death.”

Michael Alago and Laura Davis-Chanin have both lived rock ’n' roll from a unique insider’s perspective. As an A&R executive for Elektra Records starting in the early ‘80s, Michael signed such bands as Metallica and White Zombie to their first major label contracts, as well as signing veteran artists like John Lydon/Public Image Ltd., Cyndi Lauper, Nina Simone and many others. Laura was the drummer in the seminal New York City punk band The Student Teachers, opening for artists like Iggy Pop and MC5, and she co-wrote multiple songs for Blondie. Michael and Laura met during the prime NYC punk days at clubs like CBGB and Max’s Kansas City. Both of their musical journeys were interrupted by serious health conditions, but both have survived and thrived in the interim. Although out of touch for many years, they reacquainted a few years back to co-write Michael’s autobiography, “I Am Michael Alago: Breathing Music. Signing Metallica. Beating Death.” Laura also wrote her own memoir, “The Girl In The Back: A Female Drummer's Life with Bowie, Blondie, and the '70s Rock Scene,” winner of the ASCAP Award For Excellence In Writing. Both books are available on Amazon and other online booksellers. Michael is also the subject of the documentary “Who The F**k Is That Guy? The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago,” currently on Netflix. In this interview, Michael and Laura discuss the need for hope in times of great adversity, and the need to live your life fearlessly no matter what. (Note: This interview took place in January 2020 in New York City).

Malcolm Cecil (producer for Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, The Isley Brothers, The Doobie Brothers, and Gil Scott-Heron)

Malcolm Cecil helped shape the sound of 1970s soul, funk and R&B as co-producer and engineer of the some of the most iconic albums and singles of all time. Malcolm collaborated with such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, The Isley Brothers, The Doobie Brothers, and Gil Scott-Heron. He designed and constructed one of the earliest and largest analog synthesizers in the world (nicknamed TONTO), and recorded one of the first albums comprised entirely of synthesized audio. In this interview, Cecil discusses his early musical experiences in England, leading to his role as principal bassist for the BBC orchestra, opening for The Miles Davis Quintet, and recording with saxophonist Sonny Stitt. He describes meeting and working closely with Wonder, including his demand to Motown founder Berry Gordy that he let Cecil preserve the integrity of the classic album “Innervisions” during its mastering. Cecil also talks about helping boxing legend Muhammad Ali with his own recording, and discovering and restoring an unreleased live recording of the original Miles Davis Quintet with John Coltrane.

Mark Schiff (stand-up comedian, opener for Jerry Seinfeld)

Mark Schiff has been slaying audiences with his stand-up comedy since the late ‘70s, getting his start at such legendary New York City clubs as Catch a Rising Star, The Improv, and The Comic Strip. He paid his dues just to get a few minutes of recurring stage time, and in the process met such up-and-coming comics as Jerry Seinfeld, Paul Reiser, Gilbert Gottfried, George Wallace, Larry Miller and Joe Piscopo. Mark now tours the U.S.A. with Seinfeld, in addition to being a columnist for the Los Angeles Jewish Journal. In this interview, Mark recalls being inspired as a teenager by seeing Rodney Dangerfield perform stand-up in person, selling candy in Broadway theaters with Gilbert Gottfried, getting acquainted with Katherine Hepburn, overcoming stage fright, and thriving in an often unforgiving profession.

Martha Wash (singer on "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now" and "It's Raining Men")

Martha Wash is a singer of unparalleled power and soul, and has one of the most recognizable voices in music. Martha was raised in San Francisco, and started singing at age 3 after having heard her mother’s gospel records. Martha sang for her church choir, and had the benefit of an older brother who played guitar with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Taj Mahal. Her early influences included gospel artists like Mahalia Jackson, as well as Motown records from The Supremes and The Temptations. Martha’s high school choir recorded four albums in a professional studio and toured Europe, a rare opportunity for an urban high school student in the 1970s. She got her professional start in a trio put together by her music teacher that opened for jazz great Ernestine Anderson in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood. She later became a background singer with her friend, Izora Armstead, for disco phenomenon Sylvester. Martha and Izora later recorded with former Motown executive Harvey Fuqua as Two Tons O’Fun, and later as The Weather Girls, and had a huge hit with “It’s Raining Men” (co-written by Paul Schaffer). One of her demos was later used on C+C Music Factory’s mega-hit “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”, but was attributed to a different singer, omitting credit for Martha. Martha sued the producers to simply be recognized for her contribution to the song, and was eventually credited for her vital contribution to one of the most popular tracks in music history. Martha later started her own record label, Purple Rose, through which she released her last two albums. She has expanded beyond dance music to embrace many different genres of music, as shown on her most recent album, “Love And Conflict.” She has collaborated with artists such as Luther Vandross and RuPaul, showing the incredible range of emotion she is capable of expressing.

Megan Williams and Eleanor Bingham Miller (producers of documentary "Boston" and video journalism pioneers)

Megan Williams and Eleanor Bingham Miller are producers of the fascinating and heart-wrenching documentary “Boston” about the history of the Boston Marathon, the tragic 2013 terrorist bombing at the finish line, and how the Marathon came back the following year. Narrated by Boston native Matt Damon, the documentary (which is available on Amazon Prime and iTunes) highlights the marathon’s symbol of strength in the face of adversity, as well as the struggles faced by women, disabled contestants, and others to be included in the race. The theme of a community rebuilding itself after unspeakable tragedy is as resonant today as ever. Before producing “Boston,” both Williams and Miller helped redefine the role of independent documentary cinema as part of the ground-breaking video journalism collective “TVTV” (“Top Value TV”), which is the subject of the documentary “TVTV: Video Revolutionaries.” Miller and Williams have produced documentaries such as TVTV’s “Lord Of The Universe” (about the insidious effects of the cult of personality) and Miller’s “The New Klan: Heritage of Hate” that have unsettling parallels with the re-emergence of hate groups in the wake of the 2016 election.

Michael Beinhorn (producer for Soundgarden, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Herbie Hancock and Aerosmith)

Michael Beinhorn takes being a producer very seriously. This singularity of purpose shows in the ground-breaking albums he’s produced, including Soundgarden’s “Superunknown,” The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Mothers Milk” and “Uplift Mofo Party Plan,” Herbie Hancock’s “Future Shock,” and many more. Michael has worked with such artists as Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmith, Hole, Violent Femmes, and Soul Asylum. Michael was also a member of the legendary genre-defying New York band Material in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. In this interview, Michael discusses his “alternate reality” approach to producing Herbie Hancock, why “Superunknown” shouldn’t be thought of as a “grunge” record, and what drew him to work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the time of their commercial and creative breakout period. He also discusses his latest project, Beinhorn Creative - the world’s first production-based online music company (at BeinhornCreative.com), which allows him to produce artists across the globe remotely and in real time. Michael also talks about the inspiration for his fascinating book “Unlocking Creativity: A Producer's Guide to Making Music & Art.”